Discrete wearable article carrier

Abstract

A wearable carrier comprises a band that can be worn on the body of a user, and a pouch member connected to the band or integral with the band. The pouch member includes at least one hidden storage compartment for discretely storing personal items of the user. In one embodiment, the wearable carrier includes a child locator device discretely hidden in the pouch member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/498,253, filed Aug. 27, 2003, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to article carriers, and in particular, to a wearable article carrier for discretely holding personal items such as jewelry, watches, money, keys and a child locating device.

2. Description of Related Art

Today's young women are active in various sports activities such as soccer, basketball, baseball, and field hockey. Organizers of such activities usually require wearable personal effects such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and watches, which are often worn by young women, to be removed during play for safety and insurance reasons.

Unfortunately, the uniforms worn during sports activities often fail to provide pockets for storing these personal items. It is not uncommon to see several players running to the sidelines, prior to the start of the activity, to hand over their jewelry, watches, and other personal items to parents, siblings, friends who are in attendance. When no one is available, the players often have to leave these items unattended on the ground next to the playing field or court where they are easily lost, stolen, or forgotten.

Accordingly, there is a need for a carrier, which can store personal items such as jewelry, watches, money, and keys and be easily worn by the user during various activities.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,837 describes a wearable carrier including a band that can be worn on the body of a user, and a pouch member detachable connected to the band. The pouch member includes at least one storage compartment for storing personal items of the user. The wearable carrier can be made in different sizes so that it can be attached to different parts of a user's body. This allows the wearable carrier to double, for example, as a hair-holding device or sweat band.

It is desirable that the storage member be discretely wearable and provide significant hold to the user's body during sports activities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A wearable carrier comprises a band that can be worn on the body of a user, and a pouch member connected to the band or integral with the band. The pouch member includes at least one hidden storage compartment for discretely storing personal items of the user. In one embodiment, the wearable carrier includes a child locator device discretely hidden in the pouch member.

The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a discrete article carrier in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of a discrete article carrier in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing the discrete article carrier as a ponytail holder.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view showing the discrete article carrier as a sweat band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 shows a wearable carrier 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The wearable carrier 10 comprises an elastically resilient inner band member 12 and an annular outer band member 14. The inner and outer members 12, 14 are connected to one another by a plurality of spaced apart snap fastener assemblies 16. The inner member 12 includes one or more closable item storage compartments 18 shown in an open position for holding a user's personal items such as jewelry, watches, money, keys, or a child locator to prevent their loss or theft. Storage compartments 18 are hidden from view during wearing of wearable carrier 10. The wearable carrier 10 can be made in different sizes so that it can be attached to various parts of a user's body such as the user's waist, head, limb and hair. This allows the wearable carrier 10 to double, for example, as a hair-holding device or sweat band.

Alternatively, article 10 can be sewn to reduce low manufacturing costs. For example, outer band member 14 can be sewn to inner band 12. In an alternate embodiment, outer band member 14 can be attached with a hook and loop material to inner band 12. Alternatively, buttons, a zipper, and other similar fastening arrangements can be used to attach inner member 12 to outer member 14.

The inner band member 12 and outer pouch member 14 of the wearable carrier 10 can be fabricated with any style and form of fabric. The fabric can be solid or multi-colored and be decorated with various graphical designs and patterns.

Compartments 18 of inner band 12 blend in with outer band 14 to discretely hide compartments 18.

Preferably for girls, outer band 14 is formed of fabric, which can be loose fitting. In this embodiment article 10 can be used to tie hair. For boys, outer band 14 is formed of a tight fabric. In this embodiment article 10 is used as a headband or wristband.

FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of wearable carrier 20 comprising single band member 21. Band member 21 comprises a ring-shaped elastic band 22 surrounded by a tubular length 22 of bunched fabric 23. For example, band member 21 can be formed of a stretchable fabric or ribbon. Compartments 18 can be formed in band member 21. For example, compartments 18 can be pockets sewn to band member 21. Preferably, compartments 18 are small such as having length dimensions in the range of about 0.5 to about 2.0 inches and are not readily visible in a closed position of compartments 18. Storage compartments 18 are hidden from view during wearing of wearable carrier 10.

Compartments 18 can be fabricated by providing elongated access opening 28 partially along the length of band member 21. Stitching radial line segments of the fabric together can be used to create two or more individual compartments each having a corresponding access opening. Access opening 28 of compartments 18 can be closed by hook and loop fastener assemblies. Other types of fastener arrangements such as zippers, snaps, and buttons can also be used discretely for closing the access openings 28 of compartments 18.

Alternatively, personal items such as jewelry can be received in compartment 18. In one embodiment, personal locator device is received in compartment 18. The personal locator device can be a monitoring device in communication with a central location or a signaling device, which is activated by pressure to send a signal to a central authority.

FIG. 3 shows the wearable carrier 20 worn in a user's hair as a pony tail holder. The nature of band member 21 of wearable carrier 20 allows it to be twisted and tightly wrapped around the hair 40 of a user with personal items discretely contained in the one or more compartments to be held in place during rigorous athletic activity. The elastically resilient nature of band member 21 secures the wearable carrier 20 in the user's hair.

FIG. 4 shows wearable carrier 20 worn on a user's arm as a sweat band. The elastically resilient nature of the band member 21 allows wearable carrier 20 to conform and grip the user's wrist or arm 42. Although not shown, wearable carrier 20 can also be sized so that it can be worn on a user's head as a sweat band, or around a user's waist.

It should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A discrete article carrier for discretely holding one or more items in a user's hair;

a band member comprising a ring-shaped elastic band surrounded by a tubular length of bunched fabric; and

one or more compartments formed in said band member,

wherein said compartments are hidden from view during wearing of said discrete article carrier.

2. The discrete article carrier of claim 1 wherein said one or more compartments are an elongated access opening partially along a length of said band member and further comprising fastening means for closing said one or more compartments.

3. The discrete article carrier of claim 1 wherein said fastening means comprises hook and loop fasteners.

4. The discrete article carrier of claim 1 wherein said one or more compartments are adapted to receive a personal locator device.

5. The discrete article carrier of claim 1 wherein said one or more compartments have length in the range of about 0.5 to about 2.0 inches.

6. The discrete article carrier of claim 1 wherein said one or more compartments are formed as a pocket sewn to said band member.

7. A discrete article carrier for discretely holding one or more items in a user's hair;

an elastically resilient inner band member;

an annular outer band member connected to said inner band;

one or more compartments formed in said inner band,

wherein said compartments are hidden from view during wearing of said discrete article carrier.

8. The discrete article carrier of claim 7 wherein said one or more compartments are an elongated access opening partially along a length of inner band member and further comprising fastening means for closing said compartment.

9. The discrete article carrier of claim 8 wherein said fastening means comprises hook and loop fasteners.

10. The discrete article carrier of claim 7 wherein said one or more compartments are adapted to receive a personal locator device.

11. The discrete article carrier of claim 7 wherein said one or more compartments have length in the range of about 0.5 to about 2.0 inches.

12. The discrete article carrier of claim 7 wherein said one or more compartments are formed as a pocket sewn to said band member.

13. The discrete article carrier of claim 7 wherein said outer band is sewn to said inner band.

14. A discrete article carrier for discretely holding one or more items in a user's hair;

a band member comprising a ring-shaped elastic band surrounded by a tubular length of bunched fabric;

one or more compartments formed in said band member; and

a personal locater device positioned within one of said one or more compartments wherein said compartments are hidden from view during wearing of said discrete article carrier.

15. The discrete article carrier of claim 14 wherein said one or more compartments are an elongated access opening partially along a length of band member and further comprising fastening means for closing said compartment.

16. The discrete article carrier of claim 15 wherein said fastening means comprises hook and loop fasteners.

17. The discrete article carrier of claim 14 wherein said one or more compartments have length in the range of about 0.5 to about 2.0 inches.

18. The discrete article carrier of claim 14 wherein said one or more compartments are formed as a pocket sewn to said band member.