US2881818A - Multi-compartment bill fold - Google Patents

Description

April 14, 1959 H. LATHROP MULTI-CCMPARTMENT BILL FOLD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 11, 1958 8m. Ow T@ mm WM vr .n Y A April 14, 1959 H. LATHROP MULTI--COMPARTMENT BILL FOLD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 11, 1958 United tates Patent f MULTI-COMPARTMENT BILL FOLD Harvey Lathrop, Forest Hills, N.Y.

Application March 11, 1958, Serial No. 720,643

Claims. (Cl. 150--38) This invention relates generally to wallets and similar containers, and hasparticular reference to bill folds.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved bill fold construction in which there are a plurality of separate compartments useful, for example, for the purpose of accommodating bills of different denominations in separated groups.

A more particular objective is to provide a multi-compartment bill fold of unique structural nature whereby two, three, four or even more separate bill compartments may be arranged in an unusually practical relationship without creating an unattractive bulkiness.

Another object is to provide an improved bill fold which will lend itself readily to fabrication of leather, plastic or other attractive and appropriate materials, and which is relatively compact and slim, and inexpensive to manufacture.

In accordance with this invention, the structure involves an inner core or skeleton composed of a plurality of rectangular panels arranged in divergent radiating relation to a common hinge axis, and outer walls secured thereto in a special manner. Each of the basic panels has a length about half of that of a bill compartment, whereby each pair of adjacent panels denes the inner wall of a full-length compartment. For each such inner wall there is an outer wall secured to it along one longitudinal and one end edge. When the bill fold is closed, the skeleton panels are folded together about the hinge axis as a pivot, and all but one of the outer walls fold upon themselves and lie in the spaces between the panels, the remaining outer wall lying on the outside of the device.

Other features of the construction, contributing to its simplicity, compactness, appearance, and utility will be pointed out hereinafter.

Two ways of achieving the objectives of the invention, and such other objects and advantages as may be pointed out, are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an exploded view of the elements entering into the construction of a bill fold of the improved character, in which there are four separate compartments;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through the assembled constructions;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional vieW along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bill fold in the folded condition approximating the completely compacted relationship of the parts;

Figures 5-8 inclusive are perspective views of the device of Figure 4 opened in various ways to make the four compartments successively available;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 4, illustrating a modified construction in which there are only two compartments;

Figure 10 is a view of the device of Figure 9, in opened condition;

Figure l1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view sirn- 2,881,818 Patented Apr. 14, 1959 ice ilar to Figure 2, showing the manner in which the invention is applicable to a bill fold in which there are three compartments.

The skeleton or core of the device illustrated in Figures 1-8 consists of four substantially rectangular panels 30, 31, 32, and 33 arranged in divergent relation to a common hinge axis 34 at which the inner end edges of the panels are joined together. This may be done in various ways, and in the illustrated construction the panels 30 and 33 are integral parts of a single piece of material (see Fig. 2) while the panels 31 and 32 are similarly parts of a single piece of material, these elements being stitched together along the line 34 by means of stitching 35.

Each of the panels has a length equal to approximately half the length of a bill compartment. Accordingly, each pair of adjacent panels defines the inner wall of a fulllength bill compartment. Each of these inner walls is associated with a full-length outer wall. Cooperating with panels 30 and 33 in this respect is the element 36. It is folded along the central transverse line 37 so that it may fit snugly within the angular space between the panels 30 and 33 when the device is folded into a closed condition. A similar outer wall element 38 is medially folded. as at 39 and lits into the angle between the panels 30 and 31. A similar outer wall element 40 cooperates in the same fashion with the panels 31 and 32, and a fourth outer wall element 41 fits into the angle between the panels 32 and 33.

Each of the outer walls is secured to the corresponding inner wall along only one longitudinal edge and one end edge. The longitudinal edges that are stitched together are all in alignment and lie along one side edge of the device. More particularly, it is the longitudinal edge 42 of the element 36 which is secured to the longitudinal edges 43 and 44 of the panels 30 and 33 respectively. Similarly, it is the longitudinal edge 45 of the element 38 which is stitched to the longitudinal edges 43 and 46 of the panels 30 and 31 respectively. The longitudinal edge 47 of the element 40 is also stitched to the longitudinal edge 46 of the panel 31, as well as to the longitudinal edge 48 of the panel 32; and the longitudinal edge 49 of the element 41 is stitched to the longitudinal edges 44 and 48 of the panels 33 and 32 respectively.

To facilitate the folding and unfolding of the device along the central hinge axis, all the `secured longitudinal edges are provided with a cut-away recess at the center of each. These recesses are indicated by the reference numeral 50.

As stated, each of the outer walls is also secured to its corresponding inner wall along one end edge. This is done in pin-wheel fashion, so that each Isecured end edge of each outer wall lies at the open end of the next adjacent compartment. Thus, the end edge 51 of the element 36 is stitched to the outer end edge of the panel 33; the end edge 52 of the element 38 is stitched to the outer end edge of the panel 30; the end edge 53 of the element 40 is stitched to the outer end edge of the panel 31; and the end edge 54 of the element 41 is stitched to the outer end edge of the panel 32. The opposite end edge of each outer wall is left free or substantially free of connection with the underlying end edge of the basic panel. Thus, the end edge 55 of the element 36 is left free or substantially free of connection to the end edge 56 of the underlying panel 30, and so on.

It is advantageous to cut away each free corner of each outer wall, to reveal the corresponding part of the interior of the compartment it covers. Thus, the free corner of the cover element 36 is cut away as indicated at 57, the corresponding free corner of the cover element 38 is cut away as indicated at 58, the free corner of the cover element 40 is cut away as shown at 59,

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3 and the free corner of the cover element 41 is cut away 'at 60.

After the parts have been stitched together, the rela tionship is of a ,character best indicated in Figures 2 and 'A3, -Between the vouter wall element 36 and the underlying panels 30 and 33 there is a full-length bill compartment 61. Similarly, between the outer wall 38 and the underlying inner wall defined by the panels 30 and 31 there is a full-length bill compartment 62; between the outer wall 40 and the underlying panels 31 and 32 there is a full-length bill compartment 63; and between the outer wall 41 and the underlying panels 32 and 33 there is a full-length bill compartment 64.

The unique characteristics of the device will be apparent fronran inspection of Figures 4 8. Let it be assumed that'the compartrnents 61564 -are to be used to accommodate bills having the denominations one, five, tenl and twenty respectively. Under these f""illnstanlces it might be advisable in practice to irnpint'these denominations upon the panels 30-33 res'pectively,' in the corners that are exposed. The device then is folded into the condition shown in Figure 4 when it is not in use and is to be carried in the pocket. To facilitate this folding the material of which the wallet or bill fold is made may be pre-creased during manufacture along the central hinge line.

In the condition of Figure 4, it will be apparent that the four open corners of the compartments lie one behind the other in convenient array. The outer wall 36 lies on the exterior of the device. If the user now wishes toY withdraw bills from the compartment 61, he flips the device into the .condition of Figure 5 whereby the compartment 61 is extended and is in a readily accessible uppermost position. During the withdrawal of bills from'this compartment, or the replacement of bills into it, the other compartments are inconspicuously held in a closed and concealed position by the lingers of the hand in which the bill fold is held.

The same relationship of the parts can be created if access is to be had to the next adjacent compartment 62. However, the simplest manipulation in adjusting the bill fold from the condition of Figure 5 to that of Figure 6 is to reverse the bill Vfold in its entirety, thereby `bringing the compartment 62 to the top in an extended condition. Here again, the other compartments are held closed and concealedA by the user, as bills are withdrawn from or inserted into the compartment 62.

T ogadjust the parts from the, condition` of Figure 6 to that of Figlnje 7, thereby making accessible the compartmentv designated 6 3, it, is' a simple matter to flip the upper half of compartment 62 downwardly. This brings the outer wall 40 to the top as shown in Figure 7,` and the other compartments-are held in closed and concealedv positions.

A further adjustment from the condition of Figure 7 to Figure 8 can be easily achieved by flipping the upper part of compartment 63 downwardly, this bringing the outer wall 41 to the top and making the compartment 64 readily accessible. The arrangement of the parts in Figure 8 is similar to that of Figure 5, except that compartment 64 is uppermost in Figure 8, whereas compartment 61 is uppermost in Figure 5.

The manipulations, needed to readjust the device into completely closed condition will Vbe obviousffrom this deseription.

`In Figure's19 and -lO I have-indicated the applicability of the invention to a bill fold inl which there are only two compartments; andv in Figure 11 I have indicated the manner `Vin which the invention may be applied to a. bill fold having three compartments.

--The--basicf-core'or skeleton inV Figures 9V and 10 is composedof therecta'ngular panels-65 and 66 joined togathery at their 'inner edgesV along the'hinge line;67. -On

one; face 'o'fithfe device therefisanouter wall 68y securedalong its longitudinal edge 6,9, as by AStitching 70, to the corresponding longitudinal side edges of the panels 65, 66. The outer wall 68 is also secured to the free end edge of the panel 66, as by stitching 71. The free corner of the wall 68 is cut away as at 72. There is thus defined a compartment 73. Similarly arranged on the opposite face of the device is an outer wall 74, secured at one end edge to the free end edge of the panel 65, as by stitching 75, and secured to both the panels 65 and 66 along the longitudinal edge that is aligned with the stitching 70. The free corner of the wall 74 is cut away as at 76. This defines a second bill compartment 77 beneath the outer wall 74.

When the device is folded into the condition of Figure 9, the open corners of the compartment are arranged one behind the other, and it is a relatively simple matter to slip the device into the extended condition shown in Figure 10, with either the compartment 73 or the compartment 77 uppermost and accessible.

In Figure l1 I have indicated an association of parts in which the basic skeleton consists of the three panels 78, 79 and 80, held together by any convenient means such as the stitching shown at 81. An outer wall 82 is secured to the skeleton core to cooperate with the panels 79 and 80 in defining a bill compartment S3. Another outer wall 84 is associated with the device to cooperate with the underlying panels 78 and 79 in defining a second bill compartment 85. A third outer Wall 86 is arranged over the panels 78 and 80 to define a third bill 'compartment 87.

Additional views of the device indicated in Figure ll are believed to be unnecessary, in view of the description and drawings directed tothe four-compartment and the two-compartment constructions. Except for the fact that the skeleton in Figure ll is composed of three panels arranged in divergent relation to a common hinge axis, the mode of assembly and use of the device is the same.

Obviously the invention may be embodied in a 'bill fold in which there are more than four bill compartments. The device may be composed of any desired material, such as plastic or leather, and although stitching has been indicated in the drawings and referred to in the specication, the parts may be held together in other ways if desired.

In general it will be understood that the details herein described and illustrated are in many respects illustrative and that those skilled in the art may make changes in these Adetails without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What `is claimed is:

1. In a multi-compartment bill fold, a plurality of rectangular panels arranged in divergent relation to a common hinge axis at which the inner end edges of the panels are joined together, each panel from hinge axis outward being half the length of a bill compartment whereby each pair of adjacent panels defines the inner wall of a full-length bill compartment, and a full-length outer wall for each of said inner Iwalls and secured to the latter along 'one longitudinal and one end edge, all the-secured longitudinal edges being in alignment, the secured end edge of each outer wall being at the open end of` the nextV adjacent compartment.

2. In a multi-compartment bill fold, a plurality of at least three rectangular panels arranged in divergent relation to a common hinge axis at which the inner end edges of the panels are joined together, each panel from hinge axis' outward being half the length of a bill compartment whereby each pair of adjacent panels defines the inner wall of a full-length bill compartment, and a full-length outer wall lfor each of said inner walls.

3. In a multi-compartment bill fold, the structure defined in claim 2, in which each outer wall is Secured to its inner wall along one longitudinal edge and'one end edge, allt-he secured, longitudinal. edges kbeing in .alignu ment and the secured end edge of each outer wall being at the open end of the next adjacent compartment.

4. In a multi-compartment bill fold, a plurality of at least three rectangular panels arranged in divergent relation to a common hinge axis at which the inner end edges of the panels are joined together, each panel from hinge axis outward being half the length of a bill compartment whereby each pair of adjacent panels defines the inner wall of a full-length bill compartment, and a full-length outer wall for each of said inner walls, each outer wall being secured to its inner wall along one longitudinal edge and one end edge, all secured longitudinal edges t being in alignment and having a cut-away recess at the center of each.

5. In a multi-compartment bill fold, the structure dened in claim 4, the secured end edge of each outer wall being at the open end of the next adjacent compartment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,749,020 Curry Mar. 4, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS 18,026 Great Britain Dec. 24, 1915

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