AU2010100057A4 - Card holder/wallet - Google Patents

Description

1 CARD HOLDERS Technical Field This invention relates to card holders and in particular to card holders for holding thin planar members such as credit cards, debit cards, smart cards and rewards cards. The 5 card holders of the present invention however may be used for holding other thin planar members and the following description is not to be considered as limited on application of the invention. Background Art Currently known credit card holders are either thin holders formed of leather or 10 plastic which comprise panels sewn or joined together and which may include pockets for containing credit cards. Wallets and purses are also typically provided with a number of panels which define slots into which credit cards can be inserted and held. Other credit card holders are formed of rigid plastic or metal comprising two parts which are hinged together along one edge for example by piano hinges and which 15 include a mechanical latch for releasably holding the two parts in a closed position. One disadvantage of credit card holders of the above type is that they do not conform to the body at all and despite their thin profile and they tend to dig onto the user. This also commonly occurs where credit card holders are incorporated within a wallet. 20 A further disadvantage of credit card holders of the above type is that the cards are not prevented from moving around within the holder and thus can become damaged. Yet a further disadvantage of some of the above type of credit card holder occurs because of the unreliable nature of mechanical latching mechanism which can if it malfunctions cause loss of credit cards. 25 It would clearly be advantageous if a card holder could be devised which at least in part overcomes one or more of the above disadvantages or which at least provides an alternative to the known art. Summary of the Invention The present invention thus provides a card holder having a main body 30 comprising a pair of main body parts, said body parts hingedly interconnected so as to be movable between a closed position in which said body parts are in a juxtaposed relationship with each other and an open position providing access to cards therein, socket means in an outer side of at least one said main body part and there being 2 provided a catch having a catch member complementary to said socket means and adapted to be releasably received in said socket means to hold said body parts in a closed position. The term "cards" as used throughout the specification and claims includes credit, 5 debit, smart cards and reward cards which are typically thin rectangular members formed of a stiff plastics material for example a plastic resin known as polyvinyl chloride acetate (PVCA) and other cards or thin card-like members formed of plastics, paper or cardboard. Preferably the catch member of the catch is normally biased towards an engaged 10 position with the socket means. Preferably the catch member is formed of a resilient material or is provided on or at one end of a leg formed of a resilient material which provides the bias to urge the catch member towards the engaged position. Preferably the catch member or leg of the catch member is secured to or formed integrally with the other main body part and extends in the closed position of the holder over the one main 15 body part. Thus to enable the holder to be opened, the catch member is urged or flexed out of and free of the socket means against its resilience or the resilient of the leg. Preferably the socket means comprises a shallow recess in the outer side of the one main body part. The catch member may be of any shape and where provided at the end of a leg, may be enlarged relative to the leg. For example, the catch member may be 20 laterally enlarged relative to the leg. The catch member may be of a disc-like configuration, of an oval configuration, of a square, rectangular, of any other geometrical shape. In another configuration, the catch member may be of a U-shaped configuration and the socket means is a complementary U-shaped configuration. Most preferably, the catch means is of a generally U-shaped configuration in side 25 view with one leg thereof comprising a leg carrying the catch member or the catch member per se. Suitably the other leg of the U-shaped catch means is secured to the other main body part and suitably to the outer side of the other main body part. Preferably the other leg is secured to the other main body part by a suitable fastener. The fastener may comprise a press fastener or stud which may be pressed into 30 cooperative engagement with a recess or opening in the outer side of the other main body part. Preferably the fastener is formed integrally with the other leg. Preferably the fastener has an undercut head which may be forced into the recess or opening to be 3 retained to the other main body part. In an alternative manner of construction, the other leg of the catch means may be moulded integrally with the other main body part. Preferably the U-shaped catch means is formed of a resilient material such that the legs thereof will return to an unstressed state when any displacement force on the 5 catch means is released or removed. Preferably the legs of the U-shaped catch means converge towards each other. Most preferably the U-shaped catch means is formed of a flexible material such as an elastomer or similar plastic which has a memory so that it will return to an unstressed or relaxed state after deformation for example to detach the catch member of the catch means from its associated socket. 10 Typically the hinge connection between the main body parts comprises a hinge such as a "live" hinge integrally formed with the main body parts. Preferably the main body parts are of a substantially rectangular configuration and at least one main body part and preferably both main body parts have shallow cavities therein for receipt of cards. Preferably the or each cavity is substantially complementary to a card such that 15 cards may be received neatly therein. Most preferably the or each cavity is provided internally with peripherally extending ledges upon which a card may seat. Preferably retaining means may be provided for retaining the card in position for example a card in position seated on the ledge. The retaining means may comprise one or more flexible fingers or lips which in 20 use may overlie a card. Preferably the fingers or lips extend at least partially along one side of a body part and most preferably on opposite sides. The fingers or lips however may be provided at spaced positions around the cavity or cavities. Preferably the main body parts and hinge are formed integrally of a soft plastics material typically a flexible polymer material. 25 Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of the card holder according to an embodiment 30 of the invention in a closed and open position respectively; Fig. 3 is an isometric exploded view showing the catch and main body of the holder in an open attitude; 4 Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate the main body of the holder in an open position from opposite sides; Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the holder along line A-A of Fig. 4; Figs. 7 and 8 are enlarged views of the regions B and C of Fig. 6; 5 Figs. 9 is a further isometric view of the catch; Figs. 10 and 11 are top and side views of the catch; and Fig. 12 illustrates a card holder according to a further embodiment of the invention in a closed position. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment 10 Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figs. 1 to 8, there is illustrated a credit card holder 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprise a main body 11 having first and second body parts 12 and 13 which are of a substantially rectangular configuration. The body parts 12 and 13 are formed integrally along corresponding longitudinal edges with a live hinge 14 (see Fig. 3) which permits the 15 body parts 12 and 13 to be hingedly moved between the open position of Fig. 2 to the closed position of Fig. 1. Each body part 12 and 13 has a peripheral rim 15 and 16 which define the outer boundaries of respective shallow cavities 17 and 18. The cavities 17 and 18 are substantially rectangular and are peripherally of substantially the same dimensions as a standard credit card or the like. Peripherally extending recessed ledges 20 19 and 20 which define surfaces upon which credit cards may seat are also provided in the cavities 17 and 18. Opposing elongated retaining fingers or lips 21, 22 and 23, 24 (see Figs. 5 to 8) extend along the "long" edges of the cavities 17 and 18 to overlie the respective ledges 19 and 20. The retaining fingers or lips although shown in the drawings to be of 25 elongated form may be discrete or individual members provided on or both sides of the cavities 17 and 18 to overlie the ledges. A plurality of such fingers or lips may be provided and the fingers or lips may be of any shape or configuration. To ensure that the two body parts 12 and 13 are aligned in the closed position of the holder 10 in an opposing relationship, one of the body parts 12 is provided with 30 raised locating pin-like members 25 at spaced positions around the rim 16. The other body part 13 is provided with corresponding holes/dimples 26 in the rim 15 in which the respective locating members 25 can locate.

5 To maintain the main body parts 12 and 13 in a closed position, a releasable catch 27 (see Figs. 1 to 3 and Figs. 9 to 11) is provided. The catch 27 comprises a one piece resilient member of U-shaped configuration in side view having opposite joined legs 28 and 29 which terminate in respective ends 30 and 31 which comprise a securing 5 member and catch member respectively. The end 30 is in the form of a press fastener or stud and includes on its inner side an undercut head 33 which is adapted to be pressed into a central recessed hole 32 of the body part 12 from the outside thereof. A channel 34 leads from the central recessed hole 32 to a side of the body part 12 to accommodate the leg 28 of the catch 27 when the head 30 is pressed into engagement with the hole 32. 10 This thus positively secures one end of the catch 27 to the main body part 12 and when the end 30 is secured to the body part 32, it and the leg 28 are preferably substantially flush with the outer surface of the body part 12. The end 31 of the catch 27 which in the illustrated embodiment is enlarged is adapted to be releasably received within a complementary recess or socket 35 formed in 15 the outer side of the other body part 13. A channel 36 leads from the recess 35 to a side of the body part 13 accommodate the leg 29 of the catch 27. In the closed position of the holder 10 as shown in Fig. 1, the end 31 of the catch 27 is received within the recess 35 and it and the leg 29 are preferably substantially flush with the outer surface of the body part 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the end 31 is substantially rectangular and the 20 recess 35 is of a complementary shape. As shown in Fig. l Ithe legs 29 and 28 in side view are angled inwardly and converge towards each other. Further the catch 27 is formed integrally of a resilient material such as an elastomer such that legs 28 and 29 will be urged or biased back towards the Fig. 11 position if a deformation force is applied to the legs 28 and 29 to 25 move the legs apart (or towards each other). In use to open the holder 10, the end 31 is forced out of the recess 35 against the bias of the material of the catch 27 which enables the body parts 12 and 13 to move to the position of Figs. 2 to 6. In this position, credit cards 37 (shown in dotted outline in Figs. 7 and 8) can be inserted into the respective cavities 17 and 18 of the body parts 12 30 and 13 to seat on the ledges 19 and 20. In addition, the cards 37 are positioned between the respective retaining lips 21,22 and 23,24 and ledges 19 and 20 respectively as also shown in Figs. 7 and 8 so that respective cards are firmly held within the respective cavities 17 and 18 seated on the ledged 19 and 20.

6 The holder 10 may then be closed as in Fig. 1 with the leg 29 and end 31 of the catch 27 being deflected or flexed to allow the body parts 12 and 13 to move to their closed opposite relationship. The resilience of the material of the catch 27 will cause the end 31 to be urged towards and into the recess 35 to hold the two parts 12 and 13 in the 5 closed position. The retaining catch 27 when maintaining the main body parts 12 and 13 closed fits into the main body 11. This allows the holder 10 to be inserted into and removed from a pocket or any similar storage place as easily as possible with there being no substantially protruding features that are likely to foul on any contacting surface. Thus 10 the holder is streamlined as possible. Typically the main body parts 12 and 13 are moulded from a flexible polymer material with the hinge 14 moulded and formed integrally with the body parts 11 and 12. The catch 27 is also preferably formed of a flexible elastomeric material which uses its memory to return to its relaxed U-shaped position. 15 The holder 10 is slim and flexible offering protection for the cards and being preferably formed of a flexible polymer material, can conform to a body shape making it suitable particularly for sports and other activities and for use in situations where space is a premium for example cycling, running and for use with any figure hugging clothing eg. females clubbing in tight clothes. As the holder is made from a non-absorbent 20 material, it is particularly applicable to sporting use. Cards when in the holder 10 are prevented from moving more than tolerance allows and are held firmly and securely in place and not allowed to rattle around. The holder of the present invention is designed for holding two cards, one in each body part however the distance between the lips 21,22 and ledge 19 and lips 23,24 and ledge 20 25 can be increased so that more than one card can be accommodated. The end 31 may be of any configuration and the socket 35 formed with a shape corresponding to the shape of the end 31. Whilst the end 31 is usually at least laterally enlarged, Fig. 12 illustrates an embodiment of holder 10' where the socket 35' comprises a U-shaped recess 35' in the outer surface of the body part 12' and the catch 30 member 31' of the catch 27' being of a U-shaped configuration complementary to the U shaped recess 35'. In side view the catch 27' may be similar to Fig. 11 with the U shaped member 31' being urged towards location within and engagement with the recess 35'.

7 The terms "comprising" or "comprises" as used throughout the specification and claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group thereof. 5 Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such variations and modifications thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 10 15 20 25

Claims (5)

1. A card holder having a main body comprising a pair of main body parts, said body parts hingedly interconnected so as to be movable between a closed position in which said body parts are in a juxtaposed relationship with each other and an open 5 position providing access to cards therein, socket means in an outer side of at least one said main body part and there being provided a catch having a catch member complementary to said socket means and adapted to be releasably received in said socket means to hold said body parts in a closed position. 10

2. A card holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said catch member of the catch is normally biased towards an engaged position with the socket means.

3. A card holder as claimed in claim 2 wherein the the catch member is formed of a resilient material or is provided on or at one end of a leg formed of a resilient material. 15

4. A card holder as claimed in claim 3 wherein said catch comprises a U-shaped member in side view, said catch having said catch member on one leg thereof and wherein the other leg thereof is adapted to be secured to the other body part. 20

5. A card holder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said socket means comprises a shallow recess in the outer side of the one main body part and wherein said other leg is engaged with or formed integrally with the other body part.