Patent Publication Number: US-6981298-B2

Title: Clip structure and clip structure assembling method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a clip, for example, used in a writing instrument, and an assembling method of the clip. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Various types of techniques are known relating to a clip provided on a writing instrument. For example, “CLIP MOUNTING STRUCTURE” disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 56-5684 has a feature that a position of a clip on a fountain pen can be changed between a non-writing capped state and a writing state. 
   There has been a need for changing a direction of a clip in a non-writing state, particularly for rotating the clip to form an angle of 90° or the like between an axial direction of a writing instrument and the clip for use. 
   Not restricting to the clip on the writing instrument, such a need also arises in a clip of a small article that holds a thing with the clip or is secured somewhere by clipping. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a clip structure that can be used with a clip rotated and a clip structure assembling method. 
   The invention provides means for solving the above described problem. 
   According to a first aspect of the invention, a clip structure includes a clip body formed into a substantial U shape to form a holding portion in which a thin object to be clipped is held and an opening on one side, and a clip securing member that is integral with an object to which a clip is secured, and secures the clip body so that a side of an opening of the clip body can rotate along an arc track and stop rotating, wherein an elastic body that urges the clip body along a rotation axis of the clip body toward the clip securing member is provided to urge the clip body toward the clip securing member. 
   The object to be clipped is an object to which an article having the clip structure according to the invention is secured. Specifically, the object to be clipped includes a breast pocket, a sheet member (such as a note, a clear folder, or a front cover of a notebook). 
   The clip structure according to the invention is provided on a small article that fits in abreast pocket, and functions. The small article is the object to which a clip is secured, and specifically includes an article clipped to an edge of a breast pocket, typically, a writing instrument (more specifically, a ball point pen, a mechanical pencil, a fountain pen, a cap of a fountain pen), a mobile phone, a name tag, or the like). 
   The elastic body includes a coil spring, a leaf spring, an elastic sheet such as a rubber sheet, or the like. The leaf spring is the most preferable, because it can provide sufficient repulsion even in a small space. When the coil spring is used, a tensile spring can be used as well as a compression spring. 
   The term “being integral” used herein refers to both cases where the clip securing member is separately formed from the object to which a clip is secured, and the clip securing member can be secured to the object to which a clip is secured, and where the clip securing member is originally formed integrally with the object to which a clip is secured. 
   Because the clip body is urged toward the clip securing member, the clip body and the clip securing member abut against each other to secure the clip body so that the side of the opening of the clip body can rotate along an arc track and stop rotating. Therefore, the clip body can be rotated with respect to the clip securing member so that the side of the opening rotates along an arc track. If the clip body is rotated and then stopped, the opening can be moved to a suitable position and inserted the object to be clipped. 
   The clip securing member can be integrally moulded with the object to which a clip is secured. 
   For example, in the clip structure, the clip securing member may be integrally formed with the object to which a clip is secured to be secured to the object to be clipped via the clip body. 
   Because the clip securing member is integrally formed with the object to which a clip is secured, if the clip body is secured to the object to be clipped, the object to which a clip is secured is secured to the object to be clipped. 
   Alternatively, the clip securing member can be separately formed from the object to which a clip is secured. 
   For example, in the clip structure, the clip securing member may be separately formed from the object to which a clip is secured to be secured to the object to be clipped via the clip body, and secured to the object to be clipped. 
   Because the clip securing member is separately formed from the object to which a clip is secured, the object to which a clip is secured may be selected so as to be secured to the object to be clipped. 
   The clip securing member can have discontinuous rotation stop positions for the clip body. 
   The term “discontinuous rotation stop position” means that positions where the clip body can be stopped are predetermined, and the clip body cannot be stopped at positions other than the predetermined positions. For example, a position that is frequently used is predetermined as a stop position to increase convenience. 
   Because the clip securing member provides discontinuous rotation stop positions for the clip body, a user may select a rotation stop position. 
   When the object to which a clip is secured is a writing instrument having a writing tip, and a position where the side of the opening of the clip body faces a side of the writing tip is a standard position, the clip body can stop at either or both at least 90° position and −90° position apart from the standard position. 
   For angles to the standard position, positive values represent clockwise angles, and negative values represent counterclockwise angles. 
   The rotation may be limited within a particular range such as from 90° to −90° to the standard position. 
   The standard position can be first set as a rotation stop position that is the most frequently used, which is convenient. Further, for rotational use, the clip body can be rotated through 90° and/or −90° to the standard position as convenient rotation stop positions. 
   For example, when the object to which a clip is secured is a writing instrument and the object to be clipped is a notebook, the clip body is rotated through 90° from the standard position with respect to the clip securing member and then clipped to the notebook so that a size of a protrusion of the writing instrument from the notebook can be reduced. 
   For example, when the object to which a clip is secured is a writing instrument and the object to be clipped is a collar of clothing, setting the angle to 45°, −45°, 135°, or −135° to the standard position facilitates securing and provides a quiet appearance. 
   One of the clip body and the clip securing member has a protrusion, and the other has a recess that fits the protrusion to allow rotation and stop of the clip body. 
   The numbers of the protrusions and the recesses are not limited. A plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses may be provided, or one protrusion and one recess may be provided. The numbers of the protrusions and the recesses do not have to be the same, and for example, one protrusion and a plurality of recesses may be provided. 
   The protrusions and the recesses may be respectively spaced equiangularly, and may be provided at four, six, eight, or twelve equiangular positions. 
   Such a configuration allows the protrusion and the recess to fit each other when the rotation stops to achieve sufficient stop of rotation. 
   Preferably, the clip body has a flange and an insertion shaft connecting the flange and the clip body and having a smaller diameter than the flange, the clip securing member has an insertion hole into which the flange and the insertion shaft are inserted, and a leaf spring is inserted between the flange passed through the insertion hole and the clip securing member. 
   According to a clip structure assembling method for forming a clip structure of the invention, a clip body has a flange and an insertion shaft connecting the flange and the clip body and having a smaller diameter than the flange, a clip securing member has an insertion hole into which the flange and the insertion shaft are inserted, and after the flange and the insertion shaft of the clip body are inserted into the insertion hole of the clip securing member, a leaf spring is inserted between the flange passed through the insertion hole and the clip securing member. 
   When a coil spring is used, a spring bracket or the like generally requires to be assembled after the coil spring is provided, which takes much time in assembly. According to the invention, the leaf spring may be simply inserted for assembly, thus facilitating assembly. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a vertical sectional view of a first embodiment; 
       FIG. 2A  is a front view of a clip securing member according to the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 2B  is a sectional view taken along the line  2 B— 2 B in  FIG. 2A ; 
       FIG. 3A  is a side view of a clip body according to the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 3B  is a front view of the clip body; 
       FIG. 4A  is a front view of a leaf spring as an elastic body according to the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 4B  is a sectional view taken along the line  4 B— 4 B in  FIG. 4A ; 
       FIGS. 5A  and B show a state where the clip body is rotated through −90° from a standard position; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view when an object to be clipped is a notebook; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an assembly when an object to which a clip is secured is a name tag; and 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Now, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 8 . 
     FIG. 1  is a vertical sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention. An object to which a clip is secured  40  in this embodiment is a rotation propelling type of writing instrument in which a front barrel  42  and a rear barrel  43  are relatively rotated to advance a writing tip  61  of a refill  60 . The writing instrument  40  includes a tip opening  41 , the front barrel  42 , the rear barrel  43 , and a top cap  44 . 
   A ring-shaped clip securing member  20 , which has an inner diameter of the size equal to the size of an outer diameter of the rear barrel  43 , is secured to the rear barrel  43 , and a clip body  10  is secured via the clip securing member  20 . 
   Hereinafter, the front refers to the side of the writing tip  61 , and the rear refers to the side opposite the writing tip  61 . 
   The clip body  10  is a member that is formed into a substantial U shape to form a holding portion  12  in which a thin object  50  to be clipped, for example, a breast pocket cloth is held. Specifically, a secured piece  13  along the rear barrel  43  and a moving piece  14  that opens/closes an opening  11  for holding the object to be clipped  50  form the substantial U shape. The side of the opening  11  of the clip body  10  faces the side of the writing tip  61 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , an insertion shaft  17  and a flange  16  also form part of the clip body  10 . 
   Now, also with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , a detailed configuration for rotating and stopping the clip body  10  will be described. 
     FIG. 2A  is a front view of the clip securing member  20 , and  FIG. 2B  is a sectional view taken along the line  2 B— 2 B in  FIG. 2A . 
   A clip support box  21  is formed on one side of the clip securing member  20 . A leaf spring receiving space  21   a  is formed in the clip support box  21 , and an insertion hole  22 , recesses  23  and stoppers  27  are formed on an outer surface of the clip support box  21 . 
   Specifically, the recesses  23  are provided around the insertion hole  22 , and spaced equiangularly at 45°. A protrusion is formed on either neighboring side of each recess  23 , and when the clip body  10  is rotated, a protrusion  18  provided on the clip body  10  is detached from the recess  23  and placed on the protrusion on either neighboring side of the recess  23 . At this time, forward and backward movement of the clip body  10  is restricted by the stoppers  27  provided on the front and the back of the recesses  23 . A stopper  27  may be provided on either the front or the back. 
   Further, a ring for a string  29  is formed on another side of the clip securing member  20 , through which a string is passed to be used as a hanging type of writing instrument. A housing portion  26  is formed on the rear of the clip securing member  20 , into which an eraser is inserted. A rear barrel receiving space  21   b  is formed inside the clip securing member  20 , in which a fitting portion  24  to be fitted on the rear barrel  43  and a guide pin  25  are formed. The fitting portion  24  is fitted on the rear barrel  43  so that it is secured to the rear barrel  43 . The guide pin  25  is fitted into a hole formed in a propelling mechanism  70  provided in the rear barrel  43 . 
     FIG. 3A  is a side view of the clip body, and  FIG. 3B  is a front view of the clip body. 
   The clip body  10  is a member that is formed into the substantial U shape to form the holding portion  12  in which the thin object to be clipped  50 , for example, the breast pocket cloth is held. Specifically, the secured piece  13  along the rear barrel  43  and the moving piece  14  that opens/closes the opening  11  for holding the object  50  to be clipped form the substantial U shape. 
   The insertion shaft  17  protrudes perpendicularly to the secured piece  13  on the outer surface in the rear of the secured piece  13 . The flange  16  is formed on an end of the insertion shaft  17 , and the flange  16  has a larger diameter than the insertion shaft  17 . Further, the protrusions  18  that fit into the recesses  23  provided in the clip securing member  20  are formed around a base of the insertion shaft  17  on the outer surface of the secured piece  13 . The protrusions  18  are spaced equiangularly at 90°. 
     FIG. 4A  is a front view of a leaf spring as an elastic body, and  FIG. 4B  is a sectional view taken along the line  4 B— 4 B in  FIG. 4A . 
   The leaf spring  30  has, in the center, a leaf spring slit  31  having an opening portion  35  on one end. A recessed surface  34  and a protruded surface  33  are formed along the slit. The recessed surface  34  is formed on either side of the protruded surface  33 . Further, a detachment stop  32  is formed in a position opposite the opening portion  35 , and placing other members near the detachment stop  32  allows the detachment stop  32  to abut against other members to prevent detachment of the leaf spring  30 . In the embodiment, the rear barrel  43  abuts against the detachment stop  32  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   An assembling method will be described hereinafter. As described above, the clip body  10  includes the flange  16  and the insertion shaft  17  connecting the flange  16  and the clip body  10  and having the smaller diameter than the flange  16 , and the clip securing member  20  has the insertion hole  22  into which the flange  16  and the insertion shaft  17  are inserted. 
   First, the flange  16  and the insertion shaft  17  of the clip body  10  are inserted into the insertion hole  22  of the clip securing member  20 . Then, the leaf spring  30  is inserted between the flange  16  and the clip securing member  20  with the protruded surface  33  of the leaf spring  30  facing the flange  16 . At this time, the insertion shaft  17  is inserted into the leaf spring slit  31  from the opening portion  35  of the leaf spring slit  31  in the leaf spring  30 . A writing instrument having a clip structure as shown in  FIG. 1  is formed by assembling as described above. The rear barrel  43  abuts against the detachment stop  32  of the leaf spring  30  to prevent detachment of the leaf spring  30 . 
   The clip body  10  is rotated around a rotation axis (the line B—B) shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In this embodiment, the center of the insertion shaft  17  of the clip body  10  is the rotation axis. The clip body  10  is urged toward the clip securing member  20  along the rotation axis (the line B—B) by the leaf spring  30 . The clip body  10  is urged to abut against the clip securing member  20 . As described above, the recess  23  and the protrusion  18  are formed on the abutting position. 
   A rotation force is applied to the clip body  10  to allow the protrusion  18  formed on the clip body  10  to be detached form the recess  23  formed in the clip securing member  20  and to freely rotate. After rotating by a fixed angle, the protrusion  18  fits into a different recess  23  to stop rotation of the clip. 
     FIG. 5  shows a state where the clip body  10  is rotated −90° from a standard position P 1 , and  FIG. 5A  is a top view and  FIG. 5B  is a front view of the clip structure. 
   When the clip body  10  is rotated −90° from the standard position P 1 , and the object  50  to be clipped is a cover sheet of a notebook having a vertical opening axis, a size of a protrusion of the writing instrument  40  from the notebook can be reduced as compared with a general writing instrument with a clip. 
     FIG. 6  is a perspective view when the object  50  to be clipped is a notebook, and the object  40  to which a clip is secured is a writing instrument. A relatively thick cover sheet of the notebook can be clipped, the clip body  10  can be rotated 90° and fixed without interfering with the notebook, and the writing instrument  40  and the notebook  50  are integrally carried. 
     FIG. 7  is a perspective view when the object  40  to which a clip is secured is a name tag. A conventional name tag is only intended to be attached to a breast pocket of a jacket or the like, and those who often wear clothes without breast pocket (particularly, women) have to attach a name tag on a slant to a collar. However, according to the embodiment, the clip body  10  can be rotated with respect to the name tag  40 , thus eliminating the above described inconvenience. 
     FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a second embodiment. In this embodiment, a leaf spring  30  as an elastic body is placed in a position different from the position in the first embodiment. 
   In this embodiment, the leaf spring  30  is not provided between a flange  16  and a clip securing member  20 , but is provided between a secured piece  13  of a clip body  10  and the clip securing member  20 . The flange  16  as a part of the clip body  10  is abutted against the clip securing member  20  by the leaf spring  30 , and thus a side of an opening  11  of the clip body  10  can rotate along an arc and stop. Either the flange  16  or the clip securing member  20  may have a protrusion, and the other may have a recess, on an abutting position between the flange  16  and the clip securing member  20 . 
   While the principles of the invention have been described above in connection with specific embodiments, and particular modifications thereof, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation on the scope of invention.