CLAMP FOR PAPER SHEETS

Abstract: Clamp having a U-shaped body (1) for inserting objects there between. Therein, one (2) of the legs is provided with a resilient lockable lip (4) for clamping the objects concerned between said lip (4) and the other leg (3) of the U-shaped body. In this arrangement, the hinge axis of said lip extends essentially at right angles to the longitudinal centre line of the web (7) of the U-shaped body. As a result, the clamp extends to a smaller extent over the width of the object to be clamped and over a greater length of the object to be clamped.

Description: CLAMP FOR PAPER SHEETS The present invention relates to a clamp comprising a U-shaped body for inserting objects therebetween, one of the legs being provided with a resilient lockable lip for clamping the objects between said lip and the other leg of the U-shaped body. Such a clamp is disclosed in US-A-4,241,477. In this case, the lockable lip extends transversely to the longitudinal centre line of the web of the U-shaped body, i.e. the hinge axis of the lip extends essentially parallel with the longitudinal centre line of said web. The lip is completely enclosed in one leg. The first disadvantage of the construction proposed in said US patent is that the leg in which the locking lip is situated, has to extend inwards over a relatively long distance. The sole function of this inward extension is to provide sufficient material for the locking lip. On the one hand, not only does this result in the use of a great deal of material but, on the other hand, a considerable part of what is clamped may be hidden from view. This involves, in particular, the use of the clamp for the insertion of flat paper, such as written sheets of paper. A second disadvantage is that the clamp is relatively short, i.e. the length of the web and the legs is relatively small. As a result, there is a risk of the objects inserted in the clamp moving and being positioned askew. Consequently, creases and/or folds develop, for example in sheets of paper. The object of this kind of clamp, as compared with paper clips and the like, is precisely to avoid unsightly damage and to keep the objects held in the clamp from slipping. Further disadvantages which could be mentioned are the fact that the clamp is difficult to open and the fact that it leaves a lot to be desired in terms of ergonomic design. The object of the present invention is to avoid the abovementioned disadvantages. Said object is achieved in that the hinge axis of the lip is essentially at right angles to the longitudinal centre line of the web of the U-shaped body. Based on the US patent, the extension of the legs in the transverse direction can be limited significantly by turning the hinging direction of the lip through 90°, while the longitudinal dimensions will necessarily have to be increased. As a result, it is possible to achieve a reduction in the non-visible edge region of the objects to be clamped using the same amount or a smaller amount of material while, at the same time, less damage occurs because the abovementioned creasing effect will occur to a lesser extent, or does not occur at all. It also serves to prevent the objects from being positioned askew. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lip forms the partial outer boundary of the one leg of the U-shaped body. Thus it is possible significantly to simplify the operation of the lockable lip while, on the other hand, the width of the clamp can be limited further. In the embodiments described above, the U-shaped body is preferably elastically deformable such that the distance between the free locking end of the lip and the part of the one leg which can engage with it can be increased. That is to say that unlocking of the lockable lip is effected by bending the clamp, as a result of which the distance between the free end of the lip and the part of the one leg engaging therewith is increased such that unlocking is effected. Either the web of the U-shaped body or the one leg is provided with a weakened section in order to facilitate said bending. In addition, said bending may be facilitated by fitting a projection to the underside of the other leg. Consequently, the clamp has only to be pressed at both ends, which causes a bulge and moves the lockable lip out of the locked position if it is on a flat surface. Locking may be achieved by all methods known in the state of the art, but, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking end of the lip is provided with a displaced part and the part of the one leg which can engage with it is provided with an oppositely displaced part. Moreover, interacting fastening means, such as a tenon/mortise assembly, may be fitted on the lockable lip, on the one hand, and on the other leg, on the other hand. The clamp described above may be provided with suspension means in order not only to fix in the clamp one or more of the objects inserted in the clamp, but also to suspend them by means of the suspension means mentioned. The invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the illustrative embodiment shown in the drawing, in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the clamp according to the invention in the closed position; Fig. 2 shows a side view of the clamp according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows a side view according to Fig. 2, with the clamp in the open position; Fig. 4 shows a front view of the clamp according to the invention, along the line IV-IV in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of the clamp according to the invention in the closed position; and Fig. 6 shows the clamp according to Fig. 5 in the open position. The clamp according to the invention comprises a U-shaped body 1 having a web 7, a leg 2 and a further leg 3» A U-shaped insert is delimited therebetween for inserting, for example, flat paper 15. Of course, it is also possible to insert other objects in the clamp described here. The web of the U forms the stop for the objects to be inserted. The one leg 2 is provided with a lockable lip 4, the hinge centre line of which is essentially at right angles to the longitudinal centre line of the web 1. The lockable lip 4 is provided with a free end having cam means 11. As Fig. 2 shows, cam means 11 are designed to match cam means 12 of the part 6 of the one leg 2. Body 7 and the one leg 2 are provided with grooves as a weakened section, the groove in the web 7 being indicated by 8 and the groove in the one leg 2 being indicated by 9. The lockable lip 4 is provided with a pin 10 which can slot into a corresponding aperture 13 in the other leg 3. Bevelled edges in the one leg 2 have been indicated by 19, which bevelled edges facilitate the insertion of the objects by forming a stop. The device described above functions as follows. Starting from the position shown in Fig. 3, the objects concerned have to be inserted in the aperture delimited by the U-shaped body 1 and the free end 5 has to be moved down so that cam means 11 and cam means 12 engage with each other and the situation of Fig. 2 is arrived at. In order to unlock the device again, pressure has to be applied on the ends of the legs, as indicated by the arrows. By taking the clamp between the fingers, an upward force in the centre part of the clamp will occur and the cam means 11 and 12 will thus disengage. The fixing means 10, 13 shown function for penetrating the object to be inserted and, furthermore, for retaining it. Retention is effected, on the one hand, by the clamping action of the lockable lip 4 and, on the other hand, by said fixing means. It is, of course, possible to construct the clamp without the fixing means described above. In Figs 5 and 6 a further embodiment of the clamp accorαmg -co the invention is shown. Parts which have the same function as parts shown in one of the previous figures are denoted by the same reference numerals and they will not be discussed in any more detail. The lockable lip 4, in the embodiment according to Figs 4 and 5, is provided with a part 20 which extends downwards. As the lip 4 consists of resilient material, it is thus possible to provide for an adjustment to various thicknesses of the objects to be inserted in the clamp. In this embodiment, part 20 will effect the clamping action. The other leg 3« on its underside, is provided with a cross rib 14 extending over the entire width of the clamp. As Fig. 6 shows, it is possible, by pressing on the ends when the clamp is placed on a flat surface, to unlock the lip 4. Although the above invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be noted that numerous modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus it is possible to provide means which prevent the lockable lip from being moved too far outwards, so as to prevent the needle-shaped pin 10 from being able to cause injuries.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Clamp comprising a U-shaped body (1) for inserting objects therebetween, one (2) of the legs being provided with a resilient lockable lip (4) for clamping the objects between said lip (4) and the other leg (3) of the U-shaped body, characterised in that the hinge axis of the lip extends essentially at right angles to the longitudinal centre line of the web (7) of the U-shaped body (1). 2. Clamp according to Claim 1, in which the lip (4) forms the partial outer boundary of the one leg (2) of the U-shaped body. 3« Clamp according to one of the preceding claims, in which the U-shaped body (1) is elastically deformable such that the distance between the free locking end (5) of the lip and the part (6) of the one leg (2) which can engage with it can be increased. 4. Clamp according to Claim 3. in which the web (7) and/or the one leg (2) of the U-shaped body is provided essentially half-way along the length thereof with a weakened section (8; 9) which extends essentially along the longitudinal centre line of the web. 5. Clamp according to Claim 3 or 4, in which the other leg (3) is provided with a projection (14) , essentially half-way along, at the centre, on the side facing the other leg (2). 6. Clamp according to one of the preceding claims, in which the free locking end (5) of the lip (4) is provided with a displaced part (11) and the part (6) of the one leg (2) which can engage with it is provided with an oppositely displaced part (12) in order to achieve the locking action. 7. Clamp according to one of the preceding claims, in which the lip (4) and the other leg (3) are provided with interacting fixing means (10; 13). 8. Clamp according to one of the preceding claims, in which the face of the lip (4), which faces the objects to be inserted, is designed with an inwardly curved part (20) for resiliently clamping said objects. 9. Clamp according to one of the preceding claims, in which suspension means are fitted at the side of the web (7) facing away from the legs.

Inventors: CAVE-JANSEN JOHANNA MARIA ANTJ, HENDRIKX REMIGIUS VINCENT, CAVE-JANSEN, JOHANNA, MARIA, ANTJEN, THERESIA, HENDRIKX, REMIGIUS, VINCENT
Applicants: CAVE JANSEN JOHANNA MARIA ANTJ, HENDRIKX REMIGIUS VINCENT, CAVE-JANSEN, JOHANNA, MARIA, ANTJEN, THERESIA, HENDRIKX, REMIGIUS, VINCENT
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B42F1
IPC codes: B42F1