Visor clip and method therefore

• US 6,484,365 B1
• Filed: 12/31/1999
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thompson, Jeffrey S.
• Original Assignee: Thompson, Jeffrey S.
• Inventors: Thompson, Jeffrey S.
• Primary Examiner(s): SANDY, ROBERT JOHN
• Application Number:
  US09/476,970
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 24/31, 24/32, 24/31.1, 24/31.2, 24/31.3, 243/36, 243/39, 24/38, 24/33, 296/97.6, 296/97.2, 224/312, 224/242, 206/380, 248/231.81
• US Class Current: 24/3.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/0204 Sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1394 Article held by clip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44769 Opposed engaging faces on gripping member formed from single piece of resilient material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44778 Piece totally forms clasp, clip, or support-clamp and has shaped, wirelike, or bandlike configuration with uniform cross section throughout its length

Abstract

A visor clip of unitary construction is presented along with a method for manufacture. The visor clip includes an engagement portion that frictionally engages with an engagement target, which may be a sun visor in an automobile. A payload portion is designed to receive and frictionally couple to a payload, where the payload may include a number of small objects such as toothpicks. The payload portion includes a number of extended portions on one or more of the surfaces that define the payload portion. The inclusion of the extended portions provides a number of force application points that enhance the frictional engagement of the payload.

Claims

1. A clip, comprising:

an engagement portion includes a first member and a second member, wherein the first and second members are flexibly coupled in opposing positions with the first member at an angle with respect to the second member such that a first recessed region is formed between the first and second members, wherein the first recessed region is adapted to receive an engagement target for frictional coupling; and

a payload portion that includes a third member flexibly coupled to the second member such that the third member opposes the second member in a manner that forms a second recessed region, wherein the second recessed region is adapted to receive payload such that the payload is frictionally engaged in a non-cantilevered manner, wherein the second recessed region comprises an extended portion formed of a first plastic material and wherein the engagement portion and the payload portion are formed of a second plastic material such that the first plastic material is more flexible than the second plastic material.

2. The clip of claim 1, wherein the first and second members are flexibly coupled such that the first recessed region is at least partially expansive upon insertion of an engagement target into the first recessed region, and such that upon insertion, resilient force generally normal to direction of insertion of the engagement target frictionally couples the engagement portion to the engagement target.

3. The clip of claim 1, wherein the first recessed region is adapted to frictionally couple to a sun visor.

4. The clip of claim 1, wherein the third member has first surface and a second surface and wherein the second member has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of the third member is positioned opposite the second surface of the second member such that the second recessed region is partially defined by the first surface of the third member and the second surface of the second member, wherein the first surface of the third member and the second surface of the second member are generally parallel in alignment with respect to each other and a direction of insertion of the payload.

5. The clip of claim 4, wherein a plurality of extended portions of the first surface of the third member are more proximate to the second surface of the second member than a remaining portion of the first surface of the third member, wherein the plurality of extended portions of the first surface of the third member enhance frictional coupling of the payload by providing a plurality of force application points, wherein the plurality of extended portions extend across the first surface of the third member in a direction generally normal to the direction of insertion of the payload.

6. The clip of claim 5 wherein the extended portions are fins formed on the first surface of the third member.

7. The clip of claim 5 wherein the third member is a non-planar member that includes a plurality of curves.

8. The clip of claim 5, wherein the extended portions are transverse ridges that extend across the first surface of the third member.

9. The clip of claim 8, wherein at least one transverse ridge is formed on the second surface of the second member, wherein the at least one transverse ridge extends across the second surface in a direction generally normal to the direction of insertion of the payload.

10. The clip of claim 4, wherein a plurality of extended portions of the second surface of the second member are more proximate to the first surface of the third member than a remaining portion of the second surface of the second member, wherein the plurality of extended portions of the second surface of the second member enhance frictional coupling of the payload by providing a plurality of force application points.

11. A visor clip of unitary construction, comprising:

an engagement portion that adapted to couple the visor clip to a visor through resilient force resulting from displacement of a first member from a resting position by insertion of the visor into a first recessed area formed between the first member and a second member, wherein the first and second members are flexibly coupled with the first member at an angle with respect to the second member; and

a payload portion that includes a third member formed generally parallel to the second member on an opposite side of the second member from the first member, wherein the third member and the second member are flexibly coupled to form a second recessed area between an inner surface of the second member and an inner surface of the third member, wherein the second recessed area includes extended portions on at least one of the inner surfaces of the second and third members to facilitate frictional coupling of payload inserted into the second recessed area, wherein the extended portions are formed of a first plastic material more flexible than a second plastic material of which the engagement portion is formed.

12. The visor clip of claim 11, wherein the second recessed area is formed to accommodate a plurality of toothpicks as the payload.

13. The visor clip of claim 11, wherein the second recessed area is formed to accommodate a scan card as the payload.

14. The visor clip of claim 11, wherein the visor clip is unitarily constructed of plastic.

15. The visor claim of claim 14, wherein the plastic is acrylic.

16. The visor clip of claim 11, wherein the extended portions are transverse ridges on the third member that extend across the inner surface of the third member generally normal to a direction of insertion of the payload.

17. The clip of claim 16, wherein the extended portions further comprise transverse ridges on the inner surface of the second member generally parallel to the transverse ridges on the inner surface of the third member.

18. The visor clip of claim 11, wherein the extended portions further comprise fins that extend across the inner surface of the third member normal to a direction of insertion of the payload.