US20100175229A1

US20100175229A1 - Elastic clip

Info

Publication number: US20100175229A1
Application number: US12/318,873
Authority: US
Inventors: Mei Hui Chang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-01-12
Filing date: 2009-01-12
Publication date: 2010-07-15

Abstract

An elastic clip that can be fabricated and assembled easily includes a first clipping blade, a second clipping blade, a pin and an elastic reed. The first clipping blade and second clipping blade face each other, and have respectively a pair of lugs in the middle corresponding to each other. Each lug has a transverse notch and a pin hole at a tail end of the notch to be wedged in transversely by the pin to couple the first and second clipping blades. The pin serves as a movement axis. The elastic reed is disposed between the first and second clipping blades by pushing from a rear side. The elastic reed has a first side blade and a second side blade retained by the first and second clipping blades, and a curved portion in the middle to press and surround the pin. Thus assembly can be done quickly and labor cost can be reduced. It provides significant improvements over the conventional elastic clip.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an elastic clip that is easily fabricated and assembled at a lower labor cost.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional elastic clip 1, referring to FIG. 1, is widely used. For instances clothespins, stationery clips, hairclips and the like mostly adopt such a structure. The elastic clip 1 mainly includes a first clipping blade 11, a second clipping blade 12, a pin 13 and a torsional spring 14. The first and second clipping blades 11 and 12 face each other and have respectively a pair of lugs 111 and 121 in the center corresponding to each other. The lugs 111 and 121 have respectively a pin hole 112 and 122, and are spaced from each other to form a space 10 between them to hold the torsional spring 14. For assembly, first, dispose the torsional spring 14 in the space 10; position the first and second clipping blades 11 and 12 to face each other; insert the pin 13 into the pin holes 112, 122 and a round hole 141 formed in the middle of the torsional spring 14; and dispose a first leg 142 and a second leg 143 of the torsional spring 14 to press an inner side of the first and second clipping blades 11 and 12. The elastic clip 1 thus formed is extended outwards by an elastic force at one end and provides a clipping force at another end. Such a structure requires a lot of efforts and time to do assembly. Mass production is difficult and the cost is higher. Product competitiveness suffers. There are still rooms for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforesaid problems, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an elastic clip that can be fabricated and assembled easily. It includes a first clipping blade, a second clipping blade, a pin and an elastic reed. The first clipping blade and the second clipping blade face each other, and have respectively a pair of lugs in the middle corresponding to each other. Each lug has a transverse notch and a pin hole at a tail end of the notch to be wedged in transversely by the pin to couple the first and second clipping blades. The pin serves as a movement axis. The elastic reed is positioned between the first and second clipping blades by pushing from a rear side. The elastic reed has a first side blade and a second side blade retained by the first and second clipping blades, and a curved portion in the middle to press and surround the pin. Such a structure allows assembly to be done quickly and labor cost can be reduced. It provides significant benefits over the conventional technique.
The side blades of the elastic reed also have at least one reinforced rib to increase the elastic strength thereof.
The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional elastic clip.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the invention in a use condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the invention provides an elastic clip 2 which includes a first clipping blade 21, a second clipping blade 22, a pin 23 and an elastic reed 24. The first clipping blade 21 and the second clipping blade 22 face each other.
The first clipping blade 21 has a first clipping portion 211 at a front end, a first depressing portion 212 at a rear end and a first inner recess 217 on an inner side that has a rear end formed a first detent wall 218. It also has a pair of first lugs 213 in a middle portion corresponding to each other. Each first lug 213 has a first transverse notch 214 and a first pin hole 215 at a tail end of the first transverse notch 214. The first pin hole 215 and the first transverse notch 214 are joined at a slightly protrusive juncture to form a first retaining spot 216.
The second clipping blade 22 has a second clipping portion 221 at a front end, a second depressing portion 222 at a rear end and a second inner recess 227 on an inner side that has a rear end formed a second detent wall 228. It also has a pair of second lugs 223 in a middle portion corresponding to each other. Each second lug 223 has a second transverse notch 224 and a second pin hole 225 at a tail end of the second transverse notch 224. The second pin hole 225 and the second transverse notch 224 are joined at a slightly protrusive juncture to form a second retaining spot 226.
The pin 23 is held in the pins holes 215 and 225 to function as a movement axis.
The elastic reed 24 is a W-shaped blade and has a curved portion 241 in a middle portion to press and surround the pin 23, and a first side blade 242 and a second side blade 243 at two sides to wedge in the inner recesses 217 and 227 of the first and second clipping blades 21 and 22.
For assembly, first, place the first and second clipping blades 21 and 22 facing each other with the transverse notches 214 and 224 of the lugs 213 and 223 overlapping with each other at the same opening; dispose the pin 23 transversely into the transverse notches 214 and 224, as the upper and lower sides of the transverse notches 214 and 224 are slightly elastic, the pin 23 can pass through the retaining spots 216 and 226 under forces to reach the pin holes 215 and 225, and also is retained by the retaining spots 216 and 226 without escaping from the pin holes 215 and 225; then push the elastic reed 24 towards the first and second clipping blades 21 and 22 from the rear side, and wedge the first and second side blades 242 and 243 respectively in the inner recesses 217 and 227 of the first and second clipping blades 21 and 22 (referring to FIG. 4) to form a finished product of the elastic clip 2. Assembly can be done quickly and labor cost can be reduced.
Referring to FIG. 5, when in use, depress the depressing portions 212 and 222 through a user's fingers; the pin 23 serves as an axis and fulcrum with the curved portion 241 of the elastic reed 24 pressing the pin 23; the first and second side blades 242 and 243 are pressed and deformed to generate an elastic force, and the first and second clipping blades 21 and 22 are extended outwards at the front side to allow the clipping portions 211 and 221 to clip a selected article; then the depressing of the user's fingers can be released and the elastic reed 24 can release a returning elastic force to maintain a clipping condition. In order to enhance the elastic force of the elastic reed 24, the elastic reed 24 may have one or more reinforced rib 244 formed thereon.
As a conclusion, the elastic clip of the invention can be fabricated and assembled quickly to reduce the labor cost. It provides a significant improvement over the conventional elastic clip.

Claims

1. An elastic clip comprising a first clipping blade, a second clipping blade, a pin and an elastic reed, the first clipping blade and the second clipping blade facing each other, wherein:

the first clipping blade has a first clipping portion at a front end, a first inner recess on an inner side of a rear side thereof and a pair of first lugs in a middle portion corresponding to each other; each first lug having a first transverse notch and a first pin hole at a tail end of the first transverse notch;

the second clipping blade has a second clipping portion at a front end thereof, a second inner recess on an inner side of a rear side thereof and a pair of second lugs in a middle portion thereof corresponding to each other; each second lug having a second transverse notch and a second pin hole at a tail end of the second transverse notch;

the pin is held in the first and second pin holes to function as a movement axis and a fulcrum; and

the elastic reed is a W-shaped blade and has a curved portion in a middle portion to press and surround the pin, and a first side blade and a second side blade at two sides to wedge in the inner recesses of the first and second clipping blades.

2. The elastic clip of claim 1, wherein the blade of the elastic reed has at least one reinforced rib.

3. The elastic clip of claim 1, wherein the first transverse notch and the first pin hole are joined at a first retaining spot which is extended slightly outwards.

4. The elastic clip of claim 1, wherein the second transverse notch and the second pin hole are joined at a second retaining spot which is extended slightly outwards.