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US-12617350-B2 - Clip for holding articles and structural assembly equipped with clip

US12617350B2US 12617350 B2US12617350 B2US 12617350B2US-12617350-B2

Abstract

The invention is directed to a clip for holding articles includes a main body having a first body portion and a second body portion mounted to undergo pivotal movement relative to the first body portion for selectively positioning the clip between an open state and a closed state. The first state of the clip is configured to allow an article to be positioned between the first and second body portions, and the closed state of the article is configured to securely hold the article between the first and second body portions. A biasing member is mounted between the first and second body portions for biasing the clip to the closed state. The clip is configured for placement in the open state by pivotal movement of the first body portion relative to the second body portion against the biasing force of the biasing member. The invention is also directed to a sun visor assembly equipped with the clip.

Inventors

  • John Peterson

Assignees

  • John Peterson

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20230524

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A clip for holding articles, the clip comprising: a main body having a first body portion and a second body portion mounted to undergo pivotal movement relative to the first body portion about a pivot shaft for selectively positioning the clip between an open state and a closed state, the open state of the clip being configured to allow an article to be positioned between the first and second body portions, and the closed state of the clip being configured to securely hold the clip between the first and second body portions; and a biasing member mounted between the first and second body portions for biasing the clip to the closed state, the clip being configured for placement in the open state by pivotal movement of the first body portion relative to the second body portion against the biasing force of the biasing member; wherein the first body portion is integrally formed with a pivot shaft and a holding recess; wherein the second body portion is integrally formed with a pair of pivot arms and a holding pin, the pair of pivot arms being configured for connection to respective ends of the pivot shaft to connect the first and second body portions together and to permit pivotal movement of the first body portion relative to the second body portion about the pivot shaft; and wherein the biasing member is configured to be securely retained between the first and second body portions by the holding recess of the first body portion and the holding pin of the second body portion such that the biasing member is spaced from and does not engage the pivot shaft.
  2. 2 . The clip of claim 1 , further comprising a cushioning member disposed between the first and second body portions for protecting an article that is held therebetween.
  3. 3 . The clip of claim 1 , wherein the holding recess is formed at one end of the first body portion and the holding pin extends from an end of the second body portion such that when the first and second body portions are connected together, the holding recess, the holding pin and the biasing member are spaced apart from the pair of pivot arms and positioned outside of a region between the pair of pivot arms.
  4. 4 . The clip of claim 1 , wherein the first body portion, including the pivot shaft and the holding recess, is a unitary structure formed from a single piece of material; and wherein the second body portion, including the pair of pivot arms and the holding pin, is a unitary structure formed from a single piece of material.
  5. 5 . The clip of claim 4 , wherein the single piece of material for the first and second body portion comprises a plastic material.
  6. 6 . The clip of claim 1 , further comprising mounting means for mounting the clip to a structural assembly.
  7. 7 . The clip of claim 6 , wherein the mounting means comprises a pair of first fasteners extending from a surface of the second body portion; and wherein the clip is configured to be mounted to the structural assembly by passing the first fasteners through respective openings formed in the structural assembly and bringing the first fasteners into engagement with respective second fasteners to securely mount the clip to the structural assembly.
  8. 8 . The clip of claim 6 , wherein the mounting means comprises a retaining element configured for secure, removable connection to a surface of the second body portion, the retaining element including leg portions, and the surface of the second body portion including retaining recesses for securely, removably receiving and retaining therein the respective leg portions of the retaining element; and wherein each leg portion of the retaining element has a connection end, each retaining recess of the second body portion has a first recess portion and a second recess portion extending from the first recess portion to an end of the second body portion, the first recess portion is configured for securely, removably receiving the connection end, and the second recess portion is configured for securely, removably receiving the leg portion.
  9. 9 . The clip of claim 6 , wherein the mounting means comprises magnetic members connected to a surface of the second body portion, the magnetic members being configured for removable magnetic connection to the structural assembly.
  10. 10 . The clip of claim 9 , further comprising retaining recesses formed in the surface of the second body member, the retaining recesses being separate from one another and configured to separately receive and retain the respective magnetic members therein.
