U.S. patent application number 10/104981 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-25 for identification holder system.
Invention is credited to Shattuck, John.
Application Number | 20030178460 10/104981 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28040751 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030178460 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shattuck, John |
September 25, 2003 |
Identification holder system
Abstract
A non-rigid identification card holder system is provided which
can be attached to either a breakaway lanyard for holding the
identification card about the neck or to a clip for attaching the
identification card to an article of clothing. The identification
card holder comprises at least one pocket sized to hold the
identification card. In a preferred embodiment, at least one face
of the pocket comprises a transparent polymeric material to allow
easy viewing of the card. Any information contained on electronic
chips which may be part of the card can also be scanned through the
transparent material. A reinforced hole may be provided in the
pocket face through which a finger may be inserted to aid in
removing the identification card from the pocket. In another
preferred embodiment, the card holder has two back-to-back pockets
with the outer face of each pocket comprising a window of
transparent polymeric material. The identification card holder may
also provide additional pockets sized to hold ATM cards, phone
cards, credit cards, photographs, security cards etc. For improved
durability, the identification card holder may be made of a second
material such as a woven material or nylon in addition to the first
transparent polymeric material.
Inventors: |
Shattuck, John; (Erie,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENLEE WINNER AND SULLIVAN P C
5370 MANHATTAN CIRCLE
SUITE 201
BOULDER
CO
80303
US
|
Family ID: |
28040751 |
Appl. No.: |
10/104981 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/614 ;
224/269 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20130101; A45F
2005/006 20130101; A45F 2003/002 20130101; A45F 5/02 20130101; A45F
2200/0516 20130101; A45C 2001/065 20130101; A45F 2200/055 20130101;
A45C 11/182 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/614 ;
224/269 |
International
Class: |
A45F 005/00; A45F
003/02 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A system for holding at least one identification card
comprising: an identification card holder comprising at least one
pocket sized to hold the identification card; a breakaway lanyard
comprising a breakaway element; and means for slidably attaching
the identification holder to the breakaway lanyard.
2. The identification card holder system of claim 1, wherein at
least one face of the pocket comprises transparent polymeric
material, whereby the identification card can be viewed or scanned
through the transparent material.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein one face of the pocket
additionally comprises a reinforced hole through which a finger may
be inserted to aid in removing the identification card from the
pocket.
4. The identification card holder system of claim 1, wherein the
identification card holder comprises two back-to-back pockets
capable of holding identification cards.
5. The identification card holder system of claim 4, wherein the
outward face of each of the back-to-back pockets comprises
transparent polymeric material, whereby identification cards can be
viewed or scanned through the transparent material.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the outward face of each of the
back-to-back pockets additionally comprises a reinforced hole
through which a finger may be inserted to aid in removing the
identification cards from the pocket.
7. The system of claim 5 wherein the identification card holder
comprises additional pockets.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the breakaway element comprises a
piece of flexible piece of polymeric tubing which is sized to fit
closely around the ends of the lanyard inserted therein.
9. The system of claim 1 additionally comprising a slide to adjust
lanyard length.
10. The system of claim 1 additionally comprising a clip and means
for attaching the identification card holder to the clip wherein
the means for slidably attaching the identification card holder to
the breakaway lanyard is reversibly interchangeable with the means
for attaching the identification card holder to the clip.
11. An identification card holder system comprising an
identification card holder comprising at least one pocket sized to
hold the identification card, the pocket comprising a first
material which is a transparent polymer sheet and a second material
which is a woven material or leather; a breakaway lanyard; and
means for slidably attaching the identification holder to the
breakaway lanyard.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein one face of the pocket
additionally comprises a reinforced hole through which a finger may
be inserted to aid in removing the identification card from the
pocket.
13. The identification card holder system of claim 11, wherein the
identification card holder comprises two back-to-back pockets
capable of holding identification cards.
14. The identification card holder system of claim 14, wherein the
outward face of each of the back-to-back pockets comprises the
first transparent material, whereby the identification card can be
viewed or through the transparent material.
15. The system of claim 11 wherein the breakaway element comprises
a piece of flexible piece of polymeric tubing which is sized to fit
closely around the ends of the lanyard inserted therein.
16. The system of claim 11 additionally comprising a clip and means
for attaching the identification card holder to the clip wherein
the means for slidably attaching the identification card holder to
the breakaway lanyard is reversibly interchangeable with the means
for attaching the identification card holder to the clip.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Commercially available protective identification card
holders or badge holders include both holders which are used
primarily for display of the identification card and holders which
are used primarily for storage of the identification card, such as
wallet-style holders. A non-rigid display-type identification card
or badge holder is typically made wholly of flexible plastic and
has a single pocket which substantially encloses the card, but
allows removal of the card at one edge of the pocket. The card
holder often is provided with a slot and/or holes spaced away from
the pocket for connection to a neck lanyard, clip, pin, or other
attachment device. An attachment device such as a clip may also be
attached directly to the holder. Such plastic holders are subject
to tearing at the edges of the pocket and at the point(s) of
connection to the display device. A single pocket holder also does
not allow separated storage of either multiple identification cards
or of an identification card with another card such as a credit
card. Separated storage of multiple cards allows the cards to be
more easily organized. In general, separated storage of multiple
cards also allows proper operation of cards containing magnetic
information.
[0002] Seron (U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,477) discloses a breakaway
lanyard loop containing a breakaway element which defines a weak
point in the loop. When sufficient force is applied to the loop,
the loop will open at the breakaway element. Seron's FIG. 1 shows
that the breakaway lanyard may be attached to an identification
card by a mounting element such as a hook. Seron teaches that the
mounting element should be at a fixed location on the loop.
Depending on the placement of the breakaway element, having a fixed
mounting element can limit adjustment of the loop size to fit a
wearer. Seron does not appear to address protective covers or
holders for identification cards. Different breakaway elements are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,379,928, 5,533,238, and
6,073,317.
[0003] The present invention provides an attractive, durable,
non-rigid identification card holder which is capable of being
connected to either a breakaway lanyard or a clip. The
identification card holder may optionally provide separated storage
for more than one identification card or for one or more
identification cards and other cards such as credit, ATM, or phone
cards. Separated storage of multiple cards allows more convenient
organization of the cards and in general allows proper operation of
cards containing magnetic information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is in the field of non-rigid
identification card holders, especially holder systems which can be
attached to either a breakaway lanyard for holding the
identification card about the neck or to a clip for attaching the
identification card to an article of clothing.
[0005] The present invention provides a system for holding at least
one identification card. The system allows a non-rigid
identification card holder to be either attached to a breakaway
lanyard for holding the identification card about the neck or to be
attached to a clip for securing the identification card to an
article of clothing. In general, breakaway lanyards are safer than
non-breakaway lanyards since they prevent choking of the wearer. In
a preferred embodiment, the breakaway lanyard makes noise when the
lanyard loop is opened, thus alerting the wearer of possible loss
or theft of the identification card holder.
[0006] The identification card holder comprises at least one pocket
sized to hold the identification card. In a preferred embodiment,
at least one face of the pocket comprises a transparent polymeric
material to allow easy viewing of the card. If the card is a smart
card containing electronically coded information, e.g. on an
electronic chip, the card can also be scanned or read through the
transparent material by a smart card reader. A reinforced hole, for
example a thumb slide, may be provided in one pocket face through
which a finger may be inserted to aid in removing the
identification card from the pocket. In another preferred
embodiment, the card holder has two back-to-back pockets with the
outer face of each pocket comprising a window of transparent
polymeric material. These two pockets provide separated storage for
two identification cards. The identification card holder may also
provide additional pockets sized to hold ATM cards, phone cards,
credit cards, security cards, photographs, etc.
[0007] For improved durability, the identification card holder may
be made of a second material such as a woven material or leather in
addition to the first transparent polymeric material. It is
preferred that the means for attachment of the breakaway lanyard or
clip connects to a portion of the information card holder made of
this second, more durable material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of information card
holder system of the invention. The card holder is attached to a
breakaway lanyard.
[0009] FIG. 1B illustrates the interior of the opened card holder
of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 1C illustrates the card holder of FIG. 1 attached to an
alligator clip rather than a breakaway lanyard.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides a system for holding at least
one identification card. As used herein, the term "identification
card" encompasses cards, tags, or badges which carry identifying
information. An identification card can have information encoded on
it within a magnetic stripe or within an electronic chip, in which
case it may also be called a smart card or proximity card.
Information encoded on a smart card is typically scanned or read
with a smart card reader.
[0012] The present invention provides an identification card holder
system which can be attached to either a breakaway lanyard for
holding the identification card about the neck or to a clip,
preferably an alligator clip, for attaching the identification card
to an article of clothing. FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate one embodiment of
an identification card holder system of the invention. The
identification card (1) is contained within an identification card
holder (10). In FIG. 1A, attachment means (50) slidably attach
holder (10) to breakaway lanyard (70). In FIG. 1C, clip attachment
means (80) attach holder (10) to alligator clip (90).
[0013] In general, the card holder comprises at least one pocket
sized to hold an identification card. It is preferred that at least
one face of the pocket comprises a transparent polymeric material
to allow easy viewing of the card. Any information contained on
electronic chips which may be part of the card can also be scanned
through the transparent material. The pocket face may be formed
wholly of transparent material or may have only a window of
transparent material. The card holder shown in FIGS. 1A-1C has
front and back flaps which fold over each other and fasten
together. The front flap of the card holder has two back-to-back
pockets which share a common inner face.
[0014] The card holder preferably comprises a first material which
is transparent polymer sheet and a second material which is a woven
material or leather. For improved durability of the holder, it is
preferred that the second material be more durable than the first.
In a preferred embodiment, the second material is 500 denier nylon.
The transparent polymeric material is preferably used only in
making the pockets.
[0015] FIG. 1A shows the front flap (20) of the card holder (10)
with exterior pocket (22) containing identification card (1). The
exterior pocket has two faces, an outer face (24) and an inner face
((35) in FIG. 1B). Preferably, the outer face (24) comprises a
durable transparent polymeric material. In FIG. 1A, the outer face
(24) is shown as containing a reinforced hole (26) through which a
finger may be inserted to more easily remove the identification
card from the exterior pocket. This reinforced hole may also be
termed a thumb slide. The hole may be reinforced by deforming the
material immediately surrounding the hole during manufacture of the
pocket face (24). The inner face of exterior pocket (22) may be of
any durable, flexible material which does not stretch such as a
woven material or leather. The inner and outer faces of exterior
pocket (22) may be joined by sewing or by other means as known to
the art. The edges of the pocket faces may be covered. For example,
the edges of a pocket may be bound with fabric tape prior to
sewing. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the exterior pocket
(22) does not open to the exterior side of the front flap. Instead,
the card in exterior pocket (22) is inserted or removed from the
interior side of the front flap. The front flap fastens to the back
flap. Any fastener known to the art such as snaps or hook-loop
material may be used, In FIGS. 1A-1C, snaps (28) join the front
flap (20) to the back flap ((40) in FIG. 1B and described
below).
[0016] FIG. 1B shows the card holder opened to reveal its interior.
The interior of the front flap (20) has an interior pocket (32). To
reveal more of the pocket structure, no card is shown in interior
pocket (32). Preferably, the outer face (34) of interior pocket
(32) comprises a durable transparent polymeric material. The outer
face (34) may also contain a reinforced hole (26). Exterior pocket
(22) (FIG. 1A) and interior pocket (32) share a common inner face
(35). Therefore, exterior pocket (22) and interior pocket (32) form
back-to-back pockets which provide separated storage of
identification cards. Separated storage of multiple cards allows
the cards to be more easily organized. In general, separated
storage of multiple cards allows proper operation of cards
containing magnetic information. However, in some circumstances a
smart card reader may not read the desired card correctly if smart
cards are placed in both of the back-to-back pockets. The interior
pocket (32) may be constructed in a similar manner to the exterior
pocket (22). The interior of back flap (40) has an upper pocket
(42) and a lower pocket (44). In the embodiment of FIG. 1B, the
outer face of the upper pocket provides the inner face of the lower
pocket. Cards stored in pockets (42) and (44) are thus separated
from one another. The upper and lower pockets may be sized to
accommodate smaller cards such as ATM, phone and credit cards. FIG.
