U.S. patent application number 12/265158 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-06 for clip for organizing notes and photographs.
Invention is credited to Rick D. Johnson.
Application Number | 20100107378 12/265158 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42129687 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100107378 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Rick D. |
May 6, 2010 |
Clip for Organizing Notes and Photographs
Abstract
A clip dimensioned to receive notes and photographs having a
first elongated member, a second elongated member having a U-shaped
portion on an outer portion thereof, and an intermediate section
unitarily joining the first elongated member to the second
elongated member.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Rick D.; (Mill
Valley, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUCHANAN, INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC
POST OFFICE BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Family ID: |
42129687 |
Appl. No.: |
12/265158 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/568 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 1/0611 20130101;
Y10T 24/44966 20150115; G09F 1/10 20130101; G09F 1/103
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/568 |
International
Class: |
A44B 21/00 20060101
A44B021/00 |
Claims
1. A clip dimensioned to receive notes and photographs comprising:
a first elongated member; a second elongated member having a
U-shaped portion on an outer portion thereof; and an intermediate
section unitarily joining the first elongated member to the second
elongated member.
2. The clip of claim 1, wherein the U-shaped portion extends onto
an upper surface of the first elongated member.
3. The clip of claim 1, wherein the intermediate section acts a
hinge to allow the clip to hold various objects including
photographs, notes and/or business cards.
4. The clip of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive strip on a
lower surface of the first elongated member.
5. The clip of claim 4, wherein the adhesive strip further includes
a protective cover, which peels away to expose the adhesive
strip.
6. The clip of claim 1, wherein the first and second elongated
members have a tapered outer edge on each end thereof.
7. The clip of claim 1, wherein the first and second elongated
members have a length of approximately 60 mm to approximately 400
mm.
8. The clip of claim 7, wherein the first and second elongated
members have a width of approximately 10 mm to approximately 60
mm.
9. The clip of claim 1, wherein the first and second elongated
members have a width, and width of the first elongated member is
greater that the width of the second elongated member.
10. The clip of claim 1, wherein the clip is made of a recyclable
material.
11. The clip of claim 1, wherein the clip is made of a plastic
and/or a plastic like material.
12. A clip dimensioned to receive notes and photographs comprising:
an elongated lower portion; an elongated upper portion having a
distal portion dimensioned to contact the lower portion; and a
hinge member joining an outer edge of the elongated lower and upper
portions, and which allows the elongated lower and upper portions
to hold various objects including photographs, notes and/or
business cards.
13. The clip of claim 12, wherein the distal portion of the
elongated upper portion is a U-shaped portion, which extends across
the elongated upper portion, and from the elongated upper portion
and onto an upper surface of the elongated lower portion.
14. The clip of claim 12, further comprising an adhesive on a lower
surface of the elongated lower portion of the clip.
15. The clip of claim 14, wherein the adhesive strip further
includes a protective cover, which peels away to expose the
adhesive strip.
16. The clip of claim 12, further comprising indicia on the upper
portion of the clip.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a clip for organizing notes
and photographs, and more particularly to a clip for organizing
notes and photographs, which includes a first elongated member, a
second elongated member having a U-shaped portion on an outer
portion thereof, and an intermediate section unitarily joining the
first elongated member to the second elongated member.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Clutter is a problem in most households, offices, school
lockers, work areas including computer monitors, bathroom mirrors,
etc. This problem is especially pronounced when attempting to
organize various handwritten notes and memos, printed
advertisements, business cards, and children's drawings.
[0003] In many households, the refrigerator becomes the central
organizing point, and also the place where children's artwork is
displayed. Unfortunately, the refrigerator tends to become
cluttered with various notes, memos, photos and artwork held in
place by magnets. The same sort of problem exists in offices where
corkboards are the central organizing point. Things get lost.
[0004] What is instead desired is an organizing system which holds
notes, memos and photographs in an easy to read, well organized
format so that they do not get lost. In addition, it would also be
convenient to provide a convenient location for a user both to
write and to display written notes or messages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a clip
dimensioned to receive notes and photographs comprises: a first
elongated member; a second elongated member having a U-shaped
portion on an outer edge thereof; and an intermediate section
unitarily joining the first elongated member to the second
elongated member.
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a clip
dimensioned to receive notes and photographs comprises: an
elongated lower portion; an elongated upper portion having a distal
portion dimensioned to contact the lower portion; and a hinge
member joining an outer edge of the elongated lower and upper
portions, and which allows the elongated lower and upper portions
to hold various objects including photographs, notes and/or
business cards.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The invention will now be described in greater detail with
reference to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, in which like elements bear the reference
numerals, and wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a perspective view of a clip
for organizing notes and photographs in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the clip of FIG. 1 in accordance
with an exemplary embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top view of the clip of FIG. 1 in accordance
with an exemplary embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side or end view of the clip of FIG. 1 in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 5 is another side or end view of the clip of FIG. 1 in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 1 attached
or affixed to a computer monitor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a clip 100 for
displaying and/or organizing notes and photographs is described
herein. The clip 100 is preferably sized to fit within a standard
envelope for promotional mailings. In addition, the clip 100 is
preferably design such that the clip 100 can be easily integrated
into promotional campaigns, and can be directly attached or affixed
to computer monitors, household appliances, offices, school
lockers, work areas including computer monitors, bathroom mirrors,
and any other suitable surfaces.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a perspective view of a clip
100 for displaying and/or organizing notes and photographs in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the
clip 100 includes a first elongated member (or lower portion) 110,
a second elongated member (or upper portion) 130 having a U-shaped
portion 160 on an outer portion or edge thereof, and an
intermediate section (or hinge member) 150 unitarily joining the
first elongated member 110 to the second elongated member 130. The
first elongated member 110 preferably is a relatively flat member
or surface 120 having a lower surface 112 and an upper surface 114.
The second elongated member 130 is also relatively flat surface or
portion 140 having a lower surface 132 and an upper surface 134. As
shown, the U-shaped portion 160 extends the length of the second
elongated member 130 and downward onto the upper surface 114 of the
first elongated member 110. In accordance with an exemplary
embodiment, the intermediate section 150 acts a hinge to allow the
first and second elongated members 110, 130 to hold various objects
including photographs, notes and/or business cards.
[0016] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG.
2, the lower surface 112 of the first elongated member 110 includes
an adhesive strip 200. The adhesive strip 200 is preferably either
a natural or a synthetic source, which has sufficient strength to
firmly attach or affix the clip 100 to a desired object. In
accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive strip 200
includes a protective cover 210, which peels away to expose the
adhesive strip 200. It can be appreciated that any suitable
adhesive can be used, however, it is desirable that the adhesive be
a non-permanent adhesive that once the clip 100 has been removed
from a surface, the adhesive can be easily removed from the surface
and/or can be removed with basic household cleaning supplies
without leaving any residue. In accordance with an alternative
embodiment, the adhesive strip 200 can be a magnetic strip, a
suitable faster such as a hook-and-loop fastener, or other suitable
means of attaching or affixing the clip to a desired object, such
as a refrigerator, a mirror, a dashboard of a car or truck, and/or
a school locker.
[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first and second elongated
members 110, 130 have a tapered outer edge 170, 180 on each end
thereof. The tapered outer edges 170, 180 extend from an outer edge
172, 182 of the first and second elongated members 110, 130 towards
the intermediate section (or hinged member) 150. In accordance with
an exemplary embodiment, the first and second elongated members
110, 130 have a length 174, 184 of approximately 60 mm (2.36
inches) to approximately 400 mm (15.75 inches), and more preferably
having a length 174, 184 of approximately 200 mm (7.87 inches) to
220 mm (8.66 inches). In an exemplary embodiment, the first and
second elongated members 110, 130 have a width 176, 186 of
approximately 10 mm (0.393 inches) to approximately 60 mm (2.36
inches), and more preferably a width 176, 186 of approximately 10
mm (0.393 inches) to 25 mm (0.98 inches) and approximately 10 mm
(0.393 inches) to 20 mm (0.787 inches), respectively. In accordance
with an exemplary embodiment, the first and second elongated
members 110, 130 have a length of 210 mm (8.26 inches) and a width
176, 186 of approximately 15 mm (0.59 inches) and 13 mm (0.52
inches), respectively. It can be appreciated that as shown, the
width 176 of the first elongated member 110 is preferably greater
than the width 186 of the second elongated member 130. However, it
can be appreciated that in accordance with an embodiment, the
widths 176, 186 of the first and second elongated members 110, 130
can be essentially equal in width 176, 186.
[0018] FIGS. 4 and 5 are side (or end) views of the clip 100 in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,
the second elongated member (or upper portion) 130 has a U-shaped
portion 160 on an outer edge or portion thereof, and an
intermediate section (or hinge member) 150 unitarily joining the
first elongated member 110 to the second elongated member 130. As
shown, the U-shaped portion 160 extends downward onto the upper
surface 114 of the first elongated member 110. The intermediate
section 150 acts a hinge to allow the clip 100 to hold various
objects including photographs, notes and/or business cards (not
shown). In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the
intermediate section or hinge member 150 separates (i.e.,
separation 190) the upper section 114 of the first elongated member
110 from the lower section 132 of the second elongated member 130
by at approximately 1.5 mm (0.059 inches) to 6.0 mm (0.236 inches)
and in accordance with an exemplary embodiment 2.3 mm (0.091
inches). The separation 190 of the upper section 114 of the first
elongated member 110 from the lower surface 132 of the second
elongated member 130 provides an approximate thickness of those
objects in which the clip 100 can hold. In accordance with an
exemplary embodiment, the first and second elongated members 110,
130 have a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm and more
preferably 1.1 mm, and an overall height 192 of approximately 4.5
mm from the lower surface 112 of the first elongated member 110 to
the upper surface 134 of the second elongated member 130. However,
it can be appreciated that the separation 190 and the height 192
can vary depending on the overall size and parameters of the clip
100.
[0019] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the clip 100 can
be made of any suitable material including but not limited to
plastic and/or plastic like material. In accordance with an
exemplary embodiment, the clip 100 can be made from a recyclable
material. For example, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment,
the clip is made of U-PVC (Unplasticised Poly Vinyl Chloride).
However, it can be appreciated that any suitable plastic material,
including synthetic or semisynthetic organic solid materials
suitable for the manufacture of industrial products. In accordance
with an exemplary embodiment, the clip 100 can be made from a
plastic comprised of a polymer of high molecular weight, and which
may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce
costs. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the clip 100 is
clear or translucent in color, or alternatively, the clip 100 can
be solid color.
[0020] It can be appreciated that the clip 100 can be attached or
affixed to a chalkboard, white board, corkboard, mirror, computer
terminal, home appliance or other object. As shown in FIG. 6, the
clip 100 can be attached or affixed to an outer edge (i.e., one or
more of the sides) of a computer monitor or terminal 300. It can be
appreciated that the clip 100 can be used to hold various objects
including photograph 310, memorandums or notes 320 and business
cards 330. It can be appreciated that the various objects are not
limited to photographs 310, memorandums or notes 320, and business
cards 330, but can include any suitable or desired object
preferably having a thickness equal or less than the separation 190
of the upper section 114 of the first elongated member 110 from the
lower surface 132 of the second elongated member 130. It can also
be appreciated that the clip 100 can include indicia 350 on the
relatively flat surface or portion 140 of the second elongated
member 130 of the clip 100. However, it can be appreciated that the
indicia 350 can be located or placed on an outer edge of the
relatively flat surface or portion 120 of the first elongated
member 110, or other suitable location, wherein the indicia 350 is
visible.
[0021] While the invention has been described in detail with
reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent
to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications
can be made and equivalents employed, without departing from the
present invention.
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