Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12453549-B2
Publication Date
2025-10-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure is directed a method and device for unlatching a clip. The clip may have first and second leg members, the first leg member having a hook member and the second leg member having a tip member restrained by the hook member in the latched configuration. The method may include receiving the clip between first and second jaw members of a device and engaging the hook member of the first leg member with a wall of the second jaw member. The method may further include pressing on an outer surface of the first leg member with the first jaw member to open the hook member and release the clip from the latched configuration and receiving the tip member in a channel of the second jaw member after being unrestrained by the hook member where the tip member is spaced apart from the hook member.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to a device for unlatching a clip from a latched configuration. The clip includes first and second leg members in which the first leg member has a hook member and the second leg member has a tip member restrained by the hook member in the latched configuration. The device includes a first jaw member configured to press on an outer surface of the first leg member to release the clip from the latched configuration, and a second jaw member having a wall configured to engage the hook member and a channel configured to receive the tip member when unrestrained by the hook member.
A key structural feature is that the wall has a groove configured to receive the hook member, and the groove has a distal slope configured to deflect the hook member. This geometry guides how the hook member transitions during unlatching, while the second jaw member channels the distal portion and receives the tip member after being unrestrained. The second jaw member’s wall engagement and the channel cooperation position the clip components such that the distal portion is engaged with the wall after release.
In certain embodiments described, the first jaw member includes first and second engagement members configured to receive therebetween a portion of the clip and to secure the clip to the device for extraction after unlatching, where the first and second engagement members include first and second hook members extending inwardly toward each other. Additional device geometries and accommodations include channel/groove slope relationships, optional features for receiving distal portions and engaging surfaces, and a proximal recess configured to receive a hinge member of the clip to support alignment and stability during unlatching.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims covering a device for unlatching a latched clip, an additional device variant with first-jaw engagement members for extraction, and a method of unlatching using receipt between jaw members, pressing to release, channel receiving, and groove-based distal slope engagement.
Jaw-based unlatching with hook-to-channel transition
A first jaw member presses on an outer surface of the first leg member to release the clip from the latched configuration, and a second jaw member having a wall engages the hook member while a channel receives the tip member when unrestrained by the hook member.
Groove with distal slope to deflect the hook
The wall has a groove configured to receive the hook member, and the groove has a distal slope configured to deflect the hook member.
Engagement members on the first jaw with inwardly extending hook members
The first jaw member includes first and second engagement members configured to receive therebetween a portion of the clip and to secure the clip to the device for extraction after unlatching, wherein the first and second engagement members comprise first and second hook members extending inwardly towards each other.
Method of unlatching using jaw receipt, pressing, channel receiving, and wall groove engagement
Receiving the clip between first and second jaw members, pressing on an outer surface of the first leg member with the first jaw member to release the clip, receiving the distal portion of the second leg member in a channel of the second jaw member after being unrestrained by the first leg member, and engaging the distal portion of the first leg member with a wall of the second jaw member, wherein engaging includes receiving the distal portion in a groove on the wall having a distal slope to open the distal portion.
Across the independent claims, unlatching is achieved by coordinating a first jaw that presses to release a latched clip and a second jaw that engages the hook and receives the tip or distal portion in a wall/channel arrangement, with a groove having a distal slope to deflect or open the clip geometry. Additional independent coverage includes first-jaw engagement members with inwardly extending hook members to secure the clip for extraction after unlatching, and a corresponding method sequence grounded in groove and channel receipt.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?