US20200214410A1

US20200214410A1 - Wallet for Mobile Electronic Device or Mobile Electronic Device Case

Info

Publication number: US20200214410A1
Application number: US16/241,363
Authority: US
Inventors: Darrick DEL MORAL; Bryan Hynecek; Eric Lo; Patrick Christian; Christopher William LEDESMA
Original assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings SARL
Current assignee: Speculative Product Design LLC
Priority date: 2019-01-07
Filing date: 2019-01-07
Publication date: 2020-07-09

Abstract

A wallet kit including a wallet with a housing that has a front wallet wall, a rear wallet wall opposite to the front wallet wall, an upper wallet wall, a lower wallet wall opposite to the upper wallet wall, a first wallet side wall between the upper wallet wall and the lower wallet wall, and a second wallet side wall, opposite to the first wallet side wall and between the upper wallet wall and the lower wallet wall. A wallet pocket configured to hold a card is formed by the front wallet wall, the rear wallet wall, the upper wallet wall, the lower wallet wall, and the second wallet side wall. A first wallet opening is formed in the first wallet side wall, and is configured to accept insertion of the card into the wallet pocket. An elastomeric wheel is arranged inside the wallet pocket.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wallet for a mobile electronic device or a mobile electronic device case. The wallet has a pocket or pouch configured to hold cards, such as credit cards, debit cards, personal ID cards, driver licenses, and the like. An axle with an elastomeric wheel is arranged inside the pocket or pouch. The elastomeric wheel applies a force to an edge of a card arranged in the pocket or pouch so as to securely hold the card in the pocket or pouch.
The wallet may be part of a wallet kit that includes a holder that is configured to be attached to the back of the case or mobile electronic device. The holder is also configured and sized to removably hold the wallet so that the wallet can be easily attached to and removed from the case or mobile electronic device via the holder.
Wallets for cases and mobile electronic devices have typically been designed either as part of the case (i.e., irremovable therefrom) or as a separate device that attaches to the back of a case or mobile electronic device via adhesive. Both of these designs present problems. For example, wallets that are part of the case can make the case too thick to allow for wireless electric charging (e.g., inductive charging) of the electronic device while it is in the case. This requires a user to remove the electronic device from the case in order to wirelessly charge the electronic device. Adhesive wallets that attach to the back of a case can also make the case too thick for wireless charging. And if such a separate adhesive wallet is attached directly to the back of the electronic device itself, then wireless charging can become completely impossible without removing the adhesive wallet, thereby destroying the adhesive and making the wallet useless for its intended purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As such, it is desirable to provide a new wallet for a mobile electronic device or mobile electronic device case that can be removably attached to the back of the case of electronic device without adhesive. This assists in wireless electrical charging. It also makes it easy to temporarily separate the wallet from the case or electronic device so that the wallet can be slipped into a pocket or bag separately for ease of transportation or for being carried into an environment where electrical devices are not permitted.
Another advantage of the invention is the ability to attach the wallet to the case or electronic device in multiple configurations or orientations, so that in at least one configuration or orientation the items in the wallet are not accessible and cannot easily slip out or be removed.
It is also desirable to provide a new wallet that has a mechanism for securely retaining cards in the wallet without significantly increasing the thickness of the wallet. This can be achieved by incorporating an elastomeric wheel—for example as described below—into the inside of the wallet. The elastomeric wheel would hold cards inside the wallet by applying a force or pressure in a length or width direction to an edge of the cards rather than in a thickness direction to one of the two faces of the cards. By incorporating a device that applies pressure in a length or width direction as opposed to a thickness direction, the thickness of the wallet can be reduced, possibly enabling wireless electrical charging even if the wallet is attached to the case or electronic device.
According to the present invention there is therefore provided a case for a mobile device as described by way of example below and in the accompanying claims.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a wallet kit (1) for a mobile electronic device or a mobile electronic device case. The wallet kit (1) includes a wallet (2) with a housing (4) that has a front wallet wall (5), a rear wallet wall (6), an upper wallet wall (7), a lower wallet wall (8), a first wallet side wall (9), and a second wallet side wall (10). The rear wallet wall (6) is opposite to the front wallet wall (5). The upper wallet wall (7) connects an upper end of the rear wallet wall (6) to an upper end of the front wallet wall (5). The lower wallet wall (8) is opposite to the upper wallet wall (7), and connects a lower end of the rear wallet wall (6) to a lower end of the front wallet wall (5). The first wallet side wall (9) is between the upper wallet wall (7) and the lower wallet wall (8), and connects a first side end of the rear wallet wall (6) to a first side end of the front wallet wall (5). The second wallet side wall (10) is between the upper wallet wall (7) and the lower wallet wall (8), and connects a second side end of the rear wallet wall (6) to a second side end of the front wallet wall (5). A wallet pocket (11) configured to hold a card is formed by the front wallet wall (5), the rear wallet wall (6), the upper wallet wall (7), the lower wallet wall (8), and the second wallet side wall (10). A first wallet opening (12) is formed in the first wallet side wall (9), and is configured to accept insertion of the card into the wallet pocket (11). An elastomeric wheel (13) is arranged inside the wallet pocket (11).
