Patent Publication Number: US-2020289131-A1

Title: Tourniquet clip

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to clips for straps and more particularly to tourniquet clips but is not limited to tourniquet clips. 
     BACKGROUND 
     When taking blood a single use tourniquet assembly is used, that includes a tourniquet strap that is looped around a patient&#39;s limb, usually their arm. The tourniquet strap is tightened by engaging two tourniquet clip assemblies located along the tourniquet. Typically a male assembly is releasably inserted into a female assembly. When finished the user activates a release mechanism that allows the male assembly to be removed from the female assembly. The release mechanism typically includes a release button on the female assembly which allows for release using a single finger or hand. 
     Current tourniquet clips have the male and female assemblies each formed from multiple separate parts that need to be manufactured separately and then assembled. 
     It is desirable to provide a tourniquet clip that has a lower part count and accordingly a lower cost than existing tourniquet clips. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one broad form embodiments of the present invention provide a clip adapted for use with an elongate strap for forming a tourniquet, the clip including first and second parts adapted to be connected to the strap, the first and second parts adapted to be releasably connected together, the first part adapted to be secured to the strap at a first location on the elongate strap; 
     a second part adapted to be mounted on the strap away from the first location whereby when the first and second parts are connected together the strap and the first and second parts form a closed loop; 
     the second part having a passageway adapted to have the strap pass therethrough between first and second ends of the passageway, whereby the distance of the second part from the first location is variable; 
     at least part of the passageway defined by first and second portions of the second part; 
     the second part including a strap grip adapted to, in use, releasably grip the strap; 
     the strap grip comprising a first and second grip portions movable relative to each other to vary the separation between at least parts of the first and second grip portions to enable gripped of the strap between the first and second grip portions; 
     wherein the first and second grip portion are integrally formed. 
     In another broad form embodiments of the present invention provide a tourniquet assembly comprising an elongate strap and a clip including first and second parts connected or mounted to the strap, the first and second parts adapted to be releasably connected together, the first part adapted to be secured to the strap at a first location on the elongate strap; 
     a second part adapted to be mounted on the strap away from the first location whereby when the first and second parts are connected together the strap and the first and second parts form a closed loop; 
     the second part having a passageway adapted to have the strap pass therethrough between first and second ends of the passageway, whereby the distance of the second part from the first location is variable; 
     at least part of the passageway defined by first and second portions of the second part; 
     the second part including a strap grip adapted to, in use, releasably grip the strap; 
     the strap grip comprising a first and second grip portions movable relative to each other to vary the separation between at least parts of the first and second grip portions to enable gripped of the strap between the first and second grip portions; 
     wherein the first and second grip portion are integrally formed. 
     The following features relate to both the clip and the tourniquet assembly embodiments of the invention. 
     The second grip portion may pivot or rock about an axis relative to the first grip portion. 
     The second grip portion may be elongate and pivot or rock about a transversely extending axis intermediate first and second longitudinal ends of the second grip portion. 
     The second grip portion may be connected to at least one support member. 
     The at least one support member may include at least one lower support member and the second grip portion may be located between the first portion and the at least one lower support member. 
     The at least one lower support member may be connected to the second grip portion by at least one transversely extending support wall or post. 
     The at least one support member may include two spaced apart side members extending either side of at least part of the second grip portion. 
     At least one of the at least one lower support member may extend between the side members. 
     The at least one of the at least one lower support member may be integrally formed with at least one of the side members. 
     The second grip portion may be connected to the side members. The second grip portion may be connected directly to the side members rather than to a lower support member. 
     The second portion may comprise the second grip portion. 
     The second portion may comprise a second wall. The second wall may extend longitudinally at least partially between the first and second ends. 
     The first portion may comprise the first grip portion. 
     The first portion may comprise a first wall. The first wall may extend longitudinally at least partially between the first and second ends. 
     The second portion may have a central surface region facing the first portion. 
     The second portion may have longitudinally extending side walls either side of the central surface region, the side walls extending toward the first portion. 
     The second part may comprises a first elongate wall and a second elongate wall, two spaced apart elongate side walls extending from the first elongate wall and a third elongate wall extending between the two side walls, the second wall located between the first and third walls and mounted on a transverse support wall intermediate the ends of the second wall for rotation about a transverse axis, the first and second walls defining at least part of the passageway and one end portion of the second wall comprising the second grip portion. 
     In another broad form embodiments of the present invention provide a tourniquet clip including a female part and a male part, the female part having adapted to receive the male part and releasably secure the male part, the female part having a release member adapted to be operated by a single finger to release the male part from engagement with the female part, wherein at least one and preferably both of the male and female parts are each a single, integrally formed, part. 
     The tourniquet clip is preferably adapted to have one of the male and female parts mountable upon a tourniquet strap and relocatable along the tourniquet strap. Preferably the respective part includes a tourniquet strap grip portion for gripping the tourniquet strap. Preferably the tourniquet strap grip portion is formed integrally with the respective clip part. 
     In preferred embodiments the tourniquet strap grip portion includes an elongate passageway through which the tourniquet strap passes. 
     The elongate passageway may be defined by a first wall and a movable second wall that extends alongside the first wall. The second wall is movable relative to the so first wall so that the strap is gripped between the first and second walls. Movement is preferably by a pivoting or rocking motion. 
     The second wall may be connected to at least one support member. When connected to at least one support member, movement is preferably by a pivoting or rocking motion relative to the at least one support member. 
     The second wall may be located between the first wall and the at least one support member. 
     In one form wall(s) or post(s) extend from the first wall and the at least one support member is on or connected to at least one of the wall(s) or post(s). The at least one support member may extend between wall(s) or post(s) extending from the first wall and spaced transversely. In one form the at least one support member is formed integrally with the wall(s) or post(s). In another form the at least one support member is formed integrally with one set of wall(s) or post(s) extending from the first wall about an integrated hinge and is rotatable about the hinge to engage with a second set of wall(s) or post(s) extending from the first wall transversely relative to the first set. 
     In preferred forms the each set of wall(s) or post(s) extending from the first wall is a single wall. 
     The second wall may be formed integrally with the support member. The second wall may be connected to the support member by at least one post or wall. 
     The support member may include a third wall. 
     In preferred forms the strap grip portion includes a first wall, two side walls extending from or adjacent longitudinally extending sides or edges of the first wall and a third wall extends between the side walls. The third wall is connected to the second wall intermediate the ends of the third wall by a transversely extending support wall, about which the third wall pivots or rocks. 
     In preferred embodiments the female part includes a recess to receive at least part of the male part, the male part including at least one latch member that engages the female part to retain the at least part of the male part in the female part. In preferred embodiments the female part includes an integrally formed release member that is movable to release the at least one latch member. In preferred embodiments the integrally formed release member includes an arm or leg cantilevered from the remained of the female part. 
     In preferred embodiments the female part includes the tourniquet strap grip portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view from above of a tourniquet assembly with a tourniquet clip according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side cross sectional view of a tourniquet assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view from above of the tourniquet clip of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view from below of the tourniquet clip of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view from above and the front of the male part of the tourniquet clip of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view from above and the front of the male part. 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view from above of the male part. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the male part. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional side view of the male part with the tourniquet strap engaged with but not secured in the male part. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross sectional side view of the male part with the tourniquet strap engaged with and secured in the male part. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view from above of the male and female parts engaged together. For clarity the tourniquet strap is omitted. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross sectional side view of the male and female parts engaged together. For clarity the tourniquet strap is omitted. 
         FIG. 13  A to D are a cross sectional side views showing the engagement of the male and female parts. 
         FIG. 14  A to D are a cross sectional side views showing the disengagement of the male and female parts. 
         FIG. 15  is a cross sectional side view of a female part of a tourniquet clip according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  is an end view of the female part of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 16A  is a detail view of an alternate arrangement of the junction circled and labelled A in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 17  is a plan view from above of the female part of  FIG. 15  in the as manufactured state. 
         FIG. 18  is a plan view from below of the female part of  FIG. 15  in the as manufactured state. 
         FIG. 19  is a side cross sectional view of a tourniquet assembly with a tourniquet clip according to a third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view from above of the tourniquet clip of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view from below of the tourniquet clip of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 22  is a plan view from above of the tourniquet clip of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 23  is a side view of the tourniquet clip of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 24  is an end view of the tourniquet clip of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 25  is a cross sectional side view of tourniquet clip of  FIG. 19  taken along line AA of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26  is a side cross sectional view of a tourniquet assembly of  FIG. 19  with the assembly in use and the tourniquet strap gripped by the strap grip of the clip. 
         FIG. 27  is a side cross sectional view of a tourniquet assembly of  FIG. 19  with the assembly in use and but with the tourniquet strap grip in a release position. 
         FIG. 28  is an end view of tourniquet clip according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 29  is a cross sectional side view of the tourniquet clip of  FIG. 28  taken along line AA of  FIG. 28 . 
         FIG. 30  is an opposite end view of the tourniquet clip of  FIG. 28 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 14  there is shown a tourniquet assembly  100  with a tourniquet clip according to a first embodiment of the invention. The tourniquet assembly  100  includes a strap  102  and a tourniquet clip  104 , itself including a female part  106  and a male part  108 . The strap  102  is preferably elastic. 
     The male part  108  is intended to be located near one end of the tourniquet strap  102  in a fixed position (once the tourniquet assembly  100  has been assembled). 
     The female part  106  serves two functions, one being to engage with the male part  104  in a releasable manner to form a closed loop with the strap  102  and the other to allow the strap  102  to be moved through the female part  106 , so as to change the size of the loop so formed. More particularly, the female part  104  is intended to be easily movable along the strap  102  toward the male part  108  whilst movement away is prevented or resisted, unless allowed by the user. Accordingly, the female part has a male retaining portion and a strap grip portion. 
     The male part  108  has a tongue  110  that has forward end  112 . Forward end  112  is provided with angled face  114  to aid insertion of tongue  112  into female assembly  106 . Tongue  110  includes latch member  116  that is cantilevered from near the front end  112  and extends rearwards. Latch member  116  is upturned at its rearward end  118  and has angled face  120 . 
     The rearward end  118  of latch member  116  may deflect up and down relative to the tongue  110 . 
     In this first embodiment latch member  116  can be considered to be two spaced apart rearward extending arms  122  joined at the rearwards end  118  by cross arm  124 . Similarly the tongue  110  can be considered to be two forward extending arms  126  joined by cross arm  128 . Latch member  116  may be formed of a single arm or of more than two arms. Cross arm  124  need not be a different cross sectional shape to arms  126 . 
     The male part  108  has strap retention portion  130  that includes two openings  132 ,  134 , separated by transverse arm  136 . Opening  132  is delineated by transverse arm  136  and cross member  138 . Opening  134  is delineated by transverse arm  136  and rear cross member  139 . 
     The tourniquet strap  102  may be passed from below, though opening  132  and then downwards through opening  134 , engaging the top of transverse arm  136 , as seen in  FIG. 9 . The upper face of arm  136  includes a strap grip surface  141 . In this embodiment the strap grip surface  141  includes a series of retaining protrusions  142  to engage the underside of tourniquet strap  102 . The configuration of grip surface  141  and the shape and number of the protrusions  142  is not critical and may be modified. Protrusions  142  may be omitted if desired. 
     Integrally formed with the male part is strap retainer  144 . Strap retainer  144  is connected to the rear of cross member  139  about hinge line  146 . Strap retainer  144  includes first strap grip surface  148 , which includes recesses 150 sized and positioned to cooperate with protrusions  142 . Strap retainer  144  also includes second strap grip surface  152  on wall  153 . The strap retainer  144  may be rotated about hinge  146  so that first strap grip surface  148  extends over the transverse arm  136  with wall  153  extending into opening  132 . Wall  153  includes protrusion  154  that engages with recess  156  in cross member  139  to hold the strap retainer  144  in the closed position. Protrusion  154  is preferably a snap fit into recess  156 , with angled face  158  to assist closure and faces  160 ,  162  extending generally radially so as to resist opening. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 10 , when the strap retainer  144  is closed strap  102  is trapped between cross arm  136  and first strap grip surface  148 . The gap between the surface  148  and protrusions  142  is preferably such that the strap distorts around protrusions  142 . The wall  153  passes into opening  132  and, as seen in  FIG. 10 , the gap between second strap grip surface  152  and cross arm  136  is less than the thickness of the strap, so that the wall  153  is bent slightly or angled forward so as to apply a compressive load to the strap via second strap grip surface  152 . 
     Thus a single moulding provides a male tongue and a strap retention mechanism. 
     Female part  106  includes housing  140  which is adapted to receive the tongues  110 ,  116  of male part  108 , thought opening  172 . Opening  172  is partially defined by lower wall  184  and cross member  178 . The separation of lower wall  184  and cross member  178  is less than the maximum combined height of primary tongue  110  and latch member  116 . 
     As the tongue  110  is inserted into the opening  172 , angled face  120  of latch member  116  engages angled face  174  and the free end  118  deflects elastically downwards to pass through opening  172 . Once the free end  118  of latch member  116  has passed through the opening  172  the latch member  116  springs back towards its un-deflected state, with face  176  overlapping cross member  178 , so preventing removal. Removal requires that latch member  116  be deflected downwards to align with opening  172 . 
     A release arm  180  is integrally formed with housing  140 . The release arm  180  is cantilevered from the remainder of housing  140  and overlies the tongue  110 . The release arm  180  includes angled face  182  that overlies the angled face  120  of male part  108 . 
     The male and female parts  104 ,  106  may be configured so that when inserted the angled face  120  bears against face  182  and slightly deflects the release arm  180  upwards. Due to the angled nature of faces  120  and  182  this results in a small force urging the rear face  176  of latch member  116  against the cross member  178 . 
     To release the male part  108  the user presses on the release arm  180 , deflecting the latch member  116  downwards to align with opening  172 . The angled faces  120  and  182  cause the male part  108  to move rearwards once the latch member  116  aligns into the opening  172 . In use the strap  102  is tensioned and the tension in the strap  102  also pulls the male part  108  out of the female part  106 . Although preferred, use of the tension in the strap  102  is not critical to separating of the parts. 
     Movement of the female part  106  along the strap  102  is achieved by providing a through passageway  170  through which the strap passes. A strap grip  186  is provided that releasably grips the strap  102  between itself and wall  184 . In this embodiment the strap grip  186  is a separate component that has features of tongue  188 , release member  190 , strap engagement member  192 . The strap grip  186  is inserted into the passageway  170  of housing  140  from end  194 . Lower wall  195  includes wall  196  that cooperates with latches  197  and prevents or resists removal of the strap grip  186  from the housing  140 . The tongue  188  also includes protrusions  196  that bear against wall  184  and act as a pivot points for strap grip  186  relative to the housing  140 . 
     The strap  102  is passed through the passageway defined between the wall  184  tongues  188  and strap engagement member  192 . The gap between the tongue  188  and wall  184  is preferably greater than the thickness of the strap  102 . The gap between the strap engagement member  192  and wall  184  is smaller and in use, when the strap is tensioned the strap  102  is held between these two parts. The strap engagement member  192  may have a serrated edge to aid gripping of the strap  102 . The strap grip  186  and housing  140  may be configured so that when not in tension about a patient&#39;s arm the strap  102  is lightly gripped by the strap grip  186  and may move relatively easily in both directions. 
     In use the strap is tensioned around the patient&#39;s arm, as in  FIG. 1 , and forms a U around the free end of the tongue  188 . The tension in the strap  102  pulls the free end  198  of the tongue  188  towards wall  195 , as indicated by arrow B in  FIG. 1 . Due to protrusion  196  bearing on wall  184  this urges strap engagement member  192  toward the wall  184 , as indicated by arrow C in  FIG. 1 , so holding or increasing the hold on the strap  102 . 
     To release the strap  102  the user pushes the release member  190  downwards causing the strap grip  186  to pivot about protrusion  196 , so increasing the gap between strap engagement member  192  and wall  184  and releasing the strap. 
     Although the free end  198  of the tongue  188  rotates toward wall  184 , because the gap between these two parts is greater than the thickness of the strap this reduction in size does not cause the strap  102  to be held or held to any significant extent. The tension in the strap thus pulls the strap  102  through the passageway  170  to reduce the tension. There may be a small amount of gripping of the strap between the tongue  188  and wall  184 . However, the tension in the strap will overcome a minor amount of gripping. 
       FIGS. 15 to 19  schematically show a female part  202  according to a second embodiment of the invention. The female part  202  may be used with the male part  104  of the first embodiment. 
     The female part  202  is an integrally formed single component that includes a male retaining portion  204  for receiving the male part  104  and a strap grip portion  206  for gripping the strap  102 . 
     The male retaining portion  204  is substantially the same as the retaining portion of the first embodiment and operates in the same manner. The male retaining portion  204  includes opening  208  for receiving the tongue, wall  210  against which latch member  116  engages against and release button  212  to depress latch member  116 . 
     Strap grip portion  206  is formed integrally with female retaining portion  204 . Two spaced part walls  216  and  218  extend downwards from wall  214 . Strap grip portion  206  is formed integrally with and extends from the free end of wall  216  about hinge  228 . 
     Strap grip portion  206  includes lower wall  230  and upper wall  232 . Upper wall  232  is connected to lower wall  230  by posts  234  intermediate the ends of lower wall  230 . Posts  234  are sized to allow the upper wall  232  to rock about the general area of posts  234 . This may be by flexing or bending of the posts  234 , as in this embodiment. As an alternative or in addition, one or both of the junctions of the posts  234  with walls  230  and  232  may be a hinge, as seen in  FIG. 16A  which shows an possible junction of the post  234  with wall  232 . If desired the posts may be replaced by a series of posts extending transversely across walls  230 ,  234  or a transverse wall extending across walls  230 ,  234 . Such a transverse wall may be continuous or discontinuous (e.g. two or more inline transverse walls). 
     Upper wall  232  includes strap grip wall  236  and release member  238 . In contrast to the first embodiment the release member  238  is located at the end of the strap grip portion  206 . 
     In the as manufactured state female part is in a generally flat state. The strap grip portion  206  is rotated about hinge  228  so that lower wall  230  is parallel to wall  214  and edge  240  engages with wall  218 . In the embodiment shown the wall  218  has a ledge  222  on which the edge  240  rests, although a grove running along the wall  218  may be provided. Use of a groove assists in limiting flexing of lower wall  230  Wall  218  may be provided with angled face  224  to assist movement of the grip portion during assembly. Wall  218  may flexes sideways to allow wall  230  to pass and then snap back to its un-deflected state. 
     Because there is no closed passageway, assembly can take the step of laying the strap  102  upon the wall  214 , between walls  216  and  218 , and then rotating the strap grip portion  206  to the closed position to secure the female part  202  to the strap  102 . 
     Strap grip wall  236  is adjacent wall  214  and provides a gap  242  through which strap  102  may pass. Release member  238  extends at the end of male retaining portion  204 . 
     The strap grip portion  206  operates the same as the strap engagement member  192  of the first embodiment, in that tension in the strap  102  rotates wall  232  about posts  234 , urging the end  244  of upper wall  232  toward lower wall  230  and strap grip wall  236  toward wall  214 , trapping strap  102 . Release is achieved by pressing down on release member  238 . 
     Thus the female part  202  provides a unitary component. Further, the female part  202  allows assembly of a tourniquet assembly without needing to thread the tourniquet strap through a passageway. 
       FIGS. 20 to 28  schematically show a female part  302  according to a third embodiment of the invention. The female part  302  may be used with the male part  104  of the first embodiment. 
     As with the other embodiments the female part has a male retaining portion  304  and a strap grip portion  306 . In this embodiment the male retaining portion  304  and the strap grip portion  306  are formed integrally and without the need for post manufacturing assembly. 
     The male retaining portion  304  is substantially the same as the retaining portion of the first embodiment and operates in the same manner. The male retaining portion  304  includes opening  308  for receiving the tongue, wall  310  against which latch member  116  engages against and release button  312  to depress latch member  116 . 
     Strap grip portion  306  is formed integrally with male retaining portion  304 . Two spaced part walls  316  and  318  extend downwards from wall  314 . 
     Strap grip portion  306  includes lower wall  330  and upper wall  332 . Lower wall  330  extends between walls  316  and  318 . Upper wall  332  is connected to lower wall  330  by transverse wall  334  intermediate the ends of lower wall  330 . Transverse wall  334  is sized to allow the upper wall  332  to rock about the transverse wall  334 . This may be by flexing or bending of the transverse wall  334 , as in this embodiment. As an alternative or in addition, one or both of the junctions of the transverse wall  334  with walls  330  and  332  may be a hinge. 
     The transverse wall  334  may be continuous or discontinuous (e.g. two or more inline transverse walls). If desired the transverse wall may be replaced by one or more posts. 
     Upper wall  332  includes release member  338 , located at the end of wall  332 . The wall  332  does not include a strap grip and instead wall  314  includes downward extending strap grip  336 . This is for manufacturing purposes and, if desired, the strap grip  336  may be located on the wall  332 . 
     Thus there is passageway  342  between walls  314  and  332  through which the strap  102  may pass. 
     The strap grip portion  306  operates the same as the strap engagement member  192  of the first embodiment and strap grip portion  206  of the second embodiment, in that tension in the strap  102  rotates wall  332  about transverse wall  334 , urging the end  344  of upper wall  332  downwards toward lower wall  330  and the other end  346  upwards, trapping strap  102  between wall  332  and strap grip  336 . Release is achieved by pressing down on release member  338  which rotates the wall  332  in the opposite direction so that the strap  102  is released from the grip of the strap grip  336 . 
     Thus the female part  302  provides a unitary component. 
       FIGS. 28 to 30  schematically show a female part  402  according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The female part  402  may be used with the male part  104  of the first embodiment. 
     As with the other embodiments the female part has a male retaining portion  404  and a strap grip portion  406 . In this embodiment the male retaining portion  404  and the strap grip portion  406  are formed integrally and without the need for post manufacturing assembly. 
     The male retaining portion  404  is substantially the same as the retaining portion of the first embodiment and operates in the same manner. The male retaining portion  404  includes opening  408  for receiving the tongue, wall  410  against which latch member  116  engages against and release button  412  to depress latch member  116 . 
     Strap grip portion  406  is formed integrally with male retaining portion  404 . Two spaced part walls  416  and  418  extend downwards from wall  414 . 
     Strap grip portion  406  includes lower wall  430  and upper wall  432 . Thus there is passageway  442  between walls  414  and  432  through which the strap  102  may pass. 
     Lower wall  430  extends between walls  416  and  418 . Upper wall  432  is connected to lower wall  430  by transverse wall  434  intermediate the ends of lower wall  430 . Transverse wall  434  is sized to allow the upper wall  432  to rock about the transverse wall  434 . This may be by flexing or bending of the transverse wall  434 , as in this embodiment. As best seen in  FIG. 30 , transverse wall  434  does not extend across the full width of upper wall  432 . As an alternative or in addition, one or both of the junctions of the transverse wall  434  with walls  430  and  432  may be a hinge. 
     The transverse wall  434  may be continuous or discontinuous (e.g. two or more inline transverse walls). If desired the transverse wall may be replaced by one or more posts. 
     Upper wall  432  includes release member  438 , located at the end of wall  432 . The underside of the upper wall  432  includes ribs  454   
     The wall  414  includes downward extending strap grip  436 . The strap grip  436  does not extend the full with of the wall  436 . 
     If desired, the strap grip  436  may be located on the wall  432 . However, it does allow the upper surface  450  of wall  432  to be generally smooth (and preferably planar) in the longitudinal direction, as best seen in  FIG. 29 . This allows the strap to more easily slide relative to wall  432  compared to the situation where the strap grip  436  is located on the wall  432 . The wall  432  is provided with side walls  452  that serve to retain the strap  102  centred and prevent the strap sliding into the gaps between the upper wall  432  and side walls  416  and  418 . 
     The Central Portion 
     The strap grip portion  406  operates the same as the strap engagement member  192  of the first embodiment, strap grip portion  206  of the second embodiment and strap grip portion  306  of the third embodiment, in that tension in the strap  102  rotates wall  432  about transverse wall  434 , urging the end  444  of upper wall  432  downwards toward lower wall  430  and the other end  446  upwards, trapping strap  102  between wall  432  and strap grip  436 . Release is achieved by pressing down on release member  438  which rotates the wall  432  in the opposite direction so that the strap  102  is released from the grip of the strap grip  436 . 
     Thus the female part  402  provides a unitary component. 
     Whilst the embodiments shown have the mechanism for adjusting the effective strap length as part of or mounted on or in the female part, the mechanism for adjusting the effective strap length may be part of or mounted on or in the male part. Further, whilst male/female parts are preferred other mechanisms may be used for connecting the two clip parts together 
     In the embodiments shown the female parts have lower walls  195 ,  230 ,  330  and  430 . These walls are continuous and extend generally the full length of the female parts. 
     Whilst lower walls  195 ,  230 ,  330  and  430  provide a surface against which a user can press when pressing on release buttons  180 ,  212 ,  312  and  412  or release members  190 ,  238 ,  338  and  438  and also act as a guard prevent a user easily accessing the walls  188 ,  232  and  332 , the provision of one or more guards or one or more reaction surfaces is not critical to the invention, although preferred. The parts may be modified to have other structures that provide one or more guards or one or more reaction surfaces, including but not limited to a lower wall with apertures therethrough or a series of transverse walls spaced longitudinally along the relevant part or longitudinally extending walls spaced transversely across the relevant part. 
     These lower walls  195 ,  230 ,  330  and  430  provide a small central section against which the walls  188 ,  232 ,  332  and  432  engage or rock/pivot about and an end section to enable the strap to form a U about the forward end and, as such, do need not be continuous for the functioning of gripping the strap. For example, a bar or short wall may extend transversely underneath the forward end of the walls  188 ,  232 ,  332  and  432  so as to enable the strap to form a U about the forward end of the respective wall. Similarly a bar or short wall may extend transversely underneath the centre of the walls  188 ,  232 ,  332  and  432  to provide an engagement surface for wall  188  or a mounting area for walls  232 ,  332  and  432  to rock/pivot about. Similarly a bar or short wall may extend transversely underneath the respective release member to allow a user to press against when depressing the release members. 
     It will be appreciated that the features of one or more guards and one or more reaction surfaces are not dependent on each other and may be provided by separate structure(s). Similarly, structure(s) to secure and/or enable the motion of the walls  188 ,  232 ,  332  and  432  relative to the rest of the part may be provided that are separate from any structure(s) providing any guard(s) and/or any reaction surface(s). 
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and any claims the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”. 
     The features of the invention described or mentioned in this document may be combined in any combination of features where features are not mutually exclusive. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many obvious modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.