Molded garment clamp

Claim 2

A one-piece molded plastic clamp having a first side member and a second side member joined together along one edge thereof by a flexible web, the ends of said side members opposite said web being free and adapted to press against each other to provide an article grip between said free ends, said side members being spaced apart, intermediate said flexible web and said free ends, when said clamp is closed; a latch integral with one of said side members and a latch engaging keeper integral with the other thereof for holding said clamp in a closed position, said latch and said latch engaging keeper being located approximately midway between said flexible web and said free ends of said side members; a supporting hook integral with only one of said side members such that when said clamp is opened said side members are generally aligned in a common plane on opposite sides of said flexible web, said hook extending in the direction of said other side member and having a maximum of a small angular relationship to said common plane of said side members and all portions thereof being offset in a direction parallel to said common plane from all portions of the body of said other side member whereby no portion of said hook and said side members are superimposed over one another in a direction perpendicular to said common plane.

Claim 3

The clamp described in claim 1, wherein, when said clamp is open, said hook circumscribes a substantial portion of said other side member.

Claim 4

A one-piece molded plastic clamp having a first side member and a second side member joined together along one edge thereof by a flexible web, the opposite edges of said side members being free and adapted to press against each other to provide an article grip; said side members being spaced apart, intermediate said flexible web and said free edges, when said clamp is closed; a latch integral with one of said side members and a latch engaging keeper integral with the other thereof for holding said clamp in closed position; a supporting hook integral with one of said side members; when sAid clamp is open such that said side members are generally aligned in a common plane on opposite sides of said flexible web, said hook extending in the direction of said other side member and having a maximum of a small angular relationship to said common plane of said side members and all portions thereof being offset in a direction parallel to said common plane from all portions of the body of said other side member whereby no portion of said hook and said side members are superimposed over one another in a direction perpendicular to said common plane; and wherein said other side member has an aperture therein extending to said flexible web; and when said clamp is open, said hook projects into said aperture and is circumscribed by said other side member.

Claim 5

A one-piece molded plastic clamp having a first side member and a second side member joined together along one edge thereof by a flexible web, the opposite edges of said side members being free and adapted to press against each other to provide an article grip; said side members being spaced apart, intermediate said flexible web and said free edges, when said clamp is closed; a latch integral with one of said side members and a latch engaging keeper integral with the other thereof for holding said clamp in closed position; a supporting hook integral with one of said side members; when sAid clamp is open such that said side members are generally aligned in a common plane on opposite sides of said flexible web, said hook extending in the direction of said other side member and having a maximum of a small angular relationship to said common plane of said side members and all portions thereof being offset in a direction parallel to said common plane from all portions of the body of said other side member whereby no portion of said hook and said side members are superimposed over one another in a direction perpendicular to said common plane; and wherein said other side member has an aperture therein extending to said flexible web; and when said clamp is open, said hook projects into said aperture and is circumscribed by said other side member.

Claim 6

A one-piece molded plastic clamp having a first side member and a second side member joined together along one edge thereof by a flexible web, the opposite edges of said side members being free and adapted to press against each other to provide an article grip; said side members being spaced apart, intermediate said flexible web and said free edges, when said clamp is closed; a latch integral with one of said side members and a latch engaging keeper integral with the other thereof for holding said clamp in closed position; a supporting hook integral with one of said side members; when said clamp is open such that said side members are generally aligned in a common plane on opposite sides of said flexible web, said hook extending in the direction of said other side member and having a maximum of a small angular relationship to said common plane of said side members and all portions thereof being offset in a direction parallel to said common plane from all portions of the body of said other side member whereby no portion of said hook and said side members are superimposed over one another in a direction perpendicular to said common plane; and wherein each of said side members has an aperture therethrough, said latch being integral with one of said side members at the edge of the aperture therein remote from said flexible web; said keeper being integral with the other of said side members at the edge of the aperture therein remote from said flexible web.

Claim 7

A one-piece molded plastic clamp having a first side member and a second side member joined together along one edge thereof by a flexible web, the opposite edges of said side members being free and adapted to press against each other to provide an article grip; said side members being spaced apart, intermediate said flexible web and said free edges, when said clamp is closed; a latch integral with one of said side members and a latch engaging keeper integral with the other thereof for holding said clamp in closed position; a supporting hook integral with one of said side members; when said clamp is open such that said side members are generally aligned in a common plane on opposite sides of said flexible web, said hook extending in the direction of said other side member and having a maximum of a small angular relationship to said common plane of said side members and all portions thereof being offset in a direction parallel to said common plane from all portions of the body of said other side member whereby no portion of said hook and said side members are superimposed over one another in a direction perpendicular to said common plane; and wherein each of said side members has an aperture therethrough, said latch being integral with one of said side members at the edge of the aperture therein remote from said flexible web; said keeper being integral with the other of said side members at the edge of the aperture therein remote from said flexible web.

Claim 8

The clamp described in claim 4, wherein each of said side members has an inner surface and an outer surface as said side members are related to each other when the clamp is closed; said latch projecting inwardly away from the inside surface of the side member with which it is integral; said aperture adjacent said latch being an access opening through which a portion of a two-part mold may pass to the maximum distance said latch projects from said inside surface of said side member.

Claim 9

The clamp described in claim 4, wherein each of said side members has an inner surface and an outer surface as said members are related to each other when the clamp is closed; both of said latch and said keeper projecting inwardly from the inside surfaces of the side members with which they are integral; said aperture being access openings through which portions of a two-part mold may pass to the maximum distances said latch and keeper project from said inside surfaces of said side members.

Claim 10

A one-piece molded plastic clamp having a first side member and a second side member joined together along one edge thereof by a flexible web at their junction, said web divided into a first and a second portion by an aperture communicant with both of said side members, the opposite edges of said side members being free and adapted to press against each other; said side members being spaced apart, intermediate said flexible web and said free edges, when said clamp is closed; a latch integral with one of said side members and adjacent one edge of said aperture, and a latch engaging keeper integral with the other side member and adjacent an opposite edge of said aperture for holding said clamp in a closed position.

Claim 11

A one-piece molded plastic clamp having a first side member and a second side member joined together along one edge thereof by a flexible web at their junction, said web divided into a first and a second portion by an aperture communicant with both of said side members, the opposite edges of said side members being free and adapted to press against each other; said side members being spaced apart, intermediate said flexible web and said free edges, when said clamp is closed; a latch integral with one of said side members and adjacent one edge of said aperture, and a latch engaging keeper integral with the other side member and adjacent an opposite edge of said aperture for holding said clamp in a closed position.

Claim 12

A clamp as described in claim 7, wherein a portion of said latch extends thrOugh said aperture; said latch having at least one tooth thereon seating over and locking into said keeper when said clamp is closed.

Claim 13

A clamp as described in claim 8, wherein a portion of said latch projects beyond the outer surface of the side member with which it is integral to form a latch manipulating pad whereby said latch may be disengaged from said keeper by rocking it about its connection to the side member.

Claim 14

A clamp as described in claim 7, wherein said latch has a plurality of teeth spaced apart lengthwise thereof each adapted to seat over and lock to said keeper when said clamp is closed; said side members being resiliently deflectible and the degree of clamping pressure exerted by said free edges being variable by selection of the tooth locked to said keeper.

Claim 15

A clamp as described in claim 10, wherein a finger pad is provided on the free end of said latch, said pad being generally parallel to the said common plane of said side member.

Claim 16

A clamp as described in claim 7, wherein a reinforcing rib is provided on each of said side members, the ends of said ribs being spaced from both said flexible web and said free edges of said side members, said ribs projecting toward each other when said clamp is closed.

Claim 17

A clamp as described in claim 7, wherein one of said first side members is straight and said second side member is arched outwardly from said second side member when said clamp is closed.

Claim 18

A clamp as described in claim 7, wherein both said side members are arched, each being arched away from the other.

Claim 19

A clamp as described in claim 14, wherein the arching of said side members is in the form of a shallow V.

Claim 20

A clamp as described in claim 15, wherein elongated reinforcing ribs project inwardly from the inner face of each of said side members, said ribs being elongated lengthwise of said side members and centered about the apex of the V-shaped arch.

Claim 21

A clamp as described in claim 7, wherein one of said side members adjacent said flexible web has a flange extending away from the plane of said side member toward the other of said side members when the clamp is closed, said flexible web joining the edge of said other side member to the end of said flange.

Claim 22

A clamp as described in claim 17, wherein one of said edge and said end of said flange have a ridge thereon and the other thereof has a stop surface, said ridge and said stop surface being between said flexible web and the free ends of said side members and engaging each other as the side members of said clamp are moved toward closed position and resiliently stretching said web when said clamp is closed.

Claim 23

A clamp as described in claim 7, wherein both of said side members adjacent said flexible web have a flange extending away from the plane of said side members and toward each other when the clamp is closed; said flexible web joining the ends of flanges together.

Claim 24

A clamp as described in claim 19, wherein one of said flange ends has a ridge thereon and the other thereof has a stop surface, said ridge and said stop surface being between said flexible web and the free ends of said side members and engaging each other as the side members of said clamp is moved toward closed position and resiliently stretching said web when said clamp is closed.

Claim 25

A one-piece molded plastic clamp having a first side member and a second side member joined together along one edge thereof by a flexible web, the opposite edges of said side members being free and adapted to press against each other and intermediate said flexible web and said free edges said side members being spaced apart when said clamp is closed; a latch integral with one of said side members and a latch engaging keeper integral with the other thereof for holding said clamp in closed position; a supporting hook integral with one of said side members; there being an opening in the other of said side members; said hook being superimposed with respect to said opening, lying in a plane having a maximum of a small angular relationship to the plane of said side members when said clamp is open such that said side members are generally aligned in a common plane on opposite sides of said flexible web whereby said clamp can be molded in a two-piece mold.

Claim 26

A one-piece molded plastic clamp having a first side member and a second side member joined together along one edge thereof by a flexible web, the opposite edges of said side members being free and adapted to press against each other and intermediate said flexible web and said free edges said side members being spaced apart when said clamp is closed; a latch integral with one of said side members and a latch engaging keeper integral with the other thereof for holding said clamp in closed position; a supporting hook integral with one of said side members; there being an opening in the other of said side members; said hook being superimposed with respect to said opening, lying in a plane having a maximum of a small angular relationship to the plane of said side members when said clamp is open such that said side members are generally aligned in a common plane on opposite sides of said flexible web whereby said clamp can be molded in a two-piece mold.

Claim 27

A clamp as described in claim 21, wherein said hook lies in the plane of said other side member when said clamp is open and said side members are generally aligned in a common plane on opposite sides of said flexible web.

Claim 28

A one-piece molded plastic clamp having a first side member and a second side member joined together along one edge thereof by a flexible web, the opposite edges of said side members being free and adapted to press against each other; said side members being spaced apart, intermediate said flexible web and said free edges, when said clamp is closed; a latch integral with one of said side members and a latch engaging keeper integral with the other thereof for holding said clamp in closed position; an opening through both of said side members, the openings in said side members being joined to form a single aperture at said flexible web; a supporting hook integral with one of said side members, said hook being within and circumscribed by said aperture when said clamp is open and said sides are generally aligned in said common plane.

Claim 29

A one-piece molded plastic clamp having a first side member and a second side member joined together along one edge thereof by a flexible web, the opposite edges of said side members being free and adapted to press against each other; said side members being spaced apart, intermediate said flexible web and said free edges, when said clamp is closed; a latch integral with one of said side members and a latch engaging keeper integral with the other thereof for holding said clamp in closed position; an opening through both of said side members, the openings in said side members being joined to form a single aperture at said flexible web; a supporting hook integral with one of said side members, said hook being within and circumscribed by said aperture when said clamp is open and said sides are generally aligned in said common plane.

Claim 30

A clamp as described in claim 23, wherein said latch is integral with said one of said side members at one end of said aperture and said latch engaging keeper is the opposite end of said aperture.

Claim 31

A clamp having a pair of clamping members each having a free edge and joined together along an opposite edge thereof by a flexible web whereby they can be pivoted from an open position in which they are generally aligned in a common plane to a closed position in which their free edges are pressed together; each of said clamping members having an inner face and an outer face as said clamping members are arranged with respect to each other when the clamp is closed; there being an aperture communicant with both of said clamping members; a latch, one end of said latch being integral with one of said clamping members and adjacent an edge of said aperture and projecting from the inner face thereof; a keeper integral with said other clamping member adjacent an opposite edge of said aperture and interengaging with and securing said latch when said clamp is closed; said latch and said keeper being positioned approximately midway between said flexible web and said free edges of said clamping members; a hook integral with one of said clamping members; said clamping members, flexible web, latch, keeper and hook all being a single integral part in which, when said clamp is fully open with the clamping members generally aligned on opposite sides of the flexible web no portion of the clamp in any plane parallel to that occupied by the clamping members overlaps any other portion of the clamp and the clamp may be molded in a two-piece mold opening and closing in a direction perpendicular to the faces of said aligned clamping members.

Claim 32

A clamp having a pair of clamping members each having a free edge and joined together along an opposite edge thereof by a flexible web whereby they can be pivoted from an open position in which they are generally aligned in a common plane to a closed position in which their free edges are pressed together; each of said clamping members having an inner face and an outer face as said clamping members are arranged with respect to each other when the clamp is closed; there being an aperture communicant with both of said clamping members; a latch, one end of said latch being integral with one of said clamping members and adjacent an edge of said aperture and projecting from the inner face thereof; a keeper integral with said other clamping member adjacent an opposite edge of said aperture and interengaging with and securing said latch when said clamp is closed; said latch and said keeper being positioned approximately midway between said flexible web and said free edges of said clamping members; a hook integral with one of said clamping members; said clamping members, flexible web, latch, keeper and hook all being a single integral part in which, when said clamp is fully open with the clamping members generally aligned on opposite sides of the flexible web no portion of the clamp in any plane parallel to that occupied by the clamping members overlaps any other portion of the clamp and the clamp may be molded in a two-piece mold opening and closing in a direction perpendicular to the faces of said aligned clamping members.