JPS62224710A - Clip - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to clips, and more particularly to safety clips for positioning around one or more workpieces, which clips may be removed or touched. This clip cannot be made without leaving behind such evidence.

It is often necessary to secure the workpiece in such a way that it becomes obvious that there has been any tampering or tampering.For example, it is often necessary to tighten a pair of cords that hold the opening of a closed bag. be. This is done by means of clips that fasten the elongated coat or lace sections against each other and against the bag. This kind of equipment.

Keep the bag mouth in the closed position. A clip that can indicate if the back's mouth has been tampered with or not opened, or if the clip has been tampered with or removed, has a significant advantage in situations where There is. This may be the case if the contents of the bag are very valuable, or if the bag can only be opened once upon reaching a particular destination or person. An example of this is the case of a mail bag that needs to remain closed from its starting point until it reaches its destination. It would be very advantageous to have some means of indicating whether the bag has been opened or tampered with in any way during transport.

Traditionally, this has been accomplished with lead or brazed rails placed around the coat or laces to be fastened. These methods are costly and inconvenient. More complex types of clips have also been utilized, but these are generally expensive, complex to make and use, and
And they often do not provide a means to check for tampering or unlocking of the bag or clip.

Accordingly, it is an object of one aspect of the invention to be suitable for use as a safety clip, inexpensive, and easy to use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a clip that can engage at least a workpiece in a non-releasable manner.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

According to one aspect of the invention, a clip is provided that includes at least two members pivotally attached by a hinged portion, each of said members including an engageable locking device, and said members.

pivotable relative to each other from an open position separated from each other to a closed position in which the respective locking devices on each of said members are brought into non-releasably engagement with each other; In the closed position, in which the respective locking devices are engaged, the clips are formed such that a passage is formed through the clips.

According to another aspect of the invention, a clip is provided which can be secured to at least one workpiece, the clip including at least two members pivotally attached by a hinge, each of the members being , an engageable locking device, wherein the members are brought together from mutually separated release positions such that the respective locking devices on each of the members are non-releasably engaged with each other. pivotable with respect to each other to a closed position in which the members are engaged, the members being configured such that in the closed position in which the respective locking devices are engaged a passage is formed through the clip; and the clip is removable from the closed position at least from the workpiece by cutting or deforming at least a portion of the clip.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for securing a clip to one or more workpieces, the method comprising positioning an at least partially open clip about the workpieces. and the clip includes at least two members pivotally mounted by a hinge, each of the members including an engageable locking device, and thereafter moving the members away from each other from an open position. Pivoting to a closed position causes the respective locking devices of the members to non-releasably engage each other, and in the closed position, the members are formed such that a passageway is formed through the clip.

The one or more articles extend through the passageway and become retained within the passageway.

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. It should be noted that this description is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10 shows one preferred type of clip of the present invention. This clip 10 has a central hinge portion 16 that connects the member 1.
It consists of 2 and 14.

Member 14 includes an enlarged terminal portion 18 . A socket 20 is formed in the enlarged terminal portion.

Member 14 includes a plurality of ribs 22 formed on top surface 23 . Rib 22 extends along the length of member 14 from an inner surface end 24 of member 14 to a location corresponding to inner end 26 of enlarged portion 18 . Rib 22 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of clip 10. Preferably, each rib has a triangular cross-sectional shape forming a plurality of regularly spaced elongated troughs between them. These troughs are
Preferably, it has a triangular cross-sectional shape.

Member 12 also includes a plurality of ribs 28 on top surface 29. Rib 28 extends along the length of member 12 from inner end 32 of member I2 to a location proximal to spigot 42. Similarly, the ribs 28 are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the clip IO, each rib having a triangular cross-sectional shape defining #i regularly spaced elongated troughs between them. These troughs are preferably triangular in cross-section.

Although the ribs 22 and 28 troughs have been described as being in a row and having a generally triangular cross-section, this is merely an example. The trough may be of any other shape and contour if desired.

Member 12 further includes an upright flank 30 extending around its periphery. Preferably, the flange 30
is open at the inner end 32 and extends around three sides thereof. Flange 30 includes side walls 34.34 and end walls 36.

A spigot 42 projects upwardly from the top surface 29 of the member 12 and is preferably spaced from the end wall of the flange 30.

The spigot 42 has an enlarged end 44 that terminates in a lower shoulder 46 and tapers at least partially toward the center.

In the preferred form of the invention shown in FIG. 1, the socket 20 is oriented such that it is elongated relative to the longitudinal axis of the clip IO. However, it is also conceivable that the socket 20 is oriented to extend laterally, as will be explained further below.

Projecting into the socket 20 from the top surface 23 are a pair of crosspieces 48 . The bars 48 project into the socket 20 and are sloped towards each other as they extend downwardly from the top surface 23. The crosspiece 48 terminates in a downwardly facing shoulder 54, as shown in Figure rftJ4.

The hinge portion 18 is preferably thinner than the members 12 and 14, thus forming a channel-shaped recess between the inner ends 24 and 32 of the members 12 and 14, but with the four portions open on their sides. There is.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the clip 10 is in the open position, the members 12 and 14 are substantially coplanar with the hinge I8.

In use, the clip 10 may be positioned around the elongated strip of material 58. The hinge portion may be located generally adjacent the elongate strip of material 58 such that the elongate strip is located between the inner ends 24 and 32 of members 14 and 12. Members 12 and 14 are then moved generally in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. Rib 22 provided on member 14 and rib 2 provided on member 12
8 indicates that when the members 12 and 14 are moved together, the rib 22
is located within the trough formed by rib 28, which in turn is located within the trough formed by rib 22.

Spigot 42 positions and shapes members 12 and 14 to engage within socket 20 when moved into the closed position. Spigot 42 into socket 20
By completely pushing in the shoulder 4 of the spigot 42
6 is pushed past the shoulder 54 of the crosspiece 48, thus engaging the spigot 42 into the socket 20.

The two members 12 and 14 are thus non-releasably engaged with each other.

The tapered end of the spigot 42 helps guide the spigot into the socket 20.

When members I2 and 14 are brought into engagement with each other, an intermediate plane is created between them. This intermediate plane is not shown in the drawing. This is because the flange 30 of one member 12 extends around the periphery of member 14 and hides its intermediate surface from the surroundings. This can be seen from the t53 diagram.

The widths of the members 12 and 14 are such that when the members 12 and 14 are engaged, the inner surface of the side wall portion 34 of the flange 30 substantially abuts the side portion 38 of the member 14. Furthermore,
The length of members 12 and 14 extends from end portion 35 of flange 30.
The length is such that the inner surface of the member 14 substantially abuts the end wall 50 of the member 14. Thus, the area around the intermediate plane is hidden.

As members 12 and 14 are moved into the engaged position, they become increasingly acute with respect to hinge portion 18. This has the effect of at least partially forcing a workpiece placed in a recess formed adjacent to the hinge portion out of said recess and between the inner ends 24 and 32 of members 14 and 12.

Additionally, because the ribs 22 and 28 are positioned adjacent to each other, the recess into which the elongated strip of material is placed provides a closed passageway with an open end through which the strip of material 58 extends. The passage is thus limited by the inner ends 24 and 32 of members 14 and 12 on the one hand and by hinge portion 1B on the other hand.

Thus, the coat 58 includes at least the hinge portion 18 and
It is held within the passage partially captured between the surfaces formed by inner ends 24 and 32. As members 12 and 14 are moved into the fully engaged position, hinge portion 18 is drawn toward the plane formed by inner ends 24.32, thus reducing the cross-sectional area of the passageway.

The strips 18 are grasped together and held within the passageway. When the clip is fully engaged, the strip is preferably gripped so tightly that no movement of the clip relative to the strip 58 is possible.

As previously explained, once the clip 10 is fully engaged, it cannot be removed without cutting or deforming at least a portion of it. This may be done, for example, by using tools and devices consisting of: In some cases, manual operation may be sufficient. Such operations to remove or deform the clip will inevitably cause some damage to the clip, thus giving an indication that the clip has been tampered with. To help with this, socket 20
When the spigot 42 is pushed into the socket 20, the width of
The width of the spigot 42 is such that the lateral portion 60 is pushed outward. When the spigot 42 locks behind the shoulder 54 of the socket 20, the portion 60 springs back to its original shape.

If it is desired to remove the safety clip, it may be cut, for example, at face 62 as shown in FIG. The clip thus becomes a disposable item that must be used once and then discarded.

A flange 30 extending on the intermediate surface between members 12 and 14 prevents the insertion of tools or similar devices that would attempt to force the members apart. Flange 30 also connects member 12
60 and provides additional support for the portion 60 when the clip is in the fully engaged position.

Referring to FIG. 5, in one preferred form of the invention, the hinge portion 16 includes a plurality of spaced apart ridges 56. This property allows clip 10 to accommodate and secure strips of a very wide range of thicknesses.

As the ridges 56 extend into the passageway, they press against the strip within the passageway, thus at least serving to secure the strip to the clip. Thus, if the strip is of a thinner thickness than would generally be considered necessary to secure at least one cord snugly within the passageway, the ridges may A portion 56 extends into the passageway and thus serves to secure the strip. As the ridge 55 extends into the passageway, the necessary pressure is exerted on the strip located within the passageway.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the inner end 32 of member 12 includes:
A plurality of separate south or ribs 70 may optionally be provided. These teeth or ribs 70 (hereinafter referred to as "teeth 70") extend outwardly from the inner end 32 and are
8 and extending from approximately the middle of the 8.

Thus, tM70 is located between ribs 58. This can be clearly seen from Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

In one form, the teeth 70 are generally triangular in shape;
The hinge portion 15 tapers toward the center portion 72. The teeth or ribs 70 are also tapered from the hinge portion 16 to the intermediate portion of the corresponding rib 28.

The inner end 24 of the member 14 may also include a plurality of spaced teeth or ribs 74 (hereinafter referred to as "teeth or ribs 74").
Teeth 74 (referred to as "teeth 74") are recessed to extend from approximately the middle portion of rib 22. Thus, as shown in Figure 8,
Teeth 74 are preferably positioned above ribs 56. As can be seen in FIG. 5, teeth 74 do not extend from the top surface of hinge portion 16, as teeth 70 do, but extend from inner end 24 of member 14 above rib 56. . Teeth 74 again. It tapers toward the hinge I6.

As generally described above for other preferred forms of the invention, teeth 70 and 74 move between each other as members 12 and 14 are moved into the engaged position. Thus, as the members 12 and 14 are engaged, the clip lO
A passageway is formed therethrough and is at least partially limited by spaced apart @70 and 74. Teeth 70 and 74 with or without ridges 56 are provided to allow clipping of elongated materials of a wider range of widths and thicknesses.
It can be fixed by O. Thus, teeth 70.7
4 serves to at least partially grasp the elongated material positioned within one passage and thereby to position the elongated material within the passage. The strips are gripped and held together in the passageway such that the strip or strips cannot be moved relative to the clip 70.

As will be appreciated from the above description, clip 10
Even if the elongated material to be secured is less wide or thick than would typically be necessary to secure it snugly within the passageway, the ridges 56 may extend into the passageway;
Similarly, teeth 70, which serve to secure the strip,
74 can extend into the passageway to grasp or press against the elongate material positioned therein to secure it to the clip.

When the clip 10 is in the engaged position, the teeth 70.74 are spaced apart and as the members 12 and 14 are moved toward each other, the strip of material 58 or the teeth 70.74 located therebetween is spaced. and is positioned such that it is at least partially pushed in between. Thus, 1i
70.74 serve to retain and secure the elongated member 58 positioned within the passageway.

The provision of ridges 56 and teeth 70.74 is optional;
Their variations are also arbitrary. For example, only the south 70° 74 portion may be provided, or only the ridge portion 56 may be provided.

Referring again to FIGS. 5 and 6, the hinge portion 16 in the - form extends from the inner ends 24, 32 of the members 14 and 12.
As it is angled inwardly toward the central portion 72, it is of a different smaller thickness toward and adjacent its central or intermediate portion.

When the members 12 and 14 are moved toward each other into engagement, the above-described characteristics cause the hinge to collapse.

Now, referring to FIG. 7, in a preferred form of the invention, the spigot 80Σ and the socket 82 are
A clip is provided so as to extend in the transverse direction with respect to the vertical axis of the clip IO.

This clip functions in much the same way as the clips previously described, however, it may be shaped slightly differently to accommodate the laterally extending socket and spigot.

For example, terminal portion 84 of member 14 is smaller than for the clips previously described.

Referring now to FIG. 8, one form of the invention includes one or more indentations or recesses 90 located around or adjacent one end of the spigot 42. You can also do it.

Because of these recesses, if the clip IO were to be opened intentionally, the spigot 42 would break and fall. This indicates that some tampering has been done with the clip or with the workpiece to which the clip is attached, and means that the clip IO cannot be reclosed.

It is contemplated that modifications and changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, it is conceivable to provide a plurality of engageable sockets and spigots. It is also conceivable that the lower end of the socket could be closed. That way, when the clip IO is in the engaged position, the socket 20 will not be reachable by the bristles.

Additionally, a clip of a certain type may be provided with a mark of the same type, indicating, for example, the origin of the workpiece to which it is attached, or to ensure that the clip cannot be replaced with the same clip without proper authority. -・It is also possible to write down the series numbers.

The clip according to the invention can be manufactured by any suitable technique and from any suitable material. For example, in one form of the invention, the clip is manufactured from thermoplastic material. Nylon or the well-known ethylene material which is strong yet sufficiently flexible to advantageously allow one member to be moved from an open position to a closed position at least once without weakening or breaking the hinge portion 16. It is a molded product made of blastic material, which is a type of polymer.

Although this invention has been described with particular reference to its use as a safety clip for clamping together pairs of elongated members, such as those used to hold together the mouths of bags or containers, the invention may be used with any suitable workpiece. Obviously it can be applied to anything. for example.

The invention can be used to attach or position clips to one or multiple workpieces.

The present invention thus provides a clip for securing at least one elongated member to said crimp, which clip is transparent for use and manufacture and is resistant to removal or tampering. It cannot be easily moved or tampered with without leaving some kind of evidence.

It is to be understood that this invention has been described by way of example only and that numerous improvements and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the invention as set forth at the outset.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the clip of the tJSi embodiment of the present invention in the open position, Fig. 2 is an explanatory view showing the position of the elongated material to be fixed to the clip of Fig. 1, and Fig. m3 is a perspective view of the clip of Fig. 1. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the crimp of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the clip of the second embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a plan view of the clip shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a clip according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a side view of a clip according to still another embodiment of the present invention. . In addition, in the figure, lO is a clip, 12 and 14 are members, and 16
is the hinge part, 20.82 is the socket, 22.28.70
is a rib, C2 is an inner end, 36 is an end wall, 48 is a crosspiece, 9
0 indicates a recess.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] (1) A clip including at least two members pivotally attached by a hinge, each of the members including an engageable locking device, and the two members being spaced apart from each other. from the open position, the two members are combined,
the respective locking devices provided on each of the two members being pivotable relative to each other into a closing device non-releasably engaged with each other, the respective locking devices being engaged into a closed position; The clip is characterized in that both members are formed so as to form a passage passing through the clip. (2) A clip capable of fixing to at least one workpiece, including at least two members pivotally attached by a hinge, each of the members including an engageable locking device, and both of the members from an open position in which they are spaced apart from each other to a closed position in which the members are brought together and respective locking devices provided on each of the members are non-releasably engaged with each other; the members are configured to form a passageway through the clip when the respective locking devices are engaged in the combined closed position; , wherein the clip can be removed from the workpiece simply by cutting or deforming at least a portion of the clip. (3) The clip according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking device is such that the first member of the clip includes at least one socket in at least one plane thereof; and at least one protrusion extending outwardly from at least one surface of the second member of the clip. (4) The clip according to claim 3, wherein the surface of each of the members includes a series of ribs, the ribs being arranged in the first and second positions when the members are in the closed position. between the ribbed surfaces of the second member;
positioned such that a significant intermediate plane exists, the ribs disposed on the face of the first member being located within the troughs formed between the ribs disposed in the face of the second member; a clip located on the surface of the clip, thereby forming an end wall on its inner surface. (5) In the clip described in claim 4,
A clip, wherein a device is provided on at least one of the members for enclosing and protecting the intermediate surface from external obstructions. (6) The clip according to claim 5,
A clip including a skirt element extending outwardly from the periphery of the face of at least one of said members. (7) The clip according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the passageway is at least partially joined by the hinge portion. (8) The clip according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the passageway is at least partially joined by the end wall formed by the rib. (9) The clip according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the socket of the locking device includes at least one bar-like portion, and the socket of the locking device includes at least one bar-like portion. A clip comprising a protrusion or an enlarged end portion, the enlarged end portion extending beyond at least the first bar portion when the socket is engaged. (10) The clip according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the hinge portion extends across the inner surface of the hinge portion, or at the inner end of one member. A clip comprising a plurality of ridges extending from a position adjacent to the inner end of the other member to a position adjacent to the inner end of the other member. (11) Any one of claims 1 to 10
The clip of claim 1, wherein the passageway comprises a plurality of spaced teeth or ribs extending into the passageway from at least one side of the passageway. (12) In the clip according to any one of claims 3 to 11, the second member includes at least one recess or recess adjacent to the protrusion, and if ,
The clip is such that the protrusion is broken off when the clip is forcibly opened from the closed position. (13) Any one of claims 1 to 12
3. The clip of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the hinge portion decreases toward its center. (14) Any one of claims 1 to 13
3. The clip of claim 1, wherein the hinge includes a plurality of spaced apart ridges. (15) Any one of claims 1 to 14
3. The clip of claim 1, wherein the clip is an integral unit. (16) Any one of claims 1 to 15
3. The clip according to item 1, wherein the clip is made of a plastic material. (17) A method for fixing a clip to one or more workpieces, the method comprising positioning an at least partially open clip around the workpieces, the clip being rotatably attached by a hinge portion. at least two members, each of which includes an engageable locking device, and the members are then pivoted from an open position relative to each other to a closed position to lock the members. locking devices of each of the members are non-releasably engaged with each other and the members are configured to form a passageway through the clip in the closed position;
or a method characterized in that a number of workpieces are extended through and retained within the passageway.