Clip for securing positioning device to strap

Abstract

A clip for securing a positioning device relative to an article includes a base portion, a plurality of jaw portions, and an attachment cavity. Each of the plurality of claw portions extends from the base portion. The attachment cavity defines a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the attachment cavity is sized and dimensioned for receiving at least a portion of the positioning device. The second portion of the attachment cavity is sized and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the article. The jaw portion is sized and sized to secure the positioning device within the first portion of the attachment cavity to prevent movement of the positioning device and the article relative to the clip.

Description

Related Applications

[0001] This application (Attorney Docket No.: P220457pct) claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 381,275, filed October 27, 2022, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to systems and methods for monitoring the position of movable objects, and more particularly to clips, systems, and methods for attaching positioning devices to objects such as collars worn by small animals. Background Art

[0003] Positioning devices that can be physically associated with a movable object to allow the positioning of the movable object are well known. When the present invention is used to attach an Apple AirTag® positioning device to the collar of a small animal such as a cat, it has particular significance, and this application of the present invention will be described in detail herein. However, the principles of the present invention can be applied to other positioning devices and objects other than animal collars. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims rather than the following detailed description of the invention.

[0004] Positioning devices are commonly used to locate objects that are easily lost or stolen, such as wallets or backpacks. However, positioning devices can be associated with almost any object that needs to be located.

[0005] One common use of positioning devices is to locate an animal by attaching the positioning device to an object (such as a collar) worn by the animal. The positioning device itself is not typically configured to be directly attached to the object, and an attachment system is usually used to attach the positioning device to the animal's collar. The positioning device is relatively small and lightweight, but due to the presence of the attachment system, the actual size and weight of the positioning device are usually increased. When using a common attachment system to attach the positioning device to the collar of a larger animal (e.g., at least 5 pounds, but usually over 20 pounds), the size and weight of the positioning device and the associated attachment system are usually negligible. However, for smaller animals (e.g., under 15 pounds), such as cats (4 - 15 pounds), especially kittens (4 - 5 pounds), toy dogs, etc., the weight and volume of the positioning device and the associated attachment system become much more apparent.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for improved attachment systems and methods for attaching positioning devices to objects such as straps or collars associated with relatively small objects (such as animals, wallets, backpacks, etc.) to be located. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention can be implemented as a clip for fixing a positioning device relative to an object. The clip includes a base portion, a plurality of claw portions, and an attachment cavity. The plurality of claw portions extend from the base portion. The attachment cavity defines a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the attachment cavity is sized and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the positioning device. The second portion of the attachment cavity is sized and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the object. The claw portions are sized and dimensioned to fix the positioning device within the first portion of the attachment cavity to prevent movement of the positioning device and the object relative to the clip.

[0008] The present invention can also be implemented as a method of fixing a positioning device relative to an object, the method including the following steps. Provide a clip. The clip includes a base portion, a plurality of claw portions extending from the base portion, and an attachment cavity defining a first portion and a second portion. Dispose the object within the second portion of the attachment cavity. Dispose the positioning device within the first portion of the attachment cavity. The plurality of claw portions fix the positioning device within the first portion of the attachment cavity to prevent movement of the positioning device relative to the clip. The positioning device fixed within the first portion of the attachment cavity prevents movement of the clip relative to the object.

[0009] The present invention can further be implemented as a positioning system including an object, a positioning device, and a clip. The clip includes a base portion, a plurality of claw portions extending from the base portion, and an attachment cavity defining a first portion and a second portion. At least a portion of the positioning device is disposed within the first portion of the attachment cavity. At least a portion of the object is disposed within the second portion of the attachment cavity. When the positioning device is disposed within the first portion of the attachment cavity, the claw portions engage the positioning device to prevent movement of the positioning device relative to the clip. When the object is disposed within the second portion of the attachment cavity, the positioning device engages the object to prevent movement of the object relative to the clip. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary position monitoring system fixed to a cat;

[0011] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first side of a first exemplary positioning device forming part of the first exemplary position monitoring system;

[0012] Figure 3 is an edge elevation view of the first exemplary positioning device;

[0013] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second side of the first exemplary positioning device;

[0014] Figure 5 is a first perspective view of a part of the first exemplary position monitoring system;

[0015] Figure 6 Second perspective view that is part of the first exemplary position monitoring system;

[0016] Figure 7 First plan view that is part of the first exemplary position monitoring system;

[0017] Figure 8 Second plan view that is part of the first exemplary position monitoring system;

[0018] Figure 9 Is along Figure 7 Cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in

[0019] Figure 10 Is along Figure 7 Cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 in

[0020] Figure 11 Exploded edge elevation view that is part of the first exemplary position monitoring system;

[0021] Figure 12 Perspective view of the first exemplary clip that forms part of the first exemplary position monitoring system;

[0022] Figure 13 Edge elevation view of the bridging portion of the first exemplary clip;

[0023] Figure 14 Is similar to Figure 13 Edge elevation view, where the dashed line shows the deformation of the bridging portion of the first exemplary clip relative to the first reference plane;

[0024] Figure 15 Edge elevation view, where the dashed line shows the deformation of the bridging portion of the first exemplary clip relative to the second reference plane, the second reference plane being orthogonal to the first reference plane;

[0025] Figure 16 First plan view of the first exemplary clip, showing the first reference plane, the second reference plane, and a third reference plane extending at an angle to the first and second reference planes;

[0026] Figure 17 Is along Figure 16 Edge elevation cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17, where the dashed line shows the deformation of the jaw portion of the first exemplary clip relative to the third reference plane;

[0027] Figure 18 Is similar to Figure 17 Edge elevation cross-sectional view showing the assembly of the first exemplary positioning device with the first exemplary clip;

[0028] Figure 19is an edge view showing removal of the first exemplary positioning device from the first exemplary clip to disassemble the first exemplary position monitoring system;

[0029] Figure 20 、 21 and 22 is a photograph of a kitten wearing the exemplary positioning system 26 of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Of the drawings Figure 1 depicts an exemplary clip 20 for attaching a positioning device 22 to a collar assembly 24 to form an exemplary positioning system 26. The exemplary positioning system 26 is shown as being configured to secure the positioning device 22 relative to a small animal 28. In Figure 1 the example, the small animal 28 is a kitten, and the positioning system 26 allows the position of the kitten 28 to be determined using the positioning device 22.

[0031] As Figures 2 - 4 shown, the exemplary positioning device 22 defines a first side 30, a second side 32, and a peripheral edge 34. The first side 30 includes a disk-shaped protrusion 36 as Figure 2 shown, and the second side 32 is a smooth, continuous curved shape having a substantially oval cross-section, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown. The peripheral edge 34 is a closed circle. The exemplary collar assembly 24 includes a strap member 40 and a buckle assembly 42, and the buckle assembly 42 includes a first buckle portion 44 and a second buckle portion 46. The exemplary positioning device 22 and the exemplary collar assembly 24 are or may be conventional and are described herein only to the extent necessary to facilitate a complete understanding of the present invention.

[0032] As Figures 5 - 8 shown, the exemplary clip 20 includes a base portion 120 and a plurality (two or more) of claw portions 122 configured to define an attachment cavity 130 that defines a device portion 132 and a strap portion 134. The exemplary device portion 132 is sized and dimensioned to receive the positioning device 22, and the strap portion 134 is sized and dimensioned to receive a portion of the collar assembly 24. The exemplary clip 20 is configured to cooperate with the positioning device 22 such that the combination of the clip 20 and the positioning device 22 encircles a portion of the strap member 40 to secure the position of the positioning device 22 relative to the collar assembly 24. The collar assembly is then secured relative to the kitten 28 using the buckle assembly 42.

[0033] The structure of the exemplary clip 20 and the use of the exemplary clip 20 to form the positioning system 26 will now be described in more detail.

[0034] The exemplary clip 20 defines a clip longitudinal axis A1, a clip transverse axis A2, and a clip central axis A3. The exemplary positioning device 22 defines a device central axis A4 and a device diameter D (Figure 3 ). The example belt member 40 defines a belt width W and a belt thickness T. In the following discussion, a letter suffix appended to a numerical reference numeral refers to a specific instance of the element associated with that numerical reference numeral, and there is no difference in the element associated with that numerical reference numeral.

[0035] The example base portion 120 defines a first surface 140 ( Figure 12 and Figure 16 ) and a second surface 142 ( Figure 6 and Figure 11 ), a peripheral edge 144 ( Figure 11 and Figure 12 ) and a base opening 146 ( Figure 6 , Figure 8 , Figure 12 and Figure 19 ). The example first surface 140 defines a device-facing surface portion 150, a collar-facing surface portion 152, and first and second collar side surface portions 154 and 156.

[0036] The example device-facing surface portion 150 is sized and dimensioned to accommodate either the first side 30 or the second side 32 of the positioning device 22. The example collar-facing surface portion 152 is offset from the device-facing surface portion 150 by a distance greater than the thickness T of the belt member 40, and is sized and dimensioned such that the first and second collar side surface portions 154 and 156 are spaced from each other by a distance greater than the width W of the belt member 40. The example second surface 142 is continuously curved in two dimensions to generally conform to the neck and chin of the example kitten 28. Specifically, Figure 13 and Figure 14 show that the cross-section of the second surface 146 is concave, while Figure 15 shows that the cross-section of the second surface 146 is also convex. The example peripheral edge 144 includes a plurality of peripheral edge portions 160. The example base portion 120 also defines a plurality of longitudinal gaps 170 and a plurality of transverse gaps 172.

[0037] The distance between the example claw portions 122 is determined by the device diameter D of the positioning device 22. Each claw portion 122 defines a proximal portion 180, a distal portion 182, and a terminal portion 184. Each proximal portion 180 is connected to the base portion 120, and each distal portion 182 is disposed between the proximal portion 180 and the terminal portion 184. As Figure 17It may be shown most clearly that the exemplary jaw portion 122 is curved from the proximal portion 180 through the distal portion 182 to the end portion 184 such that the distal portion 182 at least indirectly faces the proximal portion 180. Thus, when the positioning device 22 is within the device portion 132 of the attachment cavity 130, the proximal portion 180 faces one of the first side surface 30 and the second side surface 32 of the positioning device, and the distal portion 182 faces the other of the first side surface and the second side surface of the positioning device 22. Therefore, the distal portion 182 of the jaw portion 122 holds the positioning device 22 within the device portion 132 of the attachment cavity 130 to prevent the positioning device 22 from moving out of the device portion 132 of the attachment cavity 130 during the formation of the positioning system 26 using the clip 20.

[0038] The exemplary clip 20 includes first, second, third, and fourth jaw portions 122a, 122b, 122c, and 122d associated with first, second, third, and fourth peripheral edge portions 160a, 160b, 160c, and 160d. A first longitudinal gap 170a is disposed between the first and fourth peripheral edge portions 160a and 160d, and a second longitudinal gap 170b is disposed between the second and third peripheral edge portions 160b and 160c. A first transverse gap 172a is disposed between the first and second peripheral edge portions 160a and 160b, and a second transverse gap 172b is disposed between the third and fourth peripheral edge portions 160c and 160d. The first and second longitudinal gaps 170a and 170b extend parallel to the longitudinal axis A1 of the device member and through the strap portion 134 of the attachment cavity 130, and the first and second transverse gaps 172a and 172b extend parallel to the clip transverse axis A2 and through the device portion 132 of the attachment cavity 130.

[0039] The exemplary base portion 120 defines an inner base surface 220, an outer base surface 222, an inner base edge 224, and an outer base edge 226. The exemplary base portion 120 further defines at least one longitudinal bridging portion 230 and at least one transverse bridging portion 232.

[0040] Each jaw portion 20 defines a jaw inner surface 320, a jaw outer surface 322, a first side edge 324 of the jaw, a second side edge 326 of the jaw, and a distal edge 328 of the jaw. Each jaw inner surface 320 defines a jaw inner surface extension portion 340 and a jaw inner surface holding portion 342. Each jaw outer surface 322 defines a jaw outer surface extension portion 350 and a jaw outer surface holding portion 352. Each distal edge 328 of the jaw defines an end portion 184 of one of the jaw portions 122.

[0041] The size and configuration of the inner base surface 220 are designed to allow the positioning device 22 to be received within the device portion 132 of the attachment cavity 130. The size and configuration of the outer base surface 222 are designed to be smooth, or without any edges or discontinuities, to reduce friction, wear, or other effects that may irritate the kitten 28 wearing the positioning system 26. An example outer base surface 222 is concave in the direction of the attachment center longitudinal axis A1 (e.g., Figure 9 , Figure 11 and Figure 15 ), and convex in the direction of the clip transverse axis A2 (e.g., Figure 10 and Figure 13 ). Thus, the shape of the outer base surface 222 generally corresponds to the shape of the neck of the animal 28 wearing the collar assembly 24. The transverse bridging portion 232 is offset from the longitudinal bridging portion 230 to define the strap portion 134 of the attachment cavity 120. All edges between the surface portions of the outer base surface 222 are chamfered or rounded.

[0042] As Figure 9 and Figure 10 show, with the belt member 40 disposed within the strap portion 134 and the positioning device 22 supported within the device portion 132, a portion of the belt member 40 is held between the transverse bridging portion 232 and the positioning device 22, as Figure 9 shows. Additionally, Figure 5 and Figure 7 show that when the positioning device 22 is within the device portion 132, the claw inner surface retaining portion 342 of the claw portion 122 engages the positioning device 22 to prevent the positioning device 22 from being accidentally removed from the device portion 132 of the attachment cavity 120.

[0043] To dispose the positioning device 22 within the device portion 132 of the attachment cavity 120, with the clip 20 in its original configuration (e.g., Figure 11 and Figure 18 ), the device center axis A4 is substantially aligned with the clip center axis A3. Then, a manual force is intentionally applied to one of the first side 30 and the second side 32 of the positioning device 22 such that the peripheral edge 34 of the positioning device 22 applies an outward force to the end portion 184 of the claw portion 122. The outward force acting on the end portion 184 reconfigures the clip 20 into a deformed configuration ( Figure 14 , Figure 15 , Figure 17)(so that the end portion 184 of the jaw portion 122 is fully opened to allow the positioning device 22 to move into the device portion 132 of the attachment cavity 130. After the positioning device 22 has passed over the end portion 184 of the opposite jaw portion 122 and is located within the device portion 132, the clip 20 elastically returns to its original configuration such that the retention portion 342 within the jaw surfaces holds the positioning device within the device portion 132 of the attachment cavity 130.)

[0044] After the clip 20 has been attached to the positioning device 22, it is and should be difficult to accidentally remove the positioning device 22 from the clip 20 subsequently. When the positioning device 22 is fixed to an animal such as a kitten 28 by the clip 20, normal activities of the kitten 28 (e.g., playing, walking in a public space, and / or fighting) may cause the positioning device 22 to be subjected to external forces (e.g., scratching, rubbing, pulling, and / or pushing), which may cause the positioning device 22 to become detached from the clip 20, thereby separating the positioning device 22 from the kitten 28. Other devices to be positioned (such as bags, wallets, backpacks, camera bags, suitcases, etc.) will similarly be subjected to external forces that may cause the positioning device 22 to become detached from the clip 20, thereby separating the positioning device 22 from the device to be positioned. Thus, while the positioning device 22 is designed to be removable from the clip 20, the clip 20 is designed such that such removal can only be achieved by applying a highly specific intentional manual force to the positioning device 22, and such a force is unlikely to be applied during normal use of the clip 20 to secure the positioning device 22 relative to the object or animal to be positioned.)

[0045] To remove the positioning device 22 from the device portion 132 of the attachment cavity 130, as Figure 19 may be most clearly shown, when holding the strap member 40 on either side of the positioning system 26 and pulling the two sides of the strap member 40 backward in the direction shown by arrow R2 (a direction substantially opposite to arrow R1), a manual force (as shown by arrow R1) can be intentionally applied to one of the first side 30 and the second side 32 of the positioning device 22 through the base opening 146. While applying the manual force to the positioning device 22 in the direction shown by arrow R1, pulling a portion of the strap member 40 on either side of the clip 20 in the direction shown by arrow R2 causes the outward force exerted by the peripheral edge 34 of the positioning device 22 on the end portion 184 of the jaw portion 122 to be sufficient to force the clip 20 from its non-deformed configuration to a deformed configuration. In the case where a manual force is applied to the positioning device 22 and the clip 20 is in the deformed configuration, the spacing between the opposite end portions 184 becomes at least substantially equal to the device diameter D, thereby allowing the positioning device 22 to move out of its retained position relative to the device portion 132 of the clip 20. After the positioning device 22 is removed from the device portion 132, the clip 20 returns to its non-deformed configuration.)

[0046] As generally described above, when the positioning device 22 is inserted into or removed from the device portion 132 of the attachment cavity 130, the outward force applied to the end portion of the claw portion 122 causes the clip 20 to deform, as Figure 14 , Figure 15 and Figure 17 shown. To permit such deformation, the exemplary clip 20 is made of a material having sufficient elastic deformation ability to permit longitudinal bridging portion 230 ( Figure 15 ), transverse bridging portion 232 ( Figure 14 ), and claw portion 122 ( Figure 17 ) to deform sufficiently to permit the positioning device 22 to be moved into or out of the device portion 132 of the attachment cavity 130 along the clip central axis A3. Examples of suitable materials include polymers (such as plastics), metals, and wood. The exemplary clip 20 is injection molded from plastic. If a polymer material is used, the selected polymer should crystallize rapidly to permit more rapid, precise, and economical demolding from low-cost molds. The selected polymer should be inexpensive and readily available, but should have as high a strength as possible to better achieve the structural design objectives of the clip generally described herein. The selected polymer should not be mechanically affected by environmental factors (such as a tendency to absorb or otherwise draw in moisture (hydrophilic)). A major factor to consider when selecting a polymer formulation is the flexural modulus. The flexural modulus should be as high as possible (e.g., about 2600 MPa (megapascals, test method ISO 178)). The selected polymer should minimize the emission of toxic fumes during manufacture and use. Certain polymers can be modified by one or more additives to obtain the correct color and / or enhance resistance to degradation caused by ultraviolet light. The following injection moldable materials provide an acceptable to optimal combination of strength, elasticity, flexibility, and aesthetics: DuPont Delrin "500", Kocetal K300 "acetal", polycarbonate, Sabic Extem XH, nylon, and / or polyester.

[0047] The strap member 40 is typically a section of conventional strap fabric material, and for a collar assembly 24 suitable for a small animal such as kitten 28, the strap width W is typically 3 / 8 inch, but strap widths of 1 / 2 inch, 5 / 8 inch, and 3 / 4 inch are common, and the exemplary clip 20 can be configured to accommodate other widths, including metric widths.

[0048] The distance between the first and second collar side surface portions 154 and 156 should be large enough to allow the strap member 40 to be disposed flatly within the strap portion 134 of the attachment cavity 130. Thus, the distance or dimension of the device portion 132 of the attachment cavity 130 along the clip central axis A3 (e.g., between the device facing surface portion 150 and the collar facing surface portion 152) should be large enough to allow the strap member 40 to be fully disposed within the strap portion 134. Specifically, the size and dimensions of the strap portion 134 should be designed such that the strap member 40 is located within the strap portion 134 and the positioning device 22 is located within the device portion 132. Although a thicker strap portion 134 can frictionally engage with the exemplary clip 20 and / or the positioning device 22 to prevent movement of the clip 20 relative to the strap portion 134, a thinner strap portion 134 can allow the clip 20 to move relative to the strap member 40 along the clip transverse axis A2 during normal use. This movement is acceptable during the normal use of the clip 20 and the positioning device by the kitten 28.

[0049] In summary, the exemplary positioning system 26 is formed by first disposing a portion of the strap member 40 within the strap portion 134 of the attachment cavity 130. Next, the positioning device 22 is pressed into the device portion 132 of the attachment cavity 130. At this time, the claw portion 122 engages and holds the positioning device 22 within the device portion 132 of the attachment cavity 130, and the positioning device 22 holds a portion of the strap member 40 within the strap portion 134 of the attachment cavity 130. By appropriately sizing, dimensioning, and configuring the strap portion 134, the strap member 40 is firmly held within the strap portion 134 of the attachment cavity 130, thereby substantially preventing movement of the clip 20 and the positioning device 22 relative to the collar assembly 24 during the normal wearing of the positioning system 26 by the animal 28. Then, the collar assembly 24 is used in a conventional manner to fix the positioning system 26 relative to the animal 28.

[0050] To disassemble the positioning system 26, as described above with reference to Figure 19 forcing the positioning device 22 out of the device portion 132 of the attachment cavity 130. Then the strap member 40 is removed from the strap portion 134 of the attachment cavity 130 to complete the disassembly of the positioning system 26.

[0051] The example positioning device 22 is capable of emitting sound to facilitate the positioning of the animal 28. A speaker (not visible) is disposed on the second side 32 of the positioning device 22 (i.e., opposite the disc-shaped protrusion 36). The clip 20 is configured to allow the positioning device 32 to be arranged such that either the first side 30 or the second side 32 faces the animal 28. When the speaker on the second side 32 faces the animal 28, the sound will be attenuated by approximately 10 - 15 decibels. When the speaker on the second side 32 faces away from the animal 28, the sound will propagate directly or without attenuation. Thus, the user can choose whether to attenuate the sound of the speaker by selecting which of the first side 30 or the second side 32 of the positioning device 22 faces the animal 28. Considering that the ears of the animal 28 may be only 1 - 2 inches away from the positioning device 22, muffling or attenuating the sound may reduce the likelihood that the animal 28 is startled by the sound emitted by the positioning device 22. However, not attenuating the sound may help in positioning the animal 28.

[0052] The clip 20 contains only enough material to secure the positioning device to the collar assembly 24 as described herein. Thus, the size, shape, and configuration of the clip 20 minimize the weight of the positioning system 26, making the positioning system 26 suitable even for small animals 28 such as kittens.

[0053] Although the example clip 20 of the present invention is described herein in the context of the strap member 40 forming part of the collar assembly 24 of the cat 28, the example clip 20 can be used to attach the positioning device 22 to an elongate member having a physical structure similar to the example strap member 40. For example, wallets, backpacks, camera bags, and other common objects typically contain straps having a width and thickness similar to the example strap member 40. The example clip 20 of the present invention can be used to securely attach the example positioning device 22 to the straps of such other common objects.

[0054] Table A below lists certain features of the example clip 20 and their associated advantages, which are not found individually or in combination in conventional attachment systems designed to secure the positioning device 22 to an object to be positioned.

Claims

1. A clip for fixing a positioning device relative to an object, comprising: a base portion; a plurality of claw portions, each of the plurality of claw portions extending from the base portion; and an attachment cavity defining a first portion and a second portion; wherein the first portion of the attachment cavity is sized and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the positioning device; the second portion of the attachment cavity is sized and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the object; the claw portions are sized and dimensioned to fix the positioning device within the first portion of the attachment cavity to prevent relative movement of the positioning device and the object with respect to the clip.

2. The clip according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of claw portions is elastically deformable.

3. The clip according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the base portion is elastically deformable.

4. The clip according to claim 1, wherein: at least one of the plurality of claw portions is elastically deformable; and at least a portion of the base portion is elastically deformable.

5. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the base portion includes: at least one longitudinal bridging portion; and at least one transverse bridging portion.

6. The clip according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the at least one longitudinal bridging portion and the at least one transverse bridging portion is deformable.

7. The clip according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of claw portions is elastically deformable.

8. The clip according to claim 5, wherein: the at least one longitudinal bridging portion is elastically deformable; the at least one transverse bridging portion is elastically deformable; and at least one of the plurality of claw portions is elastically deformable.

9. The clip according to claim 1, wherein at least one base opening is formed in the base portion.

10. The clip according to claim 1, wherein: each of the plurality of claw portions includes a distal portion and a proximal portion connected to the base portion; and at least the inner surface of each of the exemplary claw portions is curved from the proximal portion through the distal portion such that the distal portion faces the proximal portion at least indirectly.

11. A method of fixing a positioning device relative to an object, comprising the steps of: providing a clip including a base portion, a plurality of claw portions extending from the base portion, and an attachment cavity defining a first portion and a second portion; disposing the object within the second portion of the attachment cavity; and disposing the positioning device within the first portion of the attachment cavity; wherein the plurality of claw portions fix the positioning device within the first portion of the attachment cavity to prevent relative movement of the positioning device with respect to the clip; and the positioning device fixed within the first portion of the attachment cavity prevents relative movement of the clip with respect to the object.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of claw portions is elastically deformable.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the base portion is elastically deformable.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of providing the clip includes the step of forming the base portion to define: at least one longitudinal bridging portion; and at least one transverse bridging portion.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the at least one longitudinal bridging portion and the at least one transverse bridging portion is deformable.

16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of: forming at least one base opening in the base portion; and applying pressure to the positioning device through the article to remove the positioning device from the first portion of the attachment cavity.

17. A positioning system, comprising: an article; a positioning device; a clip, the clip comprising: a base portion, a plurality of claw portions extending from the base portion, and an attachment cavity defining a first portion and a second portion; wherein, at least a portion of the positioning device is disposed within the first portion of the attachment cavity; at least a portion of the article is disposed within the second portion of the attachment cavity; and when the positioning device is disposed within the first portion of the attachment cavity, the claw portions engage the positioning device to prevent movement of the positioning device relative to the clip; and when the article is disposed within the second portion of the attachment cavity, the positioning device engages the article to prevent movement of the article relative to the clip.

18. The clip according to claim 15, wherein at least one base opening is formed in the base portion.

19. The clip according to claim 15, wherein the base portion comprises: a first longitudinal bridging portion and a second longitudinal bridging portion; a first transverse bridging portion and a second transverse bridging portion; and a first claw portion, a second claw portion, a third claw portion, and a fourth claw portion.

20. The clip according to claim 19, wherein: the first longitudinal bridging portion and the second longitudinal bridging portion are elastically deformable; and the first transverse bridging portion and the second transverse bridging portion are elastically deformable; and the first claw portion, the second claw portion, the third claw portion, and the fourth claw portion are elastically deformable.

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