WO2011145941A1

WO2011145941A1 - Fastening clip for a wristband

Info

Publication number: WO2011145941A1
Application number: PCT/NL2011/050343
Authority: WO
Inventors: Solkesz Renske
Original assignee: Dutchband Bv
Current assignee: Dutchband Bv
Priority date: 2010-05-18
Filing date: 2011-05-18
Publication date: 2011-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 2012-11-18
Also published as: EP2572345A1; WO2011145941A9; NL2004733C2

Abstract

The present invention provides a wristband fastening clip for providing a tamperproof closure for a wristband (8), in which the wristband fastening clip comprises: - a base member for holding a part, preferably an end part, of the wristband; - a securing member for securing of the wristband by means of deceiving a further part of the wristband between the base member and the securing member to my: - a securing assembly for providing locking, in which the securing assembly comprises means for locking by means of at least a first contact member at one side of the wristband and at least a second contact member at an opposing side of the wristband.

Description

FASTENING CLIP FOR Λ WRISTBAND

The present invention relates to a wristband fastening clip for providing of a fastening for a wristband. Furthermore, the present invention provides an intermediate product comprising a number of wristbands according to the present invention arranged on a substrate. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for producing and or handling of an intermediate product according to the present invention.

In order to improve the prior art, the present invention provides a wristband fastening clip for providing a tamperproof closure for a wristband (8), in which the wristband fastening clip comprises:

- a base member for holding a part, preferably an end part, of the wristband;

- a securing member for securing of the wristband by means of deceiving a further part of the wristband between the base member and the securing member to my:

- a securing assembly for providing locking, in which the securing assembly comprises means for locking by means of at least a first contact member at one side of the wristband and at least a second contact member at an opposing side of the wristband. It is an advantage of such a wristband fastening clip that a safe fastening is provided. It is a further advantage of the present invention that a fastening can be provided that is arrangeable on the wrist in a flat fashion during use thereof which leads to an improved wearing comfort. Furthermore, the arrange- ment of the fastening clip on the wrist leads to a flat alignment to the wrist because of which, a wristband and or the fastening clip provides considerable less issues regarding to sticking to closing and or obstacles. This is also part of the improvement of the wearing comfort.

In a 1st preferred embodiment, one of the 1st contact members and at least one of the 2nd contact members comprises a tamperproof indication. This is preferably embodied as a weakening in the material that is visible after breaking of contact between parts of the securing assembly and or loss of contact of the wristband with the fastening clip.

In a further preferred embodiment, at least one of the 1st and/or 2nd contact members comprises a rigid engaging element, preferably cooperating with an engaging position. Because of this, it becomes possible to provide a very firm connection between the securing member and the base member at this side.

Preferably, at least one of the 1st and/or 2nd contact members comprises a flexible clicking element, preferably cooperating with a click in position. Because of this, fastening of the past included is simplified be- cause it can simply be click in, preferably at the location of the wrist after the wristband is adjusted to both a manipulation safe as a comfortable length in relation to the wrist and the wristband fastening clip.

The invention relates to a fastening clip for a wristband comprising at least two members that are connected to each other, and which members comprise cooperating spike and spike engaging means and optionally tamper evidencing means.

Such a fastening clip which is provided with tamper evidencing means is disclosed in GB-A-2 453 465. The known fastening clip has a pair of members which are hinged to each other and which carry respectively a pin and a cooperating pin receptor. A portion of the pin has a weakened area such that tampering results in breakage of the fastener. A wristband is guided through apertures in the two members of the fastener, which disadvantageously results that while in use the fastening clip comes to lie unflat next to the wrist around which the wristband is provided.

It is an object of the invention to improve the known fastening clip, and to make it better resistant against tampering.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in a fastening clip which is easier to wear, and which may lie close to the wearer's wrist.

These and other objects of the invention which may become apparent from the following disclosure are provided by the fastening clip having the features of one or more of the appended claims .

In a first aspect of the invention the fastening clip comprises a central member, a bottom member, and a cover member wherein the spike engaging means are provided in the central member and both the bottom member and the cover member are provided with spikes, or the spikes are provided in the central member and both the bottom member and the cover member are provided with the 30 spike engaging means.

This provides a fastening member with improved security and resistance to tampering in that it allows on the one hand that the bottom member and the central member are arranged so as to receive between them a part of a wristband, preferably an extremity of the wristband, and on the other hand that the central member and the cover member are also arranged so as to receive between them part of this wristband. With the wristband in this position it is easy to fix it in place to the fastening member. The arrangements of the central member and the cooperating bottom member and cover member may also be applied independently from each other and not necessarily simulta- neously, although it is preferred to embody the fastening member of the invention with the two features simultaneously so as to arrange that the wrist-band can be received between on the one hand the central member and the cover member, and on the other hand the central member and the bottom member.

It is preferred than that with a wristband connected to the clip the cooperating spike and spike engaging means pierce through the wristband. This promotes the security of the connection between the wristband and the fastening clip. It is further preferred that with the wristband received between the bottom member and the central member the spikes and spike engaging means of the bottom member and the central member are fixed to each other. In this manner the wristband cannot be removed from the fastening clip without destruction.

To further improve the security of the fastening clip it is preferred that the cover member and the central member are provided with cooperating connect-only click fingers and receptacles for said click fingers. Thus, when the click fingers are moved into the receptacles for the click fingers the fastening clip is closed and cannot be reopened again.

The ease of handling of the fastening clip of the invention is promoted by having the central member, the bottom member, and the cover member connected to each other with hinges.

Suitably then the click fingers and the recepta- cles for the click fingers are provided on edges of the cover member and central member that are distant from the hinge connecting the cover member and central member.

A further preferred feature is that the fastening clip of the invention is made from a single material. This is not only beneficial for the ease of manufacturing. It also contributes to reducing environmental problems after the fastening clip has been used and is a removed from a users wrist.

The invention is further embodied in a fastening clip which is assembled with a wristband that is connected to the clip between its bottom member and central member.

The invention will hereinafter be further elucidated with reference to a drawing of a nonlimiting example of a fastening clip in accordance with the invention.

Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be further elucidated on the basis of a description of one or more embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures .

Fig. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment accord- ing to the present invention.

-figure 1 shows a fastening clip of the invention in a first position; -figure 2 shows the fastening clip of figure 1 in a reversed position;

-figure 3 shows the fastening clip of the invention assembled with a wristband connected thereto;

-figure 4 shows the fastening clip of the invention after closing;

-figure 5 shows a detail of the closed fastening clip of figure 4; and

-figure 6 shows the fastening clip in closed con- dition and connected to a wristband.

-figure 7 shows a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

-figure 8 shows a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

-figure 9 shows a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

-figure 10 shows the embodiment of figure 8 in cross section.

Wherever in the figures the same reference numer- als are applied, these numerals refer to the same parts.

With reference first to figure 1 and figure 2 the fastening clip of the invention is referred to with reference numeral 1. This fastening clip 1 is used for closing a wristband around a wearer' s wrist in order to identify this wearer.

The fastening clip 1 of the invention comprises a central member 2, a bottom member 3, and a cover member 4 wherein spike engaging means 6' , 6' ' are provided in the central member 2 and both the bottom member 3 and the cov- er member 4 are provided with spikes 5' (that cooperate with spike engaging means 6') and 5'' (that cooperate with spike engaging means 6' ' ) respectively. Alternatively it is of course also possible that the spikes are provided in the central member 2 and that both the bottom member 3 and the cover member 4 are provided with the spike engaging means .

In the shown example of the fastening clip 1 of the invention the central member 2, the bottom member 3, and the cover member 4 are connected to each other with hinges 7.

It is an aspect of the invention that is shown in figure 3 that the bottom member 3 and the central member 2 are arranged so as to receive between them a part of a wristband 8, preferably an extremity of the wristband 8. Similarly it is preferred that also the central member 2 and the cover member 4 are arranged so as to receive between them a part of a wristband 8, which situation is clearly shown in figure 6.

With a wristband 8 connected to the closed fastening clip 1 of the invention, the cooperating spikes 5' , 5' ' and spike 4 engaging means 6' , 6' ' which are shown in figures 1 and 2, pierce through the wristband 8.

It is further preferred that with the wristband 8 received between the bottom member 3 and the central member 2 as 5 shown in figure 3, the cooperating spikes 5' and spike engaging means 6' of the bottom member 3 and the central member 2 are fixed to each other. This can for in- stance be done by hot melting, gluing or otherwise.

The invention is also embodied in the assembly of a fastening clip 1 with a wristband 8 connected thereto as is shown in figure 3. In this assembly the wristband 8 is connected to the fastening clip 1 between its bottom mem- ber 3 and central member 2.

Still another aspect of the fastening clip 1 according to the invention is shown in figure 1. Figure 1 shows that the cover member A and the central member 2 are provided with cooperating connect-only click fingers 9 and receptacles 10 for said click fingers 9. The receptacles 10 are embodied such that they resist removal of the click fingers 9 once the click fingers 9 are received in said receptacles 10.

Figure 5 represents a detail of figure 4 showing the fastening clip 1 in the closed condition, in which the click fingers 9 are moved in the receptacles 10 for the click fingers 9. It is shown that the receptacles 10 are provided with a barrier 12 behind which the click fingers 9 may reach and which cause that the receptacles 10 resist removal of the click fingers 9 once they are received in said receptacles 10.

Figure 1 shows that the click fingers 9 and the receptacles 10 are provided on edges of the cover member 4 and central member 2 that are distant from the hinge 7 connecting the cover member 4 and central member 2.

With the cooperating click fingers 9 and receptacles 10 for the click fingers 9, opening of the fastening clip 1 of the invention after it is closed as is shown in figure 4 and figure 6, is not possible without destruction of the clip 1. Such inadvertent opening of the fastening clip 1 resulting in its destruction is further promoted by providing break-lines 11 in for instance the cover member 4 as this example also shows in figure 1.

Although it is shown that the click fingers 9 are placed on the cover member 4, and the receptacles 10 for the click 5 fingers 9 are embodied in the central member 2, it is evident that this can also be reversed.

As is further shown in figure 1, it is possible to engage the engaging elements 23 with the engaging position formed by the edge 24. Because of this, a firm mutual connection is provided. Furthermore, it is possible to click the click in elements 19 in the click in position that is formed by the edges 10. Because of this, a firm mutual connection is provided at the other side.

In figure 7, a sheetlike member 31 is shown that is attached to the base member 37 and the securing member 4 by means of adhesion. Herewith, it is achieved that both parts are mutually connected. Furthermore, the sheet comprises a manipulation indication for showing of a manipulation of the wristband fastening clip. For this purpose, a holographic representation is preferably provided, because of which damage is easily assessable. Furthermore, a representation provides an advantageous and attractive opportunity to represent messages on the clip. Alternatively, it is possible to provide an additional part 34 to the sheetlike member 31. Before the wristband is provided to the wrist, this part 34 is preferably protected by means of a back sheet 35 and is this part preferably provided with a layer of adhesive therebetween. After affixing the wristband, this part 34 can be brought into contact with the securing member 4 in an adhesive manner. By means of this, a manipulation indication is provided to the wrist clip.

In the figures 8 and 10, a further preferred embodiment is shown. In this preferred embodiment, addition- al pens 62 arranged between the central part 2 and the securing member 4. Furthermore, cover members 21' are shown which delimits access to the inside of the clip.

In the figures 9A and 9B, an intermediate product is shown comprising substrate sheets 41 with wristbands 8 adhered thereto wherein at one end thereof a wristband fastening clip. An advantage of this intermediate product is that that wristbands that are white or neutrally colored may be used that may be printed with a suitable motif for a specific occasion. Because of this, a high degree of flexibility is provided with regard to customizing of wristbands for specific occasions. Also, substantial advantages with regard to production are provided.

Fastening clip (1) for a wristband (8) comprising at least two members (2, 3, 4} that are connected to each other, which members (2, 3, 4) comprise cooperating spike (5', 5") and spike engaging means (6', 6") and optionally tamper evidencing means (11) , characterized in that it comprises a central member (2), a bottom member (3); and a cover member (4) wherein the spike engaging means (6', 6"} are provided in the central member (2) and both the bottom member {3} and the cover member (4) are provided with spikes {5', 5"), or the spikes are provided in the central member (2) and both the bottom member (3) and the cover member (4) are provided with the spike engaging means.

Fastening clip according to claim 1, characterized in that the central member (2), the bottom member (3), and the cover member (4) are connected to 'each other with hinges (7)

Fastening clip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bottom member (3) and the central member (2) are arranged so as to receive between them a part of a wristband (8), preferably an extremity of the wrist- band.

Fastening clip according to anyone of the previous claims, characterized in that the central member (2) and the cover member (4) are arranged so as to receive between them a part of a wristband (8) .

Fastening clip according to anyone of the previous claims, characterized in that with a wristband (8) connected to the clip (1), the cooperating spike (5', 5") and spike engaging means (6', 6") pierce through the wristband (8). Fastening clip according to claim 3 and 5, characterized in that with the wristband (8) received between the bottom member (8} and the central member (2) the spikes (5') and spike engaging means (6') of the bottom member (3) and the central member (2) are fixed to each other.

Fastening clip according to anyone of the previous claims, characterized in that the, cover member (4) and the central member (2) are provided with cooperating click fingers {9} and receptacles (10) for said click fingers

(9) .

Fastening clip according to claim 7, characterized in that with the click fingers (9) moved into the recepta- cles (10), said receptacles (10) resist removal of the click fingers (9) from the receptacles (10).

Fastening clip according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the click fingers (9) and the receptacles

(10) for the click fingers (9) are provided on edges of the cover member 5 (4) and central member (2) that are distant from the hinge (7) connecting the cover member (4) and central member (2) .

Fastening clip according to anyone of the previous claims, characterized in that it is made from a single ma- terial.

Fastening clip according to anyone of the previous 10 claims, characterized in that it is assembled with a wristband (8) connected to the clip (1) between its bottom member (3) and central member (2)

Claims

1. Wristband fastening clip for providing a tam- perproof closure for a wristband (8), in which the wristband fastening clip comprises:

- a base member for holding a part, preferably an end part, of the wristband;

- a securing assembly for providing locking, in which the securing assembly comprises means for locking by means of at least a first contact member at one side of the wristband and at least a second contact member at an opposing side of the wristband.

2. Wristband fastening clip according to claim 1 in which at least one of the 1st contact members and at least one of the 2nd contact members comprises a tam- perproof indicator.

3. Wristband fastening clip according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the first and/or second contact members comprises a rigid engaging element, that preferably cooperates with an engag- ing position.

4. Wristband fastening clip according to one or more of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the 1st and/or 2nd compact members comprises a flexible click- ing element, preferably cooperating with a clicking position.

5. Wristband fastening clip according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which a functional side of the securing assembly is arranged in the base member, and the other functional side of the securing assembly is arranged in the securing member, in which preferably the clicking position and the engagement position are arranged at the base member and the engaging element and the clicking element are arranged at the securing member.

6. Wristband fastening clip according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which a click function providing part of the clicking element is directed towards the wristband and or in which the click function providing part of the clicking element is locked in the base member when being clicked in.

7. Wristband fastening clip according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which an engaging function providing part of the engaging element is directed away from the wristband and or in which the engagement function providing part of the engagement element is locked into the base member when being in the engaged position.

8. Wristband fastening clip according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the base member and the securing member are mutually connected by means of a sheetlike member and or are mutually connected by means of a material bridge for providing a bendable or breakable mutual connection, preferably provided with a representation, such as a holographic representation.

9. Wristband fastening clip according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the base member comprises a central part and a bottom part between which the wristband is arranged below, preferably between which the wrist and is permanently fixed, such as by means of ultrasonic welding or gluing.

10. Wristband fastening clip according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the base member, the securing member, the central part and or the bottom part comprise mutually cooperating retention members for providing a retention function with regard to the wristband, in which the retention members preferably comprise extending elements, such as pins, and corresponding re- ceiving elements, such as openings.

11. Wristband fastening clip according to claim 9 or 10 in which the central part and the bottom part are mutually connected by means of bridging material for providing a bendable or breakable mutual connection and or are mutually connected by means of a material bridge for providing a bendable or breakable mutual connection.

12. Wristband fastening clip according to claim 10 or 11, in which the extending elements during use of the wristband fastening clip extend as far as into and or beyond material of the wristband and or the wristband fastening clip comprises cover members for covering a lead through for the wristband at the lead through between the base member and the securing member .

13. Wristband fastening clip according to one or more of the previous claims characterized in that it is produced from one material, preferably by means of a molding process or an injection molding process, in which by further preference, the securing member and or the base member is provided with a tamperproof indicator, such as for breaking of the during member or the base member during attempts to manipulate these, which is preferably embodied as weakened areas or fracture lines.

14. Intermediate product comprising a predetermined number of wristbands and a number of their to connected wristband fastening clips, in which the wristbands and or the wristband fastening clips are removably arranged on a substrate member for providing a mutual arrangement of the wristbands.

15. Intermediate product according to claim 14, in which the assembly of the substrate member and the wristbands are suitable for handling by means of a printer, such as an offset printer, silkscreen printer, inkjet printer or the like.

16. Method for producing and or handling of an intermediate product according to one or more of the previous claims, comprising steps for:

- providing a wristband fastening clip with an amount of wristband attached thereto;

- providing a substrate, such as a sheet of paper and or plastic;

-preferably by means of a removable connection, attaching of the wristbands and or the wristband thing clip to the substrate in a mutual arrangement.

17. Method according to claim 13, comprising stepsiding a print on the wristbands that are attachedubstrate by means of a printer.