Retractable Badge Holder Assembly With Automatic Alignment

Abstract

The disclosure concerns a retractable badge holder assembly designed to cause a particular face of an essentially planar badge to have the same orientation with respect to the retractable badge holder assembly when a cord that retracts the badge is fully retracted through the action of matched magnets. The retractable badge holder assembly has a case subassembly containing a retraction mechanism and having an aperture for a cord and a bob which is adapted to be affixed adjacent to a terminal end of the cord and limit the retraction of the cord. A magnet having a north and a south pole is affixed adjacent to the aperture, another magnet having a north and a south pole is secured to the end of the bob adapted to be proximate to the aperture. The poles of the magnets are matched so that the same face of the retracted badge will face outward.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to badge holders, specifically retractable badge holders that prevent a user's badge from being displayed incorrectly.

A badge holder defined herein is any object which is attachable to a user and displays identifying information (typically an individual's photograph and name). More specifically, retractable badge reels are a type of badge holder that have a case which contains a reel with a cord wrapped around it. The reel is configured in such a way that when the cord is pulled, a flat coil spring provides tension. When the end of the cord is released, the tension from the biased spring automatically rewinds the cord around the reel. The case or housing typically has a clip on its backside for securing it to a shirt pocket, pants pocket, scrubs, etc., of the wearer. The front of the case may be decorated with company logos, designs, or unadorned. The free end of the cord is usually attached to an end piece called a bob. The diameter of the bob is larger than the through hole in the case of the badge reel to prevent the cord from fully retracting into the case. The bob connects to an ID badge holding strap, which loops through a slit in the ID. The common retractable badges are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,732,148, 3,968,670, 5,815,873, 5,833,165, 6,073,875, 6,290,158, and 6,364,237, and U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2004/0188557.

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a prior art retractable badge reel. Generally, the badge holder 10 is a device having a case 12 inside of which is an extendable and retractable cord 14. The case 12, is shown in FIG. 1A as having a circular shape. However, the case 12 can have any shape desired, such as an elliptical shape or polygonal shape (e.g., triangular, square, rectangular, hexagonal, etc.), as desired. The cord 14 passes from the interior of the case 12 to the exterior through a port 16 located along the peripheral edge of the case. The end of the cord 14 extending through to the exterior side of the case 12 is attached to a bob 18, which is physically larger that the port. The cord 14 is under tension from within the case 12 such that it tends to want to retract into the case. In a fully retracted mode, the bob 18 is pulled by the tensioned cord 14 against the exterior of the case 12. This prevents the cord 14 from retracting completely into the case 12. The bob 18 is connected to a conventional badge clip 20 via any appropriate connector, such as the connecting ring 22 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

The retractable badge reel's resting position is the retracted mode. In the retracted mode, the badge hangs down from the badge reel, which is typically clipped to the clothing (e.g., shirt pocket, pants pocket, scrubs, etc.) of a person wearing the badge via clip 24. When the badge is “swiped,” the wearer pulls on the badge or the badge clip 20 away from the case 12 of the badge reel. The portion of the cord 14 contained within the case 12 is played out as the wearer pulls. It is noted that the length of the cord 14 is made long enough so that the badge can be readily presented or “swiped” by a user without the cord being fully extended from the case. When the wearer releases the badge, or guides it back toward the badge reel 10, the tension placed on the cord 14 pulls the cord back into the case 12, until the bob 18 abuts against the case.

The purpose of a retractable badge reel is to allow the user to attach a badge to his or her clothing and extend the badge without having to reattach it. Badges are commonly printed with identifying information such as one's company, name, profession, etc. This information is often encoded on a chip or magnet strip on the badge allowing the user to “scan” or “swipe” the badges past sensing devices. Badges may allow authorized personnel to unlock RFID door locks, use employee timekeeping clocks, and even sign into medical records.

In 1981, the first retractable badge reel was invented, and most companies still use this original badge reel four decades later. This device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,237. Commonplace retractable badge reels have two main issues. Firstly, they can twist and turn, often displaying the incorrect side of the ID badge, which greatly reduces the utility of the badges, and could potentially compromise the security of a premises. In certain situations, it is crucial to be able to see who walked into the room and what his or her authorization level is. A common example is the hospital setting in which it is essential for patients to understand the role of each provider. Secondly, currently available badge reel designs have too many degrees of freedom which allow them to excessively twist and flop in a random, unprofessional manner. This can also be very bothersome and distracting to the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 2004/0188557 discloses a retractable badge reel that is advertised as “no twist.” This badge reel uses a keyed geometry to fit the badge case to the bob or end piece, preventing the bob and badge from twisting. From testing, this badge reel has issues with seating the bob to the badge case when the badge is released and retracted. To display the badge correctly, the keyed geometry and bob must intentionally be put into the desired orientation after the badge is retracted. The badge must be put in the correct position by hand since the keyed geometry has two possible positions in which the bob may rest. This device does not automatically control the orientation of the badge which often twists out of position while walking. This badge reel still has the same two aforementioned issues. It often shows the incorrect side of the badge and it has too many degrees of freedom.

Magnetic badge holders are often used to keep badges facing outward and looking professional. They comprise a magnet that is attached by an adhesive to the badge and a ferrous metal strip that is placed inside of a shirt pocket. The magnets can also be replaced with pins. Both U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,339,090 and 6,226,905 show fixed badge holders that attach to clothing. Although Fixed badge holders may solve the two main problems listed above, they create three new problems. Firstly, many people use their ID badge to scan into doors, employee work clocks, and medical records. At some hospitals, caregivers can swipe their badges upwards of sixty to one hundred times a day. It is time consuming and inconvenient to detach and reattach an ID to a badge holder every time it is “scanned” or “swiped.” Secondly, there are many dress shirts and even medical scrubs that do not have pockets to accommodate magnetic badge holders. Many scrubs don't have pockets because they are more difficult to sterilize and take longer to dry. Without a pocket, it would be difficult and inappropriate to reattach a metal plate or pins to a badge holder through one's shirt. Thirdly, these fixed badge holders can only be placed on a shirt. In some cases, employees may want to attach their badge to their belt loop or to their pants pocket.

Another way to wear an ID badge is on a lanyard which goes around a person's neck. This option can irritate the neck and has a lot of freedom to move and look unprofessional. In many manufacturing and industrial environments lanyards are prohibited as they can easily get caught in moving machinery. In the medical setting, there is concern for dangling lanyards and ties transferring germs from one patient to another. As previously mentioned, the lanyard design does not consistently orient the badge correctly, allowing the front of the badge to face the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves a retractable badge holder assembly. It comprises a case subassembly containing a retraction mechanism and having an aperture for a cord which facilitates the extension and retraction of the retractable badge and a bob which is adapted to be affixed adjacent to a terminal end of the cord and limit the retraction of the cord. At least one magnet having a north and a south pole is adjacent to the aperture and at least one other magnet having a north and a south pole is secured to the end of the bob adapted to be proximate to the aperture. The poles of the magnets are arranged to assure that the cord will have the same rotational configuration about its long axis each time the cord is retracted into the case subassembly. The bob may carry a means for securing a generally planar badge and the magnets may be arranged to cause one face of the badge to have a particular orientation to the case subassembly when the cord is retracted to the full extent permitted by the bob. The means for securing the generally planar badge to the bob may be a semi-flexible strap.

This new design of an improved retractable badge reel confers several advantages: consistent orientation of the badge during movement of the user, consistent return to proper position each time the badge is retracted, and as a result of this improved function, better security and a more professional look when walking or moving with the badge reel. More advantages will become clear in the following drawings and descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a front view of a retractable badge reel according to the Prior Art;

FIG. 1B is a side view of the retractable badge reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a partially cross-sectional, exploded, side view of the components making up the case of the retract able badge reel of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 2B is a front view of a reel of the retractable badge reel of FIGS. 1A and 1B, including a wind-up spring disposed in the central cavity of the reel;

FIG. 3 is a back-isometric view of preferred embodiment of badge holder assembly with ID badge in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of badge holder assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a right-side elevation view of the badge holder assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional front elevation view of the badge holder assembly of FIG. 5 taken from line AA;

FIG. 7 is a back-elevation view of the badge holder assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of reel components and magnets of the badge holder assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is an exploded front-isometric view of the badge holder assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10.1 is a front-isometric view of the back housing of the case subassembly of FIG. 3 which shows geometry that accommodates the magnet;

