Abstract:
A retainer comprising first and second frames each including at least one arm. The frames are movably coupled and operative to be selectively oriented between an open state and a closed state. The arms are cooperative to form a closed loop when the frames are in the closed state. The frames may include pairs of arms that cooperate to form a pair of closed loops. The arms extend from respective first and second body portions which include cooperative alignment features, such as mating tongue and groove features. The arms may also include alignment features, such as pins sized and configured to mate with receptacles. The retainer also includes a fastener for selectively permitting movement between the open and closed states.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     It is estimated that pets currently outnumber people in the United States by at least 60 million, with pets numbering around 360 million. Humans have kept pets for thousands of years not as property but as friends and family members. In fact, pet owners often treat their pets as children, buying them toys, special treats, beds, clothing, and collars. Many pet owners purchase various clothing and collars so they can dress their pets in different outfits on different days, or for different occasions. Of particular interest in this case, pet collars are useful not only to dress up a pet but for attaching identification tags to the pet. These identification tags often include those required by regulation such as registration, licensing, and rabies vaccination tags. In addition, a pet owner will usually include a tag with information such as the pet&#39;s name, owner&#39;s address, and phone number. This information is intended to aid in recovery of the pet in the event the pet should become lost. These tags are usually made of metal or durable plastic and have a hole through which they may be attached to the pet&#39;s collar. 
     Most collars include a metal ring such as a D-ring for attaching identification tags. The tags are commonly attached to the D-ring with an S-hook that is formed of a malleable material such that one end of the hook may be inserted through the tag&#39;s hole and bent over to close the hook. Similarly, the other end of the hook is inserted through the D-ring and bent to close the hook, thereby permanently attaching the tag to the collar. Other devices for attaching tags to the collar are known, such as split rings, ball chains, and the like. These existing attachment devices are somewhat permanent or at least very difficult to remove making it inconvenient to add tags or change collars. Additionally, these devices do little to control and confine the tags relative to the collar. As such tags may become tangled, create excessive noise, and create a source of discomfort to the pet. Accordingly, there is a need for an identification tag retainer for conveniently attaching identification tags to a pet&#39;s collar that is easily detached while further confining and controlling the tags. 
     SUMMARY 
     Provided herein is a retainer, comprising first and second frames movably coupled and operative to be selectively oriented between an open state and a closed state. The first and second frames include at least one arm. The arms are cooperative to form a closed loop when the first and second frames are in the closed state. The frames may include pairs of arms that cooperate to form a pair of closed loops when in the closed state. 
     The arms extend from respective first and second body portions. The body portions include cooperative alignment features, such as mating tongue and groove features. Also, the first arms may include pins sized and configured to mate with a receptacles formed in the second arms. The arms may extend arcuately and taper as they extend from their respective body portions. Furthermore, the arms may all lie in a common plane. 
     The retainer also includes a fastener for selectively permitting movement between the open and closed states. The frames may be rotatable about the fastener as well as axially movable along the fastener. The fastener may extend through the body portions and threadably engage one of the first and second frames. 
     A retainer that is comprised of a pair of substantially identical frames is also contemplated. This retainer includes a pair of reversible frames that each include a body portion, a first arm extending from the body portion that includes an alignment pin, and a second arm extending from the body portion that includes a receptacle. The pins mate with the receptacles and the arms form a pair of closed loops when the frames are oriented in the closed state. Each body portion may also include tongue and groove features which mate with each other when the frames are in the closed state. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the identification tag retainer according to a first exemplary embodiment being employed to attach a tag to a pet&#39;s collar; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view in elevation of the retainer according to the first exemplary embodiment shown in a closed state; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view in elevation of the retainer according to the first exemplary embodiment shown in an opened state; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross-section, not to scale, taken about line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 , and illustrating an exemplary construction of the locking collet; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged partial perspective view illustrating an exemplary construction of the retainer hinge; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view in elevation illustrating an alternate construction of the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view in elevation illustrating another alternate construction of the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating the identification tag retainer according to a second exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating the retainer according to the second exemplary embodiment shown in an opened state; 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view in elevation of the retainer according to a third exemplary embodiment shown in a closed state; 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view in elevation of the retainer according to the third exemplary embodiment shown with the locking collet released; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view illustrating the identification tag retainer according to the third exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view in elevation of the retainer according to the third exemplary embodiment shown in an opened state; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating the identification tag retainer according to a fourth exemplary embodiment shown in a closed state; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view illustrating the retainer according to the fourth exemplary embodiment shown in an opened state; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view as viewed from the right, illustrating the retainer according to the fourth exemplary embodiment with the two halves rotated; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view as viewed from the left, illustrating the retainer according to the fourth exemplary embodiment with the two halves rotated; and 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic representation of the tag retainer according to a fifth exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Provided herein is an identification tag retainer for releasably attaching identification tags to a pet&#39;s collar while further confining and controlling the tags.  FIG. 1  illustrates identification tag retainer  10  according to a first exemplary embodiment being employed to releasably attach an identification tag  8  to dog collar  4  that is worn about the neck  5  of pet  2 , which in this case is a dog. Dog collar  4  is of a typical construction that includes a buckle  3  and a connector such as D-ring  6 . It should be appreciated that while the exemplary embodiments are described with respect to a dog and a particular construction of collar, the identification tag retainer described herein may be used on different animals and with different collar constructions. 
     Retainer  10  includes loop  12  that has an upper loop portion  20 , a lower loop portion  30 , and a narrowed neck region  60  therebetween. Loop  12  is preferably formed of an elongate material having a cross section of diameter “x” sized to fit through hole  7  of identification tag  8 . A typical pet tag has a hole approximately ⅛″ in diameter. Accordingly, as an example, loop  12  may be formed of aluminum wire with a diameter of approximately 3 mm. It should be understood, however, that loop  12  may be formed of any suitable material such as plastic steel or the like. Furthermore, the cross-section and diameter of the elongate material may vary as well. 
     In  FIG. 2 , retainer  10  is shown in a closed state such that D-ring  6  is captured in upper loop portion  20  and tag  8  is retained on lower loop portion  30 . It can be appreciated from the figure that narrowed neck region  60  creates an opening between upper loop  20  and lower loop  30  that has a width “w” that is narrower than the diameter “d” of D-ring  6 , shown here in cross-section. Thus, when retainer  10  is attached to D-ring  6 , the D-ring may be captured in upper loop portion  20 . This acts to confine and control the tags relative to collar  4 . 
       FIG. 3  shows retainer  10  in an open state which allows retainer  10  to be removably attached to a D-ring  6  and simultaneously allows for the addition and removal of identification tags. Upper loop portion  20  includes a pivot or hinge  50  and lower loop portion  30  includes locking collet  40 . With further reference to  FIG. 4 , locking collet  40  includes a tubular sleeve  41  having internal threads  46  formed therein. Threads  46  mateably engage external threads  34  of lower loop portion  30 . Locking collet  40  may be retained on lower loop portion  30  by shoulder  44 , which is captured by enlarged diameter  32 . Preferably, locking collar  40  includes knurling  42  to provide grip for threading locking collet  40  to and from external threads  34 . One skilled in the art will recognize that while a locking collet is described here as an example, other locks or retainers may be employed. 
     As should be readily understood from  FIGS. 2 and 3 , retainer  10  may be opened by unscrewing locking collet  40  and thereafter opening loop  12 , which is facilitated by hinge  50 . As can be appreciated in  FIG. 3  when retainer  10  is in the open state narrowed neck region  60  is enlarged such that D-ring  6  may pass through the opening. Hinge  50  is formed in upper loop portion  20  and is perhaps best shown in  FIG. 5 . Hinge  50  includes cooperative knuckles  51  and  53  with pivot pin  52  extending therebetween. It should be understood that while a hinge is shown as an example, other equivalent structures for providing a pivot or flexure point may be used. For instance, where loop  12  is formed of plastic, hinge  50  may be a thin section relative to the rest of upper loop portion  20 , which would provide a flexure point. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate exemplary alternative constructions of the first embodiment.  FIG. 6  shows retainer  110  that includes loop  112  having an upper loop portion  120  and lower loop portion  130 . In this construction lower loop portion  130  is in the shape of a diamond with locking collet  140  disposed along one of the facets of the diamond.  FIG. 7  illustrates an alternative construction of the retainer  210  with upper and lower loop portions  220  and  230  respectively. In this construction lower loop portion  230  is in the shape of a square or rectangle. It should be understood from these representative constructions that upper and lower loop portions may be of various shapes. Furthermore, it should be understood, as is shown in  FIG. 7 , hinge  250  may be disposed anywhere along upper loop portion  220 . Similarly locking collet  240  may be disposed anywhere along lower loop portion  230 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate the identification tag retainer according to a second exemplary embodiment. Identification tag retainer  310  includes a loop  312 , which has an upper loop portion  320 , a lower loop portion  330 , and narrowed neck region  360 . In addition, retainer  310  includes cross-member  370  extending across the narrowed neck region. When retainer  310  is in the closed state, as shown in  FIG. 8 , cross-member  370  partitions loop  312  into upper and lower loop regions  375  and  377 . When in the open state, as shown in  FIG. 9 , retainer  310  may be removed from the D-ring and/or tags may be added and removed. Retainer  310  is attached and removed from the D-Ring in a similar manner to that described with respect to the first embodiment, wherein locking collet  340  is unthreaded or disengaged from threads  334 . It should also be noted as is shown in  FIG. 9 , that preferably cross-member  370  includes contoured surface  372  which congruently mates with narrowed neck region  360 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a third exemplary embodiment of a retainer  410 , which when in the closed state, includes a first loop portion  420  and a second loop portion  430 . In this embodiment the retainer is comprised of first and second mating pieces  422  and  432 . Mating pieces  422  and  432  cross over or intersect one another and are pivotally mounted to each other with a suitable fastener  452 , such as a pin or rivet. As can be seen in  FIG. 11 , retainer  410  includes a locking collet  440  similar to that as described above with respect to the first embodiment. Collet  440  is retained on mating piece  422  and mateably engages with threads  434  of second piece  432  to secure retainer  410  in a closed state. 
     As can perhaps best be appreciated in  FIG. 12 , mating pieces  422  and  432  each include a corresponding hook or jaw shaped portion  424  and  434 . When in the closed position, hooked portions  424  and  434  are congruently aligned with each other and overlap one another to form loop portion  420 . When collet  440  is disengaged from threads  434  mating pieces  422  and  432  may pivot about fastener  452 , thereby simultaneously opening loop portions  420  and  430  for access, such as shown in  FIG. 13 . Again referring to  FIG. 12 , it can be appreciated that, in this case, hooked portions  424  and  434  have an oblate cross-section which facilitates a close fitted arrangement between the hook portions when retainer  410  is in the closed state. It can also be seen in  FIG. 12  that the lower loop portion  430  is comprised of a more circular cross-section. 
     An ordinarily skilled artisan will recognize that this embodiment may be formed by stamping and bending segments of wire to form the structures shown in the figures. However, retainer  410  may be formed from any suitable manufacturing process or method as well as from any suitable materials such as plastics and/or metals. 
       FIGS. 14-17  illustrate a fourth exemplary embodiment of a retainer  510 . In the closed position, retainer  510  includes upper loop portion  520  and lower loop portion  530 . Loop portions  520  and  530  are formed by mating first and second frames  512  and  514 . First frame  512  is comprised of a main body portion  541  with arcuate arms  521  and  531  extending therefrom. Second frame  514  is similarly constructed and includes body portion  543  with arcuate arms  523  and  533  extending therefrom. Fastener  560  extends through body portions  541  and  543  and in this case threadably engages body portion  543 . In this embodiment loops  520  and  530  lie in a common plane when the retainer is in a closed state, as is shown in  FIG. 14 . It should be understood, however, that the loops maybe oriented at any suitable angle relative to each other. 
     Fastener  560  includes head  562  and shaft  564 . At least a portion of the length of shaft  564  is threaded to mate with threads  544  formed in body portion  543 . Head  562  includes a slot  566  to allow engagement of a tool in order to tighten the fastener. Head  562  also may include knurling such as  568  shown in  FIG. 16  to facilitate hand tightening. It should be understood that boss  545 , as shown in for example,  FIG. 16  is in this case integrally formed with body portion  543 . Alternatively, boss  545  could be replaced by a separate fastener element such as a threaded nut. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17  it can be seen that the two frames  512  and  514  include mating structures to facilitate the alignment of the two frames. The main body portions  541  and  543  include mating tongue and groove structures  552  and  554 . Each loop portion  520  and  530  includes mating structures as well. For example, loop portion  520  includes pin  522  and socket  524 . Similarly, loop portion  530  includes mating pin  532  and socket  534 . In this case pins  522  and  532  are tapered to facilitate engagement with sockets  524  and  534  respectively. It should be appreciated that various mating alignment features or guides could be used, for example, tongue and groove features, pins and slots, pins and sockets, notches, various protrusions and mating receptacles, and the like as well as various combinations thereof. 
     When retainer  510  is in the open state, pins  522  and  532  as well as tongue  552  are disengaged from their mating respective sockets and groove. Once the structures are disengaged frames  512  and  514  may be rotated relative to each other thereby providing additional access to loops  520  and  530 . Fastener  560  acts as a pivot about which frames  512  and  514  may pivot. 
     Once the frames are loosened and rotated relative to each other, such as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the retainer&#39;s loops  520  and  530  may be accessed for attachment to a D-ring or collar as well as for installing tags. When retainer  510  is in the closed state each mating element is inserted into its respective socket or groove and fastener  560  is tightened in order to maintain the two frames in a close fitted arrangement. When in the closed state the pins and groove also provide a rigid connection between the respective connection points. 
     As can be appreciated from the figures, arcuate arm portions  521 ,  523 ,  531 , and  533  may taper from their respective body portions  541  and  540  to a smaller cross-section, which is suitably sized to accept standard tags as described above. One ordinarily skilled in the art will recognize that retainer  510  may be formed from various methods including, as is contemplated in this case, by casting. Retainer  510  may be cast from various metals such as aluminum. Alternatively, retainer  510  could also be molded from various plastic materials. 
     Also contemplated is a reversible frame that includes both male and female mating features. For example, the reversible frame could include a pin on one arm and a receptacle on the other arm, such that two arms could be mated with the pin and receptacles oriented 180 degrees apart. Furthermore, the body portion could include both tongue and groove features that mate when rotated 180 degrees. 
       FIG. 18  schematically illustrates a reversible retainer  610 . Retainer  610  includes two identical reversible frames  612 . The term identical is used here to refer to the fact that the reversible frames may be manufactured with the same process thereby providing for manufacturing efficiency. For example, frame  612  may be cast or molded using a single mold. The use of the term identical is not intended to preclude changes to the non-reversible aspects of the frame, such as post processing of a casting for example. Frame  612  includes a body portion  640  with arms  621  and  631  extending therefrom. In this case arm  621  includes a receptacle  624  and arm  631  includes pin  634 . Thus, when a second frame  612 ( 2 ) is mated to the first frame  612 ( 1 ) receptacle  624  of frame  612 ( 1 ), for example, may receive pin  634  of frame  612 ( 2 ). Body portion  640  may include both a tongue  652  and groove  654 . Accordingly, the tongue and groove of second frame  612 ( 2 ) mate with the tongue and groove of the first frame  612 ( 1 ). 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments. It should be appreciated, though, that the present invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.