Patent ID: 6813814
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: A44B,D06F,Y10T

Abstract:
A clip apparatus comprising:a pair of opposing clip members, each clip member including: an outer surface and an inner surface opposing the outer surface; a proximal end and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end; and side edges extending substantially from the proximal end to the distal end; the clip member further includes side walls extending about either side edge of the respective clip member at least partially between the proximal end and the distal end of the respective clip member, the side walls positioned such that at least a portion of the side walls of one of the clip members can be nested relative to at least a portion of the side walls of the other of the clip members; and an attachment assembly capable of attaching the pair of opposing clip members between the proximal and distal ends thereof, the attachment assembly further comprising at least one slot associated with one of the side walls of one clip member and at least one tab associated with an adjoining side wall of the other clip member, the at least one slot interfacing with the at least one tab so as to facilitate pivoted rotational engagement of the clip members relative to each other; and a biasing member, the biasing member comprising: a central region; a pair of opposing leg regions extending away from the central region; an primary attachment assembly capable of pivotably attaching the opposing leg regions to opposing clip members substantially about the proximal end thereof, the primary attachment assembly comprises a first hinge integrally molded to one of the pair of opposing leg regions and to one of the clip members at a proximal edge thereof, and a second hinge integrally molded to the other of the pair opposing leg regions and to the other of the clip members at a proximal edge thereof; and a secondary attachment assembly, the secondary attachment assembly positioned between the distal end of the clip members and the hinges, the secondary attachment assembly facilitating operation of the apparatus upon separation of at least one of the first hinge and the second hinge, wherein upon assembly of the clip apparatus, the biasing member substantially biases against the proximal ends of the respective clip members, to, in turn, force the distal ends of the respective clip members into abutment.