Patent Publication Number: US-11653729-B2

Title: Wallet with card holding mechanisms

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. application Ser. No. 17/470,825; filed Sep. 9, 2021; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,337,498 on May 24, 2022; and entitled WALLET WITH CARD HOLDING MECHANISMS. 
     The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. application Ser. No. 17/227,204; filed Apr. 9, 2021; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,178,947 on Nov. 23, 2021; and entitled WALLET WITH CARD HOLDING MECHANISMS. 
     The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. application Ser. No. 16/250,310; filed Jan. 17, 2019; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,439,214 on Sep. 13, 2022; and entitled WALLET. 
     The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. application Ser. No. 16/659,627; filed Oct. 22, 2019; published Apr. 22, 2021 as US 2021/0112935; and entitled WALLET. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     Various embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to wallets. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to wallets with a rail system, an elastic band, and at least one pocket. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Wallets are designed to carry articles such as credit cards, currency, business cards, pictures, identification cards (such as a driver&#39;s license or work ID), plus assorted other paper items. The most common type of wallet has a bifold design including one or more compartments and is made to be carried in a pocket or bag. Wallets are, in general, made from fabric and/or leather goods and sewn to form storage pockets. They may also utilize a metal clip of sorts intended to hold paper currency. These storage pockets are typically sewn to hold one, or a few, cards, Each pocket adds a layer of material, increasing the overall thickness of the wallet and limiting the number of cards a wallet can carry. As a result, typical wallets often become bulky in size and more difficult and uncomfortable to carry, especially in a pocket. Traditional wallets may also stretch and loosen over time, leaving the credit and/or identification cards, currency, etc. vulnerable to being lost. There is therefore a need for an improved type of wallet to hold a high capacity of cards and currency while maintaining a slim profile. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosure includes a wallet comprising an open-sided shell having a personal card receiving surface and a back surface facing opposite the personal card receiving surface, the open-sided shell configured to securably couple at least one personal card along the personal card receiving surface within an internal portion of the open-sided shell. In many embodiments, the wallet further comprises a flexible member including an internal surface and an external surface facing opposite the internal surface, the flexible member defining a bottom half and a top half located opposite the bottom half, wherein the internal surface of the bottom half is coupled to the back surface of the open-sided shell. The wallet may include an elastic band having a first end coupled to a first side surface of the top half of the flexible member, and a second end located opposite the first end whereby the second end is coupled to a second side surface of the top half of the flexible member, the second side surface located opposite the first side surface. The elastic band may be configured to move between a first position whereby the elastic band wraps around the internal surface of the top half of the flexible member, and a second position whereby the elastic band wraps around the external surface of the top half of the flexible member. 
     In some embodiments, the wallet defines an open position, a closed position, and a clamshell position. When the wallet is in the open position, the flexible member may be configured to lay substantially flat such that the top half of the internal surface of the flexible member and the personal card receiving surface of the open-sided shell both substantially face a same direction, and the elastic band may be configured to be in at least one of the first position and the second position. When the wallet is in the closed position, the top half of the internal surface of the flexible member may be folded over the personal card receiving surface of the open-sided shell such that the top half of the internal surface of the flexible member faces the personal card receiving surface of the open-sided shell, and the elastic band may be configured to be in at least one of the first position and the second position. When the wallet is in the clamshell position, the top half of the internal surface of the flexible member may be folded over the personal card receiving surface of the open-sided shell such that the top half of the internal surface of the flexible member faces the personal card receiving surface of the open-sided shell, and when the wallet is in the clamshell position the elastic band may be configured to move to a third position whereby the elastic band wraps around the open-sided shell and the bottom half of the flexible member. 
     In many embodiments, the open-sided shell comprises a first side wall, a second side wall located opposite the first side wall, and a bottom side wall extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, whereby the first side wall, the second side wall, and the bottom side wall are configured to retain the at least one personal card in place with respect to the personal card receiving surface. The first side wall may comprise a first retention tab configured to move away from the second side wall to thereby receive the at least one personal card, the first side wall defining a first top portion and a first bottom portion located adjacent the bottom side wall, the first retention tab located adjacent the first top portion. The second side wall may comprise a second retention tab configured to move away from the first side wall to thereby receive the personal card, the second side wall defining a second top portion and a second bottom portion located adjacent the bottom side wall, the second retention tab located adjacent the second top portion. In some embodiments, the first retention tab comprises a first protruding portion configured to secure the at least one personal card in place with respect to the personal card receiving surface, the first protruding portion located adjacent the first top portion, and the second retention tab comprises a second protruding portion configured to secure the at least one personal card in place with respect to the personal card receiving surface, the second protruding portion located adjacent the second top portion. 
     The first retention tab and the second retention tab may be configured to move between a locked position and a receiving position, wherein when the first retention tab and the second retention tab are in the locked position the first retention tab and the second retention tab may be located a first distance from each other, wherein when the first retention tab and second retention tab are in the receiving position the first retention tab and the second retention tab may be located a second distance from each other, and wherein the first distance may be less than the second distance. In many embodiments, when the open-sided shell receives the at least one personal card, the first retention tab moves away from the second side wall and the second retention tab moves away from the first side wall to thereby receive the at least one personal card. When the open-sided shell securably couples the at least one personal card within the internal portion, the first retention tab may move towards the second side wall and the second retention tab may move towards the first side wall to thereby securably lock the at least one personal card within the internal portion of the open-sided shell. In many embodiments, the first retention tab defines a first cantilever arm physically spaced from a remaining portion of the first side wall, and the second retention tab defines a second cantilever arm physically spaced from a remaining portion of the second side wall. 
     In some embodiments, the bottom side wall comprises a first bottom side wall portion, a second bottom side wall portion, and an open clearance area located between the first bottom side wall portion and the second bottom side wall portion, whereby the open clearance area is configured to receive a user&#39;s finger to thereby push the at least one personal card away from the bottom side wall. The first bottom side wall portion may define a first width and the second bottom side wall portion may define a second width, wherein the second width may be greater than the first width. 
     The first side wall and the second side wall may be elongate along a first direction, and the bottom side wall may be elongate along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In some embodiments, the first side wall defines a first back portion located adjacent to the personal card receiving surface, and a first front portion located opposite the first back portion. The second side wall may define a second back portion located adjacent to the personal card receiving surface, and a second front portion located opposite the second back portion. In some embodiments, the bottom side wall defines a third back portion located adjacent to the personal card receiving surface, and a third front portion located opposite the third back portion. The open-sided shell may comprise a front retaining surface protruding along the second direction from the first front portion of the first side wall, along the second direction from the second front portion of the second side wall, and along the first direction from the third front portion of the bottom side wall. The front retaining surface may be spaced from the personal card receiving surface. 
     In many embodiments, the front retaining surface extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the personal card receiving surface, wherein the front retaining surface comprises a left side retaining surface and a right side retaining surface. The left side retaining surface may extend from a first location located below the first retention tab down along the first side wall to the first bottom portion of the first side wall and along the bottom side wall to a second location adjacent an open clearance area. The right side retaining surface may extend from a third location adjacent the open clearance area along the bottom side wall to the second bottom portion of the second side wall and up along the second side wall to a fourth location located below the second retention tab. In some embodiments, the second location of the left side retaining surface defines a first angle, and the third location of the right side retaining surface defines a second angle. The second angle may be greater than the first angle. In some embodiments, the left side retaining surface defines a left side height and a left side width, and the right side retaining surface defines a right side height and a right side width. The left side height and the right side height may be substantially equal, and the left side width may be less than the right side width. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one personal card comprises a front surface, a back surface located opposite the front surface, a first side edge, a second side edge located opposite the first side edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge located opposite the top edge. When the at least one personal card is securably coupled to the open-sided shell with the back surface facing the personal card receiving surface, the front retaining surface may be configured to cover at least a portion of the front surface along the first side edge, at least a portion of the front surface along the second side edge, and at least a portion of the front surface along the bottom edge. 
     The wallet may further comprise a first aperture located along a first side portion of the open-sided shell and a second aperture located along a second side portion of the open-sided shell, the first aperture located opposite the second aperture. When the wallet is in the clamshell position, the elastic band may wrap around the first aperture and the second aperture. In some embodiments, the first side wall and the second side wall are elongate along a first direction, and the bottom side wall is elongate along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the elastic band wraps around at least one of the flexible member and the open-sided shell along the second direction. 
     The wallet may also include an identification window coupled to the top half of the flexible member and located along the internal surface of the flexible member, and the identification window may be configured to receive an identification card. When the elastic band is in the first position the elastic band may at least partially cover the identification window, and when the elastic band is in the second position the elastic band may not cover the identification window. In many embodiments, the identification window includes an aperture configured to allow a user to view and directly contact the internal surface of the flexible member located beneath the identification window. 
     In some embodiments, the internal portion of the open-sided shell defines an internal width measuring at least 3.375″, and an internal height measuring at least 2.125″. The open-sided shell may define a first width, and the flexible member may define a second width that is less than the first width. 
     The disclosure includes a wallet comprising an open-sided shell having a personal card receiving surface and a back surface facing opposite the personal card receiving surface, the open-sided shell configured to securably couple at least one personal card along the personal card receiving surface within an internal portion of the open-sided shell. In some embodiments, the open-sided shell further comprises a first side wall, a second side wall located opposite the first side wall, and a bottom side wall extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, whereby the first side wall, the second side wall, and the bottom side wall are configured to retain the at least one personal card in place with respect to the personal card receiving surface. The wallet may also include a flexible member including an internal surface and an external surface facing opposite the internal surface, and the flexible member may define a bottom half and a top half located opposite the bottom half. In some embodiments, the internal surface of the bottom half is coupled to the back surface of the open-sided shell, and the internal surface of the top half is configured to retain and receive an identification card. The wallet may further comprise a pull tab coupled to the external surface of the flexible member and configured to extend from an opening in the external surface of the flexible member, and the pull tab may be configured to facilitate removal of the at least one personal card from a pocket coupled to the external surface of the flexible member. 
     In some embodiments, the bottom side wall comprises a first bottom side wall portion and a second bottom side wall portion, wherein the first bottom side wall portion defines a first width and the second bottom side wall portion defines a second width, wherein the second width is greater than the first width. The wallet may further comprise an open clearance area located along a bottom portion of the open-sided shell, and the open clearance area may be configured to receive a user&#39;s finger to thereby push the at least one personal card away from the bottom portion such that the at least one personal card may be removed from the wallet. In some embodiments, the open clearance area is located between the first bottom side wall portion and the second bottom side wall portion. 
     The wallet may further comprise a stretchable band configured to wrap around the open-sided shell and the bottom half of the flexible member, and the stretchable band may be configured to securably couple at least one personal card against at least one of the personal card receiving surface and the external surface of the flexible member. In some embodiments, the first side wall comprises a first aperture and a second aperture, the first aperture configured to receive an attaching mechanism to thereby couple the wallet to at least one of a key, a lanyard, and a tether, and the second side wall comprises a third aperture, the second aperture and the third aperture configured to receive the stretchable band. 
     In some embodiments, the wallet includes a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion. The first protruding portion may be coupled to the first side wall and may be configured to move away from the second side wall to thereby receive the at least one personal card. In some embodiments, the first side wall defines a first top portion and a first bottom portion located adjacent the bottom side wall, and the first protruding portion is located adjacent the first top portion. The second protruding portion may be coupled to the second side wall and may be configured to move away from the first side wall to thereby receive the at least one personal card. In some embodiments, the second side wall defines a second top portion and a second bottom portion located adjacent the bottom side wall, and the second protruding portion is located adjacent the second top portion. The first protruding portion and the second protruding portion may be configured to move between a locked position and a receiving position. In some embodiments, when the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion are in the locked position, the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion are located a first distance from each other. When the first protruding portion and second protruding portion are in the receiving position, the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion may be located a second distance from each other. In some embodiments, the first distance is less than the second distance. 
     In some embodiments, the pull tab defines a first portion and a second portion, and the pull tab is configured to move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first portion of the pull tab may be configured to extend from the opening in the external surface of the flexible member and the second portion of the pull tab may be located at least partially within the flexible member, and the at least one personal card may be located within the pocket. In the second position, the first portion of the pull tab and the second portion of the pull tab may be configured to extend from the opening in the external surface of the flexible member, and the at least one personal card may be configured to at least partially extend from the pocket. 
     The disclosure includes a wallet comprising an open-sided shell having a personal card receiving surface and a back surface facing opposite the personal card receiving surface, the open-sided shell configured to securably couple at least one personal card along the personal card receiving surface within an internal portion of the open-sided shell. In some embodiments, the open-sided shell comprises a first side wall, a second side wall located opposite the first side wall, and a bottom side wall extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, whereby the first side wall, the second side wall, and the bottom side wall are configured to retain the at least one personal card in place with respect to the personal card receiving surface. 
     The wallet may further comprise a flexible member including an internal surface and an external surface facing opposite the internal surface. In some embodiments, the flexible member defines a bottom half and a top half located opposite the bottom half, wherein the internal surface of the bottom half may be coupled to the back surface of the open-sided shell. The wallet may also include a stretchable band configured to wrap around the open-sided shell and the bottom half of the flexible member, and the stretchable band may be configured to securably couple at least one personal card against at least one of the personal card receiving surface and the external surface of the flexible member. In some embodiments, the wallet further comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) protection plate coupled to the open-sided shell, wherein the RFID protection plate is located between the personal card receiving surface and the stretchable band. 
     The first side wall and the second side wall may be elongate along a first direction, and the bottom side wall may be elongate along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In some embodiments, the stretchable band wraps around the open-sided shell and the bottom half of the flexible member along the second direction. The RFID protection plate may be configured to move along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction to securably couple the at least one personal card between the RFID protection plate and the personal card receiving surface. In some embodiments, the stretchable band is configured to extend along the third direction to couple at least one of at least one personal card and at least one paper bill between the stretchable band and the bottom half of the flexible member. 
     At least one of the open-sided shell and the RFID protection plate may comprise an open clearance area located along a bottom portion of at least one of the open-sided shell and the RFID protection plate. In some embodiments, the open clearance area is configured to receive a user&#39;s finger to thereby push the at least one personal card away from the bottom portion such that the at least one personal card may be removed from the wallet. 
     The wallet may further comprise an interior pocket coupled to the top half of the flexible member and located along the internal surface of the flexible member, and the interior pocket may be configured to receive and retain the at least one personal card. In some embodiments, the wallet includes a first exterior pocket coupled to the top half of the flexible member and located along the external surface of the flexible member opposite the interior pocket, the first exterior pocket configured to receive and retain the at least one personal card. The wallet may also include a second exterior pocket coupled to the bottom half of the flexible member and located along the external surface of the flexible member opposite the open-sided shell, the second exterior pocket configured to receive and retain the at least one personal card. In some embodiments, the interior pocket and the first exterior pocket are coupled to the top half of the flexible member via stitching extending along a perimeter of the top half of the flexible member, and the second exterior pocket is coupled to the flexible member via stitching and is coupled to the open-sided shell via a plurality of rivets, wherein the stitching and the plurality of rivets extend around a perimeter of the bottom half of the flexible member. 
     The disclosure includes a wallet comprising an open-sided shell having a first personal card receiving surface and a second personal card receiving surface facing opposite the first personal card receiving surface. The open-sided shell may be configured to securably couple at least one personal card along the first personal card receiving surface and the second personal card receiving surface within an internal portion of the open-sided shell. In some embodiments, the first personal card receiving surface comprises a first side wall, a second side wall located opposite the first side wall, and a first bottom side wall extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, whereby the first side wall, the second side wall, and the first bottom side wall are configured to retain the at least one personal card in place with respect to the first personal card receiving surface. 
     The wallet may further comprise a first protruding portion coupled to the first side wall and configured to move away from the second side wall to thereby receive the at least one personal card. In some embodiments, the first side wall defines a first top portion and a first bottom portion located adjacent the first bottom side wall, and the first protruding portion is located adjacent the first top portion. The wallet may also include a second protruding portion coupled to the second side wall and configured to move away from the first side wall to thereby receive the at least one personal card. In some embodiments, the second side wall defines a second top portion and a second bottom portion located adjacent the bottom side wall, and the second protruding portion is located adjacent the second top portion. The second personal card receiving surface may comprise a third side wall, a fourth side wall located opposite the third side wall, and a second bottom side wall extending between the third side wall and the fourth side wall. 
     In some embodiments, the wallet includes a stretchable band configured to wrap around the open-sided shell, the stretchable band configured to securably couple at least one personal card against at least one of the first personal card receiving surface and the second personal card receiving surface. The wallet may further comprise a radio frequency identification (RFID) protection plate coupled to the open-sided shell, wherein the RFID protection plate may be located between the second personal card receiving surface and the stretchable band, and wherein the RFID protection plate may be configured to securably couple the at least one personal card between the RFID protection plate and the second personal card receiving surface. In some embodiments, at least one of the open-sided shell and the RFID protection plate comprises an open clearance area located along a bottom portion of at least one of the open-sided shell and the RFID protection plate. The open clearance area may be configured to receive a user&#39;s finger to thereby push the at least one personal card away from the bottom portion such that the at least one personal card may be removed from the wallet. 
     The wallet may further comprise at least one aperture located along a perimeter of the open-sided shell, and the at least one aperture may be configured to receive an attaching mechanism to thereby couple the wallet to at least one of a key, a lanyard, and a tether. In some embodiments, the wallet also includes a pocket configured to receive the at least one personal card, the pocket configured to detachably couple to the open-sided shell adjacent the second personal card receiving surface. The pocket may comprise an opening configured to receive a pull tab, wherein the pull tab may be configured to facilitate removal of the at least one personal card from the pocket. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages are described below with reference to the drawings, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the invention. In the drawings, like reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout similar embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 A  illustrates a perspective view of a wallet in open position, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates a perspective view of a wallet in a clamshell position, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 C  illustrates a perspective view of a wallet in open position, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 D  illustrates a perspective view of a wallet in a clamshell position, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of a wallet in a clamshell position, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 , and  8    illustrate perspective views of a wallet in an open position, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  9  and  10    illustrate perspective views of a wallet in a clamshell position and a closed position, respectively, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a front interior view of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 , and  18    illustrate front interior views of a wallet and at least one personal card, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  19    illustrates a front interior view of a wallet including a first side wall and a second side wall, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  20    illustrates a front interior view of a wallet including a bottom side wall, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  21    illustrates a cross-sectional view of a first side wall of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  22    illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second side wall of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  23    illustrates a cross-sectional view of a bottom side wall of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  24    illustrates a front interior view of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  25 A  illustrates a left side height and a right side height of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  25 B  illustrates a left side width and a right side width of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  26    illustrates a partial front view of a wallet, including an inset view of an open clearance area, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  27    illustrates a back exterior view of a wallet in an open position, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  28    illustrates a top half of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  29    illustrates a bottom half of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  30    illustrates a bottom view of a wallet in a clamshell position, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  31  and  32    illustrate side views of a wallet in a clamshell position, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  33    illustrates a bottom view of a wallet in an open position, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  34  and  35    illustrate side views of a wallet in an open position, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  36    illustrates a front perspective view of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  37    illustrates a back perspective view of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  38 ,  39 , and  40    illustrate front views of a wallet and at least one personal card, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  41    illustrates a back view of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  42    illustrates a perspective view of an open wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  43  and  44    illustrate interior views of an open wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  45 ,  46 , and  47    illustrate exterior views of an open wallet including a pull tab, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  48    illustrates a front perspective view of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  49    illustrates a back perspective view of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  50    illustrates an exterior and partial interior perspective view of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  51    illustrates an interior perspective view of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  52    illustrates an exterior view of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  53    illustrates an interior view of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  54    illustrates a perspective view of one side of a wallet, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  55    illustrates a perspective view of another side of the wallet of  FIG.  54   , according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  56    illustrates the side of the wallet shown in  FIG.  54   , according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  57    illustrates the side of the wallet shown in  FIG.  55   , according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  58    illustrates a wallet including a pocket, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although certain embodiments and examples are disclosed below, inventive subject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses, and to modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, the scope of the claims appended hereto is not limited by any of the particular embodiments described below. For example, in any method or process disclosed herein, the acts or operations of the method or process may be performed in any suitable sequence and are not necessarily limited to any particular disclosed sequence. Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding certain embodiments; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent. Additionally, the structures, systems, and/or devices described herein may be embodied as integrated components or as separate components. 
     For purposes of comparing various embodiments, certain aspects and advantages of these embodiments are described. Not necessarily all such aspects or advantages are achieved by any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, various embodiments may be carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as may also be taught or suggested herein. 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           10 —wallet 
           12 —open-sided shell 
           13 —open-sided shell 
           14 —personal card receiving surface 
           15 —personal card receiving surface 
           16 —back surface 
           17 —back surface 
           18 —at least one personal card 
           20 —internal portion (of open-sided shell) 
           21 —internal portion (of open-sided shell) 
           22 —flexible member 
           24 —internal surface (of flexible member) 
           26 —external surface (of flexible member) 
           28 —bottom half (of flexible member) 
           30 —top half (of flexible member) 
           32 —elastic band 
           34   a —first end (of elastic band) 
           34   b —second end (of elastic band) 
           36   a —first side surface (top half of flexible member) 
           36   b —second side surface (top half of flexible member) 
           38 —first position (of elastic band) 
           40 —second position (of elastic band) 
           42 —third position (of elastic band) 
           44 —open position (wallet) 
           46 —closed position (wallet) 
           48 —clamshell position (wallet) 
           50   a —first side wall 
           50   b —second side wall 
           50   c —bottom side wall 
           51   a —first side wall 
           51   b —second side wall 
           51   c —bottom side wall 
           52   a —first retention tab 
           52   b —second retention tab 
           53   a —first retention tab 
           53   b —second retention tab 
           54   a —first top portion (first side wall) 
           54   b —second top portion (second side wall) 
           56   a —first bottom portion (first side wall) 
           56   b —second bottom portion (second side wall) 
           58   a —first protruding portion 
           58   b —second protruding portion 
           60 —locked position 
           62 —receiving position 
           64   a —first distance 
           64   b —second distance 
           66   a —first cantilever arm 
           66   b —second cantilever arm 
           68   a —first bottom side wall portion 
           68   b —second bottom side wall portion 
           70 —open clearance area 
           71 —open clearance area 
           72   a —first back portion (first side wall) 
           72   b —second back portion (second side wall) 
           72   c —third back portion (bottom side wall) 
           73 —second back portion (second side wall) 
           74   a —first front portion (first side wall) 
           74   b —second front portion (second side wall) 
           74   c —third front portion (bottom side wall) 
           75 —second front portion (second side wall) 
           76 —front retaining surface 
           77 —front retaining surface 
           78   a —left side retaining surface 
           78   b —right side retaining surface 
           80   a —first location 
           80   b —second location 
           80   c —third location 
           80   d —fourth location 
           82   a —first angle 
           82   b —second angle 
           84   a —left side height 
           84   b —right side height 
           86   a —left side width 
           86   b —right side width 
           88 —front surface (personal card) 
           92   a —first side edge (personal card) 
           92   b —second side edge (personal card) 
           92   c —top edge (personal card) 
           92   d —bottom edge (personal card) 
           94   a —first aperture 
           94   b —second aperture 
           96   a —first side portion (open-sided shell) 
           96   b —second side portion (open-sided shell) 
           98 —identification window 
           100 —aperture (of identification window) 
           102   a —internal width (open-sided shell) 
           102   b —internal height (open-sided shell) 
           104 —first width (open-sided shell) 
           106 —second width (flexible member) 
           108 —first external pocket 
           110 —second external pocket 
           112 —rivets 
           113 —rivets 
           114 —pocket 
           116 —stitching 
           118 —open-sided shell 
           120 —personal card receiving surface 
           122 —back surface 
           124 —internal portion (of open-sided shell) 
           126 —first side wall 
           128 —second side wall 
           130 —bottom side wall 
           132 —flexible member 
           134 —internal surface 
           136 —external surface 
           138 —bottom half 
           140 —top half 
           142 —pull tab 
           144   a —first portion (pull tab) 
           144   b —second portion (pull tab) 
           146 —opening (in external surface) 
           148 —pocket 
           150   a —first position 
           150   b —second position 
           152   a —first bottom side wall portion 
           152   b —second bottom side wall portion 
           154 —open clearance area 
           156 —stretchable band 
           158   a —first protruding portion 
           158   b —second protruding portion 
           160 —open-sided shell 
           162 —personal card receiving surface 
           164 —back surface 
           166 —internal portion (of open-sided shell) 
           168 —first side wall 
           170 —second side wall 
           172 —bottom side wall 
           174 —flexible member 
           176 —internal surface 
           178 —external surface 
           180 —bottom half 
           182 —top half 
           184 —stretchable band 
           186 —RFID protection plate 
           188 —open clearance area 
           190 —bottom portion (RFID plate) 
           192 —interior pocket 
           194 —first exterior pocket 
           196 —second exterior pocket 
           198 —plurality of rivets 
           200 —open-sided shell 
           202 —first personal card receiving surface 
           204 —second personal card receiving surface 
           206 —internal portion (of open-sided shell) 
           208 —first side wall 
           210 —second side wall 
           212 —first bottom side wall 
           214 —third side wall 
           216 —fourth side wall 
           218 —second bottom side wall 
           220   a —first protruding portion 
           220   b —second protruding portion 
           222 —stretchable band 
           224 —RFID protection plate 
           226 —open clearance area 
           228 —bottom portion (RFID plate) 
           230 —at least one aperture 
           232 —pocket 
           234 —opening 
           236 —pull tab 
       
    
     INTRODUCTION 
     The disclosure includes multiple embodiments of a wallet. In some embodiments, the wallet comprises a bifold-style wallet with an elastic band configured to wrap around the wallet. In other embodiments, the wallet comprises a single pocket wallet. Multiple embodiments may include a rail system configured to hold multiple personal cards, such as credit cards, identification cards, business cards, membership cards (e.g., grocery store rewards card, gym membership, library card), gift cards, and the like. Multiple embodiments may also be configured to hold paper currency, coupons, photographs, and other paper items. 
       FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  show different perspective views of a wallet  10   a , according to some embodiments.  FIG.  1 C  corresponds to  FIG.  1 A , and shows a bifold-style wallet  10   a  in an open position  44 . As illustrated, the wallet  10   a  may include a flexible member  22  comprising a bottom half  28  and a top half  30 , as well as an open-sided shell  12  coupled to the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22 . In many embodiments, the open-sided shell  12  includes a personal card receiving surface  14  configured to receive at least one personal card  18 , as shown in  FIG.  1 C . As such, the personal card receiving surface  14  may not be visible beneath the at least one personal card  18 . In some embodiments, the open-sided shell  12  is configured to hold up to five personal cards. Depending on the type of card, the open-sided shell  12  may be configured to hold more than five personal cards.  FIG.  1 C  also shows that the top half  30  of the flexible member  22  may include an identification window  98  configured to hold at least one personal card  18 . In many embodiments, the identification window  98  is configured to hold a single personal card. The identification window  98  may be configured to hold more than one personal card. As demonstrated, both the identification window  98  and the open-sided shell  12  may be located on an internal surface  24  of the flexible member  22 . 
       FIG.  1 D  corresponds to  FIG.  1 B , and shows the wallet  10   a  in a clamshell position  48 . In many embodiments, the clamshell position  48  is defined as the wallet  10   a  in a closed position with an elastic band  32  wrapped around the wallet  10   a , thereby keeping the wallet  10   a  closed. It should be noted that the elastic band  32  may comprise any flexible material, including rubber, elastic, or any suitable stretchable material. In many embodiments, the elastic band  32  comprises a single continuous piece.  FIG.  1 D  also shows that, in many embodiments, the wallet  10   a  includes a first external pocket  108 . Similar to the identification window  98  and the open-sided shell  12 , the first external pocket  108  may be configured to hold at least one personal card  18 . The first external pocket  108  may be located on the external surface  26  of the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22 , opposite the open-sided shell  12 , which may be located on the internal surface  24 , as indicated in  FIG.  1 C . 
       FIG.  2    also shows the wallet  10   a  in the clamshell position  48 , but includes a perspective view of the top half  30  rather than the bottom half  28 , as in  FIG.  1 D . As shown, the top half  30  may include a second external pocket  110  configured to hold at least one personal card  18 . In many embodiments, the second external pocket  110  is located on the external surface  26  of the wallet  10   a , opposite the identification window  98 , which is located on the internal surface  24  of the wallet  10   a .  FIG.  2    also includes the elastic band  32 , which may be coupled to the top half  30  and configured to wrap around the bottom half  28  of the wallet  10   a , thereby holding the top half  30  against the bottom half  28  in the clamshell position  48 . It should be noted that “top half  30 ” and “bottom half  28 ” indicate opposite portions of the wallet  10   a . A “dividing line” may be imagined as extending through the flexible member  22  between the open-sided shell  12  and identification window  98  and/or between the first external pocket  108  and the second external pocket  110 . As such, the “dividing line” may comprise the portion of the flexible member  22  configured to fold when the wallet  10   a  is in the clamshell position  48  and/or the closed position  46  (shown in  FIG.  10   ). It should also be noted that the wallet  10   a  may be configured to “backbend,” or bend in an opposite direction as compared to what is illustrated in the Figures. For example, the first and second external pockets  108 ,  110  may comprise internal pockets, and the open-sided shell  12  and the identification window  98  may be located on an external portion, when the wallet  10   a  is in a backbended position. In some embodiments, the elastic band  32  is configured to wrap around the wallet  10   a  to keep it closed in a backbended position. 
       FIG.  2    also shows the stitching  116  of the wallet  10   a . In many embodiments, substantially an entire perimeter of the flexible member  22  is stitched. The stitching  116  may be used to couple the second external pocket  110  to the top half  30  of the flexible member  22 , as well as to couple the identification window  98  to the top half  30  of the flexible member  22 . Stitching  116  may also be used to couple the first external pocket  108  to the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22 . In some embodiments, the stitching  116  is used to form a finished edge of the flexible member  22 , such as in a center portion of the internal surface  24  between the open-sided shell  12  and the identification window  98 . The stitching  116  may comprise hand-stitching or machine-stitching. Though not labeled in every Figure, the stitching  116  may be present in many embodiments of the wallet  10   a , both on the external surface  26  (as shown in  FIG.  2   ), and on the internal surface  24  (as shown in  FIG.  7   ). 
       FIGS.  3  and  4    show the wallet  10   a  with the elastic band  32  in the first position  38  and second position  40 , respectively. As illustrated, in the first position  38 , the elastic band  32  may be configured to wrap around an internal surface  24  of the top half  30  of the flexible member  22 , such that the elastic band  32  at least partially covers an aperture  100  of the identification window  98 . The arrows in  FIG.  3    indicate that the elastic band  32  may be configured to change to a second position  40  such that the band  32  wraps around an external surface  26  of the top half  30  so that it no longer extends across the identification window  98 , as demonstrated by  FIG.  4   .  FIG.  3    also shows that, in many embodiments, the elastic band  32  comprises a first end  34   a  coupled to the first side surface  36   a  of the top half  30 , and a second end  34   b  coupled to the second side surface  36   b  of the top half  30 , where the first side surface  36   a  is located opposite the second side surface  36   b . The first end  34   a  and second end  34   b  may be defined as respective halves of the elastic band  32 . In some embodiments, the first end  34   a  and second end  34   b  define only the small end portions coupled to the first side surface  36   a  and second side surface  36   b , respectively. Each “end”  34   a ,  34   b  may be defined as any length of the elastic band  32 , between 0.1% and 50% of the total length. 
     Each end  34   a ,  34   b  may be coupled to the respective side surface  36   a ,  36   b  via stitching, adhesive, or any other suitable method and/or combination of methods. Each end  34   a ,  34   b  may be coupled between layers of material of the top half  30 . For example, each end  34   a ,  34   b  may be coupled between the identification window  98  and the flexible member  22 , or between the flexible member  22  and the second external pocket  110 . Alternatively, each end  34   a ,  34   b  may be coupled to the internal surface  24  (e.g. to the identification window  98 ) or to the external surface  26  (e.g. to the second external pocket  110 ). In some embodiments, the first end  34   a  is coupled via a different method and/or to a different location than the second end  34   b . The first and second ends  34   a ,  34   b  may be coupled via substantially the same method and to corresponding locations; for example, both ends  34   a ,  34   b  coupled between layers, both ends  34   a ,  34   b  coupled to the internal surface  24 , and/or both ends  34   a ,  34   b  coupled to the external surface  26 . 
     In some embodiments, the elastic band  32  may be configured to hold at least one personal card  18  and/or paper currency (or other similar items). For example, in the first position  38  illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the elastic band  32  may be used to hold additional cards, currency, etc. against the identification window  98 . In the second position illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the elastic band  32  may be used to hold additional cards, currency, etc. against the external surface  26  of the flexible member  22  (e.g., against the second external pocket  110 ). The elastic band  32  may also be used to hold additional cards, currency, etc. when the wallet  10   a  is in the clamshell position  48 , as will be discussed further with reference to  FIG.  9   . 
       FIGS.  3  and  4    also show the aperture  100  of the identification window  98 . In many embodiments, the aperture  100  comprises an open aperture, such that a user is able to view and directly contact the internal surface  24  of the flexible member  22  below the identification window  98  through the aperture  100 . Stated differently, the aperture  100  may not include a covering (e.g. clear plastic), as is common in many traditional wallet designs. An open aperture  100  may provide easy access to the at least one personal card  18  located in the identification window  98 , thereby making it easier for a user to remove the at least one personal card  18 . The open aperture  100  may also contribute to reducing the overall size (weight, bulk, etc.) of the wallet  10   a.    
       FIG.  5   , similar to  FIG.  3   , shows the wallet  10   a  with the elastic band  32  in the first position  38 . As previously mentioned, the elastic band  32  may comprise a first end  34   a  located opposite a second end  34   b , and, when in the first position  38 , the elastic band  32  may be configured to wrap around the internal surface  24  of the top half  30 , such that the band  32  extends across the identification window  98 . In many embodiments, the elastic band  32  is located near a center portion of the identification window  98 , such that when the elastic band  32  is in the first position  38 , it extends across substantially the center of the identification window  98  and aperture  100 . The elastic band  32  may be off-center with respect to the identification window  98 .  FIG.  6    shows a back perspective view of the wallet  10   a  with the elastic band  32  in the first position  38 . As illustrated, the elastic band  32  is visible coupled to the second side surface  36   b , but does not extend across the external surface  26  of the flexible member  22 . 
       FIG.  7   , similar to  FIG.  4   , shows the wallet  10   a  with the elastic band  32  in the second position  40 . As previously stated, when the elastic band  32  is in the second position  40 , it may be configured to wrap around an external surface  26  of the top half  30  of the flexible member  22 . As such, in the second position  40 , the elastic band  32  may not extend across an internal surface  24  of the top half  30 , as indicated by  FIG.  7   .  FIG.  8    shows a back perspective view of the wallet  10   a  with the elastic band  32  in the second position  40 , and shows the band  32  extending across the external surface  26  of the top half  30 . In many embodiments, the elastic band  32  extends from a first end  34   a  coupled to a first side surface  36   a  of the top half  30  to a second end  34   b  coupled to a second side surface  36   b  of the top half  30 . The elastic band  32  may be configured to extend across substantially a center portion of the second external pocket  110 . 
     It should be noted that  FIGS.  3 - 8    all illustrate the wallet  10   a  in the open position  44 , as shown in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 C . In some embodiments, when the wallet  10   a  is in the open position  44 , the flexible member  22  lies substantially flat such that the top half  30  of the internal surface  24  of the flexible member  22  and the personal card receiving surface  14  of the open-sided shell  12  both substantially face the same direction. The direction may be “up,” “down,” “left,” or “right,” depending on the orientation of the wallet  10   a . For example, if the wallet  10   a  is lying flat on a table with the external surface  26  against the table, the direction would be considered “up.” If the wallet  10   a  is lying flat on a table with the internal surface  24  against the table, the direction would be considered “down.” 
       FIG.  9    illustrates a perspective view of the wallet  10   a  in the clamshell position  48 , with the elastic band  32  in the third position  42 . In contrast to the first position  38  and the second position  40 , where the elastic band  32  wraps around just the top half  30  of the flexible member  22 , in the third position  42 , the elastic band  32  may be configured to wrap around the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22 . As such, in the third position  42 , the elastic band  32  may be configured to hold the wallet  10   a  shut (i.e., in the clamshell position  48 ).  FIG.  9    also shows that, in many embodiments, when the elastic band  32  is in the third position  42 , the elastic band  32  is configured to extend across the first external pocket  108 . The elastic band  32  may be configured to extend across substantially a center portion of the first external pocket  108 . As previously discussed, the first external pocket  108  may be coupled to the external surface  26  of the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22 , and located opposite the open-sided shell  12 . In many embodiments, when the wallet  10   a  is in the clamshell position  48 , the internal surface  24  of the top half  30  of the flexible member  22  is folded over the personal card receiving surface  14  of the open-sided shell  12  such that the internal surface  24  of the top half  30  of the flexible member  22  faces the personal card receiving surface  14 . The internal surface  24  of the top half  30  may be configured to contact at least a portion of the open-sided shell  12 . 
     As discussed with reference to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the elastic band  32  may be used to hold additional card(s) and/or currency against the wallet  10   a . For example, when the wallet  10   a  is in the clamshell position  48  as shown in  FIG.  9   , the elastic band  32  may be configured to hold card(s) and/or currency between the band  32  and the first external pocket  108 . In addition, the clamshell position  48  may enable a user to partially open the wallet  10   a  in order to place and/or retrieve card(s) and/or currency between the top half  30  and the bottom half  28 , without changing the position of the elastic band  32 . 
       FIG.  10    shows a perspective view of the wallet  10   a  in the closed position  46 . Though similar to the clamshell position  48 , the closed position  46  does not include the elastic band  32  in the third position  42  wrapped around the bottom half  28 . Instead, in many embodiments, when the wallet  10   a  is in the closed position  46 , the elastic band  32  is configured to be in either the first position  38  or the second position  40 , where the elastic band  32  is wrapped around only the top half  30 . When the wallet  10   a  is in the closed position  46 , the internal surface  24  of the top half  30  of the flexible member  22  may be folded over the personal card receiving surface  14  of the open-sided shell  12  such that the internal surface  24  of the top half  30  of the flexible member  22  faces the personal card receiving surface  14  of the open-sided shell  12 . In some embodiments, the internal surface  24  of the top half  30  is configured to contact at least a portion of the open-sided shell  12 . 
       FIG.  10    also shows that, in some embodiments, the wallet  10   a  includes a first aperture  94   a  and a second aperture  94   b  located opposite the first aperture  94   a . The first aperture  94   a  may be located along a first side portion  96   a  of the open-sided shell  12  and the second aperture  94   b  may be located along a second side portion  96   b  of the open-sided shell  12 , as illustrated in  FIG.  10   . As shown in  FIG.  9   , when the wallet  10   a  is in the clamshell position  48 , the elastic band  32  may be configured to wrap around the first and second apertures  94   a ,  94   b . The apertures  94   a ,  94   b  may help hold the elastic band  32  in place around the wallet  10   a  and prevent movement of the band  32  along the first and second side portions  96   a ,  96   b  of the open-sided shell  12 . In some embodiments, the composition of each of the first and second apertures  94   a ,  94   b  includes each aperture itself as well as the surrounding structure of the open-sided shell  12 . An outermost portion of the open-sided shell may include a central indented portion bordered by raised side walls that create a sort-of channel to help retain the elastic band  32  and prevent unwanted movement. The first and second apertures  94   a ,  94   b  may also be used to couple accessory devices (e.g., keyring/keychain, carabiner, and the like) to the wallet  10   a.    
     It should also be noted that, in some embodiments, rather than coupling the elastic band  32  to the top half  30  of the flexible member  22 , the elastic band  32  may be configured to couple to the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22 . For example, the elastic band  32  may be configured to couple along the first side portion  96   a  and second side portion  96   b , and wrap around only the bottom half  28  (in modified first and second positions), or around both the bottom half  28  and top half  30  (in a modified third position). The elastic band  32  may be configured to couple within the first and second apertures  94   a ,  94   b , or may be configured to couple to the first external pocket  108  adjacent the first and second apertures  94   a ,  94   b . The elastic band  32  may be configured to couple between the open-sided shell  12  and the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22  (e.g., on the back surface  16  of the open-sided shell  12 ). 
     In many embodiments, as shown in  FIGS.  11 - 18   , the open-sided shell  12  of the wallet  10   a  comprises a first side wall  50   a  and a second side wall  50   b  located opposite the first side wall  50   a . The open-sided shell  12  may also include a bottom side wall  50   c , which will be discussed in greater detail later in the disclosure. The first side wall  50   a , second side wall  50   b , and bottom side wall  50   c  may be configured to retain the at least one personal card  18  in place with respect to the personal card receiving surface  14 . In some embodiments, the first side wall  50   a  includes comprises a first retention tab  52   a  configured to move away from the second side wall  50   b  to thereby receive the at least one personal card  18 . Similarly, the second side wall  50   b  may comprise a second retention tab  52   b  configured to move away from the first side wall  50   a  to thereby receive the at least one personal card  18 . Each of the first and second side walls  50   a ,  50   b  may define a top portion and a bottom portion located adjacent the bottom side wall  50   c , wherein the retention tabs  52   a ,  52   b  may be located adjacent the respective top portions. The top and bottom portions of each side wall  50   a ,  50   b  will be discussed further later in the disclosure. The previously mentioned “rail system” may include the first side wall  50   a , second side wall  50   b , and bottom side wall  50   c , as well as the first and second retention tabs  52   a ,  52   b.    
       FIG.  11    illustrates a front interior view of the wallet  10   a , including an inset view of a first retention tab  52   a . The inset view shows that, in many embodiments, the first retention tab  52   a  includes a first cantilever arm  66   a  as well as a first protruding portion  58   a . The first protruding portion  58   a  may be configured to secure the at least one personal card  18  in place with respect to the personal card receiving surface  14 . Similarly, in many embodiments, the second retention tab  52   b  comprises a second cantilever arm  66   b  and a second protruding portion  58   b  configured to secure the at least one personal card  18  in place with respect to the personal card receiving surface  14 . As illustrated in the inset view of  FIG.  11   , the first cantilever arm  66   a  may be physically spaced a first distance  64   a  from a remaining portion of the first side wall  50   a . Accordingly, the second cantilever arm  66   b  may also be physically spaced a first distance  64   a  from a remaining portion of the second side wall  50   b . In many embodiments, the first and second retention tabs  52   a ,  52   b  are configured to move between a locked position  60 , as shown in  FIG.  13   , and a receiving position  62 , as shown in  FIG.  12   . 
       FIG.  12    shows a view similar to  FIG.  11   , but includes the at least one personal card  18  being inserted into the open-sided shell  12 , as indicated by the dashed block arrow. As such,  FIG.  12    illustrates the first and second retention tabs  52   a ,  52   b  in the receiving position  62 . The inset view of  FIG.  12    illustrates that, in the receiving position  62 , the first retention tab  52   a  moves toward the remaining portion of the first side wall  50   a , reducing the size of the gap between the first retention tab  52   a  and the first side wall  50   a . As shown, in the receiving position  62 , the first retention tab  52   a  is spaced a second distance  64   b  from the first side wall  50   a . Comparing  FIG.  12    to  FIG.  11    demonstrates that, in many embodiments, the second distance  64   b  is less than the first distance  64   a , as the first retention tab  52   a  is closer to the first side wall  50   a  in the receiving position  62 . In many embodiments, the same is true for the second retention tab  52   b , as it moves toward the remaining portion of the second side wall  50   b  thereby reducing the size of the gap between the second retention tab  52   b  and the second side wall  50   b . In the receiving position  62 , the second retention tab  52   b  may be located substantially the same second distance  64   b  from the second side wall  50   b  as the second distance  64   b  between the first retention tab  52   a  and the first side wall  50   a.    
     Speaking in terms of distance between the first retention tab  52   a  and the second retention tab  52   b , in some embodiments, when the first retention tab  52   a  and the second retention tab  52   b  are in a locked position  60  (as shown in  FIG.  13   ), the first retention tab  52   a  is located a first distance from the second retention tab  52   b . When the first and second retention tabs  52   a ,  52   b  are in the receiving position  62  (as shown in  FIG.  12   ), the first retention tab  52   a  may be located a second distance from the second retention tab  52   b . In some embodiments, the second distance is greater than the first distance, as the retention tabs  52   a ,  52   b  move away from one another in order to receive the at least one personal card  18 . Stated differently, when the open-sided shell  12  receives the at least one personal card  18 , the first retention tab  52   a  may be configured to move away from the second side wall  50   b  and the first retention tab  52   b  may be configured to move away from the first side wall  50   a.    
       FIG.  13    shows the wallet  10   a  coupled to the at least one personal card  18  in the locked position  60 . As indicated by the inset view, in the locked position  60 , the first retention tab  52   a  may be configured to move away from the remaining portion of the first side wall  50   a  such that the first retention tab  52   a  returns to the first distance  64   a  from the first side wall  50   a , as shown in  FIG.  11   . Accordingly, the first and second retention tabs  52   a ,  52   b  may be configured to reside in the same position when there is no personal card coupled to the wallet  10   a , as shown in  FIG.  11   , and when there is at least one personal card  18  securably coupled to the wallet  10   a , as shown in  FIG.  13   . In some embodiments, the difference between the first distance  64   a  and second distance  64   b  is about a few millimeters. The first and second retention tabs  52   a ,  52   b  may be configured to flex only as much as needed to receive and/or release the at least one personal card  18 . As shown in the inset view, when the at least one personal card  18  is coupled to the wallet  10   a  and the first retention tab  52   a  is in the locked position  60 , a corner of the at least one personal card  18  may be configured to fit adjacent the retention tab  52   a  between the first protruding portion  58   a  and the first cantilever arm  66   a . The corner of the at least one personal card  18  may be configured to fit just below the first protruding portion  58   a . In many embodiments, the same is true for the second retention tab  52   b.    
       FIG.  14    also shows the wallet  10   a  coupled to the at least one personal card  18  in the locked position  60 . In some embodiments, when the open-sided shell  12  securably couples the at least one personal card  18  within an internal portion  20  of the shell  12 , the first retention tab  52   a  moves towards the second side wall  50   b  and the second retention tab  52   b  moves towards the first side wall  50   a . Securably coupling the at least one personal card  18  within the open-sided shell  12  may result in an audible sound, as indicated by each of the “CLICK” word bubbles in  FIG.  14   . In some embodiments, the audible sound is caused by the first and second retention tabs  52   a ,  52   b  moving back toward one another to their original position, or the position shown in  FIGS.  11  and  13   . The audible noise may also be caused by the at least one personal card  18  contacting a bottom side wall  50   c  of the open-sided shell  12 . The audible noise may be caused by a combination of sources, and the volume of the noise may vary depending on the number of personal cards coupled to the open-sided shell  12 . 
       FIG.  15    is similar to  FIG.  12   , but rather than illustrating the at least one personal card  18  being inserted into the open-sided shell  12 ,  FIG.  15    shows the at least one personal card  18  being removed from the open-sided shell  12 , as indicated by the dashed block arrow. In many embodiments, the at least one personal card  18  is removed by pushing the card  18  from an open area in the bottom side wall  50   c , which will be discussed in greater detail later in the disclosure. The inset view of  FIG.  15    shows that the first retention tab  52   a  (and second retention tab  52   b ) assume the receiving position  62  during removal of the at least one personal card  18 . Accordingly, during removal of the at least one personal card  18 , the first retention tab  52   a  and second retention tab  52   b  move toward the first and second side walls  50   a ,  50   b , respectively, thereby reducing the gap between each retention tab  52   a ,  52   b  and each side wall  50   a ,  50   b . As with insertion of the at least one personal card  18 , the gap between each retention tab  52   a ,  52   b  and each respective side wall  50   a ,  50   b  may comprise the second distance  64   b . In some embodiments, the open-sided shell  12  creates an audible noise upon complete removal of the at least one personal card  18 . 
     It should be noted that  FIGS.  12 - 15    illustrate a method of inserting and removing at least one personal card  18  where, in many embodiments, the at least one personal card  18  is contacting the protruding portions  58   a ,  58   b  substantially the entire time until the at least one personal card  18  is securably coupled or completely removed. These FIGS. illustrate only one way to insert and/or remove the at least one personal card  18 , which may be thought of as a “straight-on” insertion/removal. During the “straight-on” insertion/removal, the at least one personal card  18  may remain substantially parallel to the personal card receiving surface  14 . 
     In contrast,  FIGS.  16 - 18    illustrate a different method of inserting and removing at least one personal card  18 . Beginning with  FIG.  16   , the at least one personal card  18  is shown being inserted into the open-sided shell  12 . The inset view demonstrates that the first retention tab  52   a  may be configured to not move during insertion of the at least one personal card  18 , as the card  18  enters the open-sided shell  12  at an angle over the retention tabs  52   a ,  52   b , rather than next to the retention tabs  52   a ,  52   b , as previously described. Depending on the number of personal cards  18  already coupled to the open-sided shell  12 , it may be possible that the at least one personal card  18  does not contact either the first or second retention tab  52   a ,  52   b  during insertion and/or removal (shown in  FIG.  18   ) using the “angled” method. In some embodiments, when the at least one personal card  18  is inserted into and/or removed from the open-sided shell  12  using the “angled” method, the at least one personal card  18  may form an angle of up to about 45 degrees with the personal card receiving surface  14 . The at least one personal card  18  may form an angle of greater than 45 degrees with the personal card receiving surface  14 . 
     The inset views of  FIGS.  16 ,  17 , and  18    further illustrate the static nature of the first retention tab  52   a , by showing that during insertion of the at least one personal card  18  ( FIG.  16   ), secured coupling of the at least one personal card  18  ( FIG.  17   ), and removal of the at least one personal card  18  ( FIG.  18   ), the first retention tab  52   a  remains at a location a first distance  64   a  from the remaining portion of the first side wall  50   a . In many embodiments, the second retention tab  52   b  is also static throughout insertion, coupling, and removal of the at least one personal card  18 .  FIG.  17    also shows that, as illustrated in  FIG.  13   , the at least one personal card  18  may be configured to fit adjacent the first cantilever arm  66   a  with a corner of the card  18  located just below the first protruding portion  58   a . In many embodiments, the fit is in the same on the opposite edge of the card  18  adjacent the second cantilever arm  66   b  and second protruding portion  58   b.    
