Make link, break link icons

[Morley Chalmers]

I'm searching for good icons for creating a link and breaking a link. Here's my criteria. They must be instantly recognizable for what they mean at 15 x 15 pixels size. At that size icons of two chain links broken and whole just don't register well. At least none that I've ever seen.

In the past I've used the red circle with a diagonal slash through it as my symbol for omitting records. So conceivably I could use a green empty circle for making a link and a red slashed circle for breaking a link. But then I'd still need an intuitive icon for omitting records.

What am I talking about when I say make and break links? In a database of companies, some are linked to each other in parent-to-child relationships, a division or regional branch of a larger entity. The parent company record has a portal showing records of all its children. The user needs an icon to break such links and there's just 15 pixels square to show it. It should be paired with another similar icon for creating a link to a potential child.

Likewise elsewhere we're presenting a list of the found set. An omit icon helps the user to further fine tune the list.

This problem is common, yet I don't recall a good solution. Any suggestions welcomed.

Kind regards,

[mr_vodka]

Perhaps you can use a lock symbol like a padlock.