EP1911377A1

EP1911377A1 - Clip device

Info

Publication number: EP1911377A1
Application number: EP07117961A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marinus Barbara Arnoldus Maria Stas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-09
Filing date: 2007-10-05
Publication date: 2008-04-16
Also published as: NL1032641C1

Abstract

Clip device for releasable attachment of drawings, photos and the like to a surface. The clip device comprises a fastening strip which can be attached to the surface, a spacer strip fixed to the fastening strip, balls or cylinders which rest on the spacer strip and against the fastening strip, and end stops for the balls or cylinders, wherein the fastening strip, the spacer strip and the end stops are manufactured from one piece of metal in sheet form.

Description

The invention relates to a clip device for releasable attachment of drawings, photos and the like to a surface, wherein the clip device comprises a fastening strip which can be attached to the surface, a spacer strip fixed to the fastening strip, balls or cylinders which in a position of use rest against the fastening strip on the spacer strip, and end stops for the balls or cylinders.
Devices of this type are known. They consist of a number of components which have to be assembled. This assembly is handwork and makes the device relatively expensive. The result is that devices of this type are in fact still only produced in low-wage countries, which precludes a short delivery time.
The device according to the invention obviates this drawback and has the feature that the fastening strip, the spacer strip and the end stops are manufactured from one piece of metal in sheet form, whereby assembly can be dispensed with. Although a relatively complex mechanical operation is required for this purpose, such a process can nevertheless be performed rapidly and cheaply in a highly industrialized environment.
A favourable embodiment of the invention, which is very suitable for applications where aesthetic aspects are important, has the feature that the fastening strip and the spacer strip are manufactured together as one profile, with a flat part which forms the fastening strip and a part which is arcuate or folded in the form of facets and an outer end of which ends close to the flat part, which outer end forms the spacer strip. A thus embodied clip device is moreover exceptionally robust and simple to keep clean.
According to a further aspect of the invention, an advantageous embodiment has the feature that the profile is provided with a first recess running in a longitudinal direction close to or partly in the fastening strip. It is then possible to slide the drawings, photos and the like upward, which enhances convenience of use and reduces the chance of damage. It is also possible, when desired, to have for instance a map protrude slightly out of the clip device, for instance in order to be able to read a key printed on the edge.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a favourable embodiment has the feature that the profile is provided with at least two lips which can be placed in the line of the recess and which can be placed at least almost perpendicularly of the first recess, and then form the end stops. The advantage is that the profile and the end stops can then be manufactured in one operation from one piece of material in a process which is readily automated.
A further favourable embodiment has the feature that the lips are provided on an outer end with a chamfering such that the lips also form a paper guide. This is particularly important when two profiles are coupled to each other. It is therefore possible to clamp a drawing or photo at the separation between the two profiles, wherein the lips guide the drawing or photo along behind the balls or cylinders.
According to a further aspect of the invention, an advantageous embodiment has the feature that the profile is provided with a second recess running in longitudinal direction close to the spacer strip, whereby the part of the drawing or photo situated in the clip device remains largely readable. An important additional advantage is that there remains between the first and second recess a rib on which can be placed tabs onto which or in which or on which objects can be fixed such that they can be viewed together with the drawing or photo. It is of course also possible to affix random objects, such as for instance car keys or a calendar.
A further favourable embodiment has the feature that a width of the first recess and a width of the second recess is smaller than a thickness of the balls or cylinders, so that in a finished product the balls or cylinders cannot fall out of the clip device.
A further favourable embodiment, wherein relatively narrow objects can also be clamped, has the feature that the balls or cylinders are placed at least almost adjacently between the end stops.
A further favourable embodiment has the feature that the fastening strip is provided with keyhole-like suspension holes which can be arranged in simple and automatic manner during manufacture of the clip device.
The invention also relates to tabs suitable for mounting on that part of the profile lying between the first recess and the second recess.
The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to the following figures, wherein:

Fig. 1A: shows a section of a clip device with a drawing clamped therein;
Fig. 1 B: shows a section of the clip device during removal of the drawing;
Fig. 1C: shows a section of an alternative clip device during removal of the drawing;
Fig. 2A: shows a front view of a possible embodiment of a clip device according to the invention;
Fig. 2B: is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a clip device according to the invention;
Fig. 3: is a top view of a piece of material in sheet form before it is folded to form a clip device according to the invention;
Fig. 4A: is a top view of a clip device wherein an end stop has not yet been folded;
Fig. 4B: is a top view of this clip device wherein the end stop has been folded;
Fig. 4C: shows a tab provided with a hook;
Fig. 4D: shows a tab provided with a clip.

Fig. 1A shows a section of a clip device 1 with a drawing 2 clamped therein. Clip device 1 is embodied as a facet-shaped metal profile on which a spacer strip 3 and a fastening strip 4 can be distinguished, wherein fastening strip 4 is mounted on a wall 5 and wherein a row of balls 6, manufactured for instance from glass or metal, is placed between fastening strip 4 and spacer strip 3. If drawing 2 is slid between fastening strip 4 and the row of balls 6, drawing 2 is then clamped fixedly as a result of the conically tapering gap formed by fastening strip 4 and spacer strip 3.
Fig. 1 B shows a section of a clip device 1 embodied with an arcuate metal profile during removal of drawing 2. For this purpose drawing 2 must be pulled in a direction perpendicularly of wall 5, whereby the row of balls 6 moves clear and a gap is created via which the drawing 2 can be pulled downward. The composite movement requires some dexterity, and there is therefore a real danger of drawing 2 being damaged. Fig. 1C shows a section of an alternative clip device 1, likewise with an arcuate metal profile, during removal of drawing 2. The alternative clip device is provided on the top side with a recess 7 so that drawing 2 can be easily pushed through and taken out from the top side of clip device 1.
Fig. 2A shows a front view of a possible embodiment of a clip device 1 with spacer strip 3, fastening strip 4 and a row of balls 6 which are held in place by two end stops 8a,8b, of which only end stop 8a can be seen here. On the top side clip device 1 is provided with a recess 7, not shown in this figure, through which can slide a drawing or photo attached under the row of balls 6, and on the front side clip device 1 is provided with a recess 9 via which a large part of that part of a drawing or photo situated in clip device 1 can be viewed. The result is that only a small part of the drawing or photo cannot then be seen. Clip device 1 can moreover be fixed to for instance a wall via recess 9, for instance using keyhole-like holes 10 which enable simple hanging. Fig. 2B is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a clip device 1, which is wholly similar to the clip device described with reference to Fig. 2A except for the row of balls which is replaced here by a row of cylinders 11, manufactured for instance from glass, metal or plastic. The balls or cylinders lie at least almost adjacently between the end stops, whereby relatively narrow objects can also be clamped.
Fig. 3 shows a top view of a piece of material in sheet form before it is folded to form a clip device according to the invention. Visible are spacer strip 3, fastening strip 4, recess 7 with end stop 8 and a fold-line 12 where fastening strip 4 ends. End stop 8 here still lies in the plane of the piece of material in sheet form and is provided with a chamfering 13 via which a photo or map is guided upward in a position of use.
Fig. 4A shows a top view of a clip device 1 provided with a recess 7 on the top side and a recess 9 on the front side. By way of illustration in the figure end stop 8 has not yet been folded. Fig. 4B is a top view of this clip device 1, wherein end stop 8 has been folded and then forms a boundary for the row of balls 6. It is noted that there remains between recess 7 and recess 9 a rib 14 on which can be placed tabs onto which or in which or on which objects can be attached such that they can be viewed together with the drawing or photo, or to affix any other object thereon. Fig. 4C shows by way of illustration a tab 15 provided with a hook 16 and with an edge 17 which snaps around rib 14 during placing. Fig. 4D shows a tab 18 provided with a clip 19 and an edge 20 which snaps around rib 14 during placing.

Claims

Clip device for releasable attachment of drawings, photos and the like to a surface, wherein the clip device comprises a fastening strip which can be attached to the surface, a spacer strip fixed to the fastening strip, balls or cylinders which in a position of use rest against the fastening strip on the spacer strip, and end stops for the balls or cylinders, characterized in that the fastening strip, the spacer strip and the end stops are manufactured from one piece of metal in sheet form.
Clip device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the fastening strip and the spacer strip are manufactured together as one profile, with a flat part which forms the fastening strip and a part which is arcuate or folded in the form of facets and an outer end of which ends close to the flat part, which outer end forms the spacer strip.
Clip device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the profile is provided with a first recess running in a longitudinal direction close to or partly in the fastening strip.
Clip device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the profile is provided with at least two lips which can be placed in the line of the recess and which can be placed at least almost perpendicularly of the first recess, and then form the end stops.
Clip device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the lips are provided on an outer end with a chamfering such that the lips also form a paper guide.
Clip device as claimed in any of the claims 3-5, characterized in that the profile is provided with a second recess running in a longitudinal direction close to the spacer strip.
Clip device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that a width of the first recess and a width of the second recess is smaller than a thickness of the balls or cylinders.
Clip device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the balls or cylinders are placed at least almost adjacently between the end stops.
Clip device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the fastening strip is provided with keyhole-like suspension holes.
Tabs for a profile as claimed in claim 6, wherein the tabs can be mounted on that part of the profile lying between the first recess and the second recess.