GB2355654A

GB2355654A - Mount for a hair slide

Info

Publication number: GB2355654A
Application number: GB0026513A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Guy Pignon
Original assignee: Delsol SA
Current assignee: Delsol SA
Priority date: 1999-10-28
Filing date: 2000-10-30
Publication date: 2001-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2020-10-30
Also published as: GB0026513D0; FR2800248A1; FR2800248B1; DE10053223A1; GB2355654B

Abstract

The base plate 12 and closure tongue 13 of a hair slide mount are made from a single metal piece 21 in which the plate and tongue are parallel and joined by a transverse band 30A. The band is bent to form a rectangular structure 30 through which the tongue is passed by the formation of a loop 32 which forms a resilient hinge between the base and tongue. A short portion of the base extending beyond the structure 30 has fixing means 38 (eg holes, notches or claws) for a decorative element. The base may include an outwardly spaced resilient member 45 for gripping the hair and a clasp 15, formed from integral parts 17a,b, and whose hooks 16a,d are arranged to cooperate with a closed buckle formation on the tongue.

Description

1 2355654 A MOUNT FOR A HAIR SLIDE The present invention relates to a

mount for a hair slide, in particular a mount of the kind for receiving a decorative element on the outer face thereof.

A conventional mount for a hair slide comprises at least two metal components, typically formed of stainless steel, which are connected by means of a hinge. These components include a base plate and a closure tongue piece which is fastenable to the base plate to grip a mesh of hair. FR-A-2713896 discloses a recently-developed mount for a hair slide of the so-called 10 "automatic" type which includes a base plate and a closure tongue piece which is fastenable to the base plate to grip a mesh of hair. The tongue piece includes two small lateral lugs which define a hinge axis and are engaged in supports integrally formed with the base plate. This mount further includes a clasp, which is disposed at one end of the base plate and includes two oppositely-directed transverse hooks for engaging 15 the tongue piece and fastening the same, and a spring- loaded strip, which is located between the base plate and the tongue piece to grip a mesh of hair. Such a mount for a hair slide requires the manufacture and assembly of a plurality of separate components. The base plate has also to be configured to receive a decorative element for covering the convex face thereof. Owing to the number of separate 20 components and the operations required in assembly, the cost price of such a mount is relatively high. JP-A-3019568 discloses a mount for a hair slide which is fabricated from a single flat metal piece as formed from a thin metal sheet. This mount does not, however, permit simple and inexpensive fixture of a decorative element because adequate fixing means 25 cannot be provided at the ends of the base plate. It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved mount for a hair clip, in particular a mount providing for the improved hinging of the closure tongue piece Accordingly, the present invention provides a mount for a hair slide, comprising a base plate and a closure tongue piece which is hinged and fastenable to the base plate, 2 wherein the base plate includes a portico structure near one of tile ends thereof to which tile tongue piece is resiliently hinged.

The present invention also provides a flat cut-out piece for the fabrication of a mount for a hair slide, comprising a first strip configured to form a base plate, a second strip extending substantially parallel to the first strip and configured to form a closure tongue piece, and a band configured to form a portico structure integral with the base plate and the tongue piece, wherein the band extends perpendicularly to the first strip in the vicinity of, but spaced from, one of the ends thereof such that a first, short portion and a second, long portion of the first strip extend on opposed sides of the band.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention provides a mount for a hair slide, comprising a base plate and a closure tongue piece which pivots in relation to the base plate and which becomes fastened substantially parallel to said base plate, characterised in that said base plate comprises a portico structure which is defined in the vicinity of one of the ends thereof, and in that said closure tongue piece is attached to one edge of that portico structure, and in that it is curved in order to form a resilient leg. Advantageously, said closure tongue piece is bent back inside the portico structure.

The members of the slide mount as defined hereinabove are preferably metal. Furthermore, it is possible to envisage forming the base plate and closure tongue piece from one and the same flat piece which has been cut out from a metal sheet. In such a case, the portico structure is produced by closing a band of that flat cut-out piece on itself, said band extending substantially perpendicularly to the tongue piece and base plate.

Advantageously, the portico structure is of rectangular or square section as a result of foldings made to said band.

The presence of the portico structure in the vicinity of one end of the base plate but at a spacing from that end makes it possible to prevent the resilient loop which forms a hinge from being defined in the prolongation of the base plate. The latter therefore has two free ends which are able to receive means for fixing a decorative element, e.g. slashes or holes formed in the base plate close to the ends thereof, or notches or claws defined at the same ends of said base plate. Furthermore, in some instances, the 3 presence of a resilient loop which forms a hinge whereof the closure tongue piece forms the prolongation enables the spring-loaded strip which is conventionally placed between the base plate and the closure tongue piece to be eliminated.

By way of an intermediate product for f6rming a slide mount in one single piece in accordance with the foregoing description, the invention is also concerned with a flat part which is cut out from a metal sheet in order to form a slide mount, characterised in that it comprises a first strip which is configured in such a way that it forms a base plate of such a mount, a second strip which is parallel to the first and which is configured in such a way that it forms a closure tongue piece, and a strip which is configured in such a way that, by folding, it forms a portico structure which is integral with said base plate, and in that said band is attached to said first strip perpendicularly thereto, in the vicinity of, but at a spacing from, one of the ends thereof, in such a way as to define a short portion and a long portion on either side of said band, and in that said second strip q extends perpendicularly to said band.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinbelow by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure I illustrates a perspective view of a mount for a hair slide in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a plan view of a flat cut-out piece from which the mount of Figure 1 is formed by way of bending and swaging operations; Figure 3 illustrates in enlarged scale a plan view of one end of the base plate of the mount of Figure 1; Figure 4 illustrates in enlarged scale an end view (in the direction of arrow IV in Figure 3) of the one end of the base plate of the mount of Figure 1; Figure 5 illustrates in enlarged scale a vertical sectional view (along the line V-V in Figure 1) of the portico structure of the mount of Figure 1; Figure 6 illustrates a side view of a mount for a hair slide in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in the closed configuration; 4 Figure 7 illustrates a side view of the mount of Figure 6 in the open configuration; Figure 8 illustrates a plan view of a flat cut-out piece from which the mount of Figure 6 is formed by way of bending and swaging operations; Figure 9 illustrates a side view of a mount for a hair slide in accordance with a third 5 embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in the closed configuration; and Figure 10 illustrates a plan view of a flat cut-out piece from which a mount in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention is formed by way of bending and swaging operations.

Figures I to 5 illustrate a mount I I for a hair slide in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention as fabricated from a single flat cut- out piece 21.

The mount I I comprises a base plate 12, shaped generally in the form of a curved band, and a closure tongue piece 13, also shaped generally in the form of a curved band, which is resiliently hinged to the base plate 12 and fastenable substantially parallel thereto so as in use to grip a mesh of hair therebetween.

The base plate 12 includes a clasp 15 near one end 14 thereof. The clasp 15 includes two opposed hooks 16a, l6b provided by lateral extensions 17a, l7b folded back at right angles (90') on either side of the base plate 12. As illustrated in Figure 1, the hooks 16a, l6b cross over in side-by-side relationship, that is, the hooks 16a, 16b are joined one to the other transversely to the longitudinal direction of the base plate 12.

One of the lateral extensions l7b includes an actuating thumb-piece 19 which is folded back so as to be substantially parallel to the hook l6b of that lateral extension l7b and partly perpendicular in order to define an actuating push button. The other lateral extension 17a includes an abutment 20 which is folded back so as to be substantially parallel to the hook 16a of that lateral extension I 7a and partly perpendicular in order to define a shoulder with which the thumb-piece 19 co-operates. As will be noted from the flat cut-out piece 21 as illustrated in Figure 2, the clasp 15 is formed by bending each of the sections providing the lateral extensions 17a, l7b at right angles to the strip 12A providing the base plate 12, which bend lines are illustrated by way of broken lines.

The base plate 12 further includes a portico structure 30 near the other end 31 thereof, to one edge of which is attached the tongue piece 13. As mentioned hereinabove, the tongue piece 13 is curved such as to provide a resilient element for gripping a mesh of hair. In this embodiment the tongue piece 13 is bent back through the portico structure 5 30 such as to form a resilient loop 32 which acts as a resilient hinge.

The base plate 12 further includes fixing means 38 at each of the ends 14, 31 thereof for fixing a decorative element thereto. In this embodiment the fixing means 38 are provided at the distal transverse ends of the base plate 12 beyond the respective ones of the clasp 15 and the portico structure 30 and comprise notches having associated claws formed by puncturing the base plate 12. In an alternative embodiment the fixing means 38 could comprise ones of notches or claws.

The base plate 12 further includes a resiliently-biased member 45 which extends along the longitudinal extent thereof and is spaced outwardly therefrom such as to face the tongue piece 13 when fastened to the base plate 12. The resiliently-biased member 45 has a generally arcuate shape such as to provide a resilient strip which together with the tongue piece 13 grips a mesh of hair along the longitudinal extent thereof.

The tongue piece 13 includes a closed buckle 24 at the free end thereof for coupled engagement with the clasp 15. The closed buckle 24 comprises a central arcuate member 25 and two lateral arcuate members 26, 26. The central arcuate member 25 and the two lateral arcuate members 26, 26 are of opposite curvature, with the central arcuate member 25 being inwardly curved and the lateral arcuate members 26, 26 being outwardly curved, such that the hooks 16a, 16b of the clasp 15 co-operate with the two parallel edges of the central arcuate member 25.

The tongue piece 13 ftirther includes lateral projections 48 disposed such as to co- operate with the inward lateral faces of the portico structure 30 and guide the movement of the tongue piece 13 in fastening the same to the clasp 15.

The cut-out piece 21 as fabricated from a thin metal sheet is illustrated in Figure 2. The cut-out piece 21 includes a first strip 12A configured to provide the base plate 12, a second strip 13A configured to provide the tongue piece 13 and the associated loop 32, and a band 30A configured on bending to provide the portico structure 30.

6 The first strip 12A includes two parallel slits 46 which extend along the length thereof, which slits 46 define the longitudinal edges of the resiliently-biased member 45. In tile fabrication of the mount 11, the first strip 12A is deformed, in this embodiment swaged, so as to impart the convex arcuate shape of the resiliently-biased member 45.

The second strip 13A includes two adjacent longitudinal slits 28 near the free end thereof, which slits 28 define longitudinal edges of the central and lateral arcuate members 25, 26, 26 of the closed buckle 24, with the central and lateral members 25, 26, 26 being fabricated by deforming, in this embodiment swaging, the end portion of the second strip 13A on either side of the longitudinal slits 28 in the cut-out piece 21.

The band 30A extends substantially perpendicularly to the first and second strips 12A, 13A, with the portico structure 30 being obtained by closing the band 30A in on itself, in this embodiment by bending at right angles, as indicated by broken lines in Figure 2. In this embodiment the portico structure 30 is of rectangular section, but could be formed of any section, such as a square section, by appropriately bending the band 30A. The band 30A extends from the first strip 12A in the vicinity of, but spaced from, one end thereof, in this embodiment the other end 31 of the base plate 12. With this arrangement, the first strip 12A includes a short portion I to one side of the band 30A and a long portion L to the other side of the band 30A. The second strip 13A extends from the band 30A on the side of the short portion 1. In an alternative embodiment the 20 second strip 13A could extend perpendicularly to the band 30A and on the side of the long portion L. In this alternative embodiment the loop 32 would be absent. The band 30A includes a hole 40 near one end thereof, and in this embodiment at one of the bends in the portico structure 30, and a lug 41 at the other end thereof for engagement in the hole 40. The lug 41 is engaged in the hole 40 when the band 30A is 25 bent to form the portico structure 30 and bent back through 90" to lock the portico structure 30 in position. The lateral extensions 17a, l7b which are bent to define the clasp 15 extend from respective sides of the first strip 12A in the vicinity of, but spaced from, the other end thereof, in this embodiment the one end 14 of the base plate 12. The lateral extensions 3 30 17a, l7b include lugs 34 which extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of 7 the first strip 12A adjacent respective cut-out portions 35 in the first strip 12A. Each cut-out portion 35 comprises an elongate, in this embodiment oblong, opening which extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first strip 12A, in which a tongue piece 36 extends as an extension of the respective lug 35. The cut-out portions 35 provide both for the flexing of the hooks 16a, l6b in actuation of the clasp 15 and enable the proper bending of the lateral extensions 17a, l7b such as not subsequently to impede the flexing of the hooks 16a, l6b.

Figures 6 to 8 illustrate a mount I I for a hair slide in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figures 6 and 7 illustrating the mount I I in the closed and open configurations respectively, and Figure 8 illustrating the cut-out piece 21 from which the mount I I is fabricated.

This embodiment is substantially identical to the above-described first embodiment, and thus, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of description, only the differences will be described in detail, with like parts being designated by like reference signs.

This embodiment differs in that the fixing means 50 comprise punctured holes having associated claws in the distal ends 14, 31 of the base plate 12. Similarly to the abovedescribed first embodiment, the fixing means 50 are located in the base plate 12 beyond the respective ones of the clasp 15 and the portico structure 30.

Figure 9 illustrates a mount for a hair slide in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is substantially identical to the above-described second embodiment, and thus, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of description, only the differences will be described in detail, with like parts being designated by like reference signs.

This embodiment differs in that the base plate 12 does not include a spring clip 45 and in that the tongue piece 13 is more curved to act instead with the base plate 12 directly to grip a mesh of hair.

Figure 10 illustrates a flat cut-out piece 21 for the fabrication of a mount for a hair slide in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

8 This embodiment is substantially identical to the above-described second embodiment, and thus, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of description, only the differences will be described in detail, with like parts being designated by like reference signs.

This embodiment differs in that the second strip 13A of the cut-out piece 21, which provides the tongue piece 13, does not include any lateral projections 48 to guide movement of the tongue piece 13, and in that the band 30A, which provides the portico structure 30, instead includes first and second lateral projections 53 which are folded back inwardly to act on the edges of the tongue piece 13 and guide the same.

This embodiment further differs in that the band 30A, which provides the portico structure 30, instead of including a hole 40 and a lug 41 at the end thereof to lock the portico structure 30, includes a hole 55, in this embodiment of rectangular section, at one end thereof and a lug 56, in this embodiment defined by a U-shaped slit, at the other end thereof which acts as a clip which engages the hole 55 to lock the portico structure 30.

Finally, it will be understood that the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiments and can be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

In one modification, the fixing means 38, 50 could be provided by notches or holes of different shape, for example, pentagonal shape, and claws of smaller size and sharper edges which would engage more easily into the material of the decorative element and also be less detectable.

In another modification, the fixing means 38, 50 could comprise ones of notches or holes and claws alone.

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Claims

1. A mount for a hair slide, comprising a base plate and a closure tongue piece which is hinged and fastenable to the base plate, wherein the base plate includes a portico structure near one of the ends thereof to which the tongue piece is resiliently hinged.

2. The mount of claim 1, wherein the tongue piece is resiliently hinged to one edge of the portico structure.

3. The mount of claim I or 2, wherein the tongue piece extends through the portico structure and defines a resilient loop which acts as a resilient hinge.

4. The mount of any of claims I to 3, wherein the tongue piece is configured so as to extend substantially parallel to the base plate when fastened thereto.

5. The mount of any of claims I to 4, wherein the portico structure is of rectangular or square section.

6. The mount of any of claims I to 5, wherein the base plate includes fixing means for fixing a decorative element.

7. The mount of claim 6, wherein the base plate includes fixing means located near each of the ends thereof.

8. The mount of claim 6 or 7, wherein the fixing means comprise notches or holes in the base plate.

9. The mount of any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the fixing means comprise claws. 30

10. The mount of any of claims I to 9, further comprising a clasp near the other end of the base plate, the clasp comprising first and second lateral extensions disposed on opposed sides of the base plate, each including a hook disposed in opposed relationship.

11. The mount of claim 10, wherein the hooks cross over in side-by-side relationship, and one of the lateral extensions includes an actuating thumb-piece and the other of the lateral extensions includes an abutment with which the thumb-piece co operates.

12. The mount of claim 10 or 11, wherein the tongue piece includes a closed buckle for coupled engagement with the clasp, the closed buckle comprising a central arcuate element and first and second lateral arcuate elements, the central arcuate element and the lateral arcuate elements having opposite curvatures such that the lateral edges of the central arcuate element are engageable with the hooks of the clasp in fastening the tongue piece.

13. The mount of any of claims I to 12, wherein the tongue piece includes lateral projections engageable with the inward lateral faces of the portico structure for guiding the tongue piece.

14. The mount of any of claims I to 12, wherein the portico structure includes two inwardly-directed lugs engageable with the edges of the tongue piece to guide the same.

15. The mount of any of claims I to 14, wherein the mount is formed from one flat metal part, with the base plate and the tongue piece being provided by first and second strips and the portico structure being provided by a band which extends substantially perpendicularly to the strips providing the tongue piece and the base plate and is bent to shape.

16. The mount of claim 15, wherein the band providing the portico structure includes a hole and a lug at one end thereof which is engaged in the hole on formation of the portico structure.

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17. The mount of claim 15, wherein the band providing the portico structure includes a hole and a clip which is engaged in the hole on formation of the portico structure.

18.The mount of claim 17, wherein the clip is provided by a U-shaped slit near one end of the band.

19. A flat cut-out piece for the fabrication of a mount for a hair slide, comprising a first strip configured to form a base plate, a second strip extending substantially parallel to the first strip and configured to form a closure tongue piece, and a band configured to form a portico structure integral with the base plate and the tongue piece, wherein the band extends perpendicularly to the first strip in the vicinity of, but spaced from, one of the ends thereof such that a first, short portion and a second, long portion of the first strip extend on opposed sides of the band.

20. The cut-out piece of claim 19, wherein the second strip extends perpendicularly to the band on the side of the short portion of the first strip.

21. The cut-out piece of claim 19, wherein the second strip extends perpendicularly to the band on the side of the long portion of the first strip.

22. The cut-out piece of claim 19, wherein the cut-out piece comprises a thin metal sheet.

23. The cut-out piece of any of claims 19 to 22, further comprising first and second lateral extensions extending from opposed sides of the first strip in the vicinity of, but spaced from, the other end of the first strip and configured to provide a clasp, wherein the lateral extensions each include a connection arm connected to the first strip and the first strip includes first and second apertures adjacent respective 30 ones of the connection arms of the lateral extensions.

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24. The cut-out piece of claim 23, wherein the first strip includes first and second lugs extending into respective ones of the apertures opposite the connection arms of the lateral extensions.

25. The cut-out piece of claim 23 or 24, wherein the apertures are adjacent the longitudinal sides of the first strip.

26. The cut-out piece of any of claims 23 to 25, wherein the apertures are elongate apertures extending substantially longitudinally along the first strip.

27. A hair slide including the mount of any of claims I to 26.

28. A mount for a hair slide substantially as hereiribefore described with reference to any of Figures I to 5, Figures 6 to 8, Figure 9 or Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.

29. A cut-out piece for the fabrication of a mount for a hair slide substantially as hereiribefore described with reference to any of Figures I to 5, Figures 6 to 8, Figure 9 or Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings