GB2292767A - Clip - Google Patents
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- Publication number
- GB2292767A GB2292767A GB9424512A GB9424512A GB2292767A GB 2292767 A GB2292767 A GB 2292767A GB 9424512 A GB9424512 A GB 9424512A GB 9424512 A GB9424512 A GB 9424512A GB 2292767 A GB2292767 A GB 2292767A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- clip according
- engagement member
- clip
- arm
- arms
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
- A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
- A44B99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F95/00—Laundry systems or arrangements of apparatus or machines; Mobile laundries
- D06F95/008—Devices for keeping articles together during laundering, e.g. for keeping socks in pairs ; Devices for protecting or shielding certain parts of the articles during laundering, e.g. button protectors
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Clamps And Clips (AREA)
- Holders For Apparel And Elements Relating To Apparel (AREA)
Abstract
A clip for retaining a plurality of textile items together comprises two arms (16, 18) and an engagement member (20) extending from one arm (16) and movable towards and away from the other arm (18), the engagement member (20) being adapted to pass through the textile items without damage thereto. The clip is useful for e.g. retaining pairs of socks together during laundry. An integral hook can be provided to suspend the items. <IMAGE>
Description
A CLIP FOR CLOTHING
The present invention relates to a clip for clothing, particularly but not exclusively to a clip for retaining socks in pairs during a laundry cycle.
One of the most laborious and time consuming tasks when laundering clothes is that of sorting socks and other articles of clothing into pairs. Frequently, individual socks are mislaid while being laundered, especially in commercial laundries. This can be frustrating and can result in unnecessary expenditure for replacement pairs of socks.
One solution to this problem is to use a clothes peg to grip a pair of socks together during the washing cycle.
However, due to the agitation encountered in many washing and drying machines, this solution is ineffective, because ordinary clothes pegs have insufficient grip.
An object of the present invention is to provide a device which will hold paired articles of clothing together throughout a laundry cycle.
According to the invention there is provided a clip for retaining two or more textile items together, said clip having two arms and an engagement member extending from one arm and being movable towards and away from the other of said arms, said engagement member being adapted to pass through said textile items without causing damage thereto.
In a preferred embodiment the engagement member is fixed to one of said arms, and may be integral therewith.
Such a clip is effective in retaining socks during a laundry cycle because the engagement member is adapted to pierce the textile material. The clip may also be used to retain socks in pairs prior to retail sale.
Preferably said engagement member comprises a single elongate protrusion, the free end of which is shaped to pass easily through the textile items. The end of the protrusion may for example be arcuate or tapered. Preferably the end of the protrusion is at least partially arcuate to lessen the possibility of an accidental puncture wound to a user of the clip.
More than one such engagement member may be provided.
In a preferred embodiment the arms are of similar shape and section and are linked in the manner of a hinge to permit the engagement member to be moved towards and away from said other arm. The hinge may be of a conventional mechanical design, or may be a living hinge.
Preferably the clip is a one piece injection plastic moulding.
The clip may include means to bias the engagement member into contact with the other arm, and in the case of a moulded plastic clip such means may be constituted by the inherent resilience of the moulding.
The engagement member may alternatively pass into or through an aperture or recess of the other arm.
The clip may include a readily disengageable catch to hold the engagement member adjacent to said other arm; the catch is preferably formed on the engagement member itself, and may constitute a snap-fit configuration of any suitable kind. The end of the engagement member may for example engage in a snap-fitting manner in or through an aperture of the other arm.
The clip may include a retention member adapted to permanently retain the engagement member in contact with said other arm. The retention member may comprise a one way latch extending from one of said arms and engageable in latch receiving means of the other of said arms. The latch may be provided on the engagement member or may be separate therefrom.
In a preferred embodiment said latch comprises a resilient protrusion having a tapered nose and an abutment undercut to the rear thereof, and said latch receiving means comprises an abutment face having an edge for contact with said tapered nose, in use movement of said nose against said edge causing deformation of said nose and subsequent snapfitting engagement of said undercut and abutment face.
The undercut may extend around the periphery of said nose, and said abutment face may be constituted by an aperture.
In use the one way latch constitutes a tamper evident anti-theft measure for e.g. pairs of socks in a retail outlet; the retention member may be removed after sale, for example by cutting with a pair of scissors in the case of a moulded plastic clip.
The catch and latch may be provided on the engagement member so that both are engageable with said other arm, the latch being provided at the tip of the engagement member, and the catch being provided proximally thereof.
