Patent ID: 7073231

Claim:
A tether clip system for fastening a first panel having a first opening in a closed configuration relative to a second panel having a second opening, the tether clip system comprising: a receptacle adapted for mounting to the second opening in the second panel, wherein said receptacle has a portion defining a receptacle opening that is aligned with the second opening when said receptacle is mounted to the second panel, and said receptacle comprises: at least one flange-like portion adapted to engage a first side of the second panel facing the first panel when said receptacle is mounted to the second panel; and a U-shaped leaf spring member having a first terminus and a second terminus, said U-shaped leaf spring member having a first arm portion adjacent said first terminus and a second arm portion adjacent said second terminus, said U-shaped leaf spring member being attached proximate said first terminus to said portion defining said receptacle opening, said U-shaped leaf spring member having a projection on said second arm member, said projection having an inclined ramp surface on one side and a catch surface on the other side, said catch surface of said projection of said U-shaped leaf spring being engageable to a second side of the second panel opposite the first side of the second panel when said receptacle is mounted to the second panel to thereby secure said receptacle to the second panel; a tether clip comprising: a first retaining means adapted to be securable to the first panel; and a second retaining means that engages with said receptacle when said receptacle is mounted to the second panel, said tether clip is mounted to the first panel, and the first and second panels are in an open configuration relative to one another, in order to limit the relative separation between the first and second panels; and a releasable fastener means adapted to releasably engage said tether clip to said receptacle when said receptacle is mounted to the second panel, said tether clip is mounted to said first panel, and the first and second panels are in a closed configuration relative to one another, said releasable fastener means being adapted to normally maintain the first and second panels in a closed configuration relative to one another wherein said receptacle is also in a closed position relative to said tether clip, and wherein said releasable fastener means allows said receptacle to be released from its closed position relative to said tether clip in response to a force tending to separate the first and second panels that is greater than a first predetermined value.