PINCE A CHEVEUX

A HAIR CLIP

Abrégé français

La présente invention a trait à une pince à cheveux comportant un corps, des mâchoires montées sur le corps et un dispositif d'ouverture de mâchoires pour permettre l'ouverture des mâchoires d'une seule main. Les mâchoires présentent des dents et sont montées à des positions espacées sur le corps de manière à être pivotantes aux dites positions pour la préhension élastique des cheveux dans les dents. L'espacement des positions de pivotement sur le corps permet l'utilisation du corps qui peut être décoré ou creux pour améliorer l'aspect esthétique de la pince à cheveux.

Abrégé anglais

A hair clip comprises a body (1), jaws (2, 3) mounted on the body and a jaw
opening arrangement to allow the jaws to be opened single handed. The jaws
have tines (2c, 3c) and are mounted at spaced positions on the body so as to
be pivotable at the positions to resiliently grip hair in the tines. The
spacing of the pivot positions on the body enables a body to be used which can
be decorated or hollow to enhance the aesthetics of the hair clip.

Revendications

13
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege
is
claimed are defined as follows:
1. A hair clip comprising:
a body portion;
jaw portions attached to said body portion; and
a jaw opening arrangement to allow said jaw portions to be opened single
handed;
wherein said jaw portions have tines and being hingedly and resiliently
connected to
said body portion to urge said tines together for gripping hair, said jaw
portions are
connected to said body portion at hinge positions defining laterally spaced
axes, said jaw
opening arrangement comprises handle portions extending from said jaw portions
away
from said tines to allow said jaw portions to be opened by urging said handle
portions
about said axes, and said body portion defines a space therein for receiving
said hair
gripped by said tines.
2. A hair clip according to claim 1, wherein said body portion has an outer
face and
said jaw portions are hingedly connected to said body portion at a position
away from
said outer face.
3. A hair clip according to claim 1, including resilient portions arranged
between
said body portion and said jaw portions to provide said resilient connection
between said
body portion and said jaw portions.
4. A hair clip according to claim 3, wherein said jaw portions are mounted to
said
body portion via pivot pins, and said resilient portions comprise spring
members
engaging said body portion and said jaw portions.
5. A hair clip according to claim 3, wherein said body portion and said jaw
portions
are formed from a single piece of material thinned at said hinge positions to
enable
relative pivoting of said jaw portions and said body portion, and said
resilient portions
comprise resilient members engaging said jaw portions and said body portion.

14
6. A hair clip according to claim 3, wherein said resilient portions comprise
resilient
material connecting said jaw portions and said body portion.
7. A hair clip according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said jaw
portions are
arcuate in section to define a volume between said body portion and said jaw
portions
into which hair can be clasped in use.
8. A hair clip according to claim 1, wherein each said jaw portion comprises a
plurality of hingedly and resiliently coupled jaw sections, each axis of the
hinged
couplings lying parallel to said laterally spaced axes.
9. A hair clip according to claim 1, wherein said body portion is
substantially
arcuate in section.
10. A hair clip according to claim 9, wherein said hair clip has a
substantially
cylindrical form.
11. A hair clip according to claim 10, wherein said jaw portions are
substantially
arcuate in section.
12. A hair clip according to claim 1, wherein said hair clip has a
substantially
cylindrical form.
13. A hair clip according to claim 12, wherein said jaw portions are
substantially
arcuate in section.
14. A hair clip comprising:
a body portion;
jaw portions attached to said body portion; and
a jaw opening arrangement to allow said jaw portions to be opened single
handed;
wherein said jaw portions have tines and being hingedly and resiliently
connected to
said body portion to urge said tines together for gripping hair, said jaw
portions are
connected to said body portion at hinge positions defining laterally spaced
axes, and said

15
body portion has thin section edge portions defining a large aperture between
said axes,
to allow said hair of a wearer to be seen therethrough when worn.
15. A hair clip comprising:
a body portion;
jaw portions attached to said body portion; and
a jaw opening arrangement to allow said jaw portions to be opened single
handed;
wherein said jaw portions have tines and being hingedly and resiliently
connected to
said body portion to urge said tines together for gripping hair, said jaw
portions are
connected to said body portion at hinge positions defining laterally spaced
axes, said
body portion comprises a base portion to which said jaw portions are connected
and at
least one decorative cover portion, and at least one said decorative cover
portion is
removable in use to enable different cover portions to be connected to said
base portion.
16. A hair clip comprising:
opposed jaws having teeth arranged to meet to clasp hair;
a jaw opening arrangement extending away from said jaws and for opening the
jaws
single handed; and
a mount arrangement on which said jaws are resiliently mounted at two or more
laterally spaced pivot axes;
wherein said mount arrangement defines a concave space into which said hair is
received when gripped by said jaws.
17. A hair clip comprising:
jaw means having teeth arranged to meet to grip hair;
jaw opening means extending away from said jaw means and for opening said jaw
means single handed; and
a mount means on which said jaw means are mounted so as to be resiliently
pivoted
about at least two laterally spaced axes;
wherein said mount means defines a concave space into which said hair is
received
when gripped by said jaw means.

16
18. A hair clip according to claim 17, wherein said mount means comprises a
mount
body, and said jaw means comprises opposed jaw arrangements pivotably and
resiliently
mounted on said mount body.
19. A hair clip according to claim 18, wherein said mount means has an outer
face
and said jaw means are pivotably mounted on said mount means at a position
away from
said outer face.
20. A hair clip comprising:
a body portion;
jaw portions attached to said body portion; and
a jaw opening arrangement to allow said jaw portions to be opened single
handed;
wherein said jaw portions have tines and are hingedly and resiliently
connected to said
body portion to urge said tines together to a closed position for gripping
hair, said jaw
portions are connected to said body portion at hinge positions defining
laterally spaced
hinge axes, and said jaw portions and said body define an outer hair clip
surface which is
substantially cylindrical when said jaw portions are in the closed position.
21. A hair clip according to claim 20, wherein said tines are arranged to meet
substantially in a plane when said jaw portions are in the closed position.
22. A hair clip according to claim 21, wherein said tines are arranged to meet
interdigitatedly.
23. A hair clip according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein said jaw
portions are
hingedly connected to said body portion at a position away from said outer
face.
24. A hair clip according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein said jaw
opening
arrangement comprises handle portions extending from said jaw portions away
from said
tines to allow said jaw portions to be opened by urging said handle portions
about said
axes.

17
25. A hair clip according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein said jaw
opening
arrangement comprises a jaw engagement portion arranged within said jaws
portions and
operable in a direction of said hinge axes to engage said jaw portions to urge
said jaw
portions open.
26. A hair clip according to claim 25, wherein said jaw engagement portion has
angled engagement surfaces for engagement with said jaw portions to urge said
jaw
portions open.
27. A hair clip according to claim 25 or 26, wherein said jaw engagement
portion is
carried by said body portion.
28. A hair clip according to claim 27, wherein said jaw engagement portion is
slidably attached to said body portion to allow said jaw engagement portion to
slide
relative to said body portion to engage said jaw portions.
29. A hair clip according to any one of claims 20 to 28, including resilient
portions
arranged between said body portion and said jaw portions to provide said
resilient
connection between said body portion and said jaw portions.
30. A hair clip according to claim 29, wherein said jaw portions are mounted
to said
body portion via pivot pins, and said resilient portions comprise spring
members
engaging said body portion and said jaw portions.
31. A hair clip according to claim 30, wherein said body portion and said jaw
portions are formed from a single piece of material thinned at said hinge
positions to
enable the relative pivoting of said jaw portions and said body portion, and
said resilient
portions comprise resilient members engaging said jaw portions and said body
portion.
32. A hair clip according to claim 31, wherein said resilient portions
comprise
resilient material connecting said jaw portions and said body portion.

18
33. A hair clip according to claim 20, wherein said body portion comprises a
base
portion to which said jaw portions are connected, and at least one decorative
cover
portion.
34. A hair clip according to claim 33, wherein at least one said decorative
cover
portion is removable in use to enable different cover portions to be connected
to said base
portion.
35. A hair clip according to any one of claims 20 to 34, wherein said body
portion has
thin section edge portions defining a large aperture between said axes, to
allow said hair
of a wearer to be seen therethrough when worn.
36. A hair clip according to any one of claims 20 to 35, wherein said jaw
portions are
arcuate in section to define a volume between said body portion and said jaw
portions
into which said hair is clasped in use.
37. A hair clip according to claim 20, wherein each said jaw portion comprises
a
plurality of hingedly and resiliently coupled jaw sections, each axis of the
hinged
couplings lying parallel to said laterally spaced axes.
38. A hair clip comprising:
a body portion;
jaw portions attached to said body portion; and
a jaw opening arrangement to allow said jaw portions to be opened single
handed;
wherein said jaw portions have tines and are hingedly and resiliently
connected to said
body portion to urge said tines together to a closed position for gripping
hair, said jaw
portions are connected to said body portion at hinge positions defining
laterally spaced
hinge axes, and said tines are arranged to meet substantially in a plane when
said jaw
portions are in the closed position.
39. A hair clip according to claim 38, wherein said tines are arranged to meet
interdigitatedly.

19
40. A hair clip comprising:
a body portion extending along an axis;
jaw portions attached to said body portion, said jaw portions having tines and
being
hingedly and resiliently connected to said body portion to urge said tines
together to a
closed position for gripping hair, and said jaw portions being connected to
said body
portion at hinge positions defining laterally spaced hinge axes parallel to
said axis;
a jaw opening arrangement to allow said jaw portions to be opened single
handed; and
cover portions extending from said jaw portions to cover at least a portion of
the gaps
between said body portion and said jaw portions and arranged to move under or
over said
body portion when said jaw portions are opened.
41. A hair clip according to claim 40, wherein said body portion has an outer
face and
said jaw portions are hingedly connected to said body portion at a position
away from
said outer face.
42. A hair clip according to claims 41, including hinge cover portions for
covering
the hinged resilient connections between said jaw portions and said body
portion and
arranged to move under or over said body portion when said jaw portions are
opened.
43. A hair clip according to claim 40 or 41, including hinge cover portions
for
covering the hinged resilient connections between said jaw portions and said
body
portion and arranged to move under or over said body portion when said jaw
portions are
opened.
44. A hair clip according to any one of claims 40 to 43, wherein said jaw
opening
arrangement comprises handle portions extending from said jaw portions away
from said
tines to allow said jaw portions to be opened by urging said handle portions
about said
axes.
45. A hair clip according to any one of claims 40 to 44, wherein said jaw
opening
arrangement comprises a jaw engagement portion arranged within said jaws
portions and
operable in a direction of said hinge axes to engage said jaw portions to urge
said jaw
portions open.

20
46. A hair clip according to claim 45, wherein said jaw engagement portion has
angled engagement surfaces for engagement with said jaw portions to urge said
jaw
portions open.
47. A hair clip according to claim 45, wherein said jaw engagement portion is
by said
body portion.
48. A hair clip according to claim 45, wherein said jaw engagement portion is
slidably attached to said body portion to allow said jaw engagement portion to
slide
relative to said body portion to engage said jaw portions.
49. A hair clip according to any one of claims 40 to 48, including resilient
portions
arranged between said body portion and said jaw portions to provide said
resilient
connection between said body portion and said jaw portions.
50. A hair clip according to claim 49, wherein said jaw portions are mounted
to said
body portion via pivot pins, and said resilient portions comprise spring
members
engaging said body portion and said jaw portions.
51. A hair clip according to claim 49, wherein said body portion and said jaw
portions are formed from a single piece of material thinned at said hinge
positions to
enable the relative pivoting of said jaw portions and said body portion, and
said resilient
portions comprise resilient members engaging said jaw portions and said body
portion.
52. A hair clip according to claim 49, wherein said resilient portions
comprise
resilient material connecting said jaw portions and said body portion.
53. A hair clip according to any one of claims 40 to 52, wherein said body
portion
comprises a base portion to which said jaw portions are connected, and at
least one
decorative cover portion.

21
54. A hair clip according to claim 53, wherein at least one said decorative
cover
portion is removable in use to enable different cover portions to be connected
to said base
portion.
55. A hair clip according to any one of claims 40 to 54, wherein said body
portion has
thin section edge portions defining a large aperture between said axes, to
allow said hair
of a wearer to be seen therethrough when worn.
56. A hair clip according to any one of claims 40 to 55, wherein said jaw
portions are
arcuate in section to define a volume between said body portion and said jaw
portions
into which said hair can be clasped in use.
57. A hair clip according to any one of claims 40 to 56, wherein each said jaw
portion
comprises a plurality of hingedly and resiliently coupled jaw sections, each
axis of the
hinged couplings lying parallel to said laterally spaced hinge axes.
58. A hair clip comprising:
a body portion extending along an axis;
jaw portions attached to said body portion, said jaw portions having tines and
being
hingedly and resiliently connected to said body portion to urge said tines
together to a
closed position for gripping hair, and said jaw portions being connected to
said body
portion at hinge positions defining laterally spaced hinge axes parallel to
said axis;
a jaw opening arrangement to allow said jaw portions to be opened single
handed; and
hinge cover portions for covering the hinged resilient connections between
said jaw
portions and said body portion and arranged to move under or over said body
portion
when said jaw portions are opened.
59. A hair clip according to claim 58, wherein said body portion has an outer
face and
said jaw portions are hingedly connected to said body portion at a position
away from
said outer face.

22
60. A hair clip according to claim 58 or 59, wherein said jaw opening
arrangement
comprises handle portions extending from said jaw portions away from said
tines to
allow said jaws to be opened by urging said handle portions about said axes.
61. A hair clip according to claim 58 or 59, wherein said jaw opening
arrangement
comprises a jaw engagement portion arranged within said jaws portions and
operable in a
direction of said hinge axes to engage said jaw portions to urge said jaw
portions open.
62. A hair clip according to claim 61, wherein said jaw engagement portion has
angled engagement surfaces for engagement with said jaw portions to urge said
jaw
portions open.
63. A hair clip according to claim 61, wherein said jaw engagement portion is
carried
by said body portion.
64. A hair clip according to claim 63, wherein said jaw engagement portion is
slidably attached to said body portion to allow said jaw engagement portion to
slide
relative to said body portion to engage said jaw portions.
65. A hair clip according to any one of claims 58 to 64, including resilient
portions
arranged between said body portion and said jaw portions to provide said
resilient
connection between said body portion and said jaw portions.
66. A hair clip according to claim 65, wherein said jaw portions are mounted
to said
body portion via pivot pins, and said resilient portions comprise spring
members
engaging said body portion and said jaw portions.
67. A hair clip according to claim 65, wherein said body portion and said jaw
portions are formed from a single piece of material thinned at said hinge
positions to
enable the relative pivoting of said jaw portions and said body portion, and
said resilient
portions comprise resilient members engaging said jaw portions and said body
portion.

23
68. A hair clip according to claim 65, wherein said resilient portions
comprise
resilient material connecting said jaw portions and said body portion.
69. A hair clip according to any one of claims 58 to 68, wherein said body
portion
comprises a base portion to which said jaw portions are connected, and at
least one
decorative cover portion.
70. A hair clip according to claim 69, wherein at least one said decorative
cover
portion is removable in use to enable different cover portions to be connected
to said base
portion.
71. A hair clip according to any one of claims 58 to 70, wherein said body
portion has
thin section edge portions defining a large aperture between said axes, to
allow said hair
of a wearer to be seen therethrough when worn.
72. A hair clip according to any one of claims 58 to 71, wherein said jaw
portions are
arcuate in section to define a volume between said body portion and said jaw
portions
into which said hair can be clasped in use.
73. A hair clip according to any one of claims 58 to 72, wherein each said jaw
portion
comprises a plurality of hingedly and resiliently coupled jaw sections, each
axis of the
hinged couplings lying parallel to said laterally spaced axes.

Description

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1
A Hair Clip
Field of the invention
The present invention generally relates to hair clips and more particularly to
hair
clips having pivotable jaws for gripping hair.
Background of the invention
One type of prior art clips which use pivotable jaws are generally known as
butterfly clips. These clips comprise two jaw members having tines and being
joined
along a pivot axis. A spring arrangement is provided at the pivot axis to
resiliently urge
the tines of the jaws to a closed position to grip the hair. To enable the
tines to be
disengaged and the jaws opened, the jaws are provided with lever members
extending
therefrom at a position away from the tines. This gives the clip the classic
`butterfly'
appearance and hence its common name. When the clips are worn the primary
visible
parts are the lever members or `wings' and the joining pivot and spring
mechanism. The
problem is that although these clips are easy to use single handed, the spring
and pivot
mechanism is not very aesthetically appealing. The arrangement disclosed in
US5862815 addresses this problem by providing a cover over the spring
mechanism.
This cover is however required to flex or fold as the clip is opened and the
wings close
together. Thus the cover mechanism is complex to build and is fragile and thus
liable to
failure in use, especially as the clip ages.
Another type of clip which provides pivotable jaws is disclosed in US6142159.
This clip comprises a barrette made of a single flat strip of resilient
material. Ends of the
flat strip form tines that join when in the closed position. In one example
the clip can be
opened by pulling the two ends apart. This operation requires the use of two
hands and
is thus more complex than that required for opening butterfly clips. In
another example
in US6142159 handle portions are provided and the strip flexes in a central
region.
While this enables single handed operation, it requires the central region to
be flexible.
This limits the decorative ability of the central region.

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In US6186151, a combined grooming device and hair clip is disclosed in which
a body houses a grooming device such as a brush which can hingedly extend out
from
the body when used for grooming. The body carries two hinged arms which enable
the
device to be used as a hair clip. This device is however bulky as a hair clip
and has low
aesthetic appeal.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an improved hair clip
that
overcomes the deficiencies in the prior art.
Summary of the invention
Generally, in some embodiments, the present invention provides jaw
arrangements having tines, and a body arrangement to which the jaw
arrangements are
pivotably and resiliently mounted so as to urge the jaw arrangements to a
closed position
where said tines meet. A jaw opening arrangement is provided to allow the jaw
arrangement to be opened single handed. The jaw arrangements are mounted on
the
body arrangement at pivot positions which define laterally spaced pivot axes.
In some embodiments, by laterally spacing the pivot axes it is possible to use
a
body which can be decorated or made less visible and can also act to hide the
pivot
mechanisms if necessary, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance of the
clip in use.
In some embodiments, the present invention includes any body arrangement such
as a single body part or multiple body parts acting to hold the effective
pivot points of the
jaw arrangements spaces laterally. Also the jaw arrangements can comprise any
arrangement of single or multiple jaw parts. Where multiple jaw parts are
provided, the
jaw parts can be pivotable connected together to form a multiply pivoted jaw
arrangement. The pivots in such an arrangement will lie substantially
parallel. The jaw
opening arrangement can comprise any suitable part or collection of parts to
enable the
jaw arrangements to be urged pivotably to an open position against the
resilient force of
the resilient connection between the jaw arrangements and the body
arrangement.

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3
In one embodiment of the present invention, the body arrangement has an outer
face and the pivot mechanisms are arranged on said body arrangement away from
the
outer face. Thus the pivot mechanisms are hidden in the hair when worn.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the opening arrangement comprises
handle portions extending from said jaw arrangements at positions away from
the tines
and acting as lever members to lever the jaw arrangements open about the
pivots.
In an alternative embodiment, the opening arrangement comprises an
engagement member arranged within the jaws arrangements and operable in a
direction
of the pivot axes to engage the jaw arrangements to urge them open. In this
embodiment
the jaw engagement portion can have angled engagement surfaces for engagement
with
the jaw arrangements to urge them open. Also the jaw engagement portion can be
carried by the body arrangement. For example the jaw engagement portion can be
slidably attached to said body portion to allow said jaw engagement portion to
slide
relative to said body portion to engage said jaw portions.
In another embodiment of the present invention, resilient portions are
arranged
between the body arrangement and the jaw arrangement to provide the resilient
connection between the body arrangement and the jaw arrangement. In this
embodiment
the jaw portions can be mounted to the body arrangement via pivot pins, and
the
resilient portions can comprise spring members engaging the body arrangement
and the
jaw arrangements. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the
jaw
portions are formed from the same piece of material as said body portion and
at pivot
points the material is thinned in section to enable the jaw portions to pivot
relative to the
body portion, and a resilient member is provided to urge the jaw arrangements
to the
closed position. In another alternative embodiment of the present invention
the resilient
portions comprise resilient material connecting the jaw arrangements and the
body
arrangement.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the body arrangement
comprises a base portion to which the jaw arrangements are connected, and at
least one
decorative cover portion. In this embodiment at least one said decorative
cover portion

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4
can be removable in use to enable different cover portions to be connected to
the base
portion.
In another embodiment the body is formed of thin section edge regions defining
a central aperture through the body between the pivot axes. Thus in this
embodiment the
hair of the wearer can be seen through the body thus reducing the visibility
of the clip.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the jaw portions are arcuate in
section to define a volume between the body arrangement and the jaw
arrangements into
which hair can be clasped in use.
In one embodiment of the present invention each jaw arrangement comprises a
plurality of hingedly and resiliently coupled jaw sections, each hinged
coupling lying
along an axis parallel to the laterally spaced axes.
One aspect of the present invention provides a hair clip comprising a body
portion; jaw portions attached to said body portion; and a jaw opening
arrangement to
allow said jaw portions to be opened single handed; said jaw portions having
tines and
being hingedly and resiliently connected to said body portion to urge said
tines together
for gripping hair, wherein said jaw portions are connected to said body
portion at hinge
positions defining laterally spaced axes, said jaw opening arrangement
comprises
handle portions extending from said jaw portions away from said tines to allow
said jaw
portions to be opened by urging said handle portions about said axes and said
body
portion includes a recess for receiving hair gripped by said tines.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a hair clip comprising a body
portion; jaw portions attached to said body portion; and a jaw opening
arrangement to
allow said jaw portions to be opened single handed; said jaw portions having
tines and
being hingedly and resiliently connected to said body portion to urge said
tines together
for gripping hair, wherein said jaw portions are connected to said body
portion at hinge
positions defining laterally spaced axes, said body portion comprises a base
portion to
which said jaw portions are connected and at least one decorative cover
portion, and at

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least one said decorative cover portion is removable in use to enable
different cover
portions to be connected to said base portion.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a hair clip comprising a body
portion; jaw portions attached to said body portion; and a jaw opening
arrangement to
allow said jaw portions to be opened single handed; said jaw portions having
tines and
being hingedly and resiliently connected to said body portion to urge said
tines together
for gripping hair, wherein said jaw portions are connected to said body
portion at hinge
positions defining laterally spaced axes, and said body portion has thin
section edge
portions defining a large aperture between said axes, to allow hair of a
wearer to be seen
therethrough when worn.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a hair clip comprising a body
portion; jaw portions attached to said body portion; and a jaw opening
arrangement to
allow said jaw portions to be opened single handed; wherein said jaw portions
have
tines and are hingedly and resiliently connected to said body portion to urge
said tines
together to a closed position for gripping hair, said jaw portions are
connected to said
body portion at hinge positions defining laterally spaced hinge axes, and said
jaw
portions and said body define an outer hair clip surface which is
substantially
cylindrical when said jaw portions are in the closed position.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a hair clip comprising a body
portion extending along an axis; jaw portions attached to said body portion,
said jaw
portions having tines and being hingedly and resiliently connected to said
body portion
to urge said tines together to a closed position for gripping hair, and said
jaw portions
being connected to said body portion at hinge positions defining laterally
spaced hinge
axes parallel to said axis; a jaw opening arrangement to allow said jaw
portions to be
opened single handed; and cover portions extending from said jaw portions to
cover at
least a portion of the gaps between said body portion and said jaw portions
and arranged
to move under or over said body portion when said jaw portions are opened.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a hair clip comprising a body
portion extending along an axis; jaw portions attached to said body portion
and having

CA 02504936 2009-07-29
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tines; resilient hinge mechanisms connecting said jaw portions to said body
portion to
urge said tines together to a closed position for gripping hair, said
resilient hinge
mechanisms lying at hinge positions defining laterally spaced hinge axes
parallel to said
axis; a jaw opening arrangement to allow said jaw portions to be opened single
handed;
and hinge cover portions covering the resilient hinge mechanisms at an outer
side of
said hair clip between said jaw portions and said body portion, said hinge
cover portions
comprising portions extending from said body portion and arranged to move
relatively
inwardly under said jaw portions when said jaw portions are opened, or
portions
extending from said jaw portions and arranged to move relatively inwardly
under said
body portion when said jaw portions are opened.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a hair clip comprising a body
portion; jaw portions attached to said body portion; and a jaw opening
arrangement to
allow said jaw portions to be opened single handed; wherein said jaw portions
have
tines and are hingedly and resiliently connected to said body portion to urge
said tines
together to a closed position for gripping hair, said jaw portions are
connected to said
body portion at hinge positions defining laterally spaced hinge axes, and said
tines are
arranged to meet substantially in a plane when said jaw portions are in the
closed
position.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
hair clip
comprising:
a body portion;
jaw portions attached to said body portion; and
a jaw opening arrangement to allow said jaw portions to be opened single
handed;
wherein said jaw portions have tines and being hingedly and resiliently
connected to
said body portion to urge said tines together for gripping hair, said jaw
portions are
connected to said body portion at hinge positions defining laterally spaced
axes, said jaw
opening arrangement comprises handle portions extending from said jaw portions
away
from said tines to allow said jaw portions to be opened by urging said handle
portions
about said axes, and said body portion defines a space therein for receiving
said hair
gripped by said tines.

CA 02504936 2011-02-17
6a
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair
clip
comprising:
opposed jaws having teeth arranged to meet to clasp hair;
a jaw opening arrangement extending away from said jaws and for opening the
jaws
single handed; and
a mount arrangement on which said jaws are resiliently mounted at two or more
laterally spaced pivot axes;
wherein said mount arrangement defines a concave space into which said hair is
received when gripped by said jaws.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
hair clip
comprising:
jaw means having teeth arranged to meet to grip hair;
jaw opening means extending away from said jaw means and for opening said jaw
means single handed; and
a mount means on which said jaw means are mounted so as to be resiliently
pivoted
about at least two laterally spaced axes;
wherein said mount means defines a concave space into which said hair is
received
when gripped by said jaw means.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
hair clip
comprising:
a body portion extending along an axis;
jaw portions attached to said body portion, said jaw portions having tines and
being
hingedly and resiliently connected to said body portion to urge said tines
together to a
closed position for gripping hair, and said jaw portions being connected to
said body
portion at hinge positions defining laterally spaced hinge axes parallel to
said axis;
a jaw opening arrangement to allow said jaw portions to be opened single
handed; and
hinge cover portions for covering the hinged resilient connections between
said jaw
portions and said body portion and arranged to move under or over said body
portion
when said jaw portions are opened.

CA 02504936 2009-07-29
6b
Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective diagram of a hair clip of a first embodiment of the
present
invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the hair clip of the first embodiment of the
present
invention;
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view through the hair clip of the first
embodiment of the
present invention in the closed position;
Figure 4 is a cross sectional view through the hair clip of the first
embodiment of the
present invention in the open position;
Figure 5 is an exploded view of the hair clip of a second embodiment of the
present
invention;
Figure 6 is a perspective diagram of a hair clip of the second embodiment of
the present
invention;

CA 02504936 2011-02-17
7
Figure 7 is an end view of the hair clip of the second embodiment of the
present
invention;
Figure 8 is a cross sectional view through the hair clip of the second
embodiment of the
present invention in the closed position;
Figure 9 is a cross sectional view through the hair clip of the second
embodiment of the
present invention in the open position;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the hair clip of the first embodiment of
the present
invention showing the inside of the hair clip in the open position;
Figure 11 is a perspective diagram of a hair clip of a third embodiment of the
present
invention;
Figure 12 is a schematic cross section through a hair clip of a fourth
embodiment of the
present invention; and
Figure 13 is a schematic cross section through a hair clip of a fifth
embodiment of the
present invention.
Figure 14 is a schematic cross-section through a hair clip of a further
embodiment of the
present invention.
Description of embodiments of the invention
A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with
reference to figures 1 to 4.
The hair clip of this embodiment comprises a body 1 formed of a base 1 a and a
cover lb which is coupled to the base Ia. The decorative cover can either be
detachable
in use to enable the cover to be changed, or it can only be fixed. The fixed
cover enables
the fixing of different covers to the same base I a during the manufacturing
process. The
base I a has an elongate arcuate carrying surface for carrying the decorative
cover lb in
an elongate arcuate shape. Below the carrying surface there are provided two
arms 4a
and 4b extending away from the base I a at spaced positions to the sides of
the base I a.
The arms 4a and 4b have pivot holes 5a and 5b for receiving pivot pins 6a and
6b.
Two opposed elongate jaws 2 and 3 have a curved or roughly arcuate cross
section. A pivot arm 2a and 3a respectively extends inwardly from an upper
edge of
each jaw 2 and 3 and has a pivot hole for receiving the respective pivot pin
6a and 6b. In

CA 02504936 2011-02-17
7a
this way the jaws 2 and 3 are mounted on the base la to pivot about pivot axes
spaced
from one another. The pivot arms 2 and 3 have an upper lip 2b and 3b
respectively

CA 02504936 2005-05-03
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8
which serves to limit the closed position of the jaws 2 and 3 by engaging with
an inner
surface of the base la. Cover portions 2d and 2e, and 3d and 3e extend from
the upper
edges of the jaws 2 and 3 parallel to the pivot arms to bridge the gap between
the jaws 2
and 3 and the base la when the jaws are in the closed position. Along one edge
of the
jaws 2 and 3 away from the pivot arms 2a and 3a and cover portions 2d, 2e, 3d
and 3e
respectively tines 2c and 3c respectively extend towards one another for
gripping hair.
In the closed position the tines 2c and 3c of the jaws 2 and 3 interlace. The
jaws 2 and 3
are also provided with handle portions or `wings' 2f and 3f which extend along
the body
of the jaws 2 and 3 and extend therefrom at a position away from the tines 2c
and 3c
near the top edges of the jaws 2 and 3. The handle portions 2f and 3f are
arranged above
the pivot point so that they can be held between the fingers of a hand and
squeezed to
urge the jaws 2 and 3 to the open position.
Also mounted on the pivot pins 6a and 6b are springs 7a and 7b having spring
arms for engaging the arms 4a and 4b and the pivot arms 2a and 3a to urge them
apart
and thereby urge the jaws 2 and 3 to the closed position.
It can be seen that in this embodiment the jaws 2 and 3 are pivoted on
laterally
separated pivot positions either side of the body 1 so that the pivot
mechanisms are
hidden under the body 1. Thus the body 1 can be decorated to improve the
aesthetic
appearance of the hair clip. The appearance can also be changed as desired in
this
embodiment by changing the cover 1 a.
A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with
reference to figures 5 to 10. This embodiment is similar to the first
embodiment except
that the jaw opening arrangement is different.
The hair clip of this embodiment comprises a body 10 having an elongate
arcuate decorative outer surface. Below the decorative surface there are
provided two
arms 1 Oa and 1Ob extending away from the body 10 at spaced positions to the
sides of
the body 10. The arms 10a and 10b have pivot holes for receiving pivot pins
15a and
15b.

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9
Two opposed elongate jaws 11 and 12 have a curved or roughly arcuate cross
section. A pivot arm 1la and 12a respectively extends inwardly from an upper
edge of
each jaw 11 and 12 and has a pivot hole for receiving the respective pivot pin
15a and
15b. In this way the jaws 11 and 12 are mounted on the body 10 to pivot about
pivot
axes spaced from one another. Along one edge of the jaws 11 and 12 away from
the
pivot arms 11 a and 12a respectively tines 11 c and 12c respectively extend
towards one
another for gripping hair. In the closed position the tines 11c and 12c of the
jaws 11 and
12 interlace.
An opening member 13 is provided for engaging and opening said jaws 11 and
12. The body 10 is provided with ridges l Oc and I Od extending along inner
edges and
an engagement slot l0e on an inner face of the body for engagement by the
opening
member. The body 10 is also provided with an end plate 10f extending from one
end of
the inner face near the engagement slot 10e. The opening member 13 comprises a
main
portion 13 a having a section shaped to fit in the inner surface of the body
10 and
grooves 13b in the sides to ride along the ridges 10c and 10d of the body 10
so that the
opening member 13 can slide laterally along the body 10. The opening member 13
also
has an arm portion 13c extending from the body portion 13a. The arm portion
13c has a
sloping surface 13d for engagement with the pivot arms 1 la and 12a of the
jaws to urge
the jaws 11 and 12 open. The opening member 13 includes a latch member 13e at
the
end of the arm portion for engaging the engagement slot 10e in the body 10 to
prevent
the opening member 13 detaching from the body 10 . A single handed operation
to open
the clip involves holding the hair clip in one hand and squeezing the opening
member
13 and the end plate l Of with the fingers and thumb of the hand.
Also mounted on the pivot pins 15a and 15b are springs 16a and 16b having
spring arms for engaging the arms IOa and 1Ob and the pivot arms 11 a and 12a
to urge
them apart and thereby urge the jaws 11 and 12 to the closed position. The
opening
member 13 is operable to act against the springs 15a and 15b.
It can be seen that in this embodiment the jaws 11 and 12 are pivoted on
laterally separated pivot positions either side of the body 10 so that the
pivot

CA 02504936 2005-05-03
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mechanisms are hidden under the body 10. Thus the body 10 can be decorated to
improve the aesthetic appearance of the hair clip.
In this embodiment, although the face 13d of the opening member 13 that
engages the arms 4a and 4b is flat, the face can be any suitable shape to
enhance the
application of an opening force on the arms 4a and 4b. For example, the face
can be
formed or two opposed sloping faces to provide a triangular cross section.
A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with
reference to figure 11. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment
except that
the hair clip is shorter and the body 100 has a large aperture in it.
The body 100 in this embodiment is formed of thin section material forming an
aperture between the two pivot axes on which the jaws 101 and 102 pivot. Thus
in this
embodiment when the clip is worn the wearers hair can be seen through the
aperture.
This reduces the visibility of the clip. Also since the pivot mechanisms for
the jaws are
mounted on the lower or inside of the clip, the mechanisms are hidden by the
wearer's
hair in use.
In this embodiment a cover can be provided to be detachably attached to the
body 100 to cover the aperture. This enables the wearer to select whether or
not to have
a decorative cover and also to choose which decorative cover to use.
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with
reference to figure 112. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment
except that
the pivotable mounting of the jaws on the body is formed by thinning a section
of
material.
The hair clip of this embodiment comprises a body 20 having an elongate
arcuate carrying surface. Either side, along the elongate edges of the body 20
the body
is connected to two jaws 21 and 22. The connection is formed by regions 25 and
26 of
thinning of the material between the jaws 21 and 22 and the body 20. This
forms a
hinge or pivot point extending along the edges of the body 20. Thus the body
20 and the

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11
jaws 21 and 22 can be formed of the same material e.g. a plastic material
having a thin
region therebetween. Alternatively the body 20 and the jaws 21 and 22 can be
formed in
three pieces and joined by connection of a thin section region of one to the
other.
Within the jaws 21 and 22 and the body springs or resilient members 20 provide
the resilient force to urge the jaws 21 and 22 to the closed position. The
jaws 21 and 22
are provided with handle portions 21 a and 22a to enable to one handed
operation of the
hair clip. Also the jaws 21 and 22 have tines 21b and 22b for gripping hair.
Thus in this embodiment the lateral displacement of the pivot axes of the jaws
enable a decorative body to be used while still enabling single handed
operation. The
pivot mechanism is displaced to either side of the decorative body.
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with
reference to figure 13. This embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment
except that
the pivotable mounting of the jaws on the body is formed by regions or
resilient
material interconnecting the jaws and the body.
The hair clip of this embodiment comprises a body 30 having an elongate
arcuate carrying surface. Either side, along the elongate edges of the body 30
the body
is connected to two jaws 31 and 32. The connection is formed by regions of
resilient
material 33 and 34 between the jaws 31 and 32 and the body 30. This forms a
hinge or
pivot point extending along the edges of the body 30. Thus the body 30 and the
jaws 31
and 32 are formed in three pieces and joined by connection of a resilient
section of
material 33 and 34.
The jaws 31 and 32 are provided with handle portions 3la and 32a to enable to
one handed operation of the hair clip. Also the jaws 31 and 32 have tines 31b
and 32b
for gripping hair.
Thus in this embodiment the lateral displacement of the pivot axes of the jaws
enable a decorative body to be used while still enabling single handed
operation. The
pivot mechanism is displaced to either side of the decorative body.

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12
Figure 14 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention. This
embodiment is similar to the fifth embodiment except that the jaws 41 and 42
are
formed of a plurality of jaw sections 41 c, 41 d, 42c and 42d.
The hair clip of this embodiment comprises a body 40 having an elongate
arcuate carrying surface. Two jaws 41 and 42 are hingedly and resiliently
arranged
either side of the body 40 along the elongate edges of the body 40. The jaws
41 and 42
are formed of a plurality of jaw sections 41c, 41d, 42c and 42d. The first
jaws sections
41c and 42c are hingedly connected to the body 40 by a resilient section of
material 44a
and 43a respectively. The second jaw sections 41d and 42d are hingedly
connected to
the first jaw sections 41c and 42c by a resilient section of material 44b and
43b
respectively. Handle portions 41a and 42a are provided extending from the
second jaw
sections 41 d and 42d and tines 41b and 42b are provided on the second jaw
sections 41 d
and 42d.
Thus in this embodiment the resilient material 44a, 43a, 44b and 43b provide
hinged couplings which lie parallel to the axis of the elongate body 40.
In all of the embodiments described hereinabove the hair clip can be made of
any suitable material such as a decorative plastic material, or metal such as
gold or
silver when the hair clip is a j ewellery item. The resilient members or
springs can be
formed of any suitable material, such as spring metal or spring plastic, that
provides a
spring force between the jaws and the body to urge the jaws to the closed
position. The
hair clip can be of any length and need not be elongate. Also, it is possible
to attach
false hair to the clip to enable the wearer to wear the clip and have extended
hair.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific
embodiments, it will be apparent to a skilled person in the art that
modifications lie
within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

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