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Universal spring-clip mounting device for object identifying devices

Universal spring-clip mounting device for object identifying devices description/claims

The present invention is directed to the field of object identification. More particularly, the present invention is directed to the mounting of object identifying devices such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and bar code labels to objects of interest, such that said object identifying devices can be read by a detector, reader or similar device. Even more particularly, the present invention is directed to universal spring-clip mounting devices that allow for the temporary attachment of object identifying devices to various points on different objects while maintaining the proper orientation of said devices.

Object identification such as radio frequency identification and bar code labeling has become a popular method for identifying objects, such as components in an assembly process. For example, in a vehicle manufacturing operation, RFID tags (transmitters, etc.), bar code labels and/or other object identifying devices may be attached to vehicle bodies on an assembly line. These object identifying devices can identify the vehicle bodies to a tracking system or some other process control system.

Such tracking can be beneficial for several reasons. In a manufacturing setting, the use of such object identifying devices can make it possible to know where a particular component(s) or assembly is at any time during the manufacturing process. In a manufacturing process where more than one type of product is manufactured on the same assembly line, object identifying devices can also be used to automatically signal a product change. For example, in a vehicle manufacturing process, object identifying devices can be used to signal the change from one body style to another. This allows downstream processes to prepare in advance for the new body style, such as by changing or rearranging part supplies, changing tooling or other equipment, etc.

RFID tags, bar code labels an other object identifying devices usually operate in conjunction with one or more antennas, readers or other receivers or recognition devices that can detect the object identifying devices and read data transmitted or presented thereby. Such antenna(s), receivers, etc., may have different locations. For example, in an assembly line process, an antenna(s) and/or reader may be positioned at one or more locations along the path of travel of the objects to which the object identifying devices are attached. Information associated with each object identifying device is then received, read or otherwise gained by the respective antenna(s), reader, etc., once the associated objects of interest are sufficiently within its receiving range.

Proper transfer of information from an RFID tag to an antenna typically requires that the RFID tag be placed in a particular orientation with respect to the antenna. For example, it may be required that the body of the RFID tag pass over an antenna in a position that is substantially parallel thereto. Additionally, it may be required that the RFID tag pass the antenna within some small predetermined distance thereof in order for a successful reading to be obtained. Similar requirements may be associated with other object identifying devices, such as bar code labels, wherein the label must be presented to a bar code reader with a particular orientation.

As such, it is desirable with respect to an RFID, bar code or other object identifying system to be able to quickly and easily attach object identifying devices to the objects to be detected, in a manner such that the orientation of the object identifying devices is properly maintained with regard to one or more associated antenna(s), readers, etc. As can be understood, however, this can be especially challenging in situations wherein object identifying devices will be attached to objects of various size and shape. This problem may be compounded when a particular object identifying device orientation is required and different objects to be tagged lack similar object identifying device attachment point(s) or structures.

Consequently, there is a need for an inexpensive object identifying device attachment means that is capable of temporarily attaching object identifying devices to dissimilar objects in a manner such that said object identifying devices are nonetheless presented to a corresponding antenna(s), reader, etc., in a proper orientation and within an acceptable distance therefrom. The universal spring-clip mounting devices of the present invention satisfy this need.

The present invention is directed to various spring-clip mounting devices that can be used to temporarily attach object identifying devices to dissimilar objects. Although it is clear from the foregoing commentary that such devices may include RFID tags, bar code labels, and a variety of other object identifying devices known to one skilled in the art, for purposes of simplicity, only exemplary RFID tag mounting devices are described hereafter. It is to be understood, however, that these mounting devices may often also be employed to mount other types of object identifying devices, whether bar code labels or otherwise. For example, a bar code label could be attached to a substrate similar in shape to a RFID tag, which substrate may be subsequently attached to a mounting device of the present invention.

As one example, a universal spring-clip RFID tag mounting device (hereafter RFID tag mounting device) of the present invention may be used to attach a RFID tag to dissimilar vehicle bodies that lack corresponding attachment point(s) or structures, while still maintaining the proper location and orientation of the RFID tag with respect to an associated antenna(s).

Preferably, a RFID tag mounting device of the present invention is designed to make use of one or more potential attachment points/structures present on each of the objects to which the RFID tags are to be attached. The potential attachment points/structures may be unique to each of the objects of interest, yet still capable of engagement by one or more portions of the same universal spring-clip mounting device.

In order to maximize its usage, a RFID tag mounting device of the present invention may have one or more RFID tag attachment portions and one or more object attachment portions. Preferably, a RFID tag mounting device of the present invention is comprised of a resilient material, such as a spring steel. One or more portions of the RFID tag mounting device may be provided with structure capable of connection to a RFID tag. One or more other portions of such a RFID tag mounting device may be provided for connection of said device to an object of interest. In one exemplary embodiment, a RFID tag mounting device is constructed of a resilient wire that is bent into a desired shape and provided with various object engaging portions (e.g., extending arms) that are sized and configured to engage one or more slots or holes present in one or more objects of interest. Such arms may be of dissimilar size and/or shape, may extend in different directions, and may reside in different planes.

Preferably, at least a body portion of a RFID tag mounting device of the present invention is adapted for compression and expansion (i.e., inward and outward movement). For example, with respect to above-mentioned exemplary embodiment, compression of the body portion may also produce an inward or outward displacement of one or more object engaging portions that are connected to the body portion. This displacement may thereby permit an object engaging portion to be inserted to a slot(s) or hole(s) of, or otherwise hooked onto or engaged with, an object of interest. Upon discontinuation of the compressive force, the body portion and, thus, the object engaging portions return to their normal position, whereby the relevant one(s) thereof exert a retaining force on the object, such as on the walls of the object surrounding the slot(s) or hole(s).

A RFID tag mounting device of the present invention can thus be configured to mount RFID tags to a variety of dissimilar objects. For example, by providing multiple object engaging portions and by arranging the object engaging portions at multiple locations and/or extending the object engaging portions in multiple directions, it is possible to substantially change the orientation of a RFID tag mounting device or to attach a RFID tag mounting device to structure(s) of an object lying in dissimilar planes while still maintaining the same orientation of an RFID tag.

Attachment of an RFID tag to a RFID tag mounting device of the present invention may also be accomplished in a manner that allows for reorientation thereof. In this manner, a single RFID tag mounting device, or a minimal number of RFID tag mounting devices, can be used to attach RFID tags to a number of dissimilar objects, while still maintaining the RFID tag in a proper orientation with respect to one or more associated antennas. As such, the cost of manufacturing or purchasing RFID tag mounting hardware and/or the inefficiency of swapping RFID tag mounting hardware can be reduced.

In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates the proper orientation of one exemplary RFID tag as it passes over a corresponding exemplary RFID antenna while attached to a vehicle body traveling along an assembly line;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed view showing attachment of the RFID tag of FIG. 1 to a horizontally-oriented portion of the vehicle body by one embodiment of a RFID tag mounting device of the present invention;

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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