Abstract:
A removable device for holding or clipping at least two pieces of paper, cardboard, plastic film or other sheets of material together. The paper clip includes a self biasing spring member for providing spring tension to hold an article to a flat substrate such as a piece of paper or papers and may include locking elements for removable engagement and holding of sheets of paper or the like together.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of clips primarily used to temporarily clasp two or more pieces of paper together. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A paper clip is an instrument used to hold a number of sheets of material such as paper and/or film together or removably hold an article to one or more sheets. Paper clips are usually made of a polymer, steel wire, aluminum wire, or copper wire, plastic coated steel, aluminum, or copper wire having elasticity and exhibit torsion when bent to a looped shape. Most paper clips are characterized by the almost two full coplanar loops formed in the wire. When applying the clip to a paper stack, the inner loop is urged either forward or rearward of the outer loop thus creating a gap between the two wherein stacked pieces of paper are placed. The resulting torsion between to two loops tends to bias and return the two loops to a coplanar state, thus removably binding the sheets together. Friction between wire and paper also helps the prevent the sheets from sliding apart. Too many sheets will cause the elastic limit of the material to be exceeded, resulting in permanent deformation. 
         [0003]    Commonly used paper clips comprise a length of wire bent to form two coplanar oval loops wherein a long oval loop is concentric with and inside a short oval loop. The oval loops include the longitudinal portions which are parallel to one another. The clips must be held open while paper sheets are inserted into them. The clips engage paper sheets in tension when the paper sheets are inserted forcibly between the loops which separate laterally. An inherent problem in this type of paper clip is the lack of sufficient gripping pressure between the separated wire loops. The gripping pressure is determined by the spring constant of the wire and the thickness of the paper sheets held within. Thicker sheets or more sheets will be held with more pressure than thinner sheets unless the number of sheets becomes too much to be reasonably held inside the paper clip. With even the stronger paper clips, sheets of paper are often likely to fall from a group when a strong enough force is applied which will tend to pull sheets out of the group. In other words, paper clips are often too weak to do the required task of holding pages together. 
         [0004]    Paper clips usually have an oblong shape with straight sides, but may also be triangular or circular, or have more elaborate shapes. Moreover, the wire may include grooves, dimples, crimps, ridges, undulations, striations, or simply be smooth rectilinear sections. 
         [0005]    Another commonly used method of holding a few sheets of paper together is dog-earring one corner of the pages together. This method is much less dependable than staples or paper clips due to the fact that friction between the pages within the dog-eared corners is the only force holding the pages together. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,633,253 by Ellis for TWIST-TYPE SPRING CLIP which issued on Jan. 11, 1972 teaches a paper clip having a curved distal end which engages a distal end having a right angle distally extending “dog leg” which pierces the paper prior to providing a spring loaded clamp therewith. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 586,003 by Bennett for PAPER FASTENER which issued on Jul. 6, 1897 teaches a wire formed into a tri-lobed shape wherein the corner of a stack of papers is inserted between a first lobe and a portion of the wire form connecting the other two lobes. The first lobe is then urged against the corner of the stack, thus bending the stack and the first lobe over to cause the stack of papers to be ‘dog-eared’. This causes the portion of the wire connecting the two lobes to be forcibly held inside the dog-eared papers, thus locking the papers together. 
         [0008]    The GEM paper clip consists of a length of wire bent to form two coplanar oval loops wherein a long oval loop is concentric with and inside a short oval loop. The oval loops include the longitudinal portions which are parallel to one another; however, the paper clip does not include nor suggest a locking feature or means of releasably holding or retaining two or more sheets of paper together in a locked manner, wherein the clip is held into position when the paper is folded over in a dog-ear fashion. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In accordance with the present invention, a longitudinal member comprising a length of wire or other material having elasticity and torsion properties suitable to bias together a pair of coplanar oval loops including a long oval loop is concentric with and inside a short oval loop. 
         [0010]    The oval loops include the longitudinal portions which are parallel to one another. In addition, the present invention includes a novel locking feature or means of releasably holding or retaining two or more sheets of paper together in a locked manner, wherein the clip is immovably held into position when the paper is folded over in a dog-ear fashion. 
         [0011]    The paper clip of the present invention comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of a longitudinal member, for example, a length of a wire including the requisite elastic and torsion properties for bending to form two coplanar generally oval loops and more particularly concentric partial oval shapes including a first inner partial oval loop disposed within a second outer partial oval loop. The two partial oval loops are coplanar and biased one against the other. A second partial oval loop includes a first straight portion with a free end connected to a first 180° bend connected to a second straight portion connected to a second 180° bend. The first partial oval loop includes the second 180° bend connected to a third straight portion connected to a third 180° bend connected to a fourth straight portion. The fourth straight portion has a free end bent at a right angle which points outward from the first partial oval loop and upward from a plane of the coplanar partial oval loop shapes at an angle in the range of about 30° to about 60°. 
         [0012]    It is an object of this invention to provide an improved paper clip which removably and securely locks sheets of paper together without piercing sheets as is done when using a staple. 
         [0013]    It is an object of this invention to provide an improved paper clip which dependably holds as few as two sheets of paper together without piercing sheets as is done when using a staple. 
         [0014]    It is an object of this invention to provide an improved paper clip which securely holds a number of pieces of paper together and which can be unlocked in order to add or remove papers and then re-locked. 
         [0015]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper clip comprising a type of wire having a generally oblong shape with straight sides having a surface which may include grooves, dimples, crimps, ridges, or simply be smooth. 
         [0016]    It is an object of this invention to provide an improved paper clip which securely holds a number of pieces of paper together and can be re-used. 
         [0017]    It is an object of this invention to provide an improved paper clip and a method of use which securely holds a number of pieces of paper together and can be re-used. The method combines a new lockable paper clip and dog-earing the corner of the pages wherein a particular longitudinal portion of the paper clip is trapped inside the dog-ear and two layers of the pages comprising the dog-ear are clasped over and around the particular longitudinal portion, thus resulting a secure fastening of the pages. 
         [0018]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent with the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the views wherein: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a first embodiment of the paper clip showing a projection providing a fastening means for cooperatively engaging a free distal end of the opposing leg; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , showing the first step in applying the paper clip to a number of pieces of paper with the paper clip superimposed on a top sheet of paper wherein the sheet is slipped between the inner and outer loops of the paper clip with the portion of the paper clip covered by the paper shown in broken lines; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , showing the second step in applying the paper clip to a number of pieces of paper wherein the corner of the paper is folded upwardly between the outer leg  18  and inner leg  11 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , showing the third step in applying the paper clip to a number of pieces of paper wherein the corner of the paper is slipped between the opposing inner leg  20  and opposing outer leg  16 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , showing the fourth step in applying the paper clip to a number of pieces of paper Wherein the distal end of leg  18  is biased inwardly cooperatively engaging the distal end of the opposing inner leg  20  removably securing the sheets of paper therebetween; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the paper clip of  FIG. 1 , showing distal end of the inner leg forming the projection; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the paper clip of  FIG. 1 , showing distal end of the inner leg including the projection wherein the outer loop is bent slightly at an obtuse angle to facilitate sliding the sheets of paper between the outer loop and straight inner loop; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a front view of a second embodiment of the paper clip showing the projection modified to provide a hook providing a fastening means for cooperatively engaging a free distal end of the opposing leg; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , showing the first step in applying the paper clip to a number of pieces of paper with the paper clip superimposed on a top sheet of paper wherein the sheet is slipped between the inner and outer loops of the paper clip with the portion of the paper clip covered by the paper shown in broken lines; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , showing the second step in applying the paper clip to a number of pieces of paper wherein the corner of the paper is folded upwardly between the outer leg  18  and inner leg  11 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , showing the third step in applying the paper clip to a number of pieces of paper wherein the corner of the paper is slipped between the opposing inner leg  20  and opposing outer leg  16 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , showing the fourth step in applying the paper clip to a number of pieces of paper wherein the distal end of leg  18  is biased inwardly cooperatively engaging the distal end of the opposing inner leg  20  removably securing the sheets of paper therebetween;. 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is an end view of the paper clip of  FIG. 8 , showing the hook extending from the inner leg; 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the paper clip of  FIG. 8 , showing distal end of the inner leg forming the hook member; 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the paper clip of  FIG. 8 , showing distal end of the inner leg forming the hook member wherein the outer loop is bent slightly at an obtuse angle to facilitate sliding the sheets of paper between the outer loop and straight inner loop; 
           [0035]      FIG. 16  is a front view of a third embodiment of the paper clip providing a fastening means defining a projection curved forming a hook for cooperatively engaging a free distal end of the leg of the outer loop which includes an outer loop distal leg projection means for cooperative engagement with the hook means formed on the free distal end of the leg of the inner loop; 
           [0036]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 16 , showing the first step in applying the paper clip to a number of pieces of paper with the paper clip superimposed on a top sheet of paper wherein the sheet is slipped between the inner and outer loops of the paper clip with the portion of the paper clip covered by the paper shown in broken lines; 
           [0037]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 16 , showing the second step in applying the paper clip to a number of pieces of paper wherein the corner of the paper is folded upwardly between the outer leg  18  and inner leg  11 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 16 , showing the third step in applying the paper clip to a number of pieces of paper wherein the corner of the paper is slipped between the opposing inner leg  20  and opposing outer leg  16 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 16 , showing the fourth step in applying the paper clip to a number of pieces of paper wherein the distal end of leg  18  is biased inwardly cooperatively engaging the distal end of the opposing inner leg  20  removably securing the sheets of paper therebetween;. 
           [0040]      FIG. 21  is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the paper clip providing a fastening means for cooperatively engaging a free distal end of the leg of the outer loop including a projection means defining an angled distal end inner leg segment for cooperative engagement with tab means extending from the distal end of the leg forming the outer loop; 
           [0041]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 21 , showing the first step in applying the paper clip to a number of pieces of paper with the paper clip superimposed on a top sheet of paper wherein the sheet is slipped between the inner and outer loops of the paper clip with the portion of the paper clip covered by the paper shown in broken lines; 
           [0042]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 21 , showing the second step in applying the paper clip to a number of pieces of paper wherein the corner of the paper is folded upwardly between the outer leg  18  and inner leg  11 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 21  showing the third step in applying the paper clip to a number of pieces of paper wherein the corner of the paper is slipped between the opposing inner leg  20  and opposing outer leg  16 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 21 , showing the fourth step in applying the paper clip to a number of pieces of paper wherein the distal end of leg  18  is biased inwardly cooperatively engaging the distal end of the opposing inner leg  20  removably securing the sheets of paper therebetween; and 
           [0045]      FIG. 26  is a front view of a fifth embodiment of the paper clip providing a fastening means defining a projection curved forming a hook for cooperatively engaging a free distal end of the leg of the outer loop which includes an outer loop distal leg tab means for cooperative engagement with extending above the inner loop leg hook when in a closed fastened position. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0046]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an improved paper clip including means for fastening for holding at least two sheets and typically a plurality of sheets or paper, plastic or other material together more securely when stacked and in the folded over position without requiring piercing of the sheets as required with the use of a stapler. 
         [0047]    The paper clips of the present invention comprise a length of wire bent to form two generally coplanar oval loops wherein a short oval inner loop  34  is concentric with and disposed inside a longer outer oval loop  32 . The oval loops include the longitudinal portions which are parallel to one another; however, it is contemplated that shape of the loops could be curved, circular, rectangular, triangular, or any desired shape so long as the inner loop  34  and outer loop  32  did not overlap and remained in close proximity to one another in order to provide the requisite torsional load and tension to hold one or more sheets of material therebetween. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the paper clip  10  comprises a longitudinal member such as a length of a spring material comprising a polymer, or metal such as copper, aluminum or steel, or plastic coated copper, steel, or aluminum having the requisite torsion and elastic properties to exhibit memory. The foregoing description will describe the embodiment using the term “wire” with reference to a longitudinal member comprising any of the materials of construction set forth heretofore. 
         [0049]    A length of wire  11  is bent to form two partial oval loop shapes, a first inner oval loop  34  disposed within a second outer oval loop  32 . The outer oval loop  32  is longer than the inner oval loop  34  which resides within the long partial oval loop  32 . Further, in at least one preferred embodiment, the two partial oval loop shapes  32  and  34  are generally coplanar with one another. 
         [0050]    As shown in the figures, the present invention includes features of a conventional GEM paper clip including a first length, section, or first leg  18  having a distal end  12  extending downward and curving upward in a 180 degree bend forming the outer bottom curved portion or partial oval loop  24  which extends upward spaced apart from and parallel to the first leg  18  forming the second outer leg  16  which extends upwardly a selected distance typically less than or equal to the distal end  12  of leg  18  and preferably a selected distance greater than the distal end of leg  18 . The upper end portion of the second outer leg  16  curves inwardly toward leg  18  forming a 180 degree bend defining an outer top curved portion or partial oval loop  30  which extends downwardly to form a first inner leg  14  spaced apart from leg  18  parallel to and at a selected distance therefrom. Leg  14  usually lies along and sometimes touches the inside surface of leg  18 . The first inner leg  14  extends downward a selected distance toward loop  24  and curves inwardly away from leg  18  and inside loop  24  toward leg  16  forming a 180 degree bottom inner curve or partial oval loop  26 . A second inner leg  20  extends upwardly a selected distance and is spaced slightly apart from and parallel to, sometimes touching second outer leg  16 . Leg  20  forms a distal end  7  which terminates at a point below the top curved portion  30 . 
         [0051]    The novelty in the instant invention lies in the modification of the distal end portion  7  of leg  20  to form a projection  8  or hook  22  for cooperative engagement with the distal end  12  of leg  18  providing a means of fastening the ends together and removably securing sheets of paper therebetween securing same even when the first sheet is folded behind the second sheet. 
         [0052]    In a first preferred embodiment as best illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7 , the distal end portion  7  is bent at an acute angle forming a projection  8  extending at an angle of less than 180 degrees and more preferably at an angle up to 90 degrees and more preferably at an acute angle of up to 60 degrees, and more preferably up to 45 degrees, and most preferably in a range of from 30 to 60 degrees. As shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the distal end  7  is bent at about a right angle  21 . The projection  8  may be twisted and/or offset at a slight angle so that it is not coplanar with the legs  11 ,  18 , and  16 . The free distal straight end  12  of leg  18  is made of a spring type material with memory so that it can be temporarily bent at an angle to point outward from the long partial oval loop  32  so that the free end  12  is coplanar with the two partial oval loops  32  and  34 . The distal end  12  of leg  18  is spring biased and the distal end  7  of inner leg  20  therein the distal end  12  cooperatively engages the projection  8  securing the corner of sheets therebetween even when the pages are folded over the paper clip. 
         [0053]    The free end  12  of straight portion  20  is bent at a right angle pointing outward from partial oval loop  34  and, as shown in  FIG. 6 , extending upward from the plane containing partial oval loops  32  and  34 . It will be seen that the free end  8  forms a projection which will be used to lock the paper clip by holding the longitudinal portion  18  over the dog-eared pages. 
         [0054]    Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the outer bottom curved portion or partial oval loop  24  may be bent at a slight obtuse angle  5  of up to 179 degrees and preferably between 125 and 175 degrees with respect to the coplanar portions of the paper clip  10  comprising the upper portion of the legs  11 ,  16 , and  18 , bottom inner curve or partial oval loop  26 , and outer top curved portion or partial oval loop  30  in order to facilitate sliding sheets in between the inner loop  34  and outer loop  32 . 
         [0055]    In another second preferred embodiment,  FIGS. 8-15  show the free distal end  12  is bent at a selected angle  23  at a selected medial point forming a distal section  32  extending outwardly which can be pulled over to cooperatively engage hook  22  at angle  23  providing a stronger locking mechanism. The angled portion  32  of the leg  18  provides biasing means or tab for pulling the straight portion  18  into the hook  22  for locking purpose and also provides a more positive hooking action. 
         [0056]    In the second embodiment, the distal end portion  7  is bent at an acute angle forming a hook  22  at an angle of less than 180 degrees and more preferably an angle of up to 90 degrees and more preferably at an acute angle of up to 60 degrees, and more preferably up to 45 degrees, typically in a range of from 30 to 60 degrees. As best shown in  FIGS. 8-15 , the distal end  7  is bent inwardly slightly at an obtuse angle  37 . The hook  22  is twisted and/or offset at a slight angle so that it is not coplanar with the legs  11 ,  18 , and  16 . The wire is made of a spring type material with memory in order for legs  18  and  20  can be temporarily bent at an angle for cooperative engagement. As best illustrated in  FIGS. 8-15 , the distal end  112  of leg  18  is bent at a selected angle of less than 180 degrees and preferably as shown at an angle of about 90 degrees in order for the tip to point outward providing a second fastening member for more secure engagement with the hook  22 . The distal end  12  of leg  18  is spring biased in close proximity to the hook  22  wherein the distal end  12  cooperatively engages the hook  22  securing the corner of sheets therebetween even when the pages are folded over the paper clip. 
         [0057]    The free end  22  of straight portion  20  is bent at a right angle pointing outward from partial oval loop  34  and extending upward from the plane containing partial oval loops  32  and  34 . It will be seen that the free end  22  forms a hook which will be used to fasten and/or lock the paper clip by holding the longitudinal portion  18  over the dog-eared pages. 
         [0058]    Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the outer bottom curved portion or partial oval loop  24  may be bent at a slight obtuse angle  5  at upward or downward at slightly less than 180 degrees and preferably between 160 and 180 degrees with respect to the coplanar portions of the paper clip  101  comprising the upper portion of the legs  11 ,  16 , and  18 , bottom inner curve or partial oval loop  26 , and outer top curved portion or partial oval loop  30  in order to facilitate sliding sheets in between the inner loop  34  and outer loop  32 . 
         [0059]    In a third preferred embodiment of a paper clip  102  is shown in  FIGS. 16-20 , the free distal end  12  of the leg forming a portion of the outer loop is bent at a selected angle  23  forming a distal section or prong  112  extending outwardly which can be pulled over to cooperatively engage hook  22  at angle  23  providing a releasable fastener demonstrating a stronger locking mechanism. which are normally spread apart at rest due to the memory and tensile strength of the wire. The distal ends of the legs  18  and  20  are normally spread apart at rest due to the memory and tensile strength of the wire. The angled portion or prong  112  of the leg  18  of the outer loop provides a handle for or grip for pulling the straight portion  18  into the hook  22  for creating a releasable fastener and for locking purposes providing a more positive hooking action. 
         [0060]    In the third embodiment, the distal end portion  7  is bent at an acute angle forming a hook  22  bent at an angle of less than 180 degrees and more preferably bent outwardly an angle of about 90 degrees and more preferably at an acute angle of up to 60 degrees, and more preferably up to 45 degrees, typically in a range of from 30 to 60 degrees. The hook can be formed by simply forming an angle or as shown in the  FIGS. 16-20  the hook  7  can bent to form a curve wherein the distal end portion  7  is bent outwardly at an angle of about 90 degrees with the tip  35  being bent downwardly at a selected angle of less than 90 degrees. The hook  22  is twisted and/or offset at a slight angle so that it is not coplanar with the legs  11 ,  18 , and  16 . The wire is made of a spring type material with memory in order for legs  18  and  20  can be temporarily bent or biased at an angle with respect to the bottom portion of the loop  24  for cooperative engagement wherein the tension and tensile strength of the wire holds the distal leg portion  12  securely and releasably engaging the hook  7 . 
         [0061]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 9-16 , the paper clip embodiment  102  includes a distal end  12  of leg  18  bent at a selected angle  23  outwardly at a selected angle of less than 180 degrees and preferably at about a right angle of 90 degrees in order for the tip to point outward providing a outer loop leg projection or prong  112  for more secure engagement with the hook  22 . The projection  112  of leg  18  is spring biased in close proximity to the hook  22  wherein the projection  112  cooperatively engages the hook  22  securing the corner of sheets therebetween even when the pages are folded over the paper clip. 
         [0062]    The free end  22  of straight portion  20  is bent at a right angle pointing outward from partial oval loop  34  and extending upward from the plane containing partial oval loops  32  and  34 . It will be seen that the free end  22  forms a hook which will be used to lock the paper clip by holding the longitudinal portion  18  over the dog-eared pages. 
         [0063]    Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the outer bottom curved portion or partial oval loop  24  of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 16-20  may be bent at a slight obtuse angle  5  at upward or downward at slightly less than 180 degrees and preferably between 160 and 180 degrees with respect to the coplanar portions of the paper clip  101  comprising the upper portion of the legs  11 ,  16 , and  18 , bottom inner curve or partial oval loop  26 , and outer top curved portion or partial oval loop  30  in order to facilitate sliding sheets in between the inner loop  34  and outer loop  32 . 
         [0064]    In a fourth preferred embodiment the gaper clip  103  is best illustrated in  FIGS. 21-25  the distal end portion  7  is bent outwardly at a selected angle  21  of less than 180 degrees and preferably about 90 degrees forming a projection or prong  8  extending at an angle of less than 180 degrees and more preferably at an angle up to 90 degrees. The projection  8  may be twisted and/or offset at a slight angle so that it is not coplanar with the legs  11 ,  18 , and  16  as shown in  FIG. 13 . The free distal straight end  12  of leg  18  can be bent outwardly at an angle to form a tab or holding means and configured in a circle, oval, triangle or other geometric or fanciful shape extending outward from the long partial oval loop  32  so that the free end  12  is coplanar with the two partial oval loops  32  and  34 . Due to the tensile strength of the wire, the distal end  12  of leg  18  is spring biased and cooperatively engages the projection  8  of inner leg  20  securing the corner of sheets therebetween even when the pages are folded over the paper clip. The distal end  12  as shown in the figures includes a means for holding or tab  50  which as shown comprises a coil or loop  50  extending from the distal end  12  of leg  18  for providing a holding means presenting a better grip for biasing leg  18  in cooperative engagement with the prong  8  extending from the distal end  7  of leg  20 . 
         [0065]    The free end  12  of straight portion  20  is bent in a coil extending outwardly from partial oval loop  34  and, as shown in  FIG. 6 , extending upward from the plane containing partial oval loops  32  and  34 . It will be seen that the free end  8  forms a prong which cooperatively engages the outer loop leg  18  to removably fasten and lock the paper clip by holding the longitudinal portion  18  over the dog-eared pages  110 . 
         [0066]    Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the outer bottom curved portion or partial oval loop  24  of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 21-25  may be bent at a slight obtuse angle  5  at upward or downward at slightly less than 180 degrees and preferably between 160 and 180 degrees with respect to the coplanar portions of the paper clip  101  comprising the upper portion of the legs  11 ,  16 , and  18 , bottom inner curve or partial oval loop  26 , and outer top curved portion or partial oval loop  30  in order to facilitate sliding sheets in between the inner loop  34  and outer loop  32 . 
         [0067]    As shown in the figures, the method of using the paper clip comprises, consists of or consists essentially of the steps of applying the paper clip to a number of pages near one corner by sliding the short partial oval loop  34  over the top edge  102  of the sheets “pages”  100  and the long partial oval loop  32  under the top edge  102  of the sheets  100 . Moving or sliding the sheets between the loops  34  and  32  of the paper clip  10  to a point where the straight leg portion  14  forms a 45° angle with the adjacent side edges  104  of the pages  100  at the corner  106  of the pages and where the outer bottom curved portion  24  of the outer loop  4  and the outer top curved portion  30  of outer loop  32  are adjacent the top edge  102  and the side edge  104  respectively of the pages  100 . Bending the corners  106  of the pages over the straight leg portion  14  to form a dog-ear  110 . Tucking the corners  106  the dog-ears  110  under the straight leg portion  20 , and pulling the straight leg portion  18  across and over the hook  22  cooperatively engaging same allowing the hook  22  to removably secure the straight leg portion  18  whereby the free distal end  12  of leg  18  hooks in to the free distal end of the leg  20  forming the hook  22 . 
         [0068]    In the configuration shown and described above, the tips of the dog-ears are securely held between the two straight portions  18  and  20  and the straight portion  16  under the pages. The dog-eared pages are wrapped tightly around the straight portion  14 . 
         [0069]    To remove the paper clip, unhook the straight portion  18  from the tip  22  of the straight portion  20 , raise the tips of the pages from under the straight portion  20  and slide the paper clip off the pages. 
         [0070]    In a fifth preferred embodiment the paper clip  104  as illustrated in  FIG. 26 , the distal end portion  7  of inner leg  11  is bent at an acute angle forming a hook  22  bent at an angle of less than 180 degrees and more preferably bent outwardly an angle of about 90 degrees and more preferably at an acute angle of up to 60 degrees, and more preferably up to 45 degrees, typically in a range of from 30 to 60 degrees. The hook can be formed by simply forming an angle or the hook  22  can bent to form a curve wherein the distal end portion  7  is bent outwardly at an angle of about 90 degrees with the tip  35  being bent downwardly at a selected angle of less than 90 degrees. The hook  22  is twisted and/or offset at a slight angle so that it is not coplanar with the legs  11 ,  18 , and  16 . The wire is made of a spring type material with memory in order for legs  18  and  20  can be temporarily bent or biased at an angle with respect to the bottom portion of the loop  24  for cooperative engagement wherein the tension and tensile strength of the wire holds the distal leg portion  12  securely and releasably engaging the hook  7 . 
         [0071]    The distal end portion  7  is bent outwardly at a selected angle  21  of less than 180 degrees and preferably about 90 degrees forming a projection or prong  8  extending at an angle of less than 180 degrees and more preferably at an angle up to 90 degrees. The projection  8  may be twisted and/or offset at a slight angle so that it is not coplanar with the legs  11 ,  18 , and  16  as shown in  FIG. 13 . The free distal straight end  12  of leg  18  can be bent outwardly at an angle to form a tab  50  or holding means and configured in a circle, oval, triangle or other geometric or fanciful shape extending outward from the long partial oval loop  32  so that the free end  12  is coplanar with the two partial oval loops  32  and  34 . Due to the tensile strength of the wire, the distal end  12  of leg  18  is spring biased and cooperatively engages the projection  8  of inner leg  20  securing the corner of sheets therebetween even when the pages are folded over the paper clip. The distal end  12  as shown in the figures includes a means for holding or tab  50  which as shown comprises a coil or loop  50  extending from the distal end  12  of leg  18  for providing a holding means presenting a better grip for biasing leg  18  in cooperative engagement with the prong  8  extending from the distal end  7  of leg  20 . 
         [0072]    The free end  12  of straight portion  20  is bent in a coil extending outwardly from partial oval loop  34  and, as shown in  FIG. 6 , extending upward from the plane containing partial oval loops  32  and  34 . It will be seen that the free end  8  forms a prong which cooperatively engages the outer loop leg  18  to removably fasten and lock the paper clip by holding the longitudinal portion  18  over the dog-eared pages  110 . 
         [0073]    Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the outer bottom curved portion or partial oval loop  24  of the embodiments shown in  FIG. 26  may be bent at a slight obtuse angle  5  at upward or downward at slightly less than 180 degrees and preferably between 160 and 180 degrees with respect to the coplanar portions of the paper clip  101  comprising the upper portion of the legs  11 ,  16 , and  18 , bottom inner curve or partial oval loop  26 , and outer top curved portion or partial oval loop  30  in order to facilitate sliding sheets in between the inner loop  34  and outer loop  32 . 
         [0074]    As shown in the figures, the method of using the paper clip comprises, consists of or consists essentially of the steps of applying the paper clip to a number of pages near one corner by sliding the short partial oval loop  34  over the top edge  102  of the sheets “pages”  100  and the long partial oval loop  32  under the top edge  102  of the sheets  100 . Moving or sliding the sheets between the loops  34  and  32  of the paper clip  10  to a point where the straight leg portion  14  forms a 45° angle with the adjacent side edges  104  of the pages  100  at the corner  106  of the pages and where the outer bottom curved portion  24  of the outer loop  4  and the outer top curved portion  30  of outer loop  32  are adjacent the top edge  102  and the side edge  104  respectively of the pages  100 . Bending the corners  106  of the pages over the straight leg portion  14  to form a dog-ear  110 . Tucking the corners  106  the dog-ears  110  under the straight leg portion  20 , and pulling the straight leg portion  18  across and over the hook  22  cooperatively engaging same allowing the hook  22  to removably secure the straight leg portion  18  whereby the free distal end  12  of leg  18  hooks in to the free distal end of the leg  20  forming the hook  22 . 
         [0075]    In the configuration shown and described above, the tips of the dog-ears are securely held between the two straight portions  18  and  20  and the straight portion  16  under the pages. The dog-eared pages are wrapped tightly around the straight portion  14 . 
         [0076]    To remove the paper clip, unhook the straight portion  18  from the tip  22  of the straight portion  20 , raise the tips of the pages from under the straight portion  20  and slide the paper clip off the pages. 
         [0077]    The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modification will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made upon departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, this invention is not intended to be limited by the specific exemplification presented herein above. Rather, what is intended to be covered is within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.