Plastic Clip - Australia

[chookie]

Hi everyone! First I would like to thank the people of this site for their incredible help with a problem I posted in another forum - what a wealth of information!!

We're a small manufacturer located in Australia and I'm now tackling the second of the two problems we have (the first is hopefully being solved as we speak thanks to feedback from members)

Ok we have been asked to make a waterproof clipboard for (again) use for tagging fish records, and marine researchers. This will probably never be a big seller due to the market here in Australia

The size we have to tackle at the moment is about 100 mm x 200 mm (used landscape fashion with clip on the left).

We've got some fantastic waterproof paper to use (film) called polyart, we've got samples of a couple things we can use for the board (similar to stuff used for diving slates), but I have just about given up looking for a plastic clipboard clip I can use.

Has anyone got ANY suggestions that may help? Frustratingly, the fellow that asked for the prototype has a clipboard he made himself about 10 years ago - with a GREAT 100% plastic clip, he screwed in ss screws and attached it.

So far I have tried every stationery, hardware, crazy clark's, chandlery, Big W etc etc etc and I cannot find anything!!

Had a brainstorm a few days ago that these are the same sorts of clips you'd find on a 2 person golf buggy - the clip that holds the scorecard to the steering wheel but I can't even find a company in Oz that can supply those.

To start out with we only need about 6 of the buggers to start, probably in the 5 - 10 cm range (can't be too fussy at this point!)

Is there anyone out there who might know of a company or a product that may help? I keep thinking there MUST be some industry where this kind of thing is used. Have scoured OZ for 'memo clip' sorts of things but no luck there either - they all have steel springs.

Thanks so much for any ideas!

Cheers,

Chris

 

[TheAnswerGuy]

chookie,

I think you have already answered your own question.

If you only need 5 for prototype purposes.
Maybe you should just buy 5 clipboards and use their clips!

On the other hand I did a quick search on

http://www,google.com

I put in "clipboard clip"
This was the first listing on the page:

http://www.americanacrylics.com/clips.htm

Hope this helps



theanswerguy@tr-usa.com

 

[patprimmer]

Chookie

There was a clipboard clip made from acetal for Elsette in Sydney. That was way back in the late 70's. I am trying to find if they or the clip still exists, or if a friend originally involved in the project still has samples, and what happened to the mould

Regards
pat pprimmer@acay.com.au
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[chookie]

Hi, sorry for the delay, was in Cairns and just returned. Answer guy, thanks for the link, I'd actually checked them out already but all their clips are metal. Our trouble is that we only need 1/2 dozen or so NOW, but will likely need more down the track. In other words I can't order 1,000 clips so I can make 6 prototypes now.

Pat I actually had seen a clipboard made by Esselte, with a plastic clip - the clipboard was not right at all but the clip was great. The shop checked with Esselte about getting clip separately but they (Esselte) said no. I may try myself but I'm guessing they get these from someone else etc etc. I was mostly wondering if anyone knew of a plastic clip that was used for something else I hadn't thought of ...ah well... I'll keep looking!

Cheers guys!

Chris

 

[ACROpsp]

Would something like this work?

http://www.htamericas.com/media/downloads/pdf/PLC_Clips.pdf

http://www.htamericas.com/media/downloads/pdf/Flat_Ribbon_Clamps.pdf

Paul Korzenecki, P.E.
Plastics & Small Parts Automation Div'n
ACRO Automation Systems, Inc.

http://www.acro.com