U.S. patent application number 14/216819 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-17 for wallet or handbag accessory with interior detachable billfold.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bevee LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Bevee LLC. Invention is credited to DT Levy, Sasha Jane Muir.
Application Number | 20150257499 14/216819 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54067525 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150257499 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Muir; Sasha Jane ; et
al. |
September 17, 2015 |
WALLET OR HANDBAG ACCESSORY WITH INTERIOR DETACHABLE BILLFOLD
Abstract
The combination includes a wallet having a hidden interior
surface when closed, the wallet including a plurality of slot
openings and pockets. The combination also includes a detachable
billfold, adapted to lay flat against the interior surface of the
wallet, but foldable upon being detached. An attachment mechanism
includes first snap elements at the respective corners of the
billfold and mating second snap elements on the interior surface of
the wallet.
Inventors: |
Muir; Sasha Jane; (Seattle,
WA) ; Levy; DT; (Seattle, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bevee LLC |
Seattle |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Bevee LLC
Seattle
WA
|
Family ID: |
54067525 |
Appl. No.: |
14/216819 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
150/132 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 1/08 20130101; A45C
2001/065 20130101; A45C 2013/026 20130101; A45C 1/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 1/06 20060101
A45C001/06; A45C 1/02 20060101 A45C001/02 |
Claims
1. An accessory combination, comprising: a wallet or handbag which
includes an interior surface which is hidden when the wallet or
handbag is closed, the wallet or handbag further including pockets
or openings adapted to hold accessory items; a billfold adapted to
lay flat against an interior surface of the wallet or handbag, and
further adapted to be folded up upon itself, the billfold having
pockets for holding billfold items; and an attachment system
comprising first elements at the respective corners of the billfold
and mating second elements on the interior surface of the wallet or
handbag, spaced so that the billfold lays flat against the interior
surface of the wallet or handbag and is readily detachable and
attachable thereto, wherein the billfold is accessible when
attached to the wallet or handbag.
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the billfold when flat is
approximately the same size as the interior surface of the
accessory.
3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the attachment system
comprises snap assemblies.
4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the snap assemblies are all
male on one half of the billfold and accessory and all female on
the other half of the billfold and accessory.
5. The combination of claim 3, wherein the snap assemblies are male
on one-half of the billfold and female on the other half, with
opposing snap elements on the accessory.
6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the wallet has a single fold
with two interior surfaces, the wallet being closed with a
zipper.
7. The combination of claim 1, wherein the wallet has two spaced
folds, defining a three-part wallet foldable upon itself.
8. The combination of claim 1, wherein the handbag or purse
includes a closing zipper.
9. The combination of claim 1, wherein the wallet or handbag and
the billfold are made from leather.
10. The combination of claim 1, wherein the billfold includes an
elastic strap for holding the billfold in a folded condition.
11. The combination of claim 1, wherein the billfold includes a
transparent pocket for receiving a driver's license and a currency
pocket for holding currency lengthwise.
12. The combination of claim 1, wherein the wallet includes a
currency pocket for holding currency lengthwise, and a plurality of
slot openings for holding credit cards.
