Patent Publication Number: US-7905036-B2

Title: Holder for wearing by a user, slidably, replaceably, and visibly holding an ID card, and replaceably and visibly holding at least one specifically configured charm

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Field of the Invention 
     The embodiments of the present invention relate to a device for holding an ID card, and more particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a holder for wearing by a user, slidably, replaceably, and visibly holding an ID card, and replaceably and visibly holding at least one specifically configured charm. 
     B. Description of the Prior Art 
     In this day and age, security is of the utmost importance. Corporations and businesses have long used laminated ID cards as a quick and easy way of identifying a person, as well as a person&#39;s clearance for their premises. A quick look at an ID card suspended from a person&#39;s neck, pocket, or lapel assures that he/she has been cleared, and that he/she has permission to remain on the premises. 
     In the past, ID cards have frequently been strung from utilitarian lanyards made of cheap materials, such as ball or beaded chain, and cotton or nylon material. A hook or badge clip is then slipped onto the loop of the lanyard, and the entire device is then suspended from a person&#39;s neck. Lanyards are frequently used as a casual way of carrying not only ID tags, but also small and easily suspended items, such as dorm-room keys. Alternatively, a badge clip may also be independently used to suspend an ID card from a piece of clothing, such as a pocket or a lapel, and this approach is favored in many corporations and agencies. 
     Numerous innovations for badge holders have been provided in the prior art, which will be described below in chronological order to show advancement in the art, and which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the embodiments of the present invention in that they do not teach a holder for wearing by a user, slidably, replaceably, and visibly holding an ID card, and replaceably and visibly holding at least one specifically configured charm. 
     (1) U.S. Pat. No. 2,441,002 to Berglund. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,441,002 issued to Berglund on May 4, 1948 in class 40 and subclass 16 teaches an employee badge including a first apertured plate including two bonded transparent plastic laminae and an opaque first sheet bearing indicia bonded between the laminae. The sheet terminates along one edge in substantially spaced relation from the adjacent edge of the bonded laminae providing an extensive transparent zone in the laminae. A second registeringly apertured plate includes two similar laminae and an opaque second sheet bearing indicia bonded therebetween. A detachable fastening apparatus for clamping the plates together with the second plate is disposed behind the first plate, with the second sheet indicia behind the transparent zone. The fastening apparatus is disposed in the registering apertures and includes a button at the front end thereof interchangeable with other similar buttons. The button is of a color contrasting with the background of the badge surrounding the apertures. 
     (2) U.S. Pat. No. 2,650,444 to Coyle et al. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,650,444 issued to Coyle et al. on Sep. 1, 1953 in class 40 and subclass 16 teaches a display card holder including a sheet of transparent, elastomeric, and waterproof material having an edge portion doubled over and integrally bonded to opposing portions of the sheet to define a generally rectangular and water-tight pocket opening upwardly of the holder. A second sheet of the material defines with the first sheet a second generally rectangular and water-tight pocket opening downwardly of the holder. The second sheet has an edge portion closing the opening of the first pocket and defining with the doubled-over portion the opening of the second pocket. The doubled-over portion and second sheet have overlapping side edge portions secured together in an integral lower edge portion of the second sheet. 
     (3) U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,827 to Grosso. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,827 issued to Grosso on Nov. 10, 1992 in class 283 and subclass 77 teaches a transparent insert holder adapted to receive and protect cards, such as photographs, permits, and the like. The insert holder includes first and second four-edged plastic cover sheets for forming front and back surfaces of the insert holder. The first plastic cover sheet has a predetermined-sized transparent window therein defined by a surrounding non-transparent area. A four-edged, double-sided frame is positioned between the first and second plastic sheets for securing the first and second sheets to opposing front and back sides of the frame to form the holder. The frame has a pressure sensitive adhesive coating on its front and back surfaces. The first cover sheet is secured to the frame by the pressure-sensitive adhesive to completely enclose one of the front and back surfaces of the frame. The second cover sheet is secured to the other one of the front and back surfaces of the frame along a first edge segment of the frame and unattached to a second edge segment of the frame whereby the second cover sheet is hinged to the frame to form a flap covering the frame, which can be flexed away from the frame to insert a card thereunder and into the frame opening. A release liner apparatus covers the adhesive on the second edge segment of the frame and is covered by the second cover sheet to protect the adhesive until assembly of the frame in the cover sheets. 
     (4) U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,501 to Mathews. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,501 issued to Mathews on Oct. 7, 1997 in class 36 and subclass 136 teaches an article of footwear, which includes a shoe with a sole and an upper, a toy element, and a snap attachment assembly including cooperating male and female components. The female component is attached to the shoe. The cooperating male component is attached to the ornamental article, which is thus removably assembled with the shoe by cooperative snap engagement of the female and cooperating male components of the snap attachment assembly. In preferred embodiments, one or several ornamental articles are interchangeably displayed on shoes and on fashion display accessories, e.g., bracelets, barrettes, chains, and pendants. 
     (5) U.S. Pat. No. D467,965 S to Haas. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D467,965 S issued to Haas on Dec. 31, 2002 in class D19 and subclass 10 teaches an ornamental design for a security pass. 
     (6) U.S. Pat. No. 7,257,967 B2 to Rheinstein. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,257,967 B2 issued to Rheinstein on Aug. 21, 2007 in class 63 and subclass 40 teaches a fine jewelry chain made of precious metal, base metal, or metal alloy, and which may be used by day as an ID card holder in the form of a necklace, bracelet, belt, or watch-type chain, and by night as a piece of decorative jewelry in the form of a necklace, bracelet, belt, or watch-type chain. The chain includes a looped metal clasp that may be used to hold an ID card, a transparent ID card holder, a pendant, or a charm, or to secure the necklace to itself, thus creating a double-stranded “choker” style of necklace. The chain may also be worn in the lapel, draped through belt-loops, or otherwise strung around a portion of clothing or of the body. Decorative charms may also be purchased, with the chain threaded through the charms to create a more unique or individual piece of jewelry. The ID cards and charms strung from the chain may also incorporate embedded chip technology, which would allow for the download and storage of personal security information. 
     It is apparent that numerous innovations for badge holders have been provided in the prior art, which are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the embodiments of the present invention as heretofore described, namely, a holder for wearing by a user, slidably, replaceably, and visibly holding an ID card, and replaceably and visibly holding at least one specifically configured charm. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, it is an object of the embodiments of the present invention to provide a holder for wearing by a user, slidably, replaceably, and visibly holding an ID card, and replaceably and visibly holding at least one specifically configured charm, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     Briefly stated, another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a holder for wearing by a user, slidably, replaceably, and visibly holding an ID card, and replaceably and visibly holding at least one specifically configured charm. The holder includes a frame, a first apparatus allowing the holder to be worn by the user, a second apparatus slidably, replaceably, and visibly holding the ID card, and a third apparatus replaceably and visibly holding the at least one specifically configured charm. 
     The novel features considered characteristic of the embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The embodiments of the present invention themselves, however, both as to their construction and to their method of operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures of the drawings are briefly described as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the holder of the embodiments of the present invention being worn by a user, slidably, replaceably, and visibly holding an ID card, and replaceably and visibly holding at least one specifically configured charm; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of the holder of the embodiments of the present invention, the ID card, and the at least one specifically configured charm, shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged diagrammatic side elevational view taken generally in the direction of ARROW  3  in  FIG. 2  of one specifically configured charm. 
     
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING 
     A. General 
     
         
           10  holder of embodiments of present invention for wearing by user  12 , slidably, replaceably, and visibly holding ID card  14 , and replaceably and visibly holding at least one specifically configured charm  16   
           12  user 
           14  ID card 
           16  at least one specifically configured charm 
       
    
     B. Overall Configuration of Holder  10   
     
         
           18  frame 
           20  first apparatus for allowing holder  10  to be worn by user  12   
           22  second apparatus for slidably, replaceably, and visibly holding ID card  14   
           24  third apparatus for replaceably and visibly holding at least one specifically configured charm  16 
 
(1) Specific Configuration of Frame  18 .
 
           26  pair of long sides of frame  18   
           28  pair of short sides of frame  18   
           30  back face of frame  18   
           32  front face of frame  18 
 
(2) Specific Configuration of First Apparatus  20 .
 
           34  first pair of through slots  34  of frame  18  for receiving clip  36  for clipping holder  10  to user  12   
           36  clip for clipping holder  10  to user  12 
 
(3) Specific Configuration of Second Apparatus  22 .
 
           38  second through slot of frame  18  for receiving ID card  14   
           40  window of frame  18   
           42  track of frame  18  for allowing ID card  14  to be slid through second through slot  38  in frame  18  and ride along track  42  in frame  18  until ID card  14  is properly displayed in window  40  of frame  18 
 
(4) Specific Configuration of Third Apparatus  24 .
 
           44  plurality of through bores of frame  18  for allowing at least one specifically configured charm  16  to be held replaceably and visibly
 
(5) Specific Configuration of Each at Least One Specifically Configured Charm  16 .
 
           46  body of each specifically configured charm of at least one specifically configured charm  16   
           48  nipple of each specifically configured charm of at least one specifically configured charm  16   
           50  front face of body  46  of each specifically configured charm of at least one specifically configured charm  16   
           52  back face of body  46  of each specifically configured charm of at least one specifically configured charm  16   
           54  bulbous free end of nipple  48  of each specifically configured charm of at least one specifically configured charm  16   
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A. General 
     Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , which is a diagrammatic perspective view of the holder of the embodiments of the present invention being worn by a user, slidably, replaceably, and visibly holding an ID card, and replaceably and visibly holding at least one specifically configured charm, the holder of the embodiments of the present invention is shown generally at  10  for wearing by a user  12 , slidably, replaceably, and visibly holding an ID card  14 , and replaceably and visibly holding at least one specifically configured charm  16 . 
     B. The Overall Configuration of the Holder  10   
     The overall configuration of the holder  10  can best be seen in  FIG. 2 , which is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of the holder of the embodiments of the present invention, the ID card, and the at least one specifically configured charm, shown in  FIG. 1 , and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     The holder  10  comprises a frame  18 , a first apparatus  20  for allowing the holder  10  to be worn by the user  12 , a second apparatus  22  for slidably, replaceably, and visibly holding the ID card  14 , and a third apparatus  24  for replaceably and visibly holding the at least one specifically configured charm  16 . 
     (1) The Specific Configuration of the Frame  18 . 
     The frame  18  is flexible, thin, substantially flat, generally rectangularly-shaped, and has a pair of long sides  26 , a pair of short sides  28  that are shorter than the pair of long sides  26  of the frame  18 , respectively, a back face  30 , and a front face  32 . 
     The frame  18  is made of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber and closed cell resin. 
     (2) The Specific Configuration of the First Apparatus  20 . 
     The first apparatus  20  includes the frame  18  having a first pair of through slots  34  for allowing the holder  10  to be worn by the user  12 . 
     One first through slot  34  extends inwardly of, and in a direction of, one long side  26  of the frame  18  and is for receiving a clip  36  for clipping the holder  10  to the user  12  when the ID card  14  is displayed horizontally. 
     The other first through slot  34  extends inwardly of, and in a direction of, one short side  28  of the frame  18  and is for receiving the clip  36  for clipping the holder  10  to the user  12  when the ID card  14  is displayed vertically. 
     (3) The Specific Configuration of the Second Apparatus  22 . 
     The second apparatus  22  includes the frame  18  having a second through slot  38 , a window  40 , and a track  42  for allowing the ID card  14  to be slidably, replaceably, and visibly held. 
     The second through slot  38  extends through one short side  28  of the frame  18 , and is for receiving the ID card  14 . 
     The window  40  in the frame  18  is cut-out through the front face  32  of the frame  18 , and communicates with the second through slot  38  in the frame  18 . 
     The track  42  is generally U-shaped and opens into the second through slot  38  in the frame  18  for allowing the ID card  14  to be slid through the second through slot  38  in the frame  18  and ride along the track  42  in the frame  18  until the ID card  14  is properly displayed in the window  40  of the frame  18 . 
     (4) The Specific Configuration of the Third Apparatus  24 . 
     The third apparatus  24  includes the frame  18  having a plurality of through bores  44  for allowing the at least one specifically configured charm  16  to be held replaceably and visibly. 
     The plurality of through bores  44  extend inwardly of one long side  26  of the frame  18  and straddle the one first through slot  34  through the frame  18 . 
     (5) The Specific Configuration of Each at Least One Specifically Configured Charm  16 . 
     The specific configuration of each at least one specifically configured charm  16  can best be seen in  FIG. 3 , which is an enlarged diagrammatic side elevational view taken generally in the direction of ARROW  3  in  FIG. 2  of one specifically configured charm, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     Each specifically configured charm  16  is one-piece and includes a body  46  and a nipple  48 . 
     The body  46  of each specifically configured charm  16  is thin, and has a front face  50  and a back face  52 . 
     The nipple  48  of each specifically configured charm  16  extends axially from the back face  52  of the body  46  of an associated specifically configured charm  16  and terminates in a bulbous free end  54 . The bulbous free end  54  of the nipple  48  of each specifically configured charm  16  can be disk-shaped (shown in phantom in  FIG. 3 ), and is resiliently received within an associated second through bore  44  in the frame  18 , sort of popped-in, so as to allow the front face  50  of the body  46  of each specifically configured charm  16  to be displayed. 
     C. The Conclusions 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. 
     While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described as embodied in a holder for wearing by a user, slidably and replaceably holding an ID card, and replaceably and visibly holding at least one specifically configured charm, however, they are not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated and their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the embodiments of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the embodiments of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt them for various applications without omitting features from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.