Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10888690-B2
Publication Date
2021-01-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A clip for attaching a flexible cable or tube to clothing. The clip comprises a body and a clasp for attaching the body of the clip to clothing. The body comprises at least one receiving formation in the form of a resiliently deformable channel for receiving a flexible cable or tube.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a garment clip for attaching a flexible cable or tube to clothing. The garment clip includes a body with a clothing facing side and a non-clothing facing side opposite the clothing facing side. A clasp is located on the clothing facing side to attach the body of the clip to clothing, and the clasp is a safety pin.
On the non-clothing facing side, the body comprises at least one receiving formation that includes a resiliently deformable channel for receiving a flexible tube. The receiving formation can comprise two parallel longitudinal channels, and respective tabs are disposed adjacent to each of the two parallel longitudinal channels.
Each tab is resiliently manoeuvrable to change the configuration of a respective one of the two parallel longitudinal channels. When the longitudinal channel is in a first configuration, the longitudinal channel has a first dimension that restrains the flexible tube or cable laterally within the longitudinal channel; when the longitudinal channel is in a second configuration, the longitudinal channel has a second dimension different from the first dimension such that the flexible tube or cable is permitted to enter the longitudinal channel. Embodiments further include high friction surfaces, including via material choice and/or liners.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims include two independent claims with the same core claim structure. Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on a safety-pin clasp on the clothing-facing side and a non-clothing-facing resiliently deformable receiving channel formation that switches between a lateral restraint configuration and a permit-entry configuration via resiliently manoeuvrable tabs.
Safety-pin clasp on clothing-facing side with receiving channels on non-clothing-facing side
A garment clip having a body with a clothing facing side and a non-clothing facing side, where a clasp comprising a pin and a retainer for receiving the pin is located on the clothing facing side for attaching the body to clothing; and where the non-clothing-facing side comprises at least one receiving formation including a resiliently deformable channel for receiving a flexible tube.
Two parallel longitudinal channels with adjacent resiliently manoeuvrable tabs
The at least one receiving formation comprises two parallel longitudinal channels characterized in that respective tabs are disposed adjacent to each of the two parallel longitudinal channels, each respective tab being resiliently manoeuvrable to change the configuration of a respective one of the two parallel longitudinal channels.
Configuration switching by different channel dimensions for lateral restraint versus permitted entry
When in a first configuration the longitudinal channel has a first dimension and when in a second configuration the longitudinal channel has a second dimension different from the first dimension, such that when in the second configuration a flexible tube or cable is permitted to enter the longitudinal channel and when in the first configuration the flexible tube or cable is restrained laterally within the longitudinal channel.
Two parallel longitudinal channels with configurable friction to resist movement
A receiving formation comprising two parallel longitudinal channels that includes at least one high-friction surface that resists longitudinal movement of a flexible cable or tube.
Material pairing of flexible body and elastomer liner
A garment clip in which the body is made of flexible thermoplastic and includes a liner made of a low durometer thermoplastic elastomer.
Differing dimensions among two parallel longitudinal channels
A garment clip in which the two parallel longitudinal channels differ in dimensions.
Headphone audio cable use case
A garment clip configured so that the flexible cable or tube is a headphone audio cable.
The independent claims cover a garment clip using a safety pin clasp and a resilient, configuration-switching receiving channel formation on the non-clothing-facing side. The main inventive features are the two parallel longitudinal channels with adjacent resiliently manoeuvrable tabs that change channel dimensions between a first configuration for lateral restraint and a second configuration for permitted entry.
Stated Advantages
Restrains a flexible tube or cable laterally within the longitudinal channel in a first configuration.
Permits a flexible tube or cable to enter the longitudinal channel in a second configuration.
High friction surfaces resist longitudinal movement of a flexible cable or tube.
Documented Applications
Attaching a flexible tube or cable to clothing, including use with a catheter or a feeding tube.
Attaching a flexible tube or cable to clothing, including use as an audio cable/headphone cable.
Interested in licensing this patent?