13. The combination of claim 1, wherein the billfold is accessible
when the billfold is attached to the accessory and the accessory is
open.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates generally to an integrated
wallet/handbag accessory and billfold combination, and more
specifically concerns such a combination with a billfold which is
detachable from the accessory.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Often, billfolds are carried separately from wallets or
similar accessories like handbags or purses. Wallets for instance
are typically arranged with several pockets for currency, a
checkbook and other items, as well as a plurality of slot openings
for credit cards and other identification or reward cards. Wallets
can be bulky and sometimes can be difficult to access for
particular items therein. Billfolds typically are smaller, usually
quite slim, and have openings for a driver's license, a few credit
cards and a currency pocket. Billfolds are convenient to carry
alone or in a small purse. The use of a wallet and a billfold as
separate items for instance requires a third article, such as a
handbag or purse, to carry them. This can be inconvenient and adds
to the overall accessory expense. Further, the billfold and/or the
wallet can become difficult to locate when needed. If the wallet
and the billfold are carried loosely together, the two articles can
separate, with the risk of loss of the billfold.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Accordingly, the invention is an accessory combination,
comprising: a wallet or handbag which includes an interior surface
which is hidden when the wallet or handbag is closed, the wallet or
handbag further including pockets or openings adapted to hold
accessory items; a billfold adapted to lay flat against an interior
surface of the wallet or handbag, and further adapted to be folded
up upon itself, the billfold having pockets for holding billfold
items; and an attachment system comprising first elements at the
respective corners of the billfold and mating second elements on
the interior surface of the wallet or handbag, spaced so that the
billfold lays flat against the interior surface of the wallet or
handbag and is readily detachable and attachable thereto, wherein
the billfold is accessible when attached to the wallet or
handbag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a wallet and a detachable
billfold.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a three-part (two-fold)
wallet open with the billfold attached.
[0006] FIG. 3 shows the partially closed wallet of FIG. 2.
[0007] FIG. 4 shows a fully closed wallet of FIG. 2.
[0008] FIG. 5 shows another wallet and billfold with a zipper, the
wallet being partially open.
[0009] FIG. 6 shows the wallet of FIG. 6 in a closed, i.e. zipped
position.
[0010] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view looking into the interior of a
handbag with a billfold attached.
[0011] FIG. 8 shows the handbag in a closed (zipped) position.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0012] FIGS. 1-4 show a first embodiment of the present invention,
which is directed toward a combination of a wallet and a billfold
which is detachably secured to an interior surface of the wallet.
The combination, generally referred to at 10, includes a wallet 12
and a detachable billfold 14. In this case, the word "wallet"
refers to a folding holding member, with pockets for currency and
various credit or other cards, while "billfold" refers to a
smaller, relatively slim member for holding a limited number of
elements, including a driver's license, a few credit cards and
typically a single pocket for currency.
[0013] The wallet 12 in the first embodiment is generally
rectangular in its closed position and is closed by two snap
assemblies 15, 16 (mating male and female) at the corners of the
respective ends of the wallet. Other closing assemblies, including
magnetic elements, can be used. The wallet may be made of various
materials, with leather being presently preferred, and in its
closed position is approximately 8 inches long by 5.5 inches wide,
although these dimensions can vary. In the present embodiment, the
wallet 12 includes two fold lines 18 and 20 so that the wallet is
in fact a two-part member. The wallet includes a plurality of slots
22 for holding credit cards and other identity/reward cards, and
also includes a number of interior pockets for holding various
items. Typically, the wallet includes one pocket 25 which is sized
and adapted to hold currency and/or a checkbook. Other pockets may
hold change or other items. In general, the wallet is sewn to
define the various pockets and portions of the wallet. In the
present case, folding of the wallet is facilitated by a narrow
bridge-like member 26 at fold line 18 which connects portions 28
and 30 of the wallet. Portion 30 is first folded onto portion 28,
with the remaining portion 32 folding back upon portion 30, and
then connected and held closed by snap assemblies 15, 16 or other
assemblies.
[0014] The billfold 14 is detachably secured to the interior
surface 27 of portion 28 by four snap assemblies 36, 37, 38 and 39
at the respective corners thereof. In one embodiment, the snap
assemblies can be all male or female on the corners of the
billfold, while the interior surface of the wallet has the opposite
snap configuration. Alternatively, two snaps on the billfold can be
male while the other two (at the opposing longitudinal end) can be
female, with the snaps on the wallet being opposite. Other
releasably attachable elements, such as magnetic, could also be
used. In one snap arrangement, snaps on the billfold can be
arranged to attach the billfold to the wallet and also used to hold
the billfold in a folded condition.
