Abstract:
The present invention is a wraparound wallet made of flexible lightweight material such as nylon which is wrapped and retained around a person&#39;s arm, leg or ankle by an elastic strap which has a mating fastening member which is engaged with a mating fastening member on the body of the wraparound wallet. The body of the wallet contains internal pockets for retaining cash, credit cards, driver&#39;s licenses, and other flat objects, with the opening being closed by a fastening mean such as mating velcro members. The body also contains slits to retaining the credit cards, driver&#39;s license and other flat objects. The body also contains a pleated pocket for retaining larger objects such as keys, ipods, mp3&#39;s, eyeglasses, or any other small personal valuables and is closed with a covering flap which is retained in the closed position by fastening means such as mating velcro members.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to the field of wallets and related items to be used to carry personal accessories such as money, credit cards, driver&#39;s licenses, keys, cell phones, and related objects.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     In general, the concept of armbands and leg bands is known in the prior art. Also, wallets, purses, and related carrying items used to carry personal possessions such as keys, credit cards, driver&#39;s licenses, keys, cell phones, and related objects are also known.  
         [0005]     Wallets which are carried in the back pocket of a person&#39;s pants may cause back pain if the person sits on the wallet for an extended period of time. The wallet can also fall out of a person&#39;s pants or be picked out of a person&#39;s pocket or stolen from a lady&#39;s purse.  
         [0006]     There is a significant need for an improved device which enables a person to carry personal objects in a safe and convenient way and which overcomes the problems associated with conventional wallets.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention is a wraparound wallet made of flexible lightweight material such as nylon which is wrapped and retained around a person&#39;s arm, leg or ankle by an elastic strap which has a mating fastening member which is engaged with a mating fastening member on the body of the wraparound wallet. The body of the wallet contains internal pockets for retaining cash, credit cards, driver&#39;s licenses, and other flat objects, with the opening being closed by a fastening mean such as mating velcro members. The body also contains a pleated pocket for retaining larger objects such as keys, ipods, mp3&#39;s, eyeglasses, or any other small personal valuables and is closed with a covering flap which is retained in the closed position by fastening means such as mating velcro members.  
         [0008]     It has been discovered, according to the present invention, that if a body of a thin strip of flexible lightweight material has means to fasten the strip such as an elastic strap with fastening means thereon which mates with a corresponding fastening means on the flexible lightweight strip of material, then the lightweight strip of material can be wrapped around and retained around a body part such as an arm, ankle or leg of a person,. If the body of the thin strip of lightweight material contains a multiplicity of different retaining means for retaining flat objects such as paper money, driver&#39;s licenses, credit cards, and also retaining means for retaining larger non-flat objects such as keys, ipods, mp3 players, etc., then the thin strip of flexible lightweight material can function as a wallet to retain the objects while being safely wrapped around a person&#39;s body part such as an arm, leg or ankle.  
         [0009]     It has also been discovered, according to the present invention, that if the wraparound wallet contains no metal such as zippers or buttons, the lightweight wraparound wallet allows comfort and security especially during more mobile activities such as working out, jogging, traveling, etc.  
         [0010]     It has further been discovered, according to the present invention, that the flexible lightweight wraparound wallet when worn around a body part such as an arm, leg or ankle eliminates back pain suffered by persons who keep their wallet in their back pocket of their pants and sit on it for an extended period of time and also provides added security from pickpockets and reduces the worries of a wallet being picked out of person&#39;s pocket or slipping out of the person&#39;s pocket.  
         [0011]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a body of a thin strip of flexible lightweight material having means to fasten the body such as an elastic strap with fastening means thereon which mates with a corresponding fastening means on the body of the flexible lightweight strip of material, so that the lightweight strip of material can be wrapped around and retained around a body part such as an arm, ankle or leg of a person,. If the body of the thin strip of lightweight material contains a multiplicity of different retaining means for retaining flat objects such as paper money, driver&#39;s licenses, credit cards, and also retaining means for retaining larger non-flat objects such as keys, ipods, mp3 players, etc., then the thin strip of flexible lightweight material can function as a wallet to retain the objects while being safely wrapped around a person&#39;s body part such as an arm, leg or ankle.  
         [0012]     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a wraparound wallet which contains no metal such as zippers or buttons so that the lightweight wraparound wallet allows for comfort and security especially during more mobile activities such as working out, jogging, traveling, etc.  
         [0013]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a flexible lightweight wraparound wallet which can be worn around a body part such as an arm, leg or ankle to thereby eliminate back pain suffered by persons who keep their wallet in their back pocket of their pants and sit on it for an extended period of time and also provide added security from pickpockets and reduce the worries of a wallet being picked out of person&#39;s pocket or slipping out of the person&#39;s pocket.  
         [0014]     At the present time, it is the intent of the Applicant to sell the product under the trademark “SNAP END WRAP”. Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of the present invention wraparound wallet with the flap of the pleated pocket in the closed condition;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the present invention wraparound wallet with the flap of the pleated pocket in the open condition;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of the present invention wraparound wallet with the flap of the pleated pocket in the closed condition;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the present invention wraparound wallet with the flap of the pleated pocket in the open condition;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the present invention wraparound wallet;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the present invention wraparound wallet; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view off the present invention wraparound wallet wrapped around a body part which is an arm.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]     Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims.  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 7 , there is illustrated at  10  the present invention wraparound wallet which is comprised of a body  12  made of thin flexible lightweight material such as nylon. The body  12  is comprised of an outer or front surface  14  and back or read surface  16 , a lengthwise top edge  18 , a lengthwise bottom edge wall  20 , a rear end wall  22  and a front end wall  24 . Attached to the front end wall  24  is an elongated flexible strap member  26  having a outer or front side  28  and an inner or rear side  30 . The elongated flexible strap member  26  is comprised of an attaching section  23  which is attached to the front wall  24 , an elastic section  25  attached at one end to the opposite end of the attachment section, and a mating section  27  attached to the other end of the elastic section  25 . A first closing means or fastening member  32  is located on the front surface  14  adjacent rear end  22  and a mating first closing means or fastening member  34  is located on the mating section  27  and on the rear side  30  of the strap member  26 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the body  12  may be wrapped around a body part of a human such as an arm  100 , leg, ankle, etc. and retained thereon by mating fastening members  32  and  34  being brought into contact with each other. By way of example, each mating fasting member  32  and  34  can be hook and loop fasteners commonly known as Velcro.  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , the body  12  of the wraparound wallet  10  is organized into three widthwise sections. A first widthwise section  40  is adjacent rear end wall  22  and extends from lengthwise top end  18  to lengthwise bottom edge  20  and terminates at an interior wall  42 . An interior cavity  44  is formed within the body  12  and surrounded by rear end wall  22 , interior wall  42 , and lengthwise bottom edge  20 . The location  46  between front surface  14  and rear surface  16  at the location of lengthwise top end  18  is open in order to gain access to interior cavity  44 . The cavity  44  has a first interior surface  48  on the body portion opposite front wall  14  and a second interior surface  50  on the body portion opposite rear wall  16  to thereby form a retaining pocket  52  between walls  22 ,  42 , surfaces  48 ,  50  and bottom edge  20 . A first mating fastening member  54  is attached to surface  48  and a second mating fastening member  56  is attached to surface  50  with both mating fasting members positioned adjacent the opening  46 . The mating fastening members are hook and loop fasteners commonly known as velcro. Flat objects such as credit cards, driver&#39;s license, paper money, etc. can be retained within the cavity or pocket  44 .  
         [0026]     Positioned adjacent first widthwise section  40  is second widthwise section  60  which can either be identical to the first widthwise section  40  or larger or smaller than it. The second widthwise section  60  extends from interior wall  42  and extends from lengthwise top end  18  to lengthwise bottom edge  20  and terminates at an interior wall  62 . An interior cavity  64  is formed within the body  12  and surrounded by interior wall  42 , interior wall  62 , and lengthwise bottom edge  20 . The location  66  between front surface  14  and rear surface  16  at the location of lengthwise top end  18  is open in order to gain access to interior cavity  64 . The cavity  64  has a first interior surface  68  on the body portion opposite front wall  14  and a second interior surface  70  on the body portion opposite rear wall  16  to thereby form a retaining pocket  72  between walls  42 ,  62 , surfaces  68 ,  70  and bottom edge  20 . A first mating fastening member  74  is attached to surface  68  and a second mating fastening member  76  is attached to surface  70  with both mating fasting members positioned adjacent the opening  66 . The mating fastening members are hook and loop fasteners commonly known as velcro. Flat objects such as credit cards, driver&#39;s license, paper money, etc. can be retained within the cavity or pocket  66 .  
         [0027]     Attached to the front surface  14  at a location between interior wall  63  and the front end wall  24  is a pleated pocket  80  having a first transverse sidewall  82 , a parallel oppositely disposed second transverse sidewall  84  (see Figure) and a bottom wall  86  all attached to the outer surface  14  and of flexible pleated configuration so that it can expand outwardly from outer wall  14 . A front wall  88  is attached to first transverse sidewall  82 , second transverse sidewall  84  and bottom wall  86 . An interior pocket  90  is thereby formed and surrounded by outer wall  14 , first transverse sidewall  82 , second transverse sidewall  84  bottom wall  86  and front wall  88 . A closing flap  92  is positioned adjacent lengthwise top edge  18 . Two mating fastening members, a first mating fastening member  94  and a second spaced apart mating fastening member  95  are attached to front wall  88  and a third mating fastening member  96  is attached to the interior of closing flap  92  so that the interior pocket  90  can be closed. The fastening member  94 ,  95  and  96  are hook and loop fasteners commonly known as Velcro. The interior pocket  90  of the pleated pocket  80  can retain non-flat objects such as keys, ipods, Mp3 players, etc. When closed with only flat objects within the pocket or if the pocket is empty, mating fasteners  94  and  96  are joined. When filled with non-flat objects such as several keys, coins, or objects such that sidewalls  82  and  84  are expanded, then fastening members  95  and  96  are joined.  
         [0028]     By way of example only, the height “H” of the body can be approximately 3 to 4 inches, the width WS 1  of first section  40  and WS 2  of second section  60  can each be approximately 2.5 to 3 inches, the width WB of he body can be 1/16th of an inch, and the overall length from end wall  22  to the end of strap  26  can be approximately 10 inches so 17 inches. It will be appreciated that these dimensions are only illustrative of one embodiment of the present invention. It is the intent of the Applicant to have an adult size, a child size, and perhaps an intermediate teenage size, as well as having variations in sizes for both men and women and boys and girls.  
         [0029]     Therefore, through use of the present invention, a person can safely retain valuable objects while jogging, walking, working out etc. by having the objects retained in the pockets of the wraparound wall  10  and having the wraparound wall retained around a body part such as an arm, leg or ankle.  
         [0030]     Defined in great detail, the present invention is a wraparound wallet to be retained around a part of a human body, comprising: (a) a body made of thin flexible lightweight material, the body having a front surface, a rear surface, a lengthwise top edge, a lengthwise bottom edge, a rear wall and a parallel oppositely disposed front wall; (b) an elongated flexible strap attached to the front wall of the body and having a front side aligned with the front surface of the body and a rear side aligned with the rear surface of the body and further having an elastic section and a mating section attached to the elastic section, a first fastening member located on the front surface of the body and located adjacent the rear wall and a second mating fastening member located on the rear side of the mating section of the elongated flexible strap, so that when the two mating fastening members are joined, an enclosed area is formed by the rear surface of the body and a portion of the rear side of the strap to enable the body and strap to be retained around a body part of a human in the formed area; (c) the body having a first widthwise section located adjacent the rear wall and extending to a first interior wall within the body, the first widthwise section having an opening at the top lengthwise edge of the body which opening extends into an interior pocket formed by a first interior surface opposite the front surface, a second interior surface opposite the rear surface, a portion of the lower widthwise edge, the end wall and the interior wall, a first fastening member located on the first interior surface adjacent to the opening and a second mating fastening member located on the interior second surface adjacent to the opening so that when the fastening members are joined together, the interior pocket is closed so that flat objects can be retained within the interior pocket; (d) the body having a second widthwise section located adjacent the first interior wall and extending to a second interior wall within the body, the second widthwise section having an opening at the top lengthwise edge of the body which opening extends into an interior pocket formed by a first interior surface opposite the front surface, a second interior surface opposite the rear surface, a portion of the lower widthwise edge, the first interior wall and the second interior wall, a first fastening member located on the first interior surface adjacent to the opening and a second mating fastening member located on the second interior surface adjacent to the opening so that when the fastening members are joined together, the interior pocket is closed so that flat objects can be retained within the interior pocket; and (e) an exterior pleated pocket located on the front surface between a first interior wall and the front end wall, the pocket having a first transverse sidewall, a parallel oppositely disposed second transverse sidewall, a bottom wall and a front wall having a front surface and a rear surface, the pocket formed by the first and second transverse sidewalls, the bottom wall and the front wall with an opening adjacent the lengthwise top edge, a flap having located adjacent the lengthwise top edge and having a front surface and a rear surface member, a first fastening members located on the front surface and a spaced apart second fastening member located on the front surface, and a third fastening member located on the rear surface of the flap, so that the flap is closed by joining the first and third fastening members when the exterior pocket is empty or thin objects are retained within the exterior pocket and the exterior pocket is closed by joining the second and third fastening members when bulky objects are retained within the exterior pocket.  
         [0031]     Defined in detail, the present invention is a wraparound wallet to be retained around a part of a human body, comprising: (a) a body having a front surface, a rear surface, a lengthwise top edge, a lengthwise bottom edge, a rear wall and a parallel oppositely disposed front wall; (b) an elongated flexible strap attached to the front wall of the body and having a front side and a rear side and further having an elastic section and a mating section attached to the elastic section, a first fastening member located on the front surface of the body and a second mating fastening member located on the rear side of the mating section of the elongated flexible strap, so that when the two mating fastening members are joined, an enclosed area is formed by the rear surface of the body and a portion of the rear side of the strap to enable the body and strap to be retained around a body part of a human in the formed area; (c) the body having at least one widthwise section located within the body and having first and second spaced apart parallel transverse walls extending from the top lengthwise edge to the bottom lengthwise edge, and having an opening at the top lengthwise edge of the body which opening extends into an interior pocket formed by a first interior surface opposite the front surface, a second interior surface opposite the rear surface, a portion of the lower widthwise edge, and the two transverse walls, and fastening means within the interior pocket to enable the interior pocket to be closed so that flat objects can be retained within the pocket; and (d) an exterior pocket located on the front surface at a location spaced apart from the at least one interior pocket, the exterior pocket having a first transverse sidewall, a parallel oppositely disposed second transverse sidewall, a bottom wall and a front wall having a front surface and a rear surface, the pocket formed by the first and second transverse sidewalls, the bottom wall and the front wall with an opening adjacent the lengthwise top edge, a flap located adjacent the lengthwise top edge and having a front surface and a rear surface, the front surface of the front wall having at least one fastening member and the flap having a mating fastening member on at least one of its surfaces so that when the mating fastening members are joined, the exterior pocket is closed and can retain objects therein.  
         [0032]     Defined broadly, the present invention is a wraparound wallet comprising: (a) a body having a front surface, a rear surface, a lengthwise top edge, a lengthwise bottom edge, a rear wall and a parallel oppositely disposed front wall; (b) an elongated strap attached adjacent to the front wall of the body and having at least one surface with a fastening member thereon, at least one surface of the body having a mating fastening member thereon, so that when the two mating fastening members are joined, an enclosed area is formed by at least one surface of the body and a portion of the strap to enable the body and strap to be retained around a body part of a human in the formed area; (c) the body having at least one widthwise section located within the body and having first and second spaced apart parallel transverse walls extending from adjacent the top lengthwise edge to adjacent the bottom lengthwise edge, and having an opening at the top lengthwise edge of the body which opening extends into an interior pocket formed by a first interior surface opposite the front surface, a second interior surface opposite the rear surface, a portion of the lower widthwise edge, and the two transverse walls, and fastening members to enable the interior pocket to be closed so that objects can be retained within the pocket.  
         [0033]     Defined alternatively broadly, the present invention is a wraparound wallet comprising: (a) a body having a front surface, a rear surface, a lengthwise top edge, a lengthwise bottom edge, a rear wall and a parallel oppositely disposed front wall; (b) an elongated strap attached adjacent to the front wall of the body and having at least one surface with a fastening member thereon, at least one surface of the body having a mating fastening member thereon, so that when the two mating fastening members are joined, an enclosed area is formed by at least one surface of the body and a portion of the strap to enable the body and strap to be retained around a body part of a human in the formed area; and (c) an exterior pocket located on the front surface, the exterior pocket having first and second transverse sidewalls, a bottom wall and a front wall, the exterior pocket formed by the first and second transverse sidewalls, the bottom wall and the front wall with an opening adjacent the lengthwise top edge, a flap located adjacent the lengthwise top edge, the exterior pocket having at least one fastening member and the flap having a mating fastening member so that when the mating fastening members are joined, the exterior pocket is closed and can retain objects therein.  
         [0034]     Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated.