CLIP DEVICE AND METHODS
OF CONSTRUCTING AND UTILIZING SAME
The invention relates to color-coded devices and kits of components to mark or identify mating parts, hoses, wires, etc., and methods of constructing and utilizing same.
The invention provides a kit of components, comprising a plurality of one-piece unitary, integral, resilient clips. Such plurality of clips is provided in color-coded pairs so that the color of any particular pair is different than the color of all of the remaining pairs.
Figure 1 shows a resilient clip of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a resilient clip as it comes out of a mold in accordance with a second embodiment.
Figure 3 shows the Figure 2 clip after one arm has been flexed up and brought over to engage the other arm.
Figure 4 depicts a view of the Figure 3 clip taken along line 4-4.
Figure 5 shows a third embodiment.
Figure 6 is a partial view of a fourth embodiment.
Figure 7 shows a tray which forms part of a kit of components according to the invention.
Figure 8'is a holder which forms part of the kit.
Figure 9 is another embodiment of the holder.
Figure 10 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the resilient clip.
Figure 11 depicts a view of Figure 10 on line 11-11.
Figure 12 illustrates a spring which is molded into the clip in Figure 10.
Figure 13 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the resilient clip.
Figure 14 illustrates the clip of Figure 13 in its final form.
Figure 15 depicts a view of Figure 14 along the line 15-15.
Figure 1 shows a one-piece unitary, integral, resilient clip 1 in accordance with the invention. The feature of the invention is to use clips in color mating pairs for identiitring parts which are being assembled or disassembled.
Clip 1 has a main portion 5 provided with an integral first arm 2 at a first end, and an integral second arm, comprised of elements 3 and 4, at a second end. Clip 1 is adapted to be selectively and releasably secured to an external object, such as an engine part, cable, hose, wire, etc., when the first and second arms are positioned on substantially opposite sides of the external object so that clip 1 is held onto the object by at least one resilient force.
It is preferable to fabricate clip 1 so that angle A falls within the range of 1000 to 1300, but preferably at apFroximately 1120, and that angle B formed between element 3 and portion 5 falls within the range of 1300 through 1600, but preferably at approximately 1400.
The portion between elements 3 and 4 may be formed with a flat surface 6 so that when the arms are spread apart the object is gripped between substantially opposing flat surfaces.
Clips 1 may form part of a kit of components wherein there is provided a plurality of clips 1 arranged in color-coded pairs so that the color of any pair is different than the color of all of the remaining pairs. For example, there may be a red pair of clips 1, an orange pair of clips 1, a green pair of clips 1, etc. A mechanic in disassembling an engine may separate or disassemble two parts which can be identified by securing a clip 1 on one part and a clip 1 on its mating part so that both clips have the same color. As an alternative to color-coding, or in addition thereto, each pair of clips may be identified by being labeled with a specific number. For example, each of the red clips could be labeled number 1, each of the orange clips could be labeled number 2, etc.
Figure 2 shows a clip 7 according to a second embodiment. Clip 7 has a one-piece unitary, integral, resilient main portion 8 having an integral first arm 9 at one end and an integral second arm 10 at a second end. Arms 9 and 10 are disposed on opposite sides of a predetermined plane 11 which substantially perpendicularly bisects clip 7.
Figure 2 shows clip 7 as it emerges out of the mold which forms or fabricates it. For most uses, arm 9 would be flexed up and brought over to engage with arm 10 into the configuration shown in Figure 3. However, clip 7 has several uses in the configuration shown in Figure 2. In the configuration of Figure 2 the clip 7 could be securely attached to flat components, such as pieces of sheet metal, at the depicted engaging area between arms 9 and 10.
Also, in the configuration of Figure 2, portion 8 could be slipped around a suspended wire, rod or the like, so that clip 7 could be used as a suspended clip for holding parts in convenient suspended positions. Arms 9 and 10 may be flexed far enough apart to permit the clip to be readily slipped around the suspended wire in periphery 28, then arms 9 and 10 would be manipulated into the configuration of Figure 3, and finally a part (such as a fan belt) could be gripped by arms 9 and 10 to be suspended from the wire.
Arms 9 and 10 have a plurality of pairs of predetermined object-gripping arcuate portions, such as pairs 14 and 18, 15 and 19, 16 and 20, and 17 and 21, so that the radius of curvature of each arcuate portion of arm 9 is different, and the radius of curvature of each arcuate portion of arm 10 is different.
Each pair of object-gripping arcuate portions comprises an arcuate portion on arm 9 having a predetermined radius of curvature and an arcuate portion on arm 10 having a radius of curvature which is substantially equal to the predeteImined-radius of curvature on arm 9. For example, portions 15 and 19 would preferably have the same radii of curvature.
Arms 9 and 10 also have portions and 23 for gripping very small wires.
Clip 7 also has first and second ear members 24 and 25 to serve as hooks for hanging wires and hoses out of the way when gripped onto such external objects, to act as stop members for the opposing arms of the clip, and to act as stop members for the fingers of the user.
An optional feature is to have portion 8 provided with grooves, ribs or roughened portions 26 and 27 along at least a portion of the outer surface of portion 8. Grooves 26 and 27 improve the user's grip on the clip in greasy and oily environments.
Another feature is to have the clip fabricated from a chemically-resistant, non-conductive material which has a good resilient memory quality. Another feature is an auxiliary arm 29 having a groove formed along the length of its inner face, and the back portion of arm 9 has a corresponding groove indicated by the broken line 99. The two grooves jointly define a substantially cylindrical opening which can be used for attaching clip 7 to tubular objects. Optionally, arm 29 may have raised portions, such as raised bumps, formed along its grooved inner surface to achieve a better grip on tubular objects.
The aperture shown in Figure 3 between portions 14 and 18 can be varied in size depending upon movement of ears 24 and 25. This creates an infinitely variable radius gripping surface for wires and other tubular objects.
Another feature is to provide periphery 28 large enough to permit clip 7 to be held on the finger of the user.
Arms 9 and 10 have in their end portions a partial tubular configuration at 12 and 13, to enable arms 9 and 10 to grip a tubular external object having its major elongated axis pointing toward portion 8. Such tubular external object may be a cable, wire, a projecting sensor stud, etc. Also, the pin-like or pointed portions of configuration 12 and 13 are useful for digging into or more securely gripping external objects.
Figure 5 shows a clip 30 having opposing substantially flat portions 31 and 32 on integral arms 38 and 39. At the end of arms 38 and 39 there are substantially opposing grooved or toothed portions 32 and 33 for gripping an external object. The external surfaces of portions 33, 33' are tapered such that they become narrower at the front portions thereof.
Clip 30 has ears 34 and 35 between a main portion 40 and arms 39 and 38. Ear 34 has grooves 35, and ear 35 has grooves 36 to improve gripability.
Figure 6 shows a partial view of a modification of clips 7 and 30 shown in Figures 2 through 5. The clip 42 has a least one of its integral first and second arms provided with at least one internally-radiating member 43 for selectively and releasably gripping an external object 47, such as a suspended wire, between member 43 and the internal periphery 44 of the main portion 45.
Member 43 has a curved seat portion 46 to facilitate gripping object 47 between member 43 and portion 45.
Figure 7 shows a tray 50 having a raised portion 52 to which a plurality of color-coded pairs of clips may be selectively and releasably secured and displayed Tray 50 forms part of the kit of components according to the invention. Portion 52 surrounds a message portion 53 which includes any cautionary notices or instructions for the user.
In packaging the kit, the tray 50 is arranged with pairs of color-coded clips mounted and displayed along portion 52. The entire assemblage can then be placed in a cardboard or styrofoam container, or alternatively be blister packed.
Figure 8 shows a holder 60 having two end pieces 61 and 62 for slidably and removably holding an elongated shaft 63 to which a plurality of color-coded pairs of clips may be selectively and releasably secured and displayed. An optional feature of holder 60 are rubberized and/or magnetized pads 64 and and 65 secured to the bottom of end pieces 61 and 62.
This permits holder 60 to be easily secured in a working position, such as under the hood of an automobile. Pieces 61 and 62 have opening 66 for receiving opposite ends of shaft 63. Openings 66 are sized to permit pieces 61 and 62 to securely and slidingly engage shaft 63. Each piece 61 and 62 has a groove 67 formed in a top surface, the groove being sized to securely grip on the end of shaft 63 so that the shaft can be used in an upstanding position, if desired. Grooves 67 could alternatively be formed as cylindrical or ova recesses.
The color-coded pairs of clips may be arranged along shaft 63, and the entire assemblage blister packed or placed in an appropriate carton to be sold as the kit of components with the instructions and cautionary notice.
Figure 9 shows an alternative holder 70 having an elongated shaft 71 with a cross section 72 which matches at least a portion of the shape formed between the arms of clip 7 when clip 7 is selectively and releasably secured to shaft 71, so that the clips 7 may be selectively and releasably secured and displayed on shaft 71.
Holder 70 is provided with a base 73 to which is secured an upright portion 74 affixed to shaft 71. Base 73 may be provided with a magnetic and/or rubber pad for convenient mounting.
An optional feature is to provide portion 74 with triangular-shaped clip separating elements 75 and 76, distributed along the entire length of shaft 71.
Elements 75 and 76 permit a pair of clips to be disposed therebetween, and separate it from the adjacent pair of clips.
Figure 10 shows a clip 80, similar to that shown in Figure 6, which is used as a clothes hanger. Clip 80 includes clothes gripping surfaces 84, internally radiating member 83, curved seat portion 82, ears 91, 91', first and second arms 78, 79, diamond cut-out portion 86, and spring 85 which can be molded within clip 80.
In use, clip 80 will engage a clothesline 81 on portion 82 while clothes are hung by clothes surfaces 84. An optional feature includes spring 85, which ensures the clip 80 will retain the 2'memory" required to support clothing for an extended period of time.
Spring 85 (Fig. 12) almost forms a complete circle and is similar in shape to main portion 88 including member 83.
Surfaces 84 include interlocking ribs 90 and curved end portions 89
Portions 89 ensure easy entry of a piece of clothing into surfaces 84. Surfaces 84 include opposite flat portions 87, 87' adjacent portions 89. Ribs 90 may optionally include roughened portions 98 similar to the finger gripping elements 92.
Cut-out 86 may be varied in size to vary the tension of the clip.
The mold used to produce clip 80 is similar to the mold employed to produce clip 7. However, a spring is centered in the mold by a channel so that clip 80 is formed around the spring.
Figure 13 shows a clip 100 which is similar to the clip shown in Figure 2 as the clip comes out of the mold. This clip is specifically designed for use in conjunction with smaller devices and small electrical wires. For example, clip 100 may be used in a kit as previously described, for rebuilding carburetors and the small hoses and/or wires associated therewith.
Clip 100 includes a main portion 101, ears 102, 102', arms 103, 104, finger gripping elements 105, and article gripping arcuate portions 106, 107.
Portions 106, 107 may vary in size. As shown in Figure 15, the clip also includes a partial tubular configuration shown as 112 and 113.
