Barrel lock with push tab

Abstract

A barrel lock is provided with a hollow barrel section and a spring-biased clasp section. The clasp section has a flattened push tab that facilitates engagement and disengagement of the clasp section with the barrel section. The barrel section is further provided with a catch and the clasp section is farther provided with a protrusion, the catch being adapted to engage the protrusion and secure the barrel and clasp sections together.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A jewelry clasp comprising: 
 a) an insertion member having first and second planar members and a junction formed therebetween, said planar members being movable with respect to each other from a compressed position, where said planar members are positioned in a parallel, overlapping arrangement, to an open position, wherein one planar member is positioned at an angle with respect to each other, said planar members being spring-biased at said junction toward said open position,    b) said first planar member having a longitudinal edge and a spherical protrusion formed on said longitudinal edge,    c) said second planar member having a tab section extending outwardly and perpendicularly from said second planar member and terminating in a third planar member that is disposed parallel to said second planar member, and    d) a cylindrical receiving member adapted to receive and engage said insertion member,    e) said receiving member having an interior, an engagement face, a side wall and a receiving slot, said slot having a first portion extending along a diameter of said engagement face, a second portion extending perpendicularly from said first portion along a radius of said engagement and continuing along a longitudinal edge of said side wall,    f) said slot first portion being dimensioned for passage of said first and second planar members therethrough while said planar members are in the compressed position, said interior being dimensioned to receive only part of said first planar member and the entirety of said second planar member therein, and said slot second portion being dimensioned for passage of said tab section therealong,    g) said engagement face being adapted to retain said second planar member within said interior, to complete the interengagement of said insertion and receiving members, after passage of said second planar member through said first slot portion,    h) wherein said third planar section is elongated to hide from view substantially all of said second slot portion extending along said side wall while said insertion member is engaged with said receiving member.    
     
     
         2 . A jewelry clasp in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said receiving member further comprises a safety catch that is adapted to engage said protrusion when said insertion and receiving members are engaged, to prevent inadvertent separation of said insertion and receiving members.