IP Library Granted Patent US 12,258,994
Granted Patent B2
US 12,258,994 · App. 18/459,950 · Granted Mar 25, 2025

Modular clipping system

Inventor: James Patrick Bowerman (Savannah, GA)
Assignee: Bowerbags LLC
F16B45/06A45F5/00F16B45/035
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,258,994
App. No.
18/459,950
Granted
Mar 25, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A clipping apparatus. The clipping apparatus connects along a Z-axis but can be activated for release on either an X- or Y-axis. The clipping apparatus includes a first member with a first cavity and a first handle and a second member with a second cavity and a second handle. The first member and second member are mated to a spring connection mechanism and a base plate to form an opening. When the first handle and the second handle are pushed inwards toward one another, a male fitting is accepted into the opening and, upon release of the handles, the male fitting becomes locked into the opening.

Claims (18)

1. A clipping apparatus comprising:

a first member comprising a first handle that defines a cavity, a connection point and an arcuate surface formed therein;

a second member comprising a second handle that defines a cavity, a connection point and an arcuate surface formed therein;

a base plate defining, within a plane along an X-axis and a Y-axis, a surface with at least one connection point formed therein; and

a spring connection mechanism defining at least one connection point and at least one spring locking mechanism, wherein the first and second members, the base plate and the spring connection mechanism are cooperative with one another at their respective connection points and the cavities such that upon movement of the first and second handles inward within the plane to overcome a spring bias formed by the spring connection mechanism, a male fitting is accepted along a Z-axis into a variable-circumference opening that is defined by the arcuate surfaces to be locked into the variable-circumference opening when the first handle and the second handle are released.

2. The clipping apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the male fitting is a peg.

3. The clipping apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the male fitting is further comprised of a magnet or a suction cup.

4. The clipping apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base plate is further comprised of a base slide mechanism.

5. The clipping apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the base slide mechanism is configured to attach to webbing.

6. The clipping apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base plate is disengageable and rotatable.

7. The clipping apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a clip locking mechanism.

8. The clipping apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spring connection mechanism is sandwiched between the base plate and the first and second members.

9. The clipping apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base plate is further comprised of a plurality of webbing guides.

10. The clipping apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the clipping apparatus is comprised of plastic, metal or a combination of the two.

11. The clipping apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base plate further defines within the plane an opening formed therein.

12. The clipping apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the opening defined within the base plate extends therethrough along the Z-axis.

13. The clipping apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the opening that is defined within the base plate and the variable-circumference opening that is defined by the arcuate surfaces are substantially aligned with one another along the Z-axis.

14. The clipping apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first and second members comprise a reinforcing arm formed therein.

Continuity (5)
Continuation 17695900 · Mar 16, 2022
Continuation 16880405 · May 21, 2020
Provisional Application 62904329 · Sep 23, 2019
Provisional Application 62850936 · May 21, 2019
Related Publication 20230407905A1 · Dec 21, 2023
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