WO2006089078A2

WO2006089078A2 - Adaptable carrier for personal items

Info

Publication number: WO2006089078A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/005568
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph G. Williams
Original assignee: Williams Joseph G
Priority date: 2005-02-17
Filing date: 2006-02-17
Publication date: 2006-08-24
Also published as: WO2006089078A3

Abstract

An adaptable carrier designed to be carried on a person can be reconfigured to make particular storage compartments readily accessible to the person, as desired. The adaptable carrier includes at least two flaps, each having two faces. Each face includes various storage compartments designed to receive and store specific personal items, such as a piece of identification. The carrier also includes a hinge jointing the flaps to allow selective reconfiguration of the carrier between a first configuration providing ready access to a first set of faces and obscuring access to a second set of faces and another configuration proving ready access to the second set of faces while obscuring access to the first set of faces. Furthermore, the adaptable carrier includes at least one strap extending from the hinge to allow hanging of the carrier. A locking device is configured to selectively lock the carrier in one of the configurations.

Description

ADAPTABLE CARRIER FOR PERSONAL ITEMS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application

Ser. No. 60/654,031, entitled Hanging On- Vehicle, On-Body Storage Apparatus, filed February 17, 2005.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] -

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates generally to a personal storage device or carrier that is adaptable to hold a plurality of personal items in a plurality of customizable configurations. The carrier is specifically adaptable to hold the personal items in a plurality of different arrangements, such as by reversing interior and exterior compartments. Additionally, the carrier is designed to quickly and easily receive, for example, an identification card or pair of glasses, among other personal devices, in a manner such that the glasses are securely held in a position that makes them readily available to a user.

[0004] The number of personal items that individuals are required or find desirable to carry or keep in close proximity throughout the day is large and steadily increasing. For example, in the past, while it was typically only necessary for an individual to carry a driver's license and small amount of petty cash, it is now common that an individual will be required to carry parking structure access cards, office access cards/identification cards, credit cards, and phones or other communication devices. On top of these required items, individuals also find it desirable to carry personal items such as lipstick, chap stick, cellular phones, digital music players, and the like.

[0005] While traditional purses and bags have long since provided a means to carry a wide variety of personal effects that people require on a daily basis. However, these bags and purses are typically too bulky and cumbersome to carry with them throughout a day, particularly during a work day or day of leisure. Furthermore, traditional bags and purses while providing ample room for a plethora of personal items, do not provide an adequate systems for organizing the numerous items that may be stored therein. In this same vein, items that are required to be accessed by an individual frequently throughout a day, such as identification cards or electronic key cards, are often lost within the vast spaces in traditional bags and purses and, thus, not readily available to the individual as needed.

[0006] Accordingly, a wide variety of specialized carrier systems have been developed that are design to carry a particular personal item or set of personal items in a manner so as to be readily accessible and available to the individual. For example, identification cards, such as those often required in work environments or during travel, are required to be immediately available and accessible to an individual and, thus, a wide variety of carriers have been design to meet these specific needs. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,215,237 and U.S. Patent No. 6,681,972 teach two such carrier systems specifically designed to carry identification cards and the like in a visible and immediately accessible position. As is common in carriers designed with the primary purpose of holding an identification card, these systems are designed to be carried by an individual by lanyard or similar strap that can be worn around the individual's neck or arm or secured to a piece of clothing, such as the individual's belt.

[0007] While these systems have the advantage of presenting an identification card or the like in an immediately visible and accessible position, they do not provide a way to carry the variety of other personal items required by an individual throughout a day. hi this regard, U.S. Patent No. 6,752,305 provides a similar identification holder system that can be mounted by way of a lanyard around a person's neck or other portion of the body that includes a front portion designed to hold an identification card in a position so as to be readily visible and accessible in a manner as described above, and also includes additional pockets disposed behind the identification card holder designed to hold other card-sized personal items, such as ATM cards, credit cards, and phone cards that an individual may wish to carry on them throughout the day but which clear visible display of such may be undesirable. That is, open and notorious display of ATM cards, or phone cards is often found undesirable as it invites theft or misuse and, thus, this system provides a means to carry such cards in a concealed fashion.

[0008] While systems designed specifically around the needs of carrying and holding an identification card are desirable for that purpose, they include the much noted shortcoming that they are ill-equipped for holding the variety of other personal items that an individual finds necessary to carry with them throughout the day. For example, such identification carrying systems are not generally capable of carrying cellular phones or traditional eyeglasses in a safe and secure manner. In this regard, individuals typically resort to other specialized carriers design to safely and securely hold eyeglasses or cellular phones on an individual in a position so as to be readily available and accessible as needed. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,305,934 and U.S. Patent No. 5,860,191 teach two systems specifically designed to carry eyeglasses by way of a lanyard worn around the neck and a clip designed to be secured to a belt or shirt pocket, respectively. Similarly, International Publication No. WO 00/72723 teaches a carrier designed to hold a cellular phone or other personal communication device in one of a variety of fashions, such as around an individual's neck using a lanyard or from an individual's belt using a clip. [0009] While each of these systems is designed to meet the needs of carrying a specific personal item, in order to carry all the personal items required by an individual on a daily basis, the systems would require an individual to be laden with carriers mounted via various lanyards and clips and would cause the carriers to interfere with one another and become rather bulky and cumbersome, as a whole. Furthermore in carriers that attempt to combine the ability to carry one or more personal items in a single carrier, these systems are ill-equipped to adapt to the changing needs of an individual throughout the day as an individual moves between work and leisure or various other environments.

[0010] For example, while at work it may be desirable to readily display and have access to an identification card. On the other hand, while traveling on public transportation, it may be less desirable to display such an identification card but may be necessary to have ready access to transportation passes and the like. Similarly, while it may be desirable to wear a lanyard mounted carrier throughout the work day, it may be less desirable to wear such a carrier when entering a vehicle for travel or an extended commute. However, during such travel, it may still be necessary to have ready access to cards such as parking and toll way passes or other personal items such as glasses or cellular phones, hi fact, while in a car or other vehicle, it often becomes necessary for the driver to find his or her sunglasses or to find other personal devices such as pens, money, toll-way passes, and the like. In this regard, while it is generally undesirable to keep any carrier including purses and bags on oneself when entering a vehicle, it is also quite inconvenient and potentially unsafe for a driver to attempt to locate necessary items while operating the vehicle. Nevertheless, drivers often reach towards bags, purses, and other carriers that have been removed upon entering the vehicle or toward glove compartments, visors, or other console storage areas to locate necessary items while driving, hi many of these cases, the necessary items are often obstructed from easy access by other personal items and effects stored in the same location or because they are located in an inconvenient position or out of the reach for the driver.

[0011] Therefore, it would be desirable to have a carrier that is designed to conveniently carry the wide variety of personal items desired by an individual throughout a day in an organized and readily accessible manner and within a carrier that is not overly cumbersome so as to be undesirable to carry on a person. Furthermore, it would desirable that such a carrier be selectively adaptable by the user for different environments, such as work, leisure, or travel.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks by providing an adaptable carrier that provides convenient, easy-access, portable features for storing, retrieving, and carrying items while in a vehicle or when on foot, hi this regard, the device provides a quick and easy means for positioning such devices for use both in a vehicle and on a person. For example, the device can easily be adapted to be mounted on a rearview mirror of an automobile or secured to the body (wrist, waist, or around the neck) of a person without removing the contents and without impeding access to the needed items stored therein. In either location, the carrier securely holds and readily presents personal items, such as eyeglasses, to an individual to facilitate quick and easy access when needed. To further facilitate quick and easy access to devices stored therein, the carrier is adaptable, for example, reversible, so that a user may select which devices are most accessible based on need or environment, hi this same regard, the carrier includes safety features designed to protect components stored therein from accidental loss and to deter theft or damage. [0013] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an adaptable carrier is disclosed that is designed to be carried on a person. The carrier can be reconfigured to make particular storage compartments readily accessible to the person, as desired. The adaptable carrier includes at least two flaps, each having two faces. Each face includes various storage compartments designed to receive and store specific personal items, such as a piece of identification. The carrier also includes a hinge jointing the flaps to allow selective reconfiguration of the carrier between a first configuration providing ready access to a first set of faces and obscuring access to a second set of faces and another configuration proving ready access to the second set of faces while obscuring access to the first set of faces. Furthermore, the adaptable carrier includes at least one strap extending from the hinge to allow hanging of the carrier. A locking device is configured to selectively lock the carrier in one of the configurations.

[0014] Various other features of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of an adaptable carrier in a first configuration in accordance with the present invention;

[0016] Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the adaptable carrier of Fig. 1 in a second configuration that is inverted with respect to the first configuration of Fig. 1; [0017] Fig. 3 is a is a schematic illustration showing a relationship between each face of the earner of Figs. 1-3;

[0018] Fig. 4 is a is an exploded view of the carrier and a strap configured to engage one of a variety of D-ring arrangements; and [0019] Fig. 5 is a is an elevational view showing the carrier mounted around the neck of an individual.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0020] Referring now to Figs. 1 and 5, an adaptable personal storage device or earlier 10 is attachable to an automobile rearview mirror 12 (Fig. 1) and similarly attachable to a person by the neck 13 (Fig. 5), wrist, or waist via a lanyard or strap 14 secured through a D-ring 16. The carrier 10 includes a first "face" 18 that, as will be described, is one of four faces included in the carrier 10 that can be adapted or reconfigured so that two of the four faces are readily accessible while the other two are hidden and secured. As is the case with respect to each face, the first face 18 extends vertically from a bottom 20 to a top 22 with two opposing sides 24, 26 extending therebetween. Mounted at the top 22 of the first face 18 is the D-ring 16 configured to hang the carrier 10 on the strap 14. Additional D-rings 28, 30 may also be included at the top 22 of the first face 18 that are configured to engage items, such as glasses 32 positioned in the carrier 10. Alternatively, the D-rings 28, 30 may be replaced by a hooked, circular, or other shaped device designed to allow a given item to hang therefrom.

[0021] When desiring to store the pair of glasses 32 in the carrier 10, one merely slides the glasses 32 along the first face 18 of the carrier from the top 22 toward the bottom 20. In this regard, as the glasses 32 are moved toward the bottom 20 of the carrier 10, an arm 34 of the glasses 32 will engage the D-ring 28 and be hooked thereon. As the glasses 32 continue down the first face 28, they are positioned to enter a storage compartment in the form of a pocket 36. Accordingly, the glasses 32 are held near the top 22 of the first face 18 by the D-ring 28 and near the bottom 20 of the first face 18 by the pocket 36. hi this regard, the glasses 32 remain at least partially visible so as to be easily identifiable and accessible by a user of the carrier 10. Furthermore, while the glasses 32 are held securely by the carrier 10 by a system specifically designed for such use, the glasses 32 are easily removed from the carrier 10 when needed by simply grabbing an exposed portion of the glasses 32 and sliding them upward toward the top 22 of the carrier 10. [0022] A second pocket 38 is also formed on the first face 18. The second pocket 36 extends under the first pocket 36 such that the first pocket 36 is mounted on the first face 18 over the second pocket 38. Due to the coplanar arrangement of the first pocket 36 and the second pocket 38, a user may select to extend the glasses 32 into either the first pocket 36 or the second pocket 38. Similarly, it is contemplated that a third pocket 40 may be included on the first face 18 that is disposed under both the first pocket 36 and the second pocket 38. hi this regard, the pockets 36, 38, 40 are expandable in an accordion-like fashion.

[0023] In this regard, it is contemplated that a user may select to store the glasses 32 in any of the first pocket 36 (where the a larger portion of the glasses 32 remains visible), the second pocket 38 (where the glasses 32 are further covered by the second pocket 38 for increased protection), or in the third pocket 40 (where the glasses 32 can be substantially enclosed within the third pocket 40 and further protected). Any or all of the pockets 36, 38, 40 may include interior linings designed to present a soft and/or protective surface to glasses 32 arranged therein. Additionally, each of the pockets 36, 38, 40 includes a zipper 42, 44, 46 arranged at its opening to allow a user to selective open and close each pocket 36, 38, 40 independently. Furthermore, any of the zippers 42, 44, 46 (in this case, zipper 46) may include a jog 47 extending along one or both of the opposing sides 24, 26. hi this regard, the passages leading into the pockets 36, 38, 40 are able to open further and provide better access into the accordion-like mounted pockets 36, 38, 40. [0024] A pair of straps 48, for example, elastic straps, is also included on the first face 18 that form a passage along the side of the first and second pockets 36, 38 designed to receive and hold a pen (not shown) or other writing utensil in a readily accessible position. Accordingly, it is contemplated that one or more of the pockets 36, 38, 40 may be used to hold and present a small pad of paper. [0025] hi any case, the layered mounting of the pockets 36, 38, 40 and straps 48 form an accordion-like expandable design such that while in a vertical position it can be compressed to a slim, skinny, width, length and/or depth. For example, it is contemplated that the carrier 10 many be dimensioned to be approximately .05 inches to 3.0 inches wide, 3 inches to 14 inches in total length, and .05 inches to 3 inches deep. While these dimensions are exemplary, the carrier 10 may be modified to various dimensions while still being able to be easily carried on a person 13 and hung from a rearview mirror 12. However, the slim and streamlined dimension are an important part of the design of the carrier 10 because it permits use of the carrier in the wide variety of environments and facilitates the adaptability of the carrier 10, as will be described.

[0026] It is also contemplated that the carrier 10 may be made from lightweight, water-proof, fire-retardant nylon materials and that can be stitched together to form an accordion-type and/or gusseted-style mechanism such that it becomes expandable to enlarge the pockets 36, 38, 40 (as well as similar pockets that have yet to be described) of the carrier 10 to fit specific personal items and then retracted when it is to be hung on the rearview mirror 12. Any part of the carrier 10, such as the pockets 36, 38, 40 or portions of the specific pockets, may be made of see-through materials such as nylon-net or plastic. Alternatively, as will be described, it may be desirable that some of the pockets are made of leather or other materials that do not allow the contents of the pockets to be viewed.

[0027] As stated, the storage device 10 is designed to be easily mounted in the car via the rearview mirror 12. Accordingly, an additional D-ring 50 may be arranged near the bottom 20 of the first face 18 on which an air freshener 52 or other devices that are commonly hung from a rearview mirror 12 may be mounted. While this D- ring 50 provides a place from which to hang various devices that may be displaced when hanging the carrier 10 for the rearview mirror 12, as will be described, the D- ring 50 is primarily included to serve as a component in a locking system designed to secure the earner in one of various configurations, for example, where the first face 18 and the personal items stored thereon are displayed outwardly and readily accessible or where the first face 18 and any associated personal items are hidden from view.

[0028] For example, referring now to Fig. 2, the reverse side of the first face 18, or the "second face" 54, includes a plurality of additional storage compartments designed to receive and hold specific personal items. In this regard, the second face 54 may be secured to the first face 18 of Fig. 1 along the common bottom 20, top 22, and two opposing sides 24, 26. One primary storage compartment on second face 54 is an ID pocket 56 configured to receive an ID card 58 or similar form of identification. The ID pocket 56 is designed to extend substantially across the second face 54 between the two opposing sides 24, 26. The ID pocket 56 includes a display window 60 designed to allow the ID card 58 be readily visible when stored in the carrier 10.

[0029] Additionally, mounted near the top 22 of the second face 54 is a grommet flap 62. The grommet flap 62 is designed to receive devices such as a retractable tether 64 that is commonly used to secure ID cards 58 and the like. Specifically, the retractable tether 64 can be clipped to the grommet flap 62 above the ID pocket 56 and the ID card 58 extended from the retractable tether 64 into the ID pocket 56. [0030] It is also contemplated that the second face 54 may include one or more additional pockets 66 that extend behind the ID pocket 56. The additional pocket 66 may include a zipper 68 designed to close the pocket 66 and any personal items stored therein.

[0031] Referring now to Fig. 3, the four faces of the carrier 10 are shown in a schematic illustration to show an exemplary relationship between each face of the earner 10. As described with respect to Figs. 1 and 2, the first face 18 and the second face 54 are aligned back-to-back such that the bottoms 20, tops 22, and opposing sides 24, 26 are aligned. Similarly, a third face 70 and a fourth face 72 are aligned back-to-back so that their bottoms 74, tops 76, and opposing sides 78, 80 are commonly aligned.

