Abstract:
A wallet configured to be worn on the arm of a motorcyclist comprising a base, an inner pocket, an outer pocket, and at least one strap member connected to the base for removably and adjustably securing the wallet while being worn. A portion of the edges of the inner pocket are removably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the base and a portion of the edges of the inner pocket are fixably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the base. A portion of the edges of the outer pocket are removably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the inner pocket and a portion of the edges of the outer pocket are fixably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the inner pocket.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to a wearable wallet for motorcyclist, and more particularly to wallet configured to be worn on the arm of motorcyclists when riding.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     When riding, motorcyclists often wear thick protective clothing, such as heavy leather or nylon/Kevlar jackets, pants and gloves. While such clothing is beneficial for the motorcyclists&#39; safety, the clothing is cumbersome. This is especially problematic when the motorcyclist encounters a bridge toll, parking meter, fast food restaurants, and the like, where easy access to cash and other items in the motorcyclist&#39;s wallet is important. The items needed for easy access include cash, driver&#39;s license, pink slip, proof of insurance, credit cards, keys, and the like. Retrieving these items from the motorcyclist&#39;s wallet or pockets is difficult when wearing protective clothing.  
         [0003]     Presently, motorcyclists typically store their money and other important ready-access items inside of riding gloves, pockets in pants and inner and outer pockets of jackets. However, it is difficult to retrieve money and these other items when on the go.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     One embodiment of the present invention provides a wallet configured to be worn on the arm of a motorcyclist comprising a base, an inner pocket, an outer pocket, and at least one strap member connected to the base for removably and adjustably securing the wallet while being worn. A portion of the edges of the inner pocket are removably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the base and a portion of the edges of the inner pocket are fixably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the base. A portion of the edges of the outer pocket are removably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the inner pocket and a portion of the edges of the outer pocket are fixably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the inner pocket.  
         [0005]     Additionally, the inner and outer pockets are removably fastened with a hook and loop fastener mechanism. In an alternate embodiment, zippers are used.  
         [0006]     In one embodiment of the present invention, the strap member includes two elongated members and a mechanism for removably fastening the distal ends of the elongated members to each other. The proximal ends of the elongated members are connected to the base. The proximal ends may be connected by a hook and loop mechanism. Additionally, elastic portions may be included in the elongated members to enhance the fit around the arm. In alternate embodiments, the distal ends may be connected by a buckle, a clip, or ringlets.  
         [0007]     The present invention has other objects and advantages which are set forth in the description of the Detailed Description of the Invention. The features and advantages described in the specification, however, are not all inclusive, and particularly, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings and specification herein. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a frontal view of the wearable wallet of the preferred embodiment.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the components of the wearable wallet of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 3   a  is a depiction of a motorcyclist wearing the wallet of  FIG. 1  configured to be worn on the left arm.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3   b  is a depiction of a motorcyclist wearing the wallet of  FIG. 1  configured to be worn on the right arm.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a frontal view of an alternate embodiment of the wearable wallet.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a frontal view of another alternate embodiment of the wearable wallet.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a frontal view of another alternate embodiment of the wearable wallet.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a frontal view of an alternate embodiment of the pocket of the wearable wallet.  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a frontal view of an alternate embodiment of the pocket of the wearable wallet. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  depicts a wallet  10  configured to be worn on the arm of motorcyclists when riding. Wallet  10  facilitates easy retrieval of money and other items by the motorcyclist on demand when on the go. This eliminates the need for a traditional wallet, pouch or purse to carry money and additional items such as driver&#39;s license, pink slip, proof of insurance, and the like.  
         [0018]     Wallet  10  includes inner pocket  12 , outer pocket  14 , inner pocket tab  16 , outer pocket tab  18 , base  20 , top left strap  22 , bottom left strap  24 , top right strap  26 , and bottom right strap  28 . A hook and loop fastener mechanism, such as Velcro® made by Velcro USA Inc., is used to removably and adjustably secure straps  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  around the arm of the motorcyclist. Top left strap  22  includes an elastic portion  30  and loop portion  32 . Bottom left strap  24  includes an elastic portion  34  and loop portion  36 . Top right strap  26  includes an elastic portion  38  and loop portion  40 . Bottom right strap  28  includes an elastic portion  42  and loop portion  44 .  
         [0019]     Base  20  may be constructed of vinyl, leather, nylon, or any other suitable durable, water proof or resistant material. Preferably, the material of inner pocket  12  and out pocket  14  matches the material of base  20 .  
         [0020]     Inner pocket  12  is removably fastened to base  20  by hook and loop fastener strips  46  (matching loop strips  46   a  and hook strips  46   b ). Loop strips  46   a  are fixed to the outward surface of base  20  and hook strips  46   b  are fixed to the inward surface of inner pocket  12 . Two of the four edges (fixed edges  48 ) of inner pocket  12  are permanently fastened to base  20 , and the other two edges (removable edges  50 ) are removably fastened by inner fastener strips  46 .  
         [0021]     Outer pocket  14 , which is smaller in height and width than inner pocket  12 , is attached in like fashion to base  20  but over inner pocket  12 . Two of the four edges (fixed edges  52 ) of outer pocket  14  are permanently fastened to base  20  and inner pocket  12 . The other two edges (removable edges  54 ) are removably fastened by outer fastener strips  56  (loop strips  56   a  and hook strips  56   b ). Loop strips  56   a  are fixed to the outward surface of inner pocket  12  and hook strips  56   b  are fixed to the inward surface of outer pocket  14 . Fixed edges  52  of outer pocket  14  are aligned with fixed edges  48  of inner pocket  12 . Due to the difference in size between inner pocket  12  and outer pocket  14 , removable edges  54  are offset from inner edges  50  of inner pocket  12 .  
         [0022]     Inner pocket  12  and outer pocket  14  are opened by pulling on inner tab  16  and outer tab  18 , respectively. Inner tab  16  and outer tab  18 , when a hook and loop fastener is used for removably fastening inner pocket  12  and outer pocket  14 , assist in the opening and closing of inner pocket  12  and outer pocket  14 . To facilitate grasping by the motorcyclist, inner tab  16  is on the corner of inner pocket  12  closest to the body of the motorcyclist and parallel with the arm. Outer tab  18  is also closest to the body but at a 45 degree angle to the arm pointing towards the body. This tab configuration is for motorcyclists that desire to wear wallet  10  on the left arm as depicted in  FIG. 3   a . These are most likely right handed motorcyclists as placement of wallet  10  on the left arm allows wallet  10  to be manipulated with the favored, right hand.  
         [0023]     As depicted in  FIG. 3   b , a left handed configuration for wear on the right arm reverses (from left to right and visa versa) the location of tabs  16  and  18 , Velcro strips  46  and  56 , fixed edges  48  and  52 , and removable edges  50  and  54 . This configuration allows a left handed motorcyclist easy access to wallet  10  on the right arm.  
         [0024]     Wallet  10  is removably fastened to the motorcyclist&#39;s arm by wrapping straps  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  around the arm. Loop portion  32  fastens to hook portion  40  thereby fastening top left strap  22  to top right strap  26 . Loop portion  36  fastens to hook portion  44  thereby fastening bottom left strap  24  to bottom right strap  28 . Loop portions  32 ,  36  and hook portions  40 ,  44  are sufficiently large to allow straps  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  to adjust to the size of the arm of the motorcyclist. Elastic portions  30 ,  34 ,  38 ,  42  also allow straps  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  to adjust to the width the arm. This accommodates for variances in arm size and bulkiness of the motorcyclist&#39;s jacket.  
         [0025]     In addition to the preferred embodiment, alternate embodiments of the present invention are possible. Exemplary alternate embodiments are described below.  
         [0026]     In addition to the hook and loop fastener mechanism shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , other removable fastening and adjustment mechanisms may be used as depicted in  FIGS. 4-6 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , snap clips  132 / 140  and  136 / 144  are used to removably fasten straps  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 . Rather than an elastic portion, straps  122  and  124  include non-elastic portions  130  and  134  that slide though the adjustment ring of male snap clip portions  132  and  136 .  
         [0027]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , belt buckles with holed strap portions  232 ,  236  and buckle portions  240 ,  244  are used to removably fasten straps  222 ,  224 ,  226 ,  228 . Rather than an elastic portion, the entirety of straps  222 ,  224 ,  226 ,  228  are non-elastic. As shown in  FIG. 6 , ringlets  340 ,  344  are used to removably fasten straps  322 ,  324 ,  326 ,  328 . Rather than an elastic portion, the entirety of straps  322 ,  324 ,  326 ,  328  are non-elastic. While more secure than the preferred embodiment, the alternative embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 4-6  are more difficult for the motorcyclist to fasten, especially when wearing gloves.  
         [0028]     In addition to alternate fastening mechanisms for the straps, there are alternate fastening mechanisms and configurations for inner pocket  12  and outer pocket  14 . While the preferred embodiment utilizes a hook and loop fastener mechanism, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , zippers may also be used to removably fasten the pockets to base  20 .  
         [0029]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , in lieu of a hook and loop fastener mechanism, a straight zipper  156  is used to removably fasten inner pocket  12  to base  20 . Outer pocket  14  is removably fastened in the same manner as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0030]     As shown in  FIG. 8 , in lieu of a hook and loop fastener mechanism, a curved zipper  256  is used to removably fasten inner pocket  12  to base  20 . Outer pocket  14  again is removably fastened in the same manner as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0031]     Both alternative zipper embodiments sacrifice convenience for security. Zippers  156 ,  256  are more secure than hook and loop strips  156  but are more difficult for the motorcyclist to open and close when wearing gloves.  
         [0032]     Other alterations to the pockets may include the addition of an elastic portion or the use of an elastic material to accommodate oversized items such as a cellular phone. The elastic material will allow the pocket to stretch to accommodate the oversized item. Also, convenience attachments, such as a loops or slots, may be added to base  20 , inner pocket  12 , outer pocket  14 , or straps  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 , to hold pens, pencils, and the like.  
         [0033]     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.