Snap-action one-piece clamping device

A positionally bi-stable clamping device formed from a single member comprising a thin endless member having outer and inner rims, said outer rim defining a reference plane, said inner rim enclosing a prescribed open area, said rims each having a length dimension and a width dimension wherein said length dimension is greater than said width dimension, said endless member having a first stable position wherein it subtends a first angle with said reference plane on a first side of said reference plane and a second stable position wherein it subtends a second angle with said reference plane on a second side of said reference plane, said single member further comprising a tongue in the form of an elongated member projecting in said length dimension inward of said endless member from said inner rim in a first orientation with respect to said reference plane when said endless member is in said first position and in a second orientation with respect to said reference plane when said endless member is in said second position, whereby an object inserted between said tongue and said outer member in said first stable position can be clamped between said tongue and said outer member in said second stable position;

• said tongue including a root portion where it projects from said inner rim, and a distal end remote from said root portion, said tongue being bent away from said reference plane proximate said root portion and further bent toward said reference plane between said root portion and said distal end.