Coupling apparatus with accessory attachment

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide fastening devices adapted to couple to rigid members and witch may further include attachment features for coupling items to the rigid member.

1 . A fastening apparatus comprising:
 a clip having an inner and an outer surface, the inner surface defining an aperture for receiving a rigid member; the clip adapted to engage the first object and provide an inward force into the aperture to selectively secure the rigid member inside the aperture; and   a finger-engaging member coupled to the outer surface of the clip, the finger-engaging member adapted to facilitate the attachment and release of at least one of the first object and the second object.   
   
   
       2 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the clip having two ends defining a gap;   the gap having an arc between 15 and 60 degrees measured from a vertex at the center of the clip;   the ends and the clip adapted to resiliently flex to engage and disengage the first.   
   
   
       3 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the aperture is sized larger than the rigid member, and is adapted to engage a substantially non-rigid member wrapped about the rigid member. 
   
   
       4 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the inward force is manifested as a compressive force between the inner surface and the non rigid member. 
   
   
       5 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the finger-engaging member is coupled to the outer surface of the clip along an outer periphery of the clip. 
   
   
       6 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an attachment member coupled to the outer surface of the clip.   
   
   
       7 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the attachment member is an aperture adapted to receive a male end and allow rotation of the male end. 
   
   
       8 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the attachment member is a hook. 
   
   
       9 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the attachment member is a length of hook and loop fabric material. 
   
   
       10 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the attachment member is a magnet. 
   
   
       11 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the attachment member is a cylindrical clip member having a first cylindrical portion of a smaller diameter and a second cylindrical portion of a larger diameter; and
 the cylindrical clip member is adapted to be received in a substantially U-shaped seat.   
   
   
       12 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more raised members positioned on the inner surface. 
   
   
       13 . A fastening apparatus comprising:
 a clip having an inner and an outer surface, the inner surface defining an aperture for receiving a rigid member; the clip adapted to engage the first object and provide an inward force into the aperture to selectively secure the rigid member inside the aperture; and   an attachment member coupled to the outer surface of the clip.   
   
   
       14 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the attachment member is an aperture adapted to receive a male end and allow rotation of the male end. 
   
   
       15 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the attachment member is a hook. 
   
   
       16 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the attachment member is a length of hook and loop fabric material. 
   
   
       17 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the attachment member is a magnet. 
   
   
       18 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the attachment member is a cylindrical clip member having a first cylindrical portion of a smaller diameter and a second cylindrical portion of a larger diameter, and the cylindrical clip member is adapted to be received in a substantially U-shaped seat. 
   
   
       19 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a finger-engaging member coupled to the outer surface of the clip, the finger-engaging member adapted to facilitate the attachment and release of at least one of the first object and the second object. 
   
   
       20 . The fastening apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising one or more raised members positioned on the inner surface.