FR2581297A1 - Pinching mechanism for a hair clip - Google Patents

Abstract

This pinching mechanism for a hair clip comprises: a base element forming a support 1'; a locking base element 1 separate and distant from the other base element; a locking bar 6 mounted pivotably on the said base element forming the support 1'; retention means 2, 2', 3, 3' provided on the said locking base element 1 for receiving and retaining the said locking bar 6 in a closed position, in a releasable manner; and means forming a spring 8 for displacing the said locking bar 6 as far as an open position at the time of its release from the said retention means.

Description

The present invention relates, in general to hairpins, and, more particularly, to hair clips or barrettes of the type called "automatic
Hair clips having a frame provided with an upper part or a decorative coating, and a pinching mechanism incorporating a locking bar pivoting at one end of a base and which can be connected to the base at its other end by a retractable hook are well known, an example given in US Patent 3,805,813. Such devices use an arc-shaped spring, the ends of which are in contact with the base, the center of the spring being engaged with a part Intermediate of the locking bar when the bar is closed. In operation, the locking bar is pushed under a lock of hair, and the bar is brought into the closed position to catch the hair between the bar and the spring. The hook receives the free end of the bar to keep it in the closed position, but when it is retracted, the bar comes elastically into the open position. Such devices also appear in the Utility Model owxen74-1185, the Japanese Utility Model No. 70-3321 and the French Patent No. 1,222,694.

 Such conventional hair clips do not offer complete satisfaction that the pinching devices or clasps must be of different sizes to receive ornamental frames of different sizes and to receive different decorative arrangements, used with the frames. For example, it has been found that the basic element of anterior hair clips limits the type of ornaments that can be used to those having flat back surfaces which can receive flat bases.

 The present invention solves the problem of the prior art by providing a pinching mechanism for a hair clip which can accommodate a wide variety of sizes and types of ornaments. At the same time, the clamping device of the present invention is lighter and requires less material for its manufacture, and also has many advantages over the prior devices.

 According to the invention, a hair clip of the "automatic" type is provided, the clip comprising a clasp or pinching device which incorporates a first base portion and a second base portion separated and spaced from the first base portion. A retaining mechanism is mounted on the first base, with a locking bar pivotally mounted on the second base. A spring element is mounted between the two bases. Each base can be attached separately to the frame of an ornament to be used as a hair clip, the bases being spaced from each other by a distance which allows the locking bar to be in taken with the retaining mechanism to close. In this way, the bases of a single size pinch mechanism can be connected to any size ornament to simplify the manufacture of such devices. In addition, by providing two small bases in place of the large single base of the prior art, considerable savings in weight and material are achieved. Thus, greater savings in manufacturing cost of the device are realized, and the need to store and maintain a variety of sizes of clasps is eliminated. In addition, the shape of the ornament and its frame can be easily changed and various shapes can easily be used, even if there should be a rear projection on the ornament or if the ornamental frame is formed with an elbow in its central part.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Fig.l is a partially exploded perspective view of a hair clip having a clasp according to the present invention
- Fig.2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of Fig.l in its assembled form, taken simultaneously along the line AA of Fig.l
The hair clip of the present invention comprises a pinching mechanism or clasp having a locking base element 1 and a base element forming a support 1 'distant, separated from each other.

 The locking base element 1 carries a pair of release arms 2 and 2 'projecting from this base element and which can be formed in one piece with the base 1, and are preferably made of an elastic material. Each of the release arms carries a corresponding locking member 3 and 3 'which extend projecting from the base 1 and have hooks directed outwards adapted to engage and releasably hold a bar of locking. Elements 2, 2 ', 3 and 3' form a retaining mechanism for the hair clip.

 The base member forming a support 1 'carries a pair of support arms 4 and 4' projecting from this base member 1 'which are preferably formed in one piece with the base 1'. The support arms have a pair of openings for receiving corresponding ears 5 provided on one end of a locking bar 6, so that the locking bar is pivotally mounted on the base 1 '. The free end of the bar 6 comprises an opening 7 which receives the retaining mechanism provided on the base 1 in order to close the hair clip, the hooks directed outwards provided on the end of the locking members 3 and 3 'passing through the opening 7 and cooperating with the outer edges of the bar 6. The bar is released from the retaining device by pressing the arms 2 and 2' towards each other, thus putting the hooks out of engagement .

 A curved spring element 8 is mounted between the base elements 1 and 1- 'in a conventional manner, the outer ends of the spring being engaged with the base elements, and the center of the spring being in abutment on the locking bar when the bar is held in its closed position by the retaining mechanism. When the bar is released from the retainer, the spring member 8 causes the locking bar to move automatically into its open position.

 The two bases 1 and 1 ′, the retaining mechanism provided on the base l, the support arms 4, the locking bar 6 and the spring element 8 forming a pinching mechanism or clasp for the hair clip, and are used to pinch the hair between the bar 6 and the spring 8, to fix the hair clip in place.

 The two bases 1 and 1 'receive fastening members of the pinching mechanism or clasp on the frame part 9 of an ornament to be used as a hair clip. The frame portion may be of any size or shape required, and may carry any type of material or decorative element including a material projecting inwardly, as illustrated in 10. The frame may be flat or curved, as desired, and will still receive the pinching mechanism of the invention.

 The basic elements 1 and 1 ′ preferably comprise openings 11 and 11 ′ to receive rivets 12,12 ′ or other functional members, by which the basic elements are connected to the frame 9. The basic elements are spaced from each other, the distance being determined by the length of the locking bar 6, and are independent of the size and shape of the frame. Thus, a single size clasp is required, allowing mass production at reduced costs. The use of the two small base elements 1 and 1 'reduces the amount of material required for the clasp, and thus reduces the overall weight of the hair clips.

Claims (3)

- CLAIMS  1 - Pinching mechanism or hair clip clasp, characterized in that it comprises: a basic element forming a support (1 '); a locking base element (1) separate and distant from the other base element; a locking bar (6) pivotally mounted on said base member forming a support (1 '); retaining means (2,2 ', 3,3') provided on said locking base member (1) for releasably receiving and retaining said locking bar (6) in the closed position; and spring means (8) for moving said locking bar (6) to an open position when released from said retaining means.  2 - Mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises frame means (9) for receiving an ornamental material for said hair clip; and means for securing said base support member (1 ') and said locking base member at spaced positions on said mount means (9).  3 - Mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that the basic support element (1 ') comprises support arms (4,4') projecting from this element to pivotally fix one end of said bar locking (6) and in that said retaining means (2,2 ′, 3,3 ′) provided on said locking base element (1) comprise release arms (2,2 ′) projecting from this element and carrying locking members (3,3 ') to cooperate with a second end of the locking bar (6).