Abstract:
A clip having structure for detachably interlocking with another clip having substantially equivalent structure. The clip of this invention can be used to secure items, such as gloves, to garments being worn by a user. The instant clips may be made from a resilient material and include a base structure defining an aperture and a gap, which enable the detachable interlinking. One of the clips includes generally opposed arms in mechanical communication with jaw members biased in a contacting relation. The jaw members are forced apart by the user applying opposing forces to each of the arms. The jaw members operably grasp the article when the arms are released. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is related to copending and concurrently filed U.S. Design Patent Applications ______ (Attorney Docket 1598.244US01) and ______ (Attorney Docket 1598.245US01), each hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to devices for securing unused articles to a user and, in particular, &#39;this invention relates to detachably interlocking devices for securing unused articles to a user&#39;s garment.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Persons at work sites, or otherwise, frequently carry articles, such as gloves, hats, jackets, or the like which are intermittently needed. When not needed, these articles must either be stored away from the person or be disposed in the person&#39;s pockets. When stored away from the person, the articles may be lost or taken by other persons. Additionally, these articles are not immediately available for use. If stored in the pockets of the person, these articles may fallout or otherwise become lost, thereby necessitating replacement and thereby becoming unavailable to the person.  
         [0004]     There is then a need for a device to enable unused articles to be stored on the user&#39;s garments. There is a particular need for a device to quickly and securely attach unneeded articles to the user&#39;s clothing so that the articles are immediately available when needed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     This invention substantially meets the aforementioned needs of the industry by providing a combination of detachably interlinked clips, which securely attach unneeded articles to a user&#39;s clothing such that the articles are immediately available when needed.  
         [0006]     The present invention provides a clip for securing an article, such as a glove, a hat, a jacket, or the like, to a garment worn by a user so that the article will be readily available to the user and will not be misplaced or lost. The present invention also provides a pair of clips, which can be detachably interlinked, one of the clips attached to a garment of the user, another of the clips used to attach the article.  
         [0007]     One embodiment of the clip of this invention has a base and first and second arms. The base defines an aperture and a gap opening into the aperture such that the gap resiliently admits base of another clip or similarly dimensioned device through the gap and into the aperture to be detachably interlinked. The first and second arms may include a gripping portion extending from the base and a first jaw portion in mechanical communication with a gripping portion. The first and second arms may be biased in a closed position in which the first jaw portions are in a contacting relation. A force exerted on the first and second gripping portions forces the first jaw portions apart into a noncontacting relation. The instant clips may be interlinked by aligning the gaps of the clips, then applying a force such that the clips are displaced via the gaps and become interlinked.  
         [0008]     Another embodiment of the clip of this invention includes a base and the first and second arms. The base, in turn, includes a central portion and a pair of base extensions, extending from the central portion. The central portion and base extensions may define an aperture and a gap, the gap opening into the aperture. The first and second arms may extend from the base. The second arm may terminate in a generally transverse arm extension in one embodiment.  
         [0009]     Another embodiment of the instant invention includes a clip assembly, which includes a structure which may be detachably interlinked with the clip of this invention. The clip assembly may include a reel subassembly and an optional buckle subassembly. The reel subassembly includes a tether wound around a reel, the reel disposed within a housing. If present, the buckle assembly is attached to a free end of the tether, and may include a structure dimensionally configured to be detachably interlinked with the clip of this invention, such as a ring.  
         [0010]     The clip of this invention may further include a jaw portion at one end of each of the clip arms. When this embodiment of the clip of this invention is in a closed position, the jaw portions are in a contacting relation. When the embodiment of this clip is in an open position, the jaw portions are in a non-contacting relation.  
         [0011]     The clip of this invention may further include retaining structure at the tip of each jaw portion. This retaining structure may be a groove laterally aligned with a projection. Thus, when the instant clip is in the closed position the projection in one jaw portion is accommodated in the groove of the other jaw portion.  
         [0012]     It is a feature of this invention that the instant clips will include a detachably interlinking structure, such as an aperture defined by a flexibly resilient base and a gap opening into the aperture. It is an advantage of the foregoing feature that a pair of clips can be interlinked or separated as desired.  
         [0013]     It is another feature of this invention, that a significant degree of force is required to interlink, or to detach, the instant clips. It is an advantage of the foregoing feature that interlinked clips are unlikely to become accidentally detached. It is another advantage of the foregoing feature that articles secured by the instant clips to a user&#39;s garment are unlikely to become accidentally lost.  
         [0014]     It is another feature of one embodiment of this invention, that the jaw portions may include retaining structure, such as a groove laterally aligned with a projection, a projection from one jaw portion being disposed in a groove of an opposing jaw portion when the instant clip is in a closed position. It is an advantage of the foregoing feature that the shape, beveled edges present in the retaining structure further help to retain the item being retained.  
         [0015]     It is another feature of one embodiment of this invention to include a generally transverse terminal arm extension at the end of at least one arm. It is an advantage of the foregoing feature that the transverse terminal extension helps retain the clip to a user&#39;s garment.  
         [0016]     These and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows, when considered in view of the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRII PTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1   a  is a side view of an embodiment of a clip of this invention as a non-assembled configuration.  
         [0018]      FIGS. 1   b ,  1   c ,  1   d , and  1   e  are perspective views of the retaining structure present in the embodiment of  FIG. 1   a.    
         [0019]      FIG. 1   f  is a plan view of another embodiment of a clip of this invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1   g  side view of the clip of  FIG. 1   f.    
         [0021]      FIG. 2   a  is a side view of another embodiment of this invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2   b  is a side view of the clip of  FIG. 1  detachably interlinked to the clip of  FIG. 2   a.    
         [0023]      FIG. 2   c  is a side view of the clip of  FIG. 1  detachably interlinked to the clip of  FIG. 2   a.    
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the clip of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the clip of  FIG. 2   a  detachably interlinked to the clip of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the clip of  FIG. 2   a  detachably interlinked to the clip of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view of the clips of this invention being detached from an interlinked position.  
         [0028]      FIG. 6   b  is a perspective view of the clips of this invention in a detachably interlinked position.  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the clip of  FIG. 1  detachably interlined to a reel mechanism in another operative embodiment of this invention. 
     
    
       [0030]     It is understood that the above-described figures are only illustrative of the present invention and are not contemplated to limit the scope thereof.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0031]     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice the invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting.  
         [0032]     Any references to such relative terms as inner and outer and the like, are intended for convenience of description and are not intended to limit the present invention or its components to any one positional or spatial orientation. All dimensions of the components in the attached figures may vary with a potential design and the intended use of an embodiment of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0033]     An embodiment of a first clip of this invention in a non-assembled configuration is depicted in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   e  at  100  and includes a base  102  and arms  104  and  106 . The base  102 , in turn, has a rim  110  and a web  112 . In the embodiment depicted, the rim  110  is generally continuous with each of the arms  104  and  106 . The web  112  is unitary, or otherwise integral, with inner surfaces of the arms  104  and  106  in this embodiment. In an exemplary and detachably interlinking structure, the rim  110  and web  112  define an aperture  114  and the rim  110  further defines a gap  116  at beveled edges  118 .  
         [0034]     The arms  104  and  106 , respectively, unitarily, or otherwise integrally, extend from the rim  110  and are maintained by the rim  110  and web  112  so as to be resiliently biased in a closed position when fully assembled. The arms  104  and  106 , in turn, respectively and unitarily (or otherwise integrally) include first gripping portions  120  and  122 , angular second portions  124  and  126 , second jaw portions  128  and  130 , and first jaw portions  132  and  134 . In the embodiment depicted, the first gripping portions  120  and  122  generally taper from a maximum width proximate the junctions with the angular second portions  124  and  126  to a minimum width where the first gripping portions  120  and  122  adjoin the rim  110 . As also depicted, the first gripping portions  122  and  124  of this embodiment display outer surfaces  136  and  138 , respectively. Cavities  140  and  142  and a ridge  144  therebetween are defined by the outer surface  136  and cavities  146  and  148  and a ridge  150  therebetween are defined by the outer surface  138 , e.g., to enhance gripping and/or for aesthetic appeal. Obviously, the scope of this invention includes other structures to enhance gripping and/or aesthetic appeal as well. The arms  104  and  106  are dimensioned to enable the clip of this invention to be opened with a minimum of effort, yet grip articles being held securely. By way of illustration and not limitation, the first gripping portions  120  and  122  may taper from a maximum width between about 17.5 mm and 27.5 mm, between about 20.0 mm and 25 mm, or about 22.5 mm to a minimum width between about 5 mm and 9 mm, between about 6 mm and 8 mm, or about 7 mm. Moreover, the first gripping portions may have a thickness between about 2.5 mm and 4.5 mm, between about 3.0 mm and 4.5 mm, or between about 3.5 mm. The web  112  is dimensioned with a length L W  and at least one of the flexing portions, e.g., the first gripping portions  120  and  122 , is dimensioned with a length L A  such that the proper amount of tension is exerted to force the jaw elements together. In some embodiments, a ratio of the first gripping portions lengths L A  to the web length L W  is between about 5 and 15, between about 7.5 and 12.5, or about 10.4. Obviously, the dimensions of any specific embodiment of the instant clip, may be determined by factors such as the dimensions and weight of articles to be held, materials used in manufacturing the clip of this invention, and the like.  
