AU2015100748A4 - Clip - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A clip for holding a newspaper has a telescoping body portion which is arranged to align with the spine of a newspaper. Resilient engaging portions at either end of the body portion act to hold the newspaper pages. 12 Fig. 1 Fig. 2 -2 4

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention title: "CLIP" Applicant: DUCAT, DAVID JAMES Associated provisional applications: The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 2 "CLIP" Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a clip used to hold sheets of paper together. The clip has been created for use during reading of a newspaper or similar loose-leaf publication, but may have wider application. Background to the Invention [0002] Newspapers generally comprise a large number of thin sheets of paper folded together. There is generally no binding, and often no connection of any sort between sheets. [0003] As a consequence, when a newspaper is being read it is very easy for pages to become misaligned, or to fall out of the newspaper. This is particularly the case when a reader does not have a flat surface on which to lay out the newspaper. [0004] In addition, newspapers generally lack inherent stiffness. Pages can readily bend during use, making reading quite difficult. In circumstances where support surfaces are not readily available and where a reader might be holding onto other items, such as on public transport, this can be quite problematic. [0005] The present invention seeks to provide a means of making a newspaper easier to handle and to read. Summary of the Invention [0006] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an elongate clip having a first outer end and a second outer end, the clip having a first paper engaging means located at the first outer end and a second paper engaging means located at the second outer end, the length of the clip between the first and second outer ends being adjustable.

3 [0007] In a preferred embodiment, the clip has a telescopic body portion. It is preferred that the body portion includes a plurality of telescoping members. There may be three, four or more than four telescoping members. In a most preferred embodiment, the body portion has five telescoping members. [0008] The body portion is preferably extendible through a range of lengths between a minimum stowed length and a maximum extended length. The maximum extended length may be more than three times the minimum stowed length. In the most preferred embodiment, the maximum extended length is about four times the minimum stowed length. [0009] Each paper engaging means may be spaced from the body portion. This spacing can be considered a minimum spacing, and be associated with a neutral position of the paper engaging means. It is preferred that the paper engaging means is resiliently biased towards the neutral position, but is able to flex away from the body portion in order to increase the space between the paper engaging means and the body portion, and thus to accommodate a thicker newspaper. [0010] Each paper engaging means may be shaped so as to have an introductory region angled with respect to the body portion, such that the spacing between the body portion and the paper engaging means is greatest at an outermost edge of the introductory region. [0011] Each paper engaging means may be wavy or zigzag in shape in order to reduce friction during positioning of the clip. [0012] It will be appreciated that a clip formed in accordance with the present invention is able to clamp about newspapers of different sizes and thicknesses, effectively forming a spine for the newspaper. This will assist both in preventing the relative movement of pages, and also add stiffness to the newspaper.

4 [0013] It will also be appreciated that although use of the clip has been described in relation to newspapers, it may well be used in other applications. Brief Description of the Drawings [0014] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings: [0015] Figure 1 is a side view of a clip in accordance with the present invention, showing a body portion in a minimum stowed length; [0016] Figure 2 is a side view of the clip of Figure 1, showing a body portion in a maximum extended length; and [0017] Figure 3 is a perspective of the clip of Figure 1 in use. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments [0018] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a clip 10 having a body portion 12. The body portion 12 extends between a first outer end 14 and a second outer end 16. [0019] The clip 10 includes a first paper engaging means 20 located at the first outer end 14 and a second paper engaging means 22 located at the second outer end 16. [0020] The body portion 12 is elongate, with a generally cylindrical configuration. The body portion 12 is thin, with a length (in Figure 1) some 15 to 20 times its diameter. [0021] The body portion 12 is formed from an outer cylindrical tube 24 and four telescoping inner members 26. As can be seen in Figure 2, this allows the length of the body portion 12 to be altered. It can move between a minimum or stowed length, as shown in Figure 1, to a maximum extended 5 length as shown in Figure 2. The maximum extended length of the body portion 12 is about four times its minimum length. [0022] The first and second paper engaging means 20, 22 are each formed as a 'hook' extending from the respective outer end 14, 16. The first and second paper engaging means each have a wavy or zigzag paper engagement portion 28 generally parallel to, and spaced from, the body portion 12. The position of the paper engagement portions 28 in Figures 1 and 2 is a neutral position, with the hook arrangement being biased to return the paper engagement portions 28 to this position in the absence of other forces. The paper engagement portions 28 each have an introductory portion 29 angled away from the body portion 12. [0023] In use, the body portion 12 is extended to an appropriate length, and placed about a newspaper 30 to be supported. The paper engaging means 20, 22 can each be bent away from the body portion 12 in order to accommodate the thickness of the newspaper 30. As the paper engaging means 20, 22 are resilient, the portion of the newspaper 30 located between each paper engagement portion 28 and body portion 12 is placed into compression. The body portion 12 may then be shortened slightly such that the length of the clip 10 corresponds to the height of the newspaper 30. [0024] When located along the main fold of the newspaper 30, the clip 10 acts both to retain the newspaper pages and also as a 'spine' to increase stiffness of the newspaper. [0025] It will be appreciated that the clip 10 can be readily removed and returned to its stowed position, with the paper engagement portions 28 returned to their neutral position, in order to be stored ready for future use. [0026] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (5)

1. An elongate clip having a first outer end and a second outer end, the clip having a first paper engaging means located at the first outer end and a second paper engaging means located at the second outer end, the length of the clip between the first and second outer ends being adjustable.

2. An elongate clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clip has a telescopic body portion.

3. An elongate clip as claimed in claim 2, wherein the body portion includes at least three telescoping members.

4. An elongate clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body portion is extendible between a minimum stowed length and a maximum extended length, the maximum extended length being more than three times the minimum stowed length.

5. An elongate clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each paper engaging means is spaced from the body portion, and is resiliently biased towards a neutral position. DUCAT, DAVID JAMES By his Patent Attorneys ARMOUR IP P2153AU00