Patent Publication Number: US-10314370-B2

Title: Clasp

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/379,975 (filed Aug. 26, 2016), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to a clasp for releasably affixing two articles together, such as two straps or two opposing ends of a strap. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Releasable clasps are often used to attach straps together when adjusting a size or shape of a garment or other article (e.g., bra, waistband, belt, adjustable headwear, footwear bags, and the like). Some clasps can be more difficult to connect or release, especially when the connection is performed “blindly,” such as behind a person&#39;s back. In addition, some clasps may include a thicker profile and/or be more rigid, which can affect the comfort of the clasp against a wearer&#39;s body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is described in detail herein with reference to the attached figures, which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1-3  depict various positions of a hook component and a catch component when a clasp is being operated, in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIGS. 4-7, 8A, and 9  depict various aspects of a hook component, in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG. 8B  depicts an alternative hook component in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  each depicts a different alternative hook component in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIGS. 12-15  depict various aspects of a catch component in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG. 16  depicts a bottom view of a clasp in accordance with an aspect hereof; and 
         FIG. 17  depicts an article having a clasp in accordance with an aspect hereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Subject matter is described throughout this Specification in detail and with specificity in order to meet statutory requirements. But the aspects described throughout this Specification are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and the description itself is not intended necessarily to limit the scope of the claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be practiced in other ways to include different elements or combinations of elements that are similar to the ones described in this Specification and that are in conjunction with other present, or future, technologies. Upon reading the present disclosure, alternative aspects may become apparent to ordinary skilled artisans that practice in areas relevant to the described aspects, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by, and is within the scope of, the claims. 
     Overview of Exemplary Aspects of a Clasp 
     At a high level, the disclosure describes a clasp that connects two articles together, and in one aspect, the clasp includes one or more features that render the clasp usable with a garment (e.g., bra straps, belt, and other adjustable garments). Among other possible elements, the clasp may include structural features that provide a relatively low profile, which is sometimes desirable when worn against, or close to, a wearer&#39;s body. In addition, the clasp may be flexible, and less rigid (relative to other mechanisms), which can contribute to a more comfortable fit. Further, the clasp may include components that interlock in a relatively intuitive manner, which may facilitate “blind” connection, such as behind a wearer&#39;s back. These and other features will be described in more detail in other portions of this disclosure. 
     In one aspect of the disclosure, the clasp generally includes a hook component and a catch component that releasably mate with one another in an interlocking configuration. The hook component includes a hook-component stem that is attachable to a first article (e.g., first strap). In addition, a neck extends from the hook-component stem and is attached to a cantilevered lip. The neck suspends the cantilevered lip apart from the hook-component stem to form a catch-receiving slot between the cantilevered lip and the hook-component stem. 
     In a further aspect, the catch component includes a catch-component stem that is attachable to a second article (e.g., second strap or opposing end of the first strap to which the hook-component stem is attachable). In addition, the catch component includes a hook-engaging portion coupled to the catch-component stem. The hook-engaging portion forms an eyelet through which the cantilevered lip is inserted when the hook component is mated with the catch component to achieve the interlocking configuration. Further, the hook-engaging portion includes a lip-facing surface that faces towards the cantilevered lip in the interlocking configuration and includes a stem-facing surface that faces towards the hook-component stem in the interlocking configuration. The hook-engaging portion also includes a plate body between the lip-facing surface and the base-facing surface and includes a groove constructed into the stem-facing surface. The groove extends into the plate body and towards the lip-facing surface, and at least a portion of the hook-component stem is nested in the groove in the interlocking configuration. Furthermore, the plate body includes a slot-engaging tongue between the groove and the lip-facing surface, the slot-engaging tongue being thinner than other portions of the plate body and mating in the catch-receiving slot in the interlocking configuration. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure includes an article with a first strap and a second strap. The first strap includes a first-strap terminating end coupled to a hook component (such as the hook component described above), and the second strap includes a second-strap terminating end coupled to a catch component (such as the catch component described above). The catch component releasably mates with the hook component in an interlocking configuration to couple the first strap to the second strap. The hook component includes a hook-component stem coupled to the first-strap terminating end, a neck extending from the hook-component stem, and a cantilevered lip that is coupled to the neck and that overhangs the hook-component stem. The neck suspends the cantilevered lip apart from the hook-component stem to form a catch-receiving slot between the cantilevered lip and the hook-component stem. Furthermore, the catch component includes a catch-component stem, which is coupled to the second-strap terminating end, and a hook-engaging portion coupled to the catch-component stem. The hook-engaging portion at least partially forms an eyelet configured to receive the cantilevered lip when the hook component is mated with the catch component to achieve the interlocking configuration. The hook-engaging portion includes a lip-facing surface that faces towards the cantilevered lip in the interlocking configuration and includes a stem-facing surface that faces towards the hook-component stem in the interlocking configuration. The hook-engaging portion includes a plate body between the lip-facing surface and the base-facing surface and includes a groove constructed into the stem-facing surface. The groove extends into the plate body and towards the lip-facing surface, and at least a portion of the hook-component stem is nested in the groove in the interlocking configuration. Further, the plate body includes a slot-engaging tongue between the groove and the lip-facing surface, the slot-engaging tongue being thinner than other portions of the plate body and mating in the catch-receiving slot in the interlocking configuration. 
     In addition, an aspect of the present disclosure includes a clasp for joining two articles, the clasp including a hook component that mates with a catch component in an interlocking configuration. The hook component includes a hook-component stem configured to be coupled to a first article, a neck extending from the hook-component stem, and a cantilevered lip that is coupled to the neck and that overhangs the hook-component stem. The neck suspends the cantilevered lip apart from the hook-component stem to form a catch-receiving slot between the cantilevered lip and the hook-component stem. In addition, the neck includes a wall height that at least partially determines a dimension of the catch-receiving slot. The catch component includes a catch-component stem configured to be coupled to a second article and a hook-engaging portion coupled to the catch-component stem, the hook-engaging portion at least partially forming an eyelet configured to receive the cantilevered lip when the hook component is mated with the catch component to achieve the interlocking configuration. Further, the hook-engaging portion includes a lip-facing surface that faces towards the cantilevered lip in the interlocking configuration and a stem-facing surface that faces towards the hook-component stem in the interlocking configuration. In addition, the hook-engaging portion includes a plate body between the lip-facing surface and the stem-facing surface. The plate body includes a slot-engaging tongue that mates in the catch-receiving slot in the interlocking configuration and that includes a plate thickness that corresponds with the wall height of the neck. 
     Having described a few different aspects of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the some of the figures to describe one manner in which an exemplary clasp might operate. Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-3 , an exemplary clasp  10  is depicted having a hook component  12  and a catch component  14 , and each of  FIGS. 1-3  depicts a different position of the hook component  12  relative to the catch component  14  in the operation of the clasp  10 . For example,  FIG. 1  depicts an aspect illustrating that a portion of the hook component  12  is inserted (in the direction indicated by the arrow A) through an eyelet of the catch component  14 .  FIG. 2  depicts another aspect in which a portion of the hook component  12  has been inserted through the eyelet of the catch component  14 . The positioning depicted in  FIG. 2  might occur sequentially after the positioning depicted in  FIG. 1  when the components are being mated and might occur sequentially before when the components are being decoupled. In order to mate the hook component  12  and the catch component  14  in an interlocking relationship, at least one of the parts is rotated in order to align the parts. For example, the hook component  12  could be rotated in the direction of the arrow B and/or the catch component  14  could be rotated in the direction of the arrow C. Once the parts are aligned, the hook component  12  and the catch component  14  are pulled in opposite directions to achieve an interlocking configuration, as illustratively depicted in  FIG. 3 . While  FIG. 3  depicts one side of the clasp when coupled,  FIG. 16  depicts the opposing side. 
     Various features of the hook component  12  and the catch component  14  contribute to retaining the clasp  10  in the interlocking configuration, as will be described in further detail below. In addition, although  FIGS. 1-3  depict one exemplary hook component and one exemplary catch component, the principles of operation that are described with respect to  FIGS. 1-3  may apply to alternative hook components and alternative catch components (such as those described in other parts of this disclosure). 
