US2704216A

US2704216A - Clip board

Info

Publication number: US2704216A
Application number: US236109A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bruce K Slonneger
Original assignee: Fogarty Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Fogarty Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1951-07-11
Filing date: 1951-07-11
Publication date: 1955-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 1972-03-15

Description

March 15, 1955 B. K. sLoNNEGER CLIP BOARD Filed July 11, 1951 United States Patent O CLIP BOARD Bruce K. Slonneger, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Fogarty Manufacturing Co., Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 11, 1951, Serial No. 236,109

13 Claims. (Cl. 281-44) This invention relates to clip boards of the kind which may be held and carried in the hand and which incorporate clip members spring urged into frictional contact with the board for the temporary retention of writing paper, record sheets and the like.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of clip boards, whereby such articles may not only be economically manufactured, but'will be more eiiicient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of uses, having relatively few parts and be unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide in a device of the class described a clip member which is removably mounted on the board.

Another object of the invention is to support the clip member by means serving simultaneously as a mount for the clip and as biasing means therefor.

A further object of the invention is to construct a generally new clip board, using in the main sheet metal parts in which advantage is taken of large areas of frictional contact to reduce to a minimum the need for permanent fastening devices.

Still another object of the invention is to utilize a simple structural principle in the building of the clip board lending itself to a variety of advantageous modiiications.

A still further object of the invention is to provide for adjustability of the clip assembly relatively to the board.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clip board possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the mode of operation herein mentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein is found the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only forms of embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a clip board constructed in accordance with the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the clip end of the board of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the clip end of the board of Fig. 1, and enlarged with respect to Figs. 1 and 2, the clip member being omitted;

Fig. 4 is a view like Fig. 2, showing another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in perspective, showing a clip board constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of an alternative form of spring, having particular application to the embodiments of Figs. 4 and 5; and

Figs. 7 and 8 are views similar to Figs. 2 and 3, showing still another embodiment of the invention.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, a clip board in accordance with the embodiment of Figs. l, 2 and 3, is constructed of sheet metal or like material and comprises a flat sheet or board 10 of suitable dimensions. One end of the board 10 is selected as the top thereof. Fastened to the 2,704,216 Patented Mar. 15, 1955 underside of the board 10 at such selected end, by welding, riveting or the like, is a lamination 11 taking the form of an extension of the board. The lamination or extension 11 overlaps the end of the board, with the projecting portion thereof being folded back upon itself on the top side thereof.

Disposed in transverse overlying relation to the extension 11, adjacent to the end of board 10, is a clip member 12. Such member is rectangular in shape and the long side edges thereof are turned in upon the body of the member to define folds 13 and 14. The folds 13 and 14 overlap one another and in the extremity of the fold 14 are cut out notches 15 spaced apart across the length of the clip member. The notches 15 are sufficiently deep to provide an opening whereby one leg 16 of a generally U-shaped leaf spring 17 may be inserted into the fold 13. Each spring 17 has an intermediate body portion 18 and another leg 19 which is anchored to the board 10 by being received within the fold defined by the turned over end of extension 11. If desired, a rivet 21 or like device may be passed through the folded end of the extension 11 firmly to secure the leg 19 of spring 17 with respect to the extension and board 10 (Fig. 3). The clip member 12 thus is supported in the assembly by the springs 17, of which there may be one or more, and normally occupies the inclined position shown by reason of an outward divergence of the spring leg 16 and further by virtue of an expansive force built into the spring. The latter force is relatively strong and is exerted in a manner to urge the clip member in a twisting or rocking direction, effecting a frictional engagement of the front edge thereof with thesurface of the board 10, at the top end thereof.

The assembly of Figs. l to 3 further includes a rigid strip 22 extending across the extension 11 between the top end of the board 10 and the base or body portion 18 of the spring or springs 17. The strip 22 is made fast to the extension 11 and lies in the same plane as the board 10, one longitudinal edge thereof abutting the board and the other edge being turned up to define a flange 23 upon which the portion 18 of the spring 17 may seat and react under flexure thereof. The upstanding ange 23 further serves as an abutment or locating means against which record sheets may be engaged when placed upon the board 10. The record sheet, when in abutting relation with flange 23, is properly aligned with the board for ease in subsequent handling and recording of desired indicia thereon.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, there is a slight offset or shoulder 20 intermediate the strip 22 and board 10. Such shoulder may be formed in various ways, for example by a difference in thickness in the board 10 and strip 22, as shown. This structure is advantageous when using certain types of record sheets upon the board, particularly superposed record sheets which are stapled together to form a record set. With such stationery, the staple which joins the superposed strips into an integral set is placed against the shoulder to thereby align the set with the clip board.

It will be understood that the upper or back edge of the clip member 12, and the folded end of extension 11 are arranged to be received within the hand of the user of the clip board who, by alternate squeezing and releasing motions may raise and lower the front edge of the clip member with respect to the board 10.

In Fig. 4 a somewhat modified form of the invention is disclosed in which a relatively heavy board 24 is used, made of wood or a composition material. A supporting and tensioning spring 25 is used which is identical to the spring 17. 1n this instance, however, the spring is fastened directly to the board by a nut and bolt connection 26. A clip member 27 is used which is formed similarly to the member 12 except that the upper fold 28 includes a loop 29. The purpose of the loop 29 is to provide a mounting place for a pencil or other writing instrument.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5, a clip member 32 is used which is the same as the member 27 except for a sight opening 33 in the lower front surface thereof. A strip 34 of paperboard or the like may be inserted in the lower fold of the clip member, as illustrated, bearing a name or other identification to register with the opening 33. Also, in Fig. 5, there is illustrated a board 35 which obviates a need for an extension like element 11 of Figs. 1-3. In this instance the board itself extends in underlying relation to the clip member, and the reverse fold 36 at the top end of the board is an integral part thereof.

In Fig. 6 is shown an alternate form of spring 37 applicable to any embodiment having the pencil mounting loops of Figs. 4 and 5. In this spring, the upper arm or that engageable with the clip member is cut laterally to define a nger 38 which then is given a set curve so that it may function as a detent. In the installation of the spring, the linger 38 is received in the loop 29 in longitudinal aligned relation therewith. Accordingly, a pencil thrust in the loop 29 encounters the spring finger 38 which exerts a yielding pressure on the pencil, resisting its withdrawal.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, a clip assembly is here shown of a kind particularly applicable to a board in which clip members are used on each end thereof. Thus for simplified insertion and removal of papers or record sheets it is desirable to provide for a bodily shifting, lengthwise of the board, of either one or both of the clip members. To this end, in accordance with the instant invention, either one or both of the clip assemblies includes a slidable extension member 39 which underlies the board 41 and has projecting

tab portions

42 and 43 respectively folded over the side and end edges of the board. The tab 43 receives and anchors a spring 44, which, together with a clip member 45, may be constructed like any of the previously considered corresponding elements in Figs. l to 6. In the illustrated instance the spring is like those of Figs. l-5, while the clip member is like that of Fig. 4 except that the loop 29 is omitted.

The tab 42 embraces the board 41 and prevents lateral shifting of the assembly on the board. A positive guide for the movements of the clip assembly may be provided by a pin-in-slot connection as represented by a slot 46 in the board 41 and a rivet 47 interconnecting the board and extension member 39 and movable in the slot 46. The spring 44 may be made fast to the tab 43 on the extension member but it will be understood that there will be little tendency toward separation of these elements since both will ordinarily be encompassed in the hand of the operator when shifting the clip assembly.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specic as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. A clip board including a board, a clip member extending transversely across said board, said member being generally rectangular in shape and made of sheet metal with its side edges folded inward upon the body of the member, a U-shaped leaf spring, said member being substantially coextensive in width with said board and overlying one end of the board, means for anchoring one end of said leaf spring to the board, the other end of said spring being frictionally received within the fold of one side edge of said clip member and urging the clip member in a direction to frictionally engage the other side edge thereof with the board.

2. A clip board, including a board, an extension of flat sheet material secured to one end of said board and having its outer end folded back upon the body of the extension, a substantially U-shaped leaf spring, one end of which is received in and anchored in the fold on the outer end of said extension, a clip member extending across said extension adjacent to the end of the board, said clip member being generally rectangular in shape and made of tlat sheet material with the opposite side edges thereof folded in toward the center of the member, the other end of said leaf spring being received within the fold of one side edge of said clip member to support said member on the board and urge it in a direction to frictionally engage the opposite side edge thereof with the board, and a rigid strip of material extending across said extension in the same plane with said board and secured to said extension, one longitudinal edge thereof abutting the board and the opposite longitudinal edge being turned over to provide a seat for the intermediate or base portion of said spring.

3. A clip board according to claim 2, characterized in that said rigid strip is of lesser thickness than said board thus providing an ofset or step down relationship therebetween.

4. A clip board including a generally rectangular board having one end folded back upon itself, a substantially U-shaped leaf spring, one end of which is received in and anchored in the fold on the end of said board, and a clip member substantially coextensive in width with said board and extending across said board in overlying relation to the folded end thereof, the other end of said leaf spring being fastened to said clip member to support ls)aid nember and urge it into frictional contact with the oar 5. A clip board according to claim 4, characterized in that said clip member is generally rectangular in shape and made of sheet metal with the opposite side edges thereof folded in toward the center of the member, the said other end of said leaf spring being received within the fold of one side edge of said clip member.

6. A clip board, as set forth in claim l, characterized by one of the folded side edges of the clip member being formed with a loop to receive a writing instrument.

7. A clip board according to claim 1, characterized by one of the folded side edges of the clip member being `formed with a loop to receive a writing instrument, and

a curved detent finger on the said other end of said spring received in said loop to yieldingly retain an inserted writing instrument in said loop.

8. A clip board according to claim l, characterized by an opening in said clip member serving as a sight window into the fold on the said other side edge of said clip member, said fold providing a passage for the insertion of a strip of paperboard or the like bearing indicia to register with said opening.

9. A clip board according to claim 1, characterized by an extension member in underlying relation to said board and having projecting side and end portions turned over upon the sides and one end of said board, said extension being slidable longitudinally of said board, said U-shaped leaf spring having one end clamped between the board and the turned over end portion of said extension.

10. A clip board according to claim l, characterized by an extension member in underlying relation to said board and having a projection turned over upon said board, a pin-in-slot connection between said extension and said board whereby said extension is movable longitudinally of said board, said U-shaped leaf spring having one end clamped between the board and the turned over projection of said extension.

11. A clip board according to claim 1, characterized by a second clip member extending across the opposite end of said board, a second generally U-shaped leaf spring mounting the second clip member on said board and urging said member toward frictional contact with the board, and independent means for anchoring said second leaf springs on the board, at least one of said anchoring means being adjustable lengthwise of the board.

l2. A clip board including a generally rectangular board, a clip member extending substantially over the full width of one end of said board, said member being made of at sheet material and presenting infolded overlapping side edges facing said one end of the board, one or more notches cut in one of said side edges, a generally U-shaped leaf spring for each of said notches, one leg of said spring entering through a respective notch into the fold of a side edge of said clip member and being frictionally received therein, and means for anchoring the other leg of said spring to said board.

13. A clip board, including a generally rectangular board, a clip member extending across one end of the board over substantially the full width thereof and occupying a relatively small part of the length thereof, said member being made of a tlat sheet material and presenting infolded overlapping side edges, a longitudinal series of notches cut in one of said side edges, a plurality of leaf springs occupying spaced positions longitudinally of said clip member between said member and said board, each of said springs having a body portion at right angles to said board and a first leg in parallel relation to said board and extending toward said one end of the board and further having a second leg in inclined relation to said board and extending toward said one end of the board, said leaf springs corresponding in number to said notches in the clip member and registering with said notches, the said second leg of each said springs entering through a respective notch into the fold of the other side edge of said clip member wherein it is frictionally received, and means for anchoring the said rst leg of each said springs to said board.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Wintermute Oct. 13, 1896 Tysen Oct. 19, 1897 Adams June 18, 1901 Washburn Nov. 21, 1905 Bulkley Apr. 23, 1907 Brown Mar. 1, 1910 Abbott Aug. 26, 1924 Jones May 29, 1928 Guillod Apr. 11, 1939 Hooks Apr. 17, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Oct. 15, 1894