U.S. patent application number 15/811280 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-08 for compact pocket organizer for keys, cards, currency and tools.
The applicant listed for this patent is RICHARD W. SINGER. Invention is credited to RICHARD W. SINGER.
Application Number | 20180064223 15/811280 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52581473 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180064223 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SINGER; RICHARD W. |
March 8, 2018 |
COMPACT POCKET ORGANIZER FOR KEYS, CARDS, CURRENCY AND TOOLS
Abstract
Small form-factor apparatus and methods for holding, securing,
and accessing personal items normally carried on a keychain and in
a wallet including, for example, keys, USB drive, bottle opener,
driver's license, credit-cards, RFID cards and paper currency are
disclosed.
Inventors: |
SINGER; RICHARD W.; (MENLO
PARK, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SINGER; RICHARD W. |
MENLO PARK |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52581473 |
Appl. No.: |
15/811280 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14471270 |
Aug 28, 2014 |
9826810 |
|
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15811280 |
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62013834 |
Jun 18, 2014 |
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61872338 |
Aug 30, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 1/06 20130101; A45C
2001/065 20130101; A45C 11/182 20130101; A45C 2001/067 20130101;
A45C 11/32 20130101; A45C 11/321 20130101; A45C 11/324 20130101;
A45C 2001/062 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/18 20060101
A45C011/18; A45C 11/32 20060101 A45C011/32; A45C 1/06 20060101
A45C001/06 |
Claims
1. A card clip for holding credit cards, comprising a plate
wherein, a first portion of the plate is folded back over a second
portion of the plate; the first portion comprises a window and a
flared end configured to receive credit cards; and the second
portion is substantially flat.
2. The card clip of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the plate
comprises two leaf springs on either side of a window.
3. The card clip of claim 2, wherein each of the leaf springs is
characterized by a beam length with a root width that is twice as
wide as a tip.
4. The card clip of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a
land configured to receive credit cards.
5. The card clip of claim 1, wherein the flared end and the land
are configured to receive credit cards when the credit cards are
placed at an oblique angle, into the clip.
6. The card clip of claim 1, comprising a separate, electrically
conductive, radio frequency shield.
7. A key organizer, comprising: a backing plate comprising: three
or more internally-threaded bosses peripherally arranged toward
sides of the backing plate and configured to mechanically mount
keys and/or tools; and a cover plate comprising key access slots
configured to rotate keys with a thumb or index finger, wherein the
cover plate is mounted over the backing plate.
8. The key organizer of claim 7, wherein the cover plate comprises
two or more wear-washers adhered to an underside of the plate.
9. The key organizer of claim 7, wherein the backing plate
comprises a key over-travel limit.
10. The key organizer of claim 7, comprising two or more disc
springs mounted on the bosses.
11. The key organizer of claim 7, comprising a removable and
re-positionable key ring mounted to the backing plate or to the
cover plate.
12. A device, comprising: a card clip comprising: a plate wherein a
first portion of the plate is folded back over a second portion of
the plate, wherein, the first portion comprises a window and a
flared end configured to receive credit cards; and the second
portion is substantially flat; and at least three
internally-threaded bosses mounted to an outside surface of the
second portion of the clip, wherein the at least three bosses are
peripherally arranged toward edges of the second portion and are
configured to mechanically mount keys or tools; and a cover plate
comprising key access slots configured to rotate keys with a thumb
or index finger, wherein the cover plate is mounted over the card
clip.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the first portion of the plate
comprises two leaf springs on either side of a window.
14. The device of claim 12, wherein each of the leaf springs is
characterized by a beam length with a root width that is twice as
wide as a tip.
15. The device of claim 12, wherein the first portion comprises a
land configured to receive credit cards.
16. The device of claim 12, wherein the flared end and the land are
configured to receive credit cards when the credit cards are placed
at an oblique angle, into the clip.
17. The device of claim 12, wherein the cover plate comprises a
plate with two or more wear-washers adhered to the underside of the
plate.
18. The device of claim 12, wherein the backing plate comprises a
key over-travel limit.
19. The device of claim 12, comprising a removable and
repositionable key ring mounted to the card clip or to the cover
plate.
