Pacifier holder

Abstract

A band has a first end adapted for connection with a pacifier and a second end provided with a clip (6) adapted for attachment of the pacifier holder to a garment. The clip includes a pair of jaws (7, 8) being relatively movable between an open position and a closed position. Each jaw has a peripheral wall (10) forming a closed loop (11) surrounding a central through-going hole (12) having a maximum cross-sectional dimension. Along at least a major part (13) of the closed loop, the peripheral wall has a maximum wall thickness measured in a direction of a general plane of the jaw. The maximum cross-sectional dimension of the central through-going hole is at least 300 per cent of, preferably at least 350 per cent of, and most preferred at least 400 per cent of the maximum wall thickness of the at least major part of the peripheral wall.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a pacifier holder including a band or string having a first end adapted for connection with a pacifier and a second end provided with a clip adapted for attachment of the pacifier holder to a garment or the like, the clip including a pair of jaws being relatively movable in relation to each other between an open position in which a part of the garment may be inserted between the jaws and a closed position in which the jaws may pinch the garment and thereby attach the clip to the garment, and the clip including an attachment part connected to the band or string.

[0002] US 7,979,965 B2 discloses a pacifier holder including a chain having one end for connection with a pacifier by means of a ring and another end connected to a circular base plate forming an outer contour of a clip for attachment to the clothing of a child. A latching member arranged pivotally centrally on the base plate forms a first jaw of the clip being biased against a corresponding second jaw of the clip formed by a relatively smaller part of the base plate located eccentrically on the base plate. The base plate and the latching member are provided with a number of relatively smaller through-going holes preventing suffocation in the case of swallowing. However, depending on the type of clothing worn by a child, attachment of this kind of clip to the clothing may be less effective.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a pacifier holder with a clip being suitable for secure attachment of the pacifier holder to different kinds of garment or the like.

[0004] In view of this object, each jaw has a peripheral wall forming a closed loop surrounding a central through-going hole of the jaw, the central through-going hole of each jaw has a maximum cross-sectional dimension, in that, along at least a major part of the closed loop, the peripheral wall has a maximum wall thickness measured in a direction of a general plane of the jaw, and the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the central through-going hole of each jaw is at least 300 per cent of, preferably at least 350 per cent of, and most preferred at least 400 per cent of the maximum wall thickness of the at least major part of the peripheral wall.

[0005] In this way, by forming each jaw with a peripheral wall having a relatively small cross-sectional dimension and forming a closed loop surrounding a relatively large central through-going hole of the jaw, the entire pinching area of each jaw is placed at a perimeter of the jaw and thereby distributed over a larger area as compared to known pacifier holders. Thereby, the jaws may grip over a larger part of the clothing and thereby better secure the pacifier holder to various types of clothing. At the same time, one large through-going hole is provided centrally in the jaws, thereby effectively preventing suffocation in the case of swallowing.

[0006] Because the peripheral wall forms a closed loop, good stability and strength of the jaws may be obtained. Furthermore, it may be convenient that the closed loop may serve to hang the pacifier holder on a hook or the like.

[0007] In an embodiment, the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the central through-going hole of each jaw is at least 12 millimetres, preferably at least 15 millimetres, and most preferred at least 17 millimetres. Thereby, the jaws may grip over a relatively large part of the clothing and thereby even better secure the pacifier holder to various types of clothing.

[0008] In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, in the closed position of the jaws, the peripheral walls forming the closed loops of the respective jaws mutually overlap and match each other.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, at a front part of the jaws being opposed to a hinge formed between the two opposed jaws, in the closed position of the jaws, there is provided a space between the front parts of the respective opposed jaws. Thereby, a better grip of the jaws may be possible, because a relatively larger gripping force may be concentrated relatively closer to the hinge.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, along at least a substantial part of the closed loop of each jaw, the peripheral wall is provided with a number of teeth arranged to, in the closed position of the jaws, engage teeth of the opposed jaw. Thereby, the jaws may even better secure the pacifier holder to various types of clothing.

[0011] In an embodiment, in relation to a longitudinal direction of the pacifier holder, only at lateral parts of the closed loop of each jaw, the peripheral wall is provided with teeth. Thereby, the jaws may even better secure the pacifier holder to various types of clothing.

[0012] In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, the teeth are formed as parts of the respective peripheral wall extending between indentations formed through the entire thickness of the peripheral wall.

