Plug-type clasp for pieces of jewelry

A plug-type clasp for securing together the ends of a piece of jewelry, said clasp comprising:

• a housing having a central longitudinal axis and a front end and a rear end, said ends being spaced apart along the central longitudinal axis of said housing;
• a sleeve installed in said housing for movement in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of said housing, said sleeve having a front end which faces said front end of said housing, and said sleeve being provided with a receiving opening which extends from said front end of said sleeve and which has a central longitudinal axis that lies parallel to the central longitudinal axis of said housing;
• spring means disposed in said housing and acting on said sleeve for urging said sleeve toward said front end of said housing;
• cover means disposed at said front end of said housing and defining a passage opening having a central longitudinal axis which is laterally offset from the central longitudinal axis of said receiving opening;
• and connecting means including a connecting part, said connecting part being configured to be capable of passing through said passage opening when said connecting part has a first position and to be capable of passing into said receiving opening when said connecting part has a second position, the first and second positions being offset transverse to the central longitudinal axis of said housing by a distance such that when said connecting part is in the first position it is prevented from entering said receiving opening and when said connecting part is in the second position it is prevented by said cover means from passing through said passage opening, wherein said sleeve is displaceable along the longitudinal axis of said housing, against the urging of said spring means, between a locking position for holding said connecting part in said receiving opening and a release position for permitting said connecting part to move to its second position for passage through said passage opening.