U.S. patent application number 11/407497 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for attachable magnetic clip and system.
Invention is credited to Dan L. Dietz.
Application Number | 20060282993 11/407497 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46324328 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060282993 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dietz; Dan L. |
December 21, 2006 |
Attachable magnetic clip and system
Abstract
A magnetic clip device attaches to the clothing of a person and
uses magnetic fields to secure the clip to the person's clothing
and the secure instruments to the magnetic clip. The clip comprises
a strip of flexible material preferably of a generally linear ship.
The material having two ends with a magnet incorporated and secured
to each end of the material. The flexible characteristic of the
material enables the person to bend the material such that the
magnetic on the opposite ends attract each other.
Inventors: |
Dietz; Dan L.; (Houston,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARCELL WALKER
8107 CARVEL LANE
HOUSTON
TX
77036
US
|
Family ID: |
46324328 |
Appl. No.: |
11/407497 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11157048 |
Jun 20, 2005 |
|
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11407497 |
Apr 20, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/303 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2200/0566 20130101;
A45C 13/1069 20130101; B43K 23/001 20130101; B43K 25/02 20130101;
Y10T 24/32 20150115; A45C 11/34 20130101; A45F 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/303 |
International
Class: |
A44B 1/04 20060101
A44B001/04 |
Claims
1. A magnetic clip device to be secured to a person's clothing and
capable of securing portable items to the person's clothing, the
magnetic clip device comprising: a flexible and durable clip
material having a generally linear shape with first and second ends
and capable of being folded as desired by a person around an
article of clothing; and a first magnet secured at a first end of
said material and a second magnet secured at a second end of said
material such that when said material is folded magnetic forces
from each secured magnet attract the magnets to each other causing
the ends of the material to clip together, thereby securing the
article of clothing between the magnets.
2. The magnetic clip device as described in claim 1 wherein said
flexible and durable clip material comprises a leather
material.
3. The magnetic clip device as described in claim 1 wherein said
clip material further comprises a bend section approximately midway
between said first and second ends of said material, said bend
section capable of maintaining material integrity during numerous
back and forth bends of the material.
4. The magnetic clip device as described in claim 3 wherein said
bend section further comprises an additional flexible and durable
material attached to said clip material at the location of the bend
section.
5. The magnetic clip device as described in claim 1 wherein said
clip material further comprises two strips of flexible and durable
material attached together.
6. The magnet clip device as described in claim 5 wherein said
magnets are internally secured to said clip material between said
two strips of clip material.
7. The magnetic clip device as descried in claim 6 wherein said
magnets are internally secured to said clip material with stitching
material such that the magnetic a stabilized between the
strips.
8. The magnetic clip device as described in claim 6 wherein said
magnets are partially exposed through openings in the strips of
clip material.
9. The magnetic clip device as described in claim 7 wherein said
magnets are internally secured to said clip material with an
adhesive material such that the magnetic a stabilized between the
strips.
10. The magnetic clip device as described in claim 9 wherein the
adhesive material is a form of glue material.
11. The magnetic clip device as described in claim 1 wherein
portable items could be secured to the clip through a groove
depression attached to the clip material, said groove having a
depth such that a top edge of the portable item is lower that a top
edge of the groove.
12. The magnetic clip device as described in claim 1 wherein said a
clip material further comprises a first and second surface and
further comprises a magnet secured to each said surface and end of
said clip material.
13. The magnetic clip device as described in claim 12 wherein each
said magnet is secured to said clip material by an adhesive
material.
14. The magnetic clip device as described in claim 6 further
comprising a third magnet externally attached to said clip
material.
15. The magnetic clip device as described in claim 14 further
comprising additional third section of flexible material attached
to one side of said clip material such that a pouch with an outer
surface and an inner surface is created between said third section
and said clip material, said third magnet being attached to the
outer surface of the pouch.
16. A magnetic clip system for to be secured to the person's
clothing and capable of securing portable items to clothing of the
person, the magnetic clip system comprising: a flexible and durable
clip material having a generally linear shape with first and second
ends and capable of being folded as desired by a person around an
article of clothing; a first magnet secured at a first end of said
material and a second magnet secured at a second end of said
material such that when said material is folded magnetic forces
from each secured magnet attract the magnets to each other causing
the ends of the material to clip together, thereby securing the
article of clothing between the magnets; and a portable item
attached to a magnet secured to said clip material.
17. The magnetic clip system as described in claim 16 wherein said
clip material further comprises two strips of flexible and durable
material attached together and wherein said magnets are internally
secured to said clip material between said two strips of clip
material.
18. The magnetic clip system as described in claim 17 further
comprising additional third section of flexible material attached
to one side of said clip material such that a pouch with an outer
surface and an inner surface is created between said third section
and said clip material, and further comprising a third magnet being
attached to the outer surface of the pouch.
19. The magnetic clip system as described in claim 18 further
comprising a third magnet externally attached to the pouch such
that the clip contains multiple magnets that can simultaneously
attach to multiple items.
20. The magnetic clip system as described in claim 19 wherein said
third magnet is capable of attaching items through a groove in the
third magnet such the contact is established between the item and
the magnet in a manner that contact is better maintained and
sliding between the third magnet and the item is reduced.
21. The magnetic clip system as described in claim 20 wherein said
attachable item is a badge item.
22. The magnetic clip system as described in claim 16 wherein an
item is attached to the clip material through a depression in the
material of the clip.
23. The magnetic clip system as described in claim 16 further
comprising a lanyard attached to said flexible and durable clip
material for securing said flexible and durable clip material
around a person's neck.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and is related
to and claims priority from utility patent application No.
11/157,048 filed on Jun. 21, 2005, the contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to an attachable magnet clip and in
particular to a magnetic clip that can be attached to and detached
from a person's clothing. The magnetic clip being capable of
securing various items, which are used frequently but
intermittently by the person, to the person's clothing. The
magnetic clip can be secured to the person's clothing at various
locations in order to facilitate easy attachment and detachment of
the various instruments to the magnetic clip and the person's
clothing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The use of portable instruments such as writing pens and
miniature flashlights has become an integral part of people's
lives. A common sight is a person with several writing instruments
positioned in his or her pocket. Many people keep a writing
instrument on their person virtually all of the time. In retail
establishments, the cashier usually has a writing instrument
available in the event a patron needs to sign a bill or statement.
In restaurants, personnel also have writing instruments on their
person that they can quickly retrieve when needed. This need to
have the instrument at an easily accessible location on the person
has not gone unnoticed. A conventional means for attaching writing
instruments and other portable instruments to the person is with a
form of numerous clip mechanisms.
[0004] Writing instruments have historically contained clips used
of various designs to secure the instrument to the clothing of the
person. U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,626 describes a writing instrument that
includes a clip, which can be retracted into an opening of a
barrel, and an operating unit, which has a pushbutton and an
operating cam. The writing instrument can be operated by a single
operating means, while the clip can function only when the writing
cartridge is retracted.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,374 describes a spring biased clip
design. This clip assembly is securably affixable to the body of a
variety of hand-held implements, including writing devices, which
is capable of clasping objects substantially thicker that a garment
pocket, such as notepads, books, and backpacks. The clip assembly
comprises a pin securably engaged to the body of the hand-held
implement, a rigid member having a first end for clasping an
article, and a second end for manually operating the clip assembly,
and a spring biasing the first end of the rigid member towards the
body of said hand-held writing implement.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,196 describes a clip for a writing
instrument has an external biasing mechanism separate from the
connection of the clip to the writing instrument to avoid permanent
deformation or breaking of the clip arm and wear on the writing
instrument body. The biasing mechanism is a coil spring mounted on
the clip arm between two supports for compression and flexion when
the clip arm is pulled away from the side of the writing
instrument.
[0007] More receipt clip designs by the present inventor have been
implemented using magnetic fields to supply the force for the clip.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/120,687 describes a combination
dual clip and a retainer clip for attaching lighting and writing
instruments such that the two instruments form one illuminated
writing instrument. The magnetic retainer clip secures the
illuminated writing instrument as desired by the user. In
operation, the force from the magnetic field of the retainer magnet
will draw the arm to the magnet. The force of the magnetic field is
an amount that will secure the arm to the magnet thereby creating
the mechanism that will provide the securing capabilities of the
retainer clip.
[0008] U.S. patent No. 11/208,494 provides a magnetic spring clip
device that is attachable to a writing instrument, lighting
instrument, an illuminating writing instrument or any other similar
type device. The invention further provides a magnetic spring clip
system that enables a person to better secure various types of
instruments to the person's clothing. In this system, a magnet
attached to the arm of the spring clip forms an attraction to a
magnet housed in the instrument. This magnetic attraction causes
the magnets to come together thereby securing any material inserted
between the magnets.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,147 describes a combination money clip
and bottle opener device. In this device, a clip formed from a
single sheet of material is provided, which includes a clip body
extending to a bend portion, a clip arm extending from the bend
portion back along the clip portion, a biasing means causing the
clip arm to press against the clip body, and a cap aperture, formed
in the bend portion and shaped to receive a bottle cap, the cap
aperture having a lifting portion and an anchor portion. This
description alludes to the use of magnets, tensioning devices, and
other devices to hold objects between the clip arm and clip body of
the device.
[0010] Although these various types of clips have provide
convenient means to for a person to attach an instrument to his or
her body, there still remains a need for a simpler but improved
clip mechanism for securing a linear writing, lighting or other
instrument to a person's clothing without adverse effects to the
clothing item that supports the instrument attached to it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a
magnetic clip that enables a person to better secure writing and/or
lighting instruments or other items to the person's clothing.
[0012] It is a second objective of the present invention to provide
a magnetic clip system having a magnetic clip that can attract
portable items such as writing or lighting instruments that have a
magnet contained within the portable instrument.
[0013] It is a third objective of the present invention to provide
a magnetic clip system that is attachable to and detachable from a
portable item.
[0014] It is a fourth objective of the present invention to provide
a magnetic clip system in which items that attach to the magnetic
clip are made of materials such that the magnetic force of the clip
attaches and secures the item to the magnetic clip.
[0015] It is fifth objective of the present invention to provide a
magnetic clip system that is also attachable to other objects such
as certain identification badges that a person may need to secure
to their clothing.
[0016] The present invention provides magnetic clip device that
attaches to the clothing of a person and uses magnetic fields to
produce a clipping action that secures the clip to the person's
clothing and a magnetic field that secures instruments or other
objects to the magnetic clip. The clip comprises at least one strip
of flexible material preferably of a generally linear shape. One
such material can be leather. The material has two ends with each
end having a magnet secured to that end of the material. The
flexible characteristic of the material enables the person to bend
the material such that the magnets on the opposite ends attract
each other and come together thereby producing a clamping or
clipping action.
[0017] In the implementation, the flexible material containing the
two magnets is bent around a portion of the person's clothing. At
this point, the magnets are positioned such that they attract to
each other in a clamping action thereby securing the magnetic clip
to the person's clothing. The magnetic force of the magnets in the
clip enables the clip to attract and secure to the clip objects
containing metal or objects that also contain a magnet or magnetic
materials. The force of the magnets is strong enough to secure
objects to the clip and to secure the clip to the person's
clothing. However, the magnetic is not so strong that the person
cannot easily detach the instrument from the clip.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0018] FIG. 1 is a front view of the magnetic clip of the present
invention secured to the clothing of a person.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a front view of the magnetic clip of the present
invention secured to the clothing of a person and also securing a
portable instrument to the magnetic clip and person.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a top view of the magnetic clip of the present
invention in an unfolded or open position.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a side of the magnetic clip of the present
invention in an unfolded or open position.
