Jewelry spring ring clasp

Abstract

A spring ring has an arcuate body having spaced apart open and closed ends. The spaced apart ends define an opening. The body defines a bore. The body has radially on its outer surface an elongate groove. A spring is disposed within the bore and abuts the closed end of the bore. A plunger is disposed partially within said bore, abuts the spring and extends through the open end of the bore. The spring biases the plunger to occupy the opening to form a ring. A tab is formed on the plunger and extends through the elongate groove. A fastener is coupled to or integrally formed with the tab. The fastener and the ring are each capable of being affixed to an article, such as an article of jewelry.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A spring ring comprising:
 (a) an arcuate body having spaced apart open and closed ends, said spaced apart ends defining an opening, said body defining a bore, said body having radially on its outer surface an elongate groove;   (b) a spring disposed within said bore and abutting said closed end;   (c) a plunger disposed partially within said bore abutting said spring and extending through said open end, said spring biasing said plunger to occupy said opening to form a ring;   (d) a tab formed on said plunger and extending through said elongate groove; and   (e) a fastener coupled to or integrally formed with said tab, said fastener and said ring each capable of being affixed to an article.   
     
     
         2 . The spring ring of  claim 1 , wherein said fastener and said ring have substantially similar radii. 
     
     
         3 . The spring ring of  claim 1 , wherein said fastener and said ring are co-planar. 
     
     
         4 . The spring ring of  claim 1 , wherein said fastener and said ring are disposed along orthogonal planes. 
     
     
         5 . The spring ring of  claim 1 , wherein said fastener is rotatable relative to said ring.