Abstract:
Clips, devices, apparatus and methods of holding and supporting different diameter lines and conduits, such as medical oxygen air lines, earphone or headset wire lines, other types of wires, and power cords, and the like in a clip that can attach to clothing such as to pants, belts and pockets. The clip can include a rear U-shaped base and downwardly and upwardly protruding elongated members having different sets of upper and lower bends. The clip can be formed from a single vinyl coated wire line, that forms three sets of bends, each set having a different diameter. The lines and conduits can be securely held in different diameter sets of bends.

Description:
This invention is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/381,756 filed Dec. 22, 2010, now U.S. Design Pat. D639,937 and this invention claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/410,379 filed Nov. 5, 2010. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to clips, and in particular to clips, devices, apparatus and methods of holding and supporting different diameter conduits, such as medical air lines, earphone or headset lines, wires, and power cords in a clip that can attach to clothing such as to pants, belts and pockets. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     Oxygen tubes are often used by a patients that require oxygen or other gases over long periods of time. The tubes generally require a cannula apparatus such as a nasal cannula generally includes an oxygen-carrying tube with two branches capable of being draped over the ears of a patient. Two tubular branches are usually joined together in front of the patient&#39;s face with a center part providing two nostril orifices. In order to keep the orifices of the nasal cannula remain in contact with the patient&#39;s nostrils in use, the tubular branches of the nasal cannula are often supported by the patient&#39;s ears. Here, the tubular branches function as an earpiece to hold the cannula apparatus in place. 
     However, the extensive use of a nasal cannula often irritates and causes discomfort to the patient. The current nasal cannula apparatuses fail to provide necessary support in relieving the pressure of the cannula from the patient&#39;s ears, face, neck, and skin. As a result, discomfort above and behind the patient&#39;s ears is a common occurrence. Often the discomfort can start off with a simple redness and progress to sores or ulcerations above the ears due to constant rubbing of the tubing against the skin. 
     An additional problem occurs with moving patients. Many mobile patients that require the constant administration of oxygen use at least a 50-foot cannula within their homes. Since a longer cannula is required for a freely moving patient, the additional weight from the longer cannula causes a substantial increase in pressure against the skin and areas that support and hold the cannula. Further, the combination of the moving patient and long cannula can often cause the cannula to snag on furniture or other objects located around the patient. To avoid this problem a common practice to alleviate discomfort often will require the patient to physically hold the cannula all the time. However, the patient constantly having to hold the cannula while they move about will limit the patient to only being able to have use of one free hand during the day. 
     While a patient is resting or sleeping, it is not unusual for the cannula to be accidentally displaced or pulled away from the patient&#39;s ears, face, neck, and skin. The displacement and pulling action can aggravate irritations and/or soreness associated with the use of the cannula. Also, if the tubular branches of a nasal cannula are separated from the patient&#39;s ears, the nostril orifices can move out of contact with the patient&#39;s nostrils and render the cannula ineffective for its intended use and uncomfortable to the patient. 
     Currently, there are a variety of devices available that attempt to alleviate these problems. Some of these devices do so by removing the cannula from the patient&#39;s ears. Other variations of relief include the use of a head cap to support and secure the cannula as well as for securing the cannula to eye glasses. However, by attaching the cannula to eyeglasses or to a skull cap is that the patient cannot comfortably wear the eyeglasses or the skull cap when sleeping. Additionally, skull caps need to be sized for each user. 
     A device used to prevent irritation generated by a cannula has included a strap-like device adapted to be draped on top of a patient&#39;s head. The strap-like devices have two looped ends through which the tubular branches of the cannula are routed. If the length of the strap-like device is appropriately sized, the tubular branches will be suspended above the patient&#39;s ears as the strap device is draped across the patient&#39;s head. 
     However, strap-like devices are limited in that when the tubular branches are supported within the ends of the strap-like device, the tubular portions can shift lengthwise relative to the end of the device. Further, a strap-like device does little to alleviate the problem of snagging and pulling of the cannula for the moving patient. 
     Sometimes ear pads that are placed behind the patient&#39;s ears to help alleviate the discomfort of the cannula rubbing against the ear. However, since the pads do not provide a means for controlling the tension and pressure created by a cannula, the pads do not eliminate all the discomfort associated with the use of a cannula. Pads are sometimes placed over areas already irritated by the cannula, which can slow the healing process around that area. Further, these pads must often be replaced, making them an expensive and inefficient technique for overcoming the discomfort caused by a cannula. 
     Some types of clips for medical tubing have been used to fixed items to beds or clothing. The area for holding the medical tubing is not located along the surface of the clip but rather along an elongate strip attached to the clip. By placing the medical tube holder on a strip and not directly on the clip, such devices are less effective in alleviating the pressure generated by the cannula against the patient&#39;s skin and ears because the strip can bend under the weight of the cannula or when the cannula is snagged against an object. Further, a restive sleeping patient can dislodge the cannula, or even the elongate strip, thus rendering the common clip ineffective for its intended purpose. 
     Another tube/wire holding device designed for maintaining the position of medical tubes is a mesentery tube holder apparatus with a base plate that would adhere to a patient&#39;s skin. A flap with one end permanently affixed to the base plate holds a tube by having an opposite end that adheres to a medical tube. Such fasteners can be difficult to use and ineffective in relieving the pressure of the cannula from the ears. Moreover, the adhesives can irritate skin making such devices undesirable for extended use. 
     Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the present invention is to provide clips, devices, apparatus and methods of holding and supporting different diameter conduits, such as medical oxygen air lines in a clip that can attach to clothing such as to pants, belts and pockets. 
     A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide clips, devices, apparatus and methods of holding and supporting different diameter conduits, such as earphone and headset lines in a clip that can attach to clothing such as to pants, belts and pockets. 
     A third objective of the present invention is to provide clips, devices, apparatus and methods of holding and supporting different diameter conduits, such as wires in a clip that can attach to clothing such as to pants, belts and pockets. 
     A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide clips, devices, apparatus and methods of holding and supporting different diameter conduits, such as power cords in a clip that can attach to clothing such as to pants, belts and pockets. 
     A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide clip holders and methods of holding and supporting medical oxygen lines to patients so the patients can perform daily living activities with ease, without having to fight the oxygen line itself. 
     A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide clip holders and methods of holding and supporting medical oxygen lines to patients with ear supported cannulas which eliminates sudden painful pulling of the cannulas from the patient&#39;s ears. 
     A seventh objective of the present invention is to provide clip holders and methods of holding and supporting medical oxygen lines to patients with cannulas that keeps the line out of the patient&#39;s walking path, resulting in less trips and falls. 
     An eighth objective of the present invention is to provide clip holders and methods of holding and supporting medical oxygen lines to patients with ear supported cannulas that reduces the weight and pressure and pulling and yanking of the lines on the ears. 
     A ninth objective of the present invention is to provide clip holders and methods of holding and supporting medical oxygen lines to patients with ear supported cannulas that eliminates weight pressure and constant pull and potential yanking of the lines from the nose connection eliminating soreness and resulting raw skin problems. 
     A tenth objective of the present invention is to provide clip holders and methods of holding and supporting medical oxygen lines to patients with ear supported cannulas, allowing for both hands of patient to be free for different activities such as daily hygiene activities that can include going to the bathroom, washing hands, brushing teeth, and carrying objects, while supporting the lines out of the way of the patient&#39;s hands. 
     An eleventh objective of the present invention is to provide clip holders and methods of holding and supporting medical oxygen lines to patients with ear supported cannulas by securing the lines to not pull on the patient allowing for better patient sleep. 
     A twelfth objective of the present invention is to provide clip holders and methods of holding and supporting medical oxygen lines to patients with ear supported cannulas, that can be used with old belts or elastic bands in a shower or bath so that the lines can be safely secured out of the way of the standing or sitting patient taking a shower or bath. 
     A thirteenth objective of the present invention is to provide clip holders and methods of holding and supporting medical oxygen lines to patients with ear supported cannulas, to safely and comfortably secure the lines allow for the patient to get in and out of vehicles (cars and like) during the day or night, and eliminate any cumbersome or burdensome difficulties while using the lines. 
     A fourteenth objective of the present invention is to provide clip holders and methods of holding and supporting medical oxygen lines to patients with ear supported cannulas, that can safely and comfortably secured to the left or right side of the patient with belts, elastic bands, fabrics, and virtually any other type of material and clothing. 
     A fifteenth objective of the present invention is to provide clip holders and methods of holding and supporting different diameter conduit lines to persons, where adjustments can be done using fingers to press the clip portions together or pulled apart, and line length adjustment made by simply sliding the lines to the left or to the right. 
     A clip holder for holding and securely supporting elongated lines, can include a base member having an upper end and a lower end, a first set of upper bends attached to the upper end of the base member, a first set of prongs downwardly extending from the first set of upper bends, a second set of lower bends attached to a lower end of the first set of the prongs, a second set of prongs upwardly extending from the second set of the lower bends, a third set of upper bends attached to an upper end of the second set of the prongs, and a third set of prongs downwardly extending from the third set of upper bends. 
     The base member can include a rear U-shaped base with an upwardly extending left leg and an upwardly extending right leg. 
     The third set of outer prongs can each include angled cut ends. 
     The clip holder can have a height of approximately 1 and ⅞ inches and have a width of approximately 1 and ½ inches. The first set of bends can each have a curved bend of approximately ⅛ inch in diameter. The second set of bends can each have a curved bend of approximately 3/16 inch in diameter. The third set of bends can each have a curved bend of approximately ¼ inch in diameter. 
     The clip holder can be formed from a single elongated vinyl coated wire and have an overall length of approximately 13 inches. 
     A method of securing elongated lines and supporting the lines on clothing, can include the steps of providing a clothing item having at least one exterior edge, providing an elongated line, providing a clip holder with a base and a plurality of different sets of bends, securing the elongated line in one set of bends of the clip holder, and draping the clip holder on the exterior edge of the clothing with another set of bends of the clip, so that the elongated line is securely supported on the clothing edge. 
     The clothing exterior edge can include a belt or waist band. The clothing exterior edge can include a shirt pocket. The clothing exterior edge can include a pants pocket. The clothing exterior edge can include a front longitudinal edge on a shirt. 
     The elongated line can include a medical oxygen line. The elongated line can include an earphone or headset wire line. The elongated line can include a power cord line that can be attached to a power tool or other electrical device, and the like. 
     The steps of securing and draping steps can include the steps of narrowing and enlarging the different sets of bends by pressing and pulling against prong type portions of the clip holder. 
     A novel clip holder for securing elongated lines to clothing, can include a base formed from a wire, and a plurality different sets of different diameter bends extending from the base, wherein one set of bends is adaptable to attach about an edge of a clothing item, and another different diameter set of bends is adaptable to secure an elongated line therethrough. The clip holder can be formed from a single elongated vinyl coated wire. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the novel clip holder. 
         FIG. 2A  is a left side view of the novel clip holder of  FIG. 1  along arrow  2 A. 
         FIG. 2B  is a right side view of the novel clip holder of  FIG. 1  along arrow  2 B. 
         FIG. 2C  is a rear view of the novel clip holder of  FIG. 2A  along arrow  2 C. 
         FIG. 2D  is a front view of the novel clip holder of  FIG. 2A  along arrow  2 D. 
         FIG. 2E  is a top view of the novel clip holder of  FIG. 1  along arrow  2 E. 
         FIG. 2F  is a bottom view of the novel clip holder of  FIG. 1  along arrow  2 F. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the novel clip holder of  FIG. 1  holding a medical oxygen line. 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the novel clip holder of  FIG. 1  holding an earphone or headset wire. 
         FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of the novel clip holder of  FIG. 1  holding a cord. 
         FIG. 4  shows the novel clip holder of  FIG. 3A  with medical oxygen line clipped to a belt. 
         FIG. 5  shows the novel clip holder of  FIG. 3A  with medical oxygen line clipped to a shirt pocket. 
         FIG. 6  shows the novel clip holder of  FIG. 3A  with medical oxygen line clipped to the front of a shirt. 
         FIG. 7  shows the novel clip holder of  FIG. 3A  with medical oxygen line clipped to a pants pocket. 
         FIG. 8  shows the novel clip holder of  FIG. 3B  with earphone or headset wire line clipped to a belt. 
         FIG. 9  shows the novel clip holder of  FIG. 3C  with power cord line clipped to a pants pocket. 
         FIG. 10  is another view of the clip holder of  FIG. 2A  showing front prong angled end being adjustably bent outward. 
         FIG. 11  is another view of the clip holder of  FIG. 2A  showing the second and third set of prongs being adjustably bent outward. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     A list of components will now be described.
