Unidirectionally sizeable bracelet assembly and closure means therefor
First Claim
1. In an identification bracelet, the combination of:
- band means for encircling a portion of a person or an object to be identified, said band means having a first end and a second end adapted to lie adjacent each other in said encircling relationship;
said second end having at least a portion thereof being a smooth surface;
closure means having a body portion operably attached to said first end of said band means and adapted to receive and maintain said second end of said band means in said adjacent relationship;
said closure means including unidirectional gripping means for gripping said second end of said band means to permit the movement of said second end in a first direction while preventing the movement of said second end in a second and opposite direction;
in which said gripping means is formed integrally as a unitary structure with said body portion, said gripping means constituting infinitely adjustable gripping means capable of gripping said second end at any position along its length within a given range by biting into said smooth surface.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A closure means for an identification band or bracelet includes integrally formed, unidirectionally engagement means to permit the bracelet to be further tightened, but not loosened, after assembly of the bracelet about a portion of a person or an object. In the preferred embodiment, the closure includes a body portion that is attached to a first end of the bracelet, and an opening to receive the second end of the bracelet after the bracelet has been placed in an encircling relationship about the person or object to be identified. The body portion is preferably configured as a sleeve having a rectangular cross-section, with one or more deformable mounting posts configured to be placed through a corresponding one or more mating openings in the first end of the bracelet and thereafter deformed to retain the first end of the bracelet on the body portion. Also in the preferred embodiment, the engagement means includes one or more protruding teeth having biting extremities adjacent the opening in the body portion. The teeth are oriented to permit the second end to slide past them as the end is inserted further through the opening, but to bite into the second end upon any attempt to withdraw it from the opening.
51 Citations
25 Claims
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1. In an identification bracelet, the combination of:
- band means for encircling a portion of a person or an object to be identified, said band means having a first end and a second end adapted to lie adjacent each other in said encircling relationship;
said second end having at least a portion thereof being a smooth surface;
closure means having a body portion operably attached to said first end of said band means and adapted to receive and maintain said second end of said band means in said adjacent relationship;
said closure means including unidirectional gripping means for gripping said second end of said band means to permit the movement of said second end in a first direction while preventing the movement of said second end in a second and opposite direction;
in which said gripping means is formed integrally as a unitary structure with said body portion, said gripping means constituting infinitely adjustable gripping means capable of gripping said second end at any position along its length within a given range by biting into said smooth surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- band means for encircling a portion of a person or an object to be identified, said band means having a first end and a second end adapted to lie adjacent each other in said encircling relationship;
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10. In a closure means for an identification band which band has first and second ends, the second end having at least a portion thereof being a smooth surface, and in which the band is adapted to encircle a portion of a person or an object to be identified, the combination of:
- a body portion;
attachment means on said body portion for attaching the first end of the band to said body portion;
an opening in said body portion for receiving the second end of the band after the band encircles the portion of the person or object;
unidirectional engagement means formed integrally as a unitary structure with said body portion for engaging the second end of the band after it has been inserted through said opening, said engagement means being configured and oriented to permit further insertion of the second end of the band through said opening but to prevent retraction of the second end of the band from said opening, said engagement means constituting infinitely adjustable engagement means capable of engaging the second end at any position along its length within a given range by biting into the smooth surface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- a body portion;
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18. In a closure means for an identification band which band has first and second ends and has a portion associated with the second end which includes at least one smooth, non-serrated surface, in which the band is adapted to encircle a portion of a person or an object to be identified, the combination of:
- a body portion;
attachment means to operatively attach the first end of the band to said body portion;
an opening in said body portion tier receiving the second end of the band after the band encircles the portion of the person or object; and
unidirectional engagement means formed integrally as a unitary structure with said body portion for biting into said at least one smooth, non-serrated surface of tile second end of tile band after tile end has been inserted through said opening. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
- a body portion;
Specification