Clasp mechanism to enable concealment and use by those with limited dexterity

Abstract

A clasp mechanism is disclosed. Example embodiments are directed to a clasp mechanism comprising: an outer tube; an end cap attached at a top of the outer tube; an inner tube encompassed by the outer tube; a spring and a plate captured between the end cap and a top of the inner tube; a slotted end-cap at the bottom of the outer tube; and a hook configured for insertion into a slot of the slotted end-cap, to latch to the top of the inner tube, and to be held in place by the spring and plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A clasp mechanism comprising:
 an outer tube;   an end cap attached at a top of the outer tube;   an inner tube encompassed by the outer tube;   a spring and a plate captured between the end cap and a top of the inner tube;   a slotted end-cap at the bottom of the outer tube; and   a hook configured for insertion into a slot of the slotted end-cap, to latch to the top of the inner tube, and to be held in place by the spring and plate.   
     
     
         2 . The clasp mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the clasp mechanism is fabricated from metal or plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The clasp mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the top of the inner tube has a beveled edge slanted downward from an interior of the inner tube toward an exterior of the inner tube. 
     
     
         4 . The clasp mechanism of  claim 3  wherein the beveled edge of the inner tube is slanted at an angle in the range of 35 degrees to 45 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The clasp mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the spring is a four-legged, starfish-shaped spring. 
     
     
         6 . The clasp mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the plate is configured to apply pressure to hold the inserted hook in place against the beveled edge of the inner tube. 
     
     
         7 . The clasp mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the hook is flattened to facilitate insertion of the hook through the slot of the slotted end-cap at the bottom of the outer tube. 
     
     
         8 . The clasp mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the hook includes a hole in an end to facilitate attachment to a chain or strand. 
     
     
         9 . The clasp mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the hook includes a rounded bend and a notch with an angle configured to match an angle of a contour of the top of the inner tube. 
     
     
         10 . The clasp mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the inner tube and the outer tube are fabricated as a single component. 
     
     
         11 . A method for fabricating a clasp mechanism, the method comprising:
 attaching an end cap at a top of an outer tube;   obtaining an inner tube having a top;   inserting the inner tube into the outer tube to capture a spring and a plate between the end cap and the top of the inner tube;   attaching a slotted end-cap at the bottom of the outer tube; and   inserting a hook into a slot of the slotted end-cap to latch to the top edge of the inner tube, and to be held in place by the spring and plate.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the clasp mechanism is fabricated from metal or plastic. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the top of the inner tube has a beveled edge slanted downward from an interior of the inner tube toward an exterior of the inner tube. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the beveled edge of the inner tube is slanted at an angle in the range of 35 degrees to 45 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the spring is a four-legged, starfish-shaped spring. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the plate is configured to apply pressure to hold the inserted hook in place against the top of the inner tube. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the hook is flattened to facilitate insertion of the hook through the slot of the slotted end-cap at the bottom of the outer tube. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the hook includes a hole in an end to facilitate attachment to a chain or strand. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the hook includes a rounded bend and a notch with an angle configured to match an angle of a contour of the top of the inner tube. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the inner tube and the outer tube are fabricated as a single component.