BACKGROUND

A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag is a type of electronic

identification device that may be used to identify and track various objects. In practice, an RFID tag is attached to an object, and an RFID reader senses the presence and identifying information associated with the RFID tag. The RFID reader may be located at an entrance or exit of an environment, thus facilitating the tracking and identifying of objects having RFID tags that enter or exit the environment.

RFID tags may be added to existing objects so that they may be tracked. To this end, an RFID tag may be mounted to the exterior of an object using adhesives or shrink wrap. However, by being mounted to the exterior of an object, the RFID tag may impede the intended functionality of the object. For example, if an RFID tag were mounted to the exterior of a socket tool, the socket tool may not be able to fit into tight spaces due to the increased size of the tool created by the added RFID tag. Additionally, retrofitting a tool with an RFID tag may be visually unattractive.

In order to overcome these obstacles, some objects may be manufactured to incorporate an RFID tag. However, it may be expensive to replace existing objects with new RFID-enabled objects. For example, a mechanic shop may have a huge inventory of socket tools. Replacing the huge inventory of existing tools with new RFID-enabled tools may be expensive and impractical.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGS. 1 A-1 C are drawings of an adapter according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2C are drawings of an adapter body of the adapter of FIGS. 1 A-1 C according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3C are drawings of an adapter cover of the adapter of FIGS. 1 A-1 C according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4B, 5A-5B, and 6A-6B are drawings of the adapter of FIGS. 1 A-1 C attached to an inventory item according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A-7B are drawings of an alternative embodiment of the adapter cover of the adapter of FIGS. 1 A-1 C according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with the present disclosure, existing inventory items, such as but not limited to, socket tools, air tool fittings, driver bits (e.g., Phillips bits, flathead bits, hex-head bits, TORX® bits, APEX® bits, etc.) alien wrenches, hoses, welding equipment, medical equipment, or any inventory item having a universal attachment fitting, may be retrofitted to become RFID-enabled while maintaining the intended functionality of the inventory items. In general, the present disclosure is directed towards permanently attaching an adapter equipped with an electronic identification device to an inventory item. As used herein, the term "permanently attached" refers to an attachment that is not intended to be removed, unless defeated by component failure, unauthorized removal, or other types of unintended activity. As a non-limiting example, one end of an adapter equipped with an RFID tag is configured to permanently attach to one or more inventory items, such as a socket, a conventional socket adapter, a crowfoot wrench, etc., while the other end of the adapter is configured to removably attach to a socket driver. As such, the adapter, RFID tag, and socket may be a substantially unitary piece. By being configured to permanently attach to a universal attachment fitting, one adapter style may be produced that is capable of permanently attaching to multiple sizes and styles of sockets.

With the RFID enabled adapter permanently attached to a socket or other type of inventory item, an RFID reader may identify or track the inventory item by sensing signals emitted from the RFID tag. For example, an RFID tag reader may be installed at an entrance or exit of an environment, and the activity associated with the inventory item may be monitored. This monitoring may be especially useful, for example, in operating rooms where it is extremely important to track medical tools, in mechanical environments where a lost tool may cause damage to equipment, in an environment where inventory item theft may be a concern, or in other environments. In the following discussion, a general description of the apparatus and its

components are provided, followed by a discussion of the operation of the same.

With reference to FIGS. 1 A-1 C, shown is an adapter 1 00 according to one embodiment, among others, of the present disclosure. The adapter 100 shown in FIGS. 1 A-1 C is configured to become a substantially unitary piece with the inventory item 101 . The inventory item 1 01 has a female fitting 102 facilitating attachment between the adapter 100 and inventory item 101 . As may be appreciated, the female fitting 102 is common to other related inventory items 101 so that a common tool (e.g., a socket driver) may attach to several inventory items 101 . In this sense, the female fitting 102 may be considered one example, among others, of a universal attachment fitting. Additionally, a universal attachment fitting in various

embodiments may be, for example but not limited to, male fittings, threaded joints, quick-release couplings, or any other universal attachment fitting being a deliberate mechanical point of connection for the inventory item 1 01 .

In the embodiment shown, the inventory item 101 is embodied in the form of a socket. It is understood that in alternative embodiments, the inventory items 101 may be, for example but not limited to, socket tools, air tool fittings, driver bits (e.g., Phillips bits, flathead bits, hex-head bits, TORX® bits, APEX® bits, etc.) alien wrenches, hoses, welding equipment, medical equipment, or any inventory item having a universal attachment fitting. The adapter 1 00 may also be preconfigured to be attached to another inventory item 101 or tool such as, for example, a preexisting fitting of a powered or manual driver tool (not shown).

