US Patent 9743725 Clasps having a release button and jewelry articles employing same

A clasp includes a male clasp portion having a tongue having an opening, and a female clasp portion having a generally hollow body. The hollow body has a first opening and a second opening. A movable button is disposed in the body, and the button has a first portion positioned in the second opening of the hollow body and a second portion defining a post. A biasing member is operable to bias the button in a locking position in which the post is disposable across at least a portion of the opening in the tongue when the tongue is disposed in the first opening of the hollow body, and the button is operable to being moved to a release position in which the post is disengagable from the opening in the tongue to allow the tongue to be spaced from the hollow body.