Money band apparatus

Abstract

An improved pocket money band apparatus made of a resilient material adapted to hold bill money and credit cards.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation-In-Part Application that claims the benefit of U.S. Regular pplication Ser. No. 11/118,294 filed on Apr. 29, 2005, entitled “POCKET MONEY BAND APPARATUS”

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

No federal grants or funds were used in the development of the present invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to apparatus used to hold money, credit cards and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are several conventional means of holding money and credit cards, for example, in a pocket, in a wallet or in a money clip. Each of these means have disadvantages. For example, loose and disorganized money and credit cards in a pocket can lead to the loss of such money and credit cards. Wallets are bulky and money clips will not hold credit cards securely. What is desired is a means of holding a nominal amount of money and credit cards, as well as other assorted items, in a non-bulky, secure, yet fashionable manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a band made of a resilient material, leather, leather-like vinyl, suede, woven, denim, corduroy and metal, and the like, having a first end and a second end, the band of which can be looped and then the first end coupled to the second end with a fastening or coupling means, such as a concho, or coupled together with an elastic portion sewn thereinbetween the first end and second end. Various alterations and modifications of the basic band can be made to hold a variety of small items. The present invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings, in which like reference numbers denote the same element throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is drawing of a band having a first end and a second end;

FIG. 2 is drawing of a band with the first end fastened to the second end using a concho;

FIG. 3 illustrates the first end and the second end of the band held together by any appropriate fastening means;

FIGS. 4A-4I illustrates various embodiments of the money band of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a slit on one side;

FIG. 6 illustrates a separate coin purse coupled on a side of the band;

FIG. 7 illustrates a band with a pocket having a clear back to allow the holding of a picture;

FIG. 8 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention including a strap across the top thereof adapted to hold cards and money securely within the band with a closed bottom; and

FIG. 10 illustrates the metal money band of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention comprises a band made of a resilient material, such as leather, leather-like vinyl, suede, woven, denim, corduroy and metal, and the like, having a first end and a second end, the band of which can he looped and then fastened with a fastening means, such as a concho, or sewn together. Various alterations and modifications of the basic band can be made to hold a variety of small items. The band made of metal can be a continuous cast band having a portion on each side thereof that are configured to be snapped into a clamped position from an unclamped position.

As seen in FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the pre-formed band 100 made of resilient material having a height of between either (i) a quarter inch (0.25) to 1.25 inches or (ii) 1.5 to 2.5 inches and, when laid flat, a length of between 3 and 8 inches, said band having a first crease and a second crease, the band being folded along the first crease and the second crease and then coupled along a first edge and a second edge with a coupling means. In an aspect of the first embodiment, the band has a length that is slightly longer than 2 times the width of a conventional US bill money, such that when the first end and second end of the band are coupled, a bill 201 can be slid just inside the band width-wise as seen in FIG. 2. Within the folded bill, a credit card or plurality of credit cards can be placed therein. The resilient material can be a single layered material, or can be comprised of a plurality of layers having similar dimensions that are coupled to each other to form the money band.

Alternatively, the present invention comprises the pocket money band apparatus in combination with a leather or leather-like vinyl card holder. One or more credit cards can be placed within the credit card holder and the credit card holder placed within the folded money bill that is held within the pocket money band apparatus. Pre-formed band 100 is folded along creases 101 and 102 and then coupled when the first edge 103 and the second edge 104 meet, to form the first embodiment of the first invention.

As seen in FIG. 3, the first end and the second end of the band 100 are formed and held together by any appropriate fastening means 301, including a concho, shell. Alternatively, the first edge and second edge can be coupled with an elastic portion sewn thereinbetween. The band 100 can be made of any resilient material such as leather, leather-like vinyl, suede, woven, denim, corduroy, metal or similar materials. The first exemplary embodiment is held together with a concho 401 having pins 402 that can be driven through the band and folded back as seen in FIG. 4A. Precious jewels or other decorative items can be used on a form concho to distinguish the money band 100.

Alternatively, as seen in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the coupling means 301 can comprise a first rectangular strip 403 being flat and pliable that is as wide as the band 103, having a first rectangular strip first edge 404 and a first rectangular strip second edge 405, the first rectangular strip first edge 404 being coupled to the inside of band 100 near first edge 103 and the first rectangular strip second edge 405 being coupled to the inside of band 100 near second edge 104. The first rectangular strip 403 can comprise a material such as elastic, semi rigid rubber material, and the like. The means of coupling the first rectangular strip first edge to the inside of the first edge 103 of the band 100 and the first rectangular strip second edge to the inside of the second edge 104 of the band 100 can be thread, nylon, wire or other suitable string like material 406 sewn therein between as seen in FIG. 4C or can be glue. Further, as seen in FIG. 4F. the portion 407 of the first rectangular strip 403 between the first edge 103 of the band 100 and the second edge 104 of the band 100 which is exposed when band 100 is stretched, can be covered with a second rectangular strip of material 408, as seen in FIG. 4D, that is looped or wrapped around the band at the location where the first end 103 and the second 104 meet, thus covering first edge 103, second edge 104 and first rectangular strip 403. Thus, when first edge 103 is pulled away from second edge 104, the first rectangular strip is not seen as it is hidden behind second rectangular strip 408. The second rectangular strip 408 can comprise a leather or leather-like vinyl with a sufficient length, when flattened that it can be wrapped around the band 100 where the first edge 103 and the second edge 104 meet and coupled. The second rectangular strip 408 is coupled in place to the first rectangular strip along the longitudinal center 409 of the first rectangular strip 403. The coupling means between the first rectangular strip 403 and the second rectangular strip 408 can comprise sewn thread, nylon or wire. Alternative coupling means for coupling the first edge 103 and the second edge 104 of band 100 include hook and loop fastener, such as Velcro buckle and hole arrangement, woven, zipper, button and magnetic attachment. FIGS. 4G to 4I provide a further embodiment of the money band invention of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 4G, band 100 can be comprised of a resilient material such as leather, leather-like vinyl, suede, woven, denim, and corduroy, having an unfolded total width that is twice as wide as when in the folded position. For example, band 100 is between 3 and 8 inches in length and with a width of between 2 to 8 inches. A first crease 410 along the width thereof and a second crease 411 along the width thereof are each between one half (0.5) inch and two (2) inches from the top of the band 100. Referring to FIG. 4H, an elastic element 412 having a width that is about ½ of the width of band 100 is placed against the interior face of band 100. Band 100 is then folded over the elastic element 412 width-wise along the first crease 410 and along the second crease 411, partially enclosing elastic element 412, as seen in FIG. 4H. Then first edge 103 is brought around to meet with second edge 104 of band 100 as seen in FIG. 4I, elastic element 412 is then coupled to band 100 using glue along the interior portion of band 100 and/or sewn along first edge 103 and second edge 104 along portion 413 and 414 as seen in FIG. 4I.

As seen in FIG. 5, the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention can also have a slit 501 on one side thereof adapted to hold a small book of self-adhesive notes or to form a pocket within a first layer and second layer of band 100 to hold a small item such as a key or pocket watch. As seen in FIG. 6, a separate coin purse 601 can also be coupled on a side of band 100. Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 7, a pocket 701 having a clear back can be provided on an outer portion of a layer so as to receive a picture, photograph or identification material.

As seen in FIG. 8, a second embodiment of the present invention comprises a pre-formed band 800 with a height of between either (i) a quarter inch (0.25) to 1.25 inches or (ii) 1.5 to 2.5 inches and, when laid flat, a length of between 3 and 8 inches. In one aspect, the band 800 has a length (l) that is slightly longer than 2 times the width (w) of a conventional US bill money, such that when the first end and second ends of the band 800 are formed, a bill can be slid just inside the band 800 width-wise. This apparatus can be adapted to have the bottom portions of the money band sewn together to form a closed bottom portion. Alternatively, the second embodiment can comprised two (2) flat panels, each having a dimension as follows: a height between either (i) a quarter inch (0.25) to 1.25 inches or (ii) 1.5 to 2.5 inches and a width of between 1.5 and 5 inches The side edges and bottom edge of the two (2) panels are then sewn together to form a pocket. Thus, the second embodiment can hold credit cards and loose items without the need of a folded bill. As seen in FIG. 9, a strap 901 coupled across the two sides of the pocketed money band is adapted to hold credit cards and money bills in place. The strap 901 can be sewn on both ends to the opposite panels or one end, or both ends can be fastened using a fastening means, such as a snap mechanism, hook and loop fastener, buckle, button and hole arrangement, woven, zipper, button and magnetic attachment.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention as a continuous metal band 1000 having a planar front portion 1001, a planar back portion 1002, the planar front portion 1001 and planar back portion 1002 being joined on each side by a first curved side portion 1003A and a second curved side portion 1003B, each of the planar front portion 1001 and planar back portion 1002 having a height of between a quarter inch (0.25) to 5 inches and a length of between 1.5 and 4 inches, a lower part 1004 and 1005 of the inner faces of the planar front portion 1001 and planar back portion 1002 having a variable distance thereinbetween, said distance determined by whether the metal band is in a clamped or unclamped position. The clamping mechanism of the continuous metal band can be, e.g., a portion of the planar front portion 1001 and planar back portion 1002 having a predetermined gauge metal thickness different from the gauge metal thickness of the rest of the planar front portion 1001 and planar back portion 1002. Such difference includes the lower clamping portion being thinner than the remainder of the rest of the metal money band. The clamping mechanism is adapted to be moved portions of either, or both of the planar front portion 1001 and planar back portion 1002 from a first position to a second position by the application of force. The metal band can be comprised of one continuous cast piece or a piece of folded sheet metal having dimensions, in the unfolded position, as follows: a height of between one quarter (0.25) inch to 5 inches and a length of between 3 and 8 inches.

The pocket money band apparatus embodiments shown and described above are only exemplary. Even though several characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description together with details of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms used in herein and in the attached claims. For example, a user can use the pocket money band apparatus of the present invention in combination with a leather or leather-like credit card holder.

Claims

1. An improved money band apparatus, comprising:

a band made of resilient material having a height of between either (i) a quarter inch (0.25) to 1.25 inches or (ii) 1.5 to 2.5 inches and, when laid flat, a length of between 3 and 8 inches, said band having a first crease and a second crease and directly or indirectly coupled along a first edge and a second edge with a coupling means.

2. The improved money band apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is a direct coupling of the first edge to the second edge using a sewn thread.

3. The improved money band apparatus of claim 1, comprising an elastic strip having a height substantially the same as the height of the band, the elastic strip positioned between the first edge and the second edge of the band, a first edge of the elastic strip sewn to a first edge of the band and the second edge of the elastic strip sewn to the second edge of the band.

4. The improved money band apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises a concho having pins positioned over the first edge and second edge, the pins penetrating through the band material.

5. The improved money band apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resilient material is one selected from the group consisting of leather, leather-like vinyl, suede, woven, denim, corduroy and metal.

6. The improved money band apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resilient material has a first layer and a second layer.

7. The improved money band apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an aperture formed by a slit on the outer face of a layer providing a void between a first layer and second layer of the money belt material.

8. The improved money band apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a clear back on a portion of the outer layer adapted to receive a photograph or identification material.

9. The improved money band apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a separate coin purse coupled on a side of the money band.

10. The improved money band apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is a magnetic attachment.

11. A metal money band apparatus, comprising:

a continuous metal band made of a planar front portion, a planar back portion, the planar front portion and planar back portions being joined on each side by a first curved side portion and a second curved side portion, each of the planar front portion and back planar portion having a height of between a quarter inch (0.25) to 5 inches and a length of between 1.5 and 4 inches, a lower part of the inner faces of the planar front and planar back portions having a variable distance thereinbetween, said distance determined by whether the metal band is in a clamped or unclamped position; and

a clamping mechanism.

12. The improved money band apparatus of claim 11, being comprised of a continuous cast metal.

13. The metal money band apparatus of claim 11, being comprised of a folded sheet metal joined at the ends thereof, having dimensions, in the unfolded position, as follows: a height of between one quarter (0.25) inch to 5 inches and a length of between 3 and 8 inches.

14. The metal money band apparatus of claim 11, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a predetermined gauge metal thickness portion of the money band that is different from the gauge metal thickness of the remainder of the money band, such that the clamping mechanism portion is adapted to be moved from a first position to a second position by the application of force.

15. A money band, comprising:

a band made of resilient material having a height of between (i) a quarter inch (0.25) and 5 inches and, when laid flat, a length of between 3 and 8 inches; and

said band having a first crease and a second crease, the band being folded along the first crease and the second crease and then coupled along a first edge and a second edge with a coupling means, the bottom edge of the money band portion being joined and coupled to create a pocket.

16. The money band of claim 15, further comprising a strap coupled proximate the top, open end of the money band adapted to be fastened to the side of the money band with a fastening means selected from the group consisting of a snap mechanism, hook and loop fastener, buckle, button and hole arrangement, woven, zipper, button and magnetic attachment.

17. The money band of claim 15, further comprising a concho being coupled to the band.

18. The money band of claim 15, wherein the coupling means is a concho.

19. The money band of claim 15, comprising an elastic strip having a height substantially the same as the height of the band, the elastic strip positioned between the first edge and the second edge of the band, a first edge of the elastic strip sewn to a first edge of the band and the second edge of the elastic strip sewn to the second edge of the band.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising the band being made of a leather-like vinyl and wherein there is a concho coupled to the leather band.