Jewelry Clasp

Abstract

A jewelry item comprising a plurality of individual, customizable strands utilizes a novel clasp for holding an end of each strand. This clasp includes stationary and movable closure elements; a housing for covering at least a portion of the closure; and a connection piece secured to the stationary closure element. The clasp is spring-biased towards its closed position. Pushing the connection piece towards the housing opens the clasp. The resulting clasp arrangement can be utilized with a multi-strand jewelry item.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A clasp, comprising:
 a housing, the housing having an outer wall, a first end defining a first recess, a second end defining a second recess, and a channel connecting the first recess to the second recess;   a first loop portion, the first loop portion having a hook and a shaft extending from a first end of the hook, the hook forming at least half of a loop, the shaft including an elongated portion and a shaft end, the hook being disposed at least partially within the first recess, the elongated portion of the shaft extending slidably through the channel, and the shaft end being disposed within or adjacent to the second recess;   a connection piece having a first connection portion and a second connection portion, the first connection portion being secured to the shaft end, the second connection portion comprising at least one of a component of a clasp or a connector for a strand;   a second loop portion, the second loop portion being fixedly secured within the first recess of the housing, the first loop portion and second loop portion being structured to interface with each other to form a substantially closed loop; and   the first loop portion moving between a closed position wherein the first loop portion interfaces with the second loop portion to form a closed loop, and an open position wherein a loop formed by the first loop portion and second loop portion is open, the first loop portion being spring-biased towards the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The clasp according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring is disposed within the second recess of the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The clasp according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the second recess and the connector each define opposing surfaces; and   the spring is disposed between the opposing surfaces.   
     
     
         4 . The clasp according to  claim 3 , wherein the spring surrounds a portion of the shaft of the first loop portion. 
     
     
         5 . The clasp according to  claim 1 , wherein the first loop portion extends between about 60% to about 90% of a closed loop. 
     
     
         6 . The clasp according to  claim 1 , wherein the first loop portion is structured to move from the closed position to the open position upon the connection piece being moved towards the housing. 
     
     
         7 . A multi-strand jewelry item, comprising:
 a first clasp and a second clasp, each of the first clasp and second clasp, comprising:   a housing, the housing having an outer wall, a first end defining a first recess, a second end defining a second recess, and a channel connecting the first recess to the second recess;   a first loop portion, the first loop portion having a hook and a shaft extending from a first end of the hook, the hook forming at least half of a loop, the shaft including an elongated portion and a shaft end, the hook being disposed at least partially within the first recess, the elongated portion of the shaft extending slidably through the channel, and the shaft end being disposed within or adjacent to the second recess;   a connection piece having a first connection portion and a second connection portion, the first connection portion being secured to the shaft end, the second connection portion comprising at least one of a component of a clasp or a connector for a strand;   a second loop portion, the second loop portion being fixedly secured within the first recess of the housing, the first loop portion and second loop portion being structured to interface with each other to form a substantially closed loop; and   the first loop portion moving between a closed position wherein the first loop portion interfaces with the second loop portion to form a closed loop, and an open position wherein a loop formed by the first loop portion and second loop portion is open, the first loop portion being spring-biased towards the closed position;   a plurality of strands, each strand having a pair of ends, each end having a generally loop-shaped connection thereon; and   a third clasp, the third clasp having a first clasp element and a second clasp element, the first clasp element of the third clasp being secured to the connection piece of the first clasp, the second clasp element being secured to the connection piece of the second clasp;   whereby a wearer may secure one or more of the plurality of strands to the first clasp and second clasp, and may secure the jewelry item to the wearer by fastening the third clasp.   
     
     
         8 . The multi-strand jewelry item according to  claim 7 , wherein the spring of each clasp is disposed within the second recess of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-strand jewelry item according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the second recess of each clasp and the connector of each clasp each define opposing surfaces; and   the spring of each clasp is disposed between the opposing surfaces.   
     
     
         10 . The multi-strand jewelry item according to  claim 9 , wherein the spring of each clasp surrounds a portion of the shaft of the first loop portion of each clasp. 
     
     
         11 . The multi-strand jewelry item according to  claim 7 , wherein the first loop portion of each clasp extends between about 60% to about 90% of a closed loop. 
     
     
         12 . The multi-strand jewelry item according to  claim 7 , wherein the first loop portion of each clasp is structured to move from the closed position to the open position upon the connection piece being moved towards the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The multi-strand jewelry item according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first clasp element of the third clasp comprises:   a housing, the housing having an outer wall, a first end defining a first recess, a second end defining a second recess, and a channel connecting the first recess to the second recess;   a first loop portion, the first loop portion having a hook and a shaft extending from a first end of the hook, the hook forming at least half of a loop, the shaft including an elongated portion and a shaft end, the hook being disposed at least partially within the first recess, the elongated portion of the shaft extending slidably through the channel, and the shaft end being disposed within or adjacent to the second recess;   a connection piece having a first connection portion and a second connection portion, the first connection portion being secured to the shaft end, the second connection portion comprising at least one of a component of a clasp or a connector for a strand;   a second loop portion, the second loop portion being fixedly secured within the first recess of the housing, the first loop portion and second loop portion being structured to interface with each other to form a substantially closed loop; and   the first loop portion moving between a closed position wherein the first loop portion interfaces with the second loop portion to form a closed loop, and an open position wherein a loop formed by the first loop portion and second loop portion is open, the first loop portion being spring-biased towards the closed position; and   the second clasp element of the third clasp is a loop that is structured to be secured within the first clasp element.   
     
     
         14 . The multi-strand jewelry item according to  claim 13 , wherein the spring of the third clasp is disposed within the second recess of the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The multi-strand jewelry item according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 the second recess of the third clasp and the connector of the third clasp each define opposing surfaces; and   the spring of the third clasp is disposed between the opposing surfaces.   
     
     
         16 . The multi-strand jewelry item according to  claim 15 , wherein the spring of the third clasp surrounds a portion of the shaft of the first loop portion of the third clasp. 
     
     
         17 . The multi-strand jewelry item according to  claim 13 , wherein the first loop portion of the third clasp extends between about 60% to about 90% of a closed loop. 
     
     
         18 . The multi-strand jewelry item according to  claim 13 , wherein the first loop portion of the third clasp is structured to move from the closed position to the open position upon the connection piece being moved towards the housing.