MINIMALIST WALLET

Abstract

A minimalist wallet having barriers optional functional features is disclosed. The minimalist wallet may have an optional money band, an optional key ring, an optional money clip and an optional coin tray. Magnets may be used to assemble and disassemble the minimalist wallet to add or subtract various features as needed by the user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The various aspects described herein relate to a minimalist wallet that can be configured with one or more features to suit a user's needs at the moment.

A minimalist wallet is a wallet that holds in a minimal number of things (e.g., credit cards). It is not designed to hold unimportant things (e.g., a large sum of cash) that typically are carried within a traditional wallet (e.g., bi-fold or tri-fold wallet). Unfortunately, a user may have to forgo taking one or more necessary things for a particular situation.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved minimalist wallet.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A minimalist wallet is disclosed herein that can be quickly and easily reconfigured without tools to add or subtract optional features. In particular, the minimalist wallet may have an optional money band, an optional money clip, an optional keyring, and an optional coin tray that can be added to or removed from the minimalist wallet without tools (e.g., screw driver). Instead of tools, these optional functional features may be added to the minimalist wallet or subtracted therefrom with magnets. For example, the money band may be wrapped around a cover plate that is removably attached to a body plate with magnets. The money clip may also be removably attachable to the cover plate, which is removably attachable to the body plate with magnets. The magnets that hold the cover plates to the body plates may be sufficiently strong so that the cover plates do not inadvertently detach from the body plates during normal usage of the wallet. An optional coin tray may be sized to the same size as the body plate so that the coin tray can be inserted between two body plates. The coin tray is not attached to the body plates with magnets. Rather, they are disposed between the two body plates which are pressed against coin tray. The coin tray forms an enclosure with one of the body plates to hold coins, paper banknotes, keys, etc. However, the coin tray does not need to be carried or implemented in the minimalist wallet unless desired by the user. For example, if the user need not carry coins, the user can remove the coin tray. If the user needs to carry coins, the user may do so by adding the coin tray to the minimalist wallet. Also, if the user wants to have a money band then or money clip, the user may attach those things to the cover plates. The minimalist wallet may also have an optional keyring. To this end, the keyring may be attached to an elastic band that squeezes the body plates together. The minimalist wallet may be provided with two different money bands. One money band has a key ring, whereas the other elastic band does not have the keyring. The user will use the type of money band as needed by the situation.

More particularly, a minimalist wallet kit is disclosed. The kit permits a user to easily change features of the wallet. The wallet may comprise a first body plate, a second body plate, an elastic member, a first cover plate and a second cover plate.

The first body plate may have a width less than 2.5 inches and length less than 3.75 inches. The first body plate may definie an interior side and an exterior side. The interior side of the first body plate may be sized and configured to push against a first credit card of stacked credit cards. An exterior side of the first body plate may have a recess defined by a bottom surface and a wall. A plurality of permanent magnets may be embedded about a periphery of a bottom surface of the recess.

The second body plate may have a width less than 2.5 inches and a length less than 3.75 inches. The second body plate may define an interior side and an exterior side. The interior side of the second body plate may be sized and configured to push against a second credit card of the stacked credit cards.

The elastic member may be wrapped around the first and second body plates to bias the first and second body plates against the stacked credit cards to hold the stacked credit cards.

The first cover plate sized and configured to fit within the recess of the first body plate and removably attached to the first body plate within the recess via the magnets.

The second cover plate may be sized and configured to fit within the recess of the first body plate and removably attached to the first body plate within the recess via the magnets.

The first cover plate is removably attachable to the first body plate. Also, the second cover plate is removably attachable to the second body plate.

The interior sides of the first and second body plates may be flat.

The first and second cover plates may be fabricated from aluminum and permanent magnets may be embedded in the first and second cover plates at its periphery and aligned to the permanent magnets in the bottom surface of the first and second body plates.

The first and second body plates may be fabricated from aluminum.

The plurality of magnets embedded in the recess of the first body plate defines engagement surfaces and the engagement surfaces are in the same plane as each other and a plane of the bottom surface.

The first cover plate may have an indentation. The kit may further comprise a clip. The clip may have a first distal end and a second distal end with the clip formed into a loop. The first distal end may be biased against the first cover plate when the clip is attached to the first cover plate. The second distal end may have a protrusion inserted into the indentation of the first cover plate when the clip is attached to the first cover plate.

In another aspect, a method of configuring a minimalist wallet is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of providing a minimalist wallet kit which permits a user to easily change features; removing at least one of the first and second cover plates to disassemble the minimalist wallet; and reconfiguring the minimalist wallet to include one of a money clip, keyring and money band.

In the method, a wallet is used. The wallet may be defined as follows.

The wallet may comprise a first body plate, a second body plate, an elastic member, a first cover plate and a second cover plate.

The first body plate may have a width less than 2.5 inches and length less than 3.75 inches. The first body plate may definie an interior side and an exterior side. The interior side of the first body plate may be sized and configured to push against a first credit card of stacked credit cards. An exterior side of the first body plate may have a recess defined by a bottom surface and a wall. A plurality of permanent magnets may be embedded about a periphery of a bottom surface of the recess.

The second body plate may have a width less than 2.5 inches and a length less than 3.75 inches. The second body plate may define an interior side and an exterior side. The interior side of the second body plate may be sized and configured to push against a second credit card of the stacked credit cards.

The elastic member may be wrapped around the first and second body plates to bias the first and second body plates against the stacked credit cards to hold the stacked credit cards.

The first cover plate sized and configured to fit within the recess of the first body plate and removably attached to the first body plate within the recess via the magnets.

The second cover plate may be sized and configured to fit within the recess of the first body plate and removably attached to the first body plate within the recess via the magnets.

The first cover plate is removably attachable to the first body plate. Also, the second cover plate is removably attachable to the second body plate.

Referring back to the method, the reconfiguring step may comprise the steps of removing the first cover plate from the first body plate; securing a money clip to the first cover plate; and attaching the removed first cover plate to the first body plate.

Alternatively, in the reconfiguring step, the same may comprise the steps of removing the first or second cover plate from the respective first or second body plate; securing a money band to the removed first or second cover plate; and attaching the removed first or second cover plate to respective first or second body plate.

As a further alternative, in the reconfiguring step, the same may comprise the steps of removing the first and second cover plates from the respective first and second body plates; removing the elastic member from the first and second body plates, the elastic member having no keyring assembly; securing another elastic member having a keyring assembly to the first and second body plates, the keyring assembly being disposed on a side of the first and body plates so that the keyring assembly extends to a side of the first and second body plates; and attached the removed first and second cover plates to the respective first and second body plates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a minimalist wallet;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a backside of the minimalist wallet shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the minimalist wallet with a coin tray;

FIG. 4 is a layout of various parts of the minimalist wallet;

FIG. 5 illustrates the other side of the multiple parts of the minimalist wallet;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the minimalist wallet without a cover plate;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the minimalist wallet with a money band, coin tray, and credit cards;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the minimalist wallet with a user pulling out the coin tray;

FIG. 8B is a cross sectional view of the wallet shown in FIG. 8A; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the minimalist wallet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, a minimalist wallet 10 is shown. The minimalist wallet 10 permits a user to reconfigure the minimalist wallet 10 to suit different situations that the user may find him or herself without the use of specialized tools (e.g., screw drivers). By way of example and not limitation, the user may configure the wallet 10 to have an optional keyring assembly 12, an optional money band 14, an optional coin tray 16 (FIG. 3), an optional money clip 18 (see FIG. 2). The wallet 10 allows for these configurations to be quickly implemented to or removed from the wallet 10 by way of magnets 20 (FIG. 4). The user does not need to unscrew or screw covers on or off of the wallet 10 to implement or remove a feature. The user need only pull the wallet 10 apart, which is held together with an elastic band and magnets. The magnets 20 allows a cover plate 22, 24 to be removably attachable to body plates 26, 28 so that the wallet 10 can be disassembled and reassembled without a screwdriver (i.e., mechanical tools). When disassembled, the user can remove different components and add others to reconfigure the wallet 10 with the features that the user desires.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the elastic band 40 may have a circumference 46. The circumference 46, when it is in an unstretched configuration, may be smaller than an outer circumference of the two body plates 26, 28, when they are stacked together (see FIG. 6). Because of this, the elastic band 40 squeezes the two body plates 26, 28 together. The user can insert one or more credit cards 48 or other credit card-sized flat items (e.g., business cards) between the body plates 26, 28. The elastic band 40 squeezes the two body plates 26, 28 together to hold the credit cards 48 therebetween 26, 28. In addition to the credit cards 48, the tray 16 may be disposed between the body plates 26, 28 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8A. The tray 16 may have a flat bottom 50 with raised sidewalls 52, which define an open top, as shown in FIG. 3. The open top of the tray 16 may be facing the medial flat side 54, 56 (see FIG. 5) of either one of the body plates 26, 28 when it is inserted between the body plates 26, 28. In this manner, one of the medial flat sides 54, 56 of the body plates 26, 28, and the tray 16 can form an enclosure to hold other objects (e.g., key, coin, banknote). The enclosure formed by the tray 16 and the body plate 26, 28 can also receive a multitool 16 (FIG. 8A), coins, or paper money, which is folded up to store non-flat credit card-sized items in the wallet when needed. Once again, the wallet 10 is configurable to the user's need at the moment. If the user needs to carry a banknote, key, coins or other objects, the user can insert the tray 16 between the two body plates 26, 28 when needed. During use, the user can slide the tray outward by gripping the raised wall 52 from the notch 62 of the body plate 26, 28 to access the contents within the tray 16.

The body plates 26, 28 may have grooves 64, 66. These grooves 64, 66 may be formed on the lateral or exterior sides of the body plates 26, 28. The grooves 64, 66 may have widths 68, 70. The widths 68, 70 of the grooves 64, 66 of the body plates 26, 20 may be equal to the width 26 of the elastic band 40 in its initially stretched position (see FIG. 6). The widths 68, 70 may be between 2 to 2.5 cm. The elastic band 40 is in its initially stretched position when the elastic band 40 is wrapped around the body plates 26, 28 without any credit cards or other items disposed between the body plates 26, 28, as shown in FIG. 6. In this way, the elastic band 40 is fitted within the grooves 64, 66. When one or more credit cards 48 are disposed between the body plates 26, 28, the width 26 of the elastic band 40 is reduced because the elastic band 40 is stretched out.

Moreover, the elastic band 40 may be fabricated from a material having a thickness 72. The thickness 72 of the elastic band 40 when it is wrapped around the body plates 26, 28, as shown in FIG. 6, may be equal to a depth 74 of the groove 64, 66 of the body plates 26, 28. When the elastic band 40 is wrapped around the body plates 26, 28, the elastic band 40 may be flush with a bottom surface 76, 78 of the body plates 26, 28. This flush configuration is shown in FIG. 6 and allows the magnets 20 of the cover plates 22, 24 to fully engage the magnets 20 of the body plates 26, 28 when the cover plates 22, 24 are attached to the body plates 26, 28. In particular, when the cover plates 22, 24 are attached to the body plates 26, 28, the magnets 20 of the cover plates 22, 24 are preferably not separated (e.g., no air gap and are physically contacting each other) from the magnets 20 of the body plates 26, 28. In this configuration, the attractive magnetic forces generated by the respective pairs of magnets 20 of the cover plates 22, 24 and the body plates 26, 28 are sufficiently strong to hold the cover plates 22, 24 on to the body plates 26, 28 during normal usage of the wallet 10 by the user. As shown in FIG. 8B, the magnets 20 of the cover plate

Other configurations for accounting for the thickness 72 of the elastic band 40 are also contemplated so that the matching pair of magnets 20 of the body plates 26, 28, and the cover plates 22, 24 are fully engaged to each other (e.g., contact each other). By way of example and not limitation, the cover plates 22, 24 may also have grooves 80, 82. The grooves 80, 82 may also have a depth 84. The depth 84 of the groove 80 of the cover plate 22 plus the depth 74 of the groove 64 of the body plate 26 may be equal to or greater than the thickness 72 of the elastic band 40 when it is wrapped around the body plates 26, 28. Likewise, the depth 84 of the groove 82 of the cover plate 24 plus the depth 74 of the groove 66 of the body plate 28 may be equal to or greater than the thickness 72 of the elastic band 40. In this manner, the magnets 20 of the cover plates 22, 24 may lie flush against the magnets 20 of the body plates 26, 28 to securely hold the cover plates 22, 24 on to the body plates 26, 28. As a further alternative, the body plates 26, 28 may not have grooves 64, 66. The depths 84 of the grooves 80, 82 of the cover plates 22, 24 may be equal to or greater than the thickness 72 of the elastic band 40 when it is wrapped around the body plates 26, 28. Likewise, the depth 84 of the groove 82 of the cover plate 24 may be equal to or greater than the thickness 72 of the elastic band 40. In this manner, no one groove 80, 82 of a pair of body plate 26, 28 and cover plate 22, 24 needs to be sufficiently deep to receive the entire thickness 72 of the elastic band 40.

The elastic band 40 may be attached to a keyring assembly 12. The elastic band 40 and the keyring assembly 12 may form an elastic band assembly 30. The elastic band 40 may define a length 32 and a width 34. Although the drawings show the elastic band assembly 30 with a keyring assembly 12, it is also contemplated that the elastic band assembly 30 may also have no keyring assembly 12. The user may be provided with two elastic band assemblies 30, namely, one elastic band assembly 30 having the keyring assembly 12 38 and another elastic band assembly 30 without the keyring assembly 12. The keyring assembly 12 may have a strap 36 and a keyring 38. The strap 36 may be a cloth material and have an elasticity that is less than the elasticity of the elastic band portion 40. Preferably, the strap 36 does not stretch but is rigid similar to a rope or nylon or cotton material. The strap 36 may also have a width 42, which is equal to the width 34 of the elastic band 40. A length 44 of the strap 36 may be between ¼ inch to 10 inches and is preferably 2 inches. The keyring 38 may be secured to the strap 36. For example, the strap 36 may be wrapped around the keyring 38, as shown in FIG. 4 then sewn onto itself. The keyring 38 may be sized and configured to receive keys. Although a keyring 38 is shown as being attached to the strap 36, other objects may also be secured to the strap 36. By way of example and not limitation, a badge, weapon, may alternatively be attached to the strap 36. The strap 36 may be secured to the elastic band at the left or right ends or end portions of the elastic band 40 so that the strap extends out of the wallet 10 on its side, as shown in FIG. 1. The strap 36 may be attached to the elastic band 40 by sewing the strap 36 to the elastic band 40. Other methods of attachment are also contemplated, including but not limited to adhesive, rivets, eyelets. Although the strap 36 is preferably fabricated from a material which has a lower elasticity than the elastic band 40, it is also contemplated that the strap 36 may be fabricated from the same material as the elastic band 40 so that the elastic band 40 and the strap 36 may be fabricated from a unitary material. In this case, in order to prevent the strap 36 from being unmanageably stretchable, it is contemplated that a reinforcement strap that has a lower elasticity may be secured along the length 44 of the strap 36.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the cover plates 22, 24 and the body plates 26, 28 may have notches 62, 86. When the wallet 10 is assembled, as shown in FIG. 8A, the notches 62, 86 are lined up to each other so that the user can grip the cards 48 exposed between the body plates 26, 28 or push the cards upward to expose the cards 48 on the other side of the body plates 26, 28 for removal and use of the credit cards. The body plates 26, 28 may have raised sidewalls 88, 90. A depth 92 of the raised sidewalls 88, 90 may be equal to a thickness of the cover plate 22, 24. The cover plate may have an outer periphery 96 which is sized and configured to be slightly smaller than the inner periphery 98 of the raised sidewalls 88, 90 of the body plates 26, 28. The cover plate 22 may be disposed within the sidewalls 88 of the body plate 26. In this instance, the upper edge of the raised sidewall 88 of the body plate 26 may be flush to an exterior surface 100, 102 of the cover plates 22, 24.

Referring now to FIG. 8A, a cross-sectional view of the cover plate 22 and the body plate 26. Although only the cover plate 22 and the body plate 26 is shown in FIG. 8A, the various aspects discussed in relation to cover plate 22 and body plate 26 are also applicable to cover plate 24 and body plate 28.

The cover plate 22 is removably attachable to the body plate 26 with magnets 20. An outer periphery 104 of the cover plate 22 is closely matched to the inner periphery 106 of the depression 108 formed in the body plate 26. The depression 108 is defined by the raised sidewall 88. A close fit is one where there is about a 0.001 and 0.020 inches of clearance or gap 108 (see FIG. 8A) between the outer periphery 104 of the cover plate 22 and inner periphery 106 of the body plate 26. By having a close fit between the cover plate 22 and the body plate 26, the magnets 20 embedded in the cover plate 22 is forced to be aligned to the magnets 20 embedded in the body plate 26.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the cover plate 22 is shown as having six (6) magnets 20. Additionally, the body plate 26 is also shown as having six (6) magnets 20. The six (6) magnets 20 of the cover plate 22 have an identical pattern compared to the six (6) magnets 20 embedded in the body plate 26. Moreover, the magnets 20 in the cover plate 22 may have an opposite polarity facing the magnets 20 embedded in the body plate 26 for the purposes of generating an attractive magnetic force between the respective pairs of magnets 20 in the cover plate 22 and body plate 26. Moreover, the magnets 20 may be disposed closer to an outer periphery of the cover plate 22 and the inner periphery of the raised sidewall 88 of the body plate 26 compared to a center of the body plate 26 and the cover plate 22. Although six (6) magnets 20 are shown as being incorporated into the cover plate 22 and body plate 26, it is also contemplated that the cover plate 22 and body plate 26 may have less than six (6) magnets or more than six (6) magnets. By way of example and not limitation, the cover plate 22 and body plate 26 may have four (4) magnets which may be located at the corners of the cover plate 22 and body plate 26. As stated above, the various aspects of the cover plate 22 and body plate 26 discussed herein are also applicable to the cover plate 24 and body plate 28.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an optional money band 14 maybe wrapped around one of the cover plates 22, 24. The money band 14 may be wrapped around cover plate 24. The money band 14 may be weaved into the tab 110 so that the tab 110 can apply pressure to objects (e.g., paper money) slipped between the raised tab 110 and the lateral side or exterior side of the cover plate 24. Although the money band 14 was implemented on the cover plate 24, it is also contemplated that the money band 14 may be implemented on the cover plate 22.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an optional money clip 18 can be utilized. In particular, the money clip 18 may be attached to either one of the cover plates 22, 24. In particular, the money clip 18 may have two prongs 112 (see FIG. 5) that extend out from tab 114. These two prongs 112 may fit within depressions 116 (see FIG. 4) formed in the cover plates 22, 24. The width 120 of the clip 18 may be about 0.001 to 0.020 inches less than width 122 of groove 80, 82. In this manner, the clip 18 stays in place and does not unacceptably move or shift during use.

The widths 122 of the cover plates 22, 24 may be 2 to 2.5 cm. In this case, the width 34 of the money clip may be slightly smaller (e.g., 0.001 to 0.010 inches) than the widths 122 of the cover plates 22, 24.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the length 124 and width 126 of the body plate may be about equal to or slightly larger compared to the length and width of a credit card. In particular, the length 124 may be 3.200 inches to 3.65 inches. Preferably, the length 124 may be between 3.370 inches and 3.5 inches. More preferably, the length 124 is 3.39 inches (86 mm). The width 126 is preferably 2.000 inches to 2.5 inches. Preferably, the width 126 is 2.375 inches. More preferably the width 126 is 2.13 inches (54 mm). When the length 124 is longer than a standard credit card. This allows the user to cards to spread open when the user pushes the cards upwards via notches 62, 86. Moreover, this allows the user to insert business cards into the minimalist wallet 10 to futher increase the utilitarian use of the wallet 10. When the length 124 is equal to the credit card length, then the cards stay more tightly squeezed between the body plates via the force generated by the elastic band.

Referring now to the drawings, the minimalist wallet 10 may be reconfigured at any moment without any special tools such as a screwdriver. In this regard, the minimalist wallet 10 is a minimalist wallet in terms of its current desired use by the user.

For example, if the person would like to carry his or her keys with his or her wallet 10, the user may do so. In particular, the user would remove the cover plates 22, 24 to access the elastic band 40 as shown in FIG. 6. If the elastic band 40 currently disposed about the body plates 26, 28 does not have a key ring assembly 12, then the user would remove the elastic band 40 and attach another elastic band having the key ring assembly 12. The user can then reattach the cover plates 22, 24 to the body plates 26, 28 simply by pushing the cover plates 22, 24 against the body plates 26, 28. The respective paired magnets 20 of the cover plates 22, 24 and the body plates 26, 28 are attracted to each other and keep the cover plates 22, 24 in place on top of the body plates 26, 28. In this regard, the user can customize and reconfigure the minimalist wallet numeral 10 to have a key ring assembly 12. Conversely, if the person does not want to carry his or her keys with his or her wallet 10, then the user can replace the elastic band 40 with a keyring assembly to one 40 without the keyring assembly.

Moreover, the minimalist wallet numeral 10 may be reconfigured without any special tools to have an optional money clip 18 and/or an optional money band 14. To attach the money clip 18 to the wallet 10, the user may remove one of the cover plates 22, 24 from the body plates 26, 28. The money clip 18 has two protrusions 112 (see FIG. 5). These protrusions are received into depressions 116 in the cover plates 22, 24 (FIG. 4). The cover plate 22, 24 is disposed inside the money clip 18 as shown in FIG. 2. It is contemplated that the depressions 116 may be located midway along the length 130 of the cover plates 22, 24 so that the money clip 18 can be reversible. The money clip 18 may be positioned on the notch side 86, 62 or the other side (i.e., left or right side of the wallet). In this regard, a depth of the money clip 18 from the protrusions 112 to the 180 degree bend is sized and configured to be equal to about one half the length 130 of the cover plates 22, 24. The money clip 18 can be placed on either one of the cover plates 22, 24 and in either the left or right hand directions. Once the money clip 18 is attached to the cover plate 22, 24, the cover plate 22, 24 is attached to the body plate 26, 28 via the paired magnets 20 of the cover plate and body plate.

The money band 14 may also be added or removed to the minimalist wallet numeral 10. In particular, one of the cover plates 22, 24 may be removed from the body plates 26, 28. If the user desires to have a money clip 18 and the money band, the user may add the money clip 18 to one of the cover plates 22, 24 and add the money band 14 to the other cover plate 22, 24. With the cover plate 22, 24 removed from the body plates 26, 28, the money band 14 may be wrapped around the cover plate 22, 24. The cover plate 22, 24 may have a groove which has a depth and width that receives the money band (i.e., elastic band). The cover plate 22, 24 is then reattached to the body plate 26, 28. Because the groove(s) of the cover plate 22, 24 is larger than the band, the magnets 20 of the cover plate 22, 24 can physically contact the magnets of the body plate 26, 28. The magnets of the cover plates 22, 24 are attracted to the magnets 20 of the body plates 26, 28 to attach the cover plate 22, 24 to the body plate 26, 28. In this regard, the magnets 20 allow the user to disassemble the minimalist wallet 10 to reconfigure the minimalist wallet so as to have or not have the features described here and such as the key ring assembly, money clip and money band 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 8A, a coin tray 16 may be added to the minimalist wallet 10. In particular, the coin tray 16 may have the same length and width as the cover plates 22, 24 and the body plates 26, 28. The elastic band 40 squeezes the body plates 26, 28 together and holds the coin tray 16 in place between the body plates 26, 28. The coin tray 16 has an open top and a depth which allows the user to store various things such as a multi-tool (FIG. 8A), coin(s) or bank note(s). To access the coin tray, the user may pull down on the coin tray as shown in FIG. 8A or the user may push up on the coin tray 16 through the notches 62, 86. The coin tray can be inserted between the body plates 20 and held in place due to the squeezing action of the elastic band or remove there from so that the user can reconfigure the wallet as needed or desired by the user.

The minimalist wallet 10 allows the user to add or subtract features without the use of a specialized tool. The user can reconfigure the wallet with his or her hands without any mechanical aid. The minimalist wallet can be reconfigured to provide for minimal features as needed for that day. By way of example and not limitation, if the user needs to have both a money clip and a money band, then the user may add the money clip and the money band to the wallet 10 but not the coin tray 16. If the user needs to have the coin tray but not the money band or money clip, then the user may reconfigure the wallet to have only the coin tray. In other words, the minimalist wallet 10 provides the user with the ability to reconfigure the wallet to have features when needed and to remove features when not needed without any special tools or the use of the magnets which holds everything together.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the body plate 26 may be stacked upon body plate 28. The flat interior surface 56 of the body plate 28 may face the flat interior surface 54 of the body plate 26. The elastic band 40 may be disposed around the body plates 26, 28. The elastic band 40 may be fitted into the grooves 64, 66 of the body plates 26, 28. Either one of the elastic bands 40 with or without the keyring assembly 12 may be disposed around the body plates 26, 28. Either one or both of the money clip 18 or money band 14 may be attached to the cover plates 22, 24. The cover plates 22, 24 may then be attached to the body plates 26, 28 with the magnets. In certain cases, the user may insert the coin tray 16 between the body plates 26, 28 to form an enclosure to hold keys, bank notes, and coins, if desired. The coin tray can also hold a multi tool.

As described herein, magnets may be embedded in both the cover plates and the body plates. The magnets embedded in the cover plates are aligned to the magnets embedded in the body plates. So that the pair of magnets, one in the cover plate and another one in the body plates are aligned to each other, are attracted to each other. The magnets in the cover plate is attracted to the magnets in the body plate to attach the cover plate to the body plate. Instead of using magnets in both the cover plates and the body plates as described herein, it is also contemplated that either the body plates or the cover plates may have magnets embedded therein. If the body plates have magnets, then the cover plates may be fabricated from a ferrous material that is attracted by the magnets in the body plates. Conversely, if the cover plates have magnets, then the body plates may be fabricated from a ferrous material that is attracted by the magnets embedded in the cover plates.

The material from which the body plates and the cover plates are fabricated from may be aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel, or combinations thereof.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

Claims

1. A minimalist wallet kit which permits a user to easily change features, the wallet comprising:

a first body plate having a width less than 2.5 inches and length less than 3.75 inches, the first body plate defining an interior side and an exterior side, the interior side of the first body plate being sized and configured to push against a first credit card of stacked credit cards, an exterior side of the first body plate having a recess defined by a bottom surface and a wall, a plurality of permanent magnets embedded about a periphery of a bottom surface of the recess;

a second body plate having a width less than 2.5 inches and a length less than 3.75 inches, the second body plate defining an interior side and an exterior side, the interior side of the second body plate being sized and configured to push against a second credit card of the stacked credit cards;

an elastic member wrapped around the first and second body plates to bias the first and second body plates against the stacked credit cards to hold the stacked credit cards;

a first cover plate sized and configured to fit within the recess of the first body plate and removably attached to the first body plate within the recess via the magnets; and

a second cover plate sized and configured to fit within the recess of the first body plate and removably attached to the first body plate within the recess via the magnets;

wherein the first cover plate is removably attachable to the first body plate, and the second cover plate is removably attachable to the second body plate.

2. The kit of claim 1 wherein the interior sides of the first and second body plates is flat.

3. The kit of claim 1 wherein the first and second cover plates are fabricated from aluminum and permanent magnets are embedded in the first and second cover plates at its periphery and aligned to the permanent magnets in the bottom surface of the first and second body plate.

4. The kit of claim 1 wherein the first and second body plates are fabricated from aluminum.

5. The kit of claim 1 wherein the plurality of magnets embedded in the recess of the first body plate defines engagement surfaces and the engagement surfaces are in the same plane as each other and a plane of the bottom surface.

6. The kit of claim 1 wherein the first cover plate has an indentation, and the kit further comprises a clip, the clip having a first distal end and a second distal end with the clip formed into a loop, the first distal end being biased against the first cover plate when the clip is attached to the first cover plate, the second distal end having a protrusion inserted into the indentation of the first cover plate when the clip is attached to the first cover plate.

7. A method of configuring a minimalist wallet, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a minimalist wallet kit which permits a user to easily change designs, the wallet comprising: a first body plate having a width less than 2.5 inches and length less than 3.75 inches, the first body plate defining an interior side and an exterior side, the interior side of the first body plate being sized and configured to push against a first credit card of the stacked credit cards, an exterior side of the first body plate having a recess defined by a bottom surface and a wall, a plurality of permanent magnets embedded about a periphery of a bottom surface of the recess; a second body plate having a width less than 2.5 inches and a length less than 3.75 inches, the second body plate defining an interior side and an exterior side, the interior side of the second body plate being sized and configured to push against a second credit card of the stacked credit cards; an elastic member wrapped around the first and second body plates to bias the first and second body plates against the stacked credit cards to hold the stacked credit cards; a first cover plate sized and configured to fit within the recess of the first body plate and removably attached to the first body plate within the recess via the magnets; and a second cover plate sized and configured to fit within the recess of the first body plate and removably attached to the first body plate within the recess via the magnets; wherein the first cover plate can be removed from the first body plate and the second cover plate inserted into the recess and attached to the first body plate;

removing at least one of the first and second cover plates to disassemble the minimalist wallet;

reconfiguring the minimalist wallet to include one of a money clip, keyring and money band.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the reconfiguring step comprises the steps of:

removing the first cover plate from the first body plate;

securing a money clip to the first cover plate;

attaching the removed first cover plate to the first body plate.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the reconfiguring step comprises the steps of:

removing the first or second cover plate from the respective first or second body plate;

securing a money band to the removed first or second cover plate; and

attaching the removed first or second cover plate to respective first or second body plate.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the reconfiguring step comprises the steps of:

removing the first and second cover plates from the respective first and second body plates;

removing the elastic member from the first and second body plates, the elastic member having no keyring assembly;

securing another elastic member having a keyring assembly to the first and second body plates, the keyring assembly being disposed on a side of the first and body plates so that the keyring assembly extends to a side of the first and second body plates;

attached the removed first and second cover plates to the respective first and second body plates.