Clip

Abstract

A clip (1, 1A) comprising: a clip base (2) and a lid (3) rotatably mounted on the clip base (2) so as to clamp an article (210) between the clip base (2) and the lid (3). One of the clip base (2) and the lid (3a) has a locking stud (5) provided thereon. The other one of the clip base (2) and the lid (3) has sliding means (6A, 6B, 8) slidably mounted thereon and adapted for locking engagement with the locking stud (5).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The entire disclosures of Japanese Patent Application Number 2004-334507 filed on Nov. 18, 2004 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to a clip for releasably connecting two parts or members together, for example, a clip intended to be used for releasably connecting a small pouch to a back pack.

2. Background of the Invention

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, sometime, a mountaineer or hiker desires to attach to a side of his back pack 200 a small pouch 100 for putting small helpful things therein. Heretofore, for attaching a pouch 100 to a bag pack 200, they have been using a clip 300 as is shown in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2002-119322 and conveniently reproduced here in FIG. 10.

The clip 300 is comprised of a plate-like clip base 310 and a plate-like lid 320 rotatably mounted on one end of the clip base 310. The clip base 310 has a pair of slits 311 formed therethrough and a pair of locking prongs 312 provided one on each side of the other end of the clip base 310. The lid 320 is of a U-shape and has a pair of arms 321 having a pair of locking holes 322 formed through the respective ends for interlocking engagement with the locking prongs 312.

In order to attach the pouch to the back pack by using such a clip 300, first the user inserts a strap 110 attached to the pouch through the two slits 311 of the clip base 310, thus attaching the pouch to the clip. Then, he clamps a belt attached to the back pack between the clip base 310 and the lid 320, and bring the locking prongs 312 into locking engagement with the locking holes 322.

In order to release the pouch from the back pack, in other words, in order to release the clip 300 from the belt of the back pack, he must bring the locking prongs 312 out of locking engagement with the locking holes 322. In order to do that, he must rotate the lid 320 apart from the clip base 310, while he brings the locking prongs 312 out of engagement with the locking holes 322 by compressing the respective outer sides of the two arms 321 of the lid 320 inwards by using his fingers.

Another conventional clip 300A of a similar construction is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,169 and also conveniently reproduced here in FIG. 11. In this known clip 300A, a clip base 310 has a pair of locking prongs 313, and a lid 320 has another pair of locking prongs 323 for locking engagement with the locking prongs 313. Each locking prong 313 is joined with the clip base 310 through a resilient connecting arm 314 in such a way that a deformation of the resilient connecting arm 314 leads to inward displacement of the locking prong 313. The clip 300A is substantially identical to the clip 300 described earlier in the way of using and manipulating them. In order to bring the locking prongs 313 out of engagement with the locking prongs 323, the user must compress the opposed outer sides of the distal end of the clip base 310 with his fingers, thus deforming the resilient connecting arms 314 inwards, thereby bringing the locking prongs 313 out of engagement with the locking prongs 323. After the locking prongs 313 come out of locking engagement with the locking prongs 323, he has to rotate the lid 320 apart from the clip base 310.

In the clips 300, 300A described hereinabove, in order to bring the locking prongs 312; 323 out of engagement with the locking holes 322 and locking prongs 313, the lid 320 and the clip base 310 must be compressed on their outer sides so that the arms 321 and the resilient arms 314 may be deformed. The arms 321 and the resilient arms 314 are molded integrally to the lid 320 and 310, respectively. Furthermore, since the lid 320 and the clip base 310 are molded of plastics into the shape of a plate of considerable thickness, they are hard to be compressed inwards. A considerable compression force is thus required to deform the arms 321 and the resilient arms 314 to an extent enough to bring the locking prongs 312; 323 out of engagement with the locking holes 322; locking prongs 313, respectively. However, the materials and the shape of those parts, particularly the thickness of those parts must not be sacrificed for making it easier to compress the clip base 310 and the lid 320, because the clip base 310 and the lid 320 must be molded of strong plastic resin into the shape of a plate of considerable thickness and width so as to secure enough strength to fit to various uses and to form locking prongs 312, 323, locking holes 322 and locking prongs 313 on the clip base 310 and the lid 320.

Furthermore, in the clip 300 shown in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2002-119322, the lid 320 rotatably mounted on the clip base 310 has the two arms 321 to be compressed together. In order to bring the locking prongs 312 out of engagement with the locking holes 322, the user must rotate the lid 320 on the clip base 310 while compressing the opposed outer sides of the lid 320 with his fingers. As mentioned earlier, compressing the outer sides of the lid 320 requires a strong force. So, it is difficult to do the two operations; that is, rotating the lid 320 and compressing the lid 320 smoothly at the same time.

The manipulation of the clips 300 and 300A shown in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2002-119322 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,169, respectively requires strong force, so that these clips 300 and 300A are difficult to manipulate and the use of the clips 300 and 300A are thus limited very much.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is therefore to provide a clip which is easy to use and manipulate, and which is strong.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, a clip comprises a clip base and a lid rotatably mounted on the clip base so as to clamp an article between the clip base and the lid. One of the clip base and the lid has a locking stud provided thereon. The other one of the clip base and the lid has sliding means slidably mounted thereon. The sliding means is adapted for locking engagement with the locking stud.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clip according to the first embodiment of the present invention, showing it connected with a back pack and a pouch.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of slide members of the clip according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the slide members of FIG. 2 and a hollow chamber into which the slide members are to be inserted.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of part of the clip of FIG. 1, showing a sequential step that the clip comes into locked disposition.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing another sequential step that the clip comes into locked disposition.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but showing a modification of the clip according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a slide member of a clip according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the slide member of FIG. 7 being inserted into a hollow chamber.

FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a mountaineer carrying on his back a back pack with a pouch attached thereto.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a conventional clip.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another conventional clip.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 1, 1A Clip
• 2 Clip base
• 245 Retaining recess
• 3 Lid
• 5 Locking stud
• 6A, 6B Slide members
• 62, 82A, 82B Resilient legs
• 66 Retaining projections
• 7, 9 Locking portions
• 8 Slide member
• 210 Belt

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Description of some embodiments according to the present invention will be made in conjunction with the drawings appended hereto. In describing the embodiments, similar reference numerals are used to refer to similar elements or parts. Description of the parts which have been described already will not be repeated but omitted.

FIGS. 1 through 5 show a clip 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clip 1 used for attaching a pouch 100 to a backpack 200; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pair of slide members 6A, 6B which are slidably mounted on the clip 1 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the slide members 6A, 6B shown in FIG. 2 and a hollow chamber 24 of a clip base 2 of the clip 1 where the slide members 6A, 6B are about to be inserted; FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of the clip base 2 and the slide members 6A, 6B, showing the sequential steps how the clip 1 comes into a locking disposition.

As shown in these figures, the clip 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a clip base 2, a lid 3 rotatably mounted on one end of the clip base 2 via a hinge mechanism 4 for clamping a belt 210 of the back pack 200 between the clip base 2 and the lid 3; a locking stud 5 mounted perpendicularly on the distal end of the lid 3 so as to act as a locking means; a pair of slide members 6A, 6B slidablly mounted in the clip base 2 so as to act as sliding means; and a locking portion 7 defined by and between the slide members 6A, 6B. The slide members 6A, 6B are slidable between its locking position where the locking portion 7 come into locking engagement with the locking stud 5 and its unlocking position where the locking portion 7 come out of locking engagement with the locking stud 5.

As better shown in FIG. 1, the clip base 2 is a substantially rectangular plate made of plastics. The clip base 2 is comprised of a base body 21 adapted to be attached to a strap 110 of the pouch 100, and a housing portion 22 provided on the distal end the base body 21 and adapted to slidably receive the slide members 6A, 6B therein. The base body 21 has a pair of spaced parallel elongated ridges 23 provided along the length of the clip base 2 and adapted to support the strap 110 of the pouch 100 thereon.

