US20030196675A1

US20030196675A1 - Hairclip with a twistable pivot

Info

Publication number: US20030196675A1
Application number: US10/123,302
Authority: US
Inventors: Wen-Hsiung Chang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-17
Filing date: 2002-04-17
Publication date: 2003-10-23

Abstract

A hairclip includes two clip members and a connecting rod. Each clip member includes an engaging portion extending along a longitudinal direction thereof. The engaging portions are aligned with each other for pivotal connection, each engaging portion having an engaging hole. The twistable connecting rod has two ends respectively, securely fixed in the engaging holes of the clip members such that an intermediate portion of the connecting rod is twisted when the clip members are pivoted relative to each other and that the twisted intermediate portion of the connecting rod resumes its shape after the clip members are released.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hairclip with a twistable clip to provide an easy-to-assemble structure and an aesthetic appearance.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 10 of the drawings illustrates a conventional hairclip comprised of two

clip members

1′ and 2′, a spring 3′, and a pivot 4′. Each clip member 1′, 2′ has a pressing portion 11′, 21′ on a top thereof; each pressing portion 11′ 21′ having two lugs 12′, 22′ formed on an inner side thereof. The spring 3′ is mounted between the lugs 12′. The pivot 4′ is extended through holes 13′ and 23′ of the lugs 12′ and 22′ and through the spring 3′. The clip members 1′ and 2′ are normally in a closed state under the action of the spring 3′. The assembly procedure for this hairclip is troublesome and time-consuming. Further, the spring 3′ is exposed and thus adversely affects the overall appearance. Shielding components have been proposed on the pressing portion 11′, 21′ or the lugs 21′, 22′ for shielding the spring 3′. However, the assembling time and the cost are both increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a hairclip with a twistable clip to provide an easy-to-assemble structure and an aesthetic appearance.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a hairclip includes two clip members and a connecting rod. Each clip member includes an engaging portion extending along a longitudinal direction thereof. The engaging portions are aligned with each other for pivotal connection, each engaging portion having an engaging hole.

The twistable connecting rod has two ends respectively, securely fixed in the engaging holes of the clip members such that an intermediate portion of the connecting rod is twisted when the clip members are pivoted relative to each other and that the twisted intermediate portion of the connecting rod resumes its shape after the clip members are released.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a hairclip comprises two clip members and a connecting rod. Each clip member includes an engaging portion on an end thereof. The engaging portions are aligned with each other for pivotal connection, each engaging portion having an engaging hole. Each clip member further includes an engaging member on another end it thereof. The engaging members of the clip members are releasably engaged with each other.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a hairclip in accordance with the present invention. [0011]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hairclip in FIG. 1. [0012]
FIG. 3 is a side view of the hairclip in FIG. 2. [0013]
FIG. 4 is a top view, partly sectioned, of the hairclip in FIG. 2. [0014]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the hairclip in accordance with the present invention. [0015]
FIG. 6 is a top view of the hairclip in FIG. 5. [0016]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the hairclip in accordance with the present invention. [0017]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the hairclip in FIG. 7 in a closed state. [0018]
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the hairclip in accordance with the present invention. [0019]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a conventional hairclip.[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a hairclip in accordance with the present invention generally comprises two [0021] clip members 1 and 2 and a twistable connecting rod 3. Bach clip member 1, 2 includes a longitudinally extending engaging portion 11, 21 that has an engaging hole 12, 22 for securely receiving an associated end 31, 32 of the twistable connecting rod 3. Further, the engaging portion 11, 21 includes a receiving section 13, 23 with a receiving hole 14, 24 through which the twistable connecting rod 3 is rotatably extended. Thus, the receiving sections 13 and 23 cover the twistable connecting rod 3 and provide a space allowing twisting of the connecting rod 3.
In this embodiment, the connecting [0022] rod 3 is rectangular in section and has an appropriate twistability allowing it to be twisted and then resuming its original shape. Two ends 31 and 32 of the connecting rod 3 are respectively inserted into the engaging holes 11 and 21 of the clip members 1 and 2 with an intermediate twisting portion 33 of the connecting rod 3 being received in the receiving holes 14 and 24 of the clip members 1 and 2.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the [0023] clip members 1 and 2 are connected together by the connecting rod 3. Since two ends 31 and 32 of the connecting rod 3 are fixed in the engaging holes 12 and 22 of the clip members 1 and 2, the ends 31 and 32 of the former turn together with the latter when the latter are pressed (see the solid line in FIG. 3). Thus, the intermediate twisting portion 33 of the connecting rod 3 is twisted. When the clip members 1 and 2 are released, the twisted connected rod 3 resumes its shape and thus returns the hairclip to a closed state shown by the broken-dashed lines in FIG. 3. The assembly procedure is simple, as no spring is required, and the resultant hairclip has an aesthetic appearance.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the hairclip includes two [0024] clip members 4 and 5 of another type and a twistable connecting rod 6. Each clip member 4, 5 includes an engaging portion 41, 51 in an end thereof for engaging with the connecting rod 6. Further, each clip member 4, 5 includes an engaging member 42, 52 on the other end thereof. The connecting rod 6 is engaged with the engaging portions 41 and 51 of the clip members 4 and 5 when the clip members 4 and 5 are in an open state shown in FIG. 5 such that the clip members 4 and 5 are normally open after assembly. When the clip members 4 and 5 are moved to the closed state shown by the solid lines in FIG. 6, the connecting rod 6 is twisted and thus stores a resuming force. The engaging members 42 and 52 are engaged together to achieve the hair-clipping purpose. When the engaging members 42 and 52 are disengaged from each other, the twisted connecting rod 6 resumes its shape and thus moves the clip members 4 and 5 to the open state. Each clip member 4, 5 may include a receiving portion 43, 53 with a receiving hole for receiving and allowing twisting of the intermediate portion of the connecting rod 6.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention, wherein the hairclip includes two [0025] clip members 7 and 8 of another type and a connecting rod 9. Each clip member 7, 8 includes an engaging portion 71, 81 in an end thereof for engaging with the connecting rod 9. Further, each clip member 7, 8 includes an engaging member 72, 82 on the other end thereof. The connecting rod 9 is engaged with the engaging portions 71 and 81 of the clip members 7 and 9 when the clip members 7 and 8 are in an open state shown in FIG. 7 such that the clip members 7 and 8 are normally open after assembly. When the clip members 7 and 8 are moved to the closed state shown in FIG. 8, the connecting rod 9 is twisted and thus stores a resuming force. The engaging members 72 and 82 are engaged together to achieve the hair-clipping purpose. When the engaging members 72 and 82 are disengaged from each other, the twisted connecting rod 9 resumes its shape and thus moves the clip members 7 and 8 to the open state.
FIG. 9 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the invention, wherein the hairclip includes two [0026] clip members 91 and 92 of another type and a connecting rod 93. The clip members 91 and 92 are connected together by the twistable connecting rod 93.
It is noted that two ends of the connecting [0027] rod 3, 6, 9 may be engaged with the engaging portions 11, 21, 41, 51, 71, 81 of the clip members 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 91, 92 by means of bonding or any other suitable means.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. [0028]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hairclip comprising:

two clip members each including an engaging portion extending along a longitudinal direction thereof, said engaging portions being aligned with each other for pivotal connection, each said engaging portion having an engaging hole; and

a twistable connecting rod having two ends respectively, securely fixed in the engaging holes of the clip members such that an intermediate portion of the connecting rod is twisted when the clip members are pivoted relative to each other and that the twisted intermediate portion of the connecting rod resumes its shape after the clip members are released.

2. The hairclip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engaging portion of each said clip member includes a receiving section with a receiving hole for rotatably holding the intermediate portion of the connecting rod and for allowing twisting of the intermediate portion of the connecting rod.

3. A hairclip comprising:

two clip members each including an engaging portion on an end thereof, said engaging portions being aligned with each other for pivotal connection, each said engaging portion having an engaging hole, each said clip member further including an engaging member on another end thereof, said engaging members of said clip members being releasably engaged with each other; and

4. The hairclip as claimed in claim 3, wherein the engaging portion of each said clip member includes a receiving section with a receiving hole for rotatably holding the intermediate portion of the connecting rod and for allowing twisting of the intermediate portion of the connecting rod.

5. The hairclip as claimed in claim 3, wherein the clip members are open when in a normal sate.