PROTECTIVE CLIP FOR CLOTHING

Abstract

A protective clip for an edge of an article of clothing. The clip includes a plate having an inwardly facing surface, an outwardly facing surface, at least three sides, and an outer perimeter extending around the at least three sides. The plate also has (a) a lip depending from only one side of the plate or (b) two lips each depending from a respective side of only two of the sides of the plate to form a protective strip or strips for the clothing when mounted to the clothing.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. Appl. Ser. No. 62/834,511, filed on Apr. 16, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a clip for protecting clothing and, more particularly, to a clip for protecting the edge of an article of clothing.

Many articles of clothing, such as jackets, have sleeves with split cuffs whose corners often experience greater wear than the rest of the article of clothing due to their location and frequent contact with hard surfaces, such as desks, tables or the like. When these cuffs wear down, they are hard to repair and often times require the article of clothing to be disposed of.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can protect cuffs and avoid the necessary expense of replacing clothing when only a small section of the clothing is worn.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a device is disclosed that can be worn on a sleeve of an article of clothing to protect the sleeve from undue wear.

In one embodiment, a protective clip for an article of clothing includes a plate with an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface. The plate has at least three sides and an outer perimeter extending around the at least three sides. The plate also has (a) a lip depending from only one side of the plate or (b) two lips each depending from a respective side of only two of the sides of the plate to form a protective strip or strips for the clothing when mounted to the clothing.

In one aspect, the protective clip includes a gripping member configured to releasably grip the clothing between the gripping member and the inner surface of the plate to secure the clip to the clothing wherein the lip or lips of the plate may cover and protect the edge of the article of clothing.

In a further aspect, the gripping member extends from (a) the lip or (b) one of the two lips.

According to yet other aspects, the gripping member has a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end being fixed relative to the plate.

In another embodiment, the gripping member is mounted to the plate by a hinge having a pivot axis. For example, when the plate includes two lips each depending from a respective side of only two of the sides of the plate, the two lips form an L-shaped protective strip for covering a corner edge of the clothing.

In yet another embodiment, the plate includes two lips with each depending from a respective side of only two of the sides of the plate, and the two lips are orthogonal and form two orthogonal protective strips for covering a corner edge of the clothing.

According to yet another embodiment, the plate includes two lips each depending from a respective side of only two of the sides of the plate, with the two lips each having a respective edge. Further, the pivot axis is (a) at the respective edge of one of the lips, (b) immediately adjacent the respective edge of one of the lips, or (c) between the respective edge of one of the lips and the inner surface of the plate.

In yet another embodiment, the gripping member comprises a fastener pin assembly. For example, the fastener pin assembly includes a post and a clasp, and the post is mounted to the inner surface of the plate inward of the lip or lips.

In any of the above, the plate comprises a plate selected from the group consisting of a rectangular plate, a triangular plate, and an L-shaped plate.

According to yet another embodiment, the plate includes a plurality of passageways to receive thread for attaching the clip to the clothing using stitches. For example, the passageways comprise through-holes extending through the plate.

In another embodiment, a protective clip for an edge of an article of clothing includes a plate having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface. The plate has at least three sides and a lip depending from each of only two sides of the plate, with each lip having an edge. The gripping member is configured to releasably grip the clothing between the gripping member and the inner surface of the plate to secure the clip to the clothing wherein the lips of the plate may cover and protect the edge of the article of clothing. The gripping member is configured to pivot about a pivot axis (a) at a respective edge of one of the lips, (b) immediately adjacent the respective edge of one of the lips, or (c) between the respective edge of one of the lips and the inner surface of the plate.

In one aspect, the gripping member has a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end of the gripping member being fixed relative to the plate.

In a further aspect, the gripping member is mounted to the plate by a hinge having a pivot axis.

In another embodiment, where the clip has two lips, the two lips form an L-shaped protective strip for covering a corner edge of the clothing.

In yet another embodiment, a protective clip for cornered edges of an article of clothing includes a plate having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface. The plate has at least three sides and a lip depending from each of only two sides of the plate. The clip further includes a gripping member configured to releasably grip the clothing between the gripping member and the inner surface of the plate to secure the clip to the clothing. In addition, the gripping member extends from one of the lips wherein when the clip is secured to the clothing adjacent the edges of the clothing the lips of the plate may cover and protect the cornered edges of the article of clothing.

In one aspect, the gripping member has a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end being fixed relative to the plate.

In another aspect, the gripping member is mounted to the plate by a hinge having a pivot axis, the pivot axis (a) at a respective edge of one of the lips, (b) immediately adjacent the respective edge of one of the lips, or (c) between the respective edge of one of the lips and the inner surface of the plate.

For example, the lips may form an L-shaped protective strip for covering the cornered edges of the clothing.

In a further aspect, the lips are joined together to form a continuous protective strip.

In any of the above, the plate may comprise a plate selected from the group consisting of a rectangular plate, a triangular plate, and an L-shaped plate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a clip for protecting an article of clothing;

FIG. 1A is a bottom plan view of the clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating the clip of FIG. 1 mounted to the cuff of a jacket sleeve;

FIG. 1C is an enlarged bottom plan view of detail A of the clip of FIG. 1 with two separate lips abutting each other at their opposed corners;

FIG. 1D is an enlarged bottom plan view of detail A of the clip of FIG. 1 with two separate lips configured to abut each other at their opposed edges;

FIG. 1E is an enlarged bottom plan view of detail A of the clip of FIG. 1 with one continuous lip;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a clip for protecting an article of clothing;

FIG. 2A is a bottom plan view of the clip of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a clip for protecting an article of clothing;

FIG. 3A is a bottom plan view of the clip FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of a clip for protecting an article of clothing;

FIG. 4A is a bottom plan view of the clip of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5A is a side elevation of a clip with a safety mechanism;

FIG. 5B is a side elevation of a clip with a second embodiment of a safety mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the clip of FIG. 1 illustrating an attachment mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a clip illustrating a second embodiment of an attachment mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a third embodiment of an attachment mechanism;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a clip with a fourth embodiment of an attachment mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a clip illustrating a fifth embodiment of an attachment mechanism;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the clip illustrating a sixth embodiment of an attachment mechanism;

FIG. 11A is a bottom plan view of a clip of FIG. 11;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of a clip illustrating a seventh embodiment of an attachment mechanism;

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the clip of FIG. 12 illustrating the seventh embodiment of the attachment mechanism;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the clip of FIG. 6;

FIG. 14A is an enlarged side elevation view of the clip of FIG. 14;

FIG. 14B is a second side elevation view of the clip of FIG. 14;

FIG. 14C is an end elevation view of the clip of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the clip of FIG. 7;

FIG. 15A is a top plan view of the clip of FIG. 15;

FIG. 15B is a side elevation view of the clip FIG. 15;

FIG. 15C is an end elevation view of the clip FIG. 15;

FIG. 15D is a second end elevation view of the clip FIG. 15;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the clip of FIG. 3 incorporating the attachment mechanism of FIG. 8;

FIG. 16A is a top plan view of the clip of FIG. 16;

FIG. 16B is a cross-section view taken through line XVIB-XVIB of FIG. 16;

FIG. 16C is a side elevation view of the clip of FIG. 16;

FIG. 16D is a second side elevation view of the clip of FIG. 16;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the clip of FIG. 4 incorporating the attachment mechanism of FIG. 8;

FIG. 17A is a top plan view of the clip of FIG. 17;

FIG. 17B is a cross-section view taken through line XVIIB-XVIIB of FIG. 17;

FIG. 17C is a side elevation view of the clip of FIG. 17;

FIG. 17D is a second side elevation view of the clip of FIG. 17;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the clip of FIG. 2 incorporating the attachment mechanism of FIG. 9;

FIG. 18A is a cross-section view of the clip of FIG. 18;

