Abstract:
An identification badge is connected to a lanyard using at least two connectors. One of the connectors securely connects a fixture which clasps the identification badge to a buckle. The other connector securely connects the buckle to the lanyard. The connectors are configured to position the badge flat on the shirt or blouse of the wearer so that the visibility of the badge is maximized. The size of the connectors is maintained small. Furthermore, assembly of a lanyard, badge, and buckle combination is made more efficient by making the connectors quick-connect.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to a lanyard buckle connector for attaching a lanyard to a buckle and for attaching the buckle to a fitting.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    People wear visual identification devices in social, industrial, and professional setting. One such wearable identification device common in social settings is the paper name tag. The paper name tag is configured with an adhesive to affix the tag to a user&#39;s shirt and a surface for printing the user&#39;s name. Other types of name tags are known, for example, identification badges, which are more durable than the paper name tag.  
           [0005]    The need for industrial security has increased employer use of identification badges. Badges provide the employer&#39;s security personnel with a quick device to identify employees and to intercept and properly direct non-employees on the employer&#39;s premises. Similarly, in professional settings, such as at professional conferences, visual wearable identification badges enhance participant interaction, and provide a mechanism for event organizers to quickly identify event participants from other members of the public.  
           [0006]    As the need for identification badges has grown so have the ways of wearing them. For example, a plastic sleeve that is mountable, such as by magnets, pins or clips, to a shirt or blouse of the wearer can hold the badge and secure it to the user. While such mountable sleeves generally effectively hold the badge on the user&#39;s shirt, they are generally awkward. When mounted to the pocket of a shirt, they tend to pull the shirt and pocket out and down. Also, repeated use of pins to mount the badge to the user&#39;s clothing can damage the clothing.  
           [0007]    Lanyards have improved the wearability of identification badges. A lanyard is a cord that can be worn around the badge wearer&#39;s neck, and to which an identification badge can be attached. Although lanyards have improved the wearability of identification badges, they have not worked well with traditional mechanism for securing the badges. When connected to the lanyard, many of these traditional securing mechanisms twist the badge so that it does not rest flat on the wearer&#39;s shirt or blouse. Other such mechanisms do not secure the badge well enough, and, as a result, the badge can pull free from the lanyard too easily and be lost. Some securement mechanisms are too large with respect to the badge and lanyard for a pleasing appearance.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    Therefore, a need exists for an improved lanyard connector and method for connecting the badge to the lanyard that will improve the wearability and securement of identification badges to lanyards, while at the same time providing a pleasing appearance.  
           [0009]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system for connecting a lanyard, a buckle, and a fitting is provided. The system comprises a one-piece upper connector having an upper portion for receiving the lanyard and lower portion for receiving a transverse element of an upper portion of the buckle. The system also comprises a lower connector having an upper portion for receiving a transverse element of a lower portion of the buckle. The lower connector also has a lower portion for receiving an upper portion of the fitting. When the lanyard is received by the upper portion of the upper connector, the upper connector does not cause the buckle to rotate.  
           [0010]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a quick-connection system for interconnecting a lanyard, a buckle having a lower surface, and a fitting is provided. The system comprises an upper connector for connecting the lanyard to the buckle; and a lower connector for connecting the buckle to the fitting. The longitudinal dimension of the upper connector is less than the longitudinal dimension of the buckle, and the longitudinal dimension of the lower connector is less than the longitudinal dimension of the buckle.  
           [0011]    In another aspect of the invention, a connector for connecting a lanyard to a buckle is provided that comprises a first end and a second end positioned outside of and below the first end. The connector also comprises a lower section configured to receive a portion of a buckle and an upper section configured to receive a lanyard. The first end and the second end are positioned near each other to form a gap therebetween. The gap is smaller than the portion of the buckle, and the first and second ends are moveable with respect to one another so as to increase the gap size to equal or exceed the thickness of the portion of the buckle.  