     Various Exemplary Hook Components 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-9 , additional features of various hook components are illustratively depicted.  FIG. 4  shows a top perspective view of the hook component  12 , whereas  FIG. 5  shows a bottom view illustrating an underneath side of the hook component  12  (relative to the top depicted in  FIG. 4 ). In addition,  FIG. 6  shows a side view, and  FIG. 7  shows a magnified side view of a portion of the hook component  12 .  FIGS. 8A and 9  depict cross-sectional views of portions of the hook component  12 , and  FIG. 8B  depicts an alternative aspect of another hook component. 
     In one aspect of the disclosure, the hook component  12  includes a hook-component stem  16 , a neck  18  extending from the hook-component stem  16 , and a cantilevered lip  20  that is coupled to the neck  18  and that overhangs the hook-component stem  16 . The neck  18  suspends the cantilevered lip  20  apart from the hook-component stem  16  to form a catch-receiving slot  22  between the cantilevered lip  20  and the hook-component stem  16 . 
     The neck  18  includes various features that may contribute to the functionality of the clasp  10 . For example, as indicated above, the neck  18  spaces the cantilevered lip  20  from the hook-component stem  16  in order to create the catch-receiving slot  22 . Furthermore, the neck  18  includes a wall  24  (e.g.,  FIG. 9 ) having a wall height  26  that at least partially determines a size (e.g., height) of the catch-receiving slot  22 . This slot sizing (by way of the wall height  26 ) is at least one factor that may contribute to a desired fit between the hook-component  12  and a portion of the catch component  14  that is retained in the catch-receiving slot  22  (as will be described in more detail below). For example, the slot sizing of the slot  22  may correspond with a sizing of the catch component in a manner that allows the catch component to slide into the slot and be retained in the slot  22 . Furthermore, the slot sizing corresponds with the catch component in a manner to provide a friction fit between the components. In one aspect, the wall height is in a range of about 0.7 mm to about 1.1 mm, which may contribute to a target overall height or thickness of the clasp  10 . In a further aspect, the wall height is about 0.8 mm. And in other aspects the wall height  26  may be shorter than 0.7 mm or taller than 1.1 mm. 
     In a further aspect, wall  24  includes a non-linear wall having as slot-facing surface  28  that curves in a convex manner towards (or into) the catch-receiving slot  22 . In addition, the wall  24  may include a concave surface  30  (e.g.,  FIG. 9 ) that generally opposes the convex surface  28 . The wall  24  may provide a desired amount of rigidity to a corner joint between the curved wall and the cantilevered lip  20  and to a corner joint between the curved wall and the hook-component stem  16 . Although a curved wall is depicted, other non-linear walls may be used to construct the neck that might also contribute some rigidity to the hook component. For example, the non-linear wall may be constructed of two or more walls that meet at a wall joint, such as a wall  24 B depicted in  FIG. 8B , or may include one or more other types of curves. A non-linear wall (e.g.,  24  and  24 B) may provide more rigidity than if the cantilevered lip  20  and the hook-component stem  16  were connected by a neck having a wall extending linearly across the entire stem and lip without any curvature or change in direction. This type of single-plane linear wall (in contrast to the exemplary non-linear walls  24  and  24 B) could provide joints that are more susceptible to folding at the corner joint between the neck and the lip and the neck and the stem. 
     The hook-component stem  16  also includes various features that may contribute to the functionality of the hook component  12  and the clasp  10 . Generally, the hook-component stem  16  includes a top surface  31  and a bottom surface  33  and a thickness extending between the top surface  31  and the bottom surface  33  (e.g., reference numeral  40  in  FIG. 9 ). In this sense, the hook-component stem  16  includes a plate body between the top surface  31  and the bottom surface  33 . In addition, the hook-component stem  16  includes terminating side edges  36  and  38  that form perimeter boundaries around at least part of the plate body. 
