Skirt clip

Abstract

The clip is formed of resilient plastic material and includes first and second parts pivotally connected by a connecting member. Each of the parts includes a gripping portion and a locking portion. Each of the gripping portions includes first and second connected portions, at least one of which has a gripping surface. A locking part is pivotally mounted to one of the locking portions for movement relative to the other locking portion between locked and unlocked positions. The locking part is adapted to engage the other of the locking portions in the locking position. Movement of the locking part toward the locked position causes the gripping surfaces to move toward each other to retain the article therebetween.

Claims

1. A clip for retaining a garment formed of resilient plastic material comprising first and second parts flexibly connected by a connecting member, each of said parts comprising a gripping portion below said connecting, member and a locking portion above said connecting member, each of said gripping portions comprising a gripping member having an outer portion and an inner portion, said inner portion comprising a substantially planar gripping surface, a locking part mounted for movement between locked and unlocked positions, wherein said locking part causes said gripping members to move toward each other as it is moved toward said locked position such that said gripping surfaces of said inner portions are aligned substantially parallel relation so as to retain the garment therebetween.

2. The clip of claim 1 wherein one of said inner parts comprises a member limiting the amount of movement of said inner part toward the gripping member to which it is attached.

3. The clip of claim 1 wherein each of said inner parts comprises a member limiting the amount of movement of the inner part toward the gripping member to which it is attached.

4. The clip of claim 1 further comprising at least two spaced protrusions mounted on at least one of said gripping surfaces.

5. The clip of claim 1 further comprising at least two spaced protrusions mounted on of each of said gripping surfaces.

6. The clip of claim 1 wherein said locking part comprises an arcuate portion and a part extending beyond said arcuate portion to facilitate grasping of said locking part.

7. The clip of claim 6 wherein said grasping part extends from said locking part in a direction substantially parallel to said connecting member, when said locking part is in, its locked position.

8. A clip for retaining a garment formed of resilient plastic material comprising first and second parts pivotally connected by a connecting member, each of said parts comprising a gripping portion and a locking portion, each of said gripping portions comprising a generally U shaped member comprising an inner portion having a gripping surface, a locking part pivotally mounted to one of said locking portions for movement relative to said other locking portion between locked and unlocked positions, said locking part being adapted to engage said other of said locking portions in said locked position, wherein movement of said locking part toward said locked position causes said gripping surfaces to move toward each other to align in substantially parallel relation to retain the garment therebetween.

9. The clip of claim 8 wherein one of said inner portions comprises an outer portion and a member limiting the amount of movement of said inner portion toward said outer portion.

10. The clip of claim 8 wherein said movement limiting member extends from said inner portion toward said outer portion.

11. The clip of claim 8 further comprising at least two spaced protrusions mounted on at least one of said gripping surfaces.

12. The clip of claim 8 further comprising at least two spaced protrusions mounted on of each of said gripping surfaces.

13. The clip of claim 8 wherein said locking part comprises an arcuate portion and a part extending beyond said arcuate portion to facilitate grasping of said locking part.

14. The clip of claim 13 wherein said grasping part extends from said locking part in, a direction substantially parallel to said connecting member, when said locking part is in its locked position.

15. A clip for retaining a garment comprising first and second parts flexibly connected by a connecting member each of said parts comprising a gripping portion and a locking portion, each of said gripping portions comprising first and second connected portions each of which comprises an inner portion having a gripping surface, an end and a member extending from said inner portion end at an obtuse angle, a locking part mounted for movement between locked and unlocked positions, wherein movement of said locking part toward said locked position causes said gripping surfaces to move toward each other to retain the article therebetween.

16. The clip of claim 15 further comprising at least two spaced protrusions mounted on at least one of said gripping surfaces.

17. The clip of claim 15 wherein said locking part comprises an arcuate portion and a part extending beyond said arcuate portion to facilitate grasping of said locking part.

18. The clip of claim 17 wherein said grasping part extends from said locking part in a direction substantially parallel to said connecting member, when said locking part is in its locked position.

19. A clip for retaining a garment formed of resilient plastic material comprising first and second parts pivotally connected by a connecting member, each of said parts comprising a gripping portion below said connecting member and a locking portion above said connecting member, each of said gripping portions comprising a gripping member having an end and an inner part comprising a gripping surface attached to said end, and each of said locking portions comprising an end, a locking part pivotally mounted to said end of one of said locking portions for movement relative to said other locking portion between locked and unlocked positions, said locking part adapted to engage said end of the other of said locking portions in said locked position, wherein said locking part causes said gripping members to move toward each other as it is moved toward, said locked position such that said gripping surfaces of said inner parts retain the garment therebetween, wherein one of said inner parts comprises a member limiting the amount of movement of said inner part toward the gripping member to which it is attached.

20. A clip for retaining a garment formed of resilient plastic material comprising first and second parts pivotally connected by a connecting member, each of said parts comprising a gripping portion below said connecting member and a locking portion above said connecting member, each of said gripping portions comprising a gripping member having an end and an inner part comprising a gripping surface attached to said end, and each of said locking portions comprising an end, a locking part pivotally mounted to said end of one of said locking portions for movement relative to said other locking portion between locked and unlocked positions, said locking part adapted to engage said end of the other of said locking portions in said locked, position, wherein said locking part causes said gripping members to move toward each other as it is moved toward said locked position such that said gripping surfaces of said inner parts retain the garment therebetween, wherein each of said inner parts comprises a member limiting the amount of movement of the inner part toward the gripping member to which it is attached.

21. A clip for retaining a garment formed of resilient plastic material comprising first and second parts pivotally connected by a connecting member, each of said parts comprising a gripping portion and a locking portion, each of said gripping portions comprising a gripping surface, a locking part pivotally mounted to one of said locking portions for movement relative to said other locking portion between locked and unlocked positions, said locking part being adapted to engage said other of said locking portions in said locked position, wherein movement of said locking part toward said locked position causes said gripping surfaces to move toward each other to retain the garment therebetween, wherein each of said gripping portions comprises an inner part attached thereto and a member limiting the amount, of movement of said inner member toward the gripping portion to which it is attached.

22. A clip for retaining a garment comprising first and second parts pivotally connected by a connecting member, each of said parts comprising a gripping portion and a locking portion, each of said gripping portions comprising first and second connected portions one of which has a gripping surface, a locking part pivotally mounted to one of said locking portions for movement relative to said other locking portion between locked and unlocked positions, said locking part being adapted to engage said other of said locking portions in said locking position, wherein movement of said locking part toward said locked position causes said gripping surfaces to move toward each other to retain the article therebetween, wherein each of said gripping portions comprises member limiting the amount of movement of said gripping portion.

23. A clip for retaining a garment comprising first and second parts pivotally connected by a connecting member, each of said parts comprising a gripping portion and a locking portion, each of said gripping portions comprising first and second connected portions one of which has a gripping surface, a locking part pivotally mounted to one of said locking portions for movement relative to said other locking portion between locked and unlocked positions, said locking part being adapted to engage said other of said locking portions in said locking position, wherein movement of said locking part toward said locked position causes said gripping surfaces to move toward each other to retain the article therebetween, wherein said locking part comprises an arcuate portion and further comprising a part extending beyond said arcuate portion to facilitate grasping of said, locking part.

24. A clip for retaining a garment comprising first and second parts pivotally connected by a connecting member, each of said parts comprising a gripping portion and a locking portion, each of said gripping portions comprising first and second connected portions one of which has a gripping surface, a locking part pivotally mounted to one of said locking portions for movement relative to said other locking portion between locked and unlocked positions, said locking part being adapted to engage said other of said locking portions in said locking position, wherein movement of said locking part toward said locked position causes said gripping surfaces to move toward each other to retain the article therebetween, wherein said grasping part extends from said locking part in a direction substantially parallel to said connecting member, when said locking part is in its locked position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

(1) To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appears, the present invention relates to a clip for a garment such as a skirt as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the clip of the present invention showing the front, bottom and one side thereof;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clip of the present invention showing the front, top and other side thereof;

(4) FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the clip with the locking part in the unlocked position;

(5) FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the clip with the locking part in the locked position;

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the clip in the locked position as it would appear mounted on a hanger and retaining a skirt; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hanger with spaced clips as it would appear in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) As illustrated in the figures, the present invention relates to a clip, generally designated A, for retaining a garment, generally designated B, such as a skirt. As will become apparent from the following description, the clip is formed of resilient material such as plastic such that it is somewhat flexible.

(9) The clip includes a first part, generally designated 10 and a second part generally designated 12. Parts 10 and 12 are connected by a connecting member 14.

(10) Each of the parts 10, 12 includes a gripping portion 16, 17 situated below connecting member 14 and a locking portion 18, 19 situated above connecting member 14. Each of the gripping portions 16, 17 includes a gripping member 20 having an end 22 and an inner part 24 attached to end 22. Each inner part 24 has a gripping surface 26.

(11) Each of the locking portions 18, 19 has an end 28, 34. A locking part 30 is pivotally mounted to end 28 of locking portion 18 by a living hinge 32. Locking part 30 is moveable relative to the end 34 of the locking portion 19 between unlocked and locked positions, seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively.

(12) In its locked position, locking part 30 engages end 34 of locking portion 19. The locking part causes gripping members 20 to move toward each other as the locking part is moved toward its locked position such that the gripping surfaces 26 of inner parts 24 retain article B therebetween.

(13) The inner parts 24 each carry a member 36 extending from the end thereof which limits the movement of the inner part toward the gripping member 20 to which it is attached, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. Each of the movement limiting members 36 extends at an obtuse angle from the end of the inner part to which it is attached.

(14) At least two spaced teeth or protrusions 38 are mounted on one or both inner part surfaces 24. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, four protrusions 38 on each inner part are provided. The protrusions increase the gripping capability of the clip such that it can be used for garments of all fabrics.

(15) Locking part 30 has a generally S shape including an arcuate portion 40 adapted to engage end 34 of locking portion 19 of part 12, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

(16) Locking part 30 also has a part 42 extending beyond arcuate portion 40 which is shaped and located to facilitate grasping of the locking part. Part 42 extends from the locking part in a direction substantially parallel to connecting member 14, when the locking part is in its locked position.

(17) FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the clip of the present invention in use. As seen in FIG. 6, two clips A are used with a conventional wire hanger, generally designated C. Each clip is positioned on the hanger proximate a different end thereof and is locked as described above to retain garment B such that both ends of the garment are supported evenly and securely by the hanger.

(18) While only a single preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims: