GB2264142A - Clip - Google Patents

CLIPS This invention relates to clips.

Clips have many applications and take myriad forms.

Nevertheless, the various known clips share a common feature; they are suitable for attachment to one or more articles, usually to attach one article to another. Accordingly, clips generally include attachment means such as jaws which grip, embrace or engage with a part of the article to which the clip is attached.

Of the numerous applications of clips, one of the best known is the attachment of small articles to clothing. Examples of such articles include those intended to be worn in a prominently visible position upon the person, such as identity badges and security passes. However, it is not always necessary to attach a separate article to one's clothing by means of a clip; often, the clip itself may serve a desired function once attached in use. For example, the clip may be an integral part of a badge, or may itself bear indicia such as a company name, a logo, or a distinctive colour which serves to identify the person wearing the clip.

This invention was born of a long-felt want in the field of clips suitable for attachment to clothing; accordingly, this specification is concerned mainly with clips in that field.

However, we envisage that the invention is capable of wider application, and so may be embodied in clips intended for other purposes, such as clips for holding together sheets of paper. Thus, although the invention has particular advantages when applied to clips for attachment to clothing, the broad concept of the invention, and the protection that we now seek, is not limited to such clips.

Clips for attachment to clothing trace their history back to the well-known safety pin and its derivatives such as badges having an integral safety pin. Such arrangements comprise a pin whose sharply-pointed free end is passed through the material of a wearer's clothing. The free end of the pin is then engaged with a hook which prevents the pin slipping out of the material and which, optionally, shrouds the sharp point in order to prevent possible injury to the wearer.

Safety pins and safety-pin badges are cheap and simple and remain in wide use, but suffer from intractable problems. For example, no arrangement that employs a pin can ever be truly safe; few can have avoided pricking a finger when putting on a safety-pin badge, particularly given the usual inaccessible position of the pin on the reverse side of the badge. Further, the pin may permanently damage finely-woven or delicate fabrics such as silk. Less seriously, perhaps, it is difficult to align a pin correctly upon insertion into material, often necessitating repeated attempts to position a safety-pin badge properly and thus making the badge awkward to use.

So, although safety pins and safety-pin badges are cheap and simple, they are far from ideal in use. Their awkwardness of operation and their potential to damage the clothing to which they are attached means that, in many cases, people choose not to use them. Clearly, this is self-defeating. In high-security environments, for example, security passes may be carried in the hand or the pocket in preference to being worn in a prominent position upon the person. As a result, security checks are made unnecessarily difficult and security passes may be lost or stolen, with potentially serious consequences.

Similarly, in conferences, discussions between delegates may be hindered if some delegates are not wearing name badges and so cannot readily be identified.

The disadvantages of safety-pin arrangements have led to clips in which jaws replace the pin. The jaws embrace and grip an edge or hem of an article of clothing, such as a pocket or a lapel. Thus, there is no need to puncture the material of which the clothing is made, and there is no risk of injury.

A well-known jaw-type clip comprises two separate jaw members, one fixed and one movable, and a lever. These three components are individual steel pressings which are assembled together to form the clip. Usually, at least one of the jaw members also has a plastics insert fixed to its internal face, the resilience of the plastics material improving the gripping effect of the clip.

The lever is pivotally mounted to hinge extensions formed integrally with the fixed jaw member and includes a cam which acts upon the movable jaw member in the manner of a bell crank to force the free end of the movable jaw member towards the fixed jaw member. The movable jaw member is of resilient construction and bends resiliently under the action of the cam. Thus, the movable jaw member is urged to move away from the fixed jaw member when the lever is released. However, the lever has an over-centre action to lock the jaw members in a closed state, in which the jaw members can grip an item of clothing.

Typically, the clip described above includes a loop of plastics material from which may be suspended a clear plastics wallet for the display of a security pass or the like.

Whilst the jaw-type clip overcomes the principal disadvantages of safety-pin arrangements, it still suffers from awkwardness of operation and so is not universally popular. In particular, most users of such clips will be familiar with the difficulty experienced in removing them after use; the lever is sharpedged and difficult to grasp, and requires considerable force in order to release it from the locked position. A broken fingernail is the all too frequent result.

It is difficult to understand why the lever should be so difficult to use. The smallness of the clip (approximately 1 x 1 x 3 centimetres) may be part of the reason. More significant, perhaps, is the steel construction of the clip; steel is resilient to some extent but it is too stiff for this application, in which one-finger operation should be easily possible. Similarly, the gripping force of the clip is far in excess of what is necessary and may even crush or otherwise damage the material to which it is attached.

Although the difficulty of use is a serious disadvantage of the known jaw-type clip, its principal disadvantage is its cost. The use of three or more components makes for high assembly costs, and steel pressings are expensive in themselves. Cost is a particularly sensitive factor because users treat clips as a disposable product; name badges are rarely returned at the end of a conference/exhibition. As a result, the cheaper safety-pin arrangement is still used widely, despite all of its disadvantages, in preference to the expensive jaw-type clips.

This invention seeks to improve upon jaw-type clips, thereby to produce a clip of lower cost and greater ease of use. In so doing, the invention promises to fulfil a long-felt want by providing a clip that is (i) cheaper than the existing jawtype clip, and (ii) easier to use than the safety-pin arrangement which was previously the cheaper alternative to a jaw-type clip.

From one aspect, this invention provides a clip comprising unitary jaw means, and locking means capable of acting upon the jaw means to lock the jaw means in a closed state.

The unitary nature of the jaw means reduces the number of components necessary to make the clip, with great benefit to simplicity and cost. Further, the simpler nature of the clip provides freedom of design, to the benefit of aesthetic appeal.

Suitably, the jaw means includes resilient means such as a relatively thin integral flexible web acting to urge the jaw means into an open state. This, too, simplifies the construction and operation of the clip by providing an automatic opening force. Conveniently, the jaw means comprises first and second jaw members connected by the resilient means.

It is preferred that at least one of the jaw members includes a jaw formation at or adjacent to its free end. A jaw formation may serve also as an attachment point for other articles, thereby providing further simplification.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clip further includes actuating means capable of acting upon the jaw means to urge the jaw means into the closed state. In the preferred embodiment to be described below, the actuating means is a lever pivotally attached to the first jaw member of the jaw means, which lever is shaped to define a cam acting upon the second jaw member of the jaw means.

Conveniently, an extension of the first jaw member defines a first hinge portion, and an extension of the lever defines a second hinge portion that cooperates with the first hinge portion to form a hinge. The first hinge portion may be a bearing and the second hinge portion may be a spindle, axle or trunnion received by the bearing.

To provide a visually attractive and easy-to-manufacture product, the first hinge portion is preferably an upstanding loop within which the second hinge portion is received. The second hinge portion may then be confined at or near to the apex of the loop by the second jaw member.

Further, to guide the movement of the second jaw member with respect to the first, the second jaw member preferably includes a projection which is received within the loop.

The actuating means can act also as the locking means by, for instance, having an over-centre locking action.

In another embodiment of the invention, the locking means is integral with the jaw means. This further reduces the number of components and, indeed, makes possible a one-piece clip In the other embodiment to be described below, the locking means comprises a latch member associated with the first jaw member and engageable with the second jaw member to retain the clip in the closed state. Conveniently, the latch member is engageable with an edge of the second jaw member, which edge may be defined by a recess or opening for receiving the latch member.

It is preferred that the latch member is resiliently movable to snap into a latched state when it passes around the edge with which it is engageable. This may be achieved by resiliently joining the latch member to the remainder of the first jaw member. For instance, the first jaw member can include means defining a resiliently-movable flap upon which the latch member is mounted.

A portion of the latch member must be exposed when in the latched state, to allow a user to move the latch member out of the latched state and thus to release the clip. For this purpose, the latch member preferably includes a high-grip pressing surface to avoid slippage of a user's finger.

Advantageously, the clip of this invention is constructed from one or more mouldings, preferably injection mouldings, of plastics material. Any suitable plastics materials can be used; polypropylene, polycarbonate, and nylon are preferred but other materials such as high-impact polystyrene or acetal could be used if desired. Plastics materials such as these have the advantage of considerable resilience which makes the clip easier to use; a user need not apply such a large operating force as with a similar clip constructed of steel.

A further advantage of plastics materials is their suitability for cheap mass-production processes such as the aforementioned injection moulding. Additionally, plastics materials allow for a range of colours without the need for painting.

The invention also includes any article, preferably an article for wear upon the person, including or permanently attached to a clip as defined herein.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings. In those drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, namely a two-piece clip, in an open state; Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing the clip of Figure 1 but in a closed state; Figure 3 is a plan view of a unitary jaw means being part of the clip of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the unitary jaw means of Figure 3; Figure 5 is an end view of the unitary jaw means of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a plan view of an actuating member being part of the clip of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the actuating member of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a side elevational view showing another embodiment of the invention, namely a one-piece clip, in an open state;; Figure 9 is a part-sectioned side view taken along line IX-IX of Figure 10, showing the clip of Figure 8 in a closed state; and Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of the one-piece clip of Figures 8 and 9.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a two-piece clip 10 comprises a unitary jaw means 12 and a lever 14 serving as an actuating member. The clip 10 is constructed throughout of a resilient plastics material such as polypropylene or nylon.

The jaw means 12 comprises a first jaw member 16 and a second jaw member 18, connected by resilient means in the form of a relatively thin flexible web 20. The web 20 is elastically deformed into the curved shape illustrated and therefore is under continuous stress as it tends to straighten itself. As a result, the web 20 tends always to urge the jaw means 12 into an open state as shown in Figure 1.

The lever 14 is akin to a bell crank, being pivotable about a pivot axis 22 and including a cam 24 which bears upon the second jaw member 18 to close the clip 10, as shown in Figure 2.

The first jaw member 16 includes a jaw formation 26, the jaw formation 26 having a high-grip surface defined by a plurality of parallel ridges 28 separated by valleys The second jaw member 18 includes a jaw formation 30 opposed to the jaw formation 26. The jaw formation 30 could also have a ridged high-grip surface but, in the embodiment described, it includes a resilient plastics boss 32 attached to the second jaw member 18.

The boss 32 is formed integrally with a plastics strip 34 from which may be suspended an article such as a clear plastics name badge holder (not shown). The boss 32 could be a unitary part of the second jaw member 18 if desired but, advantageously, is pivotally attached thereto so that the strip 34 can be pivoted relative to the clip 10 and thus aligned (usually vertically) in use of the clip 10.

As will be apparent from Figure 1, the respective jaw formations 26 and 30 are situated at or adjacent to the free end of the associated jaw members 16 and 18.

Near its junction with the web 20, the first jaw member 16 includes two integral upstanding loops 36 constituting a first hinge portion (note that only one loop 36 is visible in Figures 1 and 2 as the other is hidden behind it on the far side). The width of each loop 36 tapers moving away from the first jaw member 16 towards the apex 38 of the loop.

Two projections 40 extend from respective side edges of the second jaw member 18 and are each received within a respective loop 36 as shown (again, only one projection 40 is shown in Figures 1 and 2 as the other is hidden on the far side). The projections 40 are confined by the loops 36 and so prevent slippage of the second jaw member 18 with respect to the first jaw member 16.

The lever 14 includes two trunnions 42 (only one shown in Figures 1 and 2) which together define the pivot axis 22. Each trunnion 42 constitutes a second hinge portion which cooperates with the first hinge portion to form a hinge. For this purpose, each trunnion 42 is received within a respective loop 36.

As will be evident from the drawings, each trunnion 42 is urged towards the apex 38 of the respective loop 36 because the web 20 urges the second jaw member 18 against the lever 14. The diameter of each trunnion 42 matches the internal diameter of each loop 36 at its apex 38, to provide a close sliding fit and thus a positive action substantially free from slack. Despite the closeness of this fit at the apex 38, a trunnion 42 can easily be fitted into a loop 36 during assembly because the loop 36 is very large and unconfined, when compared with a circular bearing providing similar closeness of fit.

The first jaw member 16 includes recesses 44 under the loops 36 The recesses 44 save material and enhance the moulding characteristics of the clip 10.

In use of the clip 10, the lever 14 is pivoted about the pivot axis 22 from the raised position shown in Figure 1 to the lowered position shown in Figure 2. During this movement, the cam 24 forces the second jaw member 18 towards the first jaw member 16, whereupon the jaw formations 22 and 30 close around and grip an edge portion 46 of an article, such as a pocket or a lapel of an item of clothing or neck of for example a jersey Figures 3 to 7 show the components of the clip 10 in isolation.

In Figures 3 to 5, it will be seen that the jaw means 12 consists of a unitary injection moulding, preferably a flat elongate element as shown, for ease of moulding. The first jaw member 16 is one end portion of the elongate element, the second jaw member 18 is the other, opposed end portion of the elongate element, and the web 20 is a central portion of the elongate element situated between the end portions.

Further details of the jaw means 12 will be evident from Figures 3 to 5. For example, the second jaw member 18 includes a circular recess or hole 48 near its free end, for attachment of the aforementioned boss 32. Further, the loops 36 are not exactly perpendicular to the first jaw member 16; they are inclined outwardly at approximately 20 to the true perpendicular. This outward inclination or draft angle eases the production of the jaw means by easing removal of the jaw means from a mould.

Figures 6 and 7 show the lever 14. It will be noted that the trunnions 42 are surrounded by recesses 50, which recesses will receive the apex part of the loops 36 when the clip 10 is assembled. This provides the clip 10 with a smooth, neatly integrated appearance.

Referring finally to Figures 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings, these show another embodiment of the invention, of one-piece construction.

The clip 52 shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 shares many features with the preferred embodiment described above, and like reference numerals are used for common parts. For example, the clip 52 includes unitary jaw means 12 comprising a first jaw member 16, a second jaw member 18, and a resilient web 20.

Further, the jaw members 16 and 18 include jaw formations 26 and 30. In this embodiment, however, the jaw formation 26 of the first jaw member 16 includes a pivotable boss 32. Further, the jaw formation 30 of the second jaw member 18 includes a resilient pad 54 of a plastics or rubber material. These variations serve to illustrate some ways in which the jaw formations 26 and 30 can be altered within the scope of the invention.

From near the centre of the first jaw member 16, an upstanding integral latch member 56 extends towards the second jaw member 18. The second jaw member 18 has a central opening 58 positioned to receive the latch member 56 when the clip 52 is closed.

The latch member 56 includes a column 60 and a head 62. The head 62 defines an offset inclined face 64 and an undercut shoulder 66.

The head 62 of the latch member 56 is so positioned that it cannot enter the opening 58 in the second jaw member without firstly causing the latch member 56 to deflect in a direction away from the web 20. The inclined face 64 allows the head 62 to slide around the edge 68 of the opening 58 when the head 62 encounters the second jaw member 18, and as the latch member 56 deflects.

When the second jaw member 18 reaches the closed position shown in Figure 9, the shoulder 66 clears the edge 68 and allows the latch member 56 to return resiliently to, or at least towards, its original non-deflected position. In so doing, the shoulder 66 engages with the edge 68 and locks the clip 52 in the closed position.

The clip 52 may be released by applying finger pressure to the inclined face 64 and thereby disengaging the shoulder 66 from the edge 68. Advantageously, therefore, the inclined face 64 has a high-grip surface; a plurality of ridges or other projections (not shown) would be suitable.

As best shown in the underneath view of Figure 10 the latch member 56 is integral with a flap 70 defined by slots 72 in the first jaw member 16. The flap 70 is flexible and resiliently movable and thus adds to the inherent flexibility and resilience of the latch member 56. This allows an increased range of movement, and minimises the force needed to deflect the latch member 56.

Both of the embodiments described above define a sizeable substantially flat surface that is very suitable for the display of indicia such as a company name or logo, branding or advertising. In the two-piece embodiment, this surface is best provided by the lever 14. In the one-piece embodiment, this surface may be provided by either of the two jaw members, preferably the second jaw member 18. Such indicia can be embossed, moulded in or self-coloured parts of the clip, or can be separate entities attached to the clip by adhesives or other fixing means. Moreover, because both described embodiments are of attractive design, this makes the clips more attractive to wear. Furthermore, the clips described guard against damage to clothing, in particular that made of more delicate fabrics such as wool or silk.

As will be clear to those skilled in the art, the scope of this invention is not limited to the examples described herein but may be embodied in a variety of different forms. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention includes all variants falling within the scope of the appended claims.