Clip For Currency And Other Papers

Abstract

A clip for currency or papers is formed of two leaves hinged together near one end having finger grip portions beyond the hinge in one direction and paper grips in the opposite direction. The leaves may be made in various shapes and emblems, logos, monograms etc. may be formed integrally with or applied to the leaves. Associated with the hinge is a resilient means for biasing the paper grip portions together. Such means may be a torsion spring imbedded in the hinge eyes, a leaf spring having opposite edges imbedded in protuberances on the leaves, or the hinge members may be of deformable plastic which is distorted during assembly to bias the leaves together.

Description

This invention relates to a new and improved clip for paper money or other papers. More particularly the invention relates to a clip which has as its preferred use holding currency in a pocket, purse or the like.

A principle feature of the present invention is the simple hinged leaf construction of the clip. The clip is readily opened by pressing ends of the leaves together. One advantage of such construction is that only one hand of the user is needed to open the clip and to insert the papers between the jaws or leaves.

A principle feature of the invention is the fact that the parts are readily manufactured and are few in number. In a preferred form of the invention, a single shape accommodates both leaves thereby reducing manufacturing costs. At the same time, the leaves are readily assembled.

Another feature of the invention is the fact that the clip does not subject itself to breakage or other damage.

Preferably the clip is made of plastic or die cast metal. In fabricating the clip various emblems or decoration may be formed integrally or fitted into appropriate sockets in the leaves of the clip. Hence, the device is suitable as a premium for customers incorporating advertising material. The device is also suitable as an award or prize for employees and for many other uses.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the slip assembled.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the clip.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the hinge structure.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 of a modification.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through a portion of the hinge structure shown in assembled position.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view through one of the leaves showing the hinged portion prior to assembly.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 of still another modification.

FIG. 10 is perspective view of the modification of FIGS. 8 and 9 showing the clip open.

FIG. 10A is a cross section through projection 41 shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9 of a still further modification.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

Directing attention first to the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1--3, the clip consists of two leaves designated 21T and 21B. Each leaf consists of a major portion 22 and a finger grip portion 23 of lesser dimensions slanted upwardly outwardly relative to portion 22. In the accompanying drawings the portions 22 are shown as rectangles with rounded corners. However it will be understood that many different shapes may be employed, depending upon the designer. Further, the exterior of each portion 22 is shown flat. However, a multitude of decorations may be applied by way of ornamentation, identification or to carry an advertising message. Such decorations may be formed integrally during the molding or casting of the leaves or may be applied by adhesives, by inserting into appropriately formed sockets, by etching or similar processing. Monograms, advertising logos, trademark emblems and many other devices may be applied.

A hinge construction 24 joins the leaves 21T and 21B together approximately at the transverse junctures of portions 22 and 23. In the form of hinge 24 best shown in FIG. 3, transverse spaced ribs 26 are formed on the inside surfaces of both leaves. A metallic spring 27 consisting of a narrow leaf is received between the ribs. Preferably spring 27 is formed with holes 28 which are imbedded between the ribs 26. Indentations 29 may be formed in the ribs 26 causing a distortion of the ribs which enter into the holes 28 thereby locking the spring 27 and the leaves 21T and 21B together. Preferably the spring 27 is given a curvature such as to bias the remote ends of the leaves together. To facilitate gripping the currency, projections 31,32 are formed on the inner surfaces of both leaves and are preferably staggered with the projection 31 being spaced slightly ahead of and to one side of the projection 32.

A feature of the construction of FIGS. 1-- 3 (as well as the other modifications hereinafter described) is the fact that the two leaves 21T and 21B are identical so that a single mold or die may be used in the fabrication of both parts. To assemble the clip, spring 27 is inserted between the ribs 26 on each half and the spring is locked between the ribs as by indentations 29, adhesives or other means. The spring 27 is curved to bring the remote edges of the leaves together. When the user wishes to open the clip, his finger and thumb lifts the slanted portions 23 of the two leaves forcing the opposite ends apart. Currency or other papers may be inserted between the open leaves with the same hand which grips the portions 23. When the portions 23 are released, the projections 31 and 32 of the two leaves come together and hold the papers securely therebetween.

The form of the invention shown in FIGS. 4--7 resembles that of the preceding modification except for the hinge construction. Because many of the parts are substantially the same, the same reference numerals followed by the subscript a are used to designate similar or corresponding parts. In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 4--7, the hinge structure 24a consists of a left-hand and a right-hand portion divided by the centerline of the leaf. The left-hand portion shown in the bottom of FIG. 5 has a transverse rib 36 which slants forwardly and terminates in a rounded bead 37. The forward slant of the rib 36 is best shown in FIG. 7. The right-hand side of the hinge structure consists of two transverse projections 38 which are spaced apart and which are rounded out in a socket 39 which is generally complementary to the bead 37. The opening between projections 38 slants rearwardly whereas the rib 36 slants forward. Hence, when the bead 37 is inserted in the opening 39 the rib 36 is distorted as is best shown in FIG. 6. Since the parts are preferably formed of a resilient plastic material, distortion of rib 36 causes it to function as a spring to bias the remote ends of the clip together. When the gripping portions 23a are pressed together, the rib 36 is further distorted. Distortion of the rib 36 therefore accomplishes two results: first, it causes the two leaves to be secured together so that once the parts are forced into assembled position they are not detached, and second, it biases the clip into closed position.

Directing attention now to the form of the invention shown in FIG. 8--10, again many of the elements of the clip are similar or identical to those shown in the preceding modifications and the same reference numerals followed by the subscript b are used to designate corresponding parts. Here again, the hinge construction 24b is different from that of the preceding modifications. On each leaf there are transverse, inward facing projections 41,42. Projection 41 extends out to one edge of the leaf and has a length equal to one-quarter of the width of the leaf. Projection 42 is spaced from projection 41 a distance equal to one-fourth of the width of the leaf and it too has a length equal to one-fourth of said width. Hence, the projections of the two companion leaves 21Tb and 21Bb interfit. Projection 42 is formed with a narrow, vertical slot 43 which is narrower at the bottom than at the top. The inner end of projection 41 is formed with a similar slot 44 which extends to about the midpoint of projection 41 and then is formed with lateral extensions 46. The hinge 24b employs a flat-leaf spring 47 with outward extending ears 48 at either end. Leaf 47 fits into the slots 43 and 44 and the ears 48 fit into the lateral extensions 46. Because the slots 43 and 44 are less wide at their tops, the spring 47 snaps into the slots and is held therein and functions as a hinge pin. When the end portions 23b are pinched together, spring 47 is distorted by twisting about its longitudinal axis and functions as a torsion spring biasing the leaves together.

In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 11 the hinge construction 24c is similar to that of the preceding modification. However, spring 47c is of wire rather than of leaf construction and has ends 51 turned at 90.degree. angles at either end. The slots 43c, 44c accommodate the wire spring and hold it in place by reason of their narrower construction at their tops. The ends 51 fit into inward extensions 52 of slots 44c. Here again when the rib portions 23c are pinched together the ends 51 are twisted in opposite directions and the wire 47c functions as a torsion spring biasing the clip into closed position. Further, the wire 47c acts as a hinge pin securing the spring in assembled position.

Claims

I claim:

1. A clip for papers comprising a first leaf, a second leaf, cooperating transverse hinge means on said leaves adjacent but spaced inward from first ends thereof to define finger grip portions of said leaves between said first ends and said hinge means, the second ends of said leaves opposite said first ends normally coming together in gripping relationship, and resilient means entirely received within the longitudinal limits of said hinge means normally biasing said second ends together, said hinge means comprising a pair of closely spaced transverse ribs, said resilient means comprising a transversely extending leaf spring formed with apertures adjacent said marginal edges of said spring, the marginal edges of said spring fitting between pairs of said ribs, depressions in at least one rib of each said pair fitting into said apertures locking said spring between said ribs.

2. A clip for papers comprising a first leaf, a second leaf, cooperating transverse hinge means on said leaves adjacent but spaced inward from first ends thereof to define finger grip portions of said leaves between said first ends and said hinge means, the second ends of said leaves opposite said first ends normally coming together in gripping relationship, and resilient means entirely received within the longitudinal limits of said hinge means normally biasing said second ends together, said hinge means comprising spaced transverse inward projections formed with slots, said projections interfitting to form a substantially continuous cylinder, said slots aligned, said resilient means comprising a torsion spring received in said slots and which further comprises lateral extensions on said spring and anchoring means on the outermost of said projections of both said leaves gripping said lateral extensions to cause resilient distortion of said spring when said clip is opened and closed.

3. A clip according to claim 2 in which said spring is a leaf and said extensions are transverse to the length of said leaf.

4. A clip according to claim 2 in which said spring is a wire and said extensions are bent ends of said wire.

5. A clip for papers comprising a first leaf, a second leaf, cooperating transverse hinge means on said leaves adjacent but spaced inward from first ends thereof to define finger grip portions of said leaves between said first ends and said hinge means, the second ends of said leaves opposite said first ends normally coming together in gripping relationship, and resilient means entirely received within the longitudinal limits of said hinge means normally biasing said second ends together, said hinge means comprising a first projection on one side of said leaf and a second projection on the other side of said leaf, said second projection formed with a socket to receive the outer edge of said first projection of the opposite leaf, said first projection slanted outwardly toward said second end and said socket extending substantially straight inward, said first projection formed of resiliently flexible material, the portion of said first projection inward of its said outer edge comprising said resilient means.

6. A clip according to claim 5 which further comprises adjacent but spaced inward of the second ends of each said leaf a pair of inward extending protuberances, one said protuberance closer to said second end than the other.

7. A clip according to claim 5 in which said first projection in cross section is generally cylindrical.