Improved lobster clasp for a piece of jewellery

Abstract

Lobster clasp for a piece of jewellery, such as a necklace or bracelet, comprising a first housing part, a second housing part, a closing element and a spring means, wherein the closing element is formed with a closing arm and manipulating arm and is mounted rotatably between the first and second housing part; wherein at least one of the first and second housing part takes substantially the form of a ring with opening which is closable by the closing arm, wherein the spring means is configured and arranged to hold the closing arm in the closed position when no force is being exerted on the manipulating arm and to allow the closing arm to be brought into an open position when a force is exerted on the manipulating arm, wherein the first and second housing part are formed with respectively a first and second snap part so as to form a snap mechanism which connects the first and second housing part and so secures the closing element present therebetween.

Description

[0001] Improved lobster clasp for a piece of jewellery

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The field of the invention relates to lobster clasps for a piece of jewellery, such as a necklace or bracelet, comprising two housing parts, a closing element and a spring means. More specifically, the invention relates to lobster clasps wherein the closing element is mounted rotatably between the two housing parts. The field of the invention further relates to methods for manufacturing such a lobster clasp.

[0004] Background

[0005] Closures of the lobster clasp type, also referred to as mousqueton or trigger clasp, for jewellery such as a necklace or a bracelet have existed for many years. These generally consist of a housing with two symmetrical walls, a closing element and a spring which is biased in the housing, wherein the whole of closing element and spring is typically introduced into the housing in a lateral direction. For this purpose the walls of the housing are opened and, after this introduction, pressed together again.

[0006] Similar systems are further known wherein the housing consists of one single component, wherein the whole of closing element and spring is introduced by tilting it, after which a separate shaft part is arranged through pivot holes in the closing element and the housing. This assembly is very timeconsuming and labour-intensive, since the tilting and aligning of the pivot holes of closing element and housing, among other things, requires precision work which is difficult to automate and entails a risk of damage to the spring. This assembly furthermore requires soldering of the shaft part at a central and therefore critical location in the closure, with the risk of deformation of the parts.

[0007] Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a lobster clasp for a piece of jewellery of the type stated in the preamble with a limited number of parts, which allows for an improved and easily automated assembly of the lobster clasp.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, a lobster clasp for a piece of jewellery, such as a necklace or a bracelet, is provided. The lobster clasp comprises a first housing part, a second housing part, a closing element and a spring means. The closing element is formed with a closing arm and a manipulating arm, and is mounted rotatably between the first and the second housing part. At least one of the first and the second housing part takes substantially the form of a ring with an opening which is closable by the closing arm. The spring means is configured and arranged to hold the closing arm in the closed position when no force is being exerted on the manipulating arm and to allow the closing arm to be brought into an open position when a force is exerted on the manipulating arm. The first and the second housing part are formed with respectively a first snap part and a second snap part so as to form a snap mechanism which connects the first housing part to the second housing part and so secures the closing element present therebetween.

[0010] Because the housing consists of two separate parts which are connected to each other by means of a snap mechanism, the lobster clasp can be assembled in an improved manner which is suitable for automation using robotics. The parts can preferably be mounted in a vertical direction by means of simple vertical translation and snap movements, this circumventing the technical drawbacks and risks of existing closures, wherein the components are introduced in a lateral direction. The closing element is particularly secured by the snap mechanism between the first and the second housing part. This minimizes the risk of damage to or deformation of the parts during assembly. In addition, only a limited number of parts is required for the assembly, making it simpler and more efficient. The closing element is further secured without clamping open or pressing together metal walls or components, and preferably without tilting of the parts, so that assembly is considerably faster and less labour-intensive.

[0011] The first housing part is preferably formed with a cavity in which the closing element is partially receivable, wherein the closing arm and the manipulating arm protrude from this cavity in a lateral direction. This cavity then allows the closing element to be arranged in the first housing part by means of a vertical translation movement, while this arranging takes place in a much more complex manner in existing lobster clasps, for instance by tilting along a slot in the housing.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment with such a cavity the second housing part takes the form of a cover which covers the cavity on an upper side. This cover then serves to span the parts which have been partially received in the cavity, particularly the closing element, in order to prevent them from falling out of the housing during use.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the closing element is provided with a spring receiving part to which the spring means is coupled. Because the spring receiving part to which the spring means is coupled forms an integral part of the closing element, and so does not form a separate, individual component of the closure which must be soldered on during assembly, such assembly of embodiments as described above does not result in the technical drawbacks inherent to this soldering. Such drawbacks entails a risk of deformation of and damage to parts during assembly, whereby the closure no longer meets aesthetic standards and / or no longer functions properly. This risk is real when soldering a separate spring receiving component in a lobster clasp, since such a component is typically thin and fragile, and this soldering is usually done at a central and therefore critical point in the closure.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment the spring receiving part comprises a spring shaft part, and the spring means takes a form such that it describes at least one full loop which extends around the spring shaft part. This spring shaft part for instance takes the form of a solid or hollow cylinder which extends from a cavity in an upper side of the closing element in a vertical direction. The spring means is for instance one single spring taking the form of a wire spring, wherein the diameter of the spring shaft part then corresponds substantially with the diameter of the loop described by the wire spring, so that there is only a negligible spacing between the spring means and the spring shaft part at the position of this loop. Other forms of the spring means, for instance a U-shape which does not describe a full loop around the spring shaft part, do not suffice to transmit the force being exerted on the manipulating arm to the closing arm. Such a lever action allows the closing arm to be brought into an open position when a force is exerted on the manipulating arm.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment the closing element is provided with a first shaft part which is secured in a recess of the first housing part such that the closing element is rotatable between the open and the closed position. This first shaft part preferably takes the form of a solid or hollow cylinder and extends from a lower surface of the closing element in a vertical direction. The recess of the first housing part in which the first shaft part is secured is preferably situated in a bottom of an inner side of the first housing part, particularly in a cavity of the first housing part in which the closing element is partially received. The securing is such that the closing element is rotatable relative to the first housing part, particularly between an open position and a closed position of the closing arm of the closing element. This is because operation of the lobster clasp, wherein the closing arm is held in a closed position when no force is being exerted on the manipulating arm and is brought into an open position when a force is exerted on the manipulating arm, requires as stated above rotatable mounting of the closing element between the first and the second housing part, and this rotatable mounting can be realized by the described securing of the first shaft part of the closing element in a recess of the first housing part.

[0016] In embodiments with a first shaft part as described above the closing element is preferably provided with a second shaft part which is secured in a recess of the second housing part and lies in line with the first shaft part. This second shaft part preferably takes the form of a solid or hollow cylinder and extends from a cavity in the upper side of the closing element in a vertical direction. The recess of the second housing part in which the second shaft part is secured is preferably situated in an inner wall of the second housing part. Via this second shaft part the closing element is directly connected to the second housing part, whereby the closing element is impeded from moving in a vertical direction during normal use of the lobster clasp. Such an embodiment, wherein the closing element is thus in contact with the first housing part via the first shaft part and with the second housing part via the second shaft part, it is required for the rotatability of the closing element between an open and a closed position that the second shaft part lie in line with the first shaft part. The securing of the second shaft part in a recess of an inner wall of the second housing part is then in fact such that the closing element is also rotatable relative to the second housing part. The first and second shaft part then extend along the same vertical direction, this forming the direction of the rotation axis for the rotation movement of the closing element between an open and a closed position.

[0017] In embodiments with a spring shaft part and a second shaft part as described above the second shaft part preferably forms the spring shaft part. The spring means is then formed such that it describes at least one full loop extending around the second shaft part, and the spring receiving part then consists of the whole of the first and the second shaft part. Since the first and the second shaft part lie mutually in line, the spring receiving part consequently has the appearance of one single shaft, for instance formed as a solid or hollow cylinder, which protrudes both from a lower surface on an underside of the closing element and from a cavity on an upper side of the closing element. This in fact gives the spring receiving part a dual function, particularly achieving both a coupling to the spring means and a rotatability of the closing element between the first and the second housing part.

[0018] According to exemplary embodiments, the spring means has a first end leg which extends in lateral direction and supports against the first housing part, and a second end leg which extends in lateral direction and supports against the closing element. This is because, for the spring means to be able to fulfil its function when the force exerted on the manipulating arm is transmitted to the closing arm, the spring means must be connected to both the first housing part and the closing element throughout each stage of use of the lobster clasp. The respective end legs provide for this connection.

[0019] One of the first and the second housing part is preferably provided with at least two grooves lying along either side of the closing element and the other is preferably provided with at least two protrusions which snap fixedly into these grooves. The grooves and the protrusions preferably lie respectively at an upper edge of an inner side and on a lateral inner side of the relevant housing part. These grooves and protrusions then form the snap parts of the respective housing parts for forming a snap mechanism which connects the first housing part to the second housing part. This snap mechanism results in the closure being secured by the two housing parts, the closing element and the spring means, without soldering being required for this purpose. This is because, after snapping, the closure forms one hole, wherein the inner side of the one housing part is closed by the inner side of the other housing part, and from which no parts will come loose during normal use. Because at least two grooves and at least two protrusions are provided, wherein the grooves lie along either side of the closing element, a better attachment between the two housing parts is provided for, so that the upper of the two housing parts cannot be lifted too easily. The manipulating arm is preferably situated between the two grooves in a lateral direction.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment with grooves as described above the grooves and the protrusions are formed such that they have an S -shaped or mirrored S -shaped profile in cross-section. This means that the profile of a groove in a cross-section has at a first vertical level a rounded indentation or recess, reaches at a second vertical level lying above the indentation the same width as is reached under the indentation, and has above the second vertical level an edge which slopes laterally downward in the direction of the indentation. This likewise means that the profile of a protrusion in a cross-section has at a first vertical level a rounded thickened portion, reaches at a second vertical level lying above the thickened portion the same width as is reached under the thickened portion, and has above the second vertical level an edge which optionally slopes laterally downward in the direction of the thickened portion. The indentation and the thickened portion can here be situated on the right-hand side (S-shaped profile) or on the left-hand side (mirrored S-shaped profile) of the cross-section. The dimensions of the indentation are similar to the dimensions of the thickened portion, so that the thickened portion of a protrusion fits into the indentation of a groove and is snapped fixedly therein when the first and the second housing part are connected. The S-shaped or mirrored S-shaped profile has the result that, once the connection between the first and second housing part has been made by means of the snap mechanism, the two housing parts can no longer be taken apart in simple manner in that the thickened portions in the protrusions do not have sufficient space to come loose from the indentations in the grooves in a vertical movement. This is because the overall width of the second housing part at the position of the first vertical level is greater than the overall width of the free space between the walls of the first housing part at the position of the second vertical level. The S-shaped or mirrored S-shaped profile hereby has the result that the closing element is thoroughly secured by the snap mechanism and the cavity of the first housing part is sufficiently covered by the second housing part, without any danger of parts coming loose during normal use.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment with grooves as described above the first and second housing part are soldered fixedly to each other, at least at the position of the grooves. This soldering has an aesthetic function and provides for an optimal attachment of the first and second housing part, so that they also form one visual whole afterward. In this way an additional safety against possible falling apart of the components of the closure is thus built in. Nevertheless, the closing element is already secured, even without soldering, by the snapping mechanism as described above.

[0022] The overall soldered surface area remains limited by soldering only at the position of the grooves. The solder lines are then moreover situated at a non-central location in the closure, particularly close to an upper edge of a lateral outer side of the lobster clasp, whereby any deformations due to soldering have little impact and further aesthetic processes in a final stage of assembly of the closure are unnecessary or can be limited to a minimum. This in contrast to existing lobster clasps, wherein the housing has irregular surfaces at central locations due to soldering, which surfaces must then be touched up intensively.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment the first housing part comprises a hook part against which the closing arm engages and the diameter of which decreases in the direction of the closing arm. When such an embodiment is equipped with a cavity as described above, the first housing part comprises in fact two areas on an inner side, wherein the first area comprises the cavity and the second area comprises the hook part. When such an embodiment is equipped with at least two grooves as described above, which are situated in the first housing part, at least one of the grooves then preferably lies contained in the first area and at least one of the grooves in the second area, particularly close to an upper edge of the hook part.

[0024] With this hook part it is realized that the form of the first housing part is essentially an annular form with an opening closable by the closing arm, wherein this closing takes place by the closing arm engaging against the hook part. For this closing to be brought about in a suitable manner there is preferably only a negligible spacing between closing arm and hook part in the closed position, the lateral surfaces via which closing arm and hook part come into contact or almost come into contact with each other have a similar form, and these surfaces are situated at more or less the same height in a vertical direction. In order to accommodate any height difference between closing arm and hook part, the hook part can take a form such that the diameter of its cross-section decreases in the direction of the closing arm.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment with a hook part as described above the hook part of the first housing part is not spanned by the second housing part. This is because, if this hook part were to be wholly or partially spanned by the second housing part, the snap parts in the two housing parts would have to cover a greater area in order to be able to bring about an adequate connection between the first and second housing part. In such an embodiment with grooves and protrusions as described above the grooves and protrusions would consequently be required to have a greater surface area, which would make the creation of these grooves and protrusions in the housing parts more time-consuming and labour-intensive. In such an embodiment wherein the first and second housing part are soldered fixedly together, at least at the position of the grooves, soldering would consequently also have to be done over a greater area, with an increasing danger of deformation of and damage to parts as a result. It is subsequently advantageous to span the hook part of the first housing part neither wholly nor partially with the second housing part.

[0026] At least one of the first and the second housing part is preferably provided with a loop by means of which the closure can be attached to an outer end of a chain, such as a necklace or a bracelet. This is because such a chain end usually consists of a U-shape which can hook into the loop of the lobster clasp, after which the legs of the U-shape are pressed together so as to deform the outer end into a closed loop part, so that the chain is attached firmly to the lobster clasp. The other outer end of such a chain typically likewise takes the form of a loop. The chain is then closed by hooking this final loop into whichever one of the first and the second housing part of the lobster clasp takes the form of a ring with an opening, when the closure has been brought into the open position, and then once again bringing the closure into the closed position following this hooking.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment at least one of the end legs of the spring means is guided into a channel of respectively the first housing part and the closing element. This is because in such a channel an end leg of the spring means is provided with a certain amount of space for movements induced by a movement of the manipulating arm of the closing element when a force is exerted thereon. This space to move must however be small, so that the end leg can essentially move in only one direction and is impeded from coming away from the channel, so that the spring action of the spring means is utilized when the closure is brought into the open position. The channel can optionally take a conically tapering form so that the end leg is impeded from penetrating too deeply into the channel. It is further possible for the closing element to comprise on a lateral inner side at the position of the manipulating arm at least one groove in which one of the end legs of the spring means is partially received when the closing arm is in the closed position. This groove then partially screens this end leg of the spring means.

[0028] According to exemplary embodiments, the second housing part supports on the first housing part via a vertically downward sloping or levelled lateral wall. This is because a usually limited height difference between the first and the second housing part, which can be bridged by a lateral wall of the second housing part, results due to the snap mechanism. A wide spacing between the housing parts is avoided in this way, so that the different components of the closure are for instance protected against dust falling therein. A vertically downward sloping lateral wall has the advantage of taking up a minimal surface area, while a levelled lateral wall achieves that the two housing parts form one whole visually.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method is provided for manufacturing a lobster clasp for a piece of jewellery, such as a necklace or bracelet, which comprises the following steps of: providing a closing element which is formed with a closing arm and a manipulating arm; providing a first housing part and a second housing part, at least one of which takes substantially the form of a ring with an opening which is closable by the closing arm; arranging the closing element and a spring means between the first and the second housing part; connecting the second to the first housing part by means of fixedly snapping in a manner such that the closing element is mounted rotatably between the first and the second housing part, wherein the spring means is configured and arranged to hold the closing arm in a closed position when no force is being exerted on the manipulating arm and to allow the closing arm to be brought into an open position when a force is exerted on the manipulating arm.

[0030] The preferred and exemplary features described above with reference to the lobster clasp likewise apply to the method.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment the step of arranging closing element and spring means between the first and the second housing part and the step of connecting the second to the first housing part take place in one single vertical movement in the above method. Owing to the simplicity of this movement, this method is suitable for automation using robotics. This in contrast to existing methods for manufacturing lobster clasps, wherein introduction of the different components into the housing generally takes place in a lateral direction and requires time-consuming precision work in that different components must be accurately tilted or aligned during introduction. Because preferred embodiments of the invention avoid such precision movements and replace them with simple vertical translation and snapping movements, they guarantee a faster and smoother manufacture of the lobster clasp, limit the risk of damage to parts during manufacture, and circumvent the technical drawbacks of existing methods on the basis of such precision movements.

[0032] The closing element, the first housing part and the second housing part are preferably manufactured from metal by turning and / or milling. The spring means is preferably one single spring taking the form of a wire spring, so that the spring means can be coupled to the closing element in simple manner by means of a vertical translation or sliding movement through the loop described by the wire spring.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises of coupling the spring means to the closing element. This is because, for the spring means to be able to fulfil its function when the force exerted on the manipulating arm is transmitted to the closing arm, it must be coupled to the closing element. The technical advantages of lobster clasps with such a spring receiving part also apply to embodiments wherein this coupling is brought about by a spring receiving part forming an integral part of the closing element. This applies particularly for the advantages in respect of methods on the basis of soldering on of a separate shaft part, particularly the limitation of the risk of deformation of and damage to parts during manufacture, which can result in the closure no longer meeting aesthetic standards and / or no longer functioning properly.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the step of arranging the closing element and the spring means between the first and the second housing part comprises the sub-step of partially receiving the closing element and the spring means coupled thereto in a cavity of the first housing part, wherein the closing arm and the manipulating arm protrude from the cavity in a lateral direction.

[0035] The step of arranging the closing element and the spring means between the first and the second housing part preferably also comprises the sub-step of mounting a shaft of the closing element rotatably in a recess provided in the first housing part and / or a recess provided in the second housing part. This is because the rotatability of this shaft also guarantees a rotatability of the closing element between the first and the second housing part and thereby facilitates operation of the lobster clasp, wherein the closing arm is held in the closed position when no force is being exerted on the manipulating arm and is brought into an open position when a force is exerted on the manipulating arm.

[0036] According to preferred embodiments, one of the first housing part and the second housing part is provided with at least two grooves and the other is provided with at least two protrusions, and the step of connecting the first and second housing part is done by means of snapping the protrusions fixedly into the grooves. These grooves and protrusions then form a snap mechanism which connects the first housing part to the second housing part and which has the result that the closing element and the spring means are secured by the two housing parts, without soldering being required for this purpose. Because at least two grooves and at least two protrusions are provided, wherein the grooves preferably lie along either side of the closing element, a better attachment between the two housing parts is provided for, so that the upper of the two housing parts cannot be lifted too easily. The manipulating arm is preferably situated between the two grooves in a lateral direction.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment with grooves as described above, the method further comprises soldering the first and the second housing part fixedly to each other, at least at the position of the grooves. This soldering guarantees an optimal attachment of the first and the second housing part, even if this is not essential for securing of the closing element. This embodiment further derives technical advantages from the limited soldered surface area when soldering is done exclusively at the position of the grooves, and from the non-central location in the closure where the solder lines are situated, whereby any deformations due to soldering have little impact and further aesthetic processes in a final stage of assembly of the closure are unnecessary or can be limited to a minimum.

[0038] The above and other advantageous features and objectives of the invention will become more apparent and the invention better understood with reference to the following detailed description when read in combination with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0039] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a lobster clasp in an open position; Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the lobster clasp of Figure 1 in an open position without the second housing part;

[0040] Figures 3A and 3B show schematic perspective views of the first housing part of Figure 1 when looking at respectively an inner and an outer side;

[0041] Figures 4A and 4B show schematic perspective views of the closing element of Figure 1 when looking at respectively an upper side and an underside;

[0042] Figures 5A and 5B show schematic perspective views of the second housing part of Figure 1 when looking at respectively an outer and an inner side;

[0043] Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the spring means of Figure 1 ;

[0044] Figures 7A, 7B and 7C show a schematic perspective view of the lobster clasp of Figure 1 in a closed position when looking at an upper side from different directions, respectively show a top view of the lobster clasp of Figure 1 in a closed position;

[0045] Figures 8 A, 8B, 8C and 8D show respectively a schematic perspective view of the lobster clasp of Figure 1 in a closed position when looking at an upper side with designated therein a plane perpendicularly of the viewing direction, a schematic perspective cross-section along this plane of the lobster clasp of Figure 1 in a closed position, and two detail views obtained by enlargement of areas designated in Figure 8B;

[0046] Figure 9 shows a flow diagram illustrating the steps of a method according to the invention. Detailed fi

[0047] The figures 1-8D illustrate an embodiment of a lobster clasp according to the invention. The lobster clasp comprises a first housing part 100, a second housing part 200, a closing element 300 and a spring means 400. The closing element 300 is formed with a closing arm 310 and a manipulating arm 320, and is mounted rotatably between the first housing part 100 and the second housing part 200. At least one of the first housing part 100 and the second housing part 200 takes substantially the form of a ring with an opening closable by the closing arm 310, in the embodiments as shown in Figures 1 and 2 this is the first housing part 100. The spring means 400 is configured and arranged as shown in Figure 2, which shows a lobster clasp according to the invention, the second housing part 200 of which has been omitted. The configuration and arrangement of the spring means 400 is particularly such that the closing arm 310 is held in the closed position when no force is being exerted on the manipulating arm 320, and such that closing arm 310 is brought into an open position when a force is exerted on manipulating arm 320. Figures 1 and 2 show the lobster clasp in an open position, while Figures 7A-7C and 8A-8D show the lobster clasp in a closed position. In a closed position the closing arm 310 thus engages against the first housing part 100, while in an open position there is in a lateral direction a certain space between the closing arm 310 and the portion of the first housing part 100 which takes substantially the form of a ring with an opening. The first housing part 100 is formed with a first snap part 110a, 110b. In the embodiment of Figure 2 this first snap part is formed by a first groove 110a and a second groove 110b, located at an upper edge of an inner side of the first housing part 100 and along either side of the closing element 300. The second housing part 200 is formed with a second snap part 210a, 210b. In the embodiment of Figure 1 this second snap part extends over two separate locations on a lateral inner side of the second housing part 200, designated with respectively 210a and 210b. The second snap part is formed such that the location 210a snaps fixedly into the groove 110a and that the second location 210b snaps fixedly into the groove 110b. In this way a snap mechanism results which connects the first housing part 100 to the second housing part 200 and so secures the closing element 300 present therebetween. Figure 1 shows the completed lobster clasp, wherein this connection has already been made, while Figure 2 shows in fact the uncompleted lobster clasp prior to the final step of its assembly, which comprises connecting the first housing part 100 and the second housing part 200 by means of snapping.

[0048] Figures 3 A and 3B show the first housing part 100 as separate component, prior to assembly of the lobster clasp, when looking at respectively an inner side and an outer side. The first housing part 100 is formed with a cavity 120 in a bottom of an inner side, in which the closing element 300 is partially receivable. In the embodiment of Figure 3 A this cavity 120 is partially surrounded by two lateral inner walls 160a, 160b, these each comprising one of the grooves 110a and 110b at their upper edge. These walls do not close the cavity 120 completely, but leave cavity 120 open both in a vertical direction on an upper side and in a lateral direction at two locations 170, 170’. When the closing element 300 is received partially in cavity 120, location 170 provides space for the closing arm 310 to protrude from cavity 120 in a lateral direction, while location 170’ provides space for the manipulating arm 320 to protrude from cavity 120 in a lateral direction.

[0049] In the lobster clasp of Figure 1 the second housing part 200 takes the form of a cover which covers the cavity 120 on an upper side. When looking at an upper side, the second housing part 200 takes the form of a rounded surface, perpendicularly of which a lateral wall 230 is formed in vertical direction, the height of which varies along the second housing part 200. This lateral wall 230 fulfils the function of the second housing part 200 as cover covering the cavity 120 on an upper side.

[0050] Figures 4A and 4B show the closing element 300 as separate component, prior to assembly of the lobster clasp, when looking at respectively an upper side and an underside. Closing element 300 is formed with an upper surface 380, a cavity 340, a lateral inner wall 341, a lateral outer wall 381 and a lower surface 382. Closing element 300 is provided with a spring receiving part 330 to which the spring means 400 is coupled. The spring receiving part 330 comprises a spring shaft part 331 which protrudes perpendicularly from the cavity 340 of closing element 300 and is shown in Figure 4A, and a first shaft part 350 which protrudes perpendicularly from the lower surface 382 of closing element 300 and is shown in Figure 4B. During assembly of the lobster clasp the spring means 400 is arranged around the spring shaft part 331 in the manner as shown in Figure 2, particularly by sliding the spring shaft part 331 through the opening in spring means 400, wherein the spring means 400 takes the form of a wire spring in these embodiments. In the embodiments of Figures 2, 4A and 4B both the spring shaft part 331 and the first shaft part 350 take the form of a cylinder, which can be solid or hollow, wherein the two cylinders lie mutually in line and have a substantially identical diameter, and the height of the first shaft part 350 is limited compared to the height of the spring shaft part 331. The height of the spring shaft part 331 amounts to at least the maximum height of the upper surface 380 of closing element 300. This upper surface 380 covers the closing arm 310, the manipulating arm 320 and a rounded wall 370, which surround the cavity 340 in closing element 300 from which the spring shaft part 331 rises. As a result, the spring shaft part 331 in fact protrudes slightly above the upper surface 380 of closing element 300 in a side view. The spring receiving part 330 is then formed by the whole of the spring shaft part 331 and the first shaft part 350. Visually, this creates the impression that the spring receiving part 330 is in fact formed as one single cylinder which rises from both an upper side and an underside of closing element 300. A top view of closing element 300 is substantially L-shaped, wherein the corner is however rounded. The closing arm 310 and the manipulating arm 320 can take the form of arms which can be straight or curved and sharp or rounded.

[0051] Figure 6 shows the spring means 400 as separate component, prior to assembly of the lobster clasp. In the embodiment of Figure 6 the spring means 400 is in fact one single spring taking the form of a wire spring. The spring means 400 takes a form such that it describes at least one full loop. The spring means 400 shown in Figure 6 describes in fact one and a half loops, and therefore an angle of 540 degrees. In the lobster clasp of Figure 2 this loop extends around the spring shaft part 331 of the spring receiving part 330, so that the spring means 400 is indeed configured and arranged to hold the closing arm 310 in the closed position when no force is being exerted on the manipulating arm 320 and to allow the closing arm 310 to be brought into an open position when a force is exerted on manipulating arm 320. The invention also includes alternative embodiments, wherein the spring means 400 for instance takes the form of a leaf spring.

[0052] The first housing part 100 is provided with a recess 130. In the embodiment of Figure 3 A this recess 130 is situated in the cavity 120 in a bottom of an inner side of the first housing part 100, in which the closing element 300 is partially received during assembly of the lobster clasp. Recess 130 is cylindrical and has substantially identical dimensions to the first shaft part 350 of closing element 300. In the lobster clasp of Figure 2 the first shaft part 350 is secured in the recess 130. During assembly the first shaft part 350 must therefore be arranged and secured perpendicularly in the recess 130. This securing has the effect that the spring shaft part 331 then comes to lie perpendicularly of the bottom of the cavity 120 on the inner side of the first housing part 100. In addition, this securing is such that the closing element 300 is rotatable between an open and a closed position of closing arm 310. The lower surface of the first shaft part 350, as shown in Figure 4B, and the inner side of recess 130 can be formed with grooves and rounded portions, these serving to enhance this rotatability of closing element 300. The first housing part 100 is optionally also provided with a second recess 130’, which is situated in the cavity 120 in a bottom of an inner side of the first housing part 100. In the embodiment of Figure 3A the second recess 130’ is situated between recess 130 and groove 110b in a lateral direction. The shape and dimensions of this second recess 130’ are preferably chosen such that the weight of the first housing part 100 is reduced while the first housing part is still sufficiently strong. In the shown embodiment the second recess 130’ has in a vertical direction straight walls and a depth similar to the depth of recess 130. The second recess 130’ serves to make the first housing part 100 less solid, resulting in less material being required for manufacture.

[0053] Figures 5A and 5B show the second housing part 200 as separate component, prior to the assembly of the lobster clasp, from a schematic perspective view when looking at respectively an outer and an inner side. The second housing part is formed with an outer wall 250, an inner wall 251 and a lateral wall 230, and is provided on the inner side with a recess 220 in the inner wall 251. In the embodiment as shown in Figure 5B the recess 220 is cylindrical and has substantially identical lateral dimensions to the portion of the spring shaft part 331 protruding above the upper surface 380 of closing element 300. Closing element 300 is provided with a second shaft part 332 which is secured in the recess 220 and lies in line with the first shaft part 350. In the embodiment of figures 1-4B the second shaft part 332 forms in fact the spring shaft part 331, the two components being identical. As a result, the second part 332 thus takes the form of a solid or hollow cylinder with the same specifications as stated above for the spring shaft part 331. The second shaft part 332 particularly lies in line with the first shaft part 350, whereby the securing of the second shaft part 332 in recess 220 in fact also extends to rotatability of the closing element 300 relative to the second housing part 200. In order to enhance this rotatability the upper surface of the second shaft part 332, as shown in Figure 4A, and the inner side of recess 220 can be formed with grooves and rounded portions. The second housing part 200 is optionally also provided with a second recess 220’, which is situated in the inner wall 251 of the second housing part 200. In the embodiment of Figure 5B the second recess 220’ is situated between recess 220 and the location 210b of the second snap part 210a, 210b in a lateral direction. The shape and dimensions of this second recess 220’ are preferably chosen such that the weight of the second housing part 200 is reduced while the second housing part is still sufficiently strong. In the shown embodiment the second recess 220’ has in a vertical direction straight walls and a depth similar to the depth of recess 220. The second recess 220’ serves to make the second housing part 200 less solid, resulting in less material being required for manufacture.

[0054] The spring means 400 has a first end leg 410 and a second end leg 420. In the embodiment of Figure 6 the first end leg 410 is considerably longer than the second end leg 420. The first end leg 410 is also substantially straight with a rounded outer end 430, while the second end leg 420 is exclusively straight. The cross-section through these end legs is circular in Figure 6, although other forms are of course also possible. In the lobster clasp of Figure 2 the two end legs extend in a lateral direction. The first end leg 410 support against the first housing part 100, while the second end leg 420 supports against the closing element 300. In Figure 2 the first end leg 410 is in fact guided into a channel 180 of the first housing part 100, wherein at least the rounded outer end 430 remains contained in channel 180 when the closure is brought into an open position.

[0055] One of the first housing part 100 and the second housing part 200 is provided with at least two grooves lying along either side of closing element 300, and the other is provided with at least two protrusions which snap fixedly into these grooves. In the embodiments of the first housing part 100 and the second housing part 200 as shown in respectively Figures 3 A-3B and 5 A-5B the first housing part 100 is provided with a first groove 110a lying at an upper edge of the first housing part 100, particularly at or close to an upper edge of the lateral inner wall 160a, and with a second groove 110b lying at an upper edge of the first housing part 100, particularly at or close to an upper edge of the lateral inner wall 160b, and the second housing part 200 is provided with a first protrusion 210a and with a second protrusion 210b lying on a lateral inner side of the second housing part 200. The position of the protrusions 210a and 210b on a lateral inner side of the second housing part 200 is such that when the second housing part 200 is placed onto the lobster clasp as shown in Figure 2 in a vertical movement, the first protrusion 210a can be snapped into the first groove 110a and the second protrusion 210b into the second groove 110b. In this way the first housing part 100 is connected to the second housing part 200 by means of a snap mechanism. The first protrusion 210a has substantially similar dimensions to the first groove 110a and the second protrusion 210b has substantially similar dimensions to the second groove 110b. In the embodiment as shown in Figure 2 the first groove 110a and the second groove 110b lie along either side of closing element 300 and the first groove 110a covers a greater surface area than the second groove 110b. Both grooves 110a and 110b substantially take the form of an arc, wherein first groove 110a describes a greater angle than second groove 110b. The invention also comprises alternative embodiments, wherein the grooves 110a, 110b and the protrusions 210a, 210b are located elsewhere or take a different form. It is particularly possible for the grooves 110a, 110b to be situated in for instance an outer wall 161 of the first housing part 100, so that the second housing part 200 covers the first housing part 100 as a cover which surrounds the first housing part 100 wholly or partially in a lateral direction. Another option is for the protrusions 210a, 210b to be situated at an upper edge of the lateral wall 230 of the second housing part and for the grooves 110a, 110b to be situated at the upper edge of a lateral inner wall of the first housing part 100, so that there is no height difference whatsoever between the two housing parts after snapping. It is also possible for the grooves and protrusions not to be elongate in lateral direction, as in the embodiments of Figures 3 A and 5B, but to be formed rather as for instance vertically or laterally oriented pins or cavities which are situated in an inner, outer or upper wall of the respective housing part 100, 200. It is moreover possible for the first housing part 100 to be provided with protrusions and for the second housing part 200 to be provided with grooves, instead of the other way around.

[0056] The grooves and protrusions are optionally formed such that they have an S-shaped or mirrored S- shaped profile in cross-section. In the embodiments of Figures 8A-8D the first groove 110a of the first housing part 100 and the first protrusion 210a of the second housing part 200 have a mirrored S-shaped profile, as will be apparent from Figure 8C, and the second groove 110b of the first housing part 100 and the second protrusion 210b of the second housing part 200 have an S-shaped profile, as will be apparent from Figure 8D. This means that the profile of the grooves 110a and 110b in a cross- section, as shown in Figures 8B-8D along a plane designated in Figure 8A, has at a first vertical level a rounded indentation or recess 190a, 190b, reaches at a second vertical level 191a, 191b lying above the respective indentations 190a, 190b the same width as is reached under the respective indentations 190a, 190b, and has above the second vertical level 191a, 191b an edge 192a, 192b which slopes laterally downward in the direction of the respective indentation 190a, 190b. This likewise means that the profile of the protrusions 210a and 210b in a cross-section, as shown in Figures 8B-8D along a plane designated in Figure 8A, has at a first vertical level a rounded thickened portion 240a, 240b, reaches at a second vertical level 241a, 241b lying above the thickened portion 240a, 240b the same width as is reached under the thickened portion 240a, 240b, and has above the second vertical level 241a, 241b an edge 242a, 242b which optionally slopes laterally downward in the direction of the thickened portion. In the cross-section shown in Figures 8B and 8C the indentation 190a in the first groove 110a and the thickened portion 240a in the first protrusion 210a are situated on the left-hand side, resulting in them having a mirrored S-shaped profile. In the cross-section shown in Figures 8B and 8D the indentation 190b in the second groove 110b and the thickened portion 240b in the second protrusion 210b are situated on the right-hand side, resulting in them having an S-shaped profile. The dimensions of indentation 190a are similar to the dimensions of thickened portion 240a and the dimensions of indentation 190b are similar to the dimensions of thickened portion 240b, so that the thickened portions 240a, 240b fit into the respective indentations 190a, 190b and are snapped fixedly therein when the first housing part 100 and the second housing part 200 are connected. Figure 8B clearly shows that the overall width of the second housing part 200 at the position of the first vertical level, i.e. measured between thickened portions 240a and 240b, is greater than the overall width of the free space between the walls of the first housing part 100 at the position of the second vertical level, i.e. measured between levels 191a and 191b.

[0057] The first housing part 100 and the second housing part 200 are optionally soldered fixedly to each other, at least at the position of the grooves 110a and 110b. In other words, this soldering takes place on a lateral outer side of the lobster clasp, at those locations in the lobster clasp where the first groove 110a is connected to the first protrusion 210a and where the second groove 110b is connected to the second protrusion 210b. The locations of these solder lines are indicated in Figures 7A-7C. The solder line 500 at the position of the first groove 110a and the first protrusion 210a typically has a greater surface area than the solder line 510 at the position of the second groove 110b and the second protrusion 210b. The solder lines are substantially arc-shaped, optionally extended at one outer end with a straight line, wherein the first solder line 500 describes a greater angle than the second solder line 510. This soldering levels the contact surfaces between the first housing part 100 and the second housing part 200, whereby the two housing parts 100 and 200 visually form one whole and their edges can no longer be easily distinguished. The first housing part 100 comprises a hook part 140 which imparts to the first housing part 100 substantially the form of a ring with an opening. In the embodiment of Figure 3 A this hook part 140 is formed such that, in top view, it takes the form of a semicircle or a semi-ellipse. At its one outer end 140’ the hook part 140 is connected to the remaining part of the first housing part 100 by means of the lateral wall 160b. As a result, the first housing part 100 comprises in fact two areas, wherein the first area comprises the cavity 120, the second area comprises the hook part 140 and the lateral wall 160b forms the partition between the two areas. The grooves 110a and 110b and the lateral walls 160a and 160b are situated along either side of cavity 120, wherein the second groove 110b and the second wall 160b are situated on the side of hook part 140 relative to cavity 120, and the first groove 110a and the first wall 160a are situated on the opposite side of the hook part 140 relative to cavity 120. The other outer end 140” of hook part 140 is a free outer end taking a pointed form. In the lobster clasp of Figure 2 the closing arm 310 of closing element 300 engages against the hook part 140. In the closed position, as shown in Figures 7A-7C, the closing arm 310 is in contact or almost in contact with the outer end 140” of hook part 140: there is a negligible spacing between closing arm 310 and the outer end 140’ ’ of hook part 140. The surfaces via which the closing arm 310 and the hook part 140 come into contact or nearly come into contact with each other have a similar form and are situated at more or less the same height in a vertical direction. In a top view, as shown in Figure 7C, the closing arm 310 and the outer end 140’ ’ of hook part 140 take a complementary form so that they fit together well. In the closed position the manipulating arm 320 supports against wall 160b. In the open position, as shown in Figure 1, closing arm 310 is removed from the outer end 140” of hook part 140, manipulating arm 320 does not support against wall 160b and this manipulating arm 320 points at least partially away from hook part 140. The diameter of the crosssection through hook part 140 optionally decreases in the direction of closing arm 310, i.e. this diameter decreases when moving through hook part 140 from outer end 140’ to outer end 140”.

[0058] In the lobster clasp of Figure 1 the hook part 140 of the first housing part 100 is not spanned by the second housing part 200. Of the first housing part 100, the second housing part 200 spans only the cavity 120 in the first housing part 100, the lateral wall 160a with the first groove 110a and the lateral wall 160b with the second groove 110b.

[0059] At least one of the first housing part 100 and the second housing part 200 is provided with a loop 150, by means of which the lobster clasp can be attached to the outer end of a chain, such as a necklace or a bracelet. In the lobster clasp of Figure 1 the first housing part 100 is provided with such a loop 150. This is attached to the lateral wall 161, shown in Figure 3 A, which forms the outer wall of the lateral inner wall 160a comprising the first groove 110a, and takes substantially the form of a torus which is extended on one side for attachment to lateral wall 161. The lateral outer wall 151 of loop 150 can comprise grooves or rounded portions. Loop 150 is not spanned by the second housing part 200.

[0060] At least one of the end legs 410 and 420 of spring means 400 is guided into a channel of respectively the first housing part 100 and the closing element 300. In the embodiment of Figure 2 the first end leg 410 of spring means 400 is guided into a channel 180 of the first housing part 100, while the second end leg 420 of spring means 400 simply supports against closing element 300 but is not guided into a channel. The channel 180 of the first housing element is situated in the lateral inner wall 160b, and accommodates the rounded outer end 430 of the first end leg 410 and a piece of the straight portion of the first end leg 410. The channel 180 takes a form such that the end leg 410 of spring means 400 is impeded from coming loose from channel 180, so that at least the rounded outer end 430 of end leg 410 remains contained in channel 180 when the closure is brought into an open position. Channel 180 can optionally take a conically tapering form so that the end leg 410 is impeded from penetrating too deeply into channel 180. It is further possible for the lateral inner wall 341 of closing element 300 to comprise at the position of manipulating arm 320 at least one groove in which one of the end legs of spring means 400 is partially received when closing arm 310 is in the closed position. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the closing element 300 with such groove 360, while the embodiment of Figure 4A does not comprise such a groove. In the lobster clasp of Figure 2 the groove 360 is situated in the portion of the lateral inner wall 341 of closing element 300 situated closest to manipulating arm 320. This groove 360 comes into contact with a portion of end leg 410 when closing arm 310 has been brought into a closed position, and then partially screens end leg 410. Such screening is however not essential to operation of the lobster clasp.

[0061] The second housing part 200 supports on the first housing part 100 via a lateral wall 230 which can slope vertically downward or can be level. In the lobster clasp of Figure 1 the lateral wall 230 slopes vertically downward so that it forms at the position of second groove 110b a right angle with the outer wall 250 of the second housing part 200 and with the upper surface 141 of hook part 140, and so that it connects at the position of first groove 110a more or less smoothly to the lateral wall 161 forming the outer wall of the lateral inner wall 160a the first housing part 100. The height of lateral wall 230 varies along the second housing part 200 and is particularly smaller at the position of first groove 110a and second groove 110b, and greater at the position of the locations 170 and 170’ of the first housing part 100 along which the cavity 120 is left open in a lateral direction. The surface of lateral wall 230 is substantially smooth. Figure 9 shows a flow diagram which illustrates the steps of a method for manufacturing a lobster clasp for a piece of jewellery, such as a necklace or a bracelet, according to the invention. In first step 600 a first housing part 100, a second housing part 200, a closing element 300 and a spring means 400 are provided. Closing element 300 is formed here with a closing arm 310 and a manipulating arm 320, and at least one of the first housing part 100 and the second housing part 200 takes substantially the form of a ring with an opening closable by closing arm 310. In a second step 610 the spring means 400 is coupled to the closing element 300. Following this, closing element 300 and spring means 400 become as it were one whole. In a third step 620 closing element 300 and spring means 400 are arranged between the first housing part 100 and the second housing part 200. Since closing element 300 and spring means 400 already form one whole as a result of step 610, step 620 can be performed in one single vertical movement. The invention however also includes alternative embodiments, wherein step 610 is dispensed with and step 620 comprises successively arranging closing element 300 and spring means 400 between the first housing part 100 and the second housing part 200. In a fourth step 630 the first housing part 100 is connected to the second housing part 200 by means of snapping, this in a manner such that closing element 300 is mounted rotatably between the first housing part 100 and the second housing part 200, wherein the spring means 400 is configured and arranged to hold closing arm 310 in the closed position when no force is being exerted on manipulating arm 320 and to allow closing arm 310 to be brought into an open position when a force is exerted on manipulating arm 320.

[0062] The steps 610, 620 and 630 take place in one single vertical movement, particularly by application of vertical translation and snapping movements.

[0063] The first housing part 100, the second housing part 200 and closing element 300 which are provided in step 600 are manufactured from metal by turning and / or milling.

[0064] In the embodiment as described above the spring means 400 that is provided in step 600 is one single spring taking the form of a wire spring.

[0065] Step 620 further comprises the sub-steps of partially receiving closing element 300 and the spring means 400 coupled thereto, provided that step 620 is preceded by step 610, in a cavity 120 of the first housing part 100, wherein closing arm 310 and manipulating arm 320 protrude from cavity 120 in a lateral direction, and / or of rotatably mounting a shaft of closing element 300, typically formed by a spring receiving part 330 as described above for the lobster clasp of Figures 1-8D, in a recess 130 which is provided in the first housing part 100 and / or a recess 220 which is provided in the second housing part 200. Of the first housing part 100 and the second housing part 200 which are provided in step 600 of the method, one is provided with at least two grooves and the other is provided with at least two protrusions. Step 630 of the method then takes place by means of snapping the protrusions fixedly into the grooves. In the lobster clasp of Figures 1 and 2 the first housing part 100 is provided with two grooves 110a and 110b, and the second housing part 200 is provided with two protrusions 210a and 210b, wherein the snapping of step 630 of the method consists of the protrusion 210a being snapped fixedly into groove 110a and protrusion 210b being snapped fixedly into groove 110b. A final, optional step 640 of the method consists of soldering the first housing part 100 and the second housing part 200 fixedly to each other, at least at the position of the grooves 110a and 110b. This soldering typically takes place on a lateral outer side of the lobster clasp. This final step is however not required in order to secure closing element 300, and is therefore optional. The skilled person will appreciate that the invention is not limited to the above described embodiments and that many modifications and variants are possible within the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the following claims.

Claims

Claims1. A lobster clasp for a piece of jewellery, such as a necklace or bracelet, comprising a first housing part (100), a second housing part (200), a closing element (300) and a spring means (400), wherein the closing element is formed with a closing arm (310) and a manipulating arm (320), and is mounted rotatably between the first and the second housing part; wherein at least one of the first and the second housing part takes substantially the form of a ring with an opening which is closable by the closing arm, wherein the spring means is configured and arranged to hold the closing arm in the closed position when no force is being exerted on the manipulating arm and to allow the closing arm to be brought into an open position when a force is exerted on the manipulating arm, wherein the first and the second housing part are formed with respectively a first snap part (110a, 110b) and a second snap part (210a, 210b) so as to form a snap mechanism which connects the first housing part to the second housing part and so secures the closing element present therebetween.

2. The lobster clasp according to claim 1 , wherein the first housing part is formed with a cavity (120) in which the closing element is partially receivable, wherein the closing arm and the manipulating arm protrude from the cavity in a lateral direction.

3. The lobster clasp according to claim 2, wherein the second housing part takes the form of a cover which covers the cavity on an upper side.

4. The lobster clasp according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the closing element is provided with a spring receiving part (330) to which the spring means is coupled.

5. The lobster clasp according to claim 4, wherein the spring receiving part comprises a spring shaft part (331), and the spring means takes a form such that it describes at least one full loop which extends around the spring shaft part.

6. The lobster clasp according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the closing element is provided with a first shaft part (350) which is secured in a recess (130) of the first housing part such that the closing element is rotatable between the open and the closed position.

7. The lobster clasp according to claim 6, wherein the closing element is provided with a second shaft part (332) which is secured in a recess (220) of the second housing part and lies in line with the first shaft part.

8. The lobster clasp according to claims 5 and 7, wherein the second shaft part forms the spring shaft part.

9. The lobster clasp according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the spring means has a first end leg (410) which extends in lateral direction and supports against the first housing part, and has a second end leg (420) which extends in lateral direction and supports against the closing element.

10. The lobster clasp according to any one of the previous claims, wherein one of the first and the second housing part is provided with at least two grooves lying along either side of the closing element and the other is provided with at least two protrusions which snap fixedly into these grooves.

11. The lobster clasp according to the previous claim, wherein the grooves and protrusions are formed such that they have an S -shaped or mirrored S -shaped profile in cross-section.

12. The lobster clasp according to any one of the previous claims 10 or 11, wherein the first and the second housing part are soldered fixedly to each other, at least at the position of the grooves.

13. The lobster clasp according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the first housing part comprises a hook part (140) against which the closing arm engages and the diameter of which decreases in the direction of the closing arm.

14. The lobster clasp according to the previous claim, wherein the hook part of the first housing part is not spanned by the second housing part.

15. The lobster clasp according to any one of the previous claims, wherein at least one of the first and the second housing part is provided with a loop (150) by means of which the closure can be attached to an outer end of a chain, such as a necklace or a bracelet.

16. The lobster clasp according to any one of the previous claims, wherein at least one of the end legs of the spring means is guided into a channel of respectively the first housing part and the closing element.

17. The lobster clasp according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the second housing part supports on the first housing part via a vertically downward sloping or levelled lateral wall (230).

18. Method for manufacturing a lobster clasp for a piece of jewellery, such as a necklace or a bracelet, comprising: providing a closing element (300) which is formed with a closing arm (310) and a manipulating arm (320); providing a first housing part (100) and a second housing part (200), at least one of which takes substantially the form of a ring with an opening which is closable by the closing arm; arranging the closing element and a spring means (400) between the first and the second housing part; connecting the second to the first housing part by means of fixedly snapping in a manner such that the closing element is mounted rotatably between the first and the second housing part, wherein the spring means is configured and arranged to hold the closing arm in a closed position when no force is being exerted on the manipulating arm and to allow the closing arm to be brought into an open position when a force is exerted on the manipulating arm.

19. Method according to the previous claim, wherein the step of arranging closing element and spring means between the first and the second housing part and the step of connecting the second to the first housing part take place in one single vertical movement.

20. Method according to any one of the previous claims 18-19, wherein the closing element, the first housing part and the second housing part are manufactured from metal by turning and / or milling.

21. Method according to any one of the previous claims 18-20, wherein the spring means is one single spring taking the form of a wire spring.

22. Method according to any one of the previous claims 18-21, further comprising coupling the spring means to the closing element.

23. Method according to the previous claim, wherein the step of arranging the closing element and the spring means between the first and the second housing part comprises the following sub-step of: partially receiving the closing element and the spring means coupled thereto in a cavity (120) of the first housing part, wherein the closing arm and the manipulating arm protrude from the cavity in a lateral direction.

24. Method according to any one of the previous claims 18-23, wherein the step of arranging the closing element and the spring means between the first and the second housing part comprises the following sub-step of: mounting a shaft of the closing element rotatably in a recess (130) provided in the first housing part and / or a recess (220) provided in the second housing part.

25. Method according to any one of the previous claims 18-24, wherein one of the first and the second housing part is provided with at least two grooves and the other is provided with at least two protrusions, and wherein the step of connecting the first and second housing part is done by means of snapping the protrusions fixedly into the grooves.

26. Method according to the previous claim, further comprising soldering the first and the second housing part fixedly to each other, at least at the position of the grooves.

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