Abstract:
A clip is constructed to include two pivoted clip elements, a torsional spring provided between the clip elements and adapted to hold the clip elements in the open position, a toothed rod member and a pres control structure provided inside the clip elements and adapted to lock the clip elements in the close position to hold down the workpiece.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a clip and, more particularly, to an orthopedically engineered clip that has means to lock the clip element when holding down the workpiece. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a clip according to the prior art. The clip comprises two pivoted clip elements, a torsional spring adapted to hold the clip elements in the close position. The spring power of the torsional spring determines the gripping force of the clip. When opening the clip, the user must employ much effort to the handheld portions of the clip elements against the spring power of the torsional spring. Further, when the torsional spring starts to wear, the clamping force of the clip is reduced, unable to hold down the workpiece positively. FIG. 2 illustrates another structure of clip according to the prior art. According to this design, the clip comprises two pivoted clip elements, a torsional spring adapted to hold the clip elements in the close position, a big gear wheel provided at the connection area between the clip elements, a lever pivoted to one clip element, a small gear wheel pivoted to one end of the lever and meshed with the big gear wheel. When pulling the lever outwards, the small gear wheel is rotated counter-clockwise to move the big gear wheel and to widen the open status of the handheld portions of the clip elements, increasing the gripping force of the claw end portions of the clip elements. However, it is inconvenient to operate the lever when holding the handheld portions of the clip elements with the hand. Further, the lever may be forced inwards accidentally, causing the workpiece to fall from the claw end portions of the clip elements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a clip, which is orthopedically engineered, convenient for operation. It is another object of the present invention to provide a clip, which can easily be operated to clamp the workpiece with less effort. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a clip, which can be locked when holding down the workpiece. To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, the clip comprises a first clip element, the first clip element comprising a front claw end portion, a rear handheld portion, and a hollow middle coupling portion connected between the claw end portion and the handheld portion of the first clip element; a second clip element, the second clip element comprising a front claw end portion, a rear handheld portion, and a hollow middle coupling portion connected between the claw end portion and the handheld portion of the second clip element and pivoted to the middle coupling portion of the first clip element by a pivot; a torsional spring mounted on the pivot connected between the middle coupling portions of the first clip element and the second clip element and adapted to force the handheld portions of the first clip element and the second clip element apart, the torsional spring having two opposite ends respectively stopped at an inside wall of the handheld portion of the first clip element and an inside wall of the handheld portion of the second clip element; a toothed rod member, the toothed rod member having a first end pivoted to the inside of the middle coupling portion of the first clip element and a second end inserted into the handheld portion of the second clip element; and a press control structure, the press control structure comprising a ratchet block mounted in the handheld portion of the second clip element, the ratchet block having a toothed face adapted for engaging the toothed rod member, and a button adapted for controlling horizontal movement of the ratchet block relative to the toothed rod member between a first position where the ratchet block is engaged with the toothed rod member to stop the clip elements from opening, and a second position where the ratchet block is disengaged from the toothed rod member for enabling the clip elements to be opened. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plain view of a clip according to the prior art. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of another structure of clip according to the prior art. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a clip according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is an elevational assembly view of the clip according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the present invention, showing the jaw plates of the clip clamped on the workpiece. 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of the present invention, showing the clip opened. 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view in an enlarged scale taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view in an enlarged scale taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view in an enlarged scale taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view in an enlarged scale taken along line  10 — 10  of FIG.  6 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a clip is shown comprised of a first clip element  10 , and a second clip element  20 . The clip elements  10 ; 20  each comprise a hollow middle coupling portion  11  or  21 , a smoothly arched claw end portion  12  or  22  forwardly extended from one end of the coupling portion  11  or  21 , a handheld portion  13  or  23  backwardly extended from the other end of the coupling portion  11  or  21 . The coupling portions  11 ; 21  of the clip elements  10 ; 20  have two pivot holes  111  aligned at two sides. A pivot pin  30  is inserted into the pivot holes  111 ; 211  to pivotally connect the clip elements  10 ; 20  together. A torsional spring  31  is mounted on the pivot pin  30  inside the coupling portions  11 ; 21 , having two opposite ends  311 ; 312  respectively stopped at the inside wall of the handheld portions  13 ; 23  to hold the clip in the open status. 
     A toothed rod member  40  is provided inside the clip elements  10 ; 20 . The toothed rod member  40  has an eyelet head  41 . The coupling portion  11  of the first clip element  10  further comprises two pivot holes  112 . A pivot pin  32  is press-fitted into the pivot holes  112  and inserted through the eyelet head  41  of the toothed rod member  40  to hold the toothed rod member  40  inside the coupling portion  11  of the first clip element  10 , enabling the toothed rod body of the toothed rod member  40  to be extended downwards and inserted into the handheld portion  23  of the second clip element  20 . 
     A press control structure is provided in the clip elements  10 ; 20 . The press control structure comprises two stop walls  231 ; 231 ′ integral with the inside wall of the handheld portion  23  of the second clip element  20  at different elevations corresponding to the toothed rod member  40  (see FIGS.  7  and  9 ), a ratchet block  50  inserted in between the top walls  231 ; 231 ′, the ratchet block  50  having an opening  51  for the passing of the toothed rod member  40  and a toothed face  511  disposed in the opening  51  and meshed with the toothed rod body of the toothed rod member  40 , a compression spring  52  mounted in a recessed inside hole  232  of the handheld portion  23  and stopped against the back side of the ratchet block  50 , a button hole  233  in one sidewall of the handheld portion  23  opposite to the ratchet block  50 , a button  54  installed in the button hole  233  and stopped at the front side of the ratchet block  50 . Further, coupling means is provided to coupling the button  54  to the ratchet block  50 . The coupling means comprises a coupling hole  541  provided in the button  54 , and a coupling rod  55  extended from the front side of the ratchet block  50  and adapted for engaging into the coupling hole  541 . Normally, the spring power of the spring  52  forces the toothed face  511  of the ratchet block  50  into engagement with the toothed rod body of the toothed rod member  40 . When the user pressed the button  54 , the ratchet block  50  is forced backwards against the spring  50  to disengage the toothed face  511  from the toothed rod body of the toothed rod member  40 . A sealing plate  57  is fixedly fastened to the handheld portion  23  of the second clip element  20  by screws  56  to stop the ratchet block  50  from falling out of the second clip element  20 . 
     Two flexible grips  60 ; 60 ′ are respectively provided at the handheld portions  13 ; 23  of the clip elements  10 ; 20 . The grips  60 ; 60 ′ are shaped like a smoothly arched pad, each having a plurality of mounting pins  61 ; 61 ′ perpendicularly extended from the respective inside wall and respectively press-fitted into respective pin holes  134 ; 134 ′ in the handheld portions  13 ; 23  of the clip elements  10 ; 20 . 
     Two jaw plates  70 ; 70 ′ are respectively provided at the smoothly arched claw end portions  12 ; 22  of the clip elements  10 ; 20 . The jaw plates  70 ; 70 ′ each comprise an embossed front clamping face  71  or  71 ′, a back open chamber  72  or  72 ′, two recessed round holes  721  bilaterally disposed inside the back open chamber  72  or  72 ′, and a smoothly arched groove  73  or  73 ′ disposed in the bottom wall of the back open chamber  72  or  72 ′ and equally spaced between the recessed round holes  721 . The smoothly arched claw end portions  12 ; 22  each comprise two rounded pegs  121  or  221  disposed at two sides and respectively pivotally coupled to the recessed round holes  721  (the rounded pegs  121  or  221  can easily be fastened to the recessed round holes  721  by means of the application of a mechanical apparatus), and a smoothly arched projection  122  or  222  respectively inserted into the smoothly arched groove  73  or  73 ′ to guide movement of the respective jaw plate  70  or  70 ′ relative to the respective clip element  10  or  20 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, when the user gripped the handheld portions  13 ; 23  to compress the torsional spring  31 , the jaw plates  70 ′ 70 ′ are forced against each other to hold down the workpiece  100  between. At the same time, the toothed rod member  40  is lifted with the change of the angle of the handheld portion  13  of the first clip element  10  over the ratchet block  50 . When gripped tight, the spring power of the spring  52  forces the toothed face  511  of the ratchet block  50  into engagement with the toothed rod body of the toothed rod member  40  to stop the toothed rod member  40  from downward movement, and therefore the clip is locked and, the workpiece  100  is firmly held in between the jaw plates  70 ; 70 ′. When releasing the workpiece  100 , press the button  54  to disengage the ratchet block  50  from the toothed rod member  40 , enabling the spring power of the spring  31  to force the handheld portions  13 ; 23  of the clip elements  10 ; 20  apart. 
     While only one embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that various modifications and changes could be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed.