Medical identification wallet

Abstract

A device for holding medical information of a person includes a first member and a second member permanently attached to the first member along a bottom edge and two side edges thereof to define a pocket open along a top edge of the first member for receiving such medical information. A flap is connected to and extends outwardly from a top edge of the second member, the flap is pivotable about the top edge of the second member and over the top edge of the first member into a position for closing the pocket. A hook and loop fastener is engageable with a rear surface of the flap and a front surface of the first member for securing the flap in the position for closing the pocket.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/666,064 filed Mar. 29, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to identification cards and, more particularly, this invention relates to devices for holding a medical identification card.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is generally well known, persons with medical issues or special needs are disadvantaged in receiving proper and immediate emergency care if their medical history is not available at a time of need. Several types of devices are in widespread use at the present time for enabling a person to carry medical information.

One of such devices is a well known bracelet which is worn on the person's wrist. However, some, particularly children, will not or cannot wear them. Another type is a well known medical identification card which is presently being carried either in a wallet, purse or pocket and is generally concealed from view. Therefore, emergency medical personnel cannot be easily alerted to a presence of such medical identification card if the person is incapacitated or is unfit for verbal communication.

Therefore, there is a need for a device which can be carried by a person for alerting emergency medical personnel to a presence of medical history.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a device for holding medical information with respect to a person. Such device includes a first member and a second member permanently attached to the first member along a bottom edge and two side edges thereof to define a pocket open along a top edge of the first member. Such pocket is employed for receiving such medical information. A flap is connected to and extends outwardly from a top edge of the second member. The flap is pivotable about the top edge of the second member and over the top edge of the first member into a position for closing the pocket. A hook and loop fastener is engageable with a rear surface of the flap and a front surface of the first member for securing the flap into a position for closing the pocket. In use, the device is attached to a person or to a purse carried by the person. An indicia provided on such device alerts medical personnel to medical information contained therein.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a device for holding medical information of a person.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for holding medical information which can be easily recognized by medical personnel.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for holding medical information which is convenient to carry.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for holding medical information which is simple to manufacture.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide device for holding medical information which maintains privacy of such medical information.

In addition to the several objects and advantages of the present invention which have been described with some degree of specificity above, various other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a medical identification wallet of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the medical identification wallet of the present invention showing the placement of a medical identification card; and

FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of the medical identification wallet of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, to FIGS. 1-3, wherein there is shown a medical identification wallet, generally designated 10, for holding medical information of a person. Such medical information may, for example, be a well known medical identification card 4 having such medical information printed thereon or a simple sheet of paper containing such medical information. The wallet 10 includes a first member 12 having each of a predetermined shape and size and having a front surface 14.

A second member 20 is permanently attached to the first member 12 along a bottom edge and two side edges thereof to define a pocket 30 which is open along a top edge 18 of such first member 12 for receiving such identification card 4.

A flap 40 is connected to and extends outwardly from a top edge 22 of the second member 20. The flap 40 is, preferably, pivotable about the top edge 22 of the second member 20 and over the top edge 18 of the first member 12 into a position for closing the pocket 30.

There is a means, generally designated 50, which is engageable with a rear portion 42 of the flap 40 and the front surface 14 of the first member 12 for holding the flap 40 in the position for closing the pocket 30. The presently preferred securing means 50 is a hook and loop fastener 50, such as Velcro RTM, having a male portion 52 attached to one of the flap 40 and the first member 12 and having a female portion 54 attached to an opposed one of the flap 40 and the first member 12.

Alternatively, a pair of male and female snap fasteners (not shown) or one of a hole and hook and a button arrangement (not shown) may be provided for holding the flap 40 to the front member 12.

The device 10 includes indicia 60 disposed on a front surface 44 of the flap 40. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, such indicia 60 define a word “EMERGENCY”. The preferred color of such indicia 60 is a red color. Alternatively or in combination with the indicia 60, there is provided second indicia 64 which is disposed on the front surface 14 of the first member 12 and below the flap 40 being disposed in the position for closing the pocket 30. Such second indicia 64 define “Medical Information”. A well known medical emblem 66 may be further disposed on the front surface 14.

Furthermore, the device 10 includes a means, generally designated 70, which is engageable with the second member 22 for mounting the device 10 onto a belt 6 of a person in a removable manner. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, such belt mounting means 70 includes a strip 72, best shown in FIG. 3, having opposed ends permanently attached to a rear surface 24 of the second member 20 and forming an aperture 74 for receiving such belt 6. Alternatively, as best shown in FIG. 2, such belt mounting means 70 may include a pair of slits 76 formed in the second member 20 for receiving such belt 6. In such embodiment, the pair of slits 76 are disposed in a parallel spaced relationship to each other and the device 10 is attached to the belt 6 first by inserting a free end of such belt 6 through a first slit 76 and then extracting it through a second slit 76.

Alternatively or in combination with the strip 72, the device 10 may include means 80 engageable with a predetermined portion of the device 10 for attaching the device 10 to one of a key chain loop 84 and a fastener 86 such as a locking carabineer and/or an alligator clip. The attachment means 80 includes a strip 80 having opposed ends which are permanently attached to the device 10 and forming a loop. Such embodiment is advantageous for attaching the device 10 directly to a garment (not shown) worn by the person or to a carrying case such as a purse (not shown).

A material of such device 10 may be one of leather, plastic, fabric and various combination thereof, and capable of being durable during a prolonged use. The attachment of the second member 20 to the first member 12 may be provided by way of a sew line 16.

In use, the medical identification card 4 is inserted into the pocket 30 and secured therein with a flap 40. The device 10 is either directly attached to the person, for example, to the belt 6 or to any garment worn by the person, or indirectly attached to the purse (not shown) carried by the person.

The combination of indicia 60, indicia 64 and medical emblem 66 signify presence of medical information contained within the pocket 30 and is easily noticed by the medical personnel. Advantageously, such medical information is carried in privacy by way of being concealed from view in the pocket 30.

Thus, the present invention has been described in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same. It will be understood that variations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for components of the specifically described embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for holding medical information belonging to a person, said device comprising:

(a) a first member;

(b) a second member permanently attached to said first member along a bottom edge and two side edges thereof to define a pocket open along a top edge of said first member for receiving such medical information;

(c) a flap connected to and extending outwardly from a top edge of said second member, said flap pivotable about said top edge of said second member and over said top edge of said first member into a position for closing said pocket; and

(d) means engageable with a rear surface of said flap and a front surface of said first member for securing said flap in said position for closing said pocket in a removable manner.

2. The device, according to claim 1, wherein said device includes predetermined indicia disposed on a front surface of said flap.

3. The device, according to claim 1, wherein said device includes a predetermined indicia disposed on a front surface of said first member and below said flap being disposed in said position for closing said pocket.

4. The device, according to claim 1, wherein said device further includes means engageable with said second member for mounting said device onto a belt of such person in a removable.

5. The device, according to claim 4, wherein said belt mounting means includes a strip having opposed ends permanently attached to a rear surface of said second member and forming an aperture for receiving such belt.

6. The device, according to claim 4, wherein said belt mounting means includes a pair of slits formed in said second member for receiving such belt, said pair of slits are disposed in a substantially parallel spaced relationship to each other, wherein a free end of such belt is first inserted through a first slit and then extracted through a second slit.

7. The device, according to claim 1, wherein said device further includes means engageable with a predetermined portion of said device for attaching said device to one of a key chain loop and a fastener in a removable manner.

8. The device, according to claim 7, wherein said attachment means includes a strip having opposed ends permanently attached to said device and forming a loop.

9. The device, according to claim 8, wherein said device further includes a locking carabineer attached to said loop.

10. The device, according to claim 1, wherein said securing means is a hook and loop fastener.

11. The device, according to claim 1, wherein a material of said device is one of leather, plastic, fabric and various combinations thereof.

12. A method of visually annunciating a possession of medical information by a person, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a device for holding such medical information, said device having a predetermined indicia disposed on an outer surface thereof, said predetermined indicia annunciating a presence of such medical information;

(b) inserting such medical information into a predetermined portion of said device; and

(c) attaching said device to such person in one of a direct and indirect fashion, whereby said predetermined indicia is substantially visible.