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(11) | EP 0 826 812 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Clothes Peg |
| (57) A clothespin (10) is provided wherein a pair of pinching members (2) have each on
one side of the opposed pinching surfaces a plurality of parallel grooves (21a) in
the direction from the pivotally supported position of the pinching member (2) to
the pinching surface, so that, in applying a washing, the pinching members are operated
to hold the object with the grooves (21a) in mutually biting manner, and in releasing
the pinched washing, the washing may be pulled out in the direction of the groove
to release from the pinched surface without widening the space of the opposed pinching
surfaces by operating the pinching members (2). |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the construction of conventional clothespin, the illustrated situation being in using condition. In the clothespin 50, a pair of opposed pinching members 51, 51 are pivotally supported in nearly the middle part in the vertical direction, and urged in the direction of approaching the pressing portion 54 which is the lower end part of the pinching member 51. On each pinching surface 54a on the opposed side of the pressing portion 54, a groove having a V-letter shaped cross section in the widthwise direction crossing in vertical direction is provided to both end part in the widthwise direction, and a plurality of these grooves are formed in the vertical direction to make the cross-sectional shape of the pinching surface 54a saw tooth shape. The opposed pinching surfaces 54a, 54a are formed into such configuration that the saw tooth portions of the pinching surfaces 54a, 54a are screw-engaged when the pressing portions 54, 54 are brought to contact, namely, the grooved portion and non-grooved portion of the pinching surface 54a are engaged. To the C-shaped spring 52 a hanging part 53 is fixed. By hooking a loop part provided on the upper portion of the hanging part 53, a clothespin 50 can be suspended.
[0003] In pinching the washed clothes on the clothespin 50 of such structure, a holding member 55 which is an upper part of the pinching member 51 is snapped to open the pressing portion 54, and the washing is pinched with the pressing portion 54. The washing is fixed under pressure from both lateral surfaces with the saw tooth-shaped pinching surface 54a. By the formation of the pinching surface 54a into a saw tooth-shape, dropout of the washing from the pinching member 51 by the own weight during the drying and release from the pinching member 51 under any impact is prevented.
[0004] When the washing is dried, the holding part 55 is snapped to open the pressing portion 54 and the washing is removed. This work is performed on each occasion of taking in the washings, and is of nuisance when a large volume of washings is involved. When such work is evaded and the washing under the state of being held by the pressing portion 54 is pulled downward, there is the problem such as the washing may be broken or the clothespin may be damaged.
[0005] Furthermore, in case of pinching the thin articles such as handkerchief or stockings on the clothespin 50 as shown in FIG. 1, there may be dangers of saw tooth-shaped trace to remain on the handkerchief after drying or the stockings caught by the pinching surface 54a and damaged.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention has been made in reflection of the situation mentioned above. An object of the present invention is to provide a clothespin with which the articles to be pinched can be taken in simply and smoothly. Another object of the present invention is to provide a clothespin with which the lightweight, thin object can be simply taken in without being damaged, and no pinching trace is left on the thin object after drying.
[0007] A clothespin of the present invention is characterized by comprising a pair of pinching members pivotally supported in the middle part and urged in the direction of mutual approach of the respective one side by the elastic force, the respective sides urged in the direction of the approach having opposed pinching surfaces, the pinching surface having a plurality of grooves provided in the direction from the pivotally supported position of the pinching member to the pinching surface, so as to pinch the object with the pinching surface.
[0008] Also, the opposed pinching surfaces are characterized by having the grooves in mutually biting manner.
[0009] Accordingly, because of a plurality of grooves formed on the pinching surfaces, when a washing is held, the contact surface area between the washing and the pinching surface is large, and the washing can be securely held in position. Also, because of the groove formed in the direction toward the center of gravity of the pinched washing, in releasing the pinched washing, the object can be pulled in the same direction as the groove, by which the washing can be drawn out from the pinched surface without opening the two pinching surfaces, thus permitting to make simple removal from the clothespin. Moreover, as the held washing is pressed by the groove forming part of one pinching surface and the non-groove formed part of the other pinching surface, the washing is brought into contact with the lateral sides of the groove. By this action, the washing comes into contact with the lateral sides of the groove. As a result, the contact surface area between the washing and the pinching surface is further enlarged, permitting secure clamping and fixing the washing.
[0010] Also, a clothespin according to the present invention is characterized by having a pair of pinching members pivotally supported in the middle part and urged in the direction of mutual approach of the respective one side by the elastic force, the respective sides urged in the direction of the approach having an opposed pinching surface, the pinching surface having a corrugated curved surface with a series of convex and concave portions in the direction from the pivotally supported position of the pinching member to the pinching surface, so as to pinch the object with the pinching surface.
[0011] Furthermore, the opposed pinching surfaces are characterized by having the convex and concave unevenness surfaces in mutually biting manner.
[0012] Accordingly, because of the pinching surfaces formed in convex and concave corrugated unevenness in the direction toward the center of gravity of the pinched washing, pinching to keep a washing in position can be securely attained. Also, in removing the pinched washing, the washing may be drawn in the direction of center of gravity, by which the washing shifts smoothly on the corrugated curve, permitting to draw out the washing from the pinched surface without opening the pinching part, thus permitting to take out the washing simply from the clothespin. Further, with the washing pressed between the convex of the one pinching surface and the recess of the other, surface the washing comes into contact with the whole pinching surface. This provides a larger contact area of the washing with the pinching surface to permit exact holding of the washing.
[0013] Furthermore, the clothespin according to the present invention is characterized by having a pair of pinching members pivotally supported in the middle part and urged in the direction of mutual approach of the respective one side by the elastic force, the respective sides urged in the direction of the approach having an opposed pinching surface, the pinching surface being formed into a flat surface to pinch the object.
[0014] Because the thin washing is lightweight, the object is securely pinched in position even with the pinching surfaces of flat shape, and can be smoothly removed by pulling from the clothespin without the danger of being caught by the pinching surface or being damaged by breakage. Also, due to the flat pinching surface of the clothespin, no pinching trace is left on the thin object after drying.
[0015] The above and further object and features of the invention will more fully be apparent from the following detailed description with accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the construction of a conventional clothespin;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the construction of a clothespin of the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the construction of a pinching member of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along III-III line;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a condition where a washing is held by a clothespin of the first embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a construction of a clothespin according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a construction of the first pinching member of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a construction of the second pinching member of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a construction of the clothespin according to the third embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a construction of the pinching member of FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Hereinafter, the present invention will be concretely described in accordance with the drawings showing the embodiments thereof.
The first embodiment
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the construction of a clothespin 10 of the first embodiment, with the direction of disposition under the condition of use being shown. The clothespin 10 of this embodiment has a pinching part 1 for holding and fixing a washing and a hanging part 4 which the pinching part 1 is suspended with. The pinching part 1 has a pair of pinching members 2, 2 pivotally supported in the middle part in the vertical direction and a C-shaped spring 3 made of metal for urging in a direction of approach the both lower ends of the pinching members 2, 2. The members to constitute the pinching part 1 and the hanging part 4 are all made of synthetic resin, except the C-shaped spring 3.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the construction of one pinching member 2 shown in FIG. 2, showing the direction of disposition in the use condition. FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along the line III-III of the pressing portion 21 of the pinching member 2 shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, one of pinching members 2, 2 has a box shape which is long in the vertical direction and open to the side (reverse side) of opposing to the other pinching member 2. The pinching member 2 includes a pressing portion 21 which has, in the lower part, thick walls in the vertical direction and in the front and back direction. The peripheral part excluding the pressing part 21 of the pinching member 2 is provided with ribs 2a, 2b, and 2c. The ribs 2a, 2c are provided along the vertical direction, and the rib 2b along the widthwise direction perpendicularly crossing with the vertical direction. In approximately the middle part of the ribs 2a, 2c there are provided in parallel a first coupling part 23a and a second coupling part 23b which are higher than the ribs 2a, 2c. The first coupling part 23a is provided at the tip with a pair of receiving pieces of approximately semi spherical shape provided in protrusion in parallel at a predetermined distance in the widthwise direction, and the second coupling part 23b is provided at the tip with an inserting piece of approximately semispherical shape having a dimension where the inserting piece can be inserted in the space of the receiving pieces of the first coupling part 23a.
[0020] Also, in approximately the middle of the bottom part of the box shaped pinching member 2 there is formed an elliptical space 25 along the vertical direction. At the lower end of the space 25 at the front side of the pinching member, there is formed a receiving spring recess 25a (ref. FIG. 2) for inserting the tip of the C-shaped spring 3.
[0021] The pressing portions 21, 21 has the pinching surfaces 21a, 21a on the respective opposed sides. The pinching surface 21a is provided, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, with grooves 21b of U-shaped cross section engraved to both ends in the vertical direction at an equal pitch. On either one of the two ends of the pinching surface 21a in the widthwise direction, there is formed the groove 21b. As a result, as shown in the dashed line in FIG. 4, in placing the same shape pinching members 2, 2 in opposed state, the pinching surfaces 21a are mutually screw stopped, namely, the groove formed portion and non-formed portion of the grooves 21b, 21b of the respective pinching surface 21a, 21a are engaged. A pair of pinching members 2, 2 may be of the same shape.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the hanging part 4 has a rod-like body 41 provided at its lower end with a spring hole 42 for idly accommodating a C-shaped spring 3, with a loop portion 43 extending in the lengthwise direction of the hanging part 4 at the top end of the rod-like body 41, which are integrally formed. Above-mentioned, the hanging part 4 is made of a synthetic resin and has elastic force of material, and the loop 43 is deformable in shape, having a dimension of a degree that can pass through the pinching portion 1.
[0023] In assembling a clothespin 10 of such construction, with the pinching members 2,2 of the same shape placed in opposed manner to mate the coupling parts 23a and 23b, which are mutually pivotally supported (mate the receiving pieces with the inserting piece). And, as shown in FIG. 2, the C-shaped spring 3 provided with a hanging part 4 is thrust through the space 25, and both ends of the C-shaped spring 3 are accommodated in the spring receiving recess 25a, respectively. By the C-shaped spring 3, the pressing portions 21, 21 of the pinching member 1 are urged in the mutually approaching direction. By hanging the hanging part 4 in the objective place, the pinching part 1 is hung.
[0024] Hereinafter, explanation is given on the case of pinching the washing W which is a hanging object on the clothespin 10 as described above. The holding parts 22, 22 which are the upper end parts of the opposed pinching members 2, 2, are pinched to open the pressing portions 21, 21, the washing W is applied to the pressing portions 21, 21, and a hand is detached from the pinching part 22. The washing W is pinched from both surface sides by the opposed pressing portions 21, 21 and pressed by the pinching surface 21a having the grooves 21b. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the pinching surface under the condition of the washing W pinched with the clothespin 10, being illustrated with omission of one of the pinching members 2, 2. As shown in FIG. 5, into the groove 21b a washing W is accommodated and pressed by the non-groove formed portion of the opposed pinching surface 21a. As a result, the contact area between the washing W and the pinching surface 21a is enlarged, and the holding of the washing W with the pressing portion 21 is assured.
[0025] And, after the washing W is dried, the washing W is pulled downward (arrow direction as shown in FIG. 5) to extract from the pressing portion 21. As the groove 21b is provided by engraving in the vertical direction of the pinching surface 21a to both ends, the resistance of the washing W to shift downward under exertion of the downward force is small, and smooth pulling out is performed. In this manner, by pulling downward the washing W can be removed from the pressing portion 21 without forcibly separating, thereby saving the labor of taking in the washing W after drying.
[0026] In the first embodiment mentioned above, the case of forming the grooves 21b of U-letter shaped cross-section on the pinching surface 21a is explained, but the grooves 21b are not limited to such shape but for example may be of a V-letter shaped cross-section. Similar effect can be obtained without respect to the configuration. The position of the groove 21b to be formed on the pinching surface 21a is not limited to the embodiment as described above but the pinching member having grooves at both ends of the pinching surface in the widthwise direction and the pinching member having no groove formation may be used in opposed state.
The second Embodiment
[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the construction of the clothespin 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the construction of the first pinching member, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the construction of the second pinching member forming a pair with the first pinching member 2. They all show the disposition under the use condition. The first pinching member 2 and the second pinching member 200 have the pressing portions 26 and 260 in the vertical direction and front and back direction at the lower end portions. Except the shapes of the pinching surfaces 26a and 260a in the pressing parts 26 and 260, other portions have the same configurations as those of the first embodiment given above, and the same portions are indicated with the same numerals with omission of description.
[0028] The pressing portion 26 of the first pinching member 2 has a pinching surface 26a on the reverse face which is the side opposite to the second pinching member 200, as shown in FIG. 7. The pinching surface 26a has a curved surface on which unevenness is repeated in a vertical direction, with the convex form at the upper end and lower end portions and concave at the middle part. Also, the pinching surface 26a having such curve shows a corrugation in sectional view, and the surface is smoothly formed.
[0029] The pressing portion 260 of the second pinching member 200 has a pinching surface 260a on the reverse face mentioned above, as shown in FIG. 8. The pinching surface 260a has a curved surface on which unevenness is repeated in a vertical direction, with the concave form at the upper end and lower end portions and convex at the middle part. Also, the pinching surface 260a having such curved face shows a corrugation in sectional view, and has a shape to be engaged with the pinching surface 26a. Also, the said surface is smoothly formed.
[0030] The clothespin 20 of the above construction is assembled by opposing the first and second pinching members 2 and 200 in the same manner as in the first embodiment as described above. By the C-shaped spring 3, the pressing portions 26 and 260 of the opposed pinching members 2 and 200 are urged in the mutually approaching directions, and the concave portion and the convex portion of the respective pinching surfaces 26a and 260a are mutually engaged (ref. FIG. 6). In case of drying the washing W by pinching on the clothespin 20, the holding parts 22, 22 which are the upper end parts of the opposed pinching members 2 and 200, are pinched to open the pressing portions 26 and 260, the washing W is applied to the pressing portions 26 and 260, and a hand is detached from the pinching part 22. The washing W is pinched from both surface sides by the opposed pressing parts 26 and 260 and pressed by the pinching surfaces 26a and 260a formed into corrugated shapes. As a result, the contact area between the washing W and the pinching surfaces 26a and 260a is enlarged, and the holding of the washing W by the pressing parts 26 and 260 is assured.
[0031] And, after the washing W is dried, the washing W is pulled downward to extract from the pressing portions 26 and 260. As the concave portions and the convex portions are provided in corrugated form in the vertical direction and the surfaces are smooth, the resistance of the washing W to shift downward under exertion of the downward force is small, and smooth pulling out is performed. In this manner, by pulling downward the washing W can be removed from the pressing portions 26 and 260 without being forcibly separated, thus allowing to save the labor of taking in the washing after drying.
[0032] With respect to the clothespin 20 described in the above embodiment, the case of forming the corrugated shape of one and half period on the pinching surface is explained, but the shape is not limited to the above but the pinching surface may be of a curved surface, and corrugation of any period may be formed according to the size of the pinching surface. The third Embodiment
[0033] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the construction of the clothespin 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the construction of the pinching member 2 shown in FIG. 9. They all show the disposition under the use condition. The pinching member 2 has at the lower end part the pressing portion 27 of thick walls in vertical direction and front and back direction, and except the shapes of the pinching surface 27a in the pressing part 27, other portions have the same configurations as those of the first embodiment given above, and the same portions are indicated with the same numerals with omission of description.
[0034] The pressing portion 27 of the pinching member 2 has a pinching surface 27a on the reverse face which is the side opposite to the pinching member 2, as shown in FIG. 10. The pinching surface 27a is a flat shape without having convex or concave portion, and its surface is smoothly formed. The clothespin 30 of the above construction is assembled by opposing the pinching members 2, 2 of the same shape in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above. By the C-shaped spring 3, the pressing portions 27, 27 of the opposed pinching members 2, 2 are urged in the mutually approaching directions, and the opposed pinching surfaces 27a, 27a are mutually abutted (ref. FIG 9).
[0035] A thin washing is pinched on the clothespin 30 for drying. The holding parts 22, 22 which are the upper end parts of the opposed pinching members 2, 2 are pinched to open the pressing portions 27, 27, the washing is applied to the pressing portions 27, 27, and a hand is detached from the holding part 22. The washing is pinched from both surface sides by the opposed pressing portions 27, 27 and held by the pinching surfaces 27a, 27a formed into flat shape. Thin, lightweight washings such as handkerchief, stockings, etc. are sufficiently pinched and held in position with the flat pinching surfaces 27a, 27a. And, after the washing is dried, the washing is pulled downward to extract from the pressing portions 27, 27. As the pinching surface 27a is formed in flat and smooth shape, the resistance of the washing to shift downward under exertion of the downward force is small, and pulling out can be made simply with small force.
[0036] Furthermore, there is no danger for the stockings or the like to be caught by the pinching surface 27a and damaged, nor for the thin article such as a handkerchief to leave a trace of the pinching surface 27a. In this manner, by just pulling downward the washing can be removed from the pressing portions 27, 27 without being forcibly separated, thus allowing to save the labor of taking in the washing after drying.
[0037] As described above, due to the provision of the grooves in the same direction as the direction of taking out the washing, the washing can be simply taken out by only pulling. Also, due to the flat shape of the pinching surface without including convex or concave portion, thin washing or the washing which is liable to be damaged is securely held in position, and in taking out, the washing can be simply removed from the clothespin just by pulling. Furthermore, no pinching trace is left on the thin washing after drying. Thus, the present invention shows excellent effects.
1. A clothespin comprising:
a pair of pinching members (2) pivotally supported in the middle part and urged in the direction of mutual approach of the respective one side by the elastic force,
the respective sides urged in the direction of the approach having an opposed pinching surface (21a), so as to pinch the object with the pinching surface (21a),
characterized in that the pinching surface (21a) has a plurality of grooves (21b) provided in the direction from the pivotally supported position of the pinching member to the pinching surface (21a).2. The clothespin according to claim 1, wherein the opposed pinching surfaces (21a) have
the grooves (21b) in mutually biting manner.
3. A clothespin comprising:
a pair of pinching members (2, 200) pivotally supported in the middle part and urged in the direction of mutual approach of the respective one side by the elastic force,
the respective sides urged in the direction of the approach having an opposed pinching surface (26a, 260a), so as to pinch the object with the pinching surface (26a, 260a),
characterized in that the pinching surface (26a, 260a) has a corrugated curved surface with unevenness (26b, 260b) in the direction from the pivotally supported position of the pinching member to the pinching surface (26a, 260a).4. The clothespin according to claim 3, wherein the opposed pinching surfaces (26a, 260a)
are provided to bite the unevenness (26b, 260b).
5. A clothespin comprising:
a pair of pinching members (2) pivotally supported in the middle part and urged in the direction of mutual approach of the respective one side by the elastic force,
the respective sides urged in the direction of the approach having an opposed pinching surface (27a), so as to pinch the object with the pinching surface (27a),
characterized in that the pinching surface (27a) is formed in flat shape.