The present disclosure relates to a clip.
In general terms, this disclosure is directed to a clip. In one possible configuration and by non-limiting example, the clip includes a clip portion, a neck, and a hook portion. Various aspects are described in this disclosure, which include, but are not limited to, the following aspects.
One aspect is a clip including a front end positioned opposite from a rear end and a top side positioned opposite from a bottom side, the clip comprising: a clip portion comprising: a base arranged at the bottom side and having at least one tooth projecting therefrom; and at least one clip arm connected to the base at a proximal end, and having an opposite distal end spaced from the base and extending toward the rear end; a neck connected to the clip portion that extends toward the front end; and a hook portion connected to the neck opposite the clip portion.
Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.
In this example, the clip portion is arranged at the rear end of the clip 100. The hook portion is arranged at the front end of the clip 100. The neck 104 connects to and extends between the clip portion 102 and the hook portion 106 of the clip 100.
In some embodiments multiple teeth 132 may be located along the side of the base 130 so that one tooth 132c is located at a distance rearward of another tooth 132d. Additionally, teeth 132 may be located on both the left and right sides of the base 130 so that, for example, one tooth 132c is located to the right of another tooth 132a, and vice versa. In some embodiments, multiple teeth 132 may be located on both the left and the right sides of the base 130, so that one set of teeth 132b, 132d is located at a distance forward of another set of teeth 132a, 132c, Likewise, one set of teeth 132c, 132d, is located at a distance to the right of another set of teeth 132a, 132b. In this way, four teeth 132 (for example) may be located on the base 130 so that two teeth 132a, 132b are located on the left side of the base 130 and another two teeth 132c, 132d are located on the right side of the base 130.
Referring back to the example clip portion 102 shown in
In some embodiments, the downwardly extending component 138 has a length that is substantially greater than that of the upwardly extending component 142. Thus, the upwardly extending component 142 and downwardly extending component 138 of the rearwardly extending portion 136 are configured so that the uppermost point of the downwardly extending component 138, located at the connection point to the upwardly extending portion 140, is above the uppermost point of the upwardly extending component 142. Likewise, the lowest point of the rearwardly extending portion 136 is located at the connection point of the downwardly extending component 138 and the upwardly extending component 142.
The clip arm 134 may also be configured so that the rearwardly extending portion 136 of the clip arm 134 does not extend past the rear end of the base 130. In some embodiments, the rearwardly extending portion 136 terminates at a position frontwardly from the rear end of the base 130. The clip arm 134 is further configured so that space is defined between the rearwardly extending portion 136 of the clip arm 134 and the base 130 of the clip. In one embodiment, the teeth 132 are positioned below the rearwardly extending portion 136 of the clip arm 134 so that the teeth 132 extend into the space between the clip arm 134 and the base 130.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the neck 104 and the lower arm 160 are coplanar and have an equal width in the left/right direction. The lower arm 160 extends rearwardly toward the neck 104 in a horizontal direction and has an upper and lower surface. In some embodiments the neck 104 and the lower arm 160 are the same component.
At its frontmost end, the lower arm 160 connects to a horizontal end of the lower corner 166. In some embodiments, the lower corner 166 and the lower arm 160 have an equal width in the left/right direction. The lower corner 166 has a curved shape so that its upper end is oriented vertically and connects to a lower end of the upwardly extending arm 162.
The upwardly extending arm 162 extends along its length upwardly in the vertical direction and includes a front and back surface. In one embodiment, the upwardly extending arm 162 has the same width as the lower corner 166 in the left/right direction. In this embodiment, the upwardly extending arm 162 has a rectangular shape.
In one example, the first curved wing set 170 is positioned on the left and right sides of the upwardly extending arm 162. The first curved wing set 170 is positioned so that a first curved wing 170a has a length that protrudes leftwardly from the left side of the upwardly extending arm 162 and curves in a frontwardly direction (e.g., away from the clip portion 102). The second curved wing 170b of the first curved wing set 170 is positioned so that the second curved wing 170b has a length that protrudes rightwardly from the right side of the upwardly extending arm 162 and also curves in the frontwardly direction. In some embodiments the width of the wings 170a, 170b in the vertical direction is less than the length of the upwardly extending arm 162. The first curved wing set 170 may be further positioned so that it is centered along the length of the upwardly extending arm 162.
In some embodiments, at its highest portion, the upwardly extending arm 162 connects to a vertical end of the upper corner 168. In some embodiments, the upper corner 168 and the upwardly extending arm 162 have an equal width in the left/right direction. The upper corner 168 is curved so that its other end is oriented horizontally and connects to a horizontal end of the upper arm 164.
The upper arm 164 extends rearwardly in a horizontal direction and has an upper and lower surface. In one embodiment, the upper corner 168 and the upper arm 164 have an equal width in the left/right direction. In this embodiment, the upper arm 164 terminates at a horizontal position above the neck 104 and lower arm 160.
In some embodiments a second curved wing set 172 is positioned on the left and right sides of the upper arm 164. The second curved wing set 172 is positioned so that a first curved wing 172a has a length that protrudes leftwardly from the left side of the upper arm 164 and curves in an upwardly direction. The second curved wing 172b of the second curved wing set 172 is positioned so that the second curved wing 172b has a length that protrudes rightwardly from the right side of the upper arm 164 and curves in a upwardly direction. The width of the wings 172a, 172b in the horizontal direction is less than the length of the upper arm 164 in some embodiments. In this example, the second curved wing set 172 may be positioned so that it is coincident with the rear edge of the upper arm 164.
In some embodiments the left side view of the clip 100 is a mirror image of the right side views shown herein.
The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the full scope of the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 29635493 | Jan 2018 | US |
Child | 16807031 | US |