Abstract:
A multipurpose wallet formed from flaccid, rectangular outer and inner members and inner members each having a major surface. The major surface of the outer member is selectively fastened, preferably using solvent bonding, to a facing major surface of the inner member. Selecting the areas to be bonded defines internal pouches between the outer and inner members and additionally, a central channel. Elongated retaining clips that removably engage the central channel hold folded material within the wallet. One or more writing instrument holders, each having one or more writing instrument sleeves, are fastened to an outer surface of the outer member. One or more inside pockets may be formed by solvent bonding an additional piece of material to an inside surface of the inner member. The wallet is constructed of durable weather resistant, water resistant vinyl-type material for the outer member and a clear vinyl for the inner member.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority in accordance with 37 C.F.R. §1.19(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/985,020 filed Apr. 28, 2014 for MULTI-PURPOSE WALLET WITH HOLDER FOR MULTIPLE WRITING INSTRUMENTS which is included herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to pocket organizers. More particularly, the invention relates to pocket wallets used for carrying items such as credit cards, identification cards, money (in paper form), folded cards such as golf score cards, writing pads and the like with a means to securely carry multiple writing instruments. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Persons, for example, sports officials, law enforcement officers, military members, medical professionals, and the like, frequently find themselves in situations where they must quickly either reference information or document information. Often, these tasks occur simultaneously or nearly simultaneously and are frequently done in austere environments, that is, in environments devoid of writing materials, writing instruments, etc. in the cold and rain. While it is nearly impossible because of practical considerations for professionals such as the ones cited above to have every reference at their immediate disposal, it is usually feasible to have their most important and most often needed reference material at their fingertips. 
         [0004]    It would, therefore, be advantageous to provide a pocket-sized multi-purpose wallet capable of holding individualized material (e.g., reference material), writing instruments, and media, either custom printed or commercially available off-the-shelf) upon which to write. It would be further advantageous to provide a multipurpose wallet that functions satisfactorily under any weather conditions by exhibiting durability enough to withstand both heat and cold and provide resistance to water, rain and snow. It would be further advantageous for the multipurpose wallet to secure writing instruments and make such writing instruments readily retrievable and restorable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In accordance with the present invention there is provided a multipurpose wallet that overcomes shortfalls of all wallets known to the inventor. The novel wallet of the invention has a unique yet simple design that provides the user with quick access to any printed material contained within. The design provides water-resistant pouches typically integrated into the front and back covers. Paper documents, cards or the like may be inserted into these pouches. When the water-resistant pouches are formed from a transparent material, at least the outside of the documents or cards may be viewed without removing the documents from the water-resistant pouches. 
         [0006]    The center portion of the wallet may have a center channel whereby one or more clips retained by the center channel may be used to retain folded cards or “leaflets”. 
         [0007]    A writing instrument holder may be affixed to one or more of the covers, typically the outside surface of either the front or back cover. 
         [0008]    The wallet is constructed at least in part from a durable weather resistant, water resistant vinyl-type material for the exterior panel of the wallet and a clear vinyl for the interior panel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0010]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are a top plan and side elevational schematic views, respectively of a simplified laminated wallet structure forming the core of a wallet in accordance with the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an orthogonal view of a wallet of  FIG. 1  in flat, fully open orientation showing the wallet layers, interior sides, pockets and retainer clips; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a top plan, schematic view of the wallet of  FIG. 1  in a fully open position showing pouches with reference material retained therein; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top or bottom plan, schematic view of the wallet of  FIG. 1  shown in a closed position and showing a writing instrument holder affixed to an outside cover and retaining a pair of writing instruments; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational, schematic view of a retaining clip for use with the wallet of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational, schematic view of the wallet of  FIG. 1  partially open; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is an example of a folded card suitable for use with the wallet in accordance with the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    The present invention provides a wallet or folio for securing and protecting reference material, media upon which to write, writing instruments, etc. The wallet provides protection from the elements by providing water resistant pouches/pockets into which reference material to be protected may be placed. 
         [0018]    For simplicity, the term wallet is used to describe any wallet, folder, folio, etc. formed from a folded substantially rectangular sheet of material. A wallet has a generally accepted definition as a container that resembles a money wallet (e.g., a billfold). A wallet is usually a flexible folding case fitted for carrying specific items (e.g., tools or fishing flies or lures, etc.) Therefore, the wallet in accordance with the invention may be of any size in addition of a traditional billfold sized structure. 
         [0019]    An exemplary wallet is produced and sold by Game-AIDE for specific use by referees or judges of athletic endeavors. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that the novel wallet of the invention potentially has many other applications. 
         [0020]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , there are shown a top plan and a side elevational view, respectively of a simplified laminated wallet structure forming the core of a wallet in accordance with the invention, generally at reference number  100 . 
         [0021]    Wallet core  100  is typically formed in two layers; from an outer member  102  and an inner member  104  selectively attached thereto. Both outer member  102  and inner member  104  are substantially rectangular and have a respective major axis  106  and a minor axis  108 . 
         [0022]    Both outer member  102  and inner member  104  are typically formed from a flaccid polymeric material, typically PVC or vinyl. PVC may have some advantages over vinyl in typical applications of the novel wallet. For example, PVC material tends to maintain its flexibility in cold environments PVC and also conforms to the body when wallet is carried in a pocket. PVC and vinyl both exhibit good water resistance. It will be recognized that in alternate embodiments of the novel wallet that other materials may be utilized to form one or both of outer member  102  or inner member  104 . Materials such as leather, nylon or cotton could theoretically be used, particularly for outer member  102 . However, the water resistance ability of such materials, even if treated, is typically poorer than the water resistance of either PVC or vinyl. Therefore, the preferred material for the main body panel is PVC or vinyl with PVC performing better overall. 
         [0023]    Outer member  102  is typically formed from an opaque material while inner member  104  is typically formed from a transparent material. 
         [0024]    Outer member  102  is selectively bonded to inner member  104  in such a manner as to form hollow pockets  118   a,    118   b,  best seen in  FIG. 2 , between outer member  102  and inner liner  104 . In addition, no adhesive is applied at a region adjacent a centerline  110  parallels to minor axis  108  proximate a midpoint of major axis  106 . 
         [0025]    Bonding of outer member  102  and inner lines  104  is typically accomplished with a selectively applied thin adhesive later  112 . Adhesive layer  112  is typically formed using solvent cement. Solvent cements are known to form molecular bonds between surfaces of the two layers being joined (e.g., outer member  102  and inner member  104 ). Such molecular bonds create a permanent adhesion without significantly altering the physical characteristics of the material, thereby maintaining the flexibility of the materials without compromising their integrity. Further, when properly bonded with solvent cement, the formed pouches  118   a,    118   b  provide satisfactory water-resistance for most applications. 
         [0026]    It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that there are numerous alternatives to solvent bonding outer member  102  to inner member  104 . Such alternatives include, but are not considered limited to ultrasonically welding, RF bonding, thermal sealing, stitching, joining with a non-solvent bonding cement or adhesive, attaching using fasteners, etc. None of these alternate methods of joining outer member  102  to inner member  104  provides the desirable features of molecular bonding using solvent cement. Most alternate methods either impact material flexibility or material integrity that may cause premature material failure, particularly in cold weather. 
         [0027]    Surrounding centerline  110  is a center channel  114  formed by buckling inner member  104  and pulling it inwardly away from outer member  102 . Center channel  114  is discussed in more detail hereinbelow. 
         [0028]    Referring now also to  FIG. 2 , there is shown an orthogonal view a wallet  200  formed from wallet core  100  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , wallet  200  shown in flat, fully open orientation showing the wallet layers, interior surfaces, pouches, pockets and retainer clips. 
         [0029]    Pouches or pockets  118   a,    118   b  are formed between outer member  102  and inner member  104 . As may be clearly seen in  FIG. 1A , adhesive  112  is placed around three sides of outer member  102  to define pouches  118   a,    118   b.  The lower edge, not specifically identified, is free from adhesive  112 . In  FIG. 2 , the edge considered the lower edge is shown as the right-most edge. The adhesive free regions at the lower edges form openings  122   a,    122   b  that allow insertion of a card or other document. 
         [0030]    Inside pockets  116   a,    116   b  are formed by adhesively affixing an additional sheet of material  124   a,    124   b  to an inside surface of inner member  104 , typically only partially covering the surface of inner member  104 . Sheet material  124   a,    124   b  is substantially the same transparent material used to form inner member  104 . 
         [0031]    Access to inside pockets  116   a,    116   b  is typically from a top edge  126   a,    126   b  of material  124   a,    126   b,  respectively. 
