What are Spring Clips and Their Types?

Published: 30 Nov 2025

In this article, we will discuss what spring clips are, their Types, and Uses simply and clearly. Spring clips are small but very helpful fasteners. They hold objects with spring tension, making your work quick and easy. You can find them on tool boards, machines, cars, electronics, and many other places. Let’s learn about them simply and easily.

What is a Spring Clip?

A spring clip is a type of fastener made from spring steel or other resilient materials. It works by applying tension or pressure to hold objects together securely. These clips are lightweight, reusable, and available in multiple designs to suit different mechanical or structural requirements. Spring clips are widely used in automotive, electrical, plumbing, and general hardware applications due to their reliability and ease of use.

Types of Spring Clips

Spring clips come in many shapes. Each type has its own purpose and design. Here are the main types:

1. Flat Spring Clips

Flat spring clips are simple and thin. They hold light items like cards, papers, signs, and thin components. They are easy to use and give a soft but steady grip.

2. Heavy-Duty Terry Clips

Heavy-duty Terry clips are strong and made for holding heavy tools. You can use them for hammers, chisels, pliers, and other tools on boards or workshop walls. They stay firm even against vibration.

3. Transistor Clips

Transistor clips are used in electronics. They hold a transistor tightly against a heat sink. This helps control heat and protects the electronic device from damage.

4. R-Clips (R-Pins)

R-clips look like the letter “R.” They lock a pin or shaft in place. You push the straight side through a hole, and the curved side snaps around the shaft. They are common in cars, trailers, farming tools, and machinery.

5. Linchpin

A linchpin is a straight pin with a locking ring. You insert the pin through the hole and fold the ring to lock it. It is simple, fast, and strong. Linchpins work best at the end of a shaft.

6. Spring Button Clip

Spring button clips connect two sliding tubes. The small button pops into a hole to lock both tubes together. You see them in adjustable poles, frames, stands, and engineering tools.

7. U-Shaped Metal Spring Clips

These clips are used on furniture parts, pipes, flanges, and glass panels. They give a firm grip and help keep components aligned.

8. Command Spring Clips

Command spring clips use adhesive instead of screws. They are small, light, and easy to remove. They are great for hanging pictures, notes, jackets, clocks, and clipboards on walls without damaging the walls.

9. Spring Hose Clamps

Spring hose clamps hold hoses to pipes. You squeeze the handles to open the clamp and release them to tighten them. They are used in cars, bikes, and plumbing systems for fast and secure attachment.

Spring Clip Uses

Spring clips are small but versatile fasteners used in many applications:

Hold tools with round handles like hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, and spanners on tool boards or racks.
Keep mobile phones, tablets, pagers, and other small devices upright or attached to clothing for easy access.
Secure electrical wires, cables, and tubing to prevent tangles and maintain order.
Connect moving parts in machinery and vehicles to reduce vibration and noise.
Fasten pipes, hoses, and brackets to walls, floors, or other surfaces quickly and safely.
Clamp parts like refrigerator liners, seals, and other components during assembly or production in industries.
Support picture frames, hanging window screens, clocks, bags, jackets, and other items at home or in offices.
Attach roller chain links to bicycles or machinery to transmit power.
Hold strainers, baskets, or other tools in sinks or countertops.

Conclusion

In this article, we covered what spring clips are, their types, and their uses in detail. We hope you found this information helpful and have gained a better understanding of these practical and widely used fasteners.