As shown in FIG. 3, the housing portion 22 has a hollow chamber 24 formed therethrough laterally of the clip base 21. The hollow chamber 24 is a rectangular parallelepiped space enclosed by inner walls. The chamber 24 has a pair of end openings 241 formed in the respective ends of the housing portion 22, a pair of main openings 242 formed through a front and rear wall of the housing portion 22, and a slit 243 formed through the housing portion 22 and disposed along the side remote from the base body 21. The hollow chamber 24 has a pair of guide walls 244 formed on its opposed inner sides. The slit 243 merges into the relevant inner guide wall 244 of the hollow chamber 24 to thus form a retaining recess 245 which communicates with the hollow chamber 24. The guide wall 244 which merges into the slit 245 is curved outward as it is apart from the opposed ends of the slit 245, so that the hollow chamber 24 is progressively widened as the guide wall 244 comes closer to the end openings 241. This is intended to facilitate the slide members 6A, 6B being inserted into the hollow chamber 24.

The lid 3 is substantially of the same shape as the clip base 2 and is made of plastics. As shown in FIG. 1, a proximal end of the lid 3 is rotatably mounted on a proximal end of the clip base 2. The lid 2 is comprised of a lid base 31 adapted to be attached to a belt 210 of a back pack 200 and a lid end 32 provided on the distal end of the lid base 31 and having the locking stud 5 formed perpendicularly thereon. The lid base 31 has a retaining strip 33 provided on its proximal end so as to extend towards its distal end in parallel with the lid base 31 with a slight space defined therewith. The slight space is adapted to allow the belt 210 of the backpack 200 pass therethrough.

The hinge mechanism 4 is comprised of a sleeve 41 provided at one end or a proximal end of the clip base 2 so as to extend laterally thereof, a support pin 42 rotatably fitted into the sleeve 41 and a pair of pin supports 43 provided one on each side of a proximal end of the lid 3 and adapted to retain the respective ends of the support pin 42, so that the lid 3 is mounted rotatably on the proximal end of the clip base 2.

The locking stud 5 is provided on the distal end of the lid 3 on its side which is opposed to the clip base 2, and is comprised of a shank 51 extending substantially perpendicularly from the lid 3 and an arcuate locking pawl 52 provided on the distal end of the shank 51. The locking pawl 52 has a pair of locking surfaces 53 formed on its rear side or the side thereof which is opposed to the lid 3. The locking surfaces 53 are disposed in spaced parallel relation to the front surface of the lid 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slide members 6A, 6B are of the same construction and are both made of plastics. The slide member 6A is comprised of a rectangular slide body 61 and a resilient leg 62 formed integrally on one end of the rectangular slide body 61 in such a manner to extend coplanar to the rectangular slide body 61 in order to act as urging means.

The rectangular slide body 61 of the slide member 6A has a rectangular first opening 63A formed centrally therethrough; a raised stop step 64 formed on the other end of the slide body 61 so as to extend laterally of the first opening 63A; a slit 65 formed through the slide body 61 so as to extend along the length of the first opening 63A; retaining projections 66 formed on the side of rectangular slide body 61 alongside the slit; a slightly concaved press surface 67 formed on the other end of the slide body 61 and a fitting protrusion 68A formed on one end of the first rectangular opening 63A and raised on the same side on which the stop step 64 is raised. The retaining projections 66 are adapted to come into retentive engagement with the retaining recess 245 of the hollow chamber 24.

Likewise, the slide member 6B has a second rectangular opening 63B, a second fitting protrusion 68B, and other parts which are all identical with the corresponding parts of the slide member 6A.

The elongated resilient leg 62 of the slide members 6A, 6B extends slantingly and is curved gently from one side toward the other of the slide body 61 and ends in a circular or spherical end 62′.

As shown in FIG. 3, the slide members 6A and 6B are overlapped laterally in registry with each other, with their respective fitting protrusions 68A and 68B fitted into the second opening 63B and the first opening 63A of the slide members 6B and 6A, respectively. Then, the slide members 6A and 6B are inserted into a hollow chamber 24 with their retaining projections 66 opposed to the retaining recess 245 of the hollow chamber 24. When the overlapped slide members 6A and 6B are inserted into the hollow chamber 24, the longitudinal sides 611 of the slide members 6A, 6B move slidably along the inner guide walls 244 of the hollow channel 24.

The circular end 62′ of the resilient leg 62 of each slide member 6A, 6B which are inserted in to the hollow chamber 24 presses against the step wall 641 of the stop step 64 of the other slide member 6B, 6A in order to normally urging the slide members 6A, 6B into the locking position. When the press surfaces 67, 67 of the slide members 6A, 6B are compressed, the slide members 6A, 6B come close to each other, in other words, the slide member 6A, 6B provides a greater overlap longitudinally between each other. As the slide members 6A, 6B come close to each other, the resilient leg 62 of the each slide member 6A, 6B is compressed by the step wall 641 of the other slide member 6B, 6A and thus elastically deformed. After the compression has been removed; under the resiliency of the thus deformed resilient legs 62, the slide members 6A, 6B move apart from each other or provide a less overlap longitudinally between each other. The slide members 6A, 6B can be moved close to each other by compressing the respective press surfaces 67 thereof.

When the slide members 6A, 6B are overlapped, the locking portion 7 is provided. Specifically, when the slide members 6A, 6B are overlapped; the first clamping surface 71A which is an inner end surface of the first opening 63A; the second clamping surface 71B which is an inner end surface of the second opening 63B and is opposed to the first clamping surface 71A; and a locking opening 72 defined between the first and second clamping surfaces 71A, 71B and the inner side surfaces of the first opening 63A jointly constitutes the locking portion 7.

When the press surfaces 67 of the slide members 6A, 6B are compressed against the resiliency of the resilient leg 62, the slide members 6A, 6B come close to each other and come into the unlocking position where the first and second clamping surfaces 71A, 71B are apart from each other and the locking opening 72 is widened. When the compression has been removed; under the resiliency of the resilient leg 62, the slide members 6A, 6B come apart from each other and come back into the locking position where the first and second clamping surfaces 71A, 71B come close to each other and the locking opening 72 is narrowed, so that the locking portion 7 comes into locking engagement with the locking stud 5.

Now, description is made in conjunction with FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, as to the way how the pouch 100 is attached to the backpack 200 by using the clip 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the clip 1 should assume an uncoupled disposition, that is, the locking stud 5 should be out of locking engagement with the locking portion 7. The clip base 2 is inserted through between the rear side of the pouch 100 and the strap 110 of the pouch 100, so that the clip 1 is attached to the pouch 100. The belt 210 of the backpack 200 is inserted through between the retaining strip 33 and the lid 3.

Then, a user rotates the lid 3 in the direction to come close to the clip base 2 until the locking prongs 52 of the locking stud 5 come into abutting engagement with the locking opening 72, as shown in FIG. 4. Then, the rear side of the lid 3 or that side of the lid 3 which is remote from the locking stud 5 and the rear side of the housing portion 22 of the clip base 2 are compressed by fingers.

As the surfaces of the locking prongs 52 are arcuate, this compression presss the first and the second clamping surfaces 71A, 71B of the slide members 6A, 6B apart from each other, thus widening the locking opening 72, and the slide members 6A, 6B reaches the unlocking position. When the slide members 6A, 6B reaches the unlocking positions, the locking prongs 52 are inserted into the locking opening 72, as shown in FIG. 5.

Since the shank 51 of the locking stud 5 is narrower than the widest part of the locking prongs 52; as soon as the locking prongs 52 are fully inserted through the locking opening 72, the first and second clamping surfaces 71A, 71B move toward each other under the resiliency of the resilient leg 62, so that the slide members 6A, 6B reach the locking position. When the slide members 6A, 6B reach the locking position, the first and second clamping surfaces 71A, 71B clamp the shank 51 on its opposed sides, and the front side of fitting protrusion 68A of the slide member 6A and the rear side of the relevant end of the slide member 6B come into abutting engagement with the locking surfaces 53 of the locking prongs 52, thus retaining the locking prongs 52 there. Thus, the locking stud 5 comes into locking engagement with the locking opening 72. Since, at this moment, the elastically-deformed resilient legs 62 have not fully been restored into their original shapes, the resilient legs 62 still urge the slide members 6A, 6B towards each other, so that the locking stud 5 can be thus securely retained in the locking opening 72 or the locking portion 7 under the resiliency of the resilient legs 62.

