Patent ID: 8132577

Claim:
A clip for securing hair, comprising: a longitudinal base; a locking arm that pivots relative to the base between an open position and a closed position; a leaf spring that is positioned between the base and the locking arm, wherein the locking arm and the leaf spring cooperatively engage the hair to secure the clip in the hair; and an adjustment coupling including at least one guide track formed by the base and at least one slider extending from the leaf spring, wherein the slider is longitudinally slidable along the track to deflect the leaf spring between a more-bowed configuration and a less-bowed configuration, in the more-bowed configuration the leaf spring exerting more compression against the locking arm and hair than it does in the less-bowed configuration, wherein the guide track is provided by a channel that is formed in the base and that receives at least a portion of the slider, wherein the channel defines at least one serrated wall including at least one tooth and at least one notch, wherein the notch defines a locking station that receives at least a portion of the slider to releasably secure the slider in place, and wherein the slider includes an adjustment spring extending therefrom with an engagement portion that seats in the notch and engages the tooth to releasably secure the slider in place.