Abstract:
A system and method for distributing numbered race running bibs. The bibs are suspended on a hanging line supported by a bib frame that keeps the bibs orderly and allows the event director and staff to easily find the bib number they are looking for. A bib tab is retained on the hanging line to assist in tracking bibs that have been distributed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/218,098 filed Sep. 14, 2015, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to identification bibs for running races, walks, and rides or other related events and more particularly to a system and method for the distribution of the bibs at an event. 
         [0003]    Normally bibs worn by runners, walkers and other participants for identification at competitive and fund raising events are tightly packaged in boxes or bins. The bibs will typically have an identification number on the surfaces of the bib, and are typically boxed in numerical sequence. More recent advancements in bibs include a radio frequency identification device (RFID) or similar tracking system embedded or attached to the bibs. These devices, make packing the bibs difficult in that the bib fabric or other thin material that the bibs are constructed of may no longer present a flat profile for packaging. 
         [0004]    Typically, the bibs may be distributed by an event director to the participants on the day of the event as part of a registration or sign in process. Alternatively, for localized events, or participants, the bibs may be distributed on an on-going basis in the days leading up to the event. In some instances, the bib number may have already been assigned to a participant, based on ability groups, age brackets, or other categories. Inasmuch as the participants may arrive at random times for the registration process, the previous numerical sequence of the bibs may be disturbed, particularly where the bibs have been removed from the center of the deck, so to speak. This becomes exacerbated as the number of bibs in the box is reduced and they become a jumbled mess, making the location of particular bib numbers difficult and thereby slowing down the registration process. 
         [0005]    As can be seen, there is a need for an improved system and method for distributing event bibs during registration, sign up, or other bib distribution times. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In one aspect of the present invention, a system for the storage and distribution of event bibs includes: a bib support frame, having a base member, a pair of upwardly extending upright members disposed at opposed sides of the support frame, and a hanging line extending between the upright members near a top portion thereof; and a plurality of bib elements having a bib portion and a tab portion releasable from the bib portion, wherein the bib elements are configured to be suspended in numerical sequence on the hanging line. In some embodiments, a cross bar may extend between an upper end of the upright members. 
         [0007]    In other aspects of the invention, the bib portion and the tab portion have a participant number area presenting a visual indicia of corresponding participant number. A hole may be defined in the tab portion of the plurality of bib elements, wherein the hanging line may be threadingly received in the hole. The tab portion is preferably retained on the hanging line upon separation of the bib portion from the tab portion. 
         [0008]    In further aspects of the invention, the bib portion has a plurality of fastening points proximal to a corner of the bib portion. The plurality of fastening points may be holes formed between a front surface and a back surface of the bib. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments of the invention, a coupling is attached to the upright member. An attachment hook may be attached to at least one end of the hanging line, wherein the attachment hook is configured to attach the at least one end of the hanging line to the coupling. 
         [0010]    In yet other aspects of the invention, a method of storing and distributing a plurality of event bibs, includes: providing a bib carrying assembly having a base member and a plurality of upright members extending upwardly from the base member; providing a plurality of bib elements which have a bib portion and a tab portion that are separable from each other. The bib portion and the tab portion have a participant number area with indicia of a corresponding participant number printed thereon. The tab portion of each of the plurality bib elements are attached to a hanging line in a participant number sequence. The method also includes spending the hanging line between the plurality of upright members. 
         [0011]    In a preferred embodiment, the method includes distributing a bib portion by separating the bib portion from the tab portion, whereby the tab portion remains attached to the hanging line. In other preferred embodiments, the step of attaching includes threading the hanging line through a hole in the tab portion. Yet other aspects of the method includes retaining the tab portions of the distributed bib portions as a record of the participants in the event. 
         [0012]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention shown in use carrying a plurality of event bib elements; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bib carrying assembly;. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the bib carrying assembly; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the bib carrying assembly; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the bib carrying assembly; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the bib carrying assembly; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a front view of an event bib element according to aspects of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0021]    Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for organizing and managing the distribution of event bibs for an event. As seen in reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , the bib carrying assembly comprises a base member  10 , and a pair of upright members  12  extending upwardly from the base  10 . A hanging line  16 , such as a string, wire, rope, twine, thin rod, or the like is adapted to extend between the upright members, near an upper portion thereof, and may be attached to the upright via a coupling  14 , such as hook and eye coupling, or otherwise tied and secured to the upright  12 . An attachment means  22 , such as a hook or clamp, may be utilized to attach the hanging line to the coupling  14 . A cross member  15  may extend between the ends of the upright members  12  to maintain the upright members  12  in a vertical position. 
         [0022]    The base  10  may be formed from frame members, or may be formed as a base plate, to which the upright members  12  are attached. Typical dimensions for the base  10  may range from about 30 inches by 24 inches. Typical dimensions of the uprights  12  are about 20 inches high. The base  10  may also include a cross bar  15  extending between the upright members  12 . 
         [0023]    In certain other embodiments, the dimensions may be varied, depending upon the number of participants, and bibs  18  that may need to be distributed for an event. Versions of the invention may also be provided that may include extending the upright members  12  so as to provide spacing for multiple levels, or rungs  16 , of the string, wire, rope twine, thin rod or the like where two or more of the supporting strings are attached to one frame. 
         [0024]    As may be seen in reference to  FIG. 7 , the bib element  18  may comprise a race bib portion  20  that is attached to a tab portion  28 . The bib portion  20  will have a participant number area  25  on at least one face of the bib portion  20  and the tab  28  portion will have a corresponding number area  35  printed thereon. The tab  28  is separable from the bib  20 , such as via a perforation  26 , or other readily separable means, such as slight adhesives, scoring, and the like. 
         [0025]    The bib  20  may have a plurality of holes  24 , or fasteners at the corners to allow the participant to attach the bib  20  to their garments or body to identify the participant during the event. The tab portion  28  of the bib element  18  is preferably provided with at least one hole  30 . The tab portion  28  is normally detached from the bib portion  20  and retained on the hanging line  16  when the bib portion  20  is provided to the participant. The tab portion  28  may be retained by the event director as a record that the participant receiving their event bib  20 . The tab portion  28  may also include an identification area  34  for providing identification indicia corresponding to the participant, such as a name and ability group and/or the event, such as the name, date, or location. 
         [0026]    As previously indicated, the bib elements  18  are normally delivered to the event director and boxed in numerical sequence. Prior to the event, the bibs  18  are strung in numerical sequence via the hanging line  16  extending through the hole  30  in the tab portion  28  of the bib element  18 . Once a desired quantity of bib elements  18  have been threaded, they may then be suspended by attachment of the hanging line  16  to the upright members  12 , as shown in reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0027]    One or more bib support frames may be required, depending upon the number of participants or bib elements  18  that are required for the event. The support frames containing the numerically sequenced bibs  18  are organized at the registration area for the event. As a participant signs in to receive their bib portion  20 , the participant&#39;s bib number may be readily located by reference to the participant number area  25 ,  35  on the bib portion  20  or the tab portion  28 , and the bib portion  20  is detached from the tab  28 . The tab portion  28  is retained on the hanging line  16 , allowing the director to know which participants have received their bibs  20 , and providing another record of documenting event participants. 
         [0028]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.