Trackingsystem

Abstract

The invention relates to a tracking system (10) for wirelessly locating an object (O) connected thereto, comprising: a tracking device (12) comprising a housing (14) for accommodating a transmission device (S) for wirelessly transmitting location data to an external device, wherein the housing (14) of the tracking device (12) has at least one fastening recess (16;18a-d) for releasably receiving a fastening element (40), and at least one retaining clip (20), wherein the retaining clip (20) is releasably connectable to the housing (14) of the tracking device (12) and has a connecting contour (22) which is capable of establishing a positive connection with a mating contour (32) of the object (O) to be connected to the tracking system (10), such that the tracking device (12) of the tracking system (10) can be releasably fastened to the locating object (O) by means of the retaining clip (20) or by means of the fastening element (40) for wirelessly locating the object (O) connected thereto.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tracking system for wirelessly locating an object connected thereto, comprising a tracking device comprising a housing for receiving a transmission device for wirelessly transmitting location data to an external device, wherein the housing of the tracking device has at least one fastening recess for releasably receiving a fastening element.

[0002] Trackers, as tracking devices are also called in short, are known from the state of the art in various applications.

[0003] For example, trackers are available that are coin-shaped and can be placed directly in an object to be located, such as a bag or wallet, or in an additional holder made of plastic or leather to be attached to an object to be located. In this way, such trackers can be used as bag finders or key finders, for example, like the Apple AirTag.

[0004] Furthermore, it is also known to provide such trackers with a recess in the housing to attach them to a key ring or the like without the need for an additional holder. For example, EP 4175062 B1 discloses such a solution.

[0005] The documents CN 205283994 U and WO 2023279023 A1 each disclose a tracking device that can be attached to a dog collar or a similar strap.

[0006] A Bluetooth tracking device is known from publication CN 210630048 U, in which a Bluetooth tracker body is secured on one side by screws in a mounting box of the tracking device. Additionally, additional components such as a micro fan and an antenna are mounted on and in the mounting box of the tracking device.

[0007] Finally, the document WO 2013 / 078291 A1 discloses a tracking device which detects an unauthorized removal from the object to be located, comprising a holder with fastening elements for fastening the holder to the object to be located.

[0008] In one embodiment, the fasteners are screws, such as self-tapping sheet metal screws, that are inserted through holes in the mount and into a surface of the object. Alternatively, the fasteners can also be bolts that are passed through the holes and through holes in the surface of the object and secured to the object by nuts on the opposite side of the mounting structure. The housing of the tracking device is in turn attached to the mount by means of fasteners. In one embodiment, the fasteners are also designed as screws that are screwed into the threaded holes in the mount. In another embodiment, the housing can be attached to the mounting bracket using a removable adhesive pad.

[0009] In an assembled state of the tracking device, the housing covers the fasteners that secure the mount to the surface of the object when the housing is attached to the mount, making the fasteners inaccessible to any tool that could be used to remove them. Accordingly, the presence of the housing prevents the mount from being removed from the surface of the object. To access the fasteners to remove the mount from the system, the housing must first be removed from the mount.

[0010] An additional asset tracking device, for example, with a GPS (Global Positioning System) module, enables the location coordinates of the tracking device to be determined based on the time signals received from GPS satellites. A control unit containing microprocessor hardware and firmware is connected to the GPS module and a wireless modem and controls the operation of the tracking device. A battery supplies power to the GPS module, the control unit, and the wireless modem.

[0011] A switch can also be electrically connected to the control unit and triggered or switched as soon as the housing is removed from the mount. This allows unauthorized removal of the tracking device from the mount and the object to be located to be detected.

[0012] Tracking devices are also known in connection with power tools and the battery packs used with them.

[0013] For example, EP 3189943 A1 discloses a transfer device as a component of a stacking container or for use in a stacking container, wherein a container body of the stacking container has a storage receptacle delimited by a bottom wall on its underside and peripheral walls projecting from the bottom wall to its top side for receiving a container insert, which has a transport receptacle for transporting an electric or pneumatic hand-held power tool or an accessory part of such a hand-held power tool, wherein the stacking container is designed to form a stacking arrangement with at least one further stacking element, in particular designed as a stacking container, onto which the stacking container can be stacked with its underside or which can be stacked onto the top side of the stacking container,wherein the transmission device for transmitting data and / or energy has bus interfaces which are connected to one another, in particular via a line arrangement, and which form a bus connection between the stacking containers when the stacking containers are stacked on top of one another.

