GB2533577A

GB2533577A - A closure for a fabric wristband

Info

Publication number: GB2533577A
Application number: GB1422921.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ola Nilsson Lars
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-12-22
Filing date: 2014-12-22
Publication date: 2016-06-29
Also published as: WO2016102506A1; EP3238201A1

Abstract

A closure 10 for a fabric wristband comprising a male part 11 and a female part 12 which engage in a first position, where the band is moveable through the closure, and a second position, in which the parts are irreversibly locked together and no movement of the band is possible. The band prevents and leaves evidence of tampering. Preferably, in the first position one end of the band is attached to the male part 11 and the other may pass through an opening of the female part 12 at the opposite end to the male part. The closure may have cooperating members which may be in the form of a resilient flange (17, fig 3) and depression (32, fig 3) or a resilient clip 25 and notches 37. The closure may have a spike 45, 46 on the female part 12 to pierce the band and enter a socket 47, 48 on the male part 11.

Description

A closure for a fabric wristband This invention relates to a closure for a fabric wristband and, in particular, to a closure, which prevents removal of the intact wristband from a wearer.

Wristbands are used in a variety of settings to identify the wearer.

Thus, wristbands are used to identify a patient in a hospital and, in particular, new born babies and patients undergoing surgery.

Wristbands are also used in the entertainment industry, particularly at large concerts and sporting events. Fabric wristbands are 10 also used by conference organisers.

The wristbands can be colour coded to indicate the status of a conference or concert attendee, with a particular coloured allowing the wearer access to VIP areas. Further information can be printed on the wristbands or the wristbands can include machine-readable data thereon.

Where a wristband acts as a ticket for an event it is important that, once placed on the wrist of the purchaser, it cannot be removed for use by another person, without visible damage being caused thereto.

European Patent Publication No. 2 204 790 Al describes a tamper evident fastening device suitable for use with a wristband. The device consists of a pair of members, a first member having a spike-like part, and a second member having a spike-engaging means, with one or other of the members being frangibly connected to the other member. An attempt to open the closed device causes one or both of the frangible connections to break, thereby providing evidence of tampering.

A problem with this device is that it can be prised apart and re-closed, using some means, such as glue, to hold the members together, in such a way that an individual casually inspecting the device will not notice that it has been tampered with. This can happen when a large number of devices are being inspected by the individual in a short space of time.

International Publication No. WO 2014/121026 A2 describes a fabric band closure, which includes a hollow body having a generally cylindrical sidewall extending between generally axially aligned first and second open ends. A fabric band inlet is formed at the first end of the body and a fabric band outlet is defined by the second end of the body. A fabric catch comprised of ribs spaced around the inner surface of the sidewall is disposed within the body intermediate the fabric band inlet and the fabric band outlet. The catch is configured to permit insertion of a fabric band through the catch but inhibit removal of the fabric band from the catch.

A wristband employing such a catch can be placed on a wearer and the band pulled through the catch until it cannot be taken off by slipping it over the wearer's fingers. However, the band can subsequently be pulled tighter by the wearer, possibly causing discomfort thereto. Furthermore, the closure can be tampered with by insertion of an implement, such as a bent paperclip, into the fabric band outlet to disengage the ribs from the fabric and permit removal of the band from the closure, without causing damage to either the band or the closure.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the 5 disadvantages of the closures hereinbefore described.

Thus, the invention provides a closure for a fabric wristband, which closure prevents removal of the intact wristband from a wearer, the closure comprising a male part and a female part, which parts, in use, are mateable in two positions, a first position wherein the male part engages with the female part, such that the wristband is moveable through the closure and a second position wherein the male part is a snug fit within the female part and the male and female parts are irreversibly locked together, such that the closure is tamper-proof and no further movement of the wristband through the closure is possible.

By wristband in this context is meant a band that is normally attachable around a wrist of a wearer. However, in certain circumstances the band could be attachable around an ankle of a wearer.

An advantage of the closure according to the invention is that when the male and female parts are in the second position, the closure is tamper-proof and can only be opened by breaking it apart. Thus, the normal way to remove a wristband is by cutting the wristband itself. This prevents the wristband from being used again.

A further advantage of the closure according to the invention is that while the male and female parts are in the first position the wristband can be adjusted on the wearer to give a snug but comfortable fit. When the male and female parts are moved to the second position no further movement of the wristband through the closure is possible. Thus, once the wristband has been secured on the wearer's wrist it cannot be subsequently tightened.

Preferably, one end of the fabric wristband is attachable to the male part and when the male and female parts are in the first position, the other end of the fabric wristband is passable through the female part, which female part has a hollow body section with an opening at one end thereof to receive the male part and an opening at the opposite end thereof to receive the other end of the fabric wristband.

An advantage of this arrangement is that the wristband is adjustable by holding the closure and pulling the other end of the fabric wristband through it to tighten the wristband on a wearer's wrist.

In one embodiment of the invention the male part and the female part have cooperating formations thereon for holding the parts in the first and second positions, with the formations on the female part being 20 located within the hollow body section.

An advantage of this arrangement is that the cooperating formations cannot be accessed from the exterior of the hollow body section, thus rendering the closure tamper-proof Preferably, a resilient flange on the male part is engageable with a depression on an inner surface of the hollow body section, when the male and female parts are in the first position.

An advantage of this arrangement is that as the male part is pushed into the female part the resilient flange vvill pop into the depression indicating that the first position has been reached. At this stage the male part cannot be removed from the female part, although the fabric wristband can be pulled through the closure.

Further, preferably, a resilient clip on the male part is engageable fiD with a notch located within the hollow body section, when the male and female parts are in the first position.

An advantage of this arrangement is that the locking mechanism of a resilient clip and notch combination cannot be tampered with, once the male part has be pushed firmly home into the second position.

In a further embodiment of the closure according to the invention, the fabric wristband passes through a generally S-shaped path within the closure, such that, as the male part is moved between the first and second positions, the fabric wristband is pinched between the male part and the female part to prevent further movement of the fabric wristband through the closure.

An advantage of the S-shaped path is that it makes it difficult to tamper with the closure by attempting to release the fabric wristband for movement within the closure.

In a further embodiment of the closure according to the invention, a spike mounted within the hollow body section is adapted to pierce the fabric wristband, in use and to engage with a corresponding socket mounted on the male part.

This arrangement results in the closure having a firm grip on the wristband, such that the wristband cannot be moved in either direction through the closure. If sufficient force is applied in an effort to move the wristband, the wristband will shear at the point where it is gripped rendering it unusable.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. I is a perspective view of a closure for a fabric wristband in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the closure of Fig. 1, with the male and female parts thereof in spaced apart relationship; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the closure of Fig. 2, with the front half of the female part removed; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the closure of Fig. 2 from the other side, with the rear half of the female part removed; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the closure of Fig. 1, with a fabric wristband attached and with the male and female parts in the second position; Fig. 6 is a cross-section view from one side of the closure and wristband of Fig. 5, but with the male and female parts in the first position; and Fig. 7 is a cross-section view from one side of the closure and wristband of Fig. 5, with the male and female parts in the second position.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is illustrated generally at 10, a closure for a fabric wristband, which closure prevents removal of the intact wristband from a wearer, in accordance with the invention. The closure 10 has a male part, illustrated generally at 11 and a female part, illustrated generally at 12. The male part 11 is shown fully inserted into the female part 12, such that the male part 11 is a snug, tamper-proof fit within the female part 12 and the male and female parts 11, 12 are irreversibly locked together.

Referring to Fig. 2 the closure 10 is shown with the male part 11 and the female part 12 thereof in spaced apart relationship, prior to being locked together. The male part 11 has a bar 13 mounted at one end 14 of the male part 11, between two shoulder sections 15, 16. In use one end of the fabric wristband (not shown) is attachable around the bar 13.

A resilient flange 17 is mounted at one end 18 thereof to a surface 19 within an opening 20 in the male part 11. The resilient flange 17 protrudes from the opening 20 to rear 21 of the male part 11.

A resilient clip 22 is mounted on one side 23 of the male part 11 at 5 position 24 and a corresponding resilient clip 25 is mounted on the other side 26 of the male part 11 at position 27.

The female part 12 has a hollow body section 28 with an opening 29 at one end 30 thereof, into which opening 29 the male part 11 is insertable, in use.

Referring to Fig. 3, the closure 10 is illustrated with the front half of the female part 12 removed. In use, the male part 11 is introduced into the opening 29 in the female part 12 and the male part is pushed in until the free end 31 of the resilient flange 17 engages with a depression 32 on an inner surface 33 of the hollow body section 28. This represents the first mating position of the male part 11 and the female part 12. The male part 11 cannot be withdrawn from the female part 12 in this position.

Referring to Fig. 4, the closure 10 is illustrated with the rear half of the female part 12 removed. In use, as the male part 11 is pushed into the female part from the first mating position to a second mating position the resilient clips 22, 25 are forced past corresponding projections 34, 35, respectively, within the hollow body section 28. Once the resilient clips 22, 25 have passed beyond the projections 34, 35 they spring back to their original position and engage in corresponding notches 36, 37, respectively. This represents the second mating position of the male part 11 and the female part 12.

A slot 38 at end 39 of the hollow body section 28 is adapted to receive the free end (not shown) of the fabric wristband (not shown). A member 40 is attached between sides 41 and 42, respectively of the hollow body section forming a channel 43 between the member 40 and a wall 44 of the hollow body section 28. A pair of spikes 45,46 is mounted on the member 40 and a corresponding pair of sockets 47, 48, 10 respectively, is mounted on end 49 of the male part 11.

In use, one end of the fabric wristband (not shown) is attached around the bar 13 of the male part 11 and the free end of the wristband is introduced into slot 38 in the hollow body section 28 and is passed through the channel 43 and between the pair of spikes 45, 46 and the pair of sockets 47,48 to emerge to one side 50 of the bar 13.

The wristband is moveable while the male and female parts 11, 12 are separate or in the first mating position. However, as the male and female parts 11, 12 move towards the second mating position the fabric wristband is pinched therebetween. In the second mating position the pair of spikes 45, 46 pierce the fabric wristband and engage with the corresponding pair of sockets 47, 48 to prevent further movement of the fabric wristband through the closure.

Referring to Fig. 5, the closure 10 is shown with a fabric wristband 51 attached thereto. One end 52 of the wristband 51 is attached to the male part 11 around bar 13 and free end 53 of the wristband 51 has been passed through the closure 10, in through the slot 38 in the hollow body section 28 and out of the opening 29 at end 30 of the hollow body section 28, to one side 50 of the bar 13.

Referring to Fig. 6, the closure 10 and the wristband 51 are shown in cross-section. The male part 11 and female part 12 are in the first mating position with the resilient flange 17 engaged in the depression 32.

The wristband passes through the slot 38 in the hollow body section 28 and passes over the pair of spikes 45, 46 (spike 46 not being shown). The wristband 51 then passes between the male part 11 and front half 54 of the hollow body section 28 to emerge from the opening 29 to one side 50 of the bar 13. The wristband thus travels in a generally S-shaped path 55 through the closure. In the first position the wristband 51 is free to move in either direction through the closure 10.

Referring to Fig. 7, the closure 10 and wristband 51 are again shown in cross-section, with the male part 11 and the female part 12 in the second mating position. The wristband 51 is pinched between the spike 45 and socket 47 at position 56, with the spike 45 having pierced through the wristband 51. The shape of the S-shaped path 55 makes it difficult to tamper with the closure 10 by attempting to release the fabric wristband 51 for movement within the closure 10.

Thus, in the second mating position the closure 10 has a firm grip on the wristband 51, such that the wristband 51 cannot be move in either direction through the closure 10. If sufficient force is applied in an effort to move the wristband 51, the wristband 51 will shear at the position 56 where it is gripped rendering it unusable.

Claims

Claims: - 1. A closure for a fabric wristband, which closure prevents removal of the intact wristband from a wearer, the closure comprising a male part and a female part, which parts, in use, are mateable in two 5 positions, a first position wherein the male part engages with the female part, such that the wristband is moveable through the closure and a second position wherein the male part is a snug fit within the female part and the male and female parts are irreversibly locked together, such that the closure is tamper-proof and no further movement of the wristband 10 through the closure is possible.
2. A closure according to Claim 1, wherein one end of the fabric wristband is attachable to the male part and wherein, when the male and female parts are in the first position, the other end of the fabric wristband is passable through the female part, which female part has a hollow body section with an opening at one end thereof to receive the male part and an opening at the opposite end thereof to receive the other end of the fabric wristband.
3. A closure according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the male part and the female part have cooperating formations thereon for holding the 20 parts in the first and second positions, with the formations on the female part being located within the hollow body section.
4. A closure according to Claim 3, wherein a resilient flange on the male part is engageable with a depression on an inner surface of the hollow body section, when the male and female parts are in the first position.
5. A closure according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein a resilient clip on the male part is engageable with a notch located within the hollow 5 body section, when the male and female parts are in the first position.
6. A closure according any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the fabric wristband passes through a generally S-shaped path within the closure, such that, as the male part is moved between the first and second positions, the fabric wristband is pinched between the male part and the female part to prevent further movement of the fabric wristband through the closure.
7. A closure according to Claim 6, wherein a spike mounted within the hollow body section is adapted to pierce the fabric wristband, in use and to engage with a corresponding socket mounted on the male 15 part.
8. A closure according to Claim 1 for a fabric wristband, which closure prevents removal of the intact wristband from a wearer, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.