U.S. patent number 3,833,970 [Application Number 05/146,493] was granted by the patent office on 1974-09-10 for clipboard and novel hinge connections.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Mead Corporation. Invention is credited to Troy F. Smith, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,833,970 |
Smith, Jr. |
September 10, 1974 |
CLIPBOARD AND NOVEL HINGE CONNECTIONS
Abstract
A clipboard includes at least one hinge connection having first
and second coupling members. The first member has an end portion
bent over flush against itself to form an outwardly facing rounded
bearing surface and an inwardly facing butt-end, and the second
member has an inwardly facing dimple formed in a portion thereof
and defining an oppositely facing projection. The dimple receives
the rounded bearing surface, which is retained within the dimple by
a split-tube having a first edge retained by the butt-end and a
second edge retained by the projection.
Inventors: |
Smith, Jr.; Troy F. (San Jose,
CA) |
Assignee: |
The Mead Corporation (Dayton,
OH)
|
Family
ID: |
22517625 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/146,493 |
Filed: |
May 24, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/67.5; D19/88;
108/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42F
9/001 (20130101); Y10T 24/203 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B42F
9/00 (20060101); B42f 001/00 (); A44b 021/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;108/43
;24/49CC,49CP,49P,67.3,67.5,67.7,137A,252 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Griffin; Donald A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Biebel, French & Bugg
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An improved clipboard comprising a backboard panel, a clip, and
at least one hinge connection fastening said clip to said panel,
said hinge connection including a first coupling member attached to
said panel and having a leg extending outwardly from said panel
with an upturned end portion bent over inwardly flush against
itself to form an outer rounded bearing surface and a folded
portion with a butt-end spaced inwardly from said bearing surface,
a second coupling member on said clip and having an outer flange
spaced from said clip, means forming an inwardly facing dimple in a
central portion of said outer flange for receiving said rounded
bearing surface and defining an outwardly facing projection
thereon, and a split-tube spring having a first edge retained on
said first coupling member by said butt-end and a second edge
retained on said second coupling member by said projection for
clamping said rounded bearing surface within said dimple and for
normally urging said second coupling member rotatably on said first
coupling member toward clip closing position.
2. The clipboard defined in claim 1 including a pair of laterally
spaced-apart abutment surfaces adjacent said dimple for preventing
said rounded bearing surfaces for shifting laterally therein.
3. The clipboard of claim 1 wherein said clip comprises a
rectangular sheet of formed metal having a bend therein defining an
upper handle portion and a lower gripping portion, said clip
extending laterally across said panel.
4. The clipboard of claim 3 including at least two relatively
narrow and spaced-apart second coupling members attached to said
clip, each second coupling member having a dimple therein for
receiving said rounded bearing surface of said first coupling
member.
5. The clipboard of claim 4 wherein a second coupling member is
positioned at each end of said first coupling member, and each such
second coupling member includes an abutment surface adjacent the
lateral extremity of its dimple for preventing said rounded bearing
surface from shifting laterally therein.
6. The clipboard of claim 3 including at least two relatively
narrow and spaced-apart first coupling members attached to said
backboard panel, a corresponding member of relatively narrow and
spaced-apart second coupling members attached to said clip, and a
corresponding number of split-tube springs clamping said second
coupling members on said first coupling members.
7. The clipboard of claim 3 wherein said sheet of formed metal
forming said clip includes an integral portion forming said second
coupling member, said integral portion including an outer flange
with an inwardly facing dimple in a central portion thereof.
8. The clipboard of claim 7 including at least two relatively
narrow and spaced-apart first coupling members attached to said
backboard panel.
9. The clipboard of claim 8 wherein said outer flange includes a
pair of spaced-apart abutment surfaces adjacent the lateral ends of
said dimple, and each first coupling member is positioned with its
rounded bearing surface adjacent one of said abutment surfaces.
10. An improved clipboard comprising a backboard panel, a clip, and
a plurality of relatively narrow and spaced-apart hinge connections
fastening said clip to said panel, each hinge connection including
a generally L-shaped first coupling member having one leg attached
to said panel and the other leg extending outwardly from said panel
with an upturned end portion bent over inwardly flush against
itself to form an outer rounded bearing surface and a folded
portion with a butt-end spaced inwardly from said bearing surface,
a generally Z-shaped second coupling member having one end flange
attached to said clip and the other end flange spaced from said
clip, means forming an inwardly facing dimple in a central portion
of said other end flange for receiving said rounded bearing surface
and defining an outwardly facing projection thereon, and a
split-tube spring having a first edge retained on said first
coupling member by said butt-end and a second edge retained on said
second coupling member by said projection for clamping said rounded
bearing surface within said dimple and for normally urging said
second coupling member rotatably on said first coupling member
toward clip closing position.
11. An improved clipboard comprising a backboard panel, at least
one generally L-shaped coupling member having one leg attached to
said panel and the other leg extending outwardly from said panel
with an upturned end portion bent over inwardly flush against
itself to form an outer rounded bearing surface and a folded
portion with a butt-end spaced inwardly from said bearing surface,
a coupling clip having a clip portion and an integral coupling
portion, said coupling portion including a flange with means
forming an inwardly facing dimple in a central portion thereof for
receiving said rounded bearing surface and defining an outwardly
facing projection thereon, and a split-tube spring having a first
edge retained on said coupling member by said butt-end and a second
edge retained on said coupling clip by said projection for clamping
said rounded bearing surface within said dimple and for normally
urging said coupling clip rotatably on said coupling member toward
clip closing position.
12. An improved hinge connection for connecting a clip to a
surface, comprising at least one first coupling member attached to
said surface and having a flange with an upturned end portion
extending perpendicular to said surface, means forming a rounded
bearing surface on said upturned end portion, at least one second
coupling member on said clip, said second coupling member including
a central flange generally perpendicular to said clip and an outer
flange generally perpendicular to said central flange, means
forming a dimple in a central portion of said outer flange, said
dimple defining a complimentary bearing surface for receiving said
rounded bearing surface and forming abutment surface means for
preventing said bearing surface from shifting laterally in said
dimple, and at least one split-tube spring retained on said
coupling members for clamping said rounded bearing surface within
said dimple and for normally urging said second coupling member
rotatably on said first coupling member toward clip closing
position.
13. An improved hinge connection for connecting a clip to a
surface, comprising at least one first coupling member attached to
said surface and formed with a flange having an end portion
extending outwardly from said structure and bent over inwardly
flush against itself to form a rounded bearing surface and a folded
portion having a butt-end spaced inwardly from said bearing
surface, at least one second coupling member on said clip and
formed with a flange having an inwardly facing dimple formed in a
central portion thereof for rotatably receiving said rounded
bearing surface therein, said dimple also defining a projection on
said flange, and at least one split-tube spring having a first edge
retained on said first coupling member by said butt-end and a
second edge retained on said second coupling member by said
projection, said spring clamping said rounded bearing surface
within said dimple and normally urging said second coupling member
rotatably on said first coupling member toward clip closing
position.
14. An improved clip and hinge connection for a clipboard having a
surface, comprising at least one coupling member attached to said
surface and having a flange with an upturned end portion extending
perpendicular to said surface, means forming a rounded bearing
surface on said upturned end portion, a coupling clip including a
clip portion and a coupling portion, said coupling portion
including a central flange generally perpendicular to said clip
portion and an outer flange generally perpendicular to said central
flange, means forming a dimple in a central portion of said outer
flange, said dimple defining a complementary bearing surface for
receiving said rounded bearing surface and forming a pair of spaced
apart abutment surfaces for preventing said bearing surface from
shifting laterally in said dimple, and a split-tube spring retained
on said coupling member and on said coupling portion for clamping
said rounded bearing surface within said dimple and for normally
urging said coupling clip rotatably on said coupling member toward
clip closing position.
15. An improved clip and hinge connection for a clipboard having a
surface, comprising at least one coupling member attached to said
surface and formed with a flange having an end portion extending
outwardly from said structure and bent over inwardly flush against
itself to form a rounded bearing surface and a folded portion
having a butt-end spaced inwardly from said bearing surface, a
coupling clip including an integral clip portion and an integral
coupling portion, said coupling portion formed with a flange having
an inwardly facing dimple formed in a central portion thereof for
rotatably receiving said rounded bearing surface therein, said
dimple also defining a projection on said flange, and a split tube
spring having a first edge retained on said coupling member by said
butt-end and a second edge retained on said coupling portion by
said projection, said spring clamping said rounded bearing surface
within said dimple and normally urging said coupling clip rotatably
on said coupling member toward clip closing position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In clipboards and the like it is desirable that the hinge devices
have certain features and advantages. For example, to be economical
to manufacture, the hinge devices should consist of a small number
of parts; each part should require a minimum amount of material;
and each part should be adapted for rapid manufacture, requiring a
minimum amount of processing and handling and have tolerances which
are easy to meet on a mass production basis. In addition, since
clipboards are often purchased for their appearance, the parts
should provide the clamping function in a simple and uncomplicated
manner so as to project an efficient appearance to the
purchaser.
The art discloses a number of patents for clipboards and the like
in which hinge devices have been utilized. Split-tube springs have
been used frequently, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,474,102 of
1923, 1,632,455 of 1927, 1,668,912 of 1928; 1,743,718 of 1930;
2,302,568 of 1942; 2,455,515 of 1948; and 2,879,568 of 1959.
Non-tubular springs have also been used, as disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 1,431,306 of 1922, and 3,088,162 of 1963.
None of the structures in these patents provides all of the
desirable features listed above, and accordingly it is the object
of the present invention to provide a product having all of those
features.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a clipboard having improved
hinge connection means which provide a distinct advance in the art,
primarily by being simple in construction and economical to
manufacture. In general, the invention provides a clipboard having
at least one hinge connection having first and second coupling
members held together by a split-tube spring.
An L-shaped first coupling member has one leg fastened to a
backboard panel and the other leg extending generally perpendicular
to the backboard panel and having an upturned end portion. The
upturned end portion is bent over flush against itself at its outer
end to provide a rounded bearing surface, and also forms a folded
portion flush against the end portion and having a butt-end spaced
inwardly from the bearing surface.
The second coupling member is connected to the clip and includes an
outer flange spaced from the clip and formed with an inwardly
facing dimple in a portion thereof. The dimple also forms an
oppositely facing projection on the outer flange, and rotatably
receives the rounded bearing surface of the first coupling member
to provide a novel pivot/socket combination. In addition, the
dimple is preferably formed in a central portion of the outer
flange and thereby defines abutment surfaces for retaining the
bearing surface therein.
A first edge of a split-tube spring is received and retained by the
butt-end of the first coupling member and the second edge thereof
is received and retained behind the projection on the second
coupling member, and the spring clamps the coupling members
together and normally urges the clip rotatably on the first
coupling member toward a retaining position in which a gripping
portion of the clip is pressed against the backboard panel.
In one embodiment, a formed sheet of metal defines the clip, and a
pair of narrow second coupling members are attached to the clip in
spaced-apart relation and are clamped rotatably on a corresponding
pair of relatively narrow first coupling members by a pair of
narrow split-tube springs. In another embodiment, preferably for a
relatively small clipboard, a formed sheet of metal or coupling
clip defines the clip and also an integral second coupling member,
and the integral second coupling member is clamped onto a
relatively wide first coupling member by a split-tube spring. Other
variations of these embodiments are also contemplated by the
present invention.
The hinge connections of the present invention are described herein
as being attached to the backboard panel of a clipboard, but it is
to be understood that they could be used in a simple clamp or be
attached to a wall, board, notebook or any other applicable
surface.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a first embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a partially broken away persective view of the top
portion of the clipboard of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the first and second coupling members
of the first embodiment, together with a split-tube spring
therefor;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view through one of the hinge connections,
showing the clip in its retaining position;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view through the same hinge connection of
FIG. 4, showing the clip in its non-retaining position;
FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway elevational view of a second
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a top view of said second embodiment;
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the first and second coupling members
thereof, together with a split-tube spring therefor;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the hinge connection of the second
embodiment taken along line 9--9 in FIG. 7, showing the clip in its
retaining position; and
FIG. 10 is a sectional view through the same hinge connection,
showing the clip in its non-retaining position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, a clipboard 10 of the present invention
includes a rectangular clipboard panel 11, which may be constructed
of Masonite, fiberboard, or the like. As usual, the surface 13 of
the panel serves as a writing surface, and in this embodiment may
have dimensions of 9 inches .times. 121/2 inches for accommodating
paper sheets. A metal clip 14, preferably of polished steel, is
fastened to the panel 11 at its upper end by a pair of hinge
connections 15 (FIG. 2), and is laterally centered across the upper
end of the panel. The clip 14 preferably has a 90.degree. bend at
its upper edge 16 and about a 30.degree. bend near the center 17
thereof to provide a rectangular handle portion 18 and a
rectangular gripping portion 19, respectively.
The hinge connections 15 are spaced laterally to either side of an
opening 20 at the top of the panel which is useful for hanging the
clipboard on a hook or the like. Each hinge connection 15 is simple
in construction (FIG. 3), and includes a generally L-shaped first
coupling member 22, preferably consisting of a formed piece of
steel, and having one leg 24 secured to the panel 11 by rivets 25
and the other leg 26 extending perpendicular to the panel 11 and
having an upturned end portion 28. The upturned end portion 28 is
bent over flush against itself to form an outwardly facing rounded
bearing surface 30 and an inwardly facing folded portion 32 having
a butt-end 34 spaced inwardly a short distance from the bearing
surface 30. The outer bearing surface 30 provides a pivot surface
having an axis along a line 35 passing laterally between the
upturned end portion 28 and the folded portion 32.
Each connection 15 also includes a generally Z-shaped second
coupling member 36, also consisting of a formed piece of steel, and
having one end flange 38 welded or otherwise secured to the handle
portion 18 of the clip 14. The member 36 also includes a central
flange 40 perpendicular to the flange 38, and an outer end flange
42 extends upwardly perpendicular to the central flange 40 and
spaced from the clip 14. An inwardly facing dimple 44 is formed in
only a central portion of flange 42, as by a simple stamping or
pressing process, and provides a socket or complementary bearing
surface 45 for the outer bearing surface 30 of the first coupling
member 22. The dimple 44 also defines a pair of spaced apart
abutment surfaces 46 and a rounded projection 48. The abutment
surfaces 46 prevent the bearing surface 30 from shifting laterally
within the dimple.
The first and second coupling members 22 and 36 of each hinge
connection are clamped together by a cylindrical split tube 50
constructed of spring steel and having a first edge 51 and a second
edge 52. When the members 22 and 36 are fitted together with the
bearing surface 30 within the dimple 44, the split-tube spring 50
is spread apart and the first edge 51 is retained on the first
coupling member 22 by the butt-end 34 and the second edge 52 is
retained on the second coupling member 36 by the projection 48
formed on the outer flange 42 by the formation of the dimple.
Referring to FIG. 4, when the parts are assembled, the springs 50
normally urge the second coupling members 36 on the first coupling
members in a clockwise direction toward a clip closing position in
which the gripping portion 19 of the clip is pressed against the
surface 13 of the panel 11. By applying pressure to the handle
portion 18, a user may conveniently move the clip in the
counterclockwise direction to a non-retaining position (FIG. 5) in
which the gripping portion 19 is spaced above the surface 13. When
moved in this direction, the second coupling members 36 rotate on
the outer bearing surfaces 30 about the axis of line 35,
compressing the springs 50. When the clip 14 is released, the
springs 50 urge the second coupling members 36 rotatably in a
clockwise direction again to their normal positions in which the
gripping portion 18 is pressed against the surface 13. The clip can
be opened up until the upper edge 16 strikes the board and, where a
stack of material is inserted beneath the clip, proper pressure is
maintained on the material throughout the entire range.
A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6-10,
and is directed to a relatively small clipboard, on the order of 6
inches .times. 9 inches, wherein only a single hinge connection is
used. Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the clipboard 60 includes a
rectangular clipboard panel 61 and a coupling clip 62, preferably a
formed sheet of polished steel, fastened to the panel 61 at its
upper end. In this embodiment, a generally L-shaped first coupling
member 64 is fastened to the top of the panel 61 by a pair of
rivets 65, and has the same configuration as that shown in FIGS.
1-5, except that it is wider. The member 64 includes a leg 66 (FIG.
8) which extends outwardly perpendicular to the panel 61 and has an
upturned end portion 68 bent over flush against itself to form an
outwardly facing rounded bearing surface 70 and an inwardly folded
portion 72 having a butt-end 73 spaced inwardly a short distance
from the bearing surface 70.
The coupling clip 62 is bent 180.degree. at point 75 to form a clip
portion 80 and an integral coupling portion 81. As shown in the
drawing, the clip portion 80 has about 30.degree. bend near the
center 82 thereof to provide a rectangular handle portion 83 and a
rectangular gripping portion 84, respectively. The coupling portion
81 is generally U-shaped and includes a central portion 86
extending between a flush portion 87 bent flush against the handle
83 and an outer flange portion 88 spaced from the handle 83 and
disposed perpendicular to the central portion 86.
An inwardly facing dimple 70 is formed on a central portion of the
flange 88 for receiving the bearing surface 70. The dimple 90
defines a pair of spaced-apart abutment surfaces 91 for preventing
the bearing surface 90 from shifting laterally therein, and also
defines an outwardly facing projection 92. The coupling clip 62 is
rotatably clamped on the first coupling member 64 by a split-tube
spring 95 which extends across a lateral portion of the clipboard.
The spring 95 includes an inner edge 96 retained by the butt-end 73
on the first coupling member 64 and an outer edge 97 retained by
the projection 92 on the coupling portion 81 of the coupling clip
62.
It is apparent, therefore, that the clipboard 60 of the second
embodiment operates in essentially the same manner as the clipboard
10 of the first embodiment. The spring 95 urges the coupling clip
62 rotatably on the coupling member 64 toward a clip closing
portion (FIG. 9). The coupling clip 62 may be moved to a
non-retaining position (FIG. 10) by the application of pressure to
the handle portion 83, and, when the coupling clip 62 is released,
the spring 95 urges the coupling clip 62 rotatably in a clockwise
direction to urge the gripping portion 84 against the backboard
panel 61.
The principles of the invention, as illustrated in the first and
second embodiments described above, may also be combined in
additional alternate forms of the invention. For example, the
coupling clip of the second embodiment may be combined with a pair
of narrow and spaced-apart first coupling members of the first
embodiment, In such a case, each narrow coupling member would
preferably be positioned with its rounded bearing surface adjacent
one of the abutment surfaces of the coupling clip. In another form,
the first coupling member of the second embodiment may be combined
with a pair of relatively narrow and spaced-apart second coupling
members of the first embodiment attached to a clip of the type
shown in the first embodiment. In this case, to accommodate the
bearing surface of the first coupling member, each narrow second
coupling member would have only one abutment surface adjacent its
dimple, at the lateral extremity thereof, for preventing the
bearing surface from shifting laterally outwardly therein.
From the foregoing description and accompanying drawings it is
apparent that clipboards constructed according to the present
invention provide desirable features and advantages. An important
advantage is that the hinge connections provide simple and sturdy
constructions. In the first embodiment, only two small spaced-apart
hinge connections are required for fastening the clip to the
backboard panel. In the second embodiment, one hinge connection is
employed.
The unique pivot/socket combination utilized in both embodiments is
well suited to mass production, since it is easy to construct and
economical to manufacture, involving a minimum of materials and a
small number of parts. It also presents an attractive and efficient
appearance. The hinge connections can be used in a single clip, or
as part of a clamping device attached to a blackboard, the back of
a notebook or the like. Furthermore, a comparison with the
structures of the prior art reveals the simplicity of the present
invention, and the fact that it makes a distinct advance in the
art.
While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred
embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and
that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope
of the invention.
* * * * *