[0014] A basic idea is that the components of the transmission device are not part of the stacking container, but rather form a transmission module with the container insert. Thus, the stacking container can be designed as a simple carrying container or hollow body that requires no electrical components or at least does not have the bus interfaces itself. The electrical equipment or the equipment with the bus interfaces is provided by the transmission module for the stacking container. Thus, simple, conventional stacking containers can be used, which are, in a sense, enhanced by the container insert with the transmission device for establishing the bus connection.

[0015] A tracking device is also advantageous as a component of the transmission device and / or the container insert and / or the stacking container, wherein the locating device is provided for wirelessly locating the stacking container or the hand-held power tool accommodated therein or its accessory using a control device. Here, too, it is advantageous that the tracking device does not necessarily have to be a component of the stacking container, but is provided, for example, on the container insert or the transmission device.

[0016] Finally, document US2019 / 0160646 A1 describes a clip for tracking power tools with a wireless beacon transmitter including a memory that stores an identifier and with a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the identifier. A clip body element has a beacon receptacle, and the wireless beacon transmitter is positioned in the beacon receptacle. The clip body element is connected at its first end to a first arm portion having a first inner surface configured to engage a power tool. A second arm portion is connected to the second end of the clip body element and has a second inner surface configured to engage the power tool.A fastener on the first arm portion is aligned with a corresponding fastener on a corresponding exterior wall of the power tool when the power tool tracking clip is connected to the power tool.

[0017] In light of the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tracking system with a tracking device that enables multifunctional use and secure attachment to an object to be located.

[0018] This problem is solved by a tracking system having the features of claim 1.

[0019] Accordingly, the tracking system for wirelessly locating an object connected thereto comprises a tracking device comprising a housing for accommodating a transmission device for wirelessly transmitting location data to an external device.

[0020] Such a transmission device can be designed, for example, as a transmission device or communication device that is transferred into active operation independently of manual activation by an operator, for example, as an "always on" device. However, it is also conceivable for the transmission device to be manually activated by an operator in at least one method step. Furthermore, the transmission device can be designed as a WLAN transmission device, a Bluetooth transmission device, a radio transmission device, an RFID transmission device, an NFC transmission device, an infrared transmission device, a mobile network transmission device, a ZIGBEE transmission device, or the like.In addition to wireless transmission of location data, the transmission device can also be designed for wired transmission of location data to an external device.

[0021] The external device can be configured as a smartphone, a personal computer, a laptop, a netbook, a tablet, a watch, an electronic wristband, or any other external unit deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art. The external device or external unit comprises at least one positioning unit configured to evaluate the positioning data received from the transmission device in order to determine a local and / or global position of an object connected to the tracking system.

[0022] The transmission device is accommodated in a housing of the tracking device, which can have a wide variety of shapes, dimensions, and materials. Depending on the intended use, the housing can also be designed, in particular, as a waterproof housing. The housing can be assembled in a known manner from several housing parts that are detachably or permanently connected to one another. Essential to the invention is that the housing has at least one fastening recess designed to detachably receive a fastening element. The fastening element can, for example, comprise, in particular, a fastening screw, a fastening rivet, or the like.The fastening element may in particular be suitable for releasably fastening the tracking device directly to the object to be located, for example by passing a fastening screw through the fastening recess on the housing of the tracking device and screwing it into the object to be located.

[0023] According to the invention, the tracking system further comprises at least one retaining clip, wherein the retaining clip is detachably connectable to the housing of the tracking device and has a connecting contour capable of establishing a positive connection with a mating contour of an object to be connected to the tracking system. Such a retaining clip has the advantage that it, and in particular its connecting contour, can be tailored to a mating contour of the object to be located, in order to ensure secure attachment of the retaining clip and the associated tracking device.

[0024] The retaining clip is made of a dimensionally stable material, for example plastic or a metallic material, at least in the area of ​​the connecting contour.

[0025] Furthermore, the fact that the retaining clip with its connecting contour creates a positive connection with the counter contour of the object to be located makes it possible to attach the tracking device to an object easily, quickly and without additional tools.

[0026] The object to be located, to which the tracking system can be attached, has as a counter contour, for example a specific edge, a retaining web, a receptacle, a shoulder or the like, with which the connecting contour of the retaining clip can establish a positive connection.

[0027] In particular, the retaining clip can have a connecting contour that is adapted to a counter contour already present on the object to be located, so that a subsequent attachment of a tracking system to an object to be located is possible.

[0028] Due to the specific design of the tracking system, in which the tracking device can be releasably attached directly to the object to be located via its housing and a fastening element that can be connected to the housing, as well as the provision of an additional retaining clip that can also be releasably connected to the housing of the tracking device via a fastening element, it is possible to releasably attach the tracking device to different objects.

[0029] While known tracking devices usually have a simple housing without any mounting options or with only a single mounting option, this provides a wide variety of mounting options and thus significantly improves the possible use.

[0030] According to a further development of the invention, the retaining clip can be detachably connected to the housing by means of a fastening element accommodated in the fastening recess of the tracking device housing. It is thus possible, for example, to attach the tracking device directly to the object to be located using a screw, or to attach the tracking device housing to the retaining clip using a screw, whereby the retaining clip can in turn be detachably connected to the object to be located via a positive connection.

[0031] Of course, it is also conceivable to detachably connect the retaining clip to the tracking device housing in another way, for example, via a locking contour formed directly on the retaining clip, fastening projections, or the like, which in turn accommodate the tracking device housing through a positive engagement with it. It is also conceivable in principle for the tracking device housing to be glued to the retaining clip (material bond) or similar.

[0032] According to a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the housing of the tracking device has at least one first fastening recess for receiving a fastening element of a first type and at least one second fastening recess for receiving a fastening element of a second type, wherein the fastening element of the first type and the fastening element of the second type differ with regard to their dimensions, their material type and / or the type of fastening effected. For example, it can be provided that the first fastening recess is designed to receive a fastening element in the form of a fastening screw, while the at least one second fastening recess is designed, for example, to receive a fastening element in the form of a cable tie or the like.In this case, the first and second fastening elements differ both in terms of their dimensions and in terms of their material type and the type of fastening effected. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the first fastening recess and the second fastening recess to simply differ in their diameter, thus accommodating fastening elements of different sizes (e.g., screw bolts or the like). It is also conceivable for more than one first fastening recess and / or more than one second fastening recess, for example, two, three, four, or more first and / or second fastening recesses, to be provided.

[0033] According to a further development of the invention, it can be provided alternatively or additionally that the tracking system has at least one first holding clamp with a first connecting contour and at least one second holding clamp with a second connecting contour, wherein the first connecting contour and the second connecting contour differ with regard to the contour shape such that the first connecting contour can be positively connected to a first counter-contour on the object to be located and the second connecting contour can be positively connected to a second counter-contour on the object to be located.

[0034] It is therefore possible for the tracking system to comprise a housing and several retaining clips, whereby the retaining clips can be attached to the housing of the tracking device simultaneously, or only one of the retaining clips can be connected to the housing at a time. By providing different clips with different connection contours, the tracking device can be further expanded in terms of its possible applications and the connectable objects to be located.

[0035] Of course, it is possible to provide more than two retaining clips with two different connecting contours.

[0036] In combination with the above features or independently thereof, it can be provided that the at least one retaining clip comprises two retaining webs, wherein at least one of the retaining webs is elastically deflectable relative to the other retaining web, and wherein at least one retaining web has a projection that can be brought into positive engagement with the counter-contour of the object to be located in the manner of a latch. The specific design of the projection on the at least one retaining web depends in particular on the counter-contour of the object to be located.

[0037] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a container system comprising a container with at least one counter contour on a container wall, as well as at least one tracking system with the above features.

[0038] The container of the container system according to the invention thus forms the object to be located, or a part of the object to be located, if the container system comprises additional components in addition to the container and the tracking system. A contour can be provided on one of the container walls, either on the outside or inside, that assumes the function of the counter-contour of the object to be located. This contour can be specifically designed to receive or form-fit the connecting contour of the tracking system's retaining clip, or it can comprise an already provided contour of the container.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one counter-contour can comprise a receptacle in which the at least one retaining clip can be accommodated at least partially when the tracking system is attached to the container. The receptacle can thus be a recess, a housing-shaped receptacle, a sleeve-shaped receptacle, or the like, which allows a portion of the retaining clip to be at least partially engaged, encompassed, or accommodated.

[0040] According to a conceivable embodiment variant, it can be provided that the at least one counter contour comprises a housing-shaped receptacle in which the tracking system can be completely accommodated, such that an outer surface of the tracking system in the accommodated state of the tracking system can be almost flush with an adjacent surface of a container wall.

[0041] It should also be noted that terms such as "comprising," "having," or "with" do not exclude other features or steps. Furthermore, terms such as "a" or "the," which refer to a singular number of steps or features, do not exclude a plurality of features or steps, and vice versa.

[0042] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention and from the subclaims.

[0043] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. The figures show several features of the invention in combination with one another. However, a person skilled in the art will naturally be able to consider these features separately and, if necessary, combine them into further useful sub-combinations without requiring inventive activity.

[0044] They show schematically: Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b in Fig. 1a a tracking system according to the invention and in Fig. 1b the tracking system according to the invention according to Fig. 1a, in a state attached to an object to be located; Fig. 2 the tracking system according to the invention according to Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b in disassembled view; Fig. 3 an inventive tracking device of the tracking system according to Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. 2 in a plan view; Fig. 4 the tracking device according to the invention according to Fig. 3 in combination with alternative fastening means in isometric view; Fig. 5a, Fig. 5b in a side view in Fig. 5a a tracking system according to the invention in side view and in Fig. 5b the tracking system according to the invention according to Fig. 5a, in a state attached to an object to be located; and Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b in a sectioned side view in Fig. 6a a tracking system according to the invention and in Fig. 6b the tracking system according to the invention according to Fig. 6a, in a state attached to an object to be located.

[0045] The figures show an embodiment of a tracking system according to the invention for wirelessly locating an object O connected thereto, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The tracking system 10 comprises: a tracking device 12 with a housing 14 for accommodating a transmission device (indicated by the reference numeral S in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) for wireless transmission of location data to an external device (not shown), wherein the housing 14 of the tracking device 12 has at least one fastening recess 16, 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d for releasably receiving a fastening element.

[0046] Furthermore, the tracking system 10 according to the invention comprises at least one retaining clip 20, wherein the retaining clip 20 is detachably connectable to the housing 14 of the tracking device 12 and has a connecting contour 22 that is capable of establishing a positive connection with a mating contour 32 of an object O to be connected to the tracking system. In this way, the tracking device 12 of the tracking system 10 can be detachably attached to an object O to be located by means of the retaining clip 20 for wirelessly locating the object O connected thereto.

[0047] In the Fig. 4 shows that the tracking device can also be connected to an object O to be located by means of an additional fastening element 40. In the embodiment shown, two additional fastening elements 40 are provided, which can be attached to an object to be located in the manner of a cable tie, a wire, a strap, or another substantially elongated flexible fastening element.

[0048] The retaining clip 20 has a contact section 24, on which the housing 14 can reach the defined contact with one side.

[0049] As can be further seen from the figures, the retaining clip 20 is detachably connectable to the housing 14 by means of a fastening element, in particular a screw 16a, accommodated in the fastening recess 16 of the housing 14 of the tracking device 12. For this purpose, for example, as shown in the Fig. 2, a receiving opening 26 is provided on the retaining clip 20, in particular in the region of the contact section 24, into which the screw 16a can be screwed when the housing 14 of the tracking device 12 is placed on the retaining clip 20, in particular on the contact section 24. In this state, the housing 14 is aligned, for example, via additional centering structures in the form of projections 28a, 28b on the retaining clip 20, in particular on the contact section 24, such that the receiving opening 26 is aligned with the fastening recess 16. A screw 16a received in the fastening recess 16 from the opposite side of the housing 14 extends through the latter into the receiving opening 26 and can be screwed into an internal thread provided therein.Alternatively, a self-tapping screw can be used, which is screwed into the material of the retaining clip 20 in the area of ​​the receiving opening 26 and in the process cuts a thread.

[0050] The retaining clip 20 can be made entirely or in sections, for example in the area of ​​the contact section 24, of plastic or the like.

[0051] The centering structures on the retaining clip 20, in particular the projections 28a, 28b shown as examples in the area of ​​the contact section 24 on the retaining clip 20, are designed and aligned such that they can engage in counterstructures also present on the housing 14 or can be placed laterally against it in order to align the housing 14 with the retaining clip 20. Thus, the projections 28a, 28b shown in the area of ​​the contact section 24 protrude in the direction of a housing 14 that can be placed thereon such that they can engage in the fastening recesses 18a, 18b in a centering manner when the housing 14 is aligned in the desired manner relative to the contact section 24.

[0052] Thus, the housing 14 of the tracking device 12 shown in the figures has at least one first fastening recess for receiving a fastening element of a first type, in particular a screw 16a, and at least one second (four in the embodiment shown) fastening recess(es) 18a to d for receiving one or more fastening elements (two in the embodiment shown) 40 of a second type, for example cable ties or the like, wherein the fastening element of the first type, in particular the screw 16a, and the fastening element of the second type, in particular the cable ties, differ in terms of their dimensions, their type of material and / or the type of fastening effected.

[0053] What is not shown is that the tracking system has at least one first holding clamp 20 with a first connecting contour and at least one further holding clamp with an alternative connecting contour, wherein the first connecting contour and the alternative connecting contour differ in terms of the contour shape, such that the first connecting contour can be positively connected to a first counter-contour on the object to be located and the alternative connecting contour can be positively connected to a second counter-contour on the object to be located that differs from the first counter-contour.

[0054] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 it can further be seen that the at least one retaining clip 20 further comprises two retaining webs 22a, 22b in the region of its connecting contour 22, wherein at least one of the retaining webs 22a, 22b is elastically deflectable relative to the other retaining web and / or relative to the receiving section 24 of the retaining clip 20, and wherein optionally at least one retaining web 22a, 22b has a projection 30a, 30b which can be brought into positive engagement with the counter contour 32 of the object O to be located in the manner of a latch.

[0055] In the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b, especially the figure part Fig. 1b, it can be seen that the object O to be located can comprise a container of a container system (comprising at least one container) with at least one counter-contour 32 on a container wall 34. The tracking system 10 shown as an example can, as shown, be attached to this corresponding counter-contour 32. In the example shown, the counter-contour 32 is formed integrally with the container wall 34.

[0056] In the example shown, the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b the at least one counter contour has a receptacle 36 in which the at least one retaining clip 20 can be received at least in sections when the tracking system 10 is fastened to the container.

[0057] In the embodiment shown, the receptacle 36 is laterally delimited by wall elements 36a, 36b. Additionally, at least one projection 36a is provided, in particular on an upper or lower surface 36c of the receptacle 36.

[0058] The retaining clip 20 engages with the retaining webs 22a, 22b in a narrow recess 38 and, in its final position relative to the receptacle 36, engages behind a projection 36a. The respective projection 30a, 30b of the retaining webs 22a, 22b is guided in the recess 38 and deflected slightly (in the configuration and orientation shown) upwards, i.e., in the direction of the housing 14, and snaps back into the final position relative to the receptacle 36, there to form-lock with the projection 36a.

[0059] The at least one counter contour 32 comprises a housing-shaped receptacle 36 in which the tracking system 10 can be completely or almost completely accommodated, such that an outer surface of the tracking system 10 (for example the lateral housing surfaces) in the accommodated state of the tracking system 10 can be almost flush with an adjacent surface (for example the wall elements 36a, 36b) of a container wall 34.

Claims

[1] Tracking system (10) for wirelessly locating an object (O) connected thereto, comprising: a tracking device (12) comprising a housing (14) for accommodating a transmission device (S) for wirelessly transmitting location data to an external device, wherein the housing (14) of the tracking device (12) has at least one fastening recess (16;18a-d) for releasably receiving a fastening element (40), and at least one retaining clip (20), wherein the retaining clip (20) is releasably connectable to the housing (14) of the tracking device (12) and has a connecting contour (22) which is capable of establishing a positive connection with a mating contour (32) of the object (O) to be connected to the tracking system (10), such that the tracking device (12) of the tracking system (10) can be releasably fastened to the locating object (O) by means of the retaining clip (20) or by means of the fastening element (40) for wirelessly locating the object (O) connected thereto. [2] Tracking system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining clip (20) is detachably connectable to the housing (14) by means of a fastening element received in the fastening recess (16) of the housing (14) of the tracking device (12). [3] Tracking system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (14) of the tracking device (12) has at least one first fastening recess (16) for receiving a fastening element of a first type and at least one second fastening recess (18a-d) for receiving a fastening element (40) of a second type, wherein the fastening element of the first type and the fastening element (40) of the second type differ in terms of their dimensions, their type of material and / or the type of fastening effected. [4] Tracking system according to one of the preceding claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the tracking system has at least one first holding clamp with a first connecting contour and at least one second holding clamp with a second connecting contour, wherein the first connecting contour and the second connecting contour differ in terms of the contour shape, such that the first connecting contour can be positively connected to a first counter-contour on the object to be located and the second connecting contour can be positively connected to a second counter-contour on the object to be located. [5] Tracking system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one retaining clip (20) comprises two retaining webs (22a, 22b), wherein at least one of the retaining webs (22a, 22b) is elastically deflectable relative to the other retaining web (22a, 22b) and / or relative to a further section of the retaining clip (20), and wherein at least one retaining web (22a, 22b) has a projection (30a, 30b) which can be brought into positive engagement with the counter-contour (32) of the object (O) to be located in the manner of a latch. [6] Container system comprising a container with at least one counter contour (32) on a container wall (34), and at least one tracking system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5. [7] Container system according to claim 6, wherein the at least one counter contour (32) comprises a receptacle (36) in which the at least one retaining clip (20) can be received at least in sections when the tracking system (10) is fastened to the container. [8] Container system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the at least one counter contour (32) comprises a housing-shaped receptacle (36) in which the tracking system (10) can be almost completely received, such that an outer surface of the tracking system (10) in the received state of the tracking system (10) can be almost flush with an adjacent surface of a container wall.

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