  11. 11 . The clip of claim 6 , wherein: the mounting means comprises first and second mounting means each selectively used to mount the clip to the structural assembly; the first mounting means comprises a retaining element configured for secure, removable connection to a surface of the second body portion, the retaining element including leg portions, the surface of the second body portion including first retaining recesses for securely, removably receiving and retaining therein the respective leg portions of the retaining element, each leg portion of the retaining element having a connection end, each first retaining recess of the second body portion having a first recess portion and a second recess portion extending from the first recess portion to an end of the second body portion, the first recess portion being configured for securely, removably receiving the connection end, and the second recess portion being configured for securely, removably receiving the leg portion; and the second mounting means comprises magnetic members connected to a surface of the second body portion and configured for removable magnetic connection to the structural assembly, and further comprising second retaining recesses formed in the surface of the second body portion, the second retaining recesses being separate from one another and configured to separately receive and retain the respective magnetic members therein.
  12. 12 . A sun visor assembly equipped with the clip of claim 1 .
  13. 13 . The clip of claim 1 , wherein when the first and second body portions are connected together, the holding recess of the first body portion is disposed in confronting relation to the holding pin of the second body portion so that the biasing member retained by the holding recess and the holding pin extends generally vertically from the first and second body portions.
  14. 14 . The clip of claim 13 , wherein the biasing member comprises a single coil spring having a open end configured to extend into the holding recess of the first body portion and as second open end configured to receive the holding pin of the second body portion.
  15. 15 . The clip of claim 8 , wherein the second recess portions of the retaining recesses are disposed parallel to one another.
  16. 16 . The clip of claim 11 , wherein the second recess portions of the first retaining recesses are disposed parallel to one another; and wherein the second retaining recesses are disposed generally parallel to one another.
  17. 17 . The clip of claim 11 , wherein the first and second retaining recesses are formed in the surface of the second body portion so as to be symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the second body portion, such that the symmetrical configuration ensures the clip is securely retained on a structural assembly, including via the retaining element or the magnetic elements, providing high stability and preventing inadvertent displacement of the clip while holding an article.
  18. 18 . The clip of claim 1 , further comprising a retaining element and magnetic connecting members, wherein the clip can be mounted to the structural assembly using either the retaining element or the magnetic connecting members, each being independently selectable for mounting.
  19. 19 . A clip for holding articles, the clip comprising: a main body including a first body portion and a second body portion mounted for pivotal movement relative to one another to selectively position the clip between an open state and a closed state, the open state being configured to permit an article to be positioned between the first and second body portions, and the closed state being configured to securely retain the article between the first and second body portions; a biasing member disposed between the first and second body portions and configured to bias the clip toward the closed state, the clip being movable to the open state by pivotal movement of the first body portion relative to the second body portion against a biasing force of the biasing member; and a retaining element and magnetic connecting members, each independently selectable for mounting the clip to a structural assembly; wherein the first body portion comprises a unitary structure integrally formed with a pivot shaft and a holding recess, the holding recess being formed at an end of the first body portion adjacent to the pivot shaft and configured to receive at least a portion of the biasing member; wherein the second body portion comprises a unitary structure integrally formed with a pair of pivot arms and a holding pin, the pivot arms being configured to engage respective ends of the pivot shaft to connect the first and second body portions and to permit pivotal movement therebetween, the holding pin extending from an end of the second body portion adjacent to the pivot arms; wherein, when the first and second body portions are connected together, the holding recess of the first body portion is disposed in confronting relation to the holding pin of the second body portion, the biasing member having a open end received within the holding recess and a second open end receiving the holding pin; wherein the biasing member is securely retained between the first and second body portions by cooperation of the holding recess and the holding pin such that the biasing member is spaced from and does not engage the pivot shaft; and wherein the holding recess and the holding pin are positioned such that, when the first and second body portions are connected together, the holding recess, the holding pin, and the biasing member retained therebetween are spaced apart from and not disposed between the pivot arms.
