GB2394250A

GB2394250A - Spectacles clip

Info

Publication number: GB2394250A
Application number: GB0224239A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Scott Lee Winham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-18
Filing date: 2002-10-18
Publication date: 2004-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 2022-10-18
Also published as: GB2394250B; GB0224239D0

Abstract

A clip, for example for holding a pair of spectacles to a supporting substrate (M), comprises a first part (10) having a projecting jaw (12), and a second part (20) which is movably mounted to the first part and is formed with a projecting jaw (22) for co-operating with the jaw (12) of the first part, the jaws serving to close around one or more articles, for example the arms (A) of a pair of spectacles when folded flat. The jaws are relatively slidably movable and are biassed to the closed position.

Description

t SPECTACLES CLIP

The present invention relates to a clip for holding a pair of spectacles to a supporting substrate, but having other uses also.

It is commonly required to find an appropriate location 5 to put a pair of spectacles when out of use. A particular example of this relates to sunglasses, which are often supported on the neck of the wearer's T-shirt when the sunglasses are out of use.

I have now devised a clip of simple construction, which 10 can be used for holding a pair of spectacles (for example sunglasses) to a supporting substrate, such as a piece of material, which may for example form part of a T-shirt or other shirt or garment: the clip may however be used for a wide variety of other purposes.

15 In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a clip, for example for holding a pair of spectacles to a supporting substrate, the clip comprising a first part formed with a projecting jaw, and a second part which is movably mounted to the first part and is formed with a 20 projecting jaw for co-operating with the jaw of the first part, the jaws serving to close around one or more articles, for example the arms of a pair of spectacles when folded flat.

Preferably the first part of the clip comprises a base having an L-shaped element projecting from one side of this 25 base, the outer end of the Lshaped element forming the jaw of the first part of the clip.

Preferably the second part of the clip comprises a base having an Lshaped element projecting from one side thereof, the outer end of this Lshaped element forming the jaw of the 30 second part of the clip.

Preferably the contacting ends of the jaws are of complementary shape to each other, for example one being of

( convex curvature and the other of complementary concave curvature. Preferably the second part is slidably mounted to the first part. Preferably the base of the first part of the clip 5 is formed with an extension projecting from one end thereof, which is received through a passage formed through the base of the second part of the clip, such that the second part is slidable relative to the first part.

Preferably the two parts of the clip are biassed 10 towards each other, to close the jaws together. Preferably the clip includes a spring to provide this bias.

In use, the clip may be positioned to one side of a piece of material to which a pair of spectacles are to be held.

Then the arms of the spectacles (when folded flat) are pressed 15 against the piece of material from the other side, to push the pair of arms, and the underlying portion of material, through the gap between the jaws of the clip (when open) and into the space behind the jaws. Then the clip is allowed to close, so that the jaws close around the arms of the spectacles, with the 20 underlying portion of material wrapped around them.

In this way, the pair of spectacles may be held to the front outside of a shirt, such as a T-shirt, the clip being applied from the inner side of the shirt.

In an alternative, the T-shirt or other garment may be 25 formed with an adjacent pair of holes, through which the respective jaws of the clip extend: the jaws are then able to close directly around the folded arms of the pair of spectacles, without closing around any intervening material of the shirt etc. 30 An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: FIGURE 1 is a view of a pair of spectacles, shown with a clip in accordance with the present invention applied around 35 its arms when folded flat;

l FIGURE 2 is an enlarged section through the folded arms of the pair of spectacles, showing the clip in side view but with its jaws open; and FIGURE 3 is a similar view, showing the clip with its 5 jaws closed.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a pair of spectacles S with its arms A folded flat, and a clip C, in accordance with the invention, applied around its arms A. Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, the clip C 10 comprises two parts which are slidable towards and away from each other, to close or open the clip around the folded arms A of the pair of spectacles. Thus, the clip C comprises a first part 10 which comprises a flat, rectangular base 11 having an L-shaped element 12 projecting from one side of the 15 base 11, intermediate its opposite ends. Further, the first part 10 comprises an extension 13, reduced in width and thickness relative to the base 11, projecting from one end of the base 11.

The second part 20 of the clip comprises a flat, 20 rectangular base 21 having an L-shaped element 22 projecting from one side of the base 21, intermediate its opposite ends.

The base 21 is formed with a longitudinal through-passage which receives the extension 13 of the first part 10 of the clip through it, so that the second part 20 is slidable relative to 25 the first part. The free ends of the L-shaped elements 12,22 of the two parts face each other, and so form a pair of co-

operating jaws to engage around the arms A of the pair of spectacles. In the example shown, the free end of the L-

shaped element 12 is convex-curved in section, whilst the 30 corresponding end of the L-shaped element 22 is of complementary, concave- curvature.

The clip is provided with a tension spring (not shown) for biassing the two parts 10,20 towards each other, in the direction of the arrows in Figure 2, so as to close the jaws 35 of the clip together. The tension spring is housed in a

/ recess or cavity (not shown) within the extension 13 of the first part 10 of the clip.

Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings show the clip positioned to one side of a piece of material M ( for example 5 on the inside of a T-shirt) and the pair of spectacles positioned to the other side of the piece of material M, with its folded arms A disposed against that side of the piece of material. The two parts of the clip are pulled apart, against the spring bias of the clip, and the arms A of the pair of 10 spectacles are pressed through the gap between the open jaws of the clip and into the space behind them, as shown in Figure 2: a portion of the material M is correspondingly pushed, by the arms A of the spectacles, through the gap between the jaws and into the space behind them. Then the jaws are allowed to 15 close, under the spring bias, to close the material T around the folded arms A of the spectacles, as shown in Figure 3. In this way, the clip holds the pair of spectacles, via the arms A, to the material M of the T-shirt. The spectacles can be freed again by sliding the two parts of the clip apart and so 20 opening its jaws.

In an alternative mode of use, the piece of material M (or an appropriate part of the T-shirt or other garment) may be formed with a pair of adjacent openings, through which the respective jaws of the clip extend, to close directly around 25 the folded arms A of the pair of spectacles, rather than indirectly via the material itself.

Whilst the clip has been described when used to embrace the arms of a pair of spectacles, it may be used in a wide variety of other applications.

Claims

( Claims

1) A clip, for example for holding a pair of spectacles to a supporting substrate, the clip comprising a first part formed with a projecting jaw, and a second part which is movably 5 mounted to the first part and is formed with a projecting jaw for co-operating with the jaw of the first part, the jaws serving to close around one or more articles, for example the arms of a pair of spectacles when folded flat.

2) A clip as claimed in claim 1, in which said first part 10 comprises a base having an L-shaped element projecting from one side thereof, the outer end of said L-shaped element forming said jaw of said first part.

3) A clip as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which said second part comprises a base having an L-shaped element projecting 15 from one side thereof, the outer end of the latter L-shaped element forming said jaw of said second part.

4) A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, in which contacting ends of said jaws are of complementary shape to each other, one being of convex curvature and the other of 20 complementary concave curvature.

5) A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said second part is slidably mounted to said first part.

6) A clip as claimed in claim 5, in which the base of said 25 first part is formed with an extension projecting from one end thereof and extending through a passage formed through the base of said second part, such that said second part is slidable relative to said first part.

7) A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said first and second parts are biassed towards each other in a manner closing said jaws together.

8) A clip substantially as herein described with reference 5 to the accompanying drawings.