Abstract:
Various embodiments of name badge assemblies and picture frame assemblies are shown. A simple card clip structure may also be obtained providing a paper or plastic card and die cutting a U-shaped slot in a horizontal or vertical orientation. A tongue portion defined within between the legs of the U-shaped slot flexes to receive and retain papers and hold bags secure. The card may be printed with promotional information.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application 60/931,536, which was filed on May 23, 2007. This application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE AND PERMISSION 
       [0002]    A portion of this patent document contains material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever. The following notice applies to this document: Copyright® 2007, 2008 Eduardo E. Drake. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0003]    Various embodiments of the present invention concern name badges, particularly name badge holder assemblies. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    The present inventor recognized that conventional name badges suffer from a number of problems. For example, some conventional name badges comprise adhesive labels. The adhesive of these labels can damage clothing of users or do not adhere or stick well to the full range of clothing fabrics that users wear. In the case of poorly sticking labels, users suffer the annoyance of continually retrieving and reapplying fallen labels. Moreover, the adhesive, in some instances, may not be environmentally friendly to produce or to dispose. A significant portion of conventional name badges comprise a paper name card inserted into a transparent vinyl or plastic carrying sleeve. The sleeve typically has a spring clip or pin to allow fasten the sleeve to clothing, or holes for mounting a lanyard that can be worn around the neck of a user. Unfortunately, neither the sleeve nor the spring clip is readily biodegradable. Moreover, the vinyl or plastic sleeve is fairly reflective and can produce glare which may make the name card difficult to read in some circumstances. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, the present inventor has identified a need for alternative name badges. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show respective front and back view of an exemplary name badge assembly  100 . 
           [0007]      FIGS. 1C and 1D  show respective profile views of name-bade assembly  100  installed on a pocket  120  or a shirt or blouse button  130 . 
           [0008]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are plan and profile views of another exemplary badge assembly. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are plan and profile views of another exemplary badge assembly corresponding to one or more embodiments of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  7  are views corresponding to one or more other embodiments of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 8A ,  8 B, and  8 C are views corresponding to one or more embodiments of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are views corresponding to one or more other embodiments of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 10A ,  10 B, and  10 C are views corresponding to one or more embodiments of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 11  is a flow chart of an exemplary method corresponding to one or more embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    This description describes and/or illustrates one or more specific embodiments of one or more inventions. These embodiments, offered not to limit but only to exemplify and teach the invention, are shown and described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to implement or practice the invention. Thus, where appropriate to avoid obscuring the invention(s), the description may omit certain information known to or ascertainable without undue experimentation by those of skill in the art. 
         [0016]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show respective front and back view of an exemplary name-badge (or frame) assembly  100 . Assembly  100  includes a badge holder  110  and a name plate  120 , both of which have a generally rectangular shape in the exemplary embodiment. 
         [0017]    In particular,  FIG. 1A  shows that badge holder  110  (or badge frame) includes left and right vertical frame portions  111 A and  111 B and top and bottom horizontal frame portions  111 C and  111 D. In the exemplary embodiment, one or more of frame portions  111 A- 111 D are marked with printed, embossed, and/or holographic images, such as an event or sponsor name, etc. Frame portions  111 A- 111 D also define a rectangular frame opening or window  112 , which frames and exposes a front printed or image-bearing portion  122  of name plate (or insert)  120 . (In some embodiments, both sides of name plate  120  bears or carries textual and/or graphic information. For example, in some of these embodiments, the back side of the name plate includes sponsor promotional messages, one or more coupons, and/or related serial numbers or bar codes. Front portion may also include bar codes or serial numbers.) 
         [0018]      FIG. 1B , the back view, shows that badge holder  110  includes a back plate portion  114  that captures and holds name plate  120  between the back plate and frame portions  111 . More particularly, back plate portion  114 , which corresponds to the precise shape of frame opening  112 , includes left and right vertical edges  112 L,  112 R, and top horizontal edge  112 T. A bottom edge or boundary  112 B of black plate portion  114  is defined by a fold or crease line, which supports a bottom edge of name  120 . The fold or crease line is perforated and/or embossed in some embodiments, and defines a rotational axis for rotating or folding back plate portion  114  relative to frame portions  111 . Formed in an interior region of back plate portion  114  is clip plate portion  116 . 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, advertisings on the name badge holder takes form of discount, e.g., two coffees, entrees, etc. for price of one, to generate retail or web traffic to sponsors. In some embodiments, convention halls and conference or banquet centers provide name tags free to booking organizations and sell advertising space to business, such as local bars and restaurants. 
         [0020]    Clip plate portion  116  includes left and right vertical edges or boundaries  116 L,  116 R, and bottom horizontal edge  116 B. A top edge or boundary  116 T of clip plate portion  116  is defined by a fold or crease line, which is perforated and/or embossed in some embodiments, and defines a rotational axis for rotating or folding clip plate portion  116  relative to back plate portion  114  to engage a button. Additionally, clip plate portion  116  includes button hole slot  118  for engaging shirt pocket  120  or button  130  as shown best in the profile views of  FIGS. 1C and 1D . Lower outwardly tapered or flared portion  118 F facilitates engagement of slot  118  with button threads. Some embodiments rotate button hole slot  118  45, 90, or 180 degrees relative to top fold line  116 T. Some embodiments include clip plates with two slots, parallel to each other or one transverse to the other. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1E  shows that in some embodiments, edges  112 L,  112 R, and  112 T are formed using a die, laser, or mill cut to create a generally downwardly oriented U-shaped slot  130  that provides clearance between interior edges of frame portions  111  and exterior edges of back plate  114 . Similarly, edges  116 L,  116 R, and  116 B define a generally upwardly oriented U-shaped  140 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 1F  shows that the assembly  100  is sized to receive a standard-sized photographic print, such as wallet (for example, 2.5×3.5), 4″×5″; 4″×6″; 6″×8″; 5″×7″; 8″×10″; 8″×12″; 8½″×11″; 9″×12″; 10″×13″; 11″×14″; 12″×16″; 14″×18″; 16″×20″; 20″×24″; 22″×28″; 24″×30″. In these cases, a side portion of back plate  114  includes a vertical and horizontal perforations and a vertical slot which allow a user to easily remove a portion of the back plate (see back plate in  FIG. 1E ), rotate the removed portion about its longitudinal axis, and reattach the removed portion to the clip plate by engaging its slot with the slot of the clip plate, thereby extending the length of the clip plate portion and transforming it to a supporting back leg  150 . The back leg allows the assembly to be stood up on its bottom edge as a free standing picture frame. Also, in some embodiments, the top fold line of the clip plate is at the bottom, allowing the clip plate to function as a back leg. Other embodiments may include a double stick tape that allows the assembly including the photo insert to be adhered to a wall of a building or cubical or other surface. Still other embodiments include self-adhesive regions on the back of the name badge holder, for example, to further secure name plate or photos in place. 
         [0023]    In the exemplary embodiment, front and back views are identical with exception of graphical content; side views are identical and top and bottom views are identical (when no insert is present). Fold lines and cut lines (crease lines) and outer edges are formed preferably using a die cutter, with multiple cards cut from pre-printed card stock or paper. In some embodiments, the one or both of the top and bottom fold lines are rotated 90 degrees. Peripheral shape of holder can be varied to allow for more detailed branding. For example, sunburst could be allowed to bleed off of one corner region. Some embodiment use a sheet of vinyl or plastic, such as corn-based plastic to form this or other badge holders shown herein. 
         [0000]    add holes to upper portion of back plate or upper portion of frame to allow for hanging with string.
 
alternative embodiment would have a flattened cardstock or cardboard sleeve open on at least one end, preferably both, with window one side to allow viewing of name insert and hinged clip plate as shown herein with optional button slot. Back panel of flattened sleeve would have holes for sleeve could be glued on seam or fastened with tabs and lots
 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0024]    The embodiments described above are intended only to illustrate and teach one or more ways of practicing or implementing the present invention, not to restrict its breadth or scope. The actual scope of the invention, which embraces all ways of practicing or implementing the teachings of the invention, is defined only by the issued claims and their equivalents.