Patent ID: 6994226

Claim:
A reinforcing clip for use with a sleeve having at least one aperture defined by an annular aperture edge and positioned adjacent an edge of the sleeve, the reinforcing clip comprising: an outer annular planar portion adapted to be positioned against an outer face of the sleeve adjacent the aperture; an inner annular planar portion adapted to be positioned against an inner face of the sleeve adjacent the aperture; a central hinge portion interconnecting the inner and outer planar portions and adapted to seat against the sleeve edge; an outer cup shaped liner portion positioned within and projecting inwardly from the outer planar portion and sized to seat within the aperture with an annular wall section of the outer liner portion engaging an outer annular portion of the aperture edge and a planar base section of the liner portion, positioned centrally within the aperture; and an inner cup shaped liner portion positioned within and projecting outwardly from the inner planar portion having an outer diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the annular wall section of the outer liner portion, and sized to seat within the aperture with an annular wall section of the inner liner portion, having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the annular wall section of the outer liner portion, engaging an inner annular portion of the aperture and a planar base section of the inner liner portion, abutting against the base section of the outer liner portion, wherein the planar base sections of the inner and outer liner portions extend radially inwardly from their respective annular wall sections.