Protective clip for clothing

Abstract

A protective clip for an edge of an article of clothing. The clip includes a plate having an inwardly facing surface, an outwardly facing surface, at least three sides, and an outer perimeter extending around the at least three sides. The plate also has (a) a lip depending from only one side of the plate or (b) two lips each depending from a respective side of only two of the sides of the plate to form a protective strip or strips for the clothing when mounted to the clothing.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A protective clip for an edge of an article of clothing, said clip comprising:
 a plate having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface, said plate having at least three sides and an outer perimeter extending around said at least three sides, and said plate having (a) a lip depending from only one side of said plate or (b) two lips each depending from a respective side of only two of said sides of said plate to form a protective strip or strips for the clothing when mounted to the clothing.   
     
     
         2 . The protective clip according to  claim 1 , further comprising a gripping member configured to releasably grip the clothing between the gripping member and the inner surface of the plate to secure said clip to the clothing wherein said lip or lips of said plate may cover and protect the edge of the article of clothing. 
     
     
         3 . The protective clip according to  claim 2 , wherein said gripping member extends from (a) said lip or (b) one of said two lips. 
     
     
         4 . The protective clip according to  claim 2 , wherein said gripping member has a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being fixed relative to said plate. 
     
     
         5 . The protective clip according to  claim 2 , wherein said gripping member is mounted to said plate by a hinge having a pivot axis. 
     
     
         6 . The protective clip according to  claim 1 , wherein said plate includes two lips each depending from a respective side of only two of said sides of said plate, said two lips forming an L-shaped protective strip for covering a corner edge of the clothing. 
     
     
         7 . The protective clip according to  claim 1 , wherein said plate includes two lips each depending from a respective side of only two of said sides of said plate, said two lips being orthogonal and forming two orthogonal protective strips for covering a corner edge of the clothing. 
     
     
         8 . The protective clip according to  claim 4 , wherein said plate includes two lips each depending from a respective side of only two of said sides of said plate, said two lips each having a respective edge, and wherein said pivot axis is (a) at said respective edge of one of said lips, (b) immediately adjacent said respective edge of one of said lips, or (c) between said respective edge of one of said lips and said inner surface of said plate. 
     
     
         9 . The protective clip according to  claim 2 , wherein said gripping member comprises a fastener pin assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The protective clip according to  claim 9 , wherein said fastener pin assembly includes a post and a clasp, said post being mounted to said inner surface of said plate inward of said lip or lips. 
     
     
         11 . The protective clip according to  claim 1 , wherein said plate comprises a plate selected from the group consisting of a rectangular plate, a triangular plate, and an L-shaped plate. 
     
     
         12 . The protective clip according to  claim 1 , wherein said plate includes a plurality of passageways to receive thread for attaching said clip to the clothing using stitches. 
     
     
         13 . The protective clip according to  claim 1 , wherein said passageways comprise through-holes extending through said plate. 
     
     
         14 . A protective clip for an edge of an article of clothing, said clip comprising:
 a plate having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface, said plate having at least three sides and a lip depending from each of only two sides of said plate, each lip having an edge; and   a gripping member configured to releasably grip the clothing between the gripping member and the inner surface of the plate to secure said clip to the clothing wherein said lips of said plate may cover and protect the edge of the article of clothing, and said gripping member pivoting about a pivot axis (a) at a respective edge of one of said lips, (b) immediately adjacent said respective edge of one of said lips, or (c) between said respective edge of one of said lips and said inner surface of said plate.   
     
     
         15 . The protective clip according to  claim 14 , wherein said gripping member has a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said gripping member being fixed relative to said plate. 
     
     
         16 . The protective clip according to  claim 15 , wherein said proximal end extends from one of said lips. 
     
     
         17 . The protective clip according to  claim 14 , wherein said two lips form an L-shaped protective strip for covering a corner edge of the clothing. 
     
     
         18 . A protective clip for edges of an article of clothing, said clip comprising:
 a plate having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface, said plate having at least three sides and a lip depending from each of only two sides of said plate; and   a gripping member configured to releasably grip the clothing between the gripping member and the inner surface of the plate to secure said clip to the clothing, said gripping member extending from one of said lips wherein when said clip is secured to the clothing adjacent the edges of the clothing said lips of said plate may cover and protect the edges of the article of clothing.   
     
     
         19 . The protective clip according to  claim 18 , wherein said gripping member has a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being fixed relative to said plate. 
     
     
         20 . The protective clip according to  claim 19 , wherein said gripping member is mounted to said plate by a hinge having a pivot axis, said pivot axis (a) at a respective edge of one of said lips, (b) immediately adjacent said respective edge of one of said lips, or (c) between said respective edge of one of said lips and said inner surface of said plate.