EP1909611B1 - Hair clip which is equipped with a platform - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a hair clip comprising two shells (1, 3) which are equipped with prongs (5, 7) at the front of the clip. The aforementioned shells pivot in relation to one another around two shell hinges (8-12) which extend in a single axial direction (A) to the rear of the clip, from a closed position, in which the prongs (5, 7) are disposed close to one another and may even cross over one another in order to tighten the hair that is trapped by the prongs and an inner wall (10, 30) of each shell, to an open position, in which the prongs are separated against the deformation of a spring return means (13, 131, 132) that serves to return the shells (1, 3) to the closed position. The invention also comprises a support plate (17) which is intended to receive, for example, a jewel and two legs (19-22) which support the support plate (17) above the two shells (1, 3) in the closed position. According to the invention, the two legs (19-22) are engaged with the two shells (1, 3) in front of the axial direction (A) in the closed position in order to lift the support plate (17) backwards in translation in relation to said axial direction (A) when the two shells (1, 3) pivot from the closed position to the open position.

Description

The invention relates to a hair clip comprising more particularly two shells provided with claws at the front of the clamp and pivoted relative to each other around two hinge hinges extending in the same axial direction at the back of the clamp. The two hulls pivot from a closed position where the claws are brought together, or even intersecting, to clamp the hair trapped by the claws and by an inner wall of each shell, to an open position where the claws are spread to release the hair. An elastic return means is deformed tending to oppose the pivoting of the two shells in the open position by reminding them in the closed position.

A hair clip of this type is particularly known from the document DE-A-29600643 or document WO2005 / 025371 .

In the first document, the elastic return means is a spring mounted around an axis carried by the two hinges hull and acting on two levers respectively integrated to the two hulls. A cover comprising two tabs hinged together and each connected to the lever of each shell by a hinge is provided to conceal the spring, especially in the closed position. The cover attached to the lever has a large footprint, especially in the opening position of the hair clip.

In the second document, the spring has been replaced by a link in elastomeric material, stretched between the two shells to be concealed by the latter, especially in the closed position.

The document US 2004/0226574 discloses a hair clip as indicated above, further comprising a support plate for receiving for example a jewel. It is supported above the two hulls by the two levers of the clamp with which it is taken behind the axial direction of pivoting of the two hulls. When the levers are brought closer together to rotate the two shells from the closed position to the open position, the support plate pivots relative to the levers.

The articulation of the support plate to the levers themselves seems to create an inconvenience in the handling of these levers to open the hair clip. In addition, the pivoting of the support plate relative to the levers increases the size of the hair clip from front to back in the open position, which again does not seem to contribute to easy handling of the clip by a user.

The object of the invention is to modify a hair clip of the type recalled above, to reduce the bulk due to the presence of the support plate, especially in the open position. The invention thus aims at easier handling of the hair clip.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a hair clip of the type recalled above, characterized in that the two tabs are engaged with the two shells, in front of the axial direction in the closed position, to compose a movement elevation of the support plate relative to the axial direction, in translation backwards when the two shells rotate from the closed position to the open position.

By this arrangement, the elevation of the support plate relative to the axial pivoting direction, in translation backwards, can be adjusted according to the length of the tabs which support it and the position of their grip with the two. hulls, in front of the axial direction.

The support plate and the two supporting tabs thus form a podium, having a small footprint both when it is lowered relative to the axial direction, the clamp being in the closed position or when it is high relative to this axial direction, the clamp being in the open position. Hence, the podium support plate can receive a jewel of any size.

According to a preferred embodiment, the tabs are engaged with the inner walls of the two shells extending between the two hinge hinges and between two rear edges of the hulls tightening around the tabs as the plate of support increases with respect to the axial pivoting direction when the two shells are pivoted from the closed position to the open position. The fixing on the inner walls of the two hulls helps to protect the podium, less exploded.

In this preferred embodiment, the podium has two tabs arranged head to tail and bent to be crossed when the two shells are in the closed position and to come into coincidence between the two rear edges of the shells tightened when the two shells are closed. in the open position.

By this arrangement, it controls the elevation of the podium in a first low elevation phase while the two legs are crossed and in a second phase at high elevation when bent parts of the two legs coincide with each other . This arrangement also reduces the footprint of the podium and reduces the spacing between the two rear edges of the two shells necessary to the extent of the two legs.

Other advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description of two embodiments illustrated by the drawings.

The figure 1 shows in section a clamp in the closed position according to a first embodiment of the invention.

The figure 2 shows in section the clip of the figure 1 in open position.

The figure 3 shows in detail a way of attaching the link to the hulls of the clamp illustrated by the Figures 1 and 2 .

The figure 4 shows in section a clamp in the closed position according to a second embodiment of the invention.

The figure 5 shows in section the clip illustrated by the figure 4 in open position.

The figure 6 shows in front view the clip illustrated by the figure 4 .

The figure 7 shows in front view a variant of the second embodiment in which the elastic return means is a pair of springs.

The figure 8 shows in front view the hinge hinges of a clamp according to the first or second embodiment.

The figure 9 shows the podium used in the hair clip according to the second embodiment, in a lowered position corresponding to a closing position of the clamp.

The figure 10 shows the podium of the figure 9 in a high position corresponding to an open position of the clamp.

The figure 11 shows in front view the legs of the podium illustrated by the Figures 9 and 10 , indented in the region of the hinges.

The figure 12 schematically shows a joint plane for manufacturing by injection molding of the podium illustrated by the preceding figures 9, 10 and 11. The figure 13 shows a third execution of the podium in which the two legs are provided with stops.

The figure 14 shows the podium of the figure 13 , the stops being spaced apart from each other.

The figure 15 shows in perspective the podium of Figures 13 and 14 .

The figure 16 shows a hair clip provided with the podium according to the third embodiment, the clamp being in the closed position.

With reference to Figures 1 to 8 , a hair clip comprises two shells 1,3 provided with claws 5,7 at the front of the clamp and pivoted relative to each other around two hinge hinges extending in the same axial direction A at the back of the clamp.

In the example illustrated by the figure 6 , the two hull hinges each comprise two components, one 8,11 is attached to one of the two shells and the other 9,12 is attached to the other 3 of the two shells. As well as visible on the figure 8 , one 8,11 of the components of each hinge attached to each shell is provided with a hinge to fit into a bore of the other component 9,12 attached to the other hull.

In the example illustrated by the figure 7 , hull hinges are split each into two pairs. A first pair of hull hinges comprises two components 81,82 attached to one of the two hulls and two components 91,92 attached to the other hull. Similarly, a second pair of hull hinges comprises two components 111, 112 attached to one of the two hulls and two components 121, 122 attached to the other hull. The two pairs of hull hinges allow the two hulls to pivot relative to each other around the same axial direction A, each pair bearing an axis 35, respectively 37, passing through the components 81,82,91 , 92, respectively 111,112,121,122 of each pair of hinge hinges.

It should be noted that in the two cases described above, the two hinges of hull 8,9,11,12 or the two pairs of hinges of hull 81,82,91,92 and 111,112,121,122 are distant from each other in the axial direction A to allow, as will be explained below, the passage of the legs of the podium according to the invention.

The two hull hinges or the two pairs of hull hinges allow the two hulls 1.3 to move from a closed position where the claws 5,7 are brought together, or even crisscrossed, to tighten hair trapped by the claws and by an inner wall 10,30 of each shell, to an open position where the claws are spaced apart from each other. In the example of Figures 4 and 5 , the two hulls abut by two rear edges of the hulls 23,25 opposed to the claws 5,7. The claws 5, 7 are integrated in the shells 1, 3 or reported on the latter. In the latter case, the shells 1, 3 hinged and the podium form an intermediate structure for receiving the claws 5, 7.

Pivoting in the open position is effected against the deformation of an elastic return means which tends to recall the two shells 1,3 in the closed position.

In the example of Figures 1 to 5 , the elastic return means is a link 13 of elastomeric material stretched between the two shells 1,3. The link 13 is for example flat or cylindrical and made of rubber or polyurethane. Preferably, this material has a Shore A hardness of between 60 and 90 units.

The link 13 is stretched between the shells 1,3 through passages 32 to be received in fixing notches 2 and 4. It is fixed for example by means of a U-shaped piece 34 in engagement with each of the two ends of the link to hold it in each of the corresponding fastening notches. This method of attaching the link is illustrated by the figure 3 , showing in detail the arrangement of the U-shaped piece engaged with one end of the link. Other fasteners that a U-shaped part are also suitable for fixing the link 13 on each of the shells 1.3 including a metal nip or staple.

In the example of Figures 1 to 5 the fixing notches 2,4 are provided sufficiently close to the edges of the hulls 23,25 opposed to the claws 5,7 to allow the link 13 to traverse the axial pivoting direction A between the two hinges 8,9,11, 12 or between the two pairs of hulls hull 81,82,91,92 and 111,112,121,122 when the hulls are pivoted from the closed position to the open position. By this arrangement, the link 13 stabilizes the hair clip in the open position to allow a user to better place it on her hair. Once set up, the user can easily close the clamp in the closed position.

In the example of the figure 7 , the elastic return means comprises two springs 131, 132 respectively, mounted around the two axes 35, respectively 37, each carried by a pair of hinge hinges described above. Each spring 131,132 is supported by end tabs on each of the two shells 1,3.

According to the invention, the hair clip comprises a podium 15 comprising a support plate 17 intended to receive for example a jewel and two lugs 19,21 or 20,22 supporting the support plate 17 in engagement with the hulls 1,3 forward of the axial pivoting direction A.

In the examples illustrated by the Figures 1 to 7 , the support tabs are engaged with the inner walls 10,30 of the two shells 1,3 being provided with hinges 27,28 engaged in two podium hinge components 26,29 attached to the inner walls 10,30 of the two shells. The hinges 27,28 are for example engaged in the podium hinge components 26,29 by a simple elastic pinching of the hinge in the corresponding hinge component.

The two legs 19,21 or 20,22 extend between the two hinges of hull 8,9,11,12 or between the two hinges 81,91 and 111,121 closest to each other following, the direction Axial A while belonging for the one 81.91 to the first pair of hinges hull and for the other 111,121 to the second pair of hinges hull. It should be noted that the tabs 19,21 or 20,22 thus fixed to the inner wall of the shells 1,3 and extended between the two hinges, shell advantageously allow to lock in translation in the axial direction A pivoting, the components hinges hinges engaged in each other In this way, it is not necessary to provide a means for retaining the hinges or 35,37 axes in the corresponding bores. However, it may be advantageous to end the hinges or the pins 35,37. The two tabs 19, 21 or 20, 22 also extend between two rear edges 23, 25 of the shells, opposite the claws 5, 7 and tightening around the two tabs as the support plate 17 raises relative to the axial pivoting direction A when the two shells rotate from the closed position to the open position:

The elevation of the podium with respect to the axial pivoting direction A results from the fact that during the pivoting, the two podium hinge components 26, 29 fixed to the inner walls of the two shells 1, 3 cause the two hinges 27, 28 in circular displacement C centered on the axial direction A but in two opposite directions of rotation corresponding to the two opposite pivoting directions of the two shells 1,3. The two circular movements in the opposite direction of rotation, however, make up a displacement in translation of the same direction for one and the other hinge 27,28. This displacement in translation of the two hinges 27,28 of the tabs 19,21 or 20,22 of the podium is at the origin of the elevation of the support plate 17 with respect to the axial direction A. As illustrated by the Figures 1 and 2 , the elevation results from an increase in the distance separating the axial direction A of the support plate, from a distance D1 in the closed position, to a distance D2, greater than D1, in the open position . The direction of this displacement in translation is imposed by the fact that the tabs 19, 21 or 20, 22 extend rearwardly to support the support plate above the two shells, for example by extending between the two rear edges 23,25 hulls that tighten around these legs 19,21 or 20,22 when the shells 1,3 pivot in the open position.

By adjusting the length of the legs 19,21 or 20,22 of the podium, it controls the elevation of the podium relative to the axial direction just above the two shells 1 and 3 open relative to each other in the opening position. From which it follows that a jewel of any size can be fixed on the support plate 17 without hindering the pivoting of the shells in the open position.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, more particularly illustrated by the Figures 1 and 2 , the two tabs 19,21 of the podium 15 each extend on one side of the support plate 17 without crossing.

According to a second embodiment more particularly illustrated by the Figures 4 and 5 and detailed by Figures 9 and 10 , the two tabs 20, 22 of the podium 15 are mounted head to tail and bent at first bends 16, 18 and second bends 6, 8 to be crossed when the clamp is in the closed position, figure 9 , and to come into coincidence between the back edges of shells 23,25 when the clamp is in the open position, figure 10 . Coincidence relates for each of the two legs 20,22 the portion between the first bend 6.8 and the second bend 16,18. As indicated above, the elevation of the podium 15 is thus controlled in a first phase at low elevation during which the two legs 20,22 are still crossed and in a second phase at high elevation when the portions between the first and the second elbows come into coincidence with each other. This arrangement reduces the size of the podium 15 and reduces the spacing between the edges 23,25 of the two shells 1,3 necessary to the extent of the two tabs 20,22.

With reference to the figure 11 , tabs 20,22 of the podium 15 are preferably notched 36,38 in the region of the hinges 27,28 to receive the link 13 when the latter has crossed the axial direction A pivoting in the open position of the two shells.

According to a third embodiment of the invention, Figures 13 to 16 , the legs of the podium are provided 39.41 abutment bearing against each other when the two legs are crossed in the closed position of the hulls. By this arrangement, the legs of the podium limit the pivoting stroke of the two shells in the closed position. As a result, the two claws, when they are designed to be criss-crossed in the closed position, no longer form a stop themselves. In other words, the return of the two shells in the closed position no longer leads to a clash of the two claws against each other, causing a clacking noise that can be perceived as an inconvenience by a user of the hair clip.

In the illustrative example, the stops 39, 41 extend between the hinges 27, 28 and the first bends 16, 18 of each tab.

Preferably, the stops 39, 41 are shaped to be in contact with each other on the opposite side to the support plate 17 relative to the alignment T of the two hinges 27, 28. This arrangement allows stops 39,41 to better oppose the force of the return means 13 of the two shells 1,3 in the closed position, figure 16 , preventing the two stops from pivoting relative to each other by moving the support plate 17 in translation backwards.

In the illustrative example, the abutments 39, 41 have a triangular shape whose vertex merges with the hinge 27, 28 and the base, with a contact edge 40.42 extending from one end E disposed on the opposite side to the support plate 17 relative to the alignment T of the two hinges 27, 28 when the stops, figure 13 or 16 are in contact with one another at an end F disposed on the same side as the support plate 17 relative to the alignment T of the two hinges.

The podium 15, according to the first, second or third embodiment, may be made for example of metal, the thickness of the legs being provided to allow flexural deformation when the fasteners 27,28 describe the arcs of the circle of the circular path indicated above. Preferably, the podium 15 is a molded and injected plastic part having material thinning 31,33 at the junctions between the tabs 19,21 and 20,22 and the support plate 17. figure 12 schematically shows a plan of joints for the manufacturing by molding and injection of the podium illustrated by the Figures 9, 10 and 11 .

Claims (10)

1. Hair clip comprising two shells (1,3) provided with claws (5,7) which are at the front of the clip and pivot relative to one another around two shell hinges (8-12) which are secured to the shells and extend in the same axial direction of pivoting (A) at the rear of the clip, from a closure position in which the claws (5,7) are brought together or even intersect, in order to grip the hair trapped by the claws, to an opening position in which the claws (5,7) are spaced apart against the deformation of a resilient return means (13,131,132) which tends to return the shells (1,3) to the closure position and comprising a support plate (17) which is designed to receive for example a jewel and two lugs (19-22) which support the support plate (17) above the two shells (1,3) in the closure position, characterised in that the two lugs (19-22) are engaged with the two shells (1,3) in the front of the axial direction of pivoting (A) in the closure position, in order to give rise to a movement of lifting of the support plate (17) relative to the axial direction of pivoting (A) in translation towards the rear, when the two shells (1,3) pivot from the closure position to the opening position.
2. Hair clip according to claim 1, characterised in that the two lugs (19-22) are engaged (26-29) with inner walls (10,30) of the two shells (1,3) and extend between the two shell hinges (8-12) and between two rear edges (23,25) of the shells which clamp around the lugs (19-22) as the support plate (17) is lifted relative to the axial direction of pivoting (A) when the two shells (1,3) pivot from the closure position to the opening position.
3. Hair clip according to claim 2, characterised in that the two lugs (20,22) are disposed head to tail, and are bent (6,16; 8,18) such as to intersect when the two shells are in the closure position, and such as to coincide between the two clamped shell edges (23,25) when the shells are in the opening position.
4. Hair clip according to claim 1, characterised in that the lugs (19-22) are provided with hinge pins (27,28) which are engaged in two podium hinge components (26,29) which are secured relative to the shells.
5. Hair clip according to claim 3, characterised in that the two lugs (19-22) are provided with stops (39,41) which abut one against the other when the two lugs intersect in the closure position of the two shells (1,3).
6. Hair clip according to claim 5, characterised in that the stops (39,41) extend between the hinge pins (27,28) and the first bends (16,18) of each lug (19-22).
7. Hair clip according to claim 5, characterised in that the stops (39,41) are so shaped that they abut one against the other on the opposite side (E) of the support plate (17) with respect to a line (T) joining the two hinge pins (27,28) when two shells (1,3) are in the closure position, thus preventing the stops (39,41) to pivot one with respect to the other and the support plate (17) to be moved in translation towards the rear.
8. Hair clip according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, characterised in that the support plate (17) and the two lugs (19-22) are made in a single piece of moulded injected plastics material with thinned parts of material (31,33) at the junctions between the lugs (19-22) and the support plate (17).
9. Hair clip according to claim 1, characterised in that the resilient return means (13) comprises two springs (131,132) which are fitted around two shafts (35,37) each of which is supported by a pair of shell hinges (81-121; 82-122).
10. Hair clip according to claim 1, characterised in that the resilient return means (13) is a link made of elastomer material which is stretched between the two shells (1,3).

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