           [0012]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a connector for connecting a fitting to a buckle is provided that comprises a first end, and a second end positioned outside of and below the first end. The connector also comprises an upper section configured to receive a portion of the buckle, a lower section configured to receive the fitting, and a tab extending from the upper section abuts the buckle, preventing rotation in at least one direction.  
           [0013]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a method for assembling a lanyard-buckle-badge assembly is provided comprising the step of inserting a badge into a lower portion of a fitting, the fitting having an upper portion. The method also comprises quick-connecting the upper portion of the fitting into a lower connector through a gap formed in the lower connector. Then a lower transverse element of a buckle is quick-connected to the lower connector through the lower connector gap. Then an upper transverse element of the buckle is quick-connected to an upper connector through an upper connector gap. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a front, perspective, schematic view of one embodiment of a lanyard-buckle-badge assembly.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1A is a schematic view of the back side of the assembly of FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an upper connector of FIG. 1.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a lower connector of FIG. 1.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the lanyard-buckle-badge assembly  100  of FIG. 1, taken along the plane  4 - 4 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 1 and 1A are schematic views of one embodiment of a lanyard-buckle-badge assembly  100 . The assembly  100  comprises an identification badge  110 , a fitting  120 , a lower connector  130 , a buckle  140 , an upper connector  150 , and a lanyard  160 . The identification badge  110  is preferably made of a durable material so that the lanyard-buckle-badge assembly  100  can be used for several days, months, or years. The badge, of course, can take many forms, but generally contains some useful information that is useful at least in part because it is visual. In general, the badge can be replaced by one of many different articles which could be advantageously dangled from the neck of a wearer, e.g. a whistle, a key, a pen, or other article.  
         [0020]    The badge  110  is clasped by a fitting  120  so that the badge  110  seen in FIG. 1A, remains securely attached to the wearer and is not lost. As shown, the fitting  120  can extend through a hole  112  in the badge  110 , or it can be secured with a similar fitting such as a hook or key ring.  
         [0021]    The fitting  120  is connected to a buckle  140  using a lower connector  130 . The buckle  140  can be similar to one manufactured by YKK Corporation. Preferably, the buckle is a quick disconnect buckle that allows a lower portion  144  of the buckle  140  to be detached from and reattached to an upper portion  146  of the buckle  140 . For security badges that are designed to be scanned by a machine, the quick disconnect feature is particularly useful; it allows the wearer to detach the badge from the lanyard for such scanning. The buckle  140  has a transverse element  142 , which is rectangular in cross-section. The element  142  forms a lower loop  143  that is about twice as wide as it is tall. The buckle  140  also has a transverse element  148 , which creates an upper loop  149 . Like the lower loop  143 , the upper loop  149  is about twice as wide as it is tall. Other types of buckles may also be used with the connectors, connection system, and connection method described herein.  
         [0022]    The lower connector  130 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, and as discussed below in more detail in connection with FIG. 3, comprises an upper portion  132  for receiving the transverse element  142  of the lower portion  144  of the buckle  140 . Advantageously, the upper portion  132  is U-shaped in order to capture the element  142 . The connector  130 , as discussed in more detail below, is preferably made of several segments that have planar surfaces.  
         [0023]    The connector  130  provides a pleasing appearance and a compact size. In one embodiment, the height of the lower connector is approximately seven-sixteenths of an inch, the depth of the connector (that is, from front to back, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 1A) is approximately one-quarter of an inch, and the width of the upper portion  132  connector is approximately three-eighths of an inch. Thus, the connector is almost as wide as it is tall. Of course, other size connectors could be used as well to achieve a similarly appealing appearance in accordance with the connectors described herein. The thickness of the upper portion  132  of the lower connector  130  is about one-half the height of the buckle loop  143 . In one embodiment, the thickness is about one-sixteenth of an inch. The width of the upper portion  132  is smaller than the width of the loop  143  so that there is a loose fit in the transverse direction between the connector  130  and the buckle  140 . For example, the width of the upper portion  132  can be made about one-sixteenth of an inch less than the width of the loop  143 .  
         [0024]    The lower connector  130  also comprises a lower portion  134  configured to receive an upper portion  122  of the fitting  120 . In one embodiment, the width of the lower portion  134  is less than the width of the upper portion  132 . For example, the width of the lower portion could be about three-sixteenths of an inch. The width of the lower portion  134  is preferably configured to be slightly less than the width of a loop  124  formed by the upper portion  122  of the fitting  120 . The fitting  120  is thus securely held by the lower portion  134  of the connector  130  so that the fitting is not disconnected from the assembly  100 , which might cause the fitting and badge  110  to be lost.  
         [0025]    As discussed above, the buckle  140  also has an upper portion  146  comprising the transverse element  148  which is secured by the upper connector  150 . The transverse element  148  could be a bar, a flexible member under tension, or any other suitable load bearing element. The transverse element  148  preferably is rectangular in cross-section, as is discussed below in connection with FIG. 4.  
         [0026]    The connector  150  provides a pleasing appearance, and a compact size. In one embodiment, the height of the upper connector is about the same as the width. In a specific example of a production product, the height is approximately three-eighths of an inch, and the width of the connector is approximately three-eighths of an inch. Thus, the front elevation appearance of the connector is about square. The thickness of the lower portion  152  of the upper connector  150  is about one-half the height of the loop  149 . In one embodiment, the thickness is about one-sixteenth of an inch. The width of the lower portion  152  is smaller than the width of the loop  149  so that there is a loose fit in the transverse direction between the connector  130  and the buckle  140 . For example, the width of the lower portion  152  can be made about one-sixteenth of an inch less than the width of the loop  149 . The depth of the upper portion  154  of the upper connector  150  is approximately five-sixteenths of an inch, and the depth of the lower portion  152  of the upper connector  150  (that is, the front to back dimension as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 1A) is approximately one-quarter of an inch. Thus, the depth is at least half that of the height or the width. Of course, other size connectors could be used as well to achieve a similarly pleasing appearance.  
         [0027]    As will be discussed in more detail in connection with FIG. 2, the upper connector  150  comprises a lower section  152  configured to receive the element  148  and an upper section  154  configured to receive a portion of the lanyard  160 . Thus, the components below the connector  150  can be securely attached to the lanyard  160  and will not be lost. Advantageously, the lower portion  152  is U-shaped in order to capture the element  148 . The connector  150 , as discussed in more detail below, is preferably made of several elements that have planar surfaces.  
         [0028]    The lanyard  160  is an elongate flexible member that is configured to encircle the neck of a wearer and to be long enough for the badge  110  to hang down to an appropriate level. The length of the lanyard  160  can vary with the size of the wearer, with the size of the badge  110 , and with the application. For example, where the buckle  140  is a quick disconnect buckle, and where various items are to be attached to the fitting  120 , the length of the lanyard  160  may be shorter or longer than for applications where only a badge  110  is to be connected to the lanyard. The lanyard could also be made adjustable length, as is known in the art. The lanyard  160  can be made of a woven line of varying thickness, a chain, a cord, a strap, or any other suitable elongate line that can properly position the badge  110 .  
         [0029]    As shown in FIG. 2, the upper connector  150  has a rear, lower segment  210 , a bottom segment  220 , a front segment  230 , a top segment  240 , and a rear, upper segment  250 . A gap surface  212  is located on the outer side of the rear lower segment  210  and a gap surface  217  is located on the inner side of the rear upper segment  250 . As seen in the isometric view, the five segments  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 , and  250  form a substantially closed loop, or ring with the rear, upper segment  250  overlapping and being positioned outside of the rear, lower segment  210 . The segments  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 , and  250  define a space for receiving the lanyard  160  and a portion of the buckle  140 , as discussed above.  
         [0030]    When the lanyard-buckle-badge assembly  100  is assembled, the overlapping portion of the upper connector  150  is positioned on the back of the assembly  100 . A gap  222  is preferably created between the segment  210  and the segment  250 . The gap  222  dimension is preferably about one-sixteenth of an inch wide. Stated more generally, the gap can be made to be less than about one-half of the thickness of the lanyard  160 , and less than about one-half of the thickness of the element  148 . The gap  222  also can be eliminated entirely so that the gap surface  212  and the gap surface  217  touch each other.  
         [0031]    As seen in FIG. 2, the lower-most end  252  of the rear upper segment  250  also is preferably positioned at or below the upper-most end  254  of the rear lower segment  210 . Thus, when viewed from the back (see FIG. 1A), the end  254  cannot be seen because it is behind the segment  250 , disposed at an elevation above the end  252 . Although it is preferred that the end  254  be disposed at an elevation above the end  252 , the end  254  could be disposed at an elevation that is less than one-half the thickness of the lanyard  160  or one-half the thickness of the element  148  below the end  252 .  
         [0032]    The connector  150  also comprises a lower section  152  comprising the segments  210 ,  220 , and  230  configured to receive a portion of the buckle  140  such as the transverse element  148 . In one embodiment, at least the segment  220  is a generally flat, planar segment that fits nicely into the buckle loop  149 . In the arrangement illustrated, the segments  210  and  230  are also generally planar surfaces. In another embodiment, rather than having three segments, the lower section  152  could comprise two surfaces forming a “V” shape. Also, the lower section  152  could be a curved surface, such as a semicircle.  
         [0033]    The connector  150  further comprises an upper section  154  that comprises the segments  230 ,  240 , and  250  that is configured to receive a portion of the lanyard  160 . In one preferred embodiment of the upper section  154 , the segment  240  is formed as a semicircular internal curve dimensioned so that its internal perimeter is about equal to the width of the flat lanyard  160 , shown in FIG. 1, and as seen in FIG. 4. Of course, the shape of the segment  240  need not be semicircular. It could more generally be any curve, or even comprise one or more planar surfaces. As seen, the portions of the segments  34  and  252  that are below the curved upper segment  240  are generally flat.  
         [0034]    The connector  150  is manufactured of injection molded plastic, metal, or any other suitable material could be employed. The material should be durable enough to be used continuously for several days, months or years to connect the lanyard  160  to the buckle  140 . In addition, the material used to make the connector  150  should be relatively rigid but flexible enough to allow rapid assembly. This material flexibility will allow the ends  252 ,  254  to be deflected away from one another when either the transverse element  148  or the lanyard  160  is placed in the gap  222 . This deflection causes the dimension of the gap  222 , which is measured from the gap surface  212  to the gap surface  217 , to increase in size. The increased size of the gap  222  allows the transverse element  148  to slide between the surfaces  212 ,  217 . The increased size of the gap  222  also allows the lanyard  160  to slide between the surfaces  212 ,  217 .  
         [0035]    As seen in FIG. 3, the lower connector  130  comprises a rear lower segment  302 , a lower segment  304 , a front segment  306 , a top segment  308 , and a rear, upper segment  309 . The segment  302  includes a free end  310  and a gap surface  312  adjacent the end  310 . The segment  309  includes a free end  315  and a gap surface  317  adjacent the end  315 . As seen in FIG. 3, the segments  302 - 309  preferably form a closed loop, or ring with the end  315  preferably positioned outside of and at an elevation below the end  310 . A gap  320  is formed between the surface  312  and the surface  317  that is preferably about one-sixteenth of an inch. The gap, more generally, can be made less than about one-half of the thickness of the element  142 . The gap  320  also can be eliminated entirely so that the gap surface  312  and the gap surface  317  touch each other.  
         [0036]    As seen in FIG. 3, the lower-most end  315  of the segment  309  also is preferably positioned at an elevation below the upper-most end  310 . Thus, when viewed from the back (see FIG. 1), the end  310  cannot be seen because it is behind the segment  309 , disposed at an elevation above the end  315 . Although it is preferred that the end  310  be disposed at an elevation above the end  315 , the end  310  could be disposed at an elevation that is less than one-half the thickness of the element  142  below the end  315 .  
         [0037]    The connector  130  also comprises an upper section  132  that includes the upper portions of the segments  306  and  309  and upper segment  308 , configured to receive a portion of the buckle  140 , such as the transverse element  142  (see FIGS. 1 and 1A). In one embodiment, the segment  308  is a generally flat, planar segment that fits nicely into the buckle loop  143 . The segments  306 ,  308 , and  309  are shown as three planar surfaces, but the upper section  132  could, in another variation, comprise two surfaces forming a “V” shape, or a curved surface, such as a semicircle.  
         [0038]    The connector  130  further comprises a lower section  134  comprising the segments  302 ,  304 , and  306  configured to receive the fitting  120 . The lower segment  304  and the lower portions of the segments  302  and  306  preferably together form a short U-shaped channel in which the upper portion  122  of the fitting  120  is retained. Of course, the profile formed by the segments  302 - 306  can vary. It could more generally be any profile that retains the upper portion  122  of the fitting  120 .  
         [0039]    The connector  130  is manufactured of injection molded plastic, but metal, or any other suitable material can be employed. The material should be durable enough to be used continuously for several days, months, or years for connecting the fitting  120  to the buckle  140 . In addition, the material used to make the connector  130  should be relatively rigid but flexible enough to allow rapid assembly. In a production version of the connectors  130  and  150 , the plastic utilized is referred to as polyoxymethylene. This flexibility will allow the ends  310 ,  315  to be deflected away from one another when either the transverse element  142  or the fitting  120  is placed in the gap  320 . This deflection causes the dimension of the gap  320 , which is measured from the gap surface  312  to the gap surface  317 , to increase, which allows the transverse element  142  to slide between the surfaces  312 ,  317 . The increased size of the gap  320  also allows the fitting  120  to slide between the surfaces  312 ,  317 .  
         [0040]    In one embodiment, the connector  130  preferably also comprises a tab  335  which extends from the upper section  132  as part of the front segment  306 . The tab can extend all or part of the way across the top of the upper section  132 . The tab  335  mates with a lower surface of the buckle  140  to prevent rotation of the buckle about the upper section  132  toward the front of the connector  130 . Such rotation could possibly result in the buckle or fitting becoming wedged in the connector or disconnected from the connector  130 . Thus the tab  335  advantageously prevents that occurrence, and also helps keep the badge in proper orientation.  
         [0041]    The configuration of connectors  130 ,  150  permits a process for assembling a lanyard-buckle-badge assembly  100  that is simple and efficient. In the assembly method the badge  110  is inserted into a lower portion of a fitting  120 . Next the upper portion of the fitting  120  is inserted into a lower connector  130  through the gap  320  formed between the gap surfaces  312 ,  317  of the lower connector  130 . As described above, the gap  320  may be less than the thickness of the fitting  120 . However, as described above, the connector  130  is made of a material that is flexible enough to allow the ends  310 ,  315  to flex which causes the gap  320  to become larger. Thus, the fitting can slide through the gap and become securely positioned within the connector  130 .  
         [0042]    Next, the lower transverse element  142  of the buckle  140  is inserted into the lower connector  130  through the lower connector gap  320 . Again, the insertion of the buckle  140  may rely upon the flexibility of the connector  130 . The upper transverse element  148  of the buckle  140  then is inserted into the upper connector  150  through the gap  222  formed between the gap surfaces  212 ,  217  of the upper connector  150 . Then the lanyard  160  is inserted into the upper connector through the upper connector gap  222 . As described above, and in connection with connector  130 , the connector  150  is made of a material that is flexible enough to allow the ends  252 ,  254  to flex which causes the gap  222  to become larger. Thus, the element  148  and the lanyard  160  can slide through the gap  222  and become securely positioned within the connector  150 .  
         [0043]    The above description is given by way of example and not limitation. Given this disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention. Further, the various features of this invention can be used alone or in varying combinations with each other, and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the invention is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiment, but is to be defined by the following claims, when read in the broadest manner to preserve the validity of the claims.