Patent ID: 7062822

Claim:
A clip comprising in combination first and second jaws each extending in an axial direction between opposed ends, said jaws being structured to be relatively stiff; said jaws each having a pressure surface extending between said ends for contacting and applying a pressure to an article disposed therebetween; jaw mounting means comprising a pair of similar, elastically resilient spring arms rooted to respective ones of said jaws at one said end and cantilevered therefrom, and a hinge element interconnecting said spring arms at the distal end thereof; wherein said spring arms extend convergently from said jaws towards said hinge element; said mounting means permitting the free rotation of said jaws about said hinge element between a first, closed position wherein said jaws are in opposition and spaced apart by a predetermined distance, and further permitting the pivoting action of said jaws under the influence of a closing force applied thereto remote from said mounting means, about an article having a thickness greater than said predetermined dimension when disposed therebetween, which serves to induce a tension in said spring arms and concomitantly to increase the spacing between said pressure surfaces; and means for retaining said jaws closed about said article with said spring arms under said induced tension, to thereby clamp said article between said jaws.