Clip assemblies

Abstract

Clip assemblies adapted to secure a personal item to a second item. Such a clip assembly includes opposing first and second members coupled together with a hinge. The members have surfaces facing each other to define a cavity therebetween. The hinge is biased to urge the first and second members toward each other toward a closed configuration in which distal edges of the first and second members are in proximity to each other or contact each other. The clip assembly further includes a tubular sleeve or channel feature attached to or adjoining the hinge or the first member. The tubular sleeve or channel feature is elastically expandable to receive the personal item within the tubular sleeve or within the channel feature to result in the personal item being gripped by the tubular sleeve or channel feature to secure the personal item to the clip assembly.

1 . A clip assembly adapted to secure a personal item to a second item, the clip assembly comprising:
 opposing first and second members coupled together with a hinge, the members having surfaces facing each other to define a cavity therebetween, the hinge being biased to urge the first and second members toward each other toward a closed configuration in which distal edges of the first and second members are in proximity to each other or contact each other; and   a tubular sleeve or channel feature attached to or adjoining the hinge or the first member, the tubular sleeve or channel feature being elastically expandable to receive the personal item within the tubular sleeve or within the channel feature to result in the personal item being gripped by the tubular sleeve or channel feature to secure the personal item to the clip assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , comprising the tubular sleeve and further comprising a tether securing the tubular sleeve to the hinge or to the first member. 
     
     
         3 . The clip assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the tether extends along longitudinal lengths of the hinge and tubular sleeve to inhibit twisting of the tether and maintain the tubular sleeve and the personal item secured therein in a substantially parallel orientation to the hinge and the first and second members. 
     
     
         4 . The clip assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the tether secures the tubular sleeve to the hinge. 
     
     
         5 . The clip assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the tether secures the tubular sleeve to a distal edge of the first member. 
     
     
         6 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , comprising the tubular sleeve secured directly a distal edge of the first member. 
     
     
         7 . The clip assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular sleeve has a length comparable to a longitudinal length of the clip assembly parallel to an axis of the hinge. 
     
     
         8 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , comprising the channel feature attached to or adjoining the first member. 
     
     
         9 . The clip assembly of  claim 8 , the channel feature comprising a pair of flanges extending from the first member to define a channel therebetween. 
     
     
         10 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular sleeve or the channel feature maintains the personal item secured therein in a substantially parallel orientation to the hinge and the first and second members. 
     
     
         11 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the clip assembly maintains the personal item in a substantially parallel orientation to a feature of the second item. 
     
     
         12 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one lever or tab extending from at least the first member to facilitate rotation of the first and second members away from each other. 
     
     
         13 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising the personal item secured to the second item with the clip assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the personal item is a pepper spray device. 
     
     
         15 . The clip assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second item is a bag, purse, backpack, strap, belt, waistband, pocket, or shirt flap.