Quick release linking clasp system for jewelry and apparel

Abstract

A quick release system which may be used for example with jewelry or apparel provides a push button release that connects/disconnects the ends of jewelry more readily than conventional clasp systems. First and second connector portions are caught and released from one another using the push button release. A clasp may be on one connector portion while a fastener may be on the other connector portion so that the conventional ends of jewelry may be fastened to respective ends of the quick release system without modification.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A quick release jewelry clasp system, comprising:
 a first connector portion;   a fastener coupled to the first connector portion;   a second connector portion configured to connect to the first connector portion;   a push button release on the first or second connector portion, configured to catch the first connector portion to the second connector portion and release the second connector portion from the first connector portion in response to a user depressing the push button release; and   a clasp configured for linking to a piece of jewelry, the clasp being coupled to the second connector portion.   
     
     
         2 . The quick release clasp system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first connector portion is a barrel including a projection; and   the second connector portion is a housing including a channel on a first end of the housing, the channel configured to receive the projection into an interior of the housing, wherein the push button release is configured to catch and release the projection.   
     
     
         3 . The quick release clasp system of  claim 2 , further comprising a detent on an exterior surface of the projection, the push button release configured to catch and release the detent. 
     
     
         4 . The quick release clasp system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second connector portions, when connected, provide a flat exterior surface for laying against a user's skin. 
     
     
         5 . A quick release clasp system, comprising:
 a barrel including a projection;   a detent on an exterior surface of the projection;   a ring link on an end of the barrel;   a connector housing including a channel on a first end of the connector housing, the channel configured to receive the projection into an interior of the connector housing;   a push button release accessible from an exterior face of the connector housing, the push button release configured to catch the detent upon receipt of the projection within the interior of the housing connector; and   a clasp coupled to a second end of the connector housing.   
     
     
         6 . The quick release clasp system of  claim 5 , further comprising a jeweled charm positioned intermediate the connector housing and the clasp. 
     
     
         7 . The quick release clasp system of  claim 5 , wherein the connector housing includes a flat exterior surface for laying against a user's skin. 
     
     
         8 . An article of apparel with quick release connection between sections of apparel, comprising:
 a first section of apparel;   a barrel including a projection;   a detent on an exterior surface of the projection;   a ring link on an end of the barrel, the rink link connected to the first section of apparel;   a connector housing including a channel on a first end of the connector housing, the channel configured to receive the projection into an interior of the connector housing;   a push button release accessible from an exterior face of the connector housing, the push button release configured to catch the detent upon receipt of the projection within the interior of the housing connector; and   a clasp coupled to a second end of the connector housing, the clasp coupled to a second section of apparel.   
     
     
         9 . The article of apparel with quick release connection between sections of apparel of  claim 8 , wherein the clasp is disposed to project from the connector housing parallel to a user's skin. 
     
     
         10 . The article of apparel with quick release connection between sections of apparel of  claim 9 , wherein the connector housing includes a flat exterior surface for laying against the user's skin and wherein the push button release is on a second exterior surface opposite the flat exterior surface.