Bracelet identification system and method

A bracelet identification system to be worn about a wrist or ankle of a wearer comprising:

• a flexible soft tube having a first end and a second end, said soft tube containing an internal bore;
• a ratchet including a ratchet head and a longitudinal portion, said ratchet head having a connecting portion affixed to said first end of said soft tube, said longitudinal portion containing ratchet teeth;
• a ratchet receiver including a proximal end, a distal end and an internal bore extending from said proximal end to said distal end, said distal end having a connecting portion affixed to said second end of said soft tube, said internal bore accommodating said longitudinal portion of said ratchet, said ratchet receiver including a means to engage said ratchet teeth to prevent said ratchet from inadvertently dislodging from said ratchet receiver;
• a pocket externally affixed to said soft tube, said pocket including a backing with a top surface, a bottom surface, and interconnecting side surfaces, said top surface having side edges, said pocket including a covering affixed to said top surface of said backing at said side edges to form a pouch for insertion of an identification card;
• a means for externally affixing said pocket to said soft tube;
• wherein said identification card includes an identification number specific to said wearer of said system, a bar code storing additional information about said wearer, a security device, printed information about said wearer, or any combination thereof.

A method of identifying or protecting an individual, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a bracelet identification system comprising:
• a flexible soft tube having opposite ends, said tube containing an internal bore;
• a ratchet having a ratchet head portion and a longitudinally extending portion, said ratchet head portion affixed to one of said ends of said tube, said longitudinally extending portion containing ratchet teeth;
• a ratchet receiver having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal bore running from said proximal end to said distal end, said bore in said proximal end accommodating said longitudinally extending portion of said ratchet, said distal end having a portion affixed to said other end of said tube, said bore in said ratchet receiver communicating with said bore in said tube, said ratchet receiver including a means to engage said ratchet teeth to prevent said ratchet from inadvertently dislodging from said ratchet receiver;
• a pocket affixed externally to said tube, said pocket containing a backing and a cover with an opening for insertion and placement of an identification card, said pocket formed of a transparent material;
• and wherein said identification card includes an identification number specific to said wearer of said system, a bar code storing additional information about said wearer, a security device, printed information about said wearer, or any combination thereof;
• b) personalizing said identification card with said identification number specific to said wearer of system, said bar code storing additional information about said wearer, said security device, said printed information about said wearer, or any combination thereof;
• c) placing said identification card within said opening of said pocket;
• and
• d) attaching said system to said wearer.