NIP MEANS, PARTICULARLY CLOTHES PIN

Abstract: A nip means, particularly a clothes-pin, consists of two preferably equally shaped shank elements (1, 2). The shank elements are made of an elastically resilient material, for instance the plastic material polycarbonate, and are joined together by a pivot (3) extending perpendicularly to the shank elements. By the pivot (3) the shank elements (1, 2) are pivotable relative each other, whereby the nip means makes a double use possible. Besides a nip (7) between the shank elements (1, 2) for conventional hanging of clothings the end portions of the shank elements are shaped for forming hanging means (4, 6) for clothings or the like both in the position with the shank elements abutting each other and in the position with the shank elements pivoted outwardly relative to each other.

Description: NIP MEANS, PARTICULARLY CLOTHES PIN The present invention relates to a nip means, particularly in- * f tended to be used as a clothes pin, consisting of two preferab ly equally shaped but reversedly arranged shank elements which by means of a fastening means are joined together with the 5 broad sides of the shank elements facing each other and are with pressure abutting each other at a position near one end of the nip means to form a nip for holding clothing or the like. As stated above, conventional clothes pins are provided with a 10 nip between the shanks of the pin. In one configuration as show in US Patent No. 2,220,601 the pin is shaped in one piece and provided with a rivet for holding the free shank arms pressed against each other for obtaining the nip. The same is also valid for another configuration of a clothes pin according to 15 US Patent No. 2,508,785. This clothes pin, however, consists of two separate shank elements. A rivet is arranged for holding th shank elements together and obtaining the nip. Moreover, means is arranged for preventing relative rotation of the shank ele¬ ments. In a further configuration of the clothes pin having a 20 nip between shank elements, US Patent No. 1,532,510, the shank elements are pivotally connected together by a pivot pin in order to permit the pin to be applied or removed. The nip is formed when the broad sides of the shank elements abut each othe and for locking the clothes pin in this operative position for 25 holding the clothing a locking ring is employed for locking the shank elements relative each other. In common for these known clothes pins is, that they are provid with only one hanging means for clothing, i.e. the nip between 30 the shank elements, and that they only can be applied on for ; instance a clothes line in one way. The object of the present invention is, apart from the above mentioned known clothes pins, to make possible for a nip means 35 to be applied in several ways for instance on a clothes line an - B UREA O PI to provide several hanging possibilities for clothing than only the nip between the shank elements. To obtain this the invention has the characteristics stated in the following claims. These characteristics and advantages with the present invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Fig. 1 is a side view showing the preferred embodiment of a nip means according to the invention, particularly intended to be used as a clothes pin. Fig. 2 is section along the line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side view corresponding to Fig. 2 showing the cloth pin in another position. The clothes pin illustrated on the drawing consists of two equa ly shaped members or shank elements 1 and -2, which are joined > by means of a pivot 3. The shank elements are in one end bent o for forming hooks 4. Also the opposite end portions 5 of the shank elements are bent outwardly and are provided with holes 6 The shank elements are shaped such that at the transition 7 to the hooks 4 the shank elements abut each other under pressure and that a space 8 between the shank elements exists between th transition 7 and the pivot 3. The pivot 3 not only holds the shank elements together but serves also as axis for pivoting the shank elements to a position relative each other as illu¬ strated in Fig. 3. As shown, the pivot 3 is positioned essen- tially closer to the end portions 5 of the pin than the hooks 4 whereby an elongated space 8 is formed between the shank elemen The material in the pin is elastically resilient and is prefer¬ ably a plastic material, for instance polycarbonate which is strong and tough. When applying a pin according to the invention, the pin is pres OMPI over the object to which it shall be fastened. The object is guided into a guide groove 10 between the hook-like end portions 4 which then are pressed apart at the nip 7. This pressing of V 1* the pin over the object is very simple and even a hand-injured 5 person having a decreased ability of using the fingers can easily fasten the pin. The outwardly bent portions 5 contribute to a simple fastening by serving as pressure plates. Moreover, the object is fastened strongly and securely by the elongated space 8. 10 The form of the pin with hooks 4 makes possible the hanging of further clothings or clothes-hangers besides the hanging in the nip 7 between the shank elements 1,2. 15 The configuration of the shank portions 5 with holes 6 provides further possibilities of hanging for instance clothes-hangers in these holes. The configuration of the pin according to the invention provided 20 with a pivot 3 gives the possibility of a further use, which is illustrated in Fig. 3. By pivoting the shank elements 1, 2 about the pivot 3 and turning the pin upside down, the hooks 4 can be hooked over a line 9 and in both or one of the holes 6 be hanged for instance a clothes-hanger. Moreover, the weight of the 25 clothing on the hanger will press the hooks in a direction to¬ wards each other, whereby a secure locking of the hanger is ob¬ tained. A pin according to the invention can be used also in other con- 30 nections than as a clothes-pin. It can for instance be used as a bicycle clasp, wherein the elongated space 8 contributes to a secure holding of the pin. By the elongated space 8 the nip 7 will pass the trouser cuff, which contributes still more to a secure holding. When the pin is not used it can easily be 35 pressed over an appropriate part of the .bicycle, for instance under the saddle. The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown on the drawing but can in several ways be varied within the scope of the following claims. For instance the end portions do not need to be shaped with hooks and holes as shown but can have any other appropriate configuration. IJUREA O P

Claims: C L A I M S 1. Nip means, particularly intended to be used as a clothes- •• ■ pin, consisting of two preferably equally shaped but reversedly arranged shank elements (1,2), which by means of a fastening means (3) are joined together with the broad sides of the shank elements facing each other and are under pressure abutting each other at a position near one end of the nip means for forming a nip (7) for fastening clothings or the like, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n the combination of that, a) said fastening means consists of a pivot (3) for, besides said joining of the shank elements (1,2), making possible a pi¬ voting of the shank elements relative each other, and that b) the shank elements (1,2), besides forming said nip (7), are at at least one end provided with hanging means (4,6) for clothings or the like formed and arranged such that the hanging means (4,6) exist both in the position with the shank elements (1,2) abutting each other and in the position with the shank elements pivoted outwardly relative to each other. 2. Nip means according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said hanging means (4) serves in said outwardly pi¬ voted position as a hanging means for the nip means. 3. Nip means according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said hanging means (4) for hanging clothing in the position with the shank elements (1,2) abutting each other and for hanging the nip means in the position with the shank ele¬ ments pivoted outwardly is positioned at the nip means end pro¬ vided with the nip (7) . 4. Nip means according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said hanging means (4) arranged at the nip means end provided with the nip (7) is shaped as a hook with the free end thereof facing the opposite end of the nip means. 'BURE O PI w i 5. Nip means according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said hanging means (6) is arranged at the nip means end opposite to the nip (7) . 6. Nip means according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said hanging means (6) arranged at said opposite nip means end consists of a hole in the shank element end (5) . 7. Nip menas according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that at least one shank ele¬ ment end positioned opposite to the nip (7) is bent outwardly in the direction from the other shank element (1,2) for forming a pressure plate. -BUREAU O PI

Inventors: NYBERG GUNNAR, NYBERG, GUNNAR
Applicants: CREATIVE CONSTRUCTION CO AB
Application year: 1984
Main classification: D06F55
IPC codes: A47G29, D06F55, D06F57