U.S. patent application number 10/238031 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-11 for double clamp card attachment.
Invention is credited to Buettell, Bruce J..
Application Number | 20040045133 10/238031 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31977735 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040045133 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Buettell, Bruce J. |
March 11, 2004 |
Double clamp card attachment
Abstract
The present invention relates to a card display device that
includes two clips rotatably attached. A rivet connects the two
clips and allows the clips to rotate with respect to each other.
The design of one of the two clips allows it to grasp a card while
the other clip grasps a user's clothing. In some embodiments, a
suspender style clip serves as the card attachment. In other
embodiments, a clothespin type clip serves as the card attachment.
In some embodiments the first clip and second clip have only three
separate jaws. The card attachment clip may include plastic or
rubber gripping pads that aid in providing a secure grip.
Inventors: |
Buettell, Bruce J.;
(Fullerton, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
31977735 |
Appl. No.: |
10/238031 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/3.12 ;
24/3.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2200/055 20130101;
A45F 5/02 20130101; Y10T 24/1394 20150115; G09F 3/207 20130101;
Y10T 24/1391 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/003.12 ;
024/003.11 |
International
Class: |
A45F 005/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A card display device comprising a first clip for retaining a
card, a second clip for attaching to a user's clothing without
making a hole in the user's clothing, said clips being attached to
each other.
2. The card display device of claim 1 in which the first and second
clips are pivotally attached.
3. The card display device of claim 2 including a rivet attaching
the first and second clips.
4. The card display device of claim 1 in which the first clip is a
cam-and-lever type clip.
5. The card display device of claim 1 in which the first clip
includes two jaws, a hinge, a spring, and two gripping
surfaces.
6. The card display device of claim 1 in which said first clip
includes a first and second jaw; said second clip includes a third
and forth jaw; where said second jaw of said first clip and said
third jaw of said second clip are a opposite sides of one
piece.
7. The card display device of claim 1 in which the first clip
comprises a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on a hinge axis, each
jaw having a gripping surface, a spring urging the jaws into an
open position in which said surfaces are positioned to permit
insertion of a card, a side wall positioned between said axis and
said surfaces, where said surfaces are substantially parallel with
respect to one another and said side wall which limits insertion of
a card into the attachment.
8. The card display device of claim 7 in which the side wall has a
length of approximately half of the distance between the hinge axis
and a distal tip of the gripping surfaces.
9. The card display device of claim 7 in which the ratio of the
length of the side wall to the length of the gripping surfaces is
approximately two to one.
10. The card display device of claim 7 in which the side wall
extends away from the hinge pin at least 1/4 inch in the direction
of the gripping surfaces.
11. The card display device of claim 7 in which the side wall
prevents a card from being inserted within 1/4 inch of the hinge
pin.
12. The card display device of claim 7 in which a card may be
inserted into the attachment no more than 1/4 inch.
13. The card display device of claim 7 further comprising a closing
lever in which said lever locks said jaws in a closed position.
14. The card display device of claim 7 in which the jaws in the
closed position cover at most approximately 1/4 inch by 3/8 inch of
a card held between the jaws.
15. The card display device of claim 7 in which the spring
comprises a leaf spring.
16. The card display device of claim 7 in which the gripping
surfaces are made of a soft plastic.
17. The card display device of claim 7 in which the gripping
surface is made from polyvinyl chloride.
18. The card display device of claim 17 in which the gripping
surface is made from polyvinyl chloride with a Shore A hardness of
65.
19. The card display device of claim 7 in which the gripping
surface is made of rubber.
20. A card display device comprising a first clip for retaining a
card, a second clip connected to the first clip, the second clip
including a first jaw and a second jaw for gripping a user's
clothing.
21. The card display device of claim 20 in which the first and
second clips are pivotally connected.
22. The card display device of claim 21 including a rivet
connecting the first and second clips.
23. The card display device of claim 20 in which the first clip is
a cam-and-lever type clip.
24. The card display device of claim 20 in which the first clip
includes two jaws, a hinge, a spring, and two gripping
surfaces.
25. The card display device of claim 20 in which the first clip
includes a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on a hinge axis, each jaw
having a gripping surface, a spring urging the jaws into an open
position in which said surfaces are positioned to permit insertion
of a card, a closing device that selectably holds the jaws in a
closed position.
26. The card display device of claim 25 in which the closing device
includes a lever and cam where the cam engages the spring move the
jaws to a closed position.
27. A method of attaching a card to a person comprising the steps
of retaining a card with a first clip which is connected to a
second clip, and attaching the second clip to a user's clothing by
gripping the clothing between a pair of jaws.
28. A method of making a card display device comprising the steps
of providing a first clip, configured to grip a card, providing a
second clip configured to grip a user's clothing, and connecting
the two clips.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a card attachment that
simultaneously grasps an identification card and attaches to a
user's clothing.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Identification cards, credentials, badges, access cards and
similar items are becoming common place in today's society. People
are often required to display identification cards, badges, and/or
access cards in certain places such as offices, conventions,
special events and other secure areas. Typical methods of
displaying such cards or badges include a first device such as a
neck or wrist lanyard, a clip, or a pin that connect to a users
clothing and a second device that retains the card to be displayed.
Among the most common devices for retaining a card or badge are
clips, key rings, strap clips, and swivel hooks.
[0005] Most frequently, clips, key rings, strap clips, and swivel
hooks connect with a slot or hole that must be punched in the card.
For many applications, however, a slot or hole is undesirable and
impractical. Punching slots or holes in cards takes time, creates a
weak spot in the card, compromises the protective overlay
protecting the card's graphics and requires additional hole
punching equipment. Slots punched in cards can interfere with the
writing, pictures, or logos displayed on a card. Also, some cards
include embedded electronics or magnetic stripes that prevent users
from punching holes or slots. Thus, many applications require an
alternative method of display.
[0006] Wallet or envelope-type card holders are the most common
types of card display devices that do not require slots or holes.
These devices are typically made of a vinyl type plastic and hold a
card in a pocket. The plastic pocket typically encases a card with
a clear portion allowing the card to be viewed while encased. Cards
with magnetic stripes or electronic chips often cannot be used in
their corresponding electronic reading devices while encased in
such holders.
[0007] The only device on the market today that allows the display
of a card without a slot, hole, or envelope encasement is a
clothespin-type clip card attachment. Clip card attachments on the
market today, however, have not enjoyed widespread adoption in the
market at least in part because they require additional display
devices to connect to a user's clothing. Numerous styles and
variations of display devices are available on the market today.
Among the most popular display devices on the market today are
simple clips, neck lanyards, wrist lanyards, safety pins, and
straight pins. While such display devices are generally
inexpensive, requiring a display device to attach a card attachment
to a user's clothing requires an additional purchase and is
therefore an additional expense.
[0008] Requiring an additional display device to display a clip and
card is also less than convenient for some users. Many people find
some display devices, such as neck lanyards or wrist lanyards,
uncomfortable, unfashionable, and inconvenient. Other devices such
as retractable reels and magnetic card holders are often too bulky
and unnecessary. Furthermore, the additional device raises the cost
to the consumers.
[0009] Notwithstanding the different types of clip card attachments
available, it is believed that there is a need for an improved card
attachment that is easy to operate, provides a secure grip on a
card without covering too much of the card, and can be attached to
directly to a user's clothing, without the need for an additional
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention discloses several embodiments of a
card display device. The present invention allows a user to
securely retain a card and attach it their clothing with only one
device. The disclosed invention includes a card attachment and clip
assembly that allows the retention of a card and connection to a
user's clothing to display the card. In one embodiment of this
invention, a card is retained by a clip that has specially designed
plastic gripping pads. An attached clip can connect directly to a
user's clothing without the need for an additional device. In
another feature of the disclosed invention, a swivel joint allows
the card attachment and clip to rotate with respect to each other
thereby allowing attachment to a user's clothing at any angle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a card display device
incorporating the invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a card
display device.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the card display
device of FIG. 1 in the closed position.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the card display
device of FIG. 1 in the open position.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the card display device of FIG. 1
grasping a card and attached to a user's shirt pocket.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the card display device of FIG. 2
grasping a card and attached to the front opening of a user's
shirt.
[0017] FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the card display
device of FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a card
display device incorporating the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the disclosed card display
device 8 including a first clip 48 and a second clip 50. The first
clip 48 is designed to retain a card while the second clip 50 is
designed to be attached to a user's clothing. In one embodiment,
the first clip 48 is of the suspender-type or cam-and-lever type
design and includes a first jaw 10 and a second jaw 12. The first
jaw 10 and the second jaw 12 preferably each include a gripping pad
11. The first jaw 10 includes a first gripping surface 18 and the
second jaw 12 includes a second gripping surface 20. The gripping
surfaces 18 and 20 are the portions of the gripping pads 11 that
contact a card 32 as it is grasped by the card display device 8.
Embodiments that include the cam-and-lever type clips have a closed
position, shown in FIG. 3, in which the jaws are pressed together
and an open position, shown in FIG. 4, in which the jaws are spread
apart.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates in which the second clip as a
clothespin-type clip. The second clip functions by grasping a
user's clothing between a third jaw 52 and a fourth jaw 54. A
spring 56, preferably a coil spring, closes the jaws 52 and 54
unless a pinching force is applied to open the jaw. The spring 56
applies force to the jaws allowing the jaws to grip a user's
clothing. It is understood that several types of clips can be
employed as the second clip 50 including cam-and-lever or
suspender-type clips.
[0021] In embodiments that include a cam-and-lever type clip such
as those depicted in FIG. 1, the first jaw 10 and the second jaw 12
have a substantially parallel orientation when closed. A leaf
spring 22 is shown connected to the first jaw 10 at one end and, at
the other end, to the second jaw 12. The second jaw 12 engages one
end of the spring 22 in such a way as to anchor that end of the
spring 22. One end of the spring 22 is anchored by a slot 23 in the
second jaw 12 at the pivot point 13. In other embodiments, a lever
may attach the first jaw 10 to the second jaw 12.
[0022] In the closed position depicted in FIG. 3, force from the
spring 22 presses the first jaw 10 and second jaw 12 together. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a lever 24 with an attached cam 26
interacts with the spring 22. The spring 22 also acts against the
cam 26 in the closed position, preventing the cam 26 from moving,
and thereby locking the first jaw 10, the cam 26, and the lever arm
24 in their closed positions. The card display device 8 will remain
in the closed position until a user opens the card display device 8
by lifting the lever arm 24. The lever arm 24 and the cam 26 rotate
about a pivot pin 30, as shown in FIG. 4, while the second jaw 12
remains relatively fixed. Similarly, the spring 22 resists movement
of the cam 26 from the open position to the closed position such
that the card display device 8 will remain in the open position
unless a user closes the card display device 8 by applying force to
the lever arm 24.
[0023] The gripping pads 11 are preferably made of a soft plastic
or rubber. In another arrangement, the gripping pads 11 may fit
over the jaws in a sleeve-like manner. The gripping pads 11 may
alternatively glued, riveted, molded into/onto, or otherwise
attached to the jaws. Other embodiments use only one gripping pad
11 or other plastics, metal, coatings, or other materials or
combinations of materials to grip a card. In one preferred
embodiment, the gripping pads are molded to the jaws 10 and 12 by
placing the ends of the jaws into the mold before introducing the
plastic.
[0024] FIG. 1 shows one of a pair of side walls 14 on the first
clip 48. The side walls 14 limit an effective gripping length A of
the first gripping surface 18 and the second gripping surface 20.
The effective gripping length A of the first gripping surface 18
and the second gripping surface 20 is preferably approximately 1/4
inch. Preferably, the effective gripping length A and a side wall
length B are approximately equal where the side wall length B is
the lateral distance from the hinge pin 30 to the furthest edge of
the side wall 14. In another embodiment, the ratio of the effective
gripping length A to the side wall length B is approximately one to
two, however, many ratios would be effective. In another
embodiment, the effective gripping length A is approximately half
of a first jaw length C.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows the card display device 8 with a card 32
inserted. The card 32 is inserted into the card display device 8 a
distance equal to the effective gripping length A. In a preferred
embodiment, the amount of the card 32 covered by the card display
device 8 measures approximately 1/4 inch in length by 3/8 inch in
width. Other embodiments feature other dimensions and different
ratios of the effective gripping surface A to the side wall length
C. Also, a number of different gripping widths D are possible.
[0026] While FIG. 5 shows the card display device 8 attached to a
shirt pocket, the card display device can be attached to almost any
part of a user's clothing. The first clip 48 and the second clip 50
are attached at a connection point 57 by a rotatable connection
such as a rivet 58 which preferably allows rotation of the clips
with respect to each other. Preferably, a rivet connects the clips
at the ends opposite the jaws. Depending on the length of the rivet
and the tension applied to connect the clips, the desired ease of
rotation is achieved. In a preferred embodiment, the rivet loosely
connects the two clips allowing free rotation. Embodiments that
feature a tighter connection with less freedom to rotate are
available.
[0027] The ability to rotate one clip with respect to the other
allows a user to attach the card display device 8 to a user's
clothing at any angle. The second clip 50 can be attached to a flap
or fold in a user's clothing including a shirt pocket 60, as shown
in FIG. 5, a belt, a pants pocket, a collar, or the front opening
of a shirt 62, as shown in FIG. 6. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the
second clip 50 can attach at an angle while gravity preferably
causes the first clip 48 and the card 32 to hang straight down.
[0028] In one preferred alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the
second jaw 12 and the fourth jaw 54 are a single piece. In this
embodiment, the clips are not rotatable, but the clips may be
oriented with the jaws in the same direction, as in FIG. 8, or in
opposite directions.
[0029] Typical cards 32 are made of a hard plastic material. The
gripping pads 11 are perferably of a material that has a
coefficient of friction that enhances the connection between the
gripping surfaces and a card 32. A relatively high coefficient of
friction provides a secure grip even with a small contact area. The
soft plastic used for the gripping pads 11 can deform slightly
under the force of a hard plastic card 32 pressed against it,
further ensuring a secure grip of the card 32. Also, the gripping
pads 11 in some embodiments have gripping surfaces that create a
somewhat tacky adhesion to a plastic card 32. A preferred material
for the gripping pads 11 is plasticized polyvinyl chloride having a
Shore A hardness of 65. Another preferred material for the gripping
pad is rubber or natural rubber. Some preferred embodiments achieve
a pull strength of seven pounds with a gripping surface that is
only approximately 1/4 inch by 3/8 inch. To solve the difficult
problem of affixing the gripping pad to a jaw, the end of the jaw
may be positioned in a mold and the gripping pad molded to the jaw
in a manner to obtain a mechanical connection. Also, the gripping
pad can be bonded to the jaw with a suitable adhesive. Other
preferred embodiments include sleeve-like gripping pads which slide
over the ends of the jaws.
[0030] While the invention has been described in terms of a
preferred embodiment, it will be understood that other arrangements
fall within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *