Abstract:
A garment weight clip that suppresses unwanted movement of a garment, such as movement by a surge of air, and configured for discrete use.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to a weighted clip, and more particularly, to a weighted clip for use with a garment to aid in preventing a garment from unwanted movement. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Many garments, such as skirts, dresses, or the like, feature a loose-fitting or free-flowing element, particularly at the bottom portion of the garment. While these elements provide a certain amount of desirable stylistic movement, they also increase the chance for undesirable movement. For example, when a sudden or sustained surge of air is encountered, such as a gust of wind or sustained winds, the bottom of the garment may invert or flip upwards, causing the wearer embarrassment or other distress. Such air conditions are often unpredictable. Sustained winds can make keeping a garment from inverting difficult and distracting. 
         [0003]    Some known devices are primarily intended to be ornamental in nature and used overtly with the garment. Depending on the aesthetics of the device, it may not be suitable as a fashion accessory. Other known devices utilize free-hanging weights on either the exterior side or the interior side of the garment, which can cause irritation to the user through additional movement. Yet other known devices utilize attachment methods that can cause permanent damage or excessive wear and tear to the material of the garment, or unsightly puckering or wrinkling of the garment. And other known approaches involve sewing weights into the hem of a skirt or dress, which permanently alters the skirt and can cause excessive wear and tear on the garment. These weights are also not easily removable for washing or for occasions where they are not needed. 
         [0004]    Based on these and other shortcomings of known devices, a need exists for a device that suppresses the inversion of any garment under conditions where a surge of air may occur, and where its use can be concealed or otherwise used discretely, does not deform the garment, does not cause permanent damage or excessive wear and tear to the garment, requires minimal effort, can be easily employed in a public setting, and is not irritating or uncomfortable to wearer. 
         [0005]    The invention(s) described herein is/are directed, but not limited, to addressing these and other issues associated with existing devices and methods of use. Other aspects and benefits not related to these issues are contemplated as well. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A weighted clip, which may be used with a garment, comprises a receiver, a clip lever and a weight. The receiver comprises a first portion and a second portion defining a gap therebetween and an associated receiver opening. The receiver opening includes an insertion end to accept a portion of material to which the clip will be attached. The clip lever is movably connected to the receiver and is biased by a biasing mechanism into a closed position wherein at least a portion of the clip lever is disposed adjacent to the receiver to allow the clip lever to engage the portion of material to which the clip will be attached. The weight is connected to one of either the receiver or the clip lever. 
         [0007]    According to a particular aspect, the gap extends from the insertion end of the receiver opening beyond a portion of the receiver to which the clip lever is connected, which allows the material to be inserted into the gap beyond this portion to minimize the clip extending beyond an edge or hem of a garment. 
         [0008]    According to another aspect, the weight is removably connected to one of either the receiver or the clip lever, thereby facilitating interchangeability of weight styles, types, sizes and amounts. 
         [0009]    According to yet another aspect, the first portion of the receiver is longer than the second portion of the receiver, and the clip lever is biased into the closed position against the first portion of the receiver, thereby facilitating engagement of the material from its opposing sides and minimizing puckering or other deformation of the material. 
         [0010]    According to yet another aspect, the receiver is made of a generally transparent material, thereby facilitating discrete use of the clip. 
         [0011]    These and other aspects will become readily apparent from the written specification, drawings, and claims provided herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a garment, specifically a skirt, having two weight clips attached thereto in accordance with one or more aspects described herein. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view with a garment in cross-section and having an embodiment of a weight clip engaged thereto in accordance with one or more aspects described herein. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an end view of an embodiment of a weight clip in an open position in accordance with one or more aspects described herein. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an embodiment of a weight clip shown in an open position with respect to a garment shown in partial cross-section in accordance with one or more aspects described herein. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an embodiment of a weight clip shown in a closed position with respect to a garment shown in partial cross-section in accordance with one or more aspects described herein. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a weight clip shown in an open position with respect to a garment shown in partial cross-section in accordance with one or more aspects described herein. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a clip lever and weight in accordance with one or more aspects described herein. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a clip lever and weight in accordance with one or more aspects described herein. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a weight clip in an open position in accordance with one or more aspects described herein. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9  in a closed position in accordance with one or more aspects described herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    The description that follows describes, illustrates and exemplifies one or more particular embodiments of the invention(s) in accordance with its principles. This description is not provided to limit the invention(s) to the embodiments described herein, but rather to explain and teach the principles of the invention(s) in such a way to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to understand these principles and, with that understanding, be able to apply them to practice not only the embodiments described herein, but also other embodiments that may come to mind in accordance with these principles. The scope of the invention(s) is/are intended to cover all such embodiments that may fall within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. 
