Coupling apparatus with accessory attachment

• US 7,721,396 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2007
• Issued: 05/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stable Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Stable Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Fleischman, Curtis
• Primary Examiner(s): SANDY, ROBERT JOHN
• Application Number:
  US11/621,549
• Publication Number:
  US 20080164381A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,232 Days
• Field of Search: 248/74.1, 248/74.2, 248/74.4, 248/206.5, 248/309, 248/537, 244/60
• US Class Current: 24/460
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/14 Beach chairs ; Chairs for outdoor use, e.g. chairs for relaxation or sun-tanning
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/11 for chairs for headrests only A47C7/386; removable protective covers for car seats B60N2/60
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0692 joining flexible sheets to other sheets or plates or to strips or bars tent fastenings E04H15/64; coping elements for swimming pools with fixing means for sealing foil E04H4/142; greenhouses of flexible synthetic material A01G9/1407; end or aperture-closing arrangements or devices for sacks or bags B65D33/16
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/32 having magnetic fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44043 Channel and inserted bar

Abstract

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

Claims

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, wherein the clip is adapted to provide an inward force into the aperture to selectively secure the rigid member inside the aperture;

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 the rigid member; and

an attachment member coupled to the outer surface of the clip, wherein the attachment member is a magnet.

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 rigid member.

3. The fastening apparatus of claim 2, wherein the aperture 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 one or more raised members positioned on the inner surface.

7. 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 rigid member 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, wherein the attachment member is a magnet.

8. The fastening apparatus of claim 7, wherein the attachment member is a magnet.

9. The fastening apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a finger-engaging member coupled to the outer surface of the clip, the finger-engaging member adapted to facilitate engagement and release of at least the rigid member.

10. The fastening apparatus of claim 7, further comprising one or more raised members positioned on the inner surface.