US20190343255A1

US20190343255A1 - Money and card clip device

Info

Publication number: US20190343255A1
Application number: US15/976,958
Authority: US
Inventors: Travis L. Ross
Original assignee: TRUTH BY DESIGN LLC
Current assignee: TRUTH BY DESIGN LLC
Priority date: 2018-05-11
Filing date: 2018-05-11
Publication date: 2019-11-14

Abstract

A money and card clip device, comprising: a front planar central body portion configured to be selectively disposed on one side of an item to be held and a back planar central body portion configured to be selectively disposed on an opposed side of the item to be held; a plurality of closed-loop arm portions extending laterally from both the front planar central body portion and the back planar central body portion and configured to be selectively disposed about the item to be held; and a clip structure coupled to the back planar central body portion.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a money and card clip device for holding a user's money, credit cards, bank cards, identification cards, and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a money and card clip device that includes an attached clip structure for selectively attaching the money and card clip device to the user's belt, garments, belongings, or the like. Optionally, an opposed surface is securable to a mobile device, mobile device case, or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various wallets and money and card clips are known to those of ordinary skill in the art for holding ones paper money, credit cards, debit cards, license, and/or the like. Typically, such wallets include bi-fold and tri-fold wallets, and such money and card clips include two-arm pinch clips. Often, these wallets and money and card clips are embroidered, embossed, or adorned with various insignia on the outside thereof. As such, these wallets and money and card clips act as a fashion accessory. Problematically, the wallets can be bulky and cumbersome to use, while the money and card clips may inadequately secure ones valuables.
Thus, what is still needed in the art is a money and card clip device that is streamlined, easy to use, and that adequately secures ones valuables. Preferably, this money and card clip device could be embroidered, embossed, or adorned with various insignia on the outside thereof and act as a fashion accessory, just as known wallets and money and card clips are and do. Preferably, the money and card clip device would include an attached clip structure for selectively attaching the money and card clip device to a user's belt, garments, belongings, or the like. Optionally, an opposed surface would be securable to a mobile device, mobile device case, or the like.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a money and card clip device that is streamlined, easy to use, and that adequately secures ones valuables. Advantageously, this money and card clip device may be embroidered, embossed, or adorned with various insignia on the outside thereof and act as a fashion accessory, just as known wallets and money and card clips are and do. The money and card clip device includes a central body portion disposed on either side of a wallet insert or personal item to be held. Either three or four elongate arm portions extend radially outwards from the central body portion, in front of and behind the personal item to be held, thereby securing the personal item to be held. The money and card clip device may be manufactured from a substantially rigid material, such as metal or plastic, or the money and card clip device may be manufactured from a substantially flexible material, such as rubber. In the three-arm embodiment, for example, the money and card clip device is manufactured from either a substantially rigid material or a substantially flexible material and one side of the money and card clip device is left open, such that the personal item to be held may be inserted into the money and card clip device. In the four-arm embodiment, for example, the money and card clip device is manufactured from a substantially flexible material (at least in part) and one side of the money and card clip device includes a deflectable arm including a pull tab that may be deflected to the side such that the personal item to be held may be inserted into the money and card clip device.
In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a money and card clip device, comprising: a central body portion; and three or more elongate arm portions extending radially from the central body portion and configured to retain a item to be held. Optionally, the central body portion includes a front piece and a back piece. The three or more elongate arms couple the front piece of the central body portion to the back piece of the central body portion. The central body portion and the three or more elongate arm portions collectively define a space in which the item to be held is retained. Optionally, the money and card clip device also comprises a wallet insert disposed within the central body portion and the three or more elongate arm portions. Optionally, at least one of the three or more elongate arm portions is manufactured from a substantially flexible material. Optionally, at least one of the three or more elongate arm portions comprises a pull tab by which the elongate arm portion may be grasped by a user. The money and card clip device further comprises a decorative insignia disposed on one or more of the central body portion and the three or more elongate arm portions.
In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a method for providing a money and card clip device, comprising: providing a central body portion; and providing three or more elongate arm portions extending radially from the central body portion and configured to retain a item to be held. Optionally, the central body portion includes a front piece and a back piece. The three or more elongate arms couple the front piece of the central body portion to the back piece of the central body portion. The central body portion and the three or more elongate arm portions collectively define a space in which the item to be held is retained. Optionally, the money and card clip device also comprises a wallet insert disposed within the central body portion and the three or more elongate arm portions. Optionally, at least one of the three or more elongate arm portions is manufactured from a substantially flexible material. Optionally, at least one of the three or more elongate arm portions comprises a pull tab by which the elongate arm portion may be grasped by a user. The money and card clip device further comprises a decorative insignia disposed on one or more of the central body portion and the three or more elongate arm portions.
In a further exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a money and card clip device, comprising: a front planar central body portion configured to be selectively disposed on one side of an item to be held and a back planar central body portion configured to be selectively disposed on an opposed side of the item to be held; a plurality of closed-loop arm portions extending laterally from both the front planar central body portion and the back planar central body portion and configured to be selectively disposed about the item to be held; and a clip structure coupled to the back planar central body portion. Optionally, the front planar central body portion comprises one or more curved edges. Optionally, one or more of the plurality of closed-loop arm portions comprise one or more curved edges. Preferably, the plurality of closed-loop arm portions comprise opposed pairs of closed-loop arm portions disposed on opposed lateral sides of both the front planar central body portion and the back planar central body portion. Optionally, the front planar central body portion, the back planar central body portion, and the plurality of closed-loop arm portions are integrally formed. Optionally, the front planar central body portion, the back planar central body portion, and the plurality of closed-loop arm portions are manufactured from a substantially flexible material. Alternatively, the front planar central body portion, the back planar central body portion, and the plurality of closed-loop arm portions are manufactured from a substantially rigid material. Optionally, one or more ends of the clip structure is hingedly coupled to the back planar central body portion. Optionally, the money and card clip device further comprises an adhesive material coupled to the front central body portion and configured to selectively secure the front central body portion to another surface. Alternatively, the money and card clip device further comprises an attachment structure coupled to the front central body portion and configured to selectively secure the front central body portion to another surface.
In a still further exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a method for providing a money and card clip device, comprising: providing a front planar central body portion configured to be selectively disposed on one side of an item to be held and a back planar central body portion configured to be selectively disposed on an opposed side of the item to be held; providing a plurality of closed-loop arm portions extending laterally from both the front planar central body portion and the back planar central body portion and configured to be selectively disposed about the item to be held; and providing a clip structure coupled to the back planar central body portion. Optionally, the front planar central body portion comprises one or more curved edges. Optionally, one or more of the plurality of closed-loop arm portions comprise one or more curved edges. Preferably, the plurality of closed-loop arm portions comprise opposed pairs of closed-loop arm portions disposed on opposed lateral sides of both the front planar central body portion and the back planar central body portion. Optionally, the front planar central body portion, the back planar central body portion, and the plurality of closed-loop arm portions are integrally formed. Optionally, the front planar central body portion, the back planar central body portion, and the plurality of closed-loop arm portions are manufactured from a substantially flexible material. Alternatively, the front planar central body portion, the back planar central body portion, and the plurality of closed-loop arm portions are manufactured from a substantially rigid material. Optionally, one or more ends of the clip structure is hingedly coupled to the back planar central body portion. Optionally, the method for providing the money and card clip device further comprises providing an adhesive material coupled to the front central body portion and configured to selectively secure the front central body portion to another surface. Alternatively, the method for providing the money and card clip device further comprises providing an attachment structure coupled to the front central body portion and configured to selectively secure the front central body portion to another surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers are used to denote like device components, as appropriate, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a planar diagram illustrating one exemplary (three-arm) embodiment of the money and card clip device of the present invention, illustrating the use of the money and card clip device with a wallet insert or personal item to be held;

FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram illustrating one exemplary (three-arm) embodiment of the money and card clip device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram illustrating another exemplary (four-arm) embodiment of the money and card clip device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective and planar diagram illustrating a further exemplary (four-arm clipped) embodiment of the money and card clip device of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram illustrating a still further exemplary (four-arm clipped) embodiment of the money and card clip device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Again, in various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a money and card clip device that is streamlined, easy to use, and that adequately secures ones valuables. Advantageously, this money and card clip device may be embroidered, embossed, or adorned with various insignia on the outside thereof and act as a fashion accessory, just as known wallets and money and card clips are and do. The money and card clip device includes a central body portion disposed on either side of a wallet insert or personal item to be held. Either three or four elongate arm portions extend radially outwards from the central body portion, in front of and behind the personal item to be held, thereby securing the personal item to be held. The money and card clip device may be manufactured from a substantially rigid material, such as metal or plastic, or the money and card clip device may be manufactured from a substantially flexible material, such as rubber. In the three-arm embodiment, for example, the money and card clip device is manufactured from either a substantially rigid material or a substantially flexible material and one side of the money and card clip device is left open, such that the personal item to be held may be inserted into the money and card clip device. In the four-arm embodiment, for example, the money and card clip device is manufactured from a substantially flexible material (at least in part) and one side of the money and card clip device includes a deflectable arm including a pull tab that may be deflected to the side such that the personal item to be held may be inserted into the money and card clip device.
Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one exemplary (three-arm) embodiment, the money and card clip device 10 includes elongate arm portions 12 that extend radially outwards from the central body portion 14, in front of and behind the wallet insert or personal item to be held 16 (FIG. 1), thereby securing the wallet insert or personal item to be held 16. Typically, the wallet insert or personal item to be held 16 has a substantially square or rectangular shape. In this exemplary embodiment, the central body portion 14 has a substantially circular shape, although it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that any suitable shape may be utilized. The central body portion 14 may also simply include the intersection of the elongate arm portions 12. Likewise, the elongate arm portions 12 each have a substantially rectangular shape, although it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that any suitable shape may be utilized. The money and card clip device 10 may be manufactured from a substantially rigid material, such as metal or plastic, or the money and card clip device 10 may be manufactured from a substantially flexible material, such as rubber. In this exemplary embodiment, for example, the money and card clip device 10 is manufactured from either a substantially rigid material or a substantially flexible material and one side 18 of the money and card clip device 10 is left open, such that the wallet insert or personal item to be held 16 may be inserted into the money and card clip device 10. In general, the central body portion 14 and elongate arm portions 12 of the money and card clip device 10 define an internal space in which the wallet insert or personal item to be held 16 are disposed. The money and card clip device 10 may be embroidered, embossed, or adorned with various insignia 20 on the outside thereof and act as a fashion accessory, just as known wallets and money and card clips are and do.
In the event that the wallet insert 16 is used to hold the personal item to be held 16, the wallet insert 16 may include a conventional bi-fold or tri-fold wallet, a conventional card holder, etc., optionally made of leather, nylon, or another suitable material.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 3, in another exemplary (four-arm) embodiment, the money and card clip device 10 includes elongate arm portions 12 that extend radially outwards from the central body portion 14, in front of and behind the wallet insert or personal item to be held 16 (FIG. 1), thereby securing the wallet insert or personal item to be held 16. Typically, the wallet insert or personal item to be held 16 has a substantially square or rectangular shape. In this exemplary embodiment, the central body portion 14 has a substantially circular shape, although it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that any suitable shape may be utilized. The central body portion 14 may also simply include the intersection of the elongate arm portions 12. Likewise, the elongate arm portions 12 each have a substantially rectangular shape, although it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that any suitable shape may be utilized. The money and card clip device 10 may be manufactured from a substantially rigid material, such as metal or plastic, or the money and card clip device 10 may be manufactured from a substantially flexible material, such as rubber. In this exemplary embodiment, for example, the money and card clip device 10 is manufactured from a substantially flexible material (at least in part) and one side 19 of the money and card clip device 10 includes a deflectable arm 22 including a pull tab 24 that may be deflected to the side such that the wallet insert or personal item to be held 16 may be inserted into the money and card clip device 10. In general, the central body portion 14 and elongate arm portions 12 and 22 of the money and card clip device 10 define an internal space in which the wallet insert or personal item to be held 16 are disposed. The money and card clip device 10 may be embroidered, embossed, or adorned with various insignia 20 on the outside thereof and act as a fashion accessory, just as known wallets and money and card clips are and do.
It should be noted that the money and card clip device 10 is manufactured in the same manner as conventional money and card clip devices, having a relatively thin construction, such that the footprint of the money and card clip device 10 is small. The money and card clip device 10 can be molded, formed, etc.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 4, in a further exemplary (four-arm clipped) embodiment, the money and card clip device 110 includes arm portions 112 that extend laterally outwards from the front central body portion 114 a and the back central body portion 114 b, in front of and behind the wallet insert or personal item to be held, thereby securing the wallet insert or personal item to be held. Typically, the wallet insert or personal item to be held has a substantially square or rectangular shape. In this exemplary embodiment, the central body portions 114 a and 114 b each have a substantially rectangular planar shape including one or more curved protruding portions 115, although it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that any suitable shape may be utilized. Likewise, the arm portions 112 each have a substantially rectangular shape including one or more curved juncture portions 117, although it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that any suitable shape may be utilized. The money and card clip device 110 may be manufactured, in while or in part, from a substantially rigid material, such as a metal or plastic material, or the money and card clip device 110 may be manufactured from a substantially flexible material, such as a rubber material. In this exemplary embodiment, for example, the money and card clip device 110 is manufactured from a substantially flexible material (at least in part) and the front central body portion 114 a of the money and card clip device 110 includes a the curved protruding portion 115 that may be deflected to the side such that the wallet insert or personal item to be held may be easily inserted into the money and card clip device 110. In general, the central body portions 114 a and 114 b and arm portions 112 of the money and card clip device 110 define an internal space in which the wallet insert or personal item to be held are disposed. As such, each of the arm portions 112 has both front and back surfaces connected at a lateral edge thereof that forms a partially closed loop. The money and card clip device 110 may be embroidered, embossed, or adorned with various insignia on the outside thereof and act as a fashion accessory, just as known wallets and money and card clips are and do.
It should be noted that the money and card clip device 110 is manufactured in the same manner as conventional money and card clip devices, having a relatively thin construction, such that the footprint of the money and card clip device 110 is small. The money and card clip device 110 can be molded, formed, etc.
The back central body portion 114 b includes an open, deflectable (optionally hinged) clip structure 118 that is configured to selectively attach the money and card clip device 110 to a user's belt, garments, belongings, or the like. Optionally, the front central body portion 114 a includes an adhesive or attachment area/structure or the like for selectively attaching the money and card clip device 110 to a mobile device, mobile device case, and/or the like, thus allowing the money and card clip device 110, its contents, and the mobile device, mobile device case, and/or the like can be selectively attached to the user's belt, garments, belongings, or the like.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 5, in a still further exemplary (four-arm clipped) embodiment, the money and card clip device 110 again includes arm portions 112 that extend laterally outwards from the front central body portion 114 a and the back central body portion 114 b, in front of and behind the wallet insert or personal item to be held, thereby securing the wallet insert or personal item to be held. Typically, the wallet insert or personal item to be held has a substantially square or rectangular shape. In this exemplary embodiment, the central body portions 114 a and 114 b each have a substantially rectangular planar shape including one or more curved protruding portions 115, although it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that any suitable shape may be utilized. Likewise, the arm portions 112 each have a substantially rectangular shape including one or more curved juncture portions 117, although it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that any suitable shape may be utilized. The money and card clip device 110 may be manufactured, in while or in part, from a substantially rigid material, such as a metal or plastic material, or the money and card clip device 110 may be manufactured from a substantially flexible material, such as a rubber material. In this exemplary embodiment, for example, the money and card clip device 110 is manufactured from a substantially flexible material (at least in part) and the front central body portion 114 a of the money and card clip device 110 includes a the curved protruding portion 115 that may be deflected to the side such that the wallet insert or personal item to be held may be easily inserted into the money and card clip device 110. In general, the central body portions 114 a and 114 b and arm portions 112 of the money and card clip device 110 define an internal space in which the wallet insert or personal item to be held are disposed. As such, each of the arm portions 112 has both front and back surfaces connected at a lateral edge thereof that forms a partially closed loop. The money and card clip device 110 may be embroidered, embossed, or adorned with various insignia on the outside thereof and act as a fashion accessory, just as known wallets and money and card clips are and do.
It should again be noted that the money and card clip device 110 is manufactured in the same manner as conventional money and card clip devices, having a relatively thin construction, such that the footprint of the money and card clip device 110 is small. The money and card clip device 110 can be molded, formed, etc.
The back central body portion 114 b includes an closed (optionally deflectable/hinged) clip structure 118 that is configured to selectively attach the money and card clip device 110 to a user's belt, garments, belongings, or the like. Optionally, the front central body portion 114 a includes an adhesive or attachment area/structure or the like for selectively attaching the money and card clip device 110 to a mobile device, mobile device case, and/or the like, thus allowing the money and card clip device 110, its contents, and the mobile device, mobile device case, and/or the like can be selectively attached to the user's belt, garments, belongings, or the like.
Although the present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following non-limiting claims for all purposes.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A money and card clip device, comprising:

a front planar central body portion configured to be selectively disposed on one side of an item to be held and a back planar central body portion configured to be selectively disposed on an opposed side of the item to be held;

a plurality of closed-loop arm portions extending laterally from both the front planar central body portion and the back planar central body portion and configured to be selectively disposed about the item to be held; and

a clip structure coupled to the back planar central body portion.

2. The money and card clip device of claim 1, wherein the front planar central body portion comprises one or more curved edges.

3. The money and card clip device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of closed-loop arm portions comprise one or more curved edges.

4. The money and card clip device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of closed-loop arm portions comprise opposed pairs of closed-loop arm portions disposed on opposed lateral sides of both the front planar central body portion and the back planar central body portion.

5. The money and card clip device of claim 1, wherein the front planar central body portion, the back planar central body portion, and the plurality of closed-loop arm portions are integrally formed.

6. The money and card clip device of claim 1, wherein the front planar central body portion, the back planar central body portion, and the plurality of closed-loop arm portions are manufactured from a substantially flexible material.

7. The money and card clip device of claim 1, wherein the front planar central body portion, the back planar central body portion, and the plurality of closed-loop arm portions are manufactured from a substantially rigid material.

8. The money and card clip device of claim 1, wherein one or more ends of the clip structure is hingedly coupled to the back planar central body portion.

9. The money and card clip device of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive material coupled to the front central body portion and configured to selectively secure the front central body portion to another surface.

10. The money and card clip device of claim 1, further comprising an attachment structure coupled to the front central body portion and configured to selectively secure the front central body portion to another surface.

11. A method for providing a money and card clip device, comprising:

providing a front planar central body portion configured to be selectively disposed on one side of an item to be held and a back planar central body portion configured to be selectively disposed on an opposed side of the item to be held;

providing a plurality of closed-loop arm portions extending laterally from both the front planar central body portion and the back planar central body portion and configured to be selectively disposed about the item to be held; and

providing a clip structure coupled to the back planar central body portion.

12. The method for providing the money and card clip device of claim 11, wherein the front planar central body portion comprises one or more curved edges.

13. The method for providing the money and card clip device of claim 11, wherein one or more of the plurality of closed-loop arm portions comprise one or more curved edges.

14. The method for providing the money and card clip device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of closed-loop arm portions comprise opposed pairs of closed-loop arm portions disposed on opposed lateral sides of both the front planar central body portion and the back planar central body portion.

15. The method for providing the money and card clip device of claim 11, wherein the front planar central body portion, the back planar central body portion, and the plurality of closed-loop arm portions are integrally formed.

16. The method for providing the money and card clip device of claim 11, wherein the front planar central body portion, the back planar central body portion, and the plurality of closed-loop arm portions are manufactured from a substantially flexible material.

17. The method for providing the money and card clip device of claim 11, wherein the front planar central body portion, the back planar central body portion, and the plurality of closed-loop arm portions are manufactured from a substantially rigid material.

18. The method for providing the money and card clip device of claim 11, wherein one or more ends of the clip structure is hingedly coupled to the back planar central body portion.

19. The method for providing the money and card clip device of claim 11, further comprising providing an adhesive material coupled to the front central body portion and configured to selectively secure the front central body portion to another surface.

20. The method for providing the money and card clip device of claim 11, further comprising providing an attachment structure coupled to the front central body portion and configured to selectively secure the front central body portion to another surface.