Since the locking stud 5 is thus locked to the locking portion 7, the clip base 2 and the lid 3 are held in overlapped relation to each other, so that the belt 210 inserted between the clip base 2 and the lid 3 is securely clamped therebetween. Thus, the pouch 100 is securely retained to the backpack 200.

In order to release the pouch 100 from the backpack 200; the user first compresses the press surfaces 67 of the slide members 6A, 6B by and between a thumb and an index finger of his one hand. As the slide members 6A, 6B move close to the unlocking position, the first and second clamping surfaces 71A and 71B are separated and the locking opening 72 is widened enough to allow the locking prongs 52 pass therethrough. In this disposition, the user rotates the lid 3 apart from the clip base 2 by using the rest of fingers, thereby pulling the locking prongs 52 out of the locking opening 72. Thus, the locking stud 5 comes out of engagement with the locking portion 7.

After the belt 210 is released from between the clip base 2 and the lid 3, the belt 210 can be released from the retaining strip 33 so that the clip 1 can be released from the backpack 200. In other words, the pouch 100 can be released from the backpack 200.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.

• (1) Since the slide members 6A, 6B does not form part of the clip base 2 or the lid 3, in other words, the slide members 6A, 6B is separate from the clip base 2 or the lid 3, no matter what materials the clip base 2 and the lid 3 may be made of and no matter what shapes they may be made in, this would not adversely affect the movement of the slide members 6A, 6B.
• (2) With the effect described in (1), no matter what materials the clip base 2 and the lid 3 may be made of and no matter what shape they may be made in, the slide members 6A, 6B are easy to be moved, so that the user can release or unlock the lid 3 from the clip base 2 with a small force. Therefore, the clip 1 is easy to manipulate and the scope of uses of the clip 1 can be expanded.
• (3) With the effect described in (1), when determining the materials and the shape of the clip base 2 and the lid 3, a first priority can be attached to uses and strength of the clip 1, and therefore, a clip 1 which is strong and easy to manipulate can be realized.
• (4) In order to bring the locking stud 5 into locking engagement with the locking portion 7; the two actions must be done: first, the slide members 6A and 6B are moved into unlocking position, and then, after the locking stud 5 is inserted into the locking opening 72, the slide members 6A and 6B must be moved to the locking position where the locking stud 5 is locked to the locking opening 72. According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the latter action can be automatically effected by the slide members 6A, 6B being restored into the locking position under the resiliency of the resilient leg 62. So, the user only have to do the former action. Furthermore, all that he must do for the former action is to press the locking stud 5 into the locking opening 72 by fingers, therefore, the locking operation is quite easy.
• (5) Once the locking stud 5 is locked to the locking portion 7, the slide members 6A, 6B keeps constantly urged by the resiliency of the resilient legs 62 in the direction to assume the locking position, so that the slide members 6A, 6B will never come out of the locking position, unless the user intentionally moves the slide members 6A, 6B.
• (6) In order to unlock the locking stud 5 from the locking portion 7; first, the user must move the slide members 6A, 6B from the locking position to the unlocking position. However, once moved to the unlocking position, the slide members 6A, 6B are restored from the unlocking position to the locking position automatically under the resiliency of the resilient leg 62, so that the user need to do nothing to move the slide members 6A, 6B to the locking position.
• (7) Since the resilient legs 62 are formed integrally to the slide members 6A, 6B, the number of parts and the number of steps for assembling the clip are relatively small. Furthermore, the clip is simple in construction and thus easy to be molded.
• (8) In order to unlock the locking stud 5 from the locking portion 7, all that the user must do is to move the slide members 6A, 6B toward each other to bring them to the unlocking position. For this purpose, the user holds the index finger on the press surface 67 of the slide member 6A and the thumb on the press surface 67 of the slide member 6B, and compresses them by the two fingers, whereby he can unlock the locking stud 5 from the locking portion 7. Thus, he can do an unlocking operation with only one hand, and this clip is thus easy to manipulate.
• (9) Since the retaining projections 66 formed on the slide members 6A, 6B come into engagement with the retaining recess 245 of the hollow chamber 24, the slide members 6A, 6B are securely retained in the hollow chamber 24, so that the slide members 6A, 6B will never come off the hollow chamber 24 of the clip 1.
• (10) Since the retaining recess 245 is formed in the guide wall 244 of the hollow chamber 24, and the slide members 6A, 6B have the retaining projections 66 formed on that side surface which are juxtaposed to the slits 65; when inserting the slide members 6A, 6B into the hollow chamber 24, the retaining projections 66 can deform or deviate inwards of the slide members 6A, 6B, so that the slide members 6A, 6B are easy to be inserted into the hollow chamber 24.

The clip 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be of the construction shown in FIG. 6. The locking surfaces 53 of the locking prongs 52 may be slanted toward the apex 52′ of locking prongs 52 as it comes close to the shank 51. The front surface of the fitting protrusion 68A of the slide member 6A and the rear surface of the relevant end of the slide member 6B which abut against the locking surfaces 53 of the locking prongs 52 may be correspondingly slanted towards the first and second openings 63A, 63B, respectively. With this construction, the first and second clamping surfaces 71A, 71B clamping the shank 51 of the locking stud 5 therebetween are difficult to move apart from each other. Therefore, the locking stud 5 can be locked to the locking opening 72 more securely.

In the clip 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, end openings 241 are formed in both ends of the housing portion 22.

Alternatively, the clip 1 may have only one opening 241 formed in one end. Through that single opening 241, one slide member 6A is inserted into the hollow chamber 24. The locking surface 53 of the locking prongs 52 is engaged with the lower surface of the slide member 6A, so that the clip base 2 and the lid 3 are joined with each other securely.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a single slide member 8 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the slide member 8 and the hollow chamber 24A into which the slide member 8 is about to be inserted.

The clip 1A according to the second embodiment differs from the clip 1 according to the first embodiment in the orientation of the locking prongs 52, and the constructions of the hollow chamber 24A and the locking portion 9.

As shown in FIG. 7, the slide member 8 is comprised of a substantially U-shaped slide body 81 and a pair of resilient legs 82A, 82B formed integrally with and coplanar to the slide body 81. The U-shaped slide body 81 comprises a rectangular slide base 81′ and a pair of first and second side members 81A and 81B formed one on each side of the slide base 81′ so as to extend from one end in the same direction. The slide base 81′ and the two side members 81A, 81B define therebetween a rectangular indentation or cut 83.

The second side member 81B of the slide body 81 has retaining projections 66 formed on its outer side. The slide base 81′ has a press surface 67 formed on the other end so as to be gently curved.

The resilient legs 82A, 82B are disposed in symmetry to each other. Each resilient leg 82A, 82B is composed of a leg support 84 in the form of an elongated plate formed longitudinally of the inner side of the side member 81A, 81B and a leg end portion 85 extending longitudinally from the leg support 84. Each leg support 84 is provided longitudinally on the inner side of the side member 81A, 81B and slanted thereto in such a way to define a V-cross-sectional groove between the leg support 84 and the inner side of the side members 81A, 81B. Each leg end portion 85 extends in a curved manner so as to slant upwards from one side member 84 toward the other to thus intersect with the other leg end portion 85. The leg end portion 85 has a circular end 85′ formed at its distal end.

A pair of locking plates 91A, 91B are formed integrally one on an inner side of each leg support 84 adjacent to its one or upper end. The opposed locking plates 91A, 91B extend toward each other and terminates short of each other to thus define a locking opening 92 therebetween. The locking prongs 52 of the locking stud 5 is adapted to come into locking engagement with the locking opening 92. The locking plates 91A, 91B and the locking opening 92 jointly constitute the locking portion 9.

As shown in FIG. 8, the hollow chamber 24A of the second embodiment is different from the hollow chamber 24 of the first embodiment in that an end opening 241 is formed only in one end thereof. In the plane words, the hollow chamber 24A of the second embodiment is shaped like a bag with only one opening 241 formed at only one end.

The slide member 8 is inserted into the hollow chamber 24A from one end opening 241 with the retaining projections 66 opposed to the retaining recess 245 formed in the hollow chamber 24A. At this moment, the distal ends of the resilient legs 82A, 82B abut against the bottom 246 of the hollow chamber 24A. Continued advance of the slide member 8 into the hollow chamber 24A would make the resilient legs 82A, 82B pressed by the bottom surface of the hollow chamber 24A and thus elastically deform. The slide member 8 is normally urged in the direction to project out of the hollow chamber 24A of the clip base 2 under the resiliency of the thus elastically deformed resilient legs 82A, 82B. The slide member 8 can be moved by pressing the press surface 67 of the slide member 8 forward or toward the bottom 246 of the hollow chamber 24A.

The way to attach the pouch to the backpack by using the clip 1A according to the second embodiment is different from the way to attach the pouch to the back pack by using the clip 1 according to the first embodiment in the principle of bringing the locking stud 5 and the locking portion 9 into and out of locking engagement with each other.

First, in order to bring the locking stud 5 into locking engagement with the locking portion 9, the user must compress the lid 3 and the clip base 2 with the locking prongs 52 of the locking stud 5 held into abutting engagement with the locking opening 92. At this moment, the arcuate end of the locking prongs 52 presses against the locking plates 91A, 91B, so that the locking plates 91A, 91B and the leg supports 84 on which the locking plates 91A, 91B are supported elastically deform or bend rearward or in the direction from the front surface to the rear surface of the clip base 2. The locking plates 91A, 91B being bent rearward allows the locking prongs 52 to be inserted through the locking opening 92.

Since the shank 51 of the locking stud 5 is narrower than the widest portion of the locking prongs 52, as soon as the locking prongs 52 are fully inserted into the locking opening 9; the deformed locking plates 91A, 91B spring back under its resiliency, thereby bringing the rear surfaces of the locking plates 91A, 91B into abutting engagement with the locking surfaces 53 of the locking prongs 52, thus retaining the locking prongs 52 there. Thus, the locking stud 5 is locked in the locking opening 92.

In order to bring the locking stud 5 out of locking engagement with the locking portion 9, the user compresses the press surface 67 of the slide member 8 and one side of the clip base 2, with a thumb and an index finger of one hand. Then, the slide member 8 advances into the hollow chamber 24A, and hence the locking plates 91A, 91B move forward accordingly. As the slide member 8 reaches the unlocking position, the locking plates 91A, 91B come fully out of registry with the locking surfaces 53 of the locking prongs 52 and the locking surfaces 53 of the locking prongs 52 are fully separated from the locking plates 91A, 91B.

In this disposition, the lid 3 is rotated apart from the clip base 2 with the rest of fingers, whereby the locking prongs 52 is pulled out the locking opening 92. Thus, the locking stud 5 is brought out of locking engagement with the locking portion 7.

According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects (1) through (10) excluding the effects (4) and (8) obtained from the first embodiment, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.

• (11) The locking prongs 52 can be inserted into the locking opening 92 through elastic deformation of the locking plates 91A, 91B and the leg supports 84. As soon as the locking prongs 52 is inserted into the locking opening 92, the locking plates 91A, 91B spring back into locking engagement with the locking prongs 52 under the resiliency of the thus deformed locking plates 91A, 91B and leg supports 84, so that the locking stud 5 comes into locking engagement with the locking portion 9. Therefore, all that the user must do to bring the locking stud 5 into locking engagement with the locking portion 9 is to merely press the locking stud 5 into the locking opening 92 by fingers. Thus, the locking operation is quite easy.
• (12) The leg support 84 is slanted relative to the inner side of the side member 81A, 81B in such a way to provide a V-cross-sectioned groove therebetween, so that the deformation of the locking pates 91A, 91B and the leg supports 84 described under (11) above is much facilitated.
• (13) When the slide member 8 is inserted into the hollow chamber 24A, the retaining projections 66 can easily deform in the direction of the V-cross-secioneded groove, so that the insertion of the slide member 8 into the hollow chamber 24A is much facilitated.
• (14) All that the user must do to unlock the locking stud 5 from the locking portion 9 is to move the slide member 8 forward or toward the bottom 246 of the hollow chamber 24A until the slide member 8 reaches the unlocking position. Specifically, he first holds his index finger on the side surface of the clip base 2 and his thumb on the press surface 67 of the slide member 8, and compresses them by the fingers, so that he can unlock the locking stud 5 from the locking portion 9. Thus, the user can make the unlocking operation by only one hand. The unlocking operation is thus easy.
• (15) Since the only one slide member 8 is used as sliding means, the number of required parts is small. Furthermore, since it is easy to insert the single slide member 8 into the hollow chamber 24A, the assembly of the clip 1A is easy and less laborious.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

This invention is not limited to the embodiments mentioned hereinabove. This invention may include various modifications, improvements, etc., as far as they can accomplish the objects of the present invention.

According to the present invention, alternatively, the locking stud 5 may be provided on the clip base 2, and the locking portions 7, 9 may be provided on the lid 3.

In the hinge mechanism 4 according to the first and second embodiments, the hinge pin 42 constitutes a central axis upon which the rotation is made. Alternatively, a resilient hinge may be provided at the joint potion of the clip base 2 and the lid 3, so that the deformation of the resilient hinge makes the relative rotation of the clip base 2 and the lid 3. With this construction, as soon as the locking stud 5 comes out of locking engagement with the locking portions 7, 9, the lid 3 is rotated apart from the clip base 2 automatically through the resiliency of the resilient hinge. Therefore, the user need not rotate the lid 3.

Gear-like notched pintles may be formed on the supports 43 provided on the proximal end of the lid and adapted to mesh with the sleeve 41 to adjust the angular position of the lid 3 relative to the clip base 2, so that the lid 3 is fixed at certain angles.

According to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the clip base 2 and the lid 3 are separate and are joined by the hinge mechanism 4. According to the present invention, however, the clip base 2 and the lid 3 may be integrally molded with each other.

The first and second embodiments of the present invention use, as urging means, the resilient legs 62, 82A, 82B integrally molded on the slide members 6A, 6B or the slide member 8. According to the present invention, alternatively, a separate spring can be used. If a separate spring is used, the clip 1, 1A can be molded from metal which is strong and is of little resiliency.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention.

Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. A clip comprising: a clip base and a lid rotatably mounted on the clip base so as to clamp an article between the clip base and the lid; one of the clip base and the lid having a locking stud provided thereon; another one of the clip base and the lid having sliding means slidably mounted thereon and adapted for locking engagement with the locking stud.

2. A clip according to claim 1, the sliding means having a locking portion formed thereon and adapted for locking engagement with the locking stud.

3. A clip according to claim 1 or 2, the sliding means being slidable between a locking position where the locking portion comes into locking engagement with the locking stud and an unlocking position where the locking portion comes out of locking engagement with the locking stud; the clip further including means for normally urging the sliding means into the locking position.

4. A clip according to claim 3, the urging means comprising a resilient leg formed integrally on the sliding means; when the sliding means is compressed against the resiliency of the resilient leg, the sliding means comes into the unlocking position; and when the compression has been removed, the sliding means restore, under the resiliency of the resilient leg, to the locking position.

5. A clip according to claim 1, the sliding means comprises a pair of slide members mounted on said another one of the clip base and the lid so as to slide on each other toward and apart from each other; the slide members including means for normally urging the slide members apart from each other and a locking portion for locking the locking stud when the slide members are urged by the urging means apart from each other.

6. A clip according to claim 5, the urging means comprising a resilient leg integrally formed on each of the slide members.

7. A clip according to claim 1, the sliding means comprising a slide member slidably mounted on said another one of the clip base and the lid; the slide member including means for normally urging the slide member in the direction to project out of said another one of the clip base and the lid, and a locking portion adapted for locking engagement with the locking stud when the slide member is urged by the urging means in the direction to project out of said another one of the clip base and the lid.

8. A clip according to claim 7, the urging means comprising a pair of resilient legs integrally formed on the slide member 8.

9. A clip according to claims 1 through 8, said another one of the clip base and the lid has a retaining recess formed therein; the sliding means having a retaining projection formed thereon and adapted for engagement with the retaining recess in order to retain the sliding means on said another one of the clip base and the lid.