Methods and apparatus for providing identification information about a user

• US 6,467,693 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2001
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Constructive Concepts, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Constructive Concepts, Inc.
• Inventors: Beatty, Lisa M., Arndt, Lila
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US09/863,537
• Time in Patent Office: 517 Days
• Field of Search: 235/434, 235/462.01, 235/375, 235/381, 235/383, 283/75, 283/81, 283/74, 156/239, 156/237, 156/240, 40/2, 40/3, 40/14, 403/30, 403/06
• US Class Current: 235/494
• 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

An information tag is secured to an article worn or carried by a user and provides identification information about the user in a cost-effective and reliable manner. The tag includes a plurality of layers including a body and a protective layer. The body has a top surface and an opposing bottom surface. The protective layer includes a domed upper surface and a substantially planar lower surface that is attached to at least a portion of the body top surface. At least one opening extends through at least one of the body and the domed protective cover. The tag body bottom surface provides identification information about the user.

Claims

1. A tag configured to be secured to a shoe, said tag comprising:

a body having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface;

a protective member comprising a substantially planar lower surface and a domed upper surface, said protective member lower surface attached to at least a portion of said body top surface, and

at least one opening extending through at least one of said body and said domed protective cover.

2. A tag in accordance with claim 1 wherein said body bottom surface comprises information engraved therein.

3. A tag in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a self-laminating sticker affixed to said body bottom surface, said sticker comprising information printed thereon.

4. A tag in accordance with claim 1 wherein said body reflects light.

5. A tag in accordance with claim 1 wherein said protective member resists discoloring when exposed to ultraviolet light.

6. A tag in accordance with claim 1 wherein said protective member is a decal that extends over substantially all of said body top surface.

7. A tag in accordance with claim 1 wherein said protective member is a decal that extends over a portion of said body top surface.

8. A tag in accordance with claim 1 wherein said protective member top surface has a predetermined contour, said protective member resistant to indentations such that said top surface configured to return to the predetermined contour after being depressed.

9. A tag in accordance with claim 1 wherein said opening configured to receive a shoelace therethrough to secure said tag to the shoe.

10. A tag in accordance with claim 1 wherein said opening configured to receive a zipper pull therethrough.

11. A tag in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a plurality of openings extending through at least one of said body and said domed protective cover.

12. An information tag configured to be attached to an item worn or carried by a user, said tag comprising a body comprising at least a first layer, a second layer, and an opening extending through at least one of said first layer and said second layer, said first layer attached to at least a portion of said second layer and comprising a domed upper surface and a substantially planar lower surface, said second layer comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, said second layer upper surface adjacent said first layer lower surface, said second layer lower surface for displaying information about the user, said opening for attaching said information tag to an article of clothing worn the user.

13. An information tag in accordance with claim 12 wherein said first layer comprises a decal, said opening extends through said second layer, said second layer lower surface engraved to include information about the user.

14. An information tag in accordance with claim 12 further comprising a third layer attached to at least a portion of said second layer lower surface, such that said second layer between said first and third layers, said third layer comprising a sticker including a plurality of information about the user, said first layer resists discoloring when exposed to ultraviolet light.

15. An information tag in accordance with claim 14 wherein said opening extends through said second and third layers.

16. An information tag in accordance with claim 12 wherein at least one of said second layer upper surface and said second layer lower surface reflects light.

17. An information tag in accordance with claim 12 further comprising a plurality of openings extending through at least one of said first layer and said second layer.

18. An information tag in accordance with claim 12 wherein said first layer upper surface has a predetermined contour, said first layer resistant to indentations such that said first layer upper surface configured to return to the predetermined contour after being depressed.

19. An information tag in accordance with claim 12 wherein said opening configured to receive a shoelace therethrough for attaching said information tag to the user.

20. An information tag in accordance with claim 12 wherein said opening configured to receive a zipper pull therethrough for attaching said information tag to the user.

21. A tag configured to be attached to an item worn or carried by a user, said tag comprising a body comprising at least a first layer, a second layer, and an opening extending through at least one of said first layer and said second layer, said first layer attached to at least a portion of said second layer and comprising an upper surface and a substantially planar lower surface, said upper surface having a domed contour comprising a resilient material such that said upper surface returns to the domed contour after being depressed, said second layer comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, said second layer upper surface adjacent said first layer lower surface, said second layer lower surface for displaying plurality of information about the user, said opening for attaching said tag to the user, at least one of said second layer upper surface and said second layer lower surface reflects light.

22. A tag in accordance with claim 21 wherein said opening extends through said second layer, said second layer lower surface engraved to include information about the user.

23. A tag in accordance with claim 21 further comprising a sticker attached to at least a portion of said second layer lower surface, said decal including a plurality of information relevant to the user, said opening extending through said second layer.

24. A tag in accordance with claim 21 wherein said second layer upper and lower surfaces reflect light, said first layer resists discoloring when exposed to ultraviolet light.

25. A tag in accordance with claim 24 further comprising a plurality of openings extending through said second layer.

26. A tag in accordance with claim 21 wherein said opening configured to receive a shoelace therethrough for attaching said tag to the user.

27. A tag in accordance with claim 21 wherein said opening configured to receive a zipper pull therethrough for attaching said tag to the user.

28. A method for assembling an identification tag for providing information about a user, the identification tag including a plurality of layers including at least a first layer including a domed upper surface and a substantially planar lower surface, and a second layer including an upper surface and a lower surface, at least one of the plurality of layers for displaying information about the user, said method comprising the steps of:

attaching a first layer including a domed upper surface to a portion of the second layer such that the first layer lower surface is adjacent at least one of the second layer upper and lower surfaces; and

forming an opening extending through at least one of the first and second layers.

29. A method in accordance with claim 28 wherein the first layer is a decal, said step of attaching the first layer to a portion of the second layer further comprises the step of attaching a decal including a domed upper surface to at least a portion of the second layer.

30. A method in accordance with claim 29 further comprising the step of engraving information about the user into the second layer lower surface.

31. A method in accordance with claim 29 further comprising the step of attaching a self-laminating sticker containing information about the user to the second layer lower surface.

32. A method in accordance with claim 29 wherein said step of forming an opening extending through at least one of the first and second layers further comprises the step of extending a plurality of openings through the second layer.

33. A method in accordance with claim 29 wherein at least one of the second layer upper and lower surfaces reflects light, said step of attaching the first layer to a portion of the second layer further comprising the step of attaching the first layer to a portion of the second layer such that the second layer reflects light.

34. A. method in accordance with claim 29 wherein said step of attaching the first layer to a portion of the second layer further comprises the step of attaching a first layer having a resilient upper surface including a domed contour to the second layer, such that the first layer returns to the domed contour after being depressed.

35. A method in accordance with claim 29 wherein said step of attaching the first layer to a portion of the second layer further comprises the step of attaching the first layer to the second layer such that the first layer resists discoloring when exposed to ultraviolet light.