More specifically, the present invention refers to a bracelet adjustment and blocking element for bracelets usually comprising a strip of textile material, and which are individual and non-transferable, used, for example, for identification or as an entry pass.
A variety of elements that are used to adjust and lock bracelets used for identification or as entry passes are known, and therefore form a part of state of the art. Said adjustment and blocking elements must prevent users to whom they are delivered and adjusted from being able to readjust them, take them off, and use them again.
These known systems are based on adjustment elements that are made up of a channel through which both ends of the textile strip pass, and which, when these ends are pulled through the adjustment and blocking element, fix the diameter of the bracelet to the area of the body where they are placed, keeping it from leaving this area.
The usual adjustment and blocking elements have a single channel through which the ends of the strip pass, and inside there are catch elements like teeth placed in the direction of the adjustment of the strip, so that when someone tries to change the adjustment, the teeth stick into the strip and it can't be readjusted or taken off without breaking.
This system has the disadvantage that when the ends of the strip are turned along with the turning of the adjustment and blocking element, after the strip is adjusted, the holding effect of the teeth of the element is eliminated, so the bracelet can be readjusted and removed from its position.
To solve this problem, other elements have added side entrances to this single channel, so that the strip is independent at the end that enters the channel, and the effect created by the turn doesn't have any effect. This has been seen to be stopped with the breaking of the wall that forms one of the openings made in the channel for one of the ends of the strip to pass through, leaving it as if it had the shape of the previous case.
In order to avoid rotation, elements have been placed outside the channel that cover it and rotate freely inside it, to avoid the aforementioned turning effect, also unsuccessfully when the outer piece is pressed and the previous single channel can be turned.
Patent
The invention is an adjustment and blocking element for single-use bracelets, according to claim 1, so that they are personal and non-transferable, and so that when someone readjusts them, the bracelet or the adjustment element should break, such as in the case of identification bands or entry passes. This adjustment and blocking element must prevent the effect of rotation for readjusting them, and provide safety features without having to add extra manufacturing costs.
The present element is made up of a piece that is usually cylindrical, although it may have a variety of shapes, since this doesn't affect the features of the invention; the ends of the strip that will form the bracelet are placed in it, so that the diameter of the strip is adjusted in the place where the user places it. It can't be readjusted once it is placed there without breaking either the strip or the adjustment element, limiting the bracelet to a single user and making it non-transferable.
In order to achieve this, two independent inner channels are placed advantageously in said adjustment and blocking element, at least in one interior section of the adjustment and blocking element, and preferably along its entire length. There is one channel for each one of the ends of the strip to be adjusted, so that along the entire element there can be no contact between the two ends of the strip.
In each one of said independent channels there is a catch mechanism that acts to prevent movement when one tries to move the strip in the direction opposite to that of adjustment, that is to say, in the direction that would give the bracelet greater diameter.
As it has two entirely independent channels for each of the ends of the strip that makes up the bracelet, the manners in which until now it was possible to enlarge the diameter of the bracelet and be able to take it off without cutting or destroying the adjustment and blocking element are removed, since it isn't possible to rotate the set of the ends of the strips with respect to the adjustment and blocking element.
In this manner, a safe system for preventing fraud has been achieved, with an easily manufactured adjustment and blocking element system itself, without having additional means of pressure or elements that make the product more expensive.
Other details and features will be shown in the course of the following description, referring to the accompanying drawings, to illustrate a practical form of the invention, without limiting it.
In this preferred form of the invention, as can be seen in
The channels (11) don't connect along the whole length, leaving the strips (12) independent, having a separating inner wall (17) along the entire length of the element (10). In alternative forms there is a dividing wall that doesn't divide the entire length, but rather a part of the interior; it also avoids the turning effect because the catch is in this area, preventing access to cutting and eliminating this separation in order to be able to carry out the aforementioned turning effect.
In the inside of each one of the channels (11) there is a catch mechanism with teeth (13) usually located at different heights and positions on the inner wall of each channel (11), aimed so that they stick into the strip (12) when they are moved in the direction opposite to that of the teeth (13), that is to say, in the direction that makes the diameter of the bracelet larger.
The catching mechanisms are made up of comb (14) with teeth, which can be made of a variety of materials (metal, plastic, polyamides, etc.) which ensure the strength for holding the strip. Said comb (14) is usually anchored in the outer wall of each channel (11) allowing passage between said comb (14) with teeth and the dividing wall (17). When the user wants to readjust the strip (12), and tries to move it in the direction opposite to the direction of the teeth of the comb (14), the teeth stick into the strip (12), tilting towards the central wall (17) and pressing against it. This allows cheaper manufacturing of the element (10) due to the lesser complication of the piece and its mould, as well as improving security, as the comb (14) is thicker than the individual teeth (13) and it is anchored to the inner wall of the element (10) with a greater surface area of connection to the wall of the channel, so it is very difficult to be able to cut it and manipulate it so that it loses its effect.
The teeth that make up said comb (14) can have a conventional triangular shape, as well as other possible shapes (circular, diamond-shaped, etc.)
In another form, the comb (14) that acts as a catch mechanism is made up of a paddle without teeth, which, like the comb with teeth (14), sticks to the strip (12) when one tries to move the strip (12) in the direction opposite to that of the paddle that makes up the comb (14), tilting against the central wall (17) and pressing against it.
The opening (15) of each one of the channels (11) of the adjustment and blocking element (10), may have a variety of shapes to facilitate the entrance of the ends (16) of the strip (12). These openings, which usually have a rectangular section, may alternately have a curved shape to improve the entering of the ends (16) of the strip (12), which tends to curve to enter in. It may also have the usual rectangular section, but with one of its longer sides curved, while the opposite side remains straight, creating a sort of semi-circumference that increases the passage section and adds a curved section that makes it easier to enter the end (16) of the strip (12) .
Having sufficiently described the present invention in relation to the attached drawings, it must be understood that any modifications deemed suitable may be made as long as they do not alter the scope of the invention, which is reflected in the attached claims.
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.