Combined clasp and tie slide
STATEMENT OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general to a combined structure of a removably adjustable clasp attaching a necktie slide to a shirt front. 
     PRIOR ART 
     The present clasp assembly represents an improvement upon necktie clasps such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,049,772 and 2,994,116. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a clasp embodying novel and improved features of construction whereby the clasp shall be capable of being attached to a shirt front to prevent displacement and ensure against slipping or loss of clasp while being attached to a necktie slide for holding a necktie in proper relation to a shirt front. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a clasp comprising one jaw attached to the body of a tie slide or other structure which serves as a second jaw, and novel and improved means for mounting a spring clamping strip on one of said jaws in opposed clamping relation to the other jaw, whereby the tie slide and clasp are integral, simple and inexpensive in construction and appealing to the eye. 
     Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in part and be pointed out in part in the following specification and claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts: 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the combined clasp and tie slide; 
     FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a medial horizontal cross sectional view through the body of the tie slide; 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, similar to FIG. 3, showing one leg of the tie slide in extended position; 
     FIG. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view, taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a medial cross sectional view, taken on line 7--7 of FIG. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view, taken on line 8--8 of FIG. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows; and 
     FIG. 9 shows a writing instrument provided with the clasp structure of the present invention. 
    
    
     In proceeding with this invention, there is provided a hollow elongated box type structure having open opposite ends, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, comprising a face plate 11, a top side 12, a bottom side 13, a back side 14, a left end 15 (as viewed in FIG. 1) and a right end 16. 
     Two sliding legs are generally indicated, respectively, by reference numerals 17 and 18. Leg 18 comprises a flat body 20 having a wide portion 21 of a size to slidably engage top side 12 and bottom side 13 on the inner surfaces thereof. Said wide portion 21 extends approximately two-thirds the length of flat body 20. The other one-third 22 of said length is tapered away from said top side 12 and bottom side 13, for purposes which will presently appear. Flat body 20 is provided with a tapered elongated slot 23. A rivet 24 is fastened to face plate 11 and back side 14 (see FIGS. 3, 4 and 7). Elongated slot 23 straddles rivet 24 and is slidably mounted thereon. As sliding leg 18 is withdrawn from box 10, rivet 24 engages the sides of tapered elongated slot 23 and spreads leg 18 outwardly, with the tapered portion 22 spreading toward top side 12 and bottom side 13. The spreading action creates friction between the sides of elongated slot 23 and the sides of rivet 24 to frictionally hold leg 18 in selected extended position. An orifice 25 is provided in flat body 20. 
     In like manner, leg 17 comprises a flat body 20A having a width portion 21A of a size to slidably engage top side 12 and bottom side 13 on the inner surfaces, thereof. Said width portion 21A extends approximately two-thirds the length of flat body 20A. The other one-third 22A of said length is tapered away from said top side 12 and bottom side 13. Flat body 20A is provided with a tapered elongated slot 23A. A rivet 24A is fastened to face plate 11 and back side 14. Elongated slot 23A straddles rivet 24A and is slidably mounted thereon. As sliding leg 17 is withdrawn from box 10, rivet 24A engages the sides of tapered elongated slot 23A and spreads leg 17 outwardly, as previously described for leg 18. 
     A clasp, generally indicated by reference numeral 19, comprises a first jaw (see FIG. 7) having a flat body 30 and an arm 32 integrally connected by a bight 31 or inclined plane. One end of flat body 30 is provided with two opposite and parallel wings 37 or spring guide surfaces. A rivet 24A fastens arm 32 to back side 14. Said rivet 24A is fastened to face plate 11. An arcuate shaped leaf spring, generally indicated by reference numeral 35, is provided with a flat seat 36, and arches to terminate at the base of inclined surface 31. Flat seat 36 is located between spring guide surfaces 37 and is fastened to flat body 30 by means of rivet 38. Back side 14 serves as a second jaw in cooperation with first jaw 30. Arcuate shaped leaf spring 35 resiliently engages second jaw 14. When a shirt front is interposed between spring 35 and second jaw 14, the resilience of said arcuate shaped leaf spring 35 is enhanced by the friction created by the end of spring 35 riding upwardly upon the inclined plane 31. 
     A jewelry chain 50 is fastened on opposite ends to flat bodies 20, 20A, respectively, at orifices 25, 25A, respectively. 
     When clasp 19 is fastened to a shirt front, a necktie may be passed between jewelry chain 50 and face plate 11, whereby the necktie is loosely held in position in relation to the shirt front. 
     MODIFIED FORM 
     FIG. 9 illustrates the new and improved clasp attached to a writing instrument, comprising a first jaw 30A and a second jaw 14A, said first jaw having a bight 31A and an arm 32A, an arched spring clamping strip 35A having a flat seat 36A and a free end, means 38A fastening said flat seat 36A to said first jaw 30A with said free end slidable upon said inclined plane 31A, and a second means fastening said first jaw to said second jaw with said arched spring clamping strip resiliently engaging said second jaw 14A. 
     The arm 32A is provided with an orifice 40. Second jaw 14A may be the barrel of a writing instrument provided with a plug 41 driven into the barrel. A cap 42 provided with a tongue 43 fastens arm 32A to second jaw 14A by means of tongue passing through orifice 40 and fastening itself in plug 41 through an opening provided for that purpose in the form of a drive fit. 
     Having shown and described preferred embodiments of the present invention by way of example, it should be realized that structural changes could be made and other examples given without departing from either the spirit or scope of this invention.