Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6701648
-
Patent Number
6,701,648
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, November 21, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, March 9, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Webb Ziesenheim Logsdon Orkin & Hanson, P.C.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 040 15
- 040 29901
- 040 301
- 040 316
- 040 706
- 040 660
- 040 707
- 040 666
- 040 781
- 024 313
- 024 1226
- 024 7121
- 024 7141
- 181 131
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An adjustably locking stethoscope identification tag having a first body and a second body, the first body defining a first surface and a second surface, the second body defining a third surface and a fourth surface, a first leg positioned adjacent to the second surface of the first body and extending in a direction away from the second surface of the first body, and a first leg retainer positioned adjacent to the third surface of the second body and extending in a direction away from the third surface of the second body, wherein a space defined between the first body and the second body is increased by moving the first body in a direction away from the second body and is decreased by moving the first body in a direction toward the second body.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to identification tags and, more particularly, to an adjustably locking identification tag configured to be used with a stethoscope.
2. Description of Related Art
Stethoscope tags are commonly attached to hollow tubing of a stethoscope and are used as a form of identification or an advertising medium. In general, the stethoscope tag is positioned adjacent or otherwise attached to hollow tubing which connects ear pieces and the diaphragm of a stethoscope. Indicia positioned on the stethoscope tag can indicate personal information or an advertising source. U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,124 to Olive (hereinafter “the Olive patent”) and U.S. Design Pat. No. 403,708 to Wolff (hereinafter “the Wolff I patent”), U.S. Pat. No. 321,913 to Wolff (hereinafter “the Wolff II patent”), and U.S. Pat. No. 407,453 to Rashman (hereinafter “the Rashman patent”) each disclose various stethoscope tags.
The Olive patent discloses a stethoscope identification tag having two pieces which are snap-fitted together near a “Y” junction of hollow stethoscope tubing. The Wolff I, Wolff II, and Rashman patents each show a stethoscope identification tag which attaches to only one branch of hollow tubing located between an ear piece and the diaphragm.
The prior art stethoscope identification tags discussed above are not designed to adjustably adapt to varying thicknesses of stethoscope hollow tubing. For this reason, a need exists for an adjustably locking stethoscope tag.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To help solve the deficiencies associated with the prior art, the present invention is directed toward an adjustably locking stethoscope identification tag which may include a first body and a second body. The first body preferably defines a first surface and a second surface and the second body preferably defines a third surface and a fourth surface. A first leg may be positioned adjacent to the second surface of the first body and the first leg may extend in a direction away from the second surface of the first body. A first leg retainer may be positioned adjacent to the third surface of the second body and the first leg retainer may extend in a direction away from the third surface of the second body. A space defined between the first body and the second body may be increased by moving the first body in a direction away from the second body and may be decreased by moving the first body in a direction toward the second body.
A second leg may extend in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the second surface of the first body and a second leg retainer may extend in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the third surface, wherein the second leg adjustably engages the second leg retainer. A first tab and a second tab are preferably spaced apart from one another along the first leg length of the first leg and preferably protrude in the same direction away from the first leg. A first lip may be positioned in the first leg retainer orifice defined by the leg retainer, wherein the first tab and the second tab are each capable of releasably engaging the first lip.
A stethoscope having a diaphragm, a Y-shaped hollow tubing having a trunk, a first ear portion, and a second ear portion, may also be provided. The trunk preferably has a first trunk end and a second trunk end, the first trunk end connected to the diaphragm and the second trunk end connected to both the first ear and the second ear at an intersection of the second trunk end, the first ear portion, and the second ear portion.
The adjustably locking identification tag according to the present invention preferably has two or more tabs which extend away from a leg. These tabs engagingly lock a corresponding lip, which makes the present invention adjustable, locking, and designed to adapt to varying thicknesses of stethoscope hollow tubing.
