AU2019300565A1

AU2019300565A1 - A clip for attachment to an elongate member

Info

Publication number: AU2019300565A1
Application number: AU2019300565A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Geraldine Laraquel STEPHENSON
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-07-12
Filing date: 2019-07-11
Publication date: 2021-06-17
Also published as: WO2020012413A1

Abstract

A clip for attachment to an elongate member. The clip comprising a first clamping member and an opposed second clamping member. Further, each of the first clamping member and the second clamping member comprising a jaw portion and a manually manipulable portion. The first clamping member and the second clamping member are engageable with each other by a pivoting arrangement. Also, the first clamping member and the second clamping member are pivotable to move the jaw portion of the first clamping member and the second clamping member between an open position and a closed position. Furthermore, the pivoting arrangement comprising at least one protrusion and at least one recess into which the protrusion is locatable and a biasing member configured for biasing the respective jaw portion of the first clamping member and the second clamping member towards each other, and retaining the at least one protrusion and the at least one recess in engagement with each other. The jaw portion of the first clamping member and the second clamping member includes a central slot configured for receiving a coat hanger hook extending transversely to the elongate member in use.

Description

A CLIP FOR ATTACHMENT TO AN ELONGATE MEMBER

Technical Field

[001] The present invention generally relates to clips for retaining objects to an elongate member and in particular to a clip for attaching objects such as a coat hanger to an elongate member such as a clothes line or rope among other things.

Background

[002] Currently, methods for attaching clothing to a clothesline or the like for drying are designed with a specific purpose in mind and hence, offer very little flexibility in use. A particular issue which arises in relation to the drying of clothes is related to the attachment of clothes to a washing line whilst using a minimum of space. This is particularly relevant with the prevalence of high rise apartments with limited space for hanging clothes for drying.

[003] One means of reducing the amount of space taken on a washing line is to hang shirts and the like on coat hangers, with the coat hangers being positioned perpendicular to the line in use, significantly increasing the number of shirts that can be hung on a line for drying. Presently, there are very few suitable devices that can securely attach such a coat hanger or similar to a clothes line, whilst at the same time, can provide the flexibility of a number of alternate uses.

[004] These uses may range from a clothes peg to a clip for attaching cables together among other things. Furthermore, the attachment of clothing such as shirts to a clothesline in the traditional manner can take up a significant amount of space as the clothing is typically hung parallel to the clothesline rather than perpendicular to the line, significantly reducing the number of shirts that can be attached to a given length of clothes line. This is particularly important when one has limited space in which to dry their clothing.

[005] It is therefore desirable to provide a clip that provides a cost-effective, space conserving and efficient solution to the deficiencies of the prior art.

[006] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise”,“comprises” and“comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step or element or group of steps or elements but not the exclusion of any other step or element or group of steps or elements.

[007] Any one of the terms:“including” or“which includes” or“that includes” as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others.

[008] Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such background art is prior art nor that such background art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field in Australia or worldwide.

[009] The present invention seeks to provide a useful clip which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

Summary

[010] According to a first aspect, the present invention may be said to consist in a clip for attachment to an elongate member, the clip comprising:

a. a first clamping member; and

b. an opposed second clamping member;

c. each of the first clamping member and the second clamping member comprising:

i. a jaw portion; and

ii. a manually manipulate portion;

iii. wherein the first clamping member and the second clamping member are engageable with each other by a pivoting arrangement; and

iv. wherein the first clamping member and the second clamping member are pivotable to move the jaw portion of the first clamping member and the second clamping member between an open position and a closed position;

d. the pivoting arrangement comprising:

i. at least one protrusion and at least one recess into which the protrusion is locatable; and ii. a biasing member configured for biasing the respective jaw portions of the first clamping member and the second clamping member towards each other, and retaining the at least one protrusion and the at least one recess in engagement with each other; and

e. wherein the jaw portion of the first clamping member and the second clamping member includes a central slot configured for receiving a coat hanger hook extending transversely to the elongate member in use.

[011] In one embodiment, the first clamping member is substantially identical to the second clamping member.

[012] In one embodiment, the biasing member is substantially U shaped.

[013] In one embodiment, the biasing member comprises securing lips at each end of the biasing member.

[014] In one embodiment, the first clamping member and the second clamping member contain recesses that are adapted to securely receive each of the securing lips of the biasing member.

[015] In one embodiment, the central slot is configured to receive a plurality of coat hanger hook sizes.

[016] In one embodiment, the central slot comprises an arch defined by a plurality of recesses of varying sizes.

[017] In one embodiment, the jaw portions are adapted to securely receive the elongate member in use.

[018] In one embodiment, each jaw portion further comprises an engaging formation angled such that engaging formations on opposed jaw portions urge the elongate member towards the pivoting arrangement in use, as the jaw portions move towards their closed position.

[019] In one embodiment, the pivoting arrangement comprises a protrusion on one or both of the first clamping member and the second clamping member, for engagement with a complementary recess on the opposed clamping member.

