U.S. patent application number 10/050620 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-17 for retractable identification holder and methods of using same.
Invention is credited to Small, George H..
Application Number | 20030132132 10/050620 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21966335 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030132132 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Small, George H. |
July 17, 2003 |
Retractable identification holder and methods of using same
Abstract
A retractable card carrying holder is provided for retention of
identification cards, particularly for use when traveling through
security checkpoints. The photo ID card(s) can be disposed within a
transparent sleeve which is attached by a retractable tether to an
opaque enclosure into which it is operatively associated, which
enclosure includes a clip or other fastener operatively associated
thereto to clip onto a belt, backpack, luggage, a wearer, or other
clothing. Preferably, at least one of the sleeve or the enclosure
is sufficiently non-deformable to inhibit or avoid damage to the
card(s). Methods using the card(s) are also included.
Inventors: |
Small, George H.; (Colton,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WINSTON & STRAWN
PATENT DEPARTMENT
1400 L STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-3502
US
|
Family ID: |
21966335 |
Appl. No.: |
10/050620 |
Filed: |
January 16, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/449 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/182 20130101;
A45C 2001/067 20130101; A45F 5/004 20130101; A45F 5/021 20130101;
A45F 2200/055 20130101; A45C 13/42 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/449 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/48 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A retractable identification-card holder comprising: a
transparent sleeve that is configured and dimensioned to receive
one or more identification cards; an opaque enclosure having an
interior that is configured and dimensioned to removably store the
sleeve and the one or more cards therein; a retraction mechanism
that is operatively associated with the sleeve and the enclosure
without damaging the one or more cards to facilitate the return of
the sleeve and the one or more cards to the enclosure after being
displayed by a user; and at least one fastener operatively
associated with the enclosure to attach the card holder to the
user; wherein at least one of the sleeve or the enclosure is
sufficiently non-deformable to inhibit or avoid damage to the one
or more cards.
2. The holder of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is fastened in a
fixed position on at least one of: a part of the user, a piece of
clothing on the user, a backpack, a purse, a briefcase, a pouch, a
money belt, a suitcase, or a combination thereof.
3. The holder of claim 2, wherein the enclosure is wearable and is
fastened on a belt, belt buckle, belt loop, or around a user's
neck.
4. The holder of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener
comprises a hook and loop type closure, a clip, a cord, or a
combination thereof sufficient to securely fasten the holder to the
desired fixed position.
5. The holder of claim 1, wherein the retraction mechanism
comprises a spring-loaded reel assembly.
6. The holder of claim 5, wherein the reel assembly is disposed
inside the enclosure and the retraction mechanism comprises a
flexible tether connected at one end to the reel assembly and at
the other end to the sleeve, the card, or both, and is arranged to
be selectively extended from an opening in the enclosure and
retracted into a position wound around the reel assembly after
being temporarily removed.
7. The holder of claim 1, wherein the flexible tether comprises a
string, a cord, a line, flexible tape, metal chain, or a
combination thereof.
8. The holder of claim 7, wherein the flexible tether comprises a
line having at least one thread or filament and comprising a
polyamide polymer.
9. The holder of claim 6, wherein the flexible tether is attached
at the other end to the sleeve by a split ring device therein and
further comprising at least one additional sleeve to store and
display at least one of the one or more identification cards.
10. The holder of claim 1, wherein the card holder is configured
and dimensioned to store only a single identification card.
11. The holder of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is sufficiently
non-deformable and the sleeve is deformable.
12. The holder of claim 11, wherein the enclosure is made of metal
comprising stainless steel, tin, bronze, brass, aluminum, or a
combination thereof.
13. The holder of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is sufficiently
opaque to avoid viewing any information on the one or more cards
while in the enclosure.
14. The holder of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is sufficiently
opaque to avoid viewing any information on any of the cards while
in the enclosure and the sleeve is transparent to permit viewing of
the card therein once the sleeve is temporarily removed from the
enclosure.
15. The holder of claim 1, wherein the enclosure has no lid and a
permanent opening in an upward facing direction to facilitate
frequent removal and retraction of the sleeve and each card with
the opening configured and dimensioned to minimize inadvertent
removal of the sleeve and each card from the enclosure.
16. An identification-card holder comprising: a transparent sleeve
that is configured and dimensioned to receive one or more
identification cards; an opaque enclosure having an interior that
is configured and dimensioned to store the sleeve and the one or
more cards therein and having a pivotably openable portion to
display one or more cards; and at least one fastener operatively
associated with the enclosure to attach the card holder to a user
or their clothing; wherein at least one of the sleeve or the
enclosure is sufficiently non-deformable to inhibit or avoid damage
to each card.
17. The holder of claim 16, wherein the pivotably openable portion
comprises a hinge across the top or bottom of the holder and a
portion of the enclosure that covers the one or more identification
cards and opens the enclosure to an open state to permit viewing of
the one or more cards.
18. The holder of claim 16, wherein the pivotably openable portion
comprises a spring mechanism arranged to return the openable
portion to a closed state to inhibit viewing of the one or more
cards.
19. A method of displaying an identification card comprising:
providing one or more identification cards retained in a
transparent article which is retractably disposed in an opaque
article attached to the user or the user's clothing; removing the
transparent article having the one or more cards retained therein
from the opaque article; and displaying the transparent article so
as to see at least one of the one or more identification cards.
20. The method of claim 19, which further comprises retracting the
transparent article into the opaque article to prohibit undesired
viewing of the one or more cards therein.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a retractable identification-card
case including a transparent sleeve for holding one or more
identification cards that are retractably disposed in an opaque
enclosure or is disposed in a pivotably openable enclosure, as well
as methods of displaying identification cards using the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Clearing security checkpoints has become more burdensome
when traveling in the current era of heightened security, as
identification cards must be shown frequently. In particular,
airport security requires travelers to display identification cards
a plurality of times before boarding an aircraft. Various devices
exist for holding and/or displaying cards or information of one
kind or another, including the following.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 1,699,865 discloses a leather article carrier
or holder used for carrying keys having an outside pocket for a
driver's license card, a central portion with a backing and
reinforcing plate to prevent collapsing of the holder and bending
or distortion of the card.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 3,677,154 discloses an identification card and
holder in the form of an apertured sheet of material carrying a
holographic transparency at a perforation for holding data such as
a fingerprint, and a holder in the form of an envelope with
apertures.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,690 discloses a medical identification,
information, and emergency medication packet for wearing or
carrying by a patient that includes a preferably transparent
envelope, a foldable information card slidably inserted in the
envelope, and a frame within the card so as to house a dosage
quantity of a desired medication.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,001 discloses a case for protecting
collectible articles including photographs and baseball cards. The
case includes a base and a cover, preferably both constructed from
transparent elastic material, that have interlocking components to
snap fit together.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,215 discloses a carrying case for
business cards and the like that is removably securable to a piece
of material. The case includes a body having first and second side
members having a cavity therebetween sized to receive cards, and an
element that projects from an interior surface opposite a slot for
constricting the cavity width to maintain the cards in the
case.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,913 discloses a separate sub-wallet
incorporated within a conventional wallet that can be removed and
used when the flull wallet is unneeded. The sub-wallet can include
identification papers in the credit card compartment. A side edge
compartment can have a transparent outer panel to permit visibility
therein, and a form of identification such as a driver's license
can be observed without requiring removal from the wallet.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,619 discloses a transparent plastic case
for protective long term storage of sports cards, including front
and rear panels cohesively sealed to enclose a sports and a
documentation card.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,810 discloses a holder for protectively
displaying flat objects using a jacket formed from two rectangular
sheets of semi-rigid transparent plastic and sealed along three
edges. The holder is received and displayed within a pouch-like
retainer member having a centered display aperture.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,749 discloses a safety card case for
retaining machine readable cards in an enclosure having an openable
access, which cards are fastened to the end of a flexible tether
that is attached at the other end to a spring loaded reel assembly
mounted in a the back portion of the card case enclosure.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,010 discloses a multi-purpose holding
device to efficiently removably maintain a plurality of cards and
other documents, which device includes an overall rectangular
configuration having a base wall with channels on one side for
removably receiving cards and a stop means for prevent stored items
from falling.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,294 discloses a card carrying case
including a U-shaped housing and an insert for insertion therein
and a belt clip for mounting the case on a belt.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,003 discloses a system for protecting
collectible cards and the like using a transparent, sealed card
holder to hold the card and an authentication certificate and to
prevent removal thereof. A light impervious pouch receives the card
holder to protect against fading. The pouch includes a transparent
window to view the certificate, and a flap covers the opening in
the pouch into which the card holder is inserted.
[0015] Despite the variety of holders and display devices, nothing
available provides sufficient protection and ease of use for the
modern-day traveler, particularly when passing airport security
checkpoints. Thus, it is desired to provide an improved article and
method for displaying identification when traveling from one place
to another.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The invention relates to a retractable identification-card
holder including a transparent sleeve that is configured and
dimensioned to receive one or more identification cards, an opaque
enclosure having an interior that is configured and dimensioned to
removably store the sleeve and card(s) therein, a retraction
mechanism that is operatively associated with the sleeve and the
enclosure without damaging the card(s) to facilitate the return of
the sleeve and card(s) to the enclosure after being displayed by a
user, and at least one fastener operatively associated with the
enclosure to attach the card holder to the user, wherein at least
one of the sleeve or the enclosure is sufficiently non-deformable
to inhibit or avoid damage to the card(s).
[0017] In one embodiment, the enclosure is fastened in a fixed
position on at least one of a part of the user, a piece of clothing
on the user, a backpack, a purse, a briefcase, a pouch, a money
belt, a suitcase, or a combination thereof. In a preferred
embodiment, the enclosure is wearable and is fastened on a belt,
belt buckle, belt loop, or around a user's neck. The at least one
fastener preferably includes a hook and loop type closure, a clip,
a cord, or a combination thereof sufficient to securely fasten the
holder to the desired fixed position.
[0018] In one embodiment, the retraction mechanism includes a
spring-loaded reel assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the reel
assembly is disposed inside the enclosure and the retraction
mechanism includes a flexible tether connected at one end to the
reel assembly and at the other end to the sleeve, the card, or
both, and is arranged to be selectively extended from an opening in
the enclosure and retracted into a position wound around the reel
assembly after being temporarily removed. In a more preferred
embodiment, when used the tether is attached to the sleeve and not
the card. In one embodiment, the flexible tether includes a string,
a cord, a line, flexible tape, metal chain, or a combination
thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible tether includes a
line having at least one thread or filament and comprising a
polyamide polymer. In yet another preferred embodiment, the
flexible tether is attached at the other end to the sleeve by a
split ring device therein. Preferably, the invention further
includes at least one additional sleeve to store and display at
least one of the one or more identification cards separately from
the card(s) in the transparent sleeve.
[0019] In one embodiment, the card holder is configured and
dimensioned to store a single identification card. In a preferred
embodiment, the holder is configured and dimensioned to store a
photo identification card, preferably a government-issued photo
identification card. In a preferred embodiment, the enclosure is
sufficiently non-deformable and the sleeve is deformable. In a more
preferred embodiment, the enclosure is made of metal and includes
stainless steel, tin, bronze, brass, aluminum, or a combination
thereof. Preferably, the enclosure is sufficiently opaque to avoid
viewing any information on the card(s) while in the enclosure. In a
more preferred embodiment, the enclosure is sufficiently opaque to
avoid viewing any information on the card(s) while in the enclosure
and the sleeve is transparent to permit viewing of the card(s)
therein once the sleeve is temporarily removed from the enclosure.
In one preferred embodiment, the enclosure has no lid and a
permanent opening lid in an upward facing direction to facilitate
frequent removal and retraction of the sleeve and card(s) with the
opening configured and dimensioned to minimize inadvertent removal
of the sleeve and card(s) from the enclosure.
[0020] The invention also relates to an identification-card holder
including a transparent sleeve that is configured and dimensioned
to receive one or more identification cards, an opaque enclosure
having an inside that is configured and dimensioned to store the
sleeve and card(s) therein and having a pivotably openable portion
to display the one or more cards, and at least one fastener
operatively associated with the enclosure to attach the card holder
to a user or their clothing, wherein at least one of the sleeve or
the enclosure is sufficiently non-deformable to inhibit or avoid
damage to the card(s). Various embodiments described above are also
applicable to this aspect of the invention.
[0021] In one embodiment, the pivotably openable portion includes a
hinge across the top or bottom of the holder and a portion of the
enclosure that covers the identification card(s) and opens the
enclosure to an open state to permit viewing of at least one of the
one or more cards. In a preferred embodiment, the pivotably
openable portion includes a sping mechanism arranged to return the
openable portion to a closed state to inhibit viewing of the
card(s).
[0022] The invention also relates to a method of displaying an
identification card including providing an identification card
retained in a transparent article which is retractably disposed in
an opaque article attached to the user or the user's clothing,
removing the transparent article having the card retained therein
from the opaque article, and displaying the transparent article so
as to see the identification card. In a preferred embodiment, the
method further includes retracting the transparent article into the
opaque article to prohibit undesired viewing of the card
therein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Further features and advantages of the invention can be
ascertained from the following detailed description that is
provided in connection with the drawing(s) described below:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a front view of an identification card in a sleeve
according to the invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a front view of a sleeve retractably removable
from the opaque enclosure according to the invention; and
[0026] FIG. 3 is a front cut-away view of a case showing a
retraction mechanism according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] An improved retractable identification card case has now
been discovered to provide travelers with an elegant, simplified
solution to the problem of conveniently displaying their
identification to official personnel, or as desired, without
needing to repeatedly remove it from a wallet, handbag, backpack,
purse or other conventional storage device, while keeping the
identification protected from physical damage and preferably
concealed from prying eyes at other times. The invention can also
greatly reduce the inconvenience of losing such identification
while passing through repeated checkpoints, which can result in
delayed or even canceled ability to travel or move from one place
to another through such checkpoints. Such travel can include
domestic or international air travel, cruise ships, other
international travel, school or workplace attendance, or even
government buildings.
[0028] The invention relates to a retractable identification-card
case including a transparent sleeve that is configured and
dimensioned to receive one or more identification cards, an opaque
enclosure having an inside that is configured and dimensioned to
store the sleeve and card(s) therein, and at least one fastener
operatively associated with the enclosure to attach the card case
to the user, wherein at least one of the sleeve or the enclosure is
sufficiently non-deformable to inhibit or avoid damage to the
card(s). Much of the discussion herein refers to only a single
identification card for the sake of simplicity, but it should be
understood that the invention encompasses embodiments where more
than one card can be stored in the sleeve. In one embodiment, the
sleeve and card are removably stored in the enclosure and a
retraction mechanism is provided that is operatively associated
with the sleeve and the enclosure without damaging the card to
facilitate the return of the sleeve and card to the enclosure after
being displayed by a user. In another embodiment, the opaque
enclosure includes a pivotably openable portion to display the card
and transparent sleeve.
[0029] The identification card can be any suitable card to identify
the user, including those containing information magnetically coded
or encoded in a magnetic strip or electronically coded or encoded
in a microchip. Preferably, the card is a photo identification card
that can be presented upon request or as desired when traveling
from one place to another, i.e., through security checkpoints, into
a secure building or room, or the like. In a more preferred
embodiment, the card is a government issued photo identification
card. An exemplary card is a driver's license or a passport. The
card case is preferably as small as possible to avoid inconvenience
to the user. With a driver's license, for example, the entire case
including fastener can be less than about 7 mm thick, and the case
itself can have a thickness of less than about 4 mm. An enclosure
for a passport would have to be somewhat thicker due to the
multiple pages contained in the typical passport.
[0030] The sleeve is typically sufficiently transparent to permit
the card to be stored and protected therein while remaining visible
for display. Any suitable material may be used, for example,
including polyethylene. The sleeve can be non-deformable or
flexible, and preferably it is flexible to facilitate insertion of
the card therein and to help the sleeve conform to the card. The
sleeve is configured and dimensioned to receive more than one photo
identification card, but in a preferred embodiment is configured
and dimensioned to receive a single identification card. The sleeve
can also optionally, but preferably, include a cutout of material
where the card therein sticks out for ease of insertion and removal
when there is no longer any need of the invention, for example, at
the end of the travel during which identification is required to be
displayed. For example, the cutout can be a semicircle of
sufficient size to permit the user to grasp the card itself for
removal from the sleeve if so desired.
[0031] The enclosure is sufficiently opaque to inhibit or prevent
undesired viewing of information on the card therein, such as by a
grifter or other con artist. The enclosure is configured and
dimensioned to store at least the sleeve and card therein. Thus,
the enclosure is preferably sufficiently opaque to avoid viewing
any information on the card while in the enclosure and the sleeve
is sufficiently transparent to permit viewing of the card therein
once the sleeve is temporarily removed from the enclosure for
display. In one preferred embodiment, the retraction mechanism can
be stored inside the enclosure, although it may also be disposed
anywhere on or in the enclosure. When the retraction mechanism is
stored inside, the enclosure is sized to house the sleeve, card,
and the mechanism.
[0032] The enclosure is preferably sufficiently non-deformable so
as to inhibit or prevent damage to the card. For example, the
enclosure can be rigid so that it will not flex under normal usage.
In a preferred embodiment, the enclosure can be formed of stainless
steel, tin, bronze, brass, aluminum, or a combination thereof. The
enclosure typically has a permanent opening and preferably has no
lid, preferably in an upward facing direction to facilitate
frequent removal and retraction of the sleeve and card while
minimizing the chance that the sleeve and card will fall out of the
enclosure. The opening can be to either side, as well, although the
risk of card loss may be increased. Optionally, but preferably, the
enclosure can include a small bulge or small opening if needed to
include the retraction mechanism therein or to permit space for a
ring attached to the sleeve when inserted in the enclosure,
respectively.
[0033] The retraction mechanism can be any suitable device to
facilitate retraction of the card and sleeve back into the
enclosure, including one or more of an elastic line or thread, a
guide means to facilitate return of the sleeve and card, a
spring-loaded reel assembly, or the like. When a reel assembly is
used, it is typically disposed inside the enclosure. The retraction
mechanism can include a flexible tether, typically having a length
of about 3 inches to 6 feet, preferably about 6 inches to 4 feet.
In a preferred embodiment, the tether can be about 1 foot to three
feet in length. The flexible tether is typically connected at one
end to the reel assembly and at the other end to the sleeve and
card, and is arranged to be selectively extended from an opening in
the enclosure and retracted into a position wound around the reel
assembly after being temporarily removed for display of the card.
The flexible tether can include a line, flexible tape, metal chain,
or a combination thereof. Preferably, the flexible tether includes
a line having at least one thread or filament comprising a
polyamide polymer. It is desired to have one end of the flexible
tether permanently attached to the sleeve to inhibit or avoid loss
of the sleeve and card upon repeated displays of the card therein
to access or pass various checkpoints. For example, the flexible
tether can be attached to the sleeve by a split ring device
therein. Preferably, the flexible tether and even the entire
retraction mechanism as a whole are designed to avoid any permanent
injury or damage to the card. This can be particularly important
when the card is a government issued photo identification card. It
should be understood, however, that the flexible tether of the
retraction mechanism could be attached to the card(s), the sleeve,
or both, if the flexible tether is attached so that the card(s) are
not damaged. For example, a clip could be attached to the card(s),
or the card(s) and sleeve, that would function to retract the
card(s) and sleeve without damaging the card(s).
[0034] In one embodiment, instead of including a retractably
removable sleeve having the card therein, the enclosure can include
a pivotably openable portion. Preferably, the enclosure of this
embodiment can include a hinge across the top or bottom of the case
and a portion of the enclosure that covers the identification card
in a closed state and opens the enclosure to an open state to
permit viewing of the card when desired. Preferably, the enclosure
includes a spring mechanism arranged to return the openable portion
to the closed state to inhibit viewing of the card. A completely
separate sleeve need not be used in this embodiment, as an
enclosure including a pocket having a transparent wall on at least
one side to contain the card against a wall of the enclosure will
serve to permit viewing of the card when the pivotably openable
portion is in the open state. The portion of the enclosure that
pivots can have any angle between the closed and opened states that
is sufficient to permit rapid viewing of the identification card
therein. For example, angles of 60.degree., 90.degree., or
120.degree. can be selected, and the pivotable portion can have a
stop of some sort to prevent the enclosure from being opened
further. The pivotable portion of the enclosure can also optionally
have a sealing mechanism to help keep the enclosure closed until it
is desired to be opened. This sealing mechanism can include a
latch, lever, snap, magnetic button, or the like, or a combination
thereof.
[0035] In either the retractable or pivotably openable embodiments,
the entire enclosure may be movable to bring the card closer to the
viewer while the enclosure is still fastened to the user or another
object. Preferably, the enclosure is fastened in a fixed position
on at least one of a part of the user, a piece of clothing on the
user, a backpack, a purse, a briefcase, a pouch, a money belt, a
suitcase, or a combination thereof. More preferably, the enclosure
is wearable by the user for convenience when passing through
multiple security checkpoints in a short period of time, e.g., an
airport. The card case is thus preferably fastened on a belt, belt
buckle, belt loop, or around a user's neck. The at least one
fastener preferably includes a hook and loop type closure, a clip,
a cord, or the like, or a combination thereof, sufficient to
securely fasten the case to the desired position.
[0036] The invention also relates to a method of displaying an
identification card including providing an identification card
retained in a transparent article which is retractably disposed in
an opaque article attached to the user or the user's clothing,
removing the transparent article having the card retained therein
from the opaque article, and displaying the transparent article so
as to see the identification card. A similar method of display
using the pivotably openable enclosure is also encompassed by the
invention. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes
retracting the transparent article into the opaque article to
prohibit undesired viewing of the card therein. This method of
displaying an identification card according to the invention can
advantageously reduce or avoid the opportunity to lose the card,
can facilitate repeated displays of the card to authorized persons,
can inhibit or avoid the viewing of card information when retracted
or closed into the enclosure, and the like, as well as combinations
thereof.
[0037] FIG. 1 is a front view of an identification card 1 that can
be removably disposed in a sleeve 5 according to the invention. The
illustrated card 1 is a state driver's license, although other
identification cards could be alternatively used. As the sleeve 5
is sized to fit around an identification card, the sleeve 5 can be
generally rectangular in shape. The sleeve 5 can optionally, but
preferably, include a cutout 3 to facilitate insertion and possible
removal of the card 1 from the sleeve 5. Also, a ring 7 can be
disposed in one corner of the sleeve 5, which avoids damaging the
card 1. This ring 7 is preferably connected to a flexible tether 10
that is used to retract the card and sleeve into the enclosure
depicted in FIG. 2.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a front view of a sleeve 5 retractably removable
from the opaque enclosure 15 according to the invention. The
enclosure 15 depicted includes a small recess 17 that corresponds
to the ring 7 of the sleeve 5 so as to receive the ring 7 when the
sleeve 5 is fully retracted into the enclosure 15. The enclosure 15
has at least one fastening device (not shown) on the rear thereof
to fix the enclosure on a belt 20.
[0039] FIG. 3 is a front cut-away view of an enclosure 15 showing a
retraction mechanism 25 fixed inside the enclosure 15 according to
the invention. In this view, a fastener 30 can be used to attach
the entire enclosure 15 to a belt or other object or body part (not
shown). The retraction mechanism 25 shown here is a spring-loaded
reel assembly such as, described, for example, in prior references
such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,262,005, 1,567,783 and 4,502,226, each of
which is incorporated herein by express reference thereto for the
purpose of enabling this embodiment for those of ordinary skill in
the art. In well known manner, the tether 10 can be stored in
position wound around the reel assembly 25 and the spring-loading
of the reel is arranged to permit the tether 10 to be extended by
being drawn off the reel assembly 25. The tether 10 is then enabled
to be retracted by being rewound around the reel assembly 25 by
action of stored spring tension. A retraction control device (not
shown), can be included to permit the tether to be retained in the
extended position with releasable control of retraction by
activation of the control button.
[0040] The sleeve can be sized to permit the inclusion of multiple
identification cards or separate sleeves can be used for each
identification card. When separate sleeves are used, each can be
configured and dimensioned for the identification card to be
removably stored therein. For example, two sleeves can be sized
respectively to receive a driver's license and a passport.
Alternatively, both identification cards can be placed in a single
sleeve sufficiently configured and dimensioned to receive both. The
identifying information would then preferably be arranged for easy
display, such as by having the license face one direction in the
sleeve and the relevant passport page facing the other direction.
The sleeve can be made to retract with the relevant identification
card depending on whether the user was traveling internationally or
domestically. Alternatively, a license and a work- or
school-related identification card can be used and displayed
depending on where the user is traveling. Moreover, when two or
more sleeves are used, the enclosure must be configured and
dimensioned to receive all the sleeves, and the retraction
mechanism can be attached to one or more of the sleeves and/or
cards.
[0041] The term "about," as used herein, should generally be
understood to refer to both numbers in a range of numerals.
Moreover, all numerical ranges herein should be understood to
include each whole integer within the range.
[0042] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the
foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the
invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is
capable of numerous rearrangements and modifications of parts and
elements without departing from the spirit of the invention. It
will be understood that the mechanical details of every design may
be slightly different or modified by one of ordinary skill in the
art without departing from the teachings of the present
invention.
* * * * *