Animal identification device utilizing a microcassette

A microcassette is attached to a conventional animal collar with information concerning the owner of the animal, the owner's location and other pertinent identification concerning the animal. If the animal becomes lost, the finder has merely to play the microcassette to determine the animal's owner. The microcassette is enclosed in a weatherproof holder which is strongly attached to the collar to prevent accidental removal. The microcassette's information may be changed if the owner relocates by simply recording a new identification message.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to identification devices for 
animals, and more particularly, to a microcassette tape attached to an 
animal collar which contains all pertinent identification information of 
the animal and the animal's owner recorded on the tape. By playing the 
tape one may facilitate the return of a lost animal to the owner. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Identification devices for animals which are mounted on a collar are known 
in ad. U.S. Pat. No. 4,178,879 discloses a restraining device for animals 
which includes an animal collar with a flexible belt and a transparent 
window running along a substantial portion of the belt. A strip containing 
identifying indicia is placed inside the transparent window. The indicia 
contains ownership identification to facilitate the return of the lost 
animal. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,660 discloses an identification holder for dogs and 
cats which includes an identification tag fastened to a collar harness or 
leash. The holder comprises a transparent plastic pocket in which 
identifying indicia is placed. The indicia is placed on a strip which is 
held on the collar by a snap fastener. The indicia may be changed to 
reflect changes in the owner's address. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,585,743 discloses a license tag and identification holder 
for a dog collar. This device includes a holder for a license tag or other 
identifying data such as the owner's name and address which is easily 
installed on existing dog collar without the need for modifying the collar 
in any way. 
Thus, while the foregoing body of prior ad indicates it to be well known to 
use identifying indicia on an animal collar to assist in the 
identification of the animal and the subsequent return of the animal to 
the owner, the provision of a more simple and cost effective device to 
give more complete identifying information concerning a lost animal is not 
contemplated. Nor does the prior an described above teach or suggest a 
microcassette tape connected to a animal collar which may be utilized as 
an identification device for the animal. Through the use of a 
microcassette tape more complete information may be given concerning the 
animal which is an advantage of the present invention over the prior art. 
Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art also will be 
rendered evident. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, the present invention, 
briefly described, provides for a microcassette which is attached to a 
conventional animal collar with information concerning the owner of the 
animal, the owner's location and other pertinent identification concerning 
the animal. If the animal becomes lost, the finder has merely to play the 
microcassette to determine the animal's owner. The microcassette is 
enclosed in a weatherproof holder which is strongly attached to the collar 
to prevent accidental removal. The microcassette's information may be 
changed if the owner relocates by simply recording a new identification 
message. 
The above brief description sets forth rather broadly the more important 
features of the present invention in order that the detailed description 
thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the 
present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There arc, of 
course, additional features of the invention that will be described 
hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended 
hereto. 
In this respect, before explaining the preferred embodiment of the 
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not 
limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the 
arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or 
illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments 
and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be 
understood, that the phraseology and terminology employed herein arc for 
the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
As such, those skilled in the an will appreciate that the conception, upon 
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for 
designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, 
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms of phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of 
the application. Accordingly, the Abstract is neither intended to define 
the invention or the application, which only is measured by the claims, 
nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any 
way. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved animal identification device utilizing a microcassette tape which 
has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new an improved 
animal identification device utilizing a microcassette tape which may be 
easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved animal identification device utilizing a microcassette tape which 
is of durable and reliable construction. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved animal identification device utilizing a microcassette tape which 
is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials 
and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale 
to the consuming public, thereby making such an animal identification 
device utilizing a microcassette tape available to the buying public. 
Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved animal identification device utilizing a microcassette tape which 
would permit a greater amount of information concerning the animal to be 
incorporated into the identification device, including, but not limited 
to, the animal's name, owner's name and address, owner's phone number, the 
animal's medical history, and any other pertinent data. 
It is still a further object of the present invention is to provide a new 
and improved animal identification device utilizing a microcassette tape 
which may be updated or changed to reflect changes in the animal's name, 
owner's name and address, owner's phone number, the animal's medical 
history, or any other pertinent data. 
These together with still other objects of the invention, along with the 
various features of novelty which characterize the invention, arc pointed 
out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, a new and improved animal 
identification device utilizing a microcassette embodying the principles 
and concepts of the present invention will be described. 
Turning initially to FIG. 1 there is shown a first exemplary embodiment of 
the animal identification device utilizing a microcassette of the instant 
invention generally designated by reference numeral 10. In its preferred 
form, animal identification device 10 comprises a collar 14 secured about 
the neck of an animal 12 by any conventional means. A microcassette holder 
16 is secured to the collar 14 in such a fashion as to preclude the holder 
16 from becoming detached from the collar 14. A microcassette 15 is 
secured within the microcassette holder 14 by a snap closure device 18. 
Although a snap closure 18 is shown in the figures any type of closure 
means may be utilized, including, but not limited to, hook and loop 
fasteners, zipper or buttons. The microcassette holder 16 has an indicia 
receiving surface 11 thereon, where identifying indicia may be provided. 
The microcassette holder 14 is of rugged construction, weatherproof, and 
forms a protective enclosure for the microcassette 15. It is anticipated 
that animal identification information, such as the animal's owners 
address, phone number and name will be recorded onto the microcassette 15. 
This along with the animal's name and medical information provides a 
complete set of animal statistics and data. 
Referring now specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3 the animal identification 
device 10 is shown. A collar 14 with conventional securing means 
comprising a buckle 20 and holes 11 is disclosed. A collar strap securing 
ring 13 is located next to the buckle 20. The microcassette holder 16 is 
attached to the collar 14. The attachment of the microcassette holder 16 
to the collar 14 may be accomplished in many ways, including, but not 
limited to, hook and loop fasteners, stitching or apertures made the 
microcassette holder 16 through which the collar 14 may pass. 
Alternatively, the microcassette holder 16 could be made integral with the 
collar 14. A microcassette 15 is shown residing within the microcassette 
holder 16. Snap closure means 18 secures the microcassette 15 firmly 
within the microcassette holder 16. 
FIGS. 4-5 shows a front view of the microcassette holder 16 in both open 
and closed positions respectively. 
FIG. 4 shows microcassette holder 16 in the closed position being secured 
with snap closure means 18. FIG. 5 shows the microcassette holder 16 in 
the open position revealing the microcassette 15 inside. The male snap 24 
and the female snap 22 are shown in the unconnected or unfastened 
relation. 
FIGS. 6-7 shows a side view of the microcassette holder 16 in both open and 
closed positions respectively. FIG. 6 includes microcassette holder 16 in 
the closed position, being secured by closure fastener 18 and including 
the microcassette 15. FIG. 7 shows the microcassette holder 16 in the open 
position, including male snap 24 and female snap 22 in the unconnected 
relation. 
Referring now specifically to FIG. 8, a microcassette recorder/player 30 is 
shown playing the identification message 34. The identification message 
may include the owner's name, telephone number, address, work telephone 
number, veterinarian's address and phone number, the animal's medical 
history and the animal's name. Identification message 34 is merely an 
example of a sample message and is no way limiting to the scope of 
identification messages possible. 
FIG. 9 shows the two ends of an animal collar 40 being secured by hook and 
loop fasteners 42. 
FIG. 10 shows the microcassette 50 being held in microcassette receiving 
pocket 58 with hook and loop securing means 54 and 56. 
Referring now specifically to FIGS. 11 and 12, several alternative 
non-permanent ways of securing the microcassette holder to the animal 
collar are shown. In FIG. 11, two apertures 62 and 64 are shown in the 
microcassette holder 60. The animal collar would be passed through the two 
apertures securing the holder to the collar. FIG. 12 shows the hook and 
loop fasteners (70 and 72) for securing the microcassette holder 74 to the 
animal collar 76. 
It is apparent from the above that the present invention accomplishes all 
of the objectives set forth by providing a new and improved animal 
identification device utilizing a microcassette tape which would permit a 
greater amount of information concerning the animal to be incorporated 
into the identification device, including, but not limited to, the 
animal's name, owner's name and address, owner's phone number, the 
animal's medical history, and any other pertinent data. 
With respect to the above description, it should be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to 
those skilled in the art, and therefore, all relationships equivalent to 
those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed only by the scope of appended claims. 
While the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully 
described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is 
presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment of the 
invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that 
many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the 
principles and concepts set forth herein. Hence, the proper scope of the 
present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation 
of the appended claims so as encompass all such modifications and 
equivalents.