Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Article holder attachable to apparel or body – Article held by clip
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-23
2001-05-22
Brittain, James R. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Article holder attachable to apparel or body
Article held by clip
C024S669000, C024S664000, C224S197000, C224S271000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233788
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to integrally molded clips and clip assemblies. In particular, this invention relates to, but is not necessarily limited to, clips and clip assemblies for rotatably attaching a portable electronic device to apparel worn by a user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Portable electronic devices, such as portable communication devices, are known to be attached by clips or holsters to apparel such as, for example, waist belts worn by users. When attached in this manner, a user may wish to detach a portable electronic device when use of the device is desired.
In some instances, a portable electronic device requires different positions when attached to a user's apparel. For example, a display of a portable electronic device needs to be positioned such that a user can read information displayed. Different positions for a portable electronic device can be provided with a rotatable clip. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,031 describes a rotatable clip with a locking structure to engage a cleat that is assembled and attached to a portable electronic device. However, the portable electronic device described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,031 has to be oriented at a single specific position in order for the clip to engage the cleat and is lockable only at one position when thus engaged. Orienting the device to that single specific position can be a problem when the user is in a hurry and wants to quickly attach it to the clip. It would therefore be advantageous if a user could attach or detach the device by a simple procedure without having to consider its orientation or even without looking at the relative position of the clip or the device. Also known are belt clips that use a guide for guiding a spigot into a socket. When the spigot is in the socket for such belt clips, a simple lock maintains the spigot in the socket such that a portable electronic device associated with the spigot can freely rotate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an integrally molded clip that includes a back and a front spaced and connected to each other by a bridging member. The front includes a socket and a locking member biased to a spigot locking position, with the locking member having a spigot engagement member extending towards the socket with a free end providing at least part of a side wall of the socket. The socket has at least one engagement member for engaging one or more complimentary engagement members of a spigot to thereby restrict rotation of the spigot when engage with the socket.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a clip assembly that includes an integrally molded clip having a back and a front spaced and connected to each other by a bridging member. The front includes a socket and a locking member biased to a spigot locking position. The locking member has a spigot engagement member extending towards the socket with a free end providing at least part of a side wall of the socket. A spigot extends from a mount, the spigot being configured to engage with the socket, whereby when the spigot is engaged with the socket, the spigot is rotatable relative to the clip. The socket has at least one engagement member for engaging one or more complimentary engagement members of the spigot to thereby restrict rotation of the spigot when engaged with the socket.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4419794 (1983-12-01), Horton, Jr. et al.
patent: 5452497 (1995-09-01), Peng
patent: 5622296 (1997-04-01), Pirhonen et al.
patent: 5730342 (1998-03-01), Tien
patent: 5779115 (1998-07-01), Parkas et al.
patent: 5850996 (1998-12-01), Liang
patent: 5906031 (1999-05-01), Jensen
patent: 6006969 (1999-12-01), Kim
patent: 6098858 (2000-08-01), Laugesen
patent: 6161741 (2000-12-01), French
patent: 9701336-1 (1998-09-01), None
Chan Wai Kee
Choy Chong Heng
Chung Kenneth
Kallis Dave
Brittain James R.
Collopy Daniel R.
Motorola Inc.
Soldner Michael C.
LandOfFree
Integrally molded clip and clip assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Integrally molded clip and clip assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Integrally molded clip and clip assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2536339