Identification badge holder

Abstract

A retractable identification badge holder which allows interchangeable buttons to be removably attached thereto. The holder includes a housing having a reel mounted therein, the reel having an extendable and retractable cord mounted thereto. A clip, mounted to the housing, allows the holder to be releasably attached to an article of clothing. A bob is attached to a free end of the cord. A flexible snap fastener assembly is connected to the bob, the flexible snap fastener assembly for releasably securing an identification badge to the holder. An attachment means is fixedly secured to the housing, the attachment means allowing for a button to be removably attached to the holder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retractable badge holder, the holder comprising:
 a hollow housing, the housing comprising a top side, a bottom side, and a continuous peripheral sidewall integrally joining the top side and the bottom side;   a reel, the reel being mounted inside the housing;   an extendable and retractable cord, the cord having a first free end and a second free end, the first free end being mounted to the reel, and wherein the cord passes from an interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing through a port defined through the peripheral sidewall of the housing, the cord is retractable within the housing and extendable therefrom;   a bob, the bob being attached to the second free end of the cord;   a flexible snap fastener assembly being connected to the bob via a connector, the flexible snap fastener assembly for releasably securing an identification badge to the holder;   a clip suitably mounted or formed integral to the housing, the clip for releasably attaching the holder to an article of clothing;   an attachment means, the attachment means being fixedly secured to the housing; and   an article, the article being removably attached to the housing via the attachment means.   
     
     
         2 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment means is magnetic. 
     
     
         3 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the article comprises a magnetically attractive body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a curved perimeter edge. 
     
     
         4 . The holder of  claim 3 , wherein the body comprises a slightly concave shape. 
     
     
         5 . The holder of  claim 3 , wherein the lower surface of the body of the article comprises a recessed cavity formed therein which defines an attachment means receiving space, the recessed cavity being geometrically shaped and configured for receiving the attachment means in a snug-fit, shapely-conforming, removably-secured manner, wherein the article being removably attached magnetically to the attachment means, and thereby allowing the article to be removably attached to the holder. 
     
     
         6 . The holder of  claim 3 , wherein the upper surface of the body of the article is disposed with indicia and/or an ornamental pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The holder of  claim 5 , wherein the recessed cavity of the body defines a geometric shape which corresponds to a geometric shape defining the attachment means. 
     
     
         8 . The holder of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment means is defined as disc-shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The holder of  claim 5 , wherein the article being interchangeable. 
     
     
         10 . The holder of  claim 6 , wherein the article is defined as a button. 
     
     
         11 . The holder of  claim 9 , wherein the article is defined as a button. 
     
     
         12 . A retractable badge holder, the holder comprising:
 a hollow housing, the housing comprising a top side, a bottom side, and a continuous peripheral sidewall integrally joining the top side and the bottom side;   a reel, the reel being mounted inside the housing;   an extendable and retractable cord, the cord having a first free end and a second free end, the first free end being mounted to the reel, and wherein the cord passes from an interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing through a port defined through the peripheral sidewall of the housing, the cord is retractable within the housing and extendable therefrom;   a bob, the bob being attached to the second free end of the cord;   a flexible snap fastener assembly being connected to the bob via a connector, the flexible snap fastener assembly for releasably securing an identification badge to the holder;   a clip suitably mounted or formed integral to the housing, the clip for releasably attaching the holder to an article of clothing;   an attachment means, the attachment means being fixedly secured to the housing; and   an article, the article being fixedly attached to the housing via the attachment means.