Abstract:
A cell phone storage apparatus for storing items with a cell phone is provided. The cell phone storage apparatus comprises a storage device secured to the cell phone and a plurality of compartments formed in the storage device. A lid is hingedly secured to the storage device with the lid closable over the compartments. Upon positioning the items in the compartments and closing the lid over the compartments, the items are storable with the cell phone.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims the benefit of priority of pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/823,942, filed on May 16, 2013, entitled “Cell Phone Wallet”. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to a cell phone storage apparatus and, more particularly, the invention relates to a cell phone storage apparatus combining a cell phone holder with a wallet. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Modern cellular phones are widely used and enjoyed by members of the public, in a large part because sport a wide variety of engaging and highly entertaining applications that go well beyond regular telephonic and textual messaging services. Many phones now offer streaming video and television, allowing casual users to enjoy all their favorite programming on the go, as long as they keep their cellular contract paid and their telephone at their side. As a result, carrying about a cellular phone has become that habit of our age. 
         [0006]    Wallets, equally, play a vital daily role in many different peoples&#39; pockets. These handy contraptions, often constructed of fabric, leather or other pliable materials, provide a safe and secure place where all manner of ID cards, credit cards, cash money and receipts may be stored over the course of the days&#39; time spent in public. Wallets are also similar to cellular phones in that they compete for scant real estate in the user&#39;s pockets as they seek a suitable location to while away the day. The end result of these two, conflicting drives, that to carry about a wallet and that to pocket ones cellular phone, is often the unsteady compromise of putting both devices in the pocket at once, and the general discomfort and organizational distress that such a compromise engenders. 
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]    The present invention is a cell phone storage apparatus for storing items with a cell phone. The cell phone storage apparatus comprises a storage device secured to the cell phone and a plurality of compartments formed in the storage device. A lid is hingedly secured to the storage device with the lid closable over the compartments. Upon positioning the items in the compartments and closing the lid over the compartments, the items are storable with the cell phone. 
         [0008]    In addition, the present invention is a method for storing items with a cell phone. The method comprises securing a storage device to the cell phone, hingedly connecting a lid to the storage device, forming a plurality of compartments in the storage device, positioning the items in the compartments, closing the lid over the compartments, releasably securing the lid in a closed condition, and storing the items with the cell phone. 
         [0009]    The present invention further includes a cell phone storage apparatus for storing items with a cell phone. The cell phone storage apparatus comprises a case surrounding at least a portion of the cell phone. A storage device is secured to the case and a plurality of compartments is formed in the storage device. A lid is hingedly secured to the storage device, the lid closable over the compartments. Upon positioning the items in the compartments and closing the lid over the compartments, the items are storable with the cell phone. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a cell phone storage apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention, mounted to a cell phone with the cell phone storage apparatus being in a closed condition;  FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the cell phone storage apparatus of  FIG. 1 , constructed in accordance with the present invention, mounted to the cell phone with the cell phone storage apparatus being in an open condition;  FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the cell phone storage apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention, mounted to the cell phone with the cell phone storage apparatus being in a closed condition; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the cell phone storage apparatus of  FIG. 3 , constructed in accordance with the present invention, mounted to the cell phone with the cell phone storage apparatus being in an open condition. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0012]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , the present invention is a cell phone storage apparatus, indicated generally at  10 , combining a cell phone case  12  with an attachable storage compartment  14 . The cell phone storage apparatus  10  is preferably constructed from primarily a highly impact-resistant injection-molded hard plastic although constructing the cell phone storage apparatus  10  from other materials is within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the cell phone case  12  of the cell phone storage apparatus  10  can be constructed to accommodate all cell phones including the most populous models. The cell phone case  12  of the cell phone storage apparatus  10  are constructed with dimensions mirroring the rear surface of the device to which they are to be affixed. 
         [0013]    It should be noted that the storage compartment  14  of the cell phone storage apparatus  10  of the present invention can be releasably secured to the cell phone case  12 , permanently secured to the cell phone case  12 , or manufactured integral with the cell phone case  12  depending on the desires of the manufacturer. Also, it is within the scope of the present invention for the storage compartment  14  to be secured directly to the cell phone rather than a cell phone case  12 . 
         [0014]    The storage compartment  14  of the cell phone storage apparatus  10  of the present invention features a hard, snap-open, snap-close cover  16  and offers the user a portion of usable space at least several millimeters deep and as wide and long as the cell phone itself In an embodiment of the cell phone storage apparatus  10 , the storage compartment  14  can be a wallet with the interior space divided up into a number of different pockets or compartments, in order to better organize and manage a wide variety of different negotiable instruments. In another embodiment of the cell phone storage apparatus  10 , the storage compartment  14  is constructed specifically for makeup has a mirrored surface on the inner face of the snap-close lid for personal makeup application examination, and divided bays and wells each containing different cosmetic products for direct application to the face concealed within the body of the device as well. Other arrangements of the storage compartment  14  can also be constructed, to handle everything from keys to credit cards, and the exterior faces of the storage apparatus  10  can be developed in all manner of different colors and patterns, including branded ones designed to convey a particular, targeted advertising message. The ready visibility, coupled with the relative inexpensiveness of the cell phone storage apparatus  10  and procedures employed in the construction of the cell phone storage apparatus  10  device, make it ideal for use as a promotional marketing give-away item. 
         [0015]    The manner of use of the cell phone storage apparatus  10  of the present invention will now be described. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the manner of use of the cell phone storage apparatus  10  described herein is merely one method of use and other methods of use of the cleaning tool device  10  are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0016]    Use of the cell phone storage apparatus  10  of the present invention is relatively easy and straight forward. First, the user selects a cell phone storage apparatus  10  model appropriate for their cell phone, with a decorative finish that is to their liking and which jives with their personal look. Once the appropriate cell phone storage apparatus  10  has been selected, it is purchased and removed from its protective wrapping. The storage compartment  14  can now be affixed to the rear panel of the cell phone case  12 , using a pair of included non-marking double-sided adhesive patches. Once the storage compartment  14  has been directly secured to the cell phone case  12 , it can be loaded up with the user&#39;s money, ID, credit cards and other wallet items, and then the entire package can be secreted about the user&#39;s person for later use. Whenever access to any of the contents is required, the user need simply extract the agglomerated device, snap open the cover of the storage compartment  14 , and retrieve the required items. The cell phone storage apparatus  10  of the present invention offers users a simple and effective way to combine their two most important pocket items into a single item that takes up less space and is easier to keep track of By attaching to a wide variety of different types of phone, the storage apparatus  10  is ideal for serving the basic needs of a wide range of different customers. 
         [0017]    The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only, to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.