# US 4,397,438 A · Selectively mountable article holding fastener > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,397,438 A - Document ID: US4397438A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/226,303 - Filed: 1981-01-19 - Granted: 1983-08-09 - Earliest claimed: 1981-01-19 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Inventors: Michael C. Chapman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4397438A ## CPC - E05B 19/00: Keys; Accessories therefor ({key modifications or attachments preventing removal from the lock E05B11/005; key rings A44B15/00; key cases A45C11/32; key holders A47G29/10;} making keys, see the relevant places, e.g. B21D53/42; milling grooves in keys B23C3/35) - F16B 2/22: of resilient material, e.g. rubbery material {(F16B2/205 takes precedence)} - Y10S 248/911: Plural, selectively usable, support engaging means - Y10T 70/8676: Key holders - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A clip type fastener for attachment to a mounting or supporting element, as the handle of a toolbox or toolbox drawer, for wedgingly receiving an article, as a key for the toolbox lock, in accessible position to insert or remove the same relative to a mounting recess in the fastener body portion from which spaced legs extend in directions for selectively and resiliently gripping mounting or support elements, as handles, of different cross-sectional configurations; outer legs being adapted for snap engagement and mounting on the web portion of a formed angle or beam type, as a T-angle, mounting element or handle with an intermediate leg acting as a strut against the web portion for properly positioning the fastener thereon; and with an outer leg and an intermediate leg adapted for snap engagement and mounting on a handle or other supporting element of generally uniform cross-section, as an extruded aluminum element, for properly positioning the fastener thereon. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A clip type fastener for resilient attachment to a supporting element, as a handle on a toolbox or toolbox drawer, comprising: a body portion having a recess for wedgingly receiving and holding an article, as a key or the like, in accessible position and a plurality of legs arranged in pairs and projecting therefrom in directions for attachment to a supporting element with the article holding recess in accessible position; said plurality including at least two pairs of legs with said legs being spaced in opposition to one another predetermined distances apart, whereby selective pairs of said legs are adapted for mounting the fastener to supporting elements of various cross-sectional configurations and said plurality cooperate to attach the fastener to a supporting element of a larger cross-sectional configuration. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A clip type fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of legs includes outer legs forming one selective pair for engaging supporting elements of larger predetermined cross-sectional configurations, with an intermediate shorter leg acting as a strut against the supporting element for stabilizing the mounted position of the fastener. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A clip type fastener as claimed in claim 2, wherein the outer legs have free edges flanged toward one another for gripping rear surface portions of the supporting element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A clip type fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of legs include upper and lower outer legs with an intermediate shorter leg cooperating with one of the outer legs thereby forming a second selective pair for engaging supporting elements of smaller predetermined cross-sectional configurations leaving the other outer leg and article holding recess in substantially vertical juxtaposition to the supporting element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A clip type fastener as claimed in claim 4, wherein the upper leg of the paired outer legs cooperates with the intermediate leg for engaging the supporting element and with the walls of the article holding recess inclined toward the free end of the lower leg to position the recess below the supporting element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A clip type fastener as claimed in claim 5, wherein the upper leg is curved to present an inner concave surface and the lower leg is substantially straight with inner and outer walls of the recess inclined toward the free end of the lower leg to locate the recess below the intermediate leg. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A clip type fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the article holding recess is open-ended and bounded by inner and outer opposed wall portions with central portions for resiliently gripping an article therebetween. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A clip type fastener as claimed in claim 7, wherein one of the wall portions is provided with ramp surfaces to each side of the included central portion to facilitate insertion of an article into said recess. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A clip type fastener as claimed in claim 8, wherein the article holding recess extends longitudinally of the body portion and the inner and outer bounding walls are each provided with inwardly projecting central portions disposed at right angles to one another.