WRISTBAND AND CLASP THEREFOR

• US 20080110069A1
• Filed: 11/09/2006
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Precision Dynamics Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Original Assignee: St John Companies Incorporated (St. John Companies)
• Inventors: Bishop, Andrew, Preisach, Adam, McDermott, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,631,449 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 40/633
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/005 Identification bracelets, e.g. secured to the arm of a person
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3944 Cam engaging or disengaging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4016 Pivoted part or lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4023 Pivoted stud plate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44248 Encircling gripping member including semirigid band and means for adjusting girth
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44556 Resilient gripping member

Abstract

A wristband and clasp for securing the wristband to a person is disclosed. The wristband includes at least one attachment aperture. The clasp includes a folding base having a first triangular section connected to a second triangular section and a hinge connecting the first and second triangular sections. The hinge defines a folding axis that enables the base to be folded so that the first triangular section is positioned adjacent to the second triangular section in an overlapping relationship. A securement aperture is formed in the first triangular section, and a post extends from the second triangular section to couple with the securement aperture when the base is folded along the folding axis. The post extends from the second triangular section through the attachment aperture of the wristband and couples to the securement aperture of the first triangular section so that the clasp is secured to the wristband.

Claims

1. An identification assembly for a person, the assembly comprising:

a wristband having at least one attachment aperture;

at least one clasp having a folding base with first and second shaped sections connected together via a hinge that enables the base to be folded along a folding axis from an open position to a closed position so that the first and second shaped sections are adjacently positioned, the at least one clasp having a securement aperture formed in the first shaped section and a post extending from the second shaped section that couples to the securement aperture when the base is folded along the folding axis in the closed position,

wherein the post extends from the second shape section through the at least one attachment aperture of the wristband and couples to the securement aperture of the first triangular section so that the clasp is fastened to the wristband.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second shaped sections are triangular.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a plurality of clasps are fastened to the wristband, and wherein each clasp is positioned adjacent and proximate to each other in an alternating or interleaving relationship.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the wristband comprises a plurality of attachment apertures, and wherein a plurality of clasps are fastened to the plurality of attachment apertures of the wristband in an alternating or interleaving relationship such that at least one clasp is fastened to at least one attachment aperture from a first edge of the wristband and at least one other clasp is fastened to at least one other attachment aperture from a second edge of the wristband that is opposite of the first edge.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the wristband comprises a display portion for identification information and a fastening portion having the at least one attachment aperture formed therein for securing the clasp thereto.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the fastening portion of the wristband has a width that is smaller than the width of the display portion.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the fastening portion of the wristband extends from a central region of the display portion so that the width of the fastening portion is centered within the width of the display portion.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the hinge of the clasp is formed integrally with the first and second triangular sections.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a portion of an interior surface of the second triangular section is recessed to define a shoulder comprising an anti-rotation or anti-twisting feature.

10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the wristband is secured in position between the post and the shoulder so as to inhibit the wristband from rotating or twisting along the shoulder of the clasp.

11. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more alignment surfaces that extend from the interior surface of the second triangular section.

12. The assembly of claim 8, further comprising one or more alignment recesses formed in an interior surface of the first triangular section that receives a portion of the second triangular section when the clasp is folded.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second triangular sections comprise an exterior recess formed in an exterior surface thereof for imprinting an alert message that identifies warnings and other relevant information about the person wearing the wristband.

14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is made of fabric, plastic or resin material.

15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the identification assembly for a person comprises a patient identification assembly for use with patients in a hospital or medical facility and comprises indicia that identify patients and provide information about those patients.

44. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the wristband is secured in position between the post and the shoulder so as to inhibit the wristband from rotating or twisting along the shoulder of the clasp.

16. A clasp device for use with a wristband having at least two attachment apertures, the device comprising:

a folding base having a first triangular section connected to a second triangular section and a hinge connecting the first and second triangular sections, the hinge defining a folding axis that enables the base to be folded so that the first triangular section is positioned adjacent to the second triangular section in an overlapping relationship;

a securement aperture formed in the first triangular section; and

a post extending from the second triangular section to couple with the securement aperture of the first triangular section when the base is folded along the folding axis,

wherein the post extends from the second triangular section through the two attachment apertures of the wristband and couples to the securement aperture of the first triangular section so that the clasp is secured to the wristband.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the wristband comprises a display portion for identification information and two fastening portions having the attachment apertures formed therein for securing the clasp thereto.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the fastening portion has a width that is smaller than the width of the display portion.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the post extends from a central portion of the display portion.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the hinge is formed integrally with the first and second triangular sections.

21. The device of claim 16, wherein a portion of an interior surface of the second triangular section is recessed to define a shoulder comprising an anti-rotation feature.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the wristband is secured in position between the post and the shoulder so as to inhibit the wristband from rotating along the shoulder.

23. The device of claim 16, further comprising one or more alignment surfaces that extend from the interior surface of the second triangular section.

24. The device of claim 22, further comprising one or more alignment recesses formed in an interior surface of the first triangular section that receives a portion of the second triangular section when the clasp is folded.

25. The device of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and second triangular sections comprise an exterior recess formed in an exterior surface thereof for imprinting a message that identifies warnings and other relevant information about a person wearing the wristband.

26. The device of claim 16, wherein the device is made of a plastic or resin material.

27. A clasp for a wristband having an attachment aperture, the clasp comprising:

a first triangular section having a securement aperture;

a second triangular section having a post; and

a hinge that attaches the first triangular section to the second triangular section;

wherein the hinge defines a folding axis that enables the clasp to be folded so that the first triangular section is positioned adjacent to the second triangular section, and

wherein the post extends from the second triangular section through the attachment aperture of the wristband and couples to the securement aperture of the first triangular section so that the clasp is secured to the wristband.

28. The clasp of claim 27, wherein the clasp is foldable along the folding axis and folds from an open position to a closed position to secure the clasp to the wristband.

29. An assembly comprising:

a wristband; and

a plurality of triangular clasps secured to the wristband, there being at least one clasp extending from each side of the wristband, the clasps being internested thereby taking advantage of their triangular configuration,

wherein the clasps are coded to indicate information about a person.

30. The assembly of claim 29, wherein the clasps are coded by color.

31. The assembly of claim 29, wherein the wristband includes a plurality of holes therein and at least one clasp extends through at least two holes thereby fixing the size of the wristband.

32. The assembly of claim 29, wherein each clasp comprises two triangular sections, a hinge joining the two triangular sections, and a post and aperture by which the clasp is secured to the wristband and held in a closed position.

33. The assembly of claim 29, wherein the clasps are coded by imprinting with words, symbols or color to indicate information about a person.

34. An identification assembly for a person, the assembly comprising:

a wristband having a display portion and a first fastening portion extending from one end of the display portion and a second fastening portion extending from the other end of the display portion, the first fastening portion includes at least one attachment aperture, the second fastening portion includes a plurality of attachment apertures arranged along its center line;

at least one clasp having a folding base with first and second triangular sections connected together via a hinge that enables the base to be folded along a folding axis from an open position to a closed position so that the first and second triangular sections are adjacently positioned, the at least one clasp having a securement aperture formed in the first triangular section and a post extending from the second triangular section that couples to the securement aperture when the base is folded along the folding axis in the closed position,

wherein the post extends from the second triangular section through the at least one attachment aperture of the first fastening portion and at least one attachment aperture of the second fastening portion of the wristband and couples to the securement aperture of the first triangular section so that the clasp is fastened to the wristband and the first and second fastening portions are attached together.

35. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the at least one clasp is securable to any one of the attachment apertures of the first and second fastening portions.

36. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the display portion comprises a flat, rectangular section that is adapted to receive a label or direct print or hand written information.

37. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the fastening portions overlap in a manner such that the attachment apertures of the fastening portions are aligned whereby the post extends through the attachment apertures for securing the fastening portions together.

38. The assembly of claim 34, wherein a plurality of clasps are fastened to the wristband, and wherein each clasp is positioned adjacent and proximate to each other in an alternating or interleaving relationship.

39. The assembly of claim 34, wherein a plurality of clasps are fastened to the plurality of attachment apertures of the second fastening portion in an alternating or interleaving relationship such that at least one clasp is fastened to at least one attachment aperture from a first edge of the wristband and at least one other clasp is fastened to at least one other attachment aperture from a second edge of the wristband that is opposite of the first edge.

40. The assembly of claim 34, wherein each fastening portion of the wristband has a width that is smaller than the width of the display portion.

41. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the fastening portions of the wristband extend from a central region of the display portion so that the width of the fastening portions are centered within the width of the display portion.

42. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the hinge of the clasp is formed integrally with the first and second triangular sections.

43. The assembly of claim 34, wherein a portion of an interior surface of the second triangular section is recessed to define a shoulder comprising an anti-rotation or anti-twisting feature.

45. The assembly of claim 34, further comprising one or more alignment surfaces that extend from the interior surface of the second triangular section.

46. The assembly of claim 45, further comprising one or more alignment recesses formed in an interior surface of the first triangular section that receives a portion of the second triangular section when the clasp is folded.

47. The assembly of claim 34, wherein at least one of the first and second triangular sections comprise an exterior recess formed in an exterior surface thereof for imprinting an alert message that identifies warnings and other relevant information about the person wearing the wristband.

48. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the assembly is made of fabric, plastic or resin material.

49. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the identification assembly for a person comprises a patient identification assembly for use with patients in a hospital or medical facility and comprises indicia that identify patients and provide information about those patients.

50. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the wristband is secured around the person'"'"'s appendage including a wrist or an ankle.