SECURITY BRACELET

Abstract

A security bracelet includes a body for encircling an appendage and a compartment. The compartment is hidden from view within the body. Alternatively, a security bracelet may include a body with an upper surface and arcuate arms. The upper surface and the arms define a cavity for receiving an appendage. The arms define an expansion joint therebetween, whereby when the joint expanses, dimensions of the cavity increase. The body includes a compartment. In an open position, the compartment receives materials. In a closed position, the compartment secures materials. Also, a security bracelet includes a plurality of panels. Each panel is joined to the next panel with a hinge. A pocket is disposed on an interior surface of the panel. A fastening mechanism joins together the free ends of the panels. In a closed position, the panels encircle an appendage.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/538,974 filed Sep. 26, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a security bracelet capable of functioning as a billfold or a purse and worn about an appendage of the user, for example, and an ankle or a wrist.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a person goes out for an evening, they typically brings a purse to hold their valuables, e.g., credit cards, debit cards, driver's license, identification cards, keys, folded paper bills, coins, tokens, and combinations thereof. If they want to set the purse down, they must find a secure place or individual to leave the purse. Sometimes, the place or individual may not be as secure as they had hoped. It would be best if the items could be left on their person. Fashion being fashion, pockets and/or hidden compartments are typically not provided in a garment.

Such devices are known. For example see: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,341,972; D371,675; D373,900; 5,588,571; 5,755,366; 6,443,341; 7,395,555. While functional, these devices are hardly fashionable.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device where such items may be secured, yet not detract from the wearer's style.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A security bracelet includes a body for encircling an appendage and a compartment. The compartment is hidden from view within the body. Alternatively, a security bracelet may include a body with an upper surface and arcuate arms. The upper surface and the arms define a cavity for receiving an appendage. The arms define an expansion joint therebetween, whereby when the joint expanses, dimensions of the cavity increase. The body includes a compartment. In an open position, the compartment receives materials. In a closed position, the compartment secures materials. Also, a security bracelet includes a plurality of panels. Each panel is joined to the next panel with a hinge. A pocket is disposed on an interior surface of the panel. A fastening mechanism joins together the free ends of the panels. In a closed position, the panels encircle an appendage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form that is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows how a card may be inserted into the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is shows a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a card inserted into the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a card inserted into the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows an exterior view of a fourth embodiment in an open position.

FIG. 8 shows an interior view of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows how items may be secured with the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows the fourth embodiment in a closed position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a first embodiment of the security bracelet 10. Bracelet, as used herein, also includes anklet, i.e., the bracelet may be worn about the wrist or the ankle. The bracelet may be strapless.

Bracelet 10 may include a body 12 having an upper surface 14 with arms 16 joined with the upper surface 14. The proximal ends of arms 16 may be integral with the upper surface 14. The arms 16 are arcuate or curved. The arms 16 and the upper surface 14 define a cavity 15. An appendage (not shown), e.g., an arm or leg, or more specifically, a wrist or ankle, may be slipped though the cavity 15. The distal ends of the arms 16 define an expansion joint 20 therebetween. The dimension of the cavity 15 may be increased by expanding the expansion joint 20.

The body 12, including the upper surface 14 and arms 16, may be made of any rigid, yet flexible, material. There must be sufficient flex in the arms 16 so that joint 20 may be opened to allow the passage of the appendage therethrough. Such rigid, but flexible, materials include, but are not limited to: polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene); styrenic plastics (e.g., ABS, polystyrene); vinyl plastics (e.g., PVC); acrylics; cellulosics (e.g., cellulose acetate); fluoroplastics (e.g., PTFE); polyamides (e.g., nylon); polycarbonates; polyesters (e.g., polyethylene terphthalate); sulfone polymers (e.g., polysulfone); thermoplastic elastomers (e.g., styrenic block co-polymers); blends thereof; and alloys thereof.

A drawer 22 is disposed within the upper surface 14 of the bracelet 10. In a first (closed) position, FIG. 1, the drawer 22 is completely housed within the upper surface 14. In a second (opened) position, FIG. 2, the drawer 22 extends out of a lateral side of the body of the bracelet. Drawer 22 has a pocket 24 sized to receive items such as credit/debit card, identification card (e.g., a driver's license), and/or a key (e.g., key card, house key), as indicated in FIG. 2 by A. These cards are generally rectangular (with a length greater than the width). Additionally, pocket 24 may also receive paper money and/or coins. When the drawer 22 is in the second position, the card A may be slid into the pocket 24 as indicated in FIG. 2 by arrow B. In the first embodiment, the card A extends in the pocket 24 in the length direction.

The drawer 22 may be slid in and out of the upper surface 14 as indicated by arrow C in FIG. 2. Upper surface 14 may be equipped with recesses 30 located at the lateral edges of the drawer 22. These recesses 30 include a slide surface 28. The drawer 22 may be equipped with protrusions 32 having a bearing surface 26. The bearing surface 26 and the slide surface 28 cooperate to allow the drawer 22 to be slid between the first and second positions. The drawer 22 is held within upper surface 14 by fiction, but a clasp (not shown) may be used.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the second embodiment of bracelet 10′ is shown. Bracelet 10′ is substantially the same as the first embodiment of the bracelet 10 except that drawer 22′ is adapted to receive card A in a widthwise fashion, as shown in FIG. 4.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the third embodiment of bracelet 10″ is shown. Bracelet 10″ is substantially the same as the first embodiment 10 and the second embodiment 10′, except that the sliding drawer is replaced with a pivotal hatch 40 covering a compartment 50. In FIG. 5, the hatch 40 is shown in a closed position. In FIG. 6, the hatch 40 is shown in an opened position. The hatch 40 may swing about the hinge 42 between the opened and closed positions as shown by arrow D in FIG. 6. A finger access 44 may be provided, so that the hatch 40 may be moved from the closed position to the open position. The hatch 40 may be secured in the closed position via the use of a catch 48 and a recess 52. The catch 48 may be spring loaded to ensure a secured latching of the hatch 40 in the compartment 50.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6 include no fastening mechanism to secure the bracelet about the appendage. Such fastening mechanisms include, but are not limited to: hook & loop type fasteners, straps, snaps, hook & eyelets, zippers, and buttons.

In FIGS. 7-10, a fourth embodiment of the security bracelet 100 is shown. Bracelet 100 has an exterior surface 102 (FIG. 7) and an interior surface 104 (FIG. 8). The bracelet 100 may have a plurality of panels 106 joined to one another with a hinge 108. Each panel has a pocket 114 located on the interior surface 104, as best seen in FIG. 8.

The panels 106 and hinges 108 may be made of any material. The material should be pliable and strong. The material may be a woven fabric, a knit fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a film, or a foil. The plastic material mentioned above may be suitable materials, but metals may also be used. The panels and hinges may be integral or may be discrete components affixed to one another. When the panels and hinges are discrete components, those components may be different materials. For example, the hinges may be more flexible than the panels.

The pocket 114 located on the interior surface 104 of the panel 106 may be sized for the receipt of cards, keys, paper money, and coins as mentioned above and shown in FIG. 9. The cover of the pockets 114 may be formed of a transparent or translucent material. Such material may be a plastic film or shear mesh fabric.

As best envisioned from FIGS. 7, 8, and 10, the bracelet 100 may be made from a plurality of pliable, hinged panels that are adapted to encircle the wearer's appendage. In the opened position (FIGS. 7-8), the bracelet 100 is generally flat and provided with a closure mechanism. The closure mechanism illustrated, but not limit thereto, includes a tab 110 affixed a one end of the panels, and snap fastener 112. Those of ordinary skill will readily appreciate that other closure mechanisms may be employed; such as but not limited to hook & loop type fasteners, zippers, buttons, clasps, and the like. In the closed position (FIG. 10), the bracelet generally defines an opening through which the appendage may pass.

In all of the foregoing embodiments, the surfaces of the bracelets may be decorated. Decorations may include any adornment that would enhance the attractiveness or style of the bracelet. Such adornments may include, but are not limited to, paints, jewels, sequins, tinsel, fragrances, glitter, designs, carvings, and the like.

The present invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit and the essential attributes thereof, and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicated the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A security bracelet comprising:

a body member adapted for encircling an appendage, and

a compartment, said compartment being hidden from view within said body member.

2. The bracelet of claim 1 wherein said body member comprising: a plurality of panels, said plurality of panels defining a row of panels with a first free end and a second free end, a flexible member securing one panel to an adjacent panel, and a fastener for releasably joining said first free end to said second free end; said compartment being hidden from view on a side of said panel juxtaposed to the appendage.

3. The bracelet of claim 1 wherein said body member comprising a first arm and a second arm, said arms at their proximal ends being joined together at said compartment and said arms at their distal ends being spaced apart from one another.

4. The bracelet of claim 3 wherein said compartment comprising said body member having a cavity therein and a drawer slidably mounted within cavity and being movable between a closed, hidden position and an open position.

5. The bracelet of claim 4 wherein said drawer being sized to receive an item selected from the group consisting of a credit card, a debit card, a driver's license, an identification card, a key, a folded paper bill, a coin, a token, and combinations thereof.

6. The bracelet of claim 5 wherein said drawer being disposed with said cavity where a longitudinal axis of said item being parallel to a longitudinal axis of said appendage.

7. The bracelet of claim 5 wherein said drawer being disposed with said cavity where a longitudinal axis of said item being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said appendage.

8. The bracelet of claim 3 wherein said compartment comprising said body member having a cavity therein and a lid pivotably mounted within cavity and being movable between a closed, hidden position and an open position.

9. The bracelet of claim 8 wherein said cavity being sized to receive an item selected from the group consisting of a credit card, a debit card, a driver's license, an identification card, a key, a folded paper bill, a coin, a token, and combinations thereof.

10. The bracelet of claim 9 wherein said cavity being disposed with said body member where a longitudinal axis of said item being parallel to a longitudinal axis of said appendage.

11. The bracelet of claim 3 wherein said first arm and said second arm being made of a rigid, but flexible material, whereby a space between the distal ends of said arms may be opened.

12. A security bracelet comprising:

a body having an upper surface and arcuate arms, said upper surface and said arcuate arms defining a cavity adapted to receive an appendage, said arcuate arms defining a expansion joint therebetween whereby when said joint expanses dimensions of the cavity increase, and the body defining a compartment, in an open position the compartment being adapted to receive materials and in a closed position the compartment being adapted to secure materials.

13. The security bracelet of claim 12 wherein said compartment further comprises a drawer, said drawer being slidably moveable between the opened and closed positions.

14. The security bracelet of claims 12 wherein said compartment further comprising a hatch, said hatch being swingable between the opened and closed positions.

15. A security bracelet comprising:

a plurality of panels, each panel joined to the next panel with a hinge, a pocket disposed on an interior surface of said panel, and a fastening mechanism for joining together the free ends of the plurality of panels, whereby in a closed position the panels being adapted to encircle an appendage.