In another embodiment, the wallet kit (1) further includes an axle (14) around which the elastomeric wheel (13) is arranged.
In yet another embodiment, the housing (4) further has an axle opening (27) configured to accept insertion of the axle (14) with the elastomeric wheel (13) there-around into the wallet pocket (11).
In a further embodiment, wherein the housing (4) further has a second wallet opening (15) formed in the front wall (5) which allows access to a card when arranged in the wallet pocket (11), the second opening (15) being different from the first wallet opening (12).
In yet a further embodiment, the first wallet opening (12) is also formed the front wall (5) so that the front wall (5) has a shape like an hourglass as a result of the first and second wallet openings (12, 15).
In another embodiment, the housing (4) includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of hardened plastic materials, rigid or semi-rigid plastic materials, rigid rubber materials, polycarbonate materials, para-aramid materials, wood, and combinations thereof.
In yet another embodiment, the wallet kit (1) further includes a holder (3) that has a front side (16) configured to attach to the wallet (2), and a rear side (17) opposite to the front side (16) configured to attach to a rear of the mobile electronic device or a mobile electronic device case.
In a further embodiment, the holder (3) further has a holder pocket (22) configured to accept the wallet (2).
In yet a further embodiment, the holder (3) further has an attachment mechanism (23, 24) configured to securely attach the wallet (2) to the holder (3).
In another embodiment, the housing (4) of the wallet (2) has a first attachment recess or opening (28). The attachment mechanism (23, 24) includes a first protrusion (23, 24) configured to fit into and be accepted by the first attachment recess or opening (28) when the wallet (2) is arranged in the holder pocket (22) with the rear wallet wall (6) located between the holder (3) and the front wallet wall (5).
In yet another embodiment, the housing (4) of the wallet (2) has a second attachment recess or opening (29). The attachment mechanism (23, 24) further includes a second protrusion (23, 24) configured to fit into and be accepted by the second attachment recess or opening (29) when the wallet (2) is arranged in the holder pocket (22) with the rear wallet wall (6) located between the holder (3) and the front wallet wall (5).
In a further embodiment, the housing (4) of the wallet (2) has a third attachment recess or opening (30). The attachment mechanism (23, 24) includes a first protrusion (23, 24) configured to fit into and be accepted by the third attachment recess or opening (30) when the wallet (2) is arranged in the holder pocket (22) with the front wallet wall (5) located between the holder (3) and the rear wallet wall (6).
In yet a further embodiment, the housing (4) of the wallet (2) has a fourth attachment recess or opening (31). The attachment mechanism (23, 24) further includes a second protrusion (23, 24) configured to fit into and be accepted by the fourth attachment recess or opening (29) when the wallet (2) is arranged in the holder pocket (22) with the front wallet wall (5) located between the holder (3) and the rear wallet wall (6).
In another embodiment, the holder (3) further has: a rear holder wall (32); an upper holder wall (18) that extends from an upper end of the rear holder wall (32); a lower holder wall (19) that is opposite to the upper holder wall (18), and which extends from a lower end of the rear holder wall (32); a first holder side wall (20) that is between the upper holder wall (18) and the lower holder wall (19), and which extends from the rear holder wall (32); and a second holder side wall (21) that is between the upper holder wall (18) and the lower holder wall (19), and which extends from the rear holder wall (32). The holder pocket (22) is formed by the rear holder wall (32), the upper holder wall (18), the lower holder wall (19), the first holder side wall (20), and the second holder side wall (21).
In yet another embodiment, the first protrusion (23, 24) extends from the upper end of the rear holder wall (32), the first protrusion being separate from the upper holder wall (18) and arranged between a first part (18 a) of the upper holder wall (18) and a second part (18 b) of the upper holder wall (18).
In a further embodiment, the first protrusion (23, 24) extends from the lower holder wall (19), the first protrusion being part of the lower holder wall (19).
In yet a further embodiment, a first holder opening (25) is formed in the first holder side wall (20), the first holder opening (25) corresponding to and aligning with the first wallet opening (12) or the second wallet opening (15) when the wallet (2) is arranged in the holder pocket (22).
In another embodiment, a second holder opening (26) is formed in the second holder side wall (21), the second holder opening (26) corresponding to and aligning with the first wallet opening (12) or the second wallet opening (15) when the wallet (2) is arranged in the holder pocket (22).
In yet another embodiment, there is provided a wallet kit (1) for a mobile electronic device or a mobile electronic device case. The wallet kit (1) includes a wallet (2) and a holder (3). The wallet (2) includes a housing (4) that has a front wallet wall (5), a rear wallet wall (6), an upper wallet wall (7), a lower wallet wall (8), a first wallet side wall (9), and a second wallet side wall (10). The rear wallet wall (6) is opposite to the front wallet wall (5). The upper wallet wall (7) connects an upper end of the rear wallet wall (6) to an upper end of the front wallet wall (5). The lower wallet wall (8) is opposite to the upper wallet wall (7), and connects a lower end of the rear wallet wall (6) to a lower end of the front wallet wall (5). The first wallet side wall (9) is between the upper wallet wall (7) and the lower wallet wall (8), and connects a first side end of the rear wallet wall (6) to a first side end of the front wallet wall (5). The second wallet side wall (10) is between the upper wallet wall (7) and the lower wallet wall (8), and connects a second side end of the rear wallet wall (6) to a second side end of the front wallet wall (5). A wallet pocket (11) configured to hold a card is formed by the front wallet wall (5), the rear wallet wall (6), the upper wallet wall (7), the lower wallet wall (8), and the second wallet side wall (10). A first wallet opening (12) is formed in the first wallet side wall (9), and is configured to accept insertion of the card into the wallet pocket (11). The holder (3) has a front side (16) configured to removably attach to the wallet (2), and a rear side (17) opposite to the front side (16) and configured to attach to a rear of the mobile electronic device or the mobile electronic device case.
In a further embodiment, the housing (4) of the wallet (2) has a first attachment recess or opening (28). The holder (3) further has an attachment mechanism (23, 24) configured to securely attach the wallet (2) to the holder (3). The attachment mechanism (23, 24) includes a first protrusion (23, 24) configured to fit into and be accepted by the first attachment recess or opening (28) when the wallet (2) is arranged in the holder pocket (22) with the rear wallet wall (6) located between the holder (3) and the front wallet wall (5).
It is noted that the features of the above-described embodiments are not exclusive to each other, and that any one of the above embodiments/features can be combined with one or more of the other embodiments/features to arrive at further embodiments.
The inventive case can be designed to fit a variety of mobile devices—such as smartphones and other portable electronic devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the wallet kit (1) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with the wallet (2) detached from the holder (3).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wallet (2) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the wallet (2) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the wallet (2) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the wallet (2) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the wallet (2) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the wallet (2) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the wallet (2) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the holder (3) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the holder (3) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the holder (3) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a left side view of the holder (3) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a right side view of the holder (3) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the holder (3) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the holder (3) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the wallet kit (1) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with the wallet (2) connected to the holder (3) in a first orientation.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the wallet kit (1) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with the wallet (2) connected to the holder (3) in a third orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements which are conventional in this art. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable for implementing the present invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein.
The present invention will now be described in detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments. It is noted that any numerical ranges disclosed herein are included to individually disclose every sub-range and number, both whole integer and partial fraction, within the disclosed range. For example, a disclosed range of 1-100 is intended to individually disclose 20-90, 40-80, 30.5-50.2, 20, 67.3, 84.512924, and every other range and number that falls within the recited range.
The wallet 2 is formed by a housing 4 that has a front wallet wall 5 a rear wallet wall 6, an upper wallet wall 7, a lower wallet wall 8, a first wallet side wall 9, a second wallet side wall 10.
The upper wallet wall 7 connects an upper end of the rear wallet wall 6 to an upper end of the front wallet wall 5. The lower wallet wall 8 is opposite to the upper wallet wall 7, and connects a lower end of the rear wallet wall 6 to a lower end of the front wallet wall 5. The first wallet side wall 9 is between the upper wallet wall 7 and the lower wallet wall 8, and connects a first side end of the rear wallet wall 6 to a first side end of the front wallet wall 5. The second wallet side wall 10 is between the upper wallet wall 7 and the lower wallet wall 8, and connects a second side end of the rear wallet wall 6 to a second side end of the front wallet wall 5.
The front, rear, upper, lower, and second wallet side walls (5, 6, 7, 8, 10) form a wallet pocket 11 that is configured to hold a card, such as an electronic payment card, credit card, debit card, personal ID card, driver license, RFID card, electronic access card, and the like. A first wallet opening 12 is formed in the first wallet side wall 9, and is configured to accept insertion of the card into the wallet pocket 11.
The housing 4 is preferably formed from a rigid or hard material to create a rigid/hard shell which provides at least some impact protection as well as protection from being punctured by impacts with sharp objects. Examples of suitable hard/rigid materials include hardened plastic material, a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, a rigid/hard rubber material, a polycarbonate material, a para-aramid material, wood, and any combination thereof, and may be any color or texture. Preferred materials include thermosetting plastics with a hard durometer having shore 30 D to shore 100 D, polycarbonate, poly(methyl methacrylate) (“PMMA”), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), PMMA, polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”), high durometer thermoplastic elastomers (“TPEs”) and thermoplastic polyurethanes (“TPUs”) having shore 30 D to shore 100 D, and any combination thereof. Preferably, the hard/rigid material of the housing 4 is nonelastomeric. The hard protective shell may be designed to mimic the finish of existing mobile electronic devices, such as phones, MP3/4 players, tablets, laptops, and other mobile electronic devices. Many users like the feel of the original phone and would like to maintain that feel. Alternatively, the exterior of the housing 4 could be formed with a textured surface to make it easier to grip and hold the wallet 2.
The housing 4 may also include or be formed from at least one RF-shielding material that blocks, shields, or substantially interferes with RF (radio frequency) and/or RFID (radio-frequency identification) signals. Examples of suitable RF-shielding materials include metals (e.g, copper, nickle, a ferrous metal, ferrous sheet metal, steel plate, metal foils, and the like), a galvanized sheet metal plate, a sheet metal plate having a thickness of between 0.25 and 0.75 mm, and ferromagnetic materials.
Preferably the housing 4 is a single monobody unit formed, preferably molded, from a single piece of material. Alternatively, the housing 4 may be formed from two pieces of material that are bonded together, such as by ultrasonic welding or co-molding.
An elastomeric wheel 13 around an axle 14 is arranged inside the wallet pocket 11. In one embodiment, the elastomeric wheel 13 and axle 14 are inserted into the wallet pocket 11 through an axle opening 27 formed in the housing 4. The elastomeric wheel 13 is arranged in the wallet pocket 11 at a distance from the upper wallet wall 7 that is slightly less than the length dimension of the card to be arranged in the wallet pocket 11. In this way, the elastomeric wheel 13 deforms when the card is inserted into the wallet pocket 11 so as to apply pressure or force to the card to bias the card against the upper wallet wall 7. This biasing force securely retains the card in the wallet pocket 11 and prevents the card from accidentally falling out.
The elastomeric wheel 13 is preferably formed from a soft elastomeric material. Examples of suitable materials include thermoplastic elastomers (“TPEs”), thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”), polyolefins, silicone, rubber, and any combination thereof.
The axle 14 is preferably formed from any of the rigid or hard materials listed above for the wallet 2, or any combination thereof.
The housing 4 also has a second wallet opening 15 formed in the front wall 5 which allows access to a card when arranged in the wallet pocket 11. This second wallet opening 15 can be used as a thumb or finger hole by a user to assist in removing objects inside the wallet pocket 11 via the first wallet opening 12.
In the embodiment in the drawings, the first wallet opening 12 is also formed the front wall 5 so that the front wall 5 has a shape like an hourglass as a result of the first and second wallet openings 12, 15.
The wallet 2 may be configured to attach directly to a mobile electronic device or mobile electronic device case, such as by an adhesive or adhesive strip arranged on the rear wallet wall 6. Preferably though, the wallet 2 does not include any adhesive or adhesive strip, but instead attaches to the electronic device or case via a holder 3, as will be described below.
Alternatively, the wallet 2 may be part of a wallet kit 1 that additionally includes a holder 3 for holding the wallet 2 to a mobile electronic device or mobile electronic device case, thereby eliminating the need for an adhesive or adhesive strip arranged on the rear wallet wall 6. The holder 3 has a front side 16 and a rear side 17. The front side 16 is configured to attach to the wallet 2. The rear side 17 is configured to attach to a rear of the mobile electronic device or a mobile electronic device case, such as by an adhesive or adhesive strip arranged on the rear side 17. The holder 3 has a holder pocket 22 configured to accept the wallet 2.
In one embodiment, the holder 3 can be part of and integral with a case for a mobile electronic device. This would eliminate the need for an adhesive or adhesive strip arranged on the rear side 17 of the holder 3. In all other respects, the integral holder 3 would be similar to and have the same components of the separate adhesively attachable holder 3.
An attachment mechanism (23, 24) is configured to securely attach the wallet 2 to the holder 3. For example, the housing 4 of the wallet 2 may have a first attachment recess or opening 28, and the attachment mechanism (23, 24) may include a first protrusion 23 configured to fit into and be accepted by the first attachment recess or opening 28 when the wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22 with the rear wallet wall 6 located between the holder 3 and the front wallet wall 5.
The housing 4 of the wallet 2 may also have a second attachment recess or opening 29. The attachment mechanism (23, 24) may than further include a second protrusion 24 configured to fit into and be accepted by the second attachment recess or opening 29 when the wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22 with the rear wallet wall 6 located between the holder 3 and the front wallet wall 5.
Preferably the first and second protrusions 23, 24 are formed symmetrically, as are the first and second attachment recesses or openings 28, 29. In this way, the wallet 2 can be secured inside the holder pocket 22 with either the first protrusion 23 arranged in the first attachment recess or opening 28 and the second protrusion 24 arranged in the second attachment recess or opening 29, or the first protrusion 23 arranged in the second attachment recess or opening 29 and the second protrusion 24 arranged in the first attachment recess or opening 28. This allows the wallet 2 to be held by the holder 3 in at least two different orientations.
The housing 4 of the wallet 2 may also have a third attachment recess or opening 30. The first protrusion 23 of the attachment mechanism (23, 24) may then be configured to fit into and be accepted by the third attachment recess or opening 30 when the wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22 with the front wallet wall 5 located between the holder 3 and the rear wallet wall 6.
And the housing 4 of the wallet 2 may also have a fourth attachment recess or opening 31. The second protrusion 24 of the attachment mechanism (23, 24) may then be configured to fit into and be accepted by the fourth attachment recess or opening 29 when the wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22 with the front wallet wall 5 located between the holder 3 and the rear wallet wall 6.
Preferably the first and second protrusions 23, 24 are formed symmetrically, as are the third and fourth attachment recesses or openings 30, 31. In this way, the wallet 2 can be secured inside the holder pocket 22 with either the first protrusion 23 arranged in the third attachment recess or opening 30 and the second protrusion 24 arranged in the fourth attachment recess or opening 31, or the first protrusion 23 arranged in the fourth attachment recess or opening 31 and the second protrusion 24 arranged in the third attachment recess or opening 30. This allows the wallet 2 to be held by the holder 3 in an additional two different orientations. In this way, the wallet 2 may be held by the holder 3 in four different orientations.
When the wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22 in either of the first or second orientations with the rear wallet wall 6 located between the holder 3 and the front wallet wall 5 (FIG. 16), the portion of the first wallet opening 12 formed in the front wallet wall 5 and the second wallet opening 15 are able to be accessed by a user so that one or more cards can be inserted into and removed from the wallet pocket 11.
On the other hand, when the wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22 in either of the third or fourth orientations with the front wallet wall 5 located between the holder 3 and the rear wallet wall 6 (FIG. 17), then the portion of the first wallet opening 12 formed in the front wallet wall 5 and the second wallet opening 15 are covered by the rear wallet wall 6.
While a user may be able to insert cards into the wallet pocket 11 when the wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22 in either of the third or fourth orientations (FIG. 17), such a user cannot access any of the cards arranged in the wallet pocket 11 to remove them without first detaching the wallet 2 from the holder 3. This prevents cards from being accidentally removed from the wallet pocket 11 or easily removed from the wallet pocket 11 by a thief. This also allows for visual security, fully covering the cards and allowing for the user to feel more safe in public.
The holder 3 further has a rear holder wall 32. An upper holder wall 18 extends from an upper end of the rear holder wall 32. A lower holder wall 19 is opposite to the upper holder wall 18, and extends from a lower end of the rear holder wall 32. A first holder side wall 20 is arranged between the upper holder wall 18 and the lower holder wall 19, and extends from the rear holder wall 32. A second holder side wall 21 is arranged between the upper holder wall 18 and the lower holder wall 19, and extends from the rear holder wall 32. The holder pocket 22 is formed by the rear holder wall 32, the upper holder wall 18, the lower holder wall 19, the first holder side wall 20, and the second holder side wall 21.
While the embodiments of the drawings show the rear holder wall 32 as a solid wall, the rear holder wall 32 may alternatively include an opening or window to expose the rear side of the case or mobile electronic device to assist in wireless electrical charging.
Preferably the first protrusion 23 extends from the upper end of the rear holder wall 32, and is separate from the upper holder wall 18 and arranged between a first part 18 a of the upper holder wall 18 and a second part 18 b of the upper holder wall 18. This allows the first protrusion 23 to be a flexible protrusion that bends or rotates, with respect to the rear holder wall 32, away from the upper holder wall 18. This flexible protrusion 23 makes it easier to connect the wallet 2 to the holder 3 and to remove the wallet 2 from the holder 3.
The second protrusion 24 may extend from the lower holder wall 19, the first protrusion being part of and integral to the lower holder wall 19. In this way the second protrusion 24 is an inflexible rigid protrusion that does not bend or rotate with respect to the rear holder wall 32 or the lower holder wall 19. This rigid protrusion 24 assists in securely connect the wallet 2 to the holder 3 so that the wallet 2 does not accidentally or unintentionally disconnect from the holder 3.
While the embodiments in the drawings show the first protrusion 23 as a flexible protrusion, the first protrusion 23 may instead be formed as a rigid protrusion. Similarly, while the embodiments in the drawings show the first protrusion 24 is an inflexible rigid protrusion, the first protrusion 23 may instead be formed as a flexible protrusion. As such, both the first and second protrusions 23, 24 may be formed as flexible protrusions, or both the first and second protrusion 23, 24 may be formed as rigid protrusions. Preferably, at least one of the first and second protrusion 23, 24 is a flexible protrusion to assist in attaching and removing the wallet 2 to and from the holder 3.
The holder 3 may also include a first holder opening 25 formed in the first holder side wall 20 to correspond to and align with the first wallet opening 12 when the wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22 in the first or fourth orientations, or the second wallet opening 15 when the wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22 in the second or third orientations.
And the holder 3 may additionally include a second holder opening 26 formed in the second holder side wall 21 to correspond to and align with second wallet opening 15 when the wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22 in the first or fourth orientations, or the first wallet opening 12 when the wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22 in the second or third orientations.
While the embodiments of the drawings show four attachment recesses or openings 28-31, the housing 4 may alternatively have only two attachment recesses or openings, each attachment recess or opening being formed in the center of the upper and lower wallet walls 7, 8 rather than offset therefrom. This would allow the wallet 2 to still be arranged in the four orientations described above, but with fewer recesses or openings that could potentially get clogged with debris when not in use.
