Abstract:
A method of clipping papers together, to be performed by a user, that utilizes a paper clip made of resilient material and defining a paper clip plane when the resilient material is in its relaxed state, the paper clip includes a torsion bridge linking an inner jaw and an outer jaw. The inner jaw further includes a gap catch extending from a closed end of the inner jaw whereby the gap catch is disposed in a generally offset position in relation to the outer jaw and wherein one end of the gap catch is closely adjacent to a portion of the torsion bridge. The user holds the clip, pressing against the gap catch with a digit, to move the inner jaw out of the paper-clip plane and slides the papers into the gap created and releases the gap catch, so the clip transversely presses against and thereby retain the papers.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/502,738, filed Jul. 26, 2004, which is a national phase application from international application PCT/US03/02966 filed Jan. 31, 2003, which claimed priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/353,402, entitled AN IMPROVED PAPER CLIP, filed on Feb. 1, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to binders for stacked paper and specifically to paper clips made from a single length of rigid material with some degree of resilience. 
         [0003]    Paper clips have been around for more than a century, and the commonest form commercially available is not necessarily the best but mainly the cheapest, according to popular observation. There is a pervading need to improve on the current design. The conventional double oval design, also known as the gem clip, has been especially targeted for improvements by inventors the world over. However, it is still perceived to be the best compromise of all the desirable qualities even though it has its share of design problems, which until the present invention have not been adequately overcome by those attempting improvements. Accordingly there is a substantial need for an improved paper clip that has the one or more of the following qualities: strong gripping power; low risk of ripping or tearing papers; will not tangle up with other paper clips in the box; easy and comfortable to use; will not fly off when made to engage thicker stacks of papers; better holding capacity relative to raw materials used; free from risk of physical injury; allows more options for manufacturing different sizes; repeat usability especially for bigger size clips; aesthetically pleasing design; cheap and easy to manufacture. 
         [0004]    Among the disadvantages of a conventional clip such as the gem clip is the clip&#39;s propensity for tearing papers while being removed. This problem arises because the free ends of the clip are set at a lower position. This becomes more significant with the smaller size paper clips in which are the free ends are set even much lower. 
         [0005]    Specific attempts have been made to overcome this shortcoming. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,672 discloses a large gem clip having preferred dimensions of three (3) inches to five (5) inches in overall length. Of particular interest is the length of the free ends, which extend beyond a tangent point on the closed loop portion. However, this design has several shortcomings. For instance, the relatively long gripping jaws reduce gripping force. This is compensated by both increasing the overall length and increasing the cross-sectional (or heavier gauge) diameter of the resilient material The increase in overall length provides increased frictional contact area, while the increased cross-sectional area of the wire increases the resiliency of the material. This solution is wasteful, as the need for additional raw materials are required to attain satisfactory gripping properties. 
         [0006]    Other known problems with conventional clips are their tendency to unexpectedly and suddenly release as a user attempts to engage it with thicker stacks of papers. This may subject the user to eye injury or other discomfort. Also, a stack of paper just a few pages thick may permanently deform the prior art clips beyond their resilient threshold. This may render the clip ineffective at retaining the paper or otherwise destroy its usability. 
         [0007]    Apparently nothing in the market today has a better mix of the desirable qualities. Thus, the gem paper clip continues to enjoy its dominance in the market. The solution chosen by some manufacturers is to produce a cloned type of gem clip by economizing on raw materials. However, as the price becomes all the more a determining factor in sales, the more undesirable the prior-art clip becomes. This practice has resulted in the proliferation of many poor quality gem clips in the market today. 