[0032] Accordingly, the first and second faces 18, 54 are combined to form a first flap 82 and the third and fourth faces 70, 72 are combined to form a second flap 84. The first flap 82 and the second flap 84 are joined through an hinge 86 formed along the commonly aligned tops 22 of the first flap 82 and the commonly aligned tops 76 of the second flap 84.

[0033] The hinge 86 allows rotation of the flaps 82, 84 with respect to each other such that the carrier 10 is expandable to unfold to approximately twice its length in a manner similar to a bi-fold wallet. It is contemplated that the fold formed along the hinge 86 can be augmented to allow a horizontal bi-folds, tri-folds, or multiple folds at various angles to achieve the adaptable functionality of the present invention. However, primarily, the carrier 10 is designed in a bi-fold arrangement, similar to a bi-fold wallet. In one embodiment, when folded, the length of the carrier is approximately 3 inches to 7 inches. When unfolded, the carrier length doubles in to approximately 6 inches to 14 inches. Though these dimensions are only for exemplary purposes and significant deviation therefrom is contemplated, the design of the carrier 10 in a bi-fold system (or even tri-fold or other multiple folds) makes the carrier sizably suitable for easily carrying on a person or hanging from a rearview mirror, hi this regard, the dimensions should be smaller than those of most women's purses so that they can be comfortably carried around the neck or hung from a rearview mirror.

[0034] When arranged in the configuration shown in Fig. 1, this unfolding allows access to storage compartments 56, 66 arranged on the second face 54 as well as any storage compartments arranged on the fourth face 72, which are sandwiched between first face 18 and the third face 70 in this configuration. On the other hand, when arranged in the configuration shown in Fig. 2, this unfolding allows access to storage compartments 36, 38, 40 arranged on the first face 18 as well as any storage compartments arranged on the third face 70, which are sandwiched between second face 54 and the fourth face 72 when in this configuration.

[0035] Furthermore, the hinge 86 is designed to allow the carrier 10 to be adjusted between the either the configuration shown in Fig. 1 or the configuration shown in Fig. 2. In this regard, a person using or carrying the carrier 10 can adjust storage compartments that are located on outside of the carrier 10 and those located internally within the carrier 10. This adaptability allows the user great flexibility and the ability to adapt the carrier 10 to meet the specific requirements of the environment surrounding the user or the particular activities facing the user. [0036] For example, when the carrier 10 is being used in a work or school environment it is typically necessary to have identification or key cards readily available or even readily visible, hi such an environment, a user may determine that the carrier should be configured in a configuration, such as shown in Fig. 2, where the ID pocket 58 is readily available and accessible. Additionally, in such environments it is often desirable to have ready access to money, notes, business cards, or other similar personal items. However, such items are not typically displayed and, thus, a zippered pouch 86 is located on the fourth face 72 to hold such items.

[0037] On the other hand, when the carrier 10 is being used in leisure environments, such as when shopping or visiting other public venues, it is typically desirable keep money or other valuables that might be stored in the zipper pouch 86 as well as identification or credit cards that might be kept in the ID pocket 58 out of visibility and secured against theft or loss. Accordingly, the carrier 10 may be rotated about the hinge 86 into a configuration where the storage compartments 58, 66, 86 that are designed to receive these valuables are sandwiched between the first face 18 and the third face 70, out of sight and protected against accidental loss. At the same time, configuring the carrier 10 in such a configuration positions the pockets 36, 38, 40 designed to receive eyeglasses and other personal items, which are often required accessed during travel and/or leisure, in a readily accessible position. Likewise, the third face 70 is located on the outside of the carrier 10 and is readily accessible. Accordingly, it is contemplated that the third face 70 include storage compartments specifically designed to receive and secure items such as a cellular phone or portable music players, which are more likely to be necessary or desired when traveling or during leisure activities, such as shopping or attending sporting events. Hence, the third face 70 includes a pocket 88 designed to receive such devices. [0038] For example, the pocket 88 includes a display window 90 configured to allow viewing of caller ID displays or other such displays that are commonly found on personal communications devices or portable music players. Furthermore, a strap 92 may be included that is designed to secure personal items positioned within the pocket 88 from accidental loss while still providing spaces 94, 96 designed to allow an antenna of a cellular phone or a headphone cable extending from a portable music device to extend through.

[0039] Therefore, the storage compartments located throughout the carrier 10 are specifically designed to store a wide variety of personal items. For example, the carrier 10 includes a pocket 58 specifically designed to hold an ID card. Additionally, the carrier 10 includes storage features designed for hanging eyeglasses from the automobile rearview mirror or a person's body in a convenient position that allows quick and easy access to the glasses as well as the carrier as a whole. Also, the carrier 10 can hold cellular phones (or other electronic devices such as pagers and portable music players). Next, the carrier 10 can be used for storing other small items contained in the pouches such as money, credit cards, lipstick, pens, paper, and the like. In each case, the compartments are strategically designed to contract and expand and as space is needed. Accordingly, the carrier is convenient, accessible, and adaptable to being hung from a vehicle or carried on a person.

[0040] Furthermore, the carrier 10 is adaptable, adjustable, portable, detachable, expandable, and contractible. In particular, the exposed faces 18, 54, 70, 72 of the carrier are adjustable, such that the front side can function as the backside or the inside can be reversed with the outside, hi this regard, the carrier 10 is extremely multi-functional and can be adapted to the needs and environment of the user. [0041] Although Fig. 3 shows only two flaps 80, 82, it is contemplated that additional flaps could be added. For example, a third flap could be attached to the hinge 86 so as to be sandwiched between the first flap 80 and the second flap 82. The addition of a third (or even fourth or fifth flap) allows the carrier 10 to be further adaptable and adjustable between intermediate configurations other configurations described above.

[0042] Once a user has selected a desired configuration, the carrier 10 includes a locking system that can be used to secure the carrier 10 in the desired configuration. In particular, the locking system includes the D-ring 50 mounted on the bottom 20 of the first flap 82 and a similar D-ring 98 mounted on the bottom 74 of the second flap 84. Accordingly, when the carrier 10 is folded along the hinge 86, the D-rings 50, 98 align and a strap 100 can be threaded through the D-rings 50, 98 to lock the carrier 10. The strap 100 includes a section of hooks 102 and a section of rings 104 (commonly referred to as a Velcro bond) aligned at opposite ends of the strap 100 that are designed to mate when pressed together. Velcro is a registered trademark of Velcro Industries B.V. LTD of the Netherlands. It is also contemplated that devices such as mechanical clasps and the like may be used instead of the strap 100. However, the strap 100 is desirable because it allows quick and easy unlocking of the carrier 10 without the need for keys or other unlocking devices but provides sufficient security against unwanted intrusions into the storage compartments located on the interior of the carrier 10.

[0043] Referring now to Fig. 4, the lanyard or carrying strap 14 may be attached to the earner 10 in a variety of configurations. It is contemplated that another D-ring 106 may be included along the hinge 86 to allow the strap 14 to be mounted between two D-rings 30, 106 for carrying the carrier 10 on one's shoulder in a manner similar to that of a purse. On the other hand, it is contemplated that the strap 14 may be mounted from a common centralized D-ring 16 for improved hanging of the carrier 10 from objects such as a rearview mirror.

