Title:
ARTICLE-HANGING CLIP
United States Patent 3600764
Abstract:
A clip for gripping and holding, in hanging fashion, articles such as garments which can be inexpensively produced by molding of plastic or other suitable material.
Application Number:
04/866968
Publication Date:
08/24/1971
Assignee:
Industries, Dhj
International Classes:
A47L13/512; D06F55/00; A47L13/10; D06F55/00; (IPC1-7): D06F55/00
Field of Search:
24/30.5,137,255,49C,255GP 223
Primary Examiner:
Griffin, Donald A.
Claims:
I claim
1. An article hanging clip, having two leg members joined by a flattened spring loop in which the leg members have inwardly projecting gripping portions extending therefrom, provided with facing frictional surfaces, said loop and said leg members being of substantially uniform thickness and the juncture of each of said leg members with said loop being arcuate with each of said leg members turned slightly inwardly at its end to provide a bowed configuration and to allow the resiliency of the clip and the loop to develop a spring force yieldingly urging said frictional surfaces into embracing relationship.
2. A clip in accordance with claim 1 in which the juncture of each of said leg members, with its respective projecting gripping member, is in the form of a sharp knuckle of increased material to provide resisting forces to movement of each of said projecting members with respect to the respective leg member to which it is attached.
3. A clip in accordance with claim 2 in which said projecting members are provided with guide surfaces directing an article to said frictional surfaces.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When articles such as garments are displayed and/or stored, they are frequently hung or suspended from a rod or other supporting member. For this purpose various hanging devices have been used. Such hanging devices are used in quantity and frequently the hanging device is disposed of after use, or delivered with the article to an ultimate destination. A hanging device, for use in today's economy, must be inexpensive and capable of mass production. Article-hanging devices have taken many forms and efforts have been made to minimize the quantity of material used in such a device. The device, however, must be sufficiently strong to resist breaking in use, and be capable of functioning in a proper manner--that is--the device must adequately support the article to which it is affixed. Further, the device must be readily usable and must be of such construction that articles can be easily attached thereto, or removed therefrom.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An article-hanging clip having two leg members joined by a spring loop in which the leg members have inwardly projecting gripping portions presenting facing frictional surfaces which are yieldingly urged in embracing relationship by said spring loop.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 is a prospective view from one end of an article-hanging clip constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the article hanging clip shown in FIG. 1 with a portion of an article supported thereby illustrated; and
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along a line 3--3 in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. 2 and, diagrammatically in broken lines there is illustrated the clip when opened to engage with an edge portion of an article supported thereby.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The article-hanging clip 10 of this invention, as shown in the FIGS., is molded integrally of a suitable plastic material and has two leg members 12 and 14 joined by spring loop 16 with the leg members terminating respectively in inwardly projecting gripping portions 18 and 20.
The juncture of legs 12 and 14 with loop 16 at 12' and 14' respectively, is inwardly curved or arcuate with each of the legs turned slightly inwardly at its end to provide a bowed or concave configuration for purposes of strengthening the legs and to allow the resiliency of the clip and the spring loop to develop a spring force in the direction of the arrows "A" at the leg ends. The spring loop 16 is also slightly concave and the legs and spring loop--of which the legs are a continuation--have uniform thickness throughout. Thus, a highly resilient integral member is provided, having a high degree of force develop at the leg ends due to the resiliency of the member and the inherent memory therein which evenly urges the leg ends toward one another.
The gripping portions, 18 and 20, are provided with facing frictional surfaces 18' and 20' respectively, which are substantially parallel and embrace each other in the nonexpanded condition of the clip.
A sharp knuckle of increased material is provided at the juncture of each of the gripping portions and its respective leg, rather than having a gradually turned end to strengthen the gripping portions and to resist movement in the direction of the arrows "B" as shown in FIG. 3. The knuckle at the juncture of leg 12 and gripping portion 18 is indicated by the numeral 18" and the knuckle at the juncture of the gripping portion 20, and leg 14 is indicated by the numeral 20". Thus, a force is developed in the direction of the arrows "A" yieldingly urging the frictional surfaces of the gripping portions in embracing relationship, with the gripping portions themselves resisting movement in the direction of the arrows "B" as a result of the surfaces being pushed together.
In use, the clip is either first applied to an article such as a garment 22 in FIGS. 2 and 3, and then placed over a supporting member such as a rod 24 or, in the alternative, the clip is first placed on a rod such as 24 and then the article 22 applied thereto.
To use the clip, the user places the article to be supported thereby between the surfaces 18' and 20' and slides the article 22 up into the clip. It is noted that the gripping portions 18 and 20 provide an entrance of a configuration allowing the article to be guided between the frictional surfaces. Thus, the gripping portions additionally provide guidance surfaces. The resiliency of the material allows the legs 12 and 14 to move apart to provide space for receipt of article 22 between the frictional surfaces 18' and 20'. The expanded condition of the clip is shown in broken lines in FIG. 3. Upon placement of the article 22 in position between the gripping portions, the inherent memory in the clip, and spring loop 16 developing the forces in the direction of the arrows "A," cause the frictional surfaces 18' and 20' to be pushed against article 22, and the strength of the gripping portions 18 and 20 preventing movement of the gripping portions in the direction of the arrows "B" in FIG. 3, results in the holding of the article 22 and the resisting of any tendency of the article to fall under the force of gravity.
The article 22 may be easily removed from the clip by merely pulling the legs 12 and 14 apart. Also, the article can be removed by the use of pulling the garment or article 22 toward and in a downward direction in the aid of gravity, and overcoming the frictional forces developed at the frictional surface 18' and 20', which tend to resist the removal of the article from the clip.