Removable Fixing Device

The present invention relates to a removable fixing device which locks when twisted for use with an article having a slot.

Such a removable fixing device has many and varied possible applications.

According to the present invention there is provided a removable fixing device for use with an article having a slot, comprising:

a plurality of outwardly projecting clips and;

means to enable twisting of the clips;

the device being so constructed that it may be fastened to the article by positioning the device with each said clip generally aligned with and between opposed slot edges and by then twisting the clips by means of the twisting means so as to permit each clip to receive and grip therein opposed slot-defining edge portions of the article.

A preferred feature of the invention is that upper and lower interior surfaces of the clips are furnished with projection such as spaced ribs to ensure a firm grip of the clip on the said opposed slot-defining edge portions. The number of ribs and the spacing between the upper and lower interior surfaces of the clips can be varied according to the intended use of the device.

One possible embodiment of the invention is a removable twist-lock carrying handle comprising a handle portion which also provides the means for twisting the device. Such a removable carrying handle could be of use in a warehouse or retail store for transporting cardboard cartons and the like.

Another embodiment of the invention is a removable holding device. Such a device could be fastened by means of a slot in one face of the display package of an article for sale and utilised to position the article within the package thereby obviating the need for specially configured cardboard portions within the package, commonly used to perform this function. Many other uses of such a holding device are envisaged.

Two particular embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a removable carrying handle;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a removable holding device.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a removable carrying handle is generally indicated at 1.

An upper handle portion 2 comprises two sections 3a and 3b extending vertically from opposite ends of and contiguous with the base 4, the two sections 3a and 3b gradually narrowing towards their uppermost parts 5a and 5b and a bar 6 of a uniform cross-section extending horizontally between the upper ends 5a and 5b of the two vertical sections and contiguous with said upper ends.

The lower locking base portion 4 is elongate and comprises two similar outwardly open clips 7a and 7b projecting outwardly in opposite directions from a central portion 8 of the base.

The clips 7a and 7b are furnished with semicylindrical spaced ribs 9 on their upper interior surface 10 and their lower interior surface 11. The ribs on the upper interior surface 10 are slightly laterally displaced from the corresponding ribs on the lower interior surface 11.

The lower limbs 12a and 12b of each of the clips 7a and 7b are of tapering thickness, being thinnest at their outermost ends 13a and 13b. Consequently, the spacing between the upper interior surface 10 and the lower interior surface 11 of each clip gradually increases outwardly.

The width of the central portion 8 of the base defines the distance between innermost edges 15a and 15b of the clips 7a and 7b.

In use, the removable carrying handle illustrated in the accompanying drawing is placed lengthways in the slot constituted by the elongate opening in the lid of a carton and is then twisted through 90.degree. so that the edges of the flaps comprising the lid of the carton are gripped in the removable carrying handle clips 7a and 7b, one flap being retained in each clip. It will be understood that the slot may be one specially formed elsewhere in a face of the carton.

The slight lateral spacing of corresponding ribs 9 on the upper and lower interior surfaces, 10 and 11 respectively, of the clips 7a and 7b causes a crimping action to be applied to the lid flaps of the carton enabling them to be gripped more securely.

Ideally, when the removable carrying handle is in the locked position, the flaps of the carton lid should be retained within substantially the whole length of the two clips 7a and 7b to ensure a good grip. It may be necessary to remove a length of carton material adjacent to the elongate opening to compensate for the lateral spacing between the two innermost edges 15a and 15b of the clips 7a and 7b respectively of the removable carrying handle.

To unlock the removable carrying handle it is turned through 90.degree. so that it is again situated lengthways in the elongate opening of the carton lid no longer gripping the flaps of the carton lid and easily removable.

The removable carrying handle as herein described may be made entirely of plastics material and may be injection moulded.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a removable holding device indicated generally at 20.

The base 21 of the holding device 20 comprises two outwardly open clips 21a and 21b. These are identical to the clips 7a and 7b of FIG. 1 and therefore will not be redescribed. The upper portion of holding device 20 comprises a retaining member 22 specifically configured to position the particular article in question. Retaining member 22 has a substantially cylindrical support 23 contiguous with the base 21 and two upwardly extending arms 24a and 24b. The uppermost ends of arms 24a and 24b are formed with rounded heads 25a and 25b which form a neck 26 through which the article to be positioned can pass. Resilient flexing of arms 24a and 24b facilitates secure positioning of the article.

In use, the clips 21a and 21b are aligned with and between the edges of a slot in one face of a display package and using the retaining member 22, the device is rotated through 90.degree. so that the clips 21a and 22b firmly grip edge portions of the slot and thereby fasten the device to the package. The article to be positioned is inserted through neck 26 and held in position by arms 24a and 24b. Removal of the device is effected simply by again rotating through 90.degree. so that the clips 21a and 21b no longer grip edge portions of the slot.

Of course the exact configuration of the retaining member 22 is governed by the intended use of the holding device 20 and it can be of various shapes.

The present invention can be utilised in a variety of ways, for example removable wall hooks comprising clips as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 could easily be attached to a partition utilising a slot therein and would obviate the need for screws or other securing means. Another possible application is to marking devices for holiday charts or the like wherein each marking device would comprise a base having a plurality of outwardly projecting clips, similar to those previously described, and the devices could be attached or removed at will using slots provided in the chart.