SECURE WRIST BAND

Abstract

A flexible wrist band that has a compartment is provided. The wrist band is fastened by threaded pins that pass through openings in the band. The openings are reinforced to decrease the risk that the band can be removed from the wearer without operating the fastener. The fastener requires a tool to separate the threaded pins, further securing the band and decreasing the risk of removal from the wrist of a wearer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to bands for placing around the wrist of a person. More particularly, a wrist band of flexible material having a fastener mechanism that provides security against unwanted removal of the band from a wrist is disclosed.

2. Description of Related Art

Wrist bands are used in a variety of settings. For example, they may be used for identification and information purposes in the medical field and to provide an easy carrying device for small tools, watches or other instruments. For children, wrist bands adapted for tethering balloons have been disclosed (U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,275). A wrist band for identification has been disclosed (U.S. Pat. No. 8,061,069) In various applications of re-usable wrist bands it is desirable that the wrist band be fastened by a mechanism that deters removal of the wrist band.

For some applications, it is desirable to form a re-usable wrist band from a deformable material, such as silicone, which provides a more user-friendly and comfortable band. A suitable silicone material that can be molded into bands is commercially available. It is desirable that the band have a fastener assembly that is adjustable in size to fit different wearers. This can be provided by a plurality of holes in the band and a removable pin having two heads to extend through the holes.

When a deformable material of construction is used, it has been found that a fastener consisting of a two-headed pin in the wrist band does not have sufficient strength to prevent removal because the material deforms and allows the fastener to fail. This can cause loss of an object attached to the wrist band or a security risk if the band is worn to attach a security device to the wearer. There is a need for a wrist band from flexible material that is not easily removed from a wearer by force or operation of the fastener mechanism.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A wrist band made of soft and flexible material that is adapted to receive a device and to resist removal by the wearer or an assailant is provided. The wrist band is easily fastened on a wrist using a receiving pin and an insert pin through holes that are reinforced to prevent unwanted removal of the wrist band.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is an isometric top view of the wrist band disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is an isometric bottom view of the wrist band disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of a compartment in the wrist band adapted for receiving devices.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the wrist band disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the wrist band, a fastening mechanism using a threaded two-headed pin and a reinforcing ring in the band concentric to the fastening mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, wrist band assembly 10 has band 12, which is preferably molded from an elastomer such as silicone such that it is comfortable to a wearer. It may be colored for aesthetic reasons. Band 12 is comprised of two flat elements, and can be made adjustable in size by using a plurality of holes such as 12a in the flat elements. Band 12 may be molded to contain compartment 14 between the flat elements, into which a device can be inserted. A selected area 14b of top 14a of compartment 14 may be molded to protrude and have a different color than the surrounding area. This area can be juxtaposed to a button having a certain functionality in a device placed in compartment 14, such as a panic button on an electronic device.

Referring to FIG. 2, a different view of wrist band assembly 10 is shown, along with device 20 which can be inserted into compartment 14 by deforming bottom 14c of compartment 14. The location of area 14b of compartment 14 may be adapted such that button 20a will be below area 14b when device 20 is placed in compartment 14. Device 20 may be an electronic device. In one embodiment, device 20 uses radio-frequency technology along with a base device to indicate the distance from the base to device 20 or if device 20 is out of range of the base device.

Referring to FIG. 3, compartment 14 is shown in cross-section. Top 14a has protrusion 14b. Bottom element 14c is flexible and is sized to allow insertion of a device into compartment 14 and to securely retain the device.

FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of wrist band 12, having multiple holes 12a for adjusting size of the band in element 12e and a single hole for receiving a pin in element 12d.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of fastener 50 joining elements 12d and 12e of band 12. Band 12 has rigid rings 40 concentric with the fastener and preferably molded into band 12. The rigid rings may be formed of a polymer, such as polyethylene terephthalate (MYLAR), or metal or other rigid material. Rings 40 may be any shape forming a closed surface—not necessarily a circle. Fastener 50 preferably is formed from receiving pin 50a, having head 50b and internal threads 50c, and insertion pin 50d, having head 50e and external threads 50f. Internal threads 50c and external threads 50f may be threadably engaged to form fastener 50. Rigid rings 40 concentric with fastener 50 increase strength of the fastener to prevent unwanted removal of band 12 from a wrist.

To further prevent unwanted removal of band 12 from a wrist, recess 51 preferably requires a tool to be used to apply torque to insertion pin 50d and threadably join it or separate it from receiving pin 50a. Recess 51 in head 50e may be a simple slot, such that coin may be used to apply torque, or it may be a complex shape requiring a special tool, such as a hex key (“Allen Wrench”) or other key to apply torque.

The wrist band disclosed herein is particularly suited for placing on the wrist of a child after inserting an electronic device in the compartment of the wrist band. The electronic device may be paired with other electronic devices to send information about the child to a base, which may be a “smart phone” that is programmed to receive and process the information.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific details, it is not intended that such details should be regarded as limitations on the scope of the invention, except to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A wrist band assembly, comprising:

first and a second flat elements having a selected thickness and a compartment between the elements, the flat elements and compartment being formed from a flexible material;

a first rigid pin having an outside surface and internal threads from a first end and a head on a second end;

a second rigid pin having external threads adapted to threadingly mate with the internal threads of the first rigid pin and having a head and a recessed area in the head for receiving a tool to supply torque to the pin; and

openings in the flexible material of the first and the second flat elements, the openings being adapted to receive an outside surface of the first rigid pin; and

rigid reinforcing elements in the flat elements and concentric to the openings in the flat elements.

2. The wrist band assembly of claim 1 wherein the flexible material comprises a silicone-based polymer.

3. The wrist band assembly of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing elements are made of a rigid polymer

4. The wrist band assembly of claim 1 wherein the compartment is adapted to receive an electronic device.

5. The wrist band assembly of claim 1 wherein the recessed area in the head of the second rigid pin is a slot.

6. The wrist band assembly of claim 1 wherein the recessed area in the head of the second rigid pin is adapted for receiving a key.