US3719970A

US3719970A - Retainer clip device

Info

Publication number: US3719970A
Application number: US00230843A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Carlson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-03-01
Filing date: 1972-03-01
Publication date: 1973-03-13
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-13

Abstract

A retainer clip device for detachably mounting a container on a film holder including a strap-like body made from a resilient material having a pair of oppositely disposed side elements and a pair of oppositely disposed end elements made integral with one another with one of the side elements being severed generally between its ends for yieldable swinging movement toward and away from the other side element. The severed side element includes at least one tab-like projection for detachably mounting the clip on a film holder, and one of the end elements includes a flange-like projection for detachable securement to the container for mounting the latter on the film holder.

Description

United States Patent 1 1 Carlson 1 51March 13, 1973 RETAINER CLIP DEVICE Filed: March 1, 1972 Appl. No.: 230,843

Inventor:

U.S. Cl. ..24/73 PB, 206/47 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1928 Nivois ..206/41 D 8/1940 Mehrkens 5/1963 Orenick et al. 3/1969 Weier "@2441, 21/00 Field of Search ..206/47 R,41 HA, 46 FN EMPTY- FILM 89x 3,561,074 2/1971 Mosher et al ..24/208 A Primary Examiner--Donald A. Griffin Attorney-Teare, Teare & Sammon [57] ABSTRACT A retainer clip device for detachably mounting a container on a film holder including a strap-like body made from a resilient material having a pair of oppositely disposed side elements and a pair of oppositely disposed end elements made integral with one another with one of the side elements being severed generally between its ends for yieldable swinging movement toward and away from the other side ele ment. The severed side element includes at least one tab-like projection for detachably mounting the clip on a film holder, and one of the end elements includes a flange-like projection for detachable securement to the container for mounting the latter on the film holder.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures RETAINER CLIP DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a retainer clip device for detachably mounting a container, such as a box, cartridge container or the like, on a film holder. The clip device of the invention is advantageously employed with film holders of the type for supporting film print so that the print coater may be applied thereto, as more fully described in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 65,628 filed Aug.20, 1970.

The retainer clip device of the present invention provides an efficient strap-like attachment means for securing a container, such as a cardboard box of the type that ordinarily holds film, onto the type of film or print holder, as described in my aforementioned copending application. Moreover, after the contents of the container (i.e., film) has been removed therefrom, the container then provides a convenient depository for the collection and/or storage of waste material, such as exposed film, process materials, packaging materials or the like. Accordingly, by the device of the present invention, the container or box which ordinarily holds the original packaged film need not be thrown away or disposed of, but may be conveniently reused for collection and/or storage of other litter and/or waste materials. This obviates the necessity for having separate storage units and/or auxiliary attachment equipment and provides a convenient means for maintaining the environment in a clean and litter-free condition. I-Ieretofore, it was generally required that additional and/or auxiliary equipment, such strap or shoulder carriers, be employed to hold and store such as materials or the same were merely disposed of on the ground, thereby further cluttering and/or contaminating the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A retainer clip device for detachably mounting a container, such as a box, cartridge container or the like, on a film holder comprising, a strap-like body made from a resilient material, said body including a pair of oppositely disposed side elements and a pair of oppositely disposed end elements made integral with said side elements, one of said side elements being severed generally between its opposed end portions for yieldable swinging movement toward and away from said other side element, said severed side element including at least one tab-like projection means for detachably mounting said clip on a film holder, and at least one of said end elements including a flange-like projection for detachable securement to a container for mounting the latter on said film holder.

From the foregoing and the following description and accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the present invention provides a new and novel construction for a retainer clip device which is of a simple, yet inexpensive and rugged construction for mounting a container, such as a box, cartridge container or the like, on a film and/or print holder without the necessity to employ additional and/or auxiliary equipment for collecting, holding and/or disposing of litter or waste materials. Moreover, the clip device may be quickly and easily attached to the container and the clip and container mounted, as a unit, on the film holder for convenient portability by the user. In addition, the

device enables the container, such as the box containing original film or the like, to be employed as the waste container which itself can be quickly and easily disposed of after normal use thereof. The device is constructed and arranged to be used with conventional type containers, such as print and/or film boxes, and can be readily secured thereto without modification thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view showing the retainer clip device of the present invention employed for modification of the tab-like projection construction employed in the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, elevation view looking at the base or back side of the film holder device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring again to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, there is illustrated the retainer clip device, designated generally at 2, for securing a container 4, such as a box for holding film or the like, to a film holder 6.

In general, the film holder 6 includes a base 8 of generally flat construction having a pair of oppositely disposed side walls 10 and 11 (FIG. 6) which are pivotally mounted on the base 8 so the walls may be folded down one after the other onto the base for compact storage thereof. As shown, the side walls each include a plurality of slots 12 adapted to receive one or more film prints therein for storage in the holder. For a more detailed description of the film holder, reference is again made to my co-pending application, Ser. No. 65,628.

Now in accordance with the present invention, the retainer clip device 2, in the embodiment shown, includes a strap-like body 14 preferably of a polygonal, such as a rectangular, construction in plan view, as best seen in FIG. 2. The body includes and is defined by a pair of oppositely disposed end elements 16 which are connected together in integral relation at one end by a side element 18. The other ends of the end elements 16 are each provided with a

side element

20 and 22 which extend generally parallel to the side element 18 in the normal position thereof, as best seen in FIG. 3. The

side elements

20 and 22 are severed generally intermediate their ends to provide a spaced separation, as at 24, so that each

side element

22 and 20, together with its associated end element 16 can pivot about its respective juncture, as at 26 and 28, with respect to the connection to the opposite side element 18. By this arrangement, the junctures 26 and 28 (FIG. 3) provide fulcrum areas for pivotal movement of the end and severed side element sections in a direction toward and away from the opposite side element 18.

In the form shown, the severed

side elements

20 and 22 are each provided with an outwardly extending

tablike projection

30 and 32 which are made integral therewith. The

projections

30 and 32 are of a generally flat construction of reduced height (FIG. 4) as compared to the height of the associated

side elements

20 and 22 from which they extend. Preferably, the

projections

30 and 32 have outermost surfaces which are disposed in the same general plane as the corresponding outer confronting surfaces of the elements l6, 18, 20 and 22 which are disposed in the same general plane with respect to one another, as best seen in FIG. 4. As shown, the

projections

30 and 32 each have laterally extended

rounded portions

34 and 36 which define undercut or recess

areas

38 and 40 which merge with the confronting outer surface of the

respective elements

22 and 20. The

rounded portions

34 and 36 provide camlike surfaces for interlocking coacting engagement of the

projections

30 and 32 with respect to an associated part of the film holder 6.

In the form shown, the

projections

30 and 32 are adapted to be inserted within complementary shaped slot-

like openings

42 and 44 provided in the rear or back wall '8 of the film holder 6.'The

openings

42 and 44 have generally the same polygonal or transverse shape as that of the

respective projections

30 and 32, but are of a slightly greater dimension to slidably receive the maximum transverse width of the

projections

30 and 32 therethrough. Moreover, the

openings

42 and 44 provide mating sockets of complemental female construction adapted to receive in snap-action relation the

projections

30 and 32 in the installed positions thereof.

In FIG. there is illustrated a modified form of the type of projection, designated generally at 50, which may be employed in the invention. As shown,-this form of projection includes a generally flat body 52 having a centrally disposed channel or slot 54 extending therethrough so as to provide transverse resiliency in the body thereof. In this form, the body may be provided with rounded shoulders,

asat

56 and 58, and is similarly provided with rounded undercut

recessed portions

60 and 62 which merge smoothly in integral relation with the side element 20, as aforesaid.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the end elements 16 of the clip device 2 are each provided with a laterally inwardly extending flange-like projection 60 made integral therewith. The projections 60 (FIG. 4) preferably extendin the general plane of the outer surfaces of the end elements 16 on the side opposite the

projections

30 and 32. As shown, the projections 60 are generally of a semi-circular construction defined by a curved outer edge surface 62 with the projections having a lesser thickness as compared to that of the

projections

30 and 32. The projections 60 preferably have a maximum transverse width sufficient to provide securement when inserted interiorly of the lower closed edge of the container in the installed position thereof.

In a typical application, the clip device 2 is installed on the lower open edge of the container simply-by inserting one of the flange-projections 60 (dotted line FIG. 2) into the lower open edge 65 of the container 4, as best seen in FIG. 1. Thus inserted, the other projection 60 (solid line FIG. 2) may be inserted into the opposite edge of the container by initially flexing the end 16 and

side

18 and 22 elements of the device in a' generally counter-clockwisedirection to position the projection for insertion, and then by merely releasing the device so that the same returns to its original generally polygonal position (FIG. 3) due to the elastic memory characteristics of the material. Thus installed, the device is securely mounted adjacent the lower closed end of the container 4 with the lower confronting surfaces of the

elements

16, 18, 20 and 22 being in the same general plane as the lower confronting surface of the container, except for the slight bulbous protrusion of the flap 66 which constitutes the bottom of the container which has been deformed by reason of insertion of the projections 60, as best illustrated in FIG. 1.

Thus assembled, the device 2 and container 4 may then be secured, as aunit, onto the film holder 6 merely by bringing the back side of the container into face-to-face adjacency with the confronting surface of the back 8 of the film holder 6 so that one of the projections, such as 30, may first be inserted into one of the openings, such as 42, and then with the other projection 32 being inserted into the other opening 44 by slight pivotal movement of the unit about the pivotal axis defined by insertion of the first mentioned projection into its respective opening.

In the embodiment shown, the distance between the

projections

30 and 32 is preferably slightly greater than the corresponding distance between the

openings

42 and 44 so that as the end 16 and

side

20 and 22 elements are squeezed together about the

fulcrum areas

26 and 28, the

projections

30 and 32 can be snapped into the

respective openings

42 and 44 with the

rounded surfaces

34 and 36 providing a camming coacting engagement with the confronting interior surfaces of the

openings

42 and 44 so that the projections are held in a lock secured position by reason of the nesting action of the confronting marginal edges of the

openings

42 and 44 with respect to the corresponding

undercut recesses

38 and 40 of the respective projections. Accordingly, in the installed position the

side elements

20 and 22 are drawn inwardly into a generally parallel relation (FIG. 3) so as to grippingly engage the outer confronting surface of the container. The resiliency of the material of the device sets up a resistancy which holds the same in locked engagement on the film holder via the interlocking connection of the

projections

30 and 32 within the

corresponding openings

42 and 44. Preferably, the device is made from a resilient polymeric material, such as polycarbonate, available under the trademark LEXAN.

By the foregoing arrangement, it will be seen that the retainer clip device of the invention may be employed with a container, such as an empty film cartridge container or the like, which provides a useful depository for all the material related to the type camera which develops immediately after pictures are taken. The device readily snaps into position, in seconds, and after all the pictures have been taken, the top of the container, as at 70, 72 and 74, may be folded into closed position securing the contents, so that the litter may be discharged in the form of a single, compact package.

I claim:

l. A retainer clip device for detachably mounting a container, such as a box, cartridge container or the like, on a film holder comprising,

a strap-like body made from a resilient material,

said body including a pair of oppositely disposed side elements and a pair of oppositely disposed end elements made integral with said side elements, one of said side elements being severed generally between its opposed end portions for yieldable swinging movement toward and away from said other side element, said severed side element including at least one tablike projection means for detachably mounting said clip on a film holder, and at least one of said end elements including a flangelike projection for detachable securement to a container for mounting the latter on said film holder. 2. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said severed side element defines a pair of wing-like portions which together with the integral corresponding end elements yieldably pivot about the respective junctures of said end elements with said other side element. 3. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 1, including a pair of laterally spaced tab-like projections made integral with and extending outwardly from said severed side element, said tab-like projections being disposed on opposed sides of the severance of said side element adapted for snap-action interlocking engagement with complementary recess slots provided in said film holder. 4. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 3, wherein said tab-like projections extend outwardly in the general plane of the outer edge surfaces of said end and side elements. 5. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 1, including a flange-like projection made integral with and extending inwardly from said end elements in a direction generally toward one another adapted for insertion into a closed folded bottom end of said container. 6. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 5, wherein said flange-like projections extend inwardly generally parallel to one another and in the general plane of the outer edge surfaces of the side and end elements. 7. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 1, including at least one pair of tab-like projections made integral with and extending outwardly from said severed side element, a flange-like projection made integral with and extending inwardly from said end elements, and said tab-like projections disposed in the general plane of the upper edge surfaces of said end and side elements with said flange-like projections being disposed in the general plane of the lower edge surfaces of said end and side elements. 8. A retainer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said body is made from a flexible polymeric material. 9. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 1,

wherein said container 18 of a hollow box-like construction having top and bottom ends,

said bottom end including a closed flap end portion defining a recess opening thereunder, and

said flange-like projection adapted to be inserted into said recess opening upon pivotal movement of at least a portion of said severed side element.

10. A retainer device in accordance with claim 1,

wherein said film holder includes a base member adapted to be disposed adjacent said container,

said base member having at least one recess slot adjacent the bottom thereof, and said tab-like projection means adapted to be inserted for snap-action interlocking engagement with said recess slot for holding said clip device mounting said container on said film holder.

Claims

1. A retainer clip device for detachably mounting a container, such as a box, cartridge container or the like, on a film holder comprising, a strap-like body made from a resilient material, said body including a pair of oppositely disposed side elements and a pair of oppositely disposed end elements made integral with said side elements, one of said side elements being severed generally between its opposed end portions for yieldable swinging movement toward and away from said other side element, said severed side element including at least one tab-like projection means for detachably mounting said clip on a film holder, and at least one of said end elements including a flange-like projection for detachable securement to a container for mounting the latter on said film holder.

2. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said severed side element defines a pair of wing-like portions which together with the integral corresponding end elements yieldably pivot about the respective junctures of said end elements with said other side element.

3. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 1, including a pair of laterally spaced tab-like projections made integral with and extending outwardly from said severed side element, said tab-like projections being disposed on opposed sides of the severance of said side element adapted for snap-action interlocking engagement with complementary recess slots provided in said film holder.

4. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 3, wherein said tab-like projections extend outwardly in the general plane of the outer edge surfaces of said end and side elements.

5. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 1, including a flange-like projection made integral with and extending inwardly from said end elements in a direction generally toward one another adapted for insertion into a closed folded bottom end of said container.

6. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 5, wherein said flange-like projections extend inwardly generally parallel to one another and in the general plane of the outer edge surfaces of the side and end elements.

7. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 1, including at least one pair of tab-like projections made integral with and extending outwardly from said severed side element, a flange-like projection made integral with and extending inwardly from said end elements, and said tab-like projections disposed in the general plane of the upper edge surfaces of said end and side elements with said flange-like projections being disposed in the general plane of the lower edge surfaces of said end and side elements.

8. A retainer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said body is made from a flexible polymeric material.

9. A retainer clip device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said container is of a hollow box-like construction having top and bottom ends, said bottom end including a closed flap end portion defining a recess opening thereunder, and said flange-like projection adapted to be inserted into said recess opening upon pivotal movement of at least a portion of said severed side element.