Patent Publication Number: US-11375790-B2

Title: Dual lock wallet

Description:
RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/836,618 filed Apr. 20, 2019 entitled DUAL LOCK WALLET which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is related to wallets, money clips and other money, credit card and identification holding devices with the added advantages of the wallet of the present invention having first and second locking fixtures and providing for the contents within the wallet to be viewable even when the first and second locking fixtures are securely closed. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The loss of cash or a credit card can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience, but all too frequently a credit card is removed from a wallet or mistakenly left on a table or counter after paying, because an additional step of reopening and verifying the contents of a wallet is not done. Wallets of the common billfold style of the prior art require reopening to view contents because they are formed out of two long rectangular panels. The two panels are sewn together along three sides to form an opening for paper money to be slid into and pulled out of Credit cards and a driver&#39;s license or other identification cards, or other plastic currency are placed in slots formed in an interior panel or are placed in plastic sheets attached to the interior panel. The billfold is closed by folding the panels in half over one another or in thirds by folding a first end and then folding a second end over the first end. When closed the contents of the wallet are not visible, which may possibly cause a loss of for example a credit card if the credit card is removed and then not put back into the wallet, if the wallet is not reopened and verified that the credit card has been returned to the wallet. When full of cash and credit cards, the common folded or tri-folded billfold also have the added disadvantage of being thick and bulky making the wallet awkward and uncomfortable to place in a pants pocket. 
     Money clips offer viewing of the contents, but most work by having the clip clamp down on either side of the cash or credit cards to hold them. Over time the spring tension of the clip can wear and loosen which may allow a bill or credit card to slide out of the money clip and be lost. The rigid plastic and thickness of multiple credit cards or a lot of paper money may also loosen the clip allowing some of the contents to fall out of the clip, so while there is the benefit of the contents being viewable, the contents of the money clip is not secure. The present invention provides the flexibility of viewing cash and credit cards like a money clip with the security of a folded closed wallet that cannot easily be opened. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The dual lock wallet of the present invention is formed in a uniquely styled shape to allow the contents of the wallet to be easily accessible and viewable, and two locking fixtures to secure the contents. In the present invention two sheets of pliable, durable material such as leather or fabric are each formed with a panel, flap, and locking fixture. The locking fixture comprises a locking receiver and lock such as a socket and snap, hook and loop, hook and eye or clasp, slot and button or other types of fasteners suitable for adhering the leather or fabric sheets together. In forming the dual lock wallet of the present invention, the panels of the first and second sheets are overlaid so that the flaps extending from each panel extend in opposing directions. The first and second panels are sewn, glued, stapled or otherwise affixed together along the two remaining sides of each panel forming a compartment. The compartment has first and second access points for the placement of paper money through the first access point and into the space formed between the sides that are sewn or otherwise affixed together and through the second access point for the placement of credit cards, identification or other plastic currency also into the space within the compartment. 
     A receiver for the locking fixture is affixed to each panel and a compatible lock is affixed to each flap. A flap from a first panel is folded over an access point and the lock mates with and is secured to the receiver on the second panel thereby securing the contents within the compartment, for example the paper money placed within the compartment through the first access point. The flap from the second panel is folded over the second access point and the lock mates with and is secured to the receiver on the first panel to for example secure the credit cards placed within the compartment from the second access point. The contents are therefore secured at either end and can be accessed by rotating the wallet and unlocking the locking fixture to provide access to the desired contents, either the paper money from one access point or the credit cards from the other access point. Within the compartment both the paper money and credit cards are stacked and therefore each access point provides access to either top or bottom of the stack to remove paper money or credit cards from either access point. 
     In some embodiments, one or both of the panels are formed with cutouts within at least one corner to provide for viewing the contents of the wallet even when each of the dual locks for each access point are secured. By having a portion of the contents viewable, the wallet can be rotated to the proper access point and the locking fixture can be opened to access the contents. The at least one cutout further provides for visual inspection of the contents of the wallet when secured to determine a dollar amount or confirm that a credit card has been returned to the wallet after use without having to reopen the wallet. A finger slot may also be provided along an edge of one or both panels to allow for a thumb or finger to press against the contents and slide the paper money or credit card out of the wallet. 
