Wallet for retaining a plurality of credit cards

Abstract

A wallet for retaining a plurality of cards. The wallet includes a wallet case having two slit openings. The wallet also includes an insert which is removably attached to the wallet casing. The insert includes several pages aligned in a photo album fashion. Each page includes at least two pockets for holding cards. The insert may include slits for accessing the interior of each pocket. The slits may include hooded corners or moveable tabs for retaining the cards in the pockets. In addition, the wallet case may include an interior pocket having a closeable opening. The wallet case and insert may also include rounded corners for ease in removing or inserting the wallet within a back pocket of the user.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of a copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/305203 by Alan Beckley entitled “WALLET FOR RETAINING A PLURALITY OF CREDIT CARDS,” filed Nov. 26, 2002 and is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates to wallets, and more particularly, to a wallet configured to retain a plurality of credits cards in a compact area.

2. Description of Related Art

As discussed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/305203 to Beckley (Beckley), existing conventional wallets have been used for quite a long time for carrying currency. However, these existing wallets are not configured to provide a slim profile when carrying a plurality of credit cards. Because of the thickness and unwieldiness of the conventional wallets, the user must be resigned to a large bulge in the back pocket or simply carrying the wallet to avoid carrying such a thick object in pockets. The wallet disclosed in Beckley provided a novel configuration for carrying the cards in a thin profile. However, Beckley does not provide inserts which securely retain cards or provide ease in retrieval of the cards.

A wallet is needed which carries a large number of credit cards in a compact configuration while allowing quick and simple access to the cards retained in the wallet. Thus, it would be a distinct advantage to have a wallet which may retain a plurality of credit cards in a “thin” configuration in a side by side layout and photo album fashion which securely retains the cards and allow easy access. It is an object of the present invention to provide such a device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is a wallet for retaining a plurality of cards. The wallet includes a bi-fold wallet case having a lateral opening running a substantial length of the wallet case. The lateral opening leads to an interior of the wallet case. The case also includes an insert attached to the wallet case. The insert has a plurality of pages. Each page has at least two pockets. Each pocket-sized and shaped to retain at least one card. The cards are aligned in a non-overlapping and adjacent configuration. In addition, the plurality of pages are arranged in photo album fashion. The insert retains a plurality of cards and the wallet case is capable of retaining currency bills. The wallet case is sized to fit within a back pocket of a carrier of the wallet. The pockets may include slits for accessing the interior of the pockets. The slits may include hooded corners or closeable tabs to assist in retaining cards in the pockets. The wallet case and insert may include rounded corners providing ease in retrieval or insertion into the carrier's back pocket. The wallet case may also include an internal pocket.

In another aspect, the present invention is a wallet for retaining a plurality of cards. The wallet includes a bi-fold wallet case having a slit opening. The wallet case is sized to fit within a back pocket of a carrier of the wallet. The wallet includes a detachable insert attached to the wallet case. The insert includes a plurality of pages originating from a spine. Each page has at least two pockets with each pocket sized and shaped to retain at least one card. The pockets are configured to hold cards in a substantially vertical orientation. The cards on each page are aligned in a non-overlapping and adjacent configuration. The plurality of pages are arranged in photo album fashion. Each card is aligned parallel to the spine when retained in the pocket. At least one insert tab is positioned within the slit opening of the wallet case to retain the insert within the wallet case. The insert is used to hold the plurality of cards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following drawings, in conjunction with the accompanying specification, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a wallet with open privacy flaps in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the wallet having an insert retaining a plurality of credit cards in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the wallet with the privacy flaps in the closed position;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the insert removed from the wallet;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the insert removed from the wallet;

FIG. 6 is a front view of an insert in an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates the wallet having transparent flaps;

FIG. 8 is a front view of an insert removed from the wallet in a first alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a front view of an insert removed from the wallet with tabs in an open position in a second alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a front view of the insert of FIG. 9A with the tabs in a closed position;

FIG. 10 is a front view of an insert removed from the wallet in a third alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10A is an enlarged front view of the pocket with the horizontal slit of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 is a front view of an insert removed from the wallet in a fourth alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a front view of an insert within a wallet in a fifth alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a rear view of a wallet showing in phantom an internal pocket in a sixth alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A wallet for holding a plurality of credit cards and currency in a side by side layout is disclosed. FIG. 1 is a front view of a wallet 20 with privacy flaps 22 and 24 configured in an open position in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The wallet includes a pocket 26 and a pocket 28. Additionally, each pocket includes a slit opening 30 and 32 located about a center axis 34. As illustrated, the privacy flaps are opened upwardly and mounted to an upper portion 36 of the wallet. The wallet is preferably constructed of a leather or simulated leather material. However, any material may be utilized which provides a support for retaining a plurality of credit cards and currency bills. To accommodate conventional sizes of credit cards, the wallet is preferably sized with dimensions of approximately 4 inches by 10.5 inches. However, it should be understood that any size of wallet may be utilized and still be within the scope of the present invention. Each privacy flap is preferably non-transparent or nearly non-transparent to provide privacy of the retained cards held within the wallet. However, in alternate embodiments of the present invention, the flaps may be transparent. FIG. 7 illustrates the wallet having transparent flaps 100 and 102. In addition, although the privacy flaps are mounted to the top portion of the wallet, the flaps may be affixed on any portion of the wallet. Additionally, the flaps are optional and may not be present in alternate embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the wallet 20 having an insert 40 retaining a plurality of credit cards 42, 44, 46, and 48 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The privacy flaps 22 and 24 are shown in the open position. The insert is positioned within an opened wallet 20 and includes two pages 56 and 58. The insert is preferably constructed of a strong, yet flexible, material such as plastic. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, four cards may be vertically aligned and placed side by side. The cards are configured to fit four adjacent to each other.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the wallet 20 with the privacy flaps 22 and 24 in the closed position. The privacy flaps may be positioned downwardly to cover the contents of the wallet. The privacy flaps may be constructed of a material preventing viewing of the contents of the wallet. However, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, one or both privacy flaps may be transparent. In the transparent embodiment, each flap may optionally be capable of holding photos or cards vertically or horizontally in a side by side photo album style configuration within pockets contained within the privacy flaps. In addition, the wallet may optionally include a lateral opening 50 for the retention of bills. The opening is large enough to accommodate large bills such as those found in European currency. When carrying the wallet 20, the wallet is folded along the center axis 34. As depicted, the wallet is open.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the insert 40 removed from the wallet 20. The insert includes a plurality of pages 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, and 61. In addition, the insert includes insert tabs 62 and 64. Preferably, the insert is configured to include a spine 70 from which the pages are held. However, in alternate embodiments of the present invention, the left aligned pages may be mounted separately from the right aligned pages. The insert tabs are constructed of a durable material and are inserted within the slit openings 30 and 32 (FIG. 1). The insert tabs may be constructed from a single sheet of material which is durable yet bends easily to allow the tabs to be inserted into the wallet. Alternatively, the tabs maybe he hinged about the centerline of the insert and operating a closed/opened book-like configuration.

The pages are configured in photo album style (pages with adjacently oriented cards on each page), with each card vertically aligned and laying side by side. Thus, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the insert is in the open position depicted in FIG. 4, two opened pages hold four cards positioned next to each other. The pages are folded about the spine 70. The pages are sized and shaped to hold cards in the vertically aligned position. Thus, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insert (in the open position) is ten inches wide and 4 inches tall. However, in alternate embodiments, the insert may be any size and shape to accommodate a plurality of cards. In such a preferred configuration, the tabs are slightly smaller (e.g., 3.5 inches) to allow accommodation within the slit openings. Additionally, although six pages are illustrated in FIG. 4, any number of pages may be utilized ranging from only one page to any plurality of pages.

The insert is constructed of a durable material (preferably water resistant), such as plastic. At an upper portion 80 of the insert is located radiused edges 82 (approximately ¼ of an inch) to allow for easier removal and insertion of a card within the insert. The cards may also be aligned singularly in each pocket (two cards on one page) of the page or back to back (four cards on one page).

FIG. 5 is a front view of the insert 40 removed from the wallet 20. The insert includes a plurality of pockets 90, 92, 94, and 96 (preferably four side by side). At the top of each pocket is located the radiused edges 82. The pockets are used to hold cards (e.g., credit cards, identification, etc.) within its interior. As illustrated, the insert is a single piece of material attached at the spine 70. But as discussed above, the insert may be one or more pieces which are attached to the wallet. To accommodate conventional credit cards, the overall length X is approximately ten inches and the width Y is approximately four inches. However, it should be understood, that the size of the insert and the wallet may be any size to accommodate the carriage of a plurality of cards.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the cards are inserted within the top of each of the pockets 90, 92, 94, and 96. Unfortunately, it is possible for the cards to slide out of the pockets if the wallet is removed from the back pocket of the user of the wallet upside down. This is because, in a small-capacity configuration, the wallet does not have privacy flaps that help retain cards in the pockets. Additionally, the facing panel of the pocket is preferably shorter in height than the back panel to make removal of the cards easy, but is also makes it easy for the cards to inadvertently slide out.

FIG. 8 is a front view of an insert 140 removed from the wallet 20 in a first alternate embodiment of the present invention. The insert 140 includes a plurality of pockets 190, 192, 194, and 196 (preferably four side by side). At an upper portion 180 of each pocket is located the radiused edges 182. The pockets are used to hold cards (e.g., credit cards, identification, etc.) within its interior. As illustrated, the insert is a single piece of material attached at the spine 170. In this alternate embodiment, the radiused edges include hooded corners 198. The hooded corners prevent retained cards from sliding out of the pockets.

FIG. 9A is a front view of an insert 240 removed from the wallet 20 with tabs 298 in an open position in a second alternate embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9B is a front view of insert 240 of FIG. 9A with the tabs in a closed position. The insert 240 includes a plurality of pockets 290, 292, 294, and 296. At an upper portion 280 of each pocket is located the radiused edges 282. The pockets are also used to hold cards within its interior. In this alternate embodiment, the radiused edges include tabs 298 for retaining cards in the pockets (as shown in FIG. 9B). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tabs are scored or have natural folds aligned with the topmost edge of the pockets. The tabs may then be easily folded downwards into the pockets to retain the cards.

FIG. 10 is a front view of an insert 340 removed from the wallet 20 in a third alternate embodiment of the present invention. A card 302 is shown partially inserted into a pocket 396. The insert 340 includes a plurality of pockets 390, 392, 394, and 396. At an upper portion 380 of each pocket is located a horizontal slit 382. In this embodiment, the cards are retained within a pouch-like pocket, which has the horizontal slit 382. As depicted, the slit is positioned near the top of the pocket. However, in alternate embodiments of the present invention, the slit may be located anywhere on the pocket (e.g., mid-position of the pocket). FIG. 10A is an enlarged front view of the pocket 396 with the horizontal slit 382 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 is a front view of an insert 440 removed from the wallet 20 in a fourth alternate embodiment of the present invention. The insert 440 includes a plurality of pockets 490, 492, 494, and 496 (preferably four side by side). Vertical slits 450 are located for each pocket. Cards are inserted into the pockets via the vertical slits. The arrows A, B, C, and D indicated the direction in which each card is inserted into its respective pocket.

FIG. 12 is a front view of an insert 540 within a wallet 520 in a fifth alternate embodiment of the present invention. The insert may include rounded corners 560, 562, 564, and 566. Additionally, the wallet may include rounded corners 570, 572, 574, and 576. The rounded corners may be used to provide ease in retrieval and insertion of the wallet from a user's back pocket. The rounded corners for the insert and/or wallet may be utilized in any embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of a wallet 600 showing in phantom an internal pocket 602 in a sixth alternate embodiment of the present invention. A billfold section 604 of the wallet may include the internal pocket 602 that is closed about the lateral and bottom line of the billfold and is opened (via a horizontal slit) at the top of the billfold section. The internal pocket may be used to hold items such as a checkbook or small pad of paper. The pocket may be optionally closed at the top portion via a closure device, such as hook and pile strips, a zipper or alternately left open. Preferably, the pocket could fill substantially the full width and height of the billfold section. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the internal pocket may only cover a portion of the billfold section. However, the internal pocket is preferably centered along a centerline Y of the folded wallet.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an insert 100 in a seventh alternate embodiment of the present invention. The credit cards 42 and 44 may be aligned horizontally, one above the other. In such a configuration, the insert is folded about the center axis 102. In addition, upon the side of each pocket 104, 106, 108, and 110 is a radiused edge 112. Cards may be inserted in one or more of the pockets 104, 106, 108, and 110. As illustrated in FIG. 6, cards are positioned within pockets 108 and 110. The radiused edge provides the same functionality as described for the radiused edge 82 for the insert 40. As configured in FIG. 6, the insert has an approximate length of 8 inches (X axis) and 5 inches in width (Y axis). However, as discussed above, the size of the insert and the wallet may vary to accommodate various sizes of cards. The insert 100 may include insert tabs (not shown) as described above for the insert 40. In addition, the wallet may be sized and shaped to accommodate the insert 100. The insert 100 may include a plurality of pages (not shown) in photo album fashion.

It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. While the device shown and described has been characterized as being preferred, it will be readily apparent that various changes and modifications could be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A wallet for retaining a plurality of cards, the wallet comprising:

a bi-fold wallet case having a lateral opening running a substantial length of the wallet case, the lateral opening leading to an interior of the wallet case; and

an insert attached to the wallet case, the insert having a plurality of pages, each page having at least two pockets, each pocket-sized and shaped to retain at least one card, the cards on each page being aligned in a non-overlapping and adjacent configuration, the plurality of pages being arranged in photo album fashion;

whereby the insert retains a plurality of cards and the wallet case capable of retaining currency bills, the wallet case being sized to fit within a back pocket of a carrier of the wallet.

2. The wallet of claim 1 wherein the insert includes at least one insert tab and the wallet casing includes a slit opening, whereby the insert tab is positioned within the slit opening of the wallet casing to retain the insert within the wallet casing.

3. The wallet of claim 1 wherein the wallet casing includes at least one privacy flap, the privacy flap covering at least one page in a closed configuration.

4. The wallet of claim 3 wherein at least one privacy flap is transparent.

5. The wallet of claim 1 wherein the pockets are configured to hold cards in a substantially vertical orientation.

6. The wallet of claim 1 wherein the pockets are configured to hold cards in a substantially horizontal orientation.

7. The wallet of claim 1 wherein each pocket of the insert includes a slit for inserting a card within an interior area of the pocket.

8. The wallet of claim 7 wherein each slit includes at least one hooded corner, whereby a card is positioned within the interior of the pocket and retained by the hooded corner.

9. The wallet of claim 7 wherein the pocket includes a moveable tab affixed to the insert, whereby the moveable tab may be positioned over the slit to retain a card within the pocket.

10. The wallet of claim 7 wherein:

the plurality of pages originating from a spine of the insert; and

the slit for inserting cards in each pocket is oriented parallel with the spine.

11. The wallet of claim 1 wherein the insert includes rounded corners.

12. The wallet of claim 1 wherein the wallet includes rounded corners.

13. The wallet of claim 1 wherein:

the insert includes rounded corners; and

the wallet includes rounded corners.

14. The wallet of claim 1 wherein the wallet case includes an internal pocket having an interior.

15. The wallet of claim 14 wherein the internal pocket includes a closeable opening.

16. A wallet for retaining a plurality of cards, the wallet comprising:

a bi-fold wallet case having a slit opening, the wallet case being sized to fit within a back pocket of a carrier of the wallet; and

a detachable insert affixed to the wallet case, the insert having: a plurality of pages originating from a spine, each page having at least two pockets, each pocket sized and shaped to retain at least one card; the pockets being configured to hold cards in a substantially vertical orientation, the cards on each page being aligned in a non- overlapping and adjacent configuration; the plurality of pages being arranged in photo album fashion; a longest length of each card being aligned parallel to the spine when retained in the pocket; and at least one insert tab, the insert tab being positioned within the slit opening of the wallet case to retain the insert within the wallet case;

whereby the insert retains a plurality of cards.

17. The wallet of claim 1 wherein each pocket of the insert includes a slit for inserting a card within an interior area of the pocket.

18. The wallet of claim 17 wherein each slit includes at least one hooded corner, whereby a card is positioned within the interior of the pocket and retained by the hooded corner.

19. The wallet of claim 17 wherein the pocket includes a moveable tab affixed to the insert, whereby the moveable tab may be positioned over the slit to retain a card within the pocket.

20. The wallet of claim 16 wherein the bi-fold case has a lateral opening running a substantial length of the wallet case, the lateral opening leading to an interior of the wallet case.

21. The wallet of claim 20 wherein the interior of the wallet case includes an internal pocket having a closeable opening.