GB2213522A

GB2213522A - Retractable clip arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2213522A
Application number: GB8728894A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martyn Noel Wallwork
Original assignee: Rabone Chesterman Ltd
Current assignee: Rabone Chesterman Ltd
Priority date: 1987-12-10
Filing date: 1987-12-10
Publication date: 1989-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 2007-12-10
Also published as: GB2213522B; GB8728894D0

Abstract

A tape measure is made up of two casing halves (10, 11) secured together in the conventional manner, one half (10) having a recessed portion (16) in its outer side surtace and a recess (29) in an end wall (28) thereof, where there are defined two parallel L-shaped slots (21, 22) which, like the recess (29), extend to the termination of the end wall, an L-shaped plastics belt clip element having a longer limb (43) for reception in the recessed portion and a shorter limb (46) for reception in the recess, is slidably retained to the casing by legs (50, 51) of the shorter limb being received in the slots (21, 22). In its fully extended position, the belt clip element limb (43) is automatically spaced from the casing surface by the correct amount to allow the tape measure to be engaged on a user's trouser belt or band. <IMAGE>

Description

CLIP ARRkSGEMENT This invention relates to a clip arrangement, particularly, though not exclusively, forming part of a tape rule.

It is common to provide a tape rule with a belt clip, by means of which a user of the rule can clip it onto his trouser belt or onto the top of his trousers, thereby preventing the rule being mislaid or lost.

Additionally it is possible to use the rule in this state so as to free the hand which would otherwise be needed to hold the rule.

Generally the belt clip has been in the form of a substantially U-shaped metal spring, one limb of which is fixed onto the rule casing by means of a headed screw, a shank of which passes through an aperture in said one limb, the other limb being sprung down towards the casing, but being liftable away from the casing to enable the rule to be clipped on a belt, a pocket or the like.

A disadvantage of such known belt clips is that the clip tends to be a nuisance when the rule is held in one hand for use, in that it destroys the smooth feel of the casing surface and makes the rule more bulky and difficult to hold. As a result, the user of the rule often permanently removes the clip from the casing and thus loses the facility intended by the provision of the clip.

An object of the invention is to provide a clip arrangement in a convenient form.

According to the invention there is provided a clip arrangement comprising a generally flat casing surface, a recess in said casing surface, a clip element carried by said casing and movable relative thereto between a retracted position in which it is received in the recess with its outer surface at or inside the level of said casing surface, and an extended position in which it is outside of the recess and spaced from the casing surface, and means for retaining the clip element in a selected position.

Preferably the clip element is slidably movable by means of a matching projection and slot combination on the clip element and the casing respectively or vice versa.

Conveniently the slot is provided in a second surface of the casing at a right angle to said generally flat casing surface containing the recess and constituting a first casing surface, and the clip element is L-shaped, the longer limb being shaped to match the shape of the recess, and the shorter limb being formed with projections slidably disposed in associated slots in said second casing surface.

Advantageously the clip element is of plastics material and can be retained in any one of its possible positions relative to the casing by the frictional engagement of a tongue of the clip disposed between the projections, and an internal surface of the casing.

Desirably the casing surface is one side of a tape rule casing.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of one half of a casing of a tape rule incorporating a clip arrangement of the invention; Figure 2 is an opposite side view of said half of the casing shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view of the left hand end of the casing half shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a side view of the other half of the casing; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view on the line 7-7 of Figure 5; Figure 8 is an underneath plan view of a belt clip of the tape rule; Figure 9 is a top plan view of the belt clip; Figure 1C is a front view of the belt clip; Figure 11 is a rear view of the belt clip;; Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view on the line 12-12 of Figure 9; Figure 13 is a view of one side of the belt clip; Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view on the line 14-14 of Figure 9; Figure 15 is an underneath view of the tape rule, on a reduced scale, with the belt clip in its retracted position; Figure 16 is an end view of the tape rule, on a reduced scale, with the belt clip in its retracted position, and Figures 17 and 18 correspond to Figures 15 and 16 respectively, but show the belt clip in an extended position.

The drawings show a tape rule made up in the usual manner of two casing halves 10, 11, which are, in this example, of a plastics material, such as ABS, but which could be of any other suitable material including metal. The half 10 is formed with an internal, outwardly projecting spigot 12 for engagement in an internal recess 13 in the half 11. When assembled together the halves define a tape mouth 14 at a lower front end of the casing through which a steel tape (not shown) passes. The tape itself and the coiling. and uncoiling mechanism inside the casing both form no part of the present invention and will thus not be described further. The tape rule also incorporates a lock button (not shown) for locking the tape at an extended position. This also forms no part of the invention and will not be described further.

As can be seen from Figures 1 te 4, the half 10 has a flat outer surface 15 of generally U-shape, between the limbs of which is a recessed portion 16 having parallel longer sides 17, 18 extending to the open end of the U-shape at the one end of the half shown in Figure 3.

