Identification Card Holder

The object of the invention is to provide an improved clip for holding an identification card or like sheet and attaching the card to a hem of clothing, for example the lapel or pocket, so that whether the hem is directed upwardly, as with a pocket, or downwardly, as with a collar, the ID card hangs from the clip parallel to the clip and clothing.

According to the invention a spring clip comprises two elongate, relatively stiff members; a relatively flexible web forming a hinge joining the two members intermediate their ends; opposed jaw portions on respective members at one side of the hinge; and a spring finger on one member at the other side of the hinge resiliently biased against the other member so as yieldingly to hold the jaws closed. Further according to the invention the spring forms a loop for engaging through an aperture of an identification card or similar sheet, the loop being offset from the hinged members so that the sheet may hang parallel to the clip members.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a clip member as formed, with a spring finger not yet bent to operative position;

FIG. 2 is a side view with the jaws of the clip closed on a downwardly directed clothing hem; and

FIG. 3 is a side view with the clip jaws open to receive an upwardly directed hem.

Shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is an ID card clip molded or extruded as a unitary body of plastic such as that known by the tradename DELRIN. The clip body comprises two generally parallel members 1 and 2 joined at their middle part by a web 3 forming a hinge between the members 1 and 2. By virtue of their greater cross section the hinged members are relatively rigid whereas the relatively thin hinge 3 is stiffly flexible. The ends of the hinged members 1 and 2 at one side of the hinge 3 form opposed jaws 4 for gripping the lapel or pocket hem of the wearer's clothing. At the other side of the hinge 3 one member 1 has an inwardly turned flange 6 while the other member 2 has a spring finger 7 having a portion 8 offset from the parallel hinged members 1 and 2. The spring finger 7 is adapted to be received in a slot or similar aperture 9 in an ID card or sheet 11. The spring finger 7 is then flexed with its outwardly extending flange 10 underneath the flange 6 of the other hinged member 1 so that it is resiliently biased against the other hinged member and urges the jaws closed on a hem 5 as shown in FIG. 2. To open the jaws the flanged end 6 and offset portion 8 of the members 1 and 2 are squeezed compressing the spring finger 7 until it abuts a stop 12 as shown in FIG. 3. The loop 7, 8 thus has the dual function of acting as a spring and as a holder receiving and engaging the ID card.

In FIG. 2 the clip is clamped on a downwardly hanging or directed hem of clothing such as a collar lapel or a pocket flap. The ID card can slide around the loop formed by the spring finger 7 so as to hang parallel and away from the hinged members 1 and so as to be flat on the wearer's clothing where it will not continuously interfere with arm movements. But if the wearer's clothing should not have a conveniently located downwardly hanging flap or hem the clip may be attached to an upwardly directed hem such as a pocket hem 5* as shown in FIG. 3. As shown therein the ID card 11 can slide around the spring finger 7 onto its offset portion 8 from which it can hang freely parallel to and alongside the hinged members 1 and 2 as well as flat on the wearer's clothing.

From the foregoing description it can be seen that the present ID card clip can be hung neatly from upwardly or downwardly directed clothing hems. The unitary body of the clip is far less expensive to manufacture than multipart metal clips and is lighter to wear and free from rust, while being available in a variety of colors.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.