WO2010122320A1

WO2010122320A1 - Document holder

Info

Publication number: WO2010122320A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/050314
Authority: WO
Inventors: Margaret Hiscoe-James; Frazer Mark William Hiscoe-James
Original assignee: Margaret Hiscoe-James; Frazer Mark William Hiscoe-James
Priority date: 2009-04-24
Filing date: 2010-02-24
Publication date: 2010-10-28
Also published as: GB201002805D0; GB2469711A

Abstract

The document holder comprises a first arm (2) having a first end (3) and second end (4), remote from the first end. The document holder also has a second arm (10) that again has a first end (11) and a second end (12). The first ends of the arms can be releasably secured so they can pivot relative to one another while there is a locking mechanism at the opposite ends of the arm for securing the two arms together.

Description

Document Holder

The present invention relates to a document holder and in particular but not exclusively to a document holder for documents such as passports.

Background to the Invention

It is known to hold a document in a pouch or in a wallet. The wallet can be attached to a lanyard and this is placed around a person's neck so there is a minimal risk of the document being lost.

There are many documents that discuss the use of lanyards which have a simple clip that attaches to a wallet type holder into which a document is placed, for example US 2004200236, US 2003160074 and US 2003233844. US 2005023316 discuss a document holder having a portion which can be coupled to a person and a compartment portion for receiving a document. The compartment is a simple envelope type compartment.

DE 202007011321 discloses a document holder where a retaining bracket is placed in the fold of an object such as a purse into which the document is to be secured. A retaining clip holds part of the object against the bracket by pressing the object against the bracket, for example using a folding spring clip.

However, in all of the arrangements discussed there is no means of securely locking a document in position so that the document is held securely and also which provides ready access to the document.

It is an object of the invention to provide a document holder that is compact and easy to use and which securely holds the document in position without the risk of the document falling out of the holder. Further, the invention allows for a document to be accessible at all times and also for the holder to be easily detachable from a securing strap.

Statement of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a document holder comprising at least first and second arms that are pivotally attached together by a connector that is towards a first end of the arms so that the arms can be moved between an open position and a closed position wherein the document holder also has a locking mechanism so that the arms can be releasably secured together when the arms are in a closed position.

Preferably a first of the arms has a channel along at least part of the length of said first arm which when the arms are in the closed position the first arm can receive a second of said arms.

Preferably the locking mechanism is positioned at a second end of the arms that is remote from the position where the arms are pivotally attached.

In a preferred arrangement the second of said arms has a grip region at the second end of the arms. The grip region allows for the second arm to be easily grasped so it can be moved in relation to the first arm.

It is preferred that the grip region is provided as an enlarged area and this provides a larger target area for gripping, which has a particular advantage if the document is being used by an elderly or infirm individual who may be less dextrous in gripping a smaller area.

Preferably the grip region includes ribbing. The ribbing also has the benefit that it provides a tactile surface that an individual can use to locate a particular end of the document holder. Such an arrangement is especially useful if an individual has the document holder in a bag or if it is under clothing where the holder is not readily visible. Also, if the user has poor eyesight, again it provides a reference point for that person to hold arms of the document holder at the correct locations for opening the document holder.

It is envisaged that the grip region has a detent extending from an underside of the grip region. The underside of the grip region is that portion of the grip region that is facing a hook which is used to hold the two arms together. Preferably the first arm has a receiving member positioned towards the second end of said first arm for receiving the detent.

The receiving member is provided as a slot into which the detent can be introduced. The slot is preferably formed of a resilient material which can hold the detent in the slot once in position.

In an alternative arrangement, the locking mechanism is provided as a projection on the first arm extending from the surface of an end of said first arm that is remote from the connector, which can engage with an aperture or recess on the second of said arms when received in the first arm.

It is preferred that when the second arm is in the channel of the first arm, the second arm can be moved relative to the first arm, while still in the channel so allowing the projection on the first arm to move into the aperture on the second arm.

It is envisaged that the connector is formed of a bar bridging a channel in the first arm and a hook on the second arm, such that when the first and second arms are connected the hook engages with the bar so allowing the first and second arms to pivot relative to one another.

Preferably the hook is a substantially U shaped hook with there being a space between the end of the hook and the first end of the second arm to allow the hook to be positioned over the bar and drawn towards the bar so the gape of the hook abuts against the bar.

Preferably the hook has at least one detent on the bend of the hook which can engage with an aperture in a rear wall of the first arm, so holding the second arm substantially at right angles to the first arm.

Preferably the first arm also includes a resilient clip extending from a side wall of said arm so the document holder can be attached to a pocket of a person carrying said document holder. It is envisaged however, that the lanyard may be attached to a dedicated attachment member on the document holder/clip. It is envisaged that the resilient clip can be attached to a lanyard so that the document holder can be attached to a person or luggage.

The document holder is compact and typically no bigger than a pen. The invention allows for the holder to be placed around the neck of an individual and the holder can be readily detached from a lanyard should documents need to be inspected. Also, the document holder allows for quick detachment of the holder from the document if required. It is envisaged that the document holder may also carry advertising material or it can be coloured to make it attractive and/or visible to individuals.

The invention is advantageous in that it allows for a document holder having a locking mechanism that can be securely locked when in a closed position thereby preventing detachment of the document from the holder, while allowing for quick release of the holder when required.

Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a document holder according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows an exploded side view where the connector is shown in details

Figure 3 shows a top view of the arms when attached to one another,

Figure 4 shows a side view of the first and second arms when secured; and

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the invention including an arm having a grip region. Description of Preferred Embodiments

A document holder according to a first embodiment is shown generally as 1 in Figure 1. The document holder comprises a first arm 2 having a first end 3 and second end 4, remote from the first end. The first end of the arm is wider than the rest of the arm. The arm has a side face 5, on which is positioned a clip 6 which is formed of a connecting piece 7, which extends outwardly from the face and then folds over forming an extension 8 that is substantially parallel to the face 5, with there being a gap between the face and the extension. The gap between the face of the arm and the extension allows for the document holder to be releasably secured to for example, a pocket where part of the pocket is slid between the face 6 and the extension 8. The second end of the arm has a projection 9 extending from its surface.

The document holder also has a second arm 10 that again has a first end 11 and a second end 12. The second end 12 is formed of a face which includes an aperture 13. The aperture 13 can receive the projection 9 of the first arm when arms 2 and 10 are brought together. The extension 9 on the first arm acts as a stop for the second arm. When the arms are brought together lip 14, which extends downwardly from the face of the second end abuts against the projection 9 so that the extension is seated below aperture 13. The arms slide relative to one another so that the projection 9 can then enter aperture 13 so the arms are held together. The sliding of the projection into the aperture provides a click lock type arrangement that signals to the user that the arms are secured together. This is of particular use to people who may be visually impaired or for individuals that have limited dexterity of the hands so the risk of the document not being secured in the holder is minimized. Also, by having a positive locking mechanism means that the documents are held securely in the document holder and cannot be detached from the holder unless there is a positive action to unlock the arms of the holder. The unlocking of the document holder involves sliding the second arm relative to the first arm in the longitudinal axis of the arms so the aperture 13 is withdrawn from being around projection 9. The arms can then be moved relative to one another as a result of the arms being able to pivot at a connector at the first end of the arms.

The first end 11 of the second arm is wider than the shank of the second arm. At the first end there is a U shaped hook 15, which has a curved portion or bend, with a relatively wide gape 16 that allows the hook to be hooked over a bar 19 (see Figure 2) forming part of the connector on the first arm. There is also a space 17 between the end of the hook and the first end of the arm 12, which allows the hook to be passed over the bar.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the first arm 2 has two side walls 20 and 21 which are held together by bar 19 which extends between the two walls. There is a channel 22 between the walls and the channel that can receive the second arm 10. It is envisaged that the bar is an extendible bar allowing side walls 20 and 21 to be moved away from or towards one another so that documents having thicker or thinner spines can be secured in the document holder.

The second arm has a hook 15 and the gape 16 is clearly shown and as there is a relatively wide gape it allows for the bend of the hook to be slotted under the bar 19 of the connector. The space 17 between the tip of the hook and the end 11 is at least the width of the bar 19 so that the bar can be aligned with the space and slid off the hook. To connect the arms, hook 15 is orientated so that the point of the hook is moved into the channel 22, with the shank of the arm 10 being in alignment with the length of the first arm 2. The point of the hook is slid over the bar until the hook is seated in the channel. The hook is then rotated through 90 degrees so the second arm is substantially at right angles to the first arm. The hook has a small detent 24 on the end of the hook which when the hook is rotated, it passes against the back of the channel and reaches a point when the arm is at right angles where the detent abuts against a wall of aperture 23 in the back of the channel. This abutting provides a stop for the arm 10 which holds the arm at an angle of substantially 90 degrees to the first arm so it is a position where a document can be positioned between the arms. Once positioned, the arm 10 can be pushed further so the hook rotates past aperture/stop 23 and is brought into a position where the second arm is seated in the channel 22 of the first arm 2. When the arm 10 is initially in contact with the arm 2, the end 12 will be distanced from end 4. However, because there is a long throat for the hook, the arm 10 can be pushed towards the face 4 so that projection 9 on arm 2 will move into aperture 13 on face 12 of arm 10, so locking the arms together. Figure 3 shows a view from above of the two arms that are joined together. The projection 9 is seated in aperture 13 of face 12. The channel 22 is shown and is remote from the locking mechanism formed by projection 9 and aperture 13. Also shown on a side face of arm 2 is clip 6. The channel allows the second arm to be moved relative to the first arm as the second arm slides within the channel 22 along the longitudinal axis of the arms. This movement allows for the projection 9 to be moved into and out from aperture 13 as the arms are locked and unlocked. It may be that there is a further locking mechanism separate from the document holder locking for example a strap or padlock if further security measures are required.

Figure 4 shows the second arm 10 seated in channel 22 of the first arm 2. The point of the hook 15 projected away from the rear of the channel 22.

Although the invention has particular applications to holding passports, it is envisaged that the holder can be used with any document having a fold or spine which can be positioned between the two arms. Documents that the holder could be used with include bus or train passes or tickets, fairground tickets, which need to be accessed often. Also the holder could be used with books, booklets, magazines or even books, where a person may want the documents to be secured to their person, for example if person was reading a book on a train and did not want the book to fall to the floor. The invention provides a document holder that can be secured to a person or object, thereby providing a security feature and also the holder allows for easy detachment of the holder from a document if required.

Figure 5 shows a document holder according to a second embodiment having first and second arms 2 and 10. The hook arrangement is essentially the same as that described for the first embodiment. And it allows for relative linear movement of the arms as well as pivotal movement.

The first arm has a side face, just like the arrangement of the first embodiment. The second arm includes a grip region 30 which is provided as an enlarged head at an end of the second arm. On the side of the enlarged head there is ribbing 40 which provides a further secure surface which an individual can use to grip the head. The ribbing may be on one or both sides of the grip region. At the other end of the first arm 2, there is an aperture 23 which like for the first embodiment interacts with the hook 15 on the second arm so that the arms can pivot relative to one another.

The first arm has at its end, remote from the end where the aperture 23 is situated, a receiving member 35. The receiving member is provided as a slot having a wider area towards the end of the slot. The projection or detent 35 on the underside of the grip region can be pushed into the slot. The sides of the slot are preferable made of a resilient material such as a rubber or semi-rigid or flexible plastic so that as the detent is pushed into the slot, the lips forming either side of the slot widen as the detent pushes against the sides and close behind the slot, to some degree once the detent has passed along the slot. Once the detent has travelled along the slot, there is a wider area in the slot into which the detent can sit and be held in position when the arms are in the closed position.

The invention is envisaged as covering all combinations of the features as described and aspects and embodiments discussed. It will be apparent that modifications and variations of the invention can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described.

Claims

1. A document holder comprising at least first and second arms that are pivotally attached together by a connector that is towards a first end of the arms so that the arms can be moved between an open position and a closed position wherein the document holder also has a locking mechanism so that the arms can be releasably secured together when the arms are in a closed position.

2. A document holder according to claim 1, wherein the first of the arms has a channel along at least part of the length of said first arm which when the arms are in the closed position can receive a second of said arms.

3. A document holder according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism is positioned at a second end of the arms that is remote from the position where the arms are pivotally attached.

4. A document holder according to claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism is provided by a projection extending from the surface of an end of said first arm that is remote from the connector, which can engage with an aperture or recess on the second of said arms when received in the first arm.

5. A document holder according to claim 4 wherein the when the second arm is in the channel of the first arm, the second arm can be moved relative to the first arm, while still in the channel so allowing the projection on the first arm to move into the aperture on the second arm

6. A document holder according to any claims 1 to 3 wherein the locking mechanism is provided as a projection on the second of the arms, which engages with a slot on the first of said arms.

7. A document holder according to claim 6, wherein the second of said arms has a grip region at the second end of the arms, with the projection extending from a lower surface of the grip region.

8. A document holder according to claim 7, wherein the grip region is provided as an enlarged area at an end of the second arm, remote from the where the arms are pivotally attached.

9. A document holder according to claim 8, wherein one or both sides of the grip region includes an area of ribbing.

10. A document holder according to any of claims 6 to 9 wherein the first arm has a receiving member positioned towards the second end of said first arm for receiving the projection.

11. A document holder according to claim 10, wherein the receiving member is provided as a slot into which the projection can be introduced.

12. A document holder according to claim 11, wherein sides of the slot are formed of a resilient material which can hold the projection in the slot once in position.

13. A document holder according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector is formed of a bar bridging a channel in the first arm and a hook on the second arm, such that when the first and second arms are connected the hook engages with the bar so allowing the first and second arms to pivot relative to one another.

14. A document holder according to claim 14, wherein the hook is a substantially U shaped hook with there being a space between the end of the hook and the first end of the second arm to allow the hook to be positioned over the bar and drawn towards the bar so the gape of the hook abuts against the bar.

15. A document holder according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the hook has at least one detent on the bend of the hook which can engage with an aperture a rear wall of the first arm, so holding the second arm substantially at right angles to the first arm.

16. A document holder according to any preceding claim wherein the first arm also includes a resilient clip extending from a side wall of said arm so the document holder can be attached to a pocket of a person carrying said document holder.

17. A document holder according to any preceding claim wherein the resilient clip can be attached to a lanyard so that the document holder can be attached to a person or luggage.

18. A document holder substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrams.