Wristband and clasp therefor

Abstract

The field of the present invention relates to an identification assembly, and in particular, to a clasp device for securing to an identification wristband, and to a wristband and clasp assembly. In one embodiment, an identification assembly for a patient includes a band with first and second opposite ends and first and second opposite edges and a width measured between the first and second edges. The identification assembly also includes a clasp secured to the band. The clasp has a first section having an inside surface and an outside surface; a second section having an inside surface and an outside surface, the inside surface of the second section facing the inside surface of the first section; and a protrusion extending from one of the first or the second section to engage the other of the first or the second section to secure the first and second sections together in a closed position. The outside surface of one of the first or the second section comprises a symbol on the outside surface to provide information about the patient. The clasp is color-coded to provide information about the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An identification assembly for a patient, comprising:
 a band with first and second opposite ends and first and second opposite edges and a width measured between the first and second edges, the band being flexible to bring the first and second ends together to form a loop for encircling the patient; and   a clasp secured to the band, the clasp comprising:
 a first section having an inside surface and an outside surface; 
 a second section having an inside surface and an outside surface, the inside surface of the second section facing the inside surface of the first section; and 
 a protrusion extending from one of the first or the second section to engage the other of the first or the second section to secure the first and second sections together in a closed position, 
   wherein the outside surface of one of the first or the second section comprises a symbol on the outside surface to provide information about the patient, and   wherein the clasp is color-coded to provide information about the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The identification assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the band comprises a closure for securing the band into a loop, and wherein the clasp is secured to the band away from the closure. 
     
     
         3 . The identification assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the band comprises an adhesive closure for securing the band into a loop. 
     
     
         4 . The identification assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sections of the clasp are secured to each other at both the first and second opposite edges of the band. 
     
     
         5 . The identification assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second sections are secured to each other at a first securement point at the first edge of the band and at a second securement point at the second edge of the band, and wherein a distance between the first securement point and the second securement point is at least as great as the width of the band. 
     
     
         6 . The identification assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first securement point comprises the protrusion extending from the inside surface of one of the first or the second section. 
     
     
         7 . The identification assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the second securement point comprises a hinge. 
     
     
         8 . The identification assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inside surface of one of the first or second section comprises a raised shelf. 
     
     
         9 . The identification assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the distance between the protrusion and the shelf is at least as great as the width of the band. 
     
     
         10 . The identification assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inside surface of the first section comprises an alignment protrusion. 
     
     
         11 . The identification assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the inside surface of the second section comprises an alignment recess corresponding to the alignment protrusion. 
     
     
         12 . The identification assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sections have an outer perimeter that is tapered. 
     
     
         13 . The identification assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the clasp is secured to the band from the first edge of the band, and further comprising a second tapered clasp secured to the band from the second edge of the band, the second clasp having a second symbol different from the first symbol. 
     
     
         14 . The identification assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a second clasp secured to the band, the second clasp having a second symbol on an outside surface of the second clasp, the second symbol being different from the first symbol. 
     
     
         15 . The identification system of  claim 1 , wherein the clasp is integrally molded as one continuous piece. 
     
     
         16 . An identification assembly for a patient, comprising:
 a band with first and second opposite ends and first and second opposite edges, and having a width measured between the first and second edges and an axis extending between the first and second ends, the band being flexible to bring the first and second ends together to form a loop for encircling the patient; and   a clasp secured to the band, the clasp comprising:
 a first section having an inside surface and an outside surface; 
 a second section having an inside surface and an outside surface, the inside surface of the second section facing the inside surface of the first section; and 
 a protrusion extending from the inside surface of one of the first or the second section to engage the other of the first or the second section to secure the first and second sections together in a closed position, 
   wherein the first and second sections have a tapered shape such that the first and second sections are asymmetrical about the axis of the band,   wherein the first section is an integrally molded plastic piece, having a symbol providing information about the patient on the outside surface of the first section, and   wherein the clasp is color-coded to provide information about the patient.   
     
     
         17 . The identification assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second sections are integrally molded as one continuous piece. 
     
     
         18 . An identification system for use with an identification band to provide information about a person wearing such band, comprising:
 a plurality of first clasps, each first clasp having a first section and a second section that engage each other to close the first clasp with such a band passing between the first and second sections; and   a plurality of second clasps, each second clasp having a first section and a second section that engage each other to close the second clasp with such a band passing between the first and second sections,   wherein each of the first clasps comprises a first color and a first symbol that provide information about the person,   wherein each of the second clasps comprises a second color and a second symbol that provide information about the person,   wherein the first color is different from the second color, and   wherein the first symbol is different from the second symbol.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the first clasps and the second clasps have a tapered outer perimeter, such that the clasps are capable of internesting on the band. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising an identification band for encircling the person, and wherein at least one clasp is secured to the band.