Patent Publication Number: US-2018027935-A1

Title: Slim wallet with integrated money clip

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to wallets and other accessories for carrying currency notes and cards; and more particularly, to a slim wallet with an integrated money clip. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Wallets have long been used for carrying currency notes, cards and other items. Many wallets are bulky, heavy or otherwise difficult to carry. There is a long felt and continued need for an improved wallet which is configured with a slim profile for carrying in one&#39;s pocket, and adapted for easy access to items contained in the wallet, such as cards, while being versatile for use in a variety of circumstances. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosure concerns a wallet with integrated money clip. The wallet includes: a first cavity for storing one or more cards, a cord being fixedly attached to the first cavity and further extending through an aperture thereof, wherein a length of the cord is configured to nest within an internal surface of the first cavity in an unactuated stated. The cord is configured with a pull tab for ejecting cards contained within the first cavity upon a pulling or actuation of the pull tab from the unactuated state to an actuated state. The wallet further includes a slit configured to receive and engage a removeably-integrated money clip. The money clip is generally fabricated from a light-weight composite material, such as carbon fiber. 
     The wallet may be configured with a thickness of less than one inch to define a “slim wallet”. 
     In some embodiments, the wallet further comprises an optional second cavity disposed on a front surface of the wallet; the second cavity is configured to store additional cards. 
     In some embodiments a security fabric material is implemented to surround the first cavity for blocking an RFID or similar electronic privacy invasion. 
     In certain embodiments, the wallet is configured to fold along a bi-fold axis of the wallet and may further include a transparent window pocket for storing an identification card. 
     In other embodiments, the wallet is not configured for folding. 
     Other features and advantages are described in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features will be further appreciated upon a thorough review hereof in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a slim wallet with integrated money clip in accordance with a first illustrated embodiment (currency notes are shown in broken lines as not forming part of the invention); 
         FIG. 2  shows a rear view of the slim wallet and integrated money clip in accordance with the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  shows a front view of the slim wallet and integrated money clip in accordance with the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  shows a right-side view of the slim wallet and integrated money clip in accordance with the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  shows a left-side view of the slim wallet and integrated money clip in accordance with the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  shows a top view of the slim wallet and integrated money clip in accordance with the first embodiment, a first cavity is shown with an opening positioned about a periphery of the slim wallet at the top side thereof; 
         FIG. 7  shows a bottom view of the slim wallet and integrated money clip in accordance with the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  shows the removeably attached money clip for use in various embodiments; 
         FIG. 9  shows a section view of the slim wallet with money clip in accordance with the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  shows the removeable money clip as-removed from the slim wallet; 
         FIG. 11  shows the pull tab in an actuated state wherein cards contained within the wallet are exposed for user access; and 
         FIG. 12  shows a supplemental cavity disposed on a front side of the slim wallet in accordance with a second embodiment, the supplemental cavity being configured to receive and store one or more cards or similar items. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, details and descriptions are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these details and descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Certain embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings wherein illustrative features are denoted by reference numerals. The following descriptions of illustrated embodiments are not intended to be limiting, rather, such are provided for enabling those having skill in the art to make and use the invention as set forth in the claims. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “slim wallet” is defined herein as a wallet having a profile thickness of up to one inch. 
     In a general embodiment, a wallet with integrated money clip includes: 
     (i) a first cavity for storing one or more cards, the first cavity including a first planar wall and a second planar wall, each of the first and second planar walls configured to oppose one another, wherein the first planar wall is coupled to the second planar wall at a seam extending about three sides of the first cavity, and wherein a fourth side of the first cavity is configured to form an opening for receiving the one or more cards therethrough; 
     (ii) a cord having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the cord being fixedly attached to the first planar wall of the first cavity, the second end of the cord extending through a first aperture, wherein the first aperture is configured to extend through the second planar wall of the first cavity, and a length of the cord is configured to nest with at least a portion of an internal surface formed about the first and second planar walls; 
     (iii) the second end of the cord defining a pull tab, wherein the pull tab is configured to eject cards contained within the cavity of the slim wallet upon a pulling or actuation of the pull tab; and 
     (iv) a slit configured to receive and engage a removeably-integrated money clip. 
     In some embodiments, the opening of the first cavity is disposed about a periphery of the wallet. For example, the opening can be disposed at a top side along an edge or “periphery” of the wallet. 
     In some embodiments, the wallet is configured to fold about a bi-fold axis. The wallet includes: an outer surface extending about an outside of the wallet when folded about the bi-fold axis and further includes an inside surface extending about an inside of the wallet when folded about the bi-fold axis. In these embodiments, the opening of the first cavity may be disposed about the inside surface of the wallet. 
     In some embodiments, the wallet may include a second cavity configured to receive and store one or more cards. The second cavity can be disposed about a front surface of the wallet. 
     In some embodiments, an RFID blocking material is implemented and configured to surround the first cavity. 
     The removeable money clip can be fabricated from a composite material, such as for example, carbon fiber. 
     In some embodiments the slit is positioned about an outer surface of the wallet. 
     In yet another embodiment, a kit includes: (i) a wallet, the wallet including a slit having a length associated therewith; and (ii) a money clip, the money clip having a first portion and a second portion connected at a bent portion, the first portion having a width associated therewith; wherein the length of the slit is greater than the width of the first portion of the money clip. In this regard, the wallet is configured to receive and couple with the money clip at the slit. 
     ILLUSTRATED EXAMPLES 
     Now, turning to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a slim wallet  100  with integrated money clip  200  in accordance with a first illustrated embodiment (currency notes  300  are shown in broken lines as not forming part of the invention). A pull tab  110  extending through an aperture  103  in the rear surface  101  of the wallet is capable of being pulled or actuated in order to eject cards stored within a first cavity of the wallet. 
     The wallet can be fabricated by stitching multiple layers of fabric together. While any fabric may be used, genuine leather is preferred for aesthetic and quality preferences. Within the multiple layers of fabric may be implemented an RFID blocking material such that at least the first cavity is surrounded by the RFID blocking material, thereby preventing unwanted access to electronic data stored in some cards. 
       FIG. 2  shows a rear plan view of the slim wallet  100  and integrated money clip  200  in accordance with the first embodiment. As described above, the wallet includes a cord with attached pull tab  110  extending through an aperture  103  positioned on the rear surface  101  of the wallet. The pull tab may comprise stitching for reinforcement and structural support. The money clip  200  is inserted through slit  105  disposed about the rear surface of the wallet in the first embodiment such that a first portion of the money clip resides within a volume of the wallet and a second portion extends outside the wallet volume. 
       FIG. 3  shows a front view of the slim wallet and integrated money clip in accordance with the first embodiment. The pull tab  110  is shown extending beyond a periphery of the wallet at the top side thereof. No cavity or pocket is provided on the front surface of the wallet in this first illustrated embodiment; however, a supplemental cavity can be provided as illustrated in a second embodiment (see  FIG. 12 ). While stitching  106  is shown in particular positions about the wallet, it should be noted that the stitching can be arranged in any manner as desired, for example, on any surface or side or along any edge, etc. 
       FIGS. 4-5  show a right-side view and a left-side view, respectively, of the slim wallet  100  and integrated money clip  200  in accordance with the first embodiment. The profile thickness (“T”) of the wallet illustrated. The pull tab  110  and cord  111  are shown extending through the wallet. Additionally, the money clip  200  is shown as integrated with the wallet through the slit. While certain arrangements of material edges and stitching are shown, it should be recognized that such arrangements can be provided in alternative forms while accomplishing the goal of providing a slim wallet and integrated money clip. 
       FIG. 6  shows a top view of the slim wallet  100  and integrated money clip  200  in accordance with the first embodiment, a first cavity opening  121  is shown with the opening positioned about a periphery of the slim wallet at the top side thereof. It should be understood by those having skill in the art that the opening may be on any side or in another location as described herein. 
       FIG. 7  shows a bottom view of the slim wallet  100  and integrated money clip  200  in accordance with the first embodiment. 
       FIG. 8  shows the removeably attached money clip  200  for use in various embodiments. The money clip includes a first portion  201  shown on a bottom side and a second portion  202  shown on a top side of the money clip  200 . The first portion and second portion are joined at a bend  203 . The second portion of the money clip may further include an angled lip  204  configured to extend at an angle in a direction away from the first portion. The money clip can be fabricated from any material, including metals, plastics, wood, and the like; however, composite materials are preferred for their light weight and structural durability, and more particularly, carbon fiber is the preferred material for fabricating the money clip. 
       FIG. 9  shows a section view of the slim wallet with money clip in accordance with the first embodiment, the instant section is taken along the line A-A′ as shown in  FIG. 3 . Here, the inner workings of the wallet can be appreciated. The wallet includes a first cavity  120  extending from opening  121  into a volume of the wallet. The first cavity includes a first planar wall  122  and a second planar wall  123  separated from the first planar wall by a gap defining a volume of the first cavity. The first and second planar walls each comprise a respective surface, and the aggregate surface of the first and second walls forms an internal surface of the first cavity. The first and second planar walls are joined about three sides along a periphery of the wallet, with a fourth side extending along the opening  121 . A cord  111  is fixedly attached to the first planar wall at connection  113 , and extends within the volume of the first cavity and through aperture  103 . A distal end of the cord  111  defines a pull tab  110 , or optionally a material is attached to the distal end of the cord as shown to define a pull tab  110 . Cards  350  are inserted into the first cavity through opening  121 , an edge of the cards abuts a loop  114  formed of the bent cord causing the pull tab to retract into the wallet. A user may then actuate the pull tab  110  by pulling such, causing the cord to extend out of the first cavity volume, and the cards to become exposed through opening  121 . 
       FIG. 10  shows the removeable money clip  200  as-removed from the slim wallet. To re-insert, a user positions the first portion  201  of the money clip into a slit  105  disposed on a surface of the wallet  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pull tab and the removeable money clip are each positioned on a common side of the wallet. However, it should be noted that each of the components described herein, for example the pull tab and the money clip, can be individually positioned about the wallet in a variety of possible designs as contemplated by those having skill in the art. 
       FIG. 11  shows the pull tab  110  and cord  111  in an actuated state wherein cards  350  contained within the wallet  100  are exposed for user access. 
       FIG. 12  shows a supplemental cavity  130  disposed on a front surface  102  of the slim wallet  100  in accordance with a second embodiment, the supplemental cavity being configured to receive and store one or more cards  350  or similar items. 
     While not depicted, the wallet may comprise a conventional bi-fold style wallet with the added implementation of the pull tab and cord as described herein, and/or with a slit and removeably inserted money clip. 
     Other features and arrangements will be contemplated and understood by those having skill in the art. The illustrated embodiments shall not limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.