     The present invention is related to a wallet comprising a first sheet formed as a first panel and a first flap, the first flap extending from the first panel; a first locking fixture having a first receiver affixed to the first panel and a first lock affixed to the first flap; a second sheet formed as a second panel and a second flap, the second flap extending from the second panel; a second locking fixture having a second receiver affixed to the second panel and second lock affixed to the second flap; and wherein the first receiver configured to receive the second lock to secure the first flap to the second panel thereby configured to secure a first access point of a wallet; and wherein the second receiver configured to receive the first lock to secure the second flap to the first panel thereby configured to secure a second access point of the wallet. In embodiments of the wallet, the first and second sheets are of a pliable, durable material such as leather or fabric. In embodiments of the wallet, the first sheet is configured to be aligned over the second sheet and the first and second sheets are configured to be attached together along a first edge seam and a second edge seam forming a compartment having the first access point on one end and the second access point on the other end, the compartment configured to hold money, credit cards, identification, or other plastic currency. In embodiments of the wallet, of the first and second receivers are first and second sockets and the first and second locks are snaps configured to be attached to the first and second socket receivers. In embodiments of the wallet, the first and second receivers are hook fasteners and the first and second locks are loop fasteners configured to be attached to the first and second hook receivers. In embodiments of the wallet, the first and second receivers are first and second fasteners and the first and second locks are clips configured to be attached to the first and second fastener receivers. In embodiments of the wallet, the first and second receivers are first and second hooks and the first and second locks are eye fasteners configured to be attached to the first and second hook receivers. In embodiments of the wallet, the first and/or second panels comprise cutouts in at least one of four corners, the first and second panels configured to have contents within the wallet be viewable at the points where a panel has the at least one cutout. In embodiments of the wallet, the first and/or second panels comprise a finger slot configured to assist in removing contents from within the wallet. In embodiments of the wallet, the first and second flaps comprise a triangular shape, the triangular shape configured to reduce the thickness of the wallet. In embodiments of the wallet, the first and second flaps comprise a triangular shape and a curvature forming the edges of the triangle, the curved triangular shape configured to reduce the thickness of the wallet. 
     These and other features, advantages and improvements according to this invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. While references may be made to upper, lower, vertical and horizontal, these terms are used merely to describe the relationship of components and not to limit the installation or use of the present invention to any one orientation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the dual lock wallet of the present invention having a snap and socket for the locking fixtures; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a first sheet of pliable, durable material formed in a pattern comprising a panel and a flap in the embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a second sheet of pliable, durable material formed in a pattern comprising a panel and a flap in the embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of an embodiment of an assembly of a snap and an eyelet to be inserted through a flap of a sheet in the embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the assembly of a socket and a cap to be inserted through a panel of a sheet in the embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a first sheet of pliable, durable material formed in a pattern with a snap as the lock portion of a first locking fixture affixed to the flap and a socket as a receiver portion of a second locking fixture affixed to the panel in the embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3D  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a second sheet of pliable, durable material formed in a pattern with a snap as the lock portion of a first locking fixture affixed to the flap and a socket as the receiver portion of a second locking fixture affixed to the panel in the embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the assembly illustrating the attachment of the first and second sheets in the embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the attachment of the first and second sheets along the outer edges of each of the panels in the embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 1  with contents of paper money and credit cards, the dual lock wallet in an open position; 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view of the embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 1  with contents of paper money and credit cards, the dual lock wallet in an open position; 
         FIG. 5B  is a top view of the embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 1  with contents of paper money and credit cards, the dual lock wallet in an open position; 
         FIG. 5C  is a side view of the embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 1  with contents of paper money and credit cards with one flap of the dual lock wallet closed securing one access point; 
         FIG. 5D  is a top view of the embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 1  with contents of paper money and credit cards with one flap of the dual lock wallet closed securing one access point; 
         FIG. 5E  is a side view of the embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 1  with contents of paper money and credit cards, the dual lock wallet in a closed position securing both access points; 
         FIG. 5F  is a top view of the embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 1  with contents of paper money and credit cards, the dual lock wallet in a closed position securing both access points; 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention having a hook and loop fastener for the locking fixtures illustrating the assembly of the first and second sheets; 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the further embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 6A  illustrating the attachment of the first and second sheets along the outer edges of each of the panels; 
         FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of the further embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 6A  with contents of paper money and credit cards and the dual lock wallet in a closed position securing both access points; 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of the present invention having a hook and eye fastener for the locking fixtures illustrating the attachment of the first and second sheets; and 
         FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the still further embodiment of the dual lock wallet of  FIG. 7A  with contents of paper money and credit cards and the dual lock wallet in a closed position securing both access points. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention is related to a dual lock wallet  10  for securely holding paper money  12  and credit cards  14 , identification or other types of plastic currency. The dual lock wallet  10  is formed from two leather or fabric sheets  16  that in some embodiments are sewn together to form a seam  17  along the edges  18  as shown. Alternatively, the leather or fabric sheets  16  may be glued, stapled, riveted or otherwise affixed together. First and second locking fixtures  20  secure the two sheets together to secure paper money  12  and/or credit cards  14  within the wallet  10 . The locking fixture  20  has a lock portion  22  and a receiver portion  24  that mate and secure the two sheets together. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the first and second leather or fabric sheets  16   a  and  16   b  are cut into a pattern to form a panel  26   a  and  26   b  and a flap  28   a  and  28   b  with the flap  28   a  and  28   b  extending from each panel  26   a  and  26   b . The sheets  16   a  and  16   b  are fairly thin to be pliable and fold and are durable to resist wear after long periods of use. In some embodiments, a receiver opening R for the receiver portion  24  of the locking fixture  20  is cut through a portion of each panel  26   a  and  26   b  and a lock opening L for the lock portion  22  of the locking fixture  20  is cut through each flap  28   a  and  28   b . In other embodiments the lock portion  22  and the receiver portion  24  of the locking fixture  20  may be sewn, glued or stapled to each sheet  16   a  and  16   b , so there is not a requirement for a receiver opening R or lock opening L through the sheets  16   a  and  16   b . A finger slot F may be formed by cutting out a semicircular shape  30  along the edge  32  of each panel  26   a  and  26   b  for easier removal of the contents within the dual lock wallet  10 . A series of seam holes S may also be provided along the side edge  18  of each panel  26   a  and  26   b  to provide for the panels  26   a  and  26   b  to be sewn together. Cutouts J may also be formed in one or more corners of each panel  26   a  and  26   b  to form a curved edge  36  to provide for viewing of the contents within the dual lock wallet  10  when the locking fixtures  20  are secured. The flaps  28   a  and  28   b  of each sheet  16   a  and  16   b  may be formed in a lengthened triangular shape. In some embodiments the triangular shape may have a sloping curvature along one edge  38  to reduce the overall thickness of the dual lock wallet  10  and make the dual lock wallet  10  thinner and easier to insert into a pants pocket. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , in an embodiment of the dual lock wallet  10 , the lock portion  22  of the locking fixture  20  may be a snap  40  that is attached to the flap  28  by inserting an eyelet  42  through the lock opening L and securing the eyelet  42  using a compression fit to the snap  40 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , the receiver portion  24  of the locking fixture  20  that mates with the snap  40  is a socket  44  that is installed within the receiver opening R and secured to the panel  26  of the sheet  16  with a cap  46 . In order to have the orientation of the locking fixtures  20  provide for securing the first and second sheets  16   a  and  16   b  along each end, the eyelet  42  and the socket  44  are inserted into and through the outer surface  48  of the sheet  16 , as shown in  FIG. 3C . The cap  46  and snap  44  are positioned and secured to the inner surface  50  of the sheet  16 , as shown in  FIG. 3D . Using this orientation, as shown in  FIG. 4A , a first sheet  16   a  is placed with its inner surface  50  facing up and a second sheet  16   b  is placed with its outer surface  48  facing up. The edge  18   x  of the panel  26   a  of the first sheet  16   a  is aligned with the edge  18   y  of the panel  26   b  of the second sheet  16   b  and the edge  18   y  of the panel  26   a  of the first sheet  16   a  is aligned with the edge  18   x  of the panel  26   b  of the second sheet  16   b  so that the seam holes S along the edges  18   x  and  18   y  line up. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4B , twine or thread  52  is woven through the seam holes S to form a seam  17  and the panels  26   a  and  26   b  of the two sheets  16   a  and  16   b  are attached together. Once attached, a slot is formed between the overlaid panels  26   a  and  26   b  with an access point M at one end of the slot accessible from the inner surface  50   a  along the flap  28   a  of first sheet  16   a . A second access point N at the other end of the slot is accessible from the opposing side along the inner surface  50   b  of the second sheet  16   b . As shown in  FIG. 4C , the slot forms a holding area or compartment C shown for illustrative purposes surrounded with a dotted line between the two panels  26   a  and  26   b . The two access points M and Nat each end of the compartment C provide as an example for paper money  12  to be inserted through the slot and into the compartment C from one access point M and credit cards  14  from the other access point N to be inserted through the slot into the compartment C from beneath the flap  28   b  as shown. 
