US20070131237A1

US20070131237A1 - Hair clip

Info

Publication number: US20070131237A1
Application number: US11/302,060
Authority: US
Inventors: Yuan Tu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-12-12
Filing date: 2005-12-12
Publication date: 2007-06-14

Abstract

A hair clip includes two clip members, two press blocks, and a resilient member. Each clip member includes a bend, a clipping section on a bottom of the bend, and a pivotal section on a top of the bend. The bends of the clip members together define a hair-clipping space. The pivotal sections of the clip members are pivotally connected together. Each press block is securely engaged with an associated clip member. The resilient member includes a bend mounted between upper portions of inner faces of the bends of the clip members. The resilient member is covered by the pivotal sections of the clip members. The resilient member includes two lateral sides respectively, securely connected to the clip members. The bend of the resilient member is located in an upper portion of the hair-clipping space. The resilient member biases the clipping sections of the clip members toward each other.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hair clip. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hair clip that can be operated smoothly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hair clips may fix the hair for females while providing an aesthetically pleasing effect. Operational convenience and overall appearance are the primary factors of the design of hair clips.
FIG. 9 of the drawings illustrates a conventional hair clip comprising two clip members 1′ and 2′, a spring 3′, and a pin 4′. Each clip member 1′, 2′ includes a grip portion 11′, 21′ having two spaced pegs 12′, 22′ on an inner face thereof. The spring 3′ is mounted between two inner pegs 22′ and the pin 4′ is extended through the pegs 12′ and 22′, with the spring 3′ mounted around the pin 4′. Thus, the clip members 1′ and 2′ are normally biased by the spring 3′ to a clipping state. Referring to FIG. 10, when in use, the spring 3′ is exposed and thus adversely affects the appearance.
FIG. 11 illustrates another conventional hair clip comprising two clip members 5′ and 6′ each including a grip portion 51′, 61′ that has a notched portion 52′, 62′. Each notched portion 52′, 62′ includes an axial hole 53′, 63′ through which a pin 54′, 64′ extends. A pin 9′ pivotally connects the clip members 5′ and 6′ together, and a spring 8′ is mounted around the pin 9′ for biasing the clip members 5′ and 6′ to a clipping state. A cover plate 7′ is provided to cover the spring 8′ for aesthetic purposes. The cover plate 7′ includes a projection 71′, 72′ on each end thereof. Each projection 71′, 72′ is mounted in an associated notched portion 52′, 62′, with each pin 54′, 64′ extending through a through-hole 73′, 74′ in an associated projection 71′, 72′.
Although the spring 8′ is covered by the cover plate 7′, the pins 54′ and 64′ are apt to get stuck in the axial holes 53′ and 63′ of the clip members 5′ and 6′ and the through-holes 73′ and 74′ of the cover plate 7′ when the user holds and presses the grip portions 51′ and 61′ for urging the clip members 5′ and 6′ to an open state. This is because the pivotal sections “a” between the cover plate 7′ and the clip members 5′ and 6′ are directly pressed. Operation of the hair clip with a cover plate is more difficult than one without the cover plate. Further, the procedure for assembling the hair clip with a cover plate becomes more complicated, and the ends of each pin 54′, 64′ must be riveted to prevent disengagement. The assembling procedure is thus time-consuming and costly. Further, the pins 54′ and 64′, when rusted, would get stuck in the holes 53′, 63′, 73′, and 74′. The life of the hair clip is shortened accordingly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A hair clip in accordance with the present invention comprises two clip members, two press blocks, and a resilient member. Each clip member comprises a bend, a clipping section on a bottom of the bend, and a pivotal section on a top of the bend. The bends of the clip members together define a hair-clipping space. The bend of each clip member includes an inner face having an upper portion. The pivotal sections of the clip members are pivotally connected together.
Each press block comprises a lower end securely engaged with an associated clip member. Each press block further comprises a press portion on an upper end thereof. The resilient member comprises a bend mounted between the upper portions of the inner faces of the bends of the clip members. The resilient member is covered by the pivotal sections of the clip members. The resilient member includes two lateral sides respectively, securely connected to the clip members. The bend of the resilient member is located in an upper portion of the hair-clipping space. The resilient member biases the clipping sections of the clip members toward each other.
In an embodiment of the invention, each clip member comprises an engaging section on an outer side thereof, and the lower end of each press block comprises an engaging portion for coupling with the engaging section of an associated clip member.
Preferably, the outer side of each clip member comprises a recessed section for coupling with the engaging portion of an associated press block.
Preferably, each of the engaging section of each clip member, the engaging section of each press block, and each lateral side of the resilient member comprises at least one fixing hole. At least one fastener is extended through the hole in each of the engaging section of each clip member, the engaging section of each press block, and each lateral side of the resilient member to securely assemble the press blocks, the clip members, and the resilient member together.
In another embodiment of the invention, each lateral side of the resilient member comprises at least one fixing hole. Each clip member comprises at least one fixing hole. At least one fastener is extended through the fixing hole of each clip member and the fixing hole of an associated lateral side of the resilient member. Each press block is securely engaged with an associated clip member and covers the fastener.
In an embodiment of the invention, the resilient member is an arcuate resilient plate.
In another embodiment of the invention, each clip member comprises a receptacle. The resilient member is an arcuate elongate member including a bend and two ends. The ends of the resilient member are respectively, securely engaged in the receptacles of the clip members.
In a further embodiment of the invention, each clip member comprises a recessed section on an inner side thereof, and the lateral sides of the resilient member couple with the recessed sections of the clip members.
Each press block and an associated clip member may be integrally formed as a single member.
