Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1 HOLDER ASSEMBLY FOR CURRENCY, CREDIT CARDS AND LIKE OBJECTS
2
3 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
4 Claim of Priority
The present application is a continuation-in-part application
6 of previously filed, now pending application having Serial No.
7 11/416,965, filed on May 3, 2006 incorporated herein by reference.
8
9 Field of the Invention
A holder assembly comprising an elongated band formed of a
11 plurality of segments movably interconnected and selectively
12 disposable from a normally contracted orientation into an expanded
13 orientation, wherein the overall size and structure of the band is
14 such as to surround and retain paper money, other types of currency
and a variety of cards including, but not limited to, credit,
16 identification and business cards, as well as other objects.
17
18 DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
19 Devices specifically intended to hold and/or retain money, in
particular paper currency, have been known and utilized for many
21 years. In perhaps their most simplistic form, money holders may
22 comprise an elastic or "rubber" band having sufficient dimension
23 and elasticity to surround folded paper currency and the like.
24 Besides the relatively unappealing aesthetic properties of such an
elastic band type of money holder, the reliability of such
1
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1 structures is questionable, especially when access to the retained
2 currency is a frequent occurrence throughout the day. Other common
3 types of money holding devices include money clips typically formed
4 from a single piece of relatively flexible material, such as metal,
plastic or a variety of other appropriate materials. Moreover,
6 conventional money clips have been known to be made from silver,
7 gold or other precious metals. Also common to conventional money
8 clips or like holders is the inclusion of numerous fanciful designs
9 and decorative dress including decorative structure such as coins,
jewels, scripted plates, etc. When using such conventional
11 structures the currency is typically folded and placed into a gap
12 defined by the overall structure of the flexible money clip. One
13 frequently recognized disadvantage of known money clips is the
14 relative small quantity of currency and/or credit cards which may
be inserted within the retaining gap without permanently deforming
16 it. Such deformation of the money clip would of course render it
17 unreliable or at worst, useless for the express purpose of
18 containing folded currency, in the manner described above.
19 Perhaps the most commonly recognized advantage of money clips
and other types of money holders is the ability to allow the user
21 to carry the retained currency in a relatively small area such as
22 the pants or jacket pockets or other conveniently small but readily
23 accessible areas. Such convenient dimensioning of known money
24 holders overcomes disadvantages and problems associated with
carrying money, credit cards and like currency in wallets,
2
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1 pocketbooks, purses, etc. While wallets or pocketbooks are still
2 in common use, the ability to easily and quickly access folded
3 currency and/or credit cards contained therein becomes problematic.
4 While money clips and other types of holders, of the type set
forth, above are no longer as popular as in years past, the
6 decreased use of such structures may possibly be attributable
7 directly to the increased use of credit cards. The growth in the
8 use of credit cards and other types of card structures, such as ATM
9 cards, smart cards, etc, has resulted in the need for a means of
conveniently and securely carrying one or more of such cards on the
11 person of an individual. Further, the popularity of money clips is
12 more specifically attributable to the fact that both currency and
13 a plurality of credit cards can not be effectively and/or reliably
14 retained by conventional money clips of the types described above.
In addition, while money clips may have been considered a
16 convenient and efficient way to retain paper currency, they are not
17 as effective for the purpose in carrying credit cards, driver
18 licenses of other identification cards of the type set forth above.
19 Currently, as well as in the near future, electronic or
"smart" card technology will advance to the point where the amount
21 of paper currency an individual usually carries may be
22 significantly reduced. However, it is believed that an improved
23 currency holder assembly would still be desired, as long as it
24 overcomes the problems of the type set forth above. Therefore,
there is a growing and significant need for an effective and
3
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1 efficient holder assembly structured to retain currency in the form
2 of paper currency, credit cards, smart cards, ATM cards as well as
3 identification cards such as a driver license and the like.
4 Further, such a proposed currency holder assembly should have the
structural and operative versatility to accommodate currency and/or
6 credit cards of an increased size, thereby enabling a user to carry
7 a plurality of such credit and/or identification cards currently
8 with paper currency in an efficient and effective manner. Also,
9 the structural reliability of a proposed and preferred currency
holder assembly should be assured by forming it from a durable
11 material, such as metal or a variety of other materials. Finally,
12 a proposed holder assembly should also demonstrate sufficient
13 versatility to be highly decorative and/or aesthetically pleasing
14 in that the material of the components from which it is formed may
be either expensive or inexpensive and may be produced to include
16 highly decorative features or other adornments similar to but
17 distinguishable from the aforementioned money clips structures.
18
19 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a holder assembly for
21 paper currency, credit cards and other types of currency as well as
22 various types of identification cards, transaction cards or like
23 purpose cards similar in structure, configuration and dimension to
24 conventional credit cards. Accordingly, as used herein the term
"currency" is meant to be broadly interpreted and include, but not
4
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1 be limited to, paper money, credit cards and other commonly
2 negotiable instruments, as well as cards or like devices which are
3 not directly associated with the conducting of a financial
4 transaction.
More specifically, the holder assembly comprises an elongated
6 band which may assume a closed, continuous configuration and be
7 otherwise structured to surround and thereby retain the currency
8 and/or credit cards. Such an operative, retaining position of the
9 band is facilitated by the band being structured from a plurality
of movably interconnected segments. Depending upon the specific
11 preferred embodiments utilized, the interconnected segments may
12 extend along at least a portion or substantially the entire length
13 of the band.
14 Further, a connecting assembly is cooperatively disposed and
structured to movably interconnect the plurality of segments, such
16 that adjacent ones of the segments are movable relative to one
17 another. This movable interconnection of the plurality of segments
18 allows the band to be selectively disposed in either an expanded
19 orientation or a contracted orientation. As should be apparent
when in the expanded orientation, at least some of the plurality of
21 segments are disposed in a spaced relation to one another. In
22 contrast, the contracted orientation of the plurality of segments
23 has them disposed in a more closely adjacent relation to one
24 another. The contracted orientation may be further defined by the
plurality of segments having their longitudinal edges or sides
5
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1 confronting the longitudinal edges or sides of the next adjacent
2 segments along some or all of the length of the band.
3 It should be apparent that when in the expanded position, the
4 overall size of the band, such as when it assumes its normally
continuous, closed configuration, is enlarged to accommodate the
6 surrounding, retaining engagement with currency having greater bulk
7 or dimension. When in the contracted orientation, the overall
8 dimension of the band is reduced so as to provide a snug, close
9 fitting, surrounding engagement of the retained currency.
Accordingly, the connecting assembly is cooperatively structured
11 with the plurality of movable interconnected segments so as to
12 normally bias the band into the contracted orientation. Therefore,
13 when the band is first or repeatedly applied in its operative,
14 surrounding relation to the currency being retained, it is
purposely enlarged into its expanded orientation. In so doing, the
16 band is efficiently positioned about the currency in retaining
17 relation thereto. Thereafter, the normal biasing of the plurality
18 of movably interconnected segments into the contracted orientation
19 will serve to automatically reduce the size of the band, typically
to the size of the currency being retained, such that a snug,
21 retaining engagement of the band relative to the currency is
22 established.
23 It is emphasized that the connecting assembly may comprise a
24 variety of different structures each of which are operative to
movably interconnect the plurality of segments. Further, such
6
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1 movable interconnection, thus enable the ability of the plurality
2 of segments to be selectively movable relative to one another in
3 terms of separation such that disposition of the band between the
4 expanded orientation and the contracted orientation may be easily
and quickly accomplished. However, regardless of the specific
6 embodiment of the connecting assembly, its structural and operative
7 features should be such as to accomplish a normal biasing of the
8 band into the aforementioned contracted orientation so as to
9 automatically establish the intended surrounding, retaining
engagement of the band about the paper money, credit cards and
11 other types of currency, identification cards or like objects being
12 retained by the band of the holder assembly.
13 At least one preferred embodiment of the holder assembly of
14 the present invention further comprises a coupling assembly
connected to the band. Moreover the structure of the coupling
16 assembly should be such as to allow a variance in the overall
17 length of the band. Moreover, the closed configuration assumed by
18 the band may be increased or otherwise adjusted to accommodate
19 retention of different quantities and/or sizes of currency, credit
cards, etc. As such, the coupling assembly may assume a buckle,
21 snap plate or other appropriate type of closure structured to
22 facilitate adjustment of the overall length of the band. Such an
23 adjustment may include an increase or decrease in the length
24 thereof, when the coupling assembly is selectively disposed in a
first operative position or in a second operative position.
7
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1 Therefore, appropriate manipulation of the coupling assembly will
2 facilitate adjustment of the length of the band whether in its
3 expanded orientation or its contracted orientation.
4 An additional feature incorporated into at least one preferred
embodiment of the present invention is the provision of a display
6 structure more specifically defined by a display field having an
7 exposed surface. The display field may be connected along the
8 length of the band or alternatively may be connected to or
9 otherwise associated with the coupling assembly in its various
structural and operative forms. Regardless of the location or
11 specific structural features of the display field, the included
12 exposed surface may be disposed and structured to incorporate any
13 of a variety of different, predetermined indicia thereon. Such
14 indicia may include, but not limited to, a variety of artistic
and/or decorative elements, logos, trade names, individual names or
16 initials, as well as any type of personal message or the like.
17 These and other objects, features and advantages of the
18 present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as
19 the detailed description are taken into consideration.
21 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
22 For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present
23 invention, reference should be had to the following detailed
24 description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which:
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1 Figure 1 is a perspective view of the holder assembly of the
2 present invention in an operative position surrounding and
3 retaining various forms of currency.
4 Figure 2 is a perspective view of the holder assembly of the
embodiment of Figures 1 disposed out of its operative position in
6 retaining relation to currency but in a contracted orientation.
7 Figure 3 is a front view in partial cutaway representing the
8 holder assembly of the present invention in an expanded
9 orientation.
Figure 4 is a front perspective view in partial cutaway
11 including a coupling assembly and associated display structure and
12 display field exposed exteriorly of the holder assembly.
13 Figure 5 is an interior perspective view of the embodiment of
14 Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
16 coupling assembly.
17 Figure 7 is a side view of still another embodiment of the
18 coupling assembly.
19 Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
several views of the drawings.
21
22 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
23 As represented in the accompanying drawings, the present
24 invention is directed to a holder assembly generally indicated as
10 for paper money, credit cards, other forms of currency,
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1 identification cards and the like all generally indicated as 20.
2 Accordingly, as used herein the term "currency" is meant to be
3 broadly interpreted and include, but not be limited to, paper
4 money, credit cards, smart cards as well as other types of cards
and commonly negotiable instruments.
6 More specifically, the holder assembly 10 comprises an
7 elongated band 12 which includes or is at least partially defined
8 by a plurality of segments 14 extending along a majority or in some
9 preferred embodiments along substantially the entire length of the
band 12. In addition, the plurality of segments 14 are movably
11 interconnected by a connecting assembly generally indicated as 16
12 and comprising a plurality of connecting links or like structures
13 18. The connecting assembly 16 serves to selectively and movably
14 interconnect the plurality of segments 14 in a manner which
facilitates movement of each segment 14 relative to the next
16 adjacent segment 14 as should be apparent form a review of Figures
17 4 and 6. Accordingly, the connecting assembly 16 and in particular
18 the plurality of connecting links 18 are cooperatively structured
19 with the plurality of movable segments 14 so as to allow movement
of the plurality of segments 14 relative to one another and
21 specifically relative to the next adjacent segments 14. As such,
22 the band 12 is selectively disposable between an expanded position
23 as represented in Figure 3 and a contracted position as represented
24 in Figures 2, 4 and 5. Further, the cooperative structuring between
the connecting assembly 16, including the plurality of connecting
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1 links 18, and the plurality of segments 14 is such as to normally
2 bias a plurality of segments 14 along at least a portion of the
3 band 12 into the contracted orientation, such as represented in
4 Figures 1 and 2 4 and 5.
When it is desired to enlarge the band 12 into the expanded
6 orientation, some or all of the plurality of segments 14 may be
7 spaced apart in at least partially separated relation to one
8 another. Alternatively at least some of the segments 14 may be
9 separated as demonstrated in Figure 3 while others of the plurality
of segments 14 of band 12 may still in a be substantially
11 contracted orientation. Accordingly, when in the contracted
12 orientation some or all of the plurality of segments 14 may be more
13 specifically described as having their longitudinal sides or edges
14 14' disposed in engagement with one another, or at least
immediately adjacent and/or confronting relation to one another as
16 clearly demonstrated in Figures 2, 3 and 5. Therefore, while some
17 of the plurality of segments 14 may be separated into the preferred
18 expanded orientation, others of the plurality of segments 14 may be
19 concurrently disposed in the contracted orientation. The degree of
expansion or contraction is therefore determined by the user of the
21 holder assembly 10, when it is disposed about or otherwise
22 operatively positioned in surrounding, retaining relation to the
23 currency 20.
24 Yet another feature of at least one preferred embodiment of
the present invention is the provision of a coupling assembly
11
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1 generally indicated as 24, 24' and 24". The coupling assembly 24,
2 24' and 24" are in the form of a buckle, fold over snap plate
3 structure or any of a variety of appropriate coupling structures or
4 devices. However, common to any of the possible embodiments of the
coupling assembly is the ability to adjust the overall length of
6 the band 12 such that the longitudinal dimension thereof, whether
7 in the contracted or expanded orientation, may be increased or
8 otherwise varied. Such an intended change in the longitudinal
9 dimension of the band 12 facilitates the positioning of the band 12
in its operative, surrounding and retaining relation to currency
11 20, regardless of the bulk or overall size of the currency 20.
12 This ability lends significantly greater versatility to the holder
13 assembly 10 which is typically not available in money clips or
14 other money holders of the type conventionally known.
Further, the coupling assembly 24' and 24", in at least one
16 embodiment, may be secured to opposite free ends of the band 12 as
17 at 15 and 17. Therefore, the free ends 15 and 17 in at least one
18 preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as represented
19 in Figures 2, 6 and 7 may be removably connected to one another
such that the band 12 would not be disposed in a closed, continuous
21 configuration. Of course, the coupling assembly 24 can be located
22 at various portions along the length of the band 12 and may be
23 fixedly connected to the band portions 15' and 17'. By way of
24 example, the coupling assembly 24 can be located at any point along
the length of the band 12. When so positioned, the coupling
12
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1 assembly 24 is cooperatively structured with the plurality of
2 segments 14 as well as the connecting assembly 16 to facilitate
3 adjusting the length of the band 12. Moreover, a user of the
4 coupling assembly 20 and/or 20' may increase the overall length of
the band 12 when such is necessary to operatively position the band
6 12 in surrounding relation to an increased quantity of currency 20.
7 With primary reference to Figure 4 and 5, yet another
8 embodiment of the present invention comprises the coupling assembly
9 24 having a display field generally indicated as 26 connected
thereto. The display field 26 and more specifically an outer
11 exposed surface 28 is disposed on an outer or exterior portion of
12 the band 12 such that it may readily observed. Further, the
13 display field 26 and in particular the exterior or exposed surface
14 28 may be structured to include predetermined indicia. Such
indicia may vary significantly in content and include various
16 artistic and/or decorative elements, as well as logos, trade names,
17 personal identification or initials, messages, inscriptions, etc.
18 Accordingly, in the embodiment of Figure 4 the coupling assembly
19 24 is primarily located on the exterior of the band 12 to
facilitate viewing of the exposed surface 28 of the display field
21 26. However, in the embodiment of Figure 2, the coupling assembly
22 24' is at least partially or primarily disposed in an unexposed
23 position on the interior of the band 12. When the coupling
24 assembly 24' is relatively positioned in an unexposed position as
demonstrated in Figure 2, the display field 26 and exposed surface
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1 may be located on the band 12 other than in direct association with
2 the coupling assembly 24.
3 Therefore, the various preferred embodiments of the currency
4 holder assembly 10 of the present invention overcomes many of the
disadvantages and problems associated with money holders, money
6 clips and like structures which are conventionally known and
7 structured. Further, the currency holder assembly 10 of the
8 present invention may be highly decorative by having at least the
9 plurality of segments 14 formed a variety of different materials
including precious and non-precious metals, plastic, various
11 composite or other types of synthetic materials and may also
12 include additional decorative ornamentation which may be placed at
13 various locations along the band 12 and/or on or in direct
14 association with the display field 26, and/or the outer, exposed
surface 28, associated therewith. However, the versatility of the
16 currency holder assembly 10 is such that the material from which
17 the plurality of segments 14, the connecting assembly 16 and/or the
18 coupling assembly 24 are formed may be relatively inexpensive yet
19 sufficiently durable to provide a long operable life of the
currency holder assembly 10.
21 Looking specifically to the embodiments of figures 6 and 7, a
22 hook and bar adjustable clasp mechanism can be employed as the
23 coupling assembly 24". For example, one of the free ends 17 may
24 include a series of retaining bars 30, as in Figure 6, or a series
of hook elements 31 as in Figure 7, disposed at spaced intervals to
14
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1 define different fastening positions, and conversely concealed at
2 an underside of the display field 26 may be corresponding mating
3 structure such as hook element 31' illustrated in Figure 6, or the
4 retaining bar 30' illustrated in Figure 7. In this manner the
currency holder assembly can be effectively closed into an
6 operative orientation, however the tightness of that closure around
7 the articles to be secured can be easily varied to correspond to
8 the thickness of those articles to be secured. This provides a
9 significant advantage over more complex adjustment structures that
are not intended to be varied on a routine basis. Further, it bears
11 note that the embodiments of Figures 6 and 7 are intended to be
12 illustrative, it being understood that if desired the multiple
13 fastening points can be maintained beneath the display field 26
14 instead of at free end 17 as illustrated. Moreover, a variety of
other easily adjustable clasp mechanisms can be employed wherein a
16 series of fastening points are provided for selective securement by
17 a user in response to the demands of the articles to be held.
18 Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can
19 be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it
is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown
21 in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not
22 in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be
23 determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
24 Now that the invention has been described,
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