The inner end of the recess is arcuate as indicated at 19. The base of the portion 16 has three grooves 20 therein extending parallel to the sides 17, 18 from the open end of the recess towards the end 19, each groove terminating in a hemispherical depression 20a.

At its open end, the base of the recessed portion 16 is cut away to provide a pair of L-shaped slots 21, 22 symmetrically arranged adjacent the sides 17, 18 respectively at opposite sides of a central rectangular part 23 which has an outer surface 24. The slots have respective lips 25a, 25b partly closing the limbs thereof transverse to the sides 17, 18 and outwardly facing surfaces 26, 27 of the lips lie in a common plane spaced behind the remainder of an outer end wall 28 of the casing to define a recess 29 in said end of the casing half. The plane of the surfaces 26, 27 is spaced from the surface 24 towards the open end of the recess and the lips extend over the ends of the surface 24 respectively to define a location bounded by the surface 24 and respective facing end surfaces of the lips.

At the interior of the casing half 10 there are integral projections 30, 31 which each serve to extend into the interior of the casing half 10 the slots 21, 22 and the lips 25a, 25b. Each projection is shaped to define a surface 32 of the slot extending normally inwards from surface 28, as well as further slot surfaces 33, 34 and lip surfaces 35, 36. Finally the projections define continuations of the lip front surfaces 26, 27. An integral projection 37 extends within the casing from the interior casing half surface to form a continuation of the part 23 and thus the surface 24, the projection 37 integrally interconnecting the projections 30, 31. The projections 30, 31 and 37 terminate at a common plane 38 within the casing periphery as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The casing half 11 has a continuous end wall 39 which engages with the end wall 28 of casing half 10 when the two halves are assembled together. Extending integrally normally inwardly from said wall 39 into the interior of the casing is a pair of parallel, spaced rectangular ribs 40, the spacing and positioning of the ribs being such that when the halves are assembled, facing surfaces 41, 42 of the ribs lie outside of the respective slot surfaces 32.

Figures 8 to 14 show a belt clip of the tape rule. The belt clip is L-shaped with its longer limb 43 having an arcuate free end and being sized to be receivable in the recessed portion 16. An undersurface of the limb 43 has thin longitudinal projections 44 with pips 45 at their ends, to engage the grooves 20 and depressions 20a respectively when received in the portion 16. Each projection is tapered so as to run out as it nears the shorter limb of the belt clip, whilst the thickness of the longer limb decreases towards its free end.

The shorter limb 46 of the belt clip is at 900 to the limb 43 and has its outer surface serrated. The limb 46 is of the same width as the limb 43 for part of its length, but its free end is formed by a central reduced width, rectangular tongue 47, which is also of reduced thickness, its front surface lying back from the plane of the serrations by approximately the thickness of the wall 39. At its free end, the rear of the tongue 47 has a ramp-shaped projection 48 defining a shoulder surface 49. The distance between the rear tongue surface and the outer serrated surface substantially corresponds to the distance of the surface 24 from the end wall 28, while the width of the tongue is just less than the distance between the facing end surfaces of the lips 25a, 25b.

Depending from the undersurface of the limb 43 substantially at the junction of the limbs of the L-shaped clip are two L-section projecting legs 50, 51.

These legs are equally spaced at opposite sides of the tongue 47 and are adapted to be received in the slots 21, 22 of the casing. The clip is, in this example, of flexible material, such as plastics material, but could be of any other suitable material, including metal. It is intended that the projection 48 snap-fits behind the free end of the projection 37 to retain the clip to the tape casing. The serrated part of the limb 46 is of a width to fit in the recess 29 and of a length to close it when the limb 43 fits in portion 16. Moreover its thickness is such that its outer serrated surface lies flush with the walls 28 and 39 of the casing halves.

Almost at its free end, the tongue 47 has on its front surface a transversely disposed, elongated generally semi-circular projection 52. In use, as will be described, this projection engages the internal surface of the wall 39 to create the necessary friction to retain the clip in a selected position out of its recessed portion 16.

On assembly, the belt clip is engaged with the casing half 10 by sliding the legs 50, 51 into the slots 21, 22 in the casing half 10 with the limb 43 lying over and spaced from the recessed portion 16. Due to the projection 48, the tongue 47 is flexed outwardly by the projection 37 as the legs are slid along the slots 21, 22. Eventually, the projection 48 clears the end of the projection 37 and snaps behind it, and further sliding brings the limb 46 into the recessed portion 16. The casing half 11 is then presented up to the half 10, with the result that the projection 52 engages the internal surface of the wall 39 of casing half 11 and the tongue 47 is forced to flex towards the casing interior so that once the two halves 10, 11 are fixed together the belt clip is permanently frictionally engaged with the casing half 11.

Once engaged, the clip has two extreme positions. Its fully retracted state is shown in Figures 15 and 16 where the limb 43 is fully received in the recessed portion 16 so that its outer surface is flush with or slightly below the flat outermost surface 15 of the casing half 10. The limb 46 is received in the casing halves 10 and 11 with the serrated part flush therewith. The tongue 47 and legs 50, 51 extend into the casing half 11 between the ribs 40. In this position, the tape rule can be used as if it had no belt clip, in that it is convenient to hold in a hand, having smooth flat surfaces, and is aesthetically attractive.

The other extreme position of the clip is when its limb 43 is at its maximum spacing from the surface 15. To reach this position, the user can employ his thumb to push the limb 46 outwardly from its retracted position by means of the serrated part. The legs 50, 51 can slide in the slots 21, 22 to the position shown in Figures 17 and 18, until the shoulder-surface 49 engages against the free end of projection 37, thereby preventing further movement in the extended direction.

The maximum possible spacing of the limb 43 above the surface 15 will be sufficient for normal use of the belt clip.

Of course the belt clip can be moved to any selected position between the two extreme positions as required, and once positioned, will remain in that position unless some force is applied to the clip to move it.

This is because of friction occurring between the tongue 47, by way of the projection 52, and the interior surface of the casing half 11. However friction could alternatively or additionally be provided between the legs 50, 51 and the slots 21, 22 in which they slide. This friction could be at the slot sides 32, 34 and/or at the front and rear slot surfaces. Any other suitable friction means could be provided. The friction is thus sufficient to hold the clip at a selected position without any special stop being required.

Accordingly the disadvantages of known belt clips on tape rules are overcome. The use of a plastics material clip is particularly convenient as it is easier to produce a moulded belt clip, particularly if a complex shape is required. The number of manufacturing operations is reduced as compared to a spring clip. It is also possible exactly to match the clip to the colour of the casing. The maximum clip spacing is reproduced on every occasion of use, there being a reliable, positive stop. Assembly of the belt clip is quick by means of the snap-fit and the inbuilt frictional stop at each selected position is simple yet effective. If required the manufacturer's logo can now be moulded into the clip instead of placing it on the casing.

Claims

1. A clip arrangement comprising a generally flat casing surface, a recess in said casing surface, a clip element carried by said casing and movable relative thereto between a retracted position in which it is received in the recess with its outer surface at or inside the level of said casing surface, and an extended position in which it is outside of the recess and spaced from the casing surface.

2. A clip arrangement as claimed in claim 1, including means for retaining the clip element in a selected position.

3. A clip arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the clip element is slidably movable by means of a matching projection and slot combination on the clip element and the casing respectively or vice versa.

4. A clip arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the slot of said projection and slot combination is provided in a second surface of the casing at a right angle to said generally flat casing surface containing the recess and constituting a first casing surface, the clip element is L-shaped, the longer limb being shaped to match the shape of the recess, and the shorter limb is formed with at least one projection slidably disposed in at least one associated slot in said second surface of the casing.

5. A clip arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the shorter limb is formed with two projections in the form of legs which are equi-spaced at respective opposite sides of a centre line of said limb.

6. A clip arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein said legs are slidably received in respective slots, which are at least partly open to communicate with a recess in said second surface of the casing.

7. A clip arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the shorter limb of the clip element outwardly closes said recess when the clip element is in its retracted position and lies flush with the second casing surface.

8. A clip arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the clip element is automatically retained in either its retracted position, its extended position or any position therebetween by frictional engagement between said clip element and the casing.

9. A clip arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the clip element is of plastics material and said frictional engagement is between a tongue of the clip element disposed between said legs, and an internal surface of the casing.

10. A clip arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein said tongue has a shoulder on an inwardly facing surface thereof, the shoulder, in the extended position of the clip element, engaging a further surface of the casing to prevent sliding removal of the clip element from the casing, said further surface being at right angles to the direction of sliding of the clip element.

11. A clip arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second surface of the casing is defined by a wall of the casing, said wall having an internal surface at one end of said recess in the second surface against which said tongue engages to provide said frictional engagement.

12. A clip arrangement as claimed in claim 11, wherein said tongue has a projection on an outwardly facing surface thereof which engages against said internal surface of the wall to provide said frictional engagement.

13. A clip arrangement as claimed in claim 12, wherein said shorter limb of the clip element has serrations on an outer surface thereof for manually sliding the clip element relative to the casing.

14. A clip arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said recess in the casing and an undersurface of the longer limb of the clip element have complementary projections and grooves.

15. A tape measure incorporating a clip arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A tape measure as claimed in claim 15 wnen appended to claim 11, wherein the casing is made up of two halves, each having a side and a peripheral wall therearound, the peripheral walls having respective outwardly facing end surfaces which engage on assembly together of the casing halves, said recess being in the peripheral wall of one casing half and extending to said end surface thereof where it terminates, said internal surface at one end of the recess being the internal surface of the peripheral wall of the other casing half.

17. A clip arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

18. A tape measure suDstantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.