Identification tag with novel case construction

Abstract

An identification locket having a novel construction and tracks extending the entire periphery of the exterior housing and being entirely embedded therein. The tracks form c-shaped channels in the side walls and being adapted to house at one guide ball and the guide being further characterized by a guide rope and bail being placed thereon. The guide ball is freely rotatable and is configured to rotate within the tracks. The side walls and the tracks have at least on mating projecting edge. The guide ball is configured to rotate within the track with backward or forward movements and the track is configured to rotate a plurality of the guide balls relative to each and wherein the guide rope freely rotates on the outside of the tracks.

Claims

1. An identification tag having a novel case construction, said identification tag comprising: a. a case having an exterior housing having an interior space, tracks, at least one guide ball, a front side, a back side, and a plurality of side walls, said front side and said back side having recessed surfaces with an outer edge and provided with angled side walls; said recessed surface of said front side having a door being hingedly connected thereon and said door having a front side, fingerplate, lock, and a plurality of screen slots being placed as a rectangular framework and a plurality of boot shaped openings on said front side of said door, said screen slots abutting the outer edge of said recessed surfaces of said front side; b. said tracks extending the entire periphery of said side walls and being entirely embedded therein; said tracks forming c-shaped channels on said side walls and having at least one projecting edge, said tracks being adapted to house said guide ball, said guide ball being further characterized by a guide rope for placement on said guide ball and for further attachment to a standard bail of generally semi-circular shape with pivot points on two opposed sides; said guide ball freely rotatable and being configured to rotate within said tracks with circular movements; said guide ball configured to rotate within said tracks with backward or forward movements; said tracks being configured to rotate a plurality of said guide balls relative to each other wherein said guide rope may freely rotate on the outside of said tracks; c. said plurality of side walls encasing said track and comprising at least one projecting edge on at least one of said plurality of side walls, said projecting edge having an opposite side and being attached to said projecting edge of said track; said projecting edges on said tracks and said top side wall being concave and being provided with a substantially arched downward slope and extending upwardly at a 45 degree angle and extending along said projecting edge; said guide ball remaining within the opposite side of said projecting edge of said track; d. said guide rope permitting horizontal movement of said guide ball upon manual actuation of said guide rope to move said guide balls in said track; said guide rope being attached to a plurality of recessed elements for decorative placement thereon; e. said housing having at least one identification element for placement thereon and for personalization of said identification tag, said identification elements can be placed around the entire perimeter of said identification tag in a personalized format; f. said housing having at least one track identification element for placement in said tracks and for personalization of said identification tag, said track identification elements can be constructed from various types of materials that have been historically used for decorating jewelry and can be placed around the entire perimeter of said identification tag in a personalized format, said track identification element being attached to said guide ball.

2. The identification tag of claim 1, wherein said identification element is formed as an integral part of the article.

3. The identification tag of claim 1, wherein said track identification element is formed as an integral part of said identification tag.

4. The identification tag of claim 1, wherein the identification element is constructed from one of the precious metals, stainless steel, gold or gold alloys.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are perspective views of identification tags according to the invention as described herein;

(2) FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are sectional cutaway views of the identification tags shown in full lines and showing the guide ball moving through the projecting edges of the tracks and the side walls;

(3) FIG. 5 is a back view of the identification tag according to the invention as described herein;

(4) FIG. 6 is a left side view of the identification tag according to the invention as described herein;

(5) FIG. 7 is a right side view of the identification tag according to the invention as described herein;

(6) FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10 are additional embodiments of the identification tag showing a plurality of identification elements being placed thereon;

(7) FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are additional embodiments of the identification tag showing a plurality of identification elements being in the tracks;

(8) FIG. 13, FIG. 14, and FIG. 15 are additional embodiments of the identification tag showing the tracks being placed in the side walls of the identification tag as described herein;

(9) FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, FIG. 18, and FIG. 19 are still additional embodiments of the identification tag showing the guide piece, recessed elements, and bails.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) The present invention relates generally to identification tags 10 and similar devices that are attachable to a chain and being used for the identification of a person, pet, animal, or various types of objects. The identification tag 10 of the present invention can be used for personal adornment as a jewelry piece attached to the body or clothes or as identification plates, badges, tags, and similar devices that are attachable to a device.

(11) Referring now to the drawings, the attached FIGS. 1-18 show the preferred embodiment of an identification tag 10 having a novel case construction 12. The identification tag 10 comprises a case 12 having an exterior housing 14 with an interior space 16, tracks 18, at least one guide ball 22, a front side 24, a back side 26, and a plurality of side walls 32. The housing can be constructed from a durable material. It is designed to receive a variety of elements of various sizes and formats. The housing has a hollow construction and can be constructed in any size or dimension as desired by a manufacturing company or as needed by a specific group of users. For example, for optimal use, a pet owner might require a miniature identification tag 10 with minimal identification elements 66 being placed thereon.

(12) The identification tag 10 in its entirety can be constructed from a broad range of materials including carbon fiber, precious metals, metals that are commonly used to produce jewelry, durable metals, coral, stones, or other materials such as shells. The precious metals can include silver and copper mixtures, nickel, gold or gold alloys, titanium, platinum, zinc, steel, costume metals, hypoallergenic metals, and stainless steel.

(13) The front side 24 and the back side 26 of the exterior housing have recessed surfaces 34 provided with angled side walls 36 with the recessed surface 34 of the front side 24 having a door 42 being hingedly connected thereon. A fingerplate 44 and an accompanying lock 46 on the interior space 16 of the housing would allow a user to open the case 12 for further use such as storage of personal identification information. The door 42 is shown in an operative position and it can be seen that it comprises a singular panel that is hinged and connected to the interior space 16 of the housing. The housing and side walls 32 are in a connected relationship and hold the door 42 in place. The fingerplate 44 on the front section of the door 42 is operatively arranged to magnetically interact with a second lock 46 member that is located within the housing. This locking 46 member can be made of permanent magnet material.

(14) A plurality of screen slots 48 is placed as a rectangular framework on the front side 24 and abuts the outer edge 54 of the recessed surface 34. A plurality of boot shaped openings 52 can adorn the front side 24 of the case 12 and provide for the subsequent viewing of any personal information that is stored therein. The screen slots 48 can constitute rigid lattice-like structures that are adapted for placement on the front side 24 of the housing. These structures appearing to disappear in each other and the distance between them can be altered when each identification tag 10 is manufactured. The screen slots 48 are see through but would prevent the removal of any inserted items without opening or removing the door 42. The door 42 may also be constructed to include additional ornamental features including precious metals, artwork, drawings, or other forms of personalized decorations. The identification tag 10 can also be constructed with flat or planar surfaces on the front side 24 and the back side 26. The user can therefore use these parallel surfaces as needed to further personalize the identification tag 10 and for placement of additional elements thereon.

(15) The tracks 18 form c-shaped channels on the side walls 32 and have at least one projecting edge 56. The tracks 18 are adapted to house at least one guide ball 22 and the guide ball 22 is further characterized by a guide rope 58 for placement thereon and for further attachment to a standard bail 62 of generally semi-circular shape with pivot points on two opposed sides. If the identification tag 10 is to be removed, held for inspection, held to remove the contents of the locket, or held to adjust the housing, the guide ball 22 will automatically remain in the tracks 18 and thus the ball 22 can be held firmly in position or can be rotated as needed. The guide rope 58 can be braided or unbraided from a plurality of textile including cotton, yarn varieties, paper guide rope, waxed threads, durable plastic material, linen, elastic, nylon, polyester, fibers, long stringy fibrous material, or hemp mixtures. The guide rope 58 can be pre-twisted to keep a specific form or to retain tension.

(16) The bail 62 is particularly useful if the identification tag 10 is worn as a locket, suspended from the neck area of a pet, or used as a keychain. The bail 62 can be removably attached to a necklace, wraparound belt, collar, or chain and guarantees positive identification as needed. The identification tag 10 may also be quickly attached to travel gear, bags, or similar objects. One hand can grip the identification tag 10 and the user can quickly rotate the housing in a circular, backward, or forward direction while the other arm remains on the person. Various forms of identification, e.g., a name, business cards, legal documents, charms, symbols, occupational items, can be placed directly into the interior space 16 or attached to the identification tag 10 as desired.

(17) The guide ball 22 rotates feely and is configured to rotate within the tracks 18 with circular movements, backward, or forward movements. The tracks 18 are configured to rotate a plurality of the guide balls 22 relative to each other wherein the guide rope 58 may freely rotate on the outside of the tracks 18.

(18) The side walls 32 encase the track 18 and comprise at least one projecting edge 28 on at least one of the plurality of side walls 32. The projecting edge 28 of the side wall 32 is attached to the projecting edge 56 of the track 18 and both elements being concave and being provided with a substantially arched downward slope that extend upwardly at a 45 degree angle toward the corresponding side wall 32. The guide ball 22 remains stable within the opposite side of the projecting edge 56 of the track 18.

(19) The guide rope 58 permits horizontal movement of the guide ball 22 upon manual actuation of the guide rope 58 to move the guide balls 22 in the tracks 18. The guide rope 58 is attached to a plurality of recessed elements 64 for decorative placement thereon.

(20) The housing has at least one identification element 66 for placement thereon and for personalization of the identification tag 10. The identification elements 66 can be constructed from various types of materials that have been historically used for decorating or producing jewelry and can be placed around the entire perimeter of the identification tag 10 in a personalized format.

(21) The housing has at least one track identification element 68 for placement in the tracks 18 and for personalization of the identification tag 10. The track identification elements 68 can be constructed from various types of materials that have been historically used for decorating jewelry and can be placed around the entire perimeter of the identification tag 10 in a personalized format. The track identification element 68 being attached to said guide ball 22. The guide ball 22, decorative identification element 66, and track identification element 68 are formed as integral parts of the identification tag 10. These identification elements 66 can be randomly placed to provide a unique source of identification for a user. For example, the arrangement can be unique for a specific institution, store, organized sports team, or memorized by a mobile application or security system. In some cases, it may be used to validate the identity of a person to effectuate a sale, purchase, or deposit.

(22) Variations of the identification tag 10 include but are not limited to the tracks 18 being placed on the front 24 and back 26 sides of the housing. This would require that the guide balls 22 be connected to durable guiding mechanisms that allow for the steady and quick movement of the ball 22 around the tracks 18.

(23) The foregoing description and drawings are an explanation and illustration of the invention and the invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art that have access to the disclosure herein will attempt to make modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the invention. Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.