Quick release, toggle latching, spring clip for hold-open prop

Claim 1

A toggle latching spring clip for stowing a hold-open prop of known diameter comprising, a spring clip member of sheet like springy material, of general U-shape, and comprising a base and two upstanding leg portions, a pair of oppositely outwardly bowed portions, one in each leg portion, and spaced from the base, the bowed leg portions having a maximum separation therebetween corresponding approximately to the diameter of a hold-open prop to be fitted therebetween, an integral leg portion extending divergently upwardly from the upper end of one of said outwardly bowed leg portions, said extension having a toggle receiving notch therein, a first toggle element of stiff wire bent to define a truncated triangle, the base portion of the triangle comprising two short wire portions integral one with each side of the wire triangle and extending in line toward each other, such short wire portions terminating short of the center of the base of the triangle by an amount to admit a second toggle element therebetween, and pivotally mounted on the upper end of the other bowed leg portion, a second toggle element having one end thereof curled around the wire portion defining the truncated end of the triangle of the first toggle element for pivotal connection therewith, a free end portion of the second toggle element being shaped to enter the notch in the extension on said one bowed leg portion, and means carried by such free end portion of the second toggle element to engage said extension, the second toggle element being of a length, with the toggle lever in upswung, toggle releasing position, and with the means carried by the free end of the second toggle element in engagement with said extension, to draw the free ends of the bowed leg portions toward each other against the spring bias of the U-shape clip member when the first toggle element is swung past dead center from toggle releasing position to toggle latching position.