Oh, patents! Clips (4)

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

This clip accommodates larger light bulbs, holding them upright, while attaching to a shingle roof, or other horizontal railing. The design was awarded the US design patent USD824246S, titled Clip. The patent was awarded on July 31, 2018, to Chan Chi Ming, the inventor.

Below,

1. The patent Figure 1 drawing of the clip, shows a top, left side, perspective. 
2. An image of the clip mounted on a shingle roof, and holding a larger C7 light bulb.
3. An image of the marketed clip made of translucent plastic. 

As a reminder, a US design patent covers the ornamental aspects of an invention, or how the invention looks. In contrast, a US utility patent covers how an invention works, or how an invention is manufactured.

Reference

USPTO MPEP – Chapt. 1502-01 – Distinction between design and utility patent.
https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s1502.html

Oh, patents! Clips (3)

 Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

This clip is designed to attach lights above a gutter equipped with a shingle roof. The clip’s design was awarded the US design patent, USD477773S1, titled Gutter and shingle clip. The patent was awarded on July 29, 2003, to Lonnie F. Gary and Chad H Jones. 

Below, 

1. The Figure 1 drawing of the clip, extracted from the patent, showing a front perspective view.
2.  An image of the clips installed on a shingle roof above a gutter, with lights threaded through.
3. An image of the marketed clip, made of translucent plastic.

 As a reminder, a US design patent protects the ornamental aspects of an invention, or how the invention looks. In contrast, a US utility patent protects how an invention works, and/or how the invention is manufactured.

Reference

USPTO MPEP – Chapt. 1502-01 – Distinction between design and utility patent.
https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s1502.html

Oh, patents! Clips (2)

 Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

The design of the clip shown below is also patented. Designed to attach lights to a deck, this clip was awarded the US design patent, USD608189S1, titled Deck clip. The patent was awarded on January 19, 2010, to Trevor Jackson and Patrick Brown, the inventors.  

Below: 

1. The patent Figure 1 depicting a perspective view of the deck clip design.  

2. An image of the commercial deck-light clips, attached to a deck, with lights threaded through the clip.

3. An image of the marketed deck clip, made of translucent plastic. 

As a reminder, a US design patent only protects the way an invention design looks. In contrast, a US utility patent protects the way an invention works, and/or the way an invention is manufactured. 

Reference
USPTO MPEP – Chapt. 1502-01 – Distinction between design and utility patent.
https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s1502.html

Oh, patents! Clips (1)

 Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

To install lights outdoors or indoors, a variety of patented clips are available. The following clip was awarded the US design patent USD601412S, titled Banister clip. The patent was granted on October 6, 2009, to Patrick Brown and Robert Dorsey, the inventors.

The three images below respectively depict a perspective view of the clip, as filed in the patent Figure 1, an image of the marketed clip attached to a banister with lights threaded through the loops, and an image of a single marketed banister clip, made of translucent plastic. Banister clips are sold in hardware stores, in boxes or bags containing dozens.

As a reminder, a US design patent covers only the ornamental aspects of an invention, or how the invention looks. In contrast, a US utility patent covers how an invention works, or is manufactured.

Reference

USPTO MPEP – Chapt. 1502-01 – Distinction between design and utility patent.
https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s1502.html