Wearable pouch

Abstract

A pouch to be worn by a user for displaying a document. A display window 14 is formed by a pair of flexible panels 16 and 18 joined along or adjacent at least two edges. The display window has an opening for removably displaying a document. Both panels may be transparent, enabling the pouch to be reversible. The panels may be of sufficient flexibility and length to largely circumscribe an extremity of a user; thereby providing for the convenient viewing of a large area of an underlying document. One or more ends 22,26 of the pouch may be tapered to emulate the tapering of the underlying extremity of the user. One or more pairs of complementary attachment elements 40 and 44 are provided for securing the pouch in an observable disposition on the user's body. A foldable attachment flap 128 may be provided to extend the length of the pouch.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

None

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a wearable pouch with at least one transparent panel for the convenient viewing of a document.

2. Prior Art

The present invention relates to wearable pockets or pouches with a transparent window or panel. Such devices are for carrying or holding maps and other documents.

There are several problems with maps, instruction guides, and other documents used in outdoor and even some indoor activities.

They are made of paper that easily tears, especially in intemperate conditions.

They are often large documents with fold lines that also cause them to tear easily.

They are often stored in an apparel pocket when not in use. A user must retrieve the document, unfold it, refold it, and put it away again for temporary storage. All of these activities take time and degrade the integrity of the document.

While this may seem like a small and tolerable inconvenience, it nevertheless interferes with many sports and other physical activities since by the nature of the activity the participant's hands may not be free to remove a stored map or other document and hold it while reading. Of particular note in the prior art is the activity of snow skiing. Such maps are generally large in size and often display two separate ski areas on their two sides.

Several previous patents have attempted to fix some of these problems, yet without adequately addressing the need for a superior device.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,917 attempts to solve the problems of earlier designs by disclosing a pair of flexible panels joined along three edges and selectively sealable and unsealable along a fourth edge. The panels define a weather-resistant pocket for receiving a document to be displayed, and the device is removably attached to a user's arm. One problem with this design is that only the front panel is transparent. The pocket cannot be reversed to display another section of a document or a second document. Neither does the design provide a transparent panel which largely circumscribes a user's arm. Thus the panel provides only a small viewing area. This requires the unfolding, refolding, and reinsertion of the document each time the user wishes to view another document section. Neither does the device teach of a tapered pouch which generally conforms to the tapered aspect of the user's underlying arm.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,936 offers a similar arm band holder with the same disadvantage of being transparent on only one side. An additional disadvantage is that this device includes a second pouch for carrying small articles, which adds to the cost of the product and impinges upon the aesthetic of a sleek profile. This design also does not provide a transparent panel which largely circumscribes a user's arm. Nor does the pouch taper to complement the tapering of the user's arm.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved wearable pouch that is easy to manufacture and versatile to use.

ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, the present invention may have one or more of the following advantages.

(a) to provide a reversible wearable pouch for documents such that transparent panels on both sides of the pouch comprise a window that is easily accessible to the person carrying the information, or to a companion, whenever either person needs to refer to the information.

(b) to provide a reversible wearable pouch which allows for convenient and instant document referencing without the use of hands, thus enhancing freedom of motion for the individual during a wide range of activities which may call for referencing a document.

(c) to provide a reversible wearable pouch which can be securely closed by a hook and loop attachment or by other types of closing devices such as, but not restricted to, a zipper, slide closer, straps, snaps, or pressure closer.

(d) to provide a reversible wearable pouch which is weather repellent, thus protecting a document or other item from the elements of nature.

(e) to provide a reversible wearable pouch which is waterproof, thus protecting a document or other item underwater.

(f) to provide a reversible wearable pouch which stays in place on the arm or leg of a user by the employment of one or more elastic or other gripping elements.

(g) to provide a reversible wearable pouch in which the dimensions of the pouch taper to emulate the underlying change in circumference along a length of an extremity such as an arm or leg.

(h) to provide a reversible wearable pouch that is adapted to achieve a snug fit around the circumference of a wide range of user's extremities.

(i) to provide a reversible wearable pouch in which its transparent panels largely circumscribe an extremity of a user such that a pair of large viewable areas are provided.

(j) to provide a reversible wearable pouch which will remain durable, reusable, and easily maintained.

(k) to provide a reversible wearable pouch in which an excess length of an attachment strap or flap can be tucked away or adhered to the device to keep it out of the way while the pouch still achieves a snug fit around the circumference of a wide range of users' extremities.

Further objects and advantages are to provide a reversible wearable pouch that can be manufactured easily and inexpensively, in various sizes and colors, to accommodate a large variety of documents such as maps, product assembly instruction guides, sport plays, menus, scavenger hunt and road rally instructions, and first aid procedures.

Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of the reversible pouch. Still further possible advantages and features of the invention are described below or will become obvious from a consideration of the following description and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention a versatile device comprises an external wearable transparent pouch which may be removably attached to an extremity of a user.

DRAWINGS—Figures

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the device, in which the first element of the attachment system and the closing mechanism of the window are visible.

FIG. 2 shows a back view of the device, in which the complementary element of the attachment system is disclosed and the bottom side of the closure mechanism is visible through the transparent panels.

FIG. 3A shows the device worn on a user's forearm with the front panel facing outwardly.

FIG. 3B shows the device worn on a user's forearm with the back panel facing outwardly.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of a second embodiment of the device with an additional fold-out attachment member or extension for increasing the circumference around which the device may be attached.

FIG. 5A shows the embodiment of FIG. 4 with the attachment elements of both ends of the device visible.

FIG. 5B shows the device with the additional attachment member unfolded.

FIG. 5C shows the reverse side of the embodiment of FIG. 4 with the back panel facing inwardly.

FIG. 5D shows the device with the back panel facing inwardly and the additional attachment member unfolded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1-3—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of wearable device or pouch of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 (front view) and FIG. 2 (back view). Referring specifically to FIG. 1, the pouch has a window 14 comprised of a nested transparent front panel 16 and a transparent back panel 18 (FIG. 2) which can be repeatedly bent and straightened out without fracturing. The two panels 16 and 18 of window 14 can be easily separated from one another along an unsealed aspect such as matable closure elements or track surfaces 32.

Front panel 16 has a closing mechanism 30 adjacent a top hem or cuff 50. The closing mechanism 30 may comprise any device such as, but not restricted to, a hook and loop system, a pressure closure, complementary longitudinal grooves and tongue, snaps, or a zipper. In the embodiment shown, the closing mechanism 30 is a slide closure comprised of matable track surfaces 32, a closure slider 34, and a pull tab 36.

A bottom hem or cuff 52 is of shorter length than the opposing top cuff 50, the pouch being tapered along its longitudinal length between a first edge 22 and a second edge 26 so as to emulate the circumference of a user's forearm A (FIG. 3A). Adjacent pouch elements including cuff 50 and the adjacent panel 16, as well as bottom cuff 52 and the adjacent panel 16, are aflixed to one another by methods such as heat sealing, glue, or sewing. Still referring to FIG. 1, a first end 20 is disposed adjacent the first edge 22 of the front side of the pouch. The first end 20 is comprised of a first attachment member or element 40 such as a hook fastener.

FIG. 2 shows the back side of the pouch. A second end 24 is adjacent the second edge 26 of the back side of the pouch, and the second end 24 is comprised of a second attachment member or element 44 such as a loop fastener. The back side of closing mechanism 30 is also visible through upwardly facing back panel 18 of the pouch. Complementary attachment elements 40 of FIG. 1 and 44 of FIG. 2 may be comprised of any attachment system, but in the preferred embodiment the system is comprised of hook element 40 and loop element 44.

Continuing with FIG. 2, the interior of cuffs 50 and 52 contain tightening or gripping elements such as stretchable elastic material or non-stretchable drawstrings. In the embodiment shown, a gripping element 55A of top cuff 50 and a gripping element 55 of bottom cuff 52 are comprised of elastic material.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show the pouch disposed on the forearm of the user A.

Operation—FIGS. 1-3

In operation, the manner of using the wearable pouch is to insert a document or other item into window 14 and then seal the window using closing mechanism 30. After inserting the document, the pouch is attached to user A by wrapping the pouch around an extremity of the user and matably engaging the attachment elements 40 and 44.

In a first position as shown in FIG. 3A, the pouch is wrapped around the extremity of user A such that the transparent panel 16 faces outwardly. In this position, attachment element 40 of end 20 underlaps complementary attachment element 44 of end 24. The two attachment elements are then matably engaged to removably affix the pouch to user A.

In a second position as shown in FIG. 3B, the pouch is wrapped around the extremity of user A such that the transparent panel 18 faces outwardly. In this position, attachment element 40 of end 20 overlaps complementary attachment element 44 of end 24.

The two attachment elements are then matably engaged to removably affix the pouch to user A.

In both the first and second positions, gripping element 55 of cuff 50 and gripping element 55A of cuff 52 further urge the pouch to maintain contact with the extremity of the user.

Because the front panel 16 is affixed to the second edge 26 of the pouch, a large viewing area of window 14 is offered on the front side of the pouch when the pouch is worn in the first position. Similarly, since the back panel 18 is affixed to the first edge 22 of the pouch, a large viewing area of window 14 is offered on the back side of the pouch when worn in the second position. Thus, the document carrying area of the pouch extends from first edge 22 to second edge 26.

FIGS. 4 and 5—Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the wearable pouch. In this embodiment, an additional folding attachment member, tab, strap, or flap 128 extends outwardly from first edge 22 of the pouch by a method such as sewing, glue, or foldable material. Both first end 20 adjacent panel 16 and second end 24 (FIG. 5A) are comprised of attachment elements 40 such as hook elements. Referring again to FIG. 4, the first side of the attachment flap 128 is comprised of a complementary attachment element 144 such as a loop element. FIGS. 4 and 5A show the flap 128 extending outwardly from panel 16 so as to increase the circumference of the pouch to a greater longitudinal length.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the second side of the attachment flap 128 is comprised of a second attachment element 144A which lies adjacent panel 16 when flap 128 is folded inwardly. When thus folded inwardly, element 144 (FIG. 5A) of flap 128 mates with attachment element 40 adjacent first end 20 of the pouch. Thus the longitudinal length of the pouch in FIG. 5B is the same as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. 5C and 5D show the pouch with the back panel 18 facing inwardly. In FIG. 5C, the attachment element 40 of the second end 24 faces inwardly and flap 128 is disengaged to extend outwardly from first end 20 of the pouch. In FIG. 5D, flap 128 is folded inwardly such that 144A offers an outwardly facing attachment element.

Operation—FIGS. 4 and 5

In a first position as shown in FIG. 5A, the attachment element 144 of flap 128 extends outwardly from panel 16 and is thus available to overlap and mate with complementary attachment element 40 of second end 24. In this position, the pouch offers an extended longitudinal length.

In a second position as shown in FIG. 5B, flap 128 is folded inwardly adjacent panel 16 such that attachment element 144A of flap 128 engages attachment element 40 of first end 20. Attachment element 144A of flap 128 is thus available to overlap and removably mate with the complementary attachment element 40 of second end 24.

In a third position as shown in FIG. 5C, the pouch is reversed so that panel 18 in now facing inwardly. Flap 128 is disengaged from first end 20 and extends outwardly. The attachment element 144 of flap 28 is thus exposed to be overlapped and matably engaged to complementary attachment element 40 of second end 24.

In a fourth position as shown in FIG. 5D, panel 18 is again facing inwardly. Flap 128 is folded inwardly adjacent panel 16. The attachment element 144A of flap 128 is thus available to underlap and mate with attachment element 40 of second end 24.