1B also shows the fold line (100) which separates the two
flaps.
[0017] The means for slidably attaching the identification card
holder to the breakaway lanyard allows the identification holder to
move along the lanyard. The identification holder not being held at
a fixed point on the lanyard allows more convenient adjustment of
the lanyard to fit the size of the wearer. FIG. 1A shows one
embodiment of attachment means (50) for slidably attaching the
identification card holder (10) to the breakaway lanyard (70). For
improved durability, attachment means (50) preferably connect to a
part of the card holder which is made of leather or woven material.
In FIG. 1A, attachment means (50) comprises a loop of cord (52)
threaded through one end (54) of a side release buckle assembly and
a webbing loop (58) threaded through the other end (56) of the side
release buckle assembly. The loop of cord (52) may be sewn to the
identification holder (10) or may be attached by other means as
known to the art. Breakaway lanyard (70) is threaded through the
webbing loop (58). Preferably, the means for slidably attaching the
identification holder to the breakaway lanyard incorporates a
reversible fastener which allows the lanyard to be reversibly
removed from the identification holder and replaced with a clip
attachment, e.g. an alligator clip attachment. As shown in FIG. 1A,
the reversible fastener can be a side release buckle assembly.
Other types of reversible fasteners, such as clips, snaps or
hook-loop material, may also be used. Attachment of the
identification card holder to the reversible fastener can be
achieved by cord, webbing, and/or metal or plastic rings, or by
other means known to the art. Attachment of the breakaway lanyard
to the reversible fastener can be also achieved by cord, webbing,
and/or rings, so long as the attachment allows the sliding movement
of the lanyard with respect to the identification card holder.
[0018] As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the breakaway lanyard (70)
comprises a breakaway element (72) which defines a weak point at
which the loop may be opened and pulled from the wearer. A variety
of breakaway elements are known to the art. Preferably, the
breakaway element of the invention comprises a piece of flexible
piece of polymeric tubing which is sized to fit closely around the
ends of the lanyard inserted therein. The ends of the lanyard may
require stiffening to facilitate their insertion into the tubing.
This particular form of breakaway element makes a popping noise
when the loop is opened, thus alerting the wearer of possible loss
or theft of the identification card holder. This form of breakaway
element also provides a reattachable breakaway joint which opens at
a reproducible applied force. The lanyard may be a cord, ribbon,
chain, strap or other material suitable for supporting the
identification card holder, so long as it can be fitted with a
breakaway element. Suitable breakaway lanyards may be obtained from
Westec Inc., Carriere, Miss. The breakaway lanyard (70) may also be
provided with a cord slide (74) for convenient adjustment of the
size of the loop formed by the lanyard.
[0019] The identification card holder may also be removed from the
breakaway lanyard and connected to a clip as shown in FIG. 1C. In
FIG. 1C, attachment means (80) comprises a loop of cord (52)
threaded through one end (54) of a standard side release buckle
assembly which is mated with the other end (57) of the assembly.
The other end (57) of the assembly is directly connected to
alligator clip (90). Preferably, the means for slidably attaching
the identification holder to the breakaway lanyard incorporates a
reversible fastener which allows the lanyard to be reversibly
removed from the identification holder and replaced with an
alligator clip attachment. As shown in FIG. 1C, the reversible
fastener can be a side release buckle assembly. Other types of
reversible fasteners, such as clips, snaps or hook-loop material,
may also be used. Attachment of the identification card holder to
the reversible fastener can be achieved by cord, webbing, and/or
metal or plastic rings, or by other means known to the art. The
alligator clip may be directly attached to the reversible fastener
as shown in FIG. 1C or cord, webbing, and/or rings can be used.
[0020] The disclosure is provided for illustrative purposes and is
not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed herein.
Any variations in the exemplified articles which occur to the
skilled artisan are intended to fall within the scope of the
present invention.
* * * * *