The adapter 100 includes an adapter body 103, an adapter cover 1 06, an RFID tag 109, an insert 1 13, one or more retaining elements 1 16, and possibly other components not discussed in detail herein. The adapter cover 106 surrounds a portion of the adapter body 1 03 and secures the RFID tag 1 09 to the adapter body 103. The adapter cover 1 06 may be transparent to radio frequency energy to facilitate the RFID tag 109 transmitting and/or receiving signals.

The retaining elements 1 16 are disposed at least partially within the adapter body 1 03 and facilitate retaining the adapter 100 to an inventory item 101 , as will be described later. The insert 1 13 is also disposed at least partially within the adapter body 1 03 and extends along a longitudinal axis of the adapter body 1 03. As will be described later, the insert 1 13 may extend the retaining elements 1 16 to facilitate permanent attachment of the adapter 100 to the inventory item 101 . Turning to FIGS. 2A-2C, shown is the adapter body 103 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The adapter body 1 03 in the present embodiment includes a male end 1 19 configured to be received in a female fitting 102 (FIG. 1 A) of the inventory item 1 01 (FIG. 1 A). Opposite of the male end 1 1 9 is a female end 1 23 and a female recess 124 configured to receive, for example, a socket driver.

As will be described below, in the embodiment shown, the male end 1 1 9 is configured to permanently attach to the inventory item 101 , while the female end 123 is preconfigured to attach to, for example, a male end of a socket driver tool or other type of powered or manual tool (not shown). It is understood that although the embodiment shown has a male end 1 19 and a female end 123, both ends may be male or both ends may be female in alternative embodiments.

Although shown in FIGS. 2A-2C as being formed of a single unit, the adapter body 1 03 may instead comprise multiple components that are assembled to form the adapter body 103. For example, the male end 1 19 may be detached from the remainder of the adapter body 103. In such a case, during assembly, the male end 1 1 9 may be attached to the remainder of the adapter body 103 by a weld, threads, or other attachment methods.

The adapter body 1 03 may also include a groove 126, a recess 129, an orifice 133, one or more bores 136, an edge 139, a rim 143, and possibly other features not discussed in detail herein. The groove 126 extends at least partially circumferentially around the adapter body 1 03. The recess 129 is a depressed region of the adapter body 1 03 and may take a shape that is slightly larger than the RFID tag 1 09 or a holder of the RFID tag 109. The orifice 1 33 extends longitudinally from the male end 1 19 to the female recess 124. In alternative embodiments, the orifice 133 may not extend completely to either one of the ends. The one or more bores 136 extend from an outer surface of the male end 1 19 to the orifice 133 and are configured to receive the retaining elements 1 16 (FIG. 1 A-1 C).

The edge 139 may be a surface configured to be adjacent to the inventory item 101 . The rim 143 may be disposed along the adapter body 1 03 towards the female end 1 23. Both the edge 139 and rim 143 may facilitate attaching and retaining the adapter cover 1 06 to the adapter body 103 as will be described later.

With reference now to FIGS. 3A-3C, shown is one example of an adapter cover 1 06 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The adapter cover 1 06 shown in FIGS. 3A-3C is embodied in the form of a collar that surrounds a portion of the adapter body 1 03. The adapter cover 1 06 may act as a covering to protect and/or permanently secure the RFID tag 109 to the adapter body 1 03. In alternative embodiments, the adapter cover 106 may partially cover a portion of the adapter body 103, instead of completely surrounding the circumference of the adapter body 103.

The adapter cover 106 includes an interior surface 145 extending through the adapter cover 1 06 for at least a portion of the adapter body 103 to pass through the adapter cover 1 06. In various embodiments, the adapter cover 106 may be constructed of nylon or other plastic-type materials to facilitate transmission of signals to and from the RFID tag 109. However, it is understood that the adapter cover 1 06 may be constructed of other materials that are transparent to radio frequency energy. The adapter cover 106 may also include a lip 146, one or more detents 149, a receptacle 153, and possibly other features not discussed in detail herein. The lip 146 extends from an interior surface at an end of the adapter cover 106. Although shown in FIGS. 3A-3C as extending from most of the circumference of the adapter cover 1 06, the lip 146 may instead extend from only a portion of an end of the adapter cover 1 06. Additionally, in alternative embodiments, the adapter cover 1 06 may include multiple lips 146 located at one or both ends of the adapter cover 106.

The one or more detents 149 are disposed on the interior surface 145 of the adapter cover 1 06. Although shown in FIGS. 3A-3C as being located adjacent to the receptacle 153, the one or more detents 149 may be located opposite of the receptacle 153, causing the RFID receptacle to be snug against the adapter body 103. Further, it is understood that the one or more detents 149 or other types of restrictions may be disposed anywhere along the interior surface 145 of the adapter cover 1 06. As will be described below, the detents 149 may aid in aligning the adapter cover 1 06 with the adapter body 103 during assembly of the adapter 1 00. Further, the detents 149 may facilitate attachment of the adapter cover 106 to the adapter body 103 during assembly of the adapter 100.

The receptacle 153 includes a frame 1 54 extending from the interior surface 145 of the adapter cover 1 06 and a pocket 155 configured to receive the RFID tag 109. The receptacle 153 may aid in aligning the adapter cover 106 with the adapter body 1 03 during assembly of the adapter 100. Further, the receptacle 153 may provide cushioning or protection for the RFID tag 109.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 A-1 C, the RFID tag 109 is a type of electronic identification device that emits an identifying signal that is capable of being received by an appropriate RFID reader. The identifying signal may include data that uniquely corresponds to the RFID tag 1 09, thereby facilitating the identification of an object to which the RFID tag 109 is attached. The RFID tag 1 09 may be active, semi-active, or passive and may or may not include storage memory. In alternative

embodiments, the functionality of the RFID tag 109 may be replaced with other types of electronic identification devices capable of emitting an identifying signal and being receivable by an appropriate receiving device.

The retaining element 1 16 facilitates permanently attaching the adapter 100 to the female fitting 102 of the inventory item 101 . In the embodiment shown, the retaining element 1 16 is embodied in the form of a ball. In alternative embodiments, retaining members such as prongs, barbs, tabs, ears, snaps, cylinders, fins, or any other types of retaining elements 1 16 may be used. Additionally, it is noted that one or more retaining elements 1 16 may be used in various configurations.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 A-1 C, the retaining elements 1 16 are configured to be retained, at least partially, in the bores 136 of the adapter body 103. Additionally, the retaining elements 1 16 are configured to be retained in a receiving portion 1 56 (FIG. 4A) of the inventory item 101 . As will be discussed, the retaining elements 1 16 are configured to move from a retracted position, with the retaining elements 1 16 at least partially within the adapter body 103, to a locking position, with the retaining elements 1 16 disposed at least partially within the inventory item 101 . Although the present embodiment discloses a bore 136, it is understood that any other type of retaining member recess may be used to receive the retaining elements 1 1 6 or other types of retaining members.

The insert 1 13 may be configured to extend and stake the retaining elements 1 1 6 from the retracted position to the locking position. As shown in FIGS. 1 A-1 C, the insert 1 13 may be cylindrical in form with a wedged portion at one end. In an alternative embodiment, the insert 1 13 may be embodied in the form of a coiled spring pin. In other various embodiments, the other types of inserts 1 13, such as a wedge, a cylindrical pin, or other types of inserts 1 13, may be used.

Next, a description of the operation of the various components of one example, among others, of the adapter 100 is provided. Turning to FIGS. 4A-4B, shown is the adapter 100 and its interaction with an inventory item 101 according to various embodiments. As best shown in FIG. 4A, the adapter 100 is permanently attached to the inventory item 101 .

In order to assemble the adapter 1 00, the RFID tag 109 may be placed in the receptacle 153 of the adapter cover 106, and the adapter cover 106 may be slid over the adapter body 103. The detents 149 (FIGS. 3A-3C) and lip 146 of the adapter cover 1 06 may facilitate proper alignment of the adapter cover 1 06 with respect to the adapter body 103. To this end, the detents 149 of the adapter cover 1 06 may align with and/or snap into the groove 126 (FIGS. 2A-2C) of the adapter body 103, thereby indicating proper alignment and facilitating attachment of the adapter cover 106 to the adapter body 1 03. Similarly, the lip 146 of the adapter cover 106 may abut the edge 1 39 of the adapter body 103, and an end 1 59 of the adapter cover 106 may abut the rim 143 of the adapter body 103. Thus, the adapter cover 106 may be properly aligned in a longitudinal direction during assembly of the adapter 100.

In a similar fashion, the recess 1 29 of the adapter body 1 03 and receptacle

153 of the adapter cover 1 06 facilitate proper rotational alignment of the adapter body 1 03 with respect to the adapter cover 1 06. Because the recess 129 is configured to accommodate the shape of the receptacle 153, proper rotational alignment during assembly is apparent during assembly. Additionally, the adapter cover 1 06 may be prevented from rotating after assembly. The retaining elements 1 16 may be placed in the bores 1 36 of the adapter body 1 03, and the inventory item 101 may be placed on the appropriate end of the adapter body 103. As best shown in FIG. 4A, the lip 146 of the adapter cover 106 may compress between the edge 139 of the adapter body 103 and an end 1 63 of the inventory item 1 01 . When the inventory item 101 is permanently attached to the adapter 100, such compression between the edge 1 39 of the adapter body 103 and the end 1 63 of the inventory item 101 facilitates the adapter cover 106 being permanently attached to the adapter body 103.

The insert 1 13 may be inserted into the orifice 133 of the adapter body 103. The insert 1 13 may be driven or forced into position using, for example, a hammer or other method. By driving the insert 1 13 into the orifice 133, the retaining elements 1 1 6 are extended from a retracted position to a locking position by engaging the retaining element 1 16 receiving portions 1 56. Friction between the insert 1 1 3 and the orifice 1 33 retains the insert 1 13, and thus the retaining elements 1 1 6, in the locking position. With the retaining elements 1 1 6 engaging the receiving portions 156, the adapter 100 may be permanently attached to the inventory item 101 .

Turning now to FIGS. 5A-5B, shown is another embodiment, among others, of the adapter 1 00 configured to permanently attach to the inventory item 101 .

Although FIGS. 5A-5B show the inventory item 101 embodied as a socket, it is understood that the inventory item 101 may be other types of inventory items 101 as well.

The adapter cover 106, RFID tag 109, adapter body 1 03, and inventory item 101 are similar to as is described above. However, in the embodiment shown, a retaining ring 166 facilitates permanent attachment of the adapter 100 to the inventory item 1 01 . The retaining ring 166 may comprise a rigid material, for example, and includes an inner edge 169 and an outer edge 173.

The male end 1 19 of the adapter body 103 now includes a groove 1 76 configured to accommodate the inner edge 169 of the retaining ring 166. The female fitting 102 of the inventory item 1 01 also includes a groove 179 configured to receive the outer edge 173 of the retaining ring 166.

In order to permanently attach the adapter 100 to the inventory item 101 , the RFID tag 109 and adapter cover 106 may be attached to the adapter body 1 03 as previously described. Additionally, the retaining ring 1 66 may be slid over the male end 1 19 of the adapter body 103, with the inner edge 169 of the retaining ring 166 fit into the groove 176 of the male end 1 19. Thereafter, the male end 1 19 of the adapter body 103 and the retaining ring 1 66 may be inserted into the female fitting 102 of the inventory item 101 . The outer edge 1 73 of the retaining ring 166 may insert into the groove 179 in the female fitting 102 of the inventory item 101 . The retaining ring 166, in conjunction with the groove 179 in the inventory item 101 and the groove 176 in the male end 1 1 9 of the adapter body 103, may thereby prevent the inventory item 101 from being removed from the adapter 100. Thus, the adapter 100 may be permanently attached to the inventory item 101 .

Turning now to FIGS. 6A-6B, shown is another embodiment, among others, of the adapter 1 00 configured to permanently attach to the inventory item 101 .

Although FIGS. 6A-6B show the inventory item 101 embodied as a socket, it is understood that the inventory item 101 may be other types of inventory items 101 as well.

The adapter cover 106, RFID tag 109, adapter body 1 03, and inventory item 101 are similar to as described above. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, the male end 1 19 now has a rounded nose 181 . Additionally, the retaining ring 166 is now embodied in the form of a C-style ring. As such, the retaining ring 1 66 in this embodiment includes a gap 183 between two ends 186 of the retaining ring 1 66. Furthermore, the inner edge 169 of the retaining ring 1 66 may be flat or slightly curved, and the outer edge 1 73 of the retaining ring 166 may be rounded. As such, a cross section of the retaining ring 1 66 may take the shape of a "D." It is understood, however, that a cross section of the retaining ring 166 may take other shapes in alternative embodiments.

Additionally, the adapter 100 includes an O-ring 189. The O-ring 189 may comprise a flexible material (e.g., rubber) that is capable of stretching, compressing, etc. The groove 176 in the male end 1 1 9 may accommodate the O-ring 189 and a portion of the retaining ring 1 66. Likewise, the groove 179 in the inventory item 101 may accommodate a portion of the retaining ring 166 as will be described.

In order to permanently attach the adapter 100 to the inventory item 101 , the RFID tag 109 and adapter cover 106 may be attached to the adapter body 1 03 as previously described. Additionally, the O-ring 189 may be slid (or rolled) over the rounded nose 1 81 of the male end 1 19 of the adapter body 103 and fit into the groove 1 76 in the male end 1 19.

Thereafter, the retaining ring 166 may be placed over the O-ring 189 in the groove 1 76 of the male end 1 19. Then, the male end 1 1 9 of the adapter body 1 03 may be inserted into the female fitting 102 of the inventory item 101 . By the male end 1 19 being inserted into the female fitting 102, the inventory item 101 may compress the retaining ring 1 66, thereby reducing the size of the gap 183. In turn, the retaining ring 166 may compress the O-ring 189. Once the outer edge 173 of the retaining ring 166 is aligned with the groove 179 in the inventory item 101 , the retaining ring 1 66 may expand due to internal forces of the retaining ring 166 and/or force exerted from the O-ring 189. In turn, the outer edge 173 of the retaining ring 1 66 is forced into the groove 179 of the inventory item 101 . Because of internal forces of the retaining ring 166 and/or force from the O-ring 189, a portion of the retaining ring 166 is disposed within both the groove 176 of the adapter body 103 and the groove 179 of the inventory item 101 . Thus, the adapter 100 may be permanently attached to the inventory item 101 . Further, it is noted that a chemical adhesive or other material may be placed on the male end 1 1 9 and/or female fitting 102 prior to attachment, in order to prevent vibration of the adapter 100 with respect to the inventory item 101 .

The adapter 100 may be permanently attached to the inventory item 101 using various other techniques. In other embodiments, thermal expansion characteristics of various components may be exploited in order to permanently attach the inventory item 101 to the adapter 1 00. To this end, the materials forming the inventory item 101 , the adapter body 103, the insert 1 13, the retaining elements 1 1 6 and/or other components may be selected so as to allow assembly with the components under heat or cold. While under the heat or cold, the various components may contract or expand, thereby facilitating the inventory item 1 01 being placed on (or in), the adapter 1 00. By removing the heat or cold, the components of the adapter 100 and/or inventory item 101 may expand or contract to their normal sizes, thereby creating a permanent attachment.

In various embodiments, a press pin or other type of fastener may extend through both the inventory item 1 01 and the adapter 100, thereby permanently attaching the inventory item 101 to the adapter 100. Also, alternative embodiments may be permanently attached using, for example, locking threads, adhesives, bonding agents, etc.

Further alternative embodiments include the use of deformable components. For example, instead of using a retaining element 1 16, a deformable element may be extended through the bores 136 by a force, causing the deformed element to permanently retain the inventory item 101 . Other deformable components may be used as well.

With reference now to FIGS. 7A-7B, shown is one example of an alternative embodiment, among others, of the adapter cover 106 and its interaction with the adapter body 103. It is understood that the adapter cover 106 of this embodiment may be used with other embodiments of the adapter body 103. The adapter cover 106 shown is similar to the adapter cover 106 described with reference to FIGS. 3A- 3C. However, the adapter cover 106 in FIGS. 7A-7B further includes a first cover section 1 06a and a second cover section 106b. The first cover section 106a includes multiple tabs 193 extending from one or more ends 194 of the first cover section 1 06a. The tabs 193 may include prongs 196 to facilitate attaching the first cover section 106a to the second cover section 106b.

One or more tab receptacles 199a-1 99b may be disposed in the ends 203a- 203b of the second cover section 1 06b. The tab receptacles 199a- 199b may be configured to receive and permanently retain the tabs. To this end, the prongs 196 of the tabs 193 may engage corresponding shoulders 197a-197b within the tab receptacles 199a-199b. It is further noted that in various other embodiments, one end 203a of the second cover section 106b may be joined to the first cover section 106a, for example, by a hinge or other component. When attaching the adapter cover 106 to the adapter body 103, the RFID tag 109 (FIG. 1 B) may be placed in the receptacle 1 53, similar to as discussed above with reference to FIG. 3A. The first cover section 106a and second cover section 106b may then be joined over the adapter body 103, and the tabs 193 may be inserted into tab receptacles 199a-199b. Because the prongs 196 will abut the shoulders 1 97a-197b of the tab receptacles 199a-199b, the first cover section 106a and second cover section 106b may be permanently attached. Thereafter, the adapter body 103 may be attached to the inventory item 101 , as discussed above.

It is emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.