Patent Application
20150208777
This invention relates to identification card holders. In particular, this invention is directed to an apparatus for retaining an identification card (“ID card”) or a credit card and having an integrated data storage device.
Identification badges and cards are widely used in modern society. They allow authorized users access to restricted areas, carry information about the user's bank accounts, credit and debit information and the like. The majority of the ID cards used in this country contain a magnetic strip or other machine readable component that, when engaged with a reader component, functions to identify the user to a related system connected to a computer, which can read the encoded information. The card can be used to encode names, addresses, level of security clearance, medical information of the user, as well a variety of other identification information. The list of data that can be encoded in the magnetic strip is nearly endless.
Most ID cards, retailer credit cards and bank cards are rectangular cards made of plastic. The owners of the cards carry then in their wallets, plastic envelope-type holders, and other containers within ready reach of the user. When the ID card is needed, the owner retrieves the ID card from the container and swipes it through the card reader.
Recently, most schools and libraries updated their access systems and require that the student or library patron also carry an ID card with the encoded information. Many coffee houses issue their own cards that can be refilled with the desired amount of funds for use in the coffee house. It is a widely accepted practice to use computers at schools, libraries, and other public places. Patrons can bring their own tablets or computers and use a portable data storage device with either personal or school/library computer.
However, the user has to carry an ID/bank card/library card as well as a flash drive to effectively save the work product. Therefore, there is need in the art for an ID/bank card holder that allows for the identification card to be retained in a holder device that would have an integrated data storage device, thereby reducing the number of items that a student or library patron has to carry.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a card holder with an integrated data storage device.
It is another object of the invention to provide a card holder that can safely retain a card with a magnetic strip and allows the user to swipe the card without removing it from the card holder.
These and other objects of the invention are achieved through a provision of a holder device for retaining a rectangular card such as an ID card or bank card. The device has a card holder body and an integrated data storage device retainer slidably movable in relation to the card holder body. The data storage device retainer is configured to retain a USB storage device such as a flash drive. The card holder does not cover an identification component of the card when the card is positioned in the card holder.
Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like pars are designated by like numerals, and wherein
Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral 10 designates the card holder device according to this invention. The card holder device 10 comprises a card holder body 12 having a planar main cover plate 14 of a generally rectangular configuration. The main cover plate 14 has an inner surface 16, an outer surface 18, a first end 20, a second end 22, a first side 24, and a second side 26. As can be seen in
A continuous raised lip 31 formed by the turned over portions of the cover plate extends inwardly toward a center of the cover plate 14 in a partially overlapping relationship over the inner surface 16. The inside surface 16 of the main cover plate 14 and inside surface of the continuous lip form a receptacle for a card 32. The lip 31 is integrally connected to the main cover plate 14. When the card 32 is positioned in the card holder body 12, the continuous lip 31 engages one long side of the card and at least a portion of each of the short ends of the rectangular card, as shown in
The slot 30 has a generally U-shaped configuration; it is configured to receive three sides of the rectangular card 32, with the fourth side of the rectangular card left exposed so that the card may be swiped or otherwise engaged with a reader component configured to read or access information stored on the card 32. In the preferred embodiment, the main cover plate 14 covers a portion of the card 32 without covering an identification component, such as a magnetic strip 34 or a chip that may be embedded into the card 32. As can be seen in
A narrow rectangular cutout 40 is formed in the outer surface 18 of the card holder body 12 adjacent an edge of the main cover plate 14. On three sides the cutout 40 is surrounded by angularly extending cutout walls 42, 44, 46, which extend at an obtuse angle in relation to the outer surface 18. The cutout walls extend at an acute angle in relation to a cutout bottom 48. A cutout groove 50 is formed between the cutout bottom 48 and the cutout walls 42, 44, and 46. The cutout 40 is configured to receive a data storage device retainer 60, as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.
A raised stop 52 is provided on the cutout bottom 48. The stop 52 limits sliding movement of the data storage device retainer 60 outwardly from the cutout 40. The data storage device retainer 60 is formed as a rectangular-shaped member having a planar retainer cover plate 62 and outwardly extending peripheral walls 64, 65, 66, and 67. The peripheral walls 64, 65, 66, and 67 extend at a right angle in relation to the retainer cover plate 62.
A transverse dividing wall 68 extends between the elongated walls 64 and 66. The peripheral walls 64, 65, and 66 and the dividing wall 68 together with the retainer cover plate 62, form a pocket 69. The pocket 69 defines a receptacle for a data storage device 70, which is frictionally fitted into the pocket 69 of the data storage device retainer 60.
An elongated flange 72 extends along at least a portion of the wall 64; a similar elongated flange 74 extends along the wall 66 of the data storage device retainer 60. The flanges 72 and 74 extend transversely to a longitudinal axis of the walls 64, 66, respectively and substantially parallel to the retainer cover plate 62. The flanges 72, 74 are configured to engage within the groove 50 when the data storage device retainer 60 is slidably received within the cutout 40.
In the preferred embodiment, the data storage device 70 is a USB flash drive, which includes flash memory with an integrated universal serial bus (USB) interface. In one aspect of the invention, the data storage device 70 has a thickness not exceeding the height of the peripheral walls 64, 65, 66, and 67 such that when the data storage retainer is positioned within the groove 40 it does not substantially increase the thickness of the card holder body 12.
In operation, a user slides the card 32 into the slot 30 such that the card 32 is frictionally engages the main cover plate 14 and an inside of the lip 31. The continuous lip 31 prevents the card 32 from disengaging from the card holder body 12. When required, the user can swipe the card 32 since the magnetic strip is exposed on the outer side. When the user desires to use the data storage device 70, the user pushes the retainer cover plate 62 in the direction of arrow 76 such that a portion of the data storage device 70 becomes exposed. The user then inserts the data storage device 70 along with a portion of the data storage device retainer 60 into a USB port of a computer, tablet, or any other device having a USB interface.
When not in use, the data storage device retainer 60 is withdrawn into the cutout 40 and the data storage device 70 is protected by the main cover plate 14 and the retainer cover plate 62. The card holder device 10 can be made of a variety of materials, including plastic, metal, ceramics, alloys, etc. it is preferred, of course, that the material be lightweight and durable. The card 32 can be an ID card, a bank card, a retailer credit card, a phone card, etc. If desired, the outer surface 18 of the main cover plate 14 and the retainer cover pate 62 can be decorated with advertising indicia or with fanciful designs. The card holder body 12 can be executed in any desired color depending on manufacturer's preference.
Many changes and modifications can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I, therefore pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