FIG. 10.2 is a front-elevation view of the back housing of the case subassembly of FIG. 3 which shows geometry that accommodates the magnet;

FIG. 11.1 is a back-isometric view of the bob endpiece of the badge holder assembly of FIG. 3 which shows preferred slit and geometry;

FIG. 11.2 is a front-isometric view of the bob endpiece of the badge holder assembly of FIG. 3 which shows the preferred slit and geometry;

FIG. 12 is a left side elevation view of the bob and ID strap subassembly of the badge holder assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is front cross-sectional elevation view of the badge holder assembly of FIG. 3 showing the diametric magnet configuration; and

FIG. 14 is an alternative preferred embodiment of an axial magnet configuration for the badge holder assembly of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used to describe the invention is only for the purpose of describing the preferred embodiment and is not meant to be limiting of the invention. Other embodiments could be used without changing the scope of the present invention. As used in the description of the invention the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless context clearly indicates otherwise. The words “and/or” as used herein refers to an encompasses any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The words “right,” “left,” “top,” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the retractable badge reel and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. The words first, second, etc., are used herein to describe various elements; these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

Referring to the drawings in detail, where like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 3-13 a first preferred embodiment of a badge holder assembly generally designated 1000 with automatic badge alignment having an internal mechanism for achieving the automatic alignment of a badge will now be described.

Referring to the exploded back isometric view FIG. 3, the badge holder assembly 1000 comprises a case subassembly 1200 which contains an extendable and retractable cord 1300. The end of the cord 1300 is attached to a bob 1410 and ID strap 1420 of a bob subassembly 1400 which in turn connects to an ID badge 46. The badge holder assembly 1000 can be attached to clothing by a clip 1210 or other fastener such as an alligator clip, safety pin, etc. In FIG. 7, the clip 1210 is attached via clip cutout seat 1252 and it is held in place by raised geometry 1254 shown in FIG. 9 that mates with the clip 1210.

Referring to FIGS. 3-10 the case subassembly 1200 comprises a housing back plate 1250 and a housing front plate 1230, which enclose the reel 1260. The front housing plate 1230 may be adorned with a sticker or print 1240 of a company logo, sports team, brand name, etc. The reel 1260 has two annular walls 1262 which define a central cavity 1264. The excess extendable and retractable cord 1300 wraps around the reel 1260 and is held in the central cavity 1264. The reel 1260 has a hole in its center 1266 to accommodate the central post 1280 that it rotates around and is connected to a flat coil spring, 1270 which attaches to the central post 1280 by the slit in the post 1282. This spring 1270 keeps the bob 1410 flush against the case subassembly 1200 while in its retracted mode.

In FIG. 9 the bob subassembly 1400 is composed of the bob 1410, a generally planar ID strap 1420, a strap clasp 1430, and one of the diametric magnets 1500. The bob 1410, prevents the cord 1300 from fully retracting into the case subassembly 1200 when the badge 46 is fully retracted. The diametric magnet 1500 is press fit into the bob hole 1416 (shown in FIG. 11.1). The fixed connection between the magnet 1500 and the bob hole 1416 can be made with, but is not limited to, a press fit, glue, adhesive, weld, etc. The bob 1410 has slot 1414 to accommodate the ID strap 1420.

In the embodiment seen in FIG. 9 there are two diametric magnets 1500, one flush with the opening of the case subassembly 1200 and one flush with the end of the bob 1410. These magnets may be slightly recessed to deliver optimal performance with different bob 1410 and case subassembly 1200 geometries. When in proximity, these two diametric magnets 1500 attract in only one desired orientation and repel and rotate in all other orientations. The desired orientation for the present invention is when the ID badge 46 is facing outwardly and in view of others. When the badge is not in the desired orientation, the magnets 1500 repel and apply rotational force to the bob subassembly 1400 until the connected badge is in the desired orientation. If the badge 46 is “swiped” or “scanned” and then released in the wrong orientation, the magnets 1500 will rotate the badge 46 to the correct orientation. The diametric ring magnets 1500 which were used have a pull force of 1.36 lbs. and are made of NdFeB (grade N42). The diameter of the magnets 1500 used was ¼ of an inch with a ¼ inch axial height with a 0.125 diameter hole in the center to accommodate the cord. Many other magnets of different sizes, strengths, and materials could have been used to achieve similar results without departing from the scope of the invention.

