Abstract:
A method of releasably securing an article with an audio recording includes handling a binder clip having audio circuitry with recordation and playback capabilities. The binder clip includes a pair of actuating arms and a gripping portion. The audio circuitry is in the form other than that of a cell phone attached to the binder clip. The method additionally includes compressing the pair of actuating arms of the binder clip above the gripping portion to expand the gripping portion and inserting at least a portion of the article into the gripping portion. The method further includes releasing the actuating arms so that the gripping portion grips the portion of the article inside the binder clip and recording audio onto the audio circuitry.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/862,302 filed on 7 Jun. 2004. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates broadly to audio reproducing attachment devices, and particularly to audio recordation and reproduction circuitry mounted on spring clips to facilitate removable attachment of audio messages to objects such as, for example, papers, folders, documents, and the like. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
     The varied uses of removably adhesive papers, or notes, such as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company&#39;s (otherwise known as 3M Corporation&#39;s) Post-it®. brand notes, is well known in the art. In general office practice, for example, an addressor will compose a handwritten message on such a note, adhere the note to a document, and convey the document with the attached note to an intended recipient for action to be taken in accordance with the handwritten message. 
     Alternatively, such notes may be used as reminders, and adhered to conspicuous places to draw attention to them. 
     One known drawback to the use of such notes is the amount of time involved in writing down a desired message. Indeed, it takes noticeably more time and effort to write down a 23-word sentence, for example, than it does to say and record it. In professions where time cannot be wasted, and where efficiency concerns exist, this is particularly acutely noticed. 
     In partially addressing this shortcoming, the general, obvious advantages of recorded audio communication over the written or printed medium are well known. They include the superior ease and speed of dictation (over handwriting or typing) and the opportunity to make a more personal and/or distinct impression on the receiver, by way of vocal inflection, tone of voice, etc. 
     Audio recording and reproducing devices, the various constructions of which are well known in the art, have been employed for multiple personal and business communication purposes, including for message conveyance, audio mail, audio product promotion and self-reminder systems. Examples of such uses and devices can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,918 to Crowell and U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,869 to Jacobson et al. Additional non-limited examples of such devices include known hand-held voice recorders, key-chain voice recorders, and voice-recording pens. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the terms “audio recordation and playback device”, “audio recordation and reproduction circuitry”, “voice recorders”, any variations thereof, or such similar terms that connote the same meaning, are understood to be the virtually infinitely variable arrangements of physical and electrical circuitry and components, including, but not limited to, the quantity, style and functionality of various buttons, switches, microphones, speakers, light emitting diodes, displays, power sources, and the like, that form such devices, which are well known to those skilled in the art. 
     The prior art also contains some voice recording and reproduction devices with ancillary attachments adapted to couple the voice recording and reproducing devices to objects. One such exemplary attachment is a pocket clip integrated with a voice-recording pen. The clip allows for the pen to be attached to a user&#39;s pocket, or even a document, for example. However, one drawback of this arrangement is the geometry and binding capacity of both the clip itself, and the clip with the pen. It is known that pens with pocket clips are not designed for the same purposes, nor commonly used in the same manners as are paper clips, binder clips, or generally, spring clips, to attach to documents, for example, or bind documents together. 
     Another exemplary attachment is a key-chain ring connected to a voice-recorder. The key-chain ring allows for attachment of the voice recorder to a set of keys, for example. However, such a key-chain ring and voice-recorder configuration is similarly not designed for, and not intended, nor adapted to be used in the same manner as spring clips. 
     It is noted that, as used herein, the term “spring clips” generally refers, without limitation, to, known binder clips, paper clips and any variations and configurations thereof that have similar known purposes and functions, and which are adapted to be biasedly attached to objects, and/or hold multiple objects, such as documents, together. The uses and advantages of such spring clips are well known in the art. 
     It is also noted that the prior art continues to recognize the distinct and separate advantages of reusable adhesive-backed notes, audio recording and reproduction devices, and spring clips, yet predominantly uses each independently of the others. 
     Thus, it is the combination and utilization of the advantageous features of these three items that has not been realized by the prior art. As such, it is observed that the prior art is deficient in, and that there is a need for, audio recording and reproducing devices that are particularly adapted for removable adherence to objects in the same manner as spring clips, thereby providing the benefits of recorded audio communications together with the configurations, adaptabilities and binding capabilities of spring clips, thus facilitating the attachment of recorded audio messages to documents, for example. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     The present invention addresses various deficiencies recognized in the prior art. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide audio recording and reproducing devices that are particularly adapted for removable adherence to objects in the same manner as spring clips, thereby providing the benefits of recorded audio communications together with the configurations, adaptabilities and binding capabilities of spring clips. 
     The present invention therefore enables a user to easily record a desired audio message onto a device, and securely and removably attach the device to a desired object, such as a document. 
     The virtually infinitely variable arrangements of physical and electrical circuitry and components, including the quantity, style and functionality of various buttons, switches, microphones, speakers, light emitting diodes, displays, power sources, and the like, to form an audio recording and reproducing device, are well known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, the many various arrangements of spring clips are also well known to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is sufficient for adequate disclosure of the present invention to understand and appreciate that such circuitry and components may be adapted in various ways to various spring clips in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     Thus, one object of the present invention is to provide audio circuitry attached to a spring clip, wherein the audio circuitry facilitates audio recordation and playback, and includes a microphone, speaker, memory, message indicator light, power source, and a controller having various switches and buttons such as a toggle switch and actuation button. The spring clip comprises a first side having a first end and a first fulcrum portion, a second side having a second end and a second fulcrum portion, a fulcrum joining the first and second sides at the first and second fulcrum portions, the first and second ends being below the fulcrum and resiliently biased toward each other, a first actuating arm associated with said first side and extending above the fulcrum, and a second actuating arm associated with the second side and extending above the fulcrum, wherein the urging of the first and second actuating arms toward each other causes the urging of the first and second ends away from each other. 
     Another object of the present invention is to have the first and second arms of the spring clip, as described above, extend below the fulcrum. 
     Additionally, at least a portion of the audio circuitry may be connected to the first actuating arm of the spring clip, or to the fulcrum. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to have an audio circuit that is attached to a housing which is secured to the first actuating arm of the spring clip. This housing may be permanently secured to the actuating arm, or alternatively, may be removably secured thereto. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide audio circuitry attached to a spring clip which comprises a unitary wire bent to form at least two sections that are resiliently biased toward each other so as to facilitate compressively straddling an object that is wedged in between the two sections. Such spring clip may comprise two, three, four, or more bends, and the bends may be more than 90 or even more than 180 degrees each. Additionally, the audio circuitry may be attached to a housing which is secured to one of the at least two sections of the spring clip. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide audio circuitry attached to a spring clip which comprises a unitary and substantially planar binder having a bridge with two ends that are resiliently biased toward being in a common plane such that when an object is wedged between the two ends, the two ends compressively straddle the object. Additionally, the spring clip may be configured to be in the shape of an ampersand, or an arrow, for example, and the circuitry may be attached to a housing which is secured to one of the two ends of the spring clip. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in, or will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from, the detailed description herein. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated and disclosed features or materials or devices hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, by virtue of present reference thereto. Such variations may include, but are not limited to, substitution of equivalent arrangements, features and/or materials for those shown or discussed, and the functional or positional reversal of various parts or features or the like. Still further, it is to be understood that different embodiments, as well as different presently preferred embodiments, of this invention may include various combinations or configurations of presently disclosed features or elements or their equivalents (including combinations of features or configurations thereof not expressly shown in the figures or stated in the detailed description). 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, where similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art hand-held audio recorder and playback device. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a prior art hand-held audio recorder and playback device with a pocket clip attached at one side. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a prior art audio recorder and playback pen with a pocket clip attached thereto. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a prior art audio recorder and playback key-chain attachment with a key-chain ring. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a prior art apparatus adapted to be attached to a surface via suction-cup action, the apparatus incorporating a writing utensil and adhesive-backed notes holder, as well as incorporating an audio recorder and playback device. 
         FIG. 6  is a frontal view of one prior art embodiment of a commonly known, unitary construction, wire paper clip having three bends. 
         FIG. 7  is a frontal view of another prior art embodiment of a commonly known, unitary construction, wire paper clip having six bends. 
         FIG. 8  is a frontal view of yet another prior art embodiment of a commonly known, unitary construction, paper clip in the form of an ampersand. 
         FIG. 9  is a frontal view of yet another prior art embodiment of a commonly known, unitary construction, paper clip in the form of an arrow. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a prior art embodiment of a commonly known binder clip having a bite portion, a fulcrum, and rotatably attached lever arms that facilitate opening the bite portion and biasedly seating the clip on an object, such as a document. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a prior art embodiment of commonly known adhesively backed paper notes. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a prior art arrangement of documents held together by a binder clip, and an adhesively backed note containing a hand-written message, adhered to the front document, to provide instructions to the recipient of the bound documents. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective and side cut-away view of a prior art portable message device with a hook shaped attachment means for detachable attachment to the closure of automobiles, buildings, and the like. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a prior art audible message delivery system incorporating a clip for enabling the message delivery system to be supportingly retained on the edge of an object. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a prior art audible message delivery system having a plurality of adhesive stickers attached to the rear of the device to facilitate adhering the device to surfaces. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a prior art audible message delivery system comprising a holder adhesively secured to a folder, and having a pocket to receive an audible message device. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, comprising audio recordation and reproduction circuitry mounted to the binder clip of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a preferred arrangement of the preferred embodiment of the present invention attached to documents, and depicted to be playing a prerecorded audio message providing instructions to a recipient. 
         FIG. 19  is a frontal view of another embodiment of the present invention wherein a substantially rectangular shaped audio recordation and playback device is attached to one of the lever arms of a binder clip. 
         FIG. 20  is a disassembled perspective view of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is a disassembled perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention wherein the audio recordation and playback device is adapted to fit over one of the lever arms of a binder clip. 
         FIG. 22  is yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein a rounded-shaped audio recordation and playback device is attached to one of the lever arms of a binder clip. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of an arrangement of the embodiment of  FIGS. 19 and 20  attached to a document, where the binder clip has its lever arms extending above the binder clip&#39;s fulcrum. 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view similar to that of  FIG. 23 , except the binder clip has its lever arms extending below the binder clip&#39;s fulcrum. 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention wherein audio recordation and reproduction circuitry is mounted to the paper clip of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein audio recordation and reproduction circuitry is mounted to a paper clip of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein audio recordation and reproduction circuitry is mounted to a paper clip of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein audio recordation and reproduction circuitry is mounted to a paper clip of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     In  FIGS. 1-5 , there are depicted various prior art audio recordation and reproduction devices. Some of these devices, such as the voice recorder of  FIG. 1 , appear to only have one purpose, which is to facilitate voice recordation and playback. Alliteratively, the voice recorders of  FIGS. 2 and 3  also include a pocket clip  10 . Notably, the voice recorder of  FIG. 3  is in the shape of a pen, and is a writing utensil. 
     As is well known in the art, clip  10  is commonly found on writing utensils such as pens, and facilitates attaching a pen to a person&#39;s pocket, for example. It is also possible to attach the pen, via clip  10 , to a document, or the like. However, unlike spring clips, this is not known to be a reliable way of attaching an object, such as pen, to a document, nor a reliable way of holding more than one document together. Particularly in the case of the voice-recorder of  FIG. 2 , or the voice-recording pen of  FIG. 3 , clip  10  would not be used like a spring clip to rely on securely attaching the voice recorders to documents, for example, or binding several documents together. At least one evident reason for this is the known geometry, binding capacity, and awkwardness of clip  10  in combination with the voice-recorders of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . This awkwardness is not adaptable to mimicking the functionality or reliability of a spring clip in binding to articles, or binding articles together. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a prior art voice-recording key-chain with an attached key ring  12  for keys. Again, neither this embodiment of the voice recorder, nor its combination with a key ring  12 , is adapted to act or be used like a spring clip in binding to an article, or binding articles together. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a prior art voice-recording unit that houses adhesively backed notes  14  and a writing utensil  16 . This unit is adapted to adhere to a surface via a suction cup  18 . Once again, this unit does not possess the functionality of a spring clip. 
       FIGS. 6-9  are commonly known prior art embodiments of variously sized and shaped paper clips. As is well known in the art, these clips are resiliently and biasedly bound to articles, such as paper, and are adapted to hold articles, such as two or more documents, together. It is observed that in the prior art, these clips have not been outfitted with voice-recording units. A fuller discussion of the geometric and mechanical aspects of these clips will be provided, below, with reference to  FIGS. 25-28 . 
       FIG. 10  depicts a commonly known prior art binder clip. Such binder clips are in the same category with the paper clips of  FIGS. 6-9  in that they are designed, intended, and adapted to be securedly, resiliently, and biasedly attached to articles, and hold multiple articles together. Once again, it is observed that in the prior art, such clips have not been outfitted with voice-recording units. A fuller discussion of the geometric and mechanical aspects of binder clips will be provided, below, with reference to  FIGS. 17-24 . 
       FIG. 11  depicts commonly known adhesively backed paper notes. As discussed above, among other uses, these notes are used to convey written messages between people. It is readily observed that the time and effort in writing a sentence, versus saying and recording it, may be quite significantly different. For example, reference is made to  FIG. 12 , where an adhesively backed note  20  containing written instructions is adhered to a document bound to other documents by a common binder clip similar to one depicted in  FIG. 10 . It is readily recognized that composing the message on note  20 , particularly in legible penmanship, may take approximately 30 seconds, while saying and recording the same message onto a voice recorder may take approximately  5  seconds, and with no writing effort. The time and effort differences being apparent, the prior art has not provided any meaningful ways in which to securely, resiliently and biasedly attach such a recorded voice message to a document so as to substitute or supplement note  20 . 
     To that extent, with reference to  FIG. 13 , a prior art portable message device with a hook shaped attachment means for detachable attachment to the closure of automobiles, buildings, and the like is disclosed. In conjunction with this device, there is no recognition of the need for attaching a voice message to a document, as outlined herein. In part, evidence of this is the wide square profile U-shaped hook  22  that is adapted to hang on large objects as described above. 
       FIG. 14  also discloses a prior art portable message device which is adapted to be attached to various surfaces. However, the configuration of the attachment arm  24  is much like that of the device of  FIG. 13 , and functionally more closely approximates the pocket clip  10  than any of the binder clips discussed previously. Once again, as compared to spring clips, the shortcomings of such an attachment arm to bind the voice recorder to an article, such as a document, or bind several documents together, is apparent. 
     Similarly,  FIGS. 15 and 16  disclose prior art embodiments of various attempts to attach a voice recorder to a document. As evidenced by these figures, although perhaps having some specific useful advantages, the shortcomings of these efforts are that they do not provide a secure, resilient, reliable, reusable mode of directly attaching a voice recording to a document or documents. 
       FIG. 17  depicts a preferred embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, a binder clip, such as one well known in the art and disclosed in  FIG. 10 , is combined with audio recordation and playback circuitry and elements. The combined voice-recording clip (“VRC” for short) is identified as  40 . For simplicity, and as discussed previously, with regard to the audio configurations, circuits, capabilities and elements of the audio recordation and playback device incorporated into the VRC, it shall enjoy the same broad definitions and understandings as given to previously outlined terms such as “audio recordation and reproduction circuitry” and “voice recorders”. 
     The VRC  40  has a binder clip body  42  with a substantially triangular shape. Body  42  has a first side  44 , a second side  46 , and a third side, or fulcrum,  48 . By virtue of this well-known configuration, the ends of sides  44  and  46  opposite the fulcrum  48  are resiliently biased toward each other, and form a pincher portion  50 . Additionally, first and second actuating arms (otherwise interchangeably referred to as extension or lever arms)  52  and  54 , are attached to first and second sides  44  and  46  of the body  42 , respectively. 
     The functionality of such binder clips is well known in the art, and revolves around having first and second actuating arms  52  and  54  above fulcrum  48  in order to provide levers upon which to exert a compressive force. When first and second actuating arms  52  and  54  are raised above fulcrum  48 , the urging of arms  52  and  54  toward each other translates over fulcrum  48  to urge the ends of sides  44  and  46 , respectively, at the pincher portion  50 , to separate. While separated, the VRC  40  may be attached to a document, or multiple documents, or other articles of interest. Once done so, the urging of arms  52  and  54  toward each other may be ceased, thus yielding to, and resulting in, a compressive force exerted in the pincher portion  50  of clip body  42 , facilitating the secure attachment of the VRC  40  to the article(s) to which it is attached. 
     The VRC  40  has a toggle switch  56  mounted on the third side  48 , which can be moved between a recording position  62  and a listening position  64 . Additionally, mounted on the third side  48  are a microphone  58 , actuator button  60 , and a message indicator light  66 . A speaker  68  is mounted on the first side  44  of the clip body  42 , and a power source  70  is mounted on the second side  46 . 
     In order to record an audio message, toggle switch  56  is first moved to the recording position  62 . Then actuator button  60  is depressed and a voice message may be recorded onto the VRC  40  via microphone  58 . Once recorded, message indicator light  66  indicates that a message is present in the VRC  40 . 
     In order to listen to the message, the toggle switch  56  is moved to the listening position  64 . Then actuator button  60  is depressed, and the message will be projected through speaker  68 . 
     The original message may be rerecorded by simply following the steps for recording a message. A power source  70  is mounted to the second side  46  of clip body  42  to provide power to the circuit for accomplishing these outlined tasks. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , regardless of the order of the voice message being recorded first, or the VRC  40  first being clipped onto a document or set of documents  80  and then the voice message recorded onto it, the VRC  40  accomplishes the secure, resiliently biased attachment of a recorded voice message to a document or set of documents  80 . Additionally, when the actuation button  60  is depressed, the audible message that would have taken approximately 30 seconds to write on an adhesive-backed note, will be heard through speaker  68  in the approximately five seconds that it took to say it. 
     Alternate embodiments of the present invention are depicted in  FIGS. 19-22 , and  25 - 28 . In  FIG. 19 , the first actuating arm  52  is configured to contain a housing  90  that supports the electronics of the voice recordation and playback device. Accordingly, the toggle switch  56 , with its recording position  62  and listening position  64 , as well as the microphone  58 , actuator button  60 , message indicator light  66 , speaker  68 , and power source  70  (hidden), are shown on housing  90 . 
     The functioning of these elements, in combination with the functioning of this embodiment of the invention, is similar to that of the preferred embodiment, which has already been described. The difference in the embodiments between the existence, location and shape of the housing  90  supporting the electronics of the voice recordation and playback device is obvious to those skilled in the art, and so need not be further described in detail herein. 
     Similarly, for simplicity, with reference to alternate embodiments of the present invention as depicted in  FIGS. 20-22 , as well as all subsequent Figures and embodiments containing housing  90 , it is to be understood that housing  90  supports the electronics of the voice recordation and playback device, as described supra. 
     Another alternate embodiment of the present invention is depicted in  FIG. 20  where housing  90  is rectangular in shape, and removably attached to actuating arm  52 . 
     Yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention is depicted in  FIG. 21  where housing  90  is configured to attach to the first actuating arm  52  by snugly slipping over it. 
     Still another alternate embodiment of the present invention is depicted in  FIG. 22  where housing  90  is circular in shape, and removably attached to actuating arm  52 . 
       FIGS. 23 and 24  depict the alternate embodiment of either  FIGS. 19  or  20  in use. 
       FIGS. 25-28  present more alternate embodiments of the present invention. In these embodiments, housing  90  is understood to be similar to what was described previously although having different shapes, as shown. Additionally, these paper clip-type embodiments of the present invention differ from those of the previously discussed binder clip-type in the known mechanical, structural and kinematic differences that exist between paper clips and binder clips. Namely, paper clips, such as those depicted in  FIGS. 6-9 , typically are of unitary construction, and have a first end  102 , a second end  104 , and a bridge  106  linking the first and second ends  102  and  104  together. These clips are arranged so that the bridge  106  resiliently biases the first and second ends  102  and  104  toward being in a common geometric plane, such that when an object is wedged between the two ends  102  and  104 , the ends  102  and  104  compressively straddle the object. This behavior is well known to those skilled in the art. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 25 and 26 , one distinguishing feature of these embodiments is that the unitary wire voice recording clips (VRC)  100  and  120  have multiple bends in them. Notably, VRC  100  has three substantially 180-degree bends, while VRC  120  has six bends of varying degrees. These bends are more clearly visible in the prior art clips of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Additionally, it is observed that the first and second ends  102  and  104 , although urged toward each other by bridge  106 , are not in the same plane with each other, but are rather, one on top of another. 
     Alternatively, with reference to  FIGS. 27 and 28 , one distinguishing feature of VRCs  140  and  160 , is that the two ends  102  and  104  are located in substantially the same plane when the clips are not straddling an object. 
     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.