RELATED APPLICATIONS
none
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of Invention
This application pertains to a clip that can be used by itself or that can be mounted on a clip board, the clip having a movable or rotating panel.
B. Description of the Prior Art
Currently there are several different types of clips available on the market for various purposes. For example, magnetic clips are available that can be mounted on a refrigerator or other magnetic surface. Other clips are integrated into clipboards. However, either way, these clips can be used to hold several sheets of paper or other similar, relatively flat articles. These clips may have a front face on which various information may be provided, such as the name of a company, instructions for various operations, the name of the owner or user of the clip and so on. However, because the clips are in a highly visible place, producers of clips would prefer to have a larger area then presently possible for presenting more or different kinds of information to the users.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, a clip is provided with two wings. The two wings are biased toward each other to form a pressure nip for sheets of paper or other articles. One wing is formed with a window and a panel with at least two major surfaces or faces is rotatably supported within the window so that at least one of the faces is presented to the user at any given time. The surfaces or faces are used for images, alphanumeric characters, logos or other information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A shows an orthogonal view of a clip made in accordance with this invention.
FIG. 1B shows an orthogonal view of another embodiment of the clip;
FIG. 1C shows an orthogonal view of a third embodiment of the clip.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show a front and a backview of the top wing of the clip, respectively;
FIGS. 3A and 3B show a front and a back view of the top wing of the clip, respectively;
FIGS. 4A and 4B show a sectional and an end view of the clip respectively; and
FIG. 5 shows an end view of another embodiment of the clip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly, FIG. 1A, a clip 10A constructed in accordance with this invention includes a top wing 12 and a bottom wing 14. The two wings are connected to each other to form a V-shape and they can pivot with respect to each other along an axis passing between the wings as described in more detail below.
Moreover, the two wings are biased toward each other by a spring or other means (as discussed below) so that the front edges 12E and 14E of each of the wings 12,14 are abutting to form a zone 16 with a pressure nip. The wings can be squeezed together along the edges opposite edges 12E, 14E to separate the wings. One or more sheets of paper or other small articles (not shown) are introduced between the edges 12E, 14E, the wings are then released. The biasing force of the spring (not seen in FIG. 1A) then forms the pressure nip in zone 16 to hold the sheets of paper.
Importantly at least one of the wings, e.g., the top wing 12 is formed with a window 18. A panel 20 is secured within the window in a manner that allows the panel to pivot about an axis. For example, a pin 22 depending from and extending between two opposite sides of the window 18 can be used to hold the panel 20. The panel 20 is generally in the shape of a flat plate with two opposed major surfaces, one surface 24 being visible in FIG. 1A. The two surfaces are then used to hold and display various information or advertising. The user has a choice of selecting either surface that is visible from the front of the clip.
Window 18 has a generally rectangular shape. In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the panel 20 is also rectangular so that it conforms to the shape of window 18.
Other configurations are possible for the window and the panel. For example, two or more panels may be provided. In FIG. 1B, three panels 20B are provided, each panel having a generally square or rectangular shape. Each panel 20B is mounted on pin 22 and their surfaces 24B are used for various printed material. Each of the panels 20B is independently rotatable on the pin 22 and can be positioned so that either one of its major surfaces is visible from the front.
FIG. 1C shows another embodiment in which the two panels 20B have the same shape but a third panel 20C has a different shape.
Details of the wings are shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D. Top wing 12 includes top surface 30 surrounding opening 18 (FIG. 2A). The wing 12 also includes a bottom surface 32 that is formed with two lateral recesses or indentations 34, 36. Each indentation is formed with a respective peg 38, 40. Preferably the recesses have a back zone 42, 44 through which the recesses join the bottom surface 32 without any edges. The recesses 34, 36 and pegs 38, 40 are provided to receive an end of a respective biasing spring as discussed below. The pegs 38, 40 enter into respective holes in the ends of the springs 46, 48 to engage and secure the springs.
FIGS. 3A, 3B show details of the bottom wing 14. It is very similar to the top wing 12 but it does not have a window. Instead, it has two holes 54, 56 extending between the surfaces 50, 52. Screws or rivets may be provided through the holes 54, 56 to attach the clip 10 to a clipboard (not shown).
In addition, or alternatively, a recessed area 58 is provided to receive a magnet (not shown). The magnet is glued to the bottom wing 14 and can be used to attach the clip 10 to a refrigerator door or other similar walls in the usual manner.
The mode of operation of clip 10 is clearly illustrated in FIG. 4A. The two wings 12, 14 are urged toward a closed position by spring 48 to form a press nip in zone 16. The panel 20 is pivoting around a pin 22 as indicated by arrow A. The pin can be mounted vertically or horizontally in window 18,
As shown in FIG. 4B, preferably, the wings 12, 14 have lateral walls 60, 62 respectively, one on each end of the respective wing. Wall 60 is formed on the rear wing 14 and have two externally directed pegs 64. These pegs 64 enter through and are captured by holes or indentations 66. The pegs 64 are disposed along an imaginary shaft allowing the wings 12,14 to be squeezed toward each other.
In FIGS. 4B, the inner edges of walls 60, 62 have a curved shape. In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the walls have a different shape. More specifically, wall 60A, 62A is in the shape of a strap.
Numerous modifications may be made to the scope as the invention without departing from its scope as defined in the appended claims. For example, the panel could have a prismatic shape with more than two major surfaces for presenting images.
Patent Application
20090276987