     Turning now to  FIG.  19   , a front interior view of the wallet  10   a  is shown.  FIG.  19    illustrates the first side wall  50   a , the second side wall  50   b , and the bottom side wall  50   c  of the open-sided shell  12 . In many embodiments, the first side wall  50   a  includes a first top portion  54   a  and a first bottom portion  56   a . Similarly, the second side wall  50   b  may include a second top portion  54   b  and a second bottom portion  56   b . In many embodiments, the first and second retention tabs  52   a ,  52   b  are located adjacent the first and second top portions  54   a ,  54   b , respectively. The first and second bottom portions  56   a ,  56   b  may be configured to couple to the bottom side wall  50   c . Though illustrated in  FIG.  19    as dissecting the first and second apertures  94   a ,  94   b , it should be noted that the top and bottom portions  54 ,  56  may be larger or smaller than represented in  FIG.  19   . For example, in some embodiments, the first and second top portions  54   a ,  54   b  include the portions of the first and second side walls  50   a ,  50   b  located above the apertures  94   a ,  94   b , while the first and second bottom portions  56   a ,  56   b  include the portions of the first and second side walls  50   a ,  50   b  extending from the top of each aperture  94   a ,  94   b  to the bottom side wall  50   c . The first and second top portions  54   a ,  54   b  may include the entire aperture  94   a ,  94   b , while the first and second bottom portions  56   a ,  56   b  extend from below the apertures  94   a ,  94   b  to the bottom side wall  50   c.    
       FIG.  19    also includes a directional indicator, comprising a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In many embodiments, the first side wall  50   a  and the second side wall  50   b  are elongate along the first direction, and the bottom side wall  50   c  is elongate along the second direction. Though not shown in  FIG.  19   , the elastic band  32  may be configured to extend across the top half  30  and/or bottom half  28  of the wallet  10   a  along the second direction, as illustrated in previous Figures. 
     Similar to  FIG.  19   ,  FIG.  20    includes more elements of the bottom side wall  50   c . In many embodiments, the bottom side wall  50   c  comprises a first bottom side wall portion  68   a  and a second bottom side wall portion  68   b , as well as an open clearance area  70  located between the two portions  68   a ,  68   b . The open clearance area  70  may be configured to receive a user&#39;s finger so that the user may thereby push the at least one personal card  18  away from the bottom side wall  50   c , and remove the card  18  from the wallet  10   a . As shown in  FIG.  20   , in some embodiments, the second bottom side wall portion  68   b  is wider than the first bottom side wall portion  68   a . The first bottom side wall portion  68   a  may be wider than the second bottom side wall portion  68   b . In some embodiments, the first and second bottom side wall portions  68   a ,  68   b  are substantially the same width. The first and second bottom side wall portions  68   a ,  68   b  may be substantially the same height. 
       FIG.  21    shows a cross-sectional view of part of the open-sided shell  12 , including the first side wall  50   a  and the first bottom side wall portion  68   a . In many embodiments, the first side wall  50   a  defines a first back portion  72   a  located adjacent the personal card receiving surface  14  and a first front portion  74   a  located opposite the first back portion  72   a , as illustrated in  FIG.  21   . The first front portion  74   a  and first back portion  72   a  may be considered to border a channel, or first interior portion, in the first side wall  50 , wherein the at least one personal card  18  is received by the channel/first interior portion. Stated differently, when the at least one personal card  18  is coupled to the open-sided shell  12 , an edge of the card  18  may be located between the first back portion  72   a  and the first front portion  74   a , facing the first interior portion, and kept in place (e.g., prevented from falling out of the wallet  10   a ) by the first front portion  74   a . In many embodiments, the open-sided shell  12  also includes a front retaining surface  76  that protrudes along the second direction from the first front portion  74   a  of the first side wall  50   a . The front retaining surface  76  may also extend around at least a portion of a perimeter of the personal card receiving surface  14 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  21 ,  22 , and  23   . 
     In some embodiments, the open-sided shell  12  comprises a beveled surface. Looking back to  FIG.  20   , the beveled surface of the open-sided shell  12  may comprise the portion of the open-sided shell  12  including the first and second apertures  94   a ,  94   b . The beveled surface may extend from the front retaining surface  76  to a side surface of the open-sided shell  12  located adjacent the flexible member  22 . In many embodiments, the front retaining surface  76  comprises the top, flat face of the open-sided shell  12  between the beveled surface and the internal portion  20  of the open-sided shell  12  (shown in  FIG.  24   ). The first front portion  74   a  (and second and third front portions  74   b ,  74   c ) may be considered an inner edge of the front retaining surface  76  located opposite an edge of the front retaining surface  76  adjacent the beveled surface of the open-sided shell  12 . The use of “flat” when describing the front retaining surface  76  is intended to convey that, in many embodiments, the front retaining surface  76  is parallel to the personal card receiving surface  14 . It should also be noted that the front retaining surface  76  may be the portion of the open-sided shell  12  that contacts the internal surface  24  of the top half  30  of the wallet  10   a  when the wallet  10   a  is in the clamshell position  48  and/or closed position  46 , as discussed with reference to  FIGS.  9  and  10   . 
     Similar to the first side wall  50   a ,  FIG.  22    illustrates that, in many embodiments, the second side wall  50   b  defines a second back portion  72   b  located adjacent the personal card receiving surface  14  and a second front portion  74   b  located opposite the second back portion  72   b . As discussed with reference to  FIG.  21   , the second front portion  74   b  and the second back portion  72   b  may be considered to border a channel, or second interior portion, in the second side wall  50   b  configured to receive the at least one personal card  18  such that an edge of the at least one personal card  18  faces the second interior portion. The front retaining surface  76  may extend along the second direction from the second front portion  74   b  of the second side wall  50   b.    
       FIG.  23    is similar to  FIGS.  21  and  22    and shows a cross-sectional view of the wallet  10   a  including the bottom side wall  50   c . In many embodiments, the bottom side wall  50   c  defines a third back portion  72   c  located adjacent the personal card receiving surface and a third front portion  74   c  located opposite the third back portion  72   c . It should be noted that the third front and back portions  74   c ,  72   c  may be located on both the second bottom side wall portion  68   b , as shown in  FIG.  23   , as well as the first bottom side wall portion  68   a . In some embodiments, the front retaining surface  76  protrudes along the first direction from the third front portion  74   c  of the bottom side wall  50   c . Similar to the channel created by the space between the first back portion  72   a  and first front portion  74   a , as well as between the second back portion  72   b  and the second front portion  74   b , the space between the third back portion  72   c  and the third front portion  74   c  may create a channel, or bottom interior portion, configured to receive an edge of the at least one personal card  18  such that when the at least one personal card  18  couples to the open-sided shell  12 , a bottom edge is configured to face the bottom interior portion.  FIG.  23    also shows the open clearance area  70 , and further illustrates how the open clearance area  70  provides access to the at least one personal card  18  coupled to the open-sided shell  12 . 
     In some embodiments, the front retaining surface  76  comprises a left side retaining surface  78   a  and a right side retaining surface  78   b , as illustrated in  FIG.  24   . The left side retaining surface  78   a  may define a left side height  84   a  and a left side width  86   a , and the right side retaining surface  78   b  may define a right side height  84   b  and a right side width  86   b . In many embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  25 A , the left side height  84   a  and right side height  84   b  are substantially equal.  FIG.  25 B  shows that, in some embodiments, the left side width  86   a  is less than the right side width  86   b . The left side width  86   a  may be greater than the right side width  86   b . In some embodiments, the left side width  86   a  and right side width  86   b  are substantially equal, and the open clearance area  70  is centered along the bottom side wall  50   c.    
     Referring now to  FIG.  26   , the open-sided shell  12  with an inset view of the open clearance area  70  is shown. In many embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG.  26   , the left side retaining surface  78   a  extends from a first location  80   a  located below the first retention tab  52   a  down along the first side wall  50   a  and along the bottom side wall  50   c  to a second location  80   b  adjacent the open clearance area  70 . The right side retaining surface  78   b  may extend from a third location  80   c  adjacent the open clearance area  70  along the bottom side wall  50   c  and up along the second side wall  50   b  to a fourth location  80   d  located below the second retention tab  52   b . The inset view of  FIG.  26    shows the open clearance area  70  with the second location  80   b  on the left and the third location  80   c  on the right. As indicated by the inset view, in some embodiments, the second location  80   b  of the left side retaining surface  78   a  defines a first angle  82   a , and the third location  80   c  of the right side retaining surface  78   b  defines a second angle  82   b . The second angle  82   b  may be greater than the first angle  82   a , as shown in  FIG.  26   . In some embodiments, the first angle  82   a  is greater than the second angle  82   b . The first angle  82   a  and second angle  82   b  may be substantially equal, and the open clearance area  70  may define a symmetrical shape. 
       FIG.  27    shows a back view of the external surface  26  of the wallet  10   a  in the open position  44 . As previously discussed, in many embodiments, the wallet  10   a  comprises a flexible member  22  having a top half  30  and a bottom half  28 .  FIG.  27    also includes the elastic band  32  coupled to the top half  30 , and shows the band  32  in the second position  40  extending across the second external pocket  110 . The first external pocket  108  is also included, as are the rivets  112  which, in many embodiments, couple the flexible member  22  and first external pocket  108  to a back surface of the open-sided shell  12 . Though  FIG.  27    shows the wallet  10   a  comprising eight total rivets  112 , any number of rivets  112  may be used to couple the open-sided shell  12  to the flexible member  22 . In addition, the rivets  112  are not limited to being located on opposite sides of the wallet  10   a  (e.g., the first and second side surfaces  96   a ,  96   b  of the bottom half  28 ), and may also be located along a bottom edge, as long as the rivets  112  do not interfere with the ability of the first external pocket  108  to hold at least one personal card  18 . The rivets  112  may be evenly or unevenly distributed around the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22 . In some embodiments, the wallet  10   a  comprises another attachment mechanism (e.g., adhesive or the like) in addition to the rivets  112  in order to couple the flexible member  22  to the open-sided shell  12 . The wallet  10   a  may comprise an alternative attachment mechanism(s) instead of the rivets  112 . 
       FIG.  27    also illustrates that the first and second external pockets  108 ,  110  define complementary shapes. In some embodiments, the first external pocket  108  comprises a first piece of material coupled, along three edges, to the external surface  26  of the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22 . As previously mentioned, the coupling may comprise stitching  116 , the use of rivets  112 , or any other suitable method. In some embodiments, the coupling also comprises the use of rubber or a similar material to form a finished and/or fused edge along three edges of the first external pocket  108 . It should be noted that the three coupled edges of the first external pocket  108  may include gaps or areas of non-coupling, for example, in the open clearance area  70 . In some embodiments, the fourth edge of the first external pocket  108 , or the non-coupled edge configured to receive the at least one personal card  18 , defines a concave shape, as shown in  FIG.  27   . The non-coupled edge may define any shape including, but not limited to, a straight line, a convex shape, a concave shape, a scalloped shape, and the like. The non-coupled edge may be located adjacent a center portion of the flexible member  22 . 
     In some embodiments, the second external pocket  110  comprises a second piece of material coupled, along three edges, to the external surface  26  of the top half  30  of the flexible member  22 . As previously mentioned, the coupling may comprise stitching  116  or any other suitable method. In some embodiments, the coupling also comprises the use of rubber or a similar material to form a finished and/or fused edge along three edges of the second external pocket  110 . Two side edges may include gaps where the elastic band  32  is coupled to the top half  30  of the flexible member  22 . In some embodiments, the fourth edge of the second external pocket  110 , or the non-coupled edge configured to receive the at least one personal card  18 , defines a convex shape, as shown in  FIG.  27   . The non-coupled edge may define any shape including, but not limited to, a straight line, a convex shape, a concave shape, a scalloped shape, and the like. The non-coupled edge may be located adjacent a center portion of the flexible member  22 . 
     Similar to the external pockets  108 ,  110 , in some embodiments, the identification window  98  comprises a third piece of material coupled, along three edges, to the internal surface  24  of the top half  30  of the flexible member  22 . As previously mentioned, the coupling may comprise stitching  116  or any other suitable method. In some embodiments, the coupling also comprises the use of rubber or a similar material to form a finished and/or fused edge along three edges of the identification window  98 . It should be noted that, unlike the external pockets  108 ,  110 , the third piece of material used to form the identification window  98  comprises more of a border than a solid piece, in order to create the aperture  100  in the window  98 . In some embodiments, the fourth edge of the identification window  98 , or the non-coupled edge configured to receive the at least one personal card  18 , defines a straight edge, as shown in numerous previous Figures. The non-coupled edge may define any shape including, but not limited to, a straight line, a convex shape, a concave shape, a scalloped shape, and the like. The non-coupled edge may be located adjacent a center portion of the flexible member  22 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  28   , the wallet  10   a  is shown in one of the closed position  46  and clamshell position  48 , with a front view of the top half  30  of the flexible member  22 . In many embodiments, the open-sided shell  12  defines a first width  104  and the flexible member  22  defines a second width  106 . As indicated in  FIG.  28   , the first width  104  may be greater than the second width  106 . In some embodiments, the first width  104  and the second width  106  are substantially the same. The first width  104  may be less than the second width  106 . In many embodiments, the second width  106  is configured to be at least as wide as a standard credit card, such that the flexible member  22  is at least the same width, if not wider than, the at least one personal card  18 .  FIG.  29    illustrates a similar view as  FIG.  28   , but shows the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22 . In addition,  FIG.  29    demonstrates that the wallet  10   a  is in the clamshell position  48 , with the elastic band  32  in the third position  42 . Similar to  FIG.  27   ,  FIG.  29    includes the rivets  112  coupling the open-sided shell  12  to the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22 .  FIG.  29    also shows the open clearance area  70 , and illustrates that, in many embodiments, the internal surface  24  of the top half  30  is visible through the open clearance area  70 . The internal surface  24  may be visible both when no cards are coupled to the open-sided shell  12 , as in  FIG.  29   , as well as when at least one personal card  18  is coupled to the open-sided shell  12 . It should be noted that the first external pocket  108  may include an opening along the bottom edge of the pocket  108  corresponding to the open clearance area  70 , such that at least one personal card  18  may be removed from the first external pocket  108  by pushing up on an exposed edge of the card  18  in the open clearance area  70 . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  30   , a bottom view of the wallet  10   a  in the clamshell position  48  is shown. The view includes the top half  30  of the flexible member  22 , as well as the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22 .  FIG.  30    also shows the back surface  16  of the open-sided shell  12 , which is coupled to the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22 . The first and second bottom side wall portions  68   a ,  68   b  are shown with the open clearance area  70  located between the portions  68   a ,  68   b .  FIG.  30    also includes the elastic band  32  wrapped around each edge of the wallet  10   a , thereby indicating that the wallet  10   a  is in the clamshell position  48 . 
       FIGS.  31  and  32    illustrate opposite side views of the wallet  10   a  again in the clamshell position  48 , as shown in  FIG.  30   .  FIG.  31    comprises a left side view of the wallet  10   a  and includes the first side wall  50   a  of the open-sided shell  12 . In contrast,  FIG.  32    comprises a right side view of the wallet  10   a  and includes the second side wall  50   b  of the open-sided shell  12 . Both  FIGS.  31  and  32    show the rivets  112  coupling the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22  to the back surface  16  of the open-sided shell  12 . The rivets  112  may have a shorter profile than shown in the Figures. For example, in some embodiments, the rivets  112  are flush with, or even embedded into, the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22 . As such, the rivets  112  may not always be visible in a side view of the wallet  10   a .  FIGS.  31  and  32    also both include the elastic band  32  wrapping around the wallet  10   a  from the top half  30  to the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22 , thereby indicating that the wallet  10   a  is in the clamshell position  48 . 
       FIG.  33    shows a bottom view of the wallet  10   a  in the open position  44 . As such,  FIG.  33    comprises mainly the open-sided shell  12  with the first and second bottom side wall portions  68   a ,  68   b , as well as the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22  coupled to the back surface  16  of the open-sided shell  12 .  FIG.  33    also shows the open clearance area  70  located between the first bottom side wall portion  68   a  and the second bottom side wall portion  68   b.    
     Similar to  FIGS.  31  and  32   ,  FIGS.  34  and  35    show opposite side views of the wallet  10   a , but in the open position  44 .  FIG.  34    comprises a left side view including the first side wall  50   a  of the open-sided shell  12 , and  FIG.  35    comprises a right side view including the second side wall  50   b .  FIGS.  34  and  35    both show the wallet  10   a  facing up such that the internal surface  24  of the flexible member  22  is shown above the external surface  26 . Both  FIGS.  34  and  35    also illustrate the elastic band  32  in the second position  40 , thereby wrapped around the external surface  26  of the flexible member  22 .  FIGS.  34  and  35    clearly illustrate the thickness of the top half  30  of the flexible member  22  compared to the thickness of the open-sided shell  12  coupled to the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22 . 
       FIGS.  36 - 41    illustrate embodiments of a wallet  10   b . The wallet  10   b  may be similar in some ways to the wallet  10   a ; for example, in some embodiments, the wallet  10   b  comprises an open-sided shell  13  that is substantially the same as the open-sided shell  12  of the wallet  10   a . However, in many embodiments, the wallet  10   b  comprises a single pocket wallet design instead of the bifold design of the wallet  10   a . As shown in  FIG.  37   , the wallet  10   b  may comprise a pocket  114  coupled to a back surface  17  of the open-sided shell  13 , without the flexible member  22  and additional pockets  98 ,  110  of the wallet  10   a.    
       FIG.  36    shows a front perspective view of the wallet  10   b , including the open-sided shell  13 . Similar to the open-sided shell  12  of the wallet  10   a , the open-sided shell  13  may comprise a first side wall  51   a , a second side wall  51   b , and a bottom side wall  51   c . The wallet  10   b  may also include a first retention tab  53   a  and a second retention tab  53   b , which, in many embodiments, are substantially similar (in structure and function) to the first retention tab  52   a  and the second retention tab  52   b  of the wallet  10   a . In some embodiments, the open-sided shell  13  comprises a front retaining surface  77  which, like the front retaining surface  76  of the wallet  10   a , may be configured to extend down along the first side wall  51   a , across the bottom side wall  51   c , and up along the second side wall  51   b .  FIG.  36    also illustrates that, in some embodiments, the wallet  10   b  includes an open clearance area  71 , which, similar to the other elements of the wallet  10   b , may be substantially similar to the open clearance area  70  of the wallet  10   a.    
     The angle of  FIG.  36    includes an interior view of the second side wall  51   b  of the open-sided shell  13 . It should be noted that though only illustrated and discussed in terms of the second side wall  51   b , in many embodiments, both the first side wall  51   a  and the bottom side wall  51   c  comprise similar components as the second side wall  51   b , which may all be similar to the first side wall  50   a , second side wall  50   b , and bottom side wall  50   c  of the wallet  10   a . In many embodiments, the second side wall  51   b  defines a second back portion  73  and a second front portion  75  located opposite the second back portion  73 , as illustrated in  FIG.  36   . The second front portion  75  and second back portion  73  may be considered to border a channel, or interior portion, in the second side wall  51   b , wherein the at least one personal card  18  is received by the channel/interior portion. Stated differently, when the at least one personal card  18  is coupled to the open-sided shell  13 , an edge of the card  18  may be located between the second back portion  73  and the second front portion  75 , facing the interior portion, and kept in place (e.g., prevented from falling out of the wallet  10   b ) by the second front portion  75 . In many embodiments, the open-sided shell  13  also includes a front retaining surface  77  that protrudes along the second direction from the second front portion  75  of the second side wall  51   b.    
     As discussed with reference to the open-sided shell  12  of the wallet  10   a , in some embodiments, the open-sided shell  13  comprises a beveled surface. In many embodiments, the front retaining surface  77  comprises the top, flat face of the open-sided shell  13  between the beveled surface and the internal portion  21  of the open-sided shell, as shown in  FIG.  36   . The second front portion  75  (and first and third front portions of the first and bottom side walls  51   a ,  51   c ) may be considered an inner edge of the front retaining surface  77  located opposite an edge of the front retaining surface  77  adjacent the beveled surface of the open-sided shell  13 . The use of “flat” when describing the front retaining surface  77  is intended to convey that, in many embodiments, the front retaining surface  77  is parallel to the personal card receiving surface  15  of the open-sided shell  13 . 
       FIG.  37    shows a back perspective view of the wallet  10   b , including the pocket  114  coupled to the back surface  17  of the open-sided shell  13 . Similar to the wallet  10   a , in many embodiments, the open-sided shell  13  is coupled to the pocket  114  via rivets  113 . Though  FIG.  37    shows the wallet  10   b  comprising eight total rivets  113 , any number of rivets  113  may be used to couple the open-sided shell  13  to the pocket  114 . In addition, the rivets  113  are not limited to being located on opposite sides of the wallet  10   b , and may also be located along a bottom edge, as long as the rivets  113  do not interfere with the ability of the pocket  114  to hold at least one personal card  18 . The rivets  113  may be evenly or unevenly distributed around the pocket  114 . In some embodiments, the wallet  10   b  comprises another attachment mechanism (e.g., adhesive or the like) in addition to the rivets  113  in order to couple the pocket  114  to the open-sided shell  13 . The wallet  10   b  may comprise an alternative attachment mechanism(s) instead of the rivets  113 . 
       FIG.  38    shows a front view of the wallet  10   b  and at least one personal card  18  being inserted into the wallet  10   b , as indicated by the dashed block arrow. In many embodiments, the at least one personal card  18  comprises a front surface  88 , a back surface located opposite the front surface  88 , a first side edge  92   a , a second side edge  92   b  located opposite the first side edge  92   a , a top edge  92   c , and a bottom edge  92   d  located opposite the top edge  92   c . When the at least one personal card  18  is securably coupled to the open-sided shell  13 , as shown in  FIG.  39   , the back surface of the card  18  may be configured to face the personal card receiving surface  15 . In many embodiments, the front retaining surface  77  of the open-sided shell  13  is configured to cover at least a portion of the front surface  88  along the first side edge  92   a , the second side edge  92   b , and the bottom edge  92   d .  FIG.  39    shows the at least one personal card  18  coupled to the open-sided shell  13  on top of the personal card receiving surface  15 , and illustrates how the first side edge  92   a , second side edge  92   b , and bottom edge  92   d  are at least partially covered. In some embodiments, the front retaining surface  76  is configured to cover at least a portion of the front surface  88  of the at least one personal card  18  in a manner substantially the same as the front retaining surface  77 . 
       FIGS.  38  and  39    also include an internal width  102   a  and internal height  102   b  of the open-sided shell  13 . In many embodiments, the internal portion  21  of the open-sided shell  13  defines an internal width  102   a  measuring at least 3.375 inches and an internal height  102   b  measuring at least 2.125 inches. These measurements may correspond to the standard size of the at least one personal card  18  (e.g., standard credit card, gift card, identification card, and the like), which define a width of 3.375 inches and a height of 2.125 inches. In many embodiments, the internal width  102   a  is slight larger than 3.375 inches, such that the at least one personal card  18  has a small amount of “wiggle room” to move side-to-side while coupled to the open-sided shell  13 . In some embodiments, the internal height  102   b  is slightly larger than 2.125 inches, such that the at least one personal card  18  rests below a top border of the open-sided shell  13 . As shown in, and discussed with reference to,  FIGS.  13  and  17   , the at least one personal card  18  may be configured to fit just below the protruding portions of the first and second retention tabs  53   a ,  53   b.    
     It should be noted that, in many embodiments, the internal width  102   a  and internal height  102   b  of the open-sided shell  13  also apply to the open-sided shell  12 , such that the open-sided shell  12  and the open-sided shell  13  are substantially the same size. The internal width  102   a  may correspond to the width between the channels/interior portions of the first and second side walls  50 ,  51 , as described with reference to  FIGS.  21 - 23   . The internal width  102   a  may also be defined as extending from the cantilever arm  66  of each retention tab  52 ,  53  down to the bottom side wall  50   c ,  51   c.    
       FIG.  40    is similar to  FIG.  38   , but shows the at least one personal card  18  being removed from the wallet  10   b , as indicated by the dashed block arrow. Similar to removal of the at least one personal card  18  from the wallet  10   a , the card  18  may be removed from the wallet  10   b  by a user accessing the card  18  via the open clearance area  71  and pushing on the bottom edge  92   d  of the card  18 . Also similar to insertion/removal of the at least one personal card  18  from the wallet  10   a , during insertion/removal of the at least one personal card  18  from the wallet  10   b , the first and second retention tabs  53   a ,  53   b  may be configured to move away from one another in order to fit the at least one personal card  18  through the personal card receiving surface  15 . In many embodiments, the process shown in, and described with reference to,  FIGS.  12 - 15   , is substantially the same as the process for inserting and/or removing the at least one personal card  18  from the open-sided shell  13  of the wallet  10   b . The at least one personal card  18  may also be configured to be inserted into and/or removed from the open-sided shell  13  using substantially the same “angled” method shown in, and discussed with reference to,  FIGS.  16 - 18   . 
       FIG.  41    shows a back view of the wallet  10   b , including the pocket  114  coupled to the open-sided shell  13  via the rivets  113 . In some embodiments, like the open-sided shell  13 , the pocket  114  includes an open clearance area  71  that exposes a bottom edge  92   d  of at least one personal card  18  coupled to the pocket  114 . As such, a user may be able to remove the at least one personal card  18  by pushing on the exposed edge  92   d  in the open clearance area  71 . It should also be noted that though not shown in the Figures depicting the wallet  10   b , in many embodiments, the wallet  10   b  includes stitching similar to the stitching  116  shown on the wallet  10   a . For example, the wallet  10   b  may include stitching on the pocket  114  between the rivets  113  and along at least a portion of a bottom edge of the pocket  114 . Stitching may be used to couple the pocket  114  to an additional piece of material, wherein the additional piece of material is configured to face the back surface  17  of the open-sided shell  13 . In this way, the additional piece of material may be considered a “backing piece” similar to the bottom half  28  of the flexible member  22  of the wallet  10   a , where the bottom half  28  is coupled to the back surface  16  of the open-sided shell  12  and to the first external pocket  108 . 
     In many embodiments, the flexible member  22 , identification window  98 , first external pocket  108 , and second external pocket  110  of the wallet  10   a , as well as the pocket  114  and “backing piece” of the wallet  10   b  are comprised of a flexible yet durable material, such as leather. The recited components may comprise a high-quality material, such as top grain genuine leather. In some embodiments, at least one of the flexible member  22 , the identification window  98 , the first external pocket  108 , the second external pocket  110 , and the pocket  114  comprise a tougher, yet still flexible, non-leather material, such as DTEX. In some embodiments, different elements of a wallet  10   a ,  10   b  comprise different materials. For example, one embodiment of the wallet  10   a  may comprise a leather flexible member  22  with DTEX external pockets  108 ,  110 , and a DTEX identification window  98 . In many embodiments, the elements other than the open-sided shell  12 ,  13  of a wallet  10   a ,  10   b  comprise substantially the same material. Any of the identification window  98 , first external pocket  108 , second external pocket  110 , and pocket  114  may be configured to receive folded paper currency, in addition to or instead of at least one personal card  18 . 
     The open-sided shell  12 ,  13  may comprise any metal material. In many embodiments, the open-sided shell  12 ,  13  comprises aluminum, and the personal card receiving surface  14 ,  15  comprises carbon fiber. The open-sided shell  12 ,  13  may comprise powder-coated aluminum. The open-sided shell  12 ,  13  and the personal card receiving surface  14 ,  15  may comprise the same material. The rivets  112 ,  113  may comprise any metal material, such as stainless steel. A person having ordinary skill in the art of wallet design and manufacturing may not see the use of CNC-machined metal as an obvious choice, and may instead look to plastic or other similar hard materials to create the open-sided shell  12 ,  13  and associated elements (personal card receiving surface  14 ,  15 , rivets  112 ,  113 , etc.). However, this disclosure includes metal material(s) for the open-sided shell  12 ,  13  in order to create a more durable and higher quality (in look and feel) product than what would be produced using plastic or a similar material. 
       FIG.  42    illustrates a perspective view of a wallet  10   c . As shown, the wallet  10   c  may include an open-sided shell  118  with a personal card receiving surface  120 , as well as a flexible member  132 . In some embodiments, the open-sided shell  118  is substantially the same as the open-sided shell  12 ,  13  shown in earlier Figures and previously discussed in this disclosure. In addition, the personal card receiving surface  120  may be substantially the same as the personal card receiving surface  14 ,  15  previously discussed in this disclosure. For example, the open-sided shell  118  and personal card receiving surface  120  may be configured to securably couple at least one personal card in a manner substantially the same as that shown in, and discussed with reference to,  FIGS.  12 - 18  and  38 - 40   . The flexible member  132  may differ from the flexible member  22 , as will be discussed in greater detail with reference to  FIGS.  45 - 47   . 
       FIG.  43    shows another interior view of the wallet  10   c , and includes more detail about the elements of the wallet  10   c . In some embodiments, as demonstrated in  FIG.  43   , the open-sided shell  118  comprises a first side wall  126 , a second side wall  128  located opposite the first side wall  126 , and a bottom side wall  130  extending between the first side wall  126  and the second side wall  128 . In the same way that the open-sided shell  118  may be substantially the same as the open-sided shell  12 ,  13 , it should be noted that the side walls  126 ,  128 ,  130  of the wallet  10   c  may be substantially the same as the corresponding side walls  50  (of the wallet  10   a ) and  51  (of the wallet  10   b ). In some embodiments, the first side wall  126 , second side wall  128 , and bottom side wall  130  are configured to retain the at least one personal card (not shown in  FIG.  43   ) in place within the internal portion  124  of the open-sided shell  118  (i.e., adjacent and/or against the personal card receiving surface  120 ). 
       FIG.  43    also illustrates the first protruding portion  158   a  and the second protruding portion  158   b . Similar to the other elements of the open-sided shell  118 , the first and second protruding portions  158   a ,  158   b  may be substantially the same as the first and second protruding portions  58   a ,  58   b  of the first and second retention tabs  52   a ,  52   b  previously discussed in this disclosure. For example, the first and second protruding portions  158   a ,  158   b  may be configured to move between a locked position and a receiving position in order to receive and retain at least one personal card, as illustrated in  FIGS.  12  and  13   . Further, in order to couple to the open-sided shell  118 , the at least one personal card may be inserted “over” the first and second protruding portions  158   a ,  158   b , using the “angled” method as shown and discussed with reference to  FIGS.  16 - 18   . 
       FIG.  44    shows the same view as  FIG.  43    and illustrates that, in some embodiments, the bottom side wall  130  comprises a first bottom side wall portion  152   a  and a second bottom side wall portion  152   b . The first bottom side wall portion  152   a  may define a first width and the second bottom side wall portion  152   b  may define a second width. In some embodiments, the first width is less than the second width. This is similar to the left and right side retaining surfaces  78   a ,  78   b  of the wallet  10   a —illustrated in  FIGS.  24  and  25 B —where the left side retaining surface  78   a  defines a left side width  86   a  that is less than the right side width  86   b  of the right side retaining surface  78   b . Further, and also similar to the wallets  10   a ,  10   b , the wallet  10   c  may comprise an open clearance area  154  located between the first bottom side wall portion  152   a  and the second bottom side wall portion  152   b , as illustrated in  FIG.  44   . In some embodiments, the open clearance area  154  is configured to receive a user&#39;s finger to thereby push at least one personal card away from the bottom side wall  130  so that the at least one personal card may be removed from the wallet  10   c . The open clearance area  154  may be substantially the same as the open clearance area  70 ,  71  previously discussed in this disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  43  and  44   , the flexible member  132  may include an internal surface  134 . In some embodiments, the flexible member  132  has an external surface  136  facing opposite the internal surface  134 , shown in  FIG.  45   . The flexible member  132  may also define a bottom half  138  and a top half  140  located opposite the bottom half  138 . In some embodiments, the internal surface  134  of the bottom half  138  is coupled to the back surface  122  of the open-sided shell  118 , as shown. The internal surface  134  of the top half  140  may comprise a pocket configured to receive and retain at least one personal card. In some embodiments, the internal surface  134  of the top half  140  comprises a pocket configured to hold and display an identification card (i.e., an “identification window”), shown in  FIGS.  42 - 44   . Of course, any suitable personal card(s) and/or paper currency may be held and displayed in the pocket of the internal surface  134  of the top half  140 . 
       FIG.  45    further displays that, in some embodiments, the wallet  10   c  includes a pull tab  142  extending from an opening  146  in the external surface  136  of the flexible member  132 . As shown in  FIGS.  46  and  47   , the pull tab  142  may be configured to facilitate removal of at least one personal card  18  from a pocket  148  coupled to the external surface  136 . In some embodiments, the pull tab  142  defines a first portion  144   a  and a second portion  144   b . The first portion  144   a  may comprise a material substantially similar to that of the flexible member  132  (e.g., leather, DTEX, or other suitable material), while the second portion  144   b  may comprise a more ribbon or strap-like structure. In some embodiments, the pull tab  142  is configured to move between a first position  150   a , as shown in  FIG.  46   , and a second position  150   b , as shown in  FIG.  47   . 
     In the first position  150   a , the first portion  144   a  of the pull tab  142  may be configured to extend from the opening  146  in the external surface  136  of the flexible member  132 , while the second portion  144   b  may be located at least partially within the flexible member  132 . In some embodiments, in the first position  150   a , the at least one personal card  18  is located within the pocket  148 . The second portion  144   b  of the pull tab  142  may also be located within the pocket  148 . 
     In the second position  150   b , both the first portion  144   a  and the second portion  144   b  of the pull tab  142  may extend from the opening  146 , and the at least one personal card  18  may be configured to extend from the pocket  148  for removal, as illustrated in  FIG.  47   . In order to move from the first position  150   a  to the second position  150   b , a user may tug the pull tab  142  away from the opening  146 , thereby extending the pull tab  142  from the opening  146  and partially removing the at least one personal card  18  from the pocket  148 . In some embodiments, to restore the pull tab  142  back to the first position  150   a , a user inserts the at least one personal card  18  back into the pocket  148 , and the movement of the at least one personal card  18  within the pocket  148  is configured to retract the pull tab  142 , particularly the second portion  144   b  of the pull tab  142 , back into the opening  146 . 
       FIG.  48    shows a perspective view of the wallet  10   c  in a closed position, featuring the top half  140  of the flexible member  132  closed on top of the open-sided shell  118 .  FIGS.  48  and  49    illustrate that, in some embodiments, the wallet  10   c  includes a stretchable band  156  configured to wrap around the open-sided shell  118  and the bottom half  138  of the flexible member  132 , as shown in  FIG.  49   . The stretchable band  156  may be configured to securably couple at least one personal card against at least one of the personal card receiving surface  120  and the external surface  136  of the flexible member  132 . Depending on the configuration of the stretchable band  156  (e.g., if oriented as shown in  FIGS.  3  and  5   ), it may also be configured to couple at least one personal card, paper currency, or other similar item(s) against the internal surface  134  of the flexible member  132 . Similar to the elastic band  32 , the stretchable band  156  may comprise two ends coupled to the top half  140  of the flexible member  132 . It should also be noted that though not labeled in the figures, the wallet  10   c  may include a pocket located on the bottom half  138  of the external surface  136  of the flexible member  132 , opposite the open-sided shell  118 . 
       FIG.  50    illustrates a wallet  10   d  comprising an open-sided shell  160 , a flexible member  174 , a stretchable band  184 , and a radiofrequency identification (RFID) protection plate  186 . It should be noted that the stretchable band  184  may resemble the stretchable band  156  (i.e., it may be a narrower band than shown in  FIG.  50   ). In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  51   , the open-sided shell  160  has a personal card receiving surface  162 , wherein the open-sided shell  160  is configured to securably couple at least one personal card  18  along the personal card receiving surface  162  within the internal portion  166  of the open-sided shell  160 . The RFID protection plate  186  may be coupled to the open-sided shell  160  between the personal card receiving surface  162  and the stretchable band  184 . In some embodiments, the tension applied to the RFID protection plate  186  by the stretchable band  184  is configured to retain at least one personal card  18  against the personal card receiving surface  162 , as demonstrated in  FIG.  51   . 
       FIG.  52    shows an exterior view of the wallet  10   d  in an open position. Similar to the flexible members  22 ,  132  previously discussed in this disclosure, the flexible member  174  may include an internal surface  176  (shown in  FIG.  53   ) and an external surface  178  facing opposite the internal surface  176 . In some embodiments, the flexible member  174  defines a bottom half  180  and a top half  182  located opposite the bottom half  180 . The internal surface  176  of the bottom half  180  may be coupled to the back surface  164  of the open-sided shell  160 . 
     Also illustrated in  FIG.  52    are a first exterior pocket  194  and a second exterior pocket  196 . In some embodiments, the wallet  10   d  comprises a first exterior pocket  194  coupled to the top half  182  of the flexible member  174  and located along the external surface  178  of the flexible member  174 . The first exterior pocket  194  may be configured to receive and retain at least one personal card  18 . In some embodiments, the wallet  10   d  also includes a second exterior pocket  196  coupled to the bottom half  180  of the flexible member  174  and located along the external surface  178  of the flexible member  174  opposite the open-sided shell  160 . Like the first exterior pocket  194 , the second exterior pocket  196  may be configured to receive and retain at least one personal card  18 . 
     In some embodiments, the first exterior pocket  194  includes an open clearance area, shown in  FIG.  52    as the “U” shaped element at the top of the wallet  10   d . Similar to the open clearance areas  70 ,  71 ,  154  previously discussed in this disclosure, the open clearance area of the first exterior pocket  194  may be used to facilitate removal of at least one personal card  18  from the first exterior pocket  194 . Likewise, the second exterior pocket  196  may include a smaller open clearance area, shown toward the bottom of  FIG.  52   . The second exterior pocket  196  may also include an aperture, represented by the five-sided element in the center of the bottom half  180  of the flexible member  174 . In some embodiments, the aperture allows a user to view the at least one personal card  18  located within the second exterior pocket  196 , and may also facilitate removal of the at least one personal card  18  by allowing a user to contact the card  18  through the aperture, and slide it toward the opening of the second exterior pocket  196 . As shown in  FIG.  52   , the second exterior pocket  196  may also include two side cut-outs (e.g., where the arrow is pointing for the bottom half  180 ) for similar viewing and contact purposes as the center aperture. 
     The second exterior pocket  196  may be coupled to the flexible member  174  via stitching, indicated by the even broken lines shown in  FIG.  52   . Further, in some embodiments, the second exterior pocket  196  is coupled to the open-sided shell  160  via a plurality of rivets  198 , also shown in  FIG.  52   . The plurality of rivets  198  may be substantially similar to the rivets  112 ,  113  previously discussed in this disclosure. The stitching and the plurality of rivets  198  may extend around a perimeter of the bottom half  180  of the flexible member  174 , as shown. In some embodiments, the first exterior pocket  194  is coupled to the flexible member  174  via stitching extending along a perimeter of the top half  182  of the flexible member  174 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  53   , the wallet  10   d  may further comprise an interior pocket  192  coupled to the top half  182  of the flexible member  174  and located along the internal surface  176  of the flexible member  174 . In some embodiments, the interior pocket  192  is located opposite the first exterior pocket  194 , and is configured to receive and retain at least one personal card  18 . Similar to the second exterior pocket  196 , the interior pocket  192  may include a central aperture for viewing and/or contacting the at least one personal card  18  located within the interior pocket  192 . In some embodiments, the interior pocket  192  is coupled to the flexible member  174  via stitching extending along a perimeter of the top half  182  of the flexible member  174 , in a manner similar to the first exterior pocket  194 . 
       FIG.  53    also includes more details about the open-sided shell  160 . In some embodiments, the open-sided shell  160  comprises a first side wall  168 , a second side wall  170  located opposite the first side wall  168 , and a bottom side wall  172  extending between the first side wall  168  and the second side wall  170 . The first side wall  168 , second side wall  170 , and bottom side wall  172  may be configured to retain at least one personal card  18  with respect to the personal card receiving surface  162 .  FIG.  53    also shows the stretchable band  184 . In some embodiments, the stretchable band  184  is configured to wrap around the open-sided shell  160  and is configured to securably couple at least one personal card  18  against the personal card receiving surface  162 . Though not shown in the Figures, the stretchable band  184  may also be configured to wrap around the bottom half  180  of the flexible member  174 , similar to the stretchable band  156  of the wallet  10   c  shown in  FIG.  49   . In some embodiments, when wrapped around the bottom half  180  of the flexible member  174 , the stretchable band  184  is configured to securably couple at least one personal card  18  against the external surface  178  of the flexible member  174 . In addition to securing the at least one personal card  18 , the stretchable band  184  may also couple paper currency, receipts, or other similar items against at least one of the external surface  178 , the RFID protection plate  186 , and the personal card receiving surface  162 . 
       FIG.  53    includes a directional indicator showing a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction. In some embodiments, the first side wall  168  and the second side wall  170  are elongate along the first direction, and the bottom side wall  172  is elongate along the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The stretchable band  184  may wrap around the open-sided shell  160  along the second direction. In some embodiments, the RFID protection plate  186  is configured to move along the third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction to securably couple at least one personal card  18  between the RFID protection plate  186  and the personal card receiving surface  162 . In addition, the stretchable band  184  may be configured to extend along the third direction to couple at least one personal card and at least one paper bill between the stretchable band  184  and the flexible member  174  and/or the RFID protection plate  186 . 
     In some embodiments, at least one of the open-sided shell  160  and the RFID protection plate  186  comprise an open clearance area  188 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  53   , the open clearance area  188  may be located along a bottom portion  190  of the RFID protection plate  186 . In some embodiments, similar to the open clearance areas previously discussed in this disclosure, the open clearance area  188  is configured to receive a user&#39;s finger to thereby push the at least one personal card  18  away from the bottom portion  190  such that the at least one personal card  18  may be removed from the wallet  10   d.    
     Turning now to  FIG.  54   , an embodiment of a wallet  10   e  is shown. The wallet  10   e  may comprise an open-sided shell  200  having a first personal card receiving surface  202  defining an internal portion  206 , and a stretchable band  222 . In some embodiments, the wallet  10   e  further comprises a second personal card receiving surface  204 , shown in  FIG.  55   , facing opposite the first personal card receiving surface  202 . The open-sided shell  200  may be configured to securably couple at least one personal card  18  along the first personal card receiving surface  202  and the second personal card receiving surface  204  within an internal portion  206  of the open-sided shell  200 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  54  and  55   , the wallet  10   e  may comprise a stretchable band  222  configured to wrap around the open-sided shell  200 . In some embodiments, the stretchable band  222  is configured to securably couple at least one personal card  18  against at least one of the first personal card receiving surface  202  and the second personal card receiving surface  204 . As indicated in  FIG.  55   , the wallet  10   e  may also include an RFID protection plate  224  coupled to the open-sided shell  200 . In some embodiments, the RFID protection plate  224  is located between the second personal card receiving surface  204  and the stretchable band  222 , and is configured to securably couple at least one personal card  18  between the RFID protection plate  224  and the second personal card receiving surface  204 . It should be noted that the RFID protection plate  224  may be substantially the same as the RFID protection plate  186  of the wallet  10   d . In some embodiments, both RFID protection plates  186 ,  224  are composed of a material sufficient to block RFID signals, such as aluminum or another suitable metallic material. In addition, as discussed with reference to  FIG.  53   , the stretchable band  222  may be configured to securably couple at least one personal card  18 , at least one paper bill, etc. against the RFID protection plate  224  between the stretchable band  222  and the RFID protection plate  224 . 
       FIG.  56    illustrates the side of the open-sided shell  200  including the first personal card receiving surface  202 . In some embodiments, the first personal card receiving surface  202  comprises a first side wall  208 , a second side wall  210  located opposite the first side wall  208 , and a first bottom side wall  212  extending between the first side wall  208  and the second side wall  210 . The first side wall  208 , second side wall  210 , and first bottom side wall  212  may be configured to retain at least one personal card  18  in place with respect to the first personal card receiving surface  202 . In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  56   , the wallet  10   e  includes an open clearance area  226  located along a bottom portion of the open-sided shell  200 , adjacent the first bottom side wall  212 . Like the other open clearance areas  70 ,  71 ,  154 , and  188  previously discussed in this disclosure, the open clearance area  226  may be configured to receive a user&#39;s finger to push at least one personal card  18  away from the bottom portion of the open-sided shell  200  to facilitate removal of the at least one personal card  18 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  56   , the wallet  10   e  further comprises a first protruding portion  220   a  and a second protruding portion  220   b . As discussed with reference to the wallet  10   c  of  FIG.  43   , the first and second protruding portions  220   a ,  220   b  may be substantially the same as the first and second protruding portions  58   a ,  58   b  of the first and second retention tabs  52   a ,  52   b  previously discussed in this disclosure. For example, the first and second protruding portions  220   a ,  220   b  may be configured to move between a locked position and a receiving position in order to receive and retain at least one personal card, as illustrated in  FIGS.  12  and  13   . Further, in order to couple to the open-sided shell  200 , the at least one personal card may be inserted “over” the first and second protruding portions  220   a ,  220   b , using the “angled” method as shown and discussed with reference to  FIGS.  16 - 18   . 
       FIG.  57    shows a view of the wallet  10   e  including the second personal card receiving surface  204 . In some embodiments, the second personal card receiving surface  204  comprises a third side wall  214 , a fourth side wall  216  located opposite the third side wall  214 , and a second bottom side wall  218  extending between the third side wall  214  and the fourth side wall  216 . The third side wall  214 , fourth side wall  216 , and second bottom side wall  218 , along with the RFID protection plate  224  and stretchable band  222 , may be configured to securably couple at least one personal card  18  in place with respect to the second personal card receiving surface  204 .  FIG.  57    also shows the open clearance area  226  located along the bottom portion  228  of the RFID protection plate  224 . 
       FIG.  58    illustrates another embodiment of the wallet  10   e . In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  58   , the wallet  10   e  further comprises a pocket  232  detachably coupled to the open-sided shell  200 . The pocket  232  may be coupled adjacent the second personal card receiving surface  204  and may be configured to receive at least one personal card  18 . In some embodiments, as demonstrated in  FIG.  58   , the pocket  232  comprises an opening  234  configured to receive a pull tab  236 . It should be noted that the pocket  232 , opening  234 , and pull tab  236  may be substantially similar to the pocket  148 , opening  146 , and pull tab  142  of the wallet  10   c . Accordingly, the pull tab  236  may be configured move between a first position and second position, as illustrated in and discussed with reference to  FIGS.  46  and  47   , in order to facilitate removal of the at least one personal card  18  from the pocket  232 . The pocket  232  may be configured to detachably couple to the open-sided shell  200  adjacent the first personal card receiving surface  202 , rather than the second personal card receiving surface  204 . 
       FIG.  58    also includes at least one aperture  230 . In some embodiments, the wallet  10   e  further comprises at least one aperture  230  located along a perimeter of the open-sided shell  200 . The at least one aperture  230  may be configured to receive an attaching mechanism to thereby couple the wallet  10   e  to at least one of a key, a lanyard, and a tether. Example attaching mechanisms include, but are not limited to, a keyring, a carabiner, a clasp, and any other suitable mechanism to facilitate coupling of the wallet  10   e  to an external element, such as a key, chain, belt loop, lanyard, etc. 
     It should be noted that the wallets  10   a ,  10   b , and  10   c  may be considered as defining a “landscape” or “horizontal” orientation, with regard to how the at least one personal card  18  couples to the open-sided shell  118 . Stated differently, when the wallets  10   a ,  10   b , and/or  10   c  are held open to read information on the at least one personal card  18 , the height of the open-sided shells  12 ,  13 ,  118  is less than the width. In contrast,  FIGS.  50 - 58    illustrate embodiments of a wallet  10   d  and a wallet  10   e , which have “portrait” or “vertical” orientations such that a typical credit card, gift card, business card, or the like, is rotated 90° for insertion. It is not the intention of the Figures or the disclosure to limit the wallets  10   a - e  to these specific orientations. For example, the open-sided shell  118  of the wallet  10   c  may be configured to resemble the open-sided shell  200  of the wallet  10   e , as shown in  FIG.  54   , and remain suitable to securely retain at least one personal card  18 . 
     Further, some elements, like the at least one aperture  230  shown in  FIG.  58   , may also be found in embodiments of the wallets  10   a ,  10   b , and/or  10   c  not explicitly shown in the Figures. For example, in some embodiments, first side wall  126  of the wallet  10   c  comprises a first aperture and a second aperture. The first aperture may be configured to receive an attaching mechanism to thereby couple the wallet  10   c  to at least one of a key, lanyard, tether, or other similar mechanism. In some embodiments, the second side wall  128  comprises a third aperture, and the second and third apertures are configured to receive the stretchable band  156 . 
     INTERPRETATION 
     None of the steps described herein is essential or indispensable. Any of the steps can be adjusted or modified. Other or additional steps can be used. Any portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in one embodiment, flowchart, or example in this specification can be combined or used with or instead of any other portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in a different embodiment, flowchart, or example. The embodiments and examples provided herein are not intended to be discrete and separate from each other. 
     The section headings and subheadings provided herein are nonlimiting. The section headings and subheadings do not represent or limit the full scope of the embodiments described in the sections to which the headings and subheadings pertain. For example, a section titled “Topic 1” may include embodiments that do not pertain to Topic 1 and embodiments described in other sections may apply to and be combined with embodiments described within the “Topic 1” section. 
     The various features and processes described above may be used independently of one another, or may be combined in various ways. All possible combinations and subcombinations are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. In addition, certain method, event, state, or process blocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods, steps, and processes described herein are also not limited to any particular sequence, and the blocks, steps, or states relating thereto can be performed in other sequences that are appropriate. For example, described tasks or events may be performed in an order other than the order specifically disclosed. Multiple steps may be combined in a single block or state. The example tasks or events may be performed in serial, in parallel, or in some other manner. Tasks or events may be added to or removed from the disclosed example embodiments. The example systems and components described herein may be configured differently than described. For example, elements may be added to, removed from, or rearranged compared to the disclosed example embodiments. 
     Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present. 
     The term “and/or” means that “and” applies to some embodiments and “or” applies to some embodiments. Thus, A, B, and/or C can be replaced with A, B, and C written in one sentence and A, B, or C written in another sentence. A, B, and/or C means that some embodiments can include A and B, some embodiments can include A and C, some embodiments can include B and C, some embodiments can only include A, some embodiments can include only B, some embodiments can include only C, and some embodiments include A, B, and C. The term “and/or” is used to avoid unnecessary redundancy. 
     The term “about” is used to mean “approximately.” For example, the disclosure includes, “In some embodiments, the difference between the first distance  64   a  and second distance  64   b  is about a few millimeters.” In this context, “about a few millimeters” is used to mean “approximately” a few millimeters. A range of 1-10 millimeters falls into an acceptable range and interpretation of “about a few millimeters,” as used in this disclosure. 
     The term “substantially” is used to mean “completely” or “nearly completely.” For example, the disclosure includes, “When the wallet is in the open position, the flexible member may be configured to lay substantially flat . . . ” In this context, “substantially flat” is used to mean that the flexible member may lay “completely” flat or “nearly completely” flat, and fall into the understanding of “substantially” as used in this disclosure. It is understood that the flexible member may or may not lay “completely” flat, depending on a number of factors, including position of the elastic band and number of cards coupled to the identification window and/or second external pocket. In many embodiments, when the wallet is in the open position, the flexible member may be considered to lay substantially flat. 
     While certain example embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions disclosed herein. Thus, nothing in the foregoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature, characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions disclosed herein.