Patent Publication Number: US-5023978-A

Title: Scarf clip adapter for brooch or earring

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the wearing of neckerchiefs, that is to say scarves or kerchiefs about the neck, the front ends are often fed through rings or grommets instead of knotting them. They are often specially formed and decorated for improved appearance. Such a ring may be provided with a pivoted front facing &#34;clip&#34; member which is itself of decorative shape or finish and assists in retaining a place on the scarf. Heretofore, a plurality of such clips were required to provide a variety in the ornamentation afforded. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a simple adaptation of a scarf clip to permit it to be adorned with a virtually unlimited variety by removably attaching thereto pre-existing ornaments, especially brooches or earrings. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     The prior art discloses a variety of rings and grommets retaining the front ends of neckerchiefs, as by various scouting groups and naval personnel. All sorts of integral and applied decorations have been used to adorn such rings and grommets. Rings have even been provided with front ornamental clip members fastened thereto that also serve to improve their hold on the scarf ends. No one heretofore has suggested to provide such front clip members with mounting elements so that existing ornaments can be conveniently removably fastened to them. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention is especially desirable as an adjunct to feminine fashion providing a scarf clip adapter which permits the scarf wearer to vary the ornamentation of its holder ring as widely as the range of her stock of brooches (or pins) and pierced earrings permits. This function is provided in the preferred embodiments by a tubular mounting carried on the back surface of the front planar clip member. This mounting is oriented to be parallel to the plane of that member to accommodate the stem or pin of a brooch and perpendicular to that plane to accommodate the post of a pierced earring. The tube of the mounting is advantageously filled with a penetrable retaining medium, e. g., plastic sponge. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the rear of a clip adapter in the hinge-open setting in the form to be adorned with a brooch; 
     FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the adapter shown in FIG. 1 in the hinge-closed setting; 
     FIG. 3 is a section taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a section taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 3; and 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 1, but in the form to be adorned with a pierced earring. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the neckerchief clip adapter of our invention consist of two pianar members, hinged together like a door hinge. The rear member 1 effectively a ring through which the neckerchief ends are to be threaded. The front member 2 is a flat plate shaped and finished to be pleasing in appearance of itself. The heart-shaped outline of members 1 and 2 is incidental and for appearance only. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the adapter of our invention is being used to display a brooch 3 over the front surface of front member 2 by passing the shaft of its stem or pin 4 through the bore of tubular mounting fixture 5 carried by the rear surface of member 2 parallel to the plane thereof. Bore of fixture 5 is preferably packed with a penetrable retaining medium, e.g., plastic foam. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, the adapter of our invention is being used to display a pierced earring 7 over the front surface of front member 2 by passing its post 8 into the bore of tubular mounting fixture 6 carried by the rear surface of member 2 perpendicular to the plane thereof. The post 8 passes through a hole in member 2 from the front surface thereof and is retained in fixture 6 by a penetrable retaining medium filling its bore. 
     A camming detent device is a part of hinge structure 9, as particularly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. A scarf 10 is indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3 for clarity of understanding of the manner of using our adapter therewith.