Reusable hanger clips and associated methods

A hanger clip is disclosed comprising: a housing and a clip member for attaching the hanger to a surface or protrusion. The clip member is connected to the housing and comprises a follower, wherein the clip member is configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration based on the position of the follower. The housing and clip are configured to receive a cam member which is configured to rotate within the housing to change the position of the follower to move the clip member between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The hanger clip can therefore be remotely actuatable using a tool attached to a pole which can be manipulated from ground level.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to devices for the attachment of ornaments (e.g. Christmas lights or other temporary ornaments) to surfaces and protrusions such as gutters, shingles and fascia of buildings.

BACKGROUND

Hanging Christmas lights is a common tradition in North America, Europe and around the world. There are a few different ways of attaching the lights to the front of a building. The most common is to attach them by a plastic clip to gutters while standing on a ladder.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,056,393 discloses an apparatus for installing a string of decorative lighting, such as Christmas or party lights, in an elevated location without requiring the use of a ladder. A clamp, actuated between an open and closed position, securely holds the light string by a socket rather than the wire string, while the light string is being hung. The clamp preferably includes prongs oriented in different directions, one direction adapted for hanging a string of lights with a hook-type hanging bracket and the other direction adapted for use with a clip-type hanger. A protective body covers the bulb while the light string is being hung.

A clamping type hanger, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,584, that is permanently attached to a pole is also known. U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,584 relates to a string of lights hanging apparatus including a telescoping handle comprised of a lower section, an upper section, and an intermediate section. A clamping mechanism is secured to a free end of the upper section of the telescoping handle. The clamp mechanism includes a fixed arm which extends outwardly from the handle; and a pivoting arm. An inner end of the pivoting arm is pivotally coupled with an inner end of the fixed arm. A trigger mechanism is secured to the lower section of the telescoping handle and controls a cable. A free end of the cable is secured to the pivoting arm of the clamping mechanism whereby inward pressure of the trigger mechanism will cause the pivoting arm to compress the spring and engage the fixed arm.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a hanger clip comprising:

a housing,

a clip member connected to the housing and comprising a follower, wherein the clip member is configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration based on the position of the follower;

wherein the housing and clip member are configured to receive a cam member which is configured to rotate within the housing to change the position of the follower to move the clip member between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

The clip member may comprise an engaging portion, a follower portion and a pivot portion. The engaging portion may be an elongate portion configured to engage with a surface or protrusion. The follower portion may be positioned between the pivot portion and the engaging portion. The pivot portion may allow the engaging portion to rotate in a plane (e.g. a single plane) about the pivot. The follower portion may be smooth so as to allow sliding on the surface of a cam.

By the clip member moving with respect to the housing, the clip member (e.g. the engaging portion) can close to trap a surface or protrusion (e.g. between the clip member and the outside of the housing or other support structure) and open to release the trapped surface or protrusion.

The clip member may be pivotably connected to the housing. The clip member may comprise an elongate arm. The pivot may comprise a joint and/or a resilient portion which allows the clip member to rotate with respect to the housing.

The hanger clip may comprise a biasing means configured to bias the clip member in a closed configuration. The biasing means may comprise a spring. The biasing means or spring may be formed from a resilient portion of material connecting the clip member to the housing. The resilient portion may be formed of plastic or metal.

The housing may comprise one or more stops configured to restrict rotational motion of the cam member within the housing. For example, the stop may be configured to stop the cam member in a position in which the clip member is configured to exert a force on the cam member to hold it in position.

The clip member may be configured to exert a force on an exterior portion of the housing when in the closed position.

The clip member may extend towards a hole (or slot) through which the cam member is received (e.g. the engagement portion may be closer to the hole than the pivot portion). The clip member may extend away from a hole (or slot) through which the cam member is received.

The clip hanger may comprise one or more fixed clip members configured to restrict rotation of the clip hanger when the clip member is in the open configuration.

The distance between the housing and the adjustable clip member in the closed position may be less than the distance between the housing and the fixed clip member. The distance between the housing and the adjustable clip member in the open position may be more than the distance between the housing and the fixed clip member (and, for example, less than ten times the distance between the housing and the fixed clip member).

At least a said clip member (e.g. fixed and/or adjustable clip member) may be flared. This may help guide the clip to the correct position when being mounted on, for example, a protrusion.

The clip may comprise an ornament connector. The ornament connector may be configured to hold ornaments such as Christmas lights or Hallowe'en decorations.

The clip may be formed from polypropylene plastic. The clip may be injection molded. The clip may be of unitary construction (one piece). the housing and clip member may be releasably connected together by an engagement member. The clip may be of two-part construction.

In some embodiments, the cam member may be permanently housed or received within the housing and activated to rotate to move the follower (e.g. by a pole being inserted into the housing to connect with the permanently-housed cam member).

Another aspect of the present technology is the method of using an clip as described herein to attach the clip to a protrusion or surface.

For convenience, directions have been defined with respect to the rotational axis of the cam member: longitudinal corresponds with directions aligned with the rotational axis; and transverse corresponds with directions which cross the rotational axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the technology will now be described with reference to the figures. For the purposes of illustration, components depicted in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed on highlighting the various contributions of the components to the functionality of various aspects of the technology. A number of possible alternative features are introduced during the course of this description. It is to be understood that, according to the knowledge and judgment of persons skilled in the art, such alternative features may be substituted in various combinations to arrive at different embodiments.

INTRODUCTION

As noted above, the most common way to hang Christmas lights is to attach the lights or wires to gutters with clips by standing on a ladder and manually placing the clips in position. This raises a number of safety risks relating to working at height and a number of protocols have been formulated to mitigate the risk (e.g. OSHA FS-3662-2013—Ladder Safety: Reducing Falls in Construction: Safe Use of Stepladders Fact Sheet). However, reducing the need for ladders would correspondingly reduce the risk of hanging Christmas lights. Furthermore, the use of ladders increases the time and effort required to perform the task of hanging Christmas lights.

It may also be advantageous if the apparatus were simple and robust.

The present hanger clips may be configured to be remotely actuatable using a tool attached to a pole which can be manipulated from ground level.

In the description below, embodiments will be described in relation to hanging Christmas lights to gutters. It will be appreciated that other ornaments may be hung using this system such as wreathes, strings of baubles and Hallowe'en decorations. Likewise, it will be appreciated that ornaments may be hung on other protrusions, edges and surfaces such as shingles, banisters, window frames, and downpipes.

A number of embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. All terms have definitions that are reasonably inferable from the drawings and description.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a hanging clip. The hanging clip100in this case comprises: a housing101, a clip member102connected to the housing101and comprising a follower103, wherein the clip member102is configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration based on the position of the follower103; wherein the housing and clip are configured to receive a cam member121which is configured to rotate within the housing101to change the position of the follower103to move the clip member between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

The follower in this case is a surface configured to abut a curved surface of the cam member (when being opened or closed). The follower (also known as a cam follower) may be considered to be a type of surface, roller or needle bearing designed to follow the cam profile as the cam rotates. The follower may be smooth so as to reduce friction with the cam. Smooth may encompass flat surfaces, which are free from projections, lumps, or indentations.

In this case, the clip member is attached to the housing by a pivot and is biased towards the closed position by means of a spring106. This means that when the cam member is separated from the housing the clip is biased to the closed position. In this case the spring has a helical portion which surrounds the pivot104. This holds the spring in place. It will be appreciated that other biasing means may be used such as elastic (e.g. rubber).

In this case, the housing (which is substantially cylindrical in shape) comprises an axial open channel to receive the cam member which is mounted on top of a pole122. In this embodiment, the cam member can be retrofitted onto a conventional pole (e.g. a broom or mop handle) to allow the device to be used. For example, the cam member may be glued, nailed and or screwed onto a pole (e.g. the cam member may be attached to a ¾″ #5 male or female connector).

The cam member may be considered to be a rotating or sliding piece (e.g. an eccentric wheel or a cylinder with an irregular shape) in a mechanical linkage, particularly when used in transforming rotary motion into linear, transverse or reciprocal motion or vice versa. In this case, the cam member has a rounded-rectangle transverse cross-section. This means that the cam member has 2-fold rotational symmetry. It will be appreciated that other cams may have other degrees of rotational symmetry.

The hanger clip also comprises a hook107or other ornament connector for connecting with the Christmas lights (or other ornament). In this case, the ornament connector107is a loop for receiving the wire attached to the lights. The wire can be attached to the loop connector prior to the clip member being raised on the pole122and attached to the gutter.

