Clip for an identification bracelet

• US 5,577,395 A
• Filed: 05/04/1995
• Issued: 11/26/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scovill Fasteners, Inc. (Morito Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Scovill Fasteners, Inc. (Morito Company Limited)
• Inventors: Kuykendall, Dennis C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Blair
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOP, ANDREA MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/433,750
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 24/355, 24/543, 24/703.1, 40/633, 63/3, 292/307 A, 292/317, 292/325
• US Class Current: 63/3
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/005 Identification bracelets, e.g. secured to the arm of a person
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3465 Pin forms part of clasp jaw
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44752 Integral locking-means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/494 Interengaging shackle ends, inclosing housing

Abstract

A one-piece plastic clip comprises a base plate and a cover plate with a living hinge inbetween. In pre-assembly the plates are held widely open by a temporary unitary strut. The bracelet strap is attached to the base plate by having apertures formed in the strap receive bushings in the base plate which are then flared outwardly to "rivet" the parts together. The struts are then sheared away, and the cover plate is freely hinged. In the final assembly the strap encircles the patient'"'"'s wrist and the cover plate is brought down over the base plate, pointed projections on the cover plate piercing the free end of the strap and entering the bushings, and staggered ribs augmenting the gripping. The cover plate is then latched closed against the base plate.

Claims

1. For an identification bracelet a molded plastic clip comprising rectangular base and cover plates of mutually similar length and width and unitarily formed with a living hinge connecting them endwise, an axis defined along said length of said respective plates, the hinge having an axis perpendicular to said plate axis, the plates each having an inside surface, the inside surfaces confronting each other when the cover plate is pivoted over onto the base plate, one of the plates being formed with openings spaced longitudinally thereof and having bushings on its inside surface about each opening, the other of the plates having pointed projections on its inside surface so spaced as when the cover plate is pivoted over onto the base plate, the projections are capable of piercing a thickness of plastic strap and received respectively by the openings in said one plate, and one of the plates is formed with a bolt extending from its inside surface and having a hook at its distal end, the bolt being remote from the hinge, and the other plate having a cooperant latch opening therein, the latch opening also being remote from the hinge, and at least one strut unitary with the two plates and extending on either side of the hinge and being at an angle to said plate axis and adapted to hold the plates in flat open condition prior to assembly, the strut being readily frangible.

2. A clip as claimed in claim 1 wherein a recess is formed in one of the plates adjacent the hinge to receive a part of the strut after fracture when the clip is closed.

3. A clip as claimed in claim 1 wherein a pair of frangible struts are provided, each of the pair being disposed at an angle to the plate axis.