Wallet for the visually impaired

Young; James ;   et al.

Patent Application Summary

U.S. patent application number 11/452573 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-13 for wallet for the visually impaired. Invention is credited to Mark Aster Walker, James Young.

Application Number20080060730 11/452573
Document ID /
Family ID39168376
Filed Date2008-03-13

United States Patent Application 20080060730
Kind Code A1
Young; James ;   et al. March 13, 2008

Wallet for the visually impaired

Abstract

A wallet for the visually impaired comprised of a top side edge, opposed bottom side edge, and first and second lateral side edges, the four side edges enclosing first and second sides of the wallet. A series of compartments are located on the first side of the wallet. Four compartments store dollar bills in denominations of one (1), five (5), ten (10), and twenty (20) dollars, and three compartments located below the four compartments store credit cards, identifications cards, and the like. Tactile indicia are located on a visible portion of the four compartments. The indicia denote which of the four denominations of dollar bills are to be stored in each compartment.


Inventors: Young; James; (Little Rock, AR) ; Walker; Mark Aster; (North Little Rock, AR)
Correspondence Address:
    James Young Jr.
    2809 Gaines St.
    Little Rock
    AR
    72206
    US
Family ID: 39168376
Appl. No.: 11/452573
Filed: September 11, 2006

Current U.S. Class: 150/140 ; 150/132
Current CPC Class: G09B 21/003 20130101; A45C 1/06 20130101
Class at Publication: 150/140 ; 150/132
International Class: A45C 1/06 20060101 A45C001/06

Claims



1. A wallet for the visually impaired, the wallet comprising: (a) a top side edge, an opposed bottom side edge, a first lateral side edge, and a second lateral side edge, the side edges enclosing first and second sides of the wallet; (b) a first storage compartment located on the first side of the wallet adjacent to the top side edge thereof and between the first and second lateral side edges, the compartment having on a visible portion thereof indicia denoting the numeral one (1); (c) a second storage compartment located on the first side of the wallet below the first storage compartment and between the first and second lateral side edges of the wallet, the compartment having on a visible portion thereof indicia denoting the numeral five (5); (d) a third storage compartment located on the first side of the wallet below the second storage compartment and between the first and second lateral side edges of the wallet, the compartment having on a visible portion thereof indicia denoting the numeral ten (10); (e) a fourth storage compartment located on the first side of the wallet below the third storage compartment and between the first and second lateral side edges of the wallet, the compartment having on a visible portion thereof indicia denoting the numeral twenty (20); (f) a fifth storage compartment located on the first side of the wallet below the fourth storage compartment and adjacent to the first lateral side edge and bottom side edge of the wallet; (g) a sixth storage compartment located on the first side of the wallet below the fourth storage compartment and in medial relation to the bottom side edge of the wallet; and (h) a seventh storage compartment located on the first side of the wallet below the fourth storage compartment and adjacent to the second lateral side edge and bottom side edge of the wallet.

2. The wallet for the visually impaired as recited in claim 1, wherein the indicia of the first storage compartment denoting the numeral one (1) is comprised of Braille indicia for the numeral one (1) located on a visible portion of the first storage compartment adjacent to the first lateral side edge of the wallet and one rhinestone located on a visible portion of the first storage compartment adjacent to the second lateral side edge of the wallet.

3. The wallet for the visually impaired as recited in claim 1, wherein the indicia of the second storage compartment denoting the numeral five (5) is comprised of Braille indicia for the numeral five (5) located on a visible portion of the second storage compartment adjacent to the first lateral side edge of the wallet and two rhinestones located on a visible portion of the second storage compartment adjacent to the second lateral side edge of the wallet.

4. The wallet for the visually impaired as recited in claim 1, wherein the indicia of the third storage compartment denoting the numeral ten (10) is comprised of Braille indicia for the numeral ten (10) located on a visible portion of the third storage compartment adjacent to the first lateral side edge of the wallet and three rhinestones located on a visible portion of the third storage compartment adjacent to the second lateral side edge of the wallet.

5. The wallet for the visually impaired as recited in claim 1, wherein the indicia of the fourth storage compartment denoting the numeral twenty (20) is comprised of Braille indicia for the numeral twenty (20) located on a visible portion of the fourth storage compartment adjacent to the first lateral side edge of the wallet and four rhinestones located on a visible portion of the fourth storage compartment adjacent to the second lateral side edge of the wallet.

6. The wallet for the visually impaired as recited in claim 1, wherein the fifth storage compartment is comprised of a rear sidewall and front sidewall.

7. The wallet for the visually impaired as recited in claim 1, wherein the sixth storage compartment is comprised of a rear sidewall and front sidewall.

8. The wallet for the visually impaired as recited in claim 1, wherein the seventh storage compartment is comprised of a rear sidewall and front sidewall.

9. A wallet for the visually impaired, the wallet comprising: (a) a top side edge, an opposed bottom side edge, a first lateral side edge, and a second lateral side edge, the side edges enclosing first and second sides of the wallet; (b) a first storage compartment located on the first side of the wallet adjacent to the top side edge thereof and between the first and second lateral side edges, the compartment having on a visible portion thereof indicia denoting the numeral one (1); (c) a second storage compartment located on the first side of the wallet below the first storage compartment and between the first and second lateral side edges of the wallet, the compartment having on a visible portion thereof indicia denoting the numeral five (5); (d) a third storage compartment located on the first side of the wallet below the second storage compartment and between the first and second lateral side edges of the wallet, the compartment having on a visible portion thereof indicia denoting the numeral ten (10); (e) a fourth storage compartment located on the first side of the wallet below the third storage compartment and between the first and second lateral side edges of the wallet, the compartment having on a visible portion thereof indicia denoting the numeral twenty (20); (f) a fifth storage compartment located on the first side of the wallet below the fourth storage compartment and adjacent to the first lateral side edge and bottom side edge of the wallet; (g) a sixth storage compartment located on the first side of the wallet below the fourth storage compartment and in medial relation to the bottom side edge of the wallet; (h) a seventh storage compartment located on the first side of the wallet below the fourth storage compartment and adjacent to the second lateral side edge and bottom side edge of the wallet; and (i) an audible alarm indicator visible on first and second sides of the wallet and located at the corner of the second lateral side edge and bottom side edge of the wallet.

10. The wallet for the visually impaired as recited in claim 9, wherein the indicia of the first storage compartment denoting the numeral one (1) is comprised of Braille indicia for the numeral one (1) located on a visible portion of the first storage compartment adjacent to the first lateral side edge of the wallet and one rhinestone located on a visible portion of the first storage compartment adjacent to the second lateral side edge of the wallet.

11. The wallet for the visually impaired as recited in claim 9, wherein the indicia of the second storage compartment denoting the numeral five (5) is comprised of Braille indicia for the numeral five (5) located on a visible portion of the second storage compartment adjacent to the first lateral side edge of the wallet and two rhinestones located on a visible portion of the second storage compartment adjacent to the second lateral side edge of the wallet.

12. The wallet for the visually impaired as recited in claim 9, wherein the indicia of the third storage compartment denoting the numeral ten (10) is comprised of Braille indicia for the numeral ten (10) located on a visible portion of the third storage compartment adjacent to the first lateral side edge of the wallet and three rhinestones located on a visible portion of the third storage compartment adjacent to the second lateral side edge of the wallet.

13. The wallet for the visually impaired as recited in claim 9, wherein the indicia of the fourth storage compartment denoting the numeral twenty (20) is comprised of Braille indicia for the numeral twenty (20) located on a visible portion of the fourth storage compartment adjacent to the first lateral side edge of the wallet and four rhinestones located on a visible portion of the fourth storage compartment adjacent to the second lateral side edge of the wallet.

14. The wallet for the visually impaired as recited in claim 9, wherein the fifth storage compartment is comprised of a rear sidewall and front sidewall.

15. The wallet for the visually impaired as recited in claim 9, wherein the sixth storage compartment is comprised of a rear sidewall and front sidewall.

16. The wallet for the visually impaired as recited in claim 9, wherein the seventh storage compartment is comprised of a rear sidewall and front sidewall.

17. The wallet for the visually impaired as recited in claim 9, wherein the audible alarm indicator is activated by an audible sound emitted by the user when the wallet is lost and terminated when the wallet is found by application of tactile pressure to the audible alarm indicator.
Description



BACKGROUND

[0001] This version of the invention is concerned with the field of aids for the visually impaired. More specifically, this version of the invention is concerned with a wallet for the visually impaired that permits visually impaired people to find dollar bills of different denominations stored within said wallet.

PRIOR ART

[0002] People with visual impairments comprise a group ranging from those who have partial sight to those who are completely blind. A variety of aids, apparatuses, and devices is available to help visually impaired people overcome the obstacles associated with impaired vision so they can live an active and fulfilling life. These aids include but are not limited to special reading systems, such as large type and Braille; ambulatory aids, such as guide animals; special seating arrangements on public transportation; and improved access to public transportation infrastructure (sidewalks) and public and private buildings. In addition, passage of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has codified a host of accommodations for disabled people, including the visually impaired, that must be included in the design, construction, and use of public and private buildings, infrastructure, and transportation systems.

[0003] In addition, various products for visually impaired people are available to assist in the conduct of their personal and private lives, such as specialized print reading material for those with partial sight, voice-activated and voice-playback systems providing audible conveyance of news and current affairs to the blind, voice-activated computer, internet, and web-based systems, and even specialized articles of clothing.

[0004] Despite these products and the increased sensitivity to people with disabilities, visually impaired people in many cases find it difficult to handle, store, and access paper currency. Paper currency, paper money, or dollar bills are generally stored in a wallet or billfold, wherein the paper currency or dollar bills of different denominations are stored in just one or two pockets or compartments. A person with full sight can easily access a one (1) or five (5) dollar bill from within a group, stack, or jumble of dollar bills of different denominations. This task, however, is difficult if not impossible for a person with a visual impairment as dollar bills are not printed with tactile features that permit a visually impaired person to detect their denomination solely by touch.

[0005] The subject of the instant invention overcomes the aforementioned difficulties of locating, handling, and storing paper currency by providing a wallet for the visually impaired that is equipped with tactile features associated with compartments or pockets that store paper currency or dollar bills of a particular denomination. The tactile features can include but are not limited to Braille indicia or other protuberances that function to identify a wallet compartment or pocket designated to store a dollar bill of a particular denomination, such as one (1) dollar bill, five (5) dollar bill, ten (10) dollar bill, and twenty (20) dollar bill.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0006] The existence of a wallet or billfold designed to permit a visually impaired person to identify through use of a tactile feature or component the location within the wallet or billfold of paper currency, paper money, or dollar bills of a particular denomination is unknown at the present time. For example, numerous designs for wallets of various designs and features have been provided in the prior art. Even though these designs may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present version of the invention as such wallets or billfolds are generally intended to improve or expand the function thereof for a person with full or normal vision. These designs are exemplified by the following patents: [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 2,777,493, Joint Structures In Billfolds Or Other Articles Of Flexible Sheet Material, issued to Harwood on 15 Jan. 1957; [0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,544, Billfold, issued to Snyder on 16 Aug. 1966; [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,438,415, French Purse, issued to Burniski et al. on 15 Apr. 1969; [0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,156,447, Billfold File, issued to Finn on 29 May 1979; [0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,258, Wallet, issued to Morehead on 18 Jun. 1991; [0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,657, Multi-Compartmented Wallet And Method Of Construction, issued to Hatchman on 9 Feb. 1993; and [0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,563, Multiple Bill Compartment Wallet, issued to Gray on 12 Aug. 2003.

[0014] As such, it may be appreciated that there is a continuing need for a new and improved wallet for the visually impaired, which contains one or more tactile features or components associated with a particular compartment or pocket of the wallet designated to store paper currency, paper money, or dollar bills of a particular denomination. These tactile features or components, including but not limited to Braille indicia or other types of protuberances, function to permit a visually impaired person to find, locate, and access particular compartments or pockets of the wallet and the denominations of paper money associated with these compartments or pockets. In these respects, the present version of the invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus that substantially fulfills this need. Additionally, the prior patents and commercial techniques do not suggest the present inventive combination of component elements arranged and configured as disclosed herein.

[0015] The present invention achieves its intended purposes, objects, and advantages through a new, useful and unobvious combination of method steps and component elements, with the use of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, and by employing only readily available materials.

SUMMARY

[0016] The present version of the invention, which will be described in greater detail hereinafter, relates to the field of aids for the visually impaired. More specifically, this version of the invention is concerned with a wallet for the visually impaired that permits visually impaired people to find dollar bills of different denominations stored within said wallet. My version of the invention overcomes all of the shortcomings listed previously, in addition to novel aspects that will be described in detail hereinafter.

[0017] Described briefly, according to a first embodiment, the invention presents a wallet for the visually impaired that permits a person with limited or no sight to find, locate, and access particular compartments or pockets within the wallet and the denominations of paper money associated with and stored within those compartments or pockets.

[0018] The wallet is generally rectangular in shape and is comprised of a first longer side edge, second opposed longer side edge, first lateral side edge, and second opposed lateral side edge. The four side edges enclose a first side and second, opposed side of the wallet. The first side of the wallet contains a series of pockets or compartments for storing paper currency, personal identification cards, credit and debit cards, and miscellaneous other cards and documents.

[0019] A first compartment for storing paper currency is designated for storage of one (1) dollar bills. This compartment on a visible portion of a sidewall thereof contains a Braille indicia at a first end of the sidewall thereof denoting the numeral one (1) and a second indicia located on the visible portion of the sidewall of the compartment opposite to the Braille indicia for users unfamiliar with the Braille system. The second indicia is comprised of one (1) rhinestone for indicating dollar bills in the denomination of one (1) dollar.

[0020] A second compartment for storing paper currency is designated for storage of five (5) dollar bills. This compartment on a visible portion of a sidewall thereof contains a Braille indicia at a first end of the sidewall thereof denoting the numeral five (5) and second indicia located on the visible portion of the sidewall of the compartment opposite to the Braille indicia for users unfamiliar with the Braille system. The second indicia are comprised of two (2) rhinestones for indicating dollar bills in the denomination of five (5) dollars.

[0021] A third compartment for storing paper currency is designated for storage of ten (10) dollar bills. This compartment on a visible portion of a sidewall thereof contains two Braille indicia at a first end of the sidewall thereof denoting the numeral one (1) and the numeral zero (0) and second indicia located on the visible portion of the sidewall of the compartment opposite to the Braille indicia for users unfamiliar 20 with the Braille system. The second indicia are comprised of three (3) rhinestones for indicating dollar bills in the denomination of ten (10) dollars.

[0022] A fourth compartment for storing paper currency is designated for storage of twenty (20) dollar bills. This compartment on a visible portion of a sidewall thereof contains two Braille indicia at a first end of the sidewall thereof denoting the numeral two (2) and the numeral zero (0) and second indicia located on the visible portion of the sidewall of the compartment opposite to the Braille indicia for users unfamiliar with the Braille system. The second indicia are comprised of four (4) rhinestones for indicating dollar bills in the denomination of twenty (20) dollars.

[0023] Three compartments or pockets are located under the fourth compartment of the wallet for storing twenty (20) dollar bills. These compartments or pockets are intended for storage of personal identification cards, credit and debit cards, and miscellaneous other cards and documents.

[0024] My invention, therefore, resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed. It is distinguished from the prior art in this particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified.

[0025] In order that the detailed description of the invention may be better understood and that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated, additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent methods and structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0026] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0027] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention.

[0028] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

[0029] Accordingly, it is an object of my version of the invention to provide a low-cost, easy-to-manufacture, and easy-to-market wallet for the visually impaired.

[0030] A further object of my version of the invention is to provide an easy-to-use and versatile wallet for the visually impaired.

[0031] A significant object of the invention is to provide a wallet for the visually impaired that is comprised of a conventional wallet or billfold having a series of compartments or pockets fitted or adorned with tactile features or components, such as Braille indicia or other protuberances that identify the location of the compartment or pocket within the wallet and the denomination of paper currency, paper money, or dollar bills stored within a particular compartment or pocket.

[0032] A final but very significant object of the invention is to provide a wallet for the visually impaired that allows a person with limited or no sight to find, locate, and access particular compartments or pockets within the wallet and the denominations of paper money associated with and stored within those compartments or pockets.

[0033] For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the present invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or by modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments in addition to the scope of the invention illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more fully understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a first elevation side view of a first embodiment of a wallet for the visually impaired.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a second elevation side view of a first embodiment of a wallet for the visually impaired.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a wallet for the visually impaired.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a first elevation side view of a second embodiment of a wallet for the visually impaired.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a second elevation side view of a second embodiment of a wallet for the visually impaired.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0040] 10 Wallet For The Visually Impaired, First Embodiment [0041] 12 Top Side Edge [0042] 14 Bottom Side Edge [0043] 16 First Lateral Side Edge [0044] 18 Second Lateral Side Edge [0045] 20 First Side [0046] 22 One Dollar Bill Compartment [0047] 24 Five Dollar Bill Compartment [0048] 26 Ten Dollar Bill Compartment [0049] 28 Twenty Dollar Bill Compartment [0050] 30 Credit Card Compartment [0051] 32 Rear Sidewall [0052] 34 Front Sidewall [0053] 36 Credit Card Compartment [0054] 38 Rear Sidewall [0055] 40 Front Sidewall [0056] 42 Credit Card Compartment [0057] 44 Rear Sidewall [0058] 46 Front Sidewall [0059] 48 Braille Indicia For Numeral One (1) [0060] 50 Rhinestone [0061] 52 Braille Indicia For Numeral Five (5) [0062] 54 Braille Indicia For Numeral Zero (0) [0063] 56 Braille Indicia For Numeral Two (2) [0064] 58 Second Side [0065] 60 Wallet For The Visually Impaired, Second Embodiment [0066] 62 Alarm Indicator

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Description

[0067] Referring now to the drawings and, in particular, to FIG. 1 wherein there is illustrated a first embodiment of the wallet for the visually impaired 10. The present version of the invention 10 is constructed generally as a conventional wallet having a variety of compartments for storage of paper currency, personal identification cards, credit and debit cards, and miscellaneous other cards and documents. The wallet 10 is flat when unfolded and generally rectangular in shape and comprised of various materials, such as leather and durable textile materials. The wallet is bounded by a first longer side edge 12, an opposed second longer side edge 14, a first lateral side edge 16, and an opposed second lateral side edge 18. The side edges 12, 14,16, 18 enclose a first side 20 of the wallet 10.

[0068] The first side 20 of the wallet 10 contains four compartments for storing paper currency of different denominations and three compartment for storing credit, debit, and identification cards. A first compartment 22 for storing dollar bills in the denomination of one (1) dollar is located at the top of the wallet 10 proximate to the top side edge 12. A second compartment 24 for storing dollar bills in the denomination of five (5) dollars is located below the first compartment 22. A third compartment 26 for storing dollar bills in the denomination of ten (10) dollars is located below the second compartment 24, and a fourth compartment 28 for storing dollar bills in the denomination of twenty (20) dollars is located below the third compartment 26.

[0069] A first compartment 30 for storing credit, debit, and identification cards is located adjacent to the first lateral side edge 16 and bottom side edge 14 of the wallet 10 below the fourth compartment 28 for storing dollar bills in the denomination of twenty (20) dollars. This compartment 30 is comprised of a rear sidewall 32 and a front sidewall 34 between which said cards are inserted and stored.

[0070] A second compartment 36 for storing credit, debit, and identification cards is located adjacent to the first compartment 30 and the bottom side edge 14 of the wallet 10 below the fourth compartment 28 for storing dollar bills in the denomination of twenty (20) dollars. This compartment 36 is comprised of a rear sidewall 38 and a front sidewall 40 between which said cards are inserted and stored.

[0071] A third compartment 42 for storing credit, debit, and identification cards is located adjacent to the second lateral side edge 18 and the bottom side edge 14 of the wallet 10 below the fourth compartment 28 for storing dollar bills in the denomination of twenty (20) dollars. This compartment 42 is comprised of a rear sidewall 44 and a front sidewall 46 between which said cards are inserted and stored.

[0072] Referring again to FIG. 1, the compartments 22, 24, 26, 28 for storing dollar bills in various currencies are marked, inscribed, or otherwise identified with tactile indicia or protuberances to permit visually impaired people to determine the currency denominations associated with each compartment 22, 24, 26, 28 so that dollar bills of different denominations can be inserted into and stored in the proper compartment 22, 24, 26, 28. The compartment 22 for storing dollar bills in the denomination of one (1) dollar contains on a visible portion of a sidewall thereof a Braille indicia 48 denoting the numeral one (1). A second indicia is located on the visible portion of the sidewall of the compartment 22 opposite to the Braille indicia 48 denoting the numeral one (1) for users unfamiliar with the Braille system. In this version of the invention, the second indicia is comprised of one (1) rhinestone 50 for indicating dollar bills in the denomination of one (1) dollar.

[0073] The compartment 24 for storing dollar bills in the denomination of five (5) dollars contains on a visible portion of a sidewall thereof a Braille indicia 52 denoting the numeral five (5). A second indicia is located on the visible portion of the sidewall of the compartment 24 opposite to the Braille indicia 52 denoting the numeral five (5) for users unfamiliar with the Braille system. In this version of the invention, the second indicia is comprised of two (2) rhinestones 50 for indicating dollar bills in the denomination of five (5) dollars.

[0074] The compartment 26 for storing dollar bills in the denomination of ten (10) dollars contains on a visible portion of a sidewall thereof a first Braille indicia 48 denoting the numeral one (1) and a second Braille indicia 54 denoting the numeral zero (0) to comprise the number ten (10). A second indicia is located on the visible portion of the sidewall of the compartment 26 opposite to the two Braille indicia 48, 54 denoting the numeral ten (10) for users unfamiliar with the Braille system. In this version of the invention, the second indicia is comprised of three (3) rhinestones 50 for indicating dollar bills in the denomination of ten (10) dollars.

[0075] The compartment 28 for storing dollar bills in the denomination of twenty (20) dollars contains on a visible portion of a sidewall thereof a first Braille indicia 56 denoting the numeral two (2) and a second Braille indicia 54 denoting the numeral zero (0) to comprise the number twenty (20). A second indicia is located on the visible portion of the sidewall of the compartment 28 opposite to the Braille indicia 56, 54 denoting the numeral twenty (20) for users unfamiliar with the Braille system. In this version of the invention, the second indicia is comprised of four (4) rhinestones 50 for indicating dollar bills in the denomination of twenty (20) dollars.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 2, the wallet 10 is illustrated with the side edges 12, 14, 16, 18 thereof enclosing a second side 58 of said wallet 10. The second side 58 comprises the exterior surface of the wallet 10 when said wallet 10 is folded in half during use as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0077] A second embodiment 60 of the wallet is illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. An audible alarm indicator 62 is located in the wallet 60 adjacent to the corner formed by the junction of the second lateral side edge 18 and bottom side edge 30. When a visually impaired person loses or misplaces the wallet 60, the user can locate the wallet 60 by creating a sound, such as clapping or whistling, which is detected by the audible alarm indicator 62. Upon detection of such sound created by the user, the audible alarm indicator 62 emits an audible sound in the form of a common or well-known audible alarm. The audible alarm indicator 62 terminates the audible alarm when the user finds and picks up the wallet and applies tactile pressure to or otherwise manipulates the audible alarm indicator 62.

[0078] While this version of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the version of the invention are desired to be protected. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

CONCLUSION AND SCOPE OF INVENTION

[0079] From the foregoing, it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that an improved wallet for the visually impaired has been provided. The invention is relatively simple and easy to manufacture, yet affords a variety of uses. While my description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the version of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the preferred embodiments thereof. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. While the invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

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