GB2572803A - Connector clip - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector clip 10 for connecting garments together comprising main body 12 with a first end 12a and a second end 12b. the body having at least one magnet 15, and further comprising least one hook 17 at the first end. Preferably the body has a back edge 18 and the hook has a profiled back edge 19 arranged to correspond thereto. Preferably the second end 12b comprises a ‘fishtail’ T-shaped bar 20, 22 forming an attachment means for the garment onto which the connector will be attached. Preferably there are two hooks 17 with a gap between them to receive a portion 20 of the T-shaped bar such that two of the connectors fastened together have the magnets 15 sitting flat against one another to hold them together. The connector might be used for use in endurance sports such as cycling, allowing tops and shorts to be quickly disconnected for toilet breaks but able to be reconnected quickly with only one hand even while cycling if needed.

Description

CONNECTOR CLIP

The present invention relates to a connector clip for releasably securing items of clothing or garments when they are being worn. Particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, the invention relates to a connector clip for releasably securing upper body garments to lower body garments whilst they are being worn. Additionally, the invention relates to a connector clip for releasably securing garments whilst they are being worn and whilst the wearer is doing sport or exercise.

Means for releasably securing one garment to another whilst being worn is known in the art. For example, it is known to connect gloves by a piece of string which can then be looped through the arms of a coat so that the wearer cannot lose their gloves. Other means for connecting two or more garments are known, such as providing buttons on a first garment, and corresponding button holes on a second garment. Snap-fit fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, zips, etc. are all known methods of securing garments together, for example a hood to a jacket, whilst also providing the user with an option to separate the garments at a later date.

However, all of the above-described examples can be cumbersome and fiddly to handle, and require a degree of concentration by the user in order to operate them effectively. In some cases, for example in the case of the snap-fit fasteners, incorrect operation can actually damage the shape and configuration of the corresponding parts, and so over time the fasteners lose their effectiveness. This is particularly undesirable where the fastener is being used to connect an upper body garment to a lower body garment, for example a shirt to some trousers. Even more so, when the wearer is using the device(s) during high-intensity sport, for example cycling, jogging, climbing, etc., and is using the fasteners to preserve their body heat and/or modesty.

The above-described prior art devices are particularly unsuited to being used during sport or exercise, since they require the wearer to stop what they are doing and re-fasten the device should they come undone. During sport or exercise, this is not always possible, in particular for sports where the user’s hands are busy, such as cycling or climbing. Re-fastening, therefore, requires the user stopping at a suitable location, ensuring that they are safe (e.g. in a road layby), before commencing the re-fastening of the device(s).

It is also known to wear items of clothing that are formed of one piece of material, such as bib shorts, which are common in sports where the restriction around the waist is undesirable. However these garments are known to cause issues when the wearer is required to quickly and easily remove and replace the garment, such as during a bathroom break.

However, it is still desired to have clothing which is fixed in place somehow while cycling, for example, otherwise clothing garments can bunch or slide causing discomfort to the user, or when loose material can cause extra aerodynamic drag to the user.

Therefore, there is a desire to provide a connector clip which overcomes at least some of the above-mentioned issues. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a connector clip for releasably securing together garments, comprising a main body having opposing first and second ends, at least one magnet located in or on said main body, and a hooked portion at on at least one of said first and second ends.

Optionally, the hooked portion comprises at least one hooked protrusion. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention the first edge may define a leading edge having said hooked portion near or at said first edge, and optionally said second edge may define at least one profiled edge.

In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention, said at least one profiled edges may advantageously have a curvature substantially equal to the curvature of said inner face of said at least one hooked protrusion.

Optionally, the device may also comprise at least two hooked protrusions, and may optionally comprise at least two profiled edges diametrically opposite to said leading edge.

The said main body of the device may optionally comprise a substantially planar inner surface.

The device may further comprise a recess in said inner surface for housing said at least one magnet.

The device may further comprise at least two magnets. Said at least one magnet may advantageously have a magnet strength between 2 Newtons (N) and 20 Newtons and optionally wherein at least one magnet has a magnet strength of 10 Newtons. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the magnetic strength may be other strengths in the range 2 to 20N, including, 3N, 4N, 5N, 6N, 7N, 8N, 9N, 10N, 11N, 12N, 13N, 14N, 15N, 16N, 17N, 18N, 19N or 20N. Additionally said at least one magnet may optionally be a bar magnet.