These and other advantages of the present invention will be clarified in the description of the preferred embodiment taken together with the attached drawings in which like reference numerals represent like elements throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a side view of an adjustable stethoscope tag according to the present invention;
FIG. 2
is an exploded view of the adjustable stethoscope tag shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a first end view of a first body of the adjustable stethoscope tag shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
;
FIG. 4
is a top view of the first body shown in
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 5
is a second end view of the first body shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4
;
FIG. 6
is a first end view of a second body of the adjustable stethoscope tag shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
;
FIG. 7
is a top view of the second body shown in
FIG. 6
; and
FIG. 8
is a second end view of an adjustable stethoscope tag shown in
FIG. 1
removably connected to hollow tubing of a stethoscope.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
An adjustable stethoscope tag
10
according to the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 1
,
2
,
5
, and
8
.
FIGS. 3-5
show a first body
12
of the adjustable stethoscope tag
10
, and
FIGS. 6 and 7
show a second body
14
of the adjustable stethoscope tag
10
.
As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the adjustable stethoscope tag
10
according to the present invention generally includes a first body
12
and a second body
14
. As shown in greater detail in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the first body
12
preferably defines a planar, oval shape, a first surface
16
, a second surface
18
, and a first peripheral edge
20
. Referring briefly to
FIG. 5
, a first ridge
22
is raised with respect to the first surface
16
of the first body
12
, circumscribes the first surface
16
of the first body
12
, and is positioned adjacent to the first peripheral edge
20
of the first body
12
.
Referring again to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, a first leg
24
extends in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the second surface
18
of the first body
12
. The first leg
24
has a first leg end
26
, a second leg end
28
, and a first leg length FL. The first leg
24
further defines a first tab
30
that extends away from the first leg
24
and a second tab
32
which also extends away from the first leg
24
. The first tab
30
is positioned adjacent to the first leg end
26
of the first leg
24
, and the second tab
32
is spaced away from the first tab
30
in a direction toward the second leg end
28
of the first leg
24
. In a preferred embodiment, the first tab
30
and the second tab
32
extend away from the first leg
24
in the same direction.
With continuing reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the second body
14
defines a third surface
34
, a fourth surface
36
, and a second peripheral edge
38
. The second body
14
also defines a second ridge which is similar to the first ridge
22
shown in FIG.
5
.
Referring once again to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, a first leg retainer
40
extends in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the third surface
34
of the second body
14
. As shown in
FIG. 2
, the first leg retainer
40
defines a first leg retainer orifice
42
having a first orifice end
44
and a second orifice end
46
. The first orifice end (
44
) is open and the second orifice end (
46
) is closed by the third surface (
34
) of the second body (
14
). In the preferred embodiment, a first lip
48
is provided adjacent to the first orifice end
44
of the first leg retainer orifice
42
, with the first lip
48
extending into the first leg retainer orifice
42
. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the first leg retainer
40
may be a fully enclosed structure. Alternatively, as shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7
, a portion
50
of the first leg retainer
40
, which includes the first lip
48
, may be separated from the remaining portions of the first leg retainer
40
, so that the portion
50
can be pulled in the A1 direction. In the configuration shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7
, the portion
50
should be made from a sturdy yet flexible material, such as plastic. Otherwise, the first body
12
, second body
14
, the first leg
24
, and first leg retainer
40
can also be made from plastic or other suitable material.
In an assembled configuration shown in
FIG. 1
or in the exploded view shown in
FIG. 2
, the third surface
34
of the second body
14
is positioned substantially parallel to the second surface
18
of the first body
12
, with the first leg retainer orifice
42
receiving a first leg length FL of the first leg
24
. The first tab
30
of the first leg
24
releasably engages the first lip
48
positioned in the first leg retainer orifice
42
. A space S, as measured between a first imaginary plane lying coincident with the second surface
18
of the first body
12
and a second imaginary plane lying coincident with the third surface
34
of the second body
14
, can be decreased by inserting a greater amount of the first leg length FL of the first leg
24
into the first leg retainer orifice
42
defined by the first leg retainer
40
, such that the second tab
32
releasably engages the first lip
48
. Conversely, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
the space S between the first body
12
and the second body
14
can then be increased by pulling the portion
50
of the first leg retainer
40
in the A1 direction and moving the first body
12
in a direction away from the second body
14
such that the first lip
48
ceases to engage the second tab
32
and instead engages the first tab
30
. If the first leg retainer
40
is integrally formed and does not have the first lip
48
provided on a separate portion
50
, the present invention is only adjustable in one direction.
As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4
, a second leg
52
, which is similar and preferably identical to the first leg
24
, may also be provided. Like the first leg
24
, the second leg
52
is positioned adjacent to the second surface
18
of the first body
12
, with the second leg
52
also extending in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the second surface
18
of the first body
12
. The second leg
52
has a second leg length substantially equal to the first leg length FL and further defines a third tab and a fourth tab.
With reference to
FIGS. 5 and 6
, if a second leg
52
is provided, a second leg retainer
54
on the third surface
34
of the second body
14
is also provided. The second leg retainer
54
extends in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the third surface
34
of the second body
14
and is positioned directly opposite to the second leg
54
shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4
. Like the first leg retainer
40
, the second leg retainer
54
defines a second leg retainer orifice
56
and a second lip
58
. The operation of the second leg
52
and the second leg retainer
54
is similar to the operation of the first leg
24
and the first leg retainer
40
.
As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, a third leg
60
can also be provided. In the preferred embodiment, the third leg
60
extends in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the third surface
34
of the second body
14
, with the third leg
60
having a third leg length TL substantially equal to the first leg length FL and the second leg length shown in FIG.
4
. Referring again to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the third leg
60
preferably has a smooth outer surface and does not define tabs. If a third leg
60
is provided, a third leg retainer
62
extends in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the second surface
14
of the first body
12
. The third leg retainer
62
defines a third leg retainer orifice
64
and is positioned directly opposite to the third leg
60
provided on the second body
14
. The third leg
60
engages with the third leg retainer orifice
64
.
As shown in
FIG. 5
, indicia
66
may be positioned on the first surface
16
of the first body
12
or on the fourth surface
36
of the second body
14
, and the ridge
22
may provide a border for decals.
As shown in
FIG. 8
, the stethoscope tag
10
according to the present invention is adjustably attached to a stethoscope
68
or other suitable device. The stethoscope
68
generally includes a diaphragm
70
and a Y-shaped hollow tubing having a trunk
72
, a first ear portion
74
, a second ear portion
76
, and an intersection
78
between the trunk
72
and the two ears portions
74
,
76
. The trunk
72
has a first trunk end
80
and a second trunk end
82
, with the first trunk end
80
connected to the diaphragm
70
and each ear portion
74
,
76
fluidly connected to the second trunk end
82
of the trunk
72
at the intersection
78
. In this arrangement, the trunk
72
of the hollow tubing passes between the first leg
24
and the second leg
52
, the first ear portion
74
passes between the first leg
24
and the third leg
60
, and the second ear portion
76
passes between the second leg
52
and the third leg
60
.
Because tubing diameters can increase or decrease depending on the manufacturer, the present invention allows the first body
12
and the second body
14
to be adjustably spaced from one another to accommodate varying thicknesses of the hollow stethoscope tubing.
The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Claims
- 1. An adjustable stethoscope identification tag comprising: a first body having a first surface and a second surface, the first body having a first leg extending in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the second surface of the first body, the first leg having a first tab and second tab spaced apart from one another along a first leg length of the first leg, wherein the first tab and the second tab protrude in the same direction away from the first leg; anda second body having a third surface and a fourth surface, the second body having a first leg retainer extending in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the third surface of the second body, the first leg retainer defining a first leg retainer orifice having a first orifice end and a second orifice end, wherein the first orifice end is open and the second orifice end is closed by the third surface of the second body, the first leg retaining orifice having a first lip positioned in the orifice, wherein the first tab and the second tab are each capable of releasably engaging the first lip, with the first body adjustable with respect to the second body such that a space defined between the first body and the second body is increased by moving the first body in a direction away from the second body and is decreased by moving the first body in a direction toward the second body.
- 2. The adjustable stethoscope identification tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first body further defines a first peripheral edge and a first ridge, with the first ridge raised with respect to the first surface of the first body and positioned adjacent to the first peripheral edge of the first body.
- 3. The adjustable stethoscope identification tag as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second body further defines a second peripheral edge and a second ridge, with the second ridge raised with respect to the fourth surface of the second body and positioned adjacent to the second peripheral edge of the second body.
- 4. The adjustable stethoscope identification tag as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second leg extending in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the second surface of the first body and a second leg retainer extending in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the third surface, wherein the second leg adjustably engages the second leg retainer.
- 5. The adjustable stethoscope identification tag as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a third leg extending in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the second surface of the first body and a third leg retainer extending in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the third surface, wherein the third leg adjustably engages the third leg retainer.
- 6. An adjustable stethoscope identification tag comprising:a first body and a second body, the first body defining a first surface and a second surface, the second body defining a third surface and a fourth surface; a first leg positioned adjacent to the second surface of the first body and extending in a direction away from the second surface of the first body; a first leg retainer positioned adjacent to the third surface of the second body and extending in a direction away from the third surface of the second body; a first tab and a second tab spaced apart from one another along a first leg length of the first leg and the first tab and the second tab protruding in the same direction away from the first leg; and a first lip positioned in a first leg retainer orifice defined by the first leg retainer, the first leg retainer orifice having a first orifice end and a second orifice end, wherein the first orifice end is open and the second orifice end is closed by the third surface of the second body, wherein a space defined between the first body and the second body is increased by moving the first body in a direction away from the second body and is decreased by moving the first body in a direction toward the second body, and wherein the first tab and the second tab are each capable of releasably engaging the first lip.
- 7. The adjustable stethoscope identification tag as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a second leg extending in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the second surface of the first body and a second leg retainer extending in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the third surface, wherein the second leg adjustably engages the second leg retainer.
- 8. A stethoscope comprising:a diaphragm; a Y-shaped hollow tubing having a trunk, a first ear portion, and a second ear portion, the trunk having a first trunk end and a second trunk end, the first trunk end connected to the diaphragm and the second trunk end connected to both the first ear portion and the second ear portion at an intersection of the second trunk end, the first ear portion, and the second ear portion; an identification tag positioned at the intersection of the trunk, the first ear portion, and the second ear portion of the Y-shaped hollow tubing, the identification tag comprising a first body and a second body, the first body defines a first surface and a second surface, the second body defines a third surface and a fourth surface; a first leg extending in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the second surface of the first body and a first leg retainer extending in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the third surface; and a first tab and a second tab spaced apart from one another along a first leg length of the first leg and the first tab and the second tab protruding in the same direction away from the first leg, wherein the Y-shaped hollow tubing passes between the first body and the second body, and the first body is adjustable with respect to the second body such that a space defined between the first body and the second body is increased by moving the first body in a direction away from the second body and is decreased by moving the first body in a direction toward the second body.
- 9. The stethoscope as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a second leg extending in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the second surface of the first body and a second leg retainer extending in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the third surface, wherein the second leg adjustably engages the second leg retainer.
- 10. The stethoscope as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a third leg extending in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the second surface of the first body and a third leg retainer extending in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the third surface, wherein the third leg adjustably engages the third leg retainer.
- 11. The stethoscope as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a first lip positioned in a first leg retainer orifice defined by the leg retainer, wherein the first tab and the second tab are each capable of releasably engaging the first lip.
- 12. The stethoscope as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first body further defines a first peripheral edge and a first ridge, the first ridge raised with respect to the first surface of the first body and positioned adjacent to the first peripheral edge of the first body.
- 13. The stethoscope as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second body further defines a second peripheral edge and a second ridge, the second ridge is raised with respect to the fourth surface of the second body and positioned adjacent to the second peripheral edge of the second body.
US Referenced Citations (16)