Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Pin or separate essential cooperating device therefor – Having distinct guiding – holding – or protecting means for...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-17
2001-12-04
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Pin or separate essential cooperating device therefor
Having distinct guiding, holding, or protecting means for...
C024S709900, C024S710000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324734
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fasteners. More particularly, it relates to an attachment for a safety pin.
STATEMENT OF THE PRIOR ART
A typical conventional safety pin has first and second wire limbs, the first wire limb having a cap at one end and the second wire limb having a pointed free end, and a coiled portion opposite the cap end of the first wire limb which provides a connection for the first and second wire limbs. The cap has a recess opening towards the first wire limb which is adapted to engage the free end of the second wire limb which is movable between an engaged and a non-engaged position. The problem with the conventional safety pin is that it is difficult to grasp due to the small diameter of the first and second wire limbs. For persons suffering from arthritis or other afflictions which limit manual dexterity, the problem is especially acute. Various attempts have been made to solve the problem.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,997 issued to Niwa discloses a safety pin having a non-slip plastic body. Niwa solves the aforementioned problem by providing a gripping mass which allows for easier handling of the safety pin. The safety pin designed by Niwa suffers from the drawback in that it cannot be used with a conventional safety pin. Niwa discloses attaching the gripping mass to an unconventional wire pin arrangement having a free arm with a pointed end and a mounting arm embedded in the gripping mass. Thus Niwa does not disclose an attachment for-a conventional safety pin but instead discloses a redesigned safety pin. U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,166 (Betters), U.S. Pat. No. 3,883,930 (Bagnasco), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,927 (Bagnasco) all disclose redesigned safety pins which have a larger gripping area than the conventional safety pin.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,851 issued to Joseph discloses a safety pin attachment which can be used with a conventional safety pin. Insertion of the safety pin into the attachment is facilitated by forming the attachment in two halves connected by a living hinge. The safety pin is then secured within the attachment by folding the halves about the first wire limb until the two halves “snap” together. While this arrangement is generally satisfactory for its intended purpose, it suffers from the drawback in that it cannot accommodate a wide range of safety pin sizes. In order to accommodate pins having a wide range of sizes, the attachment of the present invention has a single longitudinal center channel formed within a main body of unitary construction. A pair of transverse notches allow a needle nose pliers or other similar tool to be used to snap the safety pin into position. The contour of the inner surface of the single longitudinal channel allows for accommodation of safety pins having a wide range of sizes. At least one pair of upstanding, mutually opposing retainer members formed on opposite sides of the channel may be urged together in order to retain the first wire limb of the safety pin once it is placed in the channel. An adhesive may be used to permanently secure the attachment.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a safety pin attachment having a contoured longitudinal center channel and at least three retainer members. The contour of the center channel allows for insertion of a wide range of safety pins therein. Once positioned within the center channel, the retainer members may be urged together about the stationary wire of the safety pin, and an adhesive may be used to permanently secure the attachment to the safety pin. The attachment provides a gripping mass for the safety pin thereby facilitating handling of the safety pin. The attachment may have identifying indicia such as letters or numbers, or may have indicia having a tactile characteristic such as braille or a series of raised portions.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved attachment for a safety pin.
It is an object of this invention to provide an attachment for a safety pin which can be provided with identifying indicia to identify characteristics associated with items to which it is attached.
It is also an object of this invention to provide an attachment for a conventional safety pin which facilitates easier gripping and control thereof.
It is also an object of this invention to provide an attachment for a safety pin which can be used with different sized safety pins.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an attachment for a safety pin which minimizes rotation or undesirable instability of the safety pin while fastening and unfastening the safety pin.
It is another object of the invention to provide an attachment for a safety pin which can be brought into locking engagement about the safety pin.
Finally, it is a general object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 559169 (1896-04-01), Farmer
patent: 1354159 (1920-09-01), Benoit
patent: 1589705 (1926-06-01), King
patent: 1753570 (1930-04-01), King
patent: 1999786 (1935-04-01), Rosenblum
patent: 2257787 (1941-10-01), Cohen
patent: 3806997 (1974-04-01), Niwa
patent: 4597206 (1986-07-01), Benson
patent: 4852220 (1989-08-01), Berardi
patent: 5404624 (1995-04-01), Joseph
patent: 5412851 (1995-05-01), Joseph
patent: 5732451 (1998-03-01), Mars
Browne Lynne H.
Hoyte, Jr. Alfred F.
Rodriguez Ruth C.
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