US2865120A - Identification tag - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 23, 1958 B. M. HINES IDENTIFICATION TAG Filed Sept. 4, 1958 all INVENTOR.

A T TORNE rs.

United States atent IDENTIFICATION TAG Benjamin M. Hines, Fairfield, Conn. Application September 4, 1958, Serial No. 758,976

3 Claims. ((31. 40-2) This invention relates to identification tags for articles such as keys.

Identification tags have been used for various articles including keys. However, if keys lost with such an identifying tag are to be returned to the owner by a finder, the finder usually must deliver the keys personally to the owner or package them for mailing if the address has not been obliterated. In view of the inconveniences involved, and the illegibility of such tags after a short period of use, it often happens that keys even if found are not returned.

Attempts have been made to provide for the return of lost keys to their owners. One such solution practiced on a wide scale involves the distribution by an organization of key tags bearing the organizations address. Each such tag also bears a code number (replicas of automobile license numbers have been used) and the organization maintains an index of all such code numbers and the owners assigned that issued tag. An arrangement with the post oflice whereby the postage fee is prepaid facilitates their return to the organization. There the identification of the owner is made and the keys are finally packaged and mailed to the owner.

It is apparent that the above solution to the lost key problem entailed unnecessary complexity and expense and furthermore prevented the expeditious return of lost keys to their owner.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an identification tag construction which protects mailing information and yet facilitates prompt and direct return by mail of the identified subject matter with minimum effort and expense.

It is another object of the invention to provide an identification tag of the above character which is of such size that it may be conveniently carried in a pocket or purse and yet facilitate a prompt return of the article to which it may be attached.

These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by providing an identification tag of plastic, metal, impregnated paper or a combination thereof comprising cooperating closure and casing members secured together and yet readily disassembled. The closure member is fastened by a key chain or similar element to a flexible mailing tag. The casing rnember forms a receptacle for the flexible tag, thereby concealing and protecting it within the identification tag assembly. The identification tag when found may be easily disassembled by removing the casing member, and then the remaining assembly may be deposited in any mail box for return to the owner.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view in perspective of an identification tag constructed in accordance with the invention as.

adapted for use with a key chain; 1

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view in elevation of the identification tag of Fig. 1 in its assembled form;

Fig. 3 is a section of the tag shown in Fig. 2 and taken courage prompt mailing by a finder.

2 along the line. 3-3 lookingin the direction of the arrows; and g Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled identification tag of the invention having a portion cutv away to reveal one modification thereof.

Referring now to. an illustrative. embodiment of the.

invention with particular reference to the drawings, assembled, closure. and casing members 10. and 11 carry in a chamber'13 a. flexible mailing tag. 17. A tongue 12 projecting, from. one, edge of the. member 1 0; closes the chamber 13 and holds the tag'assembly together.

A pair of apertures 15 in the closure member 10 leads to a slot 14 extending symmetrically through the tongue 12 into the closure member 10. A tab 18 on one end r of the flexible tag 17 is provided with a punched aperture 19 reinforced by a pair of gummed rings 20. When the tab 18 is slipped into the slot 14, an attaching element such as a key chain 21 is threaded through the aligned apertures 15 and 19 to secure the address tag 17 to the closure member 10.

Preferably, the members 10 and 11 are each formed in one piece as, for example, by the molding of a suitable material such as plastic, metal, or the like, with the tongue 12 fitted tightly into the opening to the chamber 13. In this manner, the two members 10 and 11 are frictionally attached but may be readily separated.

In use, suitable information, such as the name and address of the owner of the keys, is placed on the mailing tag 17 accompanied by appropriate postage to en With the tab 18 secured in place within the slot 14 by the chain 21, the flexible tag 17 is folded, as shown in Fig. 3; and the casing 11 positioned to enclose the folded tag 17 and slipped over the tongue 12. The assembled unit is relatively small to facilitate its use on keys in pockets or handbags. In addition, the mailing tag is effectively protected from wear and obliteration by the casing 11 and yet the only effort required on the part of a finder to return the tag and attached article is to remove the casing 11, which may then be discarded, and deposit the remaining assembly in any mailbox.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings there is shown a modified arrangement for securing the members 10 and 11 together in which small knobs 22 on each side of the tongue 12 engage suitably located recesses 23 on the interior surfaces of the chamber 13. Of course the positions of the knobs 22 and the recesses 23 may be reversed, if desired.

The above-described embodiments of the invention are illustrative only and modifications thereof will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the specific apparatus described herein but is to be defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An identification tag comprising a casing member defining a chamber open at one end, a closure member, a tongue extending from one edge of the closure member into the open end of the chamber and fitted closely therewith to hold the members together, a slot formed in the tongue and extending therethrough into the closure member, a flexible mailing tag located in the chamber, at least a portion of one end of the mailing bag extending from the chamber into the slot, an opening through said mailing tag portion, apertures in the closure member communicating with the slot and in alignment with the opening in the mailing tag, and an attaching element passing through the apertures and tag opening to secure the mailing tag to the closure member.

2. An identification tag comprising .a casing member defining a chamber open at one end, a closure member, a tongue extending from one edge of the closure mem- 2,eea,12o I ber into 'the open end of the chamber and fitted closely therewith to hold the members together, a slot formed in the tongue and extending therethrough into the closure member, a. flexible mailing tag located in the chamber, a tab on one end of the mailing tag extending from the chamber into the slot, an opening through said tab, apertures in the closure member communicating with the slot and in alignment with the opening in the tab, and an attaching element passing through the apertures and tab opening to secure the mailing tag to the closure member.

3. An identification tag comprising a casing member including two narrow walls joined by two side walls to form a chamber, an end wall closing the chamber at one end, the chamber being open at its other end, a flat closure member, a tongue extending from one edge of the closure member into the open end of the chamber and fitted closely therewith to hold the members together, a slot formed in the tongue and extending therethrough into the closure member, a flexible mailing tag folded and located in the chamber, a tab on one end of the mailing tag extending from one end of the chamber into the slot, an opening through said tab, apertures in the closure member communicating with the slot and in alignment with the opening in the tab, and an attaching element passing through the apertures and tab opening to secure the mailing tag to the closure member.

No references cited.

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