Abstract:
A shoulder pouch for securing documents or the like, which is fitted underneath a users arm and protects against pick pocketing and wireless identity theft while still being easily accessed. The present invention provides a pouch which is harnessed to the body and angled from horizontal such that the pouch can be easily accessed with the opposite hand. The pouch provides a secure harnessed attachment about the user&#39;s body and RFID protection.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/850,806 filed Feb. 25, 2013 and hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for securing personal effects, such as passports and credit cards, close to the body and in particular, to a pouch harnessed underneath a user&#39;s arm to protect the user from pick pocketing and wireless identity theft, while still being easily accessed by the user. 
     Travelers must often travel with a number of common personal effects, such as passports and credit cards, which must be frequently accessed while on the go. With our quickly evolving technological advances, the danger of “pick pocketing” is only one concern for today&#39;s travelers. Travelers must also be aware of wireless identity theft, which allows the thief to compromise an individual&#39;s personal identifying information without ever laying a hand on the victim. 
     Many credit, debit, or government issued identification cards are radio-frequency (RF)-enabled and carry a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag which contains electronically stored information. When the tags come into contact with radio waves, usually from a RFID scanner or reader, they respond by sending out a radio signal with information located in the tag. This information may be encoded personal identification information, including a person&#39;s name, address, Social Security Number, and credit card information. Radio frequency tagged cards are often preferred over magnetic strip cards because transactions can be completed more quickly. 
     One of the limitations of this technology is that thieves are able to take advantage of the REED tags by using RFID scanners or readers near a user&#39;s RF-enabled credit cards or passports, without their knowledge, to obtain personal identification information. With this information, a thief performs RFID identity theft without the victim ever knowing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved travel pouch for securing personal effects or the like which is strapped beneath a user&#39;s arm and close to the user&#39;s body. In this respect, the inventors have recognized that there is a need for a pouch which is able to secure personal effects often carried during travel, such as passports and credit cards, which may be discreetly worn underneath a suit, sports coat, or jacket. In another respect, the inventors have recognized that these personal effects must be quickly and easily accessed during travel, such as when navigating through airport security. Accordingly, the present invention provides a pouch which is harnessed to the body and angled from horizontal such that the pouch can be easily accessed by the opposite arm. Moreover, the inventors have recognized the dangers of pick pocketing and wireless identity theft. Accordingly, the present invention provides a secure harnessed attachment about the user&#39;s body, and RFID protection built into the pouch lining. 
     Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a pouch assembly having an opening to receive contents along a pouch axis. A strap system positions and retains the pouch under a user&#39;s arm so that the pouch axis is at a generally horizontal angle. 
     It is thus a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide a shoulder pouch assembly with a pouch disposed underneath the arm and with the opening at a generally horizontal angle so that the user can easily access the opening with the opposite hand. 
     The pouch axis may be substantially 45 degrees from horizontal. Alternatively, pouch axis may be between 35 and 45 degrees from horizontal. 
     It is thus a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to allow the pouch to be easily accessed at an angle comfortable for the user&#39;s opposite arm, yet angled so the personal effects do not easily fall out of the pouch. 
     The opening of the pouch may be sized to receive a standard sized passport. The opening may be 5.5″ wide. 
     It is thus a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to allow the assembly to be used to carry commonly used travel documents, such as passports. 
     The pouch may have an RFID blocker liner. The RFID blocker liner may be a nickel and copper shielding. 
     It is thus a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to prevent RFID identity theft. 
     A belt strap loop may extend downwardly from the pouch. 
     It is thus a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide a more secure attachment of the pouch to the user&#39;s body and prevent shifting of the pouch. 
     The pouch may have a flap enclosing the opening. 
     It is thus a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to prevent personal effects from falling out of the opening. 
     The strap system may have a buckle with attachment points for attaching a plurality of straps. A vertically extending strap has a first end attached to the buckle and a second end attached to a horizontally extending strap which extends below the buckle and has a first and second end. The horizontally extending strap is attached to a second end of the pouch. The assembly also includes a first arm strap having a first end attached to the buckle and a second end attached to a first end of the pouch. A second arm strap has a first end attached to the buckle and a second end attached to the second end of the horizontally extending strap. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention provides a travel pouch for personal effects. The pouch has an opening to receive contents along a generally horizontal pouch axis. And it has a strap system for fitting about a human body and positioning and retaining the pouch under a user&#39;s arm and where the sidewalls of the pouch are substantially parallel with the pouch axis. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of securing personal effects. The method includes providing a pouch having an opening to receive contents along a pouch axis. A strap system positions and retains the pouch under a user&#39;s arm so that the pouch axis is at a generally horizontal angle. The strap system is fitted onto a human body. Finally, personal effects are placed into the opening of the pouch. 
     These particular objects and advantages may apply to only some embodiments falling within the claims and thus do not define the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a shoulder pouch assembly according to the present invention shown being worn by an individual; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear isometric view of the shoulder pouch assembly of  FIG. 1  being worn by an individual; 
         FIG. 3  is a front isometric view of the shoulder pouch assembly  FIG. 1  shown removed from the individual&#39;s body; and 
         FIG. 4  is a rear isometric view of the shoulder pouch assembly of  FIG. 3  removed from the individual&#39;s body. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a wearable shoulder pouch assembly  10  according to the present invention is fitted onto a user&#39;s body  12 . The shoulder pouch assembly  10  may be worn underneath and/or over clothing  14  so that it is securely positioned in close proximity to the user&#39;s body  12 . It is contemplated that the shoulder pouch assembly  10  may be easily concealed underneath a suit, sports coat, or jacket. In this manner, the proximity of the shoulder pouch assembly  10  to the user&#39;s body  12  allows the user to remain aware of the presence of the pouch assembly  10  without concern. 
     The shoulder pouch assembly  10  provides a number of components coupled together to form a strap system  16  around the user&#39;s body  12 . The strap system  16  securely positions a pouch  19  underneath the user&#39;s arm and in close proximity to the user&#39;s body  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the strap system  16  of the present invention provides an adjustable buckle  18 . The buckle  18  is preferably a 3-point buckle constructed of a thin plastic. The buckle  18  may have a plurality of holes  20  for attachment of looped straps through the holes  20 . As shown, the buckle  18  provides a generally trapezoidal construction providing straight edges at a top  22  opposite a bottom  24 . The top  22  and bottom  24  are joined at their right and left edges by acutely angled sides  26 ,  28 , respectively. An inner surface of the buckle  18  presents a plurality of holes  20 , preferable three, conforming to a lower generally triangular hole  30  and two upper capsule-shaped holes  32 . The triangular hole  30  attaches a downwardly extending elastic strap  34 , and the two capsule shapes holes  32  attaches the right  46  and left  48  arm straps, as will be further discussed below. 
     An elastic strap  34  extends downwardly from the triangular hole  30 . The elastic strap  34  has a length (being in one embodiment proximally 6 inches or 7.5 inches long) with a width (being in one embodiment proximally 1.5 inches wide). Opposite ends  36 ,  38  of the elastic strap  34  are looped such that the ends of the strap  34  are folded over and sewn to a portion of the strap inward from the ends  36 ,  38  of the strap  34  and providing open loops  40 ,  42 . A first end  36  of the strap  34  is looped through the triangular hole  30  and a second end  38  of the strap  34  is looped around a horizontally extended elastic belt  44 , as will be further discussed below. 
     Desirably, the elastic strap  34  is constructed of polyester elastic to flexibly expand according to a user&#39;s body  12  size. It is contemplated that the elastic strap  34  may be constructed out of a number of different materials providing the desired elasticity. 
     A right arm strap  46  and left arm strap  48  extend upwardly from the two capsule-shaped holes  30 . A right arm strap  46  has a length (being in one embodiment proximally 20 or 18¾ inches long) with a width (being in one embodiment proximally 1 inch wide). A first end  50  of the right arm strap  46  is looped  49  through the right capsule-shaped hole  32  and extends at an upwardly right angle (as seen from the rear). A second end  52  is secured to a plastic 1-bar buckle  54 , which couples the second end  52  to the elastic belt  44 . Between the first end  50  and the second end  52  a plastic slide adjuster  57  provides size adjustment to the right arm strap  46 . The slide adjuster  57  may be 1-bar or 3-bar, as known in the art. The slide adjuster  57  slides along the length of the right arm strap  46  to lengthen or shorten it. It is contemplated that a plastic fastener buckle (not shown), such as a quick release buckle, may be selectively used in place of the 1-bar buckle  54  to allow the right arm strap  46  to detach from the elastic belt  44  quickly and easily. 
     A left arm strap  48  has a length (being in one embodiment proximally 21 inches or 12.5 inches long) with a width (being in one embodiment proximally 1 inch wide). A first end  56  of the left arm strap  48  is looped  47  through the left capsule-shaped hole  32  and extends at an upwardly left angle (as seen from the rear). A second end  58  is secured to a plastic 1-bar buckle  54 , which couples the second end  58  to a loop  61  of the upper front end  60  of the pouch  19 . Between the first end  56  and the second end  58  a plastic slide adjuster  57  provides size adjustment to the left arm strap  48 . Again, the slide adjuster  57  may be 1-bar or 3-bar, as known in the art. The slide adjuster  57  slides along the length of the left arm strap  48  to lengthen or shorten it. 
     It is understood that the buckles and slide adjusters described above may be replaced with any type of buckle or slide adjuster known in the art. Desirably, the right  46  and left  48  arm straps are constructed of a polypropylene webbing. However, it is contemplated that any known durable materials may be used. 
     An elastic belt  44  extends horizontally and has a length (being in one embodiment proximally 28 inches long) with a width (being in one embodiment proximally 1 inch wide). The elastic belt  44  is positioned a vertical distance below the buckle  18  commensurate with the length of the elastic strap  34 . The elastic belt  44  is looped  63  at a first end  62  and coupled to the plastic buckle  54 . A second end  64  is coupled to an upper rear end  66  of the pouch  19 . In one embodiment, the attachment of the second end  64  to the pouch  19  may be a sewn attachment. A middle section  68  may be threaded through the loop  42  of the second end  38  of the elastic strap  34  to couple the elastic strap  34  to the elastic belt  44 . In one embodiment, Velcro (not shown) is applied to the middle section  68  to more securely attach the middle section  68  of the elastic belt  44  to the loop  42  of the second end of the elastic strap  34 . The elastic belt  44  may be constructed of polyester elastic. 
     The strap system  16  is attached to a pouch  19 . The pouch  19  has a generally oblong construction having a front layer  69  and a back layer  70  sewn together at an outer perimeter to define a receptacle  72  of the pouch  19  for receiving personal effects. A generally horizontally disposed opening  78  is provided where the front  69  and back  70  layers are not sewn together at the perimeter and which allow access to the inner receptacle  72 . In one embodiment, the opening  78  is substantially 6-inches wide or 5.5-inches wide. In an alternative embodiment, the opening  78  may have a width commensurate with the width of a standard passport. 
     The front  69  and back  70  layers are both constructed of an outer liner  74  and an inner liner  76 . In one embodiment, the outer liner  74  is a nylon material, such as urethane coated 400 denier nylon. It is contemplated that other durable materials may be used, such as polyester, polyurethane and denier. The inner liner  76  is a RF and/or Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding material. In one embodiment, the inner liner  76  is plain weave fabric plated with nickel and copper. It is contemplated that other RF/EMI blockers may be used, such as mylar and aluminum. 
     The pouch  19  has a length (being in one embodiment proximally 8.5 inches long) and a width (being in one embodiment 6 inches wide). The back layer  70  may extend slightly longer than the front layer  69  to extend past and overlap the front layer  69  and provide an overlapping flap  80  which may be secured with Velcro  82  or hook-loop fastener. The flap  80  securely retains the contents of the receptacle  72 . It is contemplated that the Velcro  82  may be replaced with other attachment means, such as a zipper or buttons. The back layer  70  may also have an additional pocket(s)  94  for securing personal effects. 
     An upper front end  60  proximate the opening  78  may have a proximately 1-inch billed protrusion securing a loop  61  which attaches to the plastic buckle  54  for coupling the pouch  19  to the second end  58  of the left arm strap  48 . An upper rear end  66  extends rearwardly from the opening  78  and attaches a second end  64  of the elastic belt  44 . The attachment of the second end  64  to the pouch  19  may be a sewn attachment. 
     A belt attachment strap  84  may extend downwardly and rearwardly from a lower front end  59  of the pouch  19 . In one embodiment, the strap  84  is attached 1-inch rearwardly from the opening  78  of the pouch  19 . In one embodiment, the strap  84  is attached at an angle of substantially 37-degrees or 45-degrees from the bottom edge of the pouch  19 . The belt attachment strap  84  has a first end  86  coupled to the pouch  19  which may be a sewn attachment. A second end  88  of the strap  84  is a snapped loop  90 . A snap  92  allows the loop to be opened and closed so that the strap  84  may be removably attached and detached from a belt worn on the user&#39;s body  12 . The belt attachment strap  84  may be constructed of polypropylene webbing. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the shoulder pouch assembly  10  is worn on the user&#39;s body  12  by placing the right arm strap  46  around the user&#39;s right arm and the left arm strap  48  is placed around the user&#39;s left arm. The plastic slide adjusters  57  of the right  46  and left  48  arm straps may be adjusted to lengthen or shorten the straps. The elastic belt  44  is to be situated comfortably mid-way up the user&#39;s back. The loop  90  of the belt attachment strap  84  may be removably secured to the belt of the user for a more secure attachment. 
     When worn by the user, the pouch  19  is situated underneath the user&#39;s arm and extends slightly forward of the side of the user&#39;s body  12 . The pouch  19  is oriented at a generally horizontal angle and preferably, at a slightly upward angle so that the user can easily access the opening  78  of the pouch  19  with his or her right hand (or opposite hand of the pouch position). As seen in  FIG. 1 , a dotted line represents the pouch axis at an angle of 45±10 degrees from horizontal. In one embodiment the pouch axis is substantially 45 degrees from horizontal. In an alternative embodiment the pouch axis is between 40 and 50 degrees from horizontal. In an alternative embodiment the pouch axis is between 35 and 45 degrees from horizontal. 
     The strap assembly  16  provides support above and below the user&#39;s shoulder to position the pouch.  19  at a slightly upward angle, as described above. When worn with taunt straps and without sagging, the strap assembly  16  positions the pouch  19  such that the sidewalk of the receptacle  72  are parallel to the pouch axis, and the pouch axis is oriented at a generally horizontal angle, and preferably, at a slight upward angle. The vertically extending elastic strap  34 , right arm strap  46 , and left arm strap  48  provide an upward tension to the front upper end  60  of the pouch  19 . The elastic belt  44  retains a horizontal and downward tension at the rear end  66  of the pouch  19 . The belt attachment strap  84  further maintains the strap assembly  16  in a generally fixed position. 
     The user can place personal effects into the opening  78  of the pouch  19  and secure the effects in the receptacle  72  be placing the flap  80  of the back layer  70  over the front layer  69  and securing the Velcro  82 . Additional items may be placed in the pockets  94  of the back layer  70 . 
     It is understood that the right and left sides of the pouch assembly  10  may be interchanged. Also, the different components of the assembly  10  may be disposed on either side of the assembly  10 . 
     Certain terminology is used herein for purposes of reference only, and thus is not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “above”, and “below” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “front”, “back”, “rear”, “bottom” and “side”, describe the orientation of portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Similarly, the terms “first”, “second” and other such numerical terms referring to structures do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. 
     When introducing elements or features of the present disclosure and the exemplary embodiments, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of such elements or features. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements or features other than those specifically noted. It is further to be understood that the method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
     It is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein and the claims should be understood to include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims. All of the publications described herein, including patents and non-patent publications, are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.