Lockable Snap-Clip Fastener

摘要

The present invention is a lockable snap-clip fastener (10) with two spring-biased jaw members (12, 14) and a slidable locking bar (16). The same spring (13) that biases the jaws (12, 14) holds the locking bar (16) in position. Since the bar (16) is held in either the locked or unlocked position, it is more secure and must be positively actuated in order to transition from one configuration to the other.

主权项

1. A clip fastener comprising:
a. Two hingedly opposable jaws, both jaws being biased into a closed position; b. a lock bar, proximate the stop tab and situated within a channel in one of the jaws and capable of transverse slidable motion therethrough, the lock bar further comprising:
i. a vertical notch located off center of the lock bar;ii. a horizontal notch located off center on an opposite side of the vertical notch; andiii. a ridge residing within the horizontal notch such that two detents are formed by the ridge and an interior of the horizontal notch; c. a stop tab, extending from one jaw proximate the lock bar; and d. a spring with at least one end; wherein, opening and closing the jaws defines a path of travel for the stop tab, the stop bar residing within the path of travel, and the at least one end of the spring resides within the horizontal notch of the lock bar such that upon moving the lock bar into open and closed positions the ridge of the lock bar may be selectably located upon either side of the end of the spring thereby selectively positioning the vertical notch in the path of travel and allowing passage of the stop tab and associated relative pivoting movement of the jaws when the lock bar is in an open position.