GB2285278A

GB2285278A - Multi-purpose clip

Info

Publication number: GB2285278A
Application number: GB9326418A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Keith Kennedy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-12-24
Filing date: 1993-12-24
Publication date: 1995-07-05
Also published as: GB9326418D0

Abstract

The clip (10) has resilient gripping means (1, 2, 3) in the form of C-shaped arms, where adjacent gripping means share a common portion (5, 6). The clip finds particular application in the attachment of advertising or product identification material to the front of point-of-sale shelving and the attachment of table surrounds to tables. <IMAGE>

Description

MULTI-PURPOSE CLIP This invention is in the field of clips or fastening devices used for utilitarian or display purposes. More particularly, the invention relates to clips which enable the attachment and/or presentation of two or more articles in more than one plane.

Clips are widely known and may be used for a variety of different purposes. However, their general purpose is to provide an attachment means for at least two articles. Most commonly, clips are used to fix together two or more articles in the same plane. This is the case, for example, with a paper clip or a butterfly clip which are commonly used to hold a plurality of sheets of paper or the like together.

Less frequently, clips are designed to provide the attachment of two or more articles which are presented to each other from differing planes, for example, orthogonally. The attachment of advertising or product identification material to the front of point-of-sale shelving and the attachment of table surrounds or flounces to tables are just two examples where this latter type of clip is required. The present invention relates to such out-of-plane clips.

According to the invention there is provided a multipurpose clip comprising a plurality of gripping means, each gripping means having a resilient bias adapted to cause the gripping means to compress and thereby grip one or more respective articles, wherein a common portion of each said gripping means is shared by an adjacent said gripping means.

Preferably, the multi-purpose clip comprises a relatively large and generally C-shaped primary gripping means and one or more relatively narrow secondary gripping means, wherein said primary gripping means is adapted to grip an edge of a shelf or table or the like and each said secondary gripping means is adapted to grip or secure one or more sheet form or relatively thin articles.

Preferably, the clip comprises two said secondary gripping means, wherein a first said secondary gripping means is open in a downwards direction and a second said secondary gripping means is open in an upward direction when said primary gripping means is gripping a horizontal table or shelf. Alternatively, the clip may have any other number of secondary gripping means, depending upon the number of articles required to be held.

The multi-purpose clip is preferably extruded from a resilient and transparent plastics material.

Preferably, the clip includes a tape located on an outside face of a said secondary gripping means furthermost from the primary gripping means, wherein the tape is adapted to provide chemical or mechanical bonding of one or more articles to said clip.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a multipurpose clip in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 is a side view corresponding to Figure 1 of an alternative embodiment of a multi-purpose clip, also in accordance with the invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a multi-purpose clip, generally described at 10, comprises a primary gripping means 1 and two respective secondary gripping means 2, 3. The clip 10 is formed as one piece in a single extrusion, but will be divided herein into various segments or components for ease of description.

The primary gripping means 1 comprises a generally C-shaped profile which includes a top segment 4, an upper side segment 5, a vertical side segment 6, a lower side segment 7 and a bottom segment 8. In use, the top segment 4 and the bottom segment 8 are adapted to compress on an upper and lower face of one or more articles, such as desks, tables, shelves or the like, the compression of the one or more articles by the two segments enabling attachment of the clip thereto.

The secondary gripping means 2 shares a portion of the primary gripping means 1 and in particular the upper side segment 5 and the vertical side segment 6 is common to the primary gripping means 1 and the secondary gripping means 2, the secondary gripping means 2 also includes a vertical limb 9 which connects to an extension 11 of the top segment 4.

In use, the secondary gripping means 2 enables sheet form or relatively thin articles to be held downward from and orthogonal to the article attached by the gripping means 1. In particular, a thin article, such as a table surround or the like, is gripped by and between the vertical side segment 6 and the vertical limb 9.