20. The device of claim 12, comprising two or more disc springs
mounted on the bosses.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)
of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/013,834 filed on Jun. 18,
2014, and of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/872,338 filed on
Aug. 30, 2013, each of which is incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to small form-factor
apparatus and methods for holding, securing, and accessing the
personal items normally carried on a keychain and in a wallet
including, for example, USB drive, driver's license, credit-cards,
RFID cards and paper currency.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Conventional wallets and key holders are inherently bulky
and, when worn in pants pockets, cause pocket-bulge that is both
uncomfortable and unsightly. Wallets that are obvious where worn
also increase vulnerability to pickpockets. Key rings and key
chains are particularly uncomfortable because keys naturally splay
in a pants pocket, causing key serrations and pointed tips to poke
anatomy. Key organizers in pocket-knife embodiments cannot be used
single-handedly. Money clips, because they are small and have a
limited moment-arm, yield easily and then no longer securely hold
one or several paper bills. Because credit cards and ID are not
enveloped by a money-clip, these cards are easily dislodged. The
clips on combination card holders and money clips tend to be either
short leaf springs or hinged magnets, which respectively yield
easily and do not provide a secure grip with more than a few bills.
Unloaded card holders with segmented compartments are inherently
thick because of the material stack-up. Single-compartment card
holders without an elastic member do not securely hold more than a
few cards. Card holders with an elastic member compromise easy card
access and the elastic relaxes over time, compromising card
retention. Card holders and wallets made from stitched leather or
fabric wear out over time from worn stitching. Radio frequency
identification (RFID) credit cards can be non-invasively read with
a portable scanner, through non-shielded wallets and clothing. With
over two hundred million RFID cards in circulation, unauthorized
RFID scanning is a common cause of ID theft.
SUMMARY
[0004] The wallet and key organizers provided by the present
disclosure describe a resilient spring-clip to envelop credit cards
and also contain keys as part of a thin laminate with keys held
between the outside of the spring-clip and a cover plate. In
certain embodiments, the spring-clip and the key organizer are not
combined, so that they are independent in both form and function,
minimizing the thickness of each, and the key organizer holds keys
between two plates of the same length and width. The term card clip
as used herein refers to a modified money-clip intended to envelop
and hold credit cards, cash and/or ID. The term combination wallet
as used herein refers to a combined card-clip and key
organizer.
[0005] The RFID blocking card provided by the present disclosure,
describes a compact shield for preventing unauthorized scanning of
RFID cards held in the card clip, combination wallet, or most
non-RFID blocking wallets and card holders.
[0006] In a first aspect, card clips for holding credit cards are
provided, comprising a plate wherein a first portion of the plate
is folded back over a second portion of the plate, wherein, the
first portion comprises a window and a flared end configured to
receive credit cards; and the second portion is substantially
flat.
[0007] In a second aspect, key organizers are provided, comprising:
a backing plate comprising: three or more internally-threaded
bosses peripherally arranged toward sides of the backing plate and
configured to mechanically mount keys and/or tools; and a cover
plate comprising key access slots configured to rotate keys with a
thumb or index finger, wherein the cover plate is mounted over the
backing plate.
[0008] In a third aspect, devices are provided comprising: a card
clip comprising: a plate wherein a first portion of the plate is
folded back over a second portion of the plate, wherein, the first
portion comprises a window and a flared end configured to receive
credit cards; and the second portion is substantially flat; and at
least three internally-threaded bosses mounted to an outside
surface of the second portion of the clip, wherein at least three
bosses are peripherally arranged toward edges of the second portion
and are configured to mechanically mount keys or tools; and a cover
plate comprising key access slots configured to rotate keys with a
thumb or index finger, wherein the cover plate is mounted over the
card clip.
[0009] In a fourth aspect, RFID blocking shields are provided
comprising a thin, composite material laminated to a metalized
fabric.
[0010] Other features of the present disclosure will become
apparent from the following detailed description.
[0011] Reference is now made to certain embodiments of clips,
organizers, combination clips and organizers, and RF blocking
cards. The disclosed embodiments are not intended to be limiting of
the claims. To the contrary, the claims are intended to cover all
alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a card clip in accordance
with certain embodiments of this disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a card clip holding an
electrically conductive removable card in accordance with certain
embodiments of this disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a key organizer in
accordance with certain embodiments of this disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along section 4-4
of FIG. 3, showing a key organizer hardware assembly, in accordance
with certain embodiments of this disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 5 shows an exploded assembly view of the FIG. 3 key
organizer in accordance with certain embodiments of this
disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a combination wallet in
accordance with certain embodiments of this disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view taken along section 7-7
of FIG. 6, showing a combination wallet hardware assembly, in
accordance with certain embodiments of this disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a combination wallet
holding an electrically conductive removable card in accordance
with certain embodiments of this disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 9 shows an exploded assembly view of the FIG. 6
combination wallet in accordance with certain embodiments of this
disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an RFID-blocking shield
in accordance with certain embodiments of this disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 11 shows an exploded assembly view of RFID cards placed
between two RFID blocking shields in accordance with certain
embodiments of this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The card clip comprises a three-sided housing that grips and
envelops credit-cards, folded paper currency, ID, and business
cards. In a particular embodiment, the profile of the card clip is
a tear drop shape, with the two long sides in contact at their
ends, and with at least one of the ends flared to receive and grip
cards, currency and ID. One of the long sides has a trapezoidal
opening, effecting two long, tapered beams on either side of the
opening, and a void between the tapered beams so that cards and
cash are visible, accessible and readily available. The length of
the beam, combined with a root width that is twice as wide as the
tip, increases leaf-spring elasticity and fatigue resistance. The
width of the opening between the tapered beams controls spring
resistance, and also permits a thumb or finger to push cards
outward from the clip, with cards still held by the clip, allowing
the user to easily select, remove and insert a single card or cash.
The side opposite from the tapered beams is an unrelieved and
smooth surface to prevent magnetic tape abrasion on cards that
include magnetic tape.
[0024] In certain embodiments, the card clip wallet is fabricated
from composite material and/or metal that, unlike leather or fabric
wallets and card-holders, does not include stitching that is
vulnerable to wear, and when used with the RFID blocking card
described herein, prevents unauthorized scanning of RFID cards.
[0025] The key organizer provided by the present disclosure
comprises: a rigid backing plate with threaded bosses that are
peripherally arranged for key-mounting; a protrusion, or
protrusions in the middle of the backing plate for limiting
rotational travel of the keys; washers provided as spacers when
keys are not installed; curved, disc springs provided for holding
the keys in place when rotationally extended or retracted; a
cover-plate assembly consisting of a rigid plate with slots over
the keys for key access, countersunk holes, and thin wear-washers
adhered to the side of the cover plate opposite the countersinks
and concentric to the holes; and flathead screws which fasten the
cover-plate assembly to the backing plate's threaded protrusions
and compress the disc springs when washers, keys, and/or tools such
a flash-memory drive, bottle opener, screwdriver, or LED flashlight
are installed. Cover plate key access slots are sized for the
thumb, so that keys can be rotated open or closed with one
hand.
[0026] In an embodiment of this disclosure, the backing plate
material is 1 millimeter-thick stainless steel with press-fit,
internally-threaded standoffs and the cover plate material is 2
millimeter-thick aluminum so that the key organizer can be durable,
rigid, thin and unobtrusive when in a pants pocket. Both the
backing plate and cover plate have a corner radius of at least 3
millimeters on each corner and deburred edges for comfortable wear
and handling. This embodiment has a backing plate and a cover plate
that are the same length and width of a credit card for compactness
and dimensional compatibility with most non-vehicle keys available
in North America, but the width and length could increase to fit
with larger keys that are more common in Asia and in Europe.
[0027] In certain embodiments of this disclosure the height of the
internally threaded, backing plate standoffs are 1 millimeter
greater than the thickness of one standard key thickness (2 mm), or
1 millimeter more than the aggregate of multiple key thickness, so
that the keys can be held in compression with disc springs, cover
plate and screws installed, and so that rotational key resistance
does not vary and the screws do not loosen when the cover is
screwed tightly against the threaded protrusions of the backing
plate.
[0028] An embodiment of this disclosure has three backing plate key
positions: two positions having keys inset from the long sides,
with adjacent key heads just inset from a short side; and a third
position having a key or keys inset from the short side and the key
head or key heads inset from one of the long sides. Since all keys
are contained within the backing plate and cover, nothing sharp or
pointed protrudes from the key organizer envelope. Internally
threaded backing plate standoffs may be metric because off-shelf
metric standoffs are available in 2 mm height increments that match
increases in height when keys are stacked on top of each other,
providing the same disc spring gap with the cover plate when one or
more keys are stacked. In this arrangement, backing plates can be
assembled with standoff heights that support key quantities in
multiples of three, for example, three-key backing plates or
six-key backing plates. Since backing plates support key quantities
in multiples of greater than two, the thickness of the modified
product is minimized.
[0029] In another embodiment of this disclosure, a removable key
ring is provided with a backing plate washer to replace a key and
to provide an attachment mechanism for oversized keys such as
vehicle keys that are, or include, wireless electronic devices.
[0030] In certain embodiments of this disclosure, flathead screws
are specified so that, taken together with the backing plate's
press-fit standoffs, all hardware is flush or below flush to
prevent dermal abrasion or abrasion of anything in contact with the
key organizer. In certain embodiments of this disclosure a nylon
patch is specified on the threads of the screw to prevent screws
from loosening.
[0031] The combination wallet provided by the present disclosure is
the same as the fore-mentioned key organizer, except that the key
organizer's backing plate is replaced with the fore-mentioned card
clip housing, modified to include press-fit, internally threaded
standoffs installed in the unrelieved side of the housing that is
opposite from the windowed side and with the standoff protrusions
on the outside of the housing. Advantages of this construction
include a common blacking plate for keys and cards, common tooling
for the card clip and combination wallet described herein, as well
as a common cover plate shared by the key organizer and the
combination wallet. Henceforth, the modified card clip housing will
be referred to as the combination backing plate.
[0032] In certain embodiments of this disclosure the height of the
internally threaded, combination backing plate standoffs are 1
millimeter greater than the thickness of one standard key thickness
(2 mm), or 1 millimeter more than the aggregate of multiple key
thickness, so that the keys can be held in compression with disc
springs, cover plate and screws installed, and so that rotational
key resistance does not vary and the screws do not loosen when the
cover is screwed tightly against the backing plate's threaded
protrusions.
[0033] An embodiment of this disclosure has three combination
backing plate key positions: two positions having keys inset from
the long sides, with adjacent key heads just inset from a short
side; and a third position having a key or keys inset from the
short side and the key head or key heads inset from one of the long
sides. Since all keys are contained within the cover and
combination backing plate, nothing sharp or pointed protrudes from
the combination wallet envelope. Internally threaded combination
backing plate standoffs may be metric because off-shelf metric
standoffs are available in 2 mm height increments that match
increases in height when keys are stacked on top of each other,
providing the same disc spring gap with the cover plate when one or
more keys are stacked. In this arrangement, combination backing
plates can be assembled with standoff heights that support key
quantities in multiples of three, for example, a three-key
combination backing plate or a six-key combination backing plate.
Since combination backing plates support key quantities in
multiples of greater than two, the thickness of the combination
product is minimized.
[0034] In certain embodiments of this disclosure, flathead screws
are specified so that screw heads are flush or below flush to
prevent dermal-abrasion or abrasion of anything in contact with the
combination wallet. A nylon patch is specified on the threads of
the screw to prevent screws from loosening. Combination backing
plate standoffs are flush-mounted to prevent magnetic tape abrasion
when cards with magnetic strips are inserted or removed from the
combination wallet.
[0035] The card clip component, of the combination wallet, is the
combination backing plate, and comprises a three-sided housing that
grips and envelops credit-cards, folded paper currency, ID, and
business cards. In a particular embodiment, the profile of the card
clip component is a tear drop shape, with the two long sides in
contact at their ends, and with at least one of the ends flared to
receive and grip cards, currency and ID. One of the long sides has
a trapezoidal opening, effecting two long, tapered beams on either
side of the opening, and a void between the tapered beams so that
cards and cash are visible, accessible and readily available. The
length of the beam, combined with a root width that is twice as
wide as the tip, increases leaf-spring elasticity and fatigue
resistance. The width of the opening between the tapered beams
controls spring resistance, and also provides card access so a
thumb or finger can push cards outwards from the clip, with cards
still held by the clip, allowing the user to easily select, remove
and insert a single card or cash. The side opposite from the
tapered beams is an unrelieved and smooth surface, with flush
mounted standoffs installed flush or below flush, to prevent
magnetic tape abrasion on cards that include magnetic tape.
[0036] In certain embodiments, the combination wallet is fabricated
from composite material and/or metal that, unlike leather or fabric
wallets and card-holders, does not include stitching that is
vulnerable to wear, and when used with the RFID blocking card
described herein, prevents unauthorized scanning of RFID cards.
[0037] The RFID blocking card, provided by the present disclosure
includes a thin, credit card sized, composite material, laminated
with metalized fabric. In certain embodiments, the RFID blocking
card is held within a card clip provided by the present disclosure,
to prevent unauthorized scanning of RFID cards contained between
the RFID blocking card and the unrelieved side of the card
clip.
[0038] The RFID blocking card is fabricated from a material that is
softer than the card clip and non-abrasive, so it cannot abrade the
card clip, or combination wallet backing plate, which might then
abrade magnetic tape when cards are inserted or removed.
[0039] In certain embodiments, two RFID blocking cards are used to
sandwich RFID cards within a non-RFID blocking wallet, or card
holder, to prevent unauthorized RFID scanning of RFID cards.
[0040] The FIG. 1 card clip of the present disclosure is shown
empty and in a pre-loaded condition, but can hold multiple cards
and cash between the flat side 101, that is at least the width and
length of a credit card for enveloping such cards, and the flared
bridge 102 that joins two stiff, tapered leaf springs 103 and 104.
The side of card clip disclosed herein that comprises leaf springs
103 and 104 is as long as possible, to maximize leaf spring
elasticity and fatigue resistance, and still provide for an
adequately sized land 105, between the end of the flared bridge 102
and the non-hemmed end of the card clip 106, for inserting a card
or cards at an acute angle into the flared opening 107 of the clip.
A spring force equal to or greater than 7 pounds is preferred for
securely holding cards, but such force makes opening the card clip
with fingernails moderately difficult, so the fore-mentioned method
of inserting a card or cards into the card clip provides a
practical mechanical advantage. Leaf springs 103 and 104 are
tapered, for uniform stress distribution and maximum elasticity,
with a root width 108 that is about twice that of the tip width
109. Other relative dimensions of root width to tip width may be
used provided that the spring force is sufficient to retain the
inserts and also facilitates insertion of inserts such as credit
cards.
[0041] The FIG. 2 card clip of the present disclosure is shown
holding a single card 201 that may be an electrically-conductive
shield for blocking radio frequencies of RFID cards, which may be
sandwiched between card 201 and the flat side 202 of the card clip
disclosed herein. The card clip of the present disclosure is a
three-sided housing having: a windowed side 203 for accessing a
card 201, or multiple cards and paper currency; an unrelieved, flat
side 202; and a hemmed side 204, which could alternatively replace
the hem with a short, flat side, having 2 folds.
[0042] FIG. 3 shows a key organizer of the present disclosure, with
a backing plate 301 that holds keys 302, 303 and 304, or multiple
keys, spacers (not shown), and a key ring 305 with two stacked
layers of three items. Keys 302, 303 and 304 are shown in the
retracted, or closed position, and the cover 306, key ring 305 and
spacer, or spacers (not shown), are held in place by flathead
screws 307, 308 and 309. Cover 306 key-access slots 310, 311 and
312 are located above the retracted keys 302, 303 and 304 and are
sized and positioned so keys, which pivot around screws 307, 308
and 309, can be rotated open or closed single-handedly with a thumb
or index finger. The cover 306 is held in place by more than one
screw, so it cannot rotate and loosen screws 307, 308 and 309 when
keys or tools, such as a USB flash drive or bottle opener, are
rotated in and out of the key organizer of the present
disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 4 shows the laminated construction of the key organizer
embodiment shown in FIG. 3. One of the three identical sets of
hardware is shown, including flathead screw 401 and internally
threaded backing plate standoff 402, which is press-fit into, and
flush-mounted to, 1 millimeter thick backing plate 403. Off-shelf,
internally-threaded M3 standoffs are available in 2 millimeter
height increments, which match the thickness of a standard key, so
metric M3 standoffs for thin sheet metal installation can be
specified at heights of 4 millimeters, 6 millimeters and 8
millimeters to match stacked key thicknesses of one, two or three
keys, and when installed in 1 millimeter-thick backing plate 403,
the top of the specified standoff, illustrated by standoff 402,
will always contact cover 406. Spacer 404, key 405, and disc spring
407 are held in compression between backing plate 403 and cover 406
by securely tightened screw 401. Although spacer 404, key ring 408,
and key 405 are shown for purposes of illustration, two keys, or
two spacers, or a tool equaling a key thickness, such as a bottle
opener or screw driver, in combination with a key or spacer, or a
tool such as a USB flash drive with a height approximately equal to
4 millimeters could also be used. Another advantage of the
construction shown in this embodiment is that off-shelf M3 metric
screws with sufficient thread engagement can be used with off-shelf
M3 metric standoffs, to minimize hardware costs. Key case materials
used in this embodiment include: nylon-patch screws, illustrated by
screw 401, to resist loosening; 1 millimeter-thick stainless steel,
in backing plate 403, for strength and a minimum cross-sectional
thickness to install recessed standoffs; 2 millimeter-thick 6061-T6
aluminum, in cover plate 406, for a rigid plate with sufficient
thickness to recess M3 flathead screw heads, illustrated by screw
401, while minimizing weight.