Also illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10.1 and 10.2 are the details of the case subassembly 1200. The front plate 1230 and the back plate 1250 enclose the various elements of the retraction mechanism including a reel 1260 with two annular walls 1262 that define a central cavity 1264 that accommodates the cord 1300 that is used to retract the ID strap 1420 with an attached badge 46. The reel 1260 fits over a central post 1280 and is driven by a flat coil spring 1270. The central post 1280 has a slot 1282 which secures the flat coil spring 1270 against unrestained rotation. The front plate 1230 carries some indicia 1240 and the back plate 1250 has raised geometry 1254 to retain the clip 1210 that can be used to secure the case subassembly 1200 to an article of clothing. The back plate 1250 has a semi-circular wall 1256 to which glue 1600 has been applied to secure one of the diametric magnets 1500.

FIGS. 10.1 and 10.2 also illustrate some additional details of the back plate 1250 of the case subassembly 1200 and show a cut out 1252 to accommodate the clip 1210 (Shown in FIG. 9) and a chamfer 1257 surrounding the semi-circular wall 1256. The housing back plate 1250 also has a raised lip 1259 to prevent the magnet from contacting the reel 1260.

In FIGS. 11.1 and 11.2 some of the details of the bob 1410 are illustrated. The bottom face of the bob 1410 has a hole and recessed area 1412 to hold the cord knot 1310 (Shown in FIG. 14) without allowing it to pass through the bob and into the case subassembly 1200. This recessed area 1412 also prevents the knot from interfering with the connection of the ID strap 1420 since it allows the cord knot 1310 to be higher than the bob slit 1414 where the generally planar ID strap 1420 attaches. The circular hole 1416 in the top of the bob 1410 is defined by a circular wall 1418 that accommodates one of the diametric magnets 1500. The bob slit 1414 is rectangular in order to more readily transmit torque to the generally planar ID strap 1420 (Shown in FIG. 12) that it accommodates. It may carry a glue 1600 such as a cyanoacrylic glue with which to secure the ID strap 1420 although other securing means such as a press fit or another type of adhesive may be employed.

FIG. 12 illustrates details of the bob subassembly 1400. The bob 1410 is attached to the ID strap 1420 via the bob slit 1414 and is looped through the upper portion of the badge 46. It is secured via a clasp 1430, though other fastening means would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The ID strap 1420 is semi-flexible and may be formed of clear vinyl, although it could be formed of many different materials. It is advantageous if the ID strap 1420 is planar and resists being twisted such that portions are no longer parallel to the walls of the bob slit 1414. The distance from the bottom of the bob to the fold point where the ID strap 1420 passes through the badge 46 is about ¾″.

FIG. 13 illustrates the configuration of the diametric magnets 1500 with the north pole of the diametric magnet 1500 carried by the case subassembly 1200 aligned with the south pole of the diametric magnet 1500 carried by the bob 1410 and the south pole of the diametric magnet 1500 carried by the case subassembly 1200 aligned with the north pole of the diametric magnet 1500 carried by the bob 1410. The magnetic attraction Fmag between the opposite poles causes a unique rotational configuration of the case subassembly 1200 and the bob subassembly 1400 about the cord 1300. The diametric magnets 1500 are magnetized across their diameters having the north pole on one curve of the magnet and the south pole on the opposite curved side. These diametric magnets 1500 have a hole through the center which allows the cord 1300 to pass through. The bob slit 1414 aids in transmitting this unique rotational configuration to the ID strap 1420 that it accommodates and thus to the badge 46 (Shown in FIGS. 3 and 12).

In a preferred embodiment, the connection made between the bob 1410 and the ID badge 46 has fewer degrees of freedom than that with the retractable badge reel 10 in FIG. 1A which uses a connecting a ring 22 to connect the bob 18 to the ID strap 20. Having fewer degrees of freedom between the bob and ID strap, minimizes unnecessary ID badge movement, and improves the automatic alignment and the professional appearance of the badge and badge holder assembly 1000. Improved automatic badge alignment is achieved by having fewer degrees of freedom, which creates a more rigid connection, ultimately transferring more torque from the housing subassembly 1200 to the bob 1410 and the bob subassembly 1400. This additional torque is used to better automatically turn the ID badge 46. When the bob subassembly 1400 is in its retracted mode, the semi-flexible ID strap 1420 prevents the badge from rotating due to external input such as wind, personal movements, etc.

Although FIGS. 3-13 are the preferred embodiments, different types of magnets in different configurations could be used without changing the scope of the present invention. For example, in FIG. 14, four axial magnets 1510 could be used to achieve the same aforementioned rotational force. Two axial magnets 1510 would reside in the bob 1410 with one having a north pole adjacent to the top end of the bob 1410 and the other a south pole adjacent to the top end of the bob 1410. The case subassembly 1200 would also hold two axial magnets 1510 with one having a south pole and the other a north pole adjacent to the bottom of the case subassembly. With the badge 46 in the desired position with its face directed in the opposite direction from the clip 1210 (As illustrated in FIG. 3), the magnets on the bob 1410 would be attracted to the magnets on the case subassembly 1200. The axial magnets 1510 are illustrated being a part of a badge holder assembly 1000 similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9. The badge holder assembly 1000 has a case subassembly 1200 that includes a retraction mechanism which has a reel 1260 which is driven by a flat coil spring 1270. The reel 1260 rotates about a central post 1280 which also anchors the flat coil spring 1270. The case assembly 1200 has a back plate 1250 which has a semi-circular wall 1256 to which are affixed the axial magnets 1500 carried by the case subassembly 1200. The bob subassembly 1400 has a bob 1410 which in turn has a recess 1412 to accommodate a cord knot 1310. The bob 1410 has a circular hole 1416 through which a cord 1300 passes. This cord 1300 is partially taken up by the reel 1260 and serves to cause the retraction of the ID strap 1420. The circular hole 1416 has a circular wall 1418 (Shown in FIG. 11.1) to which the axial magnets 1500 carried by the bob subassembly 1400 are affixed. The bob 1410 carries an ID strap 1420 which is used to attach the badge holder assembly to a badge 46.

Even though the present invention was described in detail by reference to the above preferred embodiment, it is understood that variations in materials and geometries may be made without departing from the true essence of the invention. For example, this device could be adapted to hold other objects as well such as a job title, company name, etc.

Claims

1. A retractable badge holder assembly comprising a case subassembly containing a retraction mechanism and having an aperture for a cord which facilitates the extension and retraction of the retractable badge and a bob which is adapted to be affixed adjacent to a terminal end of the cord and limit the retraction of the cord wherein a magnet having a north and a south pole is adjacent to the aperture, another magnet having a north and a south pole is secured to the end of the bob adapted to be proximate to the aperture and the poles of the magnets are arranged to assure that the cord will have the same rotational configuration about its long axis each time the cord is retracted into the case subassembly.

2. The retractable badge holder assembly of claim 1 wherein the bob carries a means for securing a generally planar badge and the magnets are arranged to cause one face of the badge to have a particular orientation to the case subassembly when the cord is retracted to the full extent permitted by the bob.

3. The retractable badge holder assembly of claim 2 wherein the case subassembly carries a means to removably secure the subassembly to an article of clothing.

4. The retractable badge holder assembly of claim 3 wherein the securing means is a clip.

5. The retractable badge holder assembly of claim 3 wherein the magnets are arranged to cause the one face of the badge to be oriented away from the article of clothing.

6. The retractable badge holder assembly of claim 1 wherein the retraction mechanism comprises a reel and a spring that stores energy as the cord is withdrawn from the case subassembly and is configured to use such energy to rotate the reel and cause the cord to retract when no external withdrawing force is being applied to the cord.

7. The retractable badge holder assembly of claim 1 wherein the magnet adjacent to the aperture is a diametric magnet that surrounds the aperture and has a hole adapted to accommodate the cord.

8. The retractable badge holder assembly of claim 1 wherein the aperture is surrounded by one or more magnets that have their poles magnetized along an axis parallel to the major axis of the cord.