Bi-directional belt clip for portable wearable devices

• US 5,097,997 A
• Filed: 06/12/1989
• Issued: 03/24/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EMPI Incorporated (Enovis Corp.)
• Original Assignee: EMPI Incorporated (Enovis Corp.)
• Inventors: Ioffe, Zosim, Kipnis, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kupferschmid, Keith
• Application Number:
  US07/366,127
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 224/269, 224/195, 224/224, 224/225, 224/247, 224/252, 224/253, 224/242, 224/245, 224/249, 224/904, 224/240, 224/163, 24/3 R, 24/3 J, 24/3 L, 24/563, 24/163 K, 248/229, 248/231.8, 248/207, 2/94, 2/304, 2/305, 2/319
• US Class Current: 224/269
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/021 to the belt
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36014 External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes external pacemakers A61N1/3625
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/93 Attached to animate bearer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1394 Article held by clip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4098 Ornamental and/or object supported

Abstract

A bi-directional clip. The clip includes a generally planar member having an edge and fastener for securing the planar member to a portable wearing device. An elongated slot extends through the planar member from the edge to form a pair of clip members.

Claims

1. A bi-directional clip configured to engage an edge of a user'"'"'s garment including:

a generally planar member having peripheral edges;

fastener means connected to the planar member for securing the planar member to a portable wearable device; and

an elongated slot extending diagonally through a substantial portion of the planar member relative to the peripheral edges of the planar member;

said slot extends through one peripheral edge of the planar member to form a pair of clip members that accept the edge of the user'"'"'s garment, through the slot.

2. The clip of claim 1 wherein the fastener means includes means for securing the planar member to the portable device with the planar member spaced from the portable device.

3. The clip of claim 2 wherein the planar member further includes at least one tab extending from each clip member for engaging the portable device.

4. The clip of claim 1 wherein the fastener means includes means for securing the planar member to the portable device with the planar member spaced from and generally parallel to the portable device.

5. The clip of claim 1 and further including an enlarged aperture extending-through the planar member and communicating with an end of the slot opposite the peripheral edge of the planar member.

6. The clip of claim 5 wherein the fastener means includes a resilient generally U-shaped member having inwardly facing lugs for engaging opposite sides of the portable device.

7. The clip of claim 1 wherein the clip is a one-piece unit fabricated of plastic.

8. A one-piece bi-direction clip for securing a portable wearable device to an edge of a user'"'"'s garment in either vertical or horizontal orientation with respect to the edge, including:

resilient fastener means for engaging the portable device;

a planar member extending from the fastener means and spaced from the portable device when the clip is fastened to the portable device;

a slot extending through the planar member and across a substantial portion of the planar member at approximately a 45°

angle to peripheral edges of the planar member, to form a pair of clip members;

said slot extends through one peripheral edge of the planar member;

a tab extending from each clip members for engaging the portable wearable device; and

a large aperture extending through the planar member and communicating with an end of the slot.

9. The one-piece bi-directional clip of claim 8 wherein the planar member is generally rectangular and the slot extends from a first corner of the planar member toward a second, opposite corner of the planar member.

10. The one-piece bi-directional clip of claim 9 wherein the tab on each clip member is positioned adjacent the slot, at the first corner.

11. The one-piece bi-directional clip of claim of claim 9 wherein the fastener means includes a resilient and generally U-shaped member having inwardly facing lugs for engaging opposite sides of the portable device.

12. The one-piece bi-directional clip of claim 11 wherein the planar member further includes third and fourth corners and wherein the inwardly facing lugs are positioned generally at the second, third and fourth corners of the planar member.