Sports wallet

Abstract

A wearable sports wallet comprises a lightweight washable band which may be worn around a wrist or ankle during recreational and athletic activities. The band comprises a compartment for receiving and storing small personal items therein and closure means for securing items within the compartment.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority of prior provisional Application Ser. No. 60/677,404 filed May 3, 2005, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to sporting apparel, and more particularly to a wearable sports wallet providing a sealable compartment for storage of personal items.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Persons engaging in recreational and athletic activities often need to carry identification, a key, money, and/or other personal items. For example, a jogger or cyclist may carry a house key, a driver's license, and a small amount of money while out jogging or cycling. Similarly, a person working out at a health club may need to carry a locker key or access card while working out. In addition to sporting activities, persons participating in recreational activities at a park or on a beach often need a place to store and carry personal items. Heretofore the options available for carrying and storing such items include placing the items in a clothing pocket, placing the items in a belt-like accessory commonly called a “fanny pack”, placing the items in a container attached to a lanyard and wearing the container around the neck, attaching a container to a piece of sporting equipment, placing the item(s) in a sock, or pinning a key or similar item to an article of clothing.

Each of the aforementioned options has disadvantages. Placing items inside clothing pockets or socks often causes discomfort and can result in loss or displacement of the item. Wearable accessories such as a fanny pack or a lanyard provide more security and cause less discomfort but often contribute undesirable bulk and weight. Containers secured to items other than the athlete or the athlete's clothing such as a bicycle or towel are easily displaced or lost during athletic or recreational activities.

The present invention comprises a wearable sport wallet which overcomes the foregoing and other difficulties which have long since characterized the prior art. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, the sports wallet comprises a sealable compartment enclosed in a band which may be worn around a wrist or ankle.

In accordance with more specific aspects of the invention, the sports wallet of the present invention comprises a band fabricated from a lightweight, washable material which may be worn around a wrist or ankle during sports or recreational activities. Fasteners located on each end of the band secure the band in place around either the wrist or ankle. A pocket compartment located near the center of the band provides storage and security for small personal items such as a key or money. A zipper or other closure seals the compartment preventing items from being lost or displaced once secured therein. The band is worn around a wrist or ankle, eliminating the need to carry or wear any additional containers for securing small items.

The sports wallet of the present invention may also comprise additional features and accessories such as a timepiece secured on the outside of the band and the like. An additional closure means may also be provided as a safety latch thereby preventing the wallet from being disengaged from a wearer's arm or ankle in the event that the if the primary fasteners are unintentionally disengaged. The additional closure means may also be used in lieu of the primary fastenings means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in connection with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sports wallet comprising a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the sports wallet shown in FIG. 1 being worn around a wrist;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the sports wallet shown in FIG. 1 being worn around an ankle;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a sports wallet shown in FIG. 1 utilizing an alternative closure mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sport wallet shown in FIG. 1 comprising an additional component;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the sports wallet shown in FIG. 1 comprising an additional fastening means; and

FIG. 7 is view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating the sports wallet having an alternative embodiment of the additional fastening means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, there is shown a sports wallet 10 comprising one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates the sports wallet 10 being worn around a wrist 12 and FIG. 3 illustrates the sports wallet 10 being worn around an ankle 14.

The wallet 10 comprises a band 16 which wraps around the wrist 12 or ankle 14 and secures together at each end by fasteners 18 located on opposite sides of the ends thereof. The band includes a pocket compartment 20. Items are placed inside the compartment 20 which comprises a closure mechanism 22 thereby keeping the enclosed items secure. The closure mechanism 22 may be a zipper as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 or a hook-and-loop fastener of the type sold under the trademark “VELCRO”® as shown in FIG. 4. Other suitable fasteners known to those skilled in the art of manufacturing athletic apparel may also be used in the practice of the invention.

The band 16 is shown constructed from two pieces of material sewn together along the edges thereof. Alternatively, the band 16 may be constructed using one solid piece of material folded over and sewn together along each edge thereof. The band 16 may fabricated from a lightweight, machine washable textile such as nylon, cotton, or other textile material known to those skilled in the art of manufacturing athletic apparel.

FIG. 5 illustrates the sports wallet 10 further comprising a timepiece 30 fastened thereto.

FIG. 6 illustrates the sports wallet 10 further comprising a safety latch 40 providing an additional fastening means for the sports wallet 10. The safety latch 40 comprises a buckle 42 which receives a strap 44 having a plurality of apertures 46 therein. The buckle 42 is secured to the band 16 by a loop 48 which surrounds the proximal end of the buckle 42 and is thereafter sewn onto the band 16. The buckle may be fabricated from metals, plastics, and other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art of manufacturing sports wear. The loop 48 and strap 44 may be fabricated from textiles, plastics, leathers, synthetic materials, and other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art of manufacturing sports wear.

FIG. 7 illustrates the sport wallet 10 further comprising an alternative safety latch 50. The alternative safety latch comprises a male connecting member 52 which is received by a female connecting member 54. The male connecting member 52 is secured to the band 16 by a loop 56 which surrounds the proximal end of the male connecting member 52 and is thereafter sewn onto the band 16. The female connecting member is secured to the band 16 by an adjustable strap 58 sewn thereon. A buckle 60 is slidably secured around the strap 58 such that the strap 58 may be adjusted to different lengths thereby facilitating the adjustment of the sports wallet 10 for a tighter or looser fit around the wrist 12 or ankle 14.

Alternative to the sports wallet 10 comprising both the fasteners 18 and either the safety latch 40 or the alternative safety latch 50 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the sports wallet may also be configured utilizing only the safety latch 40 or the alternative safety latch 50 as the means for securing the sports wallet around a wrist or ankle.

The sports wallet of the present invention has been illustrated with one compartment incorporated therein. The sports wallet of the present invention may also be configured to comprise multiple compartments. The sports wallet may also be configured to incorporate other accessories such as a small light source or radio and ornaments such as a logo or other similar ornamentation.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A wallet comprising:

a band which fastens around a body part;

fastening means on each end of the band for securing the band in place;

the band including a compartment for receiving and storing personal items; and

means for closing the compartment and thereby securing the contents of the compartment.

2. The wallet according to claim 1 wherein the compartment closure means is a zipper.

3. The wallet according to claim 1 wherein the compartment closure means is a hook and loop-type fastener.

4. The wallet according to claim 1 wherein the fastening means on each end of the band are hook and loop-type fasteners.

5. The wallet according to claim 1 wherein the fastening means on each end of the band comprises a buckle and strap having a plurality of apertures therein.

6. The wallet according to claim 1 wherein the fastening means on each end of the band comprises a male connecting member and a female connecting member.

7. The wallet according to claim 6 wherein the female connector is adjustably attached to the band by a strap.

8. The wallet according to claim 1 further comprising a timepiece sewn onto the band.

9. The wallet according to claim 1 further comprising additional fastening means for securing the band in place.

10. The wallet according to claim 9 wherein the additional fastening means comprises a buckle and strap having a plurality of apertures therein.

11. The wallet according to claim 9 wherein the additional fastening means comprises a male connecting member and a female connecting member.

12. The wallet according to claim 11 wherein the female connector is adjustably attached to the band by a strap.