Clip for Organizing Notes and Photographs

Abstract

A clip dimensioned to receive notes and photographs having a first elongated member, a second elongated member having a U-shaped portion on an outer portion thereof, and an intermediate section unitarily joining the first elongated member to the second elongated member.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clip for organizing notes and photographs, and more particularly to a clip for organizing notes and photographs, which includes a first elongated member, a second elongated member having a U-shaped portion on an outer portion thereof, and an intermediate section unitarily joining the first elongated member to the second elongated member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Clutter is a problem in most households, offices, school lockers, work areas including computer monitors, bathroom mirrors, etc. This problem is especially pronounced when attempting to organize various handwritten notes and memos, printed advertisements, business cards, and children's drawings.

In many households, the refrigerator becomes the central organizing point, and also the place where children's artwork is displayed. Unfortunately, the refrigerator tends to become cluttered with various notes, memos, photos and artwork held in place by magnets. The same sort of problem exists in offices where corkboards are the central organizing point. Things get lost.

What is instead desired is an organizing system which holds notes, memos and photographs in an easy to read, well organized format so that they do not get lost. In addition, it would also be convenient to provide a convenient location for a user both to write and to display written notes or messages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a clip dimensioned to receive notes and photographs comprises: a first elongated member; a second elongated member having a U-shaped portion on an outer edge thereof; and an intermediate section unitarily joining the first elongated member to the second elongated member.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a clip dimensioned to receive notes and photographs comprises: an elongated lower portion; an elongated upper portion having a distal portion dimensioned to contact the lower portion; and a hinge member joining an outer edge of the elongated lower and upper portions, and which allows the elongated lower and upper portions to hold various objects including photographs, notes and/or business cards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like elements bear the reference numerals, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a perspective view of a clip for organizing notes and photographs in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the clip of FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the clip of FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side or end view of the clip of FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is another side or end view of the clip of FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 1 attached or affixed to a computer monitor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a clip 100 for displaying and/or organizing notes and photographs is described herein. The clip 100 is preferably sized to fit within a standard envelope for promotional mailings. In addition, the clip 100 is preferably design such that the clip 100 can be easily integrated into promotional campaigns, and can be directly attached or affixed to computer monitors, household appliances, offices, school lockers, work areas including computer monitors, bathroom mirrors, and any other suitable surfaces.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a perspective view of a clip 100 for displaying and/or organizing notes and photographs in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the clip 100 includes a first elongated member (or lower portion) 110, a second elongated member (or upper portion) 130 having a U-shaped portion 160 on an outer portion or edge thereof, and an intermediate section (or hinge member) 150 unitarily joining the first elongated member 110 to the second elongated member 130. The first elongated member 110 preferably is a relatively flat member or surface 120 having a lower surface 112 and an upper surface 114. The second elongated member 130 is also relatively flat surface or portion 140 having a lower surface 132 and an upper surface 134. As shown, the U-shaped portion 160 extends the length of the second elongated member 130 and downward onto the upper surface 114 of the first elongated member 110. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the intermediate section 150 acts a hinge to allow the first and second elongated members 110, 130 to hold various objects including photographs, notes and/or business cards.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the lower surface 112 of the first elongated member 110 includes an adhesive strip 200. The adhesive strip 200 is preferably either a natural or a synthetic source, which has sufficient strength to firmly attach or affix the clip 100 to a desired object. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive strip 200 includes a protective cover 210, which peels away to expose the adhesive strip 200. It can be appreciated that any suitable adhesive can be used, however, it is desirable that the adhesive be a non-permanent adhesive that once the clip 100 has been removed from a surface, the adhesive can be easily removed from the surface and/or can be removed with basic household cleaning supplies without leaving any residue. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the adhesive strip 200 can be a magnetic strip, a suitable faster such as a hook-and-loop fastener, or other suitable means of attaching or affixing the clip to a desired object, such as a refrigerator, a mirror, a dashboard of a car or truck, and/or a school locker.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first and second elongated members 110, 130 have a tapered outer edge 170, 180 on each end thereof. The tapered outer edges 170, 180 extend from an outer edge 172, 182 of the first and second elongated members 110, 130 towards the intermediate section (or hinged member) 150. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the first and second elongated members 110, 130 have a length 174, 184 of approximately 60 mm (2.36 inches) to approximately 400 mm (15.75 inches), and more preferably having a length 174, 184 of approximately 200 mm (7.87 inches) to 220 mm (8.66 inches). In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second elongated members 110, 130 have a width 176, 186 of approximately 10 mm (0.393 inches) to approximately 60 mm (2.36 inches), and more preferably a width 176, 186 of approximately 10 mm (0.393 inches) to 25 mm (0.98 inches) and approximately 10 mm (0.393 inches) to 20 mm (0.787 inches), respectively. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the first and second elongated members 110, 130 have a length of 210 mm (8.26 inches) and a width 176, 186 of approximately 15 mm (0.59 inches) and 13 mm (0.52 inches), respectively. It can be appreciated that as shown, the width 176 of the first elongated member 110 is preferably greater than the width 186 of the second elongated member 130. However, it can be appreciated that in accordance with an embodiment, the widths 176, 186 of the first and second elongated members 110, 130 can be essentially equal in width 176, 186.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are side (or end) views of the clip 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second elongated member (or upper portion) 130 has a U-shaped portion 160 on an outer edge or portion thereof, and an intermediate section (or hinge member) 150 unitarily joining the first elongated member 110 to the second elongated member 130. As shown, the U-shaped portion 160 extends downward onto the upper surface 114 of the first elongated member 110. The intermediate section 150 acts a hinge to allow the clip 100 to hold various objects including photographs, notes and/or business cards (not shown). In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the intermediate section or hinge member 150 separates (i.e., separation 190) the upper section 114 of the first elongated member 110 from the lower section 132 of the second elongated member 130 by at approximately 1.5 mm (0.059 inches) to 6.0 mm (0.236 inches) and in accordance with an exemplary embodiment 2.3 mm (0.091 inches). The separation 190 of the upper section 114 of the first elongated member 110 from the lower surface 132 of the second elongated member 130 provides an approximate thickness of those objects in which the clip 100 can hold. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the first and second elongated members 110, 130 have a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm and more preferably 1.1 mm, and an overall height 192 of approximately 4.5 mm from the lower surface 112 of the first elongated member 110 to the upper surface 134 of the second elongated member 130. However, it can be appreciated that the separation 190 and the height 192 can vary depending on the overall size and parameters of the clip 100.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the clip 100 can be made of any suitable material including but not limited to plastic and/or plastic like material. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the clip 100 can be made from a recyclable material. For example, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the clip is made of U-PVC (Unplasticised Poly Vinyl Chloride). However, it can be appreciated that any suitable plastic material, including synthetic or semisynthetic organic solid materials suitable for the manufacture of industrial products. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the clip 100 can be made from a plastic comprised of a polymer of high molecular weight, and which may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce costs. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the clip 100 is clear or translucent in color, or alternatively, the clip 100 can be solid color.

It can be appreciated that the clip 100 can be attached or affixed to a chalkboard, white board, corkboard, mirror, computer terminal, home appliance or other object. As shown in FIG. 6, the clip 100 can be attached or affixed to an outer edge (i.e., one or more of the sides) of a computer monitor or terminal 300. It can be appreciated that the clip 100 can be used to hold various objects including photograph 310, memorandums or notes 320 and business cards 330. It can be appreciated that the various objects are not limited to photographs 310, memorandums or notes 320, and business cards 330, but can include any suitable or desired object preferably having a thickness equal or less than the separation 190 of the upper section 114 of the first elongated member 110 from the lower surface 132 of the second elongated member 130. It can also be appreciated that the clip 100 can include indicia 350 on the relatively flat surface or portion 140 of the second elongated member 130 of the clip 100. However, it can be appreciated that the indicia 350 can be located or placed on an outer edge of the relatively flat surface or portion 120 of the first elongated member 110, or other suitable location, wherein the indicia 350 is visible.

While the invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made and equivalents employed, without departing from the present invention.

Claims

1. A clip dimensioned to receive notes and photographs comprising:

a first elongated member;

a second elongated member having a U-shaped portion on an outer portion thereof; and

an intermediate section unitarily joining the first elongated member to the second elongated member.

2. The clip of claim 1, wherein the U-shaped portion extends onto an upper surface of the first elongated member.

3. The clip of claim 1, wherein the intermediate section acts a hinge to allow the clip to hold various objects including photographs, notes and/or business cards.

4. The clip of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive strip on a lower surface of the first elongated member.

5. The clip of claim 4, wherein the adhesive strip further includes a protective cover, which peels away to expose the adhesive strip.

6. The clip of claim 1, wherein the first and second elongated members have a tapered outer edge on each end thereof.

7. The clip of claim 1, wherein the first and second elongated members have a length of approximately 60 mm to approximately 400 mm.

8. The clip of claim 7, wherein the first and second elongated members have a width of approximately 10 mm to approximately 60 mm.

9. The clip of claim 1, wherein the first and second elongated members have a width, and width of the first elongated member is greater that the width of the second elongated member.

10. The clip of claim 1, wherein the clip is made of a recyclable material.

11. The clip of claim 1, wherein the clip is made of a plastic and/or a plastic like material.

12. A clip dimensioned to receive notes and photographs comprising:

an elongated lower portion;

an elongated upper portion having a distal portion dimensioned to contact the lower portion; and

a hinge member joining an outer edge of the elongated lower and upper portions, and which allows the elongated lower and upper portions to hold various objects including photographs, notes and/or business cards.

13. The clip of claim 12, wherein the distal portion of the elongated upper portion is a U-shaped portion, which extends across the elongated upper portion, and from the elongated upper portion and onto an upper surface of the elongated lower portion.

14. The clip of claim 12, further comprising an adhesive on a lower surface of the elongated lower portion of the clip.

15. The clip of claim 14, wherein the adhesive strip further includes a protective cover, which peels away to expose the adhesive strip.

16. The clip of claim 12, further comprising indicia on the upper portion of the clip.