GB2296649A - Improvements in or relating to identity carriers - Google Patents

Abstract

An identity carrier 1 includes a casing 2 having a cavity 4 for the reception of information relating to the bearer of the carrier 1 which is provided with a closure (figure 8, 20) for retaining the information therein. An embodiment includes attachment means which may take the form of a hinged clasp (figure 6), or may comprise means of attachment of the identity carrier to a strap to allow the identity carrier to be worn on the wrist. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO IDENTITY CARRIERS This invention concerns improvements in or relating to identity carriers intended for use by people or animals.

In particular, but not exclusively, the invention has reference to such carriers for use by equestrians and their mounts. It is not uncommon for riders not to carry any identity when out hacking, simply because the riding wear available does not necessarily lend itself to the carriage or means whereby the rider could be identified in the case of an accident. Additionally, because riding apparel is usually provided with pockets which are somewhat insecure, by the very nature of the riding activity, riders are less than happy to carry any valuable means of identification such as would normally be found in a wallet or a purse. Consequently, in the unhappy event of an accident which unseats and renders the rider unconscious, there is no ready means of identification.

Equally, it is usually the case that the horse carries no easily identifiable marking, apart possibly from a coded security marking which of course does not give a ready indication as to where the horse is stabled or as to its owner's identity. It is not uncommon for the tack, namely the bridle and the saddle, to bear no origin markings revealing ownership.

It is an object of the invention to provide an identity carrier suitable for use by both people and animals.

According to the invention there is provided an identity carrier including a hollow casing having an opening for the reception of information concerning its bearer, a closure element for the opening, and attachment means for attaching the casing to its bearer.

The casing may be of similar form to a watch casing with the attachment means formed on diametrically opposite margins for straps whereby its bearer can wear the identity carrier on the wrist.

The casing may conveniently be of disc or disc-like form with one face of the disc being solid or transparent and the other side having the opening formed therein. The closure element may be in the form of a plug of resilient material which is of such dimension as to be a force fit in the opening thereby providing a positive closure to the interior of the casing. In the alternative, the closure may be hinged to the casing.

In an embodiment, particularly advantageously used for equine tack, the attachment means may be in the nature of a hinged clasp which in actual use can embrace a part of the bridle, for instance the browband, to clip the identity carrier thereto.

By way of example, two embodiments of identity carrier according to the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment; Figure 2 is an underview of the first embodiment; Figure 3 is an end view of the first embodiment: Figure 4 is a sectional elevation on the line IV-IV in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment; Figure 6 is side view of the second embodiment; Figure 7 is an underview of a detail of either the first or second embodiments; and Figure 8 is a sectional elevation on the line VIII-VIII of Figure 7.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown an identity carrier 1 including a generally circular casing 2 formed with a cavity 4 for the reception in use of physical information relating to its bearer, the information being inserted through a rectilinear opening 6 provided for the purpose. Cross webs 7 define the lateral margins of the opening. The casing 2 is provided with four lugs 8 in pairs at diametrally opposed locations as shown, each lug being bored as at 10 for the registration of spindles (not shown) which in use constitute the means of attachment for a bracelet or wristlet straps (not shown). The face 12 of the casing is solid and is transparent or opaque, and may bear a suitable trade mark or logo.

In Figures 7 and 8 there is shown a plug 20 of rectilinear form produced from a plastics material and having a flange 22 and an upstanding lip 24.

In the usage of the first embodiment of identity carrier, information concerning its wearer is entered on a suitable medium, for example paper, and is appropriately folded and inserted through the opening 6 into the cavity 4 of the casing 2. The plug 20 is then applied to the casing 2 with the lip 24 registering within the opening 6 to give a force fit whereby removal of the plug is difficult. The flange 22 engages between the cross webs 7 of the opening 6 thereby to provide a seal to the opening to prevent inadvertent release of the information contained within the casing 2.

The wearer of the identity carrier would strap the casing to the wrist with the plug 20 next to the wrist and accordingly in the event of accident causing unconsciousness a clear record of the identity of the patient would be available.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown an identity carrier 30 which includes a casing 32 similar in nature to the casing 2 of Figures 1 and 2 and accordingly no further description thereof is given here. In this embodiment, a hinged clasp 34 for the underside of the casing 32 is provided and serves as an attachment means for attaching the carrier in this particular instance to equine tack, for example a bridle. The casing 32 has spindles 36 extending between the lugs 8 and engaging in the bores 10 formed therein. The clasp 34 is hinged at one end to one of the spindles 36 as shown, and at its other end remote from the hinge has a detent 38 for spring engagement with the other spindle 36. A tab 40 is formed adjacent the detent 38 to facilitate manual opening and closure of the clasp 34.

In use, the principal application for the second embodiment of identity carrier is for equine tack, although it is to be understood that the carrier can be employed for other purposes. In particular, it is envisaged that the second embodiment of identity carrier 30 will be borne by the bridle of a horse, the carrier being releasably attached to a part of thereof such as the browband. The relevant information concerning the horse and the rider would be inserted in the casing and sealed therein as previously described in relation to the first embodiment. The clasp 34 would then be placed over the browband and would clip over the spindle 36 through the agency of the spring detent 38, thereby to retain the carrier to the browband.

In the event of accident involving the horse running away from the scene, the carrier 30 provides the means whereby it can be identified upon capture and returned to its owner.

The present invention affords the opportunity to riders to pursue their leisure activity with the security of knowing that their identities and those of their horses are carried with them in a safe manner.

Claims (5)

1. An identity carrier including a hollow casing having an opening for the reception of information concerning its bearer, a closure element for the opening, and attachment means for attaching the casing to its bearer.

2. An identity carrier according to Claim 1 in which the attachment means are formed on diametrically opposite margins for straps whereby its bearer can wear the identity carrier on the wrist.

3. An identity carrier according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the casing is of disc or disc-like form with one face of the disc being solid or transparent and the other side having the opening formed therein.

4. An identity carrier according to any one of the preceding claims in which the closure element is in the form of a plug of resilient material which is of such dimension as to be a force fit in the opening thereby providing a positive closure to the interior of the casing.

5. An identity carrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. An identity carrier according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3 in which the closure is hinged to the casing.

6. An identity carrier according to Claim 1 or any one of Claims 3 to 5 in which the attachment means is a hinged clasp.

7. An identity carrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. An identity carrier including a hollow casing of disc or disc-like form the casing having an opening for the reception of information concerning its bearer, a closure element for the opening in the form of a plug of resilient material which is of such dimension as to be a force fit in the opening thereby providing a positive closure to the interior of the casing, and attachment means for attaching the casing to its bearer, the attachment means being formed on diametrically opposite margins for straps whereby its bearer can wear the identity carrier on the wrist.

2. An identity carrier including a hollow casing of disc or disc-like form the casing having an opening for the reception of information concerning its bearer, a closure element for the opening in the form of a plug of resilient material which is of such dimension as to be a force fit in the opening thereby providing a positive closure to the interior of the casing, and attachment means for attaching the casing to its bearer, the attachment means being a clasp hinged to one margin of the casing and provided with a detent for engagement at a diametrically opposite margin of the casing.

3. An identity carrier according to Claim 1 or 2 in which one face of the casing is solid or transparent and the other side has the opening formed therein.

4. An identity carrier according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3 in which the closure is hinged to the casing.