GB2477742A - A USB flash drive for use on a lanyard - Google Patents

A USB flash drive for use on a lanyard Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2477742A
GB2477742A GB201002234A GB201002234A GB2477742A GB 2477742 A GB2477742 A GB 2477742A GB 201002234 A GB201002234 A GB 201002234A GB 201002234 A GB201002234 A GB 201002234A GB 2477742 A GB2477742 A GB 2477742A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
lanyard
cover
flash drive
magnet
clip
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB201002234A
Other versions
GB2477742B (en
GB201002234D0 (en
Inventor
Karl-Phillip Schlossstein
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Flashbay Ltd
Original Assignee
Flashbay Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Flashbay Ltd filed Critical Flashbay Ltd
Priority to GB201002234A priority Critical patent/GB2477742B/en
Publication of GB201002234D0 publication Critical patent/GB201002234D0/en
Publication of GB2477742A publication Critical patent/GB2477742A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2477742B publication Critical patent/GB2477742B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C13/00—Details; Accessories
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45F—TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
    • A45F5/00—Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
    • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
    • G06F1/163—Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
    • H05K5/02—Details
    • H05K5/0256—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
    • H05K5/02—Details
    • H05K5/0256—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms
    • H05K5/026—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms having standardized interfaces
    • H05K5/0278—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms having standardized interfaces of USB type

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)

Abstract

A USB flash drive 5 includes a body portion 10 and a cover 20. The cover has an attachment means 25 and the body has an attachment means 35. The body 10 is releasably connected to the cover 20. The connection means includes a magnet (e.g. neodymium fig 2, 80). The USB flash drive may be used as a breakaway clip on a lanyard (claimed minus the attachment means). Alternatively a lanyard may include USB flash drive breakaway clip in which the cover is releasably connected by other means (e.g. ball and socket) such that the cover releases under a force of 3 to 10 N.

Description

Lanyard The present invention relates to a lanyard and in particular a lanyard having a breakaway connector.
Lanyards are commonly used in the work environment for carrying ID cards or keys and the like. A lanyard is commonly provided with a breakaway connector.
The breakaway connector is provided to protect the user in cases where the lanyard becomes caught, for example in machinery or a lift. The breakaway connector can be positioned on the end of the lanyard adjacent the ID card or keys so that only this portion is separated, or else it can be positioned as part of the loop of the lanyard, so that the entire of the lanyard becomes detached from round the neck of the wearer.
US 6073317 discloses a typical lanyard breakaway connector.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a lanyard with improved functionality which at the same time is safe for use.
Accordingly, in a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lanyard comprising: attachment means for connecting the lanyard to an ID card or keyring; and a breakaway clip wherein the breakaway clip comprises a flash drive having a USB interface and a cover for the USB interface, wherein the cover comprises a magnet such that the magnet releasably connects the cover to the flash drive.
In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lanyard comprising: attachment means for connecting the lanyard to an ID card or keyring; and a breakaway clip wherein the breakaway clip comprises a flash drive having a USB interface and a cover for the USB interface, wherein the cover is releasably connected to the flashdrive, wherein the force required to separate the breakaway clip is from 3 to 1 ON.
The flash drive is connected to the cover via any suitable connection means such that it is retained in place. The connection means preferably do not separate until a force of at least 3 N and more preferably at least 4 N is applied. It is important that the flash drive and cover do not separate too readily as this could lead to loss of the flash drive or object connected to the lanyard. A force of from 5 to 6 N is preferably required to separate the connection means.
Conversely, it is preferred that the connection means separate at a force of less than 10 N and preferably less than 8 N. It is important that the force required to separate the connection means is not too high such that it will not separate when the lanyard is caught. It is known to use a clip as connection means for connecting a USB interface to its cover, wherein the clip locks closed and is releasable by pressing the sides of the clip. Such a connection means is not suitable for the present invention as it is designed to stay locked in position until released by hand. Such a clip would not release under a low level of force and therefore would not act as a breakaway mechanism. The present invention also advantageously allows easier access to the USB drive and/or the keys or ID card attached to the lanyard compared with connection means which require the opening of a clip.
In a preferred embodiment, the connection means is provided by a permanent magnet in the cover. An attractive force exists between the magnet and the metallic USB interface such that the flash drive is held in position in the cover. The size, shape and strength of the magnet can be adjusted to select the required strength for providing a suitable breakaway clip, whilst preventing the flash drive being too easily separated from the cover. The lanyard is expected to be connected to an ID card and/or keys. The weight of card and/or keys is expected to be in the region of 10 to lOOg, and more typically up to about 60g. A restraining force in the region of approximately SN is therefore required to hold the card and/or keys in place, although for higher weights, a higher restraining force may be required.
The magnet is preferably a rare earth magnet, and more preferably a neodymium magnet. The shape of the USB interface means that it does not overlap with the entire surface area of one side of a magnet. Therefore, in order to provide sufficient restraining force, it is necessary to use a magnet of greater magnetic field strength than if there was complete overlap between the USB interface and the magnet. The skilled person will be able to select a magnet which will provide the required restraining force to the USB interface. By way of example, a neodymium N45 magnet of dimensions 5x15x3 mm and a strength of 3920 Gauss is appropriate to hold the USB interface in place. Other sizes, shapes and strengths of magnet will also be appropriate, depending on the amount of overlap with the USB interface.
Alternative connection means, such as a ball and socket, could be used, so long as the connection means are capable of separation under a force of 1 ON or less.
The normal covers used for flash drives are not well suited to the present invention as the connection is not typically sufficiently strong. A normal flash drive is not usually connected at either end, and so does not normally have to support more than its own weight. The additional weight of keys or ID cards would be likely to cause separation of the cover from the flash drive.
The breakaway clip can be part of the loop portion of the lanyard. However, it is preferred that the breakaway clip is positioned adjacent the attachment means for keys or ID cards such that the ID card or keys can be separated from the lanyard without needing to remove the lanyard.
It is further preferred that the cover is connected to the loop portion of the lanyard and the flash drive is connected to the attachment means. In this way, the flash drive can be removed from the lanyard without the need to remove the lanyard.
The lanyard preferably comprises a closure clip on the loop portion of the lanyard to allow the lanyard to be opened for easy removal. It is particularly preferred that this closure clip is a breakaway clip.
In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a USB flash drive comprising: a flash drive body having a USB interface and a first attachment means; a cover for the USB interface having a second attachment means; connection means for connecting the flash drive body to the cover such that the cover is releasably connected to the body. The USB flash drive of the second aspect of the invention is suitable for use as the breakaway clip of the first aspect.
Any of the embodiments or aspects of the present invention can be used in combination with any of the other embodiments or aspects.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be further described with reference to the figures in which: Figure 1 show a lanyard according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows the lanyard with the flash drive separated from the cover.
In Figure 1, there is provided a lanyard 1. The lanyard is connected to a USB flash drive 5. The flash drive is formed of a body portion 10 and a cover 20. The cover 20 has a slot 25 for receiving the lanyard 1. A portion of the lanyard 1 passes through the slot 25 and is reattached to itself by means of a snap fastener 30.
The body portion 10 of the flash drive 5 has a slot 35. A connecting cable 40 passes through the slot 35 and is attached to itself by a snap fastener 45. The connecting cable holds a ring 50, which can be attached to an ID card or set of keys (not shown).
The lanyard 1 has a breakaway clip 60 which separates if too much force is applied to the lanyard 1.
Figure 2 shows the body portion 10 of the flash drive 5 separated from the cover 20. The body portion has a USB interface 70. The cover has a receiving portion 75 for receiving the USB interface. Positioned at the top of the receiving portion 75 is a permanent neodymium magnet 80. The magnet 80 holds the USB interface 70 in place in the cover 20 and prevents easy separation of the cover 20 from the bodyportion 10.
Further embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.
GB201002234A 2010-02-10 2010-02-10 Lanyard Expired - Fee Related GB2477742B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201002234A GB2477742B (en) 2010-02-10 2010-02-10 Lanyard

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201002234A GB2477742B (en) 2010-02-10 2010-02-10 Lanyard

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201002234D0 GB201002234D0 (en) 2010-03-31
GB2477742A true GB2477742A (en) 2011-08-17
GB2477742B GB2477742B (en) 2014-08-13

Family

ID=42110501

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB201002234A Expired - Fee Related GB2477742B (en) 2010-02-10 2010-02-10 Lanyard

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2477742B (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130223020A1 (en) * 2012-02-01 2013-08-29 Flixchip Corp. Flash drive packages and devices
US20130223019A1 (en) * 2011-12-18 2013-08-29 Flixchip Corp. Flash drive packages and devices
USD783718S1 (en) * 2012-05-22 2017-04-11 Bankers Pen (1991) Inc. Strap for journal

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101384143A (en) * 2007-09-05 2009-03-11 华硕电脑股份有限公司 Portable device with USB port
GB2457227A (en) * 2008-01-19 2009-08-12 Utag Ltd USB storage device for carrying emergency medical information

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101384143A (en) * 2007-09-05 2009-03-11 华硕电脑股份有限公司 Portable device with USB port
GB2457227A (en) * 2008-01-19 2009-08-12 Utag Ltd USB storage device for carrying emergency medical information

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
http://www.diytrade.com/china/4/products/5495045/Lanyard_usb_flash_drive.html *
http://www.usb-flashdrive.co.uk/usb-flash-drives/lanyard-drive *

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130223019A1 (en) * 2011-12-18 2013-08-29 Flixchip Corp. Flash drive packages and devices
US20150271939A1 (en) * 2011-12-18 2015-09-24 Flixchip Corp. Flash drive packages and devices
US10306791B2 (en) * 2011-12-18 2019-05-28 Gochip Inc. Flash drive packages and devices
US20130223020A1 (en) * 2012-02-01 2013-08-29 Flixchip Corp. Flash drive packages and devices
USD783718S1 (en) * 2012-05-22 2017-04-11 Bankers Pen (1991) Inc. Strap for journal

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2477742B (en) 2014-08-13
GB201002234D0 (en) 2010-03-31

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20190210