US20130306823A1

US20130306823A1 - Multifunction bag hanging device

Info

Publication number: US20130306823A1
Application number: US13/948,944
Authority: US
Inventors: Dewen Liu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-28
Filing date: 2013-07-23
Publication date: 2013-11-21

Abstract

A device is selectably movable between a “clasp” configuration and a “hanger” configuration. The device has a device body, a first spring biased hinge at a first end of the device body and a second spring biased hinge at a second end of the device body, a clip hingedly connected to the first end of the body, and a hook hingedly connected to the second end of the body. The hinges bias the device to a closed position clasp configuration and the clip and the hook are swingable against spring bias to an open position hanger configuration. The device has physical stops to limit angular motion of both clip and hook to less than 90 degrees each.

Description

This is a Continuation-in-Part to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/635,272 filed Sep. 14, 2012, which is a US National Entry of Chinese PCT Application PCT/CN2011/082408 filed Nov. 18, 2011, and which claimed priority to Chinese Application 201020684910.3 filed Dec. 28, 2010.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to key clasps and handbag hanging devices; more particularly, it relates to a multi-function bag hanging device and key clasp.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Because the volume of a key is rather small, a key clasp is used to link multiple keys together. However, a conventional key clasp still has the problem of not being easy to carry, and many people like to put their key clasp in a bag when they go out. But then it is not easy to find in the bag when they want to use it.
One particular key clasp addressing these problems has three parts: an elongated body section, a purse clamping section, and a hook section. The body section is generally an elongated metal strip with a bent closed loop at one end (hook section) in which to hang the key ring, and a bend of about 180 degrees at the other bent end (clamping section) for clamping onto a bag or bag lining cloth, with the shorter end of the 180 degree bend on the outside of the bag, making it easy to find the key clasp when it is wanted. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,308,922 and 7,537,032 the disclosures of which are herewith incorporated by this reference as if fully set forth herein.
Such key clasps however have only a relatively small clamping force between the metal strip of the clamping section and the metal strip of the body section, so it is easy for it to come loose when clamped on a bag, especially a relatively thin bag. In addition, current key clasps have only the one function of hanging keys and cannot be used as bag hanging devices. What is needed is a multi-function bag hanging device convenient for carrying so it can be used not only as a bag hanging device, but can also be placed inside a bag to act as a key clasp.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

What is disclosed is a multi-function bag hanging device that can be used not only as a bag hanging device, but also as a key clasp.
Also disclosed is a shaft or hinge device for a bag hanging device that includes a shaft sleeve, shaft, cam, pressure wheel, and helical compression spring. One end of the shaft sleeve is the closed end with a through hole at its center, and the other end of the sleeve is an open end, and the cam seats at the open end of the shaft sleeve and can rotate with respect to the shaft sleeve. The inside end of the cam seats inside the shaft sleeve, and the outside end of the cam projects out of the shaft sleeve along the axis thereof, and there is a catching groove at the center of the end surface of the outside end of the cam; there is a catching disc provided on one end of the shaft, and there is a concave groove perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft at the other end thereof; the shaft successively passes through the cam and the pressure wheel and helical compression spring seating inside the shaft sleeve; the catching disc fits inside the catching groove of the cam, and the other end of the shaft passes through the through hole to the outside of the closed end of the shaft sleeve; there is a catching button provided in the catching groove to restrict the axial movement of the shaft; the pressure wheel is sleeved on the inner wall of the shaft sleeve and rotates synchronously with the shaft sleeve; it can also move axially along the shaft sleeve, and a concave-convex shape in the axial direction along the shaft is formed at the inside end of the cam, a concave-convex shape is also correspondingly formed at the surface of the pressure wheel facing the cam; the helical compression spring rests between the pressure wheel and the closed end of the sleeve.
The disclosed bag hanging device has a body section and a clamping section, with one end of the body section rotatably connected with the clamping section by a hinge or shaft device. In one embodiment, the outer housing of the shaft sleeve is inserted into the body section and a first stopping piece is provided at the end of the body section connecting with the clamping section to limit the rotation angle of the clamping section. The outside end of the cam is inserted into the clamping section, and the free end of the clamping section rests on the body section.
The bag hanging device also includes a hook section and the other end of the body section is rotatably connected to the hook section through a hinge or shaft device. In one embodiment the outside housing of the shaft sleeve is inserted into the hook section and a second stopping piece for limiting the rotation angle of the hook section is provided at one end of the hook section connecting to the body section. The outside end of the cam is inserted into the body section, and the free end of the hook section rests on the body section.
Preferably the hook section and the clamping section are respectively located at opposite ends of the body section. Preferably the body section end connecting with the hook section is bent to the side of the body section end that connects with the clamping section. In other words, the body section end connecting with the hook section is offset from the body section end that connects with the clamping section. This offset may be an angular offset, or a curved offset, but in either case, a longitudinal line passing generally through the body section end that connects with the clamping section does not also pass through the angled or curved body section end connecting with the hook section.
Preferably there is a clamping disc at the free end of the clamping section. The clamping disc can be round, rectangular, oval, or heart shaped among other possible shapes. The clamping disc is optionally provided with a backing of rubber-like grip material and an LED light.
The shaft device used for the bag hanging device in this disclosure rotatably connects the clamping section or hook section to the body section and maintains a clamping force against the body section. In addition, the clamping section and hook section each have physical stops or limits to their angular rotation out from the body section, so that a particular angular rotation can be maintained in a stable condition after rotating to a certain angle relative to the body section. The hook section can be used to hang a bag or other object when the clamping section is placed on top of a table. When the clamping section and the hook section of the bag hanging device are closed against the body section (clamped together) under the tension of the included spring, the device can then be used as a key clasp.
In some representative embodiments there is a shaft device for a bag hanging device. The shaft device has a shaft sleeve, a shaft, a cam, a pressure wheel, and a helical compression spring. One end of the shaft sleeve is a closed end with a through hole at its center. The other end of the shaft sleeve is an open end, and the cam is situated at the open end of the shaft sleeve and is rotatable relative to the shaft sleeve. An inside end of the cam is situated inside the shaft sleeve, and an outside end of the cam projects out of the shaft sleeve along the axial direction of the shaft sleeve. A catching groove is provided on the center of an end surface of the outside end of the cam.
A catching disc is provided on one end of the shaft, and a concave groove perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft is provided at the other end of the shaft. The shaft successively passes through the cam and the pressure wheel, and the helical compression spring is inside the shaft sleeve. The catching disc is held inside the catching groove of the cam, and the other end of the shaft extends through the through hole to the outside of the closed end of the shaft sleeve. A catching button is provided in the concave groove to limit the movement of the shaft along its axial direction.
The pressure wheel is nested in the inner wall of the shaft sleeve rotating synchronously with the shaft sleeve and movable axially along the shaft sleeve. A concave-convex shape in the axial direction along the shaft is formed at the inside end of the cam, while a concave-convex shape is correspondingly formed on a surface of the pressure wheel facing the cam. The helical compression spring rests between the pressure wheel and the closed end of the sleeve.
In other representative embodiments, there a bag hanging device with a body section and a clamping section. Desirably, one end of the body section rotatably connects with the clamping section by a shaft device, such as that described just above, and an outer housing of the shaft sleeve is connected to the body section in an insertion manner. A first stopping piece provided at one end of the body section connects to the clamping section to limit the rotation angle of the clamping section. The outside end of the cam connects to the clamping section in an insertion manner, and the free end of the clamping section rests on the body section.
The bag hanging device desirably has a hook section, and the other end of the body section is rotatably connected to the hook section through a shaft device wherein an outer housing of the shaft sleeve is connected to the hook section in an insertion manner, as above with the clamping section, and a second stopping piece is provided at the end of the hook section which connects to the body section to limit the rotation angle of the hook section. The outside end of the cam is connected with the body section in an insertion manner, and the free end of the hook section rests on the body section.
A multifunctional bag-hanger is also disclosed. It has a body portion, a hook portion connected to one end of the body portion for hanging articles, and a clipping portion rotatably connected to the other end of the body portion by a first rotating shaft. A clipping disk is on a free end of the clipping portion. The clipping disk is held releasably closed on the body portion with interengageable magnets provided at corresponding positions on the clipping disk and the body portion respectively.
For instance, a first magnet is provided on a side of the free end of the clipping disk opposite to the body portion when in a closed position, and a second magnet is provided at the corresponding position on the side of the body portion being opposite to the clipping disk magnet. Generally, the hook portion and the clipping portion are positioned on two sides of the body portion, respectively. The hook portion and the body portion are rotatably connected by a second shaft, such that at least a portion of the hook portion is elastically biased against the body portion. The elastic is advantageously a helical spring which is sleeved on the second rotating shaft and whose two protruding catching ends are stuck onto the hook portion and the body portion respectively. To these ends, a slot is provided at one end of the body portion that is connected to the hook portion, and a support chip or guide is provided on the slot. A blind hole is opened at the end of the hook portion that is connected to the body portion in the direction of its length, and the support guide extends into the blind hole. The spring component is positioned inside the blind hole and sleeved onto the support guide. A rubber-like layer is coated on the inner side of the clipping disk.
In another embodiment, a device is selectably movable between a “clasp” configuration and a “hanger” configuration. In the device there is a device body, a first spring biased hinge at a first end of the device body and a second spring biased hinge at a second end of the device body, a clip hingedly connected to the first end of the body, and a hook hingedly connected to the second end of the body.
The hinges bias the device to a closed position clasp configuration and the clip and the hook are swingable against spring bias to an open position hanger configuration. The device desirably has physical stops to limit angular motion of both clip and hook to less than 90 degrees each.
In some disclosed devices, the device body has a first body segment distally bounded by the first end of the body, and a second body segment distally bounded by the second end of the body. Each body segment is bounded proximally by each other. The second body segment and the first body segment are angularly offset from one another.
The device has a first body segment center line formed by the intersection of sagittal and frontal planes of the first body segment generally bisecting the first body segment respectively into right and left halves and front and back halves, and a second body segment center line formed by the intersection of sagittal and frontal planes of the second body segment generally bisecting the second body segment respectively into right and left halves and front and back halves. The first and second body segments are angularly offset from one another by an angle that is the angle between the two body segment centerlines.
The angular offset of the first body segment from the second body segment is preferably an angle from 135 degrees to 180 degrees, where 180 degrees is flat, meaning not offset from each other. More preferably the angle is from 157 degrees to 177 degrees, though other degrees of angular offset can be made to serve. For instance, the angular offset of the first body segment from the second body segment can be any angle from 135 degrees to 179 degrees, such as angles selected from angle ranges from 135 degrees to 144 degrees. from 145 degrees to 154 degrees, from 155 degrees to 164 degrees, or from 165 degrees to 180 degrees.
The device second segment is advantageously fully or partially curved and its frontal plane is understood to be the plane that contains both ends of the second segment.
In the open position hanger configuration, the clip and the hook are generally not parallel to each other and are offset from each other at an angle of less than 90 degrees, and preferably around 60 degrees.
The device alternatively has a first magnet on a side of a free end of the clip distal from the device body portion, and a second magnet at a position on a front side of the device body opposed by the clip and first magnet. The second magnet and the first magnet are oppositely poled to attract each other. The device has at a distal end of the clip a plate for engaging a flat surface such as a table top, with a layer of rubber-like material on a table engaging side of the plate.
The device alternatively has at a distal end of the clip a thin profile clasping case (like a compact or locket), inside of which is disposed at least one mirror and or a photo frame with a magnetized photo cover for easy positioning and replacement of a photo in the frame. Advantageously, the photo frame has a removable iron ring, under which there is at least one magnet for biasing the frame closed upon the case.
An alternate device is selectably movable between a “clasp” configuration and a “hanger” configuration, and has a device body, a first hinge at a first end of the device body and a second hinge at a second end of the device body, a clip hingedly connected to the first end of the body, and a hook hinge dly connected to the second end of the body. The clip and the hook are swingable to an open position hanger configuration, and the device has physical stops to limit angular motion of both clip and hook to less than 90 degrees each.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the front view of the shaft device used for the bag hanging device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic section view of FIG. 1 along the A-A line.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective exploded schematic view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of FIG. 3 in another direction.

FIG. 5 is a perspective structural schematic view of the bag hanging device (when the clamping section is closed).

FIG. 6 is the front view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a right-side view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an exploded schematic view of the bag hanging device and the shaft device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective structural schematic view of the bag hanging device (when the clamping section is open).

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the in-use condition of hanging a key of the bag hanging device shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the in-use condition of hanging a bag of the bag hanging device shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a perspective structural schematic view of a bag hanging device (with a LED light on the clamping disc).

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective structural schematic view of the bag hanging device (when the clamping section is closed).

FIG. 14 is the front view of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a right-side view of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is an exploded schematic view of the bag hanging device and the shaft device of FIG. 13.

FIGS. 17 and 18 taken together are a partially exploded perspective schematic view of an alternative bag hanging device.

FIG. 19 is a partially exploded perspective schematic view of an alternative bag hanging device.

FIG. 20 is a partially exploded perspective schematic view of an alternative bag hanging device.

FIG. 21 is a perspective schematic view of an alternative bag hanging device.

FIG. 22 is a perspective schematic view of an alternative bag hanging device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following refers to the embodiments of this disclosure described in detail in reference to the accompanying Figures.
FIG. 1 is the front view of the shaft device used for the bag hanging device in accordance with an example of this disclosure; FIG. 2 is a schematic section view of FIG. 1 along the A-A line; FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective exploded schematic view of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a schematic view of FIG. 3 in another direction.
As shown in FIG. 1-FIG. 4, the shaft device 3 in accordance with the example in this disclosure comprises a shaft 31, a shaft sleeve 32, a cam 34, a pressure wheel 35, and a helical compression spring 33; one end of the shaft sleeve 32 is the closed end, wherein a through hole 321 is provided at its center, and the other end of shaft sleeve 32 is the open end, and cam 34 is situated at the open end of shaft sleeve 32; the inside end of cam 34 is situated inside the shaft sleeve 32, and the outer end of cam 34 projects out of the shaft sleeve 32 along the axial direction of the shaft 31; the center of surface of the outer end of the cam 34 has a catching groove 340, and the cam 34 can rotate relative to shaft sleeve 32; one end of the shaft 31 has a catching disc 311, and the other end of the shaft 31 has a concave groove 312 that is perpendicular to the axial direction of it; the shaft 31 successively passes through the cam 34 and the pressure wheel 35 and helical compression spring 33 seated inside the shaft sleeve 32; the catching disc 311 that is at one end of the shaft 31 is held inside the catching groove 340 of the cam 34, and the other end of the shaft 31 passes through the through hole 321 and extends out of the closed end of the shaft sleeve 32; A catching button 36 is provided in the concave groove 312 on shaft 31 to limit the movement of shaft 31 along its axial direction. The surface of the pressure wheel 35 is of a polygonal prism shape, the inner wall of shaft sleeve 32 is also of a polygonal prism shape, and the pressure wheel 35 is encased on the inner wall of the shaft sleeve 32, thereby enabling the pressure wheel 35 and the shaft sleeve 32 to rotate synchronously, and the pressure wheel 35 can move axially along the shaft sleeve 32. The inside end of the cam 34 is formed into a concave-convex shape in the axial direction of shaft 31. The surface of the pressure wheel 35 facing the cam 34 is also correspondingly formed into a concave-convex shape, and the helical compression spring 33 rests between the pressure wheel 35 and the closed end of the shaft sleeve 32. The inside end of cam 34 and the side surface of the pressure wheel 35 both are of a polygonal prism shape, and the radial dimension of the inside end of the cam 34 is less than that of the shaft sleeve 32. The cam 34 can rotate relative to the shaft sleeve 32, and the outer surface of the part of the outside end of the cam 34 that protrudes from the shaft sleeve 32 is of a polygonal prism shape and used to nest with one of the rotating components. The outside housing of shaft sleeve 32 is also of a polygonal prism shape and nests with another rotating component.
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, in the shaft device 3 of this disclosure, because the shaft 31 presses the cam 34 onto the pressure wheel 35 through the catching disc 311 and concave groove 312 at each end thereof, the helical compression spring 33 exerts axial pressure along the shaft 31 on the pressure wheel 35, thereby causing the concave-convex section of the inner side of cam 34 and the convex-concave section on the pressure wheel 35 to press each other. As shown in FIG. 4, two convex sections 341 and 343 in the axial direction along the shaft 31 are provided on the cam 34 in this implementation example, and a concave section 342 is provided between convex sections 341 and 343 (with another one on the other side, not shown in the Figure); similarly, there are corresponding concave sections 351 and 353 on the pressure wheel 35, and between concave section 351 and concave section 353 are convex section 352 and convex section 354. In the initial status, convex section 341 on cam 34 and concave section 351 on pressure wheel 35 are matched, and concave section 342 on cam 34 and convex section 352 on pressure wheel 35 are matched. Because of the effect of the helical compression spring 33, the pressure wheel 35 and cam 34 maintain a certain pressure in the axial direction of shaft 31, thereby enabling the stable condition between the cam 34 and the shaft sleeve 32 and requiring the exertion of certain amount of external force in order to rotate the cam 34.
As shown in the schematic view of FIG. 4, exertion of a certain amount of external force rotates the cam 34 in a counter-clockwise direction, enabling the rotation of the cam 34 relative to the shaft sleeve 32, the convex section 341 of cam 34 and the convex section 352 of the pressure wheel 35 will press each other, and the cam 34 presses the pressure wheel 35 to the inside of the shaft sleeve 32, thereby further pressing the helical compression spring 33. When the cam 34 rotates to a certain angle a relative to the shaft sleeve 32, the convex section 341 of the cam 34 then enters into the concave section 353 of the pressure wheel 35, thereby the convex sections of the cam 34 and the concave sections of the pressure wheel 35 are again correspondingly matched, and a new stable condition is maintained under the effect of the helical compression spring 33. As can be seen from the above analysis, the shaft device 3 can be maintained in a stable condition as long as the cam 34 rotates a certain angle a. The size of a is determined by the size of the corresponding central angle projected by the convex section and concave section on cam 34 and pressure wheel 35 in the axial direction of shaft 31. It must be understood that, in this implementation example, the cam 34 with only two convex sections is used as an example for illustration. If cam 34 has more convex sections and concave sections over its circumference, and pressure wheel 35 also has concave sections and convex sections that correspond with cam 34, then cam 34 can be maintained in a stable condition for many times after rotating a certain angle relative to shaft sleeve 32.
FIG. 5 is a perspective structural view of the bag hanging device (when the clamping section is closed) in the implementation examples for this disclosure; FIG. 6 is the front view of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is the right-hand view of FIG. 5.
As shown in FIG. 5 through FIG. 7, the bag hanging device in the implementation examples for this disclosure comprises the body section 11, the clamping section 12, and the hook section 13, and the two ends of the body section 11 are respectively rotatably connected with the clamping section 12 and hook section 13 by the shaft device 3 described above. The bag hanging device in this implementation example can act as a bag hanging device as well as a key clasp.
As shown in FIG. 5 through FIG. 7 and FIG. 10, when the bag hanging device in this implementation example is used as a key clasp, the clamping section 12 and bent section 13 are kept closed. Under the effect of the helical compression spring inside the shaft device 3, the free end of the clamping section 12 rests on the body section 11, and the free end of the hook section 13 also rests on the body section 11. FIG. 8 is an exploded schematic view of the bag hanging device and the shaft device in the implementation examples of this disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, the connection portion between the body section 11 and the clamping section 12 has a connection hole 21, and shaft device 3 is situated inside the connection hole 21. The outside housing of the shaft sleeve of shaft device 3 is inserted into the body section 11, and the outside end of the cam of the shaft device 3 is inserted into clamping section 12. A similar method is used to connect the body section 11 with hook section 13, which will not be repeated in details here. Because the shaft device 3 connection described above is used, when the disclosure is used as a key clasp, the cam inside connection hole 21 maintains stability relative to the shaft sleeve, thereby ensuring that stability is maintained between the clamping section 12 inserted into the cam and the body section 11 inserted into the shaft sleeve. A certain amount of external force is needed to rotate the clamping section 12. As shown in FIG. 10, when the bag hanging device in accordance with the example is used as a key clasp, the hook section 13 is closed, a key 99 is hanging between the hook section 13 and the body section 11, meanwhile the clamping section 12 is also closed, then the clamping section 12 can be inserted to the outer skin of the bag, so as to facilitate key finding.
Preferably, as shown in FIG. 5 through FIG. 7, in this implementation example, the clamping section 12 and the bending section 13 are situated at the two sides of the body section 11, and in order to increase the clamping force of the clamping section 12 and the body section 11, one end of the body section 11 connecting with the hook section 13 is bent towards the side with the clamping section 12 so that the clamping section 12 can more tightly rest on the body section 11. Preferably, in this implementation example, there is a clamping disc 121 on the free end of the clamping section 12, and the clamping disc 121 can provide a larger contact surface area. In this implementation example, the shape of the clamping disc 121 is round, and of course the shape of the clamping disc 121 can also be rectangular, oval, or heart shaped, or any other pleasing or useful shape. The clamping disc 121 has a larger surface area and can increase the friction between the clamping section 121 and the object being clamped. When used as a bag hanging device, the clamping disc 121 is placed on a table surface and can increase the friction with the table surface and maintain the stability of the bag hanging device.
FIG. 9 is a perspective structural schematic view of the bag hanging device (when the clamping section is open) in the implementation examples of this disclosure. As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 11, it is a condition where the bag hanging device in this disclosure is used as a bag hanging device, because the cam in the above described shaft device can maintain stability after rotating a certain angle relative to the shaft sleeve, the clamping section 12 connected to the cam in an insertion manner can also maintain stability after rotating a certain angle relative to the body section connected with the shaft sleeve in an insertion manner. A bag or other object can be hung on the hook section 13, and when the clamping disc 121 on the clamping section 12 is placed on a table surface, it can also be used as a bag hanging device. The bag hanging device in this implementation example has the advantages of convenient carrying and usage.
The connection between the body section 11 and the clamping section 12 and hook section 13 for the bag hanging device in this implementation example uses the shaft device 3 described above. Because of the effect of the cam with the pressure wheel and helical compression spring in the shaft device 3, when being used as a key clasp, the clamping section 12 and hook section 13 both rest on the body section 11 and can maintain a certain clamping force. A certain clamping force needs to be exerted in order to be able to rotate them. When being used as a bag hanging device, the clamping section 12 and the bending section 13 can both maintain stability after rotating to a certain angle relative to the body section 11, and they can bear a certain external force.
As shown in FIG. 9, one end of the body section 11 which connects to the clamping section 12 is provided with a first stopping piece 119 used to limit the rotation angle of the clamping section 12 and to prevent an excessive rotation angle of clamping section 12 relative to the body section 11. One end of the hook section 13 which connects to the body section 11 is provided with a second stopping piece 139 used to limit the rotation angle of the hook section 13 and to prevent an excessive rotation angle of hook section 13 relative to the body section 11.
As shown in FIG. 10, the disclosed bag hanging device/key clasp is in closed position, and connected to key 99. In FIG. 11, the device is in open position and hangs from table 72, while purse or bag 71 is suspended from hook 13. Also shown in FIG. 12 is an LED light 9 provided on the clamping disc 121, wherein the power source of the LED light 9 can be a button cell, and located inside the clamping disc 121, the switch 91 for the LED light 9 is located on the side of the clamping disc 121.
In FIGS. 13-19, bag hanging device is shown with alternate simple spring hinge devices 14 and 15, reflecting that while the more complex spring hinge device disclosed above is believed to have superior utility, a simple spring construction can also be made to serve. Magnets 120 and 122 disposed on the underside of clamping disc 121 and a corresponding location of device body 11, respectively, serve as additional closing bias force for bringing the clamping disc to a close position and or releasably holding it closed. Alternate spring hinge 15 contains a conventional coiled spring 131 compressed along guide 132 and embedded into a blind hole 130 in hook section 13. Alternate shaft spring 138 can also be advantageously employed in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. The springs illustrated for shaft 15 may also be employed for shaft 14 in like manner, whether or not magnets 120 and 122 are also employed.
In FIG. 20, clamping disc 121 has additional features, including a photo compact. Clamping disc has magnet 223 and compact lid 227 has corresponding magnet 222 disposed so that magnet pair 222, 223 serve as releasable closures for lid 227. Photo 226 lies in a preferably recessed area of clamping disc 121, and is preferably protected by clear cover 225 which is some washable material such as PVC. Magnet 221 disposed on clamping disc 121 holds ferrous ring 224 interengaged with clamping disc to removably retain the photo and cover.
FIG. 21 illustrates further alternative features for clamping disc 121 when in the form of a compact. Compact lid may be decorated on its outside with a graphic design 231, colored or not, raised or not, and decoration 231 may also be a crystal or jewel of precious, semi-precious or common kind. The clamping disc compact may have on the inside of its cover a mirror 232, whether or not the compact also contains a photo. Alternatively, the compact does not contain a photo, but contains instead a second mirror 233. Mirror 233 may be the same kind of mirror as mirror 232, or it may have magnification properties or the like. As a further alternative, graphic shape 231 may involve the shape of the whole clamping disc, so that the disc is neither round nor any other regular geometric shape, but is instead a fanciful or artistic shape, such as, but not limited to, four-leaf clover, butterfly, dragonfly, petaled flower, purse and the like.
FIG. 22 illustrates additional utility for clamping disc 121. Clamping disc 121 advantageously has a recess 243 and a cover 244 for removably storing an insert 242, having preferably a shape complementary to the shape of recess 243. Insert 242 can be any useful or valuable object, such as, but not limited to, a trolley or bridge fare coin or token, or blotter or sponge impregnated with a cologne or perfume. Cover 244 is optionally slidably openable at hinge 241, though it may also be openable in like manner as the compact shown in FIG. 20. Magnet 245 serves as a releasable catch for cover 244. Cover outside 246 may be plain or decorated as discussed above, and may also optionally be a mirrored surface.
Of course, the above are preferred embodiments. It should be noted that, for one skilled in the art, some modifications and variants can be made without departing from the principles of this disclosure, and these modifications and variants are also included in the protected scope of this disclosure.

Claims

I claim:

1. A device selectably movable between a “clasp” configuration and a “hanger” configuration, the device comprising:

a device body,

a first spring biased hinge at a first end of the device body and a second spring biased hinge at a second end of the device body,

a clip hingedly connected to the first end of the body,

a hook hingedly connected to the second end of the body

where the hinges bias the device to a closed position clasp configuration and where the clip and the hook are swingable against spring bias to an open position hanger configuration, the device comprising physical stops to limit angular motion of both clip and hook to less than 90 degrees each.

2. The device of claim 1, the device body further comprising:

a first body segment distally bounded by the first end of the body, and

a second body segment distally bounded by the second end of the body;

each body segment bounded proximally by each other;

the second body segment and the first body segment angularly offset from one another.

3. The device of claim 2, the device body further comprising:

a first body segment center line formed by the intersection of sagittal and frontal planes of the first body segment generally bisecting the first body segment respectively into right and left halves and front and back halves, and

a second body segment center line formed by the intersection of sagittal and frontal planes of the second body segment generally bisecting the second body segment respectively into right and left halves and front and back halves;

wherein the first and second body segments are angularly offset from one another by an angle that is the angle between the two body segment centerlines.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the angular offset of the first body segment from the second body segment is an angle in the range of angles from 135 degrees to 180 degrees.

5. The device of claim 3, second segment is fully or partially curved and its frontal plane is understood to be the plane that contains both ends of the second segment.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the angular offset of the first body segment from the second body segment is an angle in the range of angles from 157 degrees to 177 degrees.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein, in the open position hanger configuration, the clip and the hook are generally not parallel to each other and are offset from each other at an angle of less than 90 degrees, and preferably around 60 degrees.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a first magnet on a side of a free end of the clip distal from the device body portion, and a second magnet at a position on a front side of the device body opposed by the clip and first magnet; wherein the second magnet and the first magnet are oppositely poled to attract each other.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising at a distal end of the clip a plate for engaging a flat surface such as a table top.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the plate is a shape selected from the group of shapes consisting of circular, rectangular, oval, and heart shape.

11. The device of claim 9, further comprising, on a table engaging side of the plate, a layer of rubber-like material.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising at a distal end of the clip a thin profile clasping case, inside of which is disposed at least one mirror and or a photo frame with a magnetized photo cover for easy positioning and replacement of a photo in the frame.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the photo frame comprises an iron ring, under which there is at least one magnet for biasing the frame closed upon the case.

14. The device of claim 4, wherein the angular offset of the first body segment from the second body segment is an angle selected from the group of angular ranges containing ranges of angles from 135 degrees to 144 degrees, from 145 degrees to 154 degrees, from 155 degrees to 164 degrees, and from 165 degrees to 180 degrees.

15. A device selectably movable between a “clasp” configuration and a “hanger” configuration, the device comprising:

a device body,

a first hinge at a first end of the device body and a second hinge at a second end of the device body,

a clip hingedly connected to the first end of the body,

a hook hingedly connected to the second end of the body

where the clip and the hook are swingable to an open position hanger configuration, the device comprising physical stops to limit angular motion of both clip and hook to less than 90 degrees each.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein, in the open position hanger configuration, the clip and the hook are generally not parallel to each other and are offset from each other at an angle of less than 90 degrees, and preferably around 60 degrees.

17. The device of claim 15, further comprising a first magnet on a side of a free end of the clip distal from the device body portion, and a second magnet at a position on a front side of the device body opposed by the clip and first magnet; wherein the second magnet and the first magnet are oppositely poled to attract each other.

18. The device of claim 15, further comprising at a distal end of the clip a plate for engaging a flat surface such as a table top.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the plate is a shape selected from the group of shapes consisting of circular, rectangular, oval, and heart shape.

20. The device of claim 18, further comprising, on a table engaging side of the plate, a layer of rubber-like material.