Clip-type fastening device with clamping means securable about a fixed member

A clip-type fastening device having a deformable and resilient body which is constructed of first and second deformable aperture defining portions which in combination define an aperture within the body. First and second engaging members are integrally formed with the deformable aperture defining portions and are inter-engageable to clamp the body around a fixed member in a step-lock fashion. The aperture defining portions and engaging members may be deformed and separated in a twisting manner to release the body from the fixed member and a deformable clip portion is likewise separable to releasably secure an object such as a length of cord or a flag grommet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to a clip and related engaging 
devices and, more particularly, to a clip-type fastening device which 
includes clamping means securable about a fixed member for mounting the 
clip device in place. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Various kinds of clip devices are known in the art which are used for, 
among other things, securing objects attached by lengths of cord such as 
flag and flagpole lines. Other objects, such as those used on boats and 
other marine craft, often also require the use of some type of clip device 
assembly. It is often desirable for the device to include some form of 
clamping means in order to effectively mount the clip device in place 
prior to engaging the desired line or object. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,251,104, issued to Sylvester, teaches a clamping device 
having a clip portion and a pair of mating blocks which, when assembled 
together, define a pair of passages for receiving respectively a flagpole 
halyard and an attaching bar of the clip portion. One or two screws are 
provided to draw the mating block halves together and are rotatable within 
internally threaded apertures formed in the mating blocks. Grommet 
openings formed along an edge of a flag are received within a hook portion 
of the clip. The shortcoming of the device illustrated in the Sylvester 
patent is that its clamping means, which are created upon piecing the 
mating blocks together, are of a fixed diameter and are suited only for 
engaging around a halyard line or other member of similar diameter. The 
clamping means of the Sylvester device are not well suited for securing to 
other types of objects of differing diameters. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,297, issued to Voorhees, teaches a device for swivelly 
mounting a flag on a flagstaff and includes a plurality of one piece 
plastic members. Each member is constructed of a cylindrical bore for 
receiving the flagstaff and a smaller bore for receiving a halyard rod. A 
hook portion extends from each member and includes a spring clip portion 
for engaging a flag eyelet. The clamping means formed by the cylindrical 
bore in the Voorhees clamp is also of a fixed diameter and is only 
slidably affixed to the flagstaff. 
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
The present invention is a clip-type fastening device with clamping means 
for securing to a fixed member and including a body with first and second 
deformable aperture defining portions which in combination define a curved 
shaped aperture. The deformable portions are twist fitted around the fixed 
member, such as a pole or other tubular member, to position in place the 
fastening device. The clamping means further include first and second 
engaging members which are associated with their respective deformable 
portions and which, upon being press fit together, provide opposing 
serrated teeth which inter-engage to clamp together in a step lock 
fashion. The clamping means are adjustable to fixedly secure the body to 
members which have a fairly wide range of diameters. A clip portion 
extends from the body and is capable of securably receiving an object, 
such as a length of cord or a flagpole grommet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a clip-type fastening device 10 is shown 
according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The 
fastening device 10 according to the present invention is preferably 
constructed of a deformable and resilient extruded material such as a 
polymer or heavy duty nylon. It is conceivable however that the fastening 
device could be constructed of other materials which exhibit the necessary 
properties of elasticity and resiliency. 
Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the fastening device 10 includes a body 
11 having a first deformable aperture defining portion 12 and a second 
deformable aperture defining portion 14 which, in combination, create a 
curved aperture 16 within the body. The curved aperture 16 can be of any 
desired shape, but it is preferably substantially circular. 
Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, and also to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first 
deformable aperture defining portion 12 includes a terminal and arcuate 
shaped aperture extending portion 18 and a first connecting portion 20 
extending from a base 22 of the aperture extending portion 18. A first 
engaging member 24 extends from the first connecting portion 20 in a 
spaced apart and overlapping manner with respect to the aperture extending 
portion 18 and includes a first plurality of inwardly facing serrated 
teeth 26 along an inner edge of the first engaging member 24. 
A second engaging member 28 is provided and extends from the second 
aperture defining portion 14 and inserts between the arcuate shaped 
aperture extending portion 18 of the first deformable portion 12 and the 
first engaging member 24. A second plurality of outwardly facing serrated 
teeth 30 are formed along an outer edge of the second engaging member 28 
and inter-engage with the first plurality of serrated teeth 26 to clamp 
the first and second engaging members 24, 28 in a step-lock fashion. A 
second connecting portion 32 extends from a base 22a of the second 
engaging member 28 and terminates in a deformable outer flap portion 34. 
The outer flap portion 34 extends from the connecting portion 32 in an 
outwardly spaced and overlapping manner with respect to the first engaging 
member 24 and abuts against a corresponding outer surface 36 of the first 
engaging member 24. 
In use, the first and second engaging members 24, 28 are applied over a 
fixed member 42 (FIG. 3) to be secured in an elastic and twisting fashion 
and the rows of serrated teeth 26 and 30 are then engaged in a step-like 
fashion to an extent necessary so that the diameter of the aperture 16 
equals the diameter of the fixed member 42 to securely clamp the fastening 
device 10 around the fixed member 42. To release the device 10 from around 
the fixed member 42, the outer flap portion 34 is deformed about a flex 
hinge 38 (see FIG. 4) concurrent with twisting the first and second 
deformable portions 12, 34 in opposite directions to dislocate the second 
engaging member 28 from the first engaging member 24 as shown by the 
direction of the arrows 40 (FIG. 2). As is further best seen from FIG. 1, 
the sides of the body 10 are curved inwardly as shown at 33a to form 
depressions on opposite side of the body 11 for easier gripping and 
handling. 
The device 10 may therefore be disassembled from a first clamped position 
shown in FIG. 3 in which the device 10 is secured around the fixed tubular 
member 42 to an open position as shown in FIG. 2. The formation of the 
plurality of serrated portions 26, 30 on the engaging members 24, 28 in 
combination with the deformable and resilient nature of the aperture 
defining portions 12, 14 enables the clip-type fastening device 10 to 
effectively engage and clamp to a fairly wide range of members having 
different diameters and configurations. As is further best shown in FIG. 
4, the first connecting portion 20 preferably terminates in a project edge 
which projects a distance beyond the first engaging member 24 and which is 
spaced a distance 46 from a corresponding edge 47 of the outer flap 
portion 34. The spacing of the outer flap portion 34 from the projecting 
edge 44 permits the user to grasp the edge 47 of the outer flap portion 34 
while still providing a generally smooth outer contour to the fastening 
device 10. 
An elastic clip portion 48 is provided and according to the first preferred 
embodiment, forms a substantially U-shaped member 49 which extends from 
the body of the fastening device at a first position 50, forms a 
substantial loop-shape 51, and reconnects to the body 11 at a second 
position 52. As is best seen in FIG. 2, a terminal end of the U-shaped 
member 49 forms a substantially T-shape 54 and may be twistingly engaged 
in a direction shown by arrow 56 to insert within a correspondingly shaped 
T-slot 58 in the body 11. Referring again to FIG. 3, an item such as a 
flag grommet 60 may be held within the U-shaped clip member 49 and a 
plurality of identically configured fastening devices 10 may be clamped to 
a flag pole 42 at spaced intervals to function as a support for a flag 
mounted to the flag pole 42. 
Referring now to FIG. 5, a clip-type fastening device 62 is shown according 
to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The deformable 
aperture defining portions and clamping means according to the second 
preferred embodiment are similar to that shown in the first preferred 
embodiment and include a terminal aperture extending portion 64 which 
forms a part of the first aperture defining portion 65 and a connecting 
portion 66 which terminates in a first engaging member 68. The engaging 
member 68 extends in an outwardly spaced and overlapping fashion relative 
to the aperture extending portion 64 and includes a first plurality of 
inwardly facing and serrated teeth 70. A second engaging member 72 extends 
from the second aperture defining portion and includes a second plurality 
of outwardly facing and serrated teeth 74 which engage in a steplock 
fashion with the first plurality of teeth 70 to clamp the fastening device 
62 about the fixed tubular member 42. 
The fastening device 62 according to the second preferred embodiment also 
preferably includes a release tab 76 which extends from the first engaging 
member 68 and which forms a substantially terminal and angular shaped 
portion. The release tab 76 is capable of being grasped and deflected in 
an outward direction to a position 78 shown in phantom in order to 
disengage and separate the first and second engaging members 68, 72 from 
one another. A gripping portion 82 extends from the second engaging member 
72 and is contoured so that an inner surface 84 of the gripping portion 
forms a slight interference fit against a corresponding terminating edge 
86 of the first engaging member 68. The interference fit protects against 
unintended or accidental release of the inter-engaging means. 
A clip portion 88 according to the second preferred embodiment is shown and 
is preferably constructed of a flat member 90 which extends from a body 91 
of the device 62. Formed in the member 90 at spaced intervals are a 
plurality of spaced apertures 92 which are sized in diameter to receive 
lengths of cord 94 of varying diameters. The clip portion 88 according to 
the second preferred embodiment is specifically suited for use as a 
marine-type clip for securing lengths of cord having 1/4" or 3/8" 
diameters to which are attached objects such as boat fenders (not shown) 
which suspend over the side of a marine craft and which prevent unwanted 
contact between a hull of the craft and an associated marine dock. 
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a clip-type fastening device 96 is shown 
according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The 
clamping means shown in the fastening device 96 are substantially 
identical with those shown in the second preferred embodiment with the 
exception that a first plurality of knurled edges 98 may be formed on an 
outer surface of a gripping member 100 and a second plurality of knurled 
edges 102 may likewise be placed on an outer surface of a release tab 104. 
The purpose of the knurled edges 98, 102 is to facilitate the user in the 
assembly and removal of the clamping means. 
