Patent ID: 7815081

Claim:
A handheld tool comprising: a housing having a side and containing mechanical or electrical components for performing a function of the tool; and a belt clip extending from the side of the housing that is movable between a deployed position in which a portion of the belt clip is disposed away from the housing and extends generally parallel to said side such that a space is created between the housing and the belt clip adapted to receive a belt and a stowed position in which the belt clip is disposed flush with or within the housing; the housing having an opening; a shaft that is connected to the clip being slidably mounted within the opening, permitting limited movement of the clip with respect to the housing along the axis of the shaft; a head on the shaft preventing the clip from being completely removed from the housing; sliding elements comprising a guide slot that slides with respect to a protrusion, at least one of the guide slot or protrusion being on the housing and the other of the guide slot or protrusion being on the clip, and at least one of the sliding elements having an elongated dimension that extends obliquely with respect to the side of the housing; and cooperating detent elements that include a detent protrusion and a detent dimple that resist movement of the clip when the detent dimple engages the detent protrusion, one of the detent protrusion or detent dimple being on the housing and the other of the detent protrusion or detent dimple being on the clip.