US20060273129A1

US20060273129A1 - Wallet security

Info

Publication number: US20060273129A1
Application number: US11/144,118
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward Horn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-06
Filing date: 2005-06-06
Publication date: 2006-12-07

Abstract

An improved device for holding valuables in a secure fashion, comprising a wallet with closeable pocket therein. At least one alligator type clip is fastened to the wallet, which clip is engageable with an article of clothing to secure the wallet against theft or inadvertent dropping.

Description

The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for thwarting pick pockets, as well as minimizing inadvertent losses of money and valuables, particularly when traveling, and, more particularly, to an improved wallet which accomplishes the goals attributed to it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
At least since Charles Dickens chronicled the sordid lives of such as Fagin and Bill Sikes in Oliver Twist, the public, and in particular, the traveling public, has been wary of, and alert for, the presence of pick pockets.
The cautious traveler has been presented with a variety of contraptions intended to protect against the deft fingers of the pick pocket. Among such contraptions is an array of concealed wallets that strap to the waist or a leg, and which are, at a minimum, very difficult and inconvenient to access when the contents is needed.
A device that has seen considerable use among the more mobile members of the public is a chain, or cord, of some sort which is connected to one's wallet and is connected to the waist band or belt loop of one's pants. Such devices are readily observable by anyone and virtually telegraphs to all the immediate presence and location of one's wallet or other valuables. While a connecting cord, or chain, poses a challenge to a would be thief, necessity is said to be the mother of invention, and the chain or cord becomes little more than a minor impediment to a determined thief.
2. Overview of the Prior Art
There are several well intended security devices, both patented and unpatented, which have greater or lesser success in the market place. Even today, patents issue on such devices. By way of example, Morehead U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,022 issued in 2004 for a tethered wallet. It is a variation on the more popular chained wallet.
Ault et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,845 is a very use specific device. It teaches a billfold which clips over the edge of a pocket in a pair of pants having a rivet, and the billfold has a notch which mates with the rivet.
The foregoing are merely referenced as exemplars of the available art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, to the user, an improved wallet-type device which may be secured against both inadvertent dropping from one's person and is further capable of squelching the efforts of thieves and pick pockets who wish to relieve the user of his or her valuables.
In keeping with the foregoing, it is an objective of the device of the present invention to keep valuables secure on the user's person in a manner which is both unobtrusive and comfortable to wear. It is an objective related to the foregoing, to provide such a device which is readily accessible as needed to gain access to the contents of the device, both to add and remove as desired.
Further, it is an objective of the present invention to provide the public with a wallet for valuables that is optionally secured, yet useable as one would use a conventional wallet without undue inconvenience arising out of its secure features.
Other and additional features of the wallet of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, when taken in conjunction with the following description of the drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view, in perspective, of a facial view of the wallet of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, while showing the rear view of the wallet, with security devices in place;
FIG. 3 is a view of the wallet of FIGS. 1 and 2 as it would appear in its secure mode in the inside breast pocket of the wearer's jacket; and
FIG. 4 is of the wallet of the present invention secured to the waistband of the user's trousers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a valuables protecting device 10 in the nature of a wallet, having one or more internal pockets, is depicted. The wallet 10 is elongated and generally rectangular and is capable of holding currencies of various shapes and sizes, as might be encountered as one travels abroad. While the specific size and shape of the device, or the number of pockets therein, may differ to accommodate, the wallet depicted is an example that will assist in understanding the underlying features of the invention.
As may be seen in FIG. 1, closure devices, for example snaps 12 secure a frontal flap 14. Needless to say, a variety of closures are well within the contemplation of the invention.
The essential secure feature of the invention is found at the rear of the wallet 10 and is pictured in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 2, the wallet 10 is readily secured to one's clothing, e.g., an inside breast pocket as seen in FIG. 3, or at some other location such as the inside of one's trouser waist band as seen in FIG. 4. This is accomplished, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, by one or more strategically positioned alligator type clips 20.
The clips 20, in keeping with the objectives of the invention, are thin and unobtrusive, while having considerable gripping power, which permits the user to secure the wallet 10 in unconventional places where a prospective thief may not expect. Moreover, should some thief take overt action to obtain the wallet from the person of the user, the gripping power of the clips 20 require a certain amount of additional time to unloose, particularly from a struggling user, and since time is the enemy of a thief, it may well discourage such anti-social conduct.
Each clip 20 may be affixed to the wallet by means of an appropriate fastener, e.g., a rivet 22. While other fasteners are contemplated, use of a device such as a rivet permits rotation of the clip 20 in a plane parallel to the wallet, to permit engagement of an edge of clothing which may not necessarily be horizontal, thereby adding to the verticality and utility of the device 10.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are illustrative of the various positions which may be used to secure the wallet 10. For example, the edge 30 of the inside breast pocket of a jacket J is one such placement. When the wallet 10 is secured, even taking off the jacket or bending over with it on will not dislodge the wallet.
In a similar fashion, the top edge 33 is ideally suited to placement of the wallet 10, as seen in FIG. 4, making the wallet highly inaccessible to a prospective thief. Certainly other placements will occur to those conversant in the art and are well within the contemplation of the invention as defined by the claims, wherein:

Claims

1. A device for holding valuables and papers which may be secured to the person of a user against theft and inadvertent loss;

said device having one or more internal pockets, a closure across said pockets;

at least one clip, said clip being secured to said device, said clip being removably attached to an article of clothing of the user to secure the same against theft or inadvertent loss.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said clip is an alligator type clip.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein two such clips are positioned on said device, at opposite ends thereof.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said clip is fastened to said device for limited rotation relative thereto in a plane parallel thereto.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein said clip is fastened to said device for limited rotation relative thereto in a plane parallel thereto.