Patent Publication Number: US-2010108090-A1

Title: Hair grip with a connection working in elongation

Description:
This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/376,381 filed Mar. 15, 2006, which is a continuation of PCT/EP2004/051790 filed Aug. 13, 2004, both of which claim priority of Appl. Nos. FR0302720 filed Sep. 15,2003 and EP041050203 filed Feb. 24, 2004, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to a hair grip comprising more particularly two jaws articulated for relative displacement into an open or closed position and a connection joining each jaw to exert a return force by a deformation in elongation against the displacement of the two jaws from the closed position to the open position, in order to return the two jaws to the closed position. 
     PRIOR ART 
     A clothes peg having a similarity with this type of hair grip is known from the document GB 829 677. The connection consists of a helical spring with close wound coils. Each jaw is provided with a blind hole of which one part is threaded to receive each end of the helical spring by screwing-in. In this arrangement, the spring is masked by the two jaws. One end of the helical spring is easily screwed into one of the two jaws. Nevertheless, screwing the opposing end into the other jaw appears to be more complicated, in that it can no longer be screwed in when the two jaws are brought together sufficiently to be articulated to one another about a joint pin. This is the reason why it appears necessary, according to this document, to screw the second jaw onto the opposing end of the helical spring, whilst exerting traction on this helical spring to maintain the two jaws separate from one another until the screwing is completed, then releasing the traction to bring the two jaws back into contact with one another and to join them about the joint pin. It therefore appears that the assembly of the clothes peg disclosed in this document is relatively complicated and requires dexterity. 
     The positioning of the connection seems more simple in a hair grip known from the document U.S. Pat. No. 2,641,265. The connection consists of a self-closing rubber band. It is mounted around two jaws by being arranged on the side opposing the two lever arms of each jaw relative to the joint. Nevertheless, in this arrangement, the connection is visible and moreover exerts the return force in any open position of the hair grip. In other words, a force has to be exerted continuously on the lever arms to maintain the hair grip in the open position. A certain amount of discomfort can result for a user, all the more marked the greater the breadth of opening of the hair grip. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the objects of the invention is to remedy the drawbacks which have just been described. 
     To this end, the object of the invention is a hair grip comprising two jaws articulated about a joint for relative displacement into an open or closed position and a connection joining each jaw to exert a return force by a deformation in elongation against the displacement of the two jaws from the closed position to the open position, in order to return the two jaws to the closed position, characterised in that the joint is provided with a passage to permit the connection to cross the joint once the two jaws are displaced from the closed position to the open position to exert a return force for returning the two jaws to the open position. 
     When the connection has crossed the joint, the return force which it exerts on the two jaws maintains them in a stable open position. It is therefore possible for a user to prepare the positioning of the hair grip, by opening it into the stable open position. By means of this arrangement, it is no longer necessary to provide lever arms. 
     A further object of the invention is a hair grip comprising two jaws articulated for relative displacement into an open or closed position and a connection tensioned between the jaws to exert a return force by a deformation in elongation against the displacement of the two jaws from the closed position to the open position, in order to return the two jaws to the closed position, characterised in that the two jaws are provided with perforations through which the connection is introduced at one free end to be fixed to the two jaws by fixing means. 
     The perforations allow one free end of the connection to be introduced and then to be fixed to the two jaws whilst the latter are articulated relative to one another and bear against one another in the closed position of the hair grip. As a result, the tensioning of the connection is simplified. Furthermore, the connection tensioned between the two jaws is masked by the joint, in particular in the closed position of the hair grip. 
     The invention relates finally to a hair grip comprising two jaws articulated about a joint for relative displacement into an open position or closed position and a self-closing connection exerting a return force by a deformation in elongation against the displacement of the two jaws from the closed position to the open position, in order to return the two jaws to the closed position, characterised in that the connection is housed in two joint supports fixed to the jaws by two feet and joined by two heads which extend in a joint direction above the feet to mask the connection in the closed position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages of the invention will appear from reading the description of embodiments shown below by the drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1 to 3  show a hair grip according to a first embodiment of the invention, respectively as a profile view, in the closed position and the open position, and as a rear view, in the closed position. The grip shown by the Figures has a pin, lever arms of a part with the jaws and a connection arranged relative to the jaws to undergo increased deformation in the open position. 
