Slidable Elastic Strap Wallet for Secure Card Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional money clips and wallets fail to adequately accommodate credit cards and foldable currency, often leading to bulkiness, discomfort, and security issues, as well as the risk of damage or loss due to the lack of secure and convenient storage solutions.
Innovation Solution
A slim, compact wallet and card holder device with a rectangular assembly of panels and a slidable elastic strap member, constructed from materials like textiles, leather, or synthetic leather, designed to securely hold multiple credit cards and foldable currency, allowing for easy insertion and retention, and accommodating items like passports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heavy spring attachment is used to hold cards in place, then card retention is improved, but weight and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the heavy mechanical spring attachment system with an elastic band that uses elastic deformation and tension to hold cards. The elastic band is stretched around the cards and money, utilizing material elasticity rather than mechanical spring force, significantly reducing weight while maintaining retention capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the retaining mechanism by using a thin, flexible elastic band with specific elastic properties instead of a rigid spring structure. The elastic band has optimized dimensions (width and length parameters) that provide sufficient retention force without adding bulk or weight.
2Quantity of substance
If a traditional wallet is used to carry multiple cards and currency, then carrying capacity is improved, but bulk and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wallet into functional zones: card slots for individual card access, a central compartment for folded currency held by the elastic band, and optional additional slots. This segmentation allows efficient space utilization, accommodating multiple cards and currency in a compact arranged structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements nesting by placing cards in slots that are integrated within the wallet body structure, and positioning the elastic band and currency within the same compact space. The card slots are nested within the wallet panels, and the currency is nested within the same volume space as the cards, maximizing space efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If money clips are used to hold folded currency, then currency carrying is improved, but card accommodation fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal carrying device that performs multiple functions: dedicated card slots for credit cards, driver's licenses, and identification cards; a central compartment for folded currency secured by the elastic band; and optional slots for additional items like multi-tools or access cards. The elastic band itself provides dual function by securing both cards and currency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides a convenient, secure, and comfortable means to carry multiple credit cards and foldable currency, minimizing bulk and risk of loss, while maintaining a low profile for discreet carrying.
Implementation Method 1
The strap member can comprise a rectangular strip of elastic material, for example from about between 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches wide, and from about between 5 inches to 9 inches long
Data Source
AI summary
A card and foldable currency carrying device is described. The device is made up of a substantially rectangular wallet assembly with a plurality of panels. The panels make up a compartment for holding one or more cards, including credit cards, debit cards, ATM cards, gift cards, driver's licenses, identification cards, library cards, and business cards, as well as foldable currency. The device also contains a strap member. The strap member is slidable along the wallet assembly between a first position and a second position.