[0044] The strap 14 may be a standard polyester strap having a quick release "lockets" 108 designed to allow the strap to quickly and easily be mounted from the various D-rings included on the carrier 10. hi this regard, the carrier 10 is an easily attachable and detachable, adjustable, and reconfigurable storage device that is designed to be hung from any vehicular rearview mirror 12 of Fig. 1 to provide a convenient, fast, and easy way to store and access various items such as eyeglasses, sunglasses, safety glasses, phones, ID cards, parking permit cards, pens, note pads, reminder notes, business receipts, air fresheners, tissues, lip balms, lipsticks, and many other personal items. However, the carrier 10 is also designed to be quickly and easily detached from the rearview mirror 12 of Fig. 1 (without having to remove any of the items stored in the carrier 10) and carried with a user by hanging the carrier from the neck (Fig. 5), wrist, or waist or put over the shoulder, under the arm, or inside a larger pocket or purse. In this regard, the lockets 108 allow the strap to be quickly moved from being mounted on the center D-ring 16 to being mounted from the opposing D-rings 30, 106 and vice versa. In this regard, the carrier 10 may be easily reconfigured for mounting on a rearview mirror or on a person. [0045] Also, the strap 14 may be adjusted in length using a device 110 configured to control the length of the strap 14, as need for hanging from a rearview mirror or on the body so that it can be carried in either location without the user having to remove any personal items stored in the carrier 10. To aid in quickly shortening and lengthening the strap 14 to specific sizes desirable for hanging the carrier 10 from various locations, the strap 14 may mechanical presets. For example, such a mechanical present may include "stoppers" 112 constructed from metal, fabric, or plastic that are embedded in the strap 14 to prevent the strap 14 from tightening too close around the body or rearview mirror. Similarly, the strap 14 may have standard cord-locks 114 allowing the carrier 10 to adjust to various body or arm lengths. [0046] Alternatively, it is contemplated that various sized lanyards 14 may be included, such as a shorter strap designed to mount the carrier 10 on the rearview mirror 12 and/or a longer strap designed to mount carrier 10 on the body. In this regard, a strap designed for the rearview mirror and/or wrist would be shorter that a strap designed for the neck or shoulder. For example, it is contemplated that a rearview mirror/wrist strap should be about 10 inches to 16 inches in length and a shoulder/neck strap should be considerably longer.

[0047] In any case, referring again to Fig. 1, when the carrier 10 is mounted on the rearview mirror 12, the carrier 10 will generally hang at a distance, for example, approximately 0.01 inches to 18 inches, form the bottom of the rearview mirror 12 and be locked into place by a locket 116 to prevent or minimize "slinging" or obstructing the drivers view while driving. The locket 116 on the strap 14 allows the earner 10 to be easily attached and detached from the hanging position to become a portable carrier 10.

[0048] On the other hand, referring to Fig. 5 the neck/body strap 14 may be about 24 inches to 48 inches long but can be longer. The embedded-stops 112 described with respect to Fig. 4 on the strap 14 could be used to prevent the strap from tightening to an undesirable length around a person's neck. The strap 14, however, can be any length, hi this regard, the carrier 10 may be quickly and easily mounted from a rearview mirror, such as shown in Fig. 1 or may be carried on an individual, such as shown in Fig. 5.

[0049] Therefore, a carrier is created that is designed to conveniently carry the wide variety of personal items desired by an individual throughout a day in an organized and readily accessible (or hidden) manner. That is, the carrier be selectively adaptable by the user for different environments, such as work, leisure, or travel. The carrier is not overly cumbersome so as to be undesirable to carry on a person and is capable of adapting to facilitate mounting on a rearview mirror. [0050] The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, and it should be appreciated that many equivalents, alternatives, variations, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention should not be limited to a particular described embodiment.

Claims

CLAIMSI claim:

1. An reversible carrier configured to be carried on a person and to store various personal items in a plurality of storage compartments that can be reconfigured to make particular storage compartments readily accessible to the person as desired, the adaptable carrier comprising: a first flap comprising: a first face having a top, a bottom, and opposing sides and including at least one storage compartment formed therebetween to receive a first personal item; a second face having a top, a bottom, and opposing sides joined to the first face along at least one of the top, the bottom, and the opposing sides and including at least one storage compartment formed therebetween to receive and display a second personal item including a piece of identification; a second flap comprising: a third face having a top, a bottom, and opposing sides and including at least one storage compartment formed therebetween to receive a third personal item; a fourth face having a top, a bottom, and opposing sides joined to the third face along at least one of the top, the bottom, and the opposing sides and including at least one storage compartment formed therebetween to receive a fourth personal item; a hinge joining the first flap and the second flap to allow selective reconfiguration of the carrier between a first configuration with the first face and the third face opposing one another and the second face and the fourth face held together and a second configuration proving with the second face and the fourth face opposing one another and the first face and the third face held together; and at least one hanger attached to the hinge.