A hook may be provided on the clip for suspending the clip from a washing line or retail display rack.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:
Fig. 1 shows an elevation of a first embodiment of a sock
clip according to the invention;
Fig. 2 shows a view from the right of the sock clip
illustrated in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the portion of the sock
clip enclosed by broken lines in Fig. 1, along the line
III - III in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 shows an elevation of a second embodiment of a
sock clip according to the invention;
Fig. 5 shows a view from the right of the sock clip
illustrated in Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 shows a cross section of the portion of the sock
clip enclosed by broken lines in Fig. 4, along line IV VI in Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 shows an elevation of the interior face of a third
embodiment of a sock clip according to the invention, in
its opened state;;
Fig. 8 shows a view from the left in Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 shows an elevation of one face of the sock clip
of Fig. 7 in its closed state and
Fig. 10 shows a view from the right in Fig. 9.
Referring to Fig. 1, a sock clip 10 comprises an elongate receiving member 12 including a substantially semicircular arcuate portion 14 and first and second substantially linearly extending arms 16,18. One arm 16,18 extends tangentially from each end of the arcuate portion 14, in order to form a U-shaped member 12. The arms 16,18 are substantially equal in length, and normally substantially parallel. At least part of the material of the receiving member 12 is flexible or resilient in order to allow relative movement of the distal ends 17,19 of the arms 16,18 towards and away from each other. Generally, the arcuate portion 14 of the receiving member 12 constitutes a living hinge. The sock clip further comprises an elongate cylindrical pin 20 extending perpendicularly from the distal end 17 of the first arm 16 towards the distal end 19 of the second arm 18.A portion 22 of the distal end of the pin 20 is formed of a larger diameter than the rest of the pin 20.
In this case the enlarged portion 22 is shown as being spherical in shape, although other shapes are possible.
A bore 24 is formed in the distal end 19 of the second arm, with an aperture 25 into which the pin is adapted to engage. The bore 24 has a diameter at least as large as the diameter of the enlarged portion 22. The aperture 25 has a radially inwardly extending rim 26, said rim extending to define the aperture 25 as having a diameter larger than the diameter of the pin 20, but smaller than the diameter of the enlarged portion 22 of the pin 20. The rim 26 is resiliently flexible, in order to allow passage of the enlarged section 22 into and out of the bore 24, and thus to engage and disengage the pin 20 with the bore 24. The rim 26 may be constituted by a series of circumferentially spaced flaps.
The pin 20 is adapted to pass through the weave of sock material without damage thereto, enabling a pair of socks to be arranged on the pin 20, and in use the pin 20 to be engaged with the bore 24. The pin and bore/rim constitute a readily disengageable catch, and this arrangement retains the pair of socks together for the purposes of laundry, thus eliminating sorting of pairs of socks after laundry.
Referring now to Fig. 4, another sock clip 30 is shown which includes the features of the sock clip 10 of Fig. 1.
For clarity, only those features of this sock clip 30 which are additional to the features of the first sock clip 10 are described in detail.
Extending from the outer surface of the arcuate portion 14 is a hook 32, adapted so that the sock clip 30 may be suspended from a display rack in a shop or from a washing line; the hook may be of any suitable or standard design.
Extending coaxially with the pin from the enlarged portion is a shaft 34 of small diameter relative to the pin 20. In Fig. 6 the pin is shown in the engaged position.
The shaft 34 extends entirely through the bore 24 and integral therewith is a tag 36. The tag 36 is dimensioned larger than the bore 24 and so will not pass through the bore 24. In use, to disengage the pin 20 from the bore 24, the shaft 34 must be broken thus removing the tag 36 from the pin. Generally, therefore, the shaft is made of a breakable material, for example polyethylene. The tag 36 comprises a permanent latch and is useful as a tamper evident device for use in shops. After removal of the tag 36 after purchase of goods attached to the sock clip 30 for example by cutting the shaft 34, the sock clip 30 may be used in laundry. The hook 32 is useful in laundry and in retail for hooking a pair of socks to a washing line and to a retail display rack respectively.
The tag may be sufficiently resilient to permit one way passage through the bore 24.
The sock clips 10,30 may be made from plastics material. The clip 10,30 may be manufactured in various colours, enabling laundry to be sorted by ownership of socks being represented by a particular colour of sock clip.
Figs. 7-10 show a third embodiment of a sock clip which may be manufactured by injection moulding. A sock clip 50 comprises a rectangular laminar body 52. A hinge 54 extends across the body, dividing the body into two substantially equally dimensioned rectangular halves 56,58.
The hinge 54 is operative to allow the body 52 to be folded completely in half, the halves 56,58 thus lying face to face. Half 56 includes on the inner face an upstanding pin 62 adapted to pass through textile material such as sock material, and a latch 64. The latch 64 comprises a resilient and upstanding column 66 and a terminal hook 68.