[0015] Billfold 14 includes a transparent plastic pocket 42 adapted
to hold a driver's license and a few slot openings 44 to hold a
small number of credit cards, as well as a pocket 46, which runs
the length of the billfold, for currency and the like. When
attached, the billfold and the wallet form a secure integrated
unit, while the billfold, which is easily detached, can function as
a separate, thin member for carrying a small number of items when
detached. When not in use, the billfold can be conveniently
attached to the wallet, and is a functioning part of the wallet,
being readily accessible and usable by the user when the wallet is
open.
[0016] The billfold also includes an elastic strap 48, positioned
across the rear side of the billfold when it is attached, its ends
sewn into opposing longitudinal edges 50, 52 of the billfold, to
hold the billfold in a folded condition, by moving the strap around
the nearby end 51 of the billfold and over the folded-back half.
The billfold 14 also can be made of various materials, with leather
being presently preferred, and is sewn to define the pockets and
other structural features of the billfold. The billfold is sized to
extend substantially the full length and width of the interior
surface 27 of wallet portion 12.
[0017] In use, the wallet and the billfold can be carried together
as a single, integrated unit with the billfold being firmly
attached to the interior of the wallet. At desired times, the
wallet can be opened to expose the billfold, the billfold removed
and then the billfold carried alone as a small unit, or in a small
purse. The billfold, as indicated above, is accessible and
functional when it is attached in the wallet as well.
[0018] FIGS. 5 and 6 show another embodiment of a wallet-billfold
combination, which includes a wallet 60, which is made from leather
or other selected material. The wallet includes a number of
openings 62 for credit cards and the like as well as a number of
pockets for holding various elements, including a currency pocket
63 which is adapted to hold currency in a flat condition or a
checkbook and hence extends the length of the wallet. Typically,
the wallet is approximately 8.5 inches long by 4.5 inches wide,
although these dimensions can also vary in particular
circumstances.
[0019] The wallet 60 in this embodiment includes a single fold line
64, thus defining the wallet to have two parts 66 and 68. The
wallet includes a zipper 72 which extends around the periphery of
the two parts, as shown. FIG. 5 shows the wallet in its unzipped or
open configuration, with the billfold 68 exploded away from the
wallet, but attachable to one interior surface of one of the
sections. The attachment elements are snap assemblies 69, 70, 71
and 72, like those for the first embodiment at the four corners of
the billfold, comprising male and female joining members on the
wallet. FIG. 6 shows the wallet in its closed, zipped condition.
The wallet and billfold are used similarly to that of the first
embodiment, both when the billfold is attached to the wallet and
when it is separate from the wallet. The billfold also includes a
strap (not shown) similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0020] FIGS. 7 and 8 show the combination of a handbag or purse 73
with a detachable billfold 76. The handbag is closed by a zipper 75
and typically will include a large central pocket 74 adapted to
hold a number of items, but may also include individual pockets
which may be closed by various means, including zippers, snaps or
Velcro.RTM. material. The handbag/purse may also include slot
openings 78 for credit cards. The handbag may have numerous
configurations, arrangements and sizes. The billfold, which is
similar to the billfolds of the first and second embodiments, is
detachable by means of snaps or similar means to an interior
surface 80 of the handbag. The use of the billfold of FIGS. 7 and 8
is similar to that for the other embodiments.
[0021] Other embodiments include other accessory items such as for
a personal tablet-size computer case or a smart phone case. In each
case, an interior surface of the item will include four snaps or
similar elements, to which the billfold is releasably attached.
[0022] The concept of the present invention is the combination of a
wallet, which may take various configurations, or a handbag/purse
with a thin billfold which is detachable and attachable from an
interior surface of the wallet, handbag/purse. The attachment
mechanism can be snaps at the four corner locations for best
results, although other attachment elements can be used.
[0023] Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been
disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be understood
that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be
incorporated in the embodiment without departing from the spirit of
the invention, which is defined by the claims which follow.
* * * * *