2. The reversible carrier of claim 1 wherein the at least one hanger forms a lanyard configured to allow the carrier to be selectively carried from a neck and a shoulder of a person.

3. The reversible carrier of claim 1 wherein the at least one storage compartment formed on the third face includes a pocket having a display window extending substantially across the third face between the opposing sides and configured to provide visual access to the piece of identification stored therein.

4. The reversible carrier of claim 1 further comprising at least one grommet formed along the hinge between the second face and the fourth face to receive a zip-line attached to piece of identification stored in the at least one storage compartment formed on the third face.

5. The reversible carrier of claim 1 wherein the first configuration positions the second face and the fourth face toward one another and the first face and the second face away from one another and wherein the second configuration positions the first face and the third face toward one another and the second face and the fourth face away from one another.

6. The reversible carrier of claim 1 further comprising a locking device configured to selectively lock the carrier in the first configuration and the second configuration.

7. The reversible carrier of claim 6 wherein the locking device includes first D-ring extending from the first flap and a second D-riiig extending from the second flap that are aligned when the carrier is in the first configuration and the second configuration to receive a locking strip securing the first D-ring and the second D-ring together and wherein the locking strip includes a cloth strip extending from a first end to a second end and having a hooked lining mounted on the first end and a ringed lining mounted on the second end such and wherein the locking strip is configured to be wrapped through the first D-ring and the second D-ring and engage the first end with the second end by engaging the hooked lining with the ringed lining to lock the carrier in the first configuration and the second configuration.

8. The reversible carrier of claim 6 wherein the locking device includes resealable strips formed at the bottom of the first face, the second face, the third face, and the fourth face such that, when in the first configuration, the resealable strips on the second face and the fourth face engage to lock the carrier in the first configuration and, when in the second configuration, the resealable strips on the first face and the third face engage to lock the carrier in the second configuration

9. The reversible carrier of claim 1 further comprising at least one D- ring mounted at the top of the first face proximate to the hinge configured to receive an arm of a pair of glasses extending into the at least one storage compartment to store the glasses in a readily accessible position when the carrier is hung from the at least one strap.

10. The reversible carrier of claim 9 further comprising at least one additional storage compartment formed on the first face and extending over the at least one storage compartment configured to receive the glasses and wherein the at least one storage compartment and the at least one additional storage compartment includes bottoms aligned parallel to the bottom of the first face, sides aligned parallel to the opposing sides of the first face, and openings aligned parallel to the top of the first face.

11. The reversible carrier of claim 10 further comprising zippers extending along the openings of the at least one storage compartment and the at least one additional storage compartment and onto at least a portion of at least one side of the at least one storage compartment and the at least one additional storage compartment.

12. The reversible carrier of claim 1 wherein the at least one storage compartment formed on the third face is configured to receive a portable phone and includes a display window configured to permit visual access to the portable phone stored within the at least one storage compartment.

13. The reversible carrier of claim 1 wherein the at least one storage compartment formed on the fourth face is configured to receive and store at least one of paper money, coins, facial tissues, and a notepad, receipts.

14. The reversible carrier of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first face, the second face, the third face, and the fourth face include at least one strap configured to secure a pen to the carrier.

15. The reversible carrier of claim 1 further comprising at least one means for adjusting a length of the at least one strap to mount the carrier from each of a rearview mirror of a vehicle, a shoulder of an individual, a waist of an individual, and a neck of an individual.

16. The reversible carrier of claim 1 further comprising at least one D- ring mounted along the hinge to receive the at least one strap.

17. The reversible carrier of claim 1 wherein the carrier is configured to be carried by the at least one strap from a shoulder of an individual to rest under an arm of the individual.

18. The reversible carrier of claim 1 wherein at least one of the storage compartments formed on the first face, the second face, the third face, and the fourth face is configured to receive a portable music device.

19. The reversible carrier of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of preset adjustment lengths formed on the strap configured to adjust a length of the strap between a personal carrying length and a rearview mirror mounting length.

20. The reversible carrier of claim 19 further comprising a plurality of stopping mechanisms including at least one of a stopper and a cord lock configured to allow the strap to adjust between the personal carrying length and the rearview mirror mounting length.