Abstract:
The memory card holder disclosed is a portable, credit card sized storage device that can be conveniently placed in a wallet, purse or carrying case that includes an outer portion or cover consisting of top, bottom and rear segments, the front and sides of the memory card holder which includes notches of variable sizes to accept different sized memory cards, a core organizer within the interior of the card holder that provides support for the outer portions of the card holder and defines specific apertures to accept a plurality of different sized memory cards, removable sleeves, nesting adapters and mini-wallet inserts that will allow users to configure the storage device to be compatible with their specific needs. The memory card holder can store a plurality of memory cards as many as nineteen in all and provides a secure means to store and protect memory cards.

Description:
RELATED US APPLICATION DATA 
       [0001]    Provisional Application No. 61/188,940 filed on Aug. 14, 2008. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention discloses a portable credit card sized memory card holder that can hold a plurality of memory cards and Memory Sticks and is conveniently adaptable to a variety of different sized memory cards. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There is currently a proliferation in the marketplace of hand held portable electronic devices such as mobile personal computers, digital cameras, video recorders, personal digital assistants (PDAs), music (MP3) players, eBook readers, video game players, cell phones, and other electronic devices. These types of products require the use of memory cards, often referred to as flash memory cards, a description for a solid-state electronic data storage device. There are numerous types and configurations of memory cards available today such as PC (PCMCIA) cards which were the first format that was quickly followed by compact flash (CF), smart media (SM/SMC), memory sticks (MS), multimedia cards, micro cards (MMC), secure digital (SD) cards, universal flash storage (UF), mini SD cards, micro SD cards, intelligent sticks (iStick), Memory Stick PRO (MSP), and Memory Stick PRO Duo (MSPD), Micro M2 cards and many more. The trend is clearly towards miniaturization. 
         [0004]    With the combined aspects of miniaturization with regards to the size of memory cards and the improvements in the data storage capacity of memory cards, there is an ever increasing need for portable storage devices that accommodate the many common formats that are utilized in memory cards. As more portable devices such as digital cameras, camcorders, voice recorders, MP-3 and MP-4 players, PDAs and cell phones utilize different formats for their memory cards, there is a need for a convenient means to carry extra memory cards providing an enhanced ability to organize, exchange, use and read the data stored on memory cards. What is particularly needed in view of the above is a user friendly, versatile and convenient credit card sized memory card holder that will allow data to be easily transported and will enable data to be uploaded at remote locations. 
         [0005]    Previous memory card storage devices are somewhat limited in their design and utility. Many existing products offer storage capabilities that are not compact, versatile or conveniently portable. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0006]    There have been several patent applications that have published and patents that have issued disclosing memory card storage devices. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,228 discloses a wallet sized pocket booklet that was designed to fit within the credit card compartment of a wallet or a similar type card holder. The pocket booklet included a cover consisting of a fold, a front and a back panel, a plurality of interior leaves attached to the fold forming pages, glue strips perpendicular to the fold forming at least one pocket that forms an opening for a memory card. 
         [0008]    Japanese Publication No. 2001101360 disclosed portable credit card sized housing case for a semiconductor memory card holding up to six memory cards. The holder consisted of predetermined sized slots in which memory cards could be inserted. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,275,383 disclosed a device for the storing electronic data storage cards comprising a rim member defining a storage compartment, the compartment having an insertion guide so that the storage card is slidable into the compartment. The storage device has a plurality of holding guides that are around and define the circumference of the storage compartment and have structures that engage against the edges of the storage card to align and position the card within the compartment. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. D 453,515 disclosed an ornamental design for an electronic memory card holder in which a single memory card could be inserted. 
         [0011]    US Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0166360 disclosed an credit card sized apparatus for storing and protecting interchangeable modules (memory cards) and method of manufacturing the same comprising an apparatus for storing at least one memory card with a conjoined core layer and side pieces having at least one opening formed in the core layer which can slidably receive a memory card. The apparatus can thereby safely store at least one memory card in a credit card sized slot in a wallet, purse, briefcase or other carrying device. 
         [0012]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0150961 disclosed a memory card holding device configured to hold a plurality of memory cards of variable sizes within a case, a cavity formed within the case and a retaining mechanism positioned within the cavity to retain a memory card. The memory cards are held safely within the case by a retaining structure such as a clip. 
