WO2002032767A1

WO2002032767A1 - Tag attachment apparatus with shielding device

Info

Publication number: WO2002032767A1
Application number: PCT/GB2001/004627
Authority: WO
Inventors: William John Edwards
Original assignee: Morplan Ltd
Priority date: 2000-10-20
Filing date: 2001-10-17
Publication date: 2002-04-25
Also published as: AU2001294066A1; GB2369080A; GB0025819D0

Abstract

A tag attachment apparatus (100) including a needle (124), the apparatus (100) comprising: a shielding device (102), wherein the shielding device (102) is releasable from a locked position in a direction parallel to the needle to expose the needle for use. The present invention provides a shielding device for use with or in well-known tag attachment guns. The device addresses the problems of occidental stabbings, accidental damage to the needle of such guns (and hence the replacement costs associated therewith), and addresses health and safety concerns with presently available devices.

Description

TAG ATTACHMENT APPARATUS WITH SHIELDING DEVICE

The present invention relates to apparatus for attaching tags to articles of clothing and other textiles or other such materials. More specifically, this invention relates to the provision of a safety or shielding device to such an apparatus.

At the present time, tag attachment apparatus or guns, which are well known, often incorporate a hollow needle and a push rod. In use, the needle may be inserted through an aperture in a tag to be attached and then pushed through the fabric of a garment for example. The push rod may then be caused to push a fastener along the hollow needle and through the aperture and fabric, leaving a projection of the fastener on the far side of the fabric and a second projection of the fastener on the near side of the tag, so that the fabric and tag are held together between the projections.

The tag attachment guns currently in use incorporate either a removable needle cover, or needle covers that are pivotally moved away from the needle, such as that disclosed in EP-0825120, thereby allowing use of the gun. A further example is provided in EP-0625317, in which a cover is pivotally moved away from the needle and is then utilised as a plunger in the mechanism of the gun.

There are several distinct disadvantages with the above detailed tag attachment gun types. These disadvantages occur predominantly because the needle cover of a gun is not always replaced after the use of the gun. When a tag attachment gun or apparatus is used, for example in a high street clothing shop, it will be carried around by the operator/user thereof. It is possible, and frequently occurs, that, if particular attention is not paid to the whereabouts of the needle of the gun with regard to third parties, such third parties may receive undesired puncture wounds, scratches or grazes. The avoidance of such occurrences is obviously important for reasons of customer relations and health and safety, etc.

A further disadvantage with present tag attachment gun types relates to the protection of the gun itself. If a gun is dropped, on to the floor for example, or is banged against an object, and the point of contact is on or around the protruding needle of the device, damage, such as a break, bend or kink, may be caused to the needle. This may prevent further use of the gun until such time as the needle is replaced (where such replacement is possible). However, the continued replacement of damaged needles is an unwanted and undesirable expense.

Finally, it is likely that a single tag attachment gun will frequently be used by more than one user. When combined with the further disadvantage that occurs during use, that a user often causes the puncture of their own fingers with the needle, because they cannot accurately determine the point on the back of a fabric article at which penetration of the fabric (emergence of the needle tip) will occur, it is an unnecessary worry that multiple users may be receiving puncture wounds from the same device. There is a small chance that this disadvantage may lead to the spreading of illness or disease.

Clearly, there is a requirement for a tag attachment apparatus or gun which addresses one or more of the above detailed problems/disadvantages.

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention provides a tag attachment apparatus including a needle, the apparatus comprising: a shielding device, wherein the shielding device is releasable from a locked position shielding the needle to expose the needle for use.

Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a tag attachment apparatus including a needle, the apparatus comprising: a shielding device, wherein the shielding device is retractable from a locked position in a direction parallel to the needle to expose the needle for use.

Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a tag attachment apparatus including a needle, the apparatus comprising: a shielding device, wherein the shielding device is configured to relocate automatically in the shielding position upon retraction of the needle from a garment or the like. This invention addresses all of the above mentioned disadvantages in that it shields the needle, thereby preventing accidental stabbing of third parties and damage due to the dropping or knocking of the needle area of the gun. Additionally, as will be seen, the shielding device of the present invention enables the avoidance of self inflicted puncture wounds by the user of the attachment apparatus.

Preferably, the tag attachment apparatus further comprises retraction activation means. Preferably, the activation means are located upon the apparatus, and take the form of one of a switch, lever or button.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a shielding device locking mechanism, the locking mechanism being in communication with the activation means. Preferably, the locking mechanism comprises a catch member connected to the activation means and movable thereby; and a retaining arm. More preferably, the retaining arm is positioned to abut a support rod of the shielding device. Still more preferably, the retaining arm is biased towards the support rod. Biasing may be provided by means of a spring, a resilient member, or any other suitable means.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the catch member is located to abut the retaining arm and is biased theretowards, thereby preventing displacement of the retaining arm by movement of a shielding device support rod. Preferably, the retaining arm is pivotally attached to the apparatus at one end thereof and includes a protrusion at the other end, the protrusion abutting the shielding device support rod. More preferably, a surface of the protrusion which abuts the end of the support rod is presented at an angle thereto, such that pressure against the face will cause the displacement of the retaining arm.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, activation of the activation means causes the displacement of the catch away from its biased position, thereby allowing displacement of the retaining arm away from its biased position in response to a pressure exerted upon the shielding device. Preferably, the apparatus is hand-held, and the activation means is positioned to be activated by a user's thumb. Still more preferably, a platen of the shielding device is shaped in a distinctive manner recognisable to a user by touch.

A specific embodiment of the present invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a tag attachment apparatus according to the present invention, in which a shielding device is depicted in an operative position;

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 , in which the shielding device is depicted in a retracted position; and

Figure 3 is a section along the lines A-A.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a tag attachment apparatus or gun 100 according to the present invention. The gun 100 is similar to a standard tag attachment gun as is well known in the art, but incorporates a number of additional features or devices, which are set forth below. Firstly, there is shown a shielding device 102, consisting of a platen 104 and two support rods 106. As may be seen, the support rods 106 are attached perpendicularly to a major surface of the platen 104 and extend, parallel to a needle 124 of the tag attachment apparatus, into the body portion 108 thereof. Attachment of the rods 106 and platen 104 may be by means of a physical attachment device such as a screw, or by an adhesive or other such means. Alternatively, the platen 104 and rods 106 may be formed as a single unit. Each support rod 106 extends along a cavity or tube 112 provided therefor in the body or casing 108 of the gun 100, the body being pierced in a nose region 110 thereof to form a proximal end of the tube or cavity 112.

As may be seen, there is provided, at the distal end of at least one tube or cavity 112, a spring 114. The spring abuts a raised rib 116 on the support rod 106 and is located around the rod 106, thereby forming a sheath. The other end of the spring 114 abuts a first constriction 118 provided in the distal most end of the tube 112. In this position, the spring 114 causes the rod 106 to be biased away from the distal end of the tube 112. The rod 106 is prevented from being forced too far towards the proximal end of the tube 112 by a second constriction 120 in the tube 112. The raised rib 116 is caused, by the spring 114, to abut the second constriction 120, thereby preventing the rod 100 and thus the platen 104 from moving beyond the point set. As will be appreciated, when the raised rib 116 abuts the second constriction 120, the platen 104 is located such that a tip 122 of the needle 124 is shielded within it, as shown in Figure 1.

There is also illustrated a locking means within the body 108 of the gun

100. The locking means comprises a retaining arm 128 and a catch member 130. The retaining arm is generally "L" shaped and one end thereof is pivotally attached to the body 108 of the gun 100. The free end of the retaining arm comprises a protrusion 132. The retaining arm 128 is located and biased in order to lay parallel to one of the support rods 106. Additionally, the arm 128 is positioned such that the protrusion 132 abuts the distal most end of the rod 106. It may be clearly seen that the surface of the protrusion 132 abutting the end of the rod 106 is angled thereto, such that the exertion of a force along the rod 106 causes the protrusion to slide pivotally away from the rod 106, causing movement of the arm 128 against a biasing spring 134. This allows the shielding device to be forced inwardly with respect to the gun 100, allowing the exposure of the needle 124, 122 in an operative position.

In order to prevent the displacement of the retaining arm 128, there is provided a catch member 130. The catch member is attached to a manually operable activating means, which may take the form of a switch, a lever or a button. In the embodiment depicted, the activation means is a lever 136. The lever 136 resides on the outside of the gun casing 108 and is connected to the catch member 130, which resides inside the gun casing 108. Such a connection is made by means of a bar, rod or axle, having a square drive portion, which passes through the casing 108 of the gun, thereby providing a pivotal mounting between the case 108 and the lever 136 and the catch member 130. The distal end of the catch member 130, i.e. the end furthest from the connection with the gun casing 108, is in the form of a hook, the loop thereof being biased towards and into contact with the free end of the retaining arm 128 by a spring 138. Such biasing also serves to retain the lever 136 in a pre-activation position. When in this position, the loop of the hook prevents displacement of the retaining arm 128, and thus prevents the retraction of the shielding device 102 and the exposure of the needle 122, 124.

When the lever 136 is caused to pivot, against the spring bias provided to the catch member 130 and therethrough to the lever 136, the loop of the hook is caused to move away from its contact with the retaining arm 128. When this occurs, displacement of the retaining arm, as previously described, and retraction of the shielding device, as already described, may be achieved. Once the cause of the levers pivotal movement, for example a manually exerted force by a user's thumb, is removed, the biasing spring 138 causes the lever to return to its original position and also causes the loop of the catch member 130 to re-engage the free end of the retaining arm 128. This prevents any attempt to retract the shielding device 102.

It is clear from Figure 1 that the gun 100 is a handheld device and thus that the lever 136 is conveniently situated for activation by the thumb of the user. The gun illustrated in Figure 1 is therefore intended for use by a right-handed person. Of course, guns configured for left-handed use would simply require at least the activation means to be located on an opposite side of the casing 108.

Figure 2 shows the gun 100 with the shielding device in a retracted position. As may be seen, the lever 136 has been activated, thereby displacing the catch member 130 which has in turn released the free end of the retaining arm 128. The protrusion 132 of the retaining arm has been displaced by the distal end of a support rod 106 which has been pressed thereagainst by a force exerted against the platen 104 of the shielding device 102. As a result of this, the shielding device is retracted leaving exposed for use the needle 122, 124. In actual use, the force would be applied to the platen 104 via a piece of material and a tag, for example, thus causing the needle to penetrate an aperture in the tag and to drive through the material. Activation of the trigger 140 of the gun 100 would then cause a fastener to be advanced through the aperture and material to fasten the tag to the material, in accordance with well-known techniques.

Figure 3 depicts the configuration of the platen 104 of the shielding device. As may be seen, the support rods 106, of which there are two in number in this embodiment, are arranged equally spaced from, and on opposite sides of, the central axis of the platen 104 which runs parallel to the longest side thereof. In addition, the support rods 106 are arranged equally displaced on opposite sides of the central axis of the platen 104 running parallel to the shortest edge of the platen 104 (and perpendicular to the first mentioned central axis), as may be seen.

It is clear from Figure 3 that the platen 104 is shaped in a distinctive manner, such that the disposition of the platen 104, and thus the gun 100 and needle 122,124, may be determined by the user by touching the platen 104 with fingers alone. This is achieved by the provision of a recess 202 in which the needle 124 is located. As has already been made clear, the needle 124 is arranged perpendicularly to the platen 104, such that when the platen 104 is fully extended from the gun 100, the point 122 of the needle 124 is shielded within the depth of the recess 202 within the platen 104.

The operation of a gun 100 according to the present invention is now described. When a person wishes to attach a tag to, for example, a towel, the tag is laid upon the towel in a desired location, the opposite side of the towel to that upon which the tag is resting is then supported by the fingers of the user, approximately either side of an aperture in the tag through which a fastener is to be inserted. The gun 100 is then proffered up to the aperture such that the needle tip 122 is located adjacent the aperture. At this stage, the platen 104, currently locked in position, abuts the tag and the pressure thereof against the tag and towel is met by the users fingers on the opposite side of the towel. The user, at this stage, utilises the distinct shape of the platen 104 to arrange their fingers in such a way as to provide a rest to push the platen 104 against, and to avoid the needle 124 when it is advanced through the material. The gun 100 is now located for use.

In order to advance the needle through the towel, retraction of the shielding device 102 must be enabled. This is made so by the activation of the lever 136. The lever 136 is pushed forward by the thumb of the user, as may be best appreciated from Figure 2. The lever 136 may be retained in this position whilst the gun is advanced towards the towel, thus causing the retraction of the rods 106 into the casing 108, until the platen 104 abuts the nose 110 of the gun. As this occurs, the needle 124, which is in a fixed position with respect to the gun 100, is caused to be advanced through the material. At this point, the lever 136 may be released. In fact, release may occur any time after the distal end of the support rod 106 in communication with the retaining arm 128 has passed the protrusion 132 thereof. The support rod 106 prevents the retaining arm 128, and consequently the catch member 130 and lever 136 returning to their "at rest" position. However, once the platen 104 is caused, by the biasing present, to return to the shielding position, these components reset in their pre-retraction positions.

At this stage, the gun 100 operates as do well known guns. The trigger 140 is pulled causing a push rod to advance. The advancing rod pushes one end of a fastener, through the hollow needle 124, and thereby through the tag aperture and towel. The other end of the fastener remains on the gun side of the tag, thus causing the tag to be attached to the towel.

Upon retraction of the needle 124 from the towel, the platen 104 remains abutting the tag, towel and fingers of the user as it is caused, by the biasing present, to extend to the shielding position. When this position is attained, the needle 124 and tip 122 are once again shielded and ready for use as detailed above. Whilst this invention has been described as relevant to the attachment of tags to material products such as clothing, it will be appreciated that it is applicable to devices/apparatus for attaching tags to other products which may be penetrated by a needle without receiving damage. Such products include millinery, raffia or basket wear products etc.

It will be further appreciated by the reader, that whilst the various biases provided within the apparatus have been stated as being provided by springs, other such devices may be utilised to provide this effect. These include such things as a sheath of resilient material such as a plastic, polymer, etc. or a spring substitute made from such a material. Also, quite clearly, where biasing is provided, the springs need not be compressed or expanded as detailed above. Such biasing may be provided by biasing members located to act (i.e. to expand and contract) in the opposite direction to that shown.

It will of course be understood that this invention has been described above by way of example only, and that modifications of detail may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A tag attachment apparatus including a needle, the apparatus comprising: a shielding device, wherein the shielding device is releasable from a locked position shielding the needle to expose the needle for use.

2. A tag attachment apparatus including a needle, the apparatus comprising: a shielding device, wherein the shielding device is retractable from a locked position in a direction parallel to the needle to expose the needle for use.

3. A tag attachment apparatus including a needle, the apparatus comprising: a shielding device, wherein the shielding device is configured to relocate automatically in the shielding position upon retraction of the needle from a garment or the like.

4. A tag attachment apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein retraction activation means are located upon the apparatus, and take the form of a switch, lever or button.

5. A tag attachment apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a shielding device locking mechanism, the locking mechanism in communication with the activation means.

6. A tag attachment apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a catch member connected to the activation means and moveable thereby; and a retaining arm.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the retaining arm is positioned to abut a support rod of the shielding device.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the retaining arm is biased toward the support rod.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein biasing is provided by means of a spring.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the catch member is located to abut the retaining arm and is biased theretowards, thereby preventing displacement of the retaining arm by movement of the shielding device support rod.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the retaining arm is pivotally attached to the apparatus at one end thereof and includes a protrusion at the other end, the protrusion abutting a distal end of the shielding device support rod.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein a surface of the protrusion which abuts the support rod is presented at an angle thereto, such that pressure against the surface will cause the displacement of the retaining arm.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein activation of the activation means causes the displacement of the catch away from its biased position, thereby allowing displacement of the retaining arm away from its biased position in response to a pressure exerted upon the shielding device.

14. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4 to 13, wherein the apparatus is hand held, and the activation means is positioned to be activated by a users thumb.

15. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a platen of the shielding device is shaped in a distinctive manner recognisable to a user by touch.

16. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.