The outside surface of the wallet 2 may be provided with a scratch resistant UV hardcoat, which resists scratches and prevents discoloration of the case due to UV exposure.
The outside surface of the wallet 2 may also have an antimicrobial material coated on one or more surfaces (e.g., one or more exterior surfaces of the wallet 2 facing away from the wallet pocket 11) or embedded within the housing 4.
Examples of antimicrobial materials include silver or silver alloy (e.g., silver sodium hydrogen zirconium phosphate), copper or copper alloy, organosilanes, quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., dimethyloctadecyl (3-trimethoxysilyl propyl) ammonium chloride, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, and didecyldimethylammonium chloride), chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine incorporated hydroxyapatite materials, chlorhexidine-containing polymers (e.g., chlorhexidine-containing polylactide), and antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin, cephalothin, carbenicillin, amoxicillin, cefamandol, tobramycin, vancomycin).
Examples of antimicrobial coatings include coatings containing one or more of the above antimicrobial materials, chlorhexidine-containing polylactide coatings on an anodized surface, and polymer and calcium phosphate coatings with chlorhexidine.
In addition, or alternatively, the housing 4 may include an antimicrobial surface treatment. For example, one or more surfaces (e.g., one or more exterior surfaces of the wallet 2 facing away from the wallet pocket 11) may be formed as or made to be a superhydrophobic surface—such as a low energy, generally rough surface on which water has a contact angle (i.e., the angle at which the liquid-vapor interface meets the solid-liquid interface) of >150°.
Forming the housing 4 with an antimicrobial material, antimicrobial coating, antimicrobial surface treatment, or any combination thereof helps to keep the outside of the wallet 2 clean and reduce/minimize the presence of microbes (e.g., bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.), thereby helping to prevent the hand-to-hand spread of related sicknesses, illnesses, or diseases.
The holder 3 may also be designed so that there are no gaps between the housing 4 of the wallet 2 and the surfaces of the holder 3 forming the holder pocket 22. This enables the holder 3 to have a very solid connection to the wallet 2.
The walls 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 18, 19, 20, 21, 32 of each of the housing 4 and holder 3 are preferably 0.5-4.0 mm thick. Preferably one or more of the walls is 0.6-3.0 mm thick. More preferably, one or more of the walls is 0.8-2.0 mm thick. Even more preferably, one or more of the walls is 0.9-1.3 mm thick.
The holder 3 may be formed from any of the rigid or hard materials listed above for the wallet 2, or any combination thereof. Preferably the holder 2 is not formed from and does not include any of the RF-shielding materials listed above so that the holder 3 does not interfere with wireless electrical charging of an electronic device connected to the holder 3. As such, it is preferably to form the holder 2 from a rigid or hard nonmetallic material that is RF-transparent such that RF transmissions can be transmitted through the holder 3. Examples of suitable nonmetallic RF-transparent hard/rigid materials include hardened plastic material, a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, a rigid/hard rubber material, a polycarbonate material, a para-aramid material, wood, glass, quartz, and any combination thereof, and may be any color or texture. Preferred materials include thermosetting plastics with a hard durometer having shore 30 D to shore 100 D, polycarbonate, poly(methyl methacrylate) (“PMMA”), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), PMMA, polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”), high durometer thermoplastic elastomers (“TPEs”) and thermoplastic polyurethanes (“TPUs”) having shore 30 D to shore 100 D, and any combination thereof. The holder 3 may be designed to mimic the finish of existing mobile devices, such as phones, MP3/4 players, tablets, laptops, electronic safety devices, and other mobile electronic devices. Many users like the feel of the original electronic device and would like to maintain that feel. The material used for the holder 3 preferably has a low coefficient of friction. This allows the electronic device attached to the holder 3 to be slipped in and out of pockets easily with little resistance and without gripping to clothing materials like elastomeric materials do.
It is noted that the terminology used above is for the purpose of reference only, and is not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “below”, “rightward”, “leftward”, “clockwise”, and “counterclockwise” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. As another example, terms such as “inward” and “outward” may refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the component described. As a further example, terms such as “front”, “rear”, “side”, “left side”, “right side”, “top”, “bottom”, “horizontal”, and “vertical” describe the orientation of portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such terminology will include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined in the following claims.
In addition, it is noted that citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such document is available as prior art to the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 wallet kit
2 wallet
3 holder
4 wallet housing
5 wallet front wall
6 wallet rear wall
7 wallet upper wall
8 wallet lower wall
9 wallet first side wall
10 wallet second side wall
11 wallet pocket
12 first opening in wallet
13 elastomeric wheel
14 axle
15 second opening in wallet
16 holder front side
17 holder rear side
18 holder upper wall
19 holder lower wall
20 holder first side wall
21 holder second side wall
22 holder pocket
23 flexible protrusion
24 rigid protrusion
25 first opening in holder
26 second opening in holder
27 axle opening
28 first attachment recess or opening
29 second attachment recess or opening
30 third attachment recess or opening
31 fourth attachment recess or opening
32 holder rear wall

Claims

1. A wallet kit for a mobile electronic device or a mobile electronic device case, the wallet kit comprising:

a wallet comprising:

a housing that has:

a front wallet wall;

a rear wallet wall opposite to the front wallet wall;

an upper wallet wall that connects an upper end of the rear wallet wall to an upper end of the front wallet wall;

a lower wallet wall that is opposite to the upper wallet wall, and which connects a lower end of the rear wallet wall to a lower end of the front wallet wall;

a first wallet side wall that is between the upper wallet wall and the lower wallet wall, and which connects a first side end of the rear wallet wall to a first side end of the front wallet wall;

a second wallet side wall that is between the upper wallet wall and the lower wallet wall, and which connects a second side end of the rear wallet wall to a second side end of the front wallet wall;

a wallet pocket that is formed by the front wallet, the rear wallet wall, the upper wallet wall, the lower wallet wall, and the second wallet side wall, the wallet pocket being configured to hold a card; and

a first wallet opening that is formed in the first wallet side wall, and which is configured to accept insertion of the card into the wallet pocket;

an elastomeric wheel arranged inside the wallet pocket.

2. The wallet kit according to claim 1, further comprising:

an axle around which the elastomeric wheel is arranged.

3. The wallet kit according to claim 2;

wherein the housing further has:

an axle opening configured to accept insertion of the axle with the elastomeric wheel there-around into the wallet pocket.

4. The wallet kit according to claim 1;

wherein the housing further has:

a second wallet opening formed in the front wall which allows access to a card when arranged in the wallet pocket, the second opening being different from the first wallet opening.

5. The wallet kit according to claim 4;

wherein the first wallet opening is also formed the front wall so that the front wall has a shape like an hourglass as a result of the first and second wallet openings.

6. The wallet kit according to claim 1;

wherein the housing comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of hardened plastic materials, rigid or semi-rigid plastic materials, rigid rubber materials, polycarbonate materials, para-aramid materials, wood, and combinations thereof.

7. The wallet kit according to claim 1, further comprising:

a holder that has:

a front side configured to removably attach to the wallet; and

a rear side opposite to the front side configured to attach to a rear of the mobile electronic device or the mobile electronic device case.

8. The wallet kit according to claim 7;

wherein the holder further has:

a holder pocket configured to accept the wallet.

9. The wallet kit according to claim 8;

wherein the holder further has:

an attachment mechanism configured to securely attach the wallet to the holder.

10. The wallet kit according to claim 9;

wherein the housing of the wallet has a first attachment recess or opening;

wherein the attachment mechanism comprises:

a first protrusion configured to fit into and be accepted by the first attachment recess or opening when the wallet is arranged in the holder pocket with the rear wallet wall located between the holder and the front wallet wall.

11. The wallet kit according to claim 10;

wherein the housing of the wallet has a second attachment recess or opening;

wherein the attachment mechanism further comprises:

a second protrusion configured to fit into and be accepted by the second attachment recess or opening when the wallet is arranged in the holder pocket with the rear wallet wall located between the holder and the front wallet wall.

12. The wallet kit (1) according to claim 9;

wherein the housing of the wallet has a third attachment recess or opening;

wherein the attachment mechanism comprises:

a first protrusion configured to fit into and be accepted by the third attachment recess or opening when the wallet is arranged in the holder pocket with the front wallet wall located between the holder and the rear wallet wall.

13. The wallet kit according to claim 12;

wherein the housing of the wallet has a fourth attachment recess or opening;

wherein the attachment mechanism further comprises:

a second protrusion configured to fit into and be accepted by the fourth attachment recess or opening when the wallet is arranged in the holder pocket with the front wallet wall located between the holder and the rear wallet wall.

14. The wallet kit according to claim 10;

wherein the holder further has:

a rear holder wall;

an upper holder wall that extends from an upper end of the rear holder wall;

a lower holder wall that is opposite to the upper holder wall, and which extends from a lower end of the rear holder wall;

a first holder side wall that is between the upper holder wall the lower holder wall, and which extends from the rear holder wall; and

a second holder side wall that is between the upper holder wall and the lower holder wall, and which extends from the rear holder wall; and

wherein the holder pocket is formed by the rear holder wall, the upper holder wall, the lower holder wall, the first holder side wall, and the second holder side wall.

15. The wallet kit according to claim 14;

wherein the first protrusion extends from the upper end of the rear holder wall, the first protrusion being separate from the upper holder wall and arranged between a first part of the upper holder wall and a second part of the upper holder wall.

16. The wallet kit according to claim 14;

wherein the first protrusion extends from the lower holder wall, the first protrusion being part of the lower holder wall.

17. The wallet kit according to claim 14;

wherein a first holder opening is formed in the first holder side wall, the first holder opening corresponding to and aligning with the first wallet opening or the second wallet opening when the wallet is arranged in the holder pocket.

18. The wallet kit according to claim 14;

wherein a second holder opening is formed in the second holder side wall, the second holder opening corresponding to and aligning with the first wallet opening or the second wallet opening when the wallet is arranged in the holder pocket.

19. A wallet kit for a mobile electronic device or a mobile electronic device case, the wallet kit comprising:

a wallet comprising:

a housing that has:

a front wallet wall;

a rear wallet wall opposite to the front wallet wall;

a wallet pocket that is formed by the front wallet wall, the rear wallet wall, the upper wallet wall, the lower wallet wall, and the second wallet side wall, the wallet pocket being configured to hold a card; and

a first wallet opening that is formed in the first wallet side wall, and which is configured to accept insertion of the card into the wallet pocket; and

a holder that has:

a front side configured to removably attach to the wallet; and

20. The wallet kit according to claim 19;

wherein the housing of the wallet has a first attachment recess or opening;

wherein the holder further has an attachment mechanism configured to securely attach the wallet to the holder, the attachment mechanism comprising: