GB2215382A

GB2215382A - Clip

Info

Publication number: GB2215382A
Application number: GB8806264A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vernon Kirby
Original assignee: IND ENERGY COSTS Ltd
Current assignee: IND ENERGY COSTS Ltd
Priority date: 1988-03-16
Filing date: 1988-03-16
Publication date: 1989-09-20
Also published as: GB8806264D0

Abstract

A clip (10) for use in securing a napkin (20) over the clothing (18) of a person is elongate and has a clamping part (12) at one end thereof and a hook part (11) at the other end thereof. The napkin (20) is secured between grooved (21) and enlarged ends (14) of two arms (13) formed by the bifurcated clamping ends (12) of the clip (10), a sleeve (15) slidably mounted on the arms (13) effecting the clamping action. The hook part (11) of the clip (10) may be hooked over a tie (17) or collar part of the clothing so that the clothing is protected by the napkin (20). The enlarged end (14) may have a decoration such as a monogram (22) thereon if desired. <IMAGE>

Description

CLIP This invention relates to clips and in particular to a clip for use in retaining a table napkin in place over a person's dress whilst that person is eating.

It is customary to use a table napkin or serviette to protect a person's clothes from spillages or splashes of food or drink whilst that person is eating or drinking at a table. Some people simply place the napkin on their lap, but this does not protect the clothing of the upper body, and a napkin so placed is prone to slipping off the lap onto the floor. To avoid such disadvantages some people tuck one corner of the napkin over the neck of their shirt, blouse, sweater or the like or between consecutive buttons of a front opening garment.

However, this is not entirely satisfactory since it may be uncomfortable, the napkin may not hang openly over the person's clothing and/or the person's clothing may not readily accept the tucking of a napkin therein or thereover.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device, the use of which avoids or overcomes to a substantial extent the disadvantages referred to above.

The invention provides an elongate clip having a hook part at one end thereof and an adjustable clamping part at the other end thereof.

The invention also provides a method of securing a napkin over the clothing of a person comprising securing said napkin in an adjustable clamping part of an elongate clip to depend therefrom and hooking a hook part of said clip over a part of said clothing.

The clip may be of a plastics material or may be of metal, such as silver, platinum, gold or the like.

The clamping part may comprise a bifurcated end of said clip and a sleeve slidably engaged over said bifurcated end, the arms of said bifurcated end being drawn towards each other to clamp a napkin therebetween as said sleeve is moved towards that end of said clip.

Said arms may have grooves therein whereby gripping of said napkin is facilitated Said arms may each have an end part of larger width than that of the remainder of said clip. Said end part of a forward one of said arms may have a motif, badge or like decoration thereon.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figs. 1 and 2 are front and side elevations respectively of one embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 in use.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown an elongate clip 10 comprising a hook part 11 at one end and a clamping part 12 at the other end thereof. The clamping part 12 comprises two arms 13 forming a bifurcated end of the clip 10 and each arm 13 has an end part 14 of greater width than the remainder of the clip 10. A sleeve 15 is slidably mounted on the arms 13. Sliding of the sleeve 15 towards the end parts 14 causes flexing of the arms 13 and movement of the end parts 14 towards each other. The clip 10 may be of any suitable material, such as a plastics material for low cost or a precious metal, for example silver, platinum or gold, for a more costly but more attractive and valuable item.The end part 14 of the forward arm 13 may have an emblem, badge, monogram 22, motif or other decoration thereon to enhance the appearance of the clip, or may have one or more precious stones mounted thereon as desired.

In use the clip 10 may be clipped over the knot 16 of a persons tie 17 as shown in Fig. 3. Alternatively the hook part 11 of the clip 10 may be hooked over the neck or collar part of a shirt 18, blouse, sweater or the like or between consecutive buttons 19 of a front opening garment such as a shirt, blouse, jacket or the like. A corner or edge of a napkin 20 is placed between the ends 14 of the clip 10 and the sleeve 15 moved downwardly so as to clamp the napkin 20 between the ends 14 Grooves 21 (Fig. 2) extending laterally of the inner faces of the ends 14, may be provided to facilitate such clamping of the napkin 20. The napkin 20 is thereby securely and conveniently held in place over the person's clothing 17,18 to prevent food or drink spillage or splashing thereon during eating or drinking.

The napkin 20 may also be readily released when required by sliding the sleeve 15 upwardly so as to allow separation of the arms 13 and the ends 14 thereof.

Claims

1. An elongate clip having a hook part at one end thereof and an adjustable clamping part at the other end thereof.

2. A clip according to claim 1 of a plastics material.

3. A clip according to claim 1 of a precious metal.

4. A clip according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said clamping part comprises a bifurcated end of said clip and a sleeve slidably engaged over arms formed by said bifurcated end.

5. A clip according to claim 4, wherein said arms have grooves therein to facilitate gripping of an article therebetween.

6. A clip according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said arms each have an end part of larger width than that of the remainder of said clip.

7. A clip according to claim 6, wherein one of said larger end parts has a decoration thereon.

8. A clip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

9. A method of securing a napkin over the clothing of a person comprising securing said napkin in an adjustable clamping part of an elongate clip to depend therefrom and hooking a hook part of said clip over a part of said clothing.

10. A method according to claim 9 comprising locating a part of said napkin between arms formed by a bifurcated end of said clip and sliding a sleeve engaged over said arms longitudinally of said arms to clamp said napkin part between said arms.

11. A method of securing a napkin over the clothing of a person substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawing.