GB2219272A - Tag - Google Patents

Abstract

A tag of comparatively stiff and robust plastics material, such as polypropylene sheet, presents a surface 1 for the inscription of identifying material, and has an integral extension in the form of a strip 3 which is dimensioned so as to be flexible enough to bend back on itself so as to form a loop for connection to a key 4 or the like, with the distal end 6 of the strip being passed through a main aperture 9 in the tag to close the loop. The distal end has an enlarged head formation, preferably in the form of a barb 6 or arrowhead, adapted to pass through the main aperture and to be retained thereby, but so dimensioned in relation to the aperture that its removal is possible by suitable re-orientation of the head formation in relation to the aperture. The tag is also formed with a second aperture 11, spaced from the main aperture 9, which receives an end portion 8 of the enlarged head formation. <IMAGE>

Description

TAG This invention relates to tags.

There is available on the market a system of identifying motor vehicle keys, e.g. for showroom or workshop use, in which a tag, having a flat surface for the inscription of identifying information, is temporarily attached to the key by means of a conventional key ring of the closed helix type. This type of key ring makes unauthorised or inadvertent separation of the key from the tag difficult, but also has the disadvantage that the attachment and deliberate removal are both equally difficult. The danger of damaging a fingernail makes the use of such rings particularly unacceptable to female staff.

For motor vehicles, the identification data will be such information as the make, model, colour, year of manufacture and registration number. It will be understood, however, that a similar system could be used in other businesses where keys are retained and need to be readily identified. As an example, estate agents frequently have the keys for a number of different properties, and each key, or set of keys, needs to be kept in a secure place but to be readily identified, by means of the address of the property or by a security number, with or without other data, in accordance with the agent's records. Similarly, safe deposit keys may also need to be identified, particularly if a dual key system is operated.

As stated above, the use of a closed helix type of conventional key ring, through which the apertures in the key and tag both need to be threaded, is a secure form of attachment, since the key ring is considerably stronger than the tag itself, but it does have the disadvantage of being difficult to attach as well as detach. It will be appreciated that with an identification tag, the real need for security is against inadvertent, as opposed to unauthorised, removal. Accidental separation of the tag from the key can cause considerable inconvenience in having to match keys to locks, but fraudulent or other unauthorised removal is not normally of any assistance in theft, since the presence or absence of a tag on the key neither impedes nor assists in larcenous activities.

Security tags are known which have an integral strip terminating in a barb or arrowhead which snap fits irremovably into a socket, which is also solid with the tag. An example of such a tag is a mailbag or cash bag security tag, but other uses are also well known. The particular merit of such a tag is that it cannot be removed without irreparable damage to the strip or the barb, thus making the detection of tampering reasonably certain, thereby deterring pilfering or interference with the bag.

Also known are plant labels which have one end adapted to fold around a plant stem and to be threaded through an aperture in the label. In this case the edges adjacent the end are formed with serrations to inhibit removal of the end from the aperture. In such an arrangement the whole label is of a uniform thickness, which is such as to render the whole label flexible to enable the end to be passed around a plant stem.

There is thus no true tag providing a stiff label adapted to stand up to regular rough handling, such as being placed, and carried around and handled, with a number of bunches of keys, and other items, in a pocket or tool box or bag. It will be appreciated that a tag also needs to present a firm surface for the entry of individual information using a permanent marker.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tag which is easily attached to a key, and which inhibits inadvertent removal, but which is comparatively readily removed when required.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a tag of comparatively stiff and robust plastics material, such as polypropylene sheet, the tag presenting a surface for the inscription of identifying material, and the tag also having an integral extension in the form of a strip which is dimensioned so as to be flexible enough to bend back on itself so as to form a loop for connection to a key or the like, with the distal end of the strip being passed through a main aperture in the tag to close the loop, the distal end having an enlarged head formation adapted to pass through the main aperture and to be retained thereby, but so dimensioned in relation to the aperture that its removal is possible by suitable reorientation of the head formation in relation to the aperture, the tag also being formed with a second aperture, spaced from the main aperture, which receives an end portion of the enlarged head formation. The enlarged head formation may comprise a barb or arrowhead formation, the pointed end of the barb or arrowhead being received by the second aperture.

The main aperture may be square and the maximum width of the head formation may be greater than the length of the side of the square, but less than the length of the diagonal thereof.

As will be noted, the strip is intended to pass through an aperture in the key head to attach the tag to the key.

The main aperture for the distal end of the strip is preferably located adjacent the junction of the strip and the main body of the tag.

A third aperture may be provided in the tag at the opposite end to the junction with the strip, so as to provide a convenient means for hanging the tag, and key, from a suitable hook.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, which illustrate a presently preferred form of the invention, and in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a form of tag in accordance with the invention, shown prior to use; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the tag as shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the tag assembled with a key.

Turning first to Figures 1 and 2, a generally rectangular tag 1, bevelled at the corners 2, presents a stiff area on which identifying data may be inscribed using any suitable permanent marker pen, preferably according to a prescribed layout. The details of the layout are omitted from the drawing, as they form no part of the present invention, and may vary in accordance with the particular user's requirements. From one end of the tag 1 there projects an integral strip 3, which is shown in Figure 2 as being of the same thickness as the main body of the tag ', for ease of manufacture. However, the strip 3 is much narrower than the tag 1, so that it is sufficiently flexible to be bent back upon itself, as shown in Figure 3, and attached to the tag 1 to form a temporarily closed loop, constituting a key ring. Figure 3 shows a part 4 of a key head with the strip 3 threaded through an aperture 5 in the key head.

For attachment of the distal end of the strip 3 to the tag 1, a barb 6 or arrowhead is provided. The barb 6 commences with a shoulder 7, considerably wider than the strip 3, and tapers to a point 8. Adjacent a junction zone 3a between the strip 3 and the tag 1 there is provided a square aperture 9 in the tag 1. The aperture 9 is dimensioned so that the shoulder 7 is wider than the aperture 9 but that the diagonal of the square aperture 9 is greater than the width of the shoulder 7.

A second aperture 11 is provided a short distance inward of the aperture 11. The aperture 11 is narrower than the aperture 9, and is a comparatively shallow slot, with tapering ends.

Adjacent the opposite end of the tag, there is provided a further aperture 12 by which the tag 1, and key 4, may be hung from a hook.

In use, identification material is written on the flat tag 1, when in the Figure 1 position. The strip 3 is then threaded through the aperture 5 in the key 4, and the barb 6 passed through the aperture 9, and the point 8 thereof then introduced into the aperture 11.

The barb 6 will probably flex sufficiently for the shoulder to pass through the aperture 9, but it may be necessary, or even desirable, for the barb 6 to be twisted to take advantage of the greater length of the diagonal to avoid the need for flexing of the barb 6 for introduction into the aperture 9. Once the barb 6 is through the aperture 9, the point 8 may be passed through the aperture 11, to reach the position shown in Figure 3. The tapering of the aperture 11 provides a lead-in and also ensures accurate alignment. From the position of Figure, the shoulder 7 will probably shift back as far as the edge of the aperture 9, but further movement will be inhibited.

The location of the point 8 in the aperture 11 maintains the orientation of the barb 6, so that it cannot be released from the aperture until the point 8 is removed from the aperture 11 to free the barb for twisting.

Removal of the tag from the key thus requires first removal of the point 8 from the aperture 11, and then twisting of the barb to pass through the diagonal of the square aperture 9. This combination of movements is unlikely to occur spontaneously very often, so that more than one separation of a key from its tag 1, at any one time is unlikely. A reasonable avoidance of the necessity for sorting keys is thus provided.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For instance, the aperture 9 need not be square, but may have any suitable shape offering a dimension greater than the width of the shoulder 7 for withdrawal of the barb 6 on the distal end of the strip 3.

Claims (7)

1. A tag of comparatively stiff and robust plastics material, the tag having a body part presenting a surface for the inscription of identifying material, and the tag also having an integral extension in the form of a strip which is dimensioned so as to be flexible enough to bend back on itself so as to form a loop for connection to a key or the like, with the distal end of the strip being passed through a main aperture in the body part of the tag to close the loop, the distal end having an enlarged head formation adapted to pass through the main aperture and to be retained thereby, but so dimensioned in relation to the aperture that its removal is possible by suitable re-orientation of the head formation in relation to the aperture, the tag also being formed with a second aperture, spaced from the main aperture, for receiving an end portion of the enlarged head formation.

2. A tag as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the enlarged head formation comprises a barb or arrowhead formation, the pointed end of the barb or arrowhead being received by the second aperture.

3. A tag as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the aperture is square and the maximum width of the head formation is greater than the length of the side of the square, but less than the length of the diagonal thereof.

4. A tag as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the main aperture for the distal end of the strip is located adjacent to the junction of the strip and the body part of the tag.

5. A tag as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein a third aperture is provided in the body part of the tag at the opposite end to the junction with the strip, so as to provide a convenient means for hanging the tag from a suitable hook.

6. A tag as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, formed from polypropylene sheet.

7. A tag substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.