Self-locking Sock Clips for Washer and Dryer

Abstract

A self-locking clip has a firm grip on clothes between two jaws to keep the clothes together in a washing machine or dryer. The clip has a latch that securely fastens the two jaws. When the jaws grasp the clothes, the latch may close so that the jaws cannot open. In some embodiments, the clip provides a loop that is connected to an end of the clip. The loop may be folded back onto the latch so that the latch does not move, thereby providing a secondary locking system by securing the position of the latch. The loop can also be used to hang the clip on the wall or some other place, or to attach a lanyard or rope to it to make it easier for a person to carry or retrieve the clothes. The loop can also be used to connect multiple clips with a lanyard or rope.

1 . A self-locking clip comprising:
 an upper jaw having an upper clamping portion;   a lower jaw having a lower clamping portion and a lower handle portion,
 wherein the upper jaw and the lower jaw are pivotally attached to each other at a jaw hinge with the upper clamping portion and the lower clamping portion facing each other and defining a substantially overlapping area; 
   a locking latch having a loop slot,
 wherein the locking latch is pivotally attached to the lower jaw and moveable between an unlocking position and a locking position, and 
 wherein the locking latch in the locking position depresses the upper jaw against the lower jaw such that the upper clamping portion and the lower clamping portion press against each other; and 
   a loop moveably attached to the lower handle portion of the lower jaw,
 wherein the loop is configured to move and snuggly fit the loop slot in the locking position such that the locking latch is not moveable to the unlocking position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The self-locking clip of  claim 1 , wherein the loop is pivotally attached to the lower handle portion of the lower jaw, and the loop is configured to pivotally move and snuggly fit the loop slot in the locking position. 
     
     
         3 . The self-locking clip of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring connected to the jaw hinge, wherein the spring is configured to exert a force separating the upper clamping portion against the lower clamping portion. 
     
     
         4 . The self-locking clip of  claim 1 , wherein the upper jaw, the lower jaw, the locking latch, and the loop is made out of plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The self-locking clip of  claim 4 , wherein the plastic is heat-resistant plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The self-locking clip of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially overlapping area flares out from the jaw hinge. 
     
     
         7 . The self-locking clip of  claim 6 , wherein the substantially overlapping area is in a trapezoidal shape.