         [0013]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0156676 disclosed a memory card holder and organizer providing consumers with a compact and convenient means for storing their flash memory cards for a means for cataloging the contents of their memory cards. An individual memory card holder includes a piece of paper, cardboard or other stock to which is affixed a memory card pocket for holding a memory card. The stock further includes an indexing space next to the memory card pocket which indexing space may have lines printed on the stock for a user to provide a description of the contents of the memory card stored in the pocket. 
         [0014]    U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0173598 disclosed an apparatus for storing a plurality of memory devices (up to six devices in all) comprising a portable holder, a plurality of receiving recesses each adapted to receiving one memory device, a plurality of holding elements that are removable and that holder body does not electrically interfere with the memory cards. 
         [0015]    Japanese Publication No. 2008/126439 disclosed a holder for keeping memory cards to which information showing the stored contents can be attached. The holder has memory card pockets for storing the memory cards. 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. D 592,667 disclosed an ornamental design of a memory card holder that holds up to two memory cards. 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,475,816 disclosed a protective case for a plurality of different sized memory cards that includes a rigid exterior container having exterior dimensions of length, width and thickness distinct from each other comprising a rigid exterior container with two shells held by a latch means, resilient inserts dimensioned to nest within the exterior shells, and the inserts each define five memory card securing means for securing different sized memory cards against unsecure removal from the case. 
         [0018]    U.S. Design Pat. No. D 593,561 disclosed an ornamental design for a memory card holder the memory cards that includes an outer casing at holds up to two memory cards in a rigid case. 
         [0019]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/00143344 disclosed a memory card case for holding a plurality of memory cards. The memory card case includes an outer casing and interior memory card holders that are connected to the outer casing and also includes a pocket to hold the memory card. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    There is a need today to have access to memory cards for use in portable electronic devices such as cameras, PDAs, etc. The present invention enables one to store and organize a plurality of memory cards, up to 19 memory cards in all, in a convenient portable credit card sized holder that can be easily stored in one&#39;s wallet, purse, handbag or briefcase. Different sized memory cards can be stored with the use of specifically designed sleeves and uniquely designed mini-wallet carriers the latter for micro memory cards that adds versatility unseen in previous memory card storage devices. The present invention includes a credit card sized memory card holder, a core organizer that enables different sized memory cards to be stored and to provide some rigidity and stability to the outer case, notched slots to hold the memory cards in place, variably sized sleeves to accommodate memory cards of differing sizes. The memory card holder has a spine located mid-way and perpendicular to the front exterior edges of the memory card holder. The memory card holder is designed with differentially recessed areas to enable memory cards to be inserted and removed with ease. Specific details of the present invention are shown in the figures below and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the description of the preferred embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a wire frame view of the portable, credit card sized memory card holder showing a cover, a core organizer, upper and lower notches, a rear spine and insertion compartments for the storage of memory cards 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is an expanded view of the memory card holder showing the cover, the core organizer and several aspects of the present invention including the insertion compartments 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a prospective top and front view of a portable, credit card sized memory card holder showing a card holder cover, upper and lower notches, a partial view of the core organizer, the rear spine and the openings for the insertion of various sized memory cards into insertion compartments 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a prospective view of the bottom surface of the memory card holder showing the lower notches on the bottom and sides of the memory card holder 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is an elevational rear view of the rear spine of the memory card holder including the spine surface indentation 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  shows the core organizer dimensions 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a prospective expanded view of the memory card holder, the core organizer, insertion compartments, insert sleeves, adapters and mini-wallet container 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is an expanded view of the mini wallet showing the location of the inserted memory cards 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is an elevational front view of the storage sleeve 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    All the drawings are intended to illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not in any way limit the scope of the invention. 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 1 , is shown a wire frame view of a portable credit card sized memory card holder  10  that includes a cover  20 , comprising two parallel exterior  21   a  and  22   a  and interior  21   b  and  22   b  surfaces, a semi-rigid rear spine  30  that has a degree of flexibility to provide resistance for memory cards until seated and latched by the catch, a plurality of insertion compartments  45 - 49  in which memory cards may be inserted and or removed, said insertion compartments are defined by upper cover notches  23   a, b, c, d  and  e  (right to left), and lower notches  24   a, b, c, d  and  e  (right to left), the upper notches  23  are larger and deeper than the lower notches  24  to enable the memory cards to be inserted and removed from the memory card cover  20  with ease. Upper notches  23   a  and  23   e  are larger in size than notches  23   b ,  23   c  and  23   d . Specific dimensions for the core organizer are shown in  FIG. 6 . A partial view of the core organizer  40  shown that provides rigidity to the outer cover  20  and defines the dimensions of insertion compartments  45 - 49  into which memory cards are inserted and removed. The cover  20  and the core organizer  40  in one embodiment are made of a polymeric plastic but are not limited to this material or can be made of metallic components as well as other materials. The core organizer  40  provides upper and lower planar surfaces in which an appropriate adhesive is applied to the upper surface  41  and lower surface  42  to bond the upper surface  41  and lower surface  42  to the interior surface of the memory card cover  20 . This is described more fully in  FIG. 5 . The memory card holder  10  is designed to accommodate a plurality of different sized memory cards such as USB Card Readers, SD cards, Memory Sticks, micro SD cards, M2 Micro Memory Sticks, Mini SD cards, Memory Stick PRO Duo and XD cards. The present invention is not limited to the memory cards referenced above. The memory card cover  20  can include a logo or other promotional material placed on its surface. As is shown in  FIG. 1  the memory card holder  10  has rounded edges at the front corners of cover  20  to enable holder  10  to be stored and removed easily from wallets and other stored devices. The removal of stored memory cards is achieved easily by placing the fore finger and the thumb on the memory card and gently pulling out the memory card from the insertion compartment. The memory card holder  10  core organizer  40  is approximately ⅛″ thick and made of acrylic or an equivalent material to provide structural integrity. The core organizer  40  can be injection molded or laser cut to the specific shape required. The core organizer  40  upper surface  41  is glued to the top interior surface  21   b  of the Memory Card cover  20  with an appropriate epoxy. The core organizer  40  lower surface  42  is glued to the bottom interior surface  22   b  of the Memory Card cover  20  with an appropriate epoxy. The Memory Card cover  20  is made of a 20 mil laminate composite and is die cut to the appropriate shape needed to provide the upper notches  23   a - 23   e  and lower notches  24   a - 24   e . The rear spine  30  is created by scoring the card during the die cutting process. Alternately the score lines can be cut by laser. The memory card cover  20  is folded 90 degrees at each score and wraps around the core organizer  40  where it is then bonded by epoxy as previously described. Alternately the memory card holder  10  may be formed in one piece through a plastic injection molding process. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows an expanded view of the memory card holder  10  including the core organizer  40  in the location of the assembled end product. The core organizer  40  is constructed as to establish several predetermined sized insertion compartments  45 - 49  to hold a Memory Stick or SD Card in insertion compartment  45 , a mini-wallet or storage sleeve for insertion compartment  46 , a USB card reader for insertion compartment  47 , a mini-wallet or storage sleeve for insertion compartment  48  and a SD Card for insertion compartment  49 . There is a spine surface indentation  11  in rear spine  30  to act as a catch for the SD Card to secure the SD Card in position. Also included in the core organizer is an SD Card stop  44  to hold the SD Card in position within insertion compartment  45 . Included in compartment  45  is a lateral projection  43   b  (not shown here) emanating from the lateral surface of the core organizer to function as a catch for the Memory Stick to ensure that it is held securely in the memory card holder  10 . In insertion compartment  49  is also located a lateral projection  43   a  emanating from the lateral surface of the core organizer  40  to function as a catch for an SD Card to ensure that it is held securely in the memory card holder  10 . 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 3 , the top and frontal view of the memory card holder  10  is shown. This shows the memory card cover  20 , upper notches  23   a, b, c, d  and  e  and lower notches  24   a, b, c, d , and  e , rear spine  30 , and five (S) insertion compartments  45 ,  46 ,  47 ,  48 , and  49  for inserting memory cards, mini wallets  50  (not shown here) and Storage Sleeves  80  (not shown here). Insertion compartment  45  is designed to accommodate a Memory Stick or an SD card. Insertion compartment  46  can accommodate a mini wallet  50  or a Storage Sleeve  80 . In insertion compartment  47 , a USB reader can be inserted. Insertion compartment  48  is identical to compartment  46  and is used for holding a mini wallet  50  or a Storage Sleeve  80 . The entire surface of the memory card cover is suitable to contain graphic designs, logos, business cards, promotional applications or custom designs. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows the prospective view of the bottom surface of the memory card holder  10  including the bottom exterior surface  22   a  of the memory card holder  10  and lower notches  23   a, b, c, d  and  e  for each of the Insertion compartments  45 - 49  and the edge of the rear spine  30 . 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 5  the elevational view of the rear spine  30  of the memory card holder is shown including the top exterior surface  21   a  and bottom exterior surface  22   a  of the memory card holder  10  are as indicated. A spine surface indentation  11  shows the location of a flange like projection  12  in compartment  45  to secure an SD card. 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 6 , the dimensions of the various components of the core organizer are shown. Slight deviations from these values do not alter the scope of the present invention. The present invention may be modified regarding the dimensions of the compartments of the core organizer  40  to accommodate newly issued memory cards of slightly different dimensions. 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  shows another embodiment of the memory card holder  10  which includes commercially available memory cards and commercially available adaptors. The core organizer  40  defines insertion compartments  45 - 49 . Compartment  45  can hold either a Memory Stick  62  or a Memory Stick Duo Adaptor  61  which can then hold a Memory Stick PRO Duo Adaptor  63  which can then hold a Memory Stick Micro M2 card  64 . The ability to nest adaptors is a key feature of the invention. Compartment  45  can alternately hold an SD card (not shown) and therefore can handle the various configurations described for compartment  49 . Compartments  46  and  48  can hold either a Storage Sleeve  80  or a mini-wallet  50 . Storage Sleeve  80  can hold memory cards or adaptors such as SD card  67 , XD card  68 , Memory Stick PRO Duo  60 , Mini SD to SD Adaptor  69 , Memory Stick PRO Duo Adaptor  63 , and Micro SD to SD Adaptor  71 . Mini wallet  50  has 8 pockets which can store any combination of up to 8 micro memory cards such as Micro SD cards  65  or Memory Stick Micro M2 cards  64 . Compartment  47  can hold a commercially available USB Card Reader  66 . Compartment  49  can hold an SD card  67 , Micro SD to SD Adaptor  71  or a Mini SD to SD Adaptor  69  which can then hold a Mini SD Card  70  or a Micro SD to Mini SD Adaptor  72  which can then hold a Micro SD card  65 . The ability to configure and nest adaptors and cards as described provides an efficient method of carrying numerous adaptors and cards in a very small space thus providing a convenience and versatility that was previously unavailable. This figure shows one of many possible configurations. Also where specific adaptors are so designated, an actual memory card can be stored as an option. 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  is an expanded view of the Mini-Wallet  50 . The Mini-Wallet  50  includes storage pockets  51  for a plurality of Micro SD cards  65  up to eight (8) in all or a plurality of Memory Stick Micro M2 cards  64 , up to eight (8) in all or any combination of Micro SD cards  65  or Memory Stick Micro M2 cards  64  that the available space allows. The Mini-Wallet  50  is made of a polymeric substance such as vinyl or a plastic material, but is not limited to these materials. The Mini-wallet  50  can be either injection molded or vacuum formed. The Mini wallet  50  has a Middle Spine  53  midway between the left and right ends of the interior surface of the Mini wallet  50  that allows the Mini wallet  50  to be opened and closed. The Mini-wallet  50  is formed by a plastic injection molding process. Alternately the mini-wallet  50  may be made with vinyl or Polypropylene, cut to size and heat welded. 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 9 , a front elevational view of the Storage Sleeve  80  is shown. Storage Sleeve  80  is rectangular container in shape and has a notch located in the top of the sleeve to facilitate the placement and removal of an SD Card, an XD Card or a Memory Stick PRO Duo card. The Storage Sleeve  80  may also store commercially available card adaptors and is not limited to the aforementioned. The storage sleeve  80  is formed by a plastic injection molding process. Alternately the storage sleeve  80  may be made with vinyl or Polypropylene, cut to size and heat welded.