Patent Publication Number: US-10772363-B1

Title: Storage sash apparatus

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The subject of this patent application relates generally to fashion accessories, and more particularly to a storage sash apparatus configured for securely and covertly storing personal items therewithin. 
     Applicant hereby incorporates herein by reference any and all patents and published patent applications cited or referred to in this application. 
     By way of background, while purses and other types of bags are commonly used to carry around one&#39;s everyday personal items, there are occasions where having to carry around such a bag is less than ideal. For example, now that bag checks are becoming more and more common at places such as amusement parks, theaters, and concert venues, people are beginning to opt for leaving their bags at home in order to avoid bag check lines. Bags can also be cumbersome to carry around, which could visually detract from one&#39;s wardrobe in certain situations, and which could also create an opportunity for theft in other situations. However, certain personal items (such as identification cards, money, credit/debit cards, keys, medications, vitamins, etc.) must nevertheless be carried on one&#39;s person at all times. Thus, there is a need for a wearable, relatively compact apparatus that is capable of storing such important personal items in lieu of a traditional bag. 
     Aspects of the present invention fulfill these needs and provide further related advantages as described in the following summary. 
     It should be noted that the above background description includes information that may be useful in understanding aspects of the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the present invention teach certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the exemplary advantages described below. 
     The present invention solves the problems described above by providing a storage sash apparatus configured for securely and covertly storing personal items therewithin. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides an elongate sash sized and configured for being wrapped around and removably engaged with at least one of a wrist, forearm, arm, neck, leg and ankle of a user, the sash comprising a first panel and an opposing second panel joined to the first panel. The sash provides opposing ends configured for removable engagement with one another. The sash also defines an at least one compartment between the first and second panels, with the at least one compartment being sized and positioned for removably receiving at least one personal item therewithin. The first and second panels define an at least one opening for allowing access into the at least one compartment. During use of the apparatus, the sash is wrapped at least once around the user, and the opposing ends are then removably engaged with one another, thereby securing the apparatus to the user while allowing access to the at least one compartment. 
     Other features and advantages of aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of aspects of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate aspects of the present invention. In such drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of an exemplary storage sash apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear elevational view thereof, in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view thereof, in accordance with at least one embodiment; and 
         FIG. 4  is a further perspective view thereof as wrapped around and removably engaged with a wrist of a user, in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     The above described drawing figures illustrate aspects of the invention in at least one of its exemplary embodiments, which are further defined in detail in the following description. Features, elements, and aspects of the invention that are referenced by the same numerals in different figures represent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects, in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1-3 , there is shown an exemplary embodiment of a storage sash apparatus  20 . In at least one embodiment, the apparatus  20  comprises an elongate sash  22  sized and configured for being wrapped around and removably engaged with a wrist  24  of a user  26  ( FIG. 4 ), with opposing ends  28  of the sash  22  configured for removable engagement with one another, as discussed further below. In at least one such embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the sash  22  has a length L of approximately twenty-eight inches and a height H of approximately four inches. In further embodiments, the sash  22  is sized and configured for being wrapped around and removably engaged with other parts of the user  26 , such as a forearm, arm, neck, leg or ankle of the user  26 , for example. In that regard, it should be noted that the size, shape and dimensions of the sash  22  as depicted in the drawings (and as described herein) is merely exemplary; thus, in further embodiments, the sash  22  may take on any other size, shape and/or dimensions, now known or later developed, so long as the apparatus  20  is capable of substantially carrying out the functionality described herein. In at least one embodiment, the sash  22  is constructed out of a relatively flexible material, such as fabric, mesh, plastic, leather or rubber for example. In further embodiments, the sash  22  may be constructed out of any other material (or combination of materials)—now known or later developed—capable of allowing the sash  22  to substantially carry out the functionality described herein. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , in at least one embodiment, the sash  22  comprises a first panel  30  and an opposing second panel  32  joined to the first panel  30 . In the exemplary embodiment, the first and second panels  30  and  32  are joined using stitching; however, in further embodiments, any other techniques or mechanisms for joining the first and second panels  30  and  32 , now known or later developed—such as welding, adhesives, etc. —may be substituted. In at least one embodiment, the sash  22  defines an at least one compartment  34  between the first and second panels  30  and  32  sized and positioned for removably receiving an at least one personal item  36  (such as identification cards, money, credit/debit cards, keys, medications, vitamins, etc.) therewithin. In at least one embodiment, an inner surface of the at least one compartment  34  provides a relatively high friction material for assisting in preventing the at least one personal item  36  from unintentionally falling out of the compartment  34 . Additionally, in at least one further embodiment (not shown), the at least one compartment  34  provides an at least one sub-compartment positioned therewithin, thereby allowing the user  26  to separate and organize the contents of the at least one compartment  34 . 
     In at least one embodiment, as best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the first and second panels  30  and  32  define an at least one opening  38  for allowing access into the at least one compartment  34 . In at least one such embodiment, the at least one opening  38  is positioned along a top edge  40  of the sash  22 , proximal a middle of the sash  22 . However, in further embodiments, the at least one opening  38  may be positioned anywhere else on the sash  22 —whether along an edge of the sash  22  or elsewhere on the first or second panels  30  and  32 . In at least one such embodiment, the at least one opening  38  provides a closure  42  for selectively obstructing the opening  38  and preventing the at least one personal item  36  from unintentionally falling out of the compartment  34 . In at least one embodiment, the closure  42  is a flap  44  that is removably engagable using snaps  46 , buttons, buckles, hook-and-loop material, magnets, zippers or any other non-permanent engagement mechanism (or combination of mechanisms) now known or later developed. 
     In at least one such embodiment, the flap  44  is secured to (or is otherwise integral with) the second panel  32  and configured for being folded over the opening  38  and engaging the first panel  30 . In at least one further embodiment, the flap  44  is omitted and the first and second panels  30  and  32  provide complementary non-permanent engagement mechanisms capable of selectively closing the opening  38  when the engagement mechanisms are engaged with one another. In still further embodiments, any other structure or mechanism (now known or later developed) capable of selectively obstructing the opening  38  may be substituted. In at least one still further embodiment, rather than provide at least one opening  38 , the first and second panels  30  and  32  are instead removably engagable with one another (either completely or partially), thereby allowing access into the at least one compartment  34  when the first and second panels  30  and  32  are separated. In such embodiments, the first and second panels  30  and  32  are at least partially removably engaged with one another using snaps, buttons, buckles, hook-and-loop material, magnets, zippers or any other non-permanent engagement mechanism (or combination of mechanisms) now known or later developed. It should be noted that the size, shape, dimensions, quantity and position of the at least one compartment  34  and corresponding opening  38  relative to the sash  22  as depicted in the drawings is merely exemplary. As such, in further embodiments, each of the at least one compartment  34  and corresponding opening  38  may take on any other size, shape, dimensions and/or quantity, now known or later developed, and may be positioned and/or arranged elsewhere on the sash  22 , so long as the apparatus  20  is capable of substantially carrying out the functionality described herein. 
     As mentioned above, the opposing ends  28  of the sash  22  are configured for removable engagement with one another after being wrapped at least once around the user&#39;s wrist  24 , forearm, arm, neck, leg, ankle, etc. (hereinafter generally referred to as the user  26  for simplicity purposes), thereby maintaining the apparatus  20  in the desired position relative to user  26  during use. In at least one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the ends  28  of the sash  22  are of a sufficient length so as to be tied together after being wrapped at least once around the user  26 . In at least one further embodiment, the ends  28  of the sash  22  provide complementary non-permanent engagement mechanisms such as snaps, buttons, buckles, hook-and-loop material, magnets, zippers or any other non-permanent engagement mechanism (or combination of mechanisms) now known or later developed. In at least one embodiment, as again illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the ends  28  of the sash  22  are configured for being engaged in a position substantially overtop of the at least one compartment  34 , thereby applying an amount of pressure against the at least one compartment  34  so as to assist in preventing the at least one personal item  36  from unintentionally falling out of the compartment  34 . In at least one alternate embodiment, if the opposing ends  28  of the sash  22  aren&#39;t engaged in a position substantially overtop of the at least one compartment  34 , the ends  28  at least pass overtop of the at least one compartment  34  as the sash  22  is wrapped at least once around the user  26 . In at least one further embodiment (not shown), the ends of the sash  22  are integral or otherwise permanently secured with one another, such that the sash  22  forms a continuous loop. In such a further embodiment, the user  26  is capable of temporarily stretching and pulling the apparatus  20  onto the desired portion of their body, and subsequently wrapping the sash  22  at least once around the desired portion of their body. 
     Thus, with the at least one personal item  36  securely and covertly positioned within the at least one compartment  34 , the apparatus  20  is capable of being comfortably worn by the user  26  without fear of losing the at least one personal item  36 . Additionally, due to the relative positioning of the corresponding at least one opening  38  in at least one embodiment, the user  26  is able to selectively remove and insert the at least one personal item  36  without having to disengage the entire apparatus  20 . 
     Aspects of the present specification may also be described as the following embodiments: 
     1. A storage sash apparatus comprising: an elongate sash sized and configured for being wrapped around and removably engaged with at least one of a wrist, forearm, arm, neck, leg and ankle of a user, the sash comprising a first panel and an opposing second panel joined to the first panel; the sash providing opposing ends configured for removable engagement with one another; the sash defining an at least one compartment between the first and second panels, the at least one compartment sized and positioned for removably receiving an at least one personal item therewithin; and the first and second panels defining an at least one opening for allowing access into the at least one compartment; whereby, during use of the apparatus, the sash is wrapped at least once around the user, and the opposing ends are then removably engaged with one another, thereby securing the apparatus to the user while allowing access to the at least one compartment. 
     2. The storage sash apparatus according to embodiment 1, wherein the sash has a length of approximately twenty-eight inches and a height of approximately four inches. 
     3. The storage sash apparatus according to embodiments 1-2, wherein the sash is constructed out of a flexible material. 
     4. The storage sash apparatus according to embodiments 1-3, wherein the flexible material is at least one of fabric, mesh, plastic, leather and rubber. 
     5. The storage sash apparatus according to embodiments 1-4, wherein an inner surface of the at least one compartment provides a high friction material for assisting in preventing the at least one personal item from unintentionally falling out of the compartment. 
     6. The storage sash apparatus according to embodiments 1-5, wherein the at least one opening is positioned along a top edge of the sash. 
     7. The storage sash apparatus according to embodiments 1-6, wherein the at least one opening is further positioned proximal a middle of the sash. 
     8. The storage sash apparatus according to embodiments 1-7, wherein the at least one opening provides a closure for selectively obstructing the opening and preventing the at least one personal item from unintentionally falling out of the compartment. 
     9. The storage sash apparatus according to embodiments 1-8, wherein the closure is a removably engagable flap. 
     10. The storage sash apparatus according to embodiments 1-9, wherein the flap is secured to, or otherwise integral with, the second panel and configured for being folded over the opening and engaging the first panel. 
     11. The storage sash apparatus according to embodiments 1-10, wherein the closure is an at least one pair of complementary non-permanent engagement mechanisms positioned on each of the first and second panels. 
     12. The storage sash apparatus according to embodiments 1-11, wherein the ends of the sash are configured for passing overtop of the at least one compartment when the sash is wrapped around the user. 
     13. The storage sash apparatus according to embodiments 1-12, wherein the ends of the sash are configured for being tied together after the sash is wrapped at least once around the user. 
     14. The storage sash apparatus according to embodiments 1-13, wherein the ends of the sash provide complementary non-permanent engagement mechanisms. 
     15. The storage sash apparatus according to embodiments 1-14, wherein the ends of the sash are configured for being engaged in a position substantially overtop of the at least one compartment. 
     16. A storage sash apparatus comprising: an elongate sash sized and configured for being wrapped around and removably engaged with a wrist of a user, the sash comprising a first panel and an opposing second panel joined to the first panel; the sash providing opposing ends configured for removable engagement with one another; the sash defining an at least one compartment between the first and second panels, the at least one compartment sized and positioned for removably receiving an at least one personal item therewithin; the first and second panels defining an at least one opening for allowing access into the at least one compartment, the at least one opening positioned along a top edge of the sash, proximal a middle of the sash; and the second panel providing a flap positioned and configured for selectively folding over the opening and engaging the first panel, thereby obstructing the opening and preventing the at least one personal item from unintentionally falling out of the compartment; whereby, during use of the apparatus, the sash is wrapped at least once around the user&#39;s wrist, and the opposing ends are then removably engaged with one another, thereby securing the apparatus to the user&#39;s wrist while allowing access to the at least one compartment. 
     17. A method of wearing the storage sash apparatus of claim  16  comprising the steps of: placing the second panel of the sash in contact with the wrist of the user, such that the at least one compartment is positioned on an inner surface of the user&#39;s wrist; wrapping the sash at least once around the user&#39;s wrist so that the opposing ends of the sash pass overtop of the at least one compartment; and tying the ends of the sash together so as to secure the sash in place on the user&#39;s wrist while allowing access to the at least one compartment via the removably engagable flap. 
     In closing, regarding the exemplary embodiments of the present invention as shown and described herein, it will be appreciated that a storage sash apparatus is disclosed and configured for securely and covertly storing personal items therewithin. Because the principles of the invention may be practiced in a number of configurations beyond those shown and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not in any way limited by the exemplary embodiments, but is generally directed to a storage sash apparatus and is able to take numerous forms to do so without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the particular geometries and materials of construction disclosed, but may instead entail other functionally comparable structures or materials, now known or later developed, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventor(s) for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor(s) expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor(s) intend for the present invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
     Groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, or steps of the present invention are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other group members disclosed herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims. 
     Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing a characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, term, and so forth used in the present specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” As used herein, the term “about” means that the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term so qualified encompasses a range of plus or minus ten percent above and below the value of the stated characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical indication should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and values setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical ranges and values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical range or value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Recitation of numerical ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate numerical value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value of a numerical range is incorporated into the present specification as if it were individually recited herein. Similarly, as used herein, unless indicated to the contrary, the term “substantially” is a term of degree intended to indicate an approximation of the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term so qualified, encompassing a range that can be understood and construed by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Use of the terms “may” or “can” in reference to an embodiment or aspect of an embodiment also carries with it the alternative meaning of “may not” or “cannot.” As such, if the present specification discloses that an embodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may be or can be included as part of the inventive subject matter, then the negative limitation or exclusionary proviso is also explicitly meant, meaning that an embodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may not be or cannot be included as part of the inventive subject matter. In a similar manner, use of the term “optionally” in reference to an embodiment or aspect of an embodiment means that such embodiment or aspect of the embodiment may be included as part of the inventive subject matter or may not be included as part of the inventive subject matter. Whether such a negative limitation or exclusionary proviso applies will be based on whether the negative limitation or exclusionary proviso is recited in the claimed subject matter. 
     The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar references used in the context of describing the present invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, ordinal indicators—such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. —for identified elements are used to distinguish between the elements, and do not indicate or imply a required or limited number of such elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order of such elements unless otherwise specifically stated. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the present invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the present specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention. 
     When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the open-ended transitional term “comprising” (along with equivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof such as “including,” “containing” and “having”) encompasses all the expressly recited elements, limitations, steps and/or features alone or in combination with un-recited subject matter; the named elements, limitations and/or features are essential, but other unnamed elements, limitations and/or features may be added and still form a construct within the scope of the claim. Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using the closed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” in lieu of or as an amendment for “comprising.” When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, limitation, step, or feature not expressly recited in the claims. The closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the expressly recited elements, limitations, steps and/or features and any other elements, limitations, steps and/or features that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter. Thus, the meaning of the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” is being defined as encompassing all the specifically recited elements, limitations, steps and/or features as well as any optional, additional unspecified ones. The meaning of the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” is being defined as only including those elements, limitations, steps and/or features specifically recited in the claim, whereas the meaning of the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” is being defined as only including those elements, limitations, steps and/or features specifically recited in the claim and those elements, limitations, steps and/or features that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter. Therefore, the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” (along with equivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof) includes within its meaning, as a limiting case, claimed subject matter specified by the closed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of.” As such, embodiments described herein or so claimed with the phrase “comprising” are expressly or inherently unambiguously described, enabled and supported herein for the phrases “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.” 
     Any claims intended to be treated under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) will begin with the words “means for,” but use of the term “for” in any other context is not intended to invoke treatment under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Accordingly, Applicant reserves the right to pursue additional claims after filing this application, in either this application or in a continuing application. 
     All patents, patent publications, and other publications referenced and identified in the present specification are individually and expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the compositions and methodologies described in such publications that might be used in connection with the present invention. These publications are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing in this regard should be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention or for any other reason. All statements as to the date or representation as to the contents of these documents is based on the information available to the applicants and does not constitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or contents of these documents. 
     While aspects of the invention have been described with reference to at least one exemplary embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the inventor(s) believe that the claimed subject matter is the invention.