         [0032]    Retainer clips  120 , best seen in  FIG. 5 , have their upper and lower folded portions  140   a,    140   b,  respectively, retained in upper and lower regions, not specifically identified, of center channel  114 . 
         [0033]    Referring now also to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a top plan, schematic view of the wallet of  FIG. 2  showing pouches or pockets  118   a,    118   b  with indicia-bearing cards  128   a,    128   b,  respectively retained completely or partially therein. Indicia-bearing cards  128   a,    128   b  form no part of the invention and are included to illustrate the typical use of wallet  200 . 
         [0034]    Indicia-bearing card  128   a  is shown fully inserted in pouch or pocket  118   a.  Indicia-bearing card  128   b  is shown only partially inserted in inside pouch or pocket  118   b.  Indicia-bearing card  128   b  is inserted at opening  122   b  and moved upwardly in the direction shown by arrow  130 . 
         [0035]    Referring now also to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a top or bottom plan, schematic view of the wallet  200  in a closed position and showing a writing instrument holder  132  affixed to an outside surface of outer member  102  and a writing instrument  136   a  having a retaining clip  146   a  retained completely within instrument retaining region  134   a  of instrument holder  132 . A second writing instrument  136   b  has only a retaining clip  146   b  retained in instrument retaining region  134   b.  It will be recognized that other thin, elongated object may be retained in writing instrument retaining regions  134   a,    134   b  in addition to writing instruments per se. 
         [0036]    In alternate embodiments, the size of instrument retaining regions  134   a,    134   b  may be dissimilar, not shown, to accommodate specific writing instrument or other items in instrument holder  132 . 
         [0037]    Writing instrument holder  132  is typically formed by another flat sheet of flexible material adhesively attached, preferably solvent bonded to an outside surface of outer member  102 . Writing instruments  136   a,    136   b  forming no part of the invention, are disposed in writing instrument retaining sleeves  134  of writing instrument holder  132 . While a single writing instrument holder  132  may be disposed on either a front or rear cover of wallet  200 , a second writing instrument holder  132  may be added to the other of front or rear covers, thereby providing instrument holders  132  on both the front and rear covers of wallet  200 . 
         [0038]    It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that writing instrument retaining sleeves  134  may be configured to retain writing instruments, not shown, having different specific geometries. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the configuration of writing instrument retaining sleeves 134  chosen for purposes of disclosure. Further, while two writing instrument retaining sleeves  134  are shown, fewer or more writing instrument retaining sleeves  134  may be substituted for the two writing instrument retaining sleeves  134  chosen for purposes of disclosure. Consequently, the invention is intended to encompass any and all different configurations and number of instrument retaining sleeves  134 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a side elevational, schematic view of a typical retaining clip  120  for use with the wallet  200 . Retaining clip  120  has an elongated central region  138  with bent, hook-like end regions  140   a,    140   b  at proximal and distal ends of central region  138 , respectively. Bent hook-like regions  140   a,    140   b  are configured and adapted for retention within center channel  114 . 
         [0040]    Retainer clips  120  hold folded items such as cards, leaflets, money or other foldable objects within wallet  200 . Retainer clips  120  may readily be added to or removed from wallet  200  as needed. Typically, wallet  200  may be configured without or with one, two, three or more retainer clips  120 . Removing unneeded retaining clips  120  when they are not needed allows wallet  200  to have the thinnest possible profile at any given time. 
         [0041]    Retainer clips  120  may be formed from a rigid material such as metal, plastic fiberglass or any similar material. Because in certain application wallet  200  and its contents may be exposed to moisture, forming retaining clips from a rust resistant material is desirable. 
         [0042]    In alternate embodiments, string or elastic type retainers, neither shown, typically looped through the center channel  114  may be substituted for rigid retainer clips  120 . 
         [0043]    Referring now also to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a side elevational, schematic view of the wallet  200  disposed in a partially open state. 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 6 , three retaining clips  120  are installed in center channel  114 . A folded card  142 , best seen in  FIG. 7  and forming no part of the invention is shown retained on one of the three retaining clips  120 . 
         [0045]    Pouches or pockets  118   a,    118   b  and writing instrument holder  132  with writing instrument retaining sleeves  134  are also clearly shown. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a representative example of folded card  142 . A fold line  144  shows the point where folded card  142  is folded. 
         [0047]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
         [0048]    Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.