Number/bib holder

Abstract

An improved number/bib holder for the purpose of holding an identification number on a person or item to be worn. An embodiment of the invention comprises an elastic belt with identification sign holding means including preferably two sign holding elements each having an elongated projection that generally points in the direction from which it is fastened to the belt and both elongated projections preferably in opposition to one another to trap the identification sign via engagement in holes close to the identification sign's perimeter. Another embodiment includes a belt with identification sign holders appropriately spaced; the belt has two ends, a loop on the first end, and mateable fasteners on the second end. The second end of the belt comprises a first and second fastener adapted for releasable attachment to the first end. Another embodiment comprises an item to be worn including preferably two identification sign holders with elongated projections disposed generally in opposition and that generally both point in the direction from which they are fastened to the item to be worn such that they trap the identification sign on the item to be worn.

1 . An elastic belt for attachment around the waist of a wearer comprising: 
 a first end and a second end, a front surface and a back surface;    waist securing means whereby the first end can be secured to the second end around the waist of a user;    the belt also comprising a first holding element and a second holding element, the first holding element is disposed closer to the first end than the second holding element and the second holding element is disposed closer to the second end than the first holding element;    the first holding element having an first elongated projection with a distal end generally defining a first projecting direction, the first holding element further having a fastening location where the holder is fastened to a portion of the belt defining a first fastening location;    the second holding element having a second elongated projection with a distal end generally defining a second projecting direction, the second holding element further having a fastening location where the holder is fastened to portion of the belt defining a second fastening location;    the first projecting direction is somewhat parallel to the front surface of the belt and generally points in the direction of the first fastening location and away from the second holding element;    the second projecting direction is somewhat parallel to the front surface of the belt and generally points in the direction of the second fastening location and away from the first holding element;    the first holding element and the second holding element are spaced from one another at a distance sufficient for holding various size identification signs    whereby an identification sign can be held between the holding elements by engaging the opposed first and second elongated projections in a first and a second hole appropriately spaced somewhat close to the perimeter of the sign.    
   
   
       2 . The belt of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the belt includes a first fastener and the second end of the belt includes a second fastener adapted for releasable attachment to the first fastener.  
   
   
       3 . The belt of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the belt comprises a loop and the second end of the belt comprises a first and a second fastener adapted for releasable attachment to one another whereby the second end can be secured to itself through the loop at the first end, whereby the belt can be secured around the waist of a user.  
   
   
       4 . The belt of  claim 3 , wherein the second end of the belt is affixed biased on itself such that the first and second fasteners when unmated are generally biased toward each other.  
   
   
       5 . The belt of  claim 3 , wherein the first fastener is attached to the belt such that it generally faces outward away from the front surface of the belt and the second fastener comprises an extension.  
   
   
       6 . The belt of  claim 1 , wherein first and second holding elements are comprised of plastic.  
   
   
       7 . The belt of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second fasteners are substantially flat, die-cut from flat sheet stock or molded in a substantially flat form.  
   
   
       8 . The belt of  claim 1 , wherein the each of the first holding element and second holding elements are integrated with a loop for engaging the belt.  
   
   
       9 . An elastic belt for attaching various size identification signs around the waist of a wearer comprising: 
 a first end and a second end, a front surface and a back surface;    the first end comprises a loop;    The second end comprises a first and a second fastener adapted for releasable attachment to one another whereby the second end can be secured to itself through the loop at the first end wherein the belt can be secured around the waist of a user;    further, the belt also comprises a first holder and a second holder, both the first and the second holders are adapted for removeably holding various size identification signs;    the first holder is disposed closer to the first end of the belt than the second holder and the second holder is disposed closer to the second end of the belt than the first holder;    whereby various identification signs can be removeably attached to the belt about the waist of a wearer for display on the wearer.    
   
   
       10 . The belt of  claim 9 , wherein the second end of the belt is affixed biased on itself such that the first and second fasteners when unmated are generally biased toward each other.  
   
   
       11 . The belt of  claim 9 , further wherein the first fastener is attached to the belt such that it generally faces outward away from the front surface of the belt and the second fastener comprises an extension.  
   
   
       12 . The belt of  claim 10 , further wherein the first fastener is attached to the belt such that it generally faces outward away from the front surface of the belt and the second fastener comprises an extension.  
   
   
       13 . The belt of  claim 9 , wherein the first holder comprises an elongated projection with a distal end generally defining a first projecting direction and the second holder comprises an elongated projection with a distal end generally defining a second projecting direction, both the first and second projecting directions are somewhat parallel to the front surface of the belt.  
   
   
       14 . The belt of  claim 13 , further wherein the first holder has a fastening location where the holder is fastened to the belt defining a first fastening location and the second holding element further has a fastening location where the holder is fastened to the belt defining a second fastening location, the first projecting direction generally points in the direction of the first fastening location and away from the second holding element and the second projecting direction generally points in the direction of the second fastening location and away from the first holding element.  
   
   
       15 . The belt of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second holding elements are comprised of plastic.  
   
   
       16 . Holders for removeably affixing various size identification signs for display on a item or items to be worn by a user comprising: 
 a first holding element having an elongated projection with a distal end generally defining a first projecting direction, the first holding element further having a fastening location where the holder is fastened to the item to be worn defining a first fastening location;    a second holding element having an elongated projection with a distal end generally defining a second projecting direction, the second holding element further having a fastening location where the holder is fastened to the item to be worn defining a second fastening location;    the first projecting direction generally points in the direction of the first fastening location and away from the second holding element;    the second projecting direction generally points in the direction of the second fastening location and away from the first holding element;    both the first and the second projecting directions overlay and are generally parallel to the front surface of the item to be worn and further, the first holding element and the second holding element are spaced from one another at a distance sufficient for holding various size identification signs;    whereby an identification sign can be held between the holding elements by engaging the opposed first and second elongated projections in a first and a second hole appropriatedly spaced somewhat close to the perimeter of the sign thereby allowing the item to be worn, to removeably hold various size identification signs for display.    
   
   
       17 . The holders of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second holding elements are comprised of plastic.  
   
   
       18 . The holders of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second fasteners are substantially flat, cut from flat sheet stock or molded in a substantially flat form.  
   
   
       19 . The holders of  claim 16 , wherein the each of the first holding element and second holding elements comprise a loop for engaging a belt.  
   
   
       20 . The holders of  claim 16 , wherein each of the first holding element and second holding element comprise a protruding fastener and mating receptacle for fastening the holding element to the item to be worn.