[020] In one embodiment, the at least one protrusion and the at least one recess is located asymmetrically on each of the first clamping member and the second clamping member.

[021] Brief Description of Drawings

[022] At least one example of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[023] Fig. 1 shows a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

[024] Fig. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the embodiment in Fig. 1 ;

[025] Fig. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the clip of Fig. 1 ;

[026] Fig. 4 illustrates the clip of Fig. 1 in use;

[027] Fig. 5 shows a front view of the clip of Fig. 1 ;

[028] Fig. 6 shows a side view of the clip of Fig.1 ;

[029] Fig. 7 shows a top view of the clip of Fig. 1 ; and

[030] Fig. 8 shows a bottom view of the clip of Fig. 1.

[031] It should be noted that the same reference numeral represents the same or similar elements in different embodiments throughout the drawings.

Description of Embodiments

[032] Figure 1 generally shows a perspective view of a clip 1000, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[033] The clip 1000 comprises a first clamping member 102 and an opposed second clamping member 104 which are pivotally connected to each other by a pivoting arrangement, which will be described in further detail below. In the embodiment of the invention shown, the first clamping member 102 and the second clamping member 104 are identical to each other.

[034] Each of the clamping members 102, 104 include jaw portions 106, 107 and respective manually manipulable portions 108, 110. The jaw portions 106, 107 are adapted to grip an elongate member such as a clothesline 4000 when in use as is exemplified in Figure 4. Each of the jaw members define a central slot 114 configured for receiving a coat hanger hook 4002 extending transversely to the elongate member 4000 in use.

[035] As is shown in Figure 6, the jaw portions 106, 107 are angled such that the clip 1000 urges a coat hanger hook 4002 against the elongate member 4000, which in this case is a clothesline, to allow for secure attachment or connection of the coat hanger hook 4002 to the clothesline 4000 when in use. [036] Returning to Figures 1 and 2, the clamping members 102, 104 include manually manipulate portions 108, 110 at an opposed end from the jaw portions 106,

107. The manually manipulate portions 108, 110 are is adapted to allow for the manual opening of the clip 1000 for engagement to the clothesline 4000 when in use. The manually manipulate portions 108, 110 preferably include a text i led surface or potentially a rubberised surface to aid in the grip of the manually manipulate portion

108, 110 and to prevent slippage when being manipulated by a person’s hand (not shown).

[037] The first clamping member 102 and the second clamping member 104 are moveable with respect to each other, which in this embodiment is achieved via a pivoting arrangement 112, in which the first clamping member 102 and the second clamping member 104 are pivotable relative to each other to move the jaw portions 106, 107 between an open position and a closed position. Figure 1 shows the clip 1000 in its closed position. The pivoting arrangement 112 will be explained in further detail below. In the open position, the jaw portions 106, 107 are positioned to allow the clip 1000 to receive the elongate member 4000 in use. In the closed position, the jaw portions 106, 107 close onto the clothesline 4000 for secure attachment to the clothesline 4000.

[038] As is shown in Figure 3, the pivoting arrangement 112 comprises at least one protrusion 302 and at least one recess 304 on each of the clamping members 102, 104. The protrusions 302 and the recesses 304 are located asymmetrically off the centre line of each of the clamping members 102, 104. This allows for identical first and second clamping members to be used, and hence a single mould to be provided for production of the clamping members by moulding. In the embodiment shown in the figures, a pair of protrusions 302 and a pair of recesses 304 are provided on each clamping member, although it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that only one, or more protrusions 302 and/or recesses 304 may be provided with similar effect. The shape of the protrusion 302 complements the shape of the opposed recess 304, allowing for the protrusion 302 and the recess 304 to act as a hinge.

[039] As shown in Figure 3, the first clamping member 102 and the second clamping member 104 are kept together using a resilient member in the form of a U-shaped metallic spring 306. In alternative embodiments (not shown), however, it is envisaged that the resilient member can be manufactured from a resilient polymer or an elastic structure among other things. The metallic U-shaped spring 306 is preferably manufactured from a corrosion resistant material, such as stainless steel as one such example. This is due to the likelihood that the clip is likely to be used outdoors where it will be exposed to moisture and humidity potentially leading to corrosion.

[040] It is envisaged that the spring 306 would be attached to the clamping members using a press fit and assembly being achieved by bringing the first clamping member 102 and the second clamping member 104 together such that the protrusion 302 and the recess 304 are engaged allowing for the spring 306 to be attached to the clip 1000 by the application of force onto the top surface of the spring 306.

[041] To aid in the secure attachment of the spring 306 to the clip 1000, the spring 306 may further comprise securing lips 308 adapted to engage with recesses (not shown) within the first clamping member 102 and the second clamping member 104. The securing lips 308 are of sufficient size and shape to ensure that the spring 306 securely engages with the recesses, such that the spring 306 does not detach from the first clamping member 102 and the second clamping member 104 when in use.

[042] As previously mentioned, the first clamping member 102 and the second clamping member 104 are kept together using a biasing member 306, which may be in the form of a metallic spring or a resilient plastic member or the like. The use of the biasing member 306 allows for the first clamping member 102 and the second clamping member 104 to be kept together without the need for a pin or similar (as is used in a conventional hinge) to keep the first clamping member 102 attached to the second clamping member 104. The force applied by the biasing member 306 along with the structure of the protrusion 302 and recess 304 keeps the clip 1000 together.

[043] As mentioned previously, the advantage of having the spring 306 combined with the protrusion 302 and the recess 304 arrangement is that the number of components used for assembly is reduced by removing the necessity of a holding pin as is used in conventional hinge structures. The clip 1000 is reduced in complexity and as such the assembly is kept to a minimum reducing the time it will take to assemble, reducing assembly costs.

[044] Figure 5 details a side view of the clip 1000, showing the central slot 114, which comprises a plurality of varying diameter arches which are adapted to fit a plurality of different coat hanger hook diameters.

[045] In Figure 5, the central slot 114 comprises two or more arches of varying diameters which are designed to cater for different thickness coat hanger hooks 4002. This allows different diameter coat hanger hooks 4002 to be securely received within the central slot 114 of the clip 1000. This is of particular importance as coat hangers come in a variety of different sizes and thicknesses and it is desirable that the clip 1000 is adaptable to a variety of different coat hanger sizes, in order to prevent such coat hangers from being dislodged from the clothesline in use.

[046] Figure 6 shows a side view detailing the jaw portions 106, 107 which are angled inwards such that the force of the spring 306 urges the clothesline 4000 to which the clip 1000 is attached upwards ensuring tight fitment of the clip 1000 to the coat hanger hook 4002.

[047] Figure 7 shows a top view of the clip 1000 exemplifying the location of the spring 306 in relation to the first clamping member 102 and the second clamping member 104. The spring 306 is used to keep the first clamping member 102 and the second clamping member 104 together without the need to use a pin as in conventional hinge structures.

[048] In Figure 8 an underside view of the clip is shown revealing the structure of the central slot 114, as was discussed previously, the central slot is shaped such that it will securely engage with a variety of different coat hanger sizes and arrangements.

[049] Advantageously, having the first clamping member 102 and the second clamping member 104 identical to each other, provides distinct advantages in relation to manufacturing where only one plastic mould is required to manufacture the clip 1000. Furthermore, having the first clamping member 102 and the second clamping member 104 identical in shape further simplifies design and manufacturing, potentially leading to a reduction in production costs.

[050] The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Examples and limitations disclosed herein are intended to be not limiting in any manner, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and their equivalents, in which all terms are to be understood in their broadest possible sense unless otherwise indicated.

[051] Various modifications to these embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and the accompanying drawings. The principles associated with the various embodiments described herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown along with the accompanying drawings but is to be providing broadest scope of consistent with the principles and the novel and inventive features disclosed or suggested herein. Accordingly, the disclosure is anticipated to hold on to all other such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the present disclosure and appended claims.

Interpretation

Embodiments:

[052] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[053] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[054] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

[055] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details

[056] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

[057] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[058] For the purposes of this specification, the term“plastic” shall be construed to mean a general term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic polymerization products, and generally consisting of a hydrocarbon-based polymer.

[059] As used herein the term“and/or” means“and” or“or”, or both. [060] As used herein“(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

Comprising and Including

[061] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word“comprise” or variations such as“comprises” or“comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[062] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

[063] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[064] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Industrial Applicability

[065] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the consumer product industries.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A clip for attachment to an elongate member, the clip comprising:

a. a first clamping member; and

b. an opposed second clamping member;

c. each of the first clamping member and the second clamping member comprising:

i. a jaw portion; and

ii. a manually manipulate portion;

d. the pivoting arrangement comprising:

i. at least one protrusion and at least one recess into which the protrusion is locatable; and

ii. a biasing member configured for biasing the respective jaw

portions of the first clamping member and the second clamping member towards each other, and retaining the at least one protrusion and the at least one recess in engagement with each other; and

2. The clip of claim 1 , wherein the first clamping member is identical to the

second clamping member.

3. The clip of claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is substantially U shaped.

4. The clip of claim 3, wherein the biasing member comprises a securing lip at at least one end of the biasing member.

5. The clip of claim 4, wherein the first clamping member and the second

clamping member include recesses that are adapted to securely receive a securing lip to secure the biasing member in position.

6. The clip of claim 1 , wherein the central slot comprises an arch defined by a plurality of recesses of varying sizes.

7. The clip of claim 1 , wherein the jaw portions are adapted to securely receive the elongate member in use.

8. The clip of claim 7, wherein each jaw portion further comprises an engaging formation angled such that engaging formations on opposed jaw portions urge the elongate member towards the pivoting arrangement in use, as the jaw portions move towards their closed position.

9. The clip of claim 1 , wherein the pivoting arrangement comprises a protrusion on one or both of the first clamping member and the second clamping member, for engagement with a complementary recess on the opposed clamping member.

10. The clip of claim 9, wherein the at least one protrusion and the at least one recess is located asymmetrically on each of the first clamping member and the second clamping member.