         FIGS. 4 to 6  correspond to  FIGS. 1 to 3  above for a grip distinguished by lever arms attached to the jaws. 
         FIGS. 7 to 9  correspond to  FIGS. 1 to 3  above for a grip distinguished by a cylindrical linkage with resilient gripping. 
         FIGS. 10 to 12  correspond to  FIGS. 1 to 3  for a grip distinguished by a connection arranged relative to the jaws to grip the hair of the user in the closed position. 
         FIGS. 13 to 15  correspond to  FIGS. 10 to 12  for a grip distinguished by the omission of the lever arms. 
         FIGS. 16 to 18  show a hair grip according to a second embodiment of the invention, respectively as a profile view, in the closed position and in the open position, and as a rear view, in the closed position. The grip shown by these Figures has a joint with two pins and a connection crossing the joint through the passage created between the two pins to stabilise the grip in the open position. 
         FIGS. 19 to 21  correspond to  FIGS. 16 to 18  for a grip distinguished by a joint with two cylindrical linkages. 
         FIGS. 22 to 24  correspond to  FIGS. 16 to 18  for a grip distinguished by a double joint with two pairs of coaxial pins carried by a joint part. 
         FIG. 25  is an enlargement of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26  is a view in section and in detail of a means of fixing the connection to the jaws of the hair grip according to the first or second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 27 and 28  show respectively in plan view and in section a second means of fixing the connection to the jaws of the hair grip according to the first or second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 29 to 33  show a hair grip according to a third embodiment of the invention, respectively as a profile view, in the closed position and in the open position, as a rear view in the closed position, as a plan view in the open position and one of the jaws constituting the grip, as a plan view. The grip shown by these Figures has a joint pin, lever arms of a part with the jaws and a self-closing connection arranged relative to the jaws to grip the hair of the user in the closed position. 
         FIGS. 34 to 38  show a hair grip according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, respectively as a profile view, in the closed position and in the open position, as a rear view in the closed position, as a view from above in the open position and one of the jaws constituting a grip, as a plan view. The grip shown by these Figures has a joint pin and a self-closing connection crossing the joint to stabilise the grip in the open position. 
         FIG. 39  shows an embodiment of a grip comprising a framework and two shell portions. 
     
    
    
     EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 to 24  and  29  to  37 , a hair grip comprises two jaws  1  and  3  articulated for relative displacement into an open position. 
     According to a first embodiment of the invention,  FIGS. 1 to 15 , a connection  11  is fixed onto the jaws  1  and  3  and is tensioned therebetween to exert a return force by a deformation in elongation against the displacement of the two jaws  1  and  3 , in order to return them to a closed position. 
     In the embodiment shown by  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the two jaws  1  and  3  are articulated by a pin  5  carried by two pin supports  13  and  15 , each fixed to a jaw and are displaced by means of lever arms  7  and  9 , each fixed to a jaw. The connection  11  is fixed onto each jaw  1  or  3  and tensioned on the side opposing the lever arms  7  and  9  relative to the pin  5  without it being necessary to make it pass through apertures formed in these lever arms. As a result, the arrangement of the lever arms relative to the jaws is simplified. 
     The connection  11  is provided with bulges  17  and  19  to be received in notches  21  and  23  formed in the jaws  1  and  3 . The connection is positioned by compressing the bulges  17  and  19  to introduce them through passage sections  22  and  24 , in other words perforations, opening out into the notches  21  and  23 . The bulges  17  and  19  extend, for example, from a wedge or a bead formed on one or two ends of the connection  11 . 
     To facilitate the compression of the bulges  17  and  19  during their introduction through the perforations  22  and  24 , it is provided to form recesses in the bulges, for example slots or cavities. In  FIGS. 27 and 28  it is also provided to position the connection through the perforations without compressing the bulges but simply by making the connection  11  turn in the notches  21  and  23  so that the bulges  17  and  19  are arranged to bear against the notches  21  and  23  in a direction where the perforations  22  and  24  are narrower than in the direction where the bulges are introduced through these perforations. 
     The perforations  22  and  24  may furthermore each comprise a first section adapted to the passage of bulges of the connection  11  and a second section narrower than the bulges  17  and  19  to retain the latter relative to the jaws  1  and  3 . 
     Preferably, only one end of the connection  11  is provided with a bulge  21  to allow the opposing end to be introduced into the passage sections  22  and  24  of the notches  21  and  23  without requiring compression of this opposing end. The fixing of this end of the connection  11  is then ensured by a fixing means  26 , for example a U-shaped part, for example made of metal, engaging this end to block the connection  11  in the corresponding notch  19 . It is further provided to fix the connection to each jaw by means of a U-shaped part engaging each of the two ends of the connection to retain it in each of the corresponding notches. This means of fixing the connection is shown by  FIGS. 10 to 25 , this last Figure showing in detail the arrangement of the U-shaped part engaging one end of the connection. Fixing parts other than a U-shaped part are also suitable for fixing the connection  11  to each of the jaws  1  and  3  of the hair grip, in particular a metal gripping part or a clip. 
     The connection  11  introduced into the passage sections  22  and  24  of the jaws  1  and  3  can also be fixed to the latter by a pin introduced into a perforation of the connection or by corresponding notches formed on one end of the connection  11  and received in corresponding notches formed in the passage sections  22  and  24 . It is further provided to fix the connection emerging from the passage sections by bonding it or by welding it to the two jaws  1  and  3 . 
     The connection  11  arranged on the side opposing the lever arms  7  and  9  relative to the joint pin  5  is masked by the pin supports  13  and  15  in the closed position in particular, as is clearly visible in  FIG. 3 . Finally, the deformation in elongation of the connection  11  is accompanied by a return force exerted in a symmetrical manner relative to the joint pin  5  on each jaw  1  or  3 . 
     The hair grip shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6  is distinguished from that described above by the lever arms  71  and  91  being attached to the jaws  1  and  3 . 
     Preferably, the lever arms  71  and  91  are attached to the jaws by resilient gripping of lugs  25  and  27  in the notches and advantageously in the notches  21  and  23  provided to receive the resilient connection  11 . By this arrangement, the fixing means of the connection received in the notches is masked and the aesthetic character of the hair grip is therefore enhanced. 
     The hair grip shown by  FIGS. 7 to 9  is distinguished from those described above in that the joint in this case is formed by a cylindrical linkage  51 . In the example shown, a first cylinder  53  projects from one of the pin supports  13  of one of the two jaws  1  and is inserted into a second cylinder  55  formed with a hollowed out portion in the other pin support  15  of the other jaw  3 . Preferably the projecting cylinder  53  fixed to one  13  of the pin supports of one of the two jaws  1  is inserted by resilient gripping in the second cylinder  55  formed with a hollowed out portion in the other pin support  15  of the other jaw  3 . This arrangement allows the two jaws of the hair grip to be rapidly and easily assembled. 
     In the embodiments shown by  FIGS. 1 to 9 , the connection  11  is arranged so as to undergo an increase in deformation in elongation created by the pin supports  13  and  15 , as the two jaws are displaced into the open position,  FIG. 2 ,  5  or  8 . By this arrangement, the deformation in elongation is increased to exert a greater return force of the two jaws in the closed position. 
     The hair grip shown by  FIGS. 10 to 12  is distinguished from the grip described in  FIGS. 1 to 9  by the connection  11  being arranged relative to the jaws  1  and  3 , such that the hair of the user is gripped in the closed position. As is visible in the Figures, the connection is arranged approximately at an equal distance from the jaws on the one hand and from the joint on the other hand to grip the hair between the connection and the jaws in the closed position. By this arrangement, the hair is gripped more firmly. 
     The hair grip shown by  FIGS. 13 to 15  is distinguished from the grip described in  FIGS. 10 to 12  by the lever arms having been omitted. 
     According to a second embodiment of the invention, shown by  FIGS. 16 to 24 , the two jaws  1  and  3  are articulated by two coaxial pins  61  and  62  or by two coaxial cylindrical linkages  81  and  82  to create between them a passage allowing the connection  11 , when the two jaws are displaced from the closed position to the open position, to pass between the coaxial pins or between the two coaxial cylindrical linkages to exert a return force for returning the two jaws to the open position. 
     In other words, the joint formed by the two coaxial pins or the two coaxial cylindrical linkages allows the connection to cross the joint perpendicular to the direction of articulation of the two coaxial pins or the two coaxial cylindrical linkages, when opening the grip, to stabilise the grip in the open position, as is visible in  FIGS. 18 and 21 . 
     By this arrangement, the grip is held in the open position by the connection to allow the user to position it better on the hair. Once in position, the user can easily close the grip again into the closed position. 
     It is provided to articulate the two jaws by a joint part carrying two pairs of coaxial pins or two pairs of cylindrical linkages. One such embodiment applies equally well to the first as to the second embodiment. 
     For the application to the second embodiment,  FIGS. 22 to 24 , the two jaws  1  and  3  are articulated by means of a joint part  29  carrying a first pair of coaxial pins  61 ,  62  to articulate one 1 of the two grips and a second pair of coaxial pins  63 ,  64  to articulate the other grip  3 . The two pairs are arranged on the joint part so as to allow the connection  11  to cross the two pins of each pair,  FIG. 23 , to stabilise the grip in the open position. Each of the joint pins  61  to  64  is mounted with a force fit in perforations  28  of two pin supports  32  and  34  of the joint part  29  and pin supports  13  and  15  of the two jaws. The pin supports  32  and  24  of the joint part  29  are received in corresponding housings  12  and  14  formed in pin supports  13  and  15  of the two jaws  1  and  3 . 
     For the application to the first embodiment, the joint part carries two parallel pins, each dedicated to the articulation of one of the two jaws. In the open position, the connection comes into contact with the two parallel pins carried by the joint part to undergo an increase in deformation in elongation. 
     The pin supports or the cylindrical linkage supports  13  and  15  described in the first embodiment also apply to the second embodiment. In particular, in the stable open position,  FIG. 18 ,  21  or  23 , the two pin supports  13  and  15 , each fixed to a jaw  1  or  3 , are in abutment against one another or in abutment against the intermediate joint part  29 . Similarly, the cylindrical linkage  51  described in the first embodiment also applies to the two coaxial cylindrical linkages  81  and  82  of the second embodiment. In particular, each cylindrical linkage  51 ,  81 ,  82  comprises a first cylinder  53 ,  83  fixed to one 1 of the two jaws and projecting to be inserted by resilient gripping into a second cylinder  55 ,  85  formed with a hollowed out portion in the other jaw  3  or in the intermediate joint part  29 . 
     According to a third embodiment of the invention, shown by  FIGS. 29 to 33 , the two jaws  1  and  3  are articulated by a pin  5 . A self-closing connection  12  connects the two jaws to exert a return force by deformation in elongation against the displacement of the two jaws relative to the joint pin  5  from the closed position shown by  FIG. 29  to the open position shown by  FIG. 30 , in order to return the two jaws to the closed position. 
     The jaws are displaced by means of lever arms  7  and  9 , each fixed to a jaw. 
     The self-closing connection  12  connects the two jaws by being received in notches  18 ,  20  formed in two joint supports  131 ,  151  which are fixed to the jaws  1 ,  3  by two feet  133 ,  153  joined together by two heads  135 ,  155  which extend in the joint direction A over the feet  133 ,  153  to mask the connection  12  in the closed position,  FIG. 31 . 
     As is visible in  FIGS. 31 ,  32  and  33 , the joint pin  5  is inserted in the joint direction A into hinge elements  137 ,  157  fixed to or integrated in the heads  135 ,  155  of the joint supports  131 ,  151 . 
     Preferably, the connection  12  is arranged relative to the jaws  1  and  3  so as to grip the hair of the user in the closed position. Thus the notches  18 ,  20  are formed,  FIG. 30 , at one end of the foot  133 ,  153  of the joint supports  131 ,  151  forming an interface with each jaw to distance the connection  12  from the joint pin  5 . 
     Alternatively, to obtain an increase in deformation of the connection  12  in the open position, it is provided to form notches  14 ,  16  at one end of the foot  133 ,  153  of the joint supports  131 ,  151  forming an interface with each head  135 ,  155  of these joint supports to bring the connection  12  into contact with the joint pin  5  in the open position. 
     In this third embodiment, the two heads  135 ,  155  of the joint supports  131 ,  151  may also be articulated by a cylindrical linkage or by a double joint by means of a joint part such as described above for the first and second embodiments and more particularly shown by  FIGS. 22 to 25 . The jaws can be provided with integral or attached lever arms. 
     According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, shown by  FIGS. 34 to 38 , the two jaws  1  and  3  are articulated by a joint pin  54 . A self-closing connection  12  connects the two jaws to exert a return force by deformation in elongation against the displacement of the two jaws  1  and  3  relative to the joint pin  54  from the closed position shown by  FIG. 34  into the open position shown by  FIG. 35  in order to return the two jaws  1  and  3  to the closed position. 
     As is visible in  FIGS. 34 and 35 , the joint pin  54  is inserted into hinge elements  138 ,  158  fixed to the joint supports  131 ,  151  each fixed to the jaws  1  and  3 . One of the hinge elements of each support is provided with an aperture  52 ,  56  to allow the connection  12 , when the jaws are displaced from the closed position,  FIG. 34 , into the open position,  FIG. 35 , to cross the joint pin  54  by being received in recesses  52 ,  56  to exert a return force for returning the two jaws to the open position. Here again, the connection  12  crosses the joint perpendicular to the joint pin A. Preferably, the apertures  52 ,  56  are only open on one side and are closed on an opposing side by a cover  50  to hide the connection  12 . 
     Preferably, the self-closing connection  12  connects the two jaws by being received in notches  18 ,  20  formed in the two joint supports  131 ,  151 , which are attached to the jaws  1 ,  3  by two feet  133 ,  153  and articulated by two heads  135 ,  155  which extend in the joint direction A above the feet  133 ,  153  to mask the connection  12  in the closed position,  FIG. 36 . A small fraction of the connection  12  remains visible through the apertures  52 ,  56  which can be reduced to increase the masking of the connection. 
     Preferably also, the connection  12  is arranged relative to the jaws  1  and  3 , so as to grip the hair of the user in the closed position. Thus the notches  18 ,  20  are formed,  FIG. 38 , at one end of the joint supports  131 ,  151  forming an interface with each jaw to distance the connection  12  from the joint pin  5 . 
     The joint pin  54 , provided for the grip according to the fourth embodiment of the invention, may be replaced by a cylindrical linkage of the type described for example for the first and second embodiments of the invention. Similarly, a joint part of the type described in relation to these embodiments also applies to a grip according to this fourth embodiment by adapting it to form the lateral apertures necessary to allow the self-closing connection  12  to cross, when opening the grip, two pins or two cylindrical linkages carried by this joint part in order to stabilise the grip in this open position. 
     It is noteworthy that the grip described in the different embodiments of the invention, where the lever arms have been omitted, can be considered as a framework on which it is possible advantageously to arrange a shell portion serving, for example, as a lever arm or serving to mask the resilient connection completely, in particular in the fourth embodiment described above.  FIG. 39  shows an embodiment of a grip comprising a framework in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention and two shell portions mounted respectively on the jaws  1  and  3 . 
     The connection, whether self-closing or not, is planar or cylindrical and produced in an elastomer material, for example rubber or polyurethane. Preferably, this material has a Shore A hardness of between 60 and 90. 
     In an embodiment of the invention not shown, it is provided to replace the connection made of an elastomer material by a helical spring fixed at its ends onto each jaw. The helical spring can also be self-closing in a loop. 
     The hair grip according to the invention is produced, for example, by the injection of thermoplastic material, the lever arms, if they are present, being formed integrally or not with the jaws. It is also provided to produce said hair grip by machining and thermoforming. 
     The hair grip according to the invention allows the jaws or the lever arms to be arranged with greater freedom to give any aesthetic form to the jaws or to the arms and thus to increase the possibilities of styles. In a particular arrangement, the connection is advantageously used to grip the hair against the jaws and thus improve the grip on the hair of the user. In a further arrangement, the connection advantageously crosses the joint to stabilise the grip in the open position and thus increase the ease of positioning, whilst omitting the lever arms of the jaws. Combined with the masking of the connection, in particular in the closed position, the hair grip according to the invention has a high aesthetic value.