Abstract:
A cable clasp comprises a tail including an engagement face. The cable clasp further comprises a head including a handle that connects to the tail and defines a mouth opening into which the tail is movable. The cable clasp is biased towards a closed-loop position in which at least a portion of the tail is disposed in the mouth opening. The head further includes a lock having a catch engageable with the engagement face in a lock position to: 1) prevent motion of the tail relative to the head in a first direction, and 2) permit motion of the tail relative to the head in a second direction opposite the first direction by sliding the catch over the engagement face. The catch and the engagement face are also disengageable in a release position to permit motion of the tail relative to the head in both the first and second directions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/151,420 filed Feb. 10, 2009, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT CONCERNING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to cable clasps, and in particular to a releasable clasp that is particularly adapted for supporting bundles or loops of one or more elongated articles, such as electrical cords. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cable ties are well-known and typically inexpensive single-use devices for supporting loops of one or more elongated articles, such as electrical cords, ropes, garden hoses, and the like. Most cable tie designs include a tail with a plurality of teeth that engage a head when the tail and the head are moved together to form a closed-loop. The head includes a pawl or lip that engages one or more teeth to prevent the tail from disengaging the head. Most cable tie designs are cut and discarded after use or when the article is to be unwound. 
     Cable clasps are also well-known and typically more expensive than cable ties; however, most cable clasps are more durable than cable ties. Like cable ties, cable clasps include a tail having a plurality of teeth that engage a head to form a closed-loop and prevent the tail from disengaging the head. However, cable clasps also permit the tail to be released from the head, and therefore are reusable. 
     In some cases, cable clasps have similar body structures to those of some cable ties. For example, some cable clasps include a head and a tail that are integrally formed as a single-piece flexible device. In contrast, other cable clasps include separate hingedly-connected head and tail sections that are formed as relatively rigid components. In any case, previous cable clasp designs normally occupy an open-loop position in which the tail is spaced apart from the head. That is, a user must force the tail and the head together to close the loop and secure the article within the cable clasp. Such a task can be difficult to perform in certain situations. For example, it may be difficult for a single user to lift a heavy garden hose and then close a cable clasp around the hose. 
     The normally open-loop structure of previous cable clasp designs is also disadvantageous for several additional reasons. For example, two or more cable clasps can become “tangled” when not in use and stored together, for example, in a box or trunk; such a situation may cause difficulty and frustration for a user attempting to remove a single cable clasp. As another example, the free ends of the tail and the head do not support each other in the open-loop position, and therefore each is less durable. As such, abrupt contact between an external object and one of the free ends is more likely to damage the cable clasp in the open-loop position. 
     Considering the drawbacks of previous cable clasp designs, an improved cable clasp design is needed. Such an improved cable clasp is preferably easy to use and durable compared to previous designs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the present invention provides a cable clasp comprising a tail forming part of a loop and including a free proximal end having an engagement face. The cable clasp further comprises a head forming another part of the loop and including a handle movably connected to the tail. The handle defines a mouth opening into which the tail is movable to permit the clasp to move from an open-loop position to a closed-loop position and vice versa. In the open-loop position the free proximal end of the tail is spaced from the mouth opening, and in the closed-loop position at least a portion of the free proximal end is disposed within the mouth opening. The head further includes a lock connected to the handle and including a catch. The catch and the engagement face are engageable in a lock position to: 1) prevent motion of the tail relative to the head in a first direction, and 2) permit motion of the tail relative to the head in a second direction opposite the first direction by sliding the catch over the engagement face. The catch and the engagement face are also disengageable in a release position to permit motion of the tail relative to the head in both the first and second directions. The cable clasp further comprises a first elastic element engaging the handle and the tail and biasing the clasp towards the closed-loop position. 
     In another aspect, the cable clasp comprises a tail forming part of a loop and including a free proximal end having an engagement face. The cable clasp further comprises a head forming another part of the loop. The head includes a handle movably connected to the tail that defines a mouth opening into which the tail is movable to permit the clasp to move from an open-loop position to a closed-loop position and vice versa. In the open-loop position the free proximal end of the tail is spaced from the mouth opening, and in the closed-loop position at least a portion of the free proximal end is disposed within the mouth opening. The handle includes a neck and a grip connected to the neck. The grip includes a first grip arm extending generally perpendicularly relative to a loop plane in which the tail moves relative to the handle and a second grip arm extending generally perpendicularly relative to the loop plane. The first and second grip arms are disposed on opposite sides of the neck. The head further includes a lock connected to the handle having a catch engageable with the engagement face of the tail. The catch and the engagement face are engageable in a lock position to: 1) prevent motion of the tail relative to the head in a first direction, and 2) permit motion of the tail relative to the head in a second direction opposite the first direction by sliding the catch over the engagement face. The lock and the engagement face are also disengageable in a release position to permit motion of the tail relative to the head in both the first and second directions. 
     In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a cable clasp, comprising the steps of: providing a tail that includes a free proximal end having an engagement face, the tail further includes a distal hinge end opposite the free proximal end, and the distal hinge end includes a hinge face that has a first torsion spring hole; providing a head that defines a mouth opening into which the free proximal end of the tail is pivotable, the head includes a distal hinge end spaced apart from the mouth opening, the distal hinge end of the head includes a hinge face having a second torsion spring hole; engaging a torsion spring with one of the tail and the head by positioning a first leg of the torsion spring within the torsion spring hole of the one of the tail and the head; and engaging the other of the tail and the head with the torsion spring by positioning the hinge face of the other of the tail and the head proximate the torsion spring and pivoting the cable clasp towards a closed-loop position such that a second leg of the torsion spring passes along the hinge face of the other of the tail and the head and then into the torsion spring hole of the other of the tail and the head. 
     The foregoing and advantages of the invention will appear in the detailed description which follows. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and: 
         FIG. 1 . is a perspective view of a first or “rocker jaw” embodiment of a cable clasp of the present invention with the cable clasp in a closed-loop position; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cable clasp of  FIG. 1  from the opposite angle; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the cable clasp of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a rocker jaw of the cable clasp of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a handle of the cable clasp of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a tail of the cable clasp of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the cable clasp of  FIG. 1  in an open-loop position; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the cable clasp of  FIG. 1  in the closed-loop position and with portions of the rocker jaw and the handle shown in section; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the cable clasp like  FIG. 8  but with the tail rotated further into the closed-loop position; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second or “T-handle” embodiment of a cable clasp of the present invention with the cable clasp in a closed-loop position; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the cable clasp of  FIG. 10  from the opposite angle; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of the cable clasp of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a head of the cable clasp of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the head of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the cable clasp of  FIG. 10  in an open-loop position; 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of the cable clasp of  FIG. 10  in the closed-loop position and with portions of the head shown in section; 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of the cable clasp like  FIG. 16  but with the tail rotated further into the closed-loop position; 
         FIG. 18  is a section view along line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of the cable clasp of  FIG. 10  supported by a nail in a wall; 
         FIG. 20  is a section view along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a section view along line  21 - 21  of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a side view of a third or “cam lock” embodiment of a cable clasp of the present invention with the cable clasp in an open-loop position; 
         FIG. 23  is a side view of the cable clasp of  FIG. 22  in a closed-loop position; 
         FIG. 24  is a side view of the cable clasp of  FIG. 22  with a jaw rotated to a release position; 
         FIG. 25  is a side view of a fourth or “circle” embodiment of a cable clasp of the present invention with the cable clasp in an open-loop position; 
         FIG. 26  is a section view along line  26 - 26  of  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a side view of the cable clasp of  FIG. 25  in a closed-loop position; and 
         FIG. 28  is a side view of a split tail embodiment of a tail of the cable clasp of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The particulars shown herein are by way of example and only for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the invention. The particulars shown herein are presented to provide what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the invention. The description taken with the drawings should make apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-9  and  20  and in particular  FIGS. 1-3 , a cable clasp  10  of the present invention is suitable for supporting loops of one or more elongated articles (not shown), such as electrical cords, ropes, garden hoses, and the like. However, the cable clasp  10  may also be used to support other common articles, such as plastic grocery bags, coffee mugs and the like, without departing from the scope of the invention. The cable clasp  10  includes a clasp tail  12  hingedly connected through an elastic element  14  ( FIG. 3 ) to a clasp head  16 . The tail  12  pivots between a closed-loop position ( FIG. 1 ) in which the tail  12  enters the head  16  and a open-loop position ( FIG. 7 ) in which an end of the tail  12  is spaced apart from the head  16 . The elastic element  14  biases the tail  12  towards the closed-loop position (i.e., the elastic element  14  provides a normally closed-loop cable clasp  10 ). These components and their interactions are described in further detail below, beginning with the tail  12  and concluding with the head  16 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-9  and  20 , the tail  12  is a generally C-shaped component forming part of the loop for supporting articles. The tail  12  includes a free proximal end  18  having a plurality of teeth  20  arranged in a series along the outer engagement face of the tail  12 . In some embodiments, the teeth  20  may extend around the outer surface, side surfaces, and the inner surface of the free proximal end  18  and thereby have round cross-sectional shapes. In any case, each tooth  20  includes a diagonal ratcheting surface  22  ( FIG. 7 ) and a locking surface  24  adjacent each ratcheting surface  22 . The ratcheting surfaces  22  and the locking surfaces  24  engage and interact with the head  16  as described below. 
     The free proximal end  18  of the tail  12  connects to an intermediate body section  26 . The intermediate body section  26  preferably increases in thickness extending away from the teeth  20  to provide a more durable tail  12 . In addition, the intermediate body section  26  is preferably generally solid except for a side recess  28  that reduces the weight and cost of the tail  12 . The side recess  28  may include a tie opening  30  for receiving a strap or tie (e.g., a twist-tie) for tying the cable clasp  10  to the article supported by the cable clasp  10 . The opening  30  may extend in a direction perpendicular to a loop plane  32  (a vertical plane when the cable clasp  10  is stood upright as shown in the figures) in which the tail  12  pivots relative to the head  16 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIGS. 3 ,  6 , and  20 , the intermediate body section  26  of the tail  12  connects to a distal hinge end  34  opposite the free proximal end  18 . The distal hinge end  34  is preferably about half the thickness of the adjacent portion of the intermediate body section  26  to provide half of a hinge between the tail  12  and the head  16 . The distal hinge end  34  includes a hinge hole  36  extending from a hinge face  38  to an opposite face and accommodating a hinge fastener  40  (e.g., a threaded screw). The hinge face  38  generally faces the elastic element  14  and perpendicularly faces the loop plane  32 . An annular recess  42  of the hinge face  38  surrounds the hinge hole  36  and accommodates a portion of the elastic element  14 . The annular recess  42  includes a first torsion spring hole  44  for accommodating another portion of the elastic element  14  as described below. 
     In some embodiments, the tail  12  may include a loop or a hook (not shown) connected to the intermediate body section  26  outside of the loop. Such a feature may permit a user to easily move the tail  12  with a single finger as described in further detail below. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 ,  8 ,  9 , and  20 , the elastic element  14  is preferably a torsion spring. Alternatively, the elastic element  14  may be another appropriate spring design (e.g., a coil spring or the like) having an appropriate spring constant to bias the tail  12  towards the closed-loop position and thereby provide a normally-closed cable clasp  10 . The torsion spring  14  includes a first leg  46  disposed within the first torsion spring hole  44  of the tail  12 . The first leg  46  connects to a coiled body  48  of the torsion spring  14 , a portion of which is disposed within the annular recess  42  of the tail  12 . The coiled body  48  connects to a second leg  50  opposite the first leg  46 . The second leg  50  engages the head  16  to bias the tail  12  towards the closed-loop position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 ,  5 ,  7 - 9 , and  20 , the head  16  includes a generally T-shaped handle  52  forming another part of the loop for supporting articles. The handle  52  includes a distal hinge end  54  pivotally connected to the distal hinge end  34  of the tail  12 . The distal hinge end  54  of the handle  52  is preferably about half the thickness of an adjacent part of the handle  52  to provide, together with the distal hinge end  34  of the tail  12 , a hinge having about the same thickness as adjacent parts of the cable clasp  10 . The distal hinge end  54  of the handle  52  includes a hinge face  56  abuttingly engaged against the hinge face  38  of the tail  12  (i.e., perpendicularly facing the loop plane  32 ). A generally annular recess  58  of the hinge face  56  accommodates a portion of the coiled body  48  of the torsion spring  14 . In addition, the recess  58  includes a second torsion spring hole  60  for accommodating the second leg  50  of the torsion spring  14 . A hinge post  62  of the hinge face  56  is disposed within the coiled body  48  of the torsion spring  14  and the hinge hole  36  of the tail  12 . The hinge post  62  also engages the hinge fastener  40  and extends from the recess  58  generally perpendicularly away from the loop plane  32 . 
     The positions of the first and second torsion spring holes  44 ,  60  about the axis of the hinge are preferably selected in conjunction with the positions of the first and second torsion spring legs  46 ,  50 . That is, the positions of the first and second torsion spring holes  44 ,  60  should be selected such that the torsion spring  14  is in an unloaded position when the tail  12  is in the closed-loop position. In addition, these positions are also preferably selected in conjunction with the spring constant of the torsion spring  14  and friction between the hinge components to ensure the cable clasp  10  is normally in the closed-loop position. 
     The distal hinge end  54  of the handle  52  connects to a neck  64  that may include a neck recess  66  to reduce the weight and cost of the head  16 . As shown in the figures, the neck recess  66  may generally face a direction along the loop plane  32 . The neck  64  connects to a grip  68  opposite the distal hinge end  54 . The grip  68  is an elongated section whose largest dimension defines a major axis  75  ( FIG. 7 ) of the handle  52  that is generally parallel to the loop plane  32 . The grip  68  includes a proximal section  70  having a sloped upper surface  72  to avoid contact with the tail  12 . The proximal section  70  is disposed opposite a distal section  74  of the grip  68 . The distal section  74  includes a lower surface  76  that may be grasped by a user as described in further detail below. The distal section  74  further includes a diagonally-extending spring post  78  opposite the graspable lower surface  76 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  7 - 9 , the head  16  further includes a rocker jaw  80  that acts as a lock. The jaw  80  pivotally connects to the grip  68  by a pin  82  disposed between the proximal section  70  and the distal sections  74  of the grip  68 . The pin  82  generally extends in a direction perpendicular to the loop plane  32 , and therefore, the rocker jaw  80  pivots within the loop plane  32  as shown in  FIG. 8 . In general, the rocker jaw  80  is an elongated shell-like component extending over the length of the grip  68 . The rocker jaw  80  defines an internal mouth opening  84  together with the upper surface  72  of the handle  52 . As shown most clearly in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the mouth opening  84  accommodates the free proximal end  18  of the tail  12  in the closed-loop position. 
     A proximal end of the rocker jaw  80  includes a lip  86  acting as a catch for engaging the teeth  20  on the tail  12 . Specifically, in the closed-loop position, the lip  86  engages the locking surface  24  of one of the teeth  20  to prevent motion of the tail  12  relative to the head  16  when attempting to pull the tail  12  away from the head  16 . However, the lip  86  permits motion of the tail  12  relative to the head  16  when pushing the tail  12  further towards the head  16 . In this case, the lip  86  slides and ratchets over the ratcheting surfaces  22  of one or more teeth  20 . 
     The rocker jaw  80  further includes a spring post  88  disposed near a distal end opposite the lip  86 . The spring post  88  is disposed within a compression spring  90  also connected to the spring post  78  of the handle  52 . The compression spring  90  biases the rocker jaw  80  and the lip  86  into a ratchet/lock position in which the lip  86  engages the teeth  20  on the tail  12  as described above. Alternatively, another type of elastic element may be used to bias the lip  86  into engagement with the tail  12 , such as a cantilever spring, a leaf spring, or the like. The rocker jaw  80  and the lip  86  may be pivoted to a release position by gripping the lower surface  76  of the grip  68  (e.g., with the user&#39;s index finger) and an upper grip surface  92  of the rocker jaw  80  (e.g., with the user&#39;s thumb) to compress the spring  90 . As the name implies, in the release position the lip  86  disengages the teeth  20  to permit the tail  12  to pivot relative to the head  16  in either direction. 
     The structure and shape of the cable clasp of the present invention may be modified from the above description without departing from the scope of the invention. For example and referring now to  FIGS. 10-19  and  21 , a second embodiment of the cable clasp  110  includes a T-handle structure that may be easier to carry and connect to a support structure in some situations. The cable clasp  110  includes a clasp tail  112  hingedly connected through an elastic element  114  to a T-shaped clasp head  116 . 
     The C-shaped clasp tail  112  includes a plurality of teeth  120  and is generally as described above. However, the distal hinge end  134  of the tail  112  includes a hinge face  138  having an elongated first torsion spring hole  144  to simplify assembly as described in further detail below. The distal hinge end  134  of the tail  112  connects to the elastic element  114 . As described above, the elastic element  114  is preferably a torsion spring  114  including a first leg  146  disposed within the first torsion spring hole  144  of the tail  112 . The torsion spring  114  further includes a second leg  150  opposite the first leg  146 . The torsion spring  114  connects to the head  116  of the cable clasp  110  opposite the tail  112 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12-14 , the head  116  includes a handle housing  153  having a distal hinge end  154  pivotally connected to the distal hinge end  134  of the tail  112 . The distal hinge end  154  includes a second torsion spring hole  160  ( FIGS. 14 and 21 ) for accommodating the second leg  150  of the torsion spring  114 . 
     The distal hinge end  154  connects to an elongated neck  164  of the handle housing  153 . The neck  164  may include a neck recess  166  to reduce the weight and cost of the head  116 . The neck  164  also includes a mouth opening  184  spaced apart from the distal hinge end  154  of the handle housing  153 . The mouth opening  184  accommodates the tail  112  in the closed-loop position. Pivot grooves  194  ( FIG. 13 ) are disposed near an open face  183  of the neck  164  opposite the mouth opening  184 . A spring post  178  ( FIGS. 16 and 17 ) is disposed above the pivot grooves  194  and within the mouth opening  184 . These features are described in further detail below. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 12-14 , the neck  164  supports a grip  196  above the mouth opening  184 . The grip  196  includes a first grip arm  198  extending generally perpendicularly relative to a loop plane  132  ( FIG. 11 ) in which the tail  112  pivots relative to the head  116 . The grip  196  also includes a second grip arm  200  extending generally perpendicularly relative to the loop plane  132  but in the opposite direction from the first grip arm  198 . The grip  196  further includes a hole  202  extending through the grip  196  between the first and second grip arms  198 ,  200 . The hole  202  is configured to accommodate an external post  204  ( FIG. 19 ) for supporting the cable clasp  110  on a support structure, e.g., a wall  206 . 
     The handle housing  153  connects to a handle cover  155 . The handle cover  155  is a generally T-shaped component; that is, the handle cover  155  includes features similar to some of those of the handle housing  153 . The handle cover  155  also includes an open face  183 ′ facing the open face  183  of the handle housing  153 . Similarly, the handle cover  155  includes a relatively short neck  164 ′ defining a mouth opening  184 ′, a through hole  202 ′, and supports a grip  196 ′ having grip arms  198 ′ and  200 ′. Each of these sections generally compliments and interfaces those of the handle housing  153  to provide a generally T-shaped head  116 . 
     The largest dimension of the elongated grips  196 ,  196 ′ defines a major axis  175  ( FIG. 11 ) of the head  116  that is generally perpendicular to the loop plane  132 . Such a design advantageously provides a cable clasp  110  with an improved carrying orientation. That is, the cable clasp  110  is easy to balance and grasp, e.g., by holding the first and second grips arms  198  and  200  with the index and middle fingers, respectively. Similarly, the through holes  202 ,  202 ′ extend through the grips  196 ,  196 ′ generally perpendicularly to the major axis  175 . Such a design advantageously permits the cable clasp  110  to be securely positioned adjacent the support structure  206  ( FIG. 19 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12-14  and  16 - 17 , the handle housing  153  and the handle cover  155  pivotally support a generally T-shaped jaw  180  there between. A first leg of the jaw  180  includes a pivot pin  182  that pivots in the pivot grooves  194  in the handle housing  153 . The pivot pin  182  permits the jaw  180  to pivot between a release position and a ratchet/lock position like the first embodiment of the cable clasp  10 . A second leg of the jaw  180  includes a lip  186  for engaging the teeth  120  on the tail  112  in the ratchet/lock position like the first embodiment of the cable clasp  10 . A third leg of the jaw  180  includes a release button  192  that may be manipulated by the user to move the jaw  180  to the release position. The jaw  180  also includes a spring post  188  opposite the spring post  178  on the handle housing  153 . The spring posts  178 ,  188  support a compression spring  190  biasing the jaw  180  towards the ratchet/lock position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 22-24 , a third embodiment of the cable clasp  210  is shown having a rocker jaw-type grip as described above, although a T-handle grip may alternatively be used. The cable clasp  210  includes a clasp tail  212  hingedly connected through an elastic element (not shown) to a rocker jaw-type head  216 . Unlike the embodiments described above, the tail  212  includes a curved outer engagement face  220  without teeth. As shown in  FIG. 23 , in the closed-loop position the engagement face  220  of the tail  212  engages a cam  280  pivotally supported by the head  216 . The cam  280  may be an eccentric cam, a non-circular cam, an eccentric non-circular cam, or the like. In any case, the cam  280  is preferably a material that has a high coefficient of friction with the engagement face  220  of the tail  212 , such as rubber, urethane, or the like, to provide a lock for locking against the tail  212  in some positions. That is, the surface  286  of the cam  280  acts as a catch in the lock position, and friction between the cam  280  and the engagement face  220  prevents the tail  212  from being moved out of the head  216 . However, the tail  212  may be moved further into the closed-loop position by forcing the tail  212  and the head  216  together, thereby causing the engagement face  220  to slide over the surface  286  of the cam  280 . In addition and referring to  FIG. 24 , a user may place a finger within a cam opening  292  and rotate the cam  280  to the release position and disengage the cam  280  from the tail  212 . The tail  212  may then be moved to the open-loop position. In some embodiments, the head  216  may house an elastic element (not shown), such as a torsion spring or the like, that biases the cam  280  toward the lock position. 
     Unlike the embodiments described above, the cable clasp  210  is adjustable over an infinite range of positions. Furthermore, the hinge surfaces between the tail  212  and the head  216  may include teeth-like structures that provide a “ratcheting” sound as the tail  212  moves relative to the head  216 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 25-27 , a fourth embodiment of the cable clasp  310  is shown having a relatively small head  316 , although the head  316  may include an elongated grip as described above in connection with the rocker jaw-type handle and the T-handle. The head  316  includes an arcuate neck  364  that may have an “I-beam” shaped cross-section as shown in  FIG. 26 . Unlike the embodiments described above, the neck  364  slidably supports the tail  312  to permit the tail  312  to move about an arcuate path between the open-loop position ( FIG. 25 ) and the closed-loop position ( FIG. 27 ). As shown in  FIG. 26 , the tail  312  may have a channel shape that surrounds a lower foot  365  of the neck  364 . The head  316  preferably includes a cam  380  for engaging the engagement face  320  of the tail  312  as described above. Alternatively, the head  316  may include a jaw having a lip for engaging a plurality of teeth on the tail  312 . In addition, the cable clasp  310  may include a spring (not shown), such a compression spring or the like, to bias the tail  312  towards the closed-loop position. Such a spring may be disposed within a channel  367  of the neck  364 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 28 , the embodiments described above, particularly those in which the proximal end of the tail is accessible to the user in the closed-loop position (i.e., the T-handle cable clasp  110 ), may include a split tail  412  having a proximal end  418  with two legs  413  that are biased apart by an internal preload, an external spring, or the like. Each of the legs  413  includes an outer engagement face having a plurality of teeth  420  as described above. In the lock position, each set of teeth  420  engages a catch or lip  486  disposed outside the mouth opening  484 . The user may grasp and force the legs  413  together to disengage the teeth  420  and the lips  486  (i.e., move the tail  412  to the release position). Alternatively, the cable clasp may include a trigger (not shown) that is pressed by the user to disengage the legs  413  from the lips  486 . In either case, the tail  412  may then be moved to the open-loop position. 
     The cable clasp  10  may be used as follows. The cable clasps  110 , and  210  may also be used as follows; however, only components of the first embodiment of the cable clasp  10  are referenced for simplicity. First, a user grips the head  16  and moves the jaw  80  to the release position with a first hand. Next, the user pivots the tail  12  from the closed-loop position to the open-loop position using a second hand. Thereafter, the cable clasp  10  is held using only the first hand; specifically, the thumb and index finger are placed against the neck  164  of the handle  52  and the middle finger is placed against the tail  12  to hold the cable clasp  10  in the open-loop position. The user places an article within the open loop between the tail  12  and the head  16  using the second hand. Next, the middle finger of the first hand is released from the tail  12  to permit the torsion spring  14  to move the tail  12  towards the closed-loop position. The second hand or the middle finger of the first hand is then used to push the tail  12  an appropriate distance into the mouth opening  184  to ensure the article is secure within the cable clasp  10 . Finally, the cable clasp  10  is placed on an external post or hook. 
     Alternatively, the cable clasp  10  may be used as follows if the tail  12  includes a loop or hook (not shown) for accommodating a single finger of a user as described above. The cable clasps  110 ,  210  may also be used as follows; however, only components of the first embodiment of the cable clasp  10  are referenced for simplicity. First, a user grips the head  16  and moves the jaw  80  to the release position with the index finger and the thumb of a first hand. Next, the user pivots the tail  12  from the closed-loop position to the open-loop position by pulling the hook or loop using the little finger of the first hand. Thereafter, the cable clasp  10  is held using the first hand, and the user places an article within the open loop using a second hand. Next, the little finger of the first hand is released from the tail  12  to permit the torsion spring  14  to move the tail  12  towards the closed-loop position. The second hand is then used to push the tail  12  an appropriate distance into the mouth opening  184  to ensure the article is secure within the cable clasp  10 . Finally, the cable clasp  10  is placed on an external post or hook. 
     The cable clasp  10  is preferably assembled as follows. The cable clasps  110 ,  210  are also preferably assembled as follows; however, only components of the first embodiment of the cable clasp  10  are referenced for simplicity. First, the tail  12 , the handle  52  (or the handle housing  153  and the housing cover  155 ), and the jaw  80  are formed from plastic materials, such as polystyrene or ABS, in injection molding processes. Some of these components (e.g., the handle housing  153  and the housing cover  155 ) may be formed as separate halves or sections that are subsequently connected in processes such as ultrasonic welding and the like. Next, the compression spring  90  and the pin  82 , which are both preferably a metal such as stainless steel, are engaged with the handle  52  and the jaw  80 . In the case of the cable clasp  110 , the jaw  180  is inserted between the handle housing  153  and the handle cover  155  before connecting the housing and the cover  153 ,  155 . 
     The torsion spring  14 , which is preferably a metal such as stainless steel, is then engaged with the head  16  by positioning the coiled body  48  about the hinge post  62  and the second leg  50  in the second torsion spring hole  60 . Next, the tail  12  is connected to the head  16  by placing the hinge hole  36  of the tail  12  about the hinge post  62  of the head  16 . However, the tail  12  and the head  16  are connected in the open-loop position ( FIG. 7 ) such that the first leg  46  is not aligned with and does not immediately enter the first torsion spring hole  44  of the tail  12 . The tail  12  is then gently pressed against the head  16  and rotated to the closed-loop position ( FIG. 1 ) to permit the first leg  46  to pass along the hinge face  38  (specifically, the annular recess  42 ) of the tail  12 . The first leg  46  moves into and engages the first torsion spring hole  44  as the teeth  20  move through the mouth opening  84 . 
     Such a method is simpler than attempting to align the first leg  46  and the first torsion spring hole  44  when the tail  12  and the head  16  are first connected. As noted above, the cable clasp  110  may include an elongated first torsion spring hole  144 . Such a large elongated hole  144  further simplifies assembly by ensuring that the first leg  46  enters the hole  144 . Finally, the hinge fastener  40 , which is preferably a metal such as stainless steel, is inserted into the hinge hole  36  and engaged with the hinge post  62  to secure the tail  12  to the head  16 . It should be noted that the cable clasp  10  can be assembled by first connecting the torsion spring  14  to the tail  12 , although such an alternative would be more practical if the tail  12  included the hinge post  62  and the head  16  included the hinge hole  36 . That is, the torsion spring  14  is preferably first connected to the component including the hinge post  62  to provide stability for the torsion spring  14  when the tail  12  and the head  16  are connected. 
     From the above disclosure, it should be apparent that the present invention provides a cable clasp that are easier to use than previous designs. The cable clasp is biased towards the closed-loop position, and therefore, the clasp is easily storable with other clasps. In addition, the cable clasp is more durable when not in use because the free ends of the tail and the head support each other. 
     A preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in considerable detail. Many modifications and variations to the preferred embodiment described will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the invention should not be limited to the embodiment described.