Patent ID: 8485495

Claim:
A method of using a pinch clamp comprising the steps of: providing a pinch clamp comprising: a support leg member comprising a coupling leg member facing surface and an outer surface; a coupling leg member comprising a support leg member facing surface and an external surface, the coupling leg member being moveable between an open position and at least one closed position, the coupling and support leg members being substantially parallel when the coupling leg member is in at least one closed position, and at least the coupling leg member or the support leg member further comprises a pinch portion; a curved portion interconnecting the support leg member and the coupling leg member, the curved portion comprising an opening; an upwardly extending anchor portion comprising a base portion, a distal end portion, at least one anchoring flange, and an anchor portion opening, the upwardly extending anchor portion having a curved portion facing surface and a surface facing away from the curved portion wherein the anchor portion extends upwardly from the support leg member, the at least one anchoring flange facing the curved portion is positioned at least proximate to the distal end portion of the anchor portion and is capable of retaining the coupling leg member when the coupling leg member is in the at least one closed position and the uppermost anchoring flange has a top surface with a curved portion facing end and an opposite end defining a top surface length therebetween, with the opposite end being defined by where the plane defined by a perimeter of the anchor portion opening along the surface facing away from the curved portion intersects the top surface; and at least one tabular member engaged with the anchor portion and extending outwardly away from the curved portion, with one tabular member engaging the base portion of the anchor portion and having a length; wherein the base portion of the anchor portion and the tabular member are interconnected when the coupling leg member is in the open position; wherein the surface length is less than the length of the tabular member engaged to the base portion of the anchor portion; and actuating the coupling member to thereby engage at least one anchoring flange; and applying a force to the distal end of the anchoring portion and a force to the one tabular member engaging the base portion of the anchor portion to thereby release the coupling leg member from the anchoring flange and allow the coupling member to return to the open.