CA2788102C - Apparatus and method for binding and posting articles - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for binding and posting articles Download PDFInfo
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- CA2788102C CA2788102C CA2788102A CA2788102A CA2788102C CA 2788102 C CA2788102 C CA 2788102C CA 2788102 A CA2788102 A CA 2788102A CA 2788102 A CA2788102 A CA 2788102A CA 2788102 C CA2788102 C CA 2788102C
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42F—SHEETS TEMPORARILY ATTACHED TOGETHER; FILING APPLIANCES; FILE CARDS; INDEXING
- B42F1/00—Sheets temporarily attached together without perforating; Means therefor
- B42F1/02—Paper-clips or like fasteners
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Abstract
The invention is an improved paperclip consisting of a wire clip, with a plurality of loops and a guiding mat attached to one or more of the loops to form a gripping receptacle. The invention is further improved by attaching a mounting device on the flip side of the gripping receptacle. The mounting device secures the clip to a stationary surface and prevents the clip from moving when an article is inserted into the gripping receptacle. Once the article is bound by the clip, the clip and article may then be mounted to a suitable surface for display or storage.
Description
2 Description
3 Background of the Invention
4 Wherever articles such as documents, papers or photos exist, there exists a need to bind to both bind articles together for storage and to post articles onto bulletin boards.
6 One of the most common methods for binding articles is the paperclip. The most 7 common method for posting articles is the push-pin. Each of these devices requires 8 that the typical user incorporate two hands to use either of these devices. Single 9 handed use of either the paperclip or push pin requires significant digital dexterity.
Individuals, with impaired use of their hands, find that standard paperclips and push-11 pins are prohibitively difficult, if not impossible, to use. In a busy work setting, people 12 often multitask resulting in one of their hands being occupied at the same time they may 13 need to bind or post articles.
14 The object of this invention is to provide a method to bind and post articles with one hand and reduced effort.
16 Prior Art 17 The standard gem paperclip is the most popular paperclip design due to its simplicity, 18 low manufacturing costs and efficiency. For the purpose of this patent, the gem paper 19 clip is best described as being made of resilient wire, with a plurality of bends, and having three sections. The first and second sections both have a top side and a bottom 21 side and are comprised of two legs connected together by a U shaped loop. The third 22 section connects one leg of the first section to one leg of the second section by way a U
23 shaped loop. The third section has a spring property that urges the first and second 24 sections together. The first section is slightly smaller and does not protrude as far out as the second section. The first section is designed to nest inside of the second section 26 with its legs adjacent to the legs of the second section. The user forces the first and 27 second sections away from each other in order to create a gap into which an article can 28 be inserted. Once an article is inserted between the first and second sections, the gem 29 paperclip then relies on the resilient force of the wire to hold the article(s) in place.
The spirit of this patent envisions the use of paperclip designs that vary from the 31 standard gem paperclip.
1 The difficulty with gem paperclip design is that the gem paperclip's natural rest position 2 does not provide a gap for inserting articles. The user is required to force the first and 3 second sections apart from each other in order to provide a suitable gap into which the 4 article(s) can be inserted. That can be very difficult or impossible for individuals with finger dexterity impairment. Even if the user has pre-deformed the gem paperclip to 6 provide a gap for receiving the article(s), the user typically requires the use of one hand 7 to hold the articles and one hand to apply the paperclip. The gem paperclip is therefore 8 impractical for one-handed application.
9 Prior art provides a vast array of variations on the paperclip. However, with a few exceptions, all of the paperclip designs require either the use of two hands or 11 extraordinary finger dexterity to successfully bind articles. Prior art designs for one-12 handed use routinely involve a plastic or metal "U" shaped binder clip.
The 13 aforementioned designs rely on the elasticity of the material in the "U"
bend of the 14 material to provide the gripping force. The present invention is distinguishable from those designs in that it incorporates the use of a wire paperclip to act as the gripping 16 force. As a result, the present invention can be manufactured with considerably less 17 material. The bulk and weight of many "U" shaped binder clips make them impractical 18 for of binding and storing articles a file folder or binder. The present invention is 19 considerably more compact and weighs much less than a "U" type binder clips and is suitable for binding and storing articles.
21 US patent 5870802 incorporates a band of material wrapped around the loops of a 22 standard paperclip thus providing a guiding surface for receiving articles. While US
23 patent 5870802 does provide a gripping receptacle that can accept articles without the 24 need to manipulate the device, its primary purpose is to provide a paperclip with a suitable surface for displaying printed material onto the paperclip.
Furthermore, the 26 claims presented in US patent 5870802 require that the band material be folded around 27 the paperclip's loops. That requirement significantly restricts the types of material 28 suitable for that invention. The present invention is distinguishable from US patent 29 5870802 in that the guiding mat is affixed to a loop of the paperclip without the need for folding. It is further distinguishable in that the present invention's guiding mat protrudes 31 past the gripping receptacle to facilitate ease of inserting articles into the gripping 32 receptacle. Furthermore, US patent 5870802 does not incorporate any means to 33 secure itself in order to resist lateral movement of the device that would naturally occur 1 when the user attempts to insert articles into the gripping receptacle.
