US20100078100A1

US20100078100A1 - Appendage wallet

Info

Publication number: US20100078100A1
Application number: US12/565,409
Authority: US
Inventors: John A. Orton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-09-29
Filing date: 2009-09-23
Publication date: 2010-04-01

Abstract

Embodiments of an appendage wallet having a variety of configurations to contain papers, currency, and small devices that are readably attachable and detachable from a region of a body appendage hidden beneath body clothing. Embodiments include vapor-blocking layers interposed between leather and other multi-layered constructions configured to restrict water vapor reaching wallet compartments storing currency, important documents, or water sensitive devices.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and incorporates by reference in their entirety U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 61/101,088 filed Sep. 29, 2008, 61/104,109 filed Oct. 10, 2008, and 61/107,271 filed Oct. 21, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention pertain to concealable wallets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pocket carrying wallets can be easily dislodged from a pants pocket or easily seen as a target for pickpockets. Wallets having a design to prevent dislodging and to discourage theft have advantages over pocket carrying wallets.
SUMMARY OF THE PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS
An appendage wallet that is concealable is described. The appendage wallet includes a variety of configurations to contain papers, currency, and small devices and is readably attachable and detachable from a region of a body appendage hidden beneath body clothing. Other appendage wallet may be readably detachable and concealable within internal surfaces of clothing modified to have a complementary detachable adhesive pad sewn or other secured to the internal clothing surfaces, for example an adhesive pad sewn to the inside of the back of a coat, within the internal side of a pant's leg, or within the internal side of a shirt' back.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The file of this patent contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Patent and Trademark Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. Embodiments for the various embodiments of a concealable wallet described below.

FIG. 1 depicts a concealable wallet 10 located beneath the knee and lower leg muscle;

FIG. 2 depicts the concealable wallet 10 located at alternate locations of a user's leg;

FIGS. 3A-E illustrate top, bottom, and perspective views of the concealable wallet 10;

FIGS. 4A-C illustrate alternate embodiments of concealable wallets 10A-10C;

FIGS. 5A-E illustrate other alternate embodiments 10D-10G of concealable wallets;

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate concealable wallet 10H configured to provide stretching or expandable dimensions to accommodate different limb circumferences and hold larger objects;

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate alternate embodiments 10I and 10J concealable wallets;

FIGS. 8A-E illustrate alternate embodiments of concealable wallets 10K-10N fitted with badges, insignia, and ornamentation objects;

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic of the concealable, appendage wallet 10B illustrated in FIG. 4B;

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a coat 200 equipped with a loop fastener patch 204 sewn on the inside of the coat 200 for detachably mounting a concealable wallet 10I;

FIG. 11 illustrates the concealable wallet 10I engaged and secured with the loop fastener pate 204 via the hook fastener patch 24 of the concealable wallet 10I;

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of the coat 200 equipped with a hook fastener patch 208 sewn on the inside of the coat 200 for detachably mounting a concealable wallet 10I;

FIG. 13 illustrates the concealable wallet 10I engaged and secured with the hook fastener pate 208 via the loop fastener patch 34 of the concealable wallet 10I; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional illustration of an alternate embodiment of an appendage wallet 10P having a credit card or other compartment beneath a fastener pad.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

Described below are embodiments of an appendage wallet that is removeably attachable to a portion of a body appendage and substantially concealable when worn underneath non-transparent clothing having substantial coverage. The appendage or concealable wallet includes a plurality of configurations to contain papers, currency, and small devices that is readably attachable and detachable from a region of a body appendage hidden beneath body clothing. The embodiments of the concealable wallet include a variety of configurations to contain papers, currency, and small devices that is readably attachable and detachable in a wraparound fashion from the region of a body appendage hidden, including beneath the knee and lower leg muscle, above the knee and thigh muscle, and around the ankle. Embodiments include vapor blocking leather and other multi-layered constructions configured to restrict water vapor from reaching wallet compartments storing currency, important documents, or water sensitive devices. Other embodiments include leather or other material layers having hole cutouts that promote or impart stretchability or elasticity to the wraparound concealable wallets.
Embodiments also include an appendage wallet having a variety of configurations to contain papers, currency, and small devices that are readably attachable and detachable from a region of a body appendage hidden beneath body clothing. Embodiments include vapor-blocking layers interposed between leather and other multi-layered constructions configured to restrict water vapor reaching wallet compartments storing currency, important documents, or water sensitive devices.
Embodiments described a concealable wallet engageable with a body appendage having a substantially flexible and rectangular material having a first fastener located on a first surface of a first width end and a second fastener located on a second surface of a second width end, the first surface opposite the second surface. The appendage or concealable wallet also includes at least one compartment adjacent to the first fastener, wherein the first fastener engages with the second fastener to wrap the substantially rectangular material in a partial spiral around the body appendage. For example, the appendage wallet wraps around the thigh region above the knee, wraps around just below the knee and between the leg calf muscles, or alternatively, may wrap around in at least a partial spiral around the ankle. Alternatively, the appendage wallet may wrap around an upper arm or a forearm. In alternate embodiments, the first fastener may include a hook fastener and the second fastener may include a loop fastener. When the upper leg, lower leg, ankle, upper arm or forearm partial spiral wrapped and fastened appendage wallet is sufficiently covered by non-transparent clothing, the appendage wallet may be considered a concealable or concealed wallet.
In alternate embodiments, the at least one compartment may include a slotted compartment and a zippered compartment in a variety of configurations. The slotted compartments may have slots substantially parallel to the long edge of the rectangular material, substantially perpendicular to the parallel to the long edge of the rectangular material, or angles between perpendicular and parallel. The slotted compartments may be configured to hold credit cards, keys, and devices, i.e., cellular phones. The zippered compartment may have a slot sufficiently long to receive paper currency and documents. In alternate embodiments, the flexible, rectangular configured material may be affixed with a reinforcing flexible material or layer to which the at least one slotted compartment may be affixed to. In yet other alternate embodiments, the reinforcing flexible material may be configured to function as a vapor barrier, or another layer may be interposed between the at least one slotted compartment, including the zippered compartment, and the reinforcing material layer.
In yet other embodiments, the flexible rectangular material may be affixed with the reinforcing flexible layer having a plurality of holes to help impart a stretchable nature or elasticity to the appendage wallet. The materials of the flexible rectangular layers, the reinforcing layers, and the materials used in the slotted compartments may include leather. In yet other embodiments, the slotted compartment materials may also include a plurality of holes, or at least one hole, to help impart flexibility and elasticity to the compartments to accommodate more credit cards, business cards, currency, keys, devices, and documents.
Other embodiments described include a concealable wallet engageable with a body appendage having a substantially flexible and rectangular material having a first fastener located on a first surface of a first width end and a second fastener located on a second surface of a second width end, the first surface opposite the second surface. The appendage or concealable wallet also includes at least one compartment adjacent to the first fastener, wherein the first fastener engages with the second fastener to wrap the substantially rectangular material in a partial spiral around the body appendage. The appendage wallet may also include an ornament affixable with the second surface, so that when wrapped around the appendage, the first fastener engages with the second fastener to wrap the substantially rectangular material in a partial spiral around the body appendage with the at least one compartment inwardly disposed within the partial spiral and the ornament outwardly disposed.
The material used in the flexible rectangular, reinforcement, and/or the slotted compartments may be colored and varied in color. The at least one hole or plurality of holes may be cut out to reveal a different colored design, and the holes may be varied in size and distribution to acquire the desired elastic or aesthetic effect. The ornaments attached may include police or military officer insignia or emblems, decorative designs, or religious figures and religious images.
FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a portion of the exemplary embodiments described above.
FIG. 1 depicts a concealable wallet 10 located beneath the knee and lower leg muscle. Here the concealable or appendage wallet 10 remains hidden from site and firmly secured to the user's lower leg beneath non-transparent clothing as depicted by the dashed lines.
FIG. 2 depicts the concealable wallet 10 located at alternate locations of a user's leg. Here the concealable or appendage wallet 10 remains hidden from site and firmly secured to the user's upper leg or lower leg beneath non-transparent clothing as depicted by the dashed lines.
FIGS. 3A-E illustrate top, bottom, and perspective views of the appendage concealable wallet 10. Shown in FIGS. 3A and B, the appendage wallet 10 includes a substantially rectangular and leather exterior 30 to which flexible reinforcing layer 12 is mounted or affixed on the interior surface of leather. Slotted compartments 14 and 28 and secured to reinforcing layer 12 by stitching 15. In this embodiment 10, the compartment 14 includes a zipped compartment 16 having zipper 18 and a slotted compartment 16, both having their respective slots substantially parallel to the long edge of the rectangular exterior layer 30. The zipper compartment 16 may have a slot of sufficient length to accommodate the lengths of paper currency. Slotted compartment 28 includes a key compartment slot 26 that is substantially disposed parallel to the long axis of leather exterior 30, and a credit card or business card slot 29 that is substantially disposed perpendicular to the long axis of leather exterior 30. Adjacent to the zippered and slotted compartment 14 and affixed to the flexible reinforcing layer 12 is the first fastener or hook fastener 24 that is located near the first width edge of the rectangular material 30. On the opposite side of the rectangular material 30 is the second fastener or loop fastener 28 located near the second width edge of the rectangular material 30.
Shown in FIGS. 3C-E is the simulated sequence of wrapping around actions of the appendage wallet 10. Shown in FIG. 3C, the slotted zipper compartment 14 is zipped closed and the hook fastener 24 is moved closer to the loop fastener 34. In FIG. 3D, a partially wound spiral is achieved with partial engagement of the hook and loop fasteners 24 and 34. In FIG. 3E, a partially wound spiral with a smaller circumference is achieved pulling or stretching over the hook fastener 24 end so that there is more complete engagement or otherwise overlap of the hook and loop fasteners 24 and 34, thus securing a tighter fit around an appendage, either a leg or an arm.
FIGS. 4A-C illustrates alternate embodiments of appendage concealable wallets 10A-10C. In these embodiments 10A-C, the zippered compartments 44, 54, and 64, each having a zippered slot 16, shown open with currency shown partly out of the slot 6, differ by color variations, or whether a credit card compartment 48, 58, and 68, is adjacently secured by stitching 15, parallel or perpendicularly disposed to the long axis, or by the positions and colors of key compartments 50 and 68. For embodiment 10B, a securing knob 52 is seen that holds the ornament 156 shown in FIG. 8D below or other ornaments as shown in FIG. 8E below.
FIGS. 5A-E illustrate other alternate embodiments 10D-10G of appendage concealable wallets that vary by color, slot position, and compartment arrangement for zippered compartments 64-94, key compartments 72-92, and credit card compartments 76-96.
FIG. 6 illustrates alternate concealable wallet 10H configured to provide stretching or expandable dimensions to accommodate different limb circumferences and hold larger objects. The elasticity and stretching is conferred by the plurality of holes 112 in flexible reinforcing material 12, and to the respective credit card compartment 110, key compartment 108, device compartment 106, and zippered compartment 104. Concealable wallet 10H may also be fitted with the ornaments shown in FIG. 8E below.
FIGS. 7A-7B illustrates alternate embodiments 10I and 10J appendage concealable wallets having different textured and colored leathers. Compartments 114, 116, and 118 shown finished leather and compartments 14, 120, 124, and 138 show a brushed leather finish. The securing knob 52 is seen that holds any of the ornaments shown in FIG. 8E below.
FIGS. 8A-E illustrates alternate embodiments of concealable wallets 10K-10N fitted with badges, insignia, and ornamentation objects 150, 152, 154, and 156. Ornaments other than these are shown in FIG. 8E.
FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic of the concealable wallet 10B illustrated in FIG. 4B and curved in position similar to that depicted in FIG. 3C. To the exterior of flexible rectangular material 30 is the loop fastener 34. Affixed internally or the concave side is the flexible reinforcing layer 12 to which the slotted and credit card compartments 54 and 58 and hook fastener 24 are affixed. The securing knob 52 punctures through the flexible layers 13 and 30 to engage with the ornament 156.
FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a coat 200 equipped with a loop fastener patch 204 sewn on the inside of the coat 200 for detachably mounting a concealable wallet 10I.
FIG. 11 illustrates the concealable wallet 10I engaged and secured with the loop fastener pate 204 via the hook fastener patch 24 of the concealable wallet 10I. The exterior leather surface of the concealable wallet 10I is shown facing outward hanging from the inner backing material of the coat 200 interior with an ornamentation object visible.
FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of the coat 200 equipped with a hook fastener patch 208 sewn on the inside of the coat 200 for detachably mounting a concealable wallet 10I.
FIG. 13 illustrates the concealable wallet 10I engaged and secured with the hook fastener pate 208 via the loop fastener patch 34 of the concealable wallet 10I. The interior compartment side of the concealable wallet 10I is shown facing outward and hanging from the inner backing material of the coat 200 interior with the ornamentation object hidden from view.
The patches 204 and 208 may be constructed of any material that permits the patches 204 and 208 to function as engagement patches that rapidly allow the detachable connection of the engagement patches by pressing the patches firmly in contact with each other. The engagement patches may be made of complementary magnetic materials.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional illustration of an alternate embodiment of an appendage wallet 10P having a credit card or other compartment beneath a fastener pad. Appendage wallet 10P is substantially similar to the appendage wallet illustrated in FIG. 9, but also includes a credit card compartment 158 sandwiched between the reinforcing layer 12 and the hook fastener 24. The credit card compartment 158 may be sewn to the reinforcing layer 12, to which the hook fastener 24 is similarly sewn to the credit card compartment 158. This design improves the efficiency of space usage for arranging the number of compartments locatable in the appendage wallet 10P. Another embodiment of the appendage wallet 10P would include another compartment similar to the compartment 158 interposed between the reinforcing layer 12 and the hook fastener 34. The compartment 158 may include at least one, or a pair of key compartments. Also depicted in appendage wallet 10P is a vapor barrier 162 interposed between the reinforcing layer 12 and zippered compartment 54. Other embodiments of the appendage wallet 10P may be fitted with emblems depicted in FIGS. 8A-8E.
The appendage wallets 10A-P may be dimensioned to fit securely around a leg or an arm, with different lengths to accommodate different appendage circumferences. For example, the length of the leather exterior 30 may be approximately 485 mm and the width approximately 106 mm. The length of the reinforcing layer 12 may be approximately 477 mm and the width approximately 98 mm. The length of the zippered compartment 16 may vary be approximately 210 mm to 287 mm, and the width approximately 88 mm, with the zipper 18 approximately 180 mm long offset from the lengthwise edge of the of the zippered compartment by approximately 15 mm. The stitching 15 may be sewn at a distance from approximately 1 to 3 mm from the periphery of the zippered compartment 15. The credit card or business card compartments similar to 48, 58, 68 may be approximately may also be stitched along and from their respective peripheral edges between approximately 1 and 3 mm, leaving an internal space sufficiently dimensioned to receive and hold business and credit cards. The key compartment slot 26 and the credit card slots 29 may have respective lengths of 30 mm and 55 mm to accommodate insertion of keys and credit/business cards. The hook and loop fastener pads 24 and 34 may have length and width dimensions approximating 90 mm and 48 and sewn with stitches 15 approximately 1 and 3 mm from their pad peripheral edges to the reinforcing layer 12. The material of the exterior layer 30 and reinforcing layer 12 may include leather, sheepskin, pliable plastics, or composites of pliable plastics and leather and/or sheep skin. The thickness of the exterior layer 30 and reinforcing layer 12 may be approximately 2 mm, with ranges varying between approximately 1 and 4mm. The holes 112 may vary in diameter from approximately 5 mm to 25 mm. The length of the exterior layer 30 and reinforcing layer 12 may be shorter or longer than 485 and 477 mm to accommodate different appendage circumferences. Similarly, the widths of the outer layer and reinforcing layers 30 and 12 may be varied to accommodate appendage sizes or to increase the compartment storing volumes. The width of the hook and fastener pads 24 and 30 may be increased to accommodate a tighter appendage wrapping having a smaller circumference so that sufficient fastener pad to fastener pad engagement is achieved to secure a good fit to the user's liking.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the hook and loop fasteners may be located in different locations, have different shapes, or switched or otherwise reversely positioned. The zipper compartment 16 may also be sewn on the exterior of the outer layer 30, and the credit card or business card compartments 48, 58, 68 may be adapted with zippers 18 and may also be sewn to the exterior of the wallets 10A-P on the outer layer 30, and/or mounted beneath the hook and loop fastener pads 24 and 34. The key compartments may also be secured by snaps, zippers, and mounted underneath the hook and loop fastener pads 24 and 34. The coat 200 may be equipped to hold more than one concealable wallet via a plurality of hook and/or loop fastener patches 204 and 208 sewn to the interior regions of the coat 200. The appendage wallets may also be fitted with more than two hooks and loop patches to accommodate additional engagement surfaces between the concealable wallet and complementary hook and loop patches sewn to the coat 200. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the particular embodiments.

Claims

1. A concealable wallet engageable with a body appendage comprising:

a substantially flexible and rectangular material having a first fastener located on a first surface of a first width end and a second fastener located on a second surface of a second width end, the first surface opposite the second surface; and

at least one compartment adjacent to the first fastener,

wherein the first fastener engages with the second fastener to wrap the substantially rectangular material in a partial spiral around the body appendage.

2. The concealable wallet of claim 1, wherein the first fastener includes a hook fastener.

3. The concealable wallet of claim 1, wherein the second fastener includes a loop fastener.

4. The concealable wallet of claim 1, wherein the at least one compartment includes a slotted compartment.

5. The concealable wallet of claim 1, wherein the at least one compartment includes a zippered compartment.

6. The concealable wallet of claim 5, wherein the zipper compartment includes a vapor barrier interposed between the zipper compartment and the substantially flexible and rectangular material.

7. The concealable wallet of claim 6, wherein the substantially flexible and rectangular material includes a flexible reinforcing material affixable with the first surface of the substantially flexible and rectangular material.

8. The concealable wallet of claim 7, wherein flexible reinforcing material includes at least one hole.

9. The concealable wallet of claim 8, wherein the substantially flexible and rectangular material and the flexible reinforcing material includes at least one of leather, sheepskin, pliable plastic, and a composite of at least one of leather, sheepskin, and pliable plastic.

10. A concealable wallet engageable with a body appendage comprising:

a substantially flexible and rectangular material having a first fastener located on a first surface of a first width end and a second fastener located on a second surface of a second width end, the first surface opposite the second surface;

a flexible reinforcing material affixable with the first surface;

at least one compartment adjacent to the first fastener, and

an ornament affixable with the second surface,

wherein the first fastener engages with the second fastener to wrap the substantially rectangular material in a partial spiral around the body appendage with the at least one compartment inwardly disposed within the partial spiral and the ornament outwardly disposed.

The concealable wallet of claim 1, wherein the second fastener includes a loop fastener.

11. The concealable wallet of claim 10, wherein the first fastener includes a hook fastener.

12. The concealable wallet of claim 10, wherein the second fastener includes a loop fastener.

13. The concealable wallet of claim 10, wherein the at least one compartment includes a slotted compartment and a zippered compartment.

14. The concealable wallet of claim 13, wherein the zipper compartment includes a vapor barrier interposed between the zipper compartment and the substantially flexible reinforcing material.

15. The concealable wallet of claim 13, wherein flexible reinforcing material includes at least one hole.

16. The concealable wallet of claim 13, wherein the at least one compartment includes at least one hole.

17. The concealable wallet of claim 14, wherein the substantially flexible and rectangular material, the flexible reinforcing material, and the at least one compartment includes leather.

18. The concealable wallet of claim 10, wherein the ornament includes insignia, emblems, and religious images.

19. The concealable wallet of claim 10, wherein the slotted compartment is interposed between the reinforcing layer and the hook fastener.

20. The concealable wallet of claim 10, wherein the slotted compartment is interposed between the backing layer and the loop fastener

21. The concealable wallet of claim 10 wherein the zippered compartment is sewn at least one of the exterior surface and the interior surface.

22. The concealable wallet of claim 10 wherein the slotted compartment is sewn to at least one of the exterior surface and the interior surface.

23. A coat configured to securely hold a concealable wallet having first engagement patch comprising:

a second engagement patch secured to the inner region of the coat,

wherein the concealable wallet is detachably secured by contacting the second engagement patch with the first engagement patch.

24. The coat of claim 23, wherein the second engagement patch is a hook patch.

25. The coat of claim 23, wherein the second engagement patch is a loop patch.