U.S. patent application number 13/262688 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-07 for double-sided blanket clip.
This patent application is currently assigned to TRIBORO QUILT MANUFACTURING CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Jonathan Daugherty, Jamie Kummerfeld, Richard White.
Application Number | 20120137477 13/262688 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42828595 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120137477 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Daugherty; Jonathan ; et
al. |
June 7, 2012 |
DOUBLE-SIDED BLANKET CLIP
Abstract
A double-sided blanket clip including a base member having a
first surface disposed opposite a second surface. The clip further
including a first actuating element and a second actuating element.
The clip further including a first actuating member coupled on the
first surface of the base member via the first actuating element so
as to form a first clipping element having a first securing end,
and a second actuating member coupled on the second surface of the
base member via the second actuating element to as to form a second
clipping element having a second securing end. Further, each of the
first and second clipping elements being configured to be actuated
between a release position and a securing position.
Inventors: |
Daugherty; Jonathan;
(Clayton, OH) ; Kummerfeld; Jamie; (Denver,
CO) ; White; Richard; (Dayton, OH) |
Assignee: |
TRIBORO QUILT MANUFACTURING
CORPORATION
WHITE PLAINS
NY
|
Family ID: |
42828595 |
Appl. No.: |
13/262688 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
April 3, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US09/39391 |
371 Date: |
February 21, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/499 ;
24/513 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/44376 20150115;
F16B 2/10 20130101; A41F 1/00 20130101; B25B 5/003 20130101; B25B
5/06 20130101; Y10T 24/44496 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/499 ;
24/513 |
International
Class: |
A44B 17/00 20060101
A44B017/00 |
Claims
1. A double-sided blanket clip, comprising: a base member having a
first surface and a second surface, the first surface being
disposed opposite the second surface; a first actuating element; a
second actuating element; a first actuating member coupled on the
first surface of the base member via the first actuating element so
as to form a first clipping element having a first securing end;
and a second actuating member coupled on the second surface of the
base member via the second actuating element to as to form a second
clipping element having a second securing end, wherein each of the
first and second clipping elements is configured to be actuated
between a release position and a securing position.
2. The double-sided blanket clip as recited in claim 1, wherein the
first securing end is disposed opposite the second securing
end.
3. The double-sided blanket clip as recited in claim 1, wherein the
base member is adjustable so that the first clipping element is
rotatable relative to the second clipping element.
4. The double-sided blanket clip as recited in claim 1, wherein
each of the first and second actuating elements includes a
spring.
5. The double-sided blanket clip as recited in claim 4, wherein the
spring exerts a force biasing the respective clipping element in a
securing position.
6. The double-sided blanket clip as recited in claim 5, wherein
each of the first and second actuating members includes a
respective actuating end disposed opposite the respective securing
end, and the actuating end being configured to actuate the
respective clipping element into the release position via an
application of a force overcoming the biasing force of the
spring.
7. The double-sided blanket as recited in claim 6, further
comprising a recess disposed on the actuating end.
8. The double-sided blanket as recited in claim 1, further
comprising at least one securing element disposed at each of the
securing ends.
9. The double-sided blanket as recited in claim 8, wherein the
securing element includes a recess and a protrusion.
10. The double-sided blanket as recited in claim 1, wherein the
base member includes a raised portion on each surface.
11. The double-sided blanket as recited in claim 10, wherein the
first and second actuating members are coupled to the base member
via the raised portion.
12. A double-sided blanket clip, comprising: a base member having a
first surface and a second surface, the first surface being
disposed opposite the second surface; a least one actuating
element; a first actuating member coupled on the first surface of
the base member via the at least one actuating element so as to
form a first clipping element having a first securing end; and a
second actuating member coupled on the second surface of the base
member via the at least one actuating element to as to form a
second clipping element having a second securing end, wherein each
of the first and second clipping elements is configured to be
actuated between a release position and a securing position.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention is directed to a clip, and more
specifically a double-sided clip.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Clips are useful reusable devices for easily securing
objects in a temporary manner Although clips can be used to secure
any item, one typical function is to clip garments and blankets in
place. Parents often use clips to fasten a blanket to an infant or
child. This may include clipping the blanket to itself, or to other
items such as a baby harness, a car seat, etc. At times, secure
fastening of a blanket is facilitated by the use of multiple clips.
However, some instances may optimally involve placing clips facing
in different directions in a single location. This can be difficult
since multiple clips facing in opposite directions may not be able
to occupy the same location.
SUMMARY
[0003] The present invention is directed to a double-sided blanket
clip. The clip provides two clipping elements disposed in opposite
directions to facilitate clipping in multiple directions.
[0004] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a
double-sided blanket clip including a base member having a first
surface disposed opposite a second surface. The clip further
includes a first actuating element and a second actuating element.
Further, a first actuating member is coupled on the first surface
of the base member via the first actuating element so as to form a
first clipping element having a first securing end, and a second
actuating member is coupled on the second surface of the base
member via the second actuating element to as to form a second
clipping element having a second securing end. Further, each of the
first and second clipping elements is configured to be actuated
between a release position and a securing position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The present invention will be more readily understood from
the detailed description of exemplary embodiments presented below
considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a double-sided blanket
clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a double-sided blanket clip in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0008] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a double-sided blanket clip in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention showing a
clip in a release position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] The present invention is directed to a double-sided blanket
clip having two clipping elements facing in opposite
directions.
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a double-sided blanket
clip 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The double-sided blanket clip 100 may be used to secure a blanket
or any other garment to itself or another item in a temporary
manner The double-sided blanket clip 100 is ergonomically shaped so
that it can be easily and comfortably actuated by a user. Although
the Figures show the clip 100 as having an oval shape, the clip 100
can be made to take any shape so that it may have more
applications. For example, the clip 100 may take a smaller, thin
and narrow shape so that the clip 100 can be placed into smaller
spaces. Alternatively, the clip 100 can be made wide so that a
larger area can be secured by each clipping element 110. Further,
the base member 102 may be curved, as shown in FIG. 2, for improved
ergonomics, aesthetics, and a more compact design.
[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the double-sided blanket clip 100
includes a base member 102, and two actuating members 104. Each
actuating member 104 includes an actuating end 106 and a gripping
end 108, and is coupled to the base member 102 on opposite sides of
the base member 102 to form two clipping elements 110. The gripping
end 108 and the end of the base member 102 opposite each gripping
end 108 form a securing end 130 of the clipping elements 110. The
actuating member 104 can be actuated between release and securing
positions. The securing position (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) allows
the clipping elements 110 to secure objects via a frictional force
between at the securing end 130, i.e., between each actuating
member 104 (at the gripping end 108) and the base member 102.
Further, although the base member 102 is shown to be a solid
structure, in an alternative embodiment, the base member may
include a lockable rotating mechanism through which the clipping
elements 110 can be rotated relative to each other. This allows the
clipping elements 110 to be adjustable so that the clipping
elements 110 can be configured at various angles in increase the
versatility of the double-sided clip 100.
[0012] The actuating members 104 are coupled to the base member 102
via actuating elements 112. The base member 102 may also include a
raised section 114 on each surface of the base member 102 to
facilitate the mounting of the actuating members 104. The actuating
elements 112 couple the actuating members 104 to the base member
102, and allow for the actuating member 104 to be actuated between
release and securing positions relative to the base member 102. The
actuating elements 112 may include a pivot, a hinge, or any type of
articulating joint that allows each actuating member 104 to be
actuated relative to the base member. Each actuating element 112
may include additional features to effectuate the release and
securing positions of the clipping elements 110. These features may
include any resistance or locking mechanism, such as a spring, a
cam, a ratchet, a snap lock, etc.
[0013] In an alternative embodiment, the clip 100 may include a
single common actuating element 112 configured to couple both
actuating members 104 to the base member 102. In this embodiment,
the common actuating element 112 is accessible from both sides of
the base member 102 so that both actuating members 104 can be
coupled via the common actuating element 112 to opposite sides of
the base member 102. The operation of the clip 100 having a single
common actuating element 112 to couple both actuating member 104 is
the same as the clip 100 having dedicated actuating elements 112
for each actuating member 104.
[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, each actuating element 112
includes a spring, and provides the actuation action of the
actuation members 104. The springs included in the actuating
elements 112 provide a force that biases the actuating members 104
in a securing position. Actuation of the actuating members 104 into
a release position is accomplished via application of a force on
the actuation end 106 of the actuating members 104 sufficient to
overcome the biasing force of the spring. As a force is applied on
the actuation end 106 of the actuating members 104, the actuation
of the actuating members 104 is performed via a lever action with
the actuating elements 112 acting as the pivot, separating the
gripping ends 108 from the base member 102. Actuation of the
actuating member 104 allows an item to be secured to be inserted
into the clipping elements 110, or an item that is being secured by
the clipping elements 110 to be removed. In securing an item, after
actuation of the actuating member, the item to be secured is
inserted into the gap created between the gripping end 108 of the
actuating member 104 and the base member 102 at the securing ends
130. The force applied on the actuating end 106 of the actuating
member 104 is released, and the spring biases the actuating member
104 in a securing position to grasp the item between the gripping
end 108 of the actuating member 104 and the base member 102 at the
securing ends 130. Further, each actuation end 106 may also include
a recess 107 to provide comfort and a secure position from which to
actuate the actuation members 104.
[0015] Preferably, in the above embodiment, the spring is rated
with a tension of less than 6 pounds. A tension in this range would
cause the clip to disengage in the event that a blanket is wrapped
too tightly around a baby. This can protect against a baby being
possibly choked or otherwise harmed by a blanket that is wrapped
too tight.
[0016] In addition, the base member 102 and the actuating member
104 may include securing elements 120. The securing elements 120
may be disposed on the base member 102 and the actuating members
104 at the securing ends 130. Specifically, the securing elements
120 are disposed on the gripping ends 108 and at ends of the base
member 102 that are opposite the gripping ends 108. In FIG. 1, the
securing elements 120 are each shown to include a recess 122 and a
protrusion 124. Although the securing elements 120 are shown to
include a recess 122 and a protrusion 124, the securing elements
120 may be any material or structure that increases the frictional
force of the clipping elements 110 so that provide a stronger hold.
The base member 102 may also include a complementary securing
element 120 having a recess 122 and a protrusion 124. Although the
securing element 120 is shown to include the recess 122 and the
protrusion 124, the securing element 120 may include other features
that increase the securing force of each clipping element 110, such
as a series of ribs, a material with increased tactile grip, a
plurality of teeth, etc.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the double-sided clip 100. As
shown in FIG. 2, the clipping elements 110 are in a securing
position with the gripping ends 108 of the actuating members 104
making contact with the base member 102 at the securing ends 130.
The side view also shows the actuating elements 112 about which
actuating members 104 are actuated, and securing elements 120
having a recess 122 and a protrusion 124. FIG. 2 further shows the
curved design of an exemplary embodiment of the base member 102,
and the raised portions 114.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the double-sided clip 100 with
the clipping element 110 in a release position. In this view,
actuating member 104 is actuated via actuating element 112 upon
application of a force on the actuation end 106. The actuation of
the actuating member 104 separates the protrusions 124 of the
gripping end 108 into a release position. This permits items to be
inserted into the clipping element 110 so that it can be secured,
and also permits removal of items that had been secured by the
clipping element 110.
[0019] Thus, while there have been shown, described, and pointed
out novel features of the present invention as applied to several
embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions,
substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the
illustrated embodiments, and in their operation, may be made by
those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Substitutions of elements from one
embodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated. The
invention is defined with regard to the appended claims, and
equivalents of the recitations therein.
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