FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for storing items. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a storage device for use during recreational activities, such as golfing.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Certain recreational activities and sports require the use of sporting gloves. Such sporting gloves, such as golf gloves, often lose form, wrinkle and become damaged when improperly stored. Specifically, the gloves are often rolled up and tossed into the bottom of a bag, where they may difficult to locate and or become damaged. When the gloves are finally located, poor storage leads to less than satisfactory use and lifetime of the glove. Additionally, while engaging in recreational activities, it is often desirable to temporarily store small valuables such as watches, tools and/or other items. Finally, there are not techniques or devices that make it easy to quickly store, retrieve and wear sporting gloves. Instead, users typically must fish for the glove within their bag, and then unwrinkled them before wearing or store in the non-breathable plastic holder the glove was purchased int.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
In at least some examples, a wallet having at least two panels includes an outer wall comprising a durable material, an inner wall disposed over a majority of the outer wall and coupled thereto, the inner wall having a scalloped edge that traverses at least two of the panels, the inner wall and the outer wall forming a cavity therebetween, and a liner covering surfaces of the outer wall and the inner wall around the cavity.
In at least some examples, a wallet having at least two panels, includes an outer wall having a top boundary, a bottom boundary and two side boundaries, the outer wall comprising a durable material, an inner wall disposed at least two of the panels, the inner wall being coupled to the outer wall at the top boundary, the bottom boundary and one of the side boundaries, and the outer wall forming a cavity therebetween, and a liner covering surfaces of the outer wall and the inner wall around the cavity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
Various embodiments of the presently disclosed golf wallet are disclosed herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:
FIGS. 1A-E are schematic representations of one example of a wallet in various stages of folding the wallet, and a schematic cross-sectional illustration showing the walls and the lining;
FIGS. 1F-G are schematic representations of one variation of the wallet of FIGS. 1A-E;
FIG. 1H shows an exploded view of one example of the layers of a wallet;
FIGS. 2A-E are schematic representations of a golf glove, and a method of storing the glove within the compartment of the wallet of FIGS. 1A-D;
FIGS. 3A-D are schematic representations of another example of a wallet in various stages of folding the wallet; and
FIGS. 4A-E are schematic representations of a golf glove, and a method of storing the glove within the compartment of the wallet of FIGS. 3A-D; and
FIGS. 5A-B are schematic representations of a wallet being coupled to a belt during play.
Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings. It is to be appreciated that these drawings depict only some embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Despite the various improvements that have been made to storage device, conventional devices and methods suffer from certain shortcomings such as those discussed above.
There therefore is a need for further improvements to the devices and methods used to store sporting gloves. Among other advantages, the present disclosure may address one or more of these needs.
FIGS. 1A-D are schematic representations of one example of a wallet in various stages of folding the wallet. As shown in FIG. 1A, wallet 100 is generally rectangular and extends between first end 102 and second end 104. In the example shown, wallet 100 is constructed as a tri-fold wallet with three folding panels, 112,114,116. It will be understood that more than three or less than three panels are possible. In the embodiment shown, the panels 112,114,116 are substantially similar in size.
Wallet 100 generally includes an outer wall 120 and an inner wall 122. In one example, the outer wall 102 forms a portion of all three panels, while the inner wall 122 extends across a first full panel 112, and portions of the second and third panels 114,116, the inner wall 122 having a scalloped edge 123. Scalloped edge 123 extends over two of the panels and has a specific shape that accommodates the user's thumb as will be later appreciated from FIG. 2B. In some examples, the inner and outer walls may be stitched together on two or three sides (e.g., the walls are stitched together on all sides except for scalloped edge of inner wall 123, which is free from the outer wall). A cavity 125 is defined between outer and inner walls 120,122, the cavity being shown in FIG. 1A with diagonal shading.
Optionally, the wallet 100 may include a third wall 124 disposed over one of the panels to define another pocket 127 between the third wall and one of the outer wall and inner walls 120,122. Pocket 127 again may be covered with an inner liner as discussed above. A closure mechanism 127, such as a zipper, may help to secure objects within the pocket 127. Pocket 127 may be used to store small objects, such as a wristwatch, jewelry, money, tools, a desiccant, or other small objects.
FIG. 1H shows an exploded view of one examples of the various layers of the wallet. In addition to outer wall 120, inner wall 122 and third wall 124, the wallet may also include a durable covering 170 coupled to the outer wall 120. From top to bottom of the layers of FIG. 1H, third wall 124 may be lined on both sides and serves as the top-inside of the valuables/desiccate pocket. Third wall 124 may extend along ⅓ the length of the wallet, and may also serve to trap the thumb in place when folded or rolled. Inner wall 122 may be lined on one or both sides as well and serves as the bottom-inside of the valuables/desiccate pocket. Inner wall 122 may extend approximately ⅔ the length of the wallet, and may also serve as the top-inside of the glove pocket extending as far as where palm and thumb intersect. Outer wall 120 may be lined and runs the entire length of the wallet. It serves as the bottom-inside of the glove pocket and serves to allow VELCRO® type hooks to attach to it and hold the back of the glove in place. Outer wall 120 may extend along ⅓ length of wallet section (bottom face). A durable covering 170 forms at least a portion of the outside of the wallet, and runs along ⅔ the length of the wallet and provides folding structure as well as a platform for attaching a belt loop/clip for wear during play and a leather/durable material patch for holding tees/ball markers.
In some examples, all surfaces in contact (e.g., inner wall, outer wall, and third wall) with the glove and/or valuables may comprise a soft material such as loop fabric. Such soft materials may include an open cell foam core as a substrate upon which the loop is mounted. In some examples, outer wall 120 may include a soft loop material along its entire length. Additionally, covering 170 may be formed of a durable material, such as for example, woven Nylon, 300D-500D cordura classic or similar breathable material with durable properties or a leather. In at least some examples, the walls are covered on the inside (i.e., around the cavity) with inner, internal lining 121, that contact the glove and other items (See, FIG. 1E). The lining may, for example, comprise a soft material such as nylon knit loop with polyester core and nylon backing (e.g., VELTEX®). In some examples, a loop-type lining would serve as closure surfaces for both the internal pocket and glove itself with the exterior durable fabric having the hook VELCRO® type-part. Additionally, the hook fabric present on the vast majority of golf gloves can be utilized to attach the glove to the wallet, further securing it in the wallet and maintaining its form during closure.
An edging 130 around the perimeter of the wallet may include a single fold bias tape synthetic material such as nylon or polyester (e.g., a material with equivalent durability to 300D-500D cordura). For the sake of clarity, edging 130 and certain other features are only shown in FIG. 1A, although it will be understood that all of the features shown in FIG. 1A may be included in other embodiments.
Wallet 100 may transition from an expanded state (FIG. 1A) to a fully collapsed (or rolled) state (FIG. 1D) and may include a closure means to keep it collapsed. In at least some examples, a tab 140 is disposed on one end of the wallet and a complementary landing zone 142 configured to mate with the tab 140 is disposed at another location on the wallet. Tab and landing zone 140,142 may together form a closure means. In at least some examples, the closure means includes a hook-and-loop closure system such as VELCRO®, the tab having the hooks and the landing zone having the loops, or vice versa. Other closure means such as buttons, zippers, clasps, fasteners, or other suitable mechanisms are also possible to maintain the wallet in the collapsed configuration.
In one variation, shown in FIGS. 1F-G, a tab 140F extends along the entire width of the wallet 100, or a majority of the width of the wallet. A corresponding landing zone 142 of equal width is disposed on the wallet. When the wallet is collapsed, the tab mates onto the landing zone on one side of the wallet, leaving a second side with enough space for monogramming 150. That is the length a1 may be equal to or greater than the length a2 when the wallet is collapsed.
FIGS. 2A-E are schematic representations of a golf glove 200, and a method of storing the glove within the wallet of FIGS. 1A-D. In use, the player wearing the golf glove may slip his hand into the cavity 125 in the direction of arrow “A”. until the ends of the glove touch or come near first end 102. With the other hand, the user may press on the edges of the fingers of the glove to pinch them, and remove his hand while keeping the glove within the cavity (FIG. 2B). The scalloped edge may make it easier to insert the four fingers of the glove, while keeping the thumb outside. A left-handed glove is shown, and it will be understood that a mirror image scalloped edge would be formed for a right-handed glove. Other valuables or items may be inserted into any other pockets within the wallet. The panels may then be folded and the closure mechanism may be actuated to keep the wallet in the collapsed condition (FIGS. 2C-E). In at least some examples, the panels are sized so that the fold lines of the wallet are approximately correspond to finger digits of the wearer reducing the number of creases in the glove. To wear the glove, the player may open and expand the wallet, slide his hand into the glove while it is within the compartment, and remove his gloved hand in one motion.
FIGS. 3A-D illustrate a second embodiment of a wallet 300. Wallet 300 is substantially similar to wallet 100 and may include of the features described above. Instead of a scalloped edge 123, wallet 100 may include a vertical edge 323 so that the inner wall covers approximately two full panels as shown. The inner wall and the outer wall may be stitched together at three edges, but not at the vertical edge 323 so that access to the cavity is possible. In this embodiment, right-handed or left-handed gloves may be used with the wallet. Conversely, scalloped edges of FIG. 1A will be disposed in a direction that corresponds with right-handed or left-handed gloves.
Another optional feature is the addition of sewn finger compartments 350 in the glove area to separate fingers (for example, at radiating angle from center of palm and at shorter length than actual glove finger length to accommodate varying glove sizes). Golf wallet may also be attached around a belt (see FIGS. 5A-B) to hold tees and glove during rounds, making it a utility during the game. FIGS. 4A-E are schematic representations of a golf glove, and a method of storing the glove within the wallet of FIGS. 3A-D.
Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
It will be appreciated that the various dependent claims and the features set forth therein can be combined in different ways than presented in the initial claims. It will also be appreciated that the features described in connection with individual embodiments may be shared with others of the described embodiments.
Patent Application
20200375330
