U.S. patent application number 11/743643 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-06 for data card holder.
Invention is credited to Bernard L. Friedman.
Application Number | 20080272010 11/743643 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39938783 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080272010 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Friedman; Bernard L. |
November 6, 2008 |
DATA CARD HOLDER
Abstract
A data card holder for rapid releasable insertion and capture of
a compact data storage card containing emergency medical and
personal information, including a front cover plate defining an
opening and a void for releasable insertion and capture of a data
card.
Inventors: |
Friedman; Bernard L.;
(Sonoma, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAINBROOK & STAINBROOK, LLP
412 AVIATION BOULEVARD, SUITE H
SANTA ROSA
CA
95403
US
|
Family ID: |
39938783 |
Appl. No.: |
11/743643 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/39.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/39.6 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/18 20060101
A45C011/18 |
Claims
1. A data card holder having a bottom portion and a top portion,
said apparatus comprising: a front cover plate having a partial
perimeter wall; a back cover plate having a partial perimeter wall
with substantially the same dimensions as the front cover plate
partial wall; fastening means to attach said front cover plate and
said back cover plate; wherein at least one of said cover plates
includes interior data card port walls conforming generally to the
shape of the data card intended for use said data card holder; and
wherein when said front and back cover plates are attached with
said fastening means, said partial perimeter walls are approximated
and said cover plates define an opening at the bottom portion of
said data card holder, as well as an interior void within said data
card holder, such that a data card can be accommodated and
removably inserted into and captured within said data card port
walls.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including retention means for
capturing and retaining a data card removably inserted into the
opening in the bottom portion of said data card holder.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said retention means is
selected from the group consisting of ramps, springs, and resilient
material, said retention means disposed on an interior surface of
at least one of said cover plates.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said data card port walls are
shaped to accept and retain a compact non-volatile data storage
device.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the data storage device is a
compact data storagee card selected from the group consisting of
compact flash cards, secure digital cards, multimedia cards, smart
media cards, secure digital picture cards, microdrives, and memory
sticks.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said data card holder includes
through holes disposed through each of said cover plates in said
top portion so as to provide means for inserting a chain for
hanging said apparatus around a wearer's neck.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said data card holder includes
through holes disposed through each of said cover plates in said
top portion so as to provide means for inserting a chain for
hanging said apparatus around a wearer's neck.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further
includes mounting means for mounting said apparatus on a band
suitable for wearing on a wearer's wrist.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each of said front and back
cover plates include a slight matching curvature to conform to the
curvature of the wearer's wrist when worn.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said front cover plate has a
substantially planer front side.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said back cover plate has a
substantially planar rear side.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fastening means
comprises adhesive applied to contact surfaces on said partial
perimeter walls of said front and back cover plates.
Description
SEQUENCE LISTING
[0001] Not applicable.
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] Not applicable. The present application is an original and
first filed United States Utility Patent Application.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0003] Not applicable.
THE NAMES OR PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0004] Not applicable.
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0005] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] 1. Field of the Invention
[0007] The present invention relates generally to devices worn on
the person for holding personal and medical information, and more
particularly to a housing configured as a dog tag or a bracelet for
holding personal and medical information.
[0008] 2. Discussion of Related Art Including Information Disclosed
Under 37 CFR .sctn..sctn.1.97, 1.98:
[0009] It is well known that persons vulnerable to sudden threats
to health and those liable to becoming lost or somehow
incapacitated may wear apparatus that contains or provides
important medical and personal information relating to the wearer.
Several recently issued patents show various devices for holding,
carrying, and providing personal and medical information on an
electronic storage medium.
[0010] For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,127, to Michel, teaches an
internally-illuminated medical data card in a credit card format
containing a summary of the medical history of the bearer germane
to his existing medical condition. The card, which is of laminated
construction, includes a core panel formed by front and rear
plastic sections having light-transmitting properties, a metallized
layer functioning as a double-faced mirror being sandwiched
therebetween. Nested in the respective faces of the core sections
are front and rear film transparencies containing medical data in a
directly legible scale, the combined data affording the required
summary. The long edges and one end of each core section are in a
concave formation to define reflective convex terminations whereby
light entering the remaining flat end is transmitted through the
section is reflected by the convex terminations and by the mirror
to provide multiple internal reflection, causing the light to
illuminate the transparencies to enhance their readability.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,747,561 to Reeves, shows a bodily worn
device which provides the wearer's medical records in a digital
format. The records include such information as drug prescriptions,
medical history, organ donor instructions, and personal
identification for use in an emergency or routine medical
situation. Embodiments include an electronic dog-tag for military
and law enforcement applications. The device includes: an outer
safety shell, in the form of a medallion, or watch with markings
which identify it as a medical device, and a digital storage media
such as a computer chip or high density silicon media, and
non-contact wireless electrical power to the device and non-contact
wireless retrieval of records. Security features include encrypted
software and user password for medical records confidentially. The
invention includes features for retrieving and displaying stored
records on computer screens via a wireless interface wand or by
providing access to a central website via the Internet with use of
a user serial number password.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,502,060 to Christian, discloses a clock for
the attachment of a dog's collar or the like that indicates the
passage of time according to the dog's or pet's frame of reference.