  20. 20 . A clip for holding articles, the clip comprising: a main body comprising a first body portion and a second body portion mounted for pivotal movement relative to one another about a pivot shaft to selectively position a clip between an open state, in which an article can be positioned between the first and second body portions, and a closed state, in which the article is retained between the first and second body portions; a biasing member disposed between the first and second body portions and configured to bias the clip toward the closed state, the clip being movable to the open state by pivotal movement of the first body portion relative to the second body portion against a biasing force of the biasing member; the first body portion including the pivot shaft and a holding recess; the second body portion including a pair of pivot arms configured to engage the pivot shaft to permit pivotal movement of the first and second body portions relative to one another, and a holding element cooperating with the holding recess to retain the biasing member, the holding recess and holding element being positioned outside a region between the pair of pivot arms; and the biasing member being retained by the holding element and holding recess such that the biasing member is spaced from and does not engage the pivot shaft and such that the biasing member is positioned outside the region between the pair of pivot arms.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/887,420, filed Aug. 13, 2022, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/328,305, filed Apr. 7, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND Field The present invention generally relates to clips for holding articles of different types and, in particular, to clips for holding and/or gripping sunglasses, reading glasses, driving glasses, and the like. The present invention also relates to structural assemblies equipped with the clips, such as sun visors. Background Information Clips have been used to hold or grip a variety of items, such as sunglasses, reading glasses, driving glasses, and the like. These clips are typically mounted on structural assemblies, such as sun visors which have been primarily provided in motor vehicles for blocking sunlight shining through the windshield. When used in connection with sun visors, these existing clips are typically removably attached to a free side edge of the sun visor after which the various items are held or gripped by the clips while attached to the sun visor. A disadvantage to using such sun visor clips is that vehicle visors are subjected to vibrations from the vehicle. As a result of such vibrations, the clips require substantial holding and clamping force. The required holding and clamping force increase as the overall weight of the items held by the clip increases. Furthermore, the existing clips tend to slide off the sun visor as a result of vehicle vibrations or during movement of the sun visor by the driver/passenger to block sunlight, for example. Similar problems exist when the existing clips are mounted to structural assemblies other than sun visors in terms of their ability to securely retain the clips while holding/gripping the various objects. There is, therefore, a need for clips for holding and gripping a variety of items, such as sunglasses, reading glasses, driving glasses, and the like, as well as structural assemblies for securely retaining such clips, which overcome the foregoing and other related disadvantages in the prior art. SUMMARY In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a clip for removably and securely holding articles. The clip includes a main body having a first body portion and a second body portion mounted to undergo pivotal movement relative to the first body portion for selectively positioning the clip between an open state and a closed state. The first state of the clip is configured to allow an article to be positioned between the first and second body portions. The closed state of the article is configured to securely hold the article between the first and second body portions. A biasing member is mounted between the first and second body portions for biasing the clip to the closed state. The clip is configured for placement in the open state by pivotal movement of the first body portion relative to the second body portion against the biasing force of the biasing member. According to a feature of the present invention, a cushioning member is disposed between the first and second body portions for protecting an article, or a portion or parts of the article, that this held therebetween. As another feature of the invention, the first body portion has a pivotal shaft, and the second body portion has a pair of pivotal arms configured for connection to respective ends of the pivotal shaft to permit pivotal movement of the first body portion relative to the second body portion. In yet another feature of the invention, the biasing member is configured to be securely retained between the first and second body portions by a holding recess formed in the first body portion and a holding pin extending from the second body portion. The holding recess is formed at one end of the first body portion and adjacent to the pivotal shaft and is configured to receive at least a portion of the biasing member, and the holding pin extends from an end of the second body portion and adjacent to the pivotal arms. As still another feature of the invention, each of the first and second body portions is a unitary structure formed from a single piece of material, such as a plastic material. As a further feature of the present invention, the clip comprises mounting means for mounting the clip to a structural assembly. In one embodiment, the mounting means comprises a pair of first fasteners extending from a surface of the second body portion. The clip is configured to be mounted to the structural assembly by passing the first fasteners through respective openings formed in the structural assembly and bringing the first fasteners into engagement with respective second fasteners to securely mount the clip to the structural assembly. In another embodiment, the mounting means comprises a retaining element securely connected to a surface of the second body portion