Abstract:
A security device to prevent the theft of personal items comprises a plastic clip with an adjustable movable hasp on a first end and interlocking gripping teeth on an opposing second end. The movable hasp squeezes the jaws together and prevents their opening. The hasp is in turn held in place by a padlock which can secure the device to a stationary object such as a beach chair, post, table, or similar item using a flexible cable.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are no current co-pending applications. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is directed toward security devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to security devices for preventing personal items such as purses, clothing, luggage, or the like from being stolen or moved while sitting unattended. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Very few leisure time activities rival that of spending warm summer days at the beach. Some enjoy being around a pool with all the comforts of home, while others spend time outside tanning. Whatever the reason, all of these events share common items such as beach towels, beach bags, clothing, or the like. However, when a person wishes to go into the water or otherwise walk away for a few short moments, one runs the risk of having their personal items stolen. 
     Even if they are not stolen, they can be picked up by someone else and moved to another location where they cannot be easily found. Similar difficulties appear when traveling and personal items such as coats, jackets, luggage, or the like must be left alone for short periods of time. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which easily movable or stolen items can be easily secured against theft or unauthorized movement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principles of the present invention provide for a securable locking clip that can grasp items such as towels, clothing, purses, luggage, or the like in its clasping jaws/or by using a flexible secure cable. The securable locking clip can then be attached to a stationary object to prevent a person from taking or moving the items. 
     The securable clip is a lock suitable for preventing the theft, loss, or misplacing of beach towels, luggage, purses, or other personal items. One (1) end of the securable clip is hinged and receives a flexible wire cable, while the opposite end has interlocking jaws that can grip a towel or similar item. The securable clip has a movable hasp which squeezes the jaws together and prevents their opening. The hasp is held in place by a conventional padlock which can be secured to a stationary object such as a beach chair, post, table, or similar item using the flexible wire cable. In addition, various items such as purses, luggage, briefcases and the like can be secured in place by passing the flexible steel cable through the handle of the item and then securing it to a stationary object. Additionally, the securable clip can have a label for providing information such as owner&#39;s name, room number, and telephone number. 
     A securable clip in accord with the present invention includes a “C”-shaped clip having a hinge at one (1) end, an upper jaw extending from the hinge and a lower jaw extending the hinge. The upper and lower jaws are biased open by the hinge and they both include a tapered section located adjacent the hinge. The upper jaw and lower jaws also include clamping teeth. Force applied to the tapered section can force the upper jaw and lower jaw closed. The upper jaw also includes latching teeth on an outer surface. The securable clip also includes an adjustable band that is dimensioned to fit over the hinge and to apply a force that closes the jaws when the adjustable band is moved along the tapered section. The adjustable band including an integral hasp having an actuator tab and a locking tip. When the locking tip engages a latching tooth it secures the upper jaw and lower jaw closed. 
     Beneficially the clip is a molded plastic structure, the adjustable band is hollow and forms a rectangular inner opening, and the upper jaw and lower jaw include aligned padlock apertures. Also beneficially the actuator tab can pivot the locking tip out of contact with the latching tooth. A padlock for passing through the aligned apertures may also be included. A cable may also be included, preferably plastic coated and having an eyelet. An identification label may be attached, preferably on the upper jaw. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a securable clip assembly  10  that is in accord with a preferred embodiment of the present invention when in-use; 
         FIG. 2  is another environmental view of the securable clip assembly  10  shown in  FIG. 1  when secured to a structure  110 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up view of an assembled securable clip assembly  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the securable clip assembly  10  taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 3 ; and, 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the securable clip assembly  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  securable clip assembly 
               20  clip 
               22  hinging end portion 
               24  upper jaw 
               26  lower jaw 
               28  clamping tooth 
               30  padlock aperture 
               32  latching tooth 
               34  identification label 
               50  adjustable band 
               52  band 
               54  band aperture 
               60  clasp 
               62  actuator tab 
               64  locking tip 
               80  cable 
               82  eyelet fixture 
               86  padlock 
               87  padlock clasp 
               100  towel 
               102  personal item 
               110  structure 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items. 
     Referring principle to  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a securable clip assembly  10  that helps prevent theft of fabric-based items such as, but not limited to, beach towels  100 , blankets, clothing items. The securable clip assembly  10  is also useful for securing personal items  102  such as purses, luggage, and the like to a stationary structure. The securable clip assembly  10  is especially useful in a vacation/beach environment. 
     Refer now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , environmental views of the securable clip assembly  10  when in-use, and to  FIG. 3 , a close-up view of the securable clip assembly  10 . The securable clip assembly  10  includes a clamping clip  20 , an adjustable band  50 , and a length of cable  80  which is secured to the clip  20  using a conventional padlock  86 . The securable clip assembly  10  provides mechanical clamping forces to secure various items such as towels  100 , robes, jackets, purses, suitcases, and the like to a stationary structure  110 . This reduces the possibility of tampering, theft, or misplacement which increases the peace of mind of a user. 
     Refer now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 , close-up, sectional, and exploded views of the securable clip assembly  10 . The securable clip assembly  10  uses a generally “C”-shaped clip  20  which is approximately two-and-one-half inches (2½ in.) long and approximately one-and-one-half (1½ in.) inches wide. However, it should be understood that the actual dimensions of the securable clip assembly  10  may vary based upon a user&#39;s preference and particular applications. The clip  20  is beneficially a one-piece molded plastic structure that is envisioned as being made using an injection-molding process and as being available in a variety of colors and patterns. 
     The clip  20  has a molded hinge  22  at one end and a set of tapered jaws at the other. The tapered jaws includes a forward extending upper jaw  24  and a forward extending lower jaw  26  that are biased open by the hinge  22 . The clip  20  is configured to have a downward tapered cross-section around the hinge  22 . The upper jaw  24  and lower jaw  26  also include a plurality of clamping teeth  28  that interlock when the jaws  24 ,  26  are forced closed as described below. When not forced closed the upper jaw  24  and the lower jaw  26  are biased open about one inch (1 in.) by the hinge  22 . This allows a user to slide a towel  100  or similar item between the open jaws  24 ,  26 . 
     After the towel  100  or other item is placed between the upper jaw  24  and the lower jaw  26  those jaws  24 ,  26  are forced closed by sliding the adjustable band  50  forward along the tapered surfaces of the clip  20  near the hinge  22 . To that end the adjustable band  50  has a hollow rectangular band section  52  that forms a rectangular inner opening that encompasses the tapered surfaces of the clip  20  near the hinge  22 . As the adjustable band  50  slides forward along the clip  20  the jaws  24 ,  26  are forced together, thus clamping the towel  100 . The adjustable band  50  is retained in a clamping position by an integral hasp  60  having a user accessible actuator tab  62  at one (1) end and a locking tip  64  at the other. The locking tip  64  engages one (1) of a plurality of latching teeth  32  that are molded into the upper jaw  24 . Engagement of the locking tip  64  into one of the latching teeth  32  secures the hasp  60  in position, which secures the closing of the jaws  24 ,  26 . 
     The jaws  24 ,  26  can be easily opened by a user depressing the actuator tab  62 . This pivots the locking tip  64  out of contact with the latching teeth  32 . The hasp  60  can then be rocked back and forth to slide it down the clip  20  taper. This enables the bias force of the hinge  22  to open the jaws  24 ,  26 , releasing the item(s) placed between them. 
     Once the towel  100  or other item is secured within the clip  20  that clip  20  can be secured to a structure  110  (see  FIG. 2 ) using the conventional padlock  86 . To that end the clip  20  includes a pair of padlock apertures  30  that are formed through the jaws  24 ,  26  behind where the adjustable band  50  locks the jaws  24 ,  26  closed. The padlock apertures  30  are aligned and allow the padlock  86  clasp to pass through. The cable  80 , preferably one (1) with a plastic-coating, has a pair of eyelets  82 . The cable  80  is wrapped around or otherwise secured to the structure  110 , the eyelets  82  are secured by the padlock clasp  87 , the padlock clasp  87  is passed though the padlock apertures  30 , and then the padlock  86  is locked. 
     Additionally, the clip  20  includes an identification label  34  that is affixed to a top surface of the clip  20 . This enables convenient display of information such as owner&#39;s name, room number, telephone number, or the like to be applied. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and while only one particular configuration is shown and described that is for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be used by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the securable clip assembly  10  it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The method of using the securable clip assembly  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring the securable clip assembly  10 ; removing the padlock  86  and adjustable band  50 , if previously installed; inserting a towel  100  or similar item between the upper  24  and lower  26  jaws; sliding the adjustable band  52  over the hinge  22 ; sliding the adjustable band  52  along the tapered surfaces of the clip  20  to force the jaws  24 ,  26 ; securing the adjustable band  50  in position by allowing the locking tip  64  of the clasp  60  to engage a corresponding latching tooth  32  of the upper jaw  24 ; using the identification label  34  to note information such as an owner&#39;s name, room number, telephone number, or the like; wrapping or otherwise securing the cable  80  to a structure  110 , securing the cable  80  to the padlock using the eyelets  82 ; locking the padlock  86 ; and then benefiting from the secure attachment of one&#39;s towel  100  or other personal property  102  to the stationary structure  110 . 
     The cable  80  may be routed through and around suitable personal items  102  and through a stationary structure  110  such as a beach chair, and the padlock claps  87  inserted through the eyelets  82  of the cable  80 , and through the padlock apertures  30  of the clip  20 , thereby providing a means to securely anchor the securable clip assembly  10  and personal items  102 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.