GB2282750A - Pocket items - Google Patents

Abstract

A pocket item (1) such as a wallet, purse, key case, credit card holder or diary is provided with a friction area (4) to make it harder to steal or lose. The frictional area may be a band, pad, border or decorative motif and is preferably formed of raised rubberised stitching or embroidery. <IMAGE>

Description

POCKET ITEMS The present invention relates to pocket items, or accessories, for example, wallets; key cases; diaries; personal organisers; purses; credit card folders; glasses cases, etc.

Pickpockets are a common problem and it is desirable to make it difficult for them to steal one's valuables. Many attempts have been made to hamper the thief's access to the valuables, e.g. money belts, neck purses, zipped pockets, and key chains, but all suffer from one disadvantage or another. Such valuables can also often slip easily out of the owner's pocket and be accidentally lost.

According to the present invention there is provided a pocket item having at least one area on its outer surface of increased friction.

The invention is applicable to any item that a person might wish to place in a pocket or handbag or the like. The area of increased friction hampers a potential thief, as attempted removal of the item according to the invention will require greater force and will cause tugging on the pocket lining that will be detectable to the owner. It can also reduce the risk of accidental loss of the item. The friction area should increase the friction between item and pocket lining by a factor of at least 3 or 4 over a comparable leather PVC or nylon item but should not be so frictional as to prevent removal of the item by its owner.

The frictional area may include a band around the item or a pad or border on a major surface. The frictional area preferably includes areas on two opposite major surfaces.

The frictional area may be an insert or may be provided by raised, preferably rubberised, stitching or embroidery.

The present invention will be further described hereinafter with reference to the following description of exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a rear view of the embodiment of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a wallet 1 which is held shut by a flap 2 with a press stud or popper 3 on its end. The wallet may be made of leather, plastic, pvc, nylon, tapestry or other suitable material. Increased friction is provided by a band 4 of rubberised stitching. This may be of a matching colour to the wallet so as to be discrete or may be a decorative feature of the wallet. The pattern of stitching is not important so long as the desired frictional effect is achieved.

As shown in Figure 2, the band 4 continues around the back of the wallet.

In place of, or as well as, the band 4, friction may be provided by making the edge stitching 5, which holds the wallet together, raised and rubberised.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment in which the friction is provided by a number of decorative motifs 6 embroidered using rubberised thread.

Ideally the effect of the frictional areas should be to raise the effective friction between the item and the pocket lining, usually cotton or nylon cloth, by a factor of 3 or 4 or more as compared with a smooth leather PVC or nylon wallet.

It is possible to make the frictional area slightly tacky but if overdone, this can make it too difficult to remove the item from a pocket and thus inconvenient for the owner.

Claims (9)

1. A pocket item having at least one area on its outer surface of increased friction.

2. A pocket item according to claim 1 wherein said at least one area includes a band substantially around said item.

3. A pocket item according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said at least one area includes at least one pad on a major surface of said item.

4. A pocket item according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said at least one area includes a border around a major surface of said item.

5. A pocket item according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said at least one area comprises an area of raised stitching or embroidery.

6. A pocket item according to claim 5 wherein said raised stitching is of rubberised thread.

7. A pocket item according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the coefficient of friction between said at least one area and cotton cloth is greater than between leather and cotton cloth.

8. A pocket item according to claim 7 wherein the coefficient of friction between said at least one area and cotton cloth is at least 3 times greater than between leather and cotton cloth.

9. A pocket item substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.