Clothespin

Abstract

The present invention describes a clothespin (1) comprising a head (2), a first arm 3 and a second arm (4), which first arm (3) and second arm (4) extend out from the head (2), wherein the first arm (3) comprises an opening portion (30), wherein the second arm (4) extends in through the opening portion (30) of the first arm (3), out on the other side and then back through the opening portion (30) of the first arm (3) again, and wherein, when viewing the clothespin (1) from the side, there is created an upper geometrical hollow space (7), from the head (2) and down to a first point where the first arm (3) and the second arm (4) interact at first, and a lower geometrical hollow space (8) from the first point to a second point where the first arm (3) and the second arm (4) interact a second time, said lower geometrical hollow space (8) creating pinching effect, preferably the first arm (3) is a double arm extending out from the head (2).

Description

[0001] CLOTHESPIN

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a clothespin.

[0004] Technical Background

[0005] The present invention is directed to a novel clothespin which provides for multifunctional properties.

[0006] Summary of the invention

[0007] The stated purpose above is achieved by a clothespin comprising a head, a first arm and a second arm, which first arm and second arm extend out from the head, wherein the first arm comprises an opening portion, wherein the second arm extends in through the opening portion of the first arm, out on the other side and then back through the opening portion of the first arm again, and wherein, when viewing the clothespin from the side, there is created an upper geometrical hollow space, from the head and down to a first point where the first arm and the second arm interact at first, and a lower geometrical hollow space from the first point to a second point where the first arm and the second arm interact a second time, said lower geometrical hollow space creating pinching effect, preferably the first arm is a double arm extending out from the head.

[0008] The clothespin according to the present invention has two arms which cross each other twice providing for clamping effect. One embodiment is shown in the figures where this crossing property where the second arm extends in through the opening portion of the first arm, out on the other side and then back through the opening portion of the first arm again.

[0009] As mentioned above, the clothespin according to the present invention has a “double crossing”, which provides for an efficient and stable structure with a strong pinching effect. Furthermore, it also ensures a simple usage. Although different forms of clothespins are known, the direction according to the present invention is a novel and smart way for providing efficient usage and also a strong pinching effect.

[0010] As an example, if an article of clothing or bed linen is hung up on a clothes line (washing line) or the like, then the clothespin according to the present invention is pulled down on the clothes line to fasten the article of clothing or bed linen on the clothes line. Hereby the crossing property mentioned above provides for the fastening effect of the article of clothing or bed linen while at the same time is fastened on the clothes line.

[0011] The clothespin according to the present invention may also have other fastening means, as described below in relation to different embodiments.

[0012] Brief description of the drawings

[0013] In figs. 1-4 there is shown one embodiment of a clothespin according to the present invention, seen from different views.

[0014] Specific embodiments of the invention

[0015] Below there is described some specific embodiments of the present invention.

[0016] As seen in the figures, the first arm may in fact be a double arm where two arms extend out from the head to be joined together in a lower common part so that the opening portion can be provided. In this regard it should be noted that the first arm may also be only one arm which then is separated into two and then joined together again in a lower portion, again to provide for the opening portion of the first arm.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first arm and the second arm have a bent, angled or curved shape, preferably a curved shape. The curved shape as shown in the figures have a preferred property in relation to fastening effect and user-friendliness.

[0018] According to yet another embodiment, the head comprises a head suspension device extending from a free end of the head, preferably the head suspension device is a suspension hook. One example of a suspension hook is shown in the figures. This suspension hook may be used to hang up the clothespin according to the present invention on a clothes line also in a different way then described above, i.e. by using the suspension hook directly over the clothesline. This type of suspension hook may be combined with a different type of suspension unit or hook, namely an arm suspension hook described below to provide for a different type of fastening means for trousers and the like. This is further described below.

[0019] According to yet another embodiment, the clothespin is molded in one piece. As an example, injection molding may be used as a production technique. Moreover, according to yet another embodiment, the clothespin is made of a recycled and / or recyclable plastic material. Suitably already a recycled material is used as a material. Furthermore, suitably the material is also recyclable in a next step.

[0020] According to yet another embodiment, at least one of the first arm and the second arm has an arm suspension unit. This type of arm suspension unit enables for holding up e.g. a pair of trousers in a belt holder unit thereof. As such, the suspension hook may be used to fasten the clothespin on the clothes line and then use the arm suspension unit to hang the pair of trousers onto the clothespin. Moreover, it should be noted that the clothespin may have several arm suspension units, and both on the first arm and the second arm.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the arm suspension unit extends first out from a free end of said at least one of the first arm and the second arm and then with a hook arrangement to extend up in a direction towards the head, creating a free space between the hook arrangement and said at least one of the first arm and the second arm. One such alternative is shown in the figures where the arm suspension unit is positioned on the first arm. In line with this, according to one embodiment, the first arm comprises the suspension unit.

[0022] Moreover, according to one embodiment, the first arm and the second arm have curved shapes, wherein the opening portion of the first arm is rectangular or oval, and wherein the second arm is a curved and longitudinal pin, tapered at a distance from the head, fitting in through the opening portion of the first arm and back through the opening portion of the first arm again. Furthermore, according to yet another embodiment, the first arm and the second arm have curved shapes and, when viewing the clothespin from the side, there is created an upper geometrical hollow space ,from the head and down to a first point where the first arm and the second arm interact at first, and a lower geometrical hollow space from the first point to a second point where the first arm and the second arm interact a second time, said lower geometrical hollow space creating pinching effect, wherein the lower geometrical hollow space has a larger area than the upper geometrical hollow space. One such alternative is shown in fig. 4. This type of arrangement may be of interest to provide for a strong fastening. It should, however, be noted that also alternatives where the lower geometrical hollow space is similar in area as the upper geometrical hollow space, or even smaller, may also be totally possible according to the present invention.

[0023] Detailed description of the drawings

[0024] In figs. 1-4 there is shown one embodiment of a clothespin according to the present invention, seen from different views.

[0025] In fig. 1 and 2 there are shown a clothespin 1 comprising a head 2, a first arm 3 and a second arm 4, which first arm 3 and second arm 4 extend out from the head 2, where the first arm 3 in this case is a double arm which comprises an opening portion 30, and wherein the second arm 4 extends in through the opening portion 30 of the first arm 3, out on the other side and then back through the opening portion 30 of the first arm 3 again. Both the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 have curved shapes. The head 2 comprises a head suspension device 5 extending from a free end 21 of the head 2, in this case in the form of a suspension hook. Moreover, in this case the clothespin 1 comprises a first arm which has an arm suspension unit 6.

[0026] The arm suspension 6 is clearly seen in fig. 3 in which the embodiment of the clothespin 1 shown in fig. 1 and 2 is seen from the side.

[0027] Moreover, in fig. 4 the same embodiment is seen from another side view. In this case there is seen that the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 have curved shapes so that, when viewing the clothespin 1 from the side, there is created an upper geometrical hollow space 7, from the head 2 and down to a first point where the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 interact at first, and a lower geometrical hollow space 8 from the first point to a second point where the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 interact a second time, said lower geometrical hollow space 8 creating pinching effect, where, in this case, the lower geometrical hollow space 8 has a larger area than the upper geometrical hollow space 7.

Claims

Claims1 . A clothespin (1 ) comprising a head (2), a first arm (3) and a second arm (4), which first arm (3) and second arm (4) extend out from the head (2), wherein the first arm (3) comprises an opening portion (30), wherein the second arm (4) extends in through the opening portion (30) of the first arm (3), out on the other side and then back through the opening portion (30) of the first arm (3) again, and wherein, when viewing the clothespin (1 ) from the side, there is created an upper geometrical hollow space (7), from the head (2) and down to a first point where the first arm (3) and the second arm (4) interact at first, and a lower geometrical hollow space (8) from the first point to a second point where the first arm (3) and the second arm (4) interact a second time, said lower geometrical hollow space (8) creating pinching effect, preferably the first arm (3) is a double arm extending out from the head (2).

2. The clothespin (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the first arm (3) and the second arm (4) have a bent, angled or curved shape, preferably a curved shape.

3. The clothespin (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the head (2) comprises a head suspension device (5) extending from a free end (21 ) of the head (2), preferably the head suspension device (5) is a suspension hook.

4. The clothespin (1 ) according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the clothespin (1 ) is molded in one piece.

5. The clothespin (1 ) according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the clothespin (1 ) is made of a recycled and / or recyclable plastic material.

6. The clothespin (1 ) according to any of claims 1-5, wherein at least one of the first arm (3) and the second arm (4) has an arm suspension unit (6).

7. The clothespin (1 ) according to claim 6, wherein the arm suspension unit (6) extends first out from a free end of said at least one of the first arm (3) and the second arm (4) and then with a hook arrangement to extend up in a direction towards the head (2), creating a free space between the hook arrangement and said at least one of the first arm (3) and the second arm (4).

8. The clothespin (1 ) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first arm (3) comprises the suspension unit (6).

9. The clothespin (1 ) according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the first arm (3) and the second arm (4) have curved shapes, wherein the opening portion (30) of the first arm (3) is rectangular or oval, and wherein the second arm (4) is a curved and longitudinal pin, tapered at a distance from the head (2), fitting in through the opening portion (30) of the first arm (3) and back through the opening portion (30) of the first arm (3) again.

10. The clothespin (1 ) according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the first arm (3) and the second arm (4) have curved shapes and, when viewing the clothespin (1 ) from the side, there is created an upper geometrical hollow space (7), from the head (2) and down to a first point where the first arm (3) and the second arm (4) interact at first, and a lower geometrical hollow space (8) from the first point to a second point where the first arm (3) and the second arm (4) interact a second time, said lower geometrical hollow space (8) creating pinching effect, wherein the lower geometrical hollow space (8) has a larger area than the upper geometrical hollow space (7).

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