[0022] FIG. 5a is side of the magnetic clip of the present
invention in a folded or closed position.
[0023] FIG. 5b is a side view of the magnetic clip of the present
invention, which is secured to a person's clothing and also
securing an instrument to the magnetic clip.
[0024] FIG. 6a is a front view of an alternate embodiment for
securing a magnet in the magnetic clip in which the clip portion
containing the magnet has an open face to directly expose a magnet
to an object.
[0025] FIG. 6b is a side view of an alternate embodiment for
securing a magnet in the magnetic clip in which the clip portion
containing the magnet has an open face to directly expose a magnet
to an object.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention in which the magnetic clip forms and contains a
pouch on the person's clothing.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention in which the magnetic clip forms and contains a
pouch on the person's clothing, the pouch containing an additional
magnet to secure items to the clip.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 8, in which the magnetic is in a
closed position to secure the clip to the person's clothing and in
which a magnet contained in the pouch secures an item to the
magnetic clip.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 8, in which the magnetically
secures an item inside the pouch and magnetically secures an item
to the external side of the pouch.
[0030] FIG. 11 is an alternate embodiment of the present invention
shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b with an additional magnet secured to the
external surface of the magnetic clip.
[0031] FIG. 12 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1 having an additional magnet
secured to the external surface of the magnetic clip.
[0032] FIG. 13 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12
showing the additional magnet secured to the external surface of
the magnetic clip.
[0033] FIG. 14 is a front view of the alternate embodiment shown in
FIG. 12 having a badge type item magnetically attached to the
magnetic clip.
[0034] FIG. 15 is a side view of the alternate embodiment shown in
FIG. 12 having a badge type item magnetically attached to the
magnetic clip.
[0035] FIG. 16a is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention in a closed position.
[0036] FIG. 16b is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention in an open position.
[0037] FIG. 17a is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention incorporating a badge mechanically attached to a
magnet and lanyard for securing the badge to the person.
[0038] FIG. 17b is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention incorporating a badge adhesively attached to a
magnet and lanyard for securing the badge to the person.
[0039] FIG. 18 is a view of a magnet configuration of the present
invention showing a depression groove in the magnet surface.
[0040] FIG. 19 is a view of a magnet configuration of the present
invention showing an alternate embodiment of a groove
implementation.
[0041] FIG. 20 shows an end view of the alternate groove embodiment
of FIG. 19 with the groove having a U shape.
[0042] FIG. 21 shows an end view of the alternate groove embodiment
of FIG. 19 with the groove having a square shape.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] The present invention provides a magnetic clip for securing
portable instruments to a person's clothing. Referring to FIG. 1,
shown is the magnetic clip of the present invention attached to a
clothing item of a person. In this example, a clothing item 10 such
as a shirt can have a collar or upper edge 11. The magnetic clip 12
contains multiple magnets 13 and bends around this edge 11 and
clamps down to secure or clip the magnetic clip 12 to the clothing
item 10. FIG. 2 shows the same magnetic clip 12 secured to the
clothing item 10. In addition, an item 14 such as a writing
instrument is attached to the magnetic clip 12 via a magnet 13.
[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates the general features of the magnetic clip
of the present invention. As previously indicated, this magnetic
clip comprises a flexible and easily bendable material. In a
preferred embodiment, the material for the magnetic clip can be a
flexible but durable material such as leather. The clip material
can also be a generally linear shape. With this shape, the clip
material will have two distinct ends 20 and 22. Incorporated at
each end of the material is a separate magnet 24 and 26.
Preferably, the magnets are of a generally square to rectangular
shape. These magnets are secured with the flexible material through
various conventional means. The middle section of the material can
comprises a bendable section 28. This section can be of the same
material as the rest of the magnetic clip. However, since this
section is will subjected to the bending action during the use of
the magnet, this section can be reinforced with a stronger material
to withstand the constant bending. Although the material may be
stronger, this material can still be a flexible as the other clip
material.
[0045] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the magnetic clip illustrated in
FIG. 3. As shown, the flexible material can comprise two identical
strips 30 and 32 that are attached to form this magnetic clip
material. These strips can be attached to each other by various
conventional means such as stitches, glue or clamps. In addition,
the attaching of the two strips 30 and 32 a seam 27 is created
between the two strips. This seam helps form pockets between the
strips to secure the magnets 24 and 26 between the strips.
Additional stitching can also be applied to the ends of the
flexible material and around the magnet sections of the strips to
further secure the magnets.
[0046] FIG. 5a is a side view of the magnetic clip of the present
invention in a folded or closed position. As shown, the clip
material 12 is folded at the bend section 28 such that magnets 24
and 26 attract each other. The magnetic force of the two magnets
draws them together forming the clipping function. As previously
shown, in a typical application, the clip is folded around an
article of clothing. When the magnets come together, they form a
clip attaching to the article of clothing 10. In addition, when the
magnetic clip bends around an item of clothing a clearance space 36
is formed that contains the portion of the clothing to which the
magnetic clip is attached. In the preferred embodiment, when the
clip is secured to the clothing, one magnet (i.e. 24) will face the
person (the internal magnet) and one magnet (i.e. 26) will face
outward. The outward magnet will be outside the clothing item. This
outside magnet will also serve as an attaching means for portable
instruments that are intermittently used by the person. As
mentioned the magnetic force of the external magnet will attract
instruments that are made of magnetic material or contain a magnet.
Further either magnet 24 or 26 can serve as the internal or
external magnet. Another option would be to have magnets of
different strength, but in that instance care would need to be
taken to always have the stronger magnet as the external
magnet.
[0047] FIG. 5b is a side view of the magnetic clip of the present
invention, which is secured to a person's clothing and also
securing an instrument to the magnetic clip. As in FIG. 5a, the
magnetic clip is in a closed position around a clothing item 38.
The clip is secured to the clothing item by the magnets 24 and 26.
The bend 28 and clearance 36 facilitate the attaching of the
magnetic clip to the clothing item. After the clip is attached to
the clothing item, an item 40 can be magnetically attached to the
clothing item 38 and the person via the magnetic clip. The magnet
26 provides the magnetic force to secure item 40 to the magnetic
clip. The magnetic force of magnet 26 is strong enough to retain
the instrument 40 on the person until that person retrieves the
instrument for a particular function. At the completion of the
function, the instrument is again reattached to the magnet 26 and
clip magnetic 11.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 6a, shown is an end 50 of each material
strip 30 and 32. In an alternate embodiment, each can contain an
opening 52 in the strip at the approximate location of the magnet
52a. These openings enable the magnets to have direct contact with
the each other and the portable instruments attached to the
magnets. In this embodiment, the opening reduces the need for the
magnetic force to attach an object through the clip material. As a
result, the magnetic force can be stronger because there is no
interference from the clip material of strips 30 and 32. As shown
in FIG. 6a, even with the opening, a portion of the magnet 52a
remains enclosed in the pocket of the strip material. It is
desirable to have the magnet remain partially enclosed in order to
stabilize the magnet in the pocket. A design that does not
partially enclose the magnets could easily cause the magnet to come
through the opening and out of the pocket. The form the pocket to
secure the magnet in this open face embodiment is a series of
stitches 54, 56 and 58. As shown the stitching configurations can
vary so long as they adequately secure the magnet in the pocket.
Some of this stitching can be same stitching that secures the
flexible strips 30 and 32 of the magnetic clip.
[0049] FIG. 6b shows a side view of the same embodiment as FIG. 6a.
As shown, the flexible strips 62 and 64 are attached to form a
pocket for the magnet 60. Each strip has an opening 66 that is a
little smaller than the length of the magnet to expose a large
portion of the magnet and without the need to draw items to the
magnet through the flexible strip material.
[0050] FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention in which the magnetic clip forms and contains a
pouch on the person's clothing. In this embodiment, the magnetic
clip has the same features of the design in FIG. 3. There are two
sections 72 and 74. Each section contains a magnet 70 and 76. Also
shown is a middle section 78 for additional support and
reinforcement against the back and forth bending action of the
magnetic clip. In addition to these features, this embodiment
contains a pouch section. Referring to FIG. 8, shown is a section
82 that is formed by the attachment of the material strip to the
lower section 72 of the magnetic clip. This attachment of these
sections forms a pouch. Contained in this pouch of section 82 is an
additional magnet 80. The pouch also has a clearance area that can
hold a writing instrument or other item similar to a conventional
pocket penholder.
[0051] FIG. 9 is a side view of the magnetic slip with the attached
pouch as described in FIG. 8. As shown, the magnetic clip is folded
in a closed position such that the clip would be attached to the
clothing of a person. In this closed position, the upper section
containing magnet 70 folds over the clothing item such that this
upper section is inside the clothing item. Magnet 70 is drawn to
magnet 76 to create this clipping action around the clothing
article that would fill the clearance gap 86. The pouch section 82
contains the magnet 80 that is used to attract an item 84 to the
magnetic clip.
[0052] FIG. 10 shows an alternate embodiment of the magnetic clip
illustrated in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the additional magnet 80
is attached to the magnetic clip out the pouch 82. With this
embodiment, an instrument 88 can be magnetically secured to the
clip inside the pouch 82. This instrument 88 is attached to the
magnetic clip via magnet 76. A second instrument 84 can be attached
to the magnetic clip via magnet 80. The magnet 80 is shown as
attached to the magnetic clip via a pocket section attached to the
clip. Other conventional attachment means are also available to
secure the magnet 80 to the magnetic clip.
[0053] FIG. 11 shows a three-magnet embodiment of the present
invention having the third magnet directly attached to the lower
section of the clip. In the illustrated closed position, magnets 90
and 92 attract to each other to secure the magnetic clip to the
clothing item. Magnet 94 is attached directly to the lower section
of the clip. This attachment means can also of various means such
as an adhesive material such as glue. In addition, a mechanical
means such a belt can be implemented if desired to secure the
magnet to the magnetic clip.
[0054] FIGS. 12 and 13 show the configuration of the present
invention illustrated in FIG. 11 having a modified exterior magnet
108 that is attached to the lower section 104 of the magnetic clip.
Again two magnets 106 and 109 are internally secured in the device.
Section 110 represents the bend section of the present invention.
The outer magnet 108 contains a groove section 112 that can
facilitate the engagement of that magnet with other devices.
[0055] FIG. 14 shows a detailed view of the implementation of the
attachment of an identification badge with the lower section 104
and magnet 108 of the magnetic clip of the present invention. In
this illustration, the badge 114 can have a pin section 116 that
attaches the badge to the magnetic clip. The pin 116 has an end
section 118 that is specifically designed to fit into groove
section 112 of the magnet 108. A grummet 120 can attach the pin 116
to the badge 112.
[0056] FIG. 15 shows a side of the magnetic clip of the present
invention in closed position. As shown, magnets 106 and 109 provide
the clamping the force for the clip. When in the closed position,
magnet 108 engages the pin 116 that is attached to the badge 114.
The engagement of the badge to the magnet via the groove section
112 of the magnet and the pin section 118 of the pin 116 enhances
the attachment of the badge to the magnet 108 by preventing
potential sliding of the pin 116 when in contact with the magnet
112. Although the perpendicular (straight) force between the magnet
112 and the pin 116 is strong. Lateral or side forces can sometimes
cause magnets to slide even though contact between the objects is
maintained. However, in some cases, the sliding can cause an object
to move off the edge of the magnet thereby breaking contact with
the magnet. The groove 112 which can also have small stop sections
can substantially reduce the amount of sliding that occurs when
some or something contacts the badge and causes a sliding activity
between the magnet an object (such as the pin 116) to occur.
[0057] In another alternate embodiment of the present invention
multiple magnets are incorporated at each end of the clip. Although
not shown, the material strip is of a linear shape and has two
magnets attached to each end. In this embodiment, the material
strip may be one solid strip instead of two attached strips. If the
strip were one solid piece, the magnets would be externally
attached to each side of the strip using some attaching means such
as a glue or adhesive material. The clip would function in the same
manner as the previously described embodiment.
[0058] FIG. 16a is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention in a closed position. In this embodiment, magnets
130 and 132 are secured in end of the ends of the clip device.
These magnets attach to each other to provide the clipping force to
secure the instrument 134 in the clip. The clip can have a pair of
additional magnets 136 and 138 that can attract to each other to
the ends of the clip. In this closed position, the clip forms
self-containing device. In this closed position, clip can hold the
instrument. In addition, in this closed position, the clip does not
automatically attach to the person's clothing. FIG. 16b is a side
view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention in an open
position. This configuration is similar to FIG. 11 with the
addition of magnets 136 and 138 to further secure the clip to the
person's clothing.
[0059] FIG. 17a is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention incorporating a badge mechanically attached to a
magnet and lanyard for securing the badge to the person. This
configuration is similar to FIG. 14 with the addition of a lanyard
140. The lanyard enables the user to secure the magnetic clip and
badge around the user's neck. FIG. 17b is a configuration similar
to FIG. 17a in that it contains a lanyard to secure the clip around
the user's neck. In this embodiment, the badge is attached to the
magnet with an adhesive material such as glue.
[0060] FIG. 18 is a view of a magnet configuration of the present
invention showing a depression groove 142 in the magnet surface
144. The depression is designed such that an instrument
magnetically attached to the clip can fit in the groove. The
depression can have a depth such that the top edge of an inserted
instrument will be lower than the top edge of the magnet. FIG. 19
shows an alternate embodiment of this groove feature. In this
embodiment, the groove section extends outward from the magnetic
clip surface 150. The groove section 152 actually attaches to the
clip surface 150. The attaching means can be any conventional type
such as a form of glue. Clip magnets 154 and 156 function the same
as in the previously described implementations and enable the clip
magnet to be secured around a clothing article 160 of the user. The
instrument 158 is inserted into the groove. FIG. 20 shows an end
view of this groove configuration. This groove has a U-shape
configuration. In this view, one can observe that the instrument
158 is secured in he groove such that the upper surface of the
instrument is lower than the upper edge 162 of the groove. FIG. 21
shows an alternate embodiment of the groove feature, which has a
more square shape. As shown this groove section 152 attaches to the
magnetic clip surface 150 and extends outward from this surface. As
with the other embodiment, the upper edge 162 of the groove section
extends further than the outer edge of the instrument 158. This
groove configuration in which the groove edge exceeds the edge of
the instrument is useful to prevent the magnetically instrument
from being knock off the magnet by a sudden impact. The impact
could be a physical impact resulting from some physical contact
with the instrument. Another situation could be coming in the range
of another magnetic material. The insertion of the instrument into
the groove provides a shield and additional resistance against when
coming in contact with other magnetic materials.
[0061] The present invention provides significant advantages over
the current art. While the invention has been described using a
limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the
benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other variations
are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as
disclosed herein or from its true spirit. Accordingly, the scope of
the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.
[0062] This description is intended for purposes of illustration
only and should not be construed in a limiting sense. Only the
language of the claims that follow should determine the scope of
this invention. The term "comprising" within the claims is intended
to mean "including at least" such that the recited listing of
elements in a claim are an open group. "A," "an" and other singular
terms are intended to include the plural forms thereof unless
specifically excluded.
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