Clip, hanger and method of using the same

• US 10,640,913 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2018
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Randy Bailey, Susan Bailey
• Original Assignee: Randy Bailey, Susan Bailey
• Inventors: Bailey, Randy, Bailey, Susan
• Primary Examiner(s): Kennedy, Joshua T
• Application Number:
  US15/990,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20180340281A1
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• CPC Class Codes: D06C 3/04 Tentering clips
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 55/00 Clothes-pegs
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 95/008 Devices for keeping articles together during laundering, e.g. for keeping socks in pairs D06F95/004 takes precedence; Devices for protecting or shielding certain parts of the articles during laundering, e.g. button protectors
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/10 using pivoting jaws
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 45/00 Hooks; Eyes if the attaching parts or means are concerned, groups F16B13/00, F16B15/00, F16B19/00, F16B25/00, F16B35/00, F16B47/00 take precedence; for hanging pictures or the like A47G1/16; towing hooks for ships B63B21/58; for hoisting or hauling purposes B66C; hooks or eyes with integral parts designed to facilitate quick attachment to cables or ropes at any point F16G11/14
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 45/002 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 45/008 plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/04 Clamping or clipping connections friction-grip releasable fastenings in general F16B2/00

Abstract

A clipping apparatus is described herein. The clipping apparatus may include a u-shaped clasp and a tab. The clasp may include an open end and a closed end, a first side and a second side, and a tongue. The tab may be coupled to, and extend from, the closed end of the clasp. The first side may include a wall extending from the closed end to the open end. The second side may include two prongs extending from the closed end to the open end. The tongue may be rotatably connected to the two prongs between the two prongs. The tab may include a first opening and a second opening. The first opening may be disposed in the tab adjacent to the closed end of the clasp. The second opening may be disposed in the tab at a distal end to the tab from the clasp.

Claims

1. A clipping apparatus, comprising:

a clasp, comprising;

an open end and a closed end;

a first side, comprising;

a wall extending from the closed end to the open end; and

a first tooth extending towards an inside of the clasp;

a second side, comprising a first prong and a second prong extending from the closed end to the open end; and

a tongue rotatably connected to the first prong and the second prong between the first prong and the second prong at the open end of the clasp, wherein the tongue comprises a second tooth extending towards the inside of the clasp in a closed position of the clasp;

a protrusion located on one of the first prong and the tongue and a plurality of cavities located on the other of the first prong and the tongue, wherein;

the protrusion rests in a first of the plurality of cavities in the closed position of the clasp;

the protrusion and the plurality of cavities secure the tongue in the closed position of the clasp;

the plurality of cavities are arranged in an arc;

a shape and positioning of the arc corresponds to a path traced by the protrusion as the tongue rotates between the first prong and the second prong; and

wherein a force applied to the second tooth in a direction away from the closed end of the clasp moves the protrusion to a second of the plurality of cavities closer to the inside of the clasp; and

a tab coupled to and extending from the closed end of the clasp, the tab comprising an opening adjacent to the closed end of the clasp.

2. The clipping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first tooth or the second tooth is angled towards the closed end of the clasp.

3. The clipping apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ridge on an exterior surface of the first prong or the second prong, the ridge adjacent to the tongue.

4. The clipping apparatus of claim 1, the protrusion disposed on the tongue at an end of the tongue opposite a pivot point of the tongue about which the tongue rotates between the first prong or the second prong.

5. The clipping apparatus of claim 1, the tongue connected by one or more pivot rods to the first prong or the second prong, the pivot rods disposed at the open end.

6. The clipping apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pull-tab extending from the tongue at the closed end of the clasp over the opening, wherein:

a first portion of the opening adjacent to the closed end is covered by the pull-tab; and

a second portion of the opening remains uncovered by the pull-tab.

7. The clipping apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second opening in the tab, wherein:

the second opening extends through the tab; and

the second opening is positioned in the tab at a distal end of the tab from the closed end of the clasp.

8. A hanger-and-clip system, comprising:

a clip, comprising;

a u-shaped clasp, comprising;

an open end and a closed end;

a first side and a second side, the first side comprising a wall extending from the closed end to the open end, and the second side comprising two prongs extending from the closed end to the open end; and

a tongue rotatably connected to the two prongs between the two prongs; and

a tab coupled to and extending from the clasp, the tab comprising a first opening adjacent the closed end of the clasp, and a second opening at a distal end of the tab from the clasp; and

a hanger, comprising;

a hook;

an eyelet coupled to the hook by a shaft; and

a collar disposed along the shaft between the eyelet and the hook,

wherein the clip is connected to the hanger by a strap, the strap passing through the eyelet and the second opening.

9. The hanger-and-clip system of claim 8, wherein the collar is conical.

10. The hanger-and-clip system of claim 8, comprising a second collar disposed along the shaft between the eyelet and the collar.

11. The hanger-and-clip system of claim 10, wherein a portion of the shaft extends between the two collars.

12. The hanger-and-clip system of claim 8, wherein one or more of the collar, the shaft, the eyelet and the hook are monolithic.

13. A method of washing a cloth material, comprising:

securing the cloth material to a hanger-and-clip system, the system comprising;

a clip, comprising;

a u-shaped clasp, comprising;

an open end and a closed end;

a first side and a second side, the first side comprising a wall extending from the closed end to the open end, and the second side comprising two prongs extending from the closed end to the open end; and

a tongue rotatably connected to the two prongs between the two prongs; and

a tab coupled to and extending from the clasp, the tab comprising a first opening adjacent the closed end of the clasp, and a second opening at a distal end of the tab from the clasp; and

a hanger, comprising;

a hook;

an eyelet coupled to the hook by a shaft; and

a collar disposed along the shaft between the eyelet and the hook,

wherein the clip is connected to the hanger by a strap, the strap passing through the eyelet and the second opening.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the hanger-and-clip system further comprises a fastener attached to the shaft between the collar and the eyelet.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising placing the cloth over the hook.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising securing cloth the cloth over the hook with the fastener.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising placing in the hanger-and-clip system with the secured cloth into a washing machine.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing a reward after securing the cloth material to the hanger-and-clip system or placing the hanger-and-clip system with the secured cloth into the washing machine.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the reward comprises a token, wherein the token represents a value corresponding to one or more prizes redeemable with the token.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the token comprises a color corresponding to a color of the hanger.