A CLASP

Abstract

A clasp having a body defining at least one passageway extending at least partially therethrough, at least a pair of engagement portions pivotally mounted across the body and adapted to engage an object located in said at least one passageway, and an actuation portion in communication with the at least a pair of engagement portions and biased in the engaged condition, wherein actuation of the actuation portion causes the at least a pair of engagement portions to disengage from the object against the biasing force.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A clasp, comprising: a body defining at least one passageway extending at least partially therethrough; and at least a pair of engagement portions pivotally mounted across the body and configured to engage an object located in said at least one passageway, wherein a first of the at least a pair of engagement portions is located closer to an inlet end of the passageway and a second of the at least a pair of engagement portions is located closer to an outlet end of the passageway, and the clasp further comprises an actuation portion in communication with the at least a pair of engagement portions and biased in the engaged condition, wherein actuation of the actuation portion causes the at least a pair of engagement portions to disengage from the object against the biasing force.

22. A clasp according to claim 21, wherein the object comprises an elongate flexible member.

23. A clasp according to claim 21, wherein the actuation portion comprises a lever, button, switch or latch.

24. A clasp according to claim 21, wherein the actuation portion forms at least a portion of an upper wall of the body.

25. A clasp according to claim 21, wherein the actuation portion is biased in the engaged condition by one or more biasing members.

26. A clasp according to claim 21, wherein the actuation portion is pivotally mounted to the body of the clasp.

27. A clasp according to claim 26, wherein actuation of the actuation portion causes the engagement portions to pivot about a pivot point such that the engagement portions are pivoted out of the passageway.

28. A clasp according to claim 27, wherein, as the engagement portions pivot out of the passageway, the first of the at least a pair of engagement portions pivots in a clockwise direction between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and the second of the at least a pair of engagement portions pivots in an anticlockwise direction between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

29. A clasp according to claim 21, wherein each of the at least a pair of engagement portions is provided with an array of projections configured to engage with at the object.

30. A clasp according to claim 29, wherein the array of projections on the first of the at least a pair of engagement portions is oriented in a different direction to the array of projections on the second of the at least a pair of engagement portions.

31. A clasp according to any claim 21, wherein the actuation portion is provided with indicia to instruct a user how to actuate the actuation portion.

32. A clasp according to claim 21, wherein the clasp and at least one elongate member are included on a collar.

33. A clasp according to claim 32, wherein the elongate member comprises the portion of the collar that is placed around a neck of a wearer.

34. A clasp according to claim 32, wherein the collar is an animal collar.

35. A method of attaching a collar to an animal, the method comprising the steps of: actuating an actuation portion located on a clasp provided on said collar; inserting an elongate portion of the collar into the clasp; and releasing the actuation portion when the elongate portion has been inserted a sufficient distance into the clasp, wherein releasing the actuation portion causes at least a pair of engagement portions to engage with the elongate portion, and a first of the at least a pair of engagement portions is located closer to an inlet end of the passageway and a second of the at least a pair of engagement portions is located closer to an outlet end of the passageway, thereby preventing the elongate portion from moving when in use.

36. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the clasp comprises a body defining a passageway extending from a first end of the body to a second end of the body, said body comprising one or more walls, the interior of the walls serving to define the passageway, the method further comprising the steps of: securing an end of the elongate member to the clasp at the second end of the body of the clasp; and inserting an opposite end of the elongate member into the clasp through an inlet at the first end of the body, the inlet being defined by the body and the actuation portion, toward the second end of the body of the clasp.

37. A clasp, comprising: a body defining at least one passageway extending from an inlet at a first end of the body to an outlet at a second, opposite end of the body, the second end of the body configured to secure an elongate member to the body of the clasp, said body comprising: a bottom wall, and one or more walls extending upward from said bottom wall, the interior of the one or more walls serving to define the passageway; at least a pair of engagement portions pivotally mounted across the body and configured to engage the elongate member when located in said at least one passageway, wherein a first of the at least a pair of engagement portions is located closer to the first end of the body and a second of the at least a pair of engagement portions is located closer to the second end of the body; and an actuation portion in communication with at least one of the engagement portions and biased into an engaged condition, wherein actuation of said actuation portion causes the engagement portions to disengage from the elongate member against the biasing force.

38. A clasp according to claim 36, wherein the clasp is provided with an attachment portion configured to allow an item to be permanently or temporarily attached thereto.

39. A clasp according to claim 16, wherein the bottom wall of the body is substantially continuous.

40. A clasp as claimed in claim 16, wherein the actuation portion is in communication with the at least a pair of engagement portions and biased into an engaged condition.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0088] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0089] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a clasp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a clasp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a clasp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of a clasp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0093] In FIG. 1 there is shown a cross-sectional view of a clasp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The clasp 10 of FIG. 1 is shown in the engaged position.

[0094] In this Figure it may be seen that the clasp 10 comprises a body 11 having a bottom wall 12 and side walls 13 that extend upwardly from the bottom wall 12. An inlet 14 is located at a first end of the body 11, while an outlet 15 is located at a second end of the body 11, and a passageway 16 is formed through the body 11 between the inlet 14 and the outlet 15.

[0095] The clasp 10 further includes an actuation portion 17 pivotally connected to the body 11 via pivot pin 18 that extends between opposed side walls 13. A pair of engagement portions 19a, 19b are located within the passageway 16 and, in the engaged position shown in FIG. 1, engage with an elongate member 20 in the form of a strap positioned within the passageway 16.

[0096] The engagement portions 19a, 19b are pivotally connected to the body 11 via pivot pins 21a, 21b that extend between opposed side walls 13. Also connected to the pivot pins 21a, 21b is a biasing member 22 in the form of a spring. The natural bias of the biasing member 22 retains the engagement portions 19a, 19b in the engaged position illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0097] The engagement portions 19a, 19b are further provided with projections 23a, 23b that abut an abutment portion 24 of the actuation portion 17.

[0098] In FIG. 1 it may be seen that the elongate member 20 is connected to the second end of the body 11 adjacent the outlet 15. The elongate member 20 is connected to the body 11 by passing a first end 26 of the elongate member 20 through an aperture 25 in the bottom wall 12 of the body and securing the end of the elongate member 20 to another part of the elongate member 20. In use, an opposed second end 27 of the elongate member 20 is inserted into the inlet 14 of the body through the passageway 16 and out of the outlet 15 thereby forming a loop.

[0099] The clasp 10 further comprises attachment means in the form of a loop 28 to which another object (such as a leash, identification tag or the like) may be attached.

[0100] In FIG. 2 there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of a clasp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The clasp 10 is virtually identical to the one illustrated in FIG. 1 except that the clasp 10 of FIG. 2 is shown in the disengaged position.

[0101] In FIG. 2, pressure has been applied to the actuation portion 17, forcing the actuation portion 17 to pivot downwardly about pivot pin 18. The downward movement of the actuation portion 17 results in the abutment portion 24 exerting a force on the projections 23a, 23b, overcoming the natural bias of the biasing member 22 and causing the engagement portions 19a, 19b to pivot about pivot pins 21a, 21b. One engagement portion 19a pivots in an anticlockwise direction when moving from the engaged position to the disengaged position, while the other engagement portion 19b pivots in a clockwise direction when moving from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

[0102] The pivotal movement of the engagement portions 19a, 19b removes the engagement portions 19a, 19b from their engagement with the elongate member 20, thereby allowing adjustment of the position of the elongate member 20 in either direction.

[0103] In FIG. 2 it may be more clearly seen that each engagement portion 19a, 19b is provided with an array of projections 29 that engage with the elongate member 20 in the engaged position, thereby precluding unwanted movement of the elongate member 20.

[0104] In FIG. 3, and exploded view of a clasp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this Figure, it may be seen that the actuation portion 17 includes a thumb pad 30 adapted to indicate to a user where to place their thumb or finger so as to apply a force and disengage the engagement portions 19a, 19b from the elongate member 20.

[0105] The engagement portions 19a, 19b extend substantially entirely across the width of the body 11, meaning that the elongate member 20 is engaged by the engagement members 19a, 19b across substantially its entire width. In addition, the engagement portions 19a, 19b are provided with bores 31a, 31b therethrough to ensure that the engagement portions 19a, 19b are retained on pivot pins 21a, 21b.

[0106] The biasing member 22 is mounted on both pivot pins 21a and 21b and extends therebetween. In addition, the biasing member is provided with tail portions that abut the engagement portions 19a, 19b and retain the engagement portions 19a, 19b in the engaged condition due to the natural bias of the biasing member 22.

[0107] The side walls 13 are provided with cover portions 32 that serve to retain the pivot pins 18, 21a and 21b in place in the clasp 10. In addition, the cover portions 32 provide the clasp 10 with a pleasing aesthetic appearance.

[0108] Further, the clasp 10 is provided with indicia 33 in the form of an arrow to indicate to a user the direction in which the elongate member 20 is to be inserted into the clasp 10.

[0109] In FIG. 4 there is illustrated an isometric view of a clasp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this Figure, the clasp 10 of FIG. 3 is shown in an assembled condition. Furthermore, the clasp is shown in the engaged condition.

[0110] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0111] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0112] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.