Pin and clip arrangement for name tags and badges

A fastener mounted on a first article for releasably gripping at least a second article, comprising:

• a substantially planar support surface;
• a cylindrical surface mounting;
• and
• a gripping member comprising a continuous length of bent wire, including bent wire sections comprising:
• a torsionable gripping section arranged substantially parallel to said support surface for gripping said second article between said support surface and said gripping member;
• a first torsioning arm section means, for biasing said gripping section, bent from a first end of said gripping section and extending substantially radially away from said gripping section, with an end of said first arm section means biased against said support surface;
• a second torsioning arm section means, for torsioning said gripping section, having a length shorter than said first arm section means, bent from a second end of said gripping section and extending substantially radially from said gripping section away from said support surface such that rotation of said second arm section means toward said support surface causes torsion in said gripping section which forces said gripping member toward said support surface to engage said second article;
• a pivot section, for retaining said second arm section means, bent from an end of said second arm section means, extending toward said first arm section means parallel to said gripping section, said pivot section engaged in said cylindrical surface mounting to hold said gripping member in place and to keep torsion on said gripping section;
• and
• a release lever section, for releasing said second article, bent from the end of said first arm section means, extending away from said support surface and said first arm section means, such that rotation of said release lever section toward said support surface forces said gripping section away from said support surface to release said second article.

As part of a fastening system on a first article for fastening at least a second article, a releasable grip fastener comprising:

• a substantially planar support surface;
• and
• a gripping member mounted to said support surface, said gripping member comprising:
• a torsionable gripping shaft arranged substantially parallel to said support surface, for gripping said second article between said support surface and said gripping member;
• a first torsioning arm means, for biasing said gripping shaft, a first end of said first torsioning arm means attached to a first end of said gripping shaft and extending substantially radially away from said gripping shaft, and a second end of said first torsioning arm means, braced against said support surface;
• a second torsioning arm means, for torsioning said gripping shaft, having a length shorter than said first arm means, a first end of said second torsioning arm means attached to a second end of said gripping shaft and extending substantially radially from said gripping shaft, with a second end of said second torsioning arm means rotatably engaged with said support surface to allow rotation of said gripping shaft away from said support surface transversely to its length, and said second torsioning arm means attached at a radial position on said gripping shaft to cause torsion in said gripping shaft which forces said gripping shaft toward said support surface to engage said second article;
• and
• a release lever for releasing said second article, mounted to said second end of said second arm means extending away from said support surface and said second arm means, such that rotation of said release lever toward said support surface forces said gripping shaft away from said support surface to release said second article.

A fastener mounted on a first article for releasably gripping at least a second article, comprising:

• a substantially planar support surface;
• a cylindrical surface mounting;
• and
• a gripping member comprising a continuous length of bent wire, including bent wire sections comprising:
• a torsionable gripping section arranged substantially parallel to said support surface for gripping said second article between said support surface and said gripping member;
• a first torsioning arm section means, for biasing said gripping section, bent from a first end of said gripping section and extending substantially radially away from said gripping section, with an end of said first arm section means braced against said support surface;
• a second torsioning arm section means, for torsioning said gripping section, having a length shorter than said first arm section means, bent from a second end of said gripping section and extending substantially radially from said gripping section away from said support surface such that rotation of said second arm section means toward said support surface causes torsion in said gripping section which forces said gripping member toward said support surface to engage said second article;
• a pivot section, for retaining said second arm section means, bent from an end of said second arm section means, extending toward said first arm section means parallel to said gripping section, said pivot section engaged in said cylindrical surface mounting to hold said gripping member in place and to keep torsion on said gripping section;
• and
• a release lever section, for releasing said second article, bent from the end of said second arm section means, extending away from said support surface and said second arm section means such that rotation of said release lever section toward said support surface forces said gripping section away from said support surface to release said second article.