Abstract:
A secure personal wearable carrier for valuable items is disclosed. The wearable carrier includes a secure compartment for valuable item storage to be worn by users during their common activities, including physical exercises. The carrier is constructed to maintain the security and safety of the valuable item while withstanding strenuous activity.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/376,446, filed Aug. 18, 2016; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a carrier for valuable items, and more particularly to portable secure carrier arrangements, which can be worn by users during their common activities, including physical exercises. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Wearing valuable items, such as jewelry by many individuals during common activities is well known. Due to the high cost of jewelry and proliferation of physical exercises many individuals in general, and female athletes in particular, are often exposed to uneasy choices about what to do with such valuables during sometime vigorous physical routines. For such individuals, it is not uncommon to occasionally find themselves in situations where safekeeping and storage facilities are not readily available. For example, female athletes often train or exercise in sport facilities such as gyms, athletic clubs, etc. that do not offer secure places to store small valuable personal items, including jewelry. Moreover, traditional workout clothing rarely, if ever, has secure pockets that accommodate valuable small items, such as jewelry, including rings. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there has been a long felt and unsolved need for a lightweight, unobtrusive secure and effective carrier or storage arrangement for valuable items or jewelry which can be worn by a user during everyday activities. There is also a further need for such a carrier arrangement which can be used by a common person in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. 
         [0005]    Efforts have been previously made to attempt to solve the issue of storing personal valuables during activities. Prior art such as those shown in Roegner, U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,424 and Rogers, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2004/0206791 attempt to resolve secure storage issues, but fail to provide a compact and sleek design with a fully secure storage component. Rather, their disclosure provides for a large cumbersome pouch arrangement, without the security and ease of use provided by the present invention. Similarly, the prior art personal storage devices detailed in Mazzo, U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,366, Carter, U.S. Pat. No. D371,675 and Law, U.S. Pat. No. D442,365 lack the sleek compact and secure design provided by the present invention. 
         [0006]    The present invention provides a useful, novel and unique personal storage arrangement that is aesthetically-pleasing, secure, lightweight and comfortable for the user to wear while performing varied high stress tasks. These attributes of the present invention are not found in the prior art devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in figures of the drawing. 
         [0008]    As to a further description of the manner and use of the different embodiments of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation of the embodiments different from that discussed below will be provided. 
         [0009]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0010]    The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
         [0011]    In general terms, the invention disclosed is a personal wearable carrier for valuable items, and more particularly portable secure carrier arrangements which can be worn by users during their common activities, including physical exercises. This invention provides a unique, lightweight, wearable and aesthetically-pleasing storage arrangement that securely and secretively holds valuables such as rings or other small pieces of jewelry or other valuables. The invention is comfortable to wear and withstands impacts from physical activity without dislodging the secured storage container or fastening mechanism which forms the secure construct. 
         [0012]    The present invention includes two embodiments. The first embodiment having a housing interconnected with two strap members is configured to securely house a storage container for small valuables within the receiving compartment&#39;s operational space. This design is lightweight, durable, and optimally designed to be affixed to a wrist or ankle. The storage container is secured within the receiving cavity by a closure cap which provides a sealed enclosure. 
         [0013]    The second embodiment includes a housing configured to interconnect with two strap members. The housing includes a receiving compartment with a conical securement portion adjacent to the base that securely holds small valuables held in place by a cushioned overlay. The arrangement is fully secured by the closure cap. 
         [0014]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a wearable secure carrier arrangement that holds small valuables. 
         [0015]    It is another object of the present invention to securely store small valuables and protect them from damage during periods of high activity. 
         [0016]    It is yet another object of the present invention to have adjustable straps that provide a comfortable user fit. 
         [0017]    It is a feature of the present invention that the carrier arrangement is lightweight and aesthetically-pleasing. 
         [0018]    It is another feature of the present invention that the carrier arrangement is sleek and practical in size to not impair the user during periods of high activity. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    Referring now to the drawings which are provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, wherein: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view showing a secure carrier of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is another exploded view illustrating the secure carrier of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view showing an alternative design of the secure carrier of this invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the secure carrier of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the secure carrier of  FIG. 3 ; and, 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of the secure carrier of  FIG. 3  in the assembled condition having a ring stored therewithin. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    With reference now to the drawings in general, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a new strap-on security carrier arrangement is provided embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. As best illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the strap-on security carrier arrangement  10  generally comprises a plurality of strap members  12 ,  14  for fastening about a wrist of a user, and also comprises a housing  16  having at least a cylindrical peripheral wall  18  and a bottom wall  20 . Exterior of the illustrated housing is preferably, although not necessarily, round so as to be approximately the size of an ordinary wrist watch. 
