US2674022A - Clothespin - Google Patents

Description

April 6, 1954 H. E. OTT 2,674,022 CLOTHESPIN Filed Jan. 14, 1953 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 6, 1954 UNI TED STATE 5- PAT E Ni-T F F 1 CE CLOTHESPIN Howard E. Ott, Glendale, Calif. Application January 14, 1953, Serial N 0. 331,129

1 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in wire clothespins.

The invention is more particularly concerned with wire clothespins of the so-called line-attached type whereby the pins remain on the line when not in use and are in fact irremovable from the line except :by threading same over one end of the line after disconnection of such end.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a wire clothespin of the above noted general simplicity in construction, durable in use, and 2.

which is capable of manufacture at relatively low cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the improved clothespin in accordance with a preferred structural embodiment thereof.

Fig. 2 is an edge view as observed from the right of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the improved clothespin in operative position on a portion of a clothesline.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view on a reduced scale showing a fragmentary length of a clothesline, two of the pins in operative association with fragmentary portions of two pieces of laundry and a third pin in inoperative suspended position on the line.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, the improved clothespin is designated in its entirety as ID. The pin I0 is formed from a single length of wire having inherent resiliency transversely of its axis. The single length of wire is bent intermediate its ends into a substantially circular body portion I I. The two strands are then twisted together at spaced points I2 and I3 with relatively short lengths of the strands juxtaposed axially 2 of the body portion II and intermediate the twists I2 and I3 as indicated at I4.

The end portions I5 and I6 of the wire are then bent into substantial conformity with the generally circular body portion II and as is apparent from Figs. 1, 3 and 4 the twists I2 and I3 are such that the arcuate end portions I5 and I6 are disposed at axially opposite sides of the body portion II and in substantial conformity therewith.

The portions I5 and I6 normally substantially engage the body portion II and provide therewith a pair of line and laundry gripping jaws I1 and 18. The portions I5 and I6 provide spring arms and they preferably extend substantially beyond the center of the body portion II from the respective twists I2 and I3 and in order to facilitate admission of the line and laundry suspended therefrom within the jaws IT and I8.

" The ends of the arms I5 and I6 are turned outwardly in opposite directions from the plane of the body portion II into the general form of eyes I9 and 20 respectively as is more clearly indicated in Fig. 2.

As is indicated in Fig. 5 pieces of laundry indicated fragmentally at I and I are shown suspended from a suitable line L. One of the im proved pins I0 is in operative position on the line and in gripping relation with the left edge of the piece of laundry I and wherein such edge is gripped within the jaw I8 provided by the body portion I I and associated spring arm I6.

The other clothespin I0 shown in this view is also in operative position on the line L and the opposite edge of laundry piece I is gripped wit hin jaw I1 provided by the body portion II and associated spring arm I5, while the edge of the laundry piece I' is gripped within jaw II provided by the body portion I I and associated spring arm I6.

Thus it will be apparent that the improved clothespin in accordance with the present invention is adapted to secure one edge of a piece of laundry or the adjacent edges of two pieces of laundry without lapping such edges whereby the laundry will dry more uniformly throughout.

It is to be particularly observed that the improved clothespin is of maximum simplicity in construction and since it is constructed of wire preferably of a rustproof nature it will last for an indefinite period of time. Furthermore the pins remain on the line when not in use as is indicated to the right of Fig. 5 whereby they will always be readily accessible for use.

' While I have disclosed my invention in accordance with a single specific structural embodiment thereof, such is to be considered as illustrative only, and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined in the sub-joined claim.

What I claim and desire to secure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

A line carried wire clothespin comprising a single length of wire bent into a generally circular closed body portion intermediate its ends, the end portions being twisted together at spaced points along the circular body forming relatively short lengths of the strand juxtaposed axially of the circular body and intermediate the twists, said end portions providing a pair of spring arms,

4 one at each opposite axial side of the generally circular body portion and co-operating therewith to provide line and laundry gripping jaws at opposite sides of a diameter of the body portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 568,246 Fitzwater Sept. 22, 1896 1,648,488 Love Nov. 8, 1927 2,211,034 Stern Aug. 8, 1940 2,569,552 Bridwell Oct. 2, 1951

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