Magnetic Spring Clip and System

Abstract

A magnetic spring clip and system are disclosed. In an embodiment, a magnetic spring clip includes a clip base having a semi-circle shape with an opening for engaging an instrument. The magnetic spring clip also includes a pivot point within the clip base. In addition, the magnetic spring clip includes a shaft having a generally linear shape and upper and lower ends. The upper end of the shaft is attached to the clip base by the pivot point such that the shaft is moveable relative to the clip base. Moreover, the shaft farther includes a magnetic lower end. The magnetic lower end is magnetically attracted to the instrument such that the lower end of the shaft contacts the instrument and secures any material between the lower end of the shaft and the instrument. The magnetic spring clip also has a clip magnet, wherein the clip magnet has a magnetic south pole and a magnetic north pole.

1 . A magnetic spring clip, comprising: 
 a clip base having a semi-circle shape with an opening for engaging an instrument;    a pivot point within the clip base;    a shaft having a generally linear shape and upper and lower ends, wherein the upper end of the shaft is attached to the clip base by the pivot point such that the shaft is moveable relative to the clip base, and    a clip magnet, wherein the clip magnet has a magnetic south pole and a magnetic north pole.    
   
   
       2 . The magnetic spring clip as described in  claim 1  wherein the clip magnet is disposed on the lower end.  
   
   
       3 . The magnetic spring clip as described in  claim 1  wherein the clip magnet is screwably secured to the shaft.  
   
   
       4 . The magnetic spring clip as described in  claim 1  wherein the clip magnet is slideably engaged to the shaft.  
   
   
       5 . The magnetic spring clip as described in  claim 1  further comprising upper and lower caps attached to the shaft and positioned such that the clip magnet is disposed between the upper and lower caps.  
   
   
       6 . The magnetic spring clip as described in  claim 1  wherein the clip base has walls, an upper side and an opening to receive the shaft.  
   
   
       7 . The magnetic spring clip as described in  claim 6  wherein the clip base further comprises a pivot rod extending across the opening and attached to the walls of the clip base.  
   
   
       8 . The magnetic spring clip as described in  claim 7  wherein the pivot rod extends through the upper end of the shaft thereby attaching the shaft to the clip base.  
   
   
       9 . A magnetic spring clip system, comprising: 
 an instrument having a generally linear shape, wherein an internal magnet is disposed within the instrument;    a magnetic spring clip, comprising: 
 a clip base having a semi-circle shape with an opening for engaging the instrument;  
 a pivot point within the clip base;  
 a shaft having a generally linear shape and upper and lower ends, wherein the upper end of the shaft is attached to the clip base by the pivot point such that the shaft is moveable relative to the clip base, and wherein the shaft further comprises a clip magnet, and  
   wherein the internal magnet has a magnetic north pole and a magnetic south pole, and wherein the clip magnet has a clip magnet north pole and a clip magnet south pole.    
   
   
       10 . The magnetic spring clip system as described in  claim 9  further comprising a second instrument having a generally linear shape.  
   
   
       11 . The magnetic spring clip system as described in  claim 10  further comprising a mechanism that attaches the instrument to the second instrument.  
   
   
       12 . The magnetic spring clip system as described in  claim 11  wherein the mechanism is a dual clip or a rubber grummet.  
   
   
       13 . The magnetic spring clip system as described in  claim 9  wherein the clip magnet further comprises a shield.  
   
   
       14 . The magnetic spring clip system as described in  claim 9  wherein the north pole of the internal magnet is proximate to the clip magnet south pole.  
   
   
       15 . The magnetic spring clip system as described in  claim 9  wherein the clip magnet is rotatable about its longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       16 . The magnetic spring clip system as described in  claim 9  wherein the clip magnet north pole is distal to the instrument.  
   
   
       17 . A magnetic spring clip system, comprising: 
 a pair of instruments having generally linear shapes, wherein an internal magnet is disposed in one of the instruments;    a magnetic spring clip for attaching the pair of instruments, wherein the magnetic spring clip comprises: 
 a clip base having a semi-circle shape with an opening for engaging at least one instrument of the pair of instruments;  
 a pivot point within the clip base; and  
 a shaft having a generally linear shape and upper and lower ends, wherein the upper end of the shaft is attached to the clip base by the pivot point such that the shaft is moveable relative to the clip base, and wherein the shaft further comprises a clip magnet; and  
   wherein the internal magnet has a magnetic north pole and a magnetic south pole; and wherein the clip magnet has a clip magnet north pole and a clip magnet south pole.    
   
   
       18 . The magnetic spring clip system as described in  claim 17  wherein the clip magnet further comprises a shield.  
   
   
       19 . The magnetic spring clip system as described in  claim 17  wherein the north pole of the internal magnet is proximate to the clip magnet south pole.  
   
   
       20 . The magnetic spring clip system as described in  claim 17  wherein the clip magnet is rotatable about its longitudinal axis.