       FIG. 5A  shows a side elevation view of the dual lock wallet  10  of the present invention. The first snap  40   a  and eyelet  42   a  are shown at the end of the flap  28   a  and the socket  44   a  is within the panel  26   a  of the first sheet  16   a . The second snap  40   b  and second eyelet  42   b  are shown at the end of the flap  28   b  and the socket  44   b  is within the panel  26   b  of the second sheet  16   b . The two panels  26   a  and  26   b  are held together by the threads  52  that form the seams  17  and paper money  12  and credit cards  14  are shown inserted the between the two panels  26   a  and  26   b . In a rotated view in  FIG. 5B , showing the second sheet  16   b  on the top, the first flap  28   a  may be folded over the second sheet panel  26   b  and be aligned with the socket  44   b  to affix the flap  28   a  to panel  26   b  to secure the contents inserted within the access point M within the dual lock wallet  10 , as shown in  FIG. 5C . Using the snap  40   a  from the first flap  28   a  and socket  44   b  within the panel  26   b  of the second sheet  16   b  and compressing on the eyelet  42   a  of the first flap  28   a , as shown in  FIG. 5D , a tight frictional fit is formed with the snap  40   a  being securely held in the socket  44   b.    
     The flap  28   b  of the second sheet  16   b  can then be folded over the panel  26   a  of the first sheet  16   a  and the eyelet  42   b  can be compressed to have the snap  40   b  be forced into the socket  44   a  to secure the contents inserted through the access point N. Once closed and secured on each end, the width W of the dual lock wallet  10  is fairly thin, as shown in  FIG. 5E , because of the thin wall thickness of the leather or fabric of each of the sheets  16   a  and  16   b , and because of minimal overlap of the flaps  28   a  and  28   b  of the sheets  16   a  and  16   b  due to each of the flaps  28   a  and  28   b  being formed as a lengthened triangular shape. As shown in  FIG. 5F , by also including the sloping curvature along one edge  38   a  and  38   b , the amount of material that overlaps the panel  26   b  and  26   a , respectfully, is greatly reduced. Using fabric or leather further provides for the folds  54  to stretch and expand as needed to accommodate more cash  12  or credit cards  14  within the dual lock wallet  10 . The snap  40  and socket  44  configuration is also not easily opened and requires force to pull the snap  40  out of the socket  44  providing more of a deterrent than a billfold type of wallet of the prior art that can be opened by simply pulling apart the overlapping sheets forming the pocket. 
     In a further embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6A , the snap  40  and socket  44  of the locking fixture  20  is replaced with hook and loop fasteners, with a hook fastener  60   a  affixed on the inner surface  50  at the end of a flap  28   a  of a first sheet  16   a  and a loop fastener  62   b  affixed to the outer surface  48  of a panel  26   b  of a second sheet  16   b . A second loop fastener  62   a  (not shown) is affixed to the outer surface  48  of a panel  26   a  of the first sheet  16   a  and a second hook fastener  60   b  (not shown) is affixed to the inner surface  50  at the end of a flap  28   b  of a second sheet  16   b . An alternative configuration of the placement of the hook and/or loop fasteners is within the scope of the present invention. 
     The further embodiment of the dual lock wallet  10  is assembled as in other embodiments with a first sheet  16   a  being placed with its inner surface  50  facing up and a second sheet  16   b  being placed with its outer surface  48  facing up. The edge  18   x  of the panel  26   a  of the first sheet  16   a  is aligned with the edge  18   y  of the panel  26   b  of the second sheet  16   b  and the edge  18   y  of the panel  26   a  of the first sheet  16   a  is aligned with the edge  18   x  of the panel  26   b  of the second sheet  16   b  so that the seam holes S along the edges  18   x  and  18   y  line up. As shown in  FIG. 6B , twine or thread  52  is woven through the seam holes S to form a seam  17  and the panels  26   a  and  26   b  of the two sheets  16   a  and  16   b  are attached together. Once attached, the slot between the overlaid panels  26   a  and  26   b  forms a compartment C shown for illustrative purposes surrounded by a dotted line with an access point M at one end of the slot accessible from the inner surface  50   a  along the flap  28   a  of first sheet  16   a . A second access point N at the other end of the slot forming the compartment C is accessible from the opposing side along the inner surface  50   b  of the second sheet  16   b . The two access points M and N at each end of the slot provide for example for paper money  12  to be inserted through the slot into the compartment C from one access point Mand credit cards  14  to be inserted into the slot from beneath the flap  28   b  as shown into the other access point N. The contents inserted within the further embodiment of the dual lock wallet  10  is secured by folding the first flap  28   a  of the first sheet  16   a  over the panel  26   b  of the second sheet  16   b  and aligning the hook fastener  60   a  with the loop fastener  62   b  and pressing on the outer surface  48  of the first flap  28   a  to have the hook fastener  60   a  adhere to the loop fastener  62   b . By then folding the second flap  28   b  over the first panel  26   a  and aligning the hook fastener  60   b  with the loop fastener  62   a  and pressing along the outer surface  48 , the contents of the dual lock wallet is secured at both access points M and N, as shown in  FIG. 6C . 
     In a still further embodiment as shown in  FIG. 7A , the locking fixture  20  is a clasp formed from an eye fastener  64   a  affixed on the inner surface  50  at the end of a flap  28   a  of a first sheet  16   a  and a hook fastener  66   b  affixed to the outer surface  48  of a panel  26   b  of a second sheet  16   b . A second hook fastener  66   a  (not shown) is affixed to the outer surface  48  of a panel  26   a  of the first sheet  16   a  and a second eye fastener  64   b  (not shown) is affixed to the inner surface  50  at the end of a flap  28   b  of a second sheet  16   b . An alternative configuration of the placement of the hook and/or eye fasteners is within the scope of the present invention. This still further embodiment of the dual lock wallet  10  is assembled as in other embodiments with a first sheet  16   a  being placed with its inner surface  50  facing up and a second sheet  16   b  being placed with its outer surface  48  facing up. The edge  18   x  of the panel  26   a  of the first sheet  16   a  is aligned with the edge  18   y  of the panel  26   b  of the second sheet  16   b  and the edge  18   y  of the panel  26   a  of the first sheet  16   a  is aligned with the edge  18   x  of the panel  26   b  of the second sheet  16   b  so that the edges  18   x  and  18   y  line up. The two sheets  16   a  and  16   b  in some embodiments are attached together using adhesive applied only along the surface near the edges  18   x  of a first sheet  16   a  adhered to  18   y  of the second sheet  16   b  and  18   x  of the second sheet  16   b  adhered to  18   y  of the second sheet  18   x  instead of using thread meaning that the panels  26   a  and  26   b  may be formed without seam holes S. In some embodiments, the dual lock wallet  10  may be formed with cutouts J with a curved edge  36  in only, for example, two of the four corners  68 . The cutouts J provide visibility to the contents of the dual lock wallet  10 . 
     Similarly, to other embodiments, once the panels  26   a  and  26   b  are adhered together, a slot forms a compartment C between the overlaid panels  26   a  and  26   b  with an access point M at one end of the compartment C accessible from the inner surface  50   a  along the flap  28   a  of first sheet  16   a . A second access point N at the other end of the compartment C is accessible from the opposing side along the inner surface  50   b  of the second sheet  16   b . The two access points M and N at each end of the compartment C provide for example for paper money  12  to be inserted into the slot from one access point M and credit cards  14  to be inserted into the slot from beneath the flap  28   b  as shown into the other access point N. The contents inserted within the still further embodiment of the dual lock wallet  10  is secured by folding the first flap  28   a  of the first sheet  16   a  over the panel  26   b  of the second sheet  16   b  and aligning the eye fastener  64   a  with the hook fastener  66   b  to have the hook fastener  66   b  be engaged with the eye fastener  64   a , preventing the flap  28   a  from being pulled away from the panel  26   b . By then folding the second flap  28   b  over the first panel  26   a  and aligning the eye fastener  64   b  with the hook fastener  66   a  and engaging the hook fastener  66   a  with the eye fastener  64   b , the contents of the dual lock wallet  10  is secured at both access points M and N, as shown in  FIG. 7B . 
     Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein in detail, it is to be understood that this is for purposes of illustration. This disclosure is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, since the described embodiments may be changed in detail as will become apparent to those skilled in the art in order to adapt the invention to particular applications, without departing from the scope of the following claims and equivalents of the claimed elements.