Patent Application
20110167536
The present invention relates to devices for carrying small items, and, more particularly, to devices for carrying small items which can be worn by a user.
Carrying small items while engaged in certain activities can be difficult. For example, a person exercising at the gym may have difficulty carrying keys, identification, change, etc., which can fall out of the person's pocket The same applies when playing a competitive sport, running, bicycling, and so forth.
While it is possible to carry identification, or a key, on a chain around the neck, this can get in the way during rigorous activity. Alternately, some people put money, identification and other items in their shoes. However, putting items in one's shoes presents its own set of problems.
Although wearable devices for carrying small items exist, these devices tend to be limited in storage capacity, not easily accessible, cumbersome, and/or are structured to only hold items specific to a particular activity. Furthermore, such devices do not allow the user to view the items stored therein because they are constructed of opaque materials, making it difficult to determine which items are stored in the device, particularly when there are several storage compartments.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a wristband with layered transparent pockets is provided. The device includes tubular portion capable of being worn around a wrist and a storage portion attached thereto. The storage portion includes a transparent pocketed flap. Identification/license cards placed in the transparent pocketed flap can be displayed while the device is worn on the wrist and the flap is closed. When the transparent pocketed flap is opened, a set of twin, transparent pockets is revealed. Such a device is useful for carrying an identification card/license along with small items such as change and keys. In addition to providing a convenient way to carry small items, the wristband is preferably constructed of a sweat-absorbent material allowing the device to dually function as a sweatband.
These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
As depicted in
As mentioned, preferably, the tubular portion 204 is made from a sweat-absorbent material. Materials suitable for sweat absorption preferably include cotton, particularly terrycloth, as well as many cotton-synthetic combinations. However, other materials, including some relatively non-absorbent materials, could be used to construct the tubular portion 204. Such materials include spandex and Tyvek™. In those cases, although the sports wristband 100 might not be useful as a sweatband, the materials chosen would provide other desirable qualities, such as durability.
It is to be appreciated that the choice of materials for any of the portions of the sports wristband 100 is a design choice and that consumer preferences may be taken into consideration. For example, the sports wristband 100 could be designed to match another article of clothing worn by the user, have various insignia, such as, for example, a corporate or alumni logo or symbol, etc. Additionally, the sports wristband 100 could be designed as a vehicle for a political and/or social statement, such as being a certain shade of pink to increase breast cancer awareness, etc. Additionally, it is to be appreciated that the exact dimensions of the sports wristband 100 may vary from the preferred embodiment discussed herein. For example, the sports wristband 100 could be sized to fit men and women, and/or adults and children, differently.
As shown, the transparent pocketed flap 202 is constructed of a first transparent material 302 that is layered to a second transparent material 304. Preferably, the first transparent material 302 and the second transparent material 304 are made from a plastic film. The first transparent material 302 and the second transparent material 304 are preferably stitched together, using stitches 306, as shown. However, the first transparent layer 302 and the second transparent layer 304 could, alternatively, be glued or otherwise attached.
Importantly, one of the side ends is left un-attached, so that a pocket forms. Such a pocket allows an identification card or license to be placed into the pocket, for example. Because the document is placed into a pocket constructed of transparent material, it can be displayed to others, as needed. Thus, one could place their fishing license in this pocket and display it as needed without having to open the device, which saves time and effort.
As noted, the sports wristband 100 includes twin transparent pockets 308 which are revealed when the transparent pocketed flap 202 is opened. The twin transparent pockets 308 can be constructed in a similar fashion as the transparent pocketed flap 202. In particular, a third transparent material 308 can be layered to a fourth transparent material 310 in the same manner as the first transparent material 302 is layered to the second transparent material 304, except that the unstitched side would be situated on the top of the twin transparent pockets 308, forming pockets. An additional line of stitching 306 would be used to separate the twin windows. Preferably, the twin transparent pockets 308 would each have identical dimensions; preferably, they would each measure 2.5 inches in height and 2 inches in width. Preferably, the twin transparent pockets 308 would be sufficiently large to store such items as terminal tackle (e.g., hooks, weights), as shown.
While this invention has been described in conjunction with the various exemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
