GB2248775A - Hair clip - Google Patents

Description

CLIP This invention relates to a clip, for example a chignon clip or a curl clip.

It is common that a clip, such as a chignon clip, a curl clip etc., has upper and lower portions (termed "halves" hereinafter) that pivot about an axis at one end of the halves to be opened and closed freely. The upper and lower halves are normally biased closed by a spring. The upper and lower halves are opened to form a "V" shape by squeezing side portions, for fingers, of the clip to overcome the force of the spring. In this condition, curled hair with hair cream etc. and curlers etc., for example, are clipped between the upper half and lower half to fix and make hair styles.

Thus, when using such a clip, the clip is opened generally by hands covered by hair cream etc., and accordingly, there is a problem that when using the clip, the fingers push against side portions which are made planar and smooth and thus the fingers tend to slip because of the hair cream etc. and opening of the clip is not easily done. In particular, professionals, such as hair specialists, must make hair styles speedily using lots of clips but the conventional clip made as above is not easy to use and can slow down the hair specialist.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a clip which is easy to use without stoppage even when operating with fingers covered with hair cream, etc..

According to the invention, there is provided a hair clip having an upper half and a lower half pivotally interconnected at one end region and biased to their closed position, the two halves being openable by squeezing together the end portions thereof, and the said end portions each having at least one through hole.

For a better understanding of the present invention and as to how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a front view showing a curl clip embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the curl clip.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view showing the curl clip.

Fig. 4 is a left side view showing the curl clip.

Fig. 5 is a right side view showing the curl clip.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing the curl clip.

Fig. 7 is a front view showing a conventional large size clip embodying the invention.

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the conventional large size clip.

Fig. 9 is a front view showing a conventional middle size clip embodying the invention.

Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the conventional middle size clip.

Fig. 11 is a front view showing a conventional small size clip embodying the invention.

Fig. 12 is a plan view showing the conventional small size clip.

Fig. 13 is a front view showing a chignon clip embodying the invention.

Fig. 1-Fig. 6 show a curl clip. In the curl clip C1 of this preferred embodiment, respective ends of an upper half 1 and a lower half 2 pivot about an axis 3 to enable the halves to be opened and closed freely. The upper half 1 and the lower half 2 are normally biased closed by a spring 4.

As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 6, a centre region of the upper half 1 of the curl clip C1 is curved gently upwards and has a generally U-shaped cross-section as shown in Fig. 4. A plurality of through holes 5 are placed at regular intervals along the upper half 1, the holes 5 having an approximate "U" shape when considered in a longitudinal sectional view. These through holes 5 stop the hair from slipping and falling from between the upper half 1 and the lower half 2 when the hair is clipped between the halves.

As shown in Fig. 4, the lower half 2 has approximately an inverted U shape in sectional view, and makes contact at an edge thereof with the upper half 1.

Hair can be clipped between the upper half 1 and the lower half 2.

As shown in Fig. 2-Fig. 6, there is a plurality of through holes 6 on side portions la and 2a of the upper half 1 and the lower half 2 made as above.

When opening the curl clip C1, fingers push the side portions la and 2a of the upper half 1 and the lower half 2 together against the force of the spring 4.

The through holes 6 remove oil or hair cream etc., stuck to the fingers, and the fingers are stopped from sliding by making contact with the wall of each through hole 6.

As a result, the curl clip C1 can be opened smoothly, without slipping.

The shape of the through holes 6 is not limited to a circle, but can be other appropriate shapes such as an oval, a polygon, or a star, etc.. The diameters thereof can be different from each other or the same according to shape or size of the side portions la and 2a of the curl clip C1. The number of holes 6 can thus be varied appropriately.

Although the above preferred embodiment is explained as an example of the invention applied to a curl clip, the invention is not limited only to a curl clip but can be applied to all known types of clips having a side portion, for example, to a large size clip C2 as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, to a middle size clip C3 as shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, small size clip C4 as shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, to various kinds of chignon clip C5 as shown in Fig. 13, and so forth.

A clip embodying the invention constructed in the manner described above does not slip when handled even when operated by fingers covered with hair cream etc..

As a result, it is easier to use and can be offered at a low price owing to its easy construction.

Although the invention has been described in respect of a specific embodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art which fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.

Claims (13)

CLAIMS:

1. A hair clip having an upper half and a lower half pivotally interconnected at one end region and biased to their closed position, the two halves being openable by squeezing together the end portions thereof, and the said end portions each having at least one through hole.

2. A hair clip according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the or each through hole is selected from the group consisting of a circle, an oval, a polygon, and a star.

3. A hair clip according to claim 1 or 2, wherein diameter of the or each through hole is selected according to the shape and/or size of the side portions.

4. A hair clip according to claim lf 2 or 3, wherein there are at least two through holes and the diameters of the holes are the same or different from each other.

5. A hair clip according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two halves are biased to their closed position by a spring.

6. A hair clip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6, Figs. 7 and 8, Figs. 9 and 10, Figs. 11 and 12, or Fig. 13.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS 1. A hair clip having an upper half and a lower half pivotally interconnected at one end region and biased to their closed position, the two halves being cpenable by squeezing together the end portions thereof, and the said end portions each having at least two through holes.

2. A hair clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of through holes are provided along a hair retaining region of said upper half.

3. A hair clip having an upper half and a lower half pivotally interconnected at one end region and biased to their closed position, the two halves being openable by squeezing together the end portions, and there being a plurality of through holes along a hair retaining region of said upper half.

4. A hair clip as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said end portions each have at least two through holes.

5. A hair clip according to claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein the shape of each through hole of said end portions is selected from the group consisting of a circle, an oval, a polygon, and a star.

6. A hair clip according to claims 1, 2, 4 or 5, wherein the diameter of each through hole of said portions is selected according to the shape and/or size of the end portions.

7. A hair clip according to any preceding claim, wherein the two halves are biased to their closed position by a spring.

8. A hair clip as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7, wherein said hair retaining region of said upper half has a substantially U-shaped cross-section.

9. A hair clip as claimed in claim 8, wherein said through holes of the hair retaining region of said upper half are arranged at the lowest point of said U-shape.

10. A hair clip as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein said plurality of through holes along the hair retaining region of said upper holes are arranged at regular intervals along said upper half.

11. A hair clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a hair retaining region of said lower half has an inverted-U-shape.

12. A hair clip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6, Figs. 7 and 8, Figs. 9 and 10, Figs. 11 and 12, or Fig.

13.