The device may optionally further comprise an attachment leg extending from an edge of said main body which is diametrically opposite said leading edge, which may additionally comprise an attachment member formed integrally with said attachment leg at a distal end thereof. The attachment leg and attachment member may form a T-shaped bar, and may optionally further comprise an aperture through said attachment leg near to said attachment member. Optionally, said attachment member may also comprise a pair of curved faces defining pointed ends located at the distal ends of the attachment member, and optionally wherein said pointed ends are directed toward the main body of the connector clip.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for releasably securing garments, comprising a pair of connector clips identical in configuration, each connector clip comprising a main body having opposing first and second ends, at least one magnet located in or on said main body, and a hooked portion at at least one of said first and second ends.

These and other aspects will now be described by way of examples only in the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view diagram of a single connector clip in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic side view diagram of the connector clip of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the connector clip of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pair of connector clips in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, shown in a first configuration; and

Figure 5 is a schematic cross-section view of the pair of connector clips of Figure 4, illustrated in a second configuration.

Directional descriptors such as upward, top, bottom, side, clockwise, front, rear, etc. will now be used in order to describe exemplary embodiments of the invention when oriented in the way as shown in the drawings. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may not always be oriented as described and illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be in any suitable orientation, and therefore the directional descriptors are not intended to be limiting in this regard.

In use, a pair of connector clips would be used, but in the following description only one will be described since each clip of a pair are identical in structure. Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a connector clip indicated generally at 10. The connector device 10 is preferably constructed from a single continuous piece of moulded plastic.

Looking firstly at the connector device 10, there is provided a generally square main body 12. The main body 12 has two primary planar surfaces: an inner surface 12a and an outer surface 12b. A recess 13 within the inner surface 12a is configured to house a single bar magnet 15. The magnet 15 preferably has a strength/rating of 10N, but may have a strength/rating of anything from 2N to 20N. The skilled person would understand that the magnet properties (i.e. shape, strength/rating and number) may be varied within reason, to provide a configuration which still fulfils the requirements of the device, which is described in more detail hereinafter. Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a number of other types of magnets may replace the bar magnet 15 herein disclosed. For example a pair of circular disc magnets may be used, or an electromagnetic device may be conceivably installed for the purpose of selective actuation of the magnetic properties of the clip 10.

A pair of diametrically opposing side walls 14 extend between the two primary surfaces 12a, 12b. Between the side walls 14 at one end of the main body 12 there is a leading edge 16. A pair of hooked protrusions 17 extend perpendicularly to the plane of the inner surface 12a near to the leading edge 16 and spaced apart from each other. The faces of the hooked protrusions 17 which face away from each other are flush with the side walls 14 and formed integrally therewith, defining a substantially “J”-shaped profile for each of the side walls 14. The hooked protrusions 17 have an outer face which is formed integrally with the leading edge 16, and a curved inner face. There is a notch 19 in the inner surface 12a of the main body 12 at the base of each hooked protrusion 17. This notch 19 is configured to relieve stress on the clip during use.

Diametrically opposite the leading edge 16 defines the “base” of the main body

12. The base includes a pair of profiled edges 18 and a centrally mounted attachment leg 20. The profiled edges 18 extend from the side walls 14 inwardly toward each other, at which point they join to the attachment leg 20 which will be described in more detail hereinafter. The profiled edges 18 are equal in width to the hooked protrusions 17. The depth of the profiled edges 18 is also approximately equal to the height of the hooked protrusions 17. Additionally, the surface of the profiled edges 18 is shaped and configured to inversely match the curve of the inner face of the hooked protrusions 17. In other words, the curvature of the profiled edges 18 is substantially equal to the curvature of the inner face of the hooked protrusions 17. In use, a second clip 10 would lay flush against a first clip 10 but inversely oriented such that the inner surfaces 12a of each clip are adjacent, and the hooked protrusions 17 of the first clip 10 are adjacent the profiled edges 18 of the second clip 10, and vice versa.

Referring additionally to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, the attachment leg 20 extends away from the main body 12 in a direction parallel to the plane of the planar surfaces 12a, 12b. At the distal end of the attachment leg 20, there is an attachment member 22 which extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the attachment leg 20, to form a generally “T”-shaped bar. The attachment member 22 is shaped so as to have a pair of curved faces 24 which define pointed ends 24a at the point furthest from the attachment leg 20.

The pointed ends 24a are directed toward the main body 12 of the clip 10. This creates a recessed surface in which attachment means on garments (for example an elasticated loop) may be retained.

There is provided a substantially triangular aperture through the point at which the attachment leg 20 and the attachment member 22 meet. In use, attachment means on a garment, for example, and elasticated loop of fabric (not shown) may be threaded through the aperture 26, and hooked over the pointed ends 24a so as to be securely retained to the garment of choice.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, in use, a first clip 10a may be fitted to a first garment such as a shirt, near to or at the hem of the shirt. Similarly, a second clip 10b may be fitted to a second garment such as a pair of trousers or shorts near to the edge of the waistband. The two clips 10a, 10b are identical in configuration but oriented inversely to one another, as described above. The clips 10a, 10b are brought into proximity such that the magnetic attraction between magnets 15 pulls the clips 10a, 10b together. At this point, the device is in the configuration illustrated best in Figure 4 of the drawings. Here, the magnets 15 of each clip 10a, 10b are aligned with each other and adjacent. The magnets 15 therefore provide the locating mechanism of the system.