The hook 68 extends substantially parallel to the face 60 from the distal end of the column 66.
The body 52 is adapted to fold so that the face 60 is adjacent a corresponding face 70 of half 58. Half 58 includes a recess 72 which is adapted to receive the pin 62 on folding of the body 52. An aperture 74 is provided through half 58, arranged to receive the latch 64 on folding of the body 52. The hook 68 is tapered towards one end to allow riding of the latch 64 over an edge 76 on folding of the body 52. The hook 68 retains the body 52 in its folded state. The latch 64 may be released by flexing the latch 64 so that the hook 68 clears edge 76, thus allowing passage of the latch 64 back through the aperture 74.
When the body 52 is folded the pin 62 is received by the recess 72, and thus a pair of socks (not shown) can be retained by the pin 62. The recess 72 constitutes a shield to prevent a puncture injury to a user from the necessarily small diameter pin 62.
Tamper evident means, of any suitable kind, may be provided on the clip so that any unauthorised unclipping of the clip may be detected.
A slot 78 may be provided to permit the clip to be hung from a washing line, or from a rail in a retail store.
Alternatively a hole may be provided for fixing on a retail hook or other storage device.
The plan exterior surface of the clip may carry decoration or retail sales information.
Claims (25)
1. A clip for retaining two or more textile items together, said clip having two arms and an engagement member extending from one arm and being movable towards and away from the other of said arms, said engagement member being adapted to pass through said textile items without causing damage thereto, and said clip further including a suspension hook.
2. A clip according to claim 1 wherein the engagement member is fixed to one of said arms.
3. A clip according to claim 1 wherein the clip is integral with one of said arms.
4. A clip according to any preceding claim wherein said engagement member comprises a single elongate protrusion.
5. A clip according to claim 4 wherein the end of the protrusion is at least partially arcuate.
6-. A clip according to any preceding claim wherein said arms are of similar shape and section.
7. A clip according to any preceding claim wherein said arms are linked in the manner of a hinge.
8. A clip according to claim 7 wherein the hinge is a living hinge.
9. A clip according to any preceding claim wherein said clip is a one piece plastic injection moulding.
10. A clip according to any preceding claim and further including means to bias the engagement member towards said other arm.
11. A clip according to any preceding claim wherein said engagement member passes into or through an aperture or recess of the other arm.
12. A clip according to claim 11 wherein said engagement member passes into a blind recess.
13. A clip according to any preceding claim and further including a disengageable catch to hold the engagement member adjacent to said other arm.
14. A clip according to claim 13 wherein said catch is formed on the engagement member.
15. A clip according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein said catch comprises a snap-fit configuration.
16. A clip according to claim 15 wherein the free end of the engagement member engages in a snap-fitting manner in or through an aperture or recess of the other arm.
17. A clip according to any preceding claim and further-including a retention member adapted to retain the engagement member in contact with said other arm.
18. A clip according to claim 17 wherein the retention member comprises a one way latch extending from one of said arms and engageable in latch receiving means of the other of said arms.
19. A clip according to claim 18 wherein said latch is provided on the engagement member.
20. A clip according to claim 18 or claim 19 wherein said latch comprises a resilient protrusion having a tapered nose and an abutment undercut to the rear thereof, and said latch receiving means comprises an abutment face having an edge for contact with said tapered nose. in use movement of said nose against said edge causing deformation of said nose and subsequent snap-fitting engagement of said undercut and abutment face.
21. A clip according to claim 20 wherein said undercut extends around the periphery of said nose.
22. A clip according to claim 20 or claim 21 wherein said abutment face is constituted by an aperture.
23. A clip according to any of claims 1-12 wherein said engagement member includes a disengageable catch to hold the engagement member adjacent to said other arm and a removable latch distal of the catch to retain the engagement memDer adjacent to said other arm.
24. A clip substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1-6 of the accompanying drawings.
25. A clip substantially as described herein and as illustrated in Figs. 7-10 of the accompanxing drawings.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU32631/95A AU3263195A (en) | 1994-08-23 | 1995-08-23 | A clip for clothing |
PCT/GB1995/001988 WO1996006215A1 (en) | 1994-08-23 | 1995-08-23 | A clip for clothing |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9416976A GB9416976D0 (en) | 1994-08-23 | 1994-08-23 | The sock peg/clip pairing device |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB9424512D0 GB9424512D0 (en) | 1995-01-25 |
GB2292767A true GB2292767A (en) | 1996-03-06 |
GB2292767B GB2292767B (en) | 1999-03-24 |
Family
ID=10760243
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB9416976A Pending GB9416976D0 (en) | 1994-08-23 | 1994-08-23 | The sock peg/clip pairing device |
GB9424512A Expired - Fee Related GB2292767B (en) | 1994-08-23 | 1994-12-05 | A clip for clothing |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB9416976A Pending GB9416976D0 (en) | 1994-08-23 | 1994-08-23 | The sock peg/clip pairing device |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (2) | GB9416976D0 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1998023806A1 (en) * | 1996-11-27 | 1998-06-04 | The Clip-It Company As | Device for holding socks together in pairs |
WO1999013149A1 (en) * | 1997-09-08 | 1999-03-18 | Stefan Hanserot | Device for socks |
DE20100081U1 (en) * | 2000-10-19 | 2002-03-07 | Kautenburger Friedericke | Socks and socks wash holder for several pairs of socks / stockings or laundry items |
EP1198999A2 (en) * | 2000-10-19 | 2002-04-24 | Kautenburger, Friedericke | Device for pairing garments |
EP4092183A1 (en) * | 2021-05-18 | 2022-11-23 | Confort Domo France | Device for pairing two pieces of fabric |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3149386A (en) * | 1962-11-06 | 1964-09-22 | Alvin S Trundy | Fabric fastening device |
US3524230A (en) * | 1967-11-29 | 1970-08-18 | John B Hankel | Diaper button |
US3729780A (en) * | 1971-07-08 | 1973-05-01 | R White | Clamp |
US4044429A (en) * | 1976-09-07 | 1977-08-30 | Wagner Robert W | Locking safety pin and key carrier |
US4503591A (en) * | 1983-05-23 | 1985-03-12 | Adamska Koperska Joanna | Ring for storing articles of clothing |
EP0232704A1 (en) * | 1986-01-28 | 1987-08-19 | Richard Hippold | Hook fastener, especially for fur coats |
US4939823A (en) * | 1989-10-18 | 1990-07-10 | Klein Milton L | Sock pairer and holder |
US5329678A (en) * | 1993-09-20 | 1994-07-19 | Bagnasco Dante Victor | Molded safety pin |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4807334A (en) * | 1988-04-28 | 1989-02-28 | Batts, Inc. | Article hanger clip |
US5234139A (en) * | 1991-08-06 | 1993-08-10 | Korenstein Michael W | Apparatus for the management of paired garments |
-
1994
- 1994-08-23 GB GB9416976A patent/GB9416976D0/en active Pending
- 1994-12-05 GB GB9424512A patent/GB2292767B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3149386A (en) * | 1962-11-06 | 1964-09-22 | Alvin S Trundy | Fabric fastening device |
US3524230A (en) * | 1967-11-29 | 1970-08-18 | John B Hankel | Diaper button |
US3729780A (en) * | 1971-07-08 | 1973-05-01 | R White | Clamp |
US4044429A (en) * | 1976-09-07 | 1977-08-30 | Wagner Robert W | Locking safety pin and key carrier |
US4503591A (en) * | 1983-05-23 | 1985-03-12 | Adamska Koperska Joanna | Ring for storing articles of clothing |
EP0232704A1 (en) * | 1986-01-28 | 1987-08-19 | Richard Hippold | Hook fastener, especially for fur coats |
US4939823A (en) * | 1989-10-18 | 1990-07-10 | Klein Milton L | Sock pairer and holder |
US5329678A (en) * | 1993-09-20 | 1994-07-19 | Bagnasco Dante Victor | Molded safety pin |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1998023806A1 (en) * | 1996-11-27 | 1998-06-04 | The Clip-It Company As | Device for holding socks together in pairs |
WO1999013149A1 (en) * | 1997-09-08 | 1999-03-18 | Stefan Hanserot | Device for socks |
DE20100081U1 (en) * | 2000-10-19 | 2002-03-07 | Kautenburger Friedericke | Socks and socks wash holder for several pairs of socks / stockings or laundry items |
EP1198999A2 (en) * | 2000-10-19 | 2002-04-24 | Kautenburger, Friedericke | Device for pairing garments |
EP1198999A3 (en) * | 2000-10-19 | 2004-03-24 | Kautenburger, Friedericke | Device for pairing garments |
EP4092183A1 (en) * | 2021-05-18 | 2022-11-23 | Confort Domo France | Device for pairing two pieces of fabric |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB9416976D0 (en) | 1994-10-12 |
GB9424512D0 (en) | 1995-01-25 |
GB2292767B (en) | 1999-03-24 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19991205 |