     In one aspect of the disclosure, the hook component  12  includes a detent-receiving aperture  32  constructed into the hook-component stem  16 . The detent-receiving aperture  32  is depicted as a through-hole that extends entirely through the thickness of the hook-component stem  16  (e.g., through the plate body  35 ), from the top surface  31  to the bottom surface  33 . But in other aspects, the detent-receiving aperture  32  may extend only part way through the thickness into the top surface  31 . The detent-receiving aperture  32  includes an aperture collar  34  that forms an aperture profile. That is, the aperture collar  34  is an edge of the hook-component stem  16  that forms a perimeter boundary around the detent-receiving aperture  32 . 
     In one aspect, the detent-receiving aperture  32  receives a detent of the catch component  14  (see e.g., detent  58  in  FIGS. 13 and 15 ). Moreover, the aperture profile may correspond with a detent profile to affect the fit of the detent within the aperture. For example, the detent may be a cylindrical or spherical, such that the aperture profile includes a corresponding circular profile that fits the shape of the detent. In a further aspect, the detent profile and the aperture profile may include a non-circular, cross-sectional profile, such that engagement of the detent with the aperture collar impedes rotation of the hook component relative to the catch component. For example, the aperture profile depicted in  FIG. 5  is at least partially ovular, elongated, and partially arced. Further, the aperture profile may include a variety of other non-circular configurations that could similarly impede rotation of the detent within the detent-receiving aperture, or rotation of the hook-component stem  16  about the detent. 
     The hook-component stem  16  includes a first stem outer edge  36  and a second stem outer edge  38  that provide terminating outer edges along sides of the hook-component stem  16 . In an aspect of the disclosure, the first stem outer edge  36  and the second stem outer edge  38  form a profile corresponding with a groove of the catch component (see e.g., groove  54  in  FIGS. 12 and 13 ). As such, the hook-component stem  16  nests within the groove when the parts are arranged in interlocking configuration, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . In aspects in which the profile formed by the edges  36  and  38  corresponds with a profile of the groove, the hook-component stem  16  and the groove may interlock in a key-and-keyway manner to provide a more complimentary fit. That is, a key-and-keyway relationship includes respective shapes that are complimentary in nature and that fit together in a more congruent manner when the respective parts are positioned or aligned in a particular orientation. This more complimentary fit may contribute to smaller gaps between the interlocking components and to a lower overall profile of the clasp. In addition, the complimentary fit may help to impede rotation of the hook component  12  relative to the catch component  14  as a result of the edges  36  and  38  engaging the side walls of the groove. 
     In one aspect of the disclosure, the exemplary hook-component stem  16  includes edges  36  and  38  that are non-parallel with respect to one another. For example, the illustrated edges  36  and  38  taper towards one another as the edges extend towards the neck  18 . In this sense, the edges  36  and  38  form a tapered keyway profile, which may confer some of the functionality mentioned above (e.g., lower profile and impeded rotation). In addition, the tapered keyway profile can impede longitudinal shifting of the hook component  12  once the hook-component stem  16  is nested in the groove. For instance, the tapered edges can impede shifting in the direction of arrow D in  FIG. 16 . Although the figures depict the edges  36  and  38  tapering towards one another, various other non-parallel edges and/or non-linear edges, which are complimentary with groove side walls, are contemplated that may afforest similar functionality. 
     The hook-component stem  16  includes a plate thickness  40  between the top surface  31  and the bottom surface  33 , and the plate thickness  40  may contribute to the overall thickness of the clasp  10 . For example, the plate thickness  40  may be configured to be similar to a depth of the groove constructed into the catch component  14 . As such, when the hook-component stem  16  is nested in the groove, the bottom surface  33  of the hook-component stem  16  is substantially flush with a surface  73  of the catch component  14  (see e.g.,  FIG. 16 ). A flush relationship of the underneath side surface  33  with the catch component  14  may contribute to the functionality of the clasp in various ways, such as by reducing the profile of the clasp and by reducing edges along a side of the clasp that might be worn against a wearer&#39;s body. In one aspect, the plate thickness  40  is in a range of about 0.7 mm to about 1.1 mm, which may contribute to a target overall height or thickness of the clasp  10 . In a further aspect, the plate thickness  40  is about 0.8 mm. And in other aspects the plate thickness  40  may be shorter than 0.7 mm or taller than 1.1 mm. 
     In the illustrative aspect depicted by  FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 , the hook component  12  includes a brim  41  that extends in the opposite direction from the cantilevered lip  20 . The brim  41  includes an outer rim  43 A and an inner rim  43 B that form terminating edges on the outer and inner portions of the brim  41 , respectively, and the inner rim  43 B forms a perimeter around an aperture. In one aspect, the brim  41  may engage at least part of the catch component  14  in the interlocking relationship to help retain the components in place. In addition, the brim  41  may provide a smooth and continuous edge (e.g., the outer rim  43 A) on the brim side of the clasp, the smooth and continuous edge reducing edges or corner that may snag on the garment or on the wearer. 
     In other aspects of the disclosure, the brim  41  may be modified or omitted from the construction. For example, the brim may include a solid disk in which the outer rim  43 A forms a perimeter edge and in which the inner rim  43  (and aperture) is omitted. In addition, referring to  FIG. 10  an alternative hook component  112  is illustrated. The hook component  112  is similar to the hook component  12 . For example, the hook component  112  includes a similar hook-component stem  116 , neck  118 , and cantilevered lip  120 , which function in a manner similar to the hook component  12 . In addition, the hook-component stem  116  includes a profile (e.g., tapered edges), and the hook component  112  may include a detent-receiving aperture (not viewable in the perspective provided by  FIG. 10 ). However, the hook component  112  does not include a brim. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , another alternative hook component  212  is illustrated. The hook component  212  is similar to the hook component  12  and the hook component  112 . For example, the hook component  212  includes a similar hook-component stem  216 , neck  218 , and cantilevered lip  220 , which function in a manner similar to the hook component  12  and the hook component  112 . In addition, the hook-component stem  216  includes a profile (e.g., tapered edges), and the hook component  212  may include a detent-receiving aperture (not viewable in the perspective provided by  FIG. 11 ). The hook component  212  does not include a brim, but the hook component  212  does include a tab  208 , which may be used to manually manipulate the clasp and/or to support a logo or other labeling information. 
     Various Exemplary Catch Components 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12, 13, 14, and 15  additional aspects of the exemplary catch component  14  will be described in more detail.  FIG. 12  depicts a top perspective view of the catch component  14 , whereas  FIG. 13  depicts a bottom view. In addition,  FIG. 14  depicts a side view of the catch component  14 , and  FIG. 15  depicts a magnified view of a portion of the catch component depicted in  FIG. 14 . 
     In general, the catch component  14  includes a catch-component stem  42  and a hook-engaging portion  44  coupled to the catch-component stem  42 . The catch-component stem  42  is configured to be coupled to an article, and the hook-engaging portion  44  is configured to engage, and interlock with, one or more parts of the hook components  12 ,  112 , and  212 . For example, the hook-engaging portion  44  at least partially forms an eyelet  46  through which the cantilevered lip  20 ,  120 , or  220  may pass when connecting and disconnecting the clasp  10 . Although the illustrative depictions provided by  FIGS. 12 and 13  depict the eyelet  46  as being bound on all sides by a complete, unbroken ring, other eyelet configurations are possible. For example, the hook-engaging portion may only partially extend around the opening of the eyelet, such that a portion of the depicted ring structure is omitted. In that case, the hook component could possibly be inserted through the opening of the eyelet as depicted in  FIG. 1 , or the hook component could possibly be slid through a slot formed by the omission in the ring structure. 
     In a further aspect, the hook-engaging portion  44  includes a lip-facing surface  48  that faces towards the cantilevered lip  20 ,  120 , or  220  in the interlocking configuration and a stem-facing surface  50  that faces towards the hook-component stem  16 ,  116 , or  216  in the interlocking configuration. In addition, the hook-engaging portion  44  includes a plate body  52  between the lip-facing surface  48  and the stem-facing surface  50 . As described with respect to certain aspects of the hook component  12 , the catch component  14  includes a groove  54  constructed into the stem-facing surface  50  and extending into the plate body  52  and towards the lip-facing surface  48 . At least a portion of the hook-component stem  16  is nested in the groove  54  in the interlocking configuration (e.g.,  FIGS. 3 and 16 ). In addition, the plate body  52  includes a slot-engaging tongue  56  between the groove  54  and the lip-facing surface  48 , the slot-engaging tongue  56  being thinner than other portions of the plate body  52  and mating in the catch-receiving slot  22  in the interlocking configuration. 
     For explanatory purposes, the hook-engaging portion  44  and the plate body  52  may be described to include various segments. For example, one such segment may include the slot-engaging tongue  56 . For functionality, at least part of the hook-engaging portion  44  spaces the slot-engaging tongue  56  apart from the catch-component stem  42  in order to form the opening of the eyelet  46 , through which the cantilevered lip  20 ,  120 , or  220  may pass. As such, the hook-engaging portion  44  and the plate body  52  may also be described as including one or more “arms” or “extension members” (see e.g., component  45  in  FIG. 12 ). 
     In another aspect of the disclosure, the catch component  14  further comprises a detent  58  constructed onto (or extending away from) the stem-facing surface  50 . As described with respect to the hook component  12 , the detent  58  mates in the detent-receiving aperture  32  when the hook-component stem  16  is nested in the groove  54 , the slot-engaging tongue  56  is received in the slot  22 , and the components are in the interlocking configuration. Among other things, the mating of the detent  58  with the detent-receiving aperture  32  may help to impede the clasp from being unintentionally disconnected. For instance, the mating of the detent  58  in the detent-receiving aperture  32  may impede movement of the hook component  12  in the direction of the arrow D in  FIG. 16 . Furthermore, as described with respect to the detent-receiving aperture  32 , the detent  58  may include a non-circular, cross-sectional profile, such that engagement of the detent  58  with the aperture collar  34  impedes rotation of the hook component relative to the catch component. But a circular or spherical detent may also be included in alternative aspects. 
     The detent  58  may provide additional functionality. For example, in one aspect when the slot-engaging tongue  56  is being slid into the slot  22 , the detent  58  functions to transmit a force against the hook-component stem  16  that may cause one or more portions of the hook component and/or the catch component to elastically deform prior to the detent  58  snapping into the detent-receiving aperture  32 . The elastic deformation of the parts may result from one or more characteristics, such as the thicknesses of the various parts of the components that contribute to a low profile nature, the material from which the components are constructed, or a combination thereof. This snapping action contributed to by the detent  58  helps to provide feedback to a person operating the clasp  10  that the clasp is interlocked. For example, the snap of the detent  58  into position may provide audible feedback, tactile feedback, or a combination thereof. This feedback may be helpful in various contexts, such as when the clasp is being blindly operated (e.g., on a bra or other garment behind a person&#39;s back). 
     In a further aspect, the groove  54  includes certain features that contribute to the functionality of the clasp  10 . For example, the groove  54  includes first groove side wall  60  and a second groove side wall  62  that form sides of the groove  54 . In addition, the first groove side  60  wall and the second groove side  62  wall are connected by a groove base wall  64 . As explained with respect to the hook component  12  and the hook-component stem  16 , in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, the first groove side wall  60  and the second groove side wall  62  form a profile that corresponds with, and complements, a portion of the hook-component stem  16 . For example, the exemplary figures depict one aspect in which the first side wall  60  and the second side wall  62  taper towards one another to form a tapered keyway profile. As such, the first stem outer edge  36  and the second stem outer edge  38  may taper towards one another as the hook-component stem  16  extends towards the neck  18  to form a tapered key profile, which is complementary with the tapered keyway profile. 
     The catch component  14  may include other elements or features. For example, the slot-engaging tongue  56  includes a thickness  68  (see  FIG. 12 ) that is configured to mate, and be received in, the slot  22 . In one aspect of the disclosure, the thickness  68  is configured to contribute to a desired fit in the catch-receiving slot  22 . For example, the thickness  68  may correspond with a slot sizing  26  in a manner that allows the catch component to slide into the slot and be retained in the slot  22 . Furthermore, the thickness  68  may correspond with the slot sizing  26  in a manner to provide a frictional engagement between the slot-engaging tongue  56  and the cantilevered lip  20  and the hook-component stem  16  on opposing sides of the slot-engaging tongue  56 . For example, in one aspect, the thickness  68  is larger than the dimension  26  by an amount that is in a range of 1% to about 25%. As such, the thicker tongue  56  may be wedged between the lip  20  and the stem  16  in order to frictionally couple the components. And in other aspects, the thickness  68  is substantially similar to the dimension  26 , which may result in a lower amount of friction as compared to a thickness  68  that is larger than the dimension  26 —but the friction may still be sufficient to contribute to a coupling between the components. In a further aspect, the thickness  68  may be smaller than the dimension  26 , in which case the components can still be effectively mated using the engagement of the slot-engaging tongue  56  and the neck  18 , the detent  58  and the detent-receiving aperture  32 , the hook-component stem  16  and the groove  54 , or any combination thereof. 
     In a further aspect, the groove  54  includes a groove depth  70  ( FIG. 15 ) that is substantially similar to a thickness  40  of the hook-component stem  16 . As such, and as described in other parts of the disclosure, the hook-component stem  16  may fit in the groove  54  substantially flush with the other portions  72  of the plate body  52  that are thicker than the slot-engaging tongue  56  when the hook-component stem  16  is nested in the groove in the interlocking configuration. Referring again to  FIG. 16 , the bottom surface  33  of the hook-component stem is substantially flush with the surface  73  of the thicker portion  72 . For example, the groove depth and the thickness of the hook-component stem may both be a range of about 0.7 mm to about 1.1 mm in order to facilitate a clasp having a target overall height. However, a common sized groove depth and stem thickness may be smaller than, or larger than, this range in other aspects of the disclosure. 
     The term “low profile” may refer to a clasp having a total thickness between an inward facing surface (e.g., surfaces  73  and  33 , facing towards the wearer when the clasp is in an as-worn arrangement) and an outward facing surface (e.g., facing away from the wearer when the clasp is in the as-worn arrangement) in a range of about 1.4 mm to about 2.5 mm. However, this range is merely exemplary of one aspect of the disclosure, and in other aspects the overall thickness of clasp may be less than 1.4 mm or greater than 2.5 mm. 
     The hook component and the catch component may be constructed of various materials by injection molding, casting, rapid-prototype manufacturing, and the like. For example, the hook component and the catch component may be constructed of various polymers or copolymers (such as Nylon, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyethylene, etc.), rubber, composite rubber, and the like. In addition, the material properties of the material may be selected to provide an amount of flexibility, wear resistance, wash resistance, ruggedness, elasticity, durometer and the like. In one aspect, the shore hardness is formulated in a range of about 60D to about 100D (or above 90A). However, in other aspects, the formulation may be softer than these ranges. In a further aspect, the material from with the components are constructed contributes to the ability of the components to interlock, while maintaining a relatively low profile and less rigidity. In addition, the material may contribute to the clasp being more comfortable directly against a wearer&#39;s skin, such as in a bra context. 
     Exemplary Articles 
     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , an article  74  is depicted as a bra. The article  74  includes a first strap  76  with a first-strap terminating end  78 , and the first-strap terminating end  78  is coupled to a catch component  14 . In addition, the article  74  includes a second strap  80  having as second-strap terminating  82  end coupled to a hook component  12 . The catch component  14  releasably mates with the hook component  12  in an interlocking configuration to couple the first strap  76  to the second strap  80 . 
     The straps might be coupled to the stems using various coupling techniques. For example, the straps might be sewn to the stems, bonded to the stems, welded, and the like. In a further aspect, one or more elements of the hook-component stem  16  and the catch-component stem  42  contribute to the functionality of the clasp  10  by providing a handle onto which a person may grasp when operating the clasp to connect or disconnect the components. For example, the hook-component stem  16  may include a length  84  ( FIG. 5 ) that is sufficient to allow a user to grip the hook component  12 , and the catch-component stem  42  may include a length  86  ( FIG. 13 ) that is sufficient to allow a user to grip the catch component  14 . In one aspect, the lengths  84  and  86  are at least about 45 mm long. 
     The bra is merely illustrative of one type of bra, and the clasp  10  might be usable with a variety of different types of bras. In addition, the clasp  10  may be usable with various other type of garments and articles, such as belts, waistband constructions, adjustable headwear, footwear, bags, and the like. 
     From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. 
     It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 
     Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.