GB2145622A

GB2145622A - Security arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2145622A
Application number: GB08320035A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert John O'donohue
Original assignee: DONOHUE ROBERT JOHN O
Current assignee: DONOHUE ROBERT JOHN O
Priority date: 1983-07-26
Filing date: 1983-07-26
Publication date: 1985-04-03
Also published as: GB8320035D0

Abstract

A valuable item such as a wallet, 1 Fig. 1 or purse, is retained in place in a pocket or handbag by providing the item and/or the interior of the pocket or handbag with the hook or loop type surface 5, 6 of a hook and loop type fastener. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Wallet retainer This invention relates to a security device intended to prevent the loss of a valuable item, such as a wallet or purse from a pocket or bag.

Currently fashionable clothes, particularly so called "casual" clothes, often have relatively shallow pockets. For example, in the case of trousers such as "jeans" the largest pocket is often a back pocket which is so shallow that when an average sized wallet is carried in the pocket, the wallet projects out of the top of the pocket. This provides an easy target for a pick-pocket. It is also possible for a wallet to fall out of a pocket, particularly if the wearer is bending down, running about, or getting into or out of a seat.

It is an aim of this invention to provide a security device which will reduce the likelyhood of a wallet or other valuable item being stolen or lost.

According to the invention, a wallet or other valuable is retained in place by means of a "Velcro type fastening".

The word "Velcro" is a Registered Trade Mark.

The term "Velcro like surface" is used in this Specification to describe a surface having fibres for interlocking co-operating with complementary fibres on a second surface, so that the surfaces adhere to one another upon contact by interlocking of the complementary fibres. The surfaces can subsequently be peeled apart to separate them. The term "Velcro like material" is used herein to describe a material having a Velcro like surface as previously defined, and the term "Velcro like fastening" is used herein to describe a fastening using two co-operating Velcro-like surfaces as previously defined.Usually the two Velcro-like surfaces of a fastening will comprise one surface presenting male members such as hooks or so shaped members, and a second surface presenting female members such as loops into which the hooks or other male members will engage when the surfaces are brought into contact with one another.

Examples of Velcro like fastenings are described in U.S. Patents Specifications Nos. 3,009,235 and 3,607,995.

Various forms of this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure lisa view of the outside of a wallet according to the invention, the wallet being opened out about its centre line, and Figure 2 is a view of the inside of a pocket of an item of clothing according to the invention.

The wallet 1 shown in Figure 1 is opened out about its centre fold 2. The interior faces of the wallet (i.e. the wallet faces which will abut one another when the wallet is closed) are not shown, but they have the customary compartments for containing currency notes etc, whilst the exterior faces 3 and 4 of the wallet (i.e. the faces which will engage the inside qf a pocket in which the closed wallet is carried) are formed with two triangular Velcro like surfaces 5 and 6. These surfaces 5 and 6 preferably present female members such as loops.

Figure 2 is a view of the inside surface 7 of a pocket 8, and onto this surface 7 has beAn stitched a triangular piece of Velcro like material 9 presenting male members such as hooks. The pocket 8 could be the back pocket of a pair of jeans.

It will be understood that when the closed wallet is placed in the pocket, the Velcro like material of the pocket will adhere to one or other of the pieces of Velcro like material on the wallet, according to which way round the wallet is inserted into the pocket. The wallet will thus be retained firmly in place, and cannot be removed without the use of some force.

It will be appreciated that the chances of the wallet falling out of the pocket are very small, and in the event of a pick pocket attempting to remove the wallet the wearer of the jeans would be very likely to feel the pull on the pocket and/or hear the characteristic 'tearing' sound made when Velcro like surfaces are separated.

The Velcro like material on the wallet can occupy the whole or part of one or both of the outer surfaces of the wallet and can be formed with male or female fibres. It is possible for one or more pieces of Velcro like material to be stitched or glued onto a conventional wallet, but is is preferred to "purpose build" the wallet from a Velcro like material. This will enable the wallet to have an attractive appearance. Velcro like material formed with female or loop fibres can be designed to look very much like animal fur and the use of such material to form a purpose built wallet is presently preferred.

The Velcro like material of the pocket can similarly occupy the whole or part of one or both of the inner surfaces of the pocket and can be formed with male or female fibres. However, because the wallet preferably has the female fibres, it is preferable to provide the pocket with the male fibres.

It may well be that manufacturers of jeans or other clothing having shallow pockets will as a matter of course design pockets lined with "male" Velcro like material, and similarly manufacturers of wallets may produce a range of wallets bearing the "female" Velcro material. Thus, the potential market for the invention is very considerable.

In the same way that trousers are now often marketed complete with a matching belt or that shirts are often packaged with matching ties, it is quite possible that an item of clothing according to this invention could be marketed together with a wallet according to the invention.

Although this invention has been described with particular reference to a wallet secured in the back pocket of a pair of jeans, the invention is applicable to other valuable items such as purses, and can be applied to any pocket, orto a ladies handbag to prevent a wallet or a purse from being lost or stolen from the bag.

Afurther possibility for marketing the invention is to sell a package containing a purse or wallet having a Velcro like surface together with one or more pieces of material having a co-operating Velcro like surface to form a Velcro like fastening. The pieces of material could be intended to be stitched in place in a pocket or handbag, or alternatively the material could have an adhesive backing to be glued in place.

Claims

1.A A security device intended to prevent the loss of a valuable item such as a wallet or purse, in which the valuable item is retained in place by means of a "Velcro type fastening" (as defined herein).

2. A valuable item, for example a purse or a wallet, presenting a "Velcro like surface"(as defined herein).

3. A valuable item according to claim 2, in which the item is "purpose built "from a "Velcro like material" (as defined herein).

4. A valuable item according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which the "Velcro like surface" presents "female" type fibres.

5. An item of clothing, for example a pair of jeans, having a pocket the interior of which presents a "Velcro like surface" (as defined herein).

6. A handbag or the like, the interior of which presents a "Velcro like surface" as defined herein.

7. An item of clothing according to claim 5 or a handbag according to claim 6, in which the "Velcro like surface" has male members formed on it.

8. A security device according to claim 1, comprising a combination of a valuable item (such as a purse or wallet) according to any of claims 2 to 4, together with an item of clothing according to claim 5 or 7 or together with a handbag or the like according to claim 6 or 7.

9. A wallet or purse presenting a first "Velcro like surface" (as defined herein) in combination with one or more pieces of"Velcro like material" (as defined herein), the or each said piece of material having a second "Velcro like surface "the or each piece of Velcro like material being intended for securing inside a pocket or in a handbag, the first and second Velcro like surfaces complementing one anothertoform a "Velcro like fastening" (as defined herein).