A clip portion 106 extends from an aperture forming portion 105 of a body 
111 opposite the deformable portions and engaging means and includes a 
contoured base 108, an arc shaped midsection 110 and a terminating edge 
112 which in combination forms a substantially hook shaped engaging 
portion. One or more cords or lines 114 may be fitted into an aperture 115 
defined within the hook enclosure, depending upon the dimensions of the 
hook, and are securely held in place. 
Referring to FIG. 8, a clip-type fastening device 116 according to a fourth 
preferred embodiment is shown and includes a body 118 having a deformable 
aperture defining portion 120 and a deformable aperture defining portion 
122 which, in combination, define an aperture 124. As is shown in the 
earlier preferred embodiments, a terminal and arcuate shaped aperture 
extending portion 126 and a first connecting portion 128 extend from a 
base 130 of the aperture defining portion 120. A first engaging member 132 
extends from the first connecting portion 128 in a spaced apart and 
overlapping manner with respect to the aperture extending portion 126 and 
includes a first plurality of inwardly facing serrated teeth 134 along an 
inner edge of the first engaging member 132. 
A second engaging member 136 is provided and extends from the second 
aperture defining portion 122 and inserts between the arcuate shaped 
aperture extending portion 126 of the first deformable portion 120 and the 
first engaging member 132. A second plurality of outwardly facing serrated 
teeth 138 are formed along an outer edge of the second engaging member 136 
and inter-engage with the first plurality of serrated teeth 134 to clamp 
the first and second engaging members 132 and 136 in a step-lock fashion. 
The clip-type fastening device 116 also includes a first plurality of 
knurled edges 138 formed on an outer surface of the engaging member 132 
and a second plurality of knurled edges 140 formed on an outer surface of 
the engaging member 136. As with the previous embodiments, the purpose of 
the knurled edges is to facilitate the application of the clamp assembly 
by assisting the user in applying a better grip. 
Referring again to FIG. 8, additional clamping leverage is provided to the 
fastening device 116 by a first projecting grip portion 142 which is 
formed atop the first engaging member 132 at a first end thereof. The grip 
portion 142 is formed in proximity to an upper edge of the first plurality 
of knurled edges 138 and is shaped so as to prevent the user's thumb or 
fingers (not shown) from slipping across the top of the engaging member 
132 during the clamping stage. 
A contoured release portion 144 is formed atop the first engaging member 
132 at a second end thereof. A second projecting grip portion 146 extends 
from the second engaging portion 136 in such a fashion as to be spaced 
proximate to and a close distance 148 apart from the release portion 144. 
In use, the release portion 144 is grasped between the user's finger and 
thumb and is either twisted upwardly or to the side to disengage the 
engaging member 132 from the engaging member 136 to thereby disengage the 
fastening device 116. 
A clip portion 150 extends from the body 118 in a direction opposite the 
first and second engaging portions 132 and 136. The clip portion 150 has a 
shape somewhat similar to that shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6 and 
includes a contoured base 152, an arc shaped midsection 154 and a portion 
156 terminating in an abutting fashion against the contoured base 152. In 
contrast to the edge 112 according to the embodiment of FIG. 6, a 
terminating edge 158 is pointed inwardly towards the body 118 to more 
securably fasten an object (not shown) therein. 
Finally, referring to FIG. 9, a clip-type fastening device 160 is shown 
according to a fifth preferred embodiment. The device 160 incorporates the 
identical clamping structure as shown in the embodiment according to FIG. 
8 and includes a first aperture defining portion 120' and a second 
aperture defining portion 122' which combine to create a curved aperture 
124' within a body 162 of the fastening device 160. An arcuate shaped 
aperture extending portion 126' and a first engaging member 132' extends 
from the first aperture defining portion 122' and sandwiches therebetween 
a second engaging member 136'. A first gripping portion 142' and a second 
gripping portion 146' are provided on the gripping members 132' and 136' 
for assisting in the clamping of the device 160 and a release portion 144' 
facilitates the detachment of the device from the object being secured. 
A clip portion 164 according to the fifth preferred embodiment is shown and 
is similar in respects to the clip portion 88 shown in the second 
preferred embodiment. The clip portion 164 includes a flattened body 
member 166 having a plurality of spaced apertures 168 for receiving 
lengths of cord or other objects (not shown). A jaw portion 170 extends 
upwardly and outwardly from the body 166 in an opposing fashion relative 
the aperture defining portions 120' and 122'. A first plurality of teeth 
172 are formed along an inner surface of the jaw portion 170 and a second 
plurality of teeth 174 are formed along an opposing edge of the connection 
between the aperture defining portion 120' and the body member 166. An 
additional cord member 176, such as a trailing end of a line, may be 
conveniently secured within the jaw portion 170. 
It is apparent that I have described a clamping device capable of many uses 
for securely clamping one object to another. The serrated teeth provide a 
secure means for locking an object to the clamping device and yet means 
are provided to permit the clamping means to be readily disengaged from 
the object when it is desired to do so. 
Having described several preferred embodiments of my invention, additional 
embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it 
pertains without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.