Patent Application
20070296597
a: schematically shows, in a front view, the RFID tag system with a support completely inserted in a corresponding coupling mean, according to the present invention.
b: schematically shows, in a front view, the RFID tag system of
c: schematically shows, in a perspective view, the RFID tag system of
a: schematically shows, in a top view, the RFID tag system attached to the carpet, according to the present invention.
b: schematically shows, in a bottom view, the RFID tag system attached to the carpet of
With reference to
The first side 1a is generally in rubber or rubber coated so to adhere to the floor while the second size 1b may be in cotton, whole or other material depending on the used of the carpet.
The RFID tag system 10 comprises an RFID tag 2 including an RFID microchip 2a connected to an antenna 2b. A memory portion of the RFID tag 2 stores information to track the carpet 1, for example a unique identification number associated to that carpet.
More particularly the RFID tag system 10 also comprises a support 3 for housing and protecting the RFID tag 2, for example when it is attached on the first side 1a of the carpet 1 and fixed to it. The RFID tag 2 may also be coupled to the carpet 1 with the support 3 fixed to the second side 1b.
According to the present invention, the RFID system 10 comprises at least a mean 4, coupling to the support 3, and fixing it to said first 1a or second size 1b so that the carpet 1 is substantially interposed between said support 3 and said mean 4.
More particularly, the support 3 comprises a first portion 3b, delimitating a seat 3g for housing the RFID tag 2. The first portion 3b comprises protecting means 3a for covering and protecting the RFID tag 2 when inserted in the seat 3g. For example, the protecting means 3a, is an epoxy resin filler is used for filling the seat 3g and for soldering the RFID tag 2 inside it.
Alternatively, other coupling means are used, for example a cap framed-up to the seat of the support and re-movable from an inserted position in the seat to a de-coupled configuration wherein the seat is opened. More particularly, in the de-coupled configuration, the RFID tag is removable from the support. Such RFID tag system is particularly indicated if a carpet does not require a permanent association with the RFID tag 2.
Advantageously, the support 3 also comprises a second portion 3c comprising a pin element, intended to be inserted through a hole 1c, appositely obtained in the carpet 1. The second portion 3c is inserted through the hole 1c, while the first portion 3b lays, for example, on the first side 1a of the carpet 1.
More particularly a size of the first portion 3b is greater then a size of the hole 1c so that, when the second portion 3c is inserted from the first side 1a of the carpet 1, the support 3 cannot be unthreaded through the hole 1c because of the opposition provided by the first portion 3b.
According to the present invention, at least a mean 4 is used to fix the support 3 to the carpet 1 in a self blocking way. More particularly, the mean 4 comprises a first element 4a having a size greater then the size of the hole 1c, so that it cannot pass through the hole 1c. The first element 4a is for example a socket, comprising a fastener mean 4b for the second portion 3c.
The mean 4 is coupled to the support 3, for example inserting the pin element of the second portion 3c inside the first element 4a, the first portion 3b and the first element 4a being substantially fixed through the fastener mean 4b in opposite way with respect to the carpet 1.
With reference to
The support 3 comprises the first portion 3b delimitating the seat 3g for housing the RFID tag 2; the first portion 3b is substantially coin shaped having a base surface 3bs with a diameter d1 major than a size of the hole 1c of the carpet 1 and an upper surface whit a recess delimitating the seat 3g, intended to host the RFID tag 2 and to be filled by the filler epoxy resin.
The second portion 3c of the support 3 comprises the pin element, intended to be inserted through the hole 1c of the carpet 1 so that the base surface 3bs of the first portion 3b lays on the first side 1a of the carpet 1 while the pin element is inserted through the hole 1c.
More particularly, the pin element comprises a plurality of blocking pawls 3p intended to couple to corresponding fastener means 4b on the mean 4.
For example a shape of the pin element is a stack of truck cones 3q, each cone having a major base 3qa in contact with a minor base 3qb of a successive cone 3q, and so that the outermost major and minor bases of the stack are respectively, fixed to the base surface 3bs of the first portion 3b and free to be inserted through the hole 1c.
Advantageously, an outermost truck cones 3q-out facilitates the insertion of the pin element through the hole 1c even when the width of such hole 1c is strictly less than its major base 3qa, due to a partial deformability of the carpet 1.
The mean 4 comprises the first element 4a having a size greater then the size of the hole 1c of the carpet 1. For example, the first element 4a has a cylindrical shape having a diameter d grater than size of the hole 1c and a central hole 4hl to accept the pin element.
The mean 4 also comprises fastener means 4b intended to couple to the corresponding blocking pawls 3p of the pin element. For example the central hole 4h of the first element 4a is provided with a border flange 4f delimitating a restriction of a diameter of the central hole 4h itself.
The border flange 4f has an internal diameter 4hl substantially equal to or lightly minor than a diameter 3pd of a major base of a truck cone 3p of the pin element so that, when the pin element is inserted through the hole 4h, the blocking pawls 3p of the pin element may couple with the border flange 4f of the fastener mean 4b.
Advantageously, the coupling of the blocking pawls 3p and the border flange 4f of the fastener mean 4b guarantees a permanent association between the carpet 1 and the RFID tag 2. In fact, such coupling cannot be removed due to the size and shape of the blocking pawls 3p and the border flange 4f.
Even if the internal diameter 4hl of the border flange is lightly minor than the diameter 3pd of the major base of the truck cone 3p, the pin element is inserted through a pressure, temporarily deforming the border flange 4f to pass through the central hole 4hl. When the blocking pawls 3p are inserted through the central hole 4hl, their original shape naturally restores and couples with the border flange 4f, avoiding the support 3 to exit from the mean 4.
Advantageously, according to the present invention, a number of blocking pawls 3p inserted through the hole 4hl is chosen depending on a thickness of the carpet 1.
With reference to
For a carpet 1 with a thickness t2 grater that the thickness t1, the pin element is inserted in the hole 4hl only with some blocking pawls 3p, as schematically represented in
The support 3 and the truck cones 3p are be derived by a merger of a same material so to constitute a single element.
The mean 4 also comprises a washer 4d, concentric to the first element 4a and substantially having a same diameter of the first portion 3b of the support 3.
With reference to
Even if not represented, the RFID tag system 10 may be fixed with both the first side 1a and the second side substantially interposed between the mean 4 and the support 3.
A little area of the second side 1b of the carpet 1, corresponding to the area delimited by the base surface 3bs of the first portion 3b, is peeled out to host such first portion 3b. Even if not represented, a hole 1c is made in the middle of the peeled area to allow the insertion of the second portion 3c, comprising the pin element.
Also a little area of the first side 1a of the carpet 1, corresponding to the area delimited by the first element 4a of the mean element 4, is cut out to host such first element 4a. The washer 4d of the mean 4 remains outside the cut out area, substantially in contact with the floor.
Conventional mans are used to peel the carpet 1 and to make the hole 1c inside it, for example a drill machine to drill the hole 1c and a scrape machine to shave off the little area of the second side 1b of the carpet 1.
Advantageously, the washer 4d is a protection thickness for the pin element. In fact the thickness of the washer 4d prevent that the weight of a person, treading on the carpet 1, crushes the pin element on the floor, being the pin element always included in a space delimited by the hole 4h.
More particularly, a length of the pin element may be longer than a high of the first element 4a so that, when the pin element is inserted through the hole 4h, it partially juts out from the first element 4a. In this case, in order to prevent a contact between the pin element and the floor, a portion of the pin element is cut so that its remaining portion substantially remains inside a space delimited by the first element 4a.
According to a different embodiment of the present invention, a permanent coupling of the mean 4 and the support 3 is determined after the insertion of the pin element through the hole 4h, for example through a soldering process.
With reference to
According to this embodiment, the pin element is a stalk intended to be inserted through the hole 4h. A length L1 of the pin element is greater than a depth L2 of the hole 4h so that an inserted portion of the pin elements juts out from it.
Such inserted portion that juts out, is sealed to the mean 4, for example through an overheating process intended to merge it into the hole 4h.
Additional material, for example a same material composing the first element 4a, may be used to fill the hole 4h and to permanently seal the pin element to the first element 4a.