For example, the rate of passage of time may be such that for each
human day of time passage, seven dog or pet days are reflected by
the clock's display. Additional data, displays, and information may
be carried, manipulated, entered and chosen by the use of user
control buttons or the like. A battery may supply power to internal
circuitry that drives a display of liquid crystals (LCD). The data
carried by the pet chronometer and identification tag may be held
in EEPROM such that a power failure does not erase the data. This
is particularly useful for any health data or contact information
that is incorporated or recorded into the pet chronometer and
identification tag.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,742 to Klink, shows a medical
identification bracelet which has electronic circuitry to display
detailed, patient medical information. The bracelet is formatted
using a programming station (PC) into which is entered up to 16 k
bits of medical & personal information about an individual. The
programming station transfers the formatted information to the
bracelet via an infra-red interface device. The medical
identification bracelet has an LCD view screen which displays, in a
scrolling fashion, data when a button is pushed. The information
may be scrolled in either direction, paused and set to free run.
All information is available at the display. The character size is
selected to be visible to the unaided eye. The display is
illuminated for low light reading.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,988 to Kraus, teaches a system of
identification for persons having special needs. The system
includes an identification tag having a unique identifier for a
wearer and a wearer resistant squeeze-and-turn buckle for
associating the tag with the wearer having special needs. In the
preferred embodiment, the system also includes a computerized
system for identifying the persons having special needs.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,892 to Hooglander, shows a system and
method for carrying personal and/or medical information includes a
locket designed to contain a memory electronic device to store
information about the user. The locket is design to be opened to
provide ready access to a machine readable portion of the memory
device by a reader. The locket is combined with a pocket in a shoe
to carry the locket unobtrusively. The locket and pocket can
include a logo which will alert medical or other emergency
personnel as to the existence of the locket during an
emergency.
[0016] Insert holders for substantially planar materials are also
known. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,593 to Grosso, teaches a
transparent insert holder of the type characterized by being
adapted to receive and protect cards such as photographs, permits
and the like. The insert holder includes first and second
four-sided plastic sheets for forming front and back sides of the
insert holder and a four-sided double-sided adhesive frame for
being adhesively positioned between said first and second plastic
sheets for securing said first and second sheets together in to
form the holder. The adhesive frame defines an opening for
receiving a card such as a photograph or identification card
therein.
[0017] The foregoing patents reflect the current state of the art
of which the present inventor is aware. Reference to, and
discussion of, these patents is intended to aid in discharging
Applicant's acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information
that may be relevant to the examination of claims to the present
invention. However, it is respectfully submitted that none of the
above-indicated patents disclose, teach, suggest, show, or
otherwise render obvious, either singly or when considered in
combination, the invention described and claimed herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention is a housing preferably configured as
either a dog tag or a bracelet and adapted specifically to hold and
protect an electronic media data card containing personal and
medical infomation regarding the wearer.
[0019] It is primary object of the present invention to provide a
new and improved portable article that may be comfortably and
conveniently worn by a person either as a dog tag type of necklace
or as a bracelet.
[0020] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
new and improved housing for containing personal and medical
information that provides healthcare professionals immediate and
easy access to the information contained on the media contained
within the housing.
[0021] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a data card housing that facilitates easy updating of
personal and medical information by the user or health care
providers for the user.
[0022] An even further object of the present invention is to
provide a novel housing for containing and protecting personal and
medical information that can easily be modified to function as
ornamental jewelry.
[0023] The foregoing summary broadly sets out the more important
features of the present invention so that the detailed description
that follows may be better understood, and so that the present
contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There are
additional features of the invention that will be described in the
detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention
which will form the subject matter of the claims appended
hereto.
[0024] Accordingly, before explaining the preferred embodiment of
the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the
disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of the
construction and the arrangements set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The inventive apparatus
described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being
practiced and carried out in various ways.
[0025] Also, it is to be understood that the terminology and
phraseology employed herein are for descriptive purposes only, and
not limitation. Where specific dimensional and material
specifications have been included or omitted from the specification
or the claims, or both, it is to be understood that the same are
not to be incorporated into the appended claims.
