Garment Clamping Hanger With Slidable Locking Clip

Abstract

A clamping hanger has a body including an integrally molded hook and clamping means comprising at least a pair of gripping members, one member of which is integrally formed with the body. The other gripping member is hingedly coupled to the one member for movement of the members between open and closed positions such that a garment or the like can be held between the gripping members when in a closed position. The gripping members are secured in the closed position by means of a locking clip slidably mounted within recesses provided in the gripping members and held therein by means of a retaining bar spanning the recess of at least one of the gripping members.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a garment hanger and particularly, to a clamping garment hanger with locking means for locking the clamping means on the hanger in a closed position.

Clamping type of garment hangers are known in the art and recently have been manufactured by a single molding step with all of the component parts of the hanger forming a single integral unit which is molded in a two-piece mold thereby reducing the cost of the hanger considerably. A hanger of this type is described in a co-pending application entitled "GARMENT CLAMPING HANGER" filed on Mar. 3, 1970, Ser. No. 18,130 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,607 and assigned to the present assignee.

Although these type of hangers are relatively economical to manufacture and include integrally molded locking means therefor, it has been discovered that in some applications it is desirable to increase the compressive force of the clamping means thereby allowing the hanger to retain relatively heavy articles such as men's trousers or other relatively heavy articles such as boots or the like. In addition to the need in some instances for increasing the clamping forces of the clamping members of such a hanger, it is also desirable to maintain the clamp hanger in a locked, clamped position once the garment is positioned on the hanger. Such a locking means is desired to prevent the accidental disengaging of the garment by the hanger in the event the hanger is contacted or brushed against by an adjacent garment hanger as, for example, by a customer in a clothing store moving garments around while selecting a particular garment. Thus, in addition to needing a garment hanger which has increased holding capabilities, a garment hanger having a positive locking means which is not easily accidentally opened, but can be easily opened when desired, is frequently required.

U. S. Pat. Nos. 3,137,027 issued to P. T. Birkle on June 16, 1964 and 3,191,823 issued to J. Edwardes on June 29, 1965 describe two clamping hanger embodiments which incorporate a locking device which also increases the holding force of the clamping portion of the hanger. The hangers described, however, either employ relatively complex and therefore costly mechanism for accomplishing these functions, or in the case of the Birkle patent employ a cap which serves to lock the clamping portion of the hanger but which is removable therefrom and would be unsuitable for use in the clothes hanging art since the separated piece could easily become lost thereby rendering the clamping device inoperative. The prior art, therefore, has failed to solve the dual need required by hangers in many instances in a commercially feasible design.

The hanger of the present invention, however, combines the desirable features of a hanger body including integrally molded clamping means for providing increased garment holding forces and improving the locking of the gripping portion of the hanger by providing a locking clip. The clip is slidably mounted in recesses within the gripping members of the hangers and is held thereto by means of a retainer bar which, while permitting the clip to move from an open unlocked position to a closed locked position, prevents the separation of the locking clip from the hanger. The recesses in the gripping means are shaped such that the clip is relatively flush to the hanger surface and therefore will not snag or otherwise damage the garment or adjacent garments during use or be accidentally unlocked. This design simultaneously provides ease of operation to unlock the device when so desired.

Garment hangers embodying the present invention include first and second gripping means integrally molded to a body portion of the hanger which also includes a hook. The gripping members are joined by means of an integrally formed hinge and are shaped to receive and hold in slidable engagement therewith a locking clip movable between an unlocked position in which the gripping means can be separated to receive an article and a locked position in which the clip holds the gripping members together.

It is an object, therefore, of the present invention to provide a garment clamp having a body integrally molded with gripping members which are adapted to receive in slidable engagement therewith a locking clip movable between unlocked and locked positions to hold the gripping members together.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a garment hanger of the clamping type with improved locking means which increases the gripping capability of the hanger.

It is still an additional object of the present invention to provide improved clamping means for a garment hanger by providing a pair of gripping members hingedly coupled at one end and including a locking clamp slidably mounted over the hinged end and fitted within recesses in both of the gripping members and which is held thereto by means of a retaining bar in at least one of the recesses.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification, together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a garment hanger embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed view of the left end of the garment hanger shown in FIG. 1 with the locking clip removed and the clamp fully opened to show the pair of integrally molded gripping members forming the garment clamp;

FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the gripping means shown in FIG. 2 including the locking clip shown in its unlocked position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed rear view of the clamp shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view in cross section of the gripping members shown in FIG. 3 taken along the section lines V--V shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view in cross section of the gripping members shown in FIG. 3 but in a closed position and taken along the same section lines V--V as FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a detailed front view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 with the locking clip removed and gripping members fully opened;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view partially in cross section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 taken along the section lines IX--IX; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view partially in cross section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 but with the locking clip in the unlocked position, taken along the same section lines IX--IX as FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a hanger 10 shown in a closed, clamping position thereby securely holding a garment 16 such as a pair of slacks partially shown in phantom form in the figures. The hanger 10 comprises a body portion 12 forming a cross arm to which is attached at either ends left and right garment holding clamps 20 and 60, respectively. Hanger 10 also includes a hook portion 14 which is integrally molded to the body 12 at one edge as shown in FIG. 1. The cross member 12 includes ribs 13 and 15 along either edge to increase its strength. The hook 14 likewise includes a ribbed edge 17. The body 12, clamps 20 and 60 and hook 14 are integrally molded of a suitable plastic material but could be separately made and joined together. Slidably attached to each of the clamps 20 and 60 is a locking clip 50 which serves the dual purpose of increasing the compressive holding force of the clamps as well as locking the clamps in the closed position and is designed to be easily operated for providing these functions. Clamps 20 and 60 are identical, thus a detailed description of the left clamp 20 is sufficient to describe both clamps.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 6, it is seen that clamp 20 comprises a first or rear gripping member 25 having inner and outer surfaces 22 and 24, respectively, which is integrally molded to the left end of the cross arm 12. The clamp 20 further includes a second or front gripping member 35 having inner and outer surfaces 32 and 34, respectively, which can be integrally molded in a two-piece mold with the first gripping member 22 and joined therewith by means of a pair of relatively thin joining members 30 that form a hinge between the front and rear gripping members and allow the relative movement of the gripping members between open and closed positions is seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively. As seen in the figures, the inner surfaces 22 and 32 of the gripping members include a plurality of outwardly extending projections 42 which provide additional gripping means for holding the garment securely when the clamps on the hanger are closed as shown in FIG. 1. The right side clamp 40 likewise includes front and rear gripping members which are similarly molded such that the body 12, the clamps 20 and 60, and the hook 14 can be molded by means of a two-piece mold and forms an integrally molded single piece hanger.

The front gripping member 35 is curved in a convex manner (as viewed from outer surface) as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and includes a recess 36 formed in the outer surface 34 thereof. As seen in FIG. 3, the recess 36 extends approximately half-way down the front gripping member 35 from a top edge 37 thereof and is sufficiently wide and deep to accommodate the clip 50. The end of the recess remote from the top edge 37 includes a step therein forming a detent 38 which, as explained below, retains the locking clip 50 in the locked position as shown in FIG. 6. The edges of the recess 36 are flared outwardly below the detent 38 to form an area 39 which is sufficiently wide to allow the user of the hanger to slide a thumb over the area 39 to push the locking clip upwardly thereby unlocking the clamp.

The outwardly convex curvature of the gripping member 35 thereby provides both a guiding recess 36 in which the clip 50 slides during locking and unlocking of the clamp, detent means to hold the locking clip in a locked position, increased spring bias forces since the spring 50 will be spread outwardly as shown in FIG. 6, and means to facilitate the unlocking of the clip.

The rear gripping member 25 likewise includes a recess 26 having a floor 31 and side edges 33 formed therein as shown in FIG. 4 and which is sufficiently wide and deep to accommodate one leg of the clip 50. The recess 26 extends approximately from a top edge 27 of the member 25 to the bottom edge 28. Formed on the floor surface 31 of the recess 26, is a slightly raised rib 23 which provides a frictional surface on which the sliding clip 50 can ride during its motion. Also included adjacent the top 27 of the gripping members 25 as shown in FIGS. 4 through 6, is a retaining bar 29 which spans across the recess 26 and is spaced from the surface 31 of the recess 26 a distance sufficient to allow one leg of the clip 50 to fit between the retaining bar 29 and the floor of the recess. A raised portion 29' (FIGS. 5 and 6) is formed in the recess 26 adjacent retainer bar 29 to assure that a stop 54 on the end of clip 50 is operably held between bar 29 and portion 29'.

The clip 50 comprises a substantially U-shaped member having first and second legs 51 and 53. Leg 51 has an inwardly curved end 52 forming a tab which is adapted to fit over the detent 38 as shown in FIG. 6, thereby holding the clip 50 in its locked position. The leg 52 of clip 50 includes an outwardly curved end forming a stop 54 which is adapted to engage the retaining bar 29 when the clip is in its upward, unlocked position as shown in FIG. 5, the bar 29 thereby prevents the clip 50 from falling loose from the clamp when in an unlocked position. The clip further includes a pair of ribs 56 which together with rib 23 in recess 26 form three frictional slides on which the clip can slide thereby reducing the total frictional area between the clip and the clamp to ease its operation. The clip 50 can be made from any suitable material such as spring steel and is shaped as shown in FIG. 5. Once the clip is pushed downwardly over the gripping members as shown in FIG. 6, it will provide an inwardly directed compressive force tending to hold the gripping members 25 and 35 together and thereby hold an article therebetween.

During the manufacture of the hanger 10, the clip 50 can be inserted under the retaining bar 29 since the shape of the outwardly curved end 54 allows the clip to be force fitted under the retaining bar for initial installation but will thereafter prevent the easy removal of the clip. It is seen in FIGS. 1 and 6 that the recesses 36 and 26 in the front and rear gripping members are sufficiently deep such that the clip 50, when in its locked position, will be substantially flush with the outer surfaces of the gripping member and thereby will prevent the catching of the locking clip 50 on adjacent garments or other objects which may either damage the garments or tend to unlock the clip. The shape of the gripping member 35, together with the area 39 provided for unlocking the clip further prevents the accidental unlocking of the clamp while providing ease of unlocking when desired by pushing the clip 50 upwardly in the direction indicated by the arrow 58 thereon.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 10, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention which can be used to hold and hang articles such as boots. As seen in FIG. 8, the alternative embodiment comprises a clamp 70 to which is attached a hook 80 having a ribbed portion 82. The hook 80 can be eliminated if desired leaving only a clamp as indicated at the left of the dashed lines A (FIG. 8). The clamp 70 alone can be used for gripping articles together or for a variety of other purposes. When the hook 80 is provided, however, it is integrally molded with the clamp 70 and circumscribes a portion thereof as shown in FIG. 8 when molded in a two-piece mold.

The clamp 70 includes front and rear gripping members 72 and 74, respectively, which are joined by integrally molded hinges 77 as seen in FIG. 8. Laterally extending projections 75 are provided on the inner surfaces of members 72 and 74 to provide article gripping surfaces at the ends of the clamp. The outer surfaces of the gripping members 72 and 74 include recesses 71 and 73, respectively, formed similarly to the recesses described in conjunction with the clamp 20 of the first embodiment and which are adapted to receive a similar clip 50 in guided, slidable engagement therewith. The recess 73 formed in the outer surface of the rear gripping member 74 includes a retaining bar 76 which spans the recess and is vertically spaced therefrom a distance sufficient to allow one leg (53) of the clip 50 to fit between the floor of the recess and the retaining bar 76. The stop 54 on the end of leg 53 contacts the bar to prevent the clip from falling from the clamp while in the open position as shown in FIG. 10. The front recess 71 of the gripping member 72 includes a detent 78 adapted to hold the end 54 of the clip 50 in a locked position when the clamp 70 is closed as shown in FIG. 9.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications to the preferred embodiments described can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. A clamp having first and second hinged gripping members for movement between a closed and locked article gripping position and an open unlocked article releasing position, the improvement comprising:

a springable locking clip for sliding over said gripping members to hold said gripping members together in a closed position,

at least one of said gripping members including a clip receiving recess formed in an outer surface of said member, said recess including a floor to provide guided support for said locking clip,

a retainer bar positioned across said recess and spaced therefrom, said clip being slidably positioned between said bar and said floor of said recess, thereby holding said clip to said at least one gripping member.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking clip is U-shaped including first and second legs, and wherein at least one of said legs includes a stop formed at one end which contacts said retainer bar when said clip is in an unlocked position to allow the clamp to be opened while preventing easy removal of said clip from said gripping member.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the other leg of said locking clip includes an end tab and wherein the other gripping member includes a recess having a detent for receiving said tab to releasably hold said locking clip in a locked position when said clip is slidably moved to fully engage said gripping members thereby holding said members in a closed and locked article gripping position.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the recess in at least one of said gripping members is sufficiently deep such that when said locking clip is in a position to hold said gripping members in a closed position, said clip is substantially flush with the outer surface of said at least one of said gripping members.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said other gripping member has an outer surface curved outwardly in a convex manner, which surface includes an area in communication with an end of the recess therein providing a thumb receiving surface to facilitate the opening of the clamp by forcing said tab out of said detent and sliding said locking clip in a direction away from said detent.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said recess includes a raised portion adjacent said retainer bar and said locking clip includes a leg slidably fitted within said recess and including stop means at one end which is operably engaged between said retainer bar and said raised portion when said clip is in an unlocked position to allow the clamp to be opened while preventing easy removal of said clip from said gripping member.

7. An integral hook and clamp for hanging articles held by said clamp comprising:

a clamp including first and second hinged gripping members for movement between open and closed positions to release or grip articles,

a hook coupled to one of said gripping members,

a springable locking clamp for sliding over said gripping members to hold said gripping members together in a closed position.

at least one of said gripping members including a clip receiving recess formed in an outer surface of said member, said recess including a floor to provide guided support to said locking clip, and

a retainer bar positioned across said recess and spaced therefrom, said clip being slidably positioned between said retainer bar and said floor of said recess thereby holding said clip to said at least one gripping member.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said locking clip is U-shaped including first and second legs, and wherein at least one of said legs includes a stop formed at one end which contacts said retainer bar when said clip is in an unlocked position to allow the clamp to be opened while preventing easy removal of said clip from said gripping member.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the other leg of said locking clip includes an end tab and wherein the other gripping member includes a recess having a detent for receiving said tab to releasably hold said locking clip in a locked position when said clip is slidably moved to fully engage said gripping members thereby holding said members in a closed and locked article gripping position.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said recess includes a raised portion adjacent said retainer bar and said locking clip includes a leg slidably fitted within said recess and including stop means at one end which is operably engaged between said retainer bar and said raised portion when said clip is in an unlocked position to allow the clamp to be opened while preventing easy removal of said clip from said gripping member.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the recess in at least one of said gripping members is sufficiently deep such that when said locking clip is in a position to hold said gripping members in a closed position, said clip is substantially flush with the outer surface of said at least one of said gripping members.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said other gripping member has an outer surface curved outwardly in a convex manner, which surface includes an area in communication with an end of the recess therein providing a thumb receiving surface to facilitate the opening of the clamp by forcing said tab out of said detent and sliding said locking clip in a direction away from said detent.

13. A hanger comprising an elongated body having clamps at either end thereof and a hook coupled to said body intermediate said clamps, said clamps including a pair of hinged gripping members for movement between an article gripping position and an article releasing position and slidable locking means for releasably holding said gripping members in the article gripping position, the improvement comprising:

a springable locking clip for sliding over said gripping members to hold said gripping members together in a closed position,

at least one of said gripping members including a clip receiving recess formed in an outer surface of said member, said recess including a floor to provide guided support to said locking clip, and

a retainer bar positioned across said recess and spaced therefrom, said clip being slidably positioned between said retainer bar and said floor of said recess thereby holding said clip to said gripping member.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said locking clip is U-shaped including first and second legs, and wherein at least one of said legs includes a stop formed at one end which contacts said retainer bar when said clip is in an unlocked position to allow the clamp to be opened while preventing easy removal of said clip from said gripping member.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein the other leg of said locking clip includes an end tab and wherein the other gripping member includes a recess having a detent for receiving said tab to releasably hold said locking clip in a locked position when said clip is slidably moved to fully engage said gripping members thereby holding said members in a closed and locked article gripping position.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said recess includes a raised portion adjacent said retainer bar and said locking clip includes a leg slidably fitted within said recess and including stop means at one end which is operably engaged between said retainer bar and said raised portion when said clip is in an unlocked position to allow the clamp to be opened while preventing easy removal of said clip from said gripping member.

17. The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein the recess in at least one of said gripping members is sufficiently deep such that when said locking clip is in a position to hold said gripping members in a closed position, said clip is substantially flush with the outer surface of said at least one of said gripping members.

18. The apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said other gripping member has an outer surface curved outwardly in a convex manner, which surface includes an area in communication with an end of the recess therein providing a thumb receiving surface to facilitate the opening of the clamp by forcing said tab out of said detent and sliding said locking clip in a direction away from said detent.

19. A hanger including an elongated body and a hook coupled to said body, the improvement comprising:

first and second clamps coupled to opposite ends of said body, each of said clamps including a pair of gripping members including inner article gripping surfaces and outer surfaces each including a clip receiving recess formed therein,

hinge means joining said gripping members to one another to permit said members to move together in an article gripping position or apart in an article releasing position,

a clip retaining bar extending across one recess and spaced therefrom for holding a spring clip to the clamp, said recesses shaped to allow a spring clip to fit over the hinged ends of said gripping members to hold said members in a closed article gripping position and be slidably moved in said recesses to a second position which allows said members to be opened to an article releasing position, at least one of said recesses including a detent positioned therein to hold a spring clip in a first position corresponding to the article gripping position of said members, and wherein one recess extends from an edge of said member approximately adjacent said hinge means to an opposite edge thereof.

20. In combination with the apparatus as defined in claim 19, a generally U-shaped spring clip having first and second legs shaped for slidable motion within said recesses, at least one leg being positioned between said retaining bar and said one recess, and stop means formed at an end of said at least one leg for contacting said retainer bar when said spring clip is in a second position corresponding to an article releasing position of said gripping members thereby holding said spring clip to said clamp.

21. The combination as defined in claim 20 wherein the other of said legs of said clip has an end tab formed to engage said detent when said clip is in said first position corresponding to the article gripping position of said members.

22. A hanger comprising:

a hook including a clamp thereon, said clamp including a pair of gripping members including inner article gripping surfaces and outer surfaces each including a clip receiving recess formed therein,

hinge means joining said gripping members to one another to permit said members to move together in an article gripping position or apart in an article releasing position,

a clip retaining bar extending across one recess and spaced therefrom for holding a spring clip to the clamp, said recesses shaped to allow a spring clip to fit over the hinged ends of said gripping members to hold said members in a closed article gripping position and be slidably moved in said recesses to a second position which allows said members to be opened to an article releasing position, at least one of said recesses including a detent positioned therein to hold a spring clip in a first position corresponding to the article gripping position of said members, and wherein one recess extends from an edge of said member approximately adjacent said hinge means to an opposite edge thereof.

23. In combination with the apparatus as defined in claim 22, a generally U-shaped spring clip having first and second legs shaped for slidable motion within said recesses, at least one leg being positioned between said retaining bar and said one recess, and stop means formed at an end of said at least one leg for contacting said retainer bar when said spring clip is in a second position corresponding to an article releasing position of said gripping members thereby holding said spring clip to said clamp.

24. The combination as defined in claim 23 wherein the other of said legs of said clip has an end tab formed to engage said detent when said clip is in said first position corresponding to the article gripping position of said members.

25. A clamp comprising:

a pair of gripping members,

a springable locking clip for sliding over said gripping members for holding said gripping members together in a closed position,

said gripping members including clip receiving recesses formed in outer surfaces of said members and shaped to provide guided support to said locking clip and releasably hold said clip in a locked position in which the exterior surfaces of said clip are substantially flush with the exterior surfaces of said gripping members, and

a retainer bar coupled across at least one of the recesses and spaced therefrom to permit said clip to extend between said gripping member in said at least one recess and said retainer bar thereby holding said clip to said gripping member.

26. The apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein at least one of said recesses includes a detent positioned therein to hold a spring clip in a first position corresponding to the article gripping position of said members.

27. The apparatus as defined in claim 26 wherein said one recess extends from an edge of said member approximately adjacent said hinge means to an opposite edge thereof and wherein said clip retaining means comprises a retaining bar extending across said one recess and spaced therefrom.

28. In combination with the apparatus as defined in claim 27, a generally U-shaped spring clip having first and second legs shaped for slidable motion within said recesses, at least one leg being positioned between said retaining bar and said one recess, and stop means formed at an end of said at least one leg for contacting said retainer bar when said spring clip is in a second position corresponding to an article releasing position of said gripping members thereby holding said spring clip to said clamp.

29. The combination as defined in claim 28 wherein the other of said legs of said clip has an end tab formed to engage said detent when said clip is in said first position corresponding to the article gripping position of said members.

30. A hanger including an elongated body with a hook coupled to said body and first and second clamps coupled to opposite ends of said body, each of said clamps comprising:

a pair of substantially rigid gripping members including inner article gripping surfaces and outer surfaces and hinge means joining said gripping members to one another along one edge to permit said members to move together in an article gripping position or apart in an article releasing position, each of said gripping members including a clip receiving recess formed in the outer surface thereof and extending from said one edge toward the opposite edge of said gripping members to provide guided support along the length of the edges of a spring clip fitted over said clamp; and

a spring clip having legs extending over the hinged end exterior of said clamp and within said recesses of said gripping members, whereby said recesses guidably support said clip on said clamp to hold said gripping members in a closed article gripping position under the compression of said spring, the recess in at least one of said gripping members shaped such that the leg of said clip in said recess is substantially flush with the outer surface of said gripping member when said clip is in a locked position closing said clamp, said clip slidably movable within said recesses to a second position which allows said members to be opened to an article releasing position.

31. The apparatus as defined in claim 30 and including a detent formed in the recess of said at least one of said gripping members, said detent shaped to engage an edge of said clip to hold said clip in a locking position on said clamp when said gripping members are in an article holding position, and wherein said recess is widened from said detent in a direction away from said edge of said clip to provide a thumb release area adjacent said detent such that said clip can be easily moved from a locked position on said clamp.

32. The apparatus as defined in claim 31 wherein said at least one of said gripping members has a convexly curved outer surface and said edge of said clip extends over the apex of said convexly curved surface when said clip is in a locked position.

33. The apparatus as defined in claim 30 and further including means for retaining said clip on said clamp when said clip is moved to said second position.

34. A clamp comprising:

a pair of substantially rigid gripping members including inner article gripping surfaces and outer surfaces and hinge means joining said gripping members to one another along one edge to permit said members to move together in an article gripping position or apart in an article releasing position, each of said gripping members including a clip receiving recess formed in the outer surface thereof and extending from said one edge toward the opposite edge of said gripping members to provide guided support along the length of the edges of a spring clip fitted over said clamp; and

a spring clip having legs extending over the hinged end exterior of said clamp and within said recesses of said gripping members, whereby said recesses guidably support said clip on said clamp to hold said gripping members in a closed article gripping position under the compression of said spring, the recess in at least one of said gripping members shaped such that the leg of said clip in said recess is substantially flush with the outer surface of said gripping member when said clip is in a locked position closing said clamp, said clip slidably movable within said recess to a second position which allows said members to be opened to an article releasing position.

35. The apparatus as defined in claim 34 and including a detent formed in the recess of said at least one of said gripping members, said detent shaped to engage an edge of said clip to hold said clip in a locking position on said clamp when said gripping members are in an article holding position, and wherein said recess is widened from said detent in a direction away from said edge of said clip to provide a thumb release area adjacent said detent such that said clip can be easily moved from a locked position on said clamp.

36. The apparatus as defined in claim 35 wherein said at least one of said gripping members has a convexly curved outer surface and said edge of said clip extends over the apex of said convexly curved surface when said clip is in a locked position.

37. The apparatus as defined in claim 34 and further including means for retaining said clip on said clamp when said clip is moved to said second position.

38. An integral hook and clamp comprising:

a pair of substantially rigid gripping members including inner article gripping surfaces and outer surfaces and hinge means joining said gripping members to one another along one edge to permit said members to move together in an article gripping position or apart in an article releasing position, each of said gripping members including a clip receiving recess formed in the outer surface thereof and extending from said one edge toward the opposite edge of said gripping members to provide guided support along the length of the edges of a spring clip fitted over said clamp;

a hook coupled to one of said gripping members;

a spring clip having legs extending over the hinged end exterior of said clamp and within said recesses of said gripping members, whereby said recesses guidably support said clip on said clamp to hold said gripping members in a closed article gripping position under the compression of said spring, the recess in at least one of said gripping members shaped such that the leg of said clip in said recess is substantially flush with the outer surface of said gripping member when said clip is in a locked position closing said clamp, said clip slidably movable within said recesses to a second position which allows said members to be opened to an article releasing position.

39. The apparatus as defined in claim 38 and including a detent formed in the recess of said at least one of said gripping members, said detent shaped to engage an edge of said clip to hold said clip in a locking position on said clamp when said gripping members are in an article holding position, and wherein said recess is widened from said detent in a direction away from said edge of said clip to provide a thumb release area adjacent said detent such that said clip can be easily moved from a locked position on said clamp.

40. The apparatus as defined in claim 39 wherein said at least one of said gripping members has a convexly curved outer surface and said edge of said clip extends over the apex of said convexly curved surface when said clip is in a locked position.

41. The apparatus as defined in claim 38 and further including means for retaining said clip on said clamp when said clip is moved to said second position.