LOW PROFILE WALLET

Abstract

A low profile wallet may comprise a first plate, a second plate, and a substantially flat strap configured to attach around the first plate and the second plate. Different types, colors, patterns, styles, etc. of plates may be interchanged creating multiple different wallet plate combinations. The plates may include openings formed on opposite sides for retaining the strap. The shape of the openings may enable easier attachment and removal of the strap and in one example also may enable a reduction of the overall size of the plates. Separation notches may be formed on elongated upper or lower ends of the plates. The separation notches may have a substantially concave shape and/or may be offset from lateral sides of the plates.

Description

BACKGROUND

Conventional leather wallets are bulky and comprise multiple folded over layers of leather or canvas. The thickness of the wallet, in combination with the cards and money contained within the wallet, create a thick and bulky container for personal items. Conventional wallets also have a tendency to wear out and absorb water.

Hackers may use wireless Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers to unlawfully extract personal information from credit cards. The leather or organic materials used in conventional wallets typically do not provide RFID blocking and allow RFID hackers to access information from the credit cards contained within the wallets.

Known metal wallets can retain personal items such as credit cards and money within a relatively low profile and may provide RFID blocking. However, known metal wallets may not securely retain personal items, may be too heavy, lack aesthetic appeal, and may be difficult to operate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a low profile wallet.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the low profile wallet in an open position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the low profile wallet in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an attachment opening.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the low profile wallet.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the low profile wallet with a divider plate.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the wallet in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a passport wallet.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a slim-line mini-wallet.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the low profile wallet shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the passport wallet shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the slim-line mini-wallet shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of a quick release mini-wallet.

FIG. 14 is a right side elevation view for the wallet of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a left side elevation view for the wallet of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view for the wallet of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view for the wallet of FIG. 13.

FIG. 18 is a rear elevation view for the wallet of FIG. 13.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view for the wallet of FIG. 13.

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view for an alternative embodiment of the wallet of FIG. 13 containing a divider plate and having a rear view similar to the front perspective view except without a strap clasp.

FIG. 21 is a front elevation view for an alternative embodiment of the quick release mini-wallet of FIG. 13 with repositioned separation notches.

FIG. 22 is a right side elevation view for the wallet of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a left side elevation view for the wallet of FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a top plan view for the wallet of FIG. 21.

FIG. 25 is a bottom plan view for the wallet of FIG. 21.

FIG. 26 is a rear elevation view for the wallet of FIG. 21.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view for the wallet of FIG. 21.

FIG. 28 is a front perspective view for an alternative embodiment of the wallet of FIG. 21 containing a divider plate and having a rear view similar to the front perspective view except without a strap clasp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a low profile wallet 10 comprises two metal and/or carbon fiber plates 12 and 14 held together with an elastic strap 16. Personal items, such as paper money 22, credit cards 24, driver's license, identification cards, membership cards, business cards, or the like, or any combination thereof may be compressively held in-between plates 12 and 14 or may be held outside of either plate 12 or 14.

Elastic strap 16 is connected at opposite ends by a relatively flat metal, plastic, leather or polyurethane leather clasp 18 and inserts into openings 25 formed in opposite ends of plates 12 and 14. Strap 16 may have a relatively flat elongated rectangular cross-sectional shape and an elongated rectangular top profile. The flat wide profile of strap 16 and clasp 18 applies a more stable, even, and distributed compressive force against front and back sides of plates 12 and 14, respectively.

Strap 16 may hold the personal items, such as money 22 and/or credit cards 24 more securely in-between plates 12 and 14 and also may more securely retain the personal items against the front side of plate 12 or against the back side of plate 14. Openings 25 more easily attach to strap 16 and more easily detach from strap 16 while at the same time more securely holding plates 12 and 14 in co-alignment.

The easy detachment of strap 16 from openings 25 promotes easy combination of different plates 12 and 14. For example, the user may attach a first plate 12 having a crimson color with a second plate 14 having a grey color. The user may quickly remove strap 16 from plates 12 and 14 by sliding a first end of strap 16 up and out of the upper openings 25 and sliding a second end of strap 16 down and out of the lower openings 25. One of the plates such as the crimson colored plate 12 may be replaced with a red or white colored plate 12 or a plate with another pattern.

Any combination of colors or patterns may be applied to plates 12 and 14. For example, plate 12 may include a college logo, a geometric pattern, a floral pattern, etc. The user or a manufacturer may easily replace the plates with plates having other patterns or colors without having to disconnect opposite ends of strap 16.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 3 and 4, openings 25 comprise slots 26 having substantially elongated rectangular shapes and notches 28 extending from notches 28 to top and bottom ends of plates 12 and 14. Slots 26 may comprise elongated rectangular shapes with upper and lower walls that extend in parallel with the top and bottom ends of plates 12 and 14. Slots 26 are sized to receive the entire width of elastic strap 16 providing more contact surface area between strap 16 and plates 12 and 14.

Notches 28 may comprise a first set of two oppositely inclining side walls 40A and 40B extending inwardly from top ends of plates 12 or 14 to about half way between the top ends of plates 12 or 14 and slots 26. A second set of two oppositely inclining side walls 42A and 42B may extend outwardly from side walls 40A and 40B, respectively, to slot 26.

A first end of strap 16 may be slid from top ends of plates 12 and 14 through notches 28 in a downward direction toward the center of plates 12 and 14 and seat into upper slots 26. A second end of strap 16 may be slid upward from a bottom end of plates 12 and 14 through lower notches 28 in an upward direct toward the center of plates 12 and 14 and seat into lower slots 26.

Openings 25 in combination with strap 16 provide more even distribution of compressive force against plates 12 and 14. For example, elongated slots 26 in combination with the flat cross sectional shape of strap 16 provides more resistance to rotational, vertical, and horizontal movements between plates 12 and 14 while at the same time allowing easy separation of plates 12 and 14 on one side as shown in FIG. 2.

To explain further, plates 12 and 14 may have an x-axis 30x, a y-axis 30y, and a z-axis axis 30z. A user or the materials held within plates 12 and 14 may apply forces that tend to twist plate 12 in a direction 32x about x-axis 30X, twist plate 12 in a direction 32y about y-axis 30y, and/or twist plate 12 in a direction 32z about z-axis 30z.

In one example, while spreading apart plates 12 and 14, the user may apply a force that tends to twist plate 12 in direction 32z about z-axis 30z. The lateral sides of slots 26 may press against lateral sides of strap 16 preventing rotation of plate 12 in direction 32z about z-axis 30z with respect to plate 14.

In another example, materials located between plates 12 and 14 may have uneven thicknesses, such as a larger thickness at a top end of plates 12 and 14 than at a bottom end of plates 12 and 14. The unevenness of the materials may direct compressive force in direction 32x about x-axis 30x and/or in direction 32y about y-axis 30y. The elongated width of strap 16 may provide additional resistance preventing some of the rotation or tilting of plate 12 in direction 32x and/or direction 32y.

The distributed force of strap 16 still enables a user to easily rotate plate 12 about one side of plate 14 as shown in FIG. 2. For example, the user may more readily overcome the compressive force of strap 16 holding plates 12 and 14 together by levering a left side of plate 12 against plate 14 as shown in FIG. 2.

Strap 16 in combination with openings 25 also may reduce sliding of plate 12 with respect to plate 14 in x-axis directions and/or y-axis directions along the plane defined by x-axis 30x and y-axis 30y. For example, sliding plate 12 upward along y-axis 30y with respect to plate 14 causes a bottom end of slot 26 on plate 12 and a top end of a top slot 26 on plate 14 to pinch against bottom and top ends of strap 16, respectively. The pinching condition prevents further upward vertical movement of plate 12 along y-axis 30y with respect to plate 14.

