Self-Securing Clip
A self-securing clip comprises a first clip member having a first end and a second end; and, a second clip member, pivotally connected to the first clip member and having a first end and a second end. The first ends of the clip members are biased toward and engaging one another, and the second ends of the clip members are biased away from one another. Gripping members on the first ends of the first and second clip members engage one another when the clip is closed so that the first and second clip members are disposed substantially parallel to one another. The clip may be attached to the surface of a fixture so that a first article may be attached to the second clip member, and a second article may be secured between the gripping members.
This application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/765,581 filed Feb. 6, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention pertains to improvements in the design and/or construction of a self-securing device, which is equipped for securing an article to a surface of another article.
Presents or gifts are often given to someone including a card and/or a fanciful decoration. In the case of a gift wrapped in a box a card may be presented separately or taped to the box. Often a bow that is taped to the box may be used to simultaneously tape a card to the box. In any case, the card is often misplaced or lost if not attached to the gift, or the card may not be adequately secured to the gift by the tape on a bow. In addition, gifts may be presented in a “gift bag” that holds the gift and decorative tissue paper. The gift card is typically placed within the bag for presentation to the recipient; however, such an arrangement may be cumbersome in assembly and presentation. The card may not fit within the bag with the decorative tissue, and then fall out during presentation. For example, a larger than normal card may be presented that simply is not matched with the bag relative to size.
Accordingly, a need exists for an apparatus, system or method for attaching one or more articles to a gift package and/or bag. In more general terms, such a device may not be limited to gift packages and/or bags. Such a device may used to secure at least two related articles to a supporting surface. Related is intended to mean that the two articles have some logical connection to one another for example in subject matter or theme.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA self-securing clip comprises a first clip member having a first end and a second end; and, a second clip member, pivotally connected to the first clip member and having a first end and a second end. The clip also comprises a means, positioned between the first clip member and the second clip member, for biasing the second ends of the first clip member and second clip member away from one another, and for biasing the first ends of the first clip member and the second clip member toward one another.
A first gripping member is attached to the first end of the first clip member and extends toward the second clip member. A second gripping member is attached to the first end of the second clip member and extends toward the first clip member, and the first gripping member and second gripping member engage one another when the clip is in a closed position. In addition, when in a closed position, the first clip member and second clip member are disposed substantially parallel with respect to each other.
The invention also comprises a means, positioned on an outside surface of the first clip member or second clip member, for securing the clip to a surface of a first article; and, a means, positioned on an outside surface of the second clip or first clip member, for securing a second article to the clip and supported on the first article.
A more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.
The self-securing clip 10 depicted in
In addition, the shape of the clip members 11 and 12 may vary according to any desired functional or ornamental design. For example, the shape of an embodiment shown in
A biasing means 20 is positioned between the clip members 11 and 12 towards the respective second ends 11B and 12B. The biasing means 20 may be a spring-loaded mechanism that biases the second ends 11B and 12B away from one another and the first ends 11A and 12A towards each other. In this manner when the second ends 11B and 12B are urged towards one another the first ends 11A and 12A are separated from one another, opening the clip 10 for receiving an article.
As shown in
A securing means 22 is also affixed to an outside surface of the second clip member 12. The securing means 22 on the second clip member 12 typically will take the form of a foam tape layer, but may include other securing mechanisms identified above. The securing means 21, 22 on the respective clip members 11, 12, is a foam or carpet tape having a tacky, adhesive surface as shown in the illustrated embodiments. Accordingly, a protective layer 24 is applied to a surface of the securing means 21, 22 to protect it from contamination before use. When ready for use the protective layer 24 is pealed from the securing means 21, 22 as shown in
The securing means 21, 22 on the first clip member 11 or second clip member 12 respectively are used to attach or support any article as selected by a user to the clip 10. By way of example as shown in
In an embodiment the securing means 21 is adapted to take on the same configuration or shape of the first clip member 11 and second clip member 12. With respect to
When the clip 10 is attached to a substantially vertical surface, the clip members 11 and 12 should be positioned with respect to one another to hold an item so it may be viewed or seen. With respect to
In addition, the gripping members 13 and 14 each depend from the respective ends 11A and 12A of the clip members 11 and 12. These gripping members 13 and 14 have surfaces that provide additional surface area for gripping and holding an item in the clip 10. In an embodiment shown in
With respect to
While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments are provided by way of example only and not of limitation. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the teaching of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be interpreted within the full spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A self-securing clip, comprising:
- a first clip member having a first end and a second end;
- a second clip member, pivotally connected to the first clip member and having a first end and a second end;
- means, positioned between the first clip member and the second clip member, for biasing the second ends of the first clip member and second clip member away from one another, and for biasing the first ends of the first clip member and the second clip member toward one another;
- a first gripping member attached to the first end of the first clip member and extending toward the second clip member;
- a second gripping member attached to the first end of the second clip member and extending toward the first clip member, and the first gripping member and second gripping member engaging one another when the clip is in a closed position and the first clip member and second clip member are disposed substantially parallel with respect to each other;
- means, positioned on an outside surface of the first clip member, for securing the clip to a surface of a first article; and,
- means, positioned on an outside surface of the second clip, for securing a second article to the clip.
2. The clip of claim 1 wherein the first gripping member has a surface and a plurality of grooves and ridges formed in the surface thereof and the second gripping member has a surface and a plurality of grooves and ridges formed therein wherein the ridges on the first gripping member are positioned in mating relationship with the grooves on the second gripping member, and the ridges on the second gripping member are positioned in mating relationship with grooves on the first gripping member.
3. The clip of claim 1 wherein the securing means on the first clip member is a tape having a two sides and an adhesive on each side of the tape with a first side of the tape is secured to first clip member and a second side of the tape is covered with a removable protective layer.
4. The clip of claim 3 wherein the securing means on the second clip member is a tape having a two sides and an adhesive on each side of the tape with a first side of the tape is secured to second clip member and a second side of the tape is covered with a removable protective layer.
5. The clip of claim 1 wherein either the first clip member or the second clip member has at least one first support ridge formed on an underside of the clip member.
6. The clip of claim 5 wherein the first clip member or the second clip member upon which the first support ridge is formed has a at least one second support ridge disposed perpendicular relative to the first support ridge on the underside of the clip member.
7. The clip of claim 1 wherein the first end of the first clip member and the second clip member each have a curvilinear edge that is integral with a rectilinear edge of the respective second end of the first clip member and second clip member.
8. The clip of claim 7 wherein the first end of the first clip member has an outside surface that is integral coplanar with an outside surface of the second end of the first clip member, and the first end of the second clip member has an outside surface that is integral coplanar with an outside surface of the second end of the second clip member wherein the shape and dimension of an outside surface of the first clip member and second clip member are the same.
9. The clip of claim 7 wherein the securing means on the first clip member has a curvilinear edge that is coextensive with the edge of the first end of the first clip member and a rectilinear edge that is coextensive with the second end of the first clip member, and the securing means on the second clip member has a curvilinear edge that is coextensive with the edge of the first end of the second clip member and a rectilinear edge that is coextensive with the second end of the second clip member.
10. A self securing clip and an article secured to the clip, comprising:
- a first clip member having a first end and a second end;
- a second clip member, pivotally connected to the first clip member and having a first end and a second end;
- means, positioned between the first clip member and the second clip member, for biasing the second ends of the first clip member and second clip member away from one another, and for biasing the first ends of the first clip member and the second clip member toward one another;
- a first gripping member attached to the first end of the first clip member and extending toward the second clip member;
- a second gripping member attached to the first end of the second clip member and extending toward the first clip member, and the first gripping member and second gripping member engaging one another when the clip is in a closed position and the first clip member and second clip member are disposed substantially parallel with respect to each other;
- means, positioned on an outside surface of the first clip member, for securing the clip to a surface of a first article;
- means, positioned on an outside surface of the second clip member, for securing a second article to the clip; and,
- at least one article secured to the second clip by the securing means.
11. The clip of claim 10 wherein the first gripping member has a surface and a plurality of grooves and ridges formed in the surface thereof and the second gripping member has a surface and a plurality of grooves and ridges formed therein wherein the ridges on the first gripping member are positioned in mating relationship with the grooves on the second gripping member, and the ridges on the second gripping member are positioned in mating relationship with grooves on the first gripping member.
12. The clip of claim 10 wherein the securing means on the first clip member is a tape having two sides and an adhesive on each side of the tape with a first side of the tape is secured to first clip member and a second side of the tape is covered with a removable protective layer.
13. The clip of claim 12 wherein the securing means on the second clip member is a tape having two sides and an adhesive on each side of the tape with a first side of the tape is secured to second clip member and a second side of the tape is covered with a removable protective layer.
14. The clip of claim 10 wherein either the first clip member or the second clip member has at least one first support ridge formed on an underside of the clip member.
15. The clip of claim 14 wherein the first clip member or the second clip member upon which the first support ridge is formed has a at least one second support ridge disposed perpendicular relative to the first support ridge on the underside of the clip member.
16. The clip of claim 10 wherein the first end of the first clip member and the second clip member each have a curvilinear edge that is integral with a rectilinear edge of the respective second end of the first clip member and second clip member.
17. The clip of claim 16 wherein the first end of the first clip member has an outside surface that is integral coplanar with an outside surface of the second end of the first clip member, and the firs end of the second clip member has an outside surface that is integral coplanar with an outside surface of the second end of the second clip member wherein the shape and dimension of an outside surface of the first clip member and second clip member are the same.
18. The clip of claim 10 wherein the securing means on the first clip member has a curvilinear edge that is coextensive with the edge of the first end of the first clip member and a rectilinear edge that is coextensive with the second end of the first clip member, and the securing means on the second clip member has a curvilinear edge that is coextensive with the edge of the first end of the second clip member and a rectilinear edge that is coextensive with the second end of the second clip member.
19. A gift bag having a plurality of articles attached to an outer surface thereof, comprising:
- a bag having an outer surface and an interior for holding a gift article;
- a clip having a first clip member having a first end and a second end, and a second clip member, pivotally connected to the first clip member and having a first end and a second end;
- means, positioned between the first clip member and the second clip member, for biasing the second ends of the first clip member and second clip member away from one another, and for biasing the first ends of the first clip member and the second clip member toward one another;
- a first gripping member attached to the first end of the first clip member and extending toward the second clip member;
- a second gripping member attached to the first end of the second clip member and extending toward the first clip member, and the first gripping member and second gripping member engaging one another when the clip is in a closed position and the first clip member and second clip member are disposed substantially parallel with respect to each other;
- means, positioned on an outside surface of the first clip member, for securing the clip to the outside surface of the bag;
- means, positioned on an outside surface of the second clip, for securing a first article to the clip;
- at least one article secured to the second clip by the securing means; and,
- a gift card secured between the gripping members on the clip wherein the gift card is disposed substantially parallel to the outside surface of the gift bag.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 1, 2007
Publication Date: Aug 23, 2007
Inventors: Deborah K. Harrison (Orlando, FL), Julie A. Clinton (Orlando, FL)
Application Number: 11/670,104