EP0481412A1 - Clip holder - Google Patents

Abstract

A clip holder is described which has a support arm (1) and clips (3) which have a first and a second clip shell (4a, 4b) in each case with two lateral bent portions (5a, 5b), in which there is a cutout (6a, 6b) for mounting the clip shells (4a, 4b) on the support arm (1), and a spring (7) which holds the clip shells (4a, 4b) closed. The edge of the cutouts (6a) of the first clip shell (4a) is curved forwards and the second clip shell (4b) is constructed in the region of the cutouts (6b) in such a way that it engages with the forward-curved edge (10) of the cutout (6a) of the first clip shell (4a). The cutouts can be incisions which are open towards the side. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a clip holder which has a support arm and one or more clips mounted thereon. Clamp holder is understood to mean a device by means of which objects can be held by clamps. Such a clip holder can be used as a pants or skirt holder. Such clip holders are also used universally in many other areas.

The support arm can have a round cross-section, an oval cross-section with rolled flat portions or any other cross-section.

The clip is composed of a first and a second clip shell, each with two lateral bends, in which there is a recess for mounting the clip shells on the support arm. Each clip shell has a clip end and a handle end, and the clip is kept closed by a spring, i. H. the clamp ends are pressed together.

A clip holder of the generic type serving as a clothes hanger is generally known and is described in the older utility model DE-GM 90 04 752. The clamp shells, which were preferably stamped from sheet steel, had to be assembled by hand since it was not possible to develop economically working machines for this. The difficulty lies primarily in the fact that the two clamp shells and the spring have to be held in position relative to one another while they are being pushed onto the support arm.

Plastic injection-molded clips are also known, in which a clip shell is bent in a hook shape at the end of the handle and which are hooked onto the support arm with this hook. The recess in the bend of the one bracket shell is a circular opening, while protruding from the bends of the other bracket shell, pins which are brought into engagement with the openings during assembly, so that the two bracket shells are articulated. To facilitate assembly, the pins are cut off at an angle, and this angled section presses apart the angled portions of the other bracket shell until they snap into the end position. In plastic hangers, such clips are also used in such a way that the one bracket shell integrally with the support arm, i. H. the cross member is made. With these brackets, however, the problem does not arise that they have to be pushed onto a support arm or otherwise stored on it.

The invention specified in claim 1 is based on the problem of designing clip shells so that they can be assembled mechanically inexpensively into a clip and can then be assembled with the support arm to form a clip holder.

This problem is solved with the measures of claim 1.

The cutouts can be circular, oval or otherwise matched to the cross section of the support arm. The assembly is carried out in such a way that the clamp shells are pushed axially onto the end of the support arm. However, the cutouts can also be incisions and the clamp shells can then be placed on the support arm from the side or in the radial direction.

With the invention it is achieved that the two bracket shells can be positively connected without the opening and closing movement being impaired in later use. This makes it possible to mount the clamps in such a way that first the two clamp shells are brought into engagement with one another, that the spring is then pushed between the clamp shells and that this pre-assembled clamp is finally pushed onto the support arm. The individual steps of this assembly can be carried out at intervals from one another, the possibility in particular of pre-assembling the clamp being advantageous, since it is no longer necessary to bring the clamp shells and the springs together in the rhythm in which the clamp is pushed onto the support arm . The pre-assembly of the brackets is of course only sensible if the recesses in the angled portions of the bracket shells are openings with a closed edge, since only then do the pre-assembled brackets have to be pushed axially onto the end of the support arm. If the cutouts are open incisions, the clamp shells are only brought into engagement with one another when they are placed on the support arm.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in claims 2 to 9.

The development according to claim 2 enables the pre-assembly of the bracket shells.

The development according to claim 3 is characterized by the good form fit between the two bracket shells and the ease of manufacture.

The development according to claim 4 facilitates the joining of the two bracket shells, since the bevels of the second bracket shell are more easily pressed apart by the bevelling of the protrusion on the first chamber shells.

The further development according to claim 5 is the cheapest overall for the manufacture and assembly Embodiment.

The embodiment of the invention according to claim 6 ensures the easy handling of the preassembled clip, i. H. the unit consisting of the two bracket shells and the spring.

The embodiment of the invention according to claim 7 enables the connection of the spring to the clamp shells in a particularly simple manner.

The clamp shells and, if appropriate, also the spring are preferably made of plastic. This has the advantage that the diameter of the recesses can be adapted so closely to the diameter of the support arm that the clamps can be moved by hand on a support arm in the form of a steel rod, but cannot be moved by the force exerted by one Garment hung in stretched condition is exercised, e.g. swimming trunks or a skirt or trousers with an elastic waistband.

The use of plastic as the material for the clip shells and the spring also offers the possibility of producing the clip shells and the spring in one piece using the injection molding process. This embodiment is the subject of claim 8. A different plastic than the clamp shells can be used for the spring. The connection between the spring and the clamp shells does not have to be permanent and the connecting web can break after mounting the clamp on the support arm without this affecting the usability of the spring.

Are the recesses open to the side incisions, as specified in claim 9, the clamp hold is particularly suitable for automated assembly.

• Fig. 1 den Klammernhalter als Kleiderbügel in einer Gesamtansicht,
• Fig. 2 eine einzelne Klammer in einer Explosionsdarstellung,
• Fig. 3 in vergrößerter Darstellung mit Blick in Richtung des Tragarms eine einzelne Klammer,
• Fig. 4 einen Schnitt nach 4-4 von Fig. 3,
• Fig. 5 eine Darstellung ähnlich der von Fig. 4 einer anderen Ausführungsform,
• Fig. 6 ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung mit Aussparungen in den Abwinklungen der Klammerschalen in Form von Einschnitten,
• Fig. 7 ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung mit Klammerschalen und Feder aus Kunststoff,
• Fig. 8 einen horizontalen Schnitt durch die Klammer nach Fig. 7 im vormontierten Zustand,
• Fig. 9 eine Schnittdarstellung ähnlich der von Fig. 8 jedoch mit etwas anderer Ausbildung der Aussparungen,
• Fig. 10 ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung ähnlich dem von Fig. 7, jedoch mit Aussparungen in Form von Einschnitten und
• Fig. 11 eine horizontale Schnittdarstellung durch die zusammengefügten Klammerschalen, jedoch ohne Tragarm.

An embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the drawing. Show it

• 1 the clip holder as a hanger in an overall view,
• 2 shows a single clip in an exploded view,
• 3 an enlarged view with a view towards the support arm, a single clamp,
• 4 shows a section according to 4-4 of FIG. 3,
• 5 is an illustration similar to that of FIG. 4 of another embodiment,
• 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention with cutouts in the angled portions of the clamp shells in the form of incisions,
• 7 shows an embodiment of the invention with clip shells and spring made of plastic,
• 8 shows a horizontal section through the clip according to FIG. 7 in the preassembled state,
• 9 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 8 but with a slightly different design of the recesses,
• Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the invention similar to that of Fig. 7, but with recesses in the form of incisions and
• Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view through the assembled bracket shells, but without a support arm.

In the drawing, the clip holder is shown as a hanger. 1, such a hanger has a support arm 1, from which a hanging hook 2 protrudes upwards in the middle. At the two ends of the support arm there are downwardly opening clamps 3, on which, for example, trousers or a skirt, etc. can be clamped.

According to FIGS. 2 to 4, each clip consists of two clip shells 4a, 4b with a handle end 8 and a clip end 9 that are largely identical in their overall structure stand out. In the bends 5a, 5b there are cutouts in the form of openings 6a, 6b with which the clamp shells 4a, 4b sit on the support arm 1. In the assembled state, the two clamp shells 4a, 4b lie opposite one another on the support arm, the bends 5a of the first clamp shell 4a being at a distance less than twice the material thickness than the bends 5b of the second clamp shell 4b, so that the bends 5a of the first clamp shell 4a between the bends 5b of the second bracket shell 4b (FIG. 4).

The openings 6a of the first bracket shell 4a are oval, corresponding to the cross section of the support arm 1, so that the first bracket shell 4a cannot rotate about the bracket 1. It is thereby achieved that the orientation of the clamp relative to the suspension hook 2 is fixed. For structural reasons, the larger diameter of the oval cross-sectional shape of the support arm 1 lies in the vertical direction.

The edge of the openings 6a of the first bracket shell 4a is bulged outwards (bulge 10). The openings 6b in the bends 5b of the second bracket shell 4b are so large that they enclose this bulge 10. As a result, there is a positive engagement between the two clamp shells 4a, 4b. To do that To facilitate the joining of the clamp shells 4a, 4b, the protrusion 10 is chamfered in the section facing the second clamp shell 4b and forms a sliding surface 15 which presses the bends 5b of the second clamp shell 4b apart when the two clamp shells 4a, 4b are joined together. In the final state, the openings 6b of the second bracket shell 4b then snap around the protrusions 10.