Strap 16 in combination with openings 25 also may prevent plate 12 from sliding sideways with respect to plate 14 along x-axis 30x in the plane defined by x-axis 30x and y-axis 30y. For example, sliding plate 12 in a right sideways direction along x-axis 30x with respect to plate 14 causes a left lateral side of upper slot 26 on plate 12 and a right lateral side of upper slot 26 on plate 14 to pinch against opposite lateral sides of strap 16. The pinching condition prevents further right sideways movement of plate 12 along x-axis 30x with respect to plate 14.

The elongated cross-sectional width of strap 16 applies a wider area of compressive force against personal items 21. The elongated contact area formed between strap 16 and elongated slots 26 also creates upper and lower retention areas that prevent personal items 21, 22, and/or 24 from sliding upwards or downwards along y-axis 30y, or sideways along x-axis 30x and out of wallet 10.

Thus, the relatively flat elongated shape of strap 16 pressing against plates 12 and 14 may distribute compressive force more evenly and broadly against plates 12 and 14. The distributed compressive force may more securely hold items, such as items 22 and 24 between plates 12 and 14 and/or more securely hold items 21 between against a front face of plate 12 and/or a back face of plate 14. At the same time, strap 16 may also allow a user to relatively easily lever a first side of plate 12 against plate 14 and press apart a second opposite side of plate 12 from a second opposite side of plate 14. For example, the user may separate plates 12 and 14 on one side as shown in FIG. 2 like a clam shell while the opposite sides of plates 12 and 14 remain pressed against each other.

A separation notch 20A is formed on a lower right corner of plate 12 and a similar shaped separation notch 20B is formed on an upper right corner of plate 14. Fingers, such as thumbs, are located within separation notches 20A and 20B and press in opposite directions against the adjacent corners of plates 12 and 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the left side of plate 12 rotates about a front face on the left side of plate 14 separating right sides of plates 12 and 14 and elastically stretching strap 16.

Personal items 22 and 24 are inserted in-between the right sides of plates 12 and 14 and pressure is removed from the lower right corner of plate 14 and the upper right corner of plate 12 adjacent to notches 20A and 20B, respectively. Strap 16 then elastically pulls together the right sides of plates 12 and 14 against opposite sides of personal items 22 and 24 as shown in FIG. 1.

Holes 29 may be formed on the upper right corner of plate 12 and/or on the lower right corner of plate 14 and align with a center of separation notches 20 on adjacent plates 12 or 14. Holes 29 may be used for attaching a key chain, floatation device, or any other attachment apparatus.

Plates 12 and 14 may provide Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) blocking. As explained above, problems currently exist with unauthorized access to personal credit card information. Malfeasance may use RFID technology to wirelessly extract information from credit cards, while the credit cards are located in the wallet of a user.

Wallet 10 may use a metal material for plates 12 and 14, such as aluminum or steel. The metal material may block RFID signals and prevent unauthorized access to the information contained on credit cards 24. In one example, wallet 10 may use an aircraft grade aluminum 6061 with an anodized or powder coat paint finish for plates 12 and 14.

Referring to FIG. 5, wallet 10 also may use carbon fiber sheets 44A-44D for plates 12 and 14. A center metal fabric layer 46 may sandwich in-between carbon fiber sheets 44A-44D to provide anti-RFID blocking. In one example, metal layer 46 may comprise an aluminum foil or any other material that provides shielding against electro-magnetic interference (EMI), radio frequency interference (RFI) microwave, and electro-static discharge (ESD).

In another example, two layers of aluminum foil 46 may sandwich between any two carbon fiber layers 44. In yet another example, aluminum foil layers 46 may sandwich between different carbon fiber layers, such as between carbon fiber layers 44A and 44B, between carbon fiber layers 44B and 44C, and/or between carbon fiber layers 44C and 44D. Carbon fiber plates 12 and 14 may be lighter than metal plates while also providing RFID blocking and/or preventing magnetic waves from erasing or corrupting electronically recorded information on personals items, such as cards 24.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a wallet 50 that includes a divider plate 52. FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of wallet 50 in FIG. 6. Separation notches 58A and 58B are located on an upper right corner and a lower right corner of divider plate 52, respectively. Divider plate 52 may be attached in-between plate 12 and 14 and may include openings 25 similar to openings 25 formed in plates 12 and 14.

Strap 16 may insert through notches 28 into slots 26 of divider plate 52 holding divider plate 52 in-between plate 12 and 14. In one example, the width of divider plate 52 may be slightly narrower than the width of plates 12 and 14. For example, plates 12 and 14 may have a width of approximately 2.94 inches and divider plate 52 may have a width of 2.75 inches. In another example, all three plates 12, 14, and 52 may have the same width of 2.94 inches and a same height of 4.24 inches.

A compartment 54 is formed between plate 12 and divider plate 52 and a compartment 56 is formed between divider plate 52 and plate 14. Different personal items may be inserted into each of compartments 54 and 56. For example, money may be inserted into compartment 54 and credit cards, driver's licenses, etc. may be inserted into compartment 56. Of course, anything may be retained within either compartment 54 or 56.

FIG. 8 shows another example of a low profile passport wallet 60. In this example, plates 62 and 66 may be made from metal or carbon fiber as described above. However, plates 62 and 66 of wallet 60 may be longer and/or wider than plates 12 and 14 for wallet 10 in FIG. 1 for holding a passport 68.

In one example, passport wallet 60 may include separation notches 64A and 64B offset from the center of the right sides of plates 62 and 66. Notch 64A may be located at a distance 65A from a bottom end of plate 62 and notch 64B may be located at a distance 65B from a top end of plate 66. In another example, separation notches 64A and 64B may be located on upper and lower right side corners of plates 62 and 66, respectively, similar to wallet 10 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a low profile slim-line mini-wallet 70. In this example, plates 72 and 74 also may use metal or carbon fiber as described above. However, plates 72 and 74 may be shorter and/or narrower than plates 12 and 14 for wallet 10 of FIG. 1 or plates 62 and 66 for wallet 60 in FIG. 8. The shorter height and narrower width of wallet 70 may more easily insert into a wider variety of different locations. For example, slim-line wallet 70 may fit more easily into smaller shallower depth front pant pockets.

Plates 72 and 74 may have a width slightly greater than the width of a conventional credit card. For example, plates 72 and 74 may have a width slightly greater than around 2.125 inches. The spacing between upper and lower slots 26 may be slightly greater than the height of a conventional credit card. For example, a vertical distance between upper and lower slots 26 may be slightly greater than 3.375 inches.

In one example, wallet 70 may include separation notches 80A and 80B on the right side of plates 72 and 74, respectively. Separation notches 80A and 80B may be located at any variety of offsets from the center line of plates 72 and 74, respectively. In one example, notches 80A and 80B may be offset relatively further apart from the center line of plates 72 and 74, respectively, than separation notches 64A and 64B are offset from the center-line of plates 62 and 66, respectively, of wallet 60 in FIG. 8. Any of the positions of separation notches 20, 64, or 80 may be used on any of wallets 10, 60, or 70. Separation notches 20 in FIG. 1, separation notches 64 in FIG. 8 and separation notches 80 in FIG. 9 may be any shape or size, but in one example, are circular, oval, or any other concave shape to more readily receive the thumbs of the user.

FIGS. 10-12 show comparative relative dimensions of wallets 10, 60, and 70, respectively. In one example, wallet 10 in FIG. 10 may have a width 92A of approximately 2.94 inches and a height 92B of approximately 4.24 inches. In one example, wallet 60 in FIG. 11 may have a width 96A of approximately 3.93 inches and a height 96B of approximately 5.51 inches. In one example, wallet 70 in FIG. 12 may have a width 96A of approximately 2.45 inches and a height 96B of approximately 3.95 inches. Of course, in other examples, any of wallets 10, 60, and 70 may have different dimensions.

Other wallets with different dimensions may be sized for accommodating bank notes, such as British Pounds, Euros, Japanese Yen, or the like or any combination thereof. For example, plates 12 and 14 of wallet 10 may alternatively have a width of approximately of 3.35 inches and a height of approximately 4.24 inches.

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of a quick release wallet 100. FIG. 14 is a right side elevation view for the wallet of FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a left side elevation view for the wallet of FIG. 13. FIG. 16 is a top plan view for the wallet of FIG. 13. FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view for the wallet of FIG. 13. FIG. 18 is a rear elevation view for the wallet of FIG. 13. FIG. 19 is a perspective view for the wallet of FIG. 13. FIG. 20 is a front perspective view for an alternative embodiment of the wallet of FIG. 13 containing a divider plate and having a rear view similar to the front perspective view except without a strap clasp.

Referring to FIGS. 13-20, wallet 100 may comprise two plates 106 and 108 that are held together by a strap 104. Low profile openings 102 may be formed in opposite top and bottom ends of plates 106 and 108 for holding strap 104. Low profile openings 102 may have slots 114 and side walls 112 extending from the slots to sides of plates 106 and 108. In one example, side walls 112 form oppositely facing protuberances 118.

Openings 102 may have a shallower depth 110 than the depth of openings 25 in FIG. 1 allowing for a smaller overall size for plates 106 and 108. Distance 116 between ends of slots 114 on the sides of one of plates 106 or 108 may be just longer than the length of a conventional ISO/IEC 7810 identification card. For example, an ID-1 card, such as most banking, driving license, ATM, debit, or ID card may be 85.60 mm×53.98 mm. Distance 116 between ends of slots 114 may be just more than 85.60 mm, such as 88.90 mm.

The shallower depth 110 of openings 102 allow plates 106 and 108 to have a smaller outside diameter and thus take up less room in a pocket of carrying bag. The shallower depth 110 of side walls 112 of openings 102 also allow easier and quicker removal of strap 104 from plates 106 and 108.

In one example, low profile openings 102 may have a depth 110 of around 2.25 mm-4.50 mm. Openings 102 may have a spacing of around 11.70 mm between the protuberances 118 formed by side walls 112 and may have a spacing of around 12.44 mm below the protuberances formed by side walls 112. Protuberances 118 formed on side walls 112 may have a radius of around 1.85 mm and the area on side walls 112 below protuberances 118 may have a radius of around 1.31 mm. Plates 106 and 108 also may have corners 120 with a radius of around 13.87 mm-15.39 mm.

A separation notch 122A may be formed in the upper left corner of plate 106 and a separation notch 122B is formed in an opposite upper right corner of plate 108. In one example, the radius of separation notches 122 may be about the same radius size as corners 120. Holes 124A and 124B may be formed in plates 106 and 108, respectively, and aligned with the center of separation notches 122 formed in the opposing plates.

FIG. 20 depicts an example of a divider plate 126 located between plate 106 and plate 108. Divider plate 126 may include a separation notch 128A having a same shape and aligned with separation notch 122A and a separation notch 128B having a same shape and aligned with separation notch 122B.

FIG. 21 is a front elevation view for an alternative embodiment of a quick release mini-wallet with repositioned separation notches. FIG. 22 is a right side elevation view of the wallet in FIG. 21. FIG. 23 is a left side elevation view of the wallet in FIG. 21. FIG. 24 is a top plan view for the wallet of FIG. 21. FIG. 25 is a bottom plan view for the wallet of FIG. 21. FIG. 26 is a rear elevation view for the wallet of FIG. 21. FIG. 27 is a perspective view for the wallet of FIG. 21. FIG. 28 is a front perspective view for an alternative embodiment of the wallet of FIG. 21 containing a divider plate and having a rear view similar to the front perspective view except without a strap clasp.

Wallet 140 may have substantially a same shape and size as wallet 100 in FIGS. 13-20. However, wallet 140 may have two separation notches 142A and 142A positioned more toward the middle of plates 144 and 146, respectively. For example, separation notch 142A may be located about half way between the right side of plate 144 and a centerline of plate 144. Separation notch 142B may be located about half way between the left side of plate 146 and a center line of plate 146.

In one example, separation notches 142A and 142B may each have a radius of around 5.23 mm. In one example, separation notch 142A may be spaced a distance of around 24.64 mm from the right side of plate 144 and separation notch 142B may be spaced a distance of around 24.64 mm from the left side of plate 146.

FIG. 28 shows another example of wallet 140 with a center separation plate 148. Separation plate 148 may include a first separation notch 150A aligned with separation notch 142A of plate 144. Separation plate 148 may include a second separation notch 150B that aligned with separation notch 142B of plate 146.

References above have been made in detail to preferred embodiment. Examples of the preferred embodiments were illustrated in the referenced drawings. While preferred embodiments where described, it should be understood that this is not intended to limit the invention to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention in a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the invention may be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. Claim is made to all modifications and variation coming within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A wallet, comprising: a first plate;a second plate; anda substantially flat strap configured to attach around the first plate and the second plate.

2. The wallet of claim 1, wherein the strap has a substantially flat elongated cross-sectional shape and a rectangular shaped top profile.

3. The wallet of claim 2, further comprising a clasp configured to attach opposite ends of the strap together, wherein the clasp has a substantially flat cross-sectional shape and a rectangular shaped top profile.

4. The wallet of claim 1, further comprising an opening formed in each of the first and second plate, wherein the opening comprises a slot for retaining the strap and a notch extending out from the slot to an edge of one of the first and second plate for slidingly receiving the strap for insertion into the slot.

5. The wallet of claim 4, wherein: the slot comprises an elongated axis extending parallel to the edge for one of the first and second plate; andthe notch comprises oppositely facing side walls extending out from lateral ends of the slot to the edge for one of the first and second plate.

6. The wallet of claim 4, wherein the notch comprises side walls forming oppositely aligned protuberances extending over opposite lateral ends of the slot.

7. The wallet of claim 1, further comprising separation notches formed on upper sides of the first and second plate.

8. The wallet of claim 6, wherein the separation notches have a substantially concave shape.

9. The wallet of claim 8, wherein a first one of the separation notches is formed in a first upper corner of the first plate and a second one of the separation notches is formed in a second opposite upper corner of the second plate.

10. The wallet of claim 7, wherein a first one of the separation notches is offset from a first side of the first plate and a second one of the separation notches is offset from a second opposite side of the second plate.

11. The wallet of claim 1, further comprising a third plate configured to insert between the first and second plate and attach at opposite sides to the strap.

12. The wallet of claim 11, further comprising a third opening formed in the third plate for receiving the strap, wherein the third opening aligns with a first opening formed in the first plate and a second opening formed in the second plate.

13. The wallet of claim 12 wherein each of the first, second, and third openings comprise an elongated slot and a notch extending from the slot to an outside edge of the first, second, or third plate, respectively.

14. The wallet of claim 1 wherein the strap is configured to slidingly detach from the first and second plates and slidingly reattach to other plates with different colors or patterns.

15. The wallet of claim 1, wherein the first and second plate each comprise a first layer of carbon fiber and a second layer of metal fabric.

16. The wallet of claim 15, wherein the first and second plate each comprise a third layer of carbon fiber, wherein the second layer of metal fabric is located in-between the first and third layer of carbon fiber.

17. A wallet apparatus, comprising a plate having an elongated top end, an elongated bottom end, a left side and a right side;a first opening formed in the left side of the plate for receiving a strap, wherein the first opening comprises a slot with an elongated axis extending parallel with the left side of the plate and a notch extending out from the slot to the left side of the plate; anda second opening formed in a right side of the plate for receiving the strap, wherein the second opening comprises a slot with an elongated axis extending parallel with the right side of the plate and a notch extending out from the slot to the right side of the plate.

18. The wallet apparatus of claim 17, wherein the notch of the first opening and the notch of the second opening each comprise oppositely facing protuberances extending over opposite lateral ends of the slot.

19. The wallet of claim 17, further comprising a separation notch formed on one of the top or bottom ends of the plate.

20. The wallet of claim 19, wherein the separation notches comprises a substantially concave shape.