Fish-hook Clasp with Locking Portion for One-Handed Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clasps for accessories like necklaces and bracelets, such as spring-ring, plug-in, and buckle types, face difficulties in operability, aesthetic impairment, and stability issues, particularly in one-handed operations and maintaining a secure coupled state, which can lead to accidental separation or improper orientation during use.
Innovation Solution
A clasp design featuring a first clasp member with a connecting portion and a fish-hook shaped second clasp member that includes an insertion hole and a pivotally supported opening-and-closing portion with a locking mechanism, allowing easy coupling and separation with one hand while preventing the accessory from being overturned and maintaining a stable locked state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spring-ring type clasp is used, then the clasp can be attached to the linear member, but the operability becomes difficult and troublesome requiring one-handed operation
Solution Approach 1:
The clasp is divided into two separate members: a first clasp member with a coupling portion and a second clasp member with an insertion portion. This segmentation allows each member to have a simpler, more intuitive structure that is easier to operate independently, resolving the complexity issue while improving ease of operation through clear separation of functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a spring mechanism that requires compressing and releasing (spring-ring type), the invention inverts the approach by using a direct insertion-and-locking mechanism where the second clasp member is inserted into the first clasp member and locked in place, eliminating the need for complex spring operations.
2Shape
If existing clasp types are used, then the accessory can be assembled, but the design feature continuity is impaired and aesthetic appearance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second clasp members are designed to couple together seamlessly, merging their functions into a unified connection system that maintains the continuous design feature of the linear member while providing adequate structural complexity for secure fastening.
3Reliability
If a buckle type clasp with opening-and-closing portion is used, then the coupling can be maintained, but the first coupling portion is liable to catch on the opening-and-closing portion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the problematic opening-and-closing portion from the coupling mechanism. Instead of having the coupling portion interact with a movable opening-and-closing structure, the second clasp member is simply inserted and locked, eliminating the catching issue while maintaining coupling stability through the locking portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking portion acts as an intermediary element that secures the inserted second clasp member to the first clasp member without requiring the coupling portion to interact with movable parts, thus preventing catching while maintaining reliable coupling.
4Ease of manufacture
If the clasp structure is simplified, then the manufacturing is easier, but the locking state may be insufficient and clasps may separate over time
Solution Approach 1:
The locking portion is designed to automatically lock the second clasp member to the first clasp member through a self-service mechanism that does not require additional manufacturing complexity or assembly steps, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while ensuring reliable long-term locking.
Data Source
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AI summary
A clasp (10) for an accessory according to the present invention includes a first clasp member (11) and a second clasp member (21) that are capable of being coupled to and separated from each other. The first clasp member (11) includes a first connecting portion (12) to which a linear member (5) is connected, and a first coupling portion (13) that is formed integrally with the first connecting portion (12) . The second clasp member (21) includes a second connecting portion (22) to which the linear member (5) is connected, a second body portion (24) that is continuous from the second connecting portion (22), a second coupling portion (23) that extends from the second body portion (24) in a direction away from the second connecting portion (22), and that has a fish-hook shape to be coupled to the first coupling portion (13), an opening-and-closing portion (31) that is pivotally supported by the second body portion (24), and that includes an abutment portion (34) which has a substantially L-shape or a substantially circular-arc shape, and which is brought into abutment against the second coupling portion (23), and a locking portion (25) that maintains a state of the abutment of the opening-and-closing portion (31). With this, a coupling operation and a separating operation of the clasp (10) can be easily and smoothly performed with one hand. In addition, a coupled state can be stably maintained.