The bracket 3 is biased into the closed position by a U-shaped leaf spring 7. The free ends of the leaf spring 7 are supported against the inside of the handle ends 8 of the clamp shells 4a, 4b. In order to hold the leaf spring 7 securely between the clamp shells 4a, 4b, the grip ends 8 of the clamp shells 4a, 4b have an inwardly projecting edge or rim 12 and each has a constriction or neck 13 at the grip ends 8. Similarly, the free ends of the leaf spring 7 are provided with widened heads 11 at the free ends. These widened heads 11 fit into the handle ends 8 with little play and are thus secured against displacement when the clamp is actuated. The leaf spring 7 can lead around the support arm 1 in the finished state of the clothes hanger, as shown in FIG. 3 with a broken line, or lie above the support arm 1. The leaf spring can also have a W-shape, whereby, as shown in FIG. 3, it initially runs largely parallel to the main surface of a bracket shell, then is bent upwards and down over the support arm 1 and then upwards along the other bracket shell runs.

Instead of the leaf spring, a leg spring can also be used, which has a coil of spring steel with protruding ends of the spring steel wire. The ends of the spring steel wire can be bent so that they bear positively on the board of the handle ends 8. The positive connection is achieved both in the leaf spring and in the leg spring in that the head 11 of the leaf spring or the bent end of the spring steel wire is bordered on a peripheral portion of more than 180 by the rim 12 of the handle ends 8. The ends of the leg spring can also be bent at right angles, so that they are prevented from slipping by the board of the handle ends 8.

The diameter of the openings 6b of the second clamp shell 4b can also be matched to the diameter of the support arm 1 and be surrounded with a bulging edge similar to that of the openings 6a of the first clamp shell 4a, the diameter of the protrusion 14 in then being obtained in order to achieve a precise positive fit the second bracket shell 4b is slightly larger than that in the first bracket shell 4a, so that the inside of the protrusion of the second bracket shell 4b corresponds to the outer shape of the protrusion in the first bracket shell 4a apart from the bevel which may be present (FIG. 5). Since the positive connection only serves to hold the clamp shells 4a, 4b together during assembly, it is generally sufficient if the protrusions of the two clamp shells are identical. The openings 6b are circular so that the second bracket shell 4b can rotate on the support arm 1. In addition, there is also the possibility of designing the openings 6a and 6b in such a way that both bracket shells 4a and 4b can rotate on the support arm 1 by a certain angle. Such training is known from DE-GM 90 04 752.4. The openings 6a, 6b then have concave boundaries at the top and bottom and laterally convex boundaries, the distance between the concave boundaries corresponding to the longer transverse dimension and the distance between the lateral convex boundaries corresponding to the smaller transverse dimension of the support arm, each with the slight play required for free mobility .

In the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing, the curvature of the first bracket shell 4a or of both bracket shells 4a, 4b is directed outwards. It is of course also possible to provide inward protrusions in the outer bends and to make the openings of the inner bends so large that they encompass this protrusion. It is also possible to form both clamp shells with inward protrusions at the respective bends.

In the embodiments shown in the drawing, the distance between the bends of the two bracket shells is also different. If the material is sufficiently elastic, it is also possible to give the angled portions of the two clamshell shells the same distance and then to spread the one clamshell shell slightly during assembly or to press the angled portions of the other clasp shell slightly against one another. If such an embodiment then also bulges are provided in the bends of both bracket shells and the openings are designed in accordance with DE-GM 90 04 752.4, each bracket consists of two identical bracket shells, which simplifies the storage and reduces the manufacturing costs.

6 shows an embodiment in which the cutouts in the bends 5a, 5b are not closed openings but incisions 16a, 16b which are open to the side. For reasons the support arm 1 is omitted in FIG. 6. The exemplary embodiment otherwise corresponds to that of FIGS. 1 to 4. At the end of the cut 16a of the first clamp shell 4a, the bulge 10 is present and the width of the cut 16a corresponds to the diameter of the support arm 1. The width of the cut 16b in the second clamp shell 4b Larger and corresponds to the width of the bulge 10. To achieve a positive engagement, the incision 16b narrows at its front end so that it can grip around the bulge 10 somewhat. Of course, there is no possibility of the non-rotatable arrangement of the first bracket shell 4a on the support arm 1. In this embodiment, it is possible to place the clamp shells onto the support arm 1 from the side and to bring them into engagement with one another. This type of assembly is required, for example, when the end of the support arm is not exposed, so that the clamp shells or a pre-assembled clamp cannot be pushed on axially.

The clamp shells 4a, 4b of the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1 to 6 are formed from 0.5 to 1 mm thick steel sheet. Metal clip shells are conveniently provided with a non-slip plastic cover at the end of the clip.

In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 7 to 11, the clamp shells according to 4a, 4b are made of plastic. It is also possible to manufacture the spring 7 from plastic and to form the spring 7 on the clamp shells 4a, 4b so that they can be injection molded together as a one-piece element. The two bracket shells 4a, 4b and the spring 7 are thereby largely fixed in their position relative to one another, which simplifies the assembly of the bracket 3. The connection between the spring 7 and each clamp shell 4a or 4b consists in a thin-walled plastic web 17. The plastic for the spring is particularly suitable for acetal homopolymer (POM), polyamide and polycarbonate, while polystyrene and polystyrene are impact-resistant for the clamp shells.

7 and 8 show an embodiment of a clip 3 made of plastic with a molded spring 7, which otherwise corresponds to the embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 4. The first bracket shell 4a is provided around the opening 6a with an outwardly pointing conical edge 20 which corresponds in function to the bulge 10 of the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 6. During assembly, the conical edge 20 comes to rest in the opening 6a of the other bracket shell 4b.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9 which otherwise corresponds to FIGS. 7 and 8, the taper of the edge 20 is reinforced and the opening 6b in the other bracket shell 4b is complementarily conical, so that it lies against the edge 20 over the entire surface.

10 and 11, the recesses are similar to the embodiment of FIG. 6 open cuts 16a, 16b. In the sectional view of FIG. 11 it can be seen that the edge 20 is sloping towards the open side, so that it forms an inclined sliding surface 15 which facilitates the mounting of the clamp 3 on the support arm 1.

10 and 11 in the embodiment that the support arm 1 is inserted from above into the spring 7 when the spring 7 is guided around the cross member 1. In the embodiment in which the spring 7 lies above the support arm 1, the injection-molded element, which consists of the two bracket shells 4a, 4b and the spring 7, is fed from above against the cross member 1. When the support arm 1 and the spring 7 have reached their final mutual position, the two clamp shells 4a, 4b are pressed against one another in such a way that the support arm 1 comes to rest in the incisions 16a, 16b. The assembly therefore only requires two movements and can therefore be carried out fully automatically.

Claims (9)

1. Clip holder with a support arm (1), with clips (3), which have a first and a second clip shell (4a, 4b), each with two lateral bends (5a, 5b), in which there is a recess (6a, 6b) for mounting the clip shells (4a, 4b) the support arm (1), and with a spring (7) which keeps the clamp shells (4a, 4b) closed, characterized, that the edge of the recesses (6a) of the first bracket shell (4a) is bulged and that the second bracket shell (4b) in the region of the recesses (6b) is designed such that it engages with the bulging edge (10) of the recess (6a) of the first bracket shell (4a). 2. clip holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the recesses on her Circumference of closed openings (6a, 6b). 3. clip holder according to claim 2, characterized in that the openings (6b) of the second bracket shell (4b) are larger than the openings (6a) of the first bracket shell (4a) and the bulging edge (10) of the openings (6a) of the first Include bracket shell (4a). 4. clip holder according to claim 3, characterized in that the bulging edge (10) of the opening (6a) of the first clip shell (4a) to the second clip shell (4b) is chamfered. 5. Clamp holder according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the protrusion (10) of the edge of the opening (6a) is directed outwards and that the bends (5a) of the first bracket shell (4a) have a smaller distance from one another than the bends (5b) of the second bracket shell (4b), so that the bends (5a) of the first bracket shell (4a) come to lie between the bends (5b) of the second bracket shell (4b). 6. Clamp holder according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the spring (7) in the handle ends (8) of the clamp shells (4a, 4b) is positively fixed. 7. clamp holder according to claim 6, characterized in that the spring is a U-shaped curved leaf spring (7) with widened heads (11) at the free ends and
that the handle ends (8) are surrounded by a rim (12) which narrows towards the clamping end (9) and surrounds the head (11) at the spring ends over a circumferential section of more than 180. 8. clamp holder according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the two clamp shells (4a, 4b) are injection molded together with the spring (7) as a one-piece element, the spring (7) via thin plastic webs (17) with the Handle ends (8) of the clamp shells (4a, 4b) is connected. 9. clip holder according to one of claims 1 and 3 to 8, characterized in that the recesses are open cuts to the side (16a, 16b).

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