Retrofittable radio frequency identification connector

• US 20080106420A1
• Filed: 06/07/2007
• Published: 05/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DB Industries LLC (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: D B Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Rohlf, Bradley A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,843,349 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.9
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/006 Automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals identification systems for access to feeding pens A01K1/0209; ear tags with electronic identification means A01K11/004
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 1/06 by making use of rope-lowering devices capstans, winches B66D
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/041 Constructional details G06K19/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag

Abstract

A radio frequency identification connector is configured and arranged to retrofittably connect a radio frequency identification device to an elongate member such as a safety cable.

Claims

1. An identification device connector assembly configured and arranged for retrofittable connection of an identification device to an elongate member, comprising:

a) a connector including a first portion, a second portion, and a bore, the first portion and the second portion defining the bore and being releasably connectable, the bore being configured and arranged to receive the elongate member.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions exert pressure on the elongate member thereby preventing the connector from sliding along a length of the elongate member.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first portion includes a first channel and the second portion includes a second channel, the first channel and the second channel defining the bore.

4. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cavity, the first portion and the second portion defining the cavity, the cavity being configured and arranged to receive the identification device.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the first portion includes a first cavity and the second portion includes a second cavity, the first cavity and the second cavity defining the cavity.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are substantially identical.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first portion has a first inside surface including a first cavity and a first channel, the second portion has a second inside surface including a second cavity and a second channel, the first and second inside surfaces facing one another when the connector is assembled, the first and second cavities being aligned and in fluid communication with one another when the connector is assembled, the first and second channels being aligned and in fluid communication with one another when the connector is assembled, the first and second cavities being configured and arranged to receive the identification device, and the first and second channels being configured and arranged to receive the elongate member.

8. An identification device connector assembly configured and arranged for retrofittable connection to an elongate member, comprising:

a) an identification device; and

b) a housing including mating first and second housing portions, the first housing portion having a first inside surface including a first cavity and a first channel, the second housing portion having a second inside surface including a second cavity and a second channel, the first and second inside surfaces facing one another when the housing is assembled, the first and second cavities being aligned and in fluid communication with one another when the housing is assembled, the first and second channels being aligned and in fluid communication with one another when the housing is assembled, the first and second cavities being configured and arranged to receive the identification device, and the first and second channels being configured and arranged to receive the elongate member.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the elongate member is sandwiched between the first and second housing portions within the first and second channels, the housing exerting pressure on the elongate member thereby preventing the housing from sliding along a length of the elongate member.

10. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the identification device is placed within the first cavity and the elongate member is placed within the first channel and then the second housing portion is connected to the first housing portion so that the identification device is positioned within the first and second cavities and the elongate member is positioned within the first and second channels.

11. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the first and second housing portions are substantially identical.

12. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the first and second housing portions are secured to one another with a fastener.

13. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the identification device is a radio frequency identification device.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second housing portions exert pressure on the elongate member thereby preventing the first and second housing portions from sliding along a length of the elongate member.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the first housing portion includes a first cavity and the second housing portion includes a second cavity, the first and second cavities forming the cavity, and wherein the identification device is positioned within the first cavity of the first housing portion and within the second cavity of the second housing portion.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the first housing portion includes a first channel and the second housing portion includes a second channel, the first and second channels forming the channel, and wherein the elongate member is positioned within the first channel of the first housing portion and within the second channel of the second housing portion.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising securing the first and second housing portions together with a fastener.

14. A method of connecting an identification device to an elongate member using a connector including first and second housing portions forming a cavity and a channel, the first and second housing portions being releasably connectable, comprising:

a) separating the first and second housing portions,

b) placing the identification device within the cavity;

c) placing the elongate member within the channel; and

d) connecting the first and second housing portions thus securing the identification device and the elongate member between the first and second housing portions.