US20060144883A1

US20060144883A1 - Wearable wallet for motorcyclists

Info

Publication number: US20060144883A1
Application number: US11/030,474
Authority: US
Inventors: Alexander Kouloulias
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-05
Filing date: 2005-01-05
Publication date: 2006-07-06

Abstract

A wallet configured to be worn on the arm of a motorcyclist comprising a base, an inner pocket, an outer pocket, and at least one strap member connected to the base for removably and adjustably securing the wallet while being worn. A portion of the edges of the inner pocket are removably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the base and a portion of the edges of the inner pocket are fixably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the base. A portion of the edges of the outer pocket are removably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the inner pocket and a portion of the edges of the outer pocket are fixably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the inner pocket.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a wearable wallet for motorcyclist, and more particularly to wallet configured to be worn on the arm of motorcyclists when riding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When riding, motorcyclists often wear thick protective clothing, such as heavy leather or nylon/Kevlar jackets, pants and gloves. While such clothing is beneficial for the motorcyclists' safety, the clothing is cumbersome. This is especially problematic when the motorcyclist encounters a bridge toll, parking meter, fast food restaurants, and the like, where easy access to cash and other items in the motorcyclist's wallet is important. The items needed for easy access include cash, driver's license, pink slip, proof of insurance, credit cards, keys, and the like. Retrieving these items from the motorcyclist's wallet or pockets is difficult when wearing protective clothing.
Presently, motorcyclists typically store their money and other important ready-access items inside of riding gloves, pockets in pants and inner and outer pockets of jackets. However, it is difficult to retrieve money and these other items when on the go.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention provides a wallet configured to be worn on the arm of a motorcyclist comprising a base, an inner pocket, an outer pocket, and at least one strap member connected to the base for removably and adjustably securing the wallet while being worn. A portion of the edges of the inner pocket are removably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the base and a portion of the edges of the inner pocket are fixably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the base. A portion of the edges of the outer pocket are removably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the inner pocket and a portion of the edges of the outer pocket are fixably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the inner pocket.
Additionally, the inner and outer pockets are removably fastened with a hook and loop fastener mechanism. In an alternate embodiment, zippers are used.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the strap member includes two elongated members and a mechanism for removably fastening the distal ends of the elongated members to each other. The proximal ends of the elongated members are connected to the base. The proximal ends may be connected by a hook and loop mechanism. Additionally, elastic portions may be included in the elongated members to enhance the fit around the arm. In alternate embodiments, the distal ends may be connected by a buckle, a clip, or ringlets.
The present invention has other objects and advantages which are set forth in the description of the Detailed Description of the Invention. The features and advantages described in the specification, however, are not all inclusive, and particularly, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings and specification herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of the wearable wallet of the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the components of the wearable wallet of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 a is a depiction of a motorcyclist wearing the wallet of FIG. 1 configured to be worn on the left arm.
FIG. 3 b is a depiction of a motorcyclist wearing the wallet of FIG. 1 configured to be worn on the right arm.
FIG. 4 is a frontal view of an alternate embodiment of the wearable wallet.
FIG. 5 is a frontal view of another alternate embodiment of the wearable wallet.
FIG. 6 is a frontal view of another alternate embodiment of the wearable wallet.
FIG. 7 is a frontal view of an alternate embodiment of the pocket of the wearable wallet.
FIG. 8 is a frontal view of an alternate embodiment of the pocket of the wearable wallet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 depicts a wallet 10 configured to be worn on the arm of motorcyclists when riding. Wallet 10 facilitates easy retrieval of money and other items by the motorcyclist on demand when on the go. This eliminates the need for a traditional wallet, pouch or purse to carry money and additional items such as driver's license, pink slip, proof of insurance, and the like.
Wallet 10 includes inner pocket 12, outer pocket 14, inner pocket tab 16, outer pocket tab 18, base 20, top left strap 22, bottom left strap 24, top right strap 26, and bottom right strap 28. A hook and loop fastener mechanism, such as Velcro® made by Velcro USA Inc., is used to removably and adjustably secure straps 22, 24, 26, 28 around the arm of the motorcyclist. Top left strap 22 includes an elastic portion 30 and loop portion 32. Bottom left strap 24 includes an elastic portion 34 and loop portion 36. Top right strap 26 includes an elastic portion 38 and loop portion 40. Bottom right strap 28 includes an elastic portion 42 and loop portion 44.
Base 20 may be constructed of vinyl, leather, nylon, or any other suitable durable, water proof or resistant material. Preferably, the material of inner pocket 12 and out pocket 14 matches the material of base 20.
Inner pocket 12 is removably fastened to base 20 by hook and loop fastener strips 46 (matching loop strips 46 a and hook strips 46 b). Loop strips 46 a are fixed to the outward surface of base 20 and hook strips 46 b are fixed to the inward surface of inner pocket 12. Two of the four edges (fixed edges 48) of inner pocket 12 are permanently fastened to base 20, and the other two edges (removable edges 50) are removably fastened by inner fastener strips 46.
Outer pocket 14, which is smaller in height and width than inner pocket 12, is attached in like fashion to base 20 but over inner pocket 12. Two of the four edges (fixed edges 52) of outer pocket 14 are permanently fastened to base 20 and inner pocket 12. The other two edges (removable edges 54) are removably fastened by outer fastener strips 56 (loop strips 56 a and hook strips 56 b). Loop strips 56 a are fixed to the outward surface of inner pocket 12 and hook strips 56 b are fixed to the inward surface of outer pocket 14. Fixed edges 52 of outer pocket 14 are aligned with fixed edges 48 of inner pocket 12. Due to the difference in size between inner pocket 12 and outer pocket 14, removable edges 54 are offset from inner edges 50 of inner pocket 12.
Inner pocket 12 and outer pocket 14 are opened by pulling on inner tab 16 and outer tab 18, respectively. Inner tab 16 and outer tab 18, when a hook and loop fastener is used for removably fastening inner pocket 12 and outer pocket 14, assist in the opening and closing of inner pocket 12 and outer pocket 14. To facilitate grasping by the motorcyclist, inner tab 16 is on the corner of inner pocket 12 closest to the body of the motorcyclist and parallel with the arm. Outer tab 18 is also closest to the body but at a 45 degree angle to the arm pointing towards the body. This tab configuration is for motorcyclists that desire to wear wallet 10 on the left arm as depicted in FIG. 3 a. These are most likely right handed motorcyclists as placement of wallet 10 on the left arm allows wallet 10 to be manipulated with the favored, right hand.
As depicted in FIG. 3 b, a left handed configuration for wear on the right arm reverses (from left to right and visa versa) the location of tabs 16 and 18, Velcro strips 46 and 56, fixed edges 48 and 52, and removable edges 50 and 54. This configuration allows a left handed motorcyclist easy access to wallet 10 on the right arm.
Wallet 10 is removably fastened to the motorcyclist's arm by wrapping straps 22, 24, 26, 28 around the arm. Loop portion 32 fastens to hook portion 40 thereby fastening top left strap 22 to top right strap 26. Loop portion 36 fastens to hook portion 44 thereby fastening bottom left strap 24 to bottom right strap 28. Loop portions 32, 36 and hook portions 40, 44 are sufficiently large to allow straps 22, 24, 26, 28 to adjust to the size of the arm of the motorcyclist. Elastic portions 30, 34, 38, 42 also allow straps 22, 24, 26, 28 to adjust to the width the arm. This accommodates for variances in arm size and bulkiness of the motorcyclist's jacket.
In addition to the preferred embodiment, alternate embodiments of the present invention are possible. Exemplary alternate embodiments are described below.
In addition to the hook and loop fastener mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, other removable fastening and adjustment mechanisms may be used as depicted in FIGS. 4-6. As shown in FIG. 4, snap clips 132/140 and 136/144 are used to removably fasten straps 122, 124, 126, 128. Rather than an elastic portion, straps 122 and 124 include non-elastic portions 130 and 134 that slide though the adjustment ring of male snap clip portions 132 and 136.
As shown in FIG. 5, belt buckles with holed strap portions 232, 236 and buckle portions 240, 244 are used to removably fasten straps 222, 224, 226, 228. Rather than an elastic portion, the entirety of straps 222, 224, 226, 228 are non-elastic. As shown in FIG. 6, ringlets 340, 344 are used to removably fasten straps 322, 324, 326, 328. Rather than an elastic portion, the entirety of straps 322, 324, 326, 328 are non-elastic. While more secure than the preferred embodiment, the alternative embodiments depicted in FIGS. 4-6 are more difficult for the motorcyclist to fasten, especially when wearing gloves.
In addition to alternate fastening mechanisms for the straps, there are alternate fastening mechanisms and configurations for inner pocket 12 and outer pocket 14. While the preferred embodiment utilizes a hook and loop fastener mechanism, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, zippers may also be used to removably fasten the pockets to base 20.
As shown in FIG. 7, in lieu of a hook and loop fastener mechanism, a straight zipper 156 is used to removably fasten inner pocket 12 to base 20. Outer pocket 14 is removably fastened in the same manner as shown in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 8, in lieu of a hook and loop fastener mechanism, a curved zipper 256 is used to removably fasten inner pocket 12 to base 20. Outer pocket 14 again is removably fastened in the same manner as shown in FIG. 1.
Both alternative zipper embodiments sacrifice convenience for security. Zippers 156, 256 are more secure than hook and loop strips 156 but are more difficult for the motorcyclist to open and close when wearing gloves.
Other alterations to the pockets may include the addition of an elastic portion or the use of an elastic material to accommodate oversized items such as a cellular phone. The elastic material will allow the pocket to stretch to accommodate the oversized item. Also, convenience attachments, such as a loops or slots, may be added to base 20, inner pocket 12, outer pocket 14, or straps 22, 24, 26, 28, to hold pens, pencils, and the like.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A wallet configured to be worn on the arm of a motorcyclist, comprising:

a base member having an inwardly facing side and an outwardly facing side;

a first closeable cover member having edges, an inwardly facing side and an outwardly facing side;

means for removably fastening the inwardly facing side of the first closeable cover member along a first portion of the edges of the first closeable cover member to the outwardly facing side of the base member;

means for fixably fastening the inwardly facing side of the first closeable cover member along a second portion of the edges of the first closeable cover member to the outwardly facing side of the base member; and

at least one strap member connected to the base member for removably and adjustably securing the wallet while being worn.

2. The wallet recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a second closeable cover member having edges, an inwardly facing side and an outwardly facing side;

means for removably fastening the inwardly facing side of the second closeable cover member along a first portion of the edges of the second closeable cover member to the outwardly facing side of the first closeable cover member; and

means for fixably fastening the inwardly facing side of the second closeable cover member along a second portion of the edges of the second closeable cover member to the outwardly facing side of the first closeable cover member.

3. The wallet recited in claim 2, wherein the second closeable member is smaller in size than the first closeable member.

4. The wallet recited in claim 1, wherein the means for removably fastening the first closeable cover member is a hook and loop fastener mechanism.

5. The wallet recited in claim 4, further comprising:

a pullable member connected at one end to the first portion of the edges of the first closeable cover member.

6. The wallet recited in claim 2, wherein the means for removably fastening the second closeable cover member is a hook and loop fastener mechanism.

7. The wallet recited in claim 6, further comprising:

a pullable member connected at one end to the first portion of the edges of the second closeable cover member.

8. The wallet recited in claim 1, wherein the means for removably fastening the first closeable cover member is a zipper.

9. The wallet recited in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one elastic portion in the at least one strap member.

10. The wallet recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one strap member is further comprising:

a first elongated member having distal and proximal ends;

a second elongated member having distal and proximal ends; and

means for removably fastening the distal end of the first elongated member to the distal end of the second elongated member;

wherein the proximal ends of the first elongated member and the second elongated member are connected to the base member.

11. The wallet recited in claim 10, wherein the means for removably fastening the distal ends is a hook and loop fastener mechanism.

12. A wallet configured to be worn on the arm of a motorcyclist, comprising:

a base member having an inwardly facing side and an outwardly facing side;

an inner pocket having edges, an inwardly facing side and an outwardly facing side;

an outer pocket having edges; and

at least one strap member connected to the base member for removably and adjustably securing the wallet while being worn,

wherein a first portion of the edges of the inner pocket are removably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the base member and a second portion of the edges of the inner pocket are fixably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the base member;

wherein a first portion of the edges of the outer pocket are removably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the inner pocket and a second portion of the edges of the outer pocket are fixably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the inner pocket.

13. The wallet recited in claim 12, wherein the outer pocket is smaller in size than the inner pocket.

14. The wallet recited in claim 12, wherein the first portion of the edges of the inner pocket are removeably fastened by a hook and loop fastener mechanism.

15. The wallet recited in claim 14, further comprising:

a pullable member connected at one end to the first portion of the edges of the inner pocket.

16. The wallet recited in claim 12, wherein the first portion of the edges of the outer pocket are removeably fastened by a hook and loop fastener mechanism.

17. The wallet recited in claim 16, further comprising:

a pullable member connected at one end to the first portion of the edges of the outer pocket.

18. The wallet recited in claim 12, wherein the first portion of the edges of the inner pocket are removeably fastened by a zipper.

19. The wallet recited in claim 12, wherein the at least one strap member is comprising:

a first elongated member having distal and proximal ends;

a second elongated member having distal and proximal ends; and

20. The wallet recited in claim 19, wherein the means for removably fastening the distal ends is a hook and loop fastener mechanism.