Clasp with rotate disengagement

Abstract

A clasp for holding two ends of cords or the like together includes a shaft member insertable into and engageable with a latch member. The latch member is a round tube having an open front end through which the shaft member may be inserted and withdrawn. Attached to the latch member is a spring member with a hook (tab) extending from a free end thereof through a hole in the side of the latch member. The shaft has a notch. The clasp is engaged by aligning the tab of the latch member with the notch of the shaft member and pushing the shaft member into the open end of the latch member until the tab engages the notch. The clasp is disengaged by rotating the shaft member relative to the latch member so that the tab is urged out of the notch, then pulling the shaft member out of the latch member.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A clasp, comprising: 
 an elongate, generally cylindrical, latch member having a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a wall, an inside surface, an outside surface, and an inside diameter;    an elongate, generally cylindrical, shaft member having a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a length, a notch extending a distance into an external surface thereof, and an outside diameter; and    a spring member, disposed on the outside surface of the latch member, and having a tab extending a distance, into the bore of the latch member, for resiliently engaging the notch of the shaft member.    
     
     
         2 . Clasp, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the outside diameter of the shaft member is less than the inside diameter of the latch member.    
     
     
         3 . Clasp, according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a hole extending through the wall of the latch member, from the outside surface to the inside surface thereof;    wherein the tab extends through the hole.    
     
     
         4 . Clasp, according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the hole is disposed at a position which is approximately 25-50% of a distance from the front end to the rear end of the latch member.    
     
     
         5 . Clasp, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the inside surface of the latch member has a uniform diameter from the front end to the rear end.    
     
     
         6 . Clasp, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the latch member is constructed as a thin-walled, strong, round tube, of metal.    
     
     
         7 . Clasp, according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a hole extending through the wall of the latch member, from the outside surface to the inside surface thereof, at a location closely adjacent the rear end; and    a ring disposed in the hole, for attaching to an end of an elongate element.    
     
     
         8 . Clasp, according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an eyelet in the rear end of the shaft member; and    a ring disposed in the eyelet, for attaching to an end of an elongate element.    
     
     
         9 . Clasp, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the rear end of the latch member is open.    
     
     
         10 . Clasp, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the shaft member is tapered, from the front end towards the rear end so that it can easily be inserted into the latch member.    
     
     
         11 . Clasp, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the notch extends radially into the shaft member a distance which is approximately one-third to one-half of the shaft diameter.    
     
     
         12 . Clasp, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the notch extends circumferentially, approximately 180-degrees around the shaft member, has a front wall, a back wall, and a ramp surface.    
     
     
         13 . Clasp, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the spring member is elongate and is made of a resilient material.    
     
     
         14 . Clasp, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the spring member comprises an elongate body portion having a one end which is affixed to the latch member and another opposite end which is a free end; and    the tab extends from the free end of the body portion.    
     
     
         15 . Clasp, according to  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the tab is integrally formed with the body portion.    
     
     
         16 . Clasp, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the distance that the tab extends into the bore of the latch member is less than half the inside diameter of the latch member.    
     
     
         17 . Clasp, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the distance that the tab extends into the bore of the latch member is less than the depth of the notch.    
     
     
         18 . Clasp, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the spring member is formed integrally with the latch member.    
     
     
         19 . Method of engaging a clasp comprising a shaft member insertable into a latch member, comprising: 
 aligning a notch on the shaft member with a tab extending into a bore of the latch member, and inserting the front end of the shaft member into the front end of the latch member;    causing the tab to deflect resiliently out of the bore;    continuing to insert the shaft member into the latch member until the notch is aligned under the tab, and the tab enters the notch.    
     
     
         20 . Method, according to  claim 19 , further comprising disengaging the clasp by: 
 rotating the shaft member to a position where the tab is no longer in the notch; and    withdrawing the shaft member from the latch member.