Therefore, US
2 patent 5870802 is not suitable for one handed use. Finally, US patent 5870802 does 3 not incorporate any means for posting articles to a bulletin board.
4 US patent 5507459 incorporates a gem paperclip with an attached pointed mounting member for attaching itself to cork bulletin boards or other suitable surfaces. US patent 6 5507459 does not incorporate a guiding surface and many of the aforementioned 7 drawbacks of the gem paperclip are not addressed. Furthermore, US patent 8 claims are restricted to the use of an attached pointed mounting member as its 9 mounting device. Although one embodiment of the present invention does incorporate one or more pointed mounting members as the mounting device, other embodiments 11 incorporate the use of other mounting devices such as "hook and loop"
material, 12 magnets, adhesives and electrostatic attraction.
13 Summary of the Invention 14 The invention is an ergonomically designed paperclip in combination with a removable mounting device used to secure the clip to a stationary surface. The invention has, at 16 its core, a gem paperclip that provides the gripping force to bind articles within the clip.
17 The first improvement to the gem paperclip is the addition of a guiding mat designed to 18 significantly reduce the amount of finger dexterity required for the user to insert articles 19 into the clip.
The guiding mat is a piece of flat material with a top side and a bottom side.
The 21 guiding mat is attached to the first section by either affixing the bottom side of the 22 guiding mat to the top side of the paperclip's first section or by embedding the 23 paperclip's first section into the material of the guiding mat. The bottom side of 24 paperclip's second section rests flush on the top side of the guiding mat to create the gripping receptacle. Created in the gripping receptacle is the formation of a gap 26 suitable for accepting articles into the gripping receptacle.
27 In two of the proposed embodiments, the gap in the gripping receptacle is created by 28 the user applying force onto a guiding mat made of flexible and/or compressible 29 material. In two other embodiments, the gap is manufactured into the guiding mat by tapering the guiding mat downward at the loop end of the paperclip's first section. Once 31 the article is placed within the gap created in the gripping receptacle, the article is slid 32 further into the gripping receptacle. Once the article is fully in the gripping receptacle, 1 the resilient force of the paperclip's third section effectively clamps the article between 2 the bottom side of the paperclip's second section and the top side of the guiding mat.
3 The guiding mat also distributes the clips binding force over the area of the guiding mat 4 thereby reducing damage caused by the focused gripping surface of the gem paperclip.
The invention is further improved with the addition of a mounting device. The mounting 6 device is attached to the bottom side of the either the guiding mat or the paperclip's first 7 section. Without the mounting device, the user requires one hand to hold the invention 8 and one hand to slide the articles into the gripping receptacle (or vice-versa). The 9 mounting device secures the invention to a stationary surface thereby freeing one hand.
Once the invention is secured, the user can insert articles into the gripping receptacle 11 using one hand and with a further reduced need for finger dexterity. If the mounting 12 device is releasable and reasonably thin, the user can remove the invention from the 13 surface and the invention serves as a paperclip and can be used with in a file folder.
14 Furthermore, the invention serves as method for securing the article(s) to a bulletin board, clip-type board or other surface by using one hand and with a reduced need for 16 finger dexterity.
2 The following drawings demonstrate certain aspects of the invention. They are to 3 provide illustration by way of example and not be considered as limitations to the 4 generality of the claims. The drawings depicted are to scale unless otherwise noted.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one of the embodiments.
6 FIG. 2a, 2b and 2c are illustrations of the prior art gem paperclip.
7 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another of the embodiments.
8 FIG. 4 is the top view of FIG. 3.
9 FIG. 5 is the side view of another of the embodiments.
FIG. 6 is the side view of FIG. 3.
11 FIG. 7 is a side view of another of the embodiments.
12 FIG. 8 is a side view of another of the embodiments.
13 FIG. 9 is a close up view of FIG 6 with article and force depiction.
14 FIG. 10 is a close up view of FIG 5 with article and force depiction.
FIG. 11 is a side view of FIG 1, as attached to a stationary surface, with article 16 and force depiction.
6 One of the most common methods for binding articles is the paperclip. The most 7 common method for posting articles is the push-pin. Each of these devices requires 8 that the typical user incorporate two hands to use either of these devices. Single 9 handed use of either the paperclip or push pin requires significant digital dexterity.
Individuals, with impaired use of their hands, find that standard paperclips and push-11 pins are prohibitively difficult, if not impossible, to use. In a busy work setting, people 12 often multitask resulting in one of their hands being occupied at the same time they may 13 need to bind or post articles.
14 The object of this invention is to provide a method to bind and post articles with one hand and reduced effort.
16 Prior Art 17 The standard gem paperclip is the most popular paperclip design due to its simplicity, 18 low manufacturing costs and efficiency. For the purpose of this patent, the gem paper 19 clip is best described as being made of resilient wire, with a plurality of bends, and having three sections. The first and second sections both have a top side and a bottom 21 side and are comprised of two legs connected together by a U shaped loop. The third 22 section connects one leg of the first section to one leg of the second section by way a U
23 shaped loop. The third section has a spring property that urges the first and second 24 sections together. The first section is slightly smaller and does not protrude as far out as the second section. The first section is designed to nest inside of the second section 26 with its legs adjacent to the legs of the second section. The user forces the first and 27 second sections away from each other in order to create a gap into which an article can 28 be inserted. Once an article is inserted between the first and second sections, the gem 29 paperclip then relies on the resilient force of the wire to hold the article(s) in place.
The spirit of this patent envisions the use of paperclip designs that vary from the 31 standard gem paperclip.
1 The difficulty with gem paperclip design is that the gem paperclip's natural rest position 2 does not provide a gap for inserting articles. The user is required to force the first and 3 second sections apart from each other in order to provide a suitable gap into which the 4 article(s) can be inserted. That can be very difficult or impossible for individuals with finger dexterity impairment. Even if the user has pre-deformed the gem paperclip to 6 provide a gap for receiving the article(s), the user typically requires the use of one hand 7 to hold the articles and one hand to apply the paperclip. The gem paperclip is therefore 8 impractical for one-handed application.
9 Prior art provides a vast array of variations on the paperclip. However, with a few exceptions, all of the paperclip designs require either the use of two hands or 11 extraordinary finger dexterity to successfully bind articles. Prior art designs for one-12 handed use routinely involve a plastic or metal "U" shaped binder clip.
The 13 aforementioned designs rely on the elasticity of the material in the "U"
bend of the 14 material to provide the gripping force. The present invention is distinguishable from those designs in that it incorporates the use of a wire paperclip to act as the gripping 16 force. As a result, the present invention can be manufactured with considerably less 17 material. The bulk and weight of many "U" shaped binder clips make them impractical 18 for of binding and storing articles a file folder or binder. The present invention is 19 considerably more compact and weighs much less than a "U" type binder clips and is suitable for binding and storing articles.
21 US patent 5870802 incorporates a band of material wrapped around the loops of a 22 standard paperclip thus providing a guiding surface for receiving articles. While US
23 patent 5870802 does provide a gripping receptacle that can accept articles without the 24 need to manipulate the device, its primary purpose is to provide a paperclip with a suitable surface for displaying printed material onto the paperclip.
Furthermore, the 26 claims presented in US patent 5870802 require that the band material be folded around 27 the paperclip's loops. That requirement significantly restricts the types of material 28 suitable for that invention. The present invention is distinguishable from US patent 29 5870802 in that the guiding mat is affixed to a loop of the paperclip without the need for folding. It is further distinguishable in that the present invention's guiding mat protrudes 31 past the gripping receptacle to facilitate ease of inserting articles into the gripping 32 receptacle. Furthermore, US patent 5870802 does not incorporate any means to 33 secure itself in order to resist lateral movement of the device that would naturally occur 1 when the user attempts to insert articles into the gripping receptacle.
Therefore, US
2 patent 5870802 is not suitable for one handed use. Finally, US patent 5870802 does 3 not incorporate any means for posting articles to a bulletin board.
4 US patent 5507459 incorporates a gem paperclip with an attached pointed mounting member for attaching itself to cork bulletin boards or other suitable surfaces. US patent 6 5507459 does not incorporate a guiding surface and many of the aforementioned 7 drawbacks of the gem paperclip are not addressed. Furthermore, US patent 8 claims are restricted to the use of an attached pointed mounting member as its 9 mounting device. Although one embodiment of the present invention does incorporate one or more pointed mounting members as the mounting device, other embodiments 11 incorporate the use of other mounting devices such as "hook and loop"
material, 12 magnets, adhesives and electrostatic attraction.
13 Summary of the Invention 14 The invention is an ergonomically designed paperclip in combination with a removable mounting device used to secure the clip to a stationary surface. The invention has, at 16 its core, a gem paperclip that provides the gripping force to bind articles within the clip.
17 The first improvement to the gem paperclip is the addition of a guiding mat designed to 18 significantly reduce the amount of finger dexterity required for the user to insert articles 19 into the clip.
The guiding mat is a piece of flat material with a top side and a bottom side.
The 21 guiding mat is attached to the first section by either affixing the bottom side of the 22 guiding mat to the top side of the paperclip's first section or by embedding the 23 paperclip's first section into the material of the guiding mat. The bottom side of 24 paperclip's second section rests flush on the top side of the guiding mat to create the gripping receptacle. Created in the gripping receptacle is the formation of a gap 26 suitable for accepting articles into the gripping receptacle.
27 In two of the proposed embodiments, the gap in the gripping receptacle is created by 28 the user applying force onto a guiding mat made of flexible and/or compressible 29 material. In two other embodiments, the gap is manufactured into the guiding mat by tapering the guiding mat downward at the loop end of the paperclip's first section. Once 31 the article is placed within the gap created in the gripping receptacle, the article is slid 32 further into the gripping receptacle. Once the article is fully in the gripping receptacle, 1 the resilient force of the paperclip's third section effectively clamps the article between 2 the bottom side of the paperclip's second section and the top side of the guiding mat.
3 The guiding mat also distributes the clips binding force over the area of the guiding mat 4 thereby reducing damage caused by the focused gripping surface of the gem paperclip.
The invention is further improved with the addition of a mounting device. The mounting 6 device is attached to the bottom side of the either the guiding mat or the paperclip's first 7 section. Without the mounting device, the user requires one hand to hold the invention 8 and one hand to slide the articles into the gripping receptacle (or vice-versa). The 9 mounting device secures the invention to a stationary surface thereby freeing one hand.
Once the invention is secured, the user can insert articles into the gripping receptacle 11 using one hand and with a further reduced need for finger dexterity. If the mounting 12 device is releasable and reasonably thin, the user can remove the invention from the 13 surface and the invention serves as a paperclip and can be used with in a file folder.
14 Furthermore, the invention serves as method for securing the article(s) to a bulletin board, clip-type board or other surface by using one hand and with a reduced need for 16 finger dexterity.
2 The following drawings demonstrate certain aspects of the invention. They are to 3 provide illustration by way of example and not be considered as limitations to the 4 generality of the claims. The drawings depicted are to scale unless otherwise noted.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one of the embodiments.
6 FIG. 2a, 2b and 2c are illustrations of the prior art gem paperclip.
7 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another of the embodiments.
8 FIG. 4 is the top view of FIG. 3.
9 FIG. 5 is the side view of another of the embodiments.
FIG. 6 is the side view of FIG. 3.
11 FIG. 7 is a side view of another of the embodiments.
12 FIG. 8 is a side view of another of the embodiments.
13 FIG. 9 is a close up view of FIG 6 with article and force depiction.
14 FIG. 10 is a close up view of FIG 5 with article and force depiction.
FIG. 11 is a side view of FIG 1, as attached to a stationary surface, with article 16 and force depiction.
5 2 The core of this invention is the use of the gem paperclip to provide the resilient force 3 required to grip articles. The three sections of the gem paperclip are illustrated in FIG.
4 2a, 2b and 2c as follows:
1. FIG. 2a illustrates how the first section of the paperclip 1 is comprised of two legs
4 2a, 2b and 2c as follows:
1. FIG. 2a illustrates how the first section of the paperclip 1 is comprised of two legs
6 1a and lc. These legs are connected together by a U shaped loop lb. The leg
7 1 c becomes leg 3c in FIG 2c.
8 2. FIG. 2b illustrates how the second section of the paperclip 2 is comprised of two
9 legs 2a and 2c. These legs are connected together by a U shaped loop 2b.
The leg 2b becomes leg 3b in FIG 2c.
11 3. FIG. 2c illustrates how the third section of the paperclip 3 is comprised of two 12 legs 3a and 3c. These legs are connected together by a U shaped loop 3b.
The 13 leg 3b is an extension of leg 2b in FIG 2b. The leg 3c is an extension of leg 1c in 14 FIG 2a. This third section 3 provides the torsion distributed through the U shaped loop 3b that forces the first section 1 towards the second section 2 thereby 16 creating a gripping receptacle.
17 Because of its simplicity and functionality, the gem paperclip is the preferred method for 18 providing the resilient force required to grip the article. However, the spirit of the 19 invention envisions any other method that involves a resilient wire, which is bent into three afore-mentioned sections, thereby providing the required gripping force.
In the 21 embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 6 and FIG. 9, the guiding mat 5 is 22 attached to the top side of the paperclip's first section 1. The paperclip's second section 23 2 is shown pressed flush against the top side of the guiding mat 5. As with all 24 embodiments, the gripping receptacle is the area where the paperclip's second section 2 touches the guiding mat 5. The mounting device 4 is shown attached to the bottom of 26 the paperclip's second section 2. This embodiment has the advantage of being 27 relatively uncomplicated to manufacture. The guiding mat 5 and the mounting device 4 28 are attached to the paperclip's first section 1 by way of an adhesive.
The paperclip's 29 first section 1 creates a natural reservoir to contain the adhesive during the setting process. The preferred method for the mounting device 4 is "hook and loop"
material.
31 "Hook and loop" material has the advantage of being readily available, robust, low cost, 32 light weight and slim design. All of the drawings depict the use of "hook and loop"
33 material as the mounting device 4. Specifically, the mounting device 4 is comprised of 1 "hook" material. However, the spirit of the invention envisions the possible use of "loop"
2 material as the mounting device. For the purpose of illustration, the "hooks" and "loops"
3 are exaggerated in size and are not to scale. Other potential methods for mounting 4 devices can include pointed member(s), ferromagnetic attraction, chemical adhesives and/or electrostatic attraction.
6 FIG. 9 illustrates the function of the above-mentioned embodiment. In this embodiment, 7 the guiding mat 5 is made of a flexible material such as foam, vinyl, rubber or leather.
8 The user places the article 7 on the top of the guiding mat 5 just in front of the 9 paperclip's second section 2. The user then applies a perpendicular force Fl to the article thereby forcing the guiding mat 5 to bend about the pivot point created by the 11 paperclip's first section 1. The force Fl creates a receiving gap 6 suitable for inserting 12 the article 7.
13 In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 10, the paperclip's first section 1 is 14 embedded into the guiding mat 5. The paperclip's second section 2 is shown pressed flush against the top side of the guiding mat 5. The mounting device 4 is shown 16 attached to the bottom of the guiding mat 5. This embodiment has the advantage of 17 being relatively slim and compact thus making it more suitable for use as a paperclip.
18 The mounting device 4 is attached to the bottom side of the guiding mat 5.
19 FIG. 10 illustrates the function of the embodiment mentioned in the previous paragraph.
The guiding mat 5 is made of a compressible material such as foam. The user places 21 the article 7 on the top of the guiding mat 5 just in front of the paperclip's second section 22 2. The user then applies a perpendicular force Fl to the article thereby forcing the 23 guiding mat 5 to compress the guiding mat 5 to create a receiving gap 6 suitable for 24 inserting the article 7.
The invention is further improved by tapering the guiding mat 5, from the top side to the 26 bottom side, thereby creating a receiving gap 6 without the need of applying any 27 perpendicular force to the guiding mat 5 or article 7. FIG. 7 illustrates the use of the 28 tapered guiding mat 5 to create a receiving gap 6 in the embodiment where the 29 paperclip's first section 1 is embedded into the guiding mat 5. FIG. 8 illustrated the use of the tapered guiding mat 5 to create a receiving gap 6 in the embodiment where the 31 bottom side of the guiding mat 5 is attached to the top side of the paperclip's first 32 section 1. If a tapered guiding mat 5 is used, it is not necessary to manufacture the 33 guiding mat 5 from either flexible or compressible material.
1 FIG. 11 illustrates how the mounting device 4 is used to facilitate one handed use of the 2 invention. This illustration depicts the mounting device 4 as "hook and loop" material.
3 In this illustration, the mounting device 4 is made of "hook" material.
"Loop" material 8 4 is affixed to a stationary surface 9. The user requires one hand to mount the invention to the stationary surface 9. Once the invention is mounted, the user's one hand is then 6 free to take hold of the article 7 and slide said article 7 into the inventions receiving gap 7 6 with a lateral force F2. Without the mounting device, the lateral force F2 puts the 8 invention in motion, in the direction of F2, causing it to slide across the stationary 9 surface 9 without fully inserting the article 7 into the gripping receptacle. With the improvement of the mounting device 4 and by attaching the invention to the stationary 11 surface 9, the invention remains stationary notwithstanding the lateral force F2. A
12 resulting resistive force F3 is created that is equal and opposite to the lateral force F2.
13 With the invention held stationary by the mounting device 4, the user requires only the 14 one hand to provide the lateral force F2 to the article 7 and the article can be inserted into the receiving gap 6 and further along so that the article is fully inserted between the 16 top side of the guiding mat 5 and the bottom side of the paperclip's second section 2.
17 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. As 18 illustrated, the paperclips first section 1 (not seen) is embedded into the tapered guiding 19 mat 5. The "hook" material mounting device 4 is attached to the bottom side of the guiding mat 5. The bottom side of paperclips second section 2 is pressed flush against 21 the top side of the guiding mat 5.
The leg 2b becomes leg 3b in FIG 2c.
11 3. FIG. 2c illustrates how the third section of the paperclip 3 is comprised of two 12 legs 3a and 3c. These legs are connected together by a U shaped loop 3b.
The 13 leg 3b is an extension of leg 2b in FIG 2b. The leg 3c is an extension of leg 1c in 14 FIG 2a. This third section 3 provides the torsion distributed through the U shaped loop 3b that forces the first section 1 towards the second section 2 thereby 16 creating a gripping receptacle.
17 Because of its simplicity and functionality, the gem paperclip is the preferred method for 18 providing the resilient force required to grip the article. However, the spirit of the 19 invention envisions any other method that involves a resilient wire, which is bent into three afore-mentioned sections, thereby providing the required gripping force.
In the 21 embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 6 and FIG. 9, the guiding mat 5 is 22 attached to the top side of the paperclip's first section 1. The paperclip's second section 23 2 is shown pressed flush against the top side of the guiding mat 5. As with all 24 embodiments, the gripping receptacle is the area where the paperclip's second section 2 touches the guiding mat 5. The mounting device 4 is shown attached to the bottom of 26 the paperclip's second section 2. This embodiment has the advantage of being 27 relatively uncomplicated to manufacture. The guiding mat 5 and the mounting device 4 28 are attached to the paperclip's first section 1 by way of an adhesive.
The paperclip's 29 first section 1 creates a natural reservoir to contain the adhesive during the setting process. The preferred method for the mounting device 4 is "hook and loop"
material.
31 "Hook and loop" material has the advantage of being readily available, robust, low cost, 32 light weight and slim design. All of the drawings depict the use of "hook and loop"
33 material as the mounting device 4. Specifically, the mounting device 4 is comprised of 1 "hook" material. However, the spirit of the invention envisions the possible use of "loop"
2 material as the mounting device. For the purpose of illustration, the "hooks" and "loops"
3 are exaggerated in size and are not to scale. Other potential methods for mounting 4 devices can include pointed member(s), ferromagnetic attraction, chemical adhesives and/or electrostatic attraction.
6 FIG. 9 illustrates the function of the above-mentioned embodiment. In this embodiment, 7 the guiding mat 5 is made of a flexible material such as foam, vinyl, rubber or leather.
8 The user places the article 7 on the top of the guiding mat 5 just in front of the 9 paperclip's second section 2. The user then applies a perpendicular force Fl to the article thereby forcing the guiding mat 5 to bend about the pivot point created by the 11 paperclip's first section 1. The force Fl creates a receiving gap 6 suitable for inserting 12 the article 7.
13 In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 10, the paperclip's first section 1 is 14 embedded into the guiding mat 5. The paperclip's second section 2 is shown pressed flush against the top side of the guiding mat 5. The mounting device 4 is shown 16 attached to the bottom of the guiding mat 5. This embodiment has the advantage of 17 being relatively slim and compact thus making it more suitable for use as a paperclip.
18 The mounting device 4 is attached to the bottom side of the guiding mat 5.
19 FIG. 10 illustrates the function of the embodiment mentioned in the previous paragraph.
The guiding mat 5 is made of a compressible material such as foam. The user places 21 the article 7 on the top of the guiding mat 5 just in front of the paperclip's second section 22 2. The user then applies a perpendicular force Fl to the article thereby forcing the 23 guiding mat 5 to compress the guiding mat 5 to create a receiving gap 6 suitable for 24 inserting the article 7.
The invention is further improved by tapering the guiding mat 5, from the top side to the 26 bottom side, thereby creating a receiving gap 6 without the need of applying any 27 perpendicular force to the guiding mat 5 or article 7. FIG. 7 illustrates the use of the 28 tapered guiding mat 5 to create a receiving gap 6 in the embodiment where the 29 paperclip's first section 1 is embedded into the guiding mat 5. FIG. 8 illustrated the use of the tapered guiding mat 5 to create a receiving gap 6 in the embodiment where the 31 bottom side of the guiding mat 5 is attached to the top side of the paperclip's first 32 section 1. If a tapered guiding mat 5 is used, it is not necessary to manufacture the 33 guiding mat 5 from either flexible or compressible material.
1 FIG. 11 illustrates how the mounting device 4 is used to facilitate one handed use of the 2 invention. This illustration depicts the mounting device 4 as "hook and loop" material.
3 In this illustration, the mounting device 4 is made of "hook" material.
"Loop" material 8 4 is affixed to a stationary surface 9. The user requires one hand to mount the invention to the stationary surface 9. Once the invention is mounted, the user's one hand is then 6 free to take hold of the article 7 and slide said article 7 into the inventions receiving gap 7 6 with a lateral force F2. Without the mounting device, the lateral force F2 puts the 8 invention in motion, in the direction of F2, causing it to slide across the stationary 9 surface 9 without fully inserting the article 7 into the gripping receptacle. With the improvement of the mounting device 4 and by attaching the invention to the stationary 11 surface 9, the invention remains stationary notwithstanding the lateral force F2. A
12 resulting resistive force F3 is created that is equal and opposite to the lateral force F2.
13 With the invention held stationary by the mounting device 4, the user requires only the 14 one hand to provide the lateral force F2 to the article 7 and the article can be inserted into the receiving gap 6 and further along so that the article is fully inserted between the 16 top side of the guiding mat 5 and the bottom side of the paperclip's second section 2.
17 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. As 18 illustrated, the paperclips first section 1 (not seen) is embedded into the tapered guiding 19 mat 5. The "hook" material mounting device 4 is attached to the bottom side of the guiding mat 5. The bottom side of paperclips second section 2 is pressed flush against 21 the top side of the guiding mat 5.
Claims (9)
1. An improved clipping apparatus comprised of:
a clip involving a resilient wire having a plurality of bends therein, having first and second sections each comprising two legs connected together by a loop, each of the sections having a top and bottom side, and at least one leg of one of the first and second sections being connected to at least one leg of the other of said first and second sections at a location remote from both of said loops by a third section, one leg of the first section being located adjacent to one leg of the second section, and the other leg of the first section being located adjacent to the other leg of the second section, and the loop of the second section protruding beyond the loop of the first section, and said third section having a spring characteristic whereby said first and second sections are urged toward each other when spread apart; and a guiding mat, made of semi-rigid or flexible material, having a top and bottom side, whose bottom side is affixed to the top side of the clip's first section such that an article-receiving location is created between the top side of the guiding mat and the bottom side of the clip's second section with the inherent resilience of the clip's wire tending to hold the bottom side of the clip's second section flush against the top side of the guiding mat, said article-receiving location being adapted for receiving a relatively flat article inserted between the bottom side of the clip's second section and the top side of the guiding mat. ; and a mounting method which is affixed to the bottom side of the clip's first section such to prevent movement of the apparatus when inserting or removing articles.
a clip involving a resilient wire having a plurality of bends therein, having first and second sections each comprising two legs connected together by a loop, each of the sections having a top and bottom side, and at least one leg of one of the first and second sections being connected to at least one leg of the other of said first and second sections at a location remote from both of said loops by a third section, one leg of the first section being located adjacent to one leg of the second section, and the other leg of the first section being located adjacent to the other leg of the second section, and the loop of the second section protruding beyond the loop of the first section, and said third section having a spring characteristic whereby said first and second sections are urged toward each other when spread apart; and a guiding mat, made of semi-rigid or flexible material, having a top and bottom side, whose bottom side is affixed to the top side of the clip's first section such that an article-receiving location is created between the top side of the guiding mat and the bottom side of the clip's second section with the inherent resilience of the clip's wire tending to hold the bottom side of the clip's second section flush against the top side of the guiding mat, said article-receiving location being adapted for receiving a relatively flat article inserted between the bottom side of the clip's second section and the top side of the guiding mat. ; and a mounting method which is affixed to the bottom side of the clip's first section such to prevent movement of the apparatus when inserting or removing articles.
2. An improved clipping apparatus comprised of:
a clip involving a resilient wire having a plurality of bends therein, having first and second sections each comprising two legs connected together by a loop, each of the sections having a top and bottom side, and at least one leg of one of the first and second sections being connected to at least one leg of the other of said first and second sections at a location remote from both of said loops by a third section, one leg of the first section being located adjacent to one leg of the second section, and the other leg of the first section being located adjacent to the other leg of the second section, and the loop of the second section protruding beyond the loop of first section, and said third section having a spring characteristic whereby said first and second sections are urged toward each other when spread apart;
a guiding mat, made of compressible material, having a top and bottom side, into which is embedded the clip's first section such that an article-receiving location is created between the top side of the guiding mat and the bottom side of the clip's second section with the inherent resilience of the clip's wire tending to hold the bottom side of the clip's second section flush against the top side of the guiding mat, said article-receiving location being adapted for receiving a relatively flat article inserted between the bottom side of clip's second section and the top side of the guiding mat; and a mounting method which is affixed to the bottom side of the guiding mat such to prevent movement of the apparatus when inserting or removing articles.
a clip involving a resilient wire having a plurality of bends therein, having first and second sections each comprising two legs connected together by a loop, each of the sections having a top and bottom side, and at least one leg of one of the first and second sections being connected to at least one leg of the other of said first and second sections at a location remote from both of said loops by a third section, one leg of the first section being located adjacent to one leg of the second section, and the other leg of the first section being located adjacent to the other leg of the second section, and the loop of the second section protruding beyond the loop of first section, and said third section having a spring characteristic whereby said first and second sections are urged toward each other when spread apart;
a guiding mat, made of compressible material, having a top and bottom side, into which is embedded the clip's first section such that an article-receiving location is created between the top side of the guiding mat and the bottom side of the clip's second section with the inherent resilience of the clip's wire tending to hold the bottom side of the clip's second section flush against the top side of the guiding mat, said article-receiving location being adapted for receiving a relatively flat article inserted between the bottom side of clip's second section and the top side of the guiding mat; and a mounting method which is affixed to the bottom side of the guiding mat such to prevent movement of the apparatus when inserting or removing articles.
3. An improved clipping apparatus comprised of:
a clip involving a resilient wire having a plurality of bends therein, having first and second sections each comprising two legs connected together by a loop, each of the sections having a top and bottom side, and at least one leg of one of the first and second sections being connected to at least one leg of the other of said first and second sections at a location remote from both of said loops by a third section, one leg of the first section being located adjacent to one leg of the second section, and the other leg of the first section being located adjacent to the other leg of the second section, and the loop of the second section protruding beyond the loop of the first section, and said third section having a spring characteristic whereby said first and second sections are urged toward each other when spread apart;
a guiding mat, having a top and bottom side, the bottom side of which affixed to the top side of the clip's first section, the top side of the guiding mat is tapered such that an article-receiving location is created between the top side of the guiding mat and the bottom side of the clip's second section with the inherent resilience of the clip's wire tending to hold the bottom side of the clip's second section flush against the top side of the guiding mat, said article-receiving location being adapted for receiving a relatively flat article inserted between the bottom side of the clip's second section and the top side of the guiding mat; and a mounting method which is affixed to the bottom side of the clip's first section such to prevent movement of the apparatus when inserting or removing articles.
a clip involving a resilient wire having a plurality of bends therein, having first and second sections each comprising two legs connected together by a loop, each of the sections having a top and bottom side, and at least one leg of one of the first and second sections being connected to at least one leg of the other of said first and second sections at a location remote from both of said loops by a third section, one leg of the first section being located adjacent to one leg of the second section, and the other leg of the first section being located adjacent to the other leg of the second section, and the loop of the second section protruding beyond the loop of the first section, and said third section having a spring characteristic whereby said first and second sections are urged toward each other when spread apart;
a guiding mat, having a top and bottom side, the bottom side of which affixed to the top side of the clip's first section, the top side of the guiding mat is tapered such that an article-receiving location is created between the top side of the guiding mat and the bottom side of the clip's second section with the inherent resilience of the clip's wire tending to hold the bottom side of the clip's second section flush against the top side of the guiding mat, said article-receiving location being adapted for receiving a relatively flat article inserted between the bottom side of the clip's second section and the top side of the guiding mat; and a mounting method which is affixed to the bottom side of the clip's first section such to prevent movement of the apparatus when inserting or removing articles.
4. An improved clipping apparatus comprised of:
a clip involving a resilient wire having a plurality of bends therein, having first and second sections each comprising two legs connected together by a loop, each of the legs having a top side and a bottom side, and at least one leg of one of the first and second sections being connected to at least one leg of the other of said first and second sections at a location remote from both of said loops by a third section, one leg of the first section being located adjacent to one leg of the second section, and the other leg of the first section being located adjacent to the other leg of the second section, and the loop of the second section protruding beyond the loop of the first section, and said third section having a spring characteristic whereby said first and second sections are urged toward each other when spread apart;
a guiding mat, having a top and bottom side, into which is embedded the clip's first section, with the top side of the guiding mat being tapered such that an article-receiving location is created between the guiding mat and the bottom side of the clip's second section with the inherent resilience of the clip's wire tending to hold the bottom side of the clip's second section flush against the top side of the guiding mat, said article-receiving location being adapted for receiving a relatively flat article inserted between the bottom side of the clip's second section and the top side of the guiding mat; and a mounting method which is affixed to the bottom side of the guiding mat such to prevent movement of the apparatus when inserting or removing articles.
a clip involving a resilient wire having a plurality of bends therein, having first and second sections each comprising two legs connected together by a loop, each of the legs having a top side and a bottom side, and at least one leg of one of the first and second sections being connected to at least one leg of the other of said first and second sections at a location remote from both of said loops by a third section, one leg of the first section being located adjacent to one leg of the second section, and the other leg of the first section being located adjacent to the other leg of the second section, and the loop of the second section protruding beyond the loop of the first section, and said third section having a spring characteristic whereby said first and second sections are urged toward each other when spread apart;
a guiding mat, having a top and bottom side, into which is embedded the clip's first section, with the top side of the guiding mat being tapered such that an article-receiving location is created between the guiding mat and the bottom side of the clip's second section with the inherent resilience of the clip's wire tending to hold the bottom side of the clip's second section flush against the top side of the guiding mat, said article-receiving location being adapted for receiving a relatively flat article inserted between the bottom side of the clip's second section and the top side of the guiding mat; and a mounting method which is affixed to the bottom side of the guiding mat such to prevent movement of the apparatus when inserting or removing articles.
5. The improved clipping device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 in which the mounting method is hook-and-loop fabric.
6. The improved clipping device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 in which the mounting method is magnetic force.
7. The improved clipping device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 in which the mounting method is an adhesive.
8. The improved clipping device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 in which the mounting method is electrostatic force.
9. The improved clipping device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 in which the mounting method is one or more pointed members.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2788102A CA2788102C (en) | 2012-08-20 | 2012-08-20 | Apparatus and method for binding and posting articles |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2788102A CA2788102C (en) | 2012-08-20 | 2012-08-20 | Apparatus and method for binding and posting articles |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2788102A1 CA2788102A1 (en) | 2014-02-20 |
| CA2788102C true CA2788102C (en) | 2018-08-14 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2788102A Active CA2788102C (en) | 2012-08-20 | 2012-08-20 | Apparatus and method for binding and posting articles |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2788102C (en) |
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2012
- 2012-08-20 CA CA2788102A patent/CA2788102C/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2788102A1 (en) | 2014-02-20 |
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Effective date: 20170818 |