         [0027]    A receiving cavity  22  adapted to receive a storage container  36  is formed between the cylindrical peripheral wall or peripheral wall  18  and the bottom wall  20 . The peripheral wall  18  has an interior surface  19  with fastening means  30  thereon. A closure cap  24  with a solid upper wall  26  and a side cylindrical wall  28  formed with a fastening means  30  is provided to close the receiving cavity  22  after positioning the storage container  36  there inside. The closure cap  24  is configured to fit over the top opening of the housing. The closure cap  24  has a top portion  25  adjacent to the upper wall  26  and a lower portion  27  adjacent to the top portion  25 . The lower portion  27  is offset from the top portion  25  and includes fastening means  30  on the lower portion  27  exterior surface  29  for secured interconnection with the cylindrical peripheral wall  18  interior surface  19  fastening means  30 . 
         [0028]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in the preferred embodiment the fastening means  30  in the form of a treatable engagement between treads provided at an exterior surface  29  of the side cylindrical wall  28  and an inner surface  19  of the peripheral wall  18 . In the assembled condition, after being positioned within the receiving cavity  22 , the storage container  36  is securely disposed between the bottom wall  20  of the housing and the upper wall  26  of the closure cap  24 . On the other hand, it is understood that any conventional form of the fastening means assuring a secure connection between the housing  16  and the closure cap  24  is within the scope of the invention. 
         [0029]    To minimize weight of the carrier  10 , the housing  16  can be formed without the solid bottom wall  20 , so that the central opening extends through the entire housing  16 . In this alternate embodiment (not illustrated) a circumferential shoulder or a ledge extending inwardly from the bottom area of the central opening can be formed. In the assembled condition of this embodiment the storage container is supported from the bottom by the circumferential shoulder, extends within the central opening of the housing and is secured from the top by the closure cap  24 . 
         [0030]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the storage container  36  is formed with a base  38  having a receiving compartment  40  and a top portion  42 . The receiving compartment  40  is defined by a solid base wall  44  having a disc shaped configuration and a partial top wall  46  separated from the base wall by an operational space  48 . The base wall  44  and partial top wall  46  are interconnected by a partial side wall. In the illustrated embodiment the top wall  46  corresponds to approximately a half of the area of the base wall  44 . In use the item to be stored (a ring for example, as shown in  FIG. 1 ) is positioned on a top surface of the base  38 , so that at least a part of a shank is disposed within the operational space  48  also to be protected by the partial top wall  46 . It should be noted however, that the above is just one example of how the storage container is used. In this respect, any application of the storage container and the operational space adapted to accommodate any part of the stored item (piece of jewelry) is within the scope of the invention. 
         [0031]    In use, the storage container  36  (adapted to receive and securely retain small valuable items such as jewelry, including rings, etc.) is disposed in the receiving cavity  22  and is accessible through the top opening of the housing  16 . The storage container remains in its secure position within the receiving cavity, while permitting easy removal as desired when the container with valuables has to be removed or its use discontinued. On the other hand, an embodiment of the invention where the storage container or at least the base  38  remains permanently within the receiving cavity is also contemplated. 
         [0032]    The housing  16  may include means for attaching the same to the strap members  12 ,  14  including bracket members  21  integrally extending outwardly from its outer periphery. The bracket members  21  each include an aperture  35  for receipt of the base ends  13 ,  17  of the straps  12 ,  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the wrist straps  12 ,  14  are provided to strap the housing  16  to the wrist of a user. The first strap  12  has a base end  13  and a distal end  15  with the base end  13  coupled to the bracket member  21  of the housing  16 . The first strap  12  has a plurality of apertures  15  therein. The second strap  14  has a base end  17  and a distal end  23  with the base end  17  coupled to the bracket member  21 . The first strap  12  is orientated generally opposed to the second strap  14 . The second strap  14  has a strap connector illustrated in the form of buckle or fastening means  31  thereon for selectively coupling with the apertures  15  in the first strap  12 . On the other hand, the straps can be adjustably connected by any number of conventional devices capable of securing the straps together in a removable manner. Several examples include opposing strips of hook and loop material (i.e. Velcro), magnetic elements, and compression fittings such as snaps and buttons which can be permanently secured to each end of the straps by a permanent sealer such as glue, adhesive or stitching. 
         [0033]    An exterior or outer surface  33  of the bottom wall  20  of the housing is configured to make contact with the wrist of a user. The straps are preferably constructed from a material having good elastic characteristics and configured to stretch or to be disposed around the appendage of the user to which it is ultimately attached. The resilient quality of elastic materials will thus allow the straps to be worn without exhibiting signs of continued wear. 
         [0034]    Although straps  12 ,  14  have been described above, the security carrier of the invention with a wrist band of any suitable type and material which is adapted to fit over the hand and remain in position on the wrist of the wearer is contemplated by the invention. Furthermore, the security carrier device of the present invention has been described above for wearing on a wrist of the user. However, applications of the device to other parts of human body are also contemplated. For example, the carrier including the straps can be worn over an ankle of the wearer&#39;s foot. 
         [0035]    The housing assembly is typically molded of a deformable plastic. Suitable plastic having the desired elasticity and resiliency, and being sufficiently rigid is polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, etc. The term plastic has been used herein to indicate the fact that a variety of materials such as natural or synthetic elastic and resilient plastic like materials can be utilized. 
         [0036]    The advantage of using inexpensive materials, such as various plastics is that the secure carrier arrangement of the invention can be manufactured at a price enabling the arrangement to be distributed or sold as a disposable unit. The disposable aspect of the invention not only provides convenience of modern life, but also can facilitate its use in many commercial situations such as hotels, resorts, various sport facilities, as well as to be used in medical institutional environments, when a patient goes through various tests and procedures. 
         [0037]    The description which follows is of a second embodiment of the strap-on security carrier arrangement. For ease of comprehension, where similar parts are shown, reference designators “ 100 ” units higher than those previously employed are used. Thus, the housing  116  of the second embodiment is analogous to the housing  16  of the first embodiment. Referring now to  FIGS. 3 to 6 , the second embodiment of the strap-on security carrier arrangement is referred to generally by the numeral  110 . 
         [0038]    With reference now to the drawings in general, and in particular to  FIGS. 3 through 6 , a new strap-on security carrier arrangement is provided embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  110  will be described. As best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the strap-on security carrier arrangement  110  generally comprises two strap members  12 ,  14  (as shown on  FIG. 2 ) for fastening about a wrist of a user, and also comprises a housing  116  having at least a cylindrical peripheral wall  118  and a bottom wall  120 . Exterior of the illustrated housing is preferably, although not necessarily, round so as to be approximately the size of an ordinary wrist watch. 
         [0039]    The bottom wall  120  and the cylindrical peripheral wall  118  form a receiving compartment  140  having a conical securement portion  139  affixed to or extended from the interior surface  111  of the bottom wall  120 . The conical securement portion  139  is designed to receive a ring or other small item(s) of value as shown in  FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 . The conical securement portion  139  has an exterior surface  147 , base end  150  affixed to or formed from the bottom wall  120  and a distal end  152  set opposite the base end  150 . 
         [0040]    In the assembled condition, after the item(s) are positioned within the receiving compartment  140  on top of the conical securement portion  139 , a cushioned overlay  141  is interconnected with the conical securement portion  139  through and within the storage cushioned overlay aperture  143  to create a secure compartment  154  to cradle the item(s), restrict movement of the item(s), and prevent damage to the item(s). 
         [0041]    The cushioned overlay  141  is generally ring-shaped and constructed of materials such as rubber, sponge, neoprene and similar. The cushioned overlay  141  has an exterior surface  145  configured to fit within the receiving compartment  140  and encase the item(s). The exterior surface  145  has an aperture  143  therethrough forming an interior surface  149 . When placed in the secured carrier arrangement  110 , the exterior surface  145  is adjacent to the item and secured by the closure cap  124 . The cushioned overlay exterior surface  145  encases and provides cushioned securement of the items in the receiving compartment  140 . The cushioned overlay  141  interior surface  149  is placed over the conical securement portion distal end  152  and is engaged and stabilized on the exterior conical securement surface  147 . The securement of the cushioned overlay  141  on the exterior conical securement surface  147  forms a secure space within said receiving cavity. The cushioned overlay  141  rests atop the exterior conical securement portion surface  147 . The creation of the secure space  154  is shown in  FIG. 6 . It should be noted however, that the above is just one example of how the secure space  154  is created and used. In this respect, any application of the creation of the secure space  154  adapted to accommodate any part of the stored item(s) (piece of jewelry) is within the scope of the invention. 
         [0042]    The closure cap  124  is secured to the housing  116  and rests atop the cushioned overlay  141  to maintain the secure space  154  that restricts movement of the item(s) without causing damage. The housing  116  cylindrical peripheral wall  118  is configured to receive and securely interconnect with the side cylindrical wall  128  of the closure cap  124  through fastening means  130  in the form of a treatable engagement between treads provided at an interior surface  156  of the side cylindrical wall  128  and an outer or exterior surface  158  of the peripheral wall  118 . The peripheral wall  118  includes a lower wall  160  adjacent to the bottom wall  120  and an upper wall  162  adjacent to the lower wall  160 . The upper wall  162  is offset from the lower wall  160  and has an exterior surface  158  with fastening means  130  thereon for secure interconnection with the closure cap  124  side cylindrical wall  128  interior surface  156  fastening means  130 . On the other hand, it is understood that any conventional form of the fastening means assuring a secure connection between the housing  116  and the closure cap  124  is within the scope of the invention. 
         [0043]    The closure cap  124  further includes an upper wall  126  to firmly secure the inserted valuable item(s) and prevent same from being ejected from the receiving compartment  140 . The closure cap  124  is configured to fit over the top opening of the housing  116 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the fastening means  130  in the form of a treatable engagement between treads provided at an interior surface  156  of the side cylindrical wall  128  and an exterior  158  surface of the peripheral wall  118 . In the assembled condition, after being positioned within the receiving compartment  140 , the item(s) is securely disposed within the housing  116 . 
         [0044]    To minimize weight the carrier housing  116  can be formed without the solid bottom wall  120 . Alternatively, the bottom wall  120  is constructed through a series of beams, cross-sectional arrangements or other means to interconnect the conical securement portion  139  to the cylindrical peripheral wall  118  so that the conical securement portion  139  is securely affixed to the cylindrical peripheral wall  118  of the housing  116  with the use of less materials (not illustrated). 
         [0045]    The housing  116  may include means for attaching the same to the strap members  12 ,  14  including bracket members  121  integrally extending outwardly from its outer periphery. The bracket members  121  each include an aperture  135  for receipt of the base ends  13 ,  17  of the straps  12 ,  14 . Wrist straps  12 ,  14  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) are provided to strap the housing  116  to the wrist of a user. The first strap  12  has a base end  13  and a distal end  15  with the base end  13  coupled to the bracket member  121  of the housing  116 . The first strap  12  has a plurality of apertures  15  therein. The second strap  14  has a base end  17  and a distal end  13  with the base end  17  coupled to the bracket member  121 . The first strap  12  is orientated generally opposed to the second strap  14 . The second strap  14  has a strap connector illustrated in the form of buckle or fastening means  31  thereon for selectively coupling with the apertures  15  in the first strap  12 . On the other hand, the straps can be adjustably connected by any number of conventional devices capable of securing the straps together in a removable manner. Several examples include opposing strips of hook and loop material (i.e. Velcro), magnetic elements, and compression fittings such as snaps and buttons which can be permanently secured to each end of the straps by a permanent sealer such as glue, adhesive or stitching. 
         [0046]    An exterior or outer surface  133  of the bottom wall  150  of the housing  116  is configured to make contact with the wrist of a user. The straps  12 ,  14  are preferably be constructed from a material having good elastic characteristics and configured to stretch or to be disposed around the appendage of the user to which it is ultimately attached. The resilient quality of elastic materials will thus allow the straps to be worn without exhibiting signs of continued wear. 
         [0047]    Although straps  12 ,  14  have been described above, the security carrier of the invention with a wrist band of any suitable type and material which is adapted to fit over the hand and remain in position on the wrist of the wearer is contemplated by the invention. Furthermore, the security carrier device of the present invention has been described above for wearing on a wrist of the user. However, applications of the device to other parts of human body are also contemplated. For example, the carrier including the straps can be worn over an ankle of the wearer&#39;s foot. 
         [0048]    The housing assembly is typically molded of a deformable plastic. Suitable plastic having the desired elasticity and resiliency, and being sufficiently rigid is polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, etc. The term plastic has been used herein to indicate the fact that a variety of materials such as natural or synthetic elastic and resilient plastic like materials can be utilized. 
         [0049]    The advantage of using inexpensive materials, such as various plastics is that the secure carrier arrangement of the invention can be manufactured at a price enabling the arrangement to be distributed or sold as a disposable unit. The disposable aspect of the invention not only provides convenience of modern life, but also can facilitate its use in many commercial situations such as hotels, resorts, various sport facilities, as well as to be used in medical institutional environments, when a patient goes through various tests and procedures. 
         [0050]    It has been described above that the present invention provides a lightweight, unobtrusive secure carrier arrangement that can be comfortably worn by a user during various common activities. The carrier arrangement of the invention is very economical and can be used by a common person in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. 
         [0051]    While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.