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US 9,427,037 B1Granted
Clip for fabric and method of use
OwnerDebra Ann Athertoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clip for fabric includes a pair of pivotally connected jaws which can be opened to accept fabric and closed to grip the fabric. The distal ends of the jaws combine to form a ratchet which allows the jaws to be closed, but once engaged prevents the jaws from re-opening. The proximal ends of the jaws form a spreading mechanism which causes the proximal ends of the jaws to spread apart as the clip clamps down on the fabric. This spreading action results in an even distribution of pressure upon the fabric.
Claims21
A clip for fabric comprising:
- a first jaw having a first end and an opposite second end;
- a second jaw having a first end and an opposite second end, said first end of said second jaw pivotally connected to said first end of said first jaw;
- said first and second jaws positionable to an open position and to a closed position;
- a spreading mechanism which causes said first end of said first jaw to linearly spread apart from said first end of said second jaw;
- said spreading mechanism including (1) said first end of said first jaw having a pivot pin, (2) said first end of said second jaw having a slot which receives said pivot pin, said slot having a distal end, and (3) a biasing device which urges said first end of said first jaw and said first end of said second jaw linearly together;
- said jaws having an unspread position and a spread apart position;
- in said unspread position said biasing device forcing said pivot pin to abut said distal end of said slot;
- in said spread apart position said pivot pin moves away from said distal end of said slot;
- and,
- said second end of said first jaw and said second end of said second jaw forming a ratchet which engages in said closed position and connects said second end of said first jaw to said second end of said second jaw, said ratchet including a toothed member which has a plurality of teeth.
7 more elements
A fabric fastening system, comprising:
- an article of fabric;
- a clip for said article of fabric including;
- a first jaw having a first end and an opposite second end;
- a second jaw having a first end and an opposite second end, said first end of said second jaw pivotally connected to said first end of said first jaw;
- said first and second jaws positionable to an open position and to a closed position;
- a spreading mechanism which causes said first end of said first jaw to linearly spread apart from said first end of said second jaw;
- said spreading mechanism including (1) said first end of said first jaw having a pivot pin, (2) said first end of said second jaw having a slot which receives said pivot pin, said slot having a distal end, and (3) a biasing device which urges said first end of said first jaw and said first end of said second jaw linearly together;
- said jaws having an unspread position and a spread apart position;
- in said unspread position said biasing device forcing said pivot in to abut said distal end of said slot;
- in said spread apart position said pivot pin moves away from said distal end of said slot;
- said second end of said first jaw and said second end of said second jaw forming a ratchet which engages in said closed position and connects said second end of said first jaw to said second end of said second jaw, said ratchet including a toothed member which has a plurality of teeth;
- and,
- said first and second jaws designed to clamp two or more layers of said article of fabric together.
10 more elements
A clip for fabric comprising:
- a first jaw having a first end and an opposite second end;
- a second jaw having a first end and an opposite second end, said first end of said second jaw pivotally connected to said first end of said first jaw;
- said first and second jaws positionable to an open position and to a closed position;
- a spreading mechanism which causes said first end of said first jaw to spread apart from said first end of said second jaw;
- said spreading mechanism including (1) said first end of said first jaw having a pivot pin, (2) said first end of said second jaw having a slot which receives said pivot pin, said slot having a distal end;
- said jaws having an unspread position and a spread apart position;
- in said unspread position said pivot pin abuts said distal end of said slot;
- in said spread apart position said pivot pin moves away from said distal end of said slot;
- and,
- said second end of said first jaw and said second end of said second jaw forming a ratchet which engages in said closed position and connects said second end of said first jaw to said second end of said second jaw, said ratchet including a toothed member which has a plurality of teeth.
7 more elements
A method for gripping fabric, comprising:
- (a) providing an article of fabric;
- (b) providing a clip for said article of fabric, including;
- a first jaw having a first end and an opposite second end;
- a second jaw having a first end and an opposite second end, said first end of said second jaw pivotally connected to said first end of said first jaw;
- said first and second jaws rotatably positionable to an open position and to a closed position;
- said first end of said first jaw and said first end of said second jaw forming a spreading mechanism which allows said first end of said first jaw to spread apart from said first end of said second jaw;
- said spreading mechanism including (1) said first end of said first jaw having a pivot pin, (2) said first end of said second jaw having a slot which receives said pivot pin, said slot having a distal end;
- said jaws having an unspread position and a spread apart position;
- in said unspread position said pivot pin abuts said distal end of said slot;
- in said spread apart position said pivot pin moves away from said distal end of said slot;
- said second end of said first jaw and said second end of said second jaw forming a ratchet which in said closed position connects said second end of said first jaw to said second end of said second jaw;
- (c) placing said first and second jaws in said open position;
- (d) placing said article of fabric between said first jaw and said second jaw;
- and,
- (e) applying a closing force to said second end of said first jaw and said second end of said second jaw to place said first jaw and said second jaw in said closed position.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.