AU2009201965A1 - Strap Tag - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Jtagz Pty Ltd Actual Inventor Paul Clifford Jowsey Address for service is: WRAYS Ground Floor, 56 Ord Street West Perth WA 6005 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: Strap Tag The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 -2 A Strap Tag Field of the Invention This invention relates to a strap tag for use as a visual identification tag. Background of the Invention 5 Strap tags carrying information can be used as visual ID tags in a number of applications, such as pet identification, safety inspection validation, tool and equipment information and marine environment equipment and animal identification. The present invention aims to provide a secure and easy to fasten tag. 10 Summary of the Invention A first aspect of the present invention provides a strap tag comprising an elongated body including a first end section having an aperture, a second end section adapted for insertion into the aperture of the first end section, and a mid section extending between the second and first end sections and being adapted 15 to carry identification marking thereon, wherein the second end section comprises at least one barb comprising a distal portion having at least one curved portion for facilitating insertion of the at least one barb in the aperture and a proximal portion adapted to substantially prevent removal of the second end section from the aperture after insertion. 20 Preferably, the proximal end of the at least one barb comprises a semi-circular perpendicular restraining wall and the distal portion of the at least one barb comprises an arcuate top surface extending from the restraining wall and joining the second end section at a curved junction. 25 -3 In an arrangement, the second end section comprises top and bottom surfaces having each at least one barb, the at least one barbs being located offset with respect to each other relative to the longitudinal axis of the body. 5 In an arrangement, the at least one barb comprises two barb sections separated by a gap so that the two barb sections can move relative to each other when the second end section is being inserted into the first end section. Preferably, the mid section is of flat band shape including an upper surface and a lower surface adapted to receive identification marking thereon. 10 Preferably, the upper and lower surfaces are grained by spark erosion to facilitate attachment of the identification marking. Preferably, the first end section is hingedly united to the mid section, the hinge being formed by at least one depression transversely spanning the mid section. Preferably, side edges of the first end section comprise at least one depression 15 for gripping by the fingers of a user. Preferably, the first end section comprises at least one protrusion for enabling firm contact with the thumb of a user. Preferably, the aperture traverses the first end section and comprises tapered sidewalls for providing opposed openings of different size allowing insertion of the 20 second end section through the larger opening and hindering extraction of the second end section. Preferably, the second end section extends centrally from the mid section. Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with 25 reference to the following drawings, in which: -4 Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a strap tag according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of the strap tag of Figurel; 5 Figure 3 is a top plan view of the strap tag of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the strap tag of Figure 1; 10 Figure 5 is a side end view of the strap tag of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a fragmentary top plan view illustrating a first end of the strap tag of Figure 1; 15 Figure 7 is a fragmentary bottom plan view illustrating the first end of the strap tag of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the first end of the strap tag of Figure 1; 20 Figure 9 is a fragmentary top plan view illustrating a second end of the strap tag of Figure 1; Figure 10 is a fragmentary bottom plan view illustrating the second end of the strap tag of Figure 1; 25 Figure 11 is a side view of the second end of the strap tag of Figure 1; Figure 12 is an end view of the second end of the strap tag of Figure 1; 30 Figure 13 is a detail view of the first end and second end in joined condition; and Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the first end and second end in joined condition.

-5 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Figures 1 to 14 show a strap tag 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The tag 10 includes an elongated generally flat band - shaped body 12 having a first end section 14, a second end section 16 and a mid section 5 18 extending therebetween. Sides 22 of mid section 18 define the width of the mid section 18 and an upper surface 20 and a lower surface 24 define the thickness of the mid section 18. The lower surface 24 is adapted to receive an identification marking. The body 12 is made from flexible material such that the tag 10 can be looped 10 around an item as required. The tag 10 is retained around the item by fastening the second end 16 to the first end 14 as will be further described with respect to figures 13 and 14. Referring to figures 3 to 5, the mid section 18 extends from a first end to a second end at a constant width and thickness for most of the length of the body 12. The 15 first end section 14 extends from the first end of the mid section 18. The first end section 14 is substantially the same width as the mid section 18; however, the first end section 14 comprises depressions 26 at the union with mid section 18. The function of depressions 26 will be described later. The second end section 16 extends centrally from the second end of the mid section 18. The width of the 20 second end section 16 is smaller than the width of mid section 18. The first and second end sections are substantially of the same thickness but of greater thickness than mid section 18. The first end section 14 is adapted to receive the second end section 16 to loop the body 12 around an item. Referring to figures 6 to 8, the first end section 14 includes a generally 25 rectangular aperture 28 extending therethrough from the upper and lower surfaces of the first end section 16. The aperture 28 is located between the side edges of the end section 14 and midway therebetween. As shown in Figure 8, the aperture 28 includes tapered sidewalls 30 such that opening 32 on the upper surface of the first end section 14 is of smaller size than the opening 34 on the -6 lower surface of the first end section 14 allowing insertion of barbs 38 (see figure 11) into aperture 28 but not extraction thereof. The first end section 14 comprises at its outer end and on the upper surface a protrusion 39, the function of which will be described with reference to figures 13 5 and 14. Referring to figures 2 and 7, the lower surface 24 of the body 12 comprises depression 36 formed between the mid section 18 and the first end section 12. The depression 36 extends across the body 12 normal to the longitudinal axis of the body. The depression 36 provides a hinge in the body between the first end 10 section 14 and the mid section 12. This facilitates insertion of the second end section 16 into aperture 28 of the first end section 14. Referring to figures 3 to 5, the width and thickness of the second end section 16 is such that aperture 28 of the first end section 14 can receive the second end section 16 in order that the body 12 forms a loop for securing an item. 15 The second end section 16 is fastened to the first end section 14 via barbs 38 located on lower and upper surfaces of the second end section 16. As shown in figures 9 and 10, barb 38a comprising a protrusion 40 having a semi-circular restraining wall 42 (see figure 2) and a top surface 44. The restraining wall 42 extends perpendicular from the upper surface of the second end section 18 (see 20 figure 11) and has an arcuate periphery. Top surface 44 of barb 38a is generally arcuate extending from the restraining wall 42 to the outer side edges of the second end section 18 defining a semi-ellipsoidal shape. The height between the top surface 44 and the upper surface of the second end section 18 decreases as it approaches the outer end and side edges of the second end section 18. The 25 top surface 44 joins the upper surface of the second end section 18 at junction 46. Junction 46 has a curved profile as can be seen in figures 9 and 10. Barb 38b (see figures 10 and 11) is substantially identical to barb 38a; the difference being the location of barbs 38a and 38b along the longitudinal axis of the second end section 16. As shown in figure 11, barbs 38a and 38b are offset -7 relative to the longitudinal axis of the body 12. The offset arrangement will provide a two - stage engagement process in the aperture 28. Barb 38a provides an initial engagement after insertion into aperture 28. Barb 38b provides a final engagement after insertion into aperture 28 as shown in figure 14. 5 In other arrangements, barbs 38a and 38b may be arranged such that restraining walls 42a and 42b are aligned with respect to each other. As said before, the lower surface 24 of mid section 18 is adapted to receive identification marking thereon. However, alternatively, identification markings maybe placed or marked in the upper surface 20. The markings can be formed 10 by engraving, printing, attaching a printed matter thereto or by any other suitable means. In the embodiment, the upper and/or lower surfaces 20, 24 of mid section 18 are grained by spark erosion to facilitate a strong bond between the printing pigment and the body 12. The body 12 is preferably made from flexible materials comprising, for example, 15 nylon. Other suitable material includes rubber material. In operation, the body 12 is looped around a suitable portion of an item to be marked. The second end section 16 is fastened to the first end section 14 as shown in figures 13 and 14. For this, the second end section 13 is inserted through the aperture 28 until the restraining walls 42 of at least one of the barbs 20 38 rest on the bottom surface of the first end section 14 as shown in figure 14. The tapered walls of aperture 28 and the curved profile of barb 38 assist in the insertion. According to an alternative arrangement, at least one of the barbs 38 is split longitudinally in two separate barb sections. The gap formed between the two 25 separate barb sections enable compression, flexing and/or bending of the second end section 16 facilitating insertion of the second end section 16 into aperture 28 of the first end section 14. Alternatively, both barbs 38a and 38b may be split.

-8 With reference to figure 13 and as described before, the top surface of the first end section comprises a protrusion 39. Protrusion 39 enables firm contact with the user's thumb when applying pressure to assist in inserting the second end section 16 into the aperture 28 of the first end section 14. Depression 36, 5 spanning transversely between sides 22 of mid section 18, acts as a hinge which significantly improves ease of hand pressure required in insertion of the second end section 16 into the aperture 28 of the first end section 14. Also, side depressions 26, adjacent to the first end section 14 (see figure 3), provide an ergonomic feature for gripping the first end section 14 by the user's fingers during 10 manipulation of the tag 10. Upon insertion of the second end section 13 into the aperture 28 of the first end section 14, the restraining wall 44 of at least one of the barbs 38 rests on the lower surface of the first end section 14 thus hindering extraction of the second end section 13 from the aperture 28. This prevents removal of the tag 10 from 15 the item and thus the item will carry the required identification as desired. The preferred embodiment of the present invention thus provides a tag which has a number of features which assist in easier application of the tag to items when compared to prior existing tags. Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee 20 are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, the second end section 16 may comprise one or more barbs 38 located on either the upper or lower surface of the second end section 16. Moreover, the barb 38 may comprise protrusion of any type of shape, such as triangular shapes or others. These protrusions may also comprise curved profiles. 25 Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims (12)

1. A strap tag comprising an elongated body including a first end section having an aperture, a second end section adapted for insertion into the 5 aperture of the first end section, and a mid section extending between the second and first end sections and being adapted to carry identification marking thereon, wherein the second end section comprises at least one barb comprising a distal portion having at least one curved portion for facilitating insertion of the at least one barb in the aperture and a proximal 10 portion adapted to substantially prevent removal of the second end section from the aperture after insertion.

2. A strap tag according to claim 1 wherein the proximal end of the at least one barb comprises a semi-circular perpendicular restraining wall and the 15 distal portion of the at least one barb comprises an arcuate top surface extending from the restraining wall and joining the second end section at a curved junction.

3. A strap tag according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the second end section 20 comprises top and bottom surfaces having each at least one barb, the at least one barbs being located offset with respect to each other relative to the longitudinal axis of the body.

4. A strap tag according to any one of the previous claims wherein the at 25 least one barb comprises two barb sections separated by a gap such that the two barb sections can move relative to each other when the second end section is being inserted into the first end section.

5. A strap tag according to any one of the previous claims wherein the mid section is of flat band shape including an upper surface and a lower 30 surface adapted to receive identification marking thereon. -10

6. A strap tag according to claim 5 wherein the upper and lower surfaces are grained by spark erosion to facilitate attachment of the identification marking.

7. A strap tag according to any one of the previous claims wherein the first 5 end section is hingedly united to the mid section, the hinge being formed by at least one depression transversely spanning the mid section.

8. A strap tag according to any one of the previous claims wherein side edges of the first end section comprise at least one depression for gripping by the fingers of a user. 10

9. A strap tag according to any one of the previous claims wherein the first end section comprises at least one protrusion for enabling firm contact with the thumb of a user.

10.A strap tag according to any one of the previous claims wherein the aperture traverses the first end section and comprises tapered sidewalls 15 for providing opposed openings of different size allowing insertion of the second end section through the larger opening and hindering extraction of the second end section.

11. A strap tag according to any one of the previous claims wherein the second end section extends centrally from the mid section. 20

12.A strap tag as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.