Abstract: In a clip device having two clip legs (1,2) connected via a spine (3), one (1) of the two clip legs (1,2) consists of two sections (1a, 1b) which are connected together via a joint (4). The section (1a), facing the spine (3), of the one clip leg (1) is connected via a further joint (5) to the spine (3) and, via an elastic web forming a spring (6), to the other clip leg (2). In order to receive an article to be clipped (7) the section (1b), facing away from the spine (3), of the one clip leg (1) is first folded upwards in the manner of a pivot lever and, after introduction of the article to be clipped (7) between the clip legs (1,2), folded back into its starting position in which it presses the article to be clipped against the clip leg (2) without joint by means of a clip strut (8) assuming an engagement position.