GB2307851A - Interchangeable applications for small leather goods - Google Patents

Abstract

Small leather goods (SLG's) such as wallets, purses, pocket diaries, key cases often include applications such as space for credit cards or business cards, pouches for coins and other small items, display windows for photographs, notepads, and the like. There is not space for all such applications in one SLG, and those included are fixed in position. Disclosed is a frame 1 that is attached within the SLG that accepts any of a number of such applications surrounded by a corresponding frame 2. Frame 2 slides into the open side of frame 1, guided and retained by the raised edges of both frames. A pocket is thereby created beneath the insert, and the application is available for use within the SLG. The user selects the most useful applications (e.g., credit card holder 11 or window/pouch 12), mixing or matching different materials or colours, to customize the SLG.

Description

INTERCHANGEABLE APPLICATIONS FOR SMALL LEATHER GOODS This invention relates to the field.of small leather goods (SLG's). Such items are usually carried by an individual and used to organize or protect that individual's effects. The small leather goods category may include wallets, purses, billfolds, cheque book covers, business card cases, pocket diaries, key cases and the like.

SLG's are well known goods that usually comprise leather-like material (leather and the class of materials commonly referred to as artificial leather' such as vinyl leather and the like) stitched or otherwise bonded to form pockets within a pair of panels that fold relative to one another (like the covers of a book).

Within the construction outlined above, various additional applications are commonly included. Such applications may be space for several credit cards or business cards, a notepad and pen, a diary, a pouch for coins and the like, a pocket with a window to display photographs or identity cards and the like, or other such specific applications.

There is not space for all such applications to be included in one SLG, and hence most SLG's feature only one or two fixed applications.

According to the present invention there is provided interchangeable applications for SLG's. Neatly integrated with the leather-like panels in the SLG are frames that accept any of a number of said applications that insert by means of a corresponding frame surrounding the application.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows two base frames attached to the inner face of the SLG: Figure 2 shows an insert frame; Figure 3 illustrates in perspective, the SLG with base frames and the interchangeable applications both in position and being inserted; Figure 4 shows in cross-section at line aa' or line bb' in Fig.3. the insert frame inserted into the base frame and their respective attachments.

Referring to the drawing, the interchangeable applications comprise a base frame 1 and an insert frame 2.

Base frames I are attached either side around three sides of inner face 3 of the SLG by fixing 8 through hems formed in outer face 4 of the SLG. A pocket is thereby formed between inner face 3 and outer face 4 of the SLG.

Insert frame 2 is attached by fixing 9 around four sides of panel 5, onto which is attached one or more of said applications (Fig.3 shows an example of credit card holder 11 being inserted on the left and window/pouch 12 in position on the right).

in use, insert frame 2 is slid into the open side of base frame 1 (either left or right), guided and retained by the raised edges 6 of the insert frame abutting the corresponding raised edges of base frame 1 (the corners 7 of insert frame 2 having no raised edge to enable smooth insertion). A pocket is thereby formed beneath the insert, and the application is available for use within the SLG. The insert is removed by applying a light tug to overcome the resistance of the raised edges. The insert application can be used independently of the SLG.

Outer face 3 and inner face 4 of the SLG and panel 5 are made from leather-like material of various colours or durable fabric such as denim or canvas or the like. In addition, panel 5 could be made from woven carbon fibre or kevlar, set in epoxy resin. When selecting the most useful application insert, the user can mix or match different materials or colours to customize the SLG.

Base frame I and insert frame 2 are made of a resilient flexible material that preferably complements the resilience and flexibility of the panels attached to the frames. The base frame and insert frame could both be injection moulded in one piece from polymeric or elastomeric material, but in the preferred embodiment it is desirable to extrude such material using one die. Pieces are cut to length and trimmed to form the base frame, and similarly cut but inverted to form the insert frame. The profile of the extrusion is such that the leather-like or fabric material neatly abuts the frame.

Fixings 8 and 9 could be rivets or the like, but preferably attachment is made by gluing and stitching, as is characteristic of fme leatherwork. A channel 10 has been provided in the profile of the frame extrusion to guide and recess the stitching.

Claims (9)

1. A system for enabling inserts to be fitted to a holder which system comprises a first frame adapted to be attached to the holder and a second frame adapted slidably to fit in the first frame and to be attached thereto, which second frame is able to have incorporated therein one or more inserts.

2. A system as claimed in Claim I in which the holder is a wallet, purse, billholder, credit card holder.

3. A system as claimed in Claim I in which the first frame has three substantially closed sides and one side into which the second frame can be slid.

4. A system as claimed in Claim I in which the second frame is substantially rectangular.

5. A system as claimed in Claim I in which the inserts are one or more of business card holder. coin holder. photograph holder, display envelope and the like.

6. A system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein catchment means is provided on the first frame and second frame for arresting the sliding movement of the second frame.

7. A system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the catchment means is adapted to co-operate with the guide means in order to arrest the sliding movement of the second frame.

8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first frame with the second frame in position forms a pocket beneath the insert.

9. A system substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawing.