Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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GARMENT HANGER WITH LOCKING INFORMATION CLIP
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent
Applications Serial No. 08/197,286, filed February 15, 1994
which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application
Serial No. 07/138,706 filed October 18, 1993 and of U.S.
Patent Application Serial No. 08/109,129, filed August 19,
1993.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed generally to garment
hangers of the type on which information clips may be
locked, and, in particular, to garment hangers adapted to
receive such a locking information clip so that its removal
is prevented or strongly inhibited, and to the locking
information clips themselves and to a combination of such a
hanger and its clip.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Garment hangers having information clips have been
previously known and used. U.S. 4,115,940, for example,
discloses a molded plastic garment hanger which includes a
web-like clip-mounting member or holder which exposes a free
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edge onto which an information clip may be mounted. The
information clip of the hanger disclosed in U.S. 4,115,940
is intended to be easily removable and therefore the hanger
offers no element or feature to prevent or discourage
information clip removal. Other disclosures of information
clips for garment hangers include U.S. Patent No. 3,949,914
issued April 13, 1976; U.S. Design Patent No. 244,197 issued
May 3, 1977; and U.S. Patent No. 4,997,114 issued March 5,
1991.
Such easily removable information clips are quite
satisfactory for appropriate applications. However, in view
of the small size of such clips, which may be readily
swallowed, and with increased concerns about child safety,
especially when such garment hangers are taken home with the
purchased garment, it becomes important to provide a garment
hanger which prevents the accidental or ready removal of
secured information clips. Also, where such clips may
provide price information, it is desirable to inhibit or
prevent even intentional removal, to minimize possible
fraudulent interchange of clips.
U.S. 5,096,101 and U.S. 5,199,608 disclose garment
hangers having lockable information clips. The garment
hangers disclosed in these two patents include elements
which discourage, but do not fully prevent, removal of a
secured information clip. These hangers are discussed below
with respect to Figs. 1 and 2 (labeled "Prior Art").
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the
invention to provide a garment hanger adapted to receive an
information clip and which will strongly discourage and
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prevent the accidental and/or intentional removal of the
clip from the hanger.
It is a further object of the invention to provide
such information clips which are readily fabricated by
economical processes, such as plastic extraction, and such
hangers which are economically fabricated by injection or
compression molding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to aspects of the present invention the
information clip not only resiliently engages a ledge
adjacent the edge of the clip holder, but in addition is
provided with means to discourage or prevent moving the clip
side walls apart to disengage the clip from the ledge. In
certain forms of the invention, further assurance of non-
removability is provided by engaging edges of the clip with
engagement elements on the clip holder, without interfering
with use of conventional molding for producing the hanger.
In other forms of the invention, other arrangements are
provided to retain the clip on the hanger by strongly
inhibiting lifting one or both side walls of the clip by use
of fingers or finger nails.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. l is a perspective view of a prior art
information clip;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the prior art
information clip of Fig. l as attached to a prior art clip
holder forming part of a garment hanger;
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Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an information
clip in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a
garment hanger showing a new clip holder in accordance with
the invention adapted to cooperate with the clip of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the garment
hanger of Fig. 4 showing details of the clip holder;
Fig. 6 is a front view of the clip holder of Fig.
4 viewed along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view
of a portion of the clip holder of Fig 6 showing details of
an engagement tab;
Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a garment
hanger showing details of the new clip holder of Fig. 4
securely holding the new information clip of Fig. 3;
Fig. 9A is an illustrative transverse sectional
view of a portion of the clip holder of Fig. 4 and the
information clip of Fig. 3 shown in a pre-mounting position;
Fig. 9B is an illustrative transverse sectional
view of a portion of the clip holder of Fig. 4 with the
information clip of Fig. 3 partially mounted to the clip
holder, but not yet securely locked;
Fig. 9C is a transverse sectional view of a
portion of the clip holder of Fig. 4 and the information
- clip of Fig. 3 in accordance with the invention, taken along
the line 9C-9C of Fig. 8 with the clip fully engaged with
the holder;
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Fig. 10 is a plan exploded view of a portion of a
garment hanger having a new clip holder in accordance with
the invention and a prior art information clip;
Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view of the new
clip holder in accordance with the invention taken along the
line 11-11 of Fig. 10, with a prior art information clip
prior to securement to the clip holder;
Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view similar to
Fig. 11 showing a prior art information clip secured to the
new clip holder in accordance with the invention.
Fig. 13 is an isometric view of the clip holder
portion of a garment hanger incorporating a modified form of
the present invention;
Fig. 14 is a plan view of a portion of a garment
hanger showing the hanger clip holder of Fig. 13;
Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the clip
holder of Fig. 14 viewed along line 15-15 therein;
Fig. 16 is a plan view of a portion of a garment
hanger having a clip holder with a clip in a locked
position, in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention;
Fig. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of a
hanger clip holder and a clip in the locked position, in
accordance with the invention, taken along lines 17-17 of
Fig. 16;
Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a clip and
the clip holder portion of a garment hanger in accordance
with still another embodiment of the invention;
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Fig. 19 is a side view o-f the information clip of
Fig. 18 shown without the clip holder.
Figs. 20A to 20D show cross-sectional views of
another embodiment of a clip and the clip holder portion of
a garment hanger, according to the invention, in various
stages of mounting the clip upon the holder.
Fig. 21 shows a cross-sectional view of still
another embodiment of a clip mounted on the clip holder
portion of a garment hanger according to the invention.
10Fig. 22A to 22C show cross-sectional views of yet
another embodiment of clip and holder according to the
invention.
Fig. 23A and 23B show cross-sectional views of
another form of clip and clip holder according to the
invention, in unmounted and mounted condition.
Figs. 24A to 24D show cross-sectional views of the
clip and clip holder portion of a garment hanger in yet
another form of the invention, in various stages of
assembly.
Fig. 25 shows a cross-sectional view of a
modification of Fig. 24 according to the invention, with a
clip mounted on its holder.
Figs. 26A to 26C show cross-sectional views of yet
another form of clip and clip holder portion of a garment
hanger according to the invention, in various stages of
mounting the clip on the holder. Figs. 27A to 27C show
cross-sectional views of the clip holder of figs. 26A to
26C, in combination with a different form of clip, at
various stages of mounting the clip on the holder.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the present drawings
(labeled "prior art"), a commercially available and commonly
used channel-shaped information clip 10 having a generally
U-shaped cross- section is shown, having a front surface 12,
integrally formed side walls 14 and 16, and corresponding
respective locking fingers 18 and 20. Each side wall 14, 16
defines a lower edge 22, 24, outer surfaces 14a, 16a and
inner surfaces 14b, 16b, respectively. ~he locking fingers
18, 20 are located along the inner surface 14b, 16b,
respectively, and run the length of the information clip 10.
An insertion opening 25 is defined by the two side walls 14,
16, between their lower edges 22, 24.
These prior art information clips 10 are usually
manufactured by an extrusion process using a resilient
plastic such as PVC or Nylon. The resulting extruded
information clip stock is then cut to a desired length
(between 3/4 and 1 inch~ for each clip. Any information
indicia, such as the size or price of a particular garment,
may be printed on the front surface 12 and/or the outer
surfaces 14a, 16a of the sidewalls 14, 16, using any
conventional lettering transfer or printing technique.
Referring to Fig. 2, the prior art clip holder 30
is shown in cross-section with a mounted prior art
information clip 10. The clip holder 30 includes a rounded
or tapered securing ridge 32 and a concealing ridge 34. The
information clip 10 is held to the clip holder 30 by the
engagement of each of the inwardly and upwardly directed
locking fingers 18, 20 with a respective shoulder on the
,
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securing ridge 32. The side walls-14, 16 are resilient when
they are displaced from a relaxed position. The material
used and the shape of the information clip 10 allows the
side walls to be displaced from each other, against the
inherent resiliency o~ the clip 10.
As the information clip 10 is pushed onto the
securing ridge 32 the legs 14, 16 are spread apart by the
ridge 32, until the locking fingers 18, 20 contact the
securing ridge 32. Further advance of the information clip
10 forces the two side walls 14, 16 further apart,
sufficiently to allow the flexible locking fingers 18, 20 to
clear the securing ridge 32. Once clear of ridge 32, the
locking fingers 18, 20 will spring back to engage the
shoulders on the inner side of the securing ridge 32 and the
side walls 14, 16 will move back toward their relaxed
position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The natural resiliency
of the information clip 10 provides a holding engagement
with the securing ridge 32.
The information clip 10 may be removed from the
20 securing ridge 32 by pulling the side walls 14, 16 apart
with respect to each other ~as illustrated by the arrows 26
in Fig. 2), against the inherent resiliency urging them to
the relaxed position, sufficiently for one or both of the
locking finger 18, 20 to clear its engagement with the
25 securing ridge 3 2. This prior art structure merely
discourages, but does not prevent, the removal of the
information clip 10, by somewhat inhibiting access to the
lower edges 22, 24 of the side walls 14, 16, by the
concealing ridge 34. In doing so, it becomes somewhat
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difficult, yet not at all impossibl-e, to pull either of the
side walls 14, 16 sufficiently apart from the holder to
remove the information clip lO from the clip holder 30 of
the prior art.
The present invention provides a much more secure
mounting of a clip on a clip holder, resistant to removal.
It comprises two interactive parts: a garment hanger with a
new clip holder and a new mating information clip. The
information clip, in accordance with the invention, is
designed to be easily positioned and locked onto the clip
holder to provide an arrangement which is not only child-
proof (i.e., where a child could not physically remove the
information clip once it was secured~ but also preventing
intentional manual removal of the clip by others.
However, both the present information clip and the
present clip holder are versatile. The information clip of
the invention may also be used with the prior art clip
holder 30 of Fig. 2, and also the present clip holder is
shaped to receive prior art information clips lO (as will be
evident from Figs. 10-12 described below). Because of the
limitations of the prior art described above, if a prior art
clip holder is used in combination with the clip of the
present invention, accidental or intentional separation of
the clip from the clip holder will only be discouraged and
not prevented.
In accordance with one embodiment of the
invention, and referring to Fig 3, an information clip 40
has a front surface 42, two opposing side walls 44, inwardly
directed locking projections 46, an insertion gap 48, and
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outer locking hooks 50. In the relaxed state of clip 40,
its projections 46 are desirably separated by a distance no
greater than the thickness of web 66 of the clip holder, so
as to enhance the engagement of the projections 46 with the
shoulders of ridge 68, as described below. The information
clip 40 shown in Fig. 3 differs from the prior art
information clip shown in Figs. 1-2, in that the present
information clip 40 includes inner locking projections 46
which are rigid rather than flexible, and have contact
surfaces 52 which are substantially parallel to the front
surface 42. The present information clip 40 also includes
outer locking hooks 50 (having a hook-like cross-sectional
shape) each disposed along the lower edge of a side wall 44
and including engagement surfaces 54 that are directed
outwardly from each respective side wall 44.
The present information clip 40, like the prior
art clip 10, may be manufactured by a conventional extrusion
process using an appropriate plastic such as PVC or nylon.
The present information clip 40 is preferably made of a
material having a natural resiliency so that the side walls
44 may be flexed, or otherwise deformed, but will naturally
return elastically to a relaxed position. Alternatively,
the walls or legs 44 may be rigid, and all flexing made to
occur at the end face 44 or the corners where the legs join
the end faces, forming hinge-like structures. The
information clips 40 will thus have a "memory~, and will
(unless unduly stressed beyond an elastic limit) be spring-
biased back to its relaxed position.
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11
Referring to Figs. 4 and-10, a portion of a
garment hanger 60 having a clip holder 62 formed in
accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The
clip holder 62 is formed with a central web 66 having an
exposed front or leading edge 64. A securing ridge 68 is
formed along the exposed edge 64 and has a triangular or
other tapered cross-sectional shape with a shoulder on its
inner side adapted to selectively engage with an information
clip 40 as described above (or with a prior art information
clip 10) when the clip is mounted on the clip holder 62.
A receiving area 69 of the clip holder 62 for
receiving the information clip 40 is defined by the exposed
edge 64 and side bosses 70. Each side boss 70 is preferably
formed integrally with the entire garment hanger 60 and
includes an inwardly directed side wall surface 72 which
faces towards and is parallel to an opposite boss 70. The
central web 66 and the securing ridge 68 are formed
generally perpendicular to and between the inwardly directed
surfaces 72 of the two bosses 70. The thickness of each
boss 70, as measured perpendicular to the central web 66,
may be the same as the thickness of a reinforcing rib 71
extending around the edge of the hanger, and is preferably
substantially equal to the width of the front surface 74 of
the information clip 40.
Referring to Figs. 4-7, projecting from and
preferably formed integral with the inwardly directed
surface 72 of each boss 70 is an engagement element in the
form of a tab 76. One tab 76 is formed as a continuation of
the upper surface of boss 70, while the opposite tab 76' is
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formed as a continuation of the lower surface of the
opposite boss 70 ', as seen in Fig. 6.
In this embodiment, only two engagement tabs 76,
76 ' are used for opposing-side, opposing-end engagement with
a mounted information tab 40. Each engagement tab 76 is
shaped to easily accept and guide a respective side wall 44
of the information clip 40, as the clip is advanced towards
its fully mounted position. This is accomplished by
providing a slope or ramp 78 along the forward (towards the
leading edge 64) side of each engagement tab 76. This slope
is directed outwardly away from the central web 66 towards
the leading edge 64, as shown in Figs. 6 - 7. Each engagement
tab 76, 76' further includes a rear engagement surface 80
which preferably lies in a plane which is substantially
15 perpendicular to both the adjacent inwardly directed surface
72 of the boss 70 and the central web 66. The forward-
facing ramp 78 is shaped rounded to provide a smooth
transition to the rear engagement surface 80 or may be a
planar slanted surface.
As mentioned above, only two diagonally opposing
engagement tabs are used with the tab holder 62. Due to the
relatively short length of the information clip 40 (or the
prior art clips lO), it is only necessary to secure or hold
down a small portion of each side wall 44 (at either end) of
25 the information clip 40 to ensure that the information clip
40 is effectively non-removable. In this embodiment, the
engagement tabs 76 function to directly hold the information
clip 40 to the tab holder 62, as well as indirectly. Not
only do the tabs 76 prevent outward movement of the clip by
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13
engaging the hook extensions 50 of the clip, but by
preventing the separation of the side walls 44 of the clip
40 by the tabs 76, the inner locking projections 46 of the
clip are caused to remain engaged with the securing ridge 68
of the tab holder 62 so that the information clip 40 will
not be removable from the garment hanger 60. Therefore, the
information clip 40 is directly secured to the garment
hanger 60 by the strong engagement between the inner locking
projections 46 and the securing ridge 68, providing more
than the slight hold down strength required to prevent the
side walls 44 of the information clip 40 from being
separated. The hook-like engagement between the rear
engagement surfaces 80 and the outer locking hooks 50
provides further removal prevention of the information clip
40.
As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, an opening 82 is
provided in the central web 66 adjacent each engagement tab
76. The purpose of each opening 82 is to provide plastic
injection molding access to the underside of each engagement
tab 76 which would otherwise be hidden or "shadowed" by the
central web 66, avoiding undercuts 90 that the molding
process can be inexpensive and rapid. If the openings 82
where not provided, to manufacture the engagement tabs 76
the resulting mold would have to include a movable insert
feature which slows production down and introduces
undesirable complexity. With the openings 82 present, the
entire garment hanger with the clip holder 62 shown in Figs.
4-7 can be made using a simple generally planar plastic
injection mold.
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14
Referring to Figs. 8 and-9A-9C, the operation of
securing an information clip 40 to a clip holder 62 in
accordance with the invention is shown. In each of the
Figs. 9A-9C, a partial cross-sectional view of the present
clip holder 62 is represented with a cross-sectional view of
the clip 40 taken along the line 9C-9C of Fig. 8. For
assembly, an information clip 40 is first properly oriented
and its gap is pushed against the exposed leading edge 64 of
the clip holder 62 so that the clip legs 44 are separated to
allow the central web 66, the exposed edge 64 and the
securing ridge 68 of the clip holder to enter within the
insertion gap 48 of the information clip 40. The outer
surface of the securing ridge 68 is formed to facilitate
this insertion. In the present embodiment of this
invention, the depth 84 of the securing ridge 68 (see Fig.
9A) is less than or equal to the distance 86 between the
contact surfaces 52 and the inner surface 88 of the clip
front wall 42 within the channel 48. Further, the distance
90 between the rear engagement surface 80 of tab 76 and the
rearmost portion of the securing ridge 68 of the clip holder
62 is less than or substantially equal to the distance 92
between the contact surface 52 of projections 46 and the
outer locking hooks 50 of the information clip 40. The
inward extent 94 of the engagement tabs 76 is preferably
sufficiently shallow to allow easy travel of an outer
locking hook 50 of an advancing information clip 40 between
the central web 66 and the engagement tab 76.
Referring now to Fig. 9B, as the information clip
40 is further advanced on the clip holder 62, each outer
. . . ..
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locking hook 50 is directed inwardly towards the central web
66, against the natural spring bias of the clip 40, by the
forward facing ramp 78 of each respective engagement tab 76
until the state shown in Fig. 9B is attained.
Simultaneously, the inner locking projections 46 contact the
securing ridge 68 which tends to force the side walls 44
apart at the location of the contact surfaces 52. The
result is that each respective side wall 44 of an advancing
information clip 40 is being forced outward adjacent its
middle and simultaneously drawn inward along its lower edge.
The degree of this side wall contortion is controlled by
properly dimensioning the location, size and shape of the
engagement tabs 76, the inner locking projections 46, the
outer locking hooks 50 and the securing ridge 68. With such
proper dimensioning, the information clip 40 will require
little force to fully mount to the clip holder 62, but will
require a great force (comparable to tearing the material)
to remove.
Eventually, as shown in Fig. 9C, the outer locking
hooks 50 engage with the engagement tabs 76, preferably at
about the same time that the inner locking projections 46
snap into locking engagement about the securing ridge 68.
When the information clip 40 reaches its fully mounted
positlon, as shown in Fig. 9C, the side walls 44 are
preferably allowed to displace partially back toward their
relaxed positions. The side walls may remain forced
slightly inwardly towards the central web 66 so that the
natural spring bias inherent in the information clip 40
.
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16
retains each outer locking hook 50-in tight engagement with
the engagement tabs 76.
The engagement tabs 76 shown and described thus
far represent a preferred embodiment taking into account the
desirability of a simplified mold. The engagement tabs 76
may take any shape, including extending completely across
the receiving area 69 to connect the bosses 70 together.
The engagement tabs 76 do not have to include the rear
engagement surface 80. Instead, a second rear ramp (not
shown) may be provided on each engagement tab 76 which
contacts and holds down a respective side wall 44 of the
information clip 40, yet does not strongly engage the outer
locking hooks 50. In this case the inward pressure exerted
on the edges 50 of the sidewalls by the tab ramps serves to
retain the projections 46 in engagement with the shoulders
68, permitting the information clip 40 to be more easily
forced off the clip holder 62 when using this type of
engagement tab 76. A similar contemplated embodiment (not
shown) where the information clip 40 may be removed with
some difficulty (by an adult) includes forming the securing
ridge 68 with portions cut away at opposite ends of ridge 68
so that the mounted information clip 40 may be twisted from
its engagement with both the engagement tabs 80 and the
securing ridge 68. In this embodiment the securing ridge 68
includes non-engaging portions at either end of the exposed
edge 64 and on the side opposite where the adjacent
engagement tab 76 resides.
Referring now to Figs. 10-12, the garment hanger
60, in accordance with the invention, as described above and
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17
as shown in Figs. 4 to 7, is shown-accepting a prior art
clip 10, like the one shown in Figs. 1-2. This engagement
will lock the prior art information clip to the garment clip
holder, but with somewhat less strength than when using the
information clip of the present invention. Like the above-
described embodiment of the invention, at least one (and
preferably both) side walls 14, 16 of the prior art
information clip 10 are physically prevented by the tabs 76
from being drawn apart, once the clip is engaged with the
securing ridge 68, so that the prior art information clip 10
cannot be readily removed from the clip holder 62.
Fig. 11 shows a clip holder 62, in accordance with
the invention, adjacent to and in a position about to
receive a prior art information clip 10 without the outer
locking hooks 50. Fig. 12 shows the clip holder 62, in
accordance with the invention, having a prior art clip 10
mounted thereon. The forward facing ramp 78 of each
engagement tab 76 forces a respective side wall 14 or 16
inwardly towards the central web 66, so that the locking
fingers 18, 20 maintain a locking engagement with the
securing ridge 68, and the prior art clip lO becomes nearly
irremovable from the present garment hanger 60.
While extension tabs 76, 76' may extend a
relatively short distance from one boss 70 toward the other,
in order to afford a greater engagement region for the clip
when installed, and for greater strength of retention, the
arrangement shown in Figs. 13-15 may be used, having
extension elements 176, 176' extending across the entire
distance between the bosses 70.
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18
As seen in Figs. 13 and 14, the web 166 of clip
holder 162 iS provided with an opening 182 between the inner
portion of web 166 and a cross-piece 100 which extends
between the bosses 70 and has a securing ridge 168 at its
outside edge. Ridge 168 iS here shown as having slanted
flat forward faces 102, but may be made with a suitably
rounded edge as in the case of Fig. 9B. As before, securing
ridge 168 has a shoulder 167 on each side of web 166 for
engaging a respective inner locking projection 46 of the
10 clip.
From one view point the opening 182 iS an
enlargement of and connects the openings 82 shown in Fig. 5.
Similarly, the engagement tab 76 of Fig. 5 is in Fig. 13 in
effect extended across the entire width of the web 166
(i.e., distance between bosses 170) to form an extended
engagement element in the form of a cross-piece 176 having a
sloped surface or ramp 178 for guiding the respective side
wall of the clip toward the surface of web 166. The second
engagement tab 176' iS similarly extended across the entire
20 width of the opening 182 as an engagement element in the
form of a cross-piece. Cross-piece 176 ' may be directly
beneath cross-piece 176, if desired, but preferably it is
offset so that the two cross-pieces 176 and 176 ' have
differing distances from the exposed edge 164 of the clip
25 holder 162, and do not shadow one another, to facilitate
injection molding without requiring special movable inserts
for the molds.
The cross-piece engagement elements 176 and 176 '
have flat interior surfaces 180, 180' which engage the
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19
locking hooks 50 of the information clip in the manner
illustrated in Fig. 9C. Thus, this form of clip holder of
Figs. 13-15 functions with the clip of the present invention
or with conventional clips in the same manner as described
above with respect to Figs. 1-12.
Although the slanted ramps 178 and 178' are shown
as extending completely across the opening 182, it will be
understood that they may be provided for only part of the
length of the cross-pieces 176 and 176', and may extend
across respectively separate portions of the width of
opening 182.
As in the case of the clip holder of Figs. 3-12,
the hooks 50 engaging the flat surfaces 180 reinforce the
retention effect of projections 46 engaging the shoulders 67
or 167. As will be seen from Fig. 9C, an effort to release
the clip by squeezing together the outer hook members 50 to
clear the shoulders 80 or 180 of the projections 76 or 176
only serves to engage the inner projections 46 more strongly
against the shoulders of the securing ridge 68 or 168.
Hence, the present invention provides a strong locking of
clip to clip holder.
Thus, according to the present invention, either a
conventional information clip (as in Fig. 1) or a clip
according to the invention ~as in Fig. 3) is securely
retained on the clip holder of the invention, by providing
means (e.g. tabs 76, 76' or cross-pieces 176, 176') which
prevent the legs of the clip from separating, and thereby
keep the projections such as 46 of the clip engaged with the
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shoulder of ridge 68 or 168 of the clip holder, thus
preventing removal of the clip from the clip holder.
In addition, the clip is made additionally non-
removable by providing the hook-like projection 50 on the
clip legs which engage the surface 80 of the tabs 76, 76 ' or
surfaces 180, 180' elements 176, 176 ', to prevent movement
of the clip off the clip holder.
Referring to Figs. 16-17, another embodiment of an
information clip 200 and clip holder 216 iS shown, viewed in
cross-section taken along the line 17-17 of Fig. 16. The
clip 200 includes two side walls 202, a front wall 204 and
inwardly directed projections 206. Each of the side walls
202 includes a leading edge 208, an outer surface 210 and an
inner surface 212.
A hanger 214 shown in Fig. 16, like the previously
described embodiments (such as Fig. 10) includes a clip
holder 216 formed on a central web 217. As shown in Fig.
17, the clip holder 216 includes a front locking ridge 218.
The cross-sectional shape of the front locking ridge 218
20 which is preferably a truncated triangular shape as shown in
Fig. 17, or other tapered shape. The clip holder 216 also
includes a rear locking ridge 220 which is spaced inward
from the front locking ridge 218. The two side walls 202 of
the clip 200 are shaped to embrace the rear locking ridge
25 220. The cross-sectional shape of the rear locking ridge
220 iS preferably roughly diamond-shaped, as shown in Fig.
17; however, a rounded diamond shape or a circular shape
(among other shapes) may be used. The rear locking ridge
220 includes a forward sloping side 222 and a rear sloping
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21
side 224. The forward side 222 is -shaped to function as a
receiving ramp for allowing the leading edges 208 of the
c lip 200 to easily slide into the locked position on the
clip holder 216, as described below. The rear side 224 of
the rear locking ridge 200 is preferably slanted toward web
217 and away from and to the rear of the rear locking ridge
220. The cross-sectional shape of the rear side 224
preferably matches the shape of the side walls 202, as
discussed below. The purpose of the rear side 224 of the
rear locking ridge 220 iS to help maintain engagement
between the side walls 202 of the clip 200 and the clip
holder 216. The matching shapes between the rear side 224
of the rear locking ridge 220 and the side walls 202
discourages the lifting of either leading edge 208 of the
cl ip 200 from the rear side 224 by supporting the side walls
202 of the clip 200. This close contact of the side walls
202 and the rear side 224 inhibits any bending of the side
walls 202 towards the front locking ridge 218 and thereby
helps to maintain engagement between the clip holder 216 and
the clip 200.
The side walls 202 of the clip 200 of this
embodiment, as shown in Fig. 17, are preferably curved
towards each other, at their leading edges 208. The clip
200 iS sized and shaped to allow the curved side walls 202
to reach just beyond the rear side 224 of the rear locking
ridge 220 when the clip 200 is pushed fully onto the clip
holder 216 and reaches its locked position, as shown in Fig.
17. When the clip 200 is in its locked position on the clip
holder 216, the inwardly directed projections 206 engage
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22
with the front locking ridge 218 and lock the clip onto the
clip holder 216.
When the clip 200 reaches its fully locked
position, as shown in Fig. 17, the leading edges 208
preferably close together under the spring bias of the clip
itself and contact flush with the central web 217. The
leading edges 208 may also include a beveled edge (to lie
flush against the central web 217) to further discourage the
lifting of the side walls 202 and the removal of the clip
200.
In accordance with another embodiment of the
invention, and referring to Figs. 18 and 19, the front
locking ridge 218 is made thinner than the rear locking
ridge 220' (the thickness of either ridge being measured
perpendicular to the central web 217). The rear ridge 220'
is made with a rounded outward slope 222' and inward slope
224'. By making the front ridge 218' thinner than the rear
ridge 220', the clip 200 may be more easily pushed onto the
clip holder 216'.
As the clip 200' is pushed onto the holder, its
edges 208' engage front slope 222' of rear ridges 220', and
are separated sufficiently to allow the front ridge 218' to
pass between the inwardly extending projections 206', until
the clip edges 208' pass onto the rear slope of rear ridge
220', whereupon the edges 208' resiliently return toward
their unstressed position so that the projections 206'
engage the shoulders of front ridge 218' and concurrently
the clip edges 208' engage behind rear ridge 220'.
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23
Along the rear side 224'-of the rear ridge 220'
may be provided a plateau or step 226, positioned to receive
the leading edges 208' of the clip 200' when the clip is
pushed into its fully locked position, as shown in Fig. 17.
The width of the plateau 226 (measured axially parallel to
the central web 217) is preferably slightly greater than the
thickness of the leading edges 208' of the side walls 202'
so that a small portion 228 of the plateau 226 remains
uncovered by the leading edges 208 when the clip 200 is in
its locked position. Alternatively, the plateau may have a
width equal to (but preferably not less than) the thickness
of the clip legs, so that the legs do not extend beyond the
plateau. When the clip is in its locked position, its
leading edges are thus made relatively inaccessible to a
person's fingernail and may be pried apart only with
difficulty. Each of the plateaus 226 merges into the web
217' by a curved surface 225. Thus, if manual removal is
attempted, as the fingernail slides along the central web
217, in a forward direction, and rides up the surface 225 to
the plateau 226, the fingernail will jump over the otherwise
accessible leading clip edge and continue along the outer
surface of the side wall 202' of the clip 200', failing to
engage the leading edge 208'. The harder the person slides
his fingernail across the web 217, the more pronounced the
jump action and the more difficult the clip becomes to
remove.
The clip 300 shown in Fig. 19 is made with its
side walls 302 spread further apart in the unstressed
condition. This clip will cooperate with the holder of
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24
Figs. 17 or 18. The distance between the leading edges 308
of the side walls 310, 312 is made greater than the
thickness of the front locking ridge 318 so that the clip
300 may be freely pushed onto any of the forms of clip
holder past its front ridge. At this point the clip may
easily be forced into the locked position by pushing its
leading edges 308 up over the wider holder rear ridge, such
as 220.
While the separation between the clip leading
edges of Fig. 18 or 19 is made greater than the width of the
ridge of the holder leading edge 218' of Fig. 18, during
further insertion the legs will be made to separate enough
for the holder leading ridge to pass between projections
206', which on further insertion will then lock behind the
holder outer ridge 218', while at the same time the clip
legs provide further holding action by engaging behind the
holder inner ridge 220'. This arrangement requires less
insertion force than the previously described forms.
While in Figs. 17-19, the projections 206, 206',
and 306 are shown as truncated triangles in cross-section,
they may alternatively be square in section, with their
surfaces engaging the holder leading ridge flatly and
substantially perpendicular to the clip legs. Figs. 20A to
20D show such a configuration, where Fig. 20A shows the clip
and holder before insertion, Fig. 20B shows the clip as it
first engages the holder, Fig. 20C shows the clip partially
engaged, and Fig. 20D shows the clip fully engaged. As in
the other forms, the cross-sections of the clip and holder
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are bilaterally symmetrical so that only one side need be
described, the other side being a mirror image thereof.
In this form, the clip 400 has legs 410 which are
preferably rigid, joined at their front (outward) ends by
front wall 404 which is resiliently flexible (as by a groove
or reduced thickness at 430) or hinged at the corners. The
clip is provided with a channel 401 having ledges 407 on the
inner side formed by rigid inwardly extending projections
406. Each leg 410 terminates in an edge 408 having a flat
tip 426. The holder is formed on the outward portion of web
417, and has a locking ridge 446 at its leading edge. Ridge
446 may have a front face which is flat or of any convenient
shape. It is formed with shoulders 452 on its inward sides.
Each shoulder 452 and ledge 407 is substantially
perpendicular to the web 417 and the leg 410 . The holder
has an enlargement 420 with a slope 422 spaced inward from
the projections 446 by flat areas 447 at least co-extensive
with projections 406. The enlargement 420 has a flat
shoulder 427 inward of the slope 482, which is essentially
perpendicular to web 417. A step 428 is formed inward of
the shoulders 427, and merges into the web 417 by a curved
section 425. The separation between leg ends 428 when
relaxed is larger than the width of holder ridge 418 so that
on application of the clip to the holder, the clip passes
freely past the holder ridge 418 until the clip legs 428
contact the slopes 422, as seen in Fig. 20B. Further
insertion of the clip causes the legs to spread, until as
shown in Fig. 20C, the separation of the projections 406
exceeds the width of outer ridge 418. Further insertion of
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26
the clip allows the ridge 418 to enter the channel 401.
Concurrently the resilience of the clip end wall 404 clamps
the legs 410 around the enlargement 420, with the leg edges
426 resting on the steps 428, as described with respect to
Fig. 18. In this instance, the legs 410 have perpendicular
edges 411 which engage the shoulders 427, thereby
restraining the clip on the holder both by engagement of
ledges 407 with shoulders 452, and by engagement of leg
surface 411 with shoulders 427. At the same time, access
for removal is strongly inhibited by the steps 428 and
curved section 425. Fig. 20D shows the final engagement of
the clip and holder.
Fig. 21 shows an alternative assembled clip 502
and holder 504. In this case, the holder enlargement 220 or
220' or 420 is omitted and the holder made uniform over most
of its length 506 as seen at 507. Similarly the clip has
former projections 206, 406 extended for the length 506,
with a ledge 510 near its rear ends as seen at 520. The
clip leading edge 508 has a cooperating shoulder 512. The
holder outer ridge 514 is shown as triangular in shape, but
may have any shape with sloping sides 516 which upon
insertion of the clip will spread clip legs 518 sufficiently
so that the clip projections 520 will pass over the holder
projections 522 until the ledge 510 engages the shoulder 512
to retain the clip on the holder. The clip leg ends 526
engage the holder steps 528 and ends of projections 507 as
in Fig. 20A. Reduced thickness of the legs 518 as at 523
provides a resilient hinging action for rigid legs 518 with
respect to top wall 502.
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27
Figs. 22A to 22C show still another form of clip
600 and holder 601, in disassembled state in Fig. 22A, in
partially assembled state in Fig. 22B, and assembled in Fig.
22C. In this case, the clip 600 has two inwardly directed
projections 604 with perpendicular ledges 606, defining a
channel 607 with end wall 608. The clip holder 601 has a
tapered or rounded leading edge 612, with a shoulder 614 on
one side of a groove 620. Shoulders 614 engage ledges 606
when assembled, as seen in Fig. 22C. The clip legs 616
curve inwardly and terminate in flat surfaces 618 which have
an axial length greater than the width of grooves 620, so
that the clip ends 622 do not enter the grooves 620. Those
ends 622 have shoulders 624. The clip holder has a uniform
thickness section 619 extending inward of grooves 620,
ending in a shoulder 626 which engages the clip shoulder 624
when the clip is fully inserted, as seen in Fig. 22C. An
arrangement corresponding to step 208 or 208' of Fig. 18 or
Fig. 20 may be used here if desired. Here the unstressed
clip leg separation is made smaller than the thickness of
holder web 628 or a step (if used). On insertion, the
tapered leading edge 612 of the holder separates the clip
legs 616 which then ride on the holder section 619 until the
clip leg ends 622 engage the holder shoulders 626.
Concurrently the clip inward projections 604 engage the
grooves 620 so that the clip is held on the holder both by
its ends 622 and its projections 604.
Figs. 23A and 23B show a feature which may be used
with any of the forms described above which have a tapered
leading free edge 702 on the clip holder 704. Here the
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28
inner face of the clip 706 is formed with a pair of bumps
708 forming a groove 710 to accommodate the tip 712 of the
tapered holder ridge 702. This inhibits twisting the clip
sideways, in the direction shown by arrows 714, if an
attempt is made to remove the clip from the holder, and
increases the difficulty of removal of the clip.
While holder front ridge 68 or 168 or 218 or 218'
or 418 or 516 or 612 or 712 is preferably at the outer free
edge of the holder, it may be spaced slightly from that free
edge by a web portion where desired.
~ In the forms shown in Figs. 16 to 23, the inwardly
directed projections such as illustrated by 206 of the clip
are preferably rigid and non-resilient and do not themselves
flex during the clip insertion process. As the clip 200 is
pushed onto the clip holder 216, the larger dimensions of
the locking ridges (218 and 220) will force the inwardly
directed projections 206 apart, with their respective side
walls 202. The clip 200 in accordance with these
embodiments of the invention may also include a weakened
point along the forward face 204 of the clip 200 to function
as a live hinge enabling the side walls 202 to flex apart.
This live hinge may be created by a longitudinal groove 230
on the end wall of the clip or by the relative thickness
between the front face 204 and the side walls 202 of the
clip 200, or by other known methods.
It is also contemplated that the inwardly directed
projections 206, 206' be sized and shaped to prevent any
twisting movement (as in the direction of arrows 232 in Fig.
18) by the clip 200 for removal when in its locked position.
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29
It is this twisting movement which might allow the leading
edge of the prior art clip to be excessively separated from
the prior art clip holder and thereby easily grasped and
removed.
The forms of the invention described above have
relied at least in part upon a tapered or rectangular ridge
at the open or leading edge of the clip holder to retain the
clip on the holder. Figs. 24 A to 24 D show a modification
with a different form of retention at the holder leading
edge. Fig. 24 A shows the clip 802 and holder 804 in
disassembled state. Holder 804 forms the outward extension
of a web 806, preferably extending from the hook of a
garment hanger, generally as shown in Figs. 5, 8 or 10.
Holder 804 is formed with a rigid flat outer extension 808,
of a uniform thickness equal to or larger than that of web
806. The axial length of extension 808 may have any
suitable value, preferably at least equal to the axial
length of the remainder of the holder up to web 806. Inward
of extension 808 is an enlargement 812 having a sloping or
rounded outer face 814 and a sloping or rounded inner face
816 ending in a step 818 of thickness larger than that of
web 806.
Cl ip 802 has legs 822 joined by a flat resilient
end wall 823. The leg edges 820 are separated in their
unstressed condition by a spacing 825 greater than the
thickness of extension 808, s o that the extension 808 may
freely enter between the clip legs 822. In addition, each
clip leg 822 has a recess 820 inward of the gap 825 between
the legs 822 shaped to accommodate the holder enlargement
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812. Further inward from the recess 820 is a central
channel 824 at least as long as the holder extension 808,
and of a width accommodating the extension 808 snugly or
with small tolerances.
In applying this clip to its holder, the legs 822
first pass freely over the holder extension 808 until the
legs 822 engage the leading slope 814 of holder enlargement
812, as seen in Fig. 24B. On further insertion of the clip,
the channel 824 slides over the holder extension 808 and
concurrently the slope 814 forces the legs 822 apart against
the resilient force of end wall 823, as seen in Fig. 20C.
This also opens the channel 824 to more readily accommodate
the holder extension 808. After the legs 822 pass the
widest part of enlargement 812, they resiliently close so
that their edges 824 will rest on step 818, in the manner
shown in Fig. 24D and Fig. 18. The enlargement 812 may be
formed with a shoulder perpendicular to the web 806 (as seen
in Fig. 20A) and the ends 824 of legs 822 may extend
perpendicular to the web 80C to better engage the clip ends
behind enlargement 812. Thus the enlargement 812 may have a
generally triangular shape as seen in Fig. 25, corresponding
generally to Fig. 24D.
The step 818 may also be provided with a section
merging into web 806, like 425 of Fig. 20A or 807 of 25.
The closing of legs 822 behind enlargement 812
serves partially to retain the clip against removal and
steps 818 prevent interposing a finger nail under leg 822
for removal. Moreover, even if one leg end 825 could be
lifted from its step 818, in an effort to twist off the clip
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31
from the holder, any removal would be strongly prevented by
consequent engagement of the wall of clip channel 824 with
holder extension 808. In addition, any removal attempted by
grasping the clip between thumb and forefinger for
retraction merely serves to engage the walls of clip channel
824 more tightly with holder extension 808, which creates a
frictional engagement between them, resisting removal. If
desired extension 808 may be molded with a roughened surface
to increase this friction effect.
Figs. 26A to 26C show another form of the present
invention, generally similar to Fig. 21, but with different
proportions. A clip 900 is assembled on a clip holder
portion 902 of a garment hanger. Holder 902 has a tapered
outward region 904 ending in a narrow tip 906 which is
preferably slightly rounded, but may be pointed. The inward
end of tapered region 904 has a pair of shoulders 908, which
lead to a uniform thickness region 9lO. Shoulders 908
extend substantially perpendicular to the plane of the
holder 902. Region 9lO then leads inwardly, by a smoothly
20 curved region 912, to the web 914, which is preferably
joined to the hanger hook in the same manner as web 66 in
Figs. 4, 5 and 8.
The clip 900 is formed as a short section of a
plastic extrusion, adapted to extend over at least part of
25 the distance between bosses 70 shown in Fig. 5 or between
hanger rims 26 and 27 shown in Fig. 14. In cross section as
seen in Fig. 26A, clip 900 has a pair of sidewalls or legs
916 joined by a flat top wall 918. Legs 916 are preferably
dimensioned to be essentially rigid, while topwall 918 has a
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32
thickness at its center (in the plane of web 914) which
permits elastic and resilient bending, so that legs 916 may
be spread apart, but are urged toward one another toward
their unstressed state by the resilience of the top wall.
The clip has a tapered channel 920 conforming closely to the
tapered outward holder region 904. Channel 920 ends in a
pair of ledges 924 which clip behind shoulder 908.
In the unstressed or relaxed condition of the
clip, as shown in the exploded view of Fig. 26A, the ends
926 of the clip legs are separated by a spacing larger than
the width 928 of the holder tip, but smaller than the
maximum width of the holder outer region 904, so that the
clip may be readily inserted to straddle over the holder
tip, and the clip leg ends will engage the sloping sides of
the holder tapered region 924 as the clip is moved inward of
the holder. In the relaxed state, the clip leg ends are
spaced apart a distance less than the thickness of the step
region 910, so that as the clip ends move beyond holder
shoulders 908, the resilience of the clip top wall will
elastically urge the clip ends 926 against the step 910,
causing the clip ledges 924 to engage behind the holder
shoulders 908, to retain the clip on its holder.
The tips 932 of the clip ends 926 are preferably
dimensioned to extend just to but not beyond the inward edge
919 of step 910. In this way, any attempt to remove the
clip by lifting one edge, as by a finger nail, will result
in the finger nail sliding along the curved region 912 onto
the outer surface of the clip leg 916, and removal is
discouraged or prevented.
.
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33
As seen in Fig. 26A, the channel 920 between legs
916 has a tapered shape which conforms to the holder tapered
section 904 when the clip is mounted. As a further
deterrent to clip removal, both the inner surface of clip
channel 920 and the outer surface of holder tapered region
904 may be formed of roughened surfaces, as by fine closely
spaced serrations or corrugations. In this way, any effort
to remove the clip by gripping it between the thumb and
finger is resisted by the increased friction between these
roughened surfaces caused by the pressure of gripping the
clip. Hence the non-removability provided by the latching
action of shoulders 908 and the ledges 924 is increased by
the roughened tapered surfaces of the clip and the holder.
Figures 27A, 27B and 27C show progressive stages
of applying a different clip 900a to the clip holder 904 of
Figures 26A to 26C. Figure 27A shows the clip in an
essentially unstressed relationship applied at the tip 906
of the tapered region 907 of the clip holder 904. Figure
27B shows the same parts after the clip has been slid mostly
but not entirely onto the tapered portion 907 of the clip
holder. Figure 27C shows the clip 900a applied fully to the
clip holder 904.
As seen in Figures 27A, clip 900a has an end wall
918a and a pair of generally parallel legs 916a forming a
channel. The legs 916a are dimensioned to be essentially
rigid and are not intended to bend, all bending action for
permitting separation of the legs 916a occurring preferably
at the end wall 918a. Top wall 918a has a thickness at its
center in the plane of web 914 which permits elastic and
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34
resilient bending, so that legs 916a will be spread apart
but may be urged together toward one another toward their
unstressed state by the resilience of the top wall 918a.
Extending inwardly from each of the clip legs 916a
is a projection 942 which has a wall 944 facing end wall
918a and substantially perpendicular to the leg 916a. The
projection 942 also has an opposite slanted wall 946. The
projection 942 is essentially rigid and nonflexible. Each
leg 916a has its open end curved at 926a, with its tip
extending essentially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry
of the clip cross-section. In this form, the clip 900a
utilizes less material than the clip shown in Figure 26 and
is more economical to produce.
As in Figure 26, clip holder 904 has a free edge
906 and a tapered region 904 extending inward from the free
edge 906 which is preferably slightly rounded but may be
pointed. The inward end of tapered region 904 has a pair of
shoulders 908 which lead to a uniform thickness region 910.
Shoulders 908 extend substantially perpendicular to the
plane of the holder 904. Region 910 then leads inwardly by
a smoothly curved section 912 to the web 914, which may be
joined to the hanger hook as in the same manner as in
Figures 4, 5, and 8.
The clip 900a is formed as a short section of a
plastic extrusion adapted to extend over at least part of
the distance between elements 70 shown in Figure 5 or
between hanger rims 26 and 27 shown in Figure 14.
In the unstressed or relaxed condition of the clip
900c, as shown in Figure 27A, the ends 926a of the clip legs
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are separated by a spacing 923a at least as large as the
thickness of the tip 906 of the clip holder, but smaller
than the maximum thickness of the holder tapered region 907
so that the clip may be readily inserted to straddle over
the holder tip with the clip leg ends engaging opposite
sides of the holder tapered region 927 as the clip is moved
inward of the holder. In the relaxed state, the clip leg
ends are spaced apart a distance less than a thickness of
the step region 910a, so that as the clip ends 926a move
beyond holder shoulders 908 the resilience of the clip top
wall 918a will elastically urge the clip ends 926a against
the step 910, causing the clip ends 926a to engage behind
the holder shoulders 908 to retain the clip on its holder.
As seen in Figure 26A, the tips of the clip ends 926a are
essentially perpendicular to the symmetry axis of the clip
and are dimensioned to extend substantially to but
preferably not beyond the inward edge 912 of step 910, thus,
inhibiting any attempt to remove the clip as by lifting one
edge as by a fingernail.
As seen in Figure 27B, as the clip is inserted
over the clip holder, the legs 926a are separated by the
increasing width of the clip holder until the tips of the
edges of the clip pass the shoulder 908 of the clip holder,
allowing the resilience of the top wall 918a to cause the
legs 926a to come together to grip the clip holder at the
step 910. In this position, the outer tip 906 of the clip
holder is preferably dimension to abut the clip top wall
l9A.
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- WO98/03103 PCT~S96/12093
36
Should the clip be attempted to be mounted on the
clip holder in a skewed or slanted position, the tip 906 of
the tapered first region of the clip holder will engage the
slanted wall 946 of one or of the other of the projections
942, and be guided centrally of the channel formed by the
clip until the position is shown in Figure 27C is reached,
at which the projection 942 rests on the tapered wall 907 of
the clip holder. This feature, in combination with the
engagement of the edges 926a of the clip with the shoulder
908 of the clip holder, serves to retain the clip on the
clip holder, and to inhibit the removal of the clip as by
attempting to twist it off the clip holder.
These forms of Figures 26 and 27 have the
advantage of being relatively simple to implement, since the
effort needed to create the molds for producing the clip and
holder is reduced by the relative simplicity of the various
mold surfaces to be provided.
As indicated above, in each form of the invention,
the clip end wall (42, etc.) is preferably made thinner than
the clip legs so as to provide a resilient restoring force
when the legs are spread. Alternatively, the end wall may
have a reduced thickness at its center (as at 230, Fig. 18,
or 330, Fig. 19) or at its corners for this purpose.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a
garment hanger with an information clip which strongly
resists removal from the clip holder portion of the hanger,
creating a child-resistant and accident-resistant
arrangement.
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37
It will be apparent that-minor modifications may
be made to the illustrative embodiments described above, by
persons of ordinary skill. Therefore, the present invention
is to be deemed defined solely by the appended claims.
~ . .
