GB2238073A - Bangle clip - Google Patents

Abstract

A clip which enables the two ends of a bangle made from tubing to be joined firmly, separated easily with accurate alignment of both parts. It consists of a carefully profiled strip of flexible material fixed to one part of the bangle. The top and edges of the clip bear against the inside walls and when pushed home the flexing of the clip walls provide the necessary gripping force. These gripping forces are directed preferentially around the outer walls of the tubing and so minimise the tendancy of the unsoldered seam to open. <IMAGE>

Description

DRAFT PATENT APPLICATION FINGERNAIL BANGLE CLIP This invention relates to a clip suitable for joining the two ends of a bangle.

Hollow bangles are frequently made from a length of seamed unsoldered metal tubing shaped to fit the arm. The cut ends can be held together with a fastner to enable the item to be secured to and removed from the arm.

Conventional plug fittings tend to force the seam of unsoldered tubing apart causing them to work loose with time.

According to the present invention these faults can be overcome by shaping the clip in a novel way so that its sides bear down on the inside corners of the hollow shape in a way that minimises the tendency of the seam to open. The clip can be secured when inserted to the correct depth in various ways. A specific embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying diagram.

Existing clips are either simple plugs i.e. either a solid or shell shape attached to one end of the bangle which fit into the corresponding opening on the other end without a spring gripping action other than friction. These have the disadvantage of wearing loose with time or needing a subsidiary locking device to hold them together. The other type relies on an internal clip which acts substantially parallel to the base of the tubing and presses outwards against both sides to give it a grip. The disadvantage of this type is that in time the pressure of the clip forces the unsoldered seam apart spoiling the appearance of the bangle and weakening its grip.

This present invention obtains the necessary gripping force in a different way by directing it around the curved top surface of the bangle so that the seam is not forced apart. It thus provides both a positive grip and also accurate registration of the two mating ends of the bangle. The flexing of the sides of the clip provides the necessary gripping force. In the example below the clip walls flex outward which is the preferred action in this example, but with certain tube shapes e.g. rectangular sections, the clip walls can with advantage flex inwards.

Although the examples describe the clip in use on bangles it can also be used in any other suitable positions e.g. for necklets.

A particular feature of this clip is that it ensures the accurate alignment of both parts of the joint.

The clip action is particulary advantageous on seamed tubing which has not been soldered but it can with advantage be used on seamless tubing.

Fingernail Bangle Clip A Specific example of the clip is described below.

The attached diagram shows a cross section of the bangle made in this particular example from semicircular seamed unsoldered metal tubing. A section of this tubing is shown in Fig 2 (c) with the unsoldered seam on the flat base at E.

In Fig 1 (a) which shows a section view of the closed joint attached bridging the two halves of the joint at G and H. The other part K locates in the other end of the tubing G when the joint is closed.

Fig 2 shows a cross section of the bangle.

Fig 2 (a) shows the position of the clip within the tubing as it starts to close, the clip itself is shown in section and shaded. The novel feature of this clip is that the leading end is shaped as shown in Fig 2 (a) to bridge the inside shape bearing both on the lower corners B and D and also the top of the tubing at C. As the joint between the two halves of the bangle is closed the extra width of the clip at this point, see Fig 4 (a) and Fig 4 (b), is now forced to follow the shape of the tubing so that when fully closed the two halves of the joint must be accurately aligned as in Fig 1 (a) with the clips as Fig 2 (b). However the spring in the clip makes it try to regain its original shape ( as in Fig 2 (a) ) resulting in a gripping force directed around the top periphery of the bangle between C and B, and, C and D.

Usually the tendency of the tubing to retain its original coiled shape and the friction of this spring clip is sufficient to hold the joint together.

However the joint can also be held closed in a variety of ways one of which is illustrated in Fig 3. In this particular example a hole near the leading end of the clip K engages with a nipple L on the inside of the tubing.

Figs 4 (a) and (b) show the shape of the clip used in this particular example in more detail.

Claims (17)

1. Fingernail Bangle Clip

   CLAIMS 1) An internal clip to connect the ends of a bangle made from hollow unsoldered seamed tubing of any cross sectional shape which consists of a curved sheet of metal or any other suitably springy shaped so that it bears on both the inner top surface of the bangle at suitable point and also bears at some lower points so that the grip generated by the flexing of the clip walls as it is pushed into full engagement is directed preferentially round the top surface periphery instead of across its base when viewed in cross section.
2. 2) A clip as in claim 1) where the tube section is a sector of a circle with a substantially flat base and the clip is of similar shape to the curved top surface but with somewhat flattened sides to generate the necessary spring (see Fig 5 (a)).
3. 3) A clip as in claim 2) where the tube section is part of an ellipse (see Fig 5(b)).
4. 4) A clip as in claim 1) where the tube is circular in section with or without an internal bearing surface to locate the lower ends of the clip (see Fig 5(c().
5. 5) A clip as in claim 4) where the tube is elliptical in section (see Fig 5 (d)).
6. 6) A clip as in claim 1) where the tube section is made from two circles or elipses (see Fig 5(e) and (f)).
7. 7) A clip as in claim 1) where the tube section is rectangular or square and the clip is the usual arc shape as in Fig 5(g).
8. 8) A clip as in claim 7) where the clip has a flattened top as in Fig 5(h).
9. 9) A clip as in claim 1) where the tube cross section is made up of several flat surfaces (5 or more) (see Fig 5(i) for one possibility).
10. 10) A clip as in claim 1) where the tube cross section is made up from both curved and flat sections (see Fig 5 (j) for one possibility).
11. Fingernail Bangle Clip 11) A clip as in claim 1) where the base of the tube cross section is not closed but the ends are bent inwards to from runners for the clip (see Fig 5 (k)).
12. 12) A clip as in Claim 1) where the ends of the tube are curved where they meet (see Fig (1)).
13. 13) A clip as in claims 10 and 2) where the top surface is decorated with 1 or more flat or curved ridges. The crest of the clip can be shaped to fit them. (see Fig 5 (m) for one possibility).
14. 14) A clip as in claim 13) where its top is shaped to touch only the inner crests of the decorative ridges (see Fig 5 (n)).
15. 15) A clip as in claim 1) in which the walls flex inwards instead of outwards to provide the grip.
16. 16) A clip as in claim 1) which is used to attach a decorative feature within the circlet of the bangle. A second clip may be used to complete the bangle.
17. 17) A clip as in claim 1) which is used not to join the ends of the bangle but to attach a removable decorative feature e.g.

    a finial or motif to the ends of the bangle.

    Fingernail Bangle Clip DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES FIG 1 (a) Section of bangle showing clip in place across joint at A A.

    (b) Section of bangle with joint open.

    FIG 2 (c) Section of bangle tube.

    (a) Section of bangle tube showing clip in part closed position engaging bottom corners B & D and top curved surface C.

    (b) Section of bangle tube showing clip in fully engaged position sprung against the curved surface.

    FIG 3 Section of clip showing a dimple at L engaging with a hole in the clip to hold it closed.

    FIG 4a (a) Side view of clip showing how shape changes along length.

    (c) Section from Y - Z on fixed end.

    (b) Section form X - Y on open end which engages with other half of bangle.

    FIG 4b Plan view of clip before bending to shape shown in Fig 4a Hole shown for location with dimple on open side of bangle.

    FIGS Clip shapes for different bangle sections.