WO2003066347A1

WO2003066347A1 - A clip for newspaper

Info

Publication number: WO2003066347A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/000254
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jung-Shin Kim
Original assignee: Jung-Shin Kim
Priority date: 2002-02-08
Filing date: 2003-02-06
Publication date: 2003-08-14
Also published as: AU2003206240A1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a clip for a newspaper which is capable of securely clipping folded portions of the newspaper so that the convenience of reading the newspaper is improved. The clip comprises a supporter (4) for supporting the folded portions (3) of the newspaper such that the supporter (4) is in contact with the folded portions (3) of the newspaper, and a clipping member (6) having an insertion slit (5) longitudinally formed therealong. The folded portions (3) of the newspaper are inserted between the supporter and the clipping member along the insertion slit (5). Consequently, it is easy and convenient to hold the newspaper (2), the leaves of the newspaper are easily turned, and the newspaper (2) is hardly crumpled when the leaves of the newspaper are turned. The clip can also be used as a pen for writing since the pen is mounted in the supporter, whereby its functionality and convenience are increased.

Description

A CLIP FOR NEWSPAPER

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a clip for a newspaper, and more particularly to a clip for a newspaper which is capable of securely clipping folded portions of the newspaper so that the convenience of reading the newspaper is increased.

Background Art

A newspaper is usually made up of a plurality of sheets of paper, each of which has a folded portion vertically formed in the middle of the paper so that the newspaper may be distributed in a decreased size. When a reader reads such a newspaper, he may successively or alternately read a plurality of leaves folded by the folded portions, which is very troublesome. Also, the newspaper is made of paper with the result that it is difficult to hold the newspaper and the folded portions of the newspaper are easily crumpled. Furthermore, the newspaper may be not neatly arranged after it has been read, which gives a poor appearance.

Consequently, the next reader must take the trouble to evenly arrange the newspaper before he/she reads it.

Disclosure of the Invention

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a clip for a newspaper which is capable of minimizing crumpling and disarray of the newspaper when reading the newspaper and increasing the convenience of reading the newspaper.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable clip for a newspaper which has a simple compact structure, easily clips the newspaper by virtue of an inflexible supporter of the clip when clipping the newspaper, and is firmly attached to the newspaper by jamming the newspaper between the clipping member and the supporter. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a clip for a newspaper which is capable of easily engaging with and disengaging from a pocket of a jacket or a necklace and maintaining the engaging state more securely when the clip for the newspaper is hung over the pocket or the necklace. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a clip for a newspaper, the clip being used for securely clipping folded portions of the newspaper, the clip comprising: a supporter for supporting the folded portions of the newspaper; and a clipping member having an insertion slit longitudinally formed therealong, the clipping member being made of an elastic material, wherein the folded portions of the newspaper are inserted between the supporter and the clipping member along the insertion slit.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip for a newspaper, the clip being used for securely clipping folded portions of the newspaper, the clip comprising: a clipping member having an insertion slit, the folded portions of the newspaper being inserted into the clipping member along the insertion slit; a supporter attached to the clipping member, the supporter having a pen mounted therein; a cap detachably attached to the clipping member; and a hanger attached to the cap, the hanger being opened downwardly and having a connection hole formed above the hanger so that a necklace passes through the connection hole.

Preferably, the rear end of the supporter is integrally attached to the clipping member with a plurality of reinforcing ribs, and the supporter further includes a pen insertion hole releasably shut by a holding disc. Preferably, the supporter further includes a male threaded portion and a flange attached to the rear end thereof, and the clipping member further includes a female threaded hole, the male threaded portion being engaged into the female threaded hole.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cap for storing a clip for a newspaper, comprising: a hanger longitudinally arranged on the surface of the cap, the hanger having one end fixedly attached to a closed end of the cap and the other end, which is a free end, extending toward an opening end of the cap, the free end of the hanger being extended over the opening end of the cap; a locking hook inwardly projected toward the cap from the free end of the hanger; and a locking groove formed inwardly from the opening end of the cap such that the locking hook is engaged with the locking groove, the locking groove being formed by cutting a part of the cap inwardly from the opening end of the cap so that the locking groove has a rectangular section.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a clip for a newspaper according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a clip for a newspaper according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the clip of Fig. 2 showing the clip in the assembled state;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the clip of the Fig. 2 showing the clip used in the newspaper;

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a clip for a newspaper according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the clip of Fig. 5 showing the clip in the assembled state;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an example of a cap applied to the clip for the newspaper according to the present invention; and

Figs. 8A and 8B are side views showing the cap according to the present invention under the operation thereof, respectively.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Fig. 1 shows a clip for a newspaper according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, a clip 1 for a newspaper comprises a supporter 4 formed in the shape of a circular rod. The supporter 4 is fitted on a general newspaper 2 in such a manner that the supporter 4 is in contact with the inside of the innermost of folded portions 3 of the newspaper 2. Around the supporter 4 is longitudinally disposed a clipping member 6. The top end of the clipping member 6 is securely attached to the top end of the supporter 4. Preferably, the top end of the clipping member 6 may be integrally formed with the top end of the supporter 4. The clipping member 6 surrounds the supporter 4 in such a manner that the clipping member 6 is in contact with the outside of the outermost of the folded portions 3 of the newspaper 2. The clipping member 6 has an insertion slit 5 longitudinally formed along the clipping member 6, along which the folded portions 3 of the newspaper are inserted between the supporter 4 and the clipping member 6.

The clipping member 6 is made of synthetic resin. The clipping member 6 is preferably formed, for example, by means of injection blow molding. Alternatively, the clipping member 6 may be made of elastic metal. Consequently, ^•the folded portions 3 of the newspaper 2 are elastically clipped by the insertion slit 5 o f the clipping memb er 6.

The clip for the newspaper basically comprising the supporter 4 and the clipping member 6 may be realized in various different forms.

In the drawings, reference numeral 3 a indicates a vertical folded line of the newspaper 2. With the clip 1 for the newspaper constructed as described above, the leaves of the newspaper 2 are easily turned, and the newspaper 2 is hardly crumpled when the leaves of the newspaper 2 are turned. Furthermore, it is easy and convenient to hold the newspaper 2, by which the convenience of reading the newspaper 2 is maximized. The operation of each of the components will now be described in detail.

In the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the newspaper 2 is inserted between the supporter 4 and the clipping member 6 along the insertion slit 5 in such a manner that the supporter 4 is in contact with the innermost of the folded portions 3. At this time, the clipping member 6 surrounds the outermost of the folded portions 3. When the newspaper 2 is completely inserted between the supporter 4 and the clipping member 6, the folded portions 3 of the newspaper 2 are fixed by means of an elastic force of the clipping member 6 and a supporting force of the supporter 4, whereby any crumpling and disarray of the newspaper 2 is prevented. Figs. 2 to 4 show a clip for a newspaper according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figs.2 to 4, a clip 1 for a newspaper comprises a clipping member 6 surrounding folded portions 3 of a newspaper 2 in such a manner that the clipping member 6 is in contact with the outside of the outermost of the folded portions 3 of the newspaper 2. The clipping member 6 has an insertion slit 5 longitudinally formed along the clipping member 6, along which the folded portions 3 of the newspaper are inserted into the clipping member 6.

The clipping member 6 is made of rigid synthetic resin, such as PVC, or metal. Consequently, the folded portions 3 of the newspaper 2 are elastically clipped by the insertion slit 5 of the clipping member 6.

To the clipping member 6 is attached a supporter, which is fitted on the newspaper 2 in such a mamier that the supporter 4 is in contact with the inside of the innermost of folded portions 3 of the newspaper 2. The supporter 4 is integrally fixed to the clipping member 6. In the supporter is mounted a refillable pen 7.

The supporter 4, which is formed in the shape of a tube so that the refillable pen 7 is mounted therein, is integrally attached to the inner rear end of the clipping member 6 in such a manner that a rear insertion hole 6a of the supporter 4 terminates in the rear end of the outer rear end of the clipping member

6. Around the rear insertion hole 6a of the supporter 4 are radially formed a plurality of reinforcing ribs 8. To the outer rear end of the clipping member 6 is attached a holding disc 9 having a central protrusion inserted into the rear insertion hole 6a of the supporter 4. The refillable pen 7 is fixedly held in the supporter by means of the holding disc 9 attached to the outer rear end of the clipping member

6.

The inventor of the present invention have made several tests for determining the proper size of the clip 1 for the newspaper, and come to the conclusion that the inner diameter of the clipping member 6 is preferably approximately 10 mm, and the outer diameter of the supporter 4 is preferably approximately 5 mm.

The clip 1 for the newspaper according the present invention further includes a cap 13 fitted on the outer edge of the clipping member 6. The cap 13 is provided for conveniently carrying and storing the clipping member 6 equipped with the supporter 4 having the refillable pen 7 mounted therein and for preventing the ink contained in the pen 7 from drying. To the outer surface of the cap 13 is attached an elastic hanger 14 for hanging the clipping member 6 over a pocket of a jacket. On the outer surface of the cap 13 above the hanger 14 is formed a connection hole 16 through which a necklace passes so that a user of the clip for the newspaper may hang it on his/her neck. The hanger 14 attached to the outer surface of the cap 13 is preferably opened towards the closed end of the cap 13. The cap 13 also has various patterns or designs on the surface thereof so that the clip for the newspaper according to the present invention has an additional function as a fashion when the user carries the clip for the newspaper with him/her.

With the clip 1 for the newspaper constructed as described above, the leaves of the newspaper 2 are easily turned, and the newspaper 2 is hardly crumpled when the leaves of the newspaper 2 are turned. Furthermore, it is easy and convenient to hold the newspaper 2, by which the convenience of reading the newspaper 2 is maximized.

The operation of the clip for the newspaper according to the aforesaid second embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail.

As shown in Fig. 4, the clip 1 for the newspaper is fitted on the folded portions 3 of the newspaper 2 when reading various newspapers or other similar media, such as a daily magazine, a weekly magazine, an information magazine, etc. At normal times, the clip 1 for the newspaper is engaged with a pocket of a jacket by means of the hanger 14 attached to the surface of the cap 13 so that the user may cany the clip 1 for the newspaper with him /her. Alternatively, the clip 1 for the newspaper may be hung on the neck of the user by means of a necklace extended through the connection hole 16 of the cap 13. When the newspaper 2 is to be read, the clipping member 6 is separated from the cap 13, and the newspaper 2 is inserted between the supporter 4 and the clipping member 6 along the insertion slit 5 in such a manner that the supporter 4 is in contact with the innermost of the folded portions 3. Consequently, the folded portions 3 of the newspaper 2 are elastically clipped by the insertion slit 5 of the clipping member 6.

In this embodiment of the present invention, any writing action is possible using the pen 7 while the clipping member 6 is separated from the cap 13 since the pen 7 is mounted in the supporter 4. Also, the used pen 7 may be replaced with a new pen. At this time, the holding disc 9 attached to the outer rear end of the clipping member 6 is separated from the clipping member 6 to withdraw the used pen 7 from the supporter 4. A new pen 7 is inserted into the supporter 4 and then the holding disc 9 is attached again to the outer rear end of the clipping member 6. Figs. 5 and 6 show a clip for a newspaper according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, respectively. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the supporter 4 is screwed into the clipping member 6 so that the refillable pen 7 can be easily replaced. Specifically, the clipping member 6 has a female threaded hole 10 formed therethrough, and the supporter 4 has a flange 12 attached to the rear end thereof. To the flange 12 is also attached a male threaded portion 11.

The supporter 4 is detachably attached to the clipping member 6 by a screw engagement of the male threaded portion 11 into the female threaded hole 10.

In this third embodiment of the present invention, the supporter 4 is disengaged from the clipping member 6 to withdraw the used pen 7 from the supporter 4. A new pen 7 is inserted into the supporter 4 and then the supporter 4 is attached to the clipping member 6 by a screw engagement of the male threaded portion 11 into the female threaded hole 10.

Fig. 7 shows an example of a cap applied to the clip for the newspaper according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 7, a cap 20 is separated from a clip pen 10. The cap 20 has a hanger 30 attached to the surface thereof. The cap 20 is formed in the shape of a cylinder. The cap 20 has an opening end 24, through which the clip pen 10 is inserted, and a closed end 22 formed opposite to the opening end 24.

The hanger 30 is longitudinally arranged on the surface of the cap 20. The hanger 30 has one end fixedly attached to the surface of the cap 20 below the closed end 22. The other end of the hanger 30 is a free end 32 extending toward the opening end 24. Preferably, the free end 32 has sufficient elasticity. To this end, the hanger 30 is preferably made of elastic synthetic resin or metal. Most preferably, the hanger 30 is made of the same material as the cap 20. The free end 32 of the hanger 30 is extended over the opening end 24 of the cap 20. To the inner side of the free end 32 of the hanger 30 is integrally attached a locking hook 34. The locking hook 34 is inwardly projected toward the outer surface of the cap 20. The cap 20 has a locking groove 26 formed at the area where the locking hook 34 is disposed. The locking groove 26 is formed by cutting a part of the cap 20 inwardly from the opening end 24 of the cap 20 so that the locking groove 26 has a rectangular section.

With the cap according to the present invention constructed as stated above, the hook 34 is disengaged from the locking groove 26 when the cap is not in use, as shown in Fig. 8 A. The hanger 30 is pushed toward the cap 20 while the insertion slit 5 of the clip pen 10 is in contact with the locking groove 26 of the cap

20 so that the cap 20 is hung over the strap or necklace 15 through the hanger 30.

In this case, it is preferable to push the middle of the hanger 30 rather than the free end 32 of the hanger 30. When the hanger 30 is pushed, the locking hook 34 comes in contact with the inner end of the locking groove 26. When the hanger

30 is further pushed, the looking hook 34 is inserted into the locking groove 26.

When the pushing force applied to the hanger 30 is released, the locking hook 34 is securely engaged with the locking groove 26 by virtue of the restoring force of the hanger 30, as shown in Fig. 8B. The user may hear a sound generated when the locking hook 34 is securely engaged with the locking groove 26 by virtue of the restoring force of the hanger 30.

Under the aforesaid state, the hanger 30 is not separated from the strap or necklace 15 while no external force is applied to the hanger 30, so that a safe coupling between the hanger 30 and the strap or necklace 15 is maintained. At this time, the hanger 30 still has the restoring force since it is biased from its original position.

The operation for disengaging the hanger 30 from the strap or necklace 15 is as follows: The locking hook 34 is disengaged from the locking groove 26 by pulling the free end 32 of the hanger 30 outwardly. At this time, the middle of the hanger 30 may be pushed to facilitate the disengagement of the locking hook

34 from the locking groove 26. As soon as the locking hook 34 is disengaged from the locking groove 26, the hanger 30 returns to its original position by virtue of its restoring force, as shown in Fig. 8A, so that the hanger 30 is separated from the strap or necklace 15.

Industrial Applicability

As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a clip for a newspaper comprising a supporter for supporting folded portions of the newspaper, which are formed by folding the leaves of the newspaper along central vertical lines of the newspaper, and a clipping member having an insertion slit longitudinally formed therealong, the clipping member being made of an elastic material, wherein the folded portions of the newspaper are inserted between the supporter and the clipping member along the insertion slit, whereby it is easy and convenient to hold the newspaper, the leaves of the newspaper are easily turned, and the newspaper is hardly crumpled when the leaves of the newspaper are turned. Furthermore, the clip for the newspaper can be used as a pen for writing since the pen is mounted in the supporter, whereby its functionality and convenience are increased. Moreover, the clip for the newspaper can be manufactured in large quantities at low cost, and the clip can be repeatedly used semi-permanently.

According to the present invention, the cap is separated from the lower part of the clipping member, and the cap is hung over the pocket or the necklace by means of the hanger or the connection hole, whereby various portability means of the clip for the newspaper can be obtained. Furthermore, the tip of the pen is always directed downward while a user carries the clip of the newspaper with him/her, whereby a writing work is easy since the ink is smoothly discharged from the head of the pen. Moreover, any injury due to the pen is prevented by the cap even when the user carrying the clip of the newspaper falls down, and a speed at which the ink is dried up is reduced.

Furthermore, the locking hook formed at the end of the hanger is directly engaged with the cap, whereby any additional hole for engagement is not necessary, the clip for the newspaper is hung over a strap or necklace only by the hanger. Besides, the clip for the newspaper can be easily engaged with and disengaged from a pocket of a jacket or a necklace and the engaging state is more securely maintained when the clip for the newspaper is hung over the pocket or the necklace. Moreover, any additional ring or string for a safety locking is not required, whereby the cost for manufacturing the clip for the newspaper is considerably reduced. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A clip for a newspaper, the clip being used for securely clipping folded portions of the newspaper, the clip comprising: a supporter for supporting the folded portions of the newspaper; and a clipping member having an insertion slit longitudinally formed therealong, the clipping member being made of an elastic material, wherein the folded portions of the newspaper are inserted between the supporter and the clipping member along the insertion slit.

2. A clip for a newspaper, the clip being used for securely clipping folded portions of the newspaper, the clip comprising: a clipping member having an insertion slit, the folded portions of the newspaper being inserted into the clipping member along the insertion slit; a supporter attached to the clipping member, the supporter having a pen mounted therein; a cap detachably attached to the clipping member; and a hanger attached to the cap, the hanger being opened downwardly and having a connection hole formed above the hanger so that a necklace passes through the connection hole.

3. The clip as set forth in claim 2, wherein the rear end of the supporter is integrally attached to the clipping member with a plurality of reinforcing ribs, and the supporter further includes a pen insertion hole releasably shut by a holding disc.

4. The clip as set forth in claim 2, wherein the supporter further includes a male threaded portion and a flange attached to the rear end thereof, and the clipping member further includes a female threaded hole, the male threaded portion being engaged into the female threaded hole.

5. A clip for a newspaper, the clip being used for securely clipping folded portions of the newspaper, the clip comprising: a clipping member having an insertion slit, the folded portions of the newspaper being inserted into the clipping member along the insertion slit; a supporter integrally with to the clipping member, the supporter having a pen mounted therein; a cap detachably attached to the clipping member, the cap having an opening end and a closed end; a hanger having one end fixedly attached to the closed end of the cap, the other end of the hanger being a free end extending toward the opening end of the cap; a locking hook inwardly projected toward the cap from the free end of the hanger; and a locking groove formed inwardly from the opening end of the cap such that the locking hook is engaged with the locking groove.