As FIGS. 5A-5D show, the attachment element 144 of flap 128 may either be removably attached to adjacent first end 20 of the pouch or may be detached to extend the longitudinal length of the pouch Both sides of the flap 128 are comprised of similar attachment elements. Thus, the pouch may be adjustably composed to fit a wide variety of circumferences of users regardless of whether panel 16 or panel 18 faces outwardly.

Advantages

From the description above, a number of advantages of the reversible wearable pouch become evident:

(a) Both sides of the pouch may be transparent so as to be easily accessible and viewable, doubling the amount of much-needed viewable area.

(b) Convenient document referencing may be performed without the use of hands.

(c) Many attachment systems can be offered for the pouch.

(d) Many closing systems can be offered for the pouch.

(e) The pouch may be weather repellent or waterproof.

(f) In some embodiments, the pouch may be circumferentially adjusted around a user's extremity to more conveniently reveal a particular section of an underlying document.

(g) The pouch is removable when not needed.

(h) At least one of the opposing ends of the pouch may be tapered to emulate the underlying change in circumference along a length of an extremity such as a forearm or thigh.

(i) In some embodiments, the length of the pouch may be extended by utilizing a flap or other method so that the pouch may encircle a larger extremity.

(j) The pouch is durable, reusable, and easily maintained.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will see that the reversible wearable pouch of this invention can be used for the convenient viewing an access of a wide range of documents. Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. For example, the pouch may incorporate a transparent panel on only one side. Also, the panels of the pouch window may be urged against one another when worn by a user without the requirement of any window closure system or mechanism whatsoever. Alternatively, one or more closing mechanisms may be situated anywhere on the window, and the transparent panels may be tinted in a variety of shades.

Furthermore, one or more attachment systems may be comprised of elements including, but not restricted to, buttons and button holes, snaps, bands, or straps. Also, an additional folding attachment tab, elastic band, strap, or flap may extend outwardly from both longitudinal ends of the pouch. In other embodiments, the top and bottom hems or cuffs may themselves be comprised of a tightening method or material, rather than having internal gripping mechanisms. Alternatively, the cuffs may not contain any intrinsic gripping methods or mechanisms whatsoever.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. A reversible pouch to be worn by a user for displaying a document, comprising: two nested flexible transparent panels having four edges; and

said nested said panels are comprised of a front panel and a back panel which define a window between said panels, said window having an opening such that said document can be removably disposed within said window; and

a first position wherein said transparent pouch is wrapped around an extremity of said user such that the front side of said document is visible through said front panel, and a second position wherein said transparent pouch is wrapped around an extremity of said user such that the back side of said document is visible through said back panel.

2. The reversible pouch according to claim 1 wherein two longitudinally opposing ends of said pouch comprise complementary attachment elements adapted to mate so as to removably secure said pouch around a circumference of a said extremity of said user such that either said panel is outwardly viewable.

3. The reversible pouch according to claim 1 wherein said nested panels are of sufficient flexibility and width to largely circumscribe a said extremity of said user.

4. The reversible pouch according to claim 1 wherein said opening in said window has a first closing element and an opposing complementary second closing element including such as a hook and loop system, a pressure closure, complementary longitudinal grooves and tongue, snaps, or a zipper adapted to mate so as to provide a closure mechanism for said window.

5. The reversible pouch according to claim 1 wherein said pouch is waterproof

6. The reversible pouch according to claim 1 wherein at least one longitudinally opposing end of said pouch is tapered to emulate an underlying change in circumference along a said extremity of said user.

7. The reversible pouch according to claim 1 wherein said pouch has a top cuff and a bottom cuff comprising gripping elements including such as elastic material for urging said cuffs to maintain contact with a said extremity of said user.

