Silicone clip

Abstract

Disclosed is a clip (100) for a bracelet and/or a necklace. The clip in a closed state having a through hole (102) allowing said clip to wreathe an elongated member (301) of a bracelet and/or necklace. The clip comprises: a first part (120) and a second part (130), the first and second parts being connected by a hinge (101); and a resilient element (150) arranged in the second part. The resilient element comprising a first gripping surface for frictionally gripping a surface (151) of the elongated member. The resilient element being spaced apart from the first part. The first part comprises a rigid second gripping surface (121, 122) for gripping a surface of the elongated member, and the resilient element and the rigid second gripping surface allows the clip to be releasably secured at selected positions along the elongated member and allows said clip in a closed state to be movable along the elongated member, on which it is positioned by exerting a force in the axial direction.

Claims

1. A clip for one or more of a bracelet or a necklace, said clip in a closed state having a through hole allowing said clip to wreathe an elongated member of the one or more of the bracelet or the necklace, said through hole defining a through hole axis extending in an axial direction, with a radial direction extending radially from the axial direction; said clip comprising: a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being connected by a hinge; and a resilient element arranged in a cavity of said second part, the cavity extending in the radial direction, the cavity extending in the axial direction between two sides of the second part, the two sides of the second part defining a portion of the through hole, the resilient element comprising a first gripping surface for frictionally gripping a surface of the elongated member, the resilient element being spaced apart from the first part; wherein the first part comprises a rigid second gripping surface for gripping the surface of the elongated member, and the resilient element and the rigid second gripping surface allow said clip to be releasably secured at selected positions along the elongated member and allow said clip in the closed state to be movable along the elongated member, on which said clip is configured to be positioned by exerting a force in the axial direction.

2. A clip according to claim 1, the resilient element comprises a first resilient part arranged inside said cavity and a second resilient part arranged outside said cavity and extending in the radial direction from said cavity, wherein said cavity is configured to secure the resilient element in said second part.

3. A clip according to claim 2, wherein said cavity is shaped so as to grip the first resilient part and secure the resilient element in said second part.

4. A clip according to claim 3, wherein an air filled cavity is formed between a bottom of the resilient element and a bottom of said cavity at least when the resilient element is in an un-compressed state, thereby allowing the resilient element to expand further into said cavity in response to a force exerted by the elongated member of the one or more of the bracelet or the necklace on the first gripping surface.

5. A clip according to claim 2, wherein the first resilient part has a first outer surface and the second resilient part has a second outer surface, the first outer surface and the second outer surface extending at an angle with respect to each other.

6. A clip according to claim 5, wherein an air filled cavity is formed between a bottom of the resilient element and a bottom of said cavity at least when the resilient element is in an un-compressed state, thereby allowing the resilient element to expand further into said cavity in response to a force exerted by the elongated member of the one or more of the bracelet or the necklace on the first gripping surface.

7. A clip according to claim 2, wherein said second part comprises a shell having an outer surface and an inner surface, said cavity comprises at least one side wall extending from the inner surface of the shell of said second part, the at least one side wall being configured to grip the first resilient part and secure the resilient element in said second part.

8. A clip according to claim 7, wherein an air filled cavity is formed between a bottom of the resilient element and a bottom of said cavity at least when the resilient element is in an un-compressed state, thereby allowing the resilient element to expand further into said cavity in response to a force exerted by the elongated member of the one or more of the bracelet or the necklace on the first gripping surface.

9. A clip according to claim 2, wherein the two sides are arranged to form edges of a shell, the shell having an outer surface and an inner surface, said cavity is further defined by two side walls extending from the inner surface of the shell of the second part, the two side walls being configured to grip the first resilient part and secure the resilient element in said second part.

10. A clip according to claim 2, wherein an air filled cavity is formed between a bottom of the resilient element and a bottom of said cavity at least when the resilient element is in an un-compressed state, thereby allowing the resilient element to expand further into said cavity in response to a force exerted by the elongated member of the one or more of the bracelet or the necklace on the first gripping surface.

11. A clip according to claim 10, wherein the resilient element has a third resilient part, the third resilient part protruding from the first gripping surface, the third resilient part having a third gripping surface for gripping the surface of the elongated member, whereby the clip is configured to be releasably secured to parts of the elongated member having different widths.

12. A clip according to claim 1, the resilient element comprising a first resilient part arranged inside said cavity and a second resilient part arranged outside said cavity and extending in the radial direction from said cavity, wherein the resilient element defines a height extending in the radial direction and a width along a reference axis being perpendicular to the radial direction and the through hole axis, where a maximum width of the first resilient part is larger than a maximum width of the second resilient part.

13. A clip according to claim 1, wherein the resilient element has a first resilient part, the first resilient part being configured to protrude from the first gripping surface and having a third gripping surface for gripping the surface of the elongated member, whereby the clip is configured to be releasably secured to parts of the elongated member having different widths.

14. A clip according to claim 13, wherein the resilient element has a second resilient part, the second resilient part being configured to protrude from the first gripping surface and having a fourth gripping surface for gripping the surface of the elongated member.

15. A clip according to claim 1, wherein one or more of a first or a second opening of the through hole of the clip have a shape and size substantially matching the shape and size of a part of the elongated member of the one or more of the bracelet or necklace designated for receiving the clip.

16. A clip according to claim 1, wherein said first part comprises a closing element for releasably securing said first and second part to each other in said closed state of the clip.

17. A clip according to claim 2, wherein the resilient element has a third resilient part and a fourth resilient part, wherein the third resilient part is configured to protrude from the first gripping surface and have a third gripping surface for gripping the surface of the elongated member and the fourth resilient part is configured to protrude from the first gripping surface and have a fourth gripping surface for gripping the surface of the elongated member, whereby the clip is configured to be releasably secured to parts of the elongated member having different widths, wherein an air filled cavity is formed between a bottom of the resilient element and a bottom of said cavity at least when the resilient element is in an un-compressed state, thereby allowing the resilient element to expand further into said cavity in response to a force exerted by the elongated member of the one or more of the bracelet or the necklace on the first gripping surface.

18. A bracelet or a necklace set comprising: an elongated member; a band fixed to the elongated member, the band having an extended width compared with widths of remaining parts of the elongated member; and a clip configured to be releasably secured at selected positions along at least a part of the elongated member, said clip in a closed state having a through hole allowing said clip to wreathe the elongated member, said through hole defining a through hole axis extending in an axial direction, with a radial direction extending radially from the axial direction, wherein said clip comprises: a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being connected by a hinge; and a resilient element arranged in said second part, the resilient element comprising a first gripping surface for frictionally gripping a surface of the elongated member and being spaced apart from the first part; wherein the first part comprises a rigid second gripping surface for gripping the surface of the elongated member, and the resilient element and the rigid second gripping surface allow said clip to be releasably secured at selected positions along the elongated member and allow said clip in the closed state to be movable along the elongated member, on which said clip is configured to be positioned by exerting a force in the axial direction, and wherein the clip is configured so that the rigid second gripping surface and the first gripping surface grip the band to allow said clip to be releasably attached to said band.

19. A bracelet or a necklace according to claim 18, wherein the resilient element is arranged in a cavity of said second part, the cavity extending in the radial direction, the cavity extending in the axial direction between two sides of the second part, the two sides of the second part defining a portion of the through hole.

20. A method for an assembly of a clip, said clip in a closed state having a through hole allowing said clip to wreathe an elongated member of one or more of a bracelet or a necklace, said through hole defining a through hole axis extending in an axial direction, with a radial direction extending radially from the axial direction, the method comprising: providing a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being connected by a hinge and the first part having a rigid second gripping surface for gripping a surface of the elongated member; providing a resilient element comprising a first gripping surface for frictionally gripping the surface of the elongated member; and inserting the resilient element in said second part, the resilient element being spaced apart from the first part and being arranged within a cavity of the second part such that the resilient element is not fixedly attached to the second part and is movable within the cavity.

Description

(1) The above and/or additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further elucidated by the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

(2) FIGS. 1A-C show a clip according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIGS. 2A-C show a resilient element for a clip according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3A shows an exploded view of a clip according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of a clip according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a first part of a clip according to an embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a first part of a clip according to an embodiment of the invention.

(8) FIGS. 7A-C show a clip according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

(9) FIGS. 8A-E show a resilient element for a clip according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of a clip according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

(11) FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of a clip according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 11 shows schematically a bracelet/necklace comprising one or more clips according an embodiment of the invention.

(13) In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying figures, which show by way of illustration how the invention may be practiced.

(14) FIGS. 1-5 show a clip 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A-C show the clip 100 assembled, where FIG. 1A shows a side view, FIG. 1B shows a perspective view, and FIG. 1C shows a top view.

(15) FIGS. 2A-C show a resilient element 150 of the clip 100, where FIG. 2A shows a bottom view, FIG. 2B shows a side view, and FIG. 2C shows a perspective view.

(16) FIG. 3A shows an exploded view of the clip 100.

(17) FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the clip along the line A shown in FIG. 1C. FIG. 5A-B show perspective views of a first part of the clip 120, where FIG. 5A shows the first part 120 with a closing element 106 inserted, and FIG. 5B shows the first part 120 without the closing element. FIG. 5C shows the closing element.

(18) In the following reference will be made to FIGS. 1-5.

(19) The clip 100 is a clip for a bracelet and/or a necklace. The clip in a closed state (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4) have a through hole 102 allowing the clip 100 to wreathe an elongated member (such as a chain) of a bracelet and/or necklace. The through hole 102 defining a through hole axis 103 extending in an axial direction, with a radial direction 104 extending radially from the axial direction. The clip 100 comprises a first part 120 and a second part 130, the first and second parts 120 130 being connected by a hinge 101. The clip 100 further comprise a resilient element 150 arranged in the second part 130. The resilient element 150 comprises a first gripping surface 151 for frictionally gripping a surface of the elongated member of a bracelet/necklace. The resilient element 150 is spaced apart from the first part 120 i.e. the resilient element 150 does not touch first part 120. The first part 120 comprises two rigid gripping surfaces 121 122 for gripping a surface of the elongated member. In this embodiment two rigid gripping surfaces 121 122 are two ridges arranged at the first and second opening of the through hole 102 respectively. FIG. 6 shows an alternative design of the first element according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the first part 120 only is provided with a single rigid gripping surface 121.

(20) The resilient element 150 and the rigid gripping surfaces 121 122 allows the clip to be releasably secured at selected positions along the elongated member i.e. the resilient element 150 and the rigid gripping surfaces 121 together grips the elongated member and secures the clip to the elongated member.

(21) The clip may be forced to move along the elongated member, on which it is positioned by exerting a force in the axial direction, preferably using a hand. Thereby the clip in the closed state can be moved along the elongated member.

(22) In this embodiment the through hole is circular and the clip 100 have a cylindrical shape.

(23) In this embodiment the two gripping surface 121 122 have a concave shape (in a plane being perpendicular to the through hole axis 103).

(24) The first gripping surface 150 is a smooth even surface.

(25) The through 102 hole may have a varying width (measured in planes being perpendicular to the through hole axis 103, i.e. the through hole is wider at a central part than at the first and second openings of the through hole 103.

(26) The second part 130 comprises a cavity 140 extending in the radial direction 104, the resilient element 150 comprises a first resilient part 160 arranged inside the cavity 140 and a second resilient part 170 arranged outside the cavity 140 and extending in the radial direction 104 from the cavity 140. The cavity 140 being configured to secure the resilient element 150 in the second part 130.

(27) Consequently, the resilient element may be secured to the second part in an easy and secure manner. This further allows the resilient element to be secured to the second part without the use of an adhesive, thereby protecting the user from coming into contact with potential harmful chemicals and increasing the aesthetic value of the ornamental component.

(28) The cavity 140 is shaped so as to grip the first resilient part 160 and secure the resilient element 150 in the second part 130.

(29) The first resilient part 160 has a first outer surface 161 and the second resilient part 170 has a second outer surface 171, the first outer surface 161 and the second outer surface 171 extending at an angle with respect to each other.

(30) The second part comprises a shell 131 having an outer surface 132 and an inner surface 133, the cavity 140 comprises a first side wall 141 and a second side wall 142 extending from the inner surface of the shell 133 of the second part 130, the first and second side wall 141 142 being configured to grip the first resilient part 160 and secure the resilient element 150 in the second part 130 of the clip 100.

(31) The resilient element 150 has a height 152 extending in the radial direction and a width 172 162 along a reference axis being perpendicular to the radial direction and the through hole axis 103, where the maximum width 162 of the first resilient part 160 is larger than the maximum width 172 of the second resilient part 170.

(32) Thus the width of the first resilient part 16 and the shape/orientation of the first and second side walls 141 142 secures the resilient element 150 to the second part 130.

(33) An air filled cavity 145 is formed between a bottom of the resilient element 150 and a bottom of the cavity 140 at least when the resilient element is in an un-compressed state, thereby allowing the resilient member 150 to expand further into the cavity 190 in response to a force exerted by an elongated member of a bracelet and/or necklace on the first gripping surface 515.

(34) This may reduce the stress induced on the resilient element 150 during normal use. Furthermore, it may limit the expansion of the resilient element 150 in a direction along the through hole axis 103, thereby both securing that the resilient element 150 is kept within the protective first and second parts 120 130 of the clip 100 and prevent the resilient element 150 from being twisted out of the cavity 140. The air filled cavity 145 may further function as an air spring helping to secure the clip 100 to the elongated member.

(35) The first part 120 comprises a closing element 106 for releasably securing the first and second part to each other in the closed state of the clip 100.

(36) The closing element 106 is arranged inside the clip 100, so that the clip encloses the closing element in said closed state of the clip.

(37) The closing element 106 is a leaf spring arranged inside the first part 120, a part of the leaf spring extending out of the first part 120 and in a closed state of the clip extending into the second part 130.

(38) Having the resilient element 150 arranged in the second part 130, makes it is possible to arrange the closing element 106 mainly inside the first part 120.

