Wallet construction

Sept. 9, 1958

E. H. COPEN

2,851,284

WALLET CONSTRUCTION

Filed April 26, 1955

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2,851,284

Patented Sept. 9, 1958

United States Patent Office

2,851,284

WALLET CONSTRUCTION

Edward H. Copen, New York, N. Y.

Application April 26, 1955, Serial No. 503,980

Claim. (CI. 282—1)

This invention relates generally to the pocketbook or wallet art, and more particularly to an improved form of wallet construction of a type which may be constructed from synthetic resinous materials, and with a complete absence of stitch means. The invention lies in the specific details of structure set forth hereinbelow.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide improved folding wallet or billfold construction which may be of a relatively compact form, while yet offering large capacity for the holding of bills, cards and similar planar articles, and preserving the same in safe condition.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved billfold construction in which bills may be placed in such a manner as to be instantly available in selective fashion, it being possible to withdraw any desired bill of any particular denomination without disturbing the position of bills remaining within the billfold.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of wallet or billfold construction possessing the above advantages, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of a novel method of stiffening certain planar portions of the device with respect to other portions, to facilitate withdrawal of individual bills, as desired.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of novel means whereby the purchaser of the device may imprint his individual signature upon the outer surface of the device in a precious metal imprint, which metal is protected from subsequently rubbing off during use by a transparent layer superposed thereon.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that bills may be withdrawn from the same while remaining in a folded condition, thereby permitting the user to withdraw a single bill without disclosing the entire contents of the wallet.

These features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will become more clearly apparent during the course of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

On the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a view in elevation, partly broken away to show detail, of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a second view in elevation of the embodiment, partially broken away to show detail, but showing the side disposed opposite that shown on Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in elevation partly broken away to show detail showing the side illustrated on Figure 2, but in a closed or folded condition.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 4—4 on Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing the withdrawal of bills from the device when in a folded condition.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 6—6 on Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing the formation of an impression of the signature of a user. 5 Figure 8 is a view in elevation showing the withdrawal of pressure-sensitive means after the completion of the formation of the desired indicia, to permit the same to be viewed against a background of different color.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional 10 vi_{ew as seen} from the plane 9—9 on Figure 2.

Figure 10 is a similar vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 10—10 on Figure 8.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 20, comprises broadly: a 15 first pocket element 22 which may incorporate indicia transfer means 23, a second pocket element 24, and a third pocket element 26.

The first pocket element is best seen on Figure 1 of the drawing, and includes an outer planar member 30 which 20 extends over the second and third pocket elements 24 and 26, as well, and an inner laminated planar member 32. As may be seen on Figure 6, this inner planar member includes a first lamina 29, a second lamina 31 and a stiffening member 33 disposed between the laminae 29 and 31. 25 The laminae 29 and 31 are interconnected at the side edges 34 and 36, as well as the bottom edge 38 with the outer planar member 30 and are interconnected with each other at a free edge 40 to enclose the stiffening member 33. Where the device is made from synthetic 30 resinous materials, these edges may be heat sealed, and where leather is employed, such edges may be stitched and bound in well-known manner (not shown). The free edge 40 may be provided with a finger indentation 42 to permit the contents of the pocket element 22 to be 35 more easily emptied, as desired.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the outer planar member 30 is formed of laminated construction, including an inwardly disposed lamina 44, which is heat sealed at the edges thereof to an outwardly disposed lamina 46, the 40 outwardly disposed lamina 46 preferably being of somewhat heavier gauge material. A rectangular slotted opening 48 having a window 50 of clear flexible material is formed in the outer lamina 46, as best seen on Figures 9 and 10, while the inner lamina 44 is provided with a 45 small slit 49 of length slightly greater than the width of the slotted opening 48.

The indicia transfer means 23 is best seen on Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10, and includes a base member 52 of coated cellophane or similar material having thereon a pressure⁵⁰ sensitive transferring media, as for example, beaten gold, or similar substance. The base member 52 is originally positioned in the interstice between the inner and outer laminae 44 and 46. A portion of the base member 52 _g5 projects through the slit 49. To affix a signature, it is necessary only to sign one’s name in the manner shown on Figure 7 using a pointed instrument 56, e. g. a pencil or ballpoint pen, upon the window member 50. The pressure-sensitive media will transfer itself to the inner g₀ surface of the window 50, after which the base member 52 may be withdrawn by grasping that portion , of the same which projects from the slit 49. The traced portion 57, as may be seen on Figure 8, becomes permanently affixed and is outlined by the darker background formed 65 by the inner surface of the inner lamina 44. Since the traced portion 57 is disposed on the inner surface of the window 50, it is not subject to being worn off during continuous use of the device.

The second pocket element 24 is best seen on Figures 1,

4 and 6, and includes an inner planar member 58 having two free substantially rectilinear edges 60 and 62, as well as two adjacent interconnected edges 64 and 66 posi2,881,284

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tioned adjacent corresponding edges on the outer planar member 30.

The third pocket element 26 is generally similar to the second pocket element 24, although somewhat smaller in over-all configuration. The element 26 includes an 5 inner planar member 68, free edges 70 and 72, as well as interconnected edges 74 and 76.

•While the inner planar¹ member 68· of the third pocket element 26 is preferably of unlaminated ‘ construction, the second pocket element 24^; is formed to include an 10 inner'lamina 78 and an outer lamina 80, between which is positioned a stiffening member· 82, preferably formed of-thin cardboard, or the like. The laminae 78—82 are preferably heat sealed at the' edge portions thereof to form the inner planar member 58 (see Figures 4 and 6). 15 The free edge 62 thus presents a relatively unyielding line to stresses-exerted within the plane of the member 58, the purpose of Which will become more apparent hereinafter.

Referring to Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6, the outer planar 20 member 30 is provided with a curvilinear slit portion'84 which extends through both the inwardly disposed lamina 44 and the outwardly disposed lamina 46, the two laminae being preferably interconnected along the line forming the slit 84. 25

Bills are normally stored within the device in such mariner that portions of the same extend to fill both the second and third pocket elements 24 and 26. As may be seen on Figure 6, upon folding the device 20, the bills, generally indicated by reference character 88, assume ' 30 a folded condition. By· turning backwardly the foldable portion 86 adjacent the slit 84, the corners of-the bills which normally bear an indication of their value may be exposed to the viewer. Upon selection of a single· bill, and grasping the same at the exposed corner, it may be 35 withdrawn from the¹ device 20 while the same¹ is still in folded condition, as indicated on Figure 6. Owing to the fact that the edge 62 is stiffened by the member 82, the bills are caused to remain in smooth condition'while a single bill is being withdrawn, the static friction between 40 the bills and with the exposed surfaces of the inner planar member 58 being sufficient to maintain all of · them in position with the exception of the bill being withdrawn. Successive bills may be withdrawn in a similar manner until all of the same have been withdrawn through the 45 slot 84, in each case only the desired bill moving outwardly as withdrawn.

To facilitate the folding of the device, the fold lines 92 and 94 may be-performed by heat sealing in a well-known manner, so as to clearly define the pocket elements-until 50 the device has been used sufficiently to form natural· fold lines.

It is to be noted that the width of the stiffening members 33 and 82 are preferably greater than that of the bills 88, to prevent binding of the same within the device •caused-by inadvertently grasping the device at the edges thereof to result in distorting the shape of the pocket elements 24 and 26.

It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly useful improvements in folding wallet construction, in which there has been provided a device which is simple to manufacture, as well as to use. Owing to novel constructional features, it is possible to singly and selectively remove bills from the device while in a folded condition, thereby making it possible to conceal the contents of the wallet while so doing. Means is provided whereby-the owner may place his signature thereupon to be exposed on the outer surface of the device, thereby permitting the same to be personalized by the owner himself when desired. The cost of manufacturing the device is materially reduced by the use of synthetic resinous planar stock, sewing operations being eliminated, where -desired, by heat-sealing interconnected edges.

I wish it to be understood that I do· not consider· the invention- limited to the exact details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious- modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.