Abstract:
A co-molded plastic pinch clip with certain portions thereof formed from different materials. The clip is adapted to be secured to the body of a hanger, to a clothesline, or any other suitable element. The clip comprises a pair of complementary jaw members formed of a relatively hard plastic material joined together by a bridge-like member. The bridge-like member is joined, at each end, to the middle portion of each of the complementary jaw members by means of a living hinge. A substantially rigid, resilient member engages and presses against the outer surfaces of the complementary jaw members to maintain the relative positions thereof and, as well, force them into engagement at one end. Each jaw member includes a relatively soft plastic pad on the opposite sides of the opposite ends thereof such that a pair of soft plastic pads are disposed in abutting relationship at the inner engagable ends of the clip and a pair of soft plastic pads are disposed at the outer pressable ends of the clip.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates, generally, to molded plastic pinch clips and, more specifically, to pinch clips with co-molded, soft plastic sections thereof for improved operation and utility. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Pinch clips are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,878,276; 5,075,935; 2,471,606; inter alia, each describes a pinch clip with a resilient spring member for compressing a pair of opposed jaws. However, each of these patents describes a clip which is fabricated of a relatively hard plastic material which is difficult to use because of distress to the fingers of the user and, as well, possible damage to the items, such as clothing, which are held in place by the clips. 
     That is, the hard plastic gripping ends of known pinch clips, typically, have ridges or grooves to ensure a secure grip on the items held by the clip. These ridges or grooves can snag or tear the item especially, if the item is a piece of clothing or the like. Alternatively, the grooves and ridges can frequently scratch other types of items retained by the clip. 
     On the other hand, the clips known in the art and described in the referenced patents create pressure on the fingers of the users. These clips frequently have knobs or buttons protruding from the outer surface of the clip or alternatively have openings in the surface thereof which tend to irritate the fingertips of the user. Improved clip designs are, therefore, desirable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INSTANT INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiment of the clip of this invention comprises a pair of jaws formed of a first, relatively hard, plastic material; a resilient spring formed of a second relatively hard, but resilient, plastic material; and a plurality of pads formed of a third, relatively soft, plastic material mounted on each of said jaws. The second plastic material has a higher tensile strength than the first plastic material. The third plastic material is softer than the other plastic materials and exhibits a higher coefficient of friction, as well. Each of the jaws is a generally planar member comprising an enlarged first end portion defining a finger grasping section with a pad of the resilient plastic material on an outer surface thereof, an intermediate portion, and a second end portion including another section with a pad of the resilient plastic material on an inner surface of the jaw member. The intermediate portions of a pair of jaws are joined together by a bridge member which, preferably, includes an arcuate recess of the underside thereof for receipt of a portion of the periphery of a supporting device, such as a clothesline, or other similar element. The bridge member is integrally joined to and formed with the jaw members by living hinges. The spring is provided in the form of a generally inverted, U-shaped member having a pair of inwardly flared legs. When mounted on the clip, the spring (or resilient member) is operative to engage and retain the jaws in alignment and, as well, to force the jaws together at one end thereof in order to grasp an article therebetween. The arcuate recess is adapted to mount on the arm of a hanger (or similar elongated element) so that the clip can readily slide therealong and pivot thereabout without being removed therefrom. The resilient pads which provide ease in gripping by the user and improved grasping by the clip, are co-molded along with the jaws portion of the clip. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded, perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the clip of the instant invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the clip shown in  FIG. 1  in the assembled state. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the outer surface of the jaws of the clip of the instant invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of the inner surface of the jaws of the clip of the instant invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For convenience, in the several Figures, like reference characters refer to like components. 
     Referring concurrently to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown an exploded, perspective view of the clip  100  and a cross sectional view of the assembled clip, respectively. The clip  100  comprises a pair of facing, complementary jaws  101  and  102  with an intermediate bridge  105  connecting the jaws to one another. The jaws are connected to bridge  105  by living hinges  106  and  107 . 
     In addition, arcuate recess  108  is formed on the underside of bridge  105  and is suitably configured to receive at least a portion of the periphery of a hanger arm or any other element having a circular (or cylindrical) configuration. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the angular extent of the arcuate recess  108  is somewhat less than 360 degrees. The gap in the arcuate recess and the relative flexibility of the segments thereof permits the recess  108  to releasably grip an external longitudinal support (not shown). The arcuate recess  108  of the clip  100  prevents the clip from easy disconnection from of the external support even when the clip  100 , per se, is not fully closed. 
     A resilient, positioning element, referred to as spring  150 , has a generally inverted U-shape and is adapted to be mounted over the bridge  105  and adjacent to the outer surface of jaws  102  and  120 . In particular, the underside of the base  151  of the spring  150  is placed snugly against the upper surface of bridge  105  while the legs  152  and  153  of the spring bear against and engage the outer surfaces of the jaws  102  and  101 , respectively. The spring  150  is designed to force the lower ends of the jaws  101  and  102  together. 
     Each of the jaws  101  and  102  is formed of a plastic material which is low cost, lightweight, durable and strong. The spring  150  is formed of a plastic material which, preferably, exhibits a higher tensile strength and resilience than the material used to fabricate the jaws  102  and  120 . In a preferred embodiment, the jaws  102  and  120  are formed of polypropylene, while the spring  150  is formed of polycarbonate. Of course, other suitable materials can be utilized, if desired. 
     It is seen that each jaw  102  and  120  is formed in a substantially planar, generally “figure-8” configuration. While not specifically limited thereto, each jaw includes a relatively large upper end portion  191  or  192 , a narrowed intermediate portion  103  or  104  and a bottom end portion  109  or  110  which is larger than the intermediate portion but smaller than the upper end portion. 
     The intermediate portion of each jaw includes a relatively planar portion  103  or  104  which is co-planar with the inner surface of the respective jaw. The upper ends of planar portions  103  and  104  are connected to the bridge  105  (shown in cross-section in  FIG. 2 ) which extends between the two jaws. The planar portions  103  and  104  are joined to the opposite ends of the bridge  105  by the respective living hinges  106  and  107 . Thus, the jaws  101  and  102  can freely pivot around the ends of the bridge  105 . 
     As seen best in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , an elongated recess  112  is formed within the outer surface of lower jaw portion  110 . A locking recess  114  is located at the end of recess  112  of the jaw  102  adjacent to the planar surface portion  104 . Locking recess  114  is adapted to receive a locking end  154  of the spring  150  (shown best in  FIG. 2 ) to secure the two jaws and the spring to each other. 
     It is understood that a similar recess  111  and locking recess  113  is found in the outer surface of jaw  101  to receive leg  153  and locking end  155  of spring  150 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the jaws  102  and  120  are arranged to be disposed face-to-face, with the bridge element  105  forming a connection therebetween. The spring  150  surrounds a portion of the opposed jaws and bridge  105  so as to maintain the configuration of the clip and to force the bottom ends  109  and  110  of the clip  100  together. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the spring  150  (or resilient bias means) has a generally inverted U-shape having a pair of inwardly flaring legs  152  and  153  joined together by a planar mid-portion  151 . Each of the legs terminates at its free end in an enlarged semi-circular projection  154  or  155  which is adapted to be received within a respective one of the locking recesses  113  or  114  in the grooves  111  or  112  in jaws  101  and  102 , respectively. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , there are shown the inner and outer surfaces, respectively, of either jaw  101  or  102 . Inasmuch as the jaws are identical in construction, only jaw  101  is shown for convenience, however, the reference numeral for the counterpart component of jaw  102  is shown in parentheses. The enlarged upper end portion  191  (or  192 ) of the jaw  101  (or  102 ), is generally of oval construction and includes an opening  145  (or  146 ). The opening  145  (or  146 ) is suitably dimensioned so that the leg  153  (or  152 ) of the spring  150  is comfortably received therein, when being assembled with both of the jaws  101  and  102 . 
     The outer surface of the end portion  191  (and  192 ) includes a pad or cushion  251  seen best in  FIG. 2  (or  252 ). The pad or cushion  251  (or  252 ) is, typically, fabricated of a material such as PTE which is a relatively soft, resilient plastic material. The pad  251  (or  252 ) is co-molded along with the jaw  101  (and  102 ) on the outer surfaces thereof, respectively. The bridge  105  is formed integrally with the jaws. 
     Preferably, the pad  251  (or  252 ) extends across a substantial portion of the width (or diameter) of the end portion  191  (or  192 ). In some instances, a shallow depression can be formed in the end portion  191  (or  192 ) of the jaw  101  (or  102 ) to receive the respective pad  251  (or  252 ). The pad is, typically, adhered to the jaw by thermal bonding during manufacturing process. 
     In some instances, a portion of the pad  251  (or  252 ) can be engaged in an aperture  241  (or  242 ) which passes through the upper end portion  191  (or  192 ) of the jaw. The pads  251  (or  252 ) increase frictional engagement between the clip and the fingertips of the user but do not harm, snag and/or hurt the user. Thus, the jaws  101  (and  102 ) can be grasped comfortably at the pads or cushions  251  (and  252 ) on the large ends thereof to facilitate the opening of the clip  100 . 
     The smaller end portions  181  (and  182 ) of the jaws  101  (and  102 ), respectively, are generally circular in configuration. The inner surface of the end portion  109  (or  110 ) includes a pad or cushion  201  (or  202 ). The pad or cushion  201  (or  202 ) is, typically, fabricated of a material such as PTE which is relatively soft, resilient plastic material. The pad  201  (or  202 ) is co-molded along with the jaws  101  (and  102 ) on the inner surfaces thereof, respectively. 
     Preferably, the pad  201  (or  202 ) extends across a substantial portion of the width (or diameter) of the smaller end portion  109  (or  110 ). In some instances, a shallow depression  275  (or  276 ) seen best in  FIG. 2 , can be formed in the end portion  109  (or  110 ) of the jaw  101  (or  102 ) to receive the respective pad  201  (or  202 ). The pad  201  (or  202 ) is, typically, adhered to the jaw  101  (or  102  by thermal bonding during the manufacturing process. The pad  201  (or  120 ) is adapted to engage and hold a garment (or other item not shown) securely therebetween under the bias force provided by the spring  150 . The pads  201  or  202  increase frictional engagement between the clip  100  and the garment or other item but do not harm, snag and/or deface the garment or item. 
     As seen best in  FIG. 2 , gap  191  (or  192 ) is provided adjacent to the end of leg  152  (or  153 ) in recess  113  (or  114 ) in each jaw member in order to permit the spring  150  to be selectively removed from the jaw members by insertion of a suitable tool between the end of the leg and the end of the groove  111  (or  112 ). 
     In the assembly of the clip  100 , the pair of jaws  101  and  102  are located at opposite ends of the bridge  105 . The inverted U-shaped spring  150  is slipped over the bridge  105  so that the projections  154  and  155  engage the grooves  111  and  112  in the outer surfaces of the planar portions  103  and  104  of the jaws. By pushing on the mid-portion  151  of the resilient means  150  toward the jaw ends  109  and  110 , the spring  150  slides toward those ends, with the portions  154  and  155  of the spring sliding along the surfaces of the grooves  111  and  112  until the projections reach the recesses  113  and  114  in the grooves. When this occurs, the projections  154  and  155  snap into the recesses  113  and  114 , thereby locking the spring  150  in place. 
     The spring  150  then forces the jaw ends  109  and  110  toward each other. Once the clip components are secured, there is sufficient frictional engagement between the pads  201  and  202  of the jaw ends  109  and  110  for the clip  100  to operate properly. In addition, when attached via the arcuate surface  108 . Clip  100  can be readily slid along an arm of a hanger (or the like) when desired, but is resistant to accidental sliding. Moreover, the clip  100  can be pivoted through an arc of 360 degree about the longitudinal axis of the support which is journalled within the opening of the arcuate recess  108  with minimal likelihood of detachment. 
     Thus, the opposed end portions  109  and  110  with the co-molded pads  201  and  210  form a gripper for the clip  100  which can be opened to receive a garment (or any other item). As described above, the clip  100  is opened by grasping the clip by the upper end portions  191  and  192  of the loops  102  and  120  at the pads  250  and  251  and squeezing those end portions toward each other against the bias force of spring  150 . Upon release of the upper end portions, the spring  150  forces the lower ends  109  and  110  of the jaws back together to effect the holding of an item tightly between the pads  201  and  202  on the lower jaw ends  109  and  110 . 
     Thus, there is shown and described a unique design and concept of a pinch clip with co-molded pads for advantageous utilization. The particular configuration shown and described herein relates to a preferred embodiment. While this description is directed to a particular embodiment, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations which fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. The description herein is intended to be illustrative only and is not intended to be limitative. Rather, the scope of the invention described herein is limited only by the claims appended hereto.