WRIST WALLET FOR POCKET

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to wallets and support braces, and more particularly to wrist wallets, wrist support braces, and combined wrist straps featuring pockets.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to wallets and support braces, and more particularly to wrist wallets and wrist support braces.

BACKGROUND

Various designs previously have been used to provide a mechanism for carrying items about a person's body. In particular, various devices have been used to secure small items about an individual's person, including to an individual's wrist. These designs generally suffer from several significant flaws.

First, the closure mechanism or mechanism used to secure a wrist band to a user's wrist frequently wears out through use. Further, the closure mechanism is liable to become detached, causing the wrist band to separate from or fall off of the user's wrist. In particular, individuals wearing a wrist band while engaging in physical activity such as running or climbing risk having the wrist strap loosen during use. For example, an elastic wrist band will loosen over time and eventually become too loose to remain on a person's wrist.

Similarly, a wrist band could become separated from a person's wrist when the closure mechanism fails entirely, thereby potentially losing the wrist band and any items secured by or to it. For example, a wrist strap secured through a hook and loop fastener may become detached when the terminal portion of the band brushes against or snags on an object. One example of this is the wrist band disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,972 filed on Aug. 12, 1993 to R. Benton Jacks (the “'972 Patent”), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The '972 Patent teaches a wrist band design employing either one or two sets of hook and loop fasteners. Should the end of the band snag on another object, the hook and loop fasteners will become detached, causing the band to detach from the user's wrist.

Second, existing designs generally require that the wrist band be removed from the user's wrist in order to access any item(s) secured by the wrist band. For example, the '972 Patent requires that the band be entirely removed from the user's wrist in order to access the longitudinally extending main pocket. This increases the likelihood that a user will lose the band, such as by setting it down after removing an item from the pocket. Further, removing and reattaching the band to access the pocket requires an excessive amount of time. For some activities, such as where the band is worn while exercising, removing the band may not be an option, thereby requiring the user to forego use of the pocket altogether until the activity is completed.

Third, many existing wrist bands fail to adequately support or restrain a user's wrist. Frequently, it is desirable to immobilize the wrist of an individual who has suffered a wrist injury such as a sprain or trauma resulting in inflammation. Immobilizing the wrist joint in such circumstances may facilitate faster recovery and rehabilitation. Further, a supportive wrist band may be used protectively during activities that risk putting a great deal of strain on an individual's wrist joint. By putting pressure around the wrist during an exercise such as weightlifting, an individual may greatly reduce the risk of suffering a wrist sprain or strain. However, many existing wrist bands are not capable of immobilizing the joint or applying sufficient pressure to provide a meaningful reduction in the risk of injury.

For at least these reasons, a new design is needed which resolves these problems at an affordable cost.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a wrist wallet is provided comprising: an elongated strap for encircling the user's wrist, the elongated strap comprising a substantially rectangular body that extends longitudinally from a rectangular end to a tapered end; a cord for securing the elongated strap about the user's wrist attached to the tapered end; and a pocket located on the elongated strap proximate to the tapered end, wherein the pocket comprises a longitudinal opening stretching between two lateral sides.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a strap for a wrist support is provided that is made by folding a strip of material longitudinally, such that an upper portion is substantially flush with a lower portion; applying overlock stitching along the perimeter of the strip of material to attach the upper portion to the lower portion; and applying a support stitch longitudinally between the rectangular end and the pocket to attach the upper portion to the lower portion.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a pocket for a wrist wallet is formed by: cutting a tab in a lower portion proximate a tapered end; folding the tab longitudinally against an interior side of a lower portion; attaching the tab to the lower portion via hem stitching; and attaching the upper portion to the lower portion proximate the tapered end with two parallel construction stitches that extend perpendicularly from the tab and run laterally across the elongated strap.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a strap for a wrist support is provided that is made by attaching a piece of material to the upper portion proximate the tapered end with two parallel construction stitches running laterally across the elongated strap and one longitudinal construction stitch that runs longitudinally between the two parallel construction stitches.

These and other embodiments are disclosed or are obvious from and encompassed by the following Detailed Description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The following detailed description, given by way of example, but not intended to limit the invention solely to the specific embodiments described, may best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wrist support in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top elevation view of the wrist support of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom elevation view of the wrist support of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a wrist support of FIG. 1 secured around a user's wrist.

FIG. 5 is a top elevation view of a partially disassembled wrist support in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top elevation view of a partially disassembled wrist support in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting and understanding the principles disclosed herein, reference is now made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language is used to describe the same. It is nevertheless understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is hereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and such further applications of the principles disclosed and illustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure relates.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to providing a wrist wallet comprising an elongated strap configured to encircle a user's wrist. In an embodiment, the elongated strap includes a hidden pocket to hold and conceal small items, including but not limited to cards (such as credit cards, debit cards, RFID-type access cards, and/or business cards), paper currency, coins, and keys. The hidden pocket may be rectangular in shape. The elongated strap is configured to encircle a user's wrist and be secured thereto using a fastening device. In an embodiment, the fastening device is a cord which may be wrapped around a user's wrist and secured with a knot, thereby securely fastening the wrist wallet to the user's wrist.

As shown in FIG. 1, in an embodiment, a wrist support 100 (also referred to herein as a “wrist wallet”) comprises a main strap 102 configured to be wrapped around an individual's wrist. The main strap 102 is elongated and runs longitudinally between a rectangular end 102a and a tapered end 102b. In an embodiment, the tapered end 102b narrows laterally, such that the width of the tapered end 102b at the terminal portion of the main strap 102 is less than the width of the rectangular end 102a. The main strap 102 may be constructed from a flexible material such as nylon or neoprene. Alternatively, the main strap 102 may be comprised of a blend of 65% polyester and 35% cotton. In an embodiment, the strap 102 is inelastic. In an alternative embodiment, the strap 102 is elastic.

A cord 104 is attached to the tapered end 102b. In an embodiment, a secured end 104a of the cord 104 is attached to the tapered end 102b of the strap 102 via stitching. In an embodiment, the secured end 104a is attached to the inner side 106a of the strap 102 via two parallel stitches that extend laterally across the cord 104. In an embodiment, the free end 104b of the cord 104 includes an enlarged portion 108. In an embodiment, the enlarged portion 108 is created by tying a knot in the cord 104. In an alternative embodiment, the enlarged portion 108 is created by folding the free end 104b back over the cord 104 and attaching the free end 104b to the cord 104 via stitching. In another alternative embodiment, the enlarged portion 108 is formed by attaching an object to the cord 104.

In an embodiment, the cord 104 is elongated and rectangular in cross section, such that the length of cord 104 is greater than its width which in turn is greater than its height. In an embodiment, the cord 104 is manufactured from a plurality of cords which are woven together. The cord 104 may be comprised of cotton, another suitable natural material, or one or more synthetic materials.

As shown in FIG. 1, in an embodiment, a pocket 110 is formed on the inner surface 106a of the strap 102 proximate the tapered end 102b. In an embodiment, the pocket 110 is formed by attaching a strip of material to the inner surface 106a of the strap 102 via stitching. In an embodiment, the two lateral sides and one of the longitudinal sides of the pocket 110 are attached via stitching, leaving the remaining longitudinal side open.

In an embodiment, a support stitch 112 runs longitudinally along the central portion of the strap 102 between the rectangular end 102a and the pocket 110. As discussed in greater detail below, this support stitch 112 may serve to increase the integrity of the strap 102.

FIG. 2 provides a top-down elevation view of the interior side 106a of an embodiment of a wrist wallet 100. As shown in FIG. 2, in an embodiment, the opening 202 of the pocket 110 runs longitudinally along an edge of the strap 102. The opening 202 may be offset from the edge of the strap 102, such that the strap 102 overhangs the pocket 110 at least proximate the opening 202. As shown in FIG. 2, in an embodiment, the pocket is offset from the edges of the strap 102 both proximate the opening 202 and on the side of the pocket 110 opposite the opening 204.

