US20130174320A1

US20130174320A1 - Wristband with concealed key pocket

Info

Publication number: US20130174320A1
Application number: US13/348,354
Authority: US
Inventors: Alex Moye
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-01-11
Filing date: 2012-01-11
Publication date: 2013-07-11

Abstract

A wristband with a concealed key pocket includes a continuous generally circular main body having a pocket assembly with an elongated sleeve for holding a key, and a flap for disguising the existence of the sleeve.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to key carriers, and more particularly to a wristband having an integrated and concealed carrying pocket capable of holding a user's key in situations where pockets and purses are inaccessible or undesirable to utilize.
Though individuals are often able to keep small items such as keys, electronic key fobs, and the like accessible by way of pockets, wallets and purses, it is not uncommon to occasionally find oneself in a situation where these storage choices are not readily available. For example, athletes often train on their own outside of establishments like gyms and athletic clubs that offer secure places to store personal items. As such, athletes are often required to find or create makeshift areas to store house and/or car keys, for example. Alternatively, they must leave their homes and cars unlocked during their workout routine and hope that nothing untoward happens during their absence. Moreover, traditional workout clothing rarely, if ever, has pockets that accommodate small items, such as keys, that are essential to the average person's daily routine.
In light of the above, it would be beneficial to provide a lightweight, unobtrusive key carrying wristband that can be securely and comfortably worn by a user during any number of common activities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a wristband with a concealed key pocket. One embodiment of the device includes a continuous generally circular main body having a pocket assembly that includes an elongated sleeve for holding a key, and a flap for disguising the existence of the sleeve.
Another embodiment of the device includes a main body having an adjustable size and a pocket assembly located on the inside portion of the main body.
This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of a wristband with concealed key pocket in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 b is a perspective view of a wristband with concealed key pocket in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cutout view of a pocket assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a wristband with concealed key pocket in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an open concealed key pocket wristband in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a closed concealed key pocket wristband in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.
For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Although described throughout this document as pertaining to a wristband, one of skill in the art will recognize that the described invention can be utilized as an ankle, bicep and/or triceps band by simply increasing the dimension of the device. Accordingly, the device is not limited to use strictly on the wrist of a user.
FIG. 1 a illustrates one embodiment of a wristband with concealed key pocket that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. As shown, the device 10 can include a main body 11 having a pocket assembly 20 secured thereon.
The main body 11 can include a generally circular shape configured to be secured to the arm or leg of a user. In one preferred embodiment, the main body 11 can include an inside surface 11 a configured to make contact with the arm or leg of a user, and an outside surface 11 b configured to face away from the arm or leg of the user. The main body 11 can preferably be constructed from a single piece of natural or blended fabric having excellent elastic characteristics and can be configured to stretch/contract around the appendage of the user to which it is ultimately attached. The resilient quality of elastic materials will thus allow the wristband to be worn without exhibiting signs of continued wear. Though fabrics of the athletic variety are mentioned, other fabrics, such as leather are also contemplated.
In one alternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 b, the main body 11 can include a single piece of semi-flexible material such as rubber, plastic or nylon, for example, that are capable of conforming to the shape of the arm or leg to which it is attached. The main body can further include two ends 11 c and 11 d configured to be removably secured together via a band connector having opposing halves 12 a and 12 b. Such a feature can allow the device 10 to be sized for the arm of each individual user without requiring the device to be installed over a hand or foot in order to be worn.
As described herein, a band connector 12 can include any number of known devices capable of securing two items together in a removable manner. Several examples include opposing strips of hook and loop material (i.e. Velcro®, magnetic elements, and compression fittings such as snaps and buttons which can be permanently secured to each end of the main body 11 by a permanent sealer such as glue, adhesive or stitching.
FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a concealed key pocket assembly 20. As shown, the pocket 20 can include an elongated sleeve 21 formed by an additional portion of band material having a length and width suitable for securely enclosing a small item 5 such as a key, key fob or other such item. As shown, sleeve 21 can include an opening 21 a at one end for allowing objects to be inserted into and removed from the sleeve (see arrow A). In one embodiment, the opening itself can include a connector 21 a 1 such as Velcro® for preventing inserted objects from inadvertently separating from the opening.
The pocket 20 can also include a an extension flap 22 having an outside surface 22 a and an inside surface 22 b that is configured to cover the sleeve 21 when the device is in operation (See arrow B). The extension flap 22 can serve the dual purpose of better disguising the existence of the sleeve 21, and as a secondary method of preventing objects from falling out of the sleeve. As shown, the flap 22 can be permanently secured to the main body 11 adjacent to the opening 21 a and can be configured to be secured to the outside portion of the sleeve 21 via another connector 23 such as Velcro®, for example.
As described herein, the pocket 20 can be constructed from a material that is identical to or different from the main body. Moreover, the physical construction of the pocket 20 can be performed separately from the main body and then secured thereon by stitching, or any other known method of joining fabrics. Alternatively, the pocket 20 can be incorporated into the construction of the main body itself by any number of known construction methodologies.
Although illustrated as being positioned on the outside portion of the main body 11 b, one of skill in the art will recognize that the pocket 20 can also be secured to the inside portion of the main body 11 a for increased secrecy.
In one alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the device 10 can include any number of unique markings and/or designs. In one preferred embodiment, the outside portion of the flap 22 a (the part which is visible when the device is worn) can include a logo 31 or other such marking so as to further disguise the existence of the sleeve underneath. Such a feature can be useful for both aesthetic, advertising and security reasons.
As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, once the extension flap 22 is secured over the sleeve 21, the pocket 20 appears to be a seamless component of the main body 11, while being able to securely and confidentially carrying a key or other such item. After use, the operator can simply lift the extension flap 22 away from the band, remove the key, reseal the flap and store the band.
Although described above as utilizing Velcro® with regard to the connector 23 and 21 a 1, this is for illustrative purposes only, as one of skill in the art will recognize that many other known items such as magnetic elements and/or compression fittings, for example, can be utilized herein.
As described herein, one or more elements of the wristband with concealed key pocket 10 can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, glue, fusible webbing and fabric adhesives, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individual elements such as the main band 11, securing flap 22, and sleeve pocket 21, including all sub components, for example, may be formed together as one continuous element, either through manufacturing processes, such as stitching, gluing, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof. Accordingly, in one alternate embodiment, each above described element of the wristband with concealed key pocket 10 can be constructed from a single piece of flexible, breathable nylon, polyester or fabric blend that is elastic enough to be used by individuals of varying sizes and age groups, however other materials such as leather, PVC, plastic, rubber and/or metallic elements, are also contemplated.
As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A wristband with concealed key pocket, comprising:

a continuous generally circular main body having an inside surface configured to contact with an appendage of a user, and an opposing outside surface; and

a concealed pocket assembly permanently secured to the main body, said assembly including

an elongated sleeve having a length and width configured to accommodate a key, said sleeve including an opening for receiving the key,

a flap configured to cover the sleeve and disguise the existence of the sleeve, and

a sleeve connector configured to removably secure an inside portion of the flap to an outside portion of the sleeve,

wherein said main body is constructed from a singular piece of elastic material configured to stretch and contract to a dimension of the appendage.

2. The wristband of claim 1, wherein said sleeve opening further includes a connector configured to manipulate the opening in a closed position.

3. The wristband of claim 2, wherein said connector includes at least one of a hook and loop material, a pair of magnetic elements and a compression fitting.

4. The wristband of claim 1, wherein said pocket assembly is constructed from an identical material as the main body.

5. The wristband of claim 1, wherein said pocket assembly is constructed from a material that is different from the main body.

6. The wristband of claim 1, wherein an outside portion of the flap further includes a marking configured to disguise the existence of the sleeve.

7. The wristband of claim 1, wherein said pocket is integrated into the main body so as to appear to be a single seamless element.

8. The wristband of claim 1, wherein said pocket assembly is permanently secured to the inside portion of the main body.

9. The wristband of claim 1, wherein said pocket assembly is permanently secured to the outside portion of the main body.

10. A wristband with concealed key pocket, comprising:

a main body having a first end, a second end, an inside surface configured to contact with an appendage of a user, and an opposing outside surface;

a band connector configured to removably secure the first end and the second end of the main body together, said connector including at least one of a hook and loop material, a pair of magnetic elements and a compression fitting; and

wherein said main body is constructed from a singular piece of semi-flexible material configured to conform to a shape of an appendage.

11. The wristband of claim 10, wherein said sleeve opening further includes a connector configured to manipulate the opening in a closed position.

12. The wristband of claim 11, wherein said connector includes at least one of a hook and loop material, a pair of magnetic elements and a compression fitting.

13. The wristband of claim 10, wherein said pocket assembly is constructed from an identical material as the main body.

14. The wristband of claim 10, wherein said pocket assembly is constructed from a material that is different from the main body.

15. The wristband of claim 10, wherein an outside portion of the flap further includes a marking configured to disguise the existence of the sleeve.

16. The wristband of claim 10, wherein said pocket is integrated into the main body so as to appear to be a single seamless element.

17. The wristband of claim 10, wherein said pocket assembly is permanently secured to the inside portion of the main body.

18. The wristband of claim 10, wherein said pocket assembly is permanently secured to the outside portion of the main body.