[0044] With reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 5 shows an exploded
assembly-view of the FIG. 3 key organizer, with a fourth key 501
shown. In this embodiment, backing plate 502 is a sub-assembly that
includes internally-threaded, press-fit standoffs 503, 504 and 505,
and key over-travel limit 506, that is permanently adhered to
backing plate 502, and sized accordingly so that the height is less
than the specified standoff height. The cover plate assembly 507
includes cover plate 508 and wear-resistant, thin-plastic washers
509, 510 and 511, which are permanently adhered to cover plate 508,
to reduce friction and wear when keys, spacers, and/or tools are
rotated in and out of the key case. Removable key ring 512
assembles over spacer 513, at the standoff position occupied by key
517. Spacer 514, or multiple, identical spacers, is used to fill
the void or voids when the key organizer is not occupied or is
partially occupied by keys and/or tools. Nylon-patch, flathead
screws 515, 516 and 517: fasten cover assembly 507 to backing plate
threaded standoffs 503, 504 and 505; hold keys 501, 517, 518 and
519, and spacers 513 and 514 between cover-plate assembly 507 and
backing plate 502; and provide torque resistance for keys 501, 517,
518 and 519 when held in compression by disk springs 520, 521, and
522.
[0045] FIG. 6 shows the combination wallet of the present
disclosure, with a combination backing plate 601 that holds keys
602, 603 and 604, or three spacers (not shown), or a combination of
spacers and keys. Keys 602, 603 and 604 are shown in the retracted,
or closed position, and the cover 605, keys and/or spacers (not
shown), are held in place by flathead screws 606, 607 and 608.
Cover 605 key-access slots 609, 610 and 611 are located above the
retracted keys 602, 603 and 604 and are sized and positioned so
keys, which pivot around screws 606, 607 and 608, can be rotated
open or closed single-handedly with a thumb or index finger. The
cover 605 is held in place by more than one screw, so it cannot
rotate and loosen screws 606, 607 and 608 when keys or tools, such
as a bottle opener or USB flash drive, are rotated in and out of
the combination wallet of the present disclosure.
[0046] FIG. 7 shows the laminated construction of the combination
wallet embodiment shown in FIG. 6. One of the three identical sets
of hardware is shown, including flathead screw 701 and internally
threaded backing plate standoff 702, which is press-fit into, and
flush-mounted to, 1 millimeter thick combination backing plate 703.
Off-shelf, internally-threaded M3 standoffs are available in 2
millimeter height increments, which match the thickness of a
standard key, so metric M3 standoffs for thin sheet metal
installation can be specified at heights of 4 millimeters, 6
millimeters and 8 millimeters to match stacked key thicknesses of
one, two or three keys, and when installed in 0.9 millimeter-thick
backing plate 703, the top of the specified standoff, illustrated
by standoff 702, will always have contact with cover 704. Key 705
and disc spring 706 are held in compression between backing plate
703 and cover 704 by securely-tightened screw 701. Although a
single key 705 is shown for purposes of illustration, two stacked
keys, or two spacers, or a tool equaling a key thickness, such as a
bottle opener or screw driver, in combination with a key or spacer,
or a tool such as a USB flash drive with a height approximately
equal to 4 millimeters could also be used in a combination backing
plate with 6 millimeter-high standoffs. Another advantage of the
construction shown in this embodiment is that off-shelf M3 metric
screws with sufficient thread engagement can be used with off-shelf
M3 metric standoffs, to minimize hardware costs. Combination wallet
materials used in this embodiment include: nylon-patch screws,
illustrated by screw 701, to resist loosening; 1 millimeter-thick,
half-hard, 301 stainless steel, in combination backing plate 703,
for strength, elasticity, and a minimum cross-sectional thickness
to install recessed standoffs; 2 millimeter-thick 6061-T6 aluminum,
in cover plate 704, for a rigid plate with sufficient thickness to
recess M3 flathead screw heads, illustrated by screw 701, while
minimizing weight.
[0047] FIG. 8 shows the combination wallet, of the present
disclosure, with a modified backing plate 801 having: a windowed
side 802 for accessing a card 803, or multiple cards and paper
currency; an unrelieved, flat side 804; and a hemmed side 805,
which could alternatively replace the hem with a short, flat side,
having 2 folds. The modified backing plate 801 is shown holding a
single card 803 in a pre-loaded condition, but it can hold multiple
cards and cash between the flat side 804, that is at least the
width and length of a credit card for enveloping such cards, and
the flared bridge 806 that joins two stiff, tapered leaf springs
807 and 808. The side of the modified backing plate 801 that
comprises leaf springs 807 and 808 is as long as possible, to
maximize leaf spring elasticity and fatigue resistance, and still
provide for an adequate land 809, between the end of the flared
bridge 806 and the non-hemmed end 810 of modified backing plate
801, for inserting a card or cards at an acute angle into the
flared opening 811. A spring force equal to or greater than 7
pounds is preferred for securely holding cards, but such force
makes opening the card clip with fingernails moderately difficult,
so the fore-mentioned method of inserting a card or cards into the
card clip provides a practical mechanical advantage. Leaf springs
807 and 808 are tapered, for uniform stress distribution and
maximum elasticity, with a root width 812 that is twice that of the
tip width 813. The card 803 shown in the present embodiment is an
electrically-conductive shield for blocking radio frequencies of
RFID cards which may be sandwiched between card 803 and the flat
side 804 of modified backing plate 801.
[0048] With reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 9 shows an exploded
assembly-view of the FIG. 6 combination wallet. In this embodiment,
backing plate 901 is a sub-assembly that includes
internally-threaded, press-fit standoffs 902, 903 and 904, and key
over-travel limit 905, that is permanently adhered to backing plate
901, and sized accordingly so that the height is less than the
specified standoff height. The cover-plate assembly 906 consists of
cover plate 907 and wear-resistant, thin-plastic washers 908, 909
and 910, which are permanently adhered to cover plate 907, and
reduce friction and wear when keys, spacers, and/or tools are
rotated in and out of the combination wallet. Spacer 514 (FIG. 5),
or multiple, identical spacers, is used to fill the void or voids
when the combination wallet is not occupied or is partially
occupied by keys and/or tools. Nylon-patch, flathead screws 911,
912 and 913: fasten cover assembly 906 to backing plate threaded
standoffs 902, 903 and 904; hold keys 913, 914 and 915 between
cover-plate assembly 905 and backing plate 901; and provide torque
resistance for keys 914, 915 and 916 when held in compression by
disk springs 917, 918, and 919.
[0049] FIG. 10 shows an exploded assembly view of the RFID blocking
card described by the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the
RFID blocking card is fabricated from 0.5 millimeter thick
composite material 1001, comprising carbon-fiber and/or fiberglass
woven fabric and an epoxy or polyester resin, laminated with
metalized fabric 1002, comprising a 0.075 thick, pure copper,
polyester, taffeta fabric, bonded to, or molded with, material
1001. Advantages of the fore-mentioned construction include:
stiffness; flexibility; rip resistance; crease resistance;
durability; an effective radio frequency blocking shield on one
side and a highly cosmetic surface on the other side; and an
overall shield thickness that is half the thickness of a credit
card.
[0050] The FIG. 11 exploded assembly view shows two of the RFID
blocking card described by FIG. 10, 1101 and 1102, and three RFID
cards 1103, 1104, and 1105. Although three RFID cards are shown in
this illustration, a single card or a different multiple of cards
could also be placed between RFID blocking cards 1101 and 1102, and
in a fabric or leather wallet or card holder, to prevent
unauthorized RFID scanning of RFID cards. The combined thickness of
RFID blocking cards 1101 and 1102 is equal to one embossed credit
card, so the shield adds minimal thickness to a conventional wallet
or card holder and, unlike an RFID blocking sleeve, does not
compromise card access.
[0051] Finally, it should be noted that there are alternative ways
of implementing the embodiments disclosed herein. Accordingly, the
present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not
restrictive. Furthermore, the claims are not to be limited to the
details given herein, and are entitled their full scope and
equivalents thereof.
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