(39) The first part comprises a protruding member 108 for securing the closing element 106 to the first part 120, and the closing element 106 comprises an opening 109 for receiving the protruding member 108.

(40) FIGS. 7-10 show a clip 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A-C show the clip 200 assembled, where FIG. 7A shows a side view, FIG. 7B shows a perspective view, and FIG. 7C shows a top view.

(41) FIGS. 8A-E show a resilient element 250 of the clip 200, where FIG. 8A shows a top view, FIG. 8B shows a side view, and FIG. 8C-D show perspective views, and FIG. 8e shows a front view.

(42) FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the clip 200.

(43) FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of the clip 200 along the line B shown in FIG. 7C.

(44) In the following reference will be made to FIGS. 7-10.

(45) The clip 200 is a clip for a bracelet and/or a necklace. The clip in a closed state (as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10) have a through hole 202 allowing the clip 200 to wreathe an elongated member (such as a chain) of a bracelet and/or necklace. The through hole 202 defining a through hole axis 203 extending in an axial direction, with a radial direction extending radially from the axial direction. The clip 200 comprises a first part 220 and a second part 230, the first and second parts 220 230 being connected by a hinge 201. The clip 200 further comprise a resilient element 250 arranged in the second part 230. The resilient element 250 comprises a first gripping surface 251 for frictionally gripping a surface of the elongated member of a bracelet/necklace. The resilient element 250 is spaced apart from the first part 220 i.e. the resilient element 250 does not touch first part 220. The first part 220 comprises two rigid gripping surfaces 221 222 for gripping a surface of the elongated member. In this embodiment two rigid gripping surfaces 221 222 are two ridges arranged at the first and second opening of the through hole 202 respectively. The clip 200 according to the second embodiment is generally similar to the clip 100 according to the first embodiment (disclosed in relation to FIGS. 1-5). There are however two main differences: the outer shape of the clip 200 (being spherical) and the design of the resilient element 250.

(46) In this embodiment the resilient element 250 has a third resilient part 280, the third resilient part 280 protruding from the first gripping surface 251, the third resilient part 280 having a third gripping surface 281 for gripping a surface of the elongated member. The resilient element 250 has a fourth resilient part 290, the fourth resilient part 290 protruding from the gripping surface 251, the fourth resilient part 290 having a fourth gripping surface 282 for gripping a surface of the elongated member. By providing a resilient element 250 having the third and fourth resilient parts 280 290 protruding from the first gripping surface 251, the clip 200 may be positioned on parts of the elongated member having different widths i.e. the first gripping surface 251 may enable the clip 200 to grip around parts of the elongated member having an extended width such as a band on the elongated member (as long as the length of the band is not larger than the distance 299 between the third resilient part 280 and the fourth resilient part 290), and the third and fourth gripping surface 281 282 may grip around the remaining parts of the elongated member.

(47) FIG. 11 shows schematically a bracelet/necklace 300 comprising an elongated member 301 and one or more clips 304-307 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The elongated member 301 comprises two bands 302 303 having an extended width compared with the width of the remaining parts of the elongated member 301. The clips 304-307 are only shown schematically. The clip disclosed in relation to FIGS. 1-5 may be secured to the elongated member only at the bands 302 303 or only at the remaining parts of the elongated member (unless the width of the bands only is slightly extended). Preferably, the clip disclosed in relation to FIGS. 1-5 is configured to be secured to the remaining parts of the elongated member. However, the clip disclosed in relation to FIGS. 7-10 may be secured to the elongated member both at the bands 302 303 and at the remaining parts of the elongated member as a result of the three gripping surfaces 251 281 282.

(48) When the clip disclosed in relation to FIGS. 7-10 is attached at a band 302/303 the first gripping surface 251 will abut and thereby frictionally grip the surface of the band 302/303 and the third gripping surface 281 of the third resilient part 280 will abut and thereby frictionally grip the elongated member 301 on one side of the band and the fourth gripping surface 282 of the fourth resilient part 290 will grip the elongated member 301 on another side of the band opposite the third resilient part 280.

(49) Alternatively, when the clip disclosed in relation to FIGS. 7-10 is attached at the elongated member 301, the third gripping surface 281 of the third resilient part 280 will abut and thereby frictionally grip the elongated member 301 and the fourth gripping surface 282 of the fourth resilient part 290 will likewise grip the elongated member 301.

(50) Depending on the deformation of the resilient element when the clip is closed, the first gripping surface 251 may also abut and thereby frictionally grip the surface of the band 302/303 between the third resilient part 280 and the fourth resilient part 290.

(51) In some embodiments the first gripping surface does not abutt the elongated element.

(52) Although some embodiments have been described and shown in detail, the invention is not restricted to them, but may also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined in the following claims. In particular, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilised and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

(53) In device claims enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims or described in different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

(54) It should be emphasized that the term comprises/comprising when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.