A bead 12 is also provided at the extremity of limb 9 to cause frictional or physical resistance to the escaping of an article held by the gripping means 2.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a further gripping means 3 is provided which, in this case, is adapted to hold articles which may extend upward from and orthogonal to the article attached by the primary gripping means 1. The gripping means 3 comprises the vertical limb 9, which is partially common to both secondary gripping means 2,3, a base segment 13 and a face member 14. From its junction with the base segment 13, the face member 14 is inclined inwardly towards the limb 9 when not acted upon by an external force to thereby enable a degree of flexibility in the thickness of an article which may be held by this gripping means 3. In a similar manner each gripping means is manufactured to enable such flexibility.

While it has been suggested that sheet form or relatively thin articles may be held in the secondary gripping means, the invention is not limited in this way. Indeed, the channels or cavities formed within the gripping means 2,3 may be used to support cables, ties, floral displays and so on. Moreover, the secondary gripping means could be designed to also accommodate relatively large articles, although it is suggested that applications for clips of this type may be fewer.

An alternative embodiment of a multi-purpose clip 20 is given in Figure 2. The clip 20 comprises a generally C-shaped primary gripping means 21 and a downwardly opening secondary gripping means 22. The primary gripping means 21 has a top segment 4, a side segment 23 and a bottom segment 8. In likeness to the previous embodiment, the top and bottom segments 4,8 provide means for clamping on an article.

The secondary gripping means 22 comprises an extension 11 of the top segment 4, a vertical limb 9 and the side segment 23. One or more articles may be held by the gripping means 22, particularly by and between the side element 23 and the limb 9.

The clip 20 also includes a tape 24 attached to the outer face of the limb 9. The tape in this embodiment is actually VELCRO (trade mark), although double-sided adhesive tape or any other tape adapted to provide chemical or mechanical bonding of one or more articles to the clip 20 may be employed.

In the invention, the clips 10, 20 are resiliently biased to enable elements or jaws oF the gripping means to be pulled apart to allow insertion of one or more articles to be attached and then compressibly act in a clamping or biting action on the article or articles.

It is realised in the invention that while reference is made to respective "top" and "bottom" segments, "vertical" sides and so on, a clip in accordance with the invention may also be used in an inverted or otherwise disoriented position to that described in the specification, and no such disorientation of a clip should fall outwith the scope of the invention intended herein.

A multi-purpose clip in accordance with the invention is inherent with advantages over clips hereinbefore known. With the exception of the optional tape 24, the clip 24 may be produced from a single extrusion process, which is generally cheaper and less complicated than the multi-stage moulding and fabrication methods sometimes used.

The clip also finds application in an extensive diversity of uses which demonstrates its unique practicality and versatility. For example, it may be utilized for product identification, article pricing, advertising and the like on product shelving in retail outlets, store rooms and warehousing. Moreover, the clips may alternatively be used as connectors for partitioning systems or in domestic environments, such as in garages or workshops.

It is realised and should be noted that further modifications and improvements may be made to the embodiments described in this specification without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention herein intended.

Claims

CLAINS

1A multi-purpose clip comprising a plurality of gripping means, each gripping means having a resilient bias adapted to cause the gripping means to compress and thereby grip one or more respective articles, wherein a common portion of each said gripping means is shared by an adjacent said gripping means.
2 A multi-purpose clip as claimed in Claim 1 comprising a relatively large and generally C-shaped primary gripping means and one or more relatively narrow secondary gripping means, wherein said primary gripping means is adapted to grip an edge of a shelf or table or the like and each said secondary gripping means is adapted to grip or secure one or more sheet form or relatively thin articles.
3 A clip as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 comprising two said secondary gripping means, wherein a first said secondary gripping means is open in an upward direction when said primary gripping means is gripping horizontal table or shelf.
4 A clip as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims being extruded from a resilient and transparent plastics material.
5 A clip as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims including a tape located on an outside face of a said secondary gripping means furthermost from the primary gripping means, wherein the tape is adapted to provide chemical or mechanical bonding of one or more articles to said clip.
6 A clip substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying description and drawings.