         [0023]    It should be noted that in the description and drawings, like or substantially similar elements may be labeled with the same reference numerals. However, sometimes these elements may be labeled with differing numbers, such as, for example, in cases where such labeling facilitates the didactic purpose of the specification. Additionally, the drawings set forth herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated to more clearly depict certain features. Such labeling and drawing practices do not necessarily implicate an underlying substantive purpose. Furthermore, one or more drawings herein may be of a purely functional schematic nature, or a combination of a functional and structural/hardware schematic nature, intended to disclose and teach functional aspects of the subject matter without necessarily limiting the disclosure to any specific structure/hardware. As stated above, the present specification is intended to be taken as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of the invention(s) as taught herein and understood to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary intended use of a weight clip in accordance with one or more principles described herein. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a pair of weight clips  10  are shown in a particular embodiment and attached to a hem or edge portion of material  12  of a garment  14  in the form of a skirt. As will be described in more detail, the clips  10  engage the portion of material  12  in a discrete fashion while providing weight to the portion of material to aid in preventing undesirable movement of the garment  14 . FIGS.  2  and  4 - 6  illustrate in more detail an embodiment of the weight clip  10  in engagement with the portion of material  12 .  FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate an additional embodiment of a weight clip, which will be described in more detail herein after the description of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-6 . 
         [0025]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 2-6 , and more specifically to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the clip  10  comprises a receiver  20 , a clip lever  30  and a weight  40 . The receiver  20  comprises a first portion  22  and a second portion  24  defining a gap  50  therebetween and an associated receiver opening  52 . The receiver opening  52  includes an insertion end  54  to accept the portion of material  12  to which the clip  10  will be attached. The clip lever  30  is movably connected to the receiver  20  and is biased by a biasing mechanism  70  into a closed position wherein at least a portion of the clip lever  30  is disposed adjacent to the receiver  20  to allow the clip lever  30  to engage the portion of material  12  to which the clip  10  will be attached. As shown in this particular embodiment, the clip lever  30  is pivotably connected to the receiver  20  to define a fulcrum  60  and the clip lever  30  is disposed adjacent the receiver opening  52  when in the closed position. In some embodiments, the biasing mechanism  70  is a spring, which is shown in the embodiment in the figures. In other embodiments, the biasing mechanism  70  may be a flexible or resilient portion of either one of the receiver  20  or the clip lever  30  integrally formed therein and providing a biasing force. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-6 , the fulcrum  60  may be defined by a variety of configurations to facilitate the pivotable connection, such as a cylindrical pin and support bushing arrangement between the receiver  20  and the clip lever  30 . 
         [0026]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-6 , the first portion  22  and the second portion  24  of the receiver  20  are connected at an end  26  opposing the insertion end  54  and together define a generally U-shaped configuration of the receiver  20 . In the embodiment shown, the first portion  22  of the receiver  20  is longer than the second portion  24  of the receiver  20 , which facilitates the ability of the clip lever  30  to engage the first portion  22  of the receiver  20  in a closed position such as is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 2-8 , the weight  40  is connected to the clip lever, but in other embodiments, the weight  40  may be connected to the receiver  20 . In some embodiments, the weight  40  may take the form of different shapes, types, amounts or sizes and may be removable to allow changing of weights to suit various conditions or comfort of the garment wearer. In some embodiments, the weight may be integral to or otherwise embedded in the receiver  20  or clip lever  30  as applicable. In embodiments where the weight  40  is removable, the weight may have a threaded or snap mechanism engagement to the receiver  20  or clip lever  30  as applicable. In other embodiments, the weight  40  may be removably connected via a magnetic attachment. As shown in  FIG. 7 , in a particular embodiment, the weight  40  may be of a spherical shape and may include a stem attachment to the clip lever  30  near the end of the load arm  90  of the clip lever  30 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , in another embodiment, the weight  40  has a lower profile disc-like shape and may include a stem attachment to the clip lever  30  at a location other than near the end of the load arm  90  of the clip lever  30 . In some embodiments, the weight may have a more flush attachment or connection to the receiver  20  or clip lever  30  as applicable. As previously stated, and as should be understood, any number of shapes, sizes and configurations of weights may be utilized to provide the desired weight, comfort and functionality to the garment wearer. 
         [0028]    To enhance discreteness of use of the clip  10 , in certain embodiments, the receiver  20  is made from a transparent or translucent material. In other embodiments, the receiver  20  may be made available in a variety of colors. In certain embodiments, the clip  10  or one or more of the receiver  20  and clip lever  30  may be made from a suitable thermoplastic or thermoset polymer material. In some embodiments, the clip  10  or one or more of the receiver  20  and clip lever  30  may be made from an acrylic material. 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , the portion of material  12  can be inserted into the gap  50  of the receiver when the clip  10  is in an open position. The open position may be achieved by application of force to a force arm  80  of the clip lever  30  to overcome a biasing force of the biasing mechanism  70 , which maintains the clip lever  30  in a normally closed position. In the open position, the portion of material  12  may be inserted into the gap  50  via the insertion end  54  of the receiver opening  52 . With reference to  FIG. 5 , the portion of material  12  is engaged by a load arm  90  of the clip lever  30  in the closed position. The closed position is achieved by removal of force from the force arm  80  of the clip lever to allow the biasing force of the biasing mechanism  70  to return the clip lever  30  to its normally closed position. 
         [0030]    As can be seen in FIGS.  2  and  4 - 6 , the position of the fulcrum  60  on the second portion  24  of the receiver  20  allows the portion of material  12  to be inserted beyond the position of the fulcrum  60  with respect to the receiver  20 . This allows the portion of material  12  to be fully inserted into the clip  10  which then minimizes the clip  10  extending beyond the edge or hem of the portion of material  12 . This also facilitates a substantially flat engagement of the portion of material  12  from its opposing sides by the first portion  22  of the receiver  20  and the load arm  90  of the clip lever  30 , which minimizes puckering or other deformation of the material. 
         [0031]    An additional embodiment of a clip in accordance with one or more aspects described herein is illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10  as clip  100 . In this embodiment, a clip lever  110  is disposed within a gap  120  defined by a first portion  130  and a second portion  132  of a receiver  134  and movably connected to the first portion of the receiver  134 . The movable connection is facilitated by fixedly connecting the clip lever  110  at or adjacent to one end  136  to create a cantilever-like configuration that allows at least a portion of the clip lever  110  to engage a portion of material  12  to which the clip  110  will be attached when biased or moved into the closed position. In this embodiment, a rivet, pin, weld or other fastener  138  fixedly connects the end  136  of the clip lever  110  to the receiver. The clip lever  110  is selectively biased or moved into the closed position by a user via a mechanical lock  140 . In this particular embodiment, the mechanical lock comprises a follower  142  having a pin or continuous protrusion  144  that engages a slot or channel  146  in a lock housing  148  in a cam-type arrangement to allow the follower  142  to move against the clip lever  110  and bias the clip lever  110  into the closed position when the follower  142  is turned by a user. A biasing mechanism  150  provides a biasing force against which the follower  142  can be moved. A detent (not shown) may be provided to retain the follower in a locked or closed position as shown in  FIG. 10 . In the closed position, the clip lever  110  engages the portion of the material  12  to which the clip  100  will be attached. In this embodiment, a weight  160  is integrated into the mechanical lock  140 , but the weight  160  can be integrated with or otherwise connected to any part of the clip  100 . In some embodiments, the weight  160  is removable and interchangeable with other weights. In some embodiments, the weight may be of different sizes or shapes. In some embodiments, the mechanical lock  140  is assembled to the receiver  134 , such as by threaded engagement, for example. In other embodiments, the lock housing  148  of the mechanical lock  140  is integrally formed with the receiver  134 . It should be understood that other mechanisms for displacing the clip lever  110  into the closed position are contemplated as well. As with some other embodiments, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the clip  100  allows the material to be inserted fully into the gap  120  to minimize the clip  100  extending beyond an edge or hem of the material. 
         [0032]    While one or more specific embodiments have been illustrated and described in connection with the invention(s), it is understood that the invention(s) should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with recitation of the appended claims.