8. A wearable pouch to be worn by a user for displaying a document, said pouch comprising:

two nested flexible panels having four edges, said panels being affixed to said pouch along at least two of said edges so as to define a window therebetween for receiving said document; and

said nested panels are comprised of a front panel and a back panel and at least one of said panels is transparent; and

at least one of the longitudinally opposing ends of said pouch is tapered to emulate an underlying change in circumference along a length of an extremity of said user;

whereby said pouch is designed to fit the said tapered said circumference of said extremity of said user.

9. The wearable pouch according to claim 8 wherein two longitudinally opposing ends of said pouch comprise complementary attachment elements adapted to mate so as to removably secure said pouch around the circumference of a said extremity of said user.

10. The wearable pouch according to claim 8 wherein both said panels of said pouch are transparent.

11. The wearable pouch according to claim 8 comprised of a first position wherein said pouch is wrapped around an extremity of said user such that said front panel is disposed outwardly, and a second position wherein said pouch is wrapped around an extremity of said user such that said back panel is disposed outwardly;

12. The wearable pouch according to claim 8 wherein said nested panels are of sufficient flexibility and width to largely circumscribe an extremity of a said user.

13. The wearable pouch according to claim 8 wherein said opening in said window has a first closing element and an opposing complementary second closing element including such as a hook and loop system, a pressure closure, complementary longitudinal grooves and tongue, snaps, or a zipper adapted to mate so as to provide a closure mechanism for said window.

14. The wearable pouch according to claim 8 wherein said pouch is waterproof

15. The wearable pouch according to claim 8 wherein said pouch has a top cuff and a bottom cuff comprising gripping elements including such as elastic material for urging said cuffs to maintain contact with a said extremity of a said user.

16. A wearable pouch to be worn by a user for displaying a document, comprising:

two nested flexible panels having four edges, said panels affixed to one another along at least two of said edges so as to define a window therebetween for receiving said document; and

said nested panels are comprised of a front panel and a back panel; and the longitudinally opposed ends of said pouch are comprised of first attachment elements; and

a foldable flap comprises a complementary second attachment element affixed to and extending from at least one of said ends of said pouch;

whereby said second attachment element of said flap mates with said longitudinally said opposed end of said pouch for removably securing said pouch around the circumference of an extremity of said user.

17. The wearable pouch according to claim 16 wherein both the first side and the second side of said flap are comprised of said second attachment elements such that when said extension said flap is folded inwardly toward its adjacent said end of said pouch said flap mates with said complementary attachment element of said adjacent end of said pouch and said second side of said flap mates with the complementary said attachment element of said longitudinally opposed end of said pouch.

18. The wearable pouch according to claim 16 wherein both the first side and the second side of said flap are comprised of said second attachment elements such that when said extension said flap extends outwardly from its adjacent end of said pouch said flap mates with the complementary attachment element of said longitudinally opposed end of said pouch.

19. The wearable pouch according to claim 16 wherein both of said longitudinal ends of said pouch have a said foldable said attachment flap.

20. The wearable pouch according to claim 16 wherein at least one of said ends of said pouch is tapered to emulate an underlying change in said circumference along a length of a said extremity of said user.

21. The wearable pouch according to claim 16 wherein both said panels of said window of said pouch are transparent.

22. The wearable pouch according to claim 16 comprised of a first position wherein said pouch is wrapped around an extremity of said user such that said front panel is disposed outwardly, and a second position wherein said pouch is wrapped around an extremity of said user such that said back panel is disposed outwardly;

23. The wearable pouch according to claim 16 wherein said nested panels are of sufficient flexibility and width to largely circumscribe an extremity of a said user.

24. The wearable pouch according to claim 16 wherein said opening in said window has a first closing element and an opposing complementary second closing element including such as a hook and loop system, a pressure closure, complementary longitudinal grooves and tongue, snaps, or a zipper adapted to mate so as to provide a closure mechanism for said window.

25. The wearable pouch according to claim 16 wherein said pouch is waterproof

26. The wearable pouch according to claim 16 wherein said pouch has a top cuff and a bottom cuff comprising gripping elements including such as elastic material for urging said cuffs to maintain contact with a said extremity of a said user.