Patent ID: 12207623

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS.1-29, a carrier assembly10includes a front cover12, a rear cover14and a retainer ring16therebetween. The carrier assembly10is adapted for carrying both an engraved/engravable pet tag18and an electronic tracking device or component20(shown here in the form of an AirTag®).

The front cover12defines a recess22for receiving the pet tag18. The recess22defines a window22athrough which the pet tag can be viewed and includes retention barbs22bor other features that interact with edge portions of the pet tag18to hold the pet tag18in the recess22. Here, the recess and window shape is of dog bone configuration, but the configuration could vary widely to match whatever pet tag shape is used or desired (e.g., round, oval, rectangular etc.). The pet tag18is insertable by pushing into the recess22past the barbs22b. The front cover also includes a recess24for receiving the electronic tracking component20. Here, the recess24is a radially inward facing recess that receives an edge portion of the electronic tracking component20for seating of the component.

Notably, the retainer ring16is rotatable between a release position (e.g.,FIGS.9-13and20A) and a retention position (e.g.,FIGS.1and20B). In the retention position of the retainer ring16, the rear cover14is retained adjacent the front cover12and retainer ring16for holding the electronic tracking component20in the recess24. In the release position of the retainer ring16, the rear cover14is released to enable the rear cover14to be separated from the front cover12and retainer ring16, such as for the purpose of inserting or removing the component20and/or pet tag18. Here, the front cover12includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pockets26at its rear side, and the rear cover14includes a corresponding plurality of clips28that protrude forwardly and are inserted in the pockets26. The retainer ring16includes a plurality of retaining rim parts29, which extend radially inward. In the retention position of the retainer ring16, the retaining rim parts29overlie, axially, retention portions28aof the clips28to prevent the clips28from being pulled axially out of the pockets26. In the release position of the retainer ring16, the retaining rim parts29are rotationally offset from the retention portions28aof the clips28to allow the clips to be pulled out of the pockets26, thus enabling separation of the rear cover14.

A detent feature30is provided for releasably holding the retainer ring in the release position. Here, the detent feature30is formed by a projecting rib30aon the front cover and a corresponding recess30binto which the rib30aseats when the retention ring is in the release position. A further detent feature32is provided for releasably holding the retainer ring16in the retention position. Here, the detent feature32is formed by a projection32a(e.g., hemispherical) on a face of the rear cover14and an opening32bon the retainer ring16, such that the projections32acan seat in the opening32b.

Here, the front cover12includes a radially outward facing groove34in which the retainer ring is seated to inhibit separation of the retainer ring from the front cover. The groove34is bounded by a barb feature or features36for the purpose of this retention. The front cover12also includes tabs38that align with portions29of the retainer ring16, when the retainer ring is in the retention position, for holding of the retainer ring adjacent the front cover when the retainer ring is in the retention position. In addition, the front cover includes circumferentially spaced apart stops40and42(e.g., here ribs) that limit rotation of the retainer ring16relative to the front cover12such that the retainer ring16can only rotate a set rotational amount to move between the retention position and the release position. The set rotational amount is less than ninety degrees, such as sixty degrees or less. The stop40interacts with rim edge29awhen the retainer ring is in the release position, preventing further rotation of the retainer ring away from the retention position. The stop42interacts with rim edge29bwhen the retainer ring is in the release position, preventing further rotation of the retainer ring away from the release position.

The front cover12includes a forked projection50defining a slot50aand the rear cover14includes a forked projection52, aligned with the forked projection50, and defining a slot52a. The retainer ring16includes a projection54with an opening54afor receiving a carrier ring (e.g., to be used for connection to a pet collar). When the retainer ring is in the retention position, the opening54aaligns with the slots50aand50b, such that a carrier ring56(e.g., perFIG.1) positioned in the opening54awill interact with the forks of the projections50,52to further inhibit rotation of the retainer ring toward the release position.

In use, the retainer ring16may be engaged onto the front cover12and shipped in this engaged manner, along with the separate rear cover14for customer use. The customer first inserts an engraved tag18from the rear side and into the recess22, beyond the barbs22bfor retention in the recess22. The customer next inserts the electronic tracking component20from the rear side until the component engages with the recess24to provide some retention of the component with the front cover12and retainer ring16. Next, with the retainer ring16in the release position, the customer pushes the rear cover14into contact with the front cover12and retainer ring by aligning the forked projections50and52so that the clips28of the rear cover are aligned with and move into the pockets26of the front cover. The customer then rotates the retainer ring from the release position to the retention position, locking the assembly together, such that the rear cover cannot be pulled away. A carrier ring can then be attached through the opening54afor use in attaching the assembly to a pet collar.

Per the depiction inFIG.3, the rear cover defines an access window14athrough which the electronic tracking component20can be accessed. Where the face of the component20includes a removable battery cover20a, as here, the window allows the user to remove the battery cover20a(e.g., by rotation) for batter replacement, without requiring the carrier to be disassembled.

It is to be clearly understood that the above description is intended by way of illustration and example only, is not intended to be taken by way of limitation, and that other changes and modifications are possible.