[0026] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based may readily be used
as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for
carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is
important, therefore, that the claims are regarded as including
such equivalent constructions as far as they do not depart from the
spirit and scope of the present invention. Rather, the fundamental
aspects of the invention, along with the various features and
structures that characterize the invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure. For a better understanding of the present invention,
its advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,
reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and
descriptive matter in which there are illustrated the preferred
embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The invention will be better understood and objects other
than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration
is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
[0028] FIG. 1 is an exploded lower left front perspective view of a
first preferred embodiment of the inventive data card housing for
containing and protecting personal and medical emergency
information;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a lower left front perspective view thereof;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a front view thereof;
[0031] FIG. 4 is side view in elevation thereof;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a rear view thereof;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a bottom end elevational view thereof;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a top end plan view thereof;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of an exemplary data card
for releasable insertion into the card holder of FIGS. 1-7 and
13-15;
[0036] FIG. 9 is a side view in elevation thereof;
[0037] FIG. 10 is a rear view thereof;
[0038] FIG. 11 is a bottom end view thereof;
[0039] FIG. 12 is a top end plan view thereof;
[0040] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional front view showing the front
half of the data card holder removed;
[0041] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view in elevation of the
data card holder shown empty; and
[0042] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view in elevation showing
the data card holder with a data card contained therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 15, wherein like reference
numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is
illustrated therein a new and improved data card holder for
containing, carrying, and protecting personal and medical emergency
information, the first preferred embodiment of which is generally
denominated 100 herein.
[0044] In a first preferred embodiment, 100, the inventive
apparatus is configured as a dog tag. In this embodiment the data
card holder comprises a substantially rigid front cover plate 110,
having a substantially planar front side 120 and a partial
perimeter wall 130. The data card holder next includes a
substantially rigid back cover plate 140 having a substantially
planar rear side 150 and a partial perimeter wall 160 with
substantially the same dimensions as the front cover plate partial
wall. The front cover plate and the back cover plate each include
fastening means for attaching one to the other. Preferably, such
means comprises an adhesive applied to the contact surfaces 170,
180 of the partial perimeter walls of the front and back covers,
respectively, or friction fit pin-and-hole structure, 190, or
screws threadably inserted through one side and into the other, in
a well known manner.
[0045] At least one cover plate includes a interior data card port
walls 200 which conform generally to the shape of the data card
intended for use with the inventive apparatus. The other cover
plate may include correspondingly shaped port walls which cooperate
with the port walls on its companion cover plate, or it may simply
have a planar interior surface, in which event the port walls on
only one cover plate define the data port for holding a data card.
In either case, when the partial perimeter walls of the two cover
plates are approximated and the cover plates affixed to one
another, an opening 210 at the bottom portion 220 of the holder is
formed, as well as an interior void 230 within the holder, such
that a data card 240 can be accommodated and removably inserted
into and captured within the data card port walls 200. The data
card is captured and retained by retention means 250, preferably
comprising ramps, springs, or resilient material disposed on the
interior surface 260 of one or both of the cover plates, and
preferably including a recess 270 for engagement with a surface
feature on the data card, collectively providing a releasable snap
fit in the port.
[0046] As will be readily appreciated by those with skill in the
art, the data card 240 captured and carried by the data card holder
of the present invention is intended to include wearer
identification, health and other insurance information, patient
data relating to drug sensitivities, allergies, known medical
conditions, and the like, and information providing contact
information relating to the wearer's treating health professionals.
It preferably comprises a removable flash memory card containing
data stored in a format readable by a conventional personal
computer having a suitable card reading device. At present,
numerous kinds of compact data storage cards are available in the
marketplace, including compact flash cards, secure digital (SD)
cards, multimedia cards, smart media cards, SD picture cards,
memory sticks, microdrives, and the like. These and others of like
kind--i.e., compact non-volatile memory data storage devices--are
all contemplated for potential use in the data card holder of the
present invention.
[0047] The data card holder of the present invention thus provides
a readily portable apparatus for containing, transporting, and
protecting personal and medical information. It is adapted and
designed for use by emergency personnel to quickly obtain critical
information about the wearer that might bear upon the
administration of medical treatment. Access to the data card
requires only that the data card be grasped and removed from the
holder.
[0048] In the first preferred embodiment, the data card holder
includes through holes 280, 290 disposed through each cover plate
proximate the top portion 300 of the data card holder so as to
provide means for inserting suitably sturdy chain for hanging the
holder around a wearer's neck, in the manner of a dog tag. However,
the holder may be provided with means for mounting the holder on an
elastic or expansible wrist band or a metal or semi-rigid hoop and
thereby functioning as a kind of bracelet. In this configuration,
the front and back cover plates may be provided with a slight
matching curvature to conform to the curvature of the wrist when
worn. As will be readily appreciated, the back cover plate may
either integrated into the band itself or affixed to the band in
the manner of a wrist watch or other bracelet mount. Alternatively,
it may be provided with attachment structure so that it is
releasably attachable to conforming structure on the wrist band.
Such attachment structure may include, for instance, tangs for
slidable insertion into mating channels on the wrist band, or clips
for snap-fit insertion in the case of injection molded parts.
Numerous suitable mounting methods are well known in the art and do
not warrant particular consideration, as novelty in the instant
case does not reside in such features. However, the data card
holder features of the first preferred embodiment carries over into
this alternative embodiment, and all of the structural elements are
generally preserved.
[0049] The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary
skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best
mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the
inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete
disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction,
dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described.
Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and
equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may
be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit
and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative
materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes,
forms, functions, operational features or the like.
[0050] Therefore, the above description and illustrations should
not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is
defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *