WO2007129033A1

WO2007129033A1 - Sun lounger clips

Info

Publication number: WO2007129033A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/001578
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Brian Wallace
Original assignee: Richard Brian Wallace
Priority date: 2006-05-05
Filing date: 2007-04-30
Publication date: 2007-11-15
Also published as: GB2443672A; GB0608880D0

Abstract

A clip (10) for holding a towel (12) to the bar-like edge part (14) of a sun lounger (16) comprises springy material and has a clipping portion (18) with a non-circular interior profile (20) so that it can clip snugly in a definite orientation to a suitably profiled such edge part (14). The clip (10) has a handle portion (22) to facilitate ready removal of the clip (10) and is so shaped that pressure on the handle portion (22) to remove the clip will tend to pull the clip in an opening direction (24); the ends (28, 30) of the clip (10) are well separated in the unsprung condition.

Description

TITLE: "Sun Lounger Clips" FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to sun lounger clips. BACKGROUND A sun lounger, sometimes called a sunbed, usually comprises, going around its edge, a sturdy frame or similar bar-like member across which is stretched a relatively thin body support, which may comprise woven material (e.g. cloth) or slats. (The body support may sometimes be moulded integrally with the frame member.) For use as usually intended, e.g. in hot or wet conditions, e.g. on the beach or in the garden or beside a swimming pool, a towel is spread over the body support and under the body. All too often, when the body moves, the towel rucks up. To avoid this, the towel can be fastened, e.g. at its comers, to the edge member or slats. Clips known to the present inventor for this purpose are awkward to use or inefficient or easily knocked off the sun lounger and towel. THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a clip for holding a towel to the bar-like edge part of a sun lounger, the clip comprising springy material and having a clipping portion with a non-circular interior profile so that it can clip snugly in a definite orientation to a suitably profiled such edge part. The close (snug) fit in a definite orientation is found to improve substantially the clipping (gripping) action and to reduce substantially the awkwardness of the clip and the likelihood that it will be easily knocked off the lounger by the user's body. The clip preferably has a handle portion to facilitate ready removal of the clip. More preferably, the clip is so shaped that pressure on the handle portion to remove the clip will tend to pull the clip in an opening direction; this is found to make it easier to remove the clip than if it has to be pulled off simply in the removal direction so that it has to open of itself transversely to the removal direction.

If the ends of the clip are well separated in the unsprung condition, the clip is easier to push on and pull off. Anything more than 180° of enclosure of the bar-like edge part by the clip will provide clipping action. Tests have shown that a suitable clipping action can be obtained with such enclosure in a range of from 190° to 240°, preferably 200° to 230°, more preferably substantially 210°. The term "well-separated" is here intended to mean that the clip is such that the snug enclosure is less than 270° (and more than 180°).

Preferably, the clip is made interiorly smooth, at least where it would engage the towel or lounger. By virtue of its improved gripping (clipping) action, as mentioned above, the clip should not need internal ridging in order to grip and retain the towel, and the interior smoothness makes it easier to use.

Preferably, the clip is exteriorly smooth, at least in the region of all edges or other extremities. This makes it much more user-friendly.

The clip may be made monolithic, which makes it easier and cheaper to manufacture, (or, at least, monolithic apart from a coating,) as also if has sheet-like form and/or the form of a strip, and it can then be stronger so that it may have a thickness as low as in the range 2mm to 5mm. The clip may be made of plastics material, e.g. of high impact polystyrene or of PVC, for the same reasons, and in particular because it can then be made suitably strong while remaining sufficiently flexible and springy.

Preferably, the clip is injection-moulded, which can make it much more user-friendly. In one preferred embodiment, the clip has an upward portion that extends inwardly (of the lounger) from the clipping portion and due to the springiness of said material is biased downwardly so that it can bear snugly against a suitable body support extending inwardly from said edge part and can bend down with the body support when this is depressed due to movement of a body on the support. This allows the clip to follow the movement of the body support, so that for example it can grip, and remain snug to the towel when the body support moves up or down. The gripping action is thereby improved. These advantages can be further improved if, in the unsprung condition of the clip, the upward portion extends downwardly from the clipping portion (this is particularly applicable to the usual case in which the body support does not extend upwardly inwards from the edge part).

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a clip for holding a towel to the edge of a sun lounger, the clip comprising springy material and having a clipping portion with a non-circular interior profile so that it can clip snugly in a definite orientation to a suitable frame or other edge part of the sun lounger which part has a non-circular cross-section, the clip having an upward portion that extends inwardly from the clipping portion and due to the springiness of said material is biased downwardly so that it can bear snugly against a suitable body support extending inwardly from said edge part and can bend down with the body support when this is depressed due to movement of a body on the support. Preferably, in the unsprung condition of the clip, the upward portion extends not only inwardly but also downwardly from the clipping portion, preferably at an angle in a range of 20° to 40° to the horizontal averaged from the highest part of the clip to the lowest part of the portion, more preferably at an angle in a range of 25° to 35°, more especially at an angle of substantially 30°.

It is very useful for the clip to have a widened upper part. Preferably, this is adapted to extend inwardly of said edge part. This can improve the grip on the towel, and can also serve as a base for decorative or other added material as described below. For these purposes, the upper portion should have an area of at least substantially 3cm by 3cm, more preferably within a range of from 3cm by 3cm to 6cm by 6cm, more especially within a range of from 4cm by 4cm to 5cm by 5cm. Preferred sizes of said area are substantially 4cm by 5cm or substantially 3cm by 5cm. The widened upper part may usefully be made suitable to carry a logo or advertising or pictorial material or other indicative marking exteriorly, e.g. facing upwardly and/or outwardly, e.g. having a flat or gently curved upper and/or outward surface, which is preferably smooth. When this part carries said marking exteriorly, it may be used as a premium, i.e. given away as advertising.

For practical purposes, the clips may be sold as a set of at least four clips, since a set of four of the clips will serve for a single sun lounger (or perhaps sold as a set of five clips, including a spare, in case one is lost or damaged), more especially a set comprising two pairs of clips, one pair being smaller than the other; the smaller pair is then more suitable for use on the headrest portion of many common types of lounger.

It may be suitable to sell a combination of a sun lounger and one or more of the clips. As used, there will be such a combination with one or more of the clips clipped to the lounger, and usually the lounger will comprise a body support extending inwardly from an edge of the lounger. The body support may comprise woven material or slats. The combination of lounger and clips may be sold in further combination with a towel suitable to be clipped to an edge of the lounger by one or more of said clips. In use, the clips clip the towel to the lounger, usually at the sides of the towel and lounger near the comers of the towel; they clip on very easily and stay in place until they are deliberately removed. The clips can be shaped and sized to fit a particular sun lounger, for example that known under the trade name Balliu, in the range known as "Eva R resin sun loungers", but may be adapted for other sunbeds. Once the beach towel is in the desired place on the lounger, the clip is spread apart and slipped over the side of the lounger and, with the recovery force of the springiness of the plastic, clamps the towel securely in place. Each lounger will be supplied with 4 clips so that a towel can be made properly secure. The clips also have smooth edges so as not to cause any damage to persons using them. Preferably the clips have a visible upward display area, when in place, of approximately 5cm by 4cm, allowing company logos or various patterns to be applied, e.g. using a tampo-printing or pad-printing method. The clips can be made in all colours and decorative surface effects. DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS Reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of one form of clip embodying the invention in clipped position on an edge part (shown in cross-section) of a sun lounger;

Figure 2 is a schematic back view of the same;

Figure 3 is a schematic top view of the same; Figure 4 is a view like Figure 1 of a second form of clip embodying the invention;

Figures 5 and 6 are schematic side views of third and fourth forms of clip embodying the invention;

Figures 7 and 8 are corresponding views of the third and fourth forms of clip embodying the invention in clipped position on an edge part (shown in cross-section) of a sun lounger;

Figures 9 and 10 are corresponding views of the third and fourth forms of clip in clipped position on a towel on the edge part (shown in cross-section) of a sun lounger;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a Balliu sun lounger to which the invention may be applied;

Figure 12 a view like Figure 6 of a further clip embodying the invention;

Figure 13 is a similar view of the Figure 12 clip, opened to fit snugly to an edge bar of a sun lounger (its canvas being omitted for clarity); Figure 14 is a partial view looking out towards the outer edge of the sun lounger in the direction 14-14 of

Figure 13;

Figure 15 is an outward view in the direction 15-15 of Figure 12;

Figure 16 is a partial bottom view in the direction 16-16 of Figure 13 of; and

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the clip embodiment of Figures 12 to 16. Figures 2 and 3 also apply to the Figure 4 embodiment and, assuming Figure 2 terminated at the bottom of part 36, also apply to the embodiments of Figures 5 to 10.

Like references in the drawings refer to items having the same or like functions.

Referring to the drawings, there is provided a clip 10 for holding a towel 12 to the bar-like edge part 14 of a sun lounger 16, the clip 10 comprising springy material and having a clipping portion 18 with a non-circular interior profile 20 so that it can clip snugly in a definite orientation to a suitably profiled such edge part 14. The close (snug) fit in a definite orientation is found to improve substantially the clipping (gripping) action and to reduce substantially the awkwardness of the clip 10 and the likelihood that it will be easily knocked off the lounger 16 by the user's body. The clip 10 preferably has a handle portion 22 to facilitate ready removal of the clip 10. More preferably, the clip 10 is so shaped that pressure on the handle portion 22 to remove the clip will tend to pull the clip in an opening direction 24; this is found to make it easier to remove the clip 10 than if it has to be pulled off simply in the removal direction 26 so that it has to open of itself in a transverse direction 24 to the removal direction 26.

As the ends 28, 30 of the clip 10 are well separated in the unsprung condition (sufficiently for the clip 10 to be readily push-fitted onto a bar-like edge part 14 onto which the clip 10 when in use will fit snugly), the clip 10 is easier to push on and pull off. The clipping portion 18 of clip 10 provides substantially 210° of enclosure of the bar-like edge part 14 as shown in Figures 1, 4, 7 and 8; for example, as seen clearly in each of Figures 9 and 10, between the arrows 33 and 35, or between end 30 and arrow 35.

The clip 10 is made interiorly smooth, at least where it would engage the towel 12 or lounger part 14. By virtue of its improved gripping (cupping) action, as mentioned above, the clip 10 should not need internal ridging in order to grip and retain the towel 14, and the interior smoothness makes it easier to use.

The 10 clip is exteriorly smooth, at least in the region of all edges or other extremities. This makes it much more user-friendly.

In all the embodiments illustrated, the clip 10 is made monolithic and has a sheet-like form, with a thickness of about 3mm; it is made of high impact polystyrene and is injection-moulded.

In the embodiments of Figures 1 to 4, the clip 10 has an upward portion 32 that extends inwardly (of the lounger 16) from the clipping portion 18 and due to the springiness of said material is biased downwardly so that it can bear snugly against a suitable body support 34 extending inwardly from said edge part 14 and can bend down with the body support 34 when this is depressed due to movement of a body on the support 34. This allows the ^■ clip to follow the movement of the body support 34, so that for example it can grip, and remain snug to the towel

12 when the body support 34 moves up or down. The body support 34 is a panel of canvas 34 stretched over a frame-like edge part 14 and anchored at a point 37. In all of the embodiments shown, in the unsprung condition of the clip 10, the upward portion 30 extends downwardly from the clipping portion 18 and the body support 34 extends downwardly inwards (of the lounge to 16) from the edge part 14. The upward portion 32 extends downwardly from the clipping portion 18 at an angle of substantially 30° to the horizontal.

The clip 10 has a widened upper part 36 which extends inwardly of said edge part 14, as seen clearly in

Figures 3 and 4. This serves as a base for decorative or other added material 38 as described below. The upwardly facing area of part 36, as seen in Figure 3, has an area of 3cm by 4cm. The widened upper part 36 cam^'es a logo or advertising or pictorial material or other indicative marking 38 exteriorly, i.e. facing upwardly and outwardly, having a gently curved upper and outward surface, which is smooth.

For practical purposes, the clips 10 are sold as a set of four clips 10, more especially a set comprising two pairs of clips 10, one pair (as seen in Figure 7) being smaller than the other (as seen in Figure 8); the smaller pair is then more suitable for use on the headrest portion 40 of the abovementioned type of lounger 16 and the larger pair on the main portion 42 which has a thicker and sturdier edge part 14. Figures 5, 7 and 9 are to the same scales as Rgures 6, 8 and 10, respectively.

The embodiment of Figures 12-17 is as described above.

In use, the clips 10 clip the towel to the lounger, usually at the sides of the towel 14 and lounger 16 near the comers of the towel 14; they clip on very easily and stay in place until they are deliberately removed. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that features of the different embodiments disclosed herein may be omitted, selected, combined or exchanged and the invention is considered to extend to any new and inventive combination thus formed. Where a preference or particularisation is stated, there is implied the possibility of its negative, i.e. a case in which that preference or particularisation is absent.

Many variations of the invention and embodiments hereinbefore described will be apparent to people skilled in the art and all such variations are to be considered as falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

I . A clip for holding a towel to the bar-like edge part of a sun lounger, the clip comprising springy material and having a clipping portion with a non-circular interior profile so that it can clip snugly in a definite orientation to a suitably profiled such edge part

2. A clip as claimed in claim 1 , having a handle portion to facilitate ready removal of the clip.

3. A clip as claimed in claim 2, so shaped that pressure on the handle portion to remove the clip will tend to pull the clip in an opening direction.

4. A clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the ends of the clip are well separated in the unsprung condition.

5. A clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, which is interiorly smooth, at least where it would engage the towel or lounger.

6. A clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, which is exteriorly smooth, at least in the region of all edges or other extremities.

7. A clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, which is monolithic.

8. A clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, which is made of high impact polystyrene.

9. A clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, which is made of PVC.

10. A clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, which is injection-moulded.

II. A clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, which has sheet-like form.

12. A clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, which has an upward portion that extends inwardly from the clipping portion and due to the springiness of said material is biased downwardly so that it can bear snugly against a suitable body support extending inwardly from said edge part and can bend down with the body support when this is depressed due to movement of a body on the support.

13. A clip as claimed in claim 12, in which, in the unsprung condition of the clip, the upward portion extends downwardly from the clipping portion.

14. A clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, having a widened upper part.

15. A clip as claimed in claim 14, in which the widened upper part is suitable to carry a logo or advertising or pictorial material or other indicative marking facing upwardly and/or outwardly.

16. A clip to hold a towel to a sun lounger, substantially according to any example hereinbefore described.

17. A clip to hold a towel to a sun lounger, substantially according to any example hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A set of at least four clips as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A set of four clips as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17.

20. A set of four clips as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising two pairs of clips, one pair being smaller than the other.

21. A combination of a sun lounger and one or more clips as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. A combination as claimed claim 21 , in which one or more of the clips is/are clipped to the lounger.

23. A combination as claimed claim 21 or 22, in which the sun lounger comprises a body support extending inwardly from an edge of the lounger.

24. A combination as claimed in claim 23, in which the body support comprises woven material.

25. A combination as claimed in claim 23 or 24, in which the body support comprises slats.

26. A combination as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 25, in further combination with a towel suitable to be clipped to an edge of the lounger by a said clip.

27. A combination as claimed claim 26, in which one or more of the clips clip/s the towel to the lounger.

28. A combination of a sun lounger and one or more clips, and possibly a towel, substantially according to any example hereinbefore described.

29. A combination of a sun lounger and one or more clips, and possibly a towel, substantially according to any example hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.