Wearable identificatory device

Abstract

 The present invention refers to an identificatory device that can be worn by people, such as for instance an armlet or a necklace. In particular, the device comprises personal identification and/or ornamental features that can be worn and assembled as desired in a simple manner and without causing the wearer to be exposed to or suffer allergies or other inconveniences.
The device can further be provided with a related assembly kit.

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention refers to an identificatory device that can be worn by people, such as for instance an armlet or a necklace. In particular, the device comprises personal identification and/or ornamental elements that can be worn and assembled as desired in a simple manner and without causing the wearer to be exposed to or suffer allergies or other inconveniences of any kind.

[0002] The device can further be provided with a related assembly kit.

Background of the Invention

[0003] A great number of identification devices are known to be available on the market nowadays. Among the most common ones, there can be undoubtedly cited armlets or wristbands provided with either mechanical or digital elements adapted to carry information of various kind and nature relating to the wearer or, more simply, just ornamental elements.

[0004] Armlets or wristbands comprising mechanical elements are certainly the most widespread ones, since they are easily constructed and allow for a wide variety of imaginative compositions and combinations.

[0005] The patent document WO 97/30433, for example, describes an identificatory armlet consisting of a tubular ring of transparent plastic, which comprises a flattened middle portion adapted to accommodate a precisely fitting built-in strip of plastic or paper material, on which there can be written or printed information identifying the wearer. For example, there can be indicated information relating to the identity of the wearer, such as name and surname, date of birth, telephone references or information of a medical nature such as the blood group or warnings or notices about particular pathologies or allergies that may be affecting the wearer. The armlet is further provided with a simple fastening clasp, wherein the two extremities thereof are reversibly linked with each other by means of a connecting member that fits by interference into said extremities.

[0006] The armlet described in the above-cited document, therefore, turns out as being very simple in its construction and, owing to the tubular ring of transparent plastics provided with the flattened portion accommodating the strip, makes it very convenient for the information written or printed thereinside to be read, while the wearer is by no means exposed to particular inconveniences of any kind.

[0007] Nonetheless, this armlet does not seem to be free from drawbacks.

[0008] In the first place, in the case that the information written or printed on the strip need to be modified, the need arises for the entire armlet to be replaced, actually. In fact, the strip is first overwritten with the desired information and then fully and thoroughly inserted in the tubular ring until it reaches the above-mentioned flattened middle portion thereof, which fittingly accommodates said strip, in such manner as to leave the two extremities of the ring free to be engaged by the connecting member of the armlet clasp.

[0009] As an alternative thereto, if solely the strip has desirably to be replaced, removing it from the interior of the flattened portion of the tubular ring would prove all but convenient. In fact, recovering such strip would only be feasible with the help of tools such as tweezers and would anyway involve an awkward and delicate handling under the risk of damaging the entire tubular ring.

[0010] Furthermore, even in the case that the required information are modified on the same strip without the latter being replaced, the need would arise for the existing characters on the strip to be erased and the correct or updated information to be re-written thereupon. Now, such an operation may be only repeated a definite number of times, since the surface of the strip, after a given number of times, would not be usable any longer, so that the strip must be anyway replaced through the various difficulties and inconveniences as noted above.

Summary of the Invention

[0011] The main purpose of the present invention therefore lies in providing a wearable identificatory device that is effective in solving all above-noted problems.

[0012] Such aim is reached in a wearable identificatory device, wherein the information contained therein are able to be handled in a rapid, simple and functional manner, without any need arising for the entire device to be replaced, and wherein the device itself is at the same time capable of being conveniently worn.

[0013] Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is a wearable identificatory device.

[0014] A second object of the present invention is an assembly kit comprising such device and means for assembling the same.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be herein blow described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figure 1A is a schematical plan and partially cross-sectional view of a wearable identificatory device according to the present invention;
• Figure 1B is a schematical perspective view of the device shown in Figure 1A;
• Figure 2A is a first perspective view of a pair of identifying elements of the device according to the present invention;
• Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view from a first side of the element shown in Figure 2A;
• Figure 2C is a cross-sectional view from a second side of the element shown in Figure 2A;
• Figure 3 is a view of a kit according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0016] The basic idea, which the present invention is founded on, lies in providing an information carrier of a kind that is capable of being inserted in a tubular receptacle in a more versatile and functionally convenient manner as compared with the afore-described strip or other usual data carriers known as such in the art.

[0017] It has been found that, instead of such strip, a data carrier in the form of a substantially cylindrical member capable of being both inserted into a tubular ring and reversibly coupled to a further identical carrier member can prove effective in solving the afore-cited drawbacks.

[0018] In particular, as this is shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the reference numeral 1 is used to generally indicate a wearable identificatory device according to the present invention.

[0019] Such device 1 includes a tubular receptacle 2 of a transparent material, which is adapted to accommodate by interference an identificatory and/or decorative member 3 fitted thereinto, characterized in that said identificatory and/or decorative member 3 is formed of a plurality of individual identificatory elements 4 comprising a first extremity 5 and a second extremity 6 that are such as to be able to couple in a reversible manner with a corresponding second extremity 6 and a first extremity 5, respectively, of identificatory elements 4 lying adjacent thereto (Figures 2A-2C).

[0020] The tubular receptacle 2 is preferably a tube of a transparent plastic material that can be bent into a ring form, inside which there can be accommodated the individual identificatory elements 4.

[0021] With reference to Figure 2A, two such individual identificatory and/or decorative elements 4 are illustrated there to extend along a common axis X-X. The first extremity 5 of one of such elements is provided with a fit-in receptacle 7 allowing it to reversibly couple with the second extremity 6 of an adjacent identificatory element 4, so as to form a kind of chain-like linkage.

[0022] Preferably, such links are made in the form of couplings based on the mating of shapes, wherein said fit-in receptacle 7 of an element 4 is so shaped as to be able to receive thereinto, in a rather tight-fitting manner, the second extremity 6 of an element 4 lying adjacent thereto.

[0023] In particular, said fit-in receptacle 7 has an elliptical or oval cross-sectional shape capable of being engaged by a corresponding, complementarily shaped second extremity 6. In other words, the fit-in receptacle 7 is a bore provided in said first extremity 5 in the form of a somewhat flattened cylinder, whereas the second extremity 6 is in turn in the shape of a correspondingly flattened cylinder capable of fitting thereinto in a rather tight manner, as this is best shown in Figure 1A. Such rather tight-fitting manner is such as to anyway enable the individual elements 4 to engage each other with a slight inclination relative to the common axis X-X thereof for them to be in this way able to follow the curved pattern of the tubular ring 2 into which they are received.

[0024] In Figures 2B and 2C the possibility is given for the pattern followed lengthwise by the identificatory element 4 in its cross-section to be more clearly observed. In this connection, it should be duly borne in mind that - as this shall on the other hand be explained in greater detail further on - the cross-sectional shape of the extremities has been so selected as to facilitate the identificatory elements to correctly couple with each other, while preventing them from being capable of rotating and, as a result, keeping the entire identificatory and/or decorative member perfectly aligned along its due axis.

[0025] Preferably, each identificatory element 4 is provided with an outer surface 8 intended for carrying graphical identification elements W and/or ornaments. For example, each element 4 may carry a letter, as this is shown in Figure 2A, a symbolical character, a fancy logo or design, a number or graphical signs in general. In addition, each individual element may also carry several identificatory signs depending on the typology of the same signs and the actual size of the element itself.

[0026] According to a particularly preferred aspect of the present invention, a further object thereof is represented by a kit provided for said identificatory member to be conveniently assembled and disassembled.

[0027] As illustrated in Figure 3, the kit 9 includes a support 10 adapted to removably support a plurality 3 of identificatory elements 4 and a tubular receptacle 2.

[0028] In particular, the support 10 is comprised of a rod having a first extremity 11 and a second extremity 12 that connect to each other via a portion 13 extending along a longitudinal axis Y-Y. All along this portion 13 there are supported the identificatory elements 4. Preferably, such elements are supported along two mutually opposing sides of the rod so as to form two orderly rows. Each element 4 is attached to the rod 10 via a thin link 14 that can be broken off by bending. In the illustration of Figure 3, such link 14 is shown to directly connect the second extremity 6 of each element 4 to the rod 10.

[0029] Furthermore, said rod 10 carries at its first extremity 11 - again in a detachable manner by means of said link 14 - a connection member 15 for the two extremities of the tubular receptacle 2 to be connected with each other when the device is worn.

[0030] Preferably, such connection member 15 is represented by a member similar to the one that has been described hereinbefore with reference to the document WO 97/30433. In particular, it is comprised of two identical, mutually opposing extremities 16 that are separated from each other by a stop member 17.

[0031] The above-mentioned second extremity 12 is preferably provided with a pushing surface 18 adapted to facilitate fitting and removing the identificatory elements in and from the tubular receptacle, as this shall be explained further on.

[0032] Assembling the identificatory device 1 calls for all identificatory elements 4 to be separated from the rod portion 13 by bending and possibly pulling said elements so as to break off the link 14. Thereafter, the individual identificatory elements are fitted into the tubular receptacle 2 upon them having possibly been linked together in a chain-like manner by means of the afore-mentioned coupling by the mating of shapes.

[0033] Advantageously, the identificatory elements are pushed further into the tubular receptacle 2 by introducing the rod 10 into said tube with the pushing surface 18 thereof coming first.

[0034] In this manner, the interlinked arrangement of identificatory elements 4 can be most easily fitted into the tubular receptacle 2 in its correct position, without clogging the two terminal portions of the same receptacle.

[0035] Finally, the connection member 15 may be detached from the rod, in the same manner as this has been described in connection with the identificatory elements 4, and then press-fitted with one of its extremities 16 into a terminal portion of the tubular receptacle and the other one of its extremities 16 into the other terminal portion of said tubular receptacle until the rim of said terminal portions eventually abuts against the stop member 17, thereby forming a kind of closed-loop configuration , as shown in Figure 1.