       10 . clip holder     12 . rear U-shaped base     12 A. left base leg     12 B. right base leg     13 . first bends (upper bends)     13 A. left upper first bend     13 B. right upper first bend     14 . first set of (downwardly) extending prongs     14 A. left first downwardly extending prong     14 B. right first downwardly extending prong     15 . second bends (lower bends)     15 A. left second lower bend     15 B. right second lower bend     16 . second set of (upwardly) extending prongs     16 A. left upwardly second extending prong     16 B. right upwardly second extending prong     17 . third bends (upper bends)     17 A. left upper third bend     17 B. right upper third bend     18 . third set of (downwardly) extending front prongs.     18 A. left downwardly extending prong     18 B. right downwardly extending prong     19 A Angled front left prong end     19 B. Angled front right prong end     20 . patient/user of clip holder     30 . medical oxygen line     40 . headset and earphone wire line     50 . cord line     60 . front of shirt edge     70 . shirt pocket     80 . belt or waist band     90 . pants pocket   

       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the novel clip holder  10 .  FIG. 2A  is a left side view of the novel clip holder  10  of  FIG. 1  along arrow  2 A.  FIG. 2B  is a right side view of the novel clip holder  10  of  FIG. 1  along arrow  2 B.  FIG. 2C  is a rear view of the novel clip holder  10  of  FIG. 2A  along arrow  2 C.  FIG. 2D  is a front view of the novel clip holder  10  of  FIG. 2A  along arrow  2 D.  FIG. 2E  is a top view of the novel clip holder  10  of  FIG. 1  along arrow  2 E.  FIG. 2F  is a bottom view of the novel clip holder  10  of  FIG. 1  along arrow  2 F. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2F , the novel clip holder can include rear U-shaped base  12  with left base leg  12 A and right base leg  12 B, first set of bends  13  (upper bends) with left upper first bend  13 A and right upper first bend  13 B, a first set of (downwardly) extending prongs  14  with left first downwardly extending prong  14 A and right first downwardly extending prong  14 B, second set of bends  15  with left second lower bend  15 A and right second lower bend  15 B, second set of (upwardly) extending prongs  16  with left upwardly second extending prong  16 A and right upwardly extending prong  16 B, third set of bends (upper bends)  17  with left upper third bend and right upper third bend, third set of (downwardly extending front prongs  18  with left downwardly extending prong  18 A and right downwardly extending prong  18 B, and angled front left prong end  19 A and angled front right prong end  19 B. 
     The novel clip holder  10  can have a height of approximately 1 and ⅞ inches between the bottom of the U-shaped base  12  and the first bends  13 , and have a width of approximately 1 and ½ inches between the left base leg/left prongs and the right base leg/right prongs. The novel clip holder can have first set of bends  13 , each bend  13 A,  13 B with an approximately ⅛ inch diameter bend at the top, a second set of bends  15 , each bend  15 A,  15 B with an approximately 3/16 inch diameter curve bend at the bottom, and a third second of bends  17  each bend  17 A,  17 B with an approximately ¼ inch bend. The outer ends  19 A,  19 B can be angled cut at approximately 45 degrees and burred smooth. 
     The novel clip holder  10  can be formed from coated metal and the like, and formed from a single approximately 13 inch long and approximately ⅛ inch diameter green vinyl coated, multi-purpose steel wire. This wire was determined to work well because it cold bends extremely well, no painting is necessary, no welding is necessary, and no heating is needed. The approximately 13 inch long wire forms an adjustable novel clip holder  10 . Mass production of the novel clip holders can be done by computer operation using robotic production lines. The wire is obtainable in large rolls making overall production fast and simple. 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the novel clip holder of  FIG. 1  holding a medical oxygen line  30  through the second set of bends  15  so that the left bend  15 A and the right bend  15 B each grab and securely support and hold, but not pinch about the medical oxygen line  30 . The oxygen line  30  can be fit into the curved bends  15  of the two wire clip holder bends  15 A,  15 B and can be adjusted with ease and moved to the left and to the right by sliding the oxygen line  30  as needed. The adjacent prongs  14 ,  16  can be bent toward each other or away from each other as needed to securely support the line  30 . 
       FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the novel clip holder of  FIG. 1  holding an earphone or headset wire  40  fit between ends  19 A,  19 B and prongs  16  so to be pinched therebetween and securely and firmly held in place. Alternatively, the wire  40  can be loosely fit into a third set of narrow upper bends  17  so that the left bend  17 A and right bend  17 B each grab about and support and hold, about an earphone or headset wire line  40 . The wire line  40  can pass through and adjusted with ease by moved to the left and to the right as needed. The adjacent prongs  16 ,  18  can be bent toward each other or away from each other as needed to securely support the wire  40 . 
       FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of the novel clip holder of  FIG. 1  holding a power type cord  50  through the second set of bends  15  so that the left bend  15 A and the right bend  15 B each grab and securely support and hold, about a power cord line  50 . The cord can be slid to the left or to the right in the bends  15 A,  15 B. The adjacent prongs  14 ,  16  can be bent toward each other or away from each other as needed to securely support the cord  50 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the novel clip holder  10  of  FIG. 3A  with a patient  20  having a medical oxygen line  30  from a nose and ears&#39; supported cannula clipped to a belt  80 . The rear U-shaped base  12  with left base legs  12 A,  12 B shown in the previous figures can be inserted over the inside of the belt  80  with first set of bends  13  on top of the belt  80 . 
       FIG. 5  shows the novel clip holder  10  of  FIG. 3A  with a patient  20  having a medical oxygen line  30  from a nose and ears&#39; supported cannula clipped to a shirt pocket  70 . The rear U-shaped base  12  with left base legs  12 A,  12 B shown in the previous figures can be inserted over and into the shirt pocket  70  with first set of bends  13  on top of the shirt pocket  70 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the novel clip holder  10  of  FIG. 3A  with a patient  20  having a medical oxygen line  30  from a nose and ears&#39; supported cannula clipped to the front edge  60  of a shirt. The rear U-shaped base  12  with left base legs  12 A,  12 B shown in the previous figures can be inserted inside of the front edge  60  of the shirt with first set of bends  13  on the front edge  60  of the shirt. 
       FIG. 7  shows the novel clip holder  10  of  FIG. 3A  with a patient  20  having a medical oxygen line  30  from a nose and ears&#39; supported cannula clipped to a pants pocket  90 . The rear U-shaped base  12  with left base legs  12 A,  12 B shown in the previous figures can be inserted into the pants pocket  90  with first set of bends  13  on top of the upper edge of the pants pocket  90 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the novel clip holder  10  of  FIG. 3B  with a user  20  wearing earphone or headset with wire line  40  clipped to a belt  80 . Similarly, the novel clip holder  10  can also be clipped to front edge of a shirt  60 , front shirts pocket  70 , and front pocket  90 . 
       FIG. 9  shows the novel clip holder  10  of  FIG. 3C  with a user supporting and holding a power cord line  50  that can be attached to a powered tool, device, and the like such as but not limited to a drill, saw, power screw driver, and the like, also clipped to a belt  80 . Similarly, the novel clip holder  10  can also be clipped to front edge of a shirt  60 , front shirts pocket  70 , and front pocket  90 . 
     Adjustments in tension on belts, waist bands, pockets, clothing edges and the actual conduit lines  30 ,  40 ,  50  can be made by using the thumb and index finger to press the clip prongs and legs together or apart as needed. 
       FIG. 10  is another view of the clip holder  10  of  FIG. 2A  showing front prong angled end  19 A being adjustably bent outward to another position  19 A′, which changes the diameter of the upper third bend  17 A to a larger diameter bend  17 A′. 
       FIG. 11  is another view of the clip holder  10  of  FIG. 2A  showing the second set of prongs  16 ( 16 A) and third set of prongs  18 ( 18 A) being adjustably bent outward which changes the diameter of the second set of lower bends  15 ( 15 A) to a larger diameter bend  15 N. 
     Although the embodiments describe attaching the clip holders to shirts and pants, and belts, the clip holders can be attached to other clothing items, such as but not limited to caps, jackets, dresses, shorts, and the like. Additionally, the clip holders can be attached to other types of bands such as but not limited to arm bands, wrist bands, sweat bands, and the like. 
     While the invention describes using one type of colored plastic, the invention can be done in different colors as needed, such as but not limited to white, red, and the like, and combinations thereof. 
     Although the preferred embodiment describes using wire that has a memory to keep the modified bends in place, the invention can be formed from other materials such as molded plastic and the like. A plastic version can be based on an elongated rectangular sheet of plastic which is either heated or further molded into the overall shapes of the base and different diameter bends of the preceding embodiment. Instead of having pairs of upwardly and downwardly extending prongs, the plastic version would have planar sheet portions in place of the pairs of prongs with the respective bends. The overall configuration would be similar in appearance to the preceding embodiment. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.