Method and apparatus for attaching a radio frequency transponder to an object
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A transponder module comprising:
- a housing including a fastener having a head portion coupled to a screw portion, the head portion being formed from plastic and including a substantially flat surface formed opposite the screw portion, the head portion including a chamber; and
a transponder contained in the chamber of the head portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for attaching a RF/ID transponder to an object is described. The transponder is integrated within an attaching device to protect the transponder from damage, hazardous environments and tampering. Further, by integrating the transponder within the attaching device, the device can be countersunk to further protect the transponder. Further still, manufacturing the device from a non-ferrous material prevents degradation of the transponder reading range.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A transponder module comprising:
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a housing including a fastener having a head portion coupled to a screw portion, the head portion being formed from plastic and including a substantially flat surface formed opposite the screw portion, the head portion including a chamber; and
a transponder contained in the chamber of the head portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A transponder module comprising:
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a molded plastic housing having a head portion and an attachment portion, the head portion including a chamber; and
a RF transponder contained in the chamber of the head portion. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A transponder housing comprising:
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a plastic head configured to be countersunk and including a chamber configured to encapsulate a transponding module; and
attachment means coupled to the plastic head. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of attaching a RF transponder to an object comprising:
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forming a single piece housing including a head coupled to attachment means, the head including a chamber housing the RF transponder; and
coupling the attachment means to the object. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A transponder module comprising:
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a housing including a fastener having a head portion coupled to a screw portion extending from the head portion and including an external thread, the head and screw portions being formed from non-ferrous materials, the head portion including a substantially flat surface formed opposite the screw portion and coupled to the screw portion via a beveled portion configured to countersink the head portion in response to the head portion being screwed into an object intended to bear the transponding module, the head portion including a slot having two sides, each side being partially bevelled and configured to facilitate one-way screw insertion of the screw portion and also configured to not facilitate removal thereof, the head portion including a chamber; and
a transponder contained in the chamber of the head portion. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A transponder module comprising:
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a housing including a fastener having a head portion coupled to a screw portion extending from the head portion and including an external thread, the head portion being formed from non-ferrous materials, the head portion including a substantially flat surface formed opposite the screw portion and coupled to the screw portion via a beveled portion configured to countersink the head portion in response to the head portion being screwed into an object intended to bear the transponding module, the head portion including a slot having two sides, each side being partially bevelled and configured to facilitate one-way screw insertion of the screw portion and also configured to not facilitate removal thereof, the head portion including a chamber; and
a transponder contained in the chamber of the head portion. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A transponder module comprising:
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a housing including a fastener having a head portion coupled to a screw portion extending from the head portion and including an external thread, the head and screw portions forming a single piece of molded epoxy, the head portion including a substantially flat surface formed opposite the screw portion and coupled to the screw portion via a beveled portion configured to countersink the head portion in response to the head portion being screwed into an object intended to bear the transponding module, the head portion including a slot having two sides, each side being partially bevelled and configured to facilitate one-way screw insertion of the screw portion and also configured to not facilitate removal thereof, the head portion including a chamber; and
a transponder contained in the chamber of the head portion.
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31. A radio frequency transponder module comprising:
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a housing, the housing including;
a shank portion including an external thread configured to be threadedly engaged to an object to be identified by the radio frequency transponder module, the shank portion tapering from a first diameter at a first end to a second diameter at a second end, the second end being larger than the first end;
a first head portion having a first and second opposed surfaces, the first surface coupled to the second end of the shank portion, the head portion including a circular platform having a diameter greater than the second diameter, the head portion including a plurality of raised bumps extending outwardly from the second surface and defining therebetween an area;
a second head portion comprising a non-ferrous material and including an annular wall and a top extending across an upper surface of the annular wall, the annular wall including a plurality of openings formed in a lower surface thereof, each of the openings being configured to mate to a respective one of the plurality of bumps to secure the second head portion to the first head portion and thereby enclose a cavity therebetween, the top including a plurality of arcuate blind openings formed therein;
a third head portion comprising a non-ferrous material, the third head portion comprising a generally cylindrical shape and including a plurality of arcuate lugs formed on a lower surface of the generally cylindrical shape, each of the plurality of arcuate lugs being configured to mate with a respective one of the arcuate blind openings to secure the third head portion to the second head portion, the third head portion including a top surface having a slot formed therein having two sides, each side being partially bevelled and configured to facilitate one-way screw insertion of the shank portion and also configured to not facilitate removal thereof; and
a radio frequency identification transponder contained in the cavity between the first and second head portions.
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Specification