Referring specifically to Figure 5 of the drawings, the hooked protrusions 17 of a first connector device, once located by the magnetic attractive force between the corresponding connector devices 10, fit mechanically with the profiled edges 18 of the second connector device. Similarly, the hooked protrusions 17 of the second connector device 10 fit mechanically with the profiled edges 18 of the first connector device 10. When the garments are tensioned apart from one another, the inner surface of the hooked protrusions 17 mechanically locks against the profiled edges 18. As such, in use the device has two mechanisms which ensure a secure connection between a pair of connector clips 10a, 10b, the first being the magnetic location mechanism, and the second being the mechanical locking mechanism.

If the user were to move in such a way that the shirt is being pulled away from the trousers, the connector clips 10a, 10b are now interlinked and prevent unwanted relative movement of the garments to which the clips 10a, 10b are fitted. The magnetic locating feature provided by the magnets 15 means that the user simply has to bring the two connector devices within a certain distance of each other before the devices automatically interlock in the correct orientation. Because the magnets locate the two connectors at the correct orientation this overcomes the dexterous challenges of interlocking behind the user’s back. This is particularly advantageous during high intensity sports or activities when the user wants to save time, and keep their attention on the sport or activity.

When the user no longer requires the two garments to be held together, they simply push the two connector devices 10 in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic force which is holding them together, so that the hooked portions 17 are spaced apart from the profiled edges 18 (such as in Figure 4 of the drawings). This means that the magnetic force of attraction between the two connector clips is reduced significantly as the magnets are slidably moved out of alignment. The user may then pull apart the two connector devices 10, very easily in order to release the connector clips 10. This provides a quick release mechanism that may be particularly useful for those who require it.

The magnets 15 must therefore be strong enough to provide the above magnetic location, but weak enough so that the user may slide the two connector devices 10 apart once they are no longer required to hold garments together. The person skilled in the art would understand from the foregoing description the strength of the magnets 15 required for this purpose and the invention is not necessarily intended to be limited in this regard.

Means for attaching the connector devices 10 to garments may vary from the attachment means described above. For example, the attachment leg 20 and attachment member 22 may be sewn within the hem portions of garments such that the connector devices 10 form part of the garment themselves. Alternatively a snap-fit mechanism may be employed in order to releasably attach each connector portion to the required garment. The clips may be reattachable to garments so that they can be used interchangeably, swapped out for laundering purposes and/or used on a plurality of garments. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the connector clips may be provided already formed integrally with the garments. They may be inserted within the lining or hem of items during the manufacture process.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, from the foregoing description, that modifications and variations can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (17)

1. A connector clip for releasably securing together garments, comprising a main body having opposing first and second ends, at least one magnet located in or on said main body, and a hooked portion at at least one of said first and second ends.

2. A connector clip according to claim 1, wherein said hooked portion comprises at least one hooked protrusion.

3. A connector clip according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said first end defines a leading edge having said hooked portion near or at said first edge.

4. A connector clip according to claim 3, wherein said second end comprises at least one profiled edge.

5. A connector clip according to claim 4 when dependent on claim 2, wherein said at least one profiled edges have a curvature substantially equal to the curvature of said inner face of said at least one hooked protrusion.

6. A connector clip according to claim 2, wherein said device comprises at least two hooked protrusions.

7. A connector clip according to claim 6, wherein said device comprises at least two profiled edges diametrically opposite said leading edge.

8. A connector clip according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said main body comprises a substantially planar inner surface.

9. A connector clip according to claim 8, further comprising a recess in said inner surface for housing said at least one magnet.

10. A connector clip according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least two magnets.

11. A connector clip according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one magnet has a magnet strength between 2 Newtons and 20 Newtons.

12. A connector clip according to claim 11, wherein at least one magnet has a magnet strength of 10 Newtons.

13. A connector clip according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one magnet is a bar magnet.

14. A connector clip according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an attachment leg extending from an edge of said main body which is diametrically opposite said leading edge.

15. A connector clip according to claim 14, further comprising an attachment member formed integrally with said attachment leg at a distal end thereof.

16. A connector clip according to claim 15, wherein the attachment leg and attachment member form a T-shaped bar.

17. A kit of parts for releasably securing garments, comprising a pair of connector clips identical in configuration, each connector clip comprising a main body having opposing first and second ends, at least one magnet located in or on said main body, and a hooked portion at at least one of said first and second ends.