Attachment mechanism for coupling an electronic tag to an item

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12561546-B2
Application number	US-202418438190-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 9, 2024
Priority date	Feb 10, 2023
Publication date	Feb 24, 2026
Grant date	Feb 24, 2026

Abstract

An electronic tag comprises a body housing a wireless radiofrequency (RF) receiver and a processor that is in communication with the wireless RF receiver. The body has an opening therein. The opening leads to a channel in the body sized to receive a section of a strap or similar mechanical fastener. The body has a latch or similar means for clasping this strap. The latch is coupled to the body to move between a closed position and an open position. An underside of the latch has a tensioning arm attached thereto. The tensioning arm presses against the strap and urging the strap forward into the channel when the latch is moved toward the closed position and disengaging from the strap when the latch is moved into the open position. The latch locks the strap in place when in the closed position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An electronic tag attached to an object to assist a user locate the object, comprising:
a strap; a body that houses electronic components including a wireless radiofrequency (RF) receiver and a processor that is in communication with the wireless RF receiver, the body having an opening, the opening leading to a channel in the body sized to receive a section of the strap; a latch extending from the body for clasping the strap, the latch coupled to the body to move between a closed position and an open position; and a tensioning arm at an underside of the latch, the tensioning arm having a contact surface at a distal end of the latch that engages with notches or protrusions on a top surface of the strap to urge the strap forward into the channel when the latch pivots toward the closed position so that the tensioning arm applies a force to the strap and disengaging from the strap when the latch pivots into the open position, the latch locking the strap in place when in the closed position.

2 . The electronic tag of claim 1 , further comprising the strap secured at one point to the body, the strap forming a loop when an end of the strap is inserted into the channel of the body and held within the channel by the latch in the closed position.

3 . The electronic tag of claim 1 , wherein the body has a surface with an electronic display integrated therewith, the electronic display facing outward relative to a loop formed by the strap.

4 . The electronic tag of claim 3 , wherein the body has a raised shoulder about the display to protect the display in collisions with objects.

5 . The electronic tag of claim 4 , wherein a top surface of the latch is flush with a surface and follows a contour of the shoulder when the latch is in the closed position.

6 . The electronic tag of claim 1 , wherein the channel has a cantilevered base with a catch release tooth rising from a surface thereof.

7 . The electronic tag of claim 6 , wherein the catch release tooth enters a notch or slot in the strap to restrain the strap within the channel as the latch moves toward the open position.

8 . The electronic tag of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning arm has a tooth at one end that urges the strap forward into the channel as the latch is moved towards the closed position.

9 . The electronic tag of claim 1 , wherein the underside of the latch has an indent to receive the tensioning arm when the latch is in the closed position.

10 . The electronic tag of claim 1 , wherein the open position of the latch is greater than ninety degrees.

11 . An attachment device for coupling to an item to assist a user to locate the item, the attachment device comprising:
a body that houses electronic components and having an opening therein leading to a channel that is sized to receive a section of a strap, the body having a ratchet latch, the ratchet latch being coupled to the body to move between a closed position in the channel and an open position, an underside of the latch having a tensioning arm attached thereto, the tensioning arm having a contact surface that engages with notches or protrusions on a top surface of the strap to urge the strap forward into the channel when the latch pivots from the open position toward the closed position so that the tensioning arm applies a force to the strap and releasing the strap when the latch pivots into the open position.

12 . The attachment device of claim 11 , wherein the latch locks the strap in place when in the closed position.

13 . The attachment device of claim 12 , further comprising a catch release tooth rising from a surface of the channel, the catch release tooth entering a notch on an underside of the strap, to hold the strap from traveling backward within the channel when the latch moves between the closed and open positions.

14 . The attachment device of claim 11 , further comprising a cantilevered base at a region of the channel.

15 . The attachment device of claim 14 , further comprising at least one catch release ramp that rises from the cantilevered base, the at least one catch release ramp deflecting the cantilevered base in response to being urged upon by the tensioning arm as the latch is moved into the open position.

16 . The attachment device of claim 15 , further comprising a catch release stop at a top of each catch release ramp, the catch release stop preventing the latch from opening beyond the open position.

17 . The attachment device of claim 11 , wherein the tensioning arm has a tooth at one end that urges the strap forward into the channel as the latch is moved towards the closed position.

18 . The attachment device of claim 11 , wherein an underside of the latch has an indent to receive the tensioning arm when the latch is in the closed position.

19 . The attachment device of claim 11 , wherein the body has a strap installation stop that secures one end of the strap, the strap forms a loop when an opposite end is in place inside the channel, and the loop tightens as the strap is forwarded into the channel by a ratcheting action of the latch.

20 . The attachment device of claim 11 , wherein the tensioning arm has a tooth at one end and a surface of the channel has a catch release tooth rising therefrom, and wherein a distance between the tensioning arm tooth and the catch release tooth is a multiple of the spacing or pitch of ratcheting notches on a top side of the strap and catch notches on a bottom side of the strap, to ensure the catch release tooth is in position to capture forward progress of the strap.

Assignees

• Position Imaging Inc

Inventors

• Martel Brian
• Schmidt Peter
• Sillman Dick

Classifications

• G06K19/07758 Primary

  arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag · CPC title