[0036] Should a need arise for the identificatory elements to be replaced, all it takes is to pull apart the terminal portions of the tubular receptacle so as to separate them from the connection member 15. At this point, it just takes for the rod 10 to be introduced into the same tubular receptacle through one of the terminal portions thereof and the interlinked elements to be pushed out through the other terminal portion thereof.

[0037] Fully apparent from the above description is the ability of the device and the assembly kit according to the present invention to allow for the use of identificatory elements that are simple, functionally practical and capable of being re-used for a practically indefinite number of times.

[0038] The possibility is furthermore given for information, wordings, symbols, designs and colour combinations to be composed at will in a very simple manner.

[0039] The guided way in which the various identificatory elements can be linked with each other enables informative wordings, symbols or the like to be composed in a correct and easy manner. Moreover, the fit-in form used for linking the identificatory elements with each other has the advantage of preventing the same elements from rotating relative to each other within the tubular receptacle and making in this way it difficult for the information indicated thereon to be properly read when the device is eventually worn.

[0040] A further advantage derives from the provision of a rod that facilitates the insertion and the removal of the elements.

[0041] Both the device and the kit of the invention are preferably made of an anallergic plastic material. In particular, the tubular receptacle 2 may be manufactured out of transparent rigid or soft synthetic plastic materials or silicone rubbers so as to enhance the convenience in wearing the device and ensure the absence of allergic reactions.

[0042] In any case, it is fully apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be introduced without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0043] So, for instance, the form, the size, the wordings and/or the graphic characters carried by the identificatory elements may vary depending on particular needs or preferences. As a result, even the size and the cross-sectional shape of the tubular receptacle may be subject to modifications in a departure, for example, from the more usual circular shape thereof. In fact, should the elements be selected to have a triangular cross-sectional shape, even the inner cross-sectional shape of the tubular receptacle will necessarily have to be triangular.

[0044] Alternatively, the identificatory elements and the rod may be made of a metal material and provided with magnetized contact surfaces so as to further facilitate making or replacing the connections between the fit-in receptacles 7 and the second extremities 6 of adjacent identificatory elements, as well as between said extremities 6 and the rod 10 as described hereinbefore.

[0045] Additionally, the connection member 15 may be represented by any traditional kind of clasp used to fasten an armlet or a necklace, such as a screw-up type or a snap-fit type, as long as it anyway ensures the possibility for it to be reversibly removed from the tubular receptacle in the same manner as described hereinbefore.

[0046] As illustrated in Figure 3, the kit 9 may include two supports 10 for the identificatory elements 4 or just a single support or, again, several supports carrying as many different graphic elements or characters in view of composing devices according to a wide variety of preferences or to suit particular needs. Furthermore, such supports may be purchased separately.

[0047] The identificatory and/or ornamental device of the invention can be worn as a usual armlet, a necklace, an anklet, or even a pendant attached to a traditional necklace.

Claims

1. Wearable identificatory device (1) comprising a tubular receptacle (2) of a transparent material, which is adapted to accommodate an identificatory and/or decorative member (3) fitted thereinto, characterized in that said identificatory and/or decorative member (3) is formed of a plurality of individual identificatory elements (4) comprising a first extremity (5) and a second extremity (6) that are such as to be able to couple in a reversible manner with a corresponding second extremity (6) and a first extremity (5), respectively, of identificatory elements (4) lying adjacent thereto.

2. Identificatory device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said identificatory and/or decorative elements (4) extend along a common axis (X-X) and the first extremity (5) of each identificatory element (4) is provided with a fit-in receptacle (7) allowing it to reversibly couple with the second extremity (6) of an adjacent identificatory element (4).

3. Identificatory device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said coupling of individual identificatory elements (4) with each other is a coupling made by the mating of shapes.

4. Identificatory device (1) according to claim 2, wherein said coupling by the mating of shapes occurs under a slight clearance being allowed therebetween.

5. Identificatory device (1) according to any of the claims 2 to 4, wherein said fit-in receptacle (7) of each identificatory element (4) has an elliptical or oval cross-sectional shape capable of being reversibly engaged by a corresponding, complementarily shaped second extremity (6) of an adjacent identificatory element (4).

6. Identificatory device (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 5, wherein said identificatory elements (4) carry graphical identification and/or ornamental elements (W).

7. Kit (9) comprising a support (10) adapted to detachably support a plurality (3) of identificatory elements (4) and a tubular receptacle (2) according to any of the claims 1 to 6.

8. Kit (9) according to claim 7, wherein said support (10) is represented by a rod having a first extremity (11) and a second extremity (12) that connect to each other via a portion (13), which extends along a longitudinal axis (Y-Y), and to which the identificatory elements (4) are connected separately.

9. Kit (9) according to claim 8, further comprising a connection member (15) for the two extremities of the tubular receptacle (2) to be reversibly connected with each other when the device is worn.

10. Identificatory device (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 6, wherein said device is an armlet, a necklace, an anklet or a pendant.

Drawing