Fastening clip and tool for releasing same

Claim 1

The combination of a fastening clip and a separate tool for releasing the same comprising: a. a generally cylindrical housing having means forming a tapered conical surface at one end thereof, b. a retainer of ferromagnetic material loosely received within said housing, said retainer being formed with a conical end adapted to mate with said tapered conical surface, an axial bore adapted to receive a pin or the like to be releasably retained by the clip, and at least one transverse opening formed in said conical end of relatively greater dimension than said axial opening, c. a plurality of retaining balls disposed within said transverse opening between said tapered conical surface and said axial bore, d. means for resiliently biasing said retainer toward the end of said housing formed with said tapered conical surface thereby adapting said balls to tightly frictionally engage said pin and retain the same in said housing, and e. a tool separate from and independent of said housing for releasing said retaining balls, said tool including an electromagnet having an air gap, and means for creating a magnetic field at said air gap for attracting said retainer when said tool is positioned adjacent said housing, with movement of said retainer freeing said balls and permitting withdrawal of said pin, said means for creating a magnetic field comprising a rectifier bridge and windings around one leg of said electromagnet and electrically connected to said rectifier bridge, and an alternating current source for supplying alternating current to said rectifier bridge.