As shown in FIG. 2, in an embodiment, the cord 104 is attached to an interior side 106a of the strap.

FIG. 3 provides a top-down elevation view of the exterior side 106b of an embodiment of a wrist wallet 100. As shown in FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the edges of the pocket 110 are formed with two parallel, laterally extending construction stitches 302a, 302b with a single longitudinally extending construction stitch 304 extending therebetween. The side of the pocket 110 opposite the longitudinally extending construction stitch 304 comprises the opening 202 of the pocket 110.

In an embodiment, the cord 104 is attached to the strap 102 via two parallel attachment stitches 306a, 306b which run laterally across the strap 102.

As shown in FIG. 4, the strap 102 is configured to encircle a user's wrist. The strap 102 may be secured around a user's wrist by first placing the rectangular end 102a of the strap 102 against the user's wrist. Then, the length of the strap 102 is wrapped around the user's wrist. The placement of the strap 102 may be adjusted to provide a desired amount of support to a particular portion of the user's wrist. By supporting the wrist joint, the wrist support 100 may be used to ensure the wrist remains aligned during physical activity such as weight lifting or other exercises. For example, by wrapping the strap about the wrist joint, a user may prevent his or her hand from deflecting too far back towards his or her arm, thereby reducing the risk of sustaining an injury to the wrist joint while lifting weights.

The wrist support 100 may be secured in place by wrapping the cord 104 one or more times around the strap 102. In an embodiment, the cord 104 may be tied to itself to hold the cord in place. In an alternative embodiment, cord 104 may be wrapped around itself one or more times and held in place by the pressure of the cord 104 on the enlarged portion 108.

As shown in FIG. 5, in an embodiment the wrist support 100 is formed from a strip of material 500. The strip of material 500 includes an upper portion 502a and a lower portion 502b. The strap 102 is formed by folding the upper portion 502a against the lower portion 502b along a longitudinal fold line 504. The upper portion 502a is attached to the lower portion 502b by placing overlock stitching along the perimeter 506 of the strip of material 500, thereby forming an overlock closure seam. In an embodiment, the upper portion 502a is further attached to the lower portion 502b through the support stitch 112.

In an embodiment, the pocket 110 is formed by sewing a separate piece of material 508 onto the upper portion 502 of the strip of material 500 proximate the tapered end 102b. In this embodiment, the pocket is formed in the space between the separate piece of material and the upper portion 502a. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the separate piece 508 is attached to the lower portion 502b.

As shown, the piece of material 508 is attached using two parallel, laterally extending construction stitches 302a, 302b. These construction stitches 302a, 302b form the lateral walls of the pocket 110 and are placed along the longitudinal edges of the piece 508. A longitudinally extending construction stitch 304 is placed along one lateral edge of the piece 508 so as to extend between the lateral construction stitches 302a, 302b, thereby forming the longitudinal wall of the pocket 110. The piece 508 is thus secured to the upper portion 502a along three separate edges, with the fourth edge forming the opening of the pocket. The fourth edge may be hemmed. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the piece 508 may be rectangular, triangular, rounded or any other desired two-dimensional shape so as to form the desired shape of pocket.

In an embodiment, multiple pockets are formed along the length of the strap 102. In an embodiment, a pocket is formed with a lateral opening proximate the rectangular end 102a of the strap 102. In another embodiment, a pocket is formed with a lateral opening proximate the tapered end 102b of the strap 102.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a strip of material 600 includes an upper portion 602a and a lower portion 602b which further includes a tab 604. The tab 604 extends laterally away from the lower portion 602b. The strap 102 is formed by folding the upper portion 602a against the lower portion 602b along a longitudinal fold line 606. The upper portion 602a is attached to the lower portion 602b by placing overlock stitching along the perimeter 612 of the strip of material 600, thereby forming an overlock closure seam. In an embodiment, the upper portion 602a is further attached to the lower portion 602b through the support stitch 112.

The pocket 110 is formed by folding the tab 604 against the lower portion 602b. The end of the tab 604 is then attached to the lower portion 602b using a stitch such as a hem. In an embodiment, the material of the lower portion 602b may be cut proximate the tab 604 so as to enable the tab 604 to be folded further from the edge of the lower portion 602b. The lateral walls of the pocket 110 are formed by placing two parallel, laterally extending construction stitches 302a, 302b proximate the tapered end 102b securing the upper portion 502a to the lower portion 502b. An additional longitudinally extending construction stitch 304 may be placed so as to extend between the lateral construction stitches 302a, 302b, thereby forming the longitudinal wall of the pocket 110. The pocket 110 thus exists in the space between the upper portion 502a and the lower portion 502b. The opening of the pocket 110 may be offset from the edge of the strip of material 600.

In an embodiment, a plurality of lateral and/or longitudinal stitches are made in the piece of material 600 so as to increase the strength of the material.

It is to be understood, having thus described in detail preferred embodiments of the present invention, that the invention defined by the above paragraphs is not to be limited to the particular details set forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wrist wallet, comprising:

an elongated strap for encircling the user's wrist, the elongated strap comprising a substantially rectangular body that extends longitudinally from a rectangular end to a tapered end;

a cord attached to the tapered end for securing the elongated strap about the user's wrist; and

a pocket located on the elongated strap proximate to the tapered end, wherein the pocket comprises a longitudinal opening proximate an edge of the elongated strap.

2. The wrist wallet of claim 1, further comprising a primary support seam extending longitudinally between the rectangular end and the pocket.

3. The wrist wallet of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of substantially parallel secondary support seams extending from the parallel end to the tapered end.

4. The wrist wallet of claim 1, wherein the elongated strap is formed from a strip of material having an upper portion and a lower portion, the elongated strap formed by:

folding the strip of material longitudinally, such that the upper portion is substantially flush with the lower portion;

applying overlock stitching along the perimeter of the strip of material to attach the upper portion to the lower portion; and

applying a support stitch longitudinally between the rectangular end and the pocket to reinforce the attachment of the upper portion to the lower portion.

5. The wrist wallet of claim 4, wherein the pocket is formed by:

cutting a tab in the lower portion proximate the tapered end;

folding the tab longitudinally against an interior side of the lower portion;

attaching the tab to the lower portion via hem stitching; and

attaching the upper portion to the lower portion proximate the tapered end with two parallel construction stitches that extend perpendicularly from the tab and run laterally across the elongated strap.

6. The wrist wallet of claim 4, wherein the pocket is formed by:

attaching a piece of material to the upper portion proximate the tapered end with two parallel construction stitches running laterally across the elongated strap and one longitudinal construction stitch that runs longitudinally between the two parallel construction stitches.

7. The wrist wallet of claim 1, wherein the cord is attached to the elongated strap via two parallel attachment stitches.

8. The wrist wallet of claim 1, wherein the cord further comprises an enlarged portion located opposite the tapered end.

9. The wrist wallet of claim 1, wherein the rectangular end of the elongated strap is three inches wide and the elongated strap is thirty-five inches long.

10. The wrist wallet of claim 1, wherein the strip of material is inelastic.

11. The wrist wallet of claim 9, wherein the strip of material is formed from a blend of 65% polyester and 35% cotton.

12. The wrist wallet of claim 1, wherein the cord is inelastic.

13. The wrist wallet of claim 1, wherein the wrist wallet is configured to be secured about the user's wrist by placing the rectangular end against the user's wrist, encircling the user's wrist with the elongated strap, and securing the elongated strap by wrapping the cord about the user's wrist and tying a knot in the cord.