Abstract:
A clip for securing articles to a belt with a semi-flexible central tear drop shaped bend portion having opposite spaced apart ends; a first leg and a second leg comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid material and connected to the opposite spaced apart ends of the central portion and extending in a generally parallel relationship therefrom; and a locking collar member;

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/320,038 filed Apr. 8, 2016. The entire contents of the above application are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to straps and ties employed for binding securing and retaining articles together, and more particularly to releasable locking retaining clips employed for releasably securing articles to belts and the like. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Retaining clips, ties and like devices have long been provided to bind items together and are well known in the art. Generally, such clips and ties comprise a long strap member that forms a circular loop that connects back to itself, around one or more items to bind them together. They typically incorporate straps with a plurality of grooves for locking engagement with an integrally formed head. Nearly all such designs incorporate a substantially circular shaped loop, which is difficult to secure to a belt such that it lies flat against the user so as to not catch on other structures. While there are many types of straps that form a releaseable loop, many times a special tool is required to release the strap or the method of release is awkward and difficult to perform easily or with one hand only. Similarly, while there are releasable flat loop designs for binding pouches and similar items to a belt, they still use a method of release that is awkward and difficult to perform easily or with one hand only. 
         [0004]    When most clips are attached to an item for carry, the clip is typically fed behind the belt and squeezed shut. However, most clips are not rigid and do not “bite” or grip the belt or vest so it doesn&#39;t slide laterally or vertically. As such, it fails to support the weight of the item that it carries. Straps made from flexible material and distort the shape if you pull on them and the item comes away from the belt or vest. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    As such, an object of the present invention is to releasably secure an article to a belt or similar restraint structure using a substantially flat loop and/or clip structure that is releasable, adjustable, reusable and quick and easy to fasten and unfasten. A further object of the present invention is to reduce slack in the clip when it is closed forming a retention structure when everything is closed and locked in order to hold two parts as close together as possible. The point where the material is folded against itself creates a tension structure with enough flexibility that the clip can be attached and detached but the rest of the clip is intended to be rigid so that when it is locked in a closed position there is no flexibility. 
         [0006]    The present invention is a releasable retaining clip for retaining and securing a device to a person or another article, such as a belt. The present invention comprises generally a clip portion comprising (a) a single length of material bent upon itself approximately midway between its ends to provide a tear drop shaped bend from which extends an upper leg and lower leg having parallel overlying portions; (b) a plurality of longitudinal slats extending from the terminal end of the lower leg; (c) locking members extending along the sides at the terminal end of the longitudinal slats; and (d) at least one tab extending longitudinally from the terminal end of the upper leg. A locking collar with an upper and lower portion defines a passageway wherein the locking collar is slidably mounted over the plurality of longitudinal slats. A pivotable locking member extends outwards from the upper portion of the locking collar and inwards into the passageway. The upper and lower portions of the locking collar slide along the longitudinal slats of the lower leg to form a first open position, such that the upper leg may be moved away from the lower leg to engage an article to be secured, to a second closed position with the tab(s) extending from the upper leg into the passageway such that the tab(s) extending from the upper leg rests against the interior of the locking collar, thereby preventing movement of the upper leg away from the lower leg. The pivotable locking member of the locking collar and locking members of the clip also coordinate to lock the collar from reverse movement along the longitudinal slats of the lower leg in both the open and closed positions. 
         [0007]    The upper and lower legs have a plurality apertures providing a plurality of mounting positions to mount a variety of items to the clip. For example, when the clip is attached to a belt, a variety of modular, lightweight, load-carry equipment (MOLLE) may be attached to the clip. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the clip portion of the present invention with the clip portion in an open position 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the clip portion of the present invention with the clip portion in a closed position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of the clip portion of the present invention with the clip portion in an open position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of the clip portion of the present invention with the clip portion in a closed position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the locking collar portion of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the locking collar portion of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the locking collar portion of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a rear view of the locking collar portion of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the locking collar portion of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a bottom perspective view of the locking collar portion of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of the clip portion and locking collar portion prior to engagement. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a top view of the clip portion and locking collar portion engaged in a locked position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the clip portion and locking collar portion engaged in a locked position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a front view of the clip portion and locking collar portion engaged in a locked. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the clip portion and locking collar portion engaged in a locked position with the locking collar prominent. 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a top perspective view of the clip portion and locking collar portion engaged in a locked position with the locking collar prominent. 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a top perspective view of the clip portion and locking collar portion engaged in a locked position with the clip portion prominent. 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a top perspective view of the clip portion and locking collar portion moving towards an unlocked position with the clip portion prominent. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , the clip portion has a single length of material bent upon itself approximately midway between its ends to provide a tear drop shaped bend  10 , which reduces slack in the clip when it is closed creating a retention structure when everything is closed and locked in order to hold the upper leg  20  and lower leg  30  as close together as possible. The tear drop shaped bend  10  is created during the injection molding plastic process. During this process, by adding extra mass and adding a greater radius on the side of the bend connected to the upper leg changes the way the material shrinks and the rate at which it cools. The extra mass and greater radius add more strength by allowing the plastic to cool more slowly and shrink in such a manner that it moves the legs of the clip towards the closed configuration. A semi-circular bend with consistent wall thickness is traditionally used in prior art clips. When making the semi-circular bend using injection molding, as the plastic cools the clip tends to flex towards the open position whereas the extra mass used to create the tear drop bend the clip of the present invention flexes the legs of the clip towards the closed configuration. The bigger the radius of the bend of a clip, the stronger the bend point as the bend can take greater stresses/heavier loads. The only way to spread the load at the bend of a traditional semi-circular shaped bend is to increase the radius. The tear drop shape created by the present invention reduces bulkiness by allowing for a smaller radius at the bend yet still allows the clip to support larger load. Additionally, the bend helps to creates the necessary grip or bite between the two legs by biasing the clip legs towards one another. 
         [0027]    The upper leg  20  and lower leg  30  have parallel overlying portions that create a sandwich type structure to envelop an article such as a belt or belt loop.  FIG. 1  shows the clip in an open position where the upper leg  20  and lower leg  30  are spread to receive such an article. A plurality of longitudinal slats  40  extend from the lower leg  30 . A tab  50  extending longitudinally from the upper leg  20 . 
         [0028]    The only way to spread the load of the clip at the bend of a clip is to increase the radius. The bigger the radius in the bend of the clip, the stronger the hinge point, allowing the clip to withstand greater stresses. The present invention reduces bulkiness associated with a larger radius in the bend yet still creates the bite between the two legs of the clip by adding mass during the injection molding process to allow for a tear drop shape to form at the bend. 
         [0029]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , locking members  80  extend along the sides at the end of the longitudinal slats  40  distal to the lower leg  30 . The upper and lower legs  20  and  30  have a plurality apertures providing a plurality of mounting positions  60  to mount a variety of items to the clip.  FIG. 3  shows the clip portion in the open position wherein the upper leg  20  and lower leg  30  are separated from each other to allow an article to be sandwiched there between, such as a belt.  FIG. 4  shows the clip portion in the closed position wherein the upper leg  20  and lower leg  30  abut against the article sandwiched there between, such as a belt. 
         [0030]    Turning to  FIGS. 5-10 , various views show the locking collar  90  with an upper and lower portion defines a passageway  100 . A pivotable locking member  110  extends outwards from the upper portion of the locking collar  90  and inwards into the passageway  100 . When the upper leg  20  and lower leg  30  are in the closed position and is locked with the locking collar  90 , the clip is rigid and bites or grips the belt/vest so it doesn&#39;t slide laterally or vertically; thereby supporting the weight of the item that the clip carries. 
         [0031]    Turning to  FIG. 11 , the clip portion A is shown prior to engagement with the locking collar B. In  FIGS. 12-13 , the locking collar B is engaged with the clip portion A. The locking mechanism of the locking collar B allows the clip portion A and collar portion B to remained joined even when the legs of the clip are in the open position. This ensures that the locking collar B is not lost when attaching or detaching to/from the belt. 
         [0032]    More specifically shown in  FIGS. 15-17 , the locking collar  90  is slidably mounted over the plurality of longitudinal slats  40 . This is an action that can easily be taken with one hand. The pivotable locking member  110  extends outwards from the upper portion of the locking collar  90  and inwards into the passageway  100 . The upper and lower portions of the locking collar  90  slide along the longitudinal slats  40  of the lower leg and the locking members  80  fit in the apertures on the right and left side of the locking collar to form a first open position wherein the tab  50  is not inserted into the locking collar  90 , such that the upper leg  20  may be moved away from the lower leg  30  to engage an article to be secured or sandwiched therebetween. The locking collar slides further along the longitudinal slats  40  to a second closed position with the tab  50  extending from the upper leg  30  into the passageway  100  of the locking collar  90  such that the tab  50  extending from the upper leg rests against the pivotable locking member  110  thereby preventing movement of the upper leg  20  away from the lower leg  30 . The locking members  80  of the clip portion pass all the way through the locking collar and coordinate to lock the collar  90  from reverse movement along the longitudinal slats  40  of the lower leg  30 . Further, the locking members  80  prevent the locking collar  90  from being removed from the longitudinal slats  40  when in the open position, which keeps the locking collar from being lost during opening and closing of the clip. 
         [0033]      FIG. 18  shows the locking collar  90  as it is slid along the longitudinal slats  40  when the pivotable locking member  110  is raised to release the locking members  80 . Once tab  50  is no longer in the locking collar passageway  100  shown in various other views, the upper leg  20  may be moved away from the lower leg  30 . 
         [0034]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, this specific language intends no limitation of the scope of the invention, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the method (and components of the individual operating components of the method) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections might be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.