Article for forming a loop with affixation means
An article for forming a loop is provided. A strip is provided having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first surface, and a second surface, at least a portion of the strip being flexible. The strip includes a base portion adjacent the first end of the strip. The base portion has an affixation element on the second surface of the base portion. The strip includes a flexible body portion. The strip further includes an anchor portion at the second end of the strip. The anchor portion includes at least one flange moveable relative to the body portion. A slot is provided for receiving the anchor portion. The slot includes a receiving channel sized to accept the anchor portion when the body portion is formed into a loop.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/818,362, filed Jul. 3, 2006, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally, to the field plastic strips used to form loops for attaching objects to surfaces, and more particularly, to plastic loop-forming strips having an affixation means for attaching the strip to a surface.
BACKGROUNDThere are many reasons people choose to affix objects on or to walls and ceilings. In the art and decorative fields, objects are often attached or hung from walls to create aesthetically pleasing displays. Rather than affixing paintings or posters, artists and decorators often choose to hang three-dimensional objects, cloth or wall hangings to create various visual effects
Of course, one does not have to be an artist or decorator to affix objects to a wall or ceiling. People often affix objects to walls, ceilings or other surfaces for various reasons. In some cases, people wish to create their own decorative “spaces.” Such decorative objects can include flags, wall hangings, cloth, or any object a person wishes to display. People may also wish to attach photograph or photograph frames to, for example, a refrigerator or other surface.
Currently there is no simple, inexpensive, effective and decorative way to hang objects on walls or ceilings. While hooks may be used, hooks often require a permanent hole in a wall or ceiling. In addition, hooks do not add to an interesting aesthetic environment.
There is therefore the need for an item that is simple to manufacture for the purpose of hanging objects on a wall or ceiling.
There is further the need for an item that can be easily be formed into a loop for hanging objects from a surface such as a wall or ceiling.
There is yet further the need for an item that is inexpensive for hanging objects from a surface such as a wall or ceiling.
There is even further the need for an item that can be shipped flat and formed into a loop for hanging objects from a surface such as a wall or ceiling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA unique article for forming a loop is provided. A strip is provided having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first surface, and a second surface, at least a portion of the strip being flexible. The strip includes a a base portion adjacent the first end of the strip. The base portion having an affixation element on the second surface of the base portion. The strip includes a flexible body portion. The strip further includes an anchor portion at the second end of the strip. The anchor portion includes at least one flange moveable relative to the body portion. A slot is located between the base portion and the second end. The slot includes a receiving channel sized to accept the anchor portion when the body portion is formed into a loop.
A method for forming a loop for hanging an object is also provided, comprising the steps of: bending the second end of the strip toward the first end; twisting the body portion of the strip so that it is flexed; aligning the anchor portion of the strip with the receiving channel; and, pushing the anchor portion of the strip through the receiving channel.
Certain terminology is used in the following detailed description for convenience only and is not considered limiting. Several embodiments of a strip of the present invention are disclosed here and in the Figures. For clarity, within this document all reference to the “upper” and/or “top” and “lower” and/or “bottom” of the strip will correspond to the strip as oriented in
The strip 10 includes a base portion 16 adjacent the first end 12 of the strip 10, as shown in
A slot 30 is provided positioned adjacent the base portion 16, between the base portion 16 and the second end 14 as shown in
The receiving channel 48 may be formed between the end of the longitudinal portion 32 of the slot 30 proximate the first end 12 of the strip 10 and the edge of the transverse portion 34 of the slot 30 that is proximate the second end 14 of the strip 10, as shown in
The slot may alternately be formed in a cross shape, as shown in
The second end 14 of the strip 10 comprises an anchor portion 36. The anchor portion 36 is preferably formed as an extension having a curved end 38, and at least one flange 40 moveable relative to the body portion 44 of the strip 10. Preferably, two flexible flanges 40a, 40b are provided extending from the anchor portion 36 toward the first end 12 of the strip 10. The flanges 40a, 40b form spaces 42a, 42b between the flanges 40a, 40b and the flexible body portion 44 and/or neck portion 58 of the strip 10 (depending on the length selected for the flanges 40a, 40b. The flanges 40a, 40b are preferably formed from a flexible material and are adapted to be moveable relative to the body portion 44 and/or neck portion 58 of the strip 10, and in particular moveable toward the body portion 44 and/or neck portion 58 of the strip 10.
The anchor portion 36 includes a neck portion 58 sized to have a width less than the width 56 of the transverse portion 34 of the slot 30, so that the neck portion 58 is received in the transverse portion 34 when a loop 46 is formed as shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the anchor portion 36 has a width 50 that is somewhat larger than the length of the receiving channel 48. The spaces 42a, 42b allow some movement of the flexible flanges 40a, 40b, so that the anchor portion 36 can be pushed through the receiving channel 48 of the slot 30, and the flanges 40a, 40b will be biased toward the flexible body portion 44 and/or neck portion 58. Thus, a flexible flanges 40a, 40b can be biased from a first orientation, to a second flexed orientation. The flexible flanges 40a, 40b can then return to the first (non-flexed) orientation. This arrangement allows for snapping engagement of the anchor portion 36 through the receiving channel 48. The anchor portion 36 is preferably sized and shaped so that once the anchor portion 36 passes through the slot 30 from the first 18 to the second surface 20, the anchor portion 36 is preventing from passing back through the slot 30 by the flanges 40a, 40b, shown in
Alternately, the anchor portion 36 may also be sized having a width that is less than the length of the receiving channel 48. The anchor portion 36 may also be sized so that the distance 52 measured from a flange 40a, 40b to the tip 54 of the anchor portion 36 is less than the length of the receiving channel 48, for angular insertion through the receiving channel 48. According to these arrangements, the anchor portion 36 may be manipulated or placed at an angle for fitting through the receiving channel 48. The distance between the flanges 40a, 40b should preferably be greater than the width 56 of the transverse portion 34, or the circular portion 35 in the embodiment shown in
A loop 46 as shown in
When the flanges 40a, 40b of the anchor portion 36 pass through the receiving channel 48, they will flex and return to their original positions, the so that the flanges 40a, 40b will prevent the anchor portion 36 from passing back through the slot 30. When the flexible body portion 44 of the strip 10 is released (no longer twisted or bent) or turned, the anchor portion 36 will return to its non-flexed state, as shown in
In use, the strips 10 are offered and sold in the flat state, as shown in
To summarize: The flexible body portion 44 is bent, folded or turned toward the first end 12, with the anchor portion 36 moved toward the slot 30. The flexible body portion 44 is twisted so that the anchor portion 36 is aligned with the receiving channel 48. The anchor portion 36 is placed through the receiving channel 48. The flexible body portion 44 is released, or turned by a user, so that it may return to its non-flexed or lateral position. A loop 46 is formed, with the flanges 40a, 40b of the anchor portion 36 engaging the second surface 20 of the strip.
The unique design of the present invention is such that the strip 10 and the loop 46 formed by the strip may be oriented in any direction to affix items to a surface. For example, as shown in
The stretch fabric 68a of
To mount the stretch fabrics 68a, 68b to a surface or surfaces, a plurality strips 10 of the present invention may be mounted on surfaces, such as walls 62 and ceiling 64 as shown in
The strips 10 can easily be oriented at any selected angle, as shown in
The strips 10 of the present invention can be used in many arrangements. The materials selected for the strips 10 can be used to create aesthetically pleasing arrangements. For example, the strips 10 can be formed as translucent strips, or with colors matching or contrasting with the surface to which the strips 10 are attached. The strips 10 can be offered or packaged in kits 80, as shown in
While in a preferred embodiment the strip 10 is formed as a one-piece plastic, flexible strip, it is appreciated that the strip 10 may be formed of different materials, or formed in different pieces that are joined together, without departing from the present invention. For example, the base portion 16 may be formed as a rigid or hard plastic or metal member, with the flexible body portion 44 extending therefrom. The anchor portion 36 may be formed from a substantially rigid or hard plastic or metal, while the flanges 40a, 40b are formed from a flexible material, such as plastic, elastic, rubber, or metal. Any combinations of materials may be employed in practicing the present invention.
Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the strip 10 of the present invention may be formed with the base portion 16 and/or affixation element 22 located in different positions along the strip, without departing from the present invention. For example as show in
Having thus described in detail several embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes, only a few of which are exemplified in the detailed description of the invention, could be made without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. It is also to be appreciated that numerous embodiments incorporating only part of the preferred embodiment are possible which do not alter, with respect to those parts, the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The present embodiment and optional configurations are therefore to be considered in all respects as exemplary and/or illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all alternate embodiments and changes to this embodiment which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of said claims are therefore to be embraced therein.
Claims
1. An article for forming a loop, comprising:
- a strip having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first surface, and a second surface, at least a portion of the strip being flexible, the strip comprising; a base portion on the second surface having an affixation element; a flexible body portion; an anchor portion at the second end of the strip, the anchor portion including at least one flange moveable relative to the body portion; and, a slot extending through the strip defining a receiving channel sized to receive the anchor portion when the body portion is formed into a loop.
2. The article for forming a loop of claim 1, wherein the receiving channel is a longitudinal channel.
3. The article for forming a loop of claim 2, wherein the anchor portion is adapted to pass through the slot from the first surface to the second surface of the strip.
4. The article for forming a loop of claim 1, wherein the anchor portion is adapted to pass through the slot from the first surface to the second surface of the strip.
5. The article for forming a loop of claim 1, wherein the slot further comprises a longitudinal portion and a transverse portion, and wherein the longitudinal portion and the transverse portion in combination form the receiving channel.
6. The article for forming a loop of claim 5, wherein the anchor portion further comprises a neck portion having a width, and wherein the width of the neck portion is less than the width of the transverse portion of the slot.
7. The article for forming a loop of claim 1, wherein the affixation element comprises an adhesive.
8. The article for forming a loop of claim 1, wherein the affixation element comprises a magnet.
9. The article for forming a loop of claim 1, wherein the anchor portion has a width greater than the length of the receiving channel.
10. The article for forming a loop of claim 1, wherein the anchor portion engages the slot in a snapping engagement.
11. The article for forming a loop of claim 1, wherein the anchor portion includes a flexible first flange and a flexible second flange on opposite sides of the anchor portion, the flanges moveable relative to the body portion.
12. The article for forming a loop of claim 1, wherein the base portion is positioned adjacent the first end of the strip, and the slot is located between the base portion and the anchor portion of the strip.
13. The article for forming a loop of claim 1, wherein the slot is positioned adjacent the first end of the strip, and the base portion is located between the slot and the anchor portion of the strip.
14. The article for forming a loop of claim 1, wherein the slot is positioned adjacent the first end of the strip, and the base portion is positioned adjacent the second end of the strip.
15. A method for forming a loop, comprising the steps of:
- (a) Providing a strip having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first surface, and a second surface, at least a portion of the strip being flexible, the strip comprising a base portion on the second surface having an affixation element, a flexible body portion, an anchor portion at the second end of the strip, the anchor portion including at least one flange moveable relative to the body portion, and, a slot extending through the strip defining a receiving channel sized to receive the anchor portion;
- (b) bending the second end of the strip toward the first end;
- (c) twisting the body portion of the strip so that it is flexed;
- (d) aligning the anchor portion of the strip with the receiving channel; and,
- (e) pushing the anchor portion of the strip through the receiving channel.
16. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of permitting the body portion to untwist after step (e).
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 9, 2006
Publication Date: Jan 3, 2008
Inventor: Deanna Kuhlmann (University City, MO)
Application Number: 11/501,426
International Classification: B65D 63/00 (20060101);