Patent Publication Number: US-2010107378-A1

Title: Clip for Organizing Notes and Photographs

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a clip for organizing notes and photographs, and more particularly to a clip for organizing notes and photographs, which includes a first elongated member, a second elongated member having a U-shaped portion on an outer portion thereof, and an intermediate section unitarily joining the first elongated member to the second elongated member. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Clutter is a problem in most households, offices, school lockers, work areas including computer monitors, bathroom mirrors, etc. This problem is especially pronounced when attempting to organize various handwritten notes and memos, printed advertisements, business cards, and children&#39;s drawings. 
     In many households, the refrigerator becomes the central organizing point, and also the place where children&#39;s artwork is displayed. Unfortunately, the refrigerator tends to become cluttered with various notes, memos, photos and artwork held in place by magnets. The same sort of problem exists in offices where corkboards are the central organizing point. Things get lost. 
     What is instead desired is an organizing system which holds notes, memos and photographs in an easy to read, well organized format so that they do not get lost. In addition, it would also be convenient to provide a convenient location for a user both to write and to display written notes or messages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a clip dimensioned to receive notes and photographs comprises: a first elongated member; a second elongated member having a U-shaped portion on an outer edge thereof; and an intermediate section unitarily joining the first elongated member to the second elongated member. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a clip dimensioned to receive notes and photographs comprises: an elongated lower portion; an elongated upper portion having a distal portion dimensioned to contact the lower portion; and a hinge member joining an outer edge of the elongated lower and upper portions, and which allows the elongated lower and upper portions to hold various objects including photographs, notes and/or business cards. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like elements bear the reference numerals, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a perspective view of a clip for organizing notes and photographs in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the clip of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the clip of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a side or end view of the clip of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is another side or end view of the clip of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the clip of  FIG. 1  attached or affixed to a computer monitor. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a clip  100  for displaying and/or organizing notes and photographs is described herein. The clip  100  is preferably sized to fit within a standard envelope for promotional mailings. In addition, the clip  100  is preferably design such that the clip  100  can be easily integrated into promotional campaigns, and can be directly attached or affixed to computer monitors, household appliances, offices, school lockers, work areas including computer monitors, bathroom mirrors, and any other suitable surfaces. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a perspective view of a clip  100  for displaying and/or organizing notes and photographs in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the clip  100  includes a first elongated member (or lower portion)  110 , a second elongated member (or upper portion)  130  having a U-shaped portion  160  on an outer portion or edge thereof, and an intermediate section (or hinge member)  150  unitarily joining the first elongated member  110  to the second elongated member  130 . The first elongated member  110  preferably is a relatively flat member or surface  120  having a lower surface  112  and an upper surface  114 . The second elongated member  130  is also relatively flat surface or portion  140  having a lower surface  132  and an upper surface  134 . As shown, the U-shaped portion  160  extends the length of the second elongated member  130  and downward onto the upper surface  114  of the first elongated member  110 . In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the intermediate section  150  acts a hinge to allow the first and second elongated members  110 ,  130  to hold various objects including photographs, notes and/or business cards. 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , the lower surface  112  of the first elongated member  110  includes an adhesive strip  200 . The adhesive strip  200  is preferably either a natural or a synthetic source, which has sufficient strength to firmly attach or affix the clip  100  to a desired object. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive strip  200  includes a protective cover  210 , which peels away to expose the adhesive strip  200 . It can be appreciated that any suitable adhesive can be used, however, it is desirable that the adhesive be a non-permanent adhesive that once the clip  100  has been removed from a surface, the adhesive can be easily removed from the surface and/or can be removed with basic household cleaning supplies without leaving any residue. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the adhesive strip  200  can be a magnetic strip, a suitable faster such as a hook-and-loop fastener, or other suitable means of attaching or affixing the clip to a desired object, such as a refrigerator, a mirror, a dashboard of a car or truck, and/or a school locker. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first and second elongated members  110 ,  130  have a tapered outer edge  170 ,  180  on each end thereof. The tapered outer edges  170 ,  180  extend from an outer edge  172 ,  182  of the first and second elongated members  110 ,  130  towards the intermediate section (or hinged member)  150 . In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the first and second elongated members  110 ,  130  have a length  174 ,  184  of approximately 60 mm (2.36 inches) to approximately 400 mm (15.75 inches), and more preferably having a length  174 ,  184  of approximately 200 mm (7.87 inches) to 220 mm (8.66 inches). In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second elongated members  110 ,  130  have a width  176 ,  186  of approximately 10 mm (0.393 inches) to approximately 60 mm (2.36 inches), and more preferably a width  176 ,  186  of approximately 10 mm (0.393 inches) to 25 mm (0.98 inches) and approximately 10 mm (0.393 inches) to 20 mm (0.787 inches), respectively. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the first and second elongated members  110 ,  130  have a length of 210 mm (8.26 inches) and a width  176 ,  186  of approximately 15 mm (0.59 inches) and 13 mm (0.52 inches), respectively. It can be appreciated that as shown, the width  176  of the first elongated member  110  is preferably greater than the width  186  of the second elongated member  130 . However, it can be appreciated that in accordance with an embodiment, the widths  176 ,  186  of the first and second elongated members  110 ,  130  can be essentially equal in width  176 ,  186 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  are side (or end) views of the clip  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the second elongated member (or upper portion)  130  has a U-shaped portion  160  on an outer edge or portion thereof, and an intermediate section (or hinge member)  150  unitarily joining the first elongated member  110  to the second elongated member  130 . As shown, the U-shaped portion  160  extends downward onto the upper surface  114  of the first elongated member  110 . The intermediate section  150  acts a hinge to allow the clip  100  to hold various objects including photographs, notes and/or business cards (not shown). In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the intermediate section or hinge member  150  separates (i.e., separation  190 ) the upper section  114  of the first elongated member  110  from the lower section  132  of the second elongated member  130  by at approximately 1.5 mm (0.059 inches) to 6.0 mm (0.236 inches) and in accordance with an exemplary embodiment 2.3 mm (0.091 inches). The separation  190  of the upper section  114  of the first elongated member  110  from the lower surface  132  of the second elongated member  130  provides an approximate thickness of those objects in which the clip  100  can hold. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the first and second elongated members  110 ,  130  have a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm and more preferably 1.1 mm, and an overall height  192  of approximately 4.5 mm from the lower surface  112  of the first elongated member  110  to the upper surface  134  of the second elongated member  130 . However, it can be appreciated that the separation  190  and the height  192  can vary depending on the overall size and parameters of the clip  100 . 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the clip  100  can be made of any suitable material including but not limited to plastic and/or plastic like material. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the clip  100  can be made from a recyclable material. For example, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the clip is made of U-PVC (Unplasticised Poly Vinyl Chloride). However, it can be appreciated that any suitable plastic material, including synthetic or semisynthetic organic solid materials suitable for the manufacture of industrial products. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the clip  100  can be made from a plastic comprised of a polymer of high molecular weight, and which may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce costs. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the clip  100  is clear or translucent in color, or alternatively, the clip  100  can be solid color. 
     It can be appreciated that the clip  100  can be attached or affixed to a chalkboard, white board, corkboard, mirror, computer terminal, home appliance or other object. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the clip  100  can be attached or affixed to an outer edge (i.e., one or more of the sides) of a computer monitor or terminal  300 . It can be appreciated that the clip  100  can be used to hold various objects including photograph  310 , memorandums or notes  320  and business cards  330 . It can be appreciated that the various objects are not limited to photographs  310 , memorandums or notes  320 , and business cards  330 , but can include any suitable or desired object preferably having a thickness equal or less than the separation  190  of the upper section  114  of the first elongated member  110  from the lower surface  132  of the second elongated member  130 . It can also be appreciated that the clip  100  can include indicia  350  on the relatively flat surface or portion  140  of the second elongated member  130  of the clip  100 . However, it can be appreciated that the indicia  350  can be located or placed on an outer edge of the relatively flat surface or portion  120  of the first elongated member  110 , or other suitable location, wherein the indicia  350  is visible. 
     While the invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made and equivalents employed, without departing from the present invention.