FIG. 2a-2dshow how the cam member is used to move the clip between open and closed configurations.FIGS. 2aand 2brepresent the control mechanism120in conjunction with the clip member102when in a closed position.FIG. 2ais a longitudinal cross section andFIG. 2bis a transverse cross-section (through pivot104).FIGS. 2cand 2drepresent the control mechanism120in conjunction with the clip member when in an open position.FIG. 2cis a longitudinal cross section andFIG. 2dis a transverse cross-section.

FIGS. 2aand 2bshow when the cam member121has just been introduced into the housing101or body of the clip member100via a hole109in the bottom of the housing. In this case, the hole109is an elongate slot which only allows the cam member to be removed when the clip member is in the closed position. This couples the control mechanism to the clip member until the clip has safely been attached to the guttering.

When the cam member121is inserted into the clip hanger100housing it is automatically aligned with the follower on the clip when it is inserted into the clip housing100to the maximum extent. In this case, the extent to which the cam can be inserted into the housing is restricted by the cam impinging on the bottom of the clip member102just below the pivot104. It will be appreciated that other mechanisms may be used to restrict the degree of insertion. For example, in other embodiments, the cam may be aligned when the top of the pole impinges on the bottom of the clip hanger housing.

When the cam member121is rotated (90° in this case) by rotating the pole122as shown inFIGS. 2cand 2d, the cam moves the follower103laterally away from the axis191of the clip housing. This causes the clip member102to pivot open so that the arm of the clip is further away from the outside of the housing. This step can be done by hand on the ground by rotating the pole with respect to the clip hanger. It will be appreciated that the degree of rotation required to open and close the clip member is related to the shape of the cam member.

FIGS. 3aand 3bshow how the hanging clip may be raised and attached to a guttering.FIGS. 3aand 3balso show a string of lights151attached to the ornament connector107. It will be appreciated that other clips may be configured to attach to other exposed layers (e.g. shingles).

First the cam member is inserted into the clip hanger and turned (90° in this case) locking the clip member in the open position. When the cam member121is holding the clip member102in the open position, the hanging clip100can be raised by the pole of the control mechanism and positioned over the gutter.

The cam member can then be rotated back by rotating the pole to move the clip to the closed position to exert a grabbing force on the guttering152which is thereby trapped between the outside of the housing101and the clip arm102. The cam member can then be removed, and the next clip attached.

The housing may be 4-12 cm tall. The housing may have a diameter of 4-8 cm. In this case, the housing has a circular cross section. Other embodiments may have a rectangular or square cross section.

In this case, the housing is made of plastic. It will be appreciated that other embodiments may be formed from metal.

FIGS. 4a-cshow a further embodiment of a clip hanger400which comprises fixed clip members410a,b. In this case, there is one fixed clip member410a,bpositioned on each side of the adjustable clip member402. The fixed clip members410a,bare rigidly attached to the clip housing401and are configured to maintain the housing in position as the cam member421is rotated via the control mechanism.

FIGS. 4a-bshow the hanging clip400in the open configuration. In this configuration, the cam member421has been inserted and rotated to open the adjustable clip402member to the open position. This moves the adjustable clip member beyond the fixed clip members so that the hanging clip can be easily positioned on the gutter (or other surface). In this case, the fixed clip members are flared outwards at the bottom to facilitate positioning over the gutter.

When the hanger clip is in position, the cam is rotated thereby releasing the adjustable clip member which is biased closed. This traps the gutter452between the closed clip member and the outside of the housing. In this configuration, the connection between the gutter and the hanger clip is primarily through the force applied by the biased clip member402. The distance between the housing401and the adjustable clip member402in the closed position is less than the distance between the housing401and the fixed clip member410a,b. In contrast, the distance between the housing401and the adjustable clip member402in the open position (seeFIG. 4a) is more than the distance between the housing and the fixed clip member410a,b.

When the user would like to take the lights down, the fixed clips410a,bmay help stabilize the hanger clip as the cam member421is rotated within the housing401. That is, as the adjustable clip member402is opened, the extra space between the housing and the adjustable clip member may allow the housing401to rotate making it more difficult to fully open the clip member. In this embodiment, the fixed clip members limit rotation of the housing with respect to the gutter.

Stop Embodiment

FIGS. 5a-bshow a further embodiment of a hanger clip500.FIG. 5ashows a longitudinal cross-section andFIG. 5bshows a transverse cross-section corresponding to the line A-A inFIG. 5a. InFIG. 5b, the dotted lines correspond to the position of the cam and the clip member when in the open configuration. This embodiment is similar to that ofFIG. 2a. However, this embodiment also comprises a stop511configured to restrict rotational movement of the cam member521within the housing501.

As with the embodiment ofFIG. 2a, the cam member is inserted into the housing and rotated to open the adjustable cam member to an open configuration. However, in this case, a stop within the housing prevents the cam member over-rotating and allowing the clip member502to close again. In this case, the stop511is configured to allow the cam member521to rotate slightly over 90°. This allows the biased clip member502to apply a force to lock the cam member in position between the stop and the biased clip member. This may help the cam member to retain its position holding the clip member open has the hanger clip is raised and positioned on the gutter (or other protrusion).

Plastic Embodiment

FIGS. 6a-eshow a further embodiment. In this case, the embodiment is of unitary plastic construction. In this case, the material is polypropylene plastic and the clip is injection molded.

FIG. 6ais a perspective view of a further embodiment of a hanging clip.FIG. 6bshows a cross-section view of the clip ofFIG. 6a.FIGS. 6cand 6dshow the cam member621which can be used to activate this embodiment600.FIG. 6dshows this embodiment600being positioned on a gutter using the cam member621.

The hanging clip600in this case comprises: a housing601, a clip member602connected to the housing601and comprising a follower603, wherein the clip member602is configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration based on the position of the follower603; wherein the housing and clip are configured to receive a cam member621which is configured to rotate within the housing601to change the position of the follower603to move the clip member between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

In this case, the clip member602is shaped to engage with a standard eaves trough guttering shape (seeFIG. 6e). The clip in this case also includes rigid supporting member613which is configured to sit under a portion of the guttering652and provide an opposing force to that applied by the clip member. That is, in this case, the clip member602and the rigid supporting member are opposed to each other when the clip is in place. This is shown inFIG. 6e.

The follower603in this case is a surface configured to abut the curved surface of the cam member621.

This embodiment also comprises a recess614which is positioned opposite the follower603within the housing601. This housing receives an opposing portion of the cam member621when the cam is rotated to open the clip member by displacing the follower603. This restricts motion of the cam member along the rotation axis when the clip is in the open configuration. That is, the recess614(in conjunction with the gap in the housing which receives the follower603) has surfaces (aligned transverse to the rotation axis) which prevent the cam being pushed further into the housing and/or being removed from the housing. The recess in this case also has surfaces which are aligned with the rotation axis691which prevent lateral motion of the cam621as it is being rotated within the housing600.

In this case, the clip member is attached to the housing by a pivot and is biased towards the closed position by means of a spring606. This means that when the cam member is separated from the housing the clip is biased to the closed position. In this case the biasing means is a resilient portion of the material which is configured to elastically bend.

In this case, the housing (which is substantially cylindrical in shape) comprises an axial open channel to receive the cam member which is mounted on top of a pole622. In this embodiment, the cam member can be retrofitted onto a conventional pole (e.g. a broom or mop handle) to allow the device to be used. For example, the cam member may be glued, nailed and or screwed onto a pole (e.g. the cam member may be attached to a ¾″ #5 female connector). In this case, the cam member is screwed onto the pole as shown inFIG. 6c.

The hanger clip also comprises a hook607or other ornament connector for connecting with the Christmas lights651(or other ornament). In this case, the ornament connector607is a loop for receiving the wire attached to the lights. The wire can be attached to the loop connector prior to the clip member being raised on the pole622and attached to the gutter652as shown inFIG. 6e.

FIGS. 7a-bshow a further embodiment.FIG. 7ais a perspective view of the hanging clip.FIG. 7bshows a cross-section view of the clip ofFIG. 7a. In this case, the embodiment is of two-part plastic construction. In this case, the material is polypropylene plastic and is injection molded.

The hanging clip700in this case comprises: a housing701, a clip member702connected to the housing701and comprising a follower703, wherein the clip member702is configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration based on the position of the follower703; wherein the housing and clip are configured to receive a cam member which is configured to rotate within the housing701to change the position of the follower703to move the clip member between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

In this case, the clip member702is shaped to engage with a standard eaves trough guttering shape. The clip in this case also includes rigid supporting member713which is configured to sit under a portion of the guttering and provide an opposing force to that applied by the clip member. That is, in this case, the clip member702and the rigid supporting member are opposed to each other when the clip is in place.

Like the embodiment inFIGS. 6a-e, the follower703in this case is a surface configured to abut the curved surface of the cam member.

This embodiment also comprises a recess714which is positioned opposite the follower703within the housing701. This housing receives an opposing portion of the cam member when the cam is rotated to open the clip member by displacing the follower703. This restricts motion of the cam member along the rotation axis when the clip is in the open configuration.

In this case, the clip member is attached to the housing by a pivot and is biased towards the closed position by means of a spring706. This means that when the cam member is separated from the housing the clip is biased to the closed position. In this case the biasing means is a resilient portion of the material which is configured to elastically bend.

Unlike the previous embodiment, this embodiment is formed from two parts: the housing section701and the clip portion702. The clip is designed to be inserted through the top of the housing section701and it has an engaging protrusion which engages with an indent on the clip side of the housing section701. This means that when the clip portion is in a closed configuration, the spring706applies a force between the engaging protrusion and the corresponding indent. When the clip portion is in an open configuration, the spring706applies a stronger force between the engaging protrusion and the corresponding indent. This means that the union between the two parts of the hanger clip is stronger when the clip portion is open. This is important because when the hanger clip is not installed, the weight of the lights (or other articles being hung) can be supported by the housing, whereas when the hanger clip is installed, the clip supports the weight of the hanger housing and the weight of the articles being hung. Making the force between the two components increase when the hanger clip is open may mean that the hanger clip is stronger when installed and that the clip can still be easily replaced when the clip hanger is closed.

In other embodiments, the clip section may be inserted up into a top region of the clip hanger housing. In this way, when weight is placed on the housing (e.g. by hanging an article) the housing rests more securely on the clip member.

Plug Attachment

LikeFIGS. 7a-b,FIGS. 8a-bshow a further two-part embodiment. The hanging clip800in this case comprises: a housing801, a clip member802connected to the housing801and comprising a follower803, wherein the clip member802is configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration based on the position of the follower803; wherein the housing and clip are configured to receive a cam member which is configured to rotate within the housing801to change the position of the follower803to move the clip member between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In this case, the clip housing includes two hooks807a,bor other ornament connector for connecting with the Christmas lights (or other ornament).

FIG. 8cshows an alternative plug holder870which can replace the clip member by separating the clip member from the two-part hanger clip and inserting the plug holder. As shown inFIG. 8c, the plug holder comprises an engagement member871for securely connecting the plug holder870to the housing871.

When the plug holder870is connected to the housing871, a plug can be inserted into the plug holder so that the plug809can be raised on a cam mounted on a pole for insertion into sockets located, for example, under roof eaves.

In this case, the plug holder870includes two securing members873a,b. Each of the securing members873a,bis open at one end and lies substantially parallel to a cable supporting surface. In this case the securing members are open at opposite sides. Therefore, to insert the plug cable into the plug holder, the plug is arranged transverse to the plug holder as shown inFIG. 8d. Then the plug cable878is rotated to be aligned with the plug holder (by approximately 90°). In this way, the cable is inserted through the open ends of the securing members and is secured between the securing members873a,band the cable supporting surface872. The plug is positioned above the plug holder as shown inFIGS. 8e-gwhich allows a force to be applied to the plug prongs through the plug body879. It will be appreciated that there may be other ways of attaching the plug and/or plug cable to the plug holder.

It will be appreciated that the plug holder870may include a space874to receive the cam when it is rotated within the body801. This space874, in conjunction with recess814allows the cam to rotate within the housing and then provide a pulling force to remove the plug from the socket. The space also helps stabilize the plug holder with respect to the cam.

In this way, the same housing may be used in conjunction with a variety of tools such as a clip or a plug holder.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred embodiments and preferred uses thereof, it is not to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full, intended scope of the invention as defined by the claims as understood by those skilled in the art.