Abstract:
A bracelet identification system including a band or bracelet with a locking mechanism that is adjustable, a pocket receptacle for placement of an identification card, and an identification card including an identification number specific to a wearer of the system, a bar code storing additional information about the wearer, a security device, and/or printed information about the wearer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/108,951, filed Oct. 28, 2008. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a bracelet identification system and more particularly to an identification system including a bracelet, a transparent pocket part for placement of an identification card, and an identification card. The identification card may contain an identification number, bar code, security device, and/or printed information. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Identification systems such as those used for newborn babies have been in wide spread use in hospitals and other medical facilities. These systems include soft plastic bracelets that fasten to the wrist or ankle via a buttonhole method, or by a metal clamp. Two bracelets are customarily attached to the wrist and ankle of the baby. A third bracelet is attached to the mother&#39;s wrist immediately after delivery. All three bracelets are provided with an identical identification number. 
     Plastic soft bracelets have many disadvantages. They routinely slip off a baby&#39;s wrist or ankle a day or two after delivery as the size of the baby&#39;s wrists and ankles shrink. With the buttonhole or metal clamp system for attachment, the bracelet is often attached too loosely around the wrist or ankle resulting in the bracelet becoming dislodged from the baby. The bracelet is also many times applied too tightly causing the edges of the bracelet to cut into the delicate skin on the baby&#39;s wrist or ankle. With premature babies, the bracelet is simply too large to be used and is taped to the baby&#39;s bed until the baby “grows” into the bracelet. The baby is therefore without any identification when removed from the bed. 
     Baby identification systems have been developed to overcome the disadvantages of the soft plastic bracelet. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,655,063 and 6,976,327 describe a baby identification system which includes a set of bracelets for placement on the wrist or ankle of the baby and on the wrist of the mother. The bracelet has a pocket portion for placement of an identification card for the baby, a common identification number, a flexible fastening strap connected to the pocket portion, which has a plurality of ratchet teeth thereon and a locking mechanism for receiving and securing the flexible fastening strap. The locking mechanism has a plurality of ridges which are engaged by a cam to enable the fastening strap to be moved in one direction only to tighten the strap about the wrist or ankle and to prevent the strap from being loosened on the wrist or ankle. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,655,063 and 6,976,327 are each incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     Bracelets have also been used in the past to identify a person&#39;s medications. Bracelets have also been used for purposes of security. Traditionally, security bracelets have been large and cumbersome to wear. 
     There is a need for a more secure, comfortable, and reliable bracelet identification system particularly a system used to identify and protect newborn babies. There is also a need for an identification system that combines multiple functions such as identification, medical information, and security. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a secure, comfortable, and reliable bracelet identification system particularly a system used to identify and protect newborn babies. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bracelet identification system which includes a bracelet that can be tightened according to the size of the wrist or ankle but not over-tightened. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bracelet identification system which includes a bracelet having a transparent receptacle for an identification card that affords easy viewing of the card when placed in the receptacle. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bracelet identification system which includes an identification card with the capability of containing or storing information about the wearer and/or functioning as a security device. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bracelet identification system that combines multiple functions such as identification, medical and/or medication information, and security. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bracelet identification system of decreased dimension to facilitate ease and convenience of use. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by the bracelet identification system of the present invention which includes three main components: (1) a band or bracelet with a locking mechanism that is adjustable; (2) a pocket receptacle for placement of an identification card; and (3) an identification card. 
     The band or bracelet may be a flexible soft tube containing a ratchet based mechanism that can be tightened according to the size of the wearer&#39;s wrist or ankle. The ratchet mechanism prevents over-tightening of the bracelet. 
     The pocket may be detachably affixed to the bracelet. The pocket contains a receptacle for placement of the identification card. The pocket may be transparent so that the identification card may be seen and readily viewable. The pocket also protects the identification card from being exposed to water or other substances that could degrade the card. 
     The identification card may contain an identification number, a bar code, a security device, and/or printed information. The identification number is personal to the wearer. The bar code may contain stored information about the wearer. In the case where the wearer is a patient in a medical facility, the stored information in the bar code may include the patient&#39;s detailed medical history and medications. The security device may be a radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) tag, a GPS receiver, or a combined RFID tag/GPS receiver. The security device may be used to track or alert security personnel when the wearer has been removed from a certain area or location. The card may also contain other information, including printed information about the wearer. If the wearer is a newborn baby, the information may include the baby&#39;s sex, the name of the baby&#39;s father or mother, the name of the hospital, the doctor&#39;s name, and time and date of birth. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the soft tube component of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the soft tube component of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  3 - 3  of the soft tube component shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the ratchet component of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view taken along lines  5 - 5  of the ratchet component shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the ratchet component of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the ratchet component of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a second side view of the ratchet component of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional side view of the ratchet head portion of the ratchet component of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the ratchet receiver component of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of the ratchet receiver component of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a second side view of the ratchet receiver component of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional side view taken along lines  13 - 13  of the ratchet receiver component shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of the transparent pocket component of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the transparent pocket component of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of the identification card component of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a back view of the identification card component of the embodiment of the present invention show in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an embodiment component of the identification system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is partial cut-away perspective view of the ratchet component engaged with the ratchet receiver component and with the ratchet teeth recessed in a groove. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designation to facilitate an understanding of the present invention, and in particular with reference to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 18  and  FIGS. 1-3 , soft tube  10  of identification system  72  may be made of a thermoplastic material that is light weight but durable such as polypropylene. Soft tube  10  may be flexible so that it will easily conform to the shape of a wrist or ankle. Soft tube  10  may be hollow or have a bore  12  extending there-through in order to receive ratchet  14 . 
     Ratchet  14  is illustrated in  FIGS. 4-9 . Ratchet  14  includes ratchet head  16  at one end with portion  18  that engages and/or is affixed to one end of soft tube  10 . Portion  18  of ratchet head  16  may be inserted into bore  12  at one end of soft tube  10  and affixed thereto such as by cement, glue or heat-sealing. Alternatively, ratchet head  16  may be formed integral with the one end of soft tube  10 . Longitudinal portion  20  of ratchet  14  extends from ratchet head  16 . Longitudinal portion  20  has a surface containing ratchet teeth  22 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , teeth  22  may be recessed in groove  24  formed in longitudinal portion  20  so that teeth  22  do not make contact with the skin of the wearer thereby eliminating contact injury to the wearer&#39;s such as abrasions. Edge  26  of longitudinal portion  20  is made curved or round so as to not cause skin injury. Skin injury is a concern for newborn babies whose skin is particularly susceptible to abrasions and other injuries. Ratchet  14  may be made of nylon or other similar material. 
     As revealed in  FIGS. 10-13 , ratchet receiver  28  contains inner bore  30  designed to receive longitudinal portion  20  of ratchet  14 . Ratchet receiver  28  may be circular. Ratchet receiver  28  may have proximal portion  32  containing opening  34  of bore  30  and distal portion  36  that engages with the other end of soft tube  10 . Distal portion  36  may be smaller in circumference than proximal portion  32 . Distal portion  36  may be inserted into bore  12  of the other end of soft tube  10  and affixed thereto by cement, glue, or heat-sealing. Alternatively, ratchet receiver  28  may be formed integral with the other end of soft tube  10 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 13 , angled prong  38  extends into bore  30  of ratchet receiver  28 . Prong  38  is flexible and bends when longitudinal portion  20  of ratchet  14  is inserted into and through opening  34 . Prong  38  acts as a wedge or brace against ratchet teeth  22  preventing longitudinal portion  20  from retracting from ratchet receiver  28 . Ratchet receiver  28  may be made of nylon. 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate transparent pocket  40  into which identification card  58  is placed. Pocket  40  may be made of transparent LDPE or low density polyethylene. Pocket  40  contains opening  42  into which identification card  58  may be inserted. Pocket  40  has backing  44 . Covering  46  is affixed to side edges  48  of backing  44  (preferably by heat sealing). The combination of backing  44  and covering  46  forms a pouch into which identification card  58  may be placed. 
     As show in  FIG. 15 , backing  44  may include top surface  50 , bottom surface  52 , and interconnecting side surfaces  54 . Connecting means  56  may be affixed to bottom surface  52 . Connecting means  56  act to connect pocket  40  to soft tube  10 . Connecting means  56  may be a tubular band with a bore through which soft tube  10  is inserted. Two or more such bands may be affixed to bottom surface  52  of pocket  40 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , identification card  58  may include identification number  60 , bar code  62 , security device  64 , and printed information  66 . Bar code  62  and identification number  60  are used for matching the wearer&#39;s bracelet with the bracelet worn by another, e.g., baby and mother. Bar code  62  also permits the storage of extra information such as detailed medical history of the wearer which cannot be printed or hand written on card  58 . Other information may appear on card  58  such as additional identification numbers, the wearer&#39;s sex, date and time of birth, names of relatives, name of hospital or other location and doctor&#39;s name. Bar code  62 , identification number  60  and printed information  66  may appear on front face  68  of card  58 . Back face  70  of card  58  may include security device  64 . Security device  64  may be an RFID tag, which can be detected at the hospital entrance or other specified location and sound an alarm to prevent the wearer from leaving the location. Security device  64  may also be a GPS receiver so that the position of the wearer can be tracked in order to locate and retrieve the wearer. Security device  64  may combine functions. For example, security device  64  may be a combined RFID tag and GPS receiver. 
     It is to be understood that pocket  40  could be used with an existing identification card or other similar means such as a printed label or sheet. For example, a hospital could use its existing identification printing equipment to prepare the hospital&#39;s patient identification label. The label could be placed in pocket  40  or affixed to the outer surface of pocket  40  by adhesive or other affixation means, particularly if the label is self-adhering. 
     It is also to be understood that identification system  72  may be adaptable to an existing RFID system. For example, an RFID tag in use by a hospital may be incorporated into identification card  58 . There would be no need for the hospital to acquire a different or new RFID system. 
       FIG. 18  shows identification system  72  in its fully closed position with longitudinal portion  20  of ratchet  14  fully encased within bore  12  of soft tube  10 . Pocket  40  is affixed to soft tube  10 . Identification card  58  is inserted in pocket  40 . 
     Identification system  72  may be used in a variety of applications or settings where there is a need to identify persons, access info nation about such persons, and/or track or locate such persons. Identification system  72  would have applications for the armed forces, assisted living facilities, amusement parks, hotels and the like. For example, system  72  could be used by hospitals as identification means for babies. It could also be used in stadiums and clubs as a VIP band for customers wishing to be admitted into VIP sections. It could also be used for access control and ticketing for parties or other social functions. It could also be used in a prison system to identify, provide access control and locate prisoners. 
     Identification system or bracelet  72  may be made in different sizes. For example, bracelet  72  may be sized to fit babies and adults. For babies, bracelet  72  may have a minimum circumference size of 6.6 cm and a maximum circumference size of 13 cm. For an adult, the minimum circumference size may be 15 cm and the maximum circumference size may be 22 cm. 
     The plastic parts of identification system  72  may be made by injection molding such as heat-injection molding. 
     While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is to be understood that the embodiments described are illustrative only and that the scope of the invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims when accorded a full range of equivalents, many variations and modifications naturally occurring to those skilled in the art from a perusal hereof.