         [0035]     The second angular portions  124  and  126  obtusely extend from the gripping portions  120  and  122 , respectively. However, the second portions may extend generally perpendicularly or acutely from the gripping portions in other embodiments. Stated otherwise and in the embodiment shown, the angular relation of the second portions  124  and  126  to the gripping portions  120  and  122 , respectively may be described by respective angles  152  and  154  between the second portions and a longitudinal axis  156 . The angles  152  and  154  may be between about 33.7 and 53.7 degrees, between about 38.7 and 48.7 degrees, or about 43.7 degrees in the embodiment shown. Also in the embodiment shown, the angular portions  124  and  126  have a maximum width where they unitarily, or otherwise integrally, adjoin the gripping portions  120  and  122  and taper to a minimum width where they unitarily or otherwise integrally, adjoin the second jaw portions  128  and  130 . Additionally, the embodiment depicted has the angular portion  124  extending from one-half of the end of the gripping portion  120  and from one-half of the end of the second jaw portion  128 . Although not shown, the angular portion  126  may extend from one-half of the gripping portion  122  and from one-half of the end of the second jaw portion  130 .  
         [0036]     As can be seen in  FIGS. 2   b  and  2   c , the second jaw portions  128  and  130  are generally convex as viewed from the side in this embodiment, having a maximum width where they adjoin the angular portions  124  and  126  and tapering to a rounded tip. The first jaw portions  132  and  134  unitarily, or otherwise integrally, adjoin the second jaw portions proximate to, but not at, the rounded tips and so as to contact each other at an inward and oblique angle when in a closed, assembled configuration. The inward and oblique angle of contact with respect to the first jaw portions  132  and  134  advantageously acts to maintain articles such as gloves secured therebetween by opposing outward forces exerted on the articles. Indeed rather than tending to open the instant clip, outward forces would tend to urge the first jaw portions  132  and  134  toward each other further securing the article between the jaw portions  132  and  134 . Because of the enhanced utility of the angled jaw portions of this invention to grip and retain articles being held, the gripping portions  120  and  122  may be dimensioned and made of materials allowing the instant clip to be opened with less force than if the instant jaw portions were not so angled.  
         [0037]     Referring to  FIGS. 1   b - 1   d , the first jaw portions  132  and  134  may be longitudinally divided into a first-half  166  and a second-half  168 . The first half  166  terminates in a retaining structure such as a slot  170 . The second half terminates in a retaining structure such as a projection  172 , which extends from a shoulder  174 . When in an operational configuration, the first jaw portions  132  and  134  are biased in a contacting disposition, such that opposing projections  172  are accommodated in slots  170  and such that shoulders  174  are in abutting contact with the tips of the first halves  166 .  
         [0038]     Another embodiment of the instant clip is depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4  at  190 . The clip  190  differs from the clip  100  in that generally concave (or other arcuate) jaw portions  192  and  194  replace the first and second jaw portions  128 ,  130 ,  132 , and  134 . Respective tips  196  and  198  may optionally be stepped or offset when the clip is in a closed position. Retaining structures such as the slots  170  and projections  172  may be present at the tips of the jaw portions in some embodiments.  
         [0039]     The clip of this invention may be made by injection molding and, after being made, is in a non-operational disposition as depicted in  FIG. 1 . However, the resilient materials from which the instant clip is manufactured allow the clip of this invention to be configured into an operational disposition by exerting opposing forces on opposed lateral sides of the gripping portions  120  and  122 , thereby forcing them apart laterally, then exerting opposing forces on the outer surfaces of the gripping portions. Finally, the first jaw portions are forced into axial alignment. In the assembled configuration, the first jaw portions are held in a contacting relation by the resiliently biased gripping portions. When in a contacting relation or closed position, the clip of this invention is biased such that the projections  172  are disposed in slots  170  of opposed first jaw portions  132  and  134 . By exerting opposing forces on the outer surfaces of the gripping portions  120  and  122 , the first jaw portions  132  and  134  are forced apart in a noncontacting relation, or open position.  
         [0040]     The clips  100  and  190  are biased in a closed position and may operably manipulated to an open position during use. In the closed position, the first jaw portions  132  and  134  (or  192  and  194 ) are in a contacting relation such that the projections  172  are disposed in the slots  170  thereof. A user manipulates the instant clips to the open position by inwardly exerting forces on the arms  104  and  106  to force the jaw portions apart in a non-contacting relation. The user may then allow the clip of this invention to return to the closed position by relaxing the forces exerted on the clip arms and allowing the jaw portions to be displaced toward each other. If an item is not being secured by the clip, the jaw portions will resume the contacting relation. If an item is being secured, the jaws will exert a pincher force on the item to retain the item therebetween. Additionally, the securing structures present at the tips of the jaw portions will further secure the item by presenting beveled contacting edges which contact and further retain the item ( FIG. 2   a ).  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a second embodiment of the clip of this invention is depicted generally at  190 . The clip  190  primarily differs from the clip  100  in that jaw portions  192  and  194  are present in place of the first and second jaw portions described above. The jaw portions  192  and  194  are generally arcuate as viewed from the side and, when in a contacting relation, present a generally concave geometry. The tips of the jaw portions  192  and  194  are indicated generally at  196  and  198  and, when mated, have a gripping structure to present an optional generally staggered, or stepped, appearance. While not shown, the tips of the jaw portions  192  and  194  may include a retaining structure such as described above with respect to the slot  170  and projection  172 .  
         [0042]     One embodiment of a second clip of this invention is shown in  FIGS. 1   f  and  1   g  generally at  200 . The second clip  200  is unitary, or otherwise integral, but may be considered to include a base  202  and arms  204  and  206 . The base  202 , in turn, includes generally lateral, or horizontal, extensions  220  and  222  from a central portion  224 . In an exemplary detachably interlinking structure, the extensions  220  and  222  and the central portion  224  are arrayed around an aperture  226 . In some embodiments, a gap  228  is defined between tips  230  and  232  of respective extensions  220  and  222 . However, the tips  230  and  232  may contact each other in some embodiments. As is more fully explained below, the base  202  is advantageously angled outwardly with respect to the arms  204  and  206 . One advantage of angling the base  202  in this manner is that the base is more easily grasped by a user when the clip  200  is being attached or detached from the user&#39;s belt. Another advantage is that the base  202  extends slightly away from a user as compared to an embodiment in which the base would be linearly aligned with the remainder of the clip  200 . Hence the base  202  is more accessible when the clip  100  or  190  is being interlinked or detached from the clip  200  during use. If the instant base was generally aligned with the remainder of the clip, the bottom portions of articles being retain therein would tend to angle away from the user, rather than the item tending to be in a contacting, generally parallel relation to the user. Thus, yet another advantage of the substantially angled base of the instant clip is that items being held generally remain in a contacting and parallel relation to, rather than the bottom portions thereof angling away from, the user. Such a contacting and parallel relation provides for less likelihood that retained articles will be snagged and pulled out of the clip of this invention. The base  202  is further configured so that the gap  228  extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis  233  of the clip  200 . The parallel orientation of the gap  228  facilitates attaching and detaching the clip of this invention, e.g., clip  100  or  190 .  
         [0043]     The arm  204  extends from the central portion  224  of the base  202  at a curve  240 , and has a generally planar portion  242 , terminating at a tip  244 . The tip  244  may be slightly angled with respect to the planar portion  242  and may be bounded by generally rounded edges. The arm  206  extends from the base  202  by means of an angled portion  250 , which adjoins a generally planar portion  252 . The planar portion  252  is generally parallel to the planar portion  242  of the arm  204  in the embodiment depicted. The planar portion  252  terminates in a retaining structure such as a generally transverse extension  254 . In the embodiment depicted, the extension  254  is generally curved when viewed from the side and terminates at respective inner and outer edges  256  and  258 . In the embodiment depicted, the inner edge  256  is proximate, but not contacting, an inner surface  260  of the arm  204 . However, in other embodiments the arms  204  and  206  are biased such that the inner edge  256  normally contacts the inner surface  260 . Also in the embodiment shown, the arm  206  has a shorter length than the arm  204 .  
         [0044]     Another embodiment of the second clip is depicted generally at  290 . The clip  290  mainly differs from the clip  200  by having generally vertical extensions  292  and  294  from a base  296 . As can be seen, the extensions  292  and  294  and the base  296  define the aperture  226 . Moreover, the gap  228  is defined generally between the tips  298  and  299  of the respective extensions  292  and  294 .  
         [0045]     The clip  200  or  290  is secured to a user by forcing the arms  204  and  206  apart, then sliding, e.g., a belt, to a position between the arms  204  and  206 . Finally the clip is secured to the belt allowing the arms to return to a closed position. In the closed position, the extension  254  is either proximate to, or contacting, the inner surface of the opposite arm to prevent the instant clip from being accidentally removed from the belt. In use, a user grasps the extension  254  to force the arms  204  and  206  apart, thereby more easily removing the clip  200  or  290  from a garment, e.g., belt, of the user.  
         [0046]     Because of the advantageous linking structure of this invention, the instant clips may be detachably linked together. The materials used in making the clips of this invention may impart sufficient flexibility to allow the instant clips to be linked together, or detached, as desired. Moreover, the materials utilized in manufacturing may possess sufficient resilience to retain clips of this invention in a linked configuration when being used. As shown in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , when being linked, the gaps of the clips  100 ,  190 ,  200 ,  290  are aligned. Then sufficient force is applied so that the materials defining (surrounding) the apertures is flexed while the instant clips are either interlinked or detached from each other. The gaps are dimensioned so that the interlocked clips are retained together unless the gaps are aligned and a force is applied to detach the clips by slightly flexing surfaces  118  slightly apart. Indeed, the clips  100 ,  190 ,  200 , and  290  may be configured so that the gaps  116  and  228  are not aligned when an interlinked clip is hanging from another of the instant clips, which, in turn, is attached to a garment of a user. This non-alignment of the gaps of interlinked clips prevents the clips from becoming accidentally detached during use.  
         [0047]     In use, the instant assembly may be employed in two configurations in the embodiments described thus far. In a first configuration, a pair of clips  100  (or  190 ) are employed. In a second configuration the clip  100  (or  190 ) is used in combination with the clip  200  (or  290 ). In the first configuration, two of the clips  100  or  190  are detachably interlinked. One of the clips  100  or  190  may be used to attach the interlinked clips to, e.g., a garment being worn by a user. The other of the clips may be used to retain articles, e.g., gloves  400 , not being used. In one example, one of the clips  100  or  190  is attached to the belt loop of the pants of a user and the other of the clips  100  or  190  is used to attach a pair of gloves  400  not being worn. The clips are attached by being grasped such that the user&#39;s fingers and thumb exert inward forces on the arms  104  and  106  of the clips, thereby forcing the first jaw portions  132  and  134  apart and out of a closed position. The gloves (or other items) are then inserted between the jaw portions  132  and  134  and the arms  104  and  106  are allowed to return to the closed position, thereby securing the item between the jaw portions  132  and  134 . The item is removed by opening the clip to force the jaw portions  132  and  134  apart, thereby allowing the item to be removed from therebetween. Then the arms and jaw portions are allowed to return to the closed position.  
         [0048]     In the second embodiment, the clip  200  or  290  is attached to a user&#39;s garment, e.g., belt as described above. Then one of clips  100  or  190  is detachably linked to the clip  200  or  290  by aligning the gaps and sliding the clips together so that the rim  110  of the clip  100  or  190  is interlinked with the base of the clip  200  or  290  by being disposed in the aperture  226 . Detaching interlinked clips is accomplished by again aligning the gaps and sliding the clips apart. The resiliency of the materials and the dimensions of the gaps require sufficient force to be exerted for detaching, thus otherwise retaining the clips in a detachably linked relation.  
         [0049]     Yet another embodiment of this invention is represented in  FIG. 7  at  300  and includes a reel subassembly  302  and an optional buckle subassembly  304 . The reel subassembly  302 , in turn, has respective first (upper) and second (lower) housings  310  and  312 , a base  314 , a reel  316 , a spring  318 , and a tether  320 . The upper and lower housings  310  and  312 , when assembled together, define a cavity, which accommodates the base  314 , the reel  316 , and the spring  318  operably assembled. While not shown, fasteners such as screws retain the upper and lower housings  310  and  312  in an assembled, or mated, configuration.  
         [0050]     The base  314  is dimensioned to be retained between the upper and lower housings  310  and  312 . The base  314  retains the reel  316  between a generally circular rim  324  and a tract  326 , which is generally concentric to the circular rim  324 . In the embodiment shown, the spring  318  is operably wrapped around a post  328  during assembly. And outer end  330  of the reel  316  is attached to an inner surface  332  of the reel  316 . The tether  320  is attached to an outer surface  334  of the reel  316  and wound therearound. The tether  320  is wound or unwound from the reel  316  through a path  336  defined by a path member  338  and the housing  310 . The reel subassembly  302  is attached, e.g., to a user&#39;s belt, by means of a belt clip  340 . One suitable exemplary reel assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,572, hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0051]     The optional buckle assembly  304 , in the embodiment depicted, includes respective male and female buckle members  344  and  346  and, further optionally, structure for detachably interlinking the clips of this invention such as a ring  348 . In place of a generally circular ring, the structure for detachably interlinking the instant clips could be square, polygonal or have any suitable geometry. The male buckle member  344  has prongs  350  and  352  extending from a base  354 . The base  354  defines a gap  356 . The female buckle member  346  includes a housing  360  with opposed lateral openings  362  and  364 . Operationally, the male and female members  344  and  346  are locked together by sliding the male member  344  inside the female member  346  until tips  366  and  368  of the respective prongs  350  and  352  are visible in the openings  362  and  364  of the female member  346 . At this point, the prongs  350  and  352  return to an unbiased position with tips  366  and  368  abutting the housing  360  adjacent the openings  362  and  364 . The male and female members  344  and  346  are separated by forcing the tips  366  and  368  toward each other, thus forcing the tips  366  and  368  from a contacting disposition with respect to the housing  360 , then sliding the male member  344  out of the female member  346 . Exemplary buckle members are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,590,444, 3,430,306, and 4,150,464, the entire disclosures of each hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0052]     It should be noted that the buckle assembly may not be present in some embodiments of this invention. If the buckle assembly is not present, the tether  320  may be directly attached to the ring  348 . If the ring  348  is also not present, the clip  100  or  190  may be attached directly to the tether  320 , e.g., via a loop formed in an end of the tether.  
         [0053]     In use, the reel assembly is attached to a user&#39;s garment, e.g., belt, by means of the belt clip  340 . The clip  100  or  190  may be linked or detached to the ring  348  and to an item to be secured in the same manner as described above. The clip  100  or  190  may be used to secure an item, such as a pair of gloves  400 . The clip may be conveniently extended by exerting a force to unwind the tether  320  from the reel  316 . When released, the clip is retracted when the tether is rewound on the reel  316  by the spring  318 . The presence of the reel assembly allows a user to place the instant clip at almost any desired distance and position when interlinking the instant clip or when attaching detaching an article from the instant clip. Releasing the clip then allows the reel to retract (rewind) the tether so that the clip is disposed adjacent to the reel in a desired position, in which the attached article does not interfere with the activities of the user, but is readily available for use if needed.  
         [0054]     Materials suitable for making the instant clips by injection molding include acetyl copolymers, such as polyoxymethylene, available from Hoechst Celanese Corporation. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that other materials may also be suitable. Other suitable materials may be found in the Handbook of Plastics, Elastomers, and Composites, Third Edition, Charles A. Harper, Editor in Chief, McGraw-Hill, New York (1996), its contents hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0055]     Because numerous modifications of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, the scope of the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments illustrated and described. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.