[0013] In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, neighbouring teeth connect to each other at a rounded part of an indentation formed therebetween. Thereby, a notch effect may be avoided, and the jaws may therefore be stronger.

[0014] In an embodiment, the teeth of each jaw form oblique faces which, in the closed position of the jaws, taper in relation to corresponding oblique faces of the teeth of the opposed jaw at least in a general direction of a hinge formed between the two opposed jaws, and wherein, in the closed position of the jaws, a pointed peak of at least some of the teeth of each jaw abuts the oblique face of a tooth of the opposed jaw. Thereby, the pointed peaks of the teeth may effectively pinch cloth between the jaws against the oblique faces of the teeth of the opposed jaw and thereby, the jaws may even better secure the pacifier holder to various types of clothing.

[0015] In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, each jaw includes a hinge part movably engaged with the hinge part of the other jaw, wherein, in the closed position of the jaws, the hinge part of each jaw protrudes in a longitudinal direction of the clip from the peripheral wall forming the closed loop of the respective jaw, the engaged hinge parts of the jaws form part of a hinge of the clip, a width of the clip is measured in a direction of a general plane of one of the jaws, said direction being at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the clip, and a maximum width of the clip at the hinge is smaller than, preferably smaller than 90 per cent of, and most preferred smaller than 80 per cent of a maximum width of the clip at the peripheral wall forming the closed loop of the respective jaw.

[0016] In an embodiment, part of the peripheral wall of each jaw forms an outer partially circular contour of the clip.

[0017] In an embodiment, a hinge of the clip forms an outer partially rectangular contour of the clip, and the outer partially rectangular contour extends from the outer partially circular contour and forms a thinner part of the clip than that of that of the outer partially circular contour.

[0018] In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, the first end of the band or string is provided with an elastic ring adapted for connection with a pacifier.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the elastic ring has sufficient elasticity allowing it to be elastically deformed so much that the clip can enter through the elastic ring.

[0020] The invention will now be explained in more detail below by means of examples of embodiments with reference to the very schematic drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a clip of a pacifier holder according to the present invention, in an open position of jaws of the clip; Fig. 2 is a top view of the clip of Fig. 1, wherein the clip is attached to a band of which only a part is shown; Fig. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of a pacifier holder according to the present invention, incorporating the clip of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a top view of part of the pacifier holder of Fig. 3, wherein the pacifier holder has been attached to a pacifier; Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the clip of Fig. 1, seen obliquely from above; Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the clip of Fig. 1, seen obliquely from below; Fig. 7 is a side view of the clip of Fig. 1, in an open position of jaws of the clip; Fig. 8 is a side view of the clip of Fig. 1 corresponding to that of Fig. 7, however, in a closed position of jaws of the clip; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of one of the jaws of a clip of a pacifier holder according to the present invention; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of one of the jaws of a clip of a pacifier holder according to the present invention; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a clip of a pacifier holder according to the present invention, in a closed position of jaws of the clip; Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the clip of Fig. 11, seen obliquely from above; and Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the clip of Fig. 11, seen obliquely from below.

[0021] In the following, generally, similar elements of different embodiments have been designated by the same reference numerals.

[0022] Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a pacifier holder 1 according to the present invention. The pacifier holder 1 includes a band 2 or string having a first end 3 adapted for connection with a pacifier 4 and a second end 5 provided with a clip 6 adapted for attachment of the pacifier holder 1 to a not shown garment or the like. The band 2 or string may be formed of any suitable material, such as webbing or textile, and it may have any suitable form, such as a flat band or one or more strings. For instance, a string provided with beads may form the band 2 or string.

[0023] As seen in Fig. 1, the clip 6 includes a pair of jaws 7, 8 being relatively movable in relation to each other between an open position as seen in Fig. 7 in which a part of the garment may be inserted between the jaws 7, 8 and a closed position as seen in Fig. 8 in which the jaws 7, 8 may pinch the garment and thereby attach the clip 6 to the garment.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the clip 6 includes an attachment part 9 including a buckle pin 26 by means of which it is connected to the band 2 or string. The second end 5 of the band 2 or string may be attached to the clip 6 by being bent around the buckle pin 26 and being sewed to the band 2 or string. The attachment part 9 may alternatively include two or three buckle pins arranged next to each other in order to hold the second end 5 of the band 2 or string trapped like in a standard buckle without needing to sew or otherwise connect the second end 5 to the band 2 or string. However, the attachment part 9 may have any other suitable form, for instance, the clip 6 could be welded, stitched or glued to the band 2 or string. In the case that the band 2 or string has the form of a cord, the buckle pin 26 could be provided with a central V- or U-formed part pointing away from the clip 6 around which an end of the cord could be tied.