In an embodiment of the invention, the pivotal section of each clip member comprises two spaced lugs having aligned holes. The lugs of the clip members are aligned and in close contact with one another. A pin extends through the aligned holes of the lugs.
Preferably, each of two sides of the bend of the resilient member is in contact with the inner face of an associated clip member.
Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a hair clip in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hair clip in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the hair clip in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3, with the hair clip in an open state.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating use of the hair clip in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a modified embodiment of the hair clip in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating another modified embodiment of the hair clip in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the hair clip in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional hair clip.
FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating use of the conventional hair clip in FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of another conventional hair clip.
FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating use of the conventional hair clip in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a hair clip in accordance with the present invention comprises two clip members 1 and 2, two press blocks 3, a pin 4, and a resilient member 5. Each clip member 1, 2 comprises a bend 11, 21, a clipping section 12, 22 on a bottom of the bend 11, 21, and a pivotal section 13, 23 on top of the bend 11, 21. In this embodiment, the pivotal section 13, 23 includes two spaced lugs 131, 231 having aligned holes 132, 232. The lugs 131 and 231 of the clip members 1 and 2 can be closely assembled together and in close contact with one another, with a hair-clipping space 6 defined between the bends 11 and 21 of the clip members 1 and 2. Each clip member 1, 2 further includes an engaging section 14, 24 on an outer side thereof for engaging with an associated press block 3. Each engaging section 14, 24 includes a recessed section 16, 26. Further, each clip member 1, 2 includes fixing holes 15, 25.
Each press block 3 includes an engaging portion 31 on a lower end thereof and a press portion 32 on an upper end thereof. The engaging portion 31 of each press block 3 is engaged in the recessed section 16, 26 of the engaging section 14, 24 of an associated clip member 1, 2. Further, the engaging portion 31 of each press block 3 includes fixing holes 33 aligned with the fixing holes 15, 25 of the engaging section 14, 24 of the associated clip member 1, 2.
The pin 4 is extended through the holes 132 and 232 of the clip members 1 and 2, thereby pivotally connecting the clip members 1 and 2 together.
The resilient member 5 in this embodiment is a resilient plate including a bend 51 that has a curvature slightly smaller than that of an upper portion of the hair-clipping space 6. The resilient member 5 includes two lateral sides 54 each having fixing holes 52, 53 aligned with the fixing holes 15, 25 of the associated clip member 1, 2. Each of two sides of the bend 51 of the resilient member 5 is in contact with an inner face of an associated clip member 1, 2, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
Still referring to FIG. 3, the resilient member 5 is mounted between the upper portions of the inner faces of the bends 11 and 21 of the clip members 1 and 2, with fasteners 17 extending through the fixing holes 33 of one of the press blocks 3, the fixing holes 15 of the clip member 1, and the fixing holes 52 of the resilient member 5, and with another fasteners 27 extending through the fixing holes 33 of the other press block 3, the fixing holes 25 of the clip member 2, and the fixing holes 53 of the resilient member 5.
After assembly, the resilient member 5 is covered by the pivotal sections 13 and 23 of the clip members 1 and 2 while the clip members 1 and 2 can be coupled with press blocks 3 of desired shapes. An aesthetically pleasing appearance is thus obtained. Since the curvature of the bend 51 of the resilient member 5 conforms to the curvature of the upper portion of the hair-clipping space 6, the hair clipped in the hair-clipping space 6 is only reduced by a relatively small amount.
In use, referring to FIG. 4, the press blocks 3 are pressed to force the clipping sections 12 and 22 of the clip members 1 and 2 to move away from each other while flattening the bend 51 of the resilient member 5. When the pressing force is released, the press blocks 3 and the clipping members 1 and 2 return to their original position shown in FIG. 3 under the action of the resilient member 5. A hair-clipping effect is obtained and the resilient member 5 is completely hidden behind the pivotal sections 13 and 23, as shown in FIG. 5. An aesthetically pleasing appearance is obtained accordingly.
FIG. 6 illustrates a modified embodiment of the hair clip 7 in accordance with the present invention, wherein each press block (now designated by 71) is free of fixing holes. The clip members (now designated by 72 and 73) are assembled with the resilient member (now designated by 74) by fasteners 75. A lower portion of each press block 71 is securely engaged with an outer side of an associated clip member 72, 73 by bonding, coupling or other means. The resilient member 74 and the fasteners 75 are covered after assembly to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The inner side of each clip member 72, 73 may include a recessed section 721, 731 for coupling with two lateral sides of the resilient member 5. The assembly is more reliable and the resultant hair clip looks more integrated.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another modified embodiment of the hair clip in accordance with the present invention, wherein the bend (now designated by 811, 821) of each clip member (now designated by 81, 82) includes a receptacle 812, 822. The resilient member (now designated by 9) is an arcuate elongate member having a bend 91, with two ends of the resilient member 9 respectively, securely engaged in the receptacles 812 and 822 of the clip members 81 and 82. The assembling procedure for the hair clip is easier.
Each press block in each of the above embodiments can be integrally formed with the associated clip member as a single member by injection molding while providing the required covering effect (.e., covering the resilient member 5, 74, 9). Further, the hair clip may include more than one resilient member 5, 74, 9. Further, the resilient member 5, 74, 9 can be coupled to the clip members 1, 2 71, 72, 81, 82 by any other suitable means.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible without departing from the essence of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A hair clip comprising:

