System and method for race bib distribution

Abstract

A system and method for distributing numbered race running bibs. The bibs are suspended on a hanging line supported by a bib frame that keeps the bibs orderly and allows the event director and staff to easily find the bib number they are looking for. A bib tab is retained on the hanging line to assist in tracking bibs that have been distributed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for the storage and distribution of event bibs, comprising:
 a bib support frame, having a base member, a pair of upwardly extending upright members disposed at opposed sides of the support frame, and a hanging line extending between the upright members near a top portion thereof; and   a plurality of bib elements having a bib portion and a tab portion releasable from the bib portion, wherein the bib elements are configured to be suspended in numerical sequence on the hanging line.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cross bar extending between an upper end of the upright members.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bib portion and the tab portion have a participant number area presenting a corresponding participant number. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a hole defined in the tab portion of the plurality of bib elements, wherein the hanging line is threadingly received in the hole.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the tab portion is retained on the hanging line upon release of the bib portion. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the bib portion has a plurality of fastening points proximal to a corner of the bib portion. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of fastening points are holes formed between a front surface and a back surface of the bib. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a coupling attached to the upright member.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 an attachment hook attached to at least one end of the hanging line, wherein the attachment hook is configured to attach the at least one end of the hanging line to coupling.   
     
     
         10 . A method of storing and distributing a plurality of event bibs, comprising:
 providing a bib carrying assembly having a base member and a plurality of upright members extending upwardly from the base member;   providing a plurality of bib elements having a bib portion and a tab portion separable from each other, wherein the bib portion and the tab portion have a participant number area with indicia of a corresponding participant number thereon; and   attaching the tab portion of each of the plurality bib elements to a hanging line in a participant number sequence.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 suspending the hanging line between the plurality of upright members.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 distributing a bib portion by separating the bib portion from the tab portion, whereby the tab portion remains attached to the hanging line.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of attaching further comprises threading the hanging line through a hole in the tab portion. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 retaining the tab portions of the distributed bib portions as a record of the participants in the event.