         [0008]    Several attempts have been made over the years to improve the paper clip. One such attempt is to strengthen the grip by increasing frictional contact. U.S. Pat. No. 2,269,649 to Comley (1942) makes use of elongated loop-shaped jaws (identified by reference numbers 7, 9 in the &#39;649 patent), to achieve this goal. However, by elongating the inner loop shaped jaw 9, the free end portion 11 is extended further upward which would make it difficult to open the clip during insertion. This is a trade off for a desired stronger grip. Consequently in order to meet this new problem a laterally offset compound curvature is needed, resulting in a clip that is not flat. This structure, although intended mainly to reduce tearing, could explain the claim of the inventor that the overall configuration of his design provides for ease of use. The added structure however triggers a new problem for which there was no answer undertaken. The laterally offset compound curvature sticks out during use ( FIG. 4 , &#39;649 patent). According to the teaching of this invention, this structure is displaced as the stacks of paper becomes thicker. In this manner, tears can be prevented. But, as the structure is displaced, its tip 8 presents problems concerning risk for physical injury to the user or anyone close by. Additionally, this design is wasteful. Another problem of this design would be the tendency of the protruding structures 8 and 11 to catch unintended objects while in use and the enhanced proclivity to get tangled up with other paper clips in the box. 
         [0009]    The prior art also discloses triangle-shaped clips in attempt to solve some shortcomings of the gem clip. Triangle-shaped clips usually have free ends that are close to the top spine or connector. This can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 761,631 to Gorton (1904), U.S. Pat. No. 767,458 to Weiss (1904), U.S. Pat. No. 761,635 to Kelley (1904), U.S. Pat. No. 1,336,626 to Hall (1920) and U.S. Pat. No. 1,985,866 to Lankenau (1934). The triangular configuration can reduce the tendency to rip papers, but it is not easy to use. The extended free ends deprive the top spine from acting as a handle to urge open the clips when attempting to engage papers. Furthermore the above designs share in common the presence of a central gap or space. The index finger or thumb can slip through this gap making manipulation more difficult during insertion. As a result they are usually manufactured in smaller sizes such that the index finger or thumb will not pass through. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In a first separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a method of clipping papers together, to be performed by a user, that utilizes a paper clip made of resilient material and defining a paper clip plane when the resilient material is in its relaxed state, the paper clip includes a torsion bridge linking an inner jaw and an outer jaw. The inner jaw further includes a gap catch extending from a closed end of the inner jaw whereby the gap catch is disposed in a generally offset position in relation to the outer jaw and wherein one end of the gap catch is closely adjacent to a portion of the torsion bridge. Also, the torsion bridge and inner jaw enclose an area sufficient to accommodate a human digit. The user holds the clip with the user&#39;s digits, pressing against the gap catch with another digit of the user, thereby moving the inner jaw out of the paper-clip plane and creating a gap in dimension transverse to the paper-clip plane between the inner jaw and the outer jaw. The user slides the papers into the gap and releases the gap catch, thereby permitting the inner jaw and the outer jaw to transversely press against and thereby retain the papers. 
         [0011]    In a second separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a method of clipping paper together, to be performed by a user and utilizing a paper clip, made of resilient material, defining a paper-clip plane in the resilient material&#39;s relaxed state and having a first length extending in a first direction from the beginning point; a first bend, extending from the first length; a second length, extending from the first bend in a second direction offset from the first direction by about 135 degrees, an arc of about 300 degrees, extending from the second length and defining an arc terminal point, where the arc extends in an arc terminal direction; a second bend extending from the arc terminal point; and a termination length extending from the second bend in a terminal length direction that is about 110 degrees offset from the arc terminal direction, and ending at a clip terminal point. The user uses his digits to hold the clip, pressing on the termination length with a digit, thereby pushing the arc terminal point out of the paper-clip plane and creating a gap in dimension transverse to the paper-clip plane between the arc termination point and the first bend and slips the papers into the gap. The user then releases the paper clip, which permits the arc termination point and the first bend to press against and retain the papers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is plan view of a paper clip in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a right side elevational view of a the paper clip of  FIG. 1   
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a left side elevational view of the paper clip of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is top elevational view of the paper clip of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is bottom elevational view of the paper clip of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is another possible embodiment of a paper clip in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is plan view of another possible embodiment of a paper clip in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of another possible embodiment of a paper clip in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of another possible embodiment of a paper clip in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10   a  is plan view of another possible embodiment of a paper clip in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10   b  is side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10   a    
           [0023]      FIG. 10   c  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10   a    
           [0024]      FIG. 10   d  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10   a    
           [0025]      FIG. 10   e  is a plan view of an embodiment of a bookmark in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10   f  is a plan view of another possible embodiment of a bookmark in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11   a  is plan view of a paper clip in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 11   b  is top elevational view of the paper clip of  FIG. 11   a.    
           [0029]      FIG. 12   a  is plan view of a paper clip in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12   b  is plan view of a paper clip in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]      FIGS. 1-12  show embodiments of the present invention in accordance with the foregoing principles. Similar features are indicated by the same reference numeral. The present invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral  1 . 
         [0032]    The paper clip  1  generally comprises a torsion bridge  21 , a gap catch  23 , an inner jaw  28 , and an outer jaw  29 . Preferably, the inner and outer jaws  28 ,  29  and the torsion bridge  21  are in the same or substantially in the same plane. Torsion bridge  21  is disposed at the top of the clip. Inner jaw  28  includes, a closed inner arm  30  and an open inner arm  27 . The torsion bridge  21  may be straight curved or other configuration spanning outer arm  26  and inner, arm  30 . The torsion bridge  21  may include a first bend  40 . Outer jaw  29 , has a rounded end, and includes an open outer arm  24 , an outer arm free end  22 , and a closed outer arm  26 . The inner jaw may include a second bend  41  and the outer jaw may include a third bend  42 . Leading downwardly from the left side of the torsion bridge  21  and integral therewith is closed outer arm  26 . Leading downwardly from the right side is open outer arm  24 . Gap catch free end  31  is disposed at the end of open inner arm  27 , substantially filling up the central gap  25  of the clip. It terminates at free end  31 . The gap catch  23  can be urged from either direction by any of two opposing fingers. The outer jaw  29  is sufficiently distanced from the inner jaw  28  to promote cooperation with the gap catch  23  during insertion of paper. The outer arm  24  is adjacent to the closed inner arm  30 . Closed outer arm  26  is adjacent to open inner arm  27  but may be spaced apart as in alternative embodiments. In a suitable embodiment, the outer jaw open arm  24  and the inner jaw closed end  31  are spaced apart not more than a cross-sectional diameter of width of the clip material. 
         [0033]    Preferably sections  24  and  30  are closely adjacent. The closely adjacent sections  24  and  30  eliminate gaps that could lead to paper clips  1  entangling with one another. In a suitable embodiment the gap would typically be less than a full diameter of the material, for example between 0 and 85% of the cross sectional diameter of a round cross sectional material. The inner jaw closed end  30  and the outer jaw open end  24  each have a segment whereby each respective segment is closely adjacent to the other. These segments are substantially coplanar. In a suitable embodiment, the ends  24  and  20  are in contact. In another embodiment the ends  24  and  30  are within 3 mm. 
         [0034]    The planarity of the clip  1  also helps in reducing the tendency of multiple clips  1  to tangle with one another. Preferably, end  31  should be closely adjacent or touching torsion bridge  21  to close gaps that could lead to entanglement. Further, such an arrangement serves to reduce risk of tearing paper because the end is located at the edge of paper. Still further, this arrangement reduces the risk of physical injury to fingers by placing the ends out of the finger contact regions. Still further, the location of the gap catch between outer arm  26  and inner arm  30  helps stabilize the paper clip  1  against lateral displacement during use. 
         [0035]    The paper clip  1  is employed over paper by slightly pressing the gap catch  23  to create an opening for receiving paper. This makes it possible to locate the inner arm  27  closer to the torsion bridge  21 . The gap catch  23  is generally offset from the outer jaw  29 . In one suitable embodiment, the gap catch  23  extending from the inner jaw  28  at one end is placed diagonally across a void defined by the shape of the inner jaw  28 . In another suitable embodiment, the gap catch may include a bend at an intermediate portion, thus extending from the inner jaw  28 , and then proceeding generally parallel to the outer jaw  29 . At the bend in the intermediate portion, the gap catch  23  would then extend away from the outer jaw  29  at the gap catch free end  31 . 
         [0036]    In one possible embodiment, gap catch free end  31  could extend to the torsion bridge  21 . This, for example, could be done in plastic, producing a stronger plastic version, compensating for the generally less resilient nature of plastics relative to metals. 
         [0037]    Paper clips according to the present invention may be manufactured and used in a wide range of sizes. They also may be effectively used at a size where conventional clips are not effective because they are hard to manipulate at the size range or are prone to deformation. For example, conventional clips of about 2.0″ long and about 0.25″ wide, which is generally the most common size for a conventional clip, have an effective capacity of about 12 pages. Beyond that number the arms of the clip tend to twist away from the surface of the pages. In contrast, a paper clip according to the present invention that is 0.75-1″ long and 0.5-0.75″ wide could hold effectively about 24-36 pages, thereby obviating the need for larger and/or more expensive clipping devices such as butterfly clips or binder clips. 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 6 , open inner arm  27  and gap catch  23  are disposed substantially in linear alignment. The linear arrangement is disposed at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the clip. The embodiment of  FIG. 7  is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 1  but with a rounded top portion. The embodiment of  FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 1 , but has a triangularly shaped end to outer jaw  29 . The embodiment of  FIG. 9  is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 6  but, inner arm  27  and gap catch  23  are in linear arrangement. It is noted that the use of a triangular top and/or bottom may use less material than the rounded version. It is also advantageous to have a general shape with downwardly converging jaw portions  28  and  29 , as shown in  FIGS. 1  and  6 , for example. This converging design allows for less raw material during manufacture. It also reduces the likelihood of the lower portion of the clip  1  deforming away from paper, particularly where the clip  1  is used on thicker stacks of paper. The triangular bottom portion of, for example,  FIGS. 8 and 9  also help produce the foregoing effects. 
         [0039]    Referring specifically to  FIGS. 10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c , and  10   d , a suitable embodiment of the present invention is shown which includes three bends. In this embodiment, the clip  1  is an economical configuration that facilitates manufacturing of the invention. As shown, a continuous length of resilient material, such as plastic, wire, spring wire, or other material known in the art, is formed in to the clip  1  of the present invention. Starting at the outer arm free end  22 , a straight length of material extends therefrom, forming the open outer arm  24 . A first bend is included on the outer jaw  29  at a location on the open outer arm  24 . The location of the bend occurs at a point that facilitates economy of production, while optimizing a selected capacity of the clip  1 . The first bend continues to round the outer jaw  29  and begins to form closed outer arm  26  at one end. At a second end of the closed outer arm  26 , a second bend transitions from the closed outer arm  26  to the torsion bridge  21 . The torsion bridge  21  in this embodiment is formed from a uniform diameter, which is selected based on the capacity requirements of a desired clip  1 . The second bend comprises the transition from the closed outer arm  26  at one end to the closed inner arm  30  at an opposite end of the continuous length of resilient material. Extending from the torsion bridge  21 , the closed inner arm  30  generally follows a path parallel to the open outer arm  24 . It is understood that the inner closed arm  30  cooperates with the open outer arm  24  to define a inner closed end gap  35 . 
         [0040]    In  FIG. 10   a , this gap  35  is quite narrow, and contributes to the gripping force of the cooperating outer jaw  29  and inner jaw  28 . However, in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , an alternate embodiment is shown where the gap  37  is quite large, resulting in low gripping force. In  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a suitable use for such an embodiment is a bookmark or other application where low gripping force is desired. 
         [0041]    Returning to a general description of  FIGS. 10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ,  11  and  12 , the inner closed arm  30  is connected to the torsion bridge  21  and second bend at one end. At an opposite end, the inner closed arm  30  communicates with a third bend, here the inner jaw  28 . A third bend, which is included on the inner jaw  28 , may be one continuous constant diameter. In this manner the third bend and inner jaw  28  transition to the open inner arm  27 . It should be noted that the open inner arm  27  traverses a void defined by the inner jaw  29  cooperating with the closed inner arm  30  and closed outer arm  26 . In  FIG. 10   a  the open inner arm  27  extends at a general diagonal direction from the inner jaw  28  toward the outer arm free end  22 . In this manner, the open inner arm  27  terminates at the gap catch free end  31  and cooperates with the torsion bridge  21  to create a narrow inner free end gap  33 . This gap  33 , in a suitable embodiment, is less than the cross sectional diameter of the resilient material so to reduce the propensity of multiple clips  1  from tangling during handling, shipping, storage and the like. 
         [0042]    Referring again specifically to  FIGS. 1-9  and  10   a , it is shown that the open inner arm  27  cooperates with the closed outer arm  26  at a point near the inner jaw  28  and the third bend to create a small inner jaw gap  37 . This small inner jaw gap  37  reduces the propensity of multiple clips  1  from tangling during handling, shipping, storage and the like. Additionally, this inner jaw gap  37  contributes to the gripping force of the clip  1 , making the force greater. 
         [0043]    Conversely, referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the inner jaw gap  37  is relatively broad. This results in a lower gripping force, and may be useful for a bookmark or other applications where lower gripping force is desired. 
         [0044]    Surface friction created by increasing the contact area of the jaws  28 ,  29  to the stack of sheet material, such as paper, contrary to conventional thinking, plays less important role. More significantly, the ability to firmly grasp a stack of paper depends more on the gripping force exerted on the papers by decreasing the length of the inner and outer arms of jaws  28 ,  29  respectively. Of course, it is understood that, if a point is reached where the contact area becomes too small no amount of gripping force can make the paper clip hold pages effectively. Thus, an important ratio of gripping force to the overall length of the gripping arms is established. 
         [0045]    Specifically, gripping force is related to the combination of the amount of resistive force inherent in the resilient material when twisted about its own axis. The nexus of this resistive force occurs at the torsion bridge  21  and transfers the force along the closed outer arm  26  and closed inner arm  30 . It is understood, that by maintaining relatively short gripping jaws  28  and  29 , the counter acting leverage force exerted by a quantity of sheet material is reduced. This counter acting leverage force works to separate the inner and outer jaw  28  and  29 , thus reducing the gripping force. It should also be understood in the art that too short of a gripping jaw will result in no gripping force. 
         [0046]    Capacity, as measured by the number of sheets of paper that can be grasped by the paper clip  1 , is directly proportional to the arc length. It is understood that the torsion bridge  21  can be configured to be curved over any suitable radius. In the extreme, but suitable, configuration, the torsion bridge  21  may be straight, or otherwise defined as have a radius of 180 degrees. 
         [0047]    It is understood in the art that it is desired to form the present invention from a resilient material. Such a material is suitable for items such as paper clips and has desirable characteristics, for example, the ability to be initially formed to a desired shape, then retain that shape after repeated deformations within normal use. 
         [0048]    However, as the gripping jaws  28  and  29  decrease in overall length, the more difficult it becomes to manipulate and insert paper into gripping jaws  28  and  29  of the clip. To compensate for this difficulty, this invention incorporates the feature of a gap catch  23 . The gap catch  23  permits a user to exert a pressure on the clip  1  to separate the jaws  28  and  29 , thus facilitating easy insertion of paper. I have discovered that a gap catch  23  that is formed by the open arm  27  of the inner jaw  28  is canted so to traverse an inner space region of the inner jaw  28  at a generally diagonal direction facilitates user manipulation. Moreover, this design does not adversely affect the gripping force of the clip. 
         [0049]    Another important aspect of this invention is the small or non-existent gaps between the inner jaw and the outer jaw particularly along the side of the outer free arm. This prevents tangling of clips when a plurality of the clips is stored. Additionally, it also enhances the gripping force and reduces the tendency of the clip to tear paper when used. 
         [0050]    Additionally, by maintaining small or no gaps at the free ends in relation to the clip structure, there is a reduced propensity to tear paper and become entangled. 
         [0051]    Persons skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and variations are possible in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts and actions which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention and that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit and scope of the teachings and claims contained therein.