An Improved Clip for Papers, Samples, and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Clip for Papers, Samples, and the like.
I, OSCAR FELIX LEHMANN, 101 Clarendon Road, Notting Hill, London,
Inventor do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
11
My improved clip consists of two tubes which are open in their entire length to
the extent of about one fourth of their circumference, the two tubes being of
slightly different diameters so that one shall revolve freely inside the other.
On the back of each tube, i.e. opposite to the opening, two slots are cut diagonally
and in opposite directions so that the two central ends are in a line with each other
and the two outer ends are also in a line with each other, both lines being parallel
with the tube. The slots in the inner tube are cut in the same way and at the
same distance as those in the outer tube but, when putting together, the tubes are
reversed so that the inner slots shall be at angles with the corresponding outer
slots.
The handle, which also forms the spring of my improved clip, consists of a strong
steel spring wire, bent horseshoe shape or in a coil, each end of which passes
through the two corresponding slots in the outer and inner tubes, both being
secured inside the tube either by screw nuts or in any other suitable manner.
Now the corresponding slots in the cuter and inner tubes being at angles to each
other, as aforesaid, the outward tension of the spring handle will bring the outer
ends of the slots in the two tubes together and by so doing will cause the edge of
the opening in one tube to press on the opposite edge of the opening in the other
tube, thereby keeping the clip closed and firmly holding any papers, etc. that may
be placed therein.
The clip is opened by pressing the ends of the handle, just above the tube,
hetween the thumb and finger, thus bringing the central ends of the corresponding
slots together, thereby partially rotating the tubes in opposite directions so that
the two openings correspond.
Dated this 14th day of January 1895.
An Improved Clip for Papers, Samples, and the like.
I, OSCAR FELIX LEHMANN, 101 Clarendon Road, Notting Hill, London, W.
Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in spring clips the special features of
which are, that the handle and the spring form but one piece and that the grip is
produced by the sliding action of the spring in four slots cut spirally or diagonally

page_text: in two pieces which are destined to press on the opposite sides of the papers,
samples, etc. which are to be held or bound together.
My clip consists of three parts, viz. :—
1. The handle-spring in metal wire, preferably of tempered steel, and bent in the
form of a horse-shoe or any other suitable shape. Fig. A.
2 & 3. Two pieces of rolled metal and shaped into round tubes but open in their
whole length in the proportion of one quarter to one third of their circumference:
these tubes being also of different diameters, so that one will just enter the other
and turn freely therein. Figs. B & C.
In the back of each of these tubes, i.e. opposite to the openings, two slots are
cut of sufficient width to allow the ends of the wire handle-spring to pass through.
These slots are cut diagonally with the tubes and at an angle of from 60 to
120 degrees with each other, so that the ends which approach the centre of the
surface of the tubes are in a line parallel with the length of the tubes, and the
outer ends of the slots, right and left, are in a line also parallel in the same manner.
Fig. B.
The slots in the smaller or interior tube are also cut in the same way, but the
tube is reversed before introducing into the larger one so that the slots in the
inner tube are at right angles with the corresponding slots in the outer tube.
Fig. C.
At the spots where the outer and inner slots cross each other, will be introduced
the two ends of the handle-spring, and the ends will then be turned up, rivetted or
fixed by screw nuts or held in any other suitable manner so that they cannot escape
out of the slots.
The two ends of the handle-spring having a tendency to spring away from each
other, it results that they slide towards the outside ends of the slots, right and left,
and produce, in consequence, a partial rotation of the two tubes in opposite
directions, thereby closing the openings by pressing the edge of one tube against
the edge of the other and thus forming an automatic clip. On the other hand,
when by pressure between the thumb and fingers, the two ends of the handle-spring
are brought towards each other, these, by sliding towards the central ends of the
slots, produce a reverse action of rotation until the openings in the two tubes
correspond and the clip is open. Fig. E.
If at this moment any papers or other stuffs are introduced into the opening and
the pressure of the fingers relaxed, the tubes again rotate under the normal pressure
of the handle spring and the papers or pieces are gripped between the opposite
edges of the two tubes. Fig. D.
Besides the kind of handle-spring above described, my clip can be made with
other shaped springs and in the following ways, viz. :-
1. By putting, instead of the horseshoe or other shaped bandle-spring, a spiral,
flat or buckle spring either along the outside back of the tube or hidden inside the
tubes with two buttons or finger touches projecting through the slots to the outside
to allow of the opening pressure between the thumb and fingers. Fig. F.
2. The tubes can also be replaced by flat or other shaped pieces which may be
bent at an acute angle, so that the slots being cut in what may be called the upper
flat surfaces of the two pieces and adjusted so that the slots in one piece cross the
slots in the other at equal angles, the lower edges of the two pieces being bent
inwards at an acute angle so as to meet each other, the grip is produced by the
pressure of the spring in the slots drawing the opposite edges of the two pieces
towards each other, substantially as described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same may be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
An improved clip with automatic grip obtained by the sliding in slots cut spirally
or diagonally in two similar pieces and adjusted so that the slots in one piece cross

page_text: the slots in the other at equal angles, of the ends of a spring or of pieces actuated
by a spring, so that the pressure of the spring in the slots forces the opposite edges
of the two pieces together, substantially as described.
Dated this 14th day of October 1895.
OSCAR
LEHMANN,
101 Clarendon Road, Notting Hill, London, W.