WO2007129175A2

WO2007129175A2 - Locking clip

Info

Publication number: WO2007129175A2
Application number: PCT/IB2007/001101
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-François Potut
Original assignee: Potut Jean-Francois
Priority date: 2006-04-28
Filing date: 2007-04-27
Publication date: 2007-11-15
Also published as: US20090090379A1; FR2900315A1; EP1852032A1; FR2900315B1; WO2007129175A3; CA2650673A1

Abstract

A hair clip comprising a first jaw (1) and a second jaw (2) mutually pivotable about a hinge (3) having longitudinal axis (l-l) to pivot between an open position and a closed position, wherein each jaw (1, 2) respectively comprises a jaw body (1a, 2a) provided with a series of teeth (1b, 2b), and further comprises resilient return means continuously returning both jaws (1, 2) into the open position, and releasable locking means (5, 6) for selectively locking the jaws (1, 2) in the closed position.

Description

LOCKING PLIERS

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hair articles such as a hair clip, wherein a first jaw is hinged relative to a second jaw in a longitudinal axis joint for pivoting between an open position and a closed position, each jaw comprising a jaw body provided with a series of teeth. Each jaw usually includes an operating lever to open and close the clamp. A clamp is usually used to hold a part of the hair together.

Such hair clips are for example described in US 5,873,377; US 5,664,591; US 2004/0149306 or EP 1 023 853.

The holding of a clamp is generally provided by elastic return means which recall the two jaws in the closed position. A helical spring is conventionally used as resilient return means.

The holding of the clamp in position in the hair is therefore a function of the restoring force exerted by the coil spring, and function of the size of the coil spring with respect to the clamp. The coil springs are thus chosen accordingly to give the clamp a sufficient hold by a large restoring force of the jaws in the closed position.

A first disadvantage is that the more we try to improve the strength of the clamp, the greater the strength of the coil spring is important, and the more the user has difficulty in opening the jaws of the clamp with the help of the operating levers.

Another disadvantage is that too great a force exerted by the clamp is likely to damage the hair of the user and makes it difficult to assemble the clamp in which the coil spring is prestressed before assembly. Finally, the use of a coil spring with a high restoring force leads to the use of operating levers whose size increases as a function of the return force of the coil spring in order to facilitate the opening of the clamp. This results in the presence of operating levers whose dimensions can be inconvenient, unsightly and cumbersome. In addition, the presence of operating levers solidarity jaws limits the forms that can be made for the jaws. Indeed, the jaws and levers of a hair clip are most often made by plastic injection. There is therefore an imperative need that jaws with their lever are demoldable. An object is said to be demoldable when it has no undercut shape capable of preventing its extraction from the mold cavity by simple translation in a single demolding direction. This imperative thus hinders the creator in the aesthetic forms he tries to create for an object whose purpose is not only the holding of the hair, but also the adornment and ornament of the hair.

US 2004/0040569 A1 for its part describes a hair bar comprising a first and a second jaw, articulated with respect to each other along an axis perpendicular to the direction of extension of the jaws for pivoting between a position open and a closed position. Releasable locking members disposed on the jaws at the free end opposite the hinge, allow a user to lock the bar in the closed position or unlock it in the open position.

In such a bar, the particular orientation of the articulation of the jaws, with an axis perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the jaws, induces a large separation of the jaws in the open position. Therefore, the introduction of this bar on the head of a user, especially at the beginning of its closure, expressly and necessarily requires the use of both hands of the user, and at least some dexterity. However, a hand of the user is already used to maintain his hair in shape before installing the bar. The installation of the bar is already difficult for this reason.

In addition, after bringing the jaws closer to each other, the user can hold the closed bar with one hand, but he must still perform additional manipulation with his second hand (ie the application of a torsion force on the locking members themselves) to lock the two jaws. There is thus a strong risk that the user can not manage to comb his hair properly and fix his hair as he wishes with this bar, because of its complex handling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first problem proposed by the invention is to design a hair clip ensuring both a good hold on the hair of a user and ease of use. In particular, the aim of the invention is to ensure that the jaws of the clamp are held in the closed position without having to overcome a large force of elastic return means during the operation of the clamp both towards its closed position and toward its open position. and without having to manipulate specifically locking members to ensure the closure of the clamp. The manipulation of the clamp for its closure must be able to be performed with one hand.

Simultaneously, the invention aims to avoid damage to the hair of the user, by excessive tightening, and to facilitate the assembly of the clamp during its manufacture.

In another aspect, the invention aims to design a new type of hair clip without levers maneuver.

Simultaneously, the invention also seeks to make it possible to produce complex aesthetic shapes while ensuring the demoldability of the constituent elements of the clamp.

To achieve these objects as well as others, the invention provides a hair clip comprising:

a first jaw and a second jaw each having a series of teeth and articulated with respect to each other along a longitudinal axis articulation for pivoting between an open position and a closed position,

- Elastic return means constantly reminding the two jaws in the open position,

unlocking locking means for selectively locking the jaws in the closed position and comprising unlocking members operable by the user to unlock the jaws, and wherein the locking means are shaped to lock automatically when pivoting the jaws to their jaws; closed position.

The elastic return means recall the jaws in the open position, and it is the user who brings by his fingers the jaws in the closed position until lock in this position when placing the clamp in a hair.

Maneuvering such a clamp is particularly simple for its implementation in the hair: the action of the user is a simple action of clamping until latching locking means, action for which the user can n ' use only one of his hands, so that he can use the other hand to style and fix his hair as he wishes.

The clamping action to rotate the jaws relative to each other to the closed position can be exerted directly on the jaw bodies, since the jaws do not penetrate fully into the hair. And the pivoting of the jaws to the open position is provided by the elastic return means, after unlocking. In such a clamp, there is therefore no need for operating levers to maneuver the jaws. Such a clamp is less likely to damage the hair of the user by too much compression of the locks of hair, because there is no elastic means of high force return in the closed position. In addition, such a clamp has an effective and constant grip in the hair. In practice, it can be provided that the locking means comprise snap-fastening means which automatically engage with each other as soon as the jaws reach the closed position.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the locking means may be arranged on the jaws according to their inner faces facing each other, in an intermediate zone of each inner face between the hinge axis and a distal end of the jaws. . In this way, the locking means are not apparent when the clamp is disposed in a hair, and they do not interfere with the action of the distal portion of the jaws in the hair.

Preferably, it can advantageously be provided that: the locking means comprise at least one passageway made in the jaw body of the first jaw,

the locking means comprise at least one elastic rod which extends from the second jaw towards the first jaw, which has a distal hook end, and which has an elastic lateral flexing capacity, the elastic rod is adapted to selectively retain in the closed position the first jaw at a fixed distance from the second jaw by engaging the distal hook end in said at least one passage lumen of the first jaw or release the first jaw by letting the distal hook end escape through the passage lumen during lateral bending of the elastic rod by lateral thrust manipulation.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, it can advantageously be provided that:

the jaws are elongate in the longitudinal direction and each comprise two longitudinal ends; the teeth of the series of teeth develop transversely from a distal edge of the jaw bodies,

said at least one elastic rod develops transversely from the distal edge of the jaw body of the second jaw towards the jaw body of the first jaw, said elastic rod preferably being located at one of the longitudinal ends of the second jaw.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, it can advantageously be provided that: said at least one elastic rod is carried by the second jaw close to the articulation, preferably offset longitudinally with respect to the articulation towards one end of the second jaw,

- Said at least one passage lumen is carried by the first jaw, near the joint and vis-à-vis the elastic rod.

Preferably, said at least one elastic rod may comprise a plurality of retaining notches near its distal end.

According to another embodiment of the invention, it can advantageously be provided that: the locking means comprise a retaining loop, integral with the jaw body of the first jaw,

the locking means comprise an elastic rod, which extends from the second jaw towards the first jaw, which comprises a hook and a maneuvering end accessible to the user to be maneuvered, and which has a lateral bending capacity elastic,

- The elastic rod is adapted to selectively hold the first jaw in the closed position at a fixed distance from the second jaw by the engagement of the hook in the retaining loop, or release the first jaw by releasing the hook of the handle when a lateral bending of the elastic rod by unlocking manipulation on the operating end,

in the closed position, the operating end is offset longitudinally with respect to the articulation towards one end of the second jaw,

- To unlock the clamp, the user releases the hook of the handle during elastic lateral bending of the rod, applying on the operating end a force oriented substantially along the longitudinal axis.

Advantageously, the elastic rod may comprise hooks with several retaining notches, and / or several successive loops may be located at different distances from the first jaw.

Advantageously, provision can be made for: the first jaw comprises a first transverse protection elastic blade situated beyond the locking means with respect to the articulation and extending from the first jaw towards the second jaw,

the second jaw comprises a second transverse protection elastic blade situated beyond the locking means with respect to the articulation and extending from the second jaw towards the first jaw, - The first and second resilient protective blades cooperate together during the closing of the clamp to hold the hair away from the joint, elastic return means and locking means.

To further facilitate the unlocking, it is advantageous to provide that:

the locking means are automatically locked by a first relative movement of approaching the first and second jaws,

- Unlocking the locking means is effected by a second relative movement of approximation of the first and second jaws. Such a hair clip is easy to use. Its implementation on the hair of a user can run with one hand, as well as its withdrawal, by a simple gesture and ergonomic.

In this case, it can advantageously be provided that:

the locking means comprise at least one elastic rod extending from the second jaw towards the first jaw, which comprises a distal crosspiece extending in a first length in an offset direction, and which has a bending capacity elastic,

the locking means comprise at least one attachment rod extending from the first jaw towards the second jaw, with a distal section with transversal detent provided on a notched lateral face perpendicular to the offset direction, and with a section proximally, the proximal section being offset by a second length in the offset direction away from the distal section and the elastic shaft,

the second length is greater than or equal to the first length, during the first relative movement of approaching the first and second jaws, the distal crosspiece of the elastic rod is pushed by the notched lateral face and the elastic rod is elastically flexed, then the continuation of the first relative movement of approximation of the first and second jaws allows the engagement of the distal cross member in the transverse notch of the fastening rod under the action of the elastic return of the elastic rod,

during the second relative movement of approaching the first and second jaws, the distal crosspiece of the elastic rod comes into correspondence with the proximal section of the attachment rod, which, under the action of the elastic return of the elastic rod, the displacement of the distal cross-member beyond the hooking rod face opposite to the notched lateral face, and which then allows a relative movement away from the first and second jaws under the action of the elastic return means. Such a hair clip has locking means that are compact, easy to make and inexpensive.

Preferably, the hinge may comprise a hinge. Advantageously, the elastic return means may comprise a helical spring.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the elastic return means may comprise at least one elastic blade, preferably of metal.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, the articulation and the elastic return means may comprise at least one elastic blade, preferably of metal.

Advantageously, the retaining loop, the elastic rod, the articulation and the elastic return means can be made from a single plane metal strip cut and shaped by folding. Preferably, the retaining loop, the elastic rod, the hinge, the elastic return means and the elastic blades can be made from a single flat metal strip cut and shaped by folding.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

- Figure 1 is a side view of a clamp according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the clamp of Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a side view of a clamp according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the clamp of Figure 3;

- Figure 5 is a side view of a clamp according to a third embodiment of the invention; - Figure 6 is a perspective view of the clamp of Figure 5;

- Figure 7 is a side view of a clamp according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in the open position;

- Figure 8 is a side view of the clamp of Figure 7 in the closed position;

- Figure 9 is a rear view of the clamp of Figure 8; - Figure 10 is a front view of a metal part to be shaped;

- Figure 11 is a top view of the part of Figure 10; - Figures 12 to 16 are side views of a clamp according to a fifth embodiment;

- Figure 17 is a perspective view of the locking means of the clamps of Figures 12 to 16; and - Figure 18 is a front view of a metal part to be shaped.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 to 9 and 12 to 16 show five separate embodiments of the present invention. In each of these figures, the hair clip comprises a first jaw 1 and a second jaw 2 elongate in a longitudinal direction 11 and articulated with respect to one another along a hinge 3 with a longitudinal axis 11 for pivoting between a open position and a closed position. Each of the first and second jaws 1 or 2 respectively comprises a jaw body 1a or 2a respectively provided with a series of teeth 1b or 2b. In the open position, the jaws 1 and 2 are away from each other, that is to say that their series of teeth 1b and 2b are apart from each other . In the closed position, the jaws 1 and 2 are close to each other, that is to say that their series of teeth 1b and 2b are brought closer to each other to clamp between them of the user's hair. Preferably, in the closed position, the teeth of the series of teeth 1b and 2b intersect.

Elastic return means 4 constantly remind the two jaws 1 and 2 in the open position. The force of the elastic return means 4 does not need to be large. It must be just sufficient to counter the clamping force exerted by the user when wearing the clamp to approach the hair. Unlockable locking means 5 automatically lock the jaws 1 and 2 in the closed position when the jaws 1 and 2 are only brought closer to each other, without requiring any other intervention by the user.

In the first and second embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the locking means 5 comprise at least one through-hole 6 made in the jaw body 1a of the first jaw 1. The locking means

5 also comprise at least one elastic rod 7 extending from the second jaw 2 in the direction of the first jaw 1, distal end 7a hook and elastic lateral flexion. The elastic rod 7 is adapted to selectively (a) retain in the closed position the first jaw 1 at a fixed distance from the second jaw 2 by engagement of the distal end 7a hook in the passage lumen

6 of the first jaw 1 or (b) release the first jaw 1 while letting out the distal end 7a hooked through the passage lumen 6 by lateral bending of the elastic rod 7.

In the embodiments of Figures 1 to 4, the hooked distal end 7a comprises a leading face 70a which slides on the edge of the passage lumen 6 causing a slight lateral bending of the elastic rod 7 during the penetration of the distal end 7a into the passage lumen 6. The distal end 7a also has a stop face 71a which holds the first jaw 1 at a fixed distance from the second jaw 2 once the elastic rod 7, after having sufficiently penetrated into the passage lumen 6, made a new slight lateral bending in the opposite direction to the first lateral flexion caused by the leading face 70a.

In the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the jaws 1 and 2 are elongated in the longitudinal direction 1-l, each with two ends 1c, 1d, 2c and 2d. The teeth of the series of teeth 1b and 2b develop transversely from a distal edge 100a and 200a of the jaw bodies 1a and 2a. The free ends of the teeth of the series of teeth 1b and 2b form the distal ends of the jaws 1 and 2.

The clamp comprises two elastic rods 7 developing transversely from the distal edge 200a of the jaw body 2a towards the jaw body 1a of the first jaw 1. The elastic rods 7 are located respectively at the longitudinal ends 2c and 2d of the second jaw 2. elastic rods 7 may be integral with the jaw body 2a, or reported thereon.

The manipulation of the clamp illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is simple. The elastic return means 4, which here are a helical spring 4a with two protruding radial end rods bearing on a respective jaw, tend to permanently recall the two jaws 1 and 2 in the open position, in which the series of teeth 1b and 2b are apart from each other.

When the user wants to put the clamp on his head, it applies a slight tightening pressure on the jaws 1 and 2 in the directions and directions defined by the arrows 9a and 9b (Figure 2). During the simple movement of the clamp, the clamping force may be small, just sufficient to maintain the clamp in the hand of the user. Then, when the clamp is in position on the hair, the user tightens the jaws 1 and 2 with a greater force to overcome the restoring force exerted by the coil spring 4a and thus to bring the jaws 1 and 2 together until that the elastic rods 7 penetrate along their distal end 7a hook in the passage lumens 6 of the jaw body 1a. The clamp is then in the closed position, as it is shown in Figure 1, and is automatically locked without requiring additional manipulation by the user. Indeed, the latching means 5 constituted by the elastic rods 7 and the passage lumens 6 automatically cling to each other as soon as the clamp reaches its closed position. The distal ends 7a hook of the elastic rods 7 hold the first and second jaws 1 and 2 at a fixed distance from the coil spring 4a.

When the user wishes to remove the clip of his hair, it can apply a tightening pressure on each of the elastic rods 7 according to a direction and a direction defined by the arrows 10a and 10b, for example with his index finger and his thumb. The user thus causes a lateral bending of the elastic rods 7, which makes it possible to pass the distal ends 7a of the elastic rods 7 through the lumens of passage 6. The user thus releases the first jaw 1 which is then recalled to the of the second jaw 2 by the elastic return means 4.

As can be seen, the clamp is easily operable and easily unlocked by the pressure of two fingers in a rather natural movement of pinching, for example between the index finger and the thumb of the same hand.

It is advantageous to provide two elastic rods 7 at both ends 2c and 2d of the second jaw 2, in order to balance the clamp over its entire length. This will thus not tend to bend under the effect of elastic return means 4.

When using a hair clip as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the elastic rods 7 can penetrate into the hair of the user. The locking means 5 are thus little visible and do not degrade the visual and aesthetic appearance of the clamp.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. The jaws 1 and 2 have the same general structure as in the first embodiment. The clip here comprises a single elastic rod 7 with a distal end 7a hook. The elastic rod 7 is carried by the second jaw 2 near the hinge 3. It is seen more particularly in Figure 4 that the elastic rod 7 is offset longitudinally with respect to the hinge 3 towards the end 2c of the second jaw 2. The elastic rod 7 may be integral with the jaw body 2a or reported thereon. The first jaw 1 is provided with a passage lumen 6 near the joint 3 and located opposite the elastic rod 7. The handling of such a clamp is similar to that of the clamp illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

When placing the clamp on the head of a user, it applies a thrust on the jaws 1 and 2 of the clamp in a direction and a direction defined by the arrows 9a and 9b (Figure 4) for close jaws 1 and 2 on her hair. During this closing movement of the jaws 1 and 2, the elastic rod 7 penetrates at its distal end 7a hook in the passage lumen 6 of the first jaw 1. As soon as the jaws 1 and 2 reach the closed position, the means of 5 'snap constituted by the elastic rod 7 and the passage lumen 6 cling automatically to each other and hold the first jaw 1 at a fixed distance from the second jaw 2 against resilient return means 4 which here are a helical spring 4a. The clamp then remains in the closed position as illustrated in FIG.

To remove the clip from his hair, the user applies a direction and direction thrust defined by the arrow 10c (Figure 4). The user thus causes a lateral flexion of the elastic rod 7 to allow the distal end 7a thereof to pass through the passage lumen 6 by allowing the first jaw 1 to escape. The elastic return means 4 recall then the two jaws 1 and 2 in the open position as shown in Figure 4. The handling of such a clamp is relatively simple. The elastic rod 7 is included in an interior space E between the jaws 1 and 2 of the clamp. The elastic rod 7 is thus not very visible and does not degrade the aesthetic appearance of the clip. The elastic rod 7 is also placed in the vicinity of the hinge 3 to facilitate its grip and to prevent it from getting entangled in the user's hair.

The elastic rod 7 is offset longitudinally with respect to the hinge 3 in the direction of the end 2c of the second jaw 2 in order to allow the user to come to press with a finger the elastic rod 7 according to the movement defined by the arrow 10c to unlock the clamp. As can be seen, the clamp is easily operable and easily unlocked by the pressure of two fingers in a rather natural movement of pinching, for example between the index finger and the thumb of the same hand.

The elastic rod 7 is placed sufficiently close to the hinge 3 to not induce an imbalance in the clamp: the jaws 1 and 2 remain substantially parallel to each other, even if the locking means 5 do not comprise only one elastic rod 7. According to an improvement of the invention, it is possible to provide on the elastic rods 7 one or more retaining notches 7b in addition to the distal end 7a shaped hook. In the embodiments of Figures 2 and 4, the elastic rod 7 has a retaining catch 7b in the vicinity of the distal end 7a. The clamp thus has several closed positions differing from each other by the distance d between the jaws 1 and 2 (Figure 1 and 3). This ensures an adaptable locking of the clamp according to the mass of hair to be retained in the hair of the user.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention. The jaws 1 and 2 still have the same general structure as in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the locking means 5 comprise a passage lumen 60 made in the jaw body 1a of the first jaw 1, and a holding lug 1 1 secured to the jaw body 1a of the first jaw 1. The locking means 5 also comprise an elastic rod 7 extending from the second jaw 2 towards the first jaw 1 and having an operating end 7c and a hook 12. When placed in a hair, the user makes pivoting the jaws 1 and 2 relative to each other against the elastic return means 4 until the hook 12 automatically clings to the holding handle 1 1 to hold the first jaw in the closed position 1 at a fixed distance d of the second jaw 2.

During the closing movement of the clamp, the operating end 7c of the elastic rod 7 penetrates through the passage lumen 60 of the first jaw 1 and extends beyond it when the clamp is in the closed position . In the closed position, the maneuvering end 7c is thus accessible to the user to be maneuvered.

When the user wishes to remove the clip of his hair, it applies a direction and direction of thrust defined by the arrow 1 Od on the operating end 7c accessible from the elastic rod 7. The user thus causes a bending Lateral of the elastic rod 7, which has the effect of moving the hook 12 away from the holding loop January 1. The jaws 1 and 2 are then returned to the open position away from each other by the elastic return means 4 (Figure 5).

The locking means 5 can be reported and made of metal to be more resistant to wear. The locking means 5 are contained in the interior space E between the first and second jaws 1 and 2 and are therefore not very visible so as not to degrade the aesthetic appearance of the clamp.

The locking means 5 are also easy to grip and maneuver by a simple pressure exerted on the operating end 7c accessible from the elastic rod 7.

The retention in the closed position of the jaws 1 and 2 is reliable and safe thanks to the hook 12 and the retaining handle January 1.

Figures 7 to 9 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the invention. The jaws 1 and 2 have the same general structure as in the first embodiment.

In these figures, the locking means 5 comprise at least one retaining loop January 1, integral with the jaw body 1a of the first jaw 1, and at least one elastic rod 7 extending from the second jaw 2 towards the first jaws 1 and having an operating end 7c and a hook 12.

When using such a clamp, the user puts it in place in a hair by bringing the first and second jaws 1 and 2 closer to each other by a clamping pressure applied on the jaws 1 and 2 against elastic return means 4 until the engagement of the hook 12 in the holding loop 1 1 to retain in the closed position the first jaw 1 at a fixed distance from the second jaw 2 (Figure 8).

As illustrated in FIG. 9, it is possible, in this embodiment, to provide two elastic rods 7 respectively comprising a first hook 12a and a second hook 12b intended to engage in two opposite directions respectively in a first handle 11a and a second handle 1 1 b offset longitudinally from one another to increase the retention of the jaws 1 and 2 parallel to each other.

In the closed position, the maneuvering ends 7c are accessible to the user to be maneuvered. To open the clamp, the user applies a clamping pressure on the operating ends 7c of the elastic rods 7 according to longitudinal movements illustrated by the arrows 1 Of and 10g. The hooks 12a and 12b then leave retaining loops 1 1a and 1 1b, leaving away from each other the jaws 1 and 2 under the action of the elastic return means 4. As can be seen , the clamp is easily maneuverable and easily unlocked by the pressure of two fingers in a rather natural movement of pinching, for example between the index finger and the thumb of the same hand. In the third and fourth embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9, the hooks 12 are shaped to allow automatic clipping when the jaws 1 and 2 are brought together. The hooks 12 thus comprise a leading face 120a which slides on the edge of the handle 11 causing a slight lateral bending of the elastic rod 7 to a point where the hook engages completely in the handle 11 and holds the second jaw 2 by a stop face 121a.

In the third and fourth embodiments illustrated in Figures 5 to 9, it is possible to provide locking means 5 adaptable to adapt to the hair mass of the user. To do this, the elastic rods 7 may comprise a hook 12 with several retaining notches 13a, 13b and 14a-14d and / or a plurality of successive loops 20a, 20b, 110a, 110b, 111a and 111b located at different distances from the first bit.

This is particularly the case of the clamp illustrated in FIG. 5, in which the retaining loop 11 comprises two recesses serving as two successive retaining loops 20a and 20b located at different distances from the first jaw 1. In FIG. 5, the hook 12 has two retaining notches 13a and 13b. In FIG. 9, the retention loops 11a and 11b comprise two recesses thus defining a plurality of successive loops 110a, 110b, 111a and 111b situated at different distances from the first jaw 1. The first hook 12a and the second hook 12b also comprise several retaining notches 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d.

In all the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9, it may be desirable for the hair of the user not to become entangled in the locking means 5. To do this, it is possible to provide in the embodiments FIGS. 5 to 9, a first transverse elastic protection blade 15a located beyond the locking means 5 with respect to the articulation 3 and extending from the first jaw 1 towards the second jaw 2, and a second transverse elastic protection blade 15b located beyond the locking means 5 with respect to the articulation 3 and extending from the second jaw 2 towards the first jaw 1. The first and second blades protective elastics 15a and 15b are close to each other and cooperate together during closure of the clamp to hold the hair away from the hinge 3, elastic return means 4 and locking means 5.

Although the elastic protection strips 15a and 15b have been shown only in the embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 9, these are fully compatible with the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4. Figures 12 to 17 illustrate a fifth embodiment of the invention.

In these figures, the locking means 5 comprise an elastic rod 7, which extends transversely from the second jaw 2 towards the first jaw 1, and which comprises a distal crosspiece 20 extending along a first length L1 (FIG. 17 ) away from the elastic rod 7 in both directions in a shift direction M-II.

The locking means 5 further comprise two hooking rods 21a and 21b, which extend from the first jaw 1 towards the second jaw 2, which have distal sections respectively 210a and 210b with transverse notches 211a and 211b respectively. provided on the serrated side faces 22a and 22b perpendicular to the offset direction H-II, and which have proximal sections 23a and 23b. The proximal sections 23a and 23b are offset by a second length L2 in the offset direction H-II away from the distal sections 21a and 21b and the elastic rod 7. The second length L2 is greater than or equal to The first length L1.

When using the clip illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 17, the user makes a first relative movement of approaching the first and second jaws 1 and 2. The distal crosspiece 20 of the elastic rod 7 is then pushed back by the faces notched side 22a and 22b and the elastic rod 7 is elastically flexed. The continuation of the first relative rotational movement of the first and second jaws 1 and 2 to the closed position then allows, under the action of the elastic return of the elastic rod 7, the automatic engagement of the distal cross member 20 in the transverse notches 211a and 211b of the attachment rods 21a and 21b. The locking means 5 constituted by the elastic rod 7 and the hooking rods 21a and 21b and automatically cling to each other as soon as the clamp reaches its closed position. The clamp then remains locked in the closed position as illustrated in FIG.

Although the clamp shown in FIGS. 12 to 17 has transverse notches 211a and 211b with a single retaining catch, it is conceivable to provide a plurality of retaining notches on each of the hooking rods 21a and 21b to allow clamping. adjustable jaws 1 and 2 of the clamp on the hair of the user. This ensures a good adaptability of the clip to the hair of the user and hairstyles that it seeks to achieve.

When the user wishes to remove the clip of his hair, it performs a second relative movement of approximation of the first and second jaws 1 and 2, as illustrated more particularly in FIGS. 14 and 15. The distal crosspiece 20 of the elastic rod 7 then comes into correspondence with the proximal sections 23a and 23b of the attachment rods 21a and 21b (FIG. 14). Under the action of the elastic return of the elastic rod 7, the distal crosspiece 20 passes through the spacing space between the proximal sections 23a and 23b and goes beyond the faces 22a 'and 22b' of the attachment rods 21a and 21b opposite the notched side faces 22a and 22b. This then allows a relative movement away from the first and second jaws 1 and 2 relative to each other, by rotation about the axis ll, to return to the open position of the clamp illustrated on the FIG. 12, under the action of the elastic return means 4.

In the fifth embodiment illustrated in Figures 12 to 17, the attachment rods 21a and 21b each comprise a boss 27a and 27b. These bosses allow the user to know when to stop the first movement of relative approximation of the first and second jaws 1 and 2. The user will feel, after a trigger caused by the engagement of the distal cross member 20 in the transverse crusts 211a and 211b, some resistance to the continuation of the first movement of approximation because of the bosses 27a and 27b.

In addition, the bosses 27a and 27b make it possible to elastically push the elastic rod 7 during the second relative movement of approaching the first and second jaws 1 and 2 before the distal crosspiece 20 of the elastic rod 7 comes into correspondence with the proximal sections 23a and 23b. The elastic return of the elastic rod 7 beyond the faces 22a 'and 22b' of the attachment rods 21a and 21b will be all the more easily, quickly and safely because the elastic rod 7 has been previously substantially repelled by the bosses 27a and 27b. The bosses 27a and 27b thus increase the operating reliability and ease of operation of the fifth embodiment of the hair clip according to the invention.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 12 to 17, it is possible, as is better represented in FIG. 16, for the second jaw 2 to comprise a resilient protection blade 24 located beyond the locking means 5 screw of the articulation 3 and extending from the second jaw 2 towards the opposite jaw 1. The elastic protective blade 24 holds the hair of the user away from the joint 3, elastic return means 4 and locking means 5 when closing the clamp. Alternatively, the resilient blade 24 can be on the first jaw. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the elastic protection blade 24 has a distal end 24a that is curved and directed away from the hinge 3. When closing the clamp, the distal end 24a comes then slide on the inner face 101 of the jaw 1 to allow locking of the locking means 5. When sliding the distal end 24a on the inner face 101 of the jaw 1, the elastic protection blade 24 is pushed elastically by the face internal 101 of the jaw 1 away from the hinge 3, elastic return means 4 and locking means 5, thus pushing the hair of the user away from them. It can be seen through the different embodiments that the locking means 5 can easily be adapted to any clamp using a hinge 3 which may comprise a hinge 3a as in the first, second and third embodiments (FIGS. 1 to 6), or which may comprise an elastic blade 16 as in the fourth and fifth embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9 and 12 to 17. In the first, second and third embodiments, the elastic return means 4 comprise a helical spring 4a, while in the fourth and fifth embodiments, the elastic return means 4 comprise the elastic blade 16. The elastic blade 16 is preferably metallic and of suitable dimensions to give good rigidity to the joint 3, and to produce a return force of the jaws 1 and 2 away from each other sufficient but not excessive.

In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the elastic blade

16 serves both articulation 3 and elastic return means 4, which facilitates the assembly of the clamp by reducing its number of components. There is also no coil spring to mount in the prestressed state.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show an embodiment of the locking means 5 of the fourth embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 9. It is possible to make the loops 11a and 11b, the elastic rods 7, the articulation 3, the elastic return means 4 and the resilient blades 15a and 15b from a single metal strip 17 cut plane which is simply shaped by folding along the dashed lines (Figure 10). The flatness of the metal band

17 is more visible in FIG. 11. The loops 11a and 11b are made by depressing the material of the metal strip 17. The elastic blades 15a and 15b cooperate together by the particular shape of the distal end 150a of the first blade elastic 15a and the light 150b of the second elastic blade 15b. When shaping the metal strip 17, the distal end 150a is engaged in the lumen 150b by applying a slight twisting of the blade elastic 15a. The distal end 150a will thus be retained by the light 150b as previously illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8.

Once shaped, the metal strip 17 cut will be fixed to the first and second jaws 1 and 2 of the clamp by gluing, screwing or crimping by means of the lights 18a, 18b and 18c. The metal strip 17 is easy and economical to manufacture. The gripper of the fourth embodiment of the invention is thus produced at low cost.

In FIG. 18, an embodiment of the locking means 5 of the fifth embodiment of FIGS. 12 to 17 is illustrated. It is possible to make the hooking rods 21a and 21b, the elastic rod 7, 3, the resilient biasing means 4, and optionally the protective elastic blade 24, from a single cut flat metal strip which is simply shaped by folding along the dashed lines. Once shaped, the cut metal strip will be attached to the first and second jaws 1 and 2 of the clamp by gluing, screwing or crimping by means of the lights 26a to 26d. The metal strip is easy and economical to manufacture. The clamp of the fifth embodiment of the invention is thus produced at very low cost.

Although the clamp illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 17 comprises locking means with two hooking rods 21a and 21b, it is possible to provide only one hooking rod. The use of the two attachment rods 21a and 21b located on either side of the articulation 3 in the longitudinal direction 11 makes it possible to keep the jaws 1 and 2 parallel to each other in the closed position of the clamp. As an alternative to a method of bonding, screwing or crimping a metal strip 17 or 25 on first and second jaws 1 and 2 of the clamp, it is possible to overmold the first and second jaws 1 and 2 on a metal strip 1 7 or 25 when cut and shaped by folding. Although overmolding of the jaws 1 and 2 is only illustrated in FIG. 16 using a metal strip of the type of the metal strip 25, overmoulding can also be performed on a metal strip of the type of the metal strip 17 for the manufacture of the fourth embodiment of the invention (Figures 7 to 9).

The overmolding of the jaws 1 and 2 on a metal strip 17 or 25 makes it possible to produce the clamps of the fourth or fifth embodiments of the invention in a single injection operation, without having to fix the jaws 1 and 2 to the strip. 17 or 25 in an additional subsequent operation. This considerably reduces the cost of manufacturing the hair clips of the fourth and fifth embodiments of the invention, the operations of bonding, screwing or crimping requiring resets that can sometimes be costly by the time of hand necessary work. The metal strips 17 and 25 may be made from a steel such as XC45, XC75 or a spring steel.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variants and generalizations thereof within the scope of the claims below.

Claims

1 - Hair clip comprising:

a first jaw (1) and a second jaw (2) each having a series of teeth (1b, 2b) and articulated with respect to one another along a longitudinal axis articulation (I-I) for rotate between an open position and a closed position,

- resilient return means (4) permanently reminding the two jaws (1, 2) in the open position,

unlocking locking means (5) for selectively locking the jaws (1, 2) in the closed position and comprising unlocking members actuable by the user for unlocking the jaws (1, 2), characterized in that the means for locking (5) are shaped to lock automatically when pivoting the jaws (1, 2) to their closed position.

2 - hair clip according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking means (5) comprise latching means (6, 7; 11, 7;

21a, 21b, 7) which automatically engage one another as soon as the jaws (1, 2) reach the closed position.

3 - hair clip according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking means (5) are arranged on the jaws (1, 2) according to their inner faces facing each other, in an intermediate zone of each inner face between the hinge pin (11) and a distal end of the jaws (1, 2).

4 - hair clip according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: - the locking means (5) comprise at least one passage lumen (6) formed in the jaw body (1a) of the first jaws (1),

the locking means (5) comprise at least one elastic rod (7) which extends from the second jaw (2) in the direction of the first jaw (1), which has a hooked distal end (7a), and which has an elastic lateral flexing capacity,

the elastic rod (7) is adapted to selectively (a) retain in the closed position the first jaw (1) at a fixed distance (d) from the second jaw (2) by engaging the distal end (7a) in a hook in said at least one passage lumen (6) of the first jaw (1) or (b) release the first jaw (1) by allowing the hooked distal end (7a) to escape through the passage lumen (6) when lateral flexing of the elastic rod (7) by lateral thrust manipulation (10a, 10b, 10c). 5 - hair clip according to claim 4, characterized in that:

the jaws (1, 2) are elongate in the longitudinal direction (1-1) and each comprise two longitudinal ends (1c, 1d, 2c, 2d),

the teeth of the series of teeth (1b, 2b) develop transversely from a distal edge (100a, 200a) of the jaw bodies (1a, 2a),

said at least one elastic rod (7) develops transversely from the distal edge (200a) of the jaw body (2a) of the second jaw (2) towards the jaw body (1a) of the first jaw (1), said rod elastic member (7) being preferably located at one of the longitudinal ends (2c, 2d) of the second jaw (2). 6 - hair clip according to claim 4, characterized in that:

said at least one elastic rod (7) is carried by the second jaw (2) close to the hinge (3), preferably offset longitudinally with respect to the hinge (3) towards one end (2c , 2d) of the second jaw (2),

- Said at least one passage lumen (6) is carried by the first jaw (1), close to the hinge (3) and vis-à-vis the elastic rod (7).

7 - hair clip according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said at least one elastic rod (7) has a plurality of retaining notches (7b) in the vicinity of its distal end (7a).

8 - hair clip according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that:

the locking means (5) comprise a retaining loop (11) integral with the jaw body (1 a) of the first jaw (1),

the locking means (5) comprise an elastic rod (7), which extends from the second jaw (2) towards the first jaw (1), which comprises a hook (12) and a maneuvering end (7c ) accessible to the user to be manceuved, and which has an elastic lateral flexing capacity,

the elastic rod (7) is adapted to selectively (a) retain in the closed position the first jaw (1) at a fixed distance (d) from the second jaw (2) by the engagement of the hook (12) in the handle of retaining (11), or (b) releasing the first jaw (1) by releasing the hook (12) of the handle (11) during lateral bending of the elastic rod (7) by unlocking manipulation on the maneuvering end (7c),

in the closed position, the operating end (7c) is offset longitudinally with respect to the articulation (3) towards one end (2c, 2d) of the second jaw (2), - To unlock the clamp, the user releases the hook (12) of the handle (11) during an elastic lateral bending of the rod (7), applying on the operating end (7c) a force oriented substantially along the longitudinal axis (11).

9 - hair clip according to claim 8, characterized in that the elastic rod (7) comprises hooks (12) with several retaining catches (13a,

13b, 14a-14d) and / or in that several successive loops (20a, 20b, 110a, 110b, 111a, 111b) are located at different distances from the first jaw.

10 - hair clip according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: - the first jaw (1) comprises a first transverse elastic protection blade (15a) located beyond the locking means (5) vis-à-vis the hinge (3) and extending from the first jaw (1) towards the second jaw (2),

the second jaw (2) comprises a second transverse elastic protection blade (15b) located beyond the locking means (5) with respect to the articulation (3) and extending from the second jaw ( 2) towards the first jaw (1),

the first (15a) and second (15b) resilient protection strips cooperate together during the closure of the clip to hold the hair away from the hinge (3), the elastic return means (4) and the locking means (5).

11 - Hair clip according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that:

the locking means (5) are locked automatically by a first relative movement of the first (1) and second (2) jaws,

- Unlocking the locking means (5) is effected by a second relative movement of approximation of the first (1) and second (2) jaws.

12 - hair clip according to claim 11, characterized in that:

the locking means (5) comprise at least one elastic rod (7) which extends from the second jaw (2) in the direction of the first jaw (1), which comprises a distal crosspiece (20) extending according to a first length (L1) in an offset direction (M-II), and which has an elastic bending capacity,

the locking means (5) comprise at least one attachment rod (21 a, 21 b) extending from the first jaw (1) towards the second jaw (2), with a distal section (210a, 210b ) with transverse detent (211a, 211b) provided on a notched lateral face (22a, 22b) perpendicular to the offset direction (H-Il), and with a proximal section (23a, 23b), the proximal section (23a, 23b) being shifted a second length (L2) in the offset direction (11-11) away from the distal section (210a, 210b) and the elastic shaft (7),

the second length (L2) is greater than or equal to the first length (L1),

during the first relative movement of the first (1) and second (2) jaws, the distal crosspiece (20) of the elastic rod (7) is pushed by the notched lateral face (22a, 22b) and the elastic rod ( 7) is elastically flexed, and then the continuation of the first relative movement of approaching the first (1) and second (2) jaws allows the engagement of the distal cross member (20) in the transverse detent (211a, 211b) of the rod hooking (21a, 21b) under the action of the elastic return of the elastic rod (7),

during the second relative movement of approaching the first (1) and second (2) jaws, the distal crosspiece (20) of the elastic rod (7) comes into correspondence with the proximal section (23a, 23b) of the attachment rod; (21 a, 21 b), which allows, under the action of the elastic return of the elastic rod (7), the displacement of the distal cross member (20) beyond the face (22a ', 22b') of fastening rod (21a, 21b) opposite to the notched side face (22a, 22b), and which then allows a relative movement away from the first (1) and second (2) jaws under the action of the means resilient return (4).

13 - hair clip according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that:

the first (1) or second (2) jaw comprises an elastic protective blade (24) located beyond the locking means (5) with respect to the articulation (3) and extending from the first (1) or the second (2) jaw towards the opposite jaw

(2, 1), the elastic protection blade (24) holds the hair away from the articulation (3), the elastic return means (4) and the locking means (5) when closing of the clip.

14 - hair clip according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the hinge (3) comprises a hinge (3a). 15 - hair clip according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the elastic return means (4) comprise a coil spring (4a).

16 - hair clip according to claim 14, characterized in that the elastic return means (4) comprise at least one elastic blade (16), preferably of metal. 17 - hair clip according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the hinge (3) and the elastic return means (4) comprise at least one elastic blade (16), preferably of metal.

18 - hair clip according to claim 9, characterized in that the retaining loop (11, 11a, 1 1 b), the elastic rod (7), the articulation (3) and the elastic return means (4) are made from a single flat metal strip (17) cut and shaped by folding.

19 - hair clip according to claim 10, characterized in that the retaining loop (1 1, 1 1 a, 1 1 b), the elastic rod (7), the articulation (3), the elastic return means (4) and the resilient blades (15a, 15b, 16) are made from a single strip (17) flat metal cut and shaped by folding.

20 - hair clip according to claim 12, characterized in that the attachment rods (21a, 21b), the elastic rod (7), the hinge (3) and the elastic return means (4) are made from a single flat metal strip (25) cut and shaped by folding.

21 - hair clip according to claim 13, characterized in that the hooking rods (21a, 21b), the elastic rod (7), the articulation (3), the elastic return means (4) and the elastic protective blade (24) are made from a single flat metal strip (25) cut and shaped by folding. 22 - hair clip according to any one of claims 18 to

21, characterized in that the first (1) and second (2) jaws are overmolded on the metal strip (17, 25) planar cut and formed by folding.