[0025] As best seen in Figs. 1 to 3, according to the present invention, each jaw 7, 8 has a peripheral wall 10 forming a closed loop 11 surrounding a central through-going hole 12 of the jaw. As indicated in Fig. 2, the central through-going hole 12 of each jaw 7, 8 has a maximum cross-sectional dimension D. In the illustrated embodiment, the central through-going hole 12 of each jaw 7, 8 is circular, and therefore the maximum cross-sectional dimension D corresponds to the diameter of the central through-going hole 12.

[0026] However, the peripheral wall 10 forming the closed loop 11 may have any suitable form, such as circular, oval, elliptic, square, rectangular. In the case of forms such as square or rectangular, the form may be provided with rounded corners. The central through-going hole 12 of each jaw 7, 8 may correspondingly have any suitable form, such as circular, oval, elliptic, square, rectangular. An outer peripheral form of the peripheral wall 10 forming the closed loop 11 need not correspond exactly to the form of the central through-going hole 12 of each jaw 7, 8. For instance, an outer peripheral form of the peripheral wall 10 forming the closed loop 11 could be rectangular and the form of the central through-going hole 12 could be oval or elliptic.

[0027] For instance, in the case of the central through-going hole 12 being a rectangle, the maximum cross-sectional dimension D corresponds to the longer side, i.e. the length of the rectangle. For instance, in the case of the central through-going hole 12 being an ellipse, the maximum cross-sectional dimension D corresponds to the length of the longer axis, i.e. the major axis of the ellipse.

[0028] As furthermore indicated in Fig. 2, according to the present invention, along at least a major part 13 of the closed loop 11, the peripheral wall 10 has a maximum wall thickness T measured in a direction of a general plane of the jaw 7, 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the central through-going hole 12 of each jaw 7, 8 is circular. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, along the major part 13 of the closed loop 11, the outer peripheral form of the peripheral wall 10 forming the closed loop 11 forms part of a circle being concentric with the circular form of the central through-going hole 12. That means that along the major part 13 of the closed loop 11, the clip 6 has an outer partially circular contour 23. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the maximum wall thickness T along the major part 13 of the closed loop 11 is measured in a radial direction of the central through-going hole 12. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, along the major part 13 of the closed loop 11, the peripheral wall 10 has a constant wall thickness which therefore corresponds to the maximum wall thickness T. In general, the maximum wall thickness T along the major part 13 of the closed loop 11 is measured as the maximum width between an edge of the central through-going hole 12 and an outer periphery of the jaw 7, 8. That is, according to the present invention, in general, along the major part 13 of the closed loop 11, the outer periphery of the jaw 7, 8 is formed by the outer periphery of the peripheral wall 10 forming the closed loop 11. Therefore, according to the present invention, in general, along the major part 13 of the closed loop 11, an outer periphery of the entire clip 6 is formed by each jaw 7, 8 by the outer periphery of the peripheral wall 10 forming the closed loop 11. The major part 13 of the closed loop 11 is generally understood to be the part of the closed loop 11 not being adjacent to a hinge part 21, 22 as explained in further detail below.

[0029] According to the present invention, the maximum cross-sectional dimension D of the central through-going hole 12 of each jaw 7, 8 is at least 300 per cent of, preferably at least 350 per cent of, and most preferred at least 400 per cent of the maximum wall thickness T of the at least major part 13 of the peripheral wall 10.

[0030] By forming each jaw 7, 8 with a peripheral wall 10 having a relatively small cross-sectional dimension and forming a closed loop 11 surrounding a relatively large central through-going hole 12 of the jaw, the entire pinching area of each jaw is placed at a perimeter of the jaw and thereby distributed over a larger area as compared to known pacifier holders. Thereby, the jaws 7, 8 may grip over a larger part of the clothing and thereby better secure the pacifier holder 1 to various types of clothing. At the same time, one large through-going hole 12 is provided centrally in the jaws 7, 8, thereby effectively preventing suffocation in the case of swallowing. Because the peripheral wall 10 forms a closed loop 11, good stability and strength of the jaws may be obtained. Furthermore, it may be convenient that the closed loop 11 may serve to hang the pacifier holder 1 on a hook or the like.

[0031] Preferably, the maximum cross-sectional dimension D of the central through-going hole 12 of each jaw 7, 8 is at least 12 millimetres, preferably at least 15 millimetres, and most preferred at least 17 millimetres.

[0032] As seen, in the illustrated embodiments, in the closed position of the jaws 7, 8, the peripheral walls 10 forming the closed loops 11 of the respective jaws 7, 8 mutually overlap and match each other.

[0033] As illustrated in the embodiment in Fig. 8, preferably, at a front part 40 of the jaws 7, 8 being opposed to a hinge 19 formed between the two opposed jaws 7, 8, in the closed position of the jaws, there is provided a space 41 between the front parts 40 of the respective opposed jaws 7, 8. Thereby, a better grip of the jaws may be possible, because a relatively larger gripping force may be concentrated relatively closer to the hinge 19.

[0034] As seen, in the illustrated embodiments, along a substantial part of the closed loop 11 of each jaw 7, 8, the peripheral wall 10 is provided with a number of teeth 14, 15 arranged to, in the closed position of the jaws 7, 8, engage teeth 14, 15 of the opposed jaw, as seen in Fig. 8. Thereby, when a piece of cloth is inserted between the jaws 7, 8, the jaws may even better secure the pacifier holder 1 to various types of clothing.

[0035] As seen, in the illustrated embodiments, in relation to a longitudinal direction of the pacifier holder 1, only at lateral parts of the closed loop 11 of each jaw 7, 8, the peripheral wall 10 is provided with teeth 14, 15. Thereby, the jaws may even better secure the pacifier holder to various types of clothing.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiments, and as seen particularly well in Fig. 1, the teeth 14, 15 are formed as parts of the respective peripheral wall 10 extending between indentations 16 formed through the entire thickness of the peripheral wall 10. Furthermore, neighbouring teeth 14, 15 connect to each other at a rounded part 17 of an indentation 16 formed therebetween. Thereby, a notch effect may be avoided, and the jaws 7, 8 may therefore be stronger.

[0037] As seen particularly well in Figs. 7 and 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the teeth 14, 15 of the peripheral wall 10 makes the jaws 7, 8 saw-toothed, i.e. shaped like the teeth of a saw with alternate relatively steep and relatively gentle slopes.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiments, and as seen particularly well in Fig. 8, the teeth 14, 15 of each jaw 7, 8 form oblique faces 18 which, in the closed position of the jaws 7, 8, taper in relation to corresponding oblique faces 18 of the teeth 14, 15 of the opposed jaw at least in a general direction of the hinge 19 formed between the two opposed jaws 7, 8. In the closed position of the jaws 7, 8, a pointed peak 20 of at least some of the teeth 14, 15 of each jaw 7, 8 abuts the oblique face 18 of a tooth 14, 15 of the opposed jaw.

[0039] Thereby, the pointed peaks 20 of the teeth 14, 15 may effectively pinch cloth between the jaws against the oblique faces 18 of the teeth of the opposed jaw and thereby, the jaws may even better secure the pacifier holder 1 to various types of clothing.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiments, as indicated in Figs. 5, 6, 12 and 13, each jaw 7, 8 includes a hinge part 21, 22 movably engaged with the hinge part 21, 22 of the other jaw. In the closed position of the jaws 7, 8, the hinge part 21, 22 of each jaw 7, 8 protrudes in a longitudinal direction L of the clip 6, as indicated in Fig. 2, from the peripheral wall 10 forming the closed loop 11 of the respective jaw. The engaged hinge parts 21, 22 of the jaws 7, 8 form part of the hinge 19 of the clip 6. A width W of the clip 6 is measured in a direction of a general plane of one of the jaws 7, 8, said direction being at right angles to the longitudinal direction L of the clip 6. As indicated in Fig. 2, a maximum width W h of the clip 6 at the hinge 19 is smaller than, preferably smaller than 90 per cent of, and most preferred smaller than 80 per cent of a maximum width W R of the clip 6 at the peripheral wall 10 forming the closed loop 11 of the respective jaw.

[0041] In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, the hinge part 21 of the first upper jaw 7 forms an open pivot channel 35 into which a pivot pin 34 of the hinge part 22 of the second lower jaw 8 has been inserted. The clip 6 is provided with an operating flap 31 having two spaced pivot holes 33 engaging respective pivot pins 32 formed by the hinge part 22 of the second lower jaw 8. The operating flap 31 is pivotal between an open position illustrated in Fig. 7 in which two spaced lifting parts 36 of the operating flap 31 engages respective spaced lift faces 37 of the hinge part 21 of the first upper jaw 7 and a closed position illustrated in Fig. 8 in which a central pressing part 38 of the operating flap 31 engages a press part 39 of the hinge part 21 of the first upper jaw 7. In the first position of the operating flap 31, it causes the clip 6 to be open, and in the second position of the operating flap 31, it causes the clip 6 to be closed. As seen, the operating flap 31 may provide a suitable space for a logo or the like.

[0042] As understood from Figs. 1, 5 and 6, a pivot axis of the operating flap 31 formed by the pivot pins 32 is located between a pivot axis of the first and second jaw 7, 8 formed by the pivot pin 34 and closed loop 11 formed by the peripheral wall 10. Thereby, a longitudinal dimension of the clip 6 may be relatively short. Furthermore, it is understood that the lifting parts 36 and the pressing part 38 of the operating flap 31 are arranged on a downwardly protruding part 42 of the operating flap 31 which is located in an upwardly open cavity 43 of the hinge part 21 of the first upper jaw 7. The lift face 37 and the press part 39 of the hinge part 21 of the first upper jaw 7 are located in the upwardly open cavity of the hinge part 21 of the first upper jaw 7.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiments, as indicated in Fig. 2, part of the peripheral wall 10 of each jaw 7, 8 forms the outer partially circular contour 23 of the clip 6.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiments, as seen in Fig. 2, the hinge 19 of the clip 6 forms an outer partially rectangular contour 24 of the clip 6, and the outer partially rectangular contour 24 extends from the outer partially circular contour 23 and forms a thinner part of the clip 6 than that of that of the outer partially circular contour 23.

[0045] Preferably, each separate jaw 7, 8 including the peripheral wall 10 forming the closed loop 11 and the corresponding hinge part 21, 22 is made in one piece, preferably from a plastic material by injection moulding. The plastic material may have any suitable hardness or elasticity.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiments, as seen in Fig. 3, the first end 3 of the band 2 or string of the pacifier holder 1 is provided with an elastic ring 25 adapted for connection with a pacifier 4, for instance as seen in Fig. 4.

[0047] According to the present invention, preferably, the elastic ring 25 of the pacifier holder 1 has sufficient elasticity allowing it to be elastically deformed so much that the clip 6 can enter through the elastic ring 25. Thereby, it is possible to connect the pacifier holder 1 to a pacifier 4 in the way illustrated in Fig. 4.

[0048] Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate two alternative embodiments of the second lower jaw 8 of the clip 6 according to the present invention. In the embodiment of Fig. 9, the second lower jaw 8 is provided with teeth 15 all along the major part 13 of the closed loop 11. The not shown first upper jaw 7 of this embodiment is provided with a corresponding set of teeth 15 all along the major part 13 of the closed loop 11. In the embodiment of Fig. 10, the second lower jaw 8 is provided with teeth 15 arranged in two rows all along the major part 13 of the closed loop 11. The not shown first upper jaw 7 of this embodiment is provided with a corresponding set of teeth 15 all along the major part 13 of the closed loop 11.

[0049] Figs. 11 to 13 illustrate a different embodiment of the clip 6 of the pacifier holder 1 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, like in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, in relation to a longitudinal direction of the pacifier holder 1, only at lateral parts of the closed loop 11 of each jaw 7, 8, the peripheral wall 10 is provided with teeth 14, 15. However, according to the embodiment of Figs. 11 to 13, each tooth is, at its top part, divided by a slit following the direction of the closed loop 11, thereby forming two separated tooth tips. Thereby, the jaws may even better secure the pacifier holder to various types of clothing. Like according to the embodiment of Fig. 8, preferably, at a front part 40 of the jaws 7, 8 being opposed to a hinge 19 formed between the two opposed jaws 7, 8, in the closed position of the jaws, there is provided a space 41 between the front parts 40 of the respective opposed jaws 7, 8. Thereby, a better grip of the jaws may be possible, because a relatively larger gripping force may be concentrated relatively closer to the hinge 19.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of Figs. 11 to 13, the hinge part 21 of the first upper jaw 7 forms two spaced apart pivot pins 46 inserted into respective pivot holes 47 arranged in upstanding spaced apart hinge flaps 48 of the hinge part 22 of the second lower jaw 8. The clip 6 is provided with an operating flap 31 having two spaced pivot pins 44 engaging respective pivot holes 45 also formed in the hinge flaps 48 of the hinge part 22 of the second lower jaw 8. The operating flap 31 is pivotal between a not illustrated open position in which a central lifting part 49 of the operating flap 31 engages a central lift face 50 of the hinge part 21 of the first upper jaw 7 and a closed position illustrated in Fig. 11 in which two spaced apart pressing parts 51 of the operating flap 31 engages two respective spaced apart press parts 52 of the hinge part 21 of the first upper jaw 7. In the first position of the operating flap 31, it causes the clip 6 to be open, and in the second position of the operating flap 31, it causes the clip 6 to be closed. As seen, the operating flap 31 may provide a suitable space for a logo or the like.

[0051] As understood from Figs. 11 to 13, a pivot axis of the operating flap 31 formed by the pivot holes 45 of the second lower jaw 8 is located between a pivot axis of the first and second jaw 7, 8 formed by the pivot holes 47 and the closed loop 11 formed by the peripheral wall 10. Thereby, a longitudinal dimension of the clip 6 may be relatively short. Furthermore, it is understood that the press parts 52 of the hinge part 21 of the first upper jaw 7 are arranged on respective spaced apart downwardly protruding parts 53 of the hinge part 21, wherein the downwardly protruding parts 53 are, in the closed position of the clip 6 illustrated in Fig. 11, located in respective lateral cutouts 54 of the operating flap 31.List of reference numbers

[0052] Dmaximum cross-sectional dimension of central through-going hole of jaw Llongitudinal direction of clip Tmaximum wall thickness of peripheral wall Wwidth of clip W h maximum width of clip at hinge W R maximum width of clip at peripheral wall 1pacifier holder 2band 3first end of band 4pacifier 5second end of band 6clip 7first jaw 8second jaw 9attachment part 10peripheral wall 11closed loop 12central through-going hole of jaw 13major part of closed loop 14, 15teeth 16indentation 17rounded part of indentation 18oblique face 19hinge 20pointed peak of tooth 21, 22hinge part 23outer partially circular contour of clip 24outer partially rectangular contour of clip 25elastic ring 26buckle pin of attachment part 27end knob of pacifier 28pivotal handle of pacifier 29air holes of pacifier 30shield of pacifier 31operating flap of clip 32pivot pin for operating flap 33pivot hole of operating flap 34pivot pin of hinge part 35pivot channel of hinge part 36lifting part of operating flap 37lift face of hinge part of upper jaw 38pressing part of operating flap 39press part of hinge part of upper jaw 40front part of jaw 41space between front parts of opposed jaws 42downwardly protruding part of operating flap 43upwardly open cavity of hinge part of first upper jaw 44pivot pin of operating flap 45pivot hole for operating flap 46pivot pin of hinge part 47pivot hole of hinge part 48hinge flap of hinge part 49central lifting part of operating flap 50central lift face of hinge part 51pressing part of operating flap 52press part of hinge part 53downwardly protruding part of hinge part 54lateral cutout of operating flap

Claims

1. A pacifier holder (1) including a band (2) or string having a first end (3) adapted for connection with a pacifier (4) and a second end (5) provided with a clip (6) adapted for attachment of the pacifier holder (1) to a garment or the like, the clip (6) including a pair of jaws (7, 8) being relatively movable in relation to each other between an open position in which a part of the garment may be inserted between the jaws (7, 8) and a closed position in which the jaws (7, 8) may pinch the garment and thereby attach the clip (6) to the garment, and the clip (6) including an attachment part (9) connected to the band (2) or string, characterised in that each jaw (7, 8) has a peripheral wall (10) forming a closed loop (11) surrounding a central through-going hole (12) of the jaw, in that the central through-going hole (12) of each jaw (7, 8) has a maximum cross-sectional dimension (D), in that, along at least a major part (13) of the closed loop (11), the peripheral wall (10) has a maximum wall thickness (T) measured in a direction of a general plane of the jaw (7, 8), and in that the maximum cross-sectional dimension (D) of the central through-going hole (12) of each jaw (7, 8) is at least 300 per cent of, preferably at least 350 per cent of, and most preferred at least 400 per cent of the maximum wall thickness (T) of the at least major part (13) of the peripheral wall (10).

2. A pacifier holder according to claim 1, wherein the maximum cross-sectional dimension (D) of the central through-going hole (12) of each jaw (7, 8) is at least 12 millimetres, preferably at least 15 millimetres, and most preferred at least 17 millimetres.

3. A pacifier holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in the closed position of the jaws (7, 8), the peripheral walls (10) forming the closed loops (11) of the respective jaws (7, 8) mutually overlap and match each other.

4. A pacifier holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, at a front part (40) of the jaws (7, 8) being opposed to a hinge (19) formed between the two opposed jaws (7, 8), in the closed position of the jaws, there is provided a space (41) between the front parts (40) of the respective opposed jaws (7, 8).

5. A pacifier holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, along at least a substantial part of the closed loop (11) of each jaw (7, 8), the peripheral wall (10) is provided with a number of teeth (14, 15) arranged to, in the closed position of the jaws (7, 8), engage teeth (14, 15) of the opposed jaw.

6. A pacifier holder according to claim 5, wherein in relation to a longitudinal direction of the pacifier holder (1), only at lateral parts of the closed loop (11) of each jaw (7, 8), the peripheral wall (10) is provided with teeth (14, 15).

7. A pacifier holder according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the teeth (14, 15) are formed as parts of the respective peripheral wall (10) extending between indentations (16) formed through the entire thickness of the peripheral wall (10).

8. A pacifier holder according to claim 7, wherein neighbouring teeth (14, 15) connect to each other at a rounded part (17) of an indentation (16) formed therebetween.

9. A pacifier holder according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the teeth (14, 15) of each jaw (7, 8) form oblique faces (18) which, in the closed position of the jaws (7, 8), taper in relation to corresponding oblique faces (18) of the teeth (14, 15) of the opposed jaw at least in a general direction of a hinge (19) formed between the two opposed jaws (7, 8), and wherein, in the closed position of the jaws (7, 8), a pointed peak (20) of at least some of the teeth (14, 15) of each jaw (7, 8) abuts the oblique face (18) of a tooth (14, 15) of the opposed jaw.

10. A pacifier holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each jaw (7, 8) includes a hinge part (21, 22) movably engaged with the hinge part (21, 22) of the other jaw, wherein, in the closed position of the jaws (7, 8), the hinge part (21, 22) of each jaw (7, 8) protrudes in a longitudinal direction (L) of the clip (6) from the peripheral wall (10) forming the closed loop (11) of the respective jaw, wherein the engaged hinge parts (21, 22) of the jaws (7, 8) form part of a hinge (19) of the clip (6), wherein a width of the clip (6) is measured in a direction of a general plane of one of the jaws (7, 8), said direction being at right angles to the longitudinal direction (L) of the clip (6), and wherein a maximum width (Wh) of the clip (6) at the hinge (19) is smaller than, preferably smaller than 90 per cent of, and most preferred smaller than 80 per cent of a maximum width (WR) of the clip (6) at the peripheral wall (10) forming the closed loop (11) of the respective jaw.

11. A pacifier holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein part of the peripheral wall (10) of each jaw (7, 8) forms an outer partially circular contour (23) of the clip (6).

12. A pacifier holder according to claim 11, wherein a hinge (19) of the clip (6) forms an outer partially rectangular contour (24) of the clip (6), and wherein the outer partially rectangular contour (24) extends from the outer partially circular contour (23) and forms a thinner part of the clip (6) than that of that of the outer partially circular contour (23).

13. A pacifier holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end (3) of the band (2) or string is provided with an elastic ring (25) adapted for connection with a pacifier (4).

14. A pacifier holder according to claim 13, wherein the elastic ring (25) has sufficient elasticity allowing it to be elastically deformed so much that the clip (6) can enter through the elastic ring (25).

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