FIG. 18B is a side elevation view of the clip of FIG. 18; and

FIG. 18C is a side elevation view illustrating the clip mounted to the edge of the garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 generally designates a clip that is configured to attach, optionally releasably attach, to an article of clothing, and more specifically to the edge or cornered edge of an article of clothing to provide a protective strip of material to reduce wear and tear of the edge or cornered edge of the article of clothing. As will be more fully described below, the size, shape, and manner of attachment may be varied. Optionally, the clip is configured to provide a one-handed attachment method, but other methods are disclosed herein. Although described below in reference to the sleeve of a jacket, the clip may be used on other portions of articles of clothing and, further, may be used to adorn the clothing with ornamentation.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 15, 15A, and 15B, clip 10 includes a plate 12 with one or more lips 14 extending, for example orthogonally, from the plate 12. Plate 12 includes an outer facing surface 12a, which may form a decorative outer facing surface, and an inner facing surface 12b that contacts the clothing adjacent the edge of the clothing when clip 10 is mounted to the clothing, as will be more fully described below. Further, when mounted to an article of clothing, such as a sleeve cuff of a jacket, such as shown in FIG. 1B, lip or lips 14 are configured to be positioned adjacent the edge or edges of the article of clothing, for example along the edge or edges of the sleeve cuff of the jacket. In this manner, the inner facing surface 12b of clip 10 contacts and lays generally flat on the cuff adjacent the edge of the cuff, but the lip or lips 14 extend along the edge or edges to form a protective strip or strips that can reduce the wear and tear of the edge or edges of the cuff.

The height of the lip or lips may vary, but generally are sufficiently tall to cover the otherwise free edge of the clothing, such as the cuff. For example, the height of the lip for a jacket cuff may fall in a range of about 1 to 5 mm, of about 2 to 4 mm, or approximately 4 mm, which may be suitable for use on a suit jacket sleeve cuff. However, it should be understood that the height of the lip may be varied to accommodate different types of clothing or jackets made of thicker or thinner material. Similarly, the size of the plate may be varied. For example, a suitable length or width of plate 12 may fall in a range of 5 mm to 30 mm, or 10 mm to 20 mm. It should be understood that these dimensions are exemplary.

In order to secure the clip to the article of clothing, clip 10 includes one or more gripping members. Referring to FIGS. 6, 15, 15A, and 15B, in the illustrated embodiment, clip 10 includes a gripping member 16 in the form of a spring arm 18. Optionally, spring arm 18 may be fixed on one end, for example at its proximal end 18a, relative to plate 12 and cantilevered at its free distal end 18b. Arm 18 may be parallel with plate 12 or angled toward plate 12 depending on where the gripping action is to occur.

In the illustrated embodiment, arm 18 is parallel and includes a protuberance 18c located between its proximal end 18a and its distal end 18b, which contacts inner surface 12b of plate 12 when in its normal uninstalled configuration so that when arm 18 is moved away from plate 12 (e.g. when the article of clothing is inserted between arm 18 and plate 12), protuberance 18c applies a spring force to the portion of the clothing on which the clip is mounted. Optionally, arm 18 may be configured with a preload so that it applies a spring force when in the uninstalled configuration shown in FIG. 6 and, therefore, applies a greater force when opened for mounting on an article of clothing.

For example, clip 10 may be formed from a plastic or a metal, including gold, silver, brass, or other metal alloy, with spring arm 18 formed from the same material (when formed from metal) or from stainless steel, such that when it is moved from its uninstalled configuration (such as shown in FIG. 6), arm 18 generates a spring force, which is applied to the clothing by protuberance 18c and which facilitates retention of clip 10 on the article of clothing, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. Alternately, plate 12 may be formed from other materials, such as ceramics, wood, or glass, again with the gripping member optionally formed from metal, such as stainless steel.

Alternately, arm 18 may be angled toward plate 12 so that the distal end of the spring arm 18 contacts inner surface 12b of plate 12 and applies the spring force when moved from its uninstalled configuration. In the case of the L-shaped plate (FIGS. 2 and 2A), the protuberance 18c or distal end 18b would not contact the inner surface of the plate (because it would likely fall between the two arms) and instead would extend into or near the plane defined by the inner surface of the L-shaped plate.

In the illustrated embodiment, spring arm 18 is formed by a plate, which is attached at its proximal end 18a adjacent or at the free edge of lip 14. In this manner, the proximal end 18a of arm 18 is fixed relative to the plate. Thus, when spring arm 18 is pulled to open the clip for placement on the edge of an article of clothing, the free end or protuberance 18c generates a downward spring force (as viewed in FIG. 6) spaced inward of the lip. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection of the gripping member 16 (spring arm 18) is at the free edge of lip 14 or between the free edge of lip 14 and plate 12; but it should be understood that it could be below the free edge of the lip and inward of the lip as well, for example mounted to an inwardly extending flange described below.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the clips described herein may be configured with a variety of different shapes. Clip 10 has a rectangular plate 12 with a rectangular shaped outer surface 12a. Clip 10′ has an L-shaped plate 12′ with an L-shaped outer surface 12a′ with the lips 14 extending from the inner surface 12b′ along the two outer sides of the two legs forming the L-shaped plate. Clip 10″ has a triangular plate 12″ with a triangular shaped outer surface 12a″ with the lips 14″ extending from inner surface 12b″ along the orthogonal sides of the triangular plate 12″. And, clip 10′″ has a square plate 12′″ with a square shaped outer surface 12a′″ with the lips 14′″ extending from inner surface 12b′″ along two of the adjoining orthogonal sides.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, any one of the clips may incorporate a safety mechanism 30 or 30′ that tethers the clip to the article of clothing, for example, via a buttonhole or button. In the illustrated embodiment, safety mechanism 30 includes a tether in the form of a chain 30a and a link 30b, similar to the construction of a cufflink, which can be extended into a buttonhole of the article of clothing. Safety mechanism 30′, which also includes a tether in the form of a cord, includes a looped end 30b′, which can be passed over a button to secure the clip to the article of clothing.

It should be understood that while the gripping member or safety attachment details are described in reference to a respective embodiment of the clip, any of the gripping members or safety attachments can be used with the other clips not specifically referenced—namely any of clips 10, 10′, 10″, 10′″.

Also, although shown as having two lips, any of the clips may include a single lip. Further, while two lips are noted and described they may be formed from two discrete plate-like structures 14a, 14b (FIG. 1C or FIG. 1D) or may be formed from a continuous plate-like structure (FIG. 1E), which may be dictated by how it is fabricated—molding, stamping, casting, and/or welding, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 15, and 15A-15D, clip 110, which is of similar construction to clip 10, includes another embodiment of the gripping member 116. As best seen in FIG. 7, gripping member 116 is formed from a pivotally mounted arm 118 that is mounted relative to plate 112 at its proximal end 118a by a spring biased pivot connection 120. Optionally, as shown, the distal end 118b of arm 118 includes an enlarged tip or leg 118c for applying the spring force against the article of clothing when the clip is mounted to the article of clothing. The biased pivot connection 120 may be mounted to an extension or inwardly extending flange formed on or mounted to the free edge of lip 114. In this manner, the pivot axis of the gripping member is at or immediately adjacent the respective edge of one of the lips. Further, it may be mounted so that it is between the respective edge of one of the lips 114 and the inner surface 112b of the plate 112.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 15C, spring biased pivot connection 120 may be formed from a pair of brackets 120a, 120b, which are pinned to the opposed sides of arm 118 by a pivot pin (118d), and one or more springs 122 (one shown in FIG. 15 and two shown in FIG. 15C). Springs 122 are coil springs each with one free end contacting the inner surface of arm 118 and the other free end contacting the inner surface 112. The pivot pin may extend through the spring or springs to thereby mount the springs to the clip. In this manner, when the proximal end of arm 118 is pressed downward (as viewed in FIG. 15B), the spring will compress. When the arm is released, the spring will urge the arm to its gripping position, such as shown in FIG. 15B, but with the article of clothing captured therebetween.

Optionally, as best seen in FIG. 15D, the enlarged tip or leg 118c of arm 118 may include a plurality of teeth 118e to better grip the material of the clothing therebetween.

Referring to FIGS. 8, 16, and 16A-D, clip 210, which is of similar construction to clip 10″, includes another embodiment of the gripping member 216. As best seen in FIG. 8, clip 210 includes a triangular-shaped plate 212 and a gripping member 216 in the form of clasp pin assembly. The clasp pin assembly includes a clasp 212b and a pin (or post) 216a that is mounted to the inner surface 212b of plate 212. Gripping member 216 is, therefore, mounted relative to plate 212 inward of lips 214. As would be understood, when the clasp 216b is removed from pin 216a, clip 210 can be mounted to the edge of the article of clothing such that lips 214 line up and are adjacent the edges of the article of clothing and with pin 216a pushed through the material of the clothing and then secured in place by the clasp 216b.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 17A-17D, clip 210′ is of similar construction to clip 210, but includes a rectangular, namely a square, plate 212′ with clasp pin assembly 216 mounted at the opposing end of plate 212′ away from lips 214, which might assist better with a one-handed mounting of the clip to an article of clothing.

Referring to FIG. 18, clip 310 includes an L-shaped plate 312 similar to clip 10′. In the illustrated embodiment, clip 310 includes a plurality of gripping members 316 in the form of stitches formed by thread passing through a plurality of passageways 316a provided on the inner surface 312b of plate 312. Passageways 316 may be formed by loops or through-holes formed on or in plate 312.

Optionally, plate 312 has a channel shaped cross-section, with the web of the channel shaped cross-section forming the lips 314 and the spaced apart flanges forming an inner plate 312 and outer plate 312′, which forms the outer surface 312a′ of clip 310 and inner surface 312b′. In the illustrated embodiment, passageway 316a comprises through-holes in inner plate 312, as shown in FIG. 18C. In lieu of stitches, projecting nubs may be mounted to the article of clothing that are sized to form snap fit couplings with the through-holes.

Referring to FIG. 10, the numeral 410 generally designates another embodiment of the clip, which is of similar construction to the previous clips. Clip 410 includes a plate 412 with an outer surface 412a and an inner surface 412b and one or more lips 414 that extend upwardly from inner surface 412b to align with the edge of an article of clothing when the clip 410 is mounted to the clothing.

In the illustrated embodiment, clip 410 includes a gripping member 416 in the form of a screw clip. The screw clip includes a threaded fastener 416a which is mounted relative to plate 412 by an extension 414a, such as a flange, of lip 414 so that it is positioned to engage inner surface 412b of plate 412 when fully threaded into extension 414a. Extension 414a includes a threaded opening through which fastener 416a extends so that when fastener 416a is turned, it will apply a compression force on inner surface 412b or on the fabric of the article of clothing on which clip 410 is mounted. Optionally the distal end of fastener 416a includes an enlarged bearing surface 416b, for example in the form of a circular plate, to avoid damaging the material. The turning of fastener 416a may be facilitated by an enlarged head 414c formed or provided on fastener 416a, which may have engagement structures or surfaces, such as flattened edges, so that a user can engage and turn the fastener with their finger.

Referring to FIG. 11, the numeral 510 generally designates another embodiment of the clip, which is of similar construction to the previous clips. Clip 510 includes a plate 512 with an outer surface 512a and an inner surface 512b and one or more lips 514 that extend upwardly from inner surface 412b to align with the edge of an article of clothing when the clip 510 is mounted to the clothing. In the illustrated embodiment, clip 510 includes a gripping member 516 in the form of a generally U-shaped arm 518. Arm 518 is pivotally mounted by a pair of pivot connections 520a, 520b, which are mounted to extension 514a, such as a flange, provided on or formed on lip 514 and bias the arm toward inner surface 512b of plate 512. U-shaped arm 518 is similar to arm 18 in that it includes a protuberance 518c in the form of a bend in the arm, which applies the spring force on the article of clothing. Again, similar to arm 18, arm 518 is biased toward the plate, such as shown in FIG. 11, so that when the arm is pulled away from plate 512, arm 518 will generate a spring force toward the plate sufficient to hold the clip on the article of clothing when the arm is released. For example, arm 518 and pivot connections 520a, 520b may be provided in the form of omega clasps, which are commonly known in the jewelry art.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the numeral 610 generally designates yet another embodiment of the clip. Clip 610 includes a plate 612 and one or more lips 614 extending from the inner surface 612b of plate 612. Clip 610 also includes a gripping mechanism 616 in the form of a pivotal arm 618, such as an L-shaped arm, with a catch or sleeve 618a for receiving locking bar or pin 620, which is mounted and extends from one of the lips. For example, where the pin or bar is stationary, a suitable catch may be a C-shaped clip with spring arms that separate outwardly when the arm is moved toward the locking pin or bar and pushed onto the bar or pin, but then return or almost return their unseparated state when the pin or bar is fully inserted into the catch to thereby retain the bar or pin in the catch. Optionally, bar or pin 620 may be movable and moved into catch or sleeve 618a so that catch or sleeve 618a will retain the pin or bar. Hence, when arm 618 is moved to its gripping position (FIG. 12), and pin 620 is inserted or held in the catch or sleeve 618a, the distal end of arm 618 will grip the article of clothing between it and the inner surface of plate 612.

Claims

1. A protective clip for an edge of an article of clothing, said clip comprising:

a plate having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface, said plate having at least three sides and an outer perimeter extending around said at least three sides, and said plate having (a) a lip depending from only one side of said plate or (b) two lips each depending from a respective side of only two of said sides of said plate to form a protective strip or strips for the clothing when mounted to the clothing.

2. The protective clip according to claim 1, further comprising a gripping member configured to releasably grip the clothing between the gripping member and the inner surface of the plate to secure said clip to the clothing wherein said lip or lips of said plate may cover and protect the edge of the article of clothing.

3. The protective clip according to claim 2, wherein said gripping member extends from (a) said lip or (b) one of said two lips.

4. The protective clip according to claim 2, wherein said gripping member has a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being fixed relative to said plate.

5. The protective clip according to claim 2, wherein said gripping member is mounted to said plate by a hinge having a pivot axis.

6. The protective clip according to claim 1, wherein said plate includes two lips each depending from a respective side of only two of said sides of said plate, said two lips forming an L-shaped protective strip for covering a corner edge of the clothing.

7. The protective clip according to claim 1, wherein said plate includes two lips each depending from a respective side of only two of said sides of said plate, said two lips being orthogonal and forming two orthogonal protective strips for covering a corner edge of the clothing.

8. The protective clip according to claim 4, wherein said plate includes two lips each depending from a respective side of only two of said sides of said plate, said two lips each having a respective edge, and wherein said pivot axis is (a) at said respective edge of one of said lips, (b) immediately adjacent said respective edge of one of said lips, or (c) between said respective edge of one of said lips and said inner surface of said plate.

9. The protective clip according to claim 2, wherein said gripping member comprises a fastener pin assembly.

10. The protective clip according to claim 9, wherein said fastener pin assembly includes a post and a clasp, said post being mounted to said inner surface of said plate inward of said lip or lips.

11. The protective clip according to claim 1, wherein said plate comprises a plate selected from the group consisting of a rectangular plate, a triangular plate, and an L-shaped plate.

12. The protective clip according to claim 1, wherein said plate includes a plurality of passageways to receive thread for attaching said clip to the clothing using stitches.

13. The protective clip according to claim 1, wherein said passageways comprise through-holes extending through said plate.

14. A protective clip for an edge of an article of clothing, said clip comprising:

a plate having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface, said plate having at least three sides and a lip depending from each of only two sides of said plate, each lip having an edge; and

a gripping member configured to releasably grip the clothing between the gripping member and the inner surface of the plate to secure said clip to the clothing wherein said lips of said plate may cover and protect the edge of the article of clothing, and said gripping member pivoting about a pivot axis (a) at a respective edge of one of said lips, (b) immediately adjacent said respective edge of one of said lips, or (c) between said respective edge of one of said lips and said inner surface of said plate.

15. The protective clip according to claim 14, wherein said gripping member has a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said gripping member being fixed relative to said plate.

16. The protective clip according to claim 15, wherein said proximal end extends from one of said lips.

17. The protective clip according to claim 14, wherein said two lips form an L-shaped protective strip for covering a corner edge of the clothing.

18. A protective clip for edges of an article of clothing, said clip comprising:

a plate having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface, said plate having at least three sides and a lip depending from each of only two sides of said plate; and

a gripping member configured to releasably grip the clothing between the gripping member and the inner surface of the plate to secure said clip to the clothing, said gripping member extending from one of said lips wherein when said clip is secured to the clothing adjacent the edges of the clothing said lips of said plate may cover and protect the edges of the article of clothing.

19. The protective clip according to claim 18, wherein said gripping member has a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being fixed relative to said plate.

20. The protective clip according to claim 19, wherein said gripping member is mounted to said plate by a hinge having a pivot axis, said pivot axis (a) at a respective edge of one of said lips, (b) immediately adjacent said respective edge of one of said lips, or (c) between said respective edge of one of said lips and said inner surface of said plate.