two clip members each comprising a bend, a clipping section on a bottom of the bend, and a pivotal section on a top of the bend, the bends of the clip members together defining a hair-clipping space, the bend of each said clip member including an inner face having an upper portion, the pivotal sections of the clip members being pivotally connected together;

two press blocks each comprising a lower end securely engaged with an associated one of the clip members, each said press block further comprising a press portion on an upper end thereof; and

a resilient member comprising a bend, the resilient member being mounted between the upper portions of the inner faces of the bends of the clip members, the resilient member being covered by the pivotal sections of the clip members, the resilient member including two lateral sides respectively, securely connected to the clip members, the bend of the resilient member being located in an upper portion of the hair-clipping space, and the resilient member biasing the clipping sections of the clip members toward each other.

2. The hair clip as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said clip member comprises an engaging section on an outer side thereof and wherein the lower end of each said press block comprises an engaging portion for coupling with the engaging section of an associated one of the clip members.

3. The hair clip as claimed in claim 2 wherein the outer side of each said clip member comprises a recessed section for coupling with the engaging portion of an associated one of the press blocks.

4. The hair clip as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of the engaging section of each said clip member, the engaging section of each said press block, and each said lateral side of the resilient member comprises at least one fixing hole, at least one fastener being extended through said at least one hole in each of the engaging section of each said clip member, the engaging section of each said press block, and each said lateral side of the resilient member to securely assemble the press blocks, the clip members, and the resilient member together.

5. The hair clip as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said lateral side of the resilient member comprises at least one fixing hole, each said clip member comprising at least one fixing hole, at least one fastener being extended through said at least one fixing hole of each said clip member and said at least one fixing hole of an associated one of the lateral sides of the resilient member, each said press block being securely engaged with an associated one of the clip members and covering said at least one fastener.

6. The hair clip as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resilient member is an arcuate resilient plate.

7. The hair clip as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said clip member comprises a receptacle, the resilient member being an arcuate elongate member including a bend and two ends, the ends of the resilient member being respectively, securely engaged in the receptacles of the clip members.

8. The hair clip as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said clip member comprises a recessed section on an inner side thereof, and wherein the lateral sides of the resilient member couple with the recessed sections of the clip members.

9. The hair clip as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said press block and an associated one of the clip members are integrally formed as a single member.

10. The hair clip as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pivotal section of each said clip member comprises two spaced lugs having aligned holes, the lugs of said clip members being aligned and in close contact with one another, with a pin extending through the aligned holes of the lugs.

11. The hair clip as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bend of the resilient member comprises two sides, each said side of the bend being in contact with the inner face of an associated one of the clip members.