Abstract:
A human baby identification system including identification bracelets for attachment to the wrist or ankle of a baby, each of the identification bracelets including a pocket portion for receipt of an identification card, an identification number imprinted on the bracelets, a flexible fastening strap connected to the pocket portion having a plurality of ratchet teeth thereon, a sleeve for enclosing a portion of the strap, and a hollow latch assembly for receiving and securing the flexible fastening strap around the wrist or ankle of the baby, the latch assembly having a locking cam which engages the ratchet teeth to enable the fastening strap to be moved in one direction only to tighten the fastening to prevent the fastening strap from being loosened on the baby.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of our patent application Ser. No. 10/012,927 filed Oct. 22, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,063. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a baby identification system, bracelet, and bracelet assembly for attachment to a baby&#39;s wrist or ankle and to the mother&#39;s wrist after delivery. The system of the invention is used in neonatology units to identify a newborn baby and the mother of the baby immediately after the baby is delivered. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Experienced registered nurses appreciate the importance of providing their patients with a safe environment. Presently, the most commonly used baby identification system used for newborns and their mothers is rapidly proving itself deficient and dangerous. The commonly used system includes three soft plastic bracelets that fasten to the wrist or ankle via a buttonhole method, or by a metal clamp. Two of the three bracelets are attached to the wrist or ankle of a baby and the other bracelet to the mother&#39;s wrist immediately after delivery. All three bracelets are provided with an identical identification number. 
   This most commonly used method for identifying babies and linking them to their mother is failing on a daily basis in neonatology units. It is well known that the outside diameter of the flesh around the wrists and ankles of a baby is larger immediately after delivery than within a day or two. The commonly used baby identification bracelets frequently slip from the ankles and wrists of babies as they decrease in size after birth. Such bracelets become lost in the linens used by a baby and in the linens on the bed of the mother. Most alarmingly, such commonly used bracelets are frequently found lying on the floor of neonatology units, and the babies who wore the lost bracelets have no written identification attached thereto. Nurses are forced to check for identification bands at the beginning and end of their shift. If one bracelet is missing from the baby, a new set of bracelets must be applied to the mother and baby because each set of three bracelets has a distinct, common identification number printed on each of the three bracelets in the set. Such searching procedures and bracelet replacement procedures are time-consuming and expensive. 
   With the increasing and widespread number of infant abductions and “baby switching”, any chance of error in identifying babies should be eliminated or reduced to the minimum. Parents are becoming concerned and have started questioning the safety and security of their most precious possession, their baby. With the commonly used buttonhole or metal clamp systems for attaching baby identification bracelets to a baby, the bracelets are either attached too loosely and allow them to slip from the wrist or ankle of the baby, or the baby identification bracelets are attached too tightly and cause the edges of the plastic bracelets to “cut into” the delicate skin on the wrist and ankle of the baby wearing the bracelets. 
   When a critically ill premature baby is admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, the medical team&#39;s first thought is saving the baby&#39;s life. This is a crucial time when the identity of the baby is not the highest priority. Commonly available identification bracelets which are too large for the premature baby are quickly taped to the bed of the baby and remain there for weeks until the baby “grows into” the bracelets. During the period of time that the baby has no bracelet attached, the baby is commonly referred to by neonatal personnel as “Jane or John Doe”. No identification remains with the premature baby too small for attachment of an identification bracelet when the baby is removed from its bed. There is thus a need for a baby identification bracelet that can be adjusted to fit the wrists and ankles of a premature baby. 
   Occasionally a mother is discharged from a hospital before her baby is released from the nursery or neonatal intensive care unit. This separation may be due to a premature birth requiring a lengthy hospital stay, neonatal infection, or other medical necessity. There is a need in the art for a baby identification system to include a family member other than the mother to link the family member to the baby in the event the mother must leave the baby in the hospital due to the illness of the baby, or her illness may require her removal from the hospital while her baby remains. Furthermore, the mother&#39;s decease shortly after childbirth may leave her baby in a medical facility with no other family member linked to the identification number on the baby&#39;s identification bracelet. 
   Baby identification bracelets and identification systems are well-known in the art. Patents of the related art of which applicants are aware are the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 1,517,456; 3,106,028; 3,214,808; 4,272,900; 4,499,680; 4,506,415; 4,833,807; 6,212,808, D250,423; D255,668; D257,562; D261,905; and D368,231. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the invention to provide a baby identification system which is virtually fail-proof. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a baby identification bracelet which can be tightened but cannot be loosened while attached to the wrist or ankle of a baby. 
   It is an additional object of the invention to provide a baby identification bracelet which will not slide from the wrist or ankle of the baby. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a set of four baby identification bracelets having a common identical identification number imprinted thereon to enable a baby to wear two of the four bracelets, the mother to wear one of the four bracelets, and the father to wear one of the four bracelets, thereby enabling the father and mother to be linked to a baby. 
   In accordance with the present invention there is provided a baby identification system including a set of bracelets for placement on the ankle or wrist of the baby and on the mother, each bracelet having 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, the flexible fastening strap having a plurality of ratchet teeth thereon, and a locking mechanism for receiving and securing the flexible fastening strap, the locking mechanism having a plurality of ridges which are engaged by a cam to enable the fastening strap to be moved in one direction only therein to tighten the fastening strap about a wrist or ankle and preventing the fastening strap from being loosened on a wrist or ankle. 
   In another embodiment of the invention, a bracelet is provided with an enlarged pocket portion for receipt of the pocket portion cut from the first embodiment of the bracelet of the invention. 
   In an additional embodiment of the invention, an additional bracelet is provided in the set for placement on the wrist of the father of the baby, or on the wrist of a designated party. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the bracelet of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side plan view of the bracelet of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the bracelet of the invention having a larger pocket portion than the bracelet shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a first set of bracelets of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a second set of bracelets of the invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a bracelet of the invention attached to the wrist of a baby with scissors positioned for cutting the fastening strap of the bracelet to remove it from the baby; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the bracelet shown in  FIG. 6  after being cut and removed from the arm of a baby with scissors positioned to cut the pocket portion of the bracelet to remove a written identification card therefrom for placement in the bracelet shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view, partly cut-away, of the bracelet of  FIG. 3  of the invention showing the pocket portion with identification card removed from the bracelet shown in  FIG. 7  being aligned for insertion therein; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view, partly cut away, of the bracelet of  FIG. 3  of the invention having an identification tag inserted therein; 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  10 — 10  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 10A  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  10 — 10  of  FIG. 1  showing the fastening strap of the bracelet of the invention received in the latch of the bracelet of the invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the fastening strap of the bracelet of the invention taken along lines  11 — 11  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of a third embodiment of the bracelet of the invention extended in the open position prior to attachment to the wrist of the wearer; 
       FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of the third embodiment of the bracelet of the invention in the closed position after attachment to the wrist of the wearer; 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the bracelet of  FIG. 13  taken along lines  14 — 14  of  FIG. 13 ; and 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the bracelet of  FIG. 13  taken along lines  14 — 14  of  FIG. 13  showing an identification card or paper therein and an identification card or paper in phantom lines aligned for insertion therein. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, and in particular  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 – 6 ,  10 ,  10 A, and  11 , there is shown an identification bracelet of the invention generally indicated by the numeral  10 . The bracelet  10  includes an elongated flexible fastening strap generally indicated by the numeral  12  which is rigidly connected to the pocket portion generally indicated by the numeral  14 . Pocket portion  14  has a latch assembly generally indicated by the numeral  16  connected thereto. 
   Pocket portion  14  has a generally rectangular base  14   c  which is preferably integrally formed with strap  12 . The width of rectangular base  14   c  is indicated by the letter D in  FIG. 1 . Connected to the top side  14   a  of pocket portion  14  is a flap  14   b  which cooperates with the top side  14   a  of pocket portion  14  to form a pocket or slot  17  shown in  FIGS. 10 and 10A  having an entrance edge  14   d  for receipt of an identification card or paper  14   e  shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  having selected indicia  15  printed or typed thereon after the birth of a baby which identifies the baby to which the bracelet of the invention is attached. Such indicia may include any desired data such the name of the baby, name of the mother of the baby, date of birth of the baby, and the like. An identification number, “41635” shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  5 ,  7 , and  9 , is printed on the top side  14   a  of base  14   c.    
   Ratchet teeth  18  are located on the top side  12   a  of fastening strap  12 . As shown in  FIG. 10   a  and  FIG. 10   a , fastening strap  12  and ratchet teeth  18  are selectively received in latch assembly  16 . Latch assembly  16  can be seen to be hollow inside with a generally rectangular top  16   a , an opening  16   b  in the outer end thereof for receipt of front end of strap  12 , an opening  16   c  in the inner end for exit of the preferably tapered front end  12   a  of strap  12 , and parallel side walls  16   d  and  16   e.    
   A locking cam generally indicated by the numeral  16   f  is located inside of latch assembly  16  and is connected to bottom side  16   g  of top  16   a . Locking cam  16   f  has ratchet teeth  16   h  which mate with ratchet teeth  18  as shown in  FIG. 10A  and prevent strap  12  from moving backward from latch assembly  16  when inserted therein. 
   Baby identification bracelet  10  is attached to one wrist, and preferably one ankle of the baby, as shown in  FIG. 6 . To attach the baby identification bracelet to the wrist or ankle of a baby, the base  14   c  of the pocket portion of the bracelet  10  is placed against the wrist or angle of a baby, the strap  12  is wrapped around the wrist or ankle of the baby, and the end  12   a  of the strap is inserted into opening  16   b  in latch assembly  16  and extended through latch assembly  16  until the end  12   a  of strap  12  extends from opening  16   c  as indicated in  FIG. 10A . The end of strap  12  is then pulled away from opening  16   c  of latch assembly  16  until bracelet  10  is fitted snugly around the wrist or ankle of the baby. If the outside diameter of the flesh around the wrist and/or ankle of baby upon which bracelet  10  is placed decreases after placement of the bracelet  10  thereon, the bracelet may be easily tightened by pulling the strap  12  farther through latch assemble  16  to tighten bracelet  10  snugly around the wrist and/or ankle of the baby. Bracelet  10  cannot be removed from the baby except by cutting as described below. 
   Preferably, elongated flexible fastening strap  12 , pocket portion  14 , flap  14   b , and latch assembly  16  are made from a flexible plastic material such as a thermoplastic or thermosetting organic polymer. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the baby identification bracelets  10  of the invention are packaged in groups of four as generally indicated by the numeral  20  in  FIG. 4  and groups of three as generally indicated by the numeral  22  in  FIG. 5 . The individual baby identification bracelets  10  of the invention are lightly bonded at their edges as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  as is known in the art to enable each of the bracelets  10  to be easily separated by the fingers of the user from the other bracelets in the group. 
   The three bracelets in the group  22  shown in  FIG. 5  are used when it is desired to place two bracelets on a baby and one on the mother. The four bracelets in group  20  shown in  FIG. 4  are used when it is desired to place two bracelets on a baby, one bracelet on the mother, and one bracelet on the father or other designated party. 
   In  FIGS. 3 ,  8 , and  9  there is shown a baby identification bracelet  110  which has a width indicated by the letter D which is larger than the width indicated by the letter D in  FIG. 1  shown for bracelet  10 . The strap  12 , teeth  18 , latch assembly  16  and other elements are identical to bracelet  10  with the exception that there is no identification number imprinted thereon. Baby identification bracelet  110  is used to receive a pocket portion  14  as shown by the arrow in  FIG. 8  containing an identification card  14   e  and identification number such as “41635” from an identification bracelet  10  that has been removed from a baby as shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , pocket portion  14  of bracelet  10  is removed from the wrist  24  of a baby by cutting strap  12  with scissors  26 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , pocket portion  14  is then cut along lines C—C with scissors  26  to remove the portion  28  of pocket portion  14  containing the identification card  14   e  and identification number 41635. Portion  28  is then placed in baby identification bracelet  110  as shown by the arrow in  FIG. 8  and in  FIG. 9 . An identification bracelet may be removed from a baby because of the growth of the baby, enlargement of the wrists or ankles of a baby due to swelling, damage to the bracelet, or for any other desired reason. Identification bracelet  110  can then be attached to the wrist or ankle of the same baby from which a bracelet  10  has been removed. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 12–14 , there is shown a third embodiment of the identification bracelet of the invention generally indicated by the numeral  210 . The bracelet  210  includes an elongated flexible fastening strap generally indicated by the numeral  112  which is rigidly connected to the pocket portion generally indicated by the numeral  114 . Pocket portion  114  has a latch assembly generally indicated by the numeral  116  connected thereto. 
   Pocket portion  114  has a generally rectangular base  114   c  which is preferably integrally formed with strap  112 . Connected to the top side  114   a  of pocket portion  114  is a flap  114   b  which cooperates with the top side  114   a  of pocket portion  114  to form a pocket or slot  117  shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15  having an entrance edge  114   d  for receipt of an identification card or paper  114   e  shown in  FIGS. 13 and 15  having selected indicia  115  printed or typed thereon after the birth of a baby which identifies the baby to which the bracelet of the invention is attached. Such indicia may include any desired data such the name of the baby, name of the mother of the baby, date of birth of the baby, and the like. An identification number “41635” shown in  FIG. 13  may be printed on the top side  114   a  of base  114   c  and on the top side of identification card or paper  114   e.    
   A generally rectangular inner wall  130  is located beneath flap  114   b  and forms the bottom of pocket or slot  117 . Inner wall  130  is spaced apart from rectangular base  114   c  is generally parallel thereto. Inner wall  130  is preferably the same width as rectangular base  114   c  and cooperates therewith to form pocket  132  for receipt of the outer end of strap  112  as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . 
   Ratchet teeth  118  are located on the top side  112   a  of fastening strap  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 13–15 , fastening strap  112  and ratchet teeth  118  are selectively received in latch assembly  116 . Latch assembly  116  can be seen to be hollow inside with a generally rectangular top  116   a , an opening  116   b  in the outer end thereof for receipt of front end of strap  112 , an opening  116   c  in the inner end for exit of the preferably tapered front end  112   a  of strap  112 , and parallel side walls  116   d  and  116   e.    
   A locking cam generally indicated by the numeral  116   f  is located inside of latch assembly  116  and is connected to bottom side  116   g  of top  116   a . Locking cam  116   f  has ratchet teeth  116   h  which mate with ratchet teeth  118  as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15  and prevent strap  112  from moving backward from latch assembly  116  when inserted therein. 
   A soft, flexible sleeve generally indicated by the numeral  300  is connected at base end  302  to rectangular base  114   c  of pocket portion  114  and is preferably integrally formed therewith. Sleeve  300  loosely encloses strap  112  to prevent strap  112  and the edges of strap  112  from contacting and irritating or injuring the skin of the wrist or ankle of a baby having bracelet  210  attached thereto. The distal end  304  of sleeve  300  is open or hollow to enable the distal end  304  to contact latch assembly  116  and slide or compress over strap  112  as strap  112  is forced into pocket  132  to attach bracelet  210  to a baby or mother. Sleeve  300  is preferably accordion-like in shape, having a plurality of adjacent ridges  300   a  and valleys  300   b  therein to enable sleeve  300  to easily be compressed and return to its original length after compression. 
   Baby identification bracelet  210  is attached to one wrist, and preferably one ankle of the baby, as shown for bracelet  10  in  FIG. 6 . To attach the baby identification bracelet to the wrist or ankle of a baby, the base  114   c  of the pocket portion of the bracelet  210  is placed against the wrist or ankle of a baby, the strap  112  is wrapped around the wrist or ankle of the baby, and the end  112   a  of the strap is inserted into opening  116   b  in latch assembly  116  and extended through latch assembly  116  until the end  112   a  of strap  112  inters pocket  132  as indicated in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . The end  112   a  of strap  112  is then pushed into pocket  132  until bracelet  210  is fitted snugly around the wrist or ankle of the baby. If the outside diameter of the flesh around the wrist and/or ankle of baby upon which bracelet  210  is placed decreases after placement of the bracelet  210  thereon, the bracelet may be easily tightened by pushing strap  112  farther through latch assembly  116  into pocket  132  to tighten bracelet  210  snugly around the wrist and/or ankle of the baby. Bracelet  210  cannot be removed from the baby except by cutting as described below. 
   Bracelets  210  may be packaged together in groups of three and four bracelets in a manner identical to bracelet  10  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
   Preferably, elongated flexible fastening strap  112 , pocket portion  114 , flap  114   b , and latch assembly  116  are made from a flexible plastic material such as a thermoplastic or thermosetting organic polymer. 
   As will be understood from the above description of the invention, the present invention has the advantage of enabling attachment of an identification bracelet to a baby quickly and easily, and enables the bracelet to be tightened if the flesh around the wrists or ankles of the baby decrease in outside diameter. Furthermore, the bracelet of the invention has the advantage of being removable from the baby only by cutting the bracelet. Additionally, one embodiment of the invention has the advantage of enabling an identification card and identification number to be quickly and easily detached from a bracelet removed from a baby and attached to the bracelet of the invention for placement on the same baby, thereby eliminating the need to place new identification cards and identification numbers on the baby and mother when an identification number is removed from a baby. Finally, the bracelet of invention is provided in groups having four bracelets which enable the father of the baby to wear one of the numbered bracelets and provide the father with the same identity link to the baby as that possessed by the mother. 
   Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail above, it should be understood that the invention is no sense limited thereby, and its scope is to be determined by that of the following claims: