Magnetic support clip and tool for installation and removal thereof

Abstract

A magnetic support clip for supporting decorative lighting and other objects adjacent to gutters, roof eaves, and other structures of homes and other buildings. The support clip includes a proximal portion and a distal portion which are rotatably attached to one another via hinge-like structures that permit the clip portions to rotate about the hinge axis, providing the capability of the clip to operate in an open mode of operation during the installation and removal of the clip, and in a closed mode of operation when the clip is mounted to a gutter. Magnets embedded in lower portions of both of the clip portions are configured to be aligned when mounted onto a gutter and placed by a user into a closed mode of operation. The embedded magnets, having a gutter wall in between, provide an attractive magnetic force to further secure the clip to the gutter.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A support clip comprising:
 an upper clip portion having a first elongate shaft with tapered distal end and a proximal end, one or more magnets being attached adjacent to said proximal end of said first elongate shaft; and   a lower clip portion having a second elongate shaft with a curved section that is upwardly facing.   
     
     
         2 . The support clip of  claim 1 , wherein said upper clip portion and said proximal clip portion are rotatably fastened to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The support clip of  claim 1 , wherein a protrusion is formed on an underside of said first elongate shaft adjacent to said tapered distal end. 
     
     
         4 . The support clip of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more magnets are at least partially embedded within said first elongate shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The support clip of  claim 2 , wherein a first hinge structure is formed on an underside of said first elongate shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The support clip of  claim 5 , wherein a second hinge structure is formed on a top end of said second elongate shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The support clip of  claim 6 , wherein a pin is configured to removably fasten said first hinge structure to said second hinge structure together, where said first hinge structure includes a first hole to receive said pin, and wherein said second hinge structure includes a second hole to receive said pin. 
     
     
         8 . The support clip of  claim 1 , wherein said upper clip portion is non-rotatably fastened to an upper portion of a bracket, and wherein said lower clip portion is rotatably fastened to a lower portion of said bracket. 
     
     
         9 . A clip installation and removal device, said device comprising:
 an upper device body having a first distal end and a first proximal end, said first distal end having an opening formed thereon for receiving a clip structure; and   a lower device body having a second distal end that is rotationally attached to said first proximal end of said upper device body,   wherein one or more magnets are at least partially embedded in said upper device body.   
     
     
         10 . The clip installation and removal device of  claim 9 , wherein a protrusion is formed on an underside of said upper device body. 
     
     
         11 . The clip installation and removal device of  claim 9 , wherein said opening is connected to a hole having a shaft for receiving a clip structure, said shaft having a length of at least one inch. 
     
     
         12 . The clip installation and removal device of  claim 9 , wherein said lower device body has a second proximal end that is hollow. 
     
     
         13 . The clip installation and removal device of  claim 12 , wherein said second proximal end of said lower device body has threaded inner walls. 
     
     
         14 . The clip installation and removal device of  claim 13 , further comprising a pole threadedly fastened to said second proximal end of said lower device body. 
     
     
         15 . The clip installation and removal device of  claim 13 , wherein said one or more magnets are at least partially embedded in an upper side of said upper device body.