Abstract
Various embodiments of a clip-on pouch to be attached to an article of clothing providing storage and immediate access to small items such as credit cards or spare keys for a home, car, or locker. The clip-on pouch is designed to be comfortable and concealable even when worn on undergarments. One embodiment provides storage for at least one spare key. Another embodiment provides a pouch sized large enough to store at least one credit card and spare key. Various designs for the clip are presented.
Claims
1. A clip-on pouch for providing secure storage of small items comprising: a pouch and a clip; said pouch comprising an envelope portion for secure storage of small items and a flap; said envelope portion having a front, a back, a bottom, and a top, the top having an opening; said flap is wider than said envelope portion and wherein said flap is attached to the back of said envelope portion and extends over the small items stored within the envelope and secured into the front side of the top opening of said envelope portion without the use of snaps, buttons, zippers, or other closure means, thereby providing secure storage of said small items during vigorous activity; said clip comprising a first arm with at least one attachment point, an upper portion, a lower portion, and an inside surface, a second arm with at least one attachment point, an upper portion, a lower portion, and an inside surface, and an upper bridge connecting the upper portion of the first arm to the upper portion of the second arm, the upper bridge forming an arch above the upper portions of the first arm and the second arm; wherein the clip is attached to the back of the pouch via at least on attachment point of said clip.
2. The clip-on pouch of claim 1, wherein the inside surface of at least one of the first arm and the second arm of said clip has smooth surface irregularities comprising at lease on zig-zag indentation.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1A is a perspective front view of the clip-on pouch.
(2) FIG. 1B is a front view of the clip-on pouch with the flap open, showing the opening and inner envelope portion of the pouch.
(3) FIG. 1C is a side view of the clip-on pouch showing the clip sewn into the back portion of the pouch.
(4) FIG. 2A is a back view of the clip-on pouch removably attached to a strap as an example of an article of clothing.
(5) FIG. 2B is a front view of the clip-on pouch removably attached to a strap as an example of an article of clothing with the front flap tucked into the pouch.
(6) FIG. 3A is a side view of the clip with a first arm, a second arm, an upper bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm, forming an arch, the first arm having zig-zag irregularities on the inside surface of the first arm. This embodiment does not have a midsection.
(7) FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 3A.
(8) FIG. 3C is a perspective back view of the preferred embodiment of the clip-on pouch removably attached to a wide strap as an example of an article of clothing.
(9) FIG. 4A is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the clip with a midsection in addition to a first arm, a second arm, and an upper bridge connecting the upper portions of each.
(10) FIG. 4B is a back view of the clip of 4A, showing the inside surface of the first arm, midsection, second arm, and upper bridge connecting the upper portions of each.
(11) FIG. 4C is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the clip with a first arm, a midsection, a second arm, an upper bridge connecting the upper portions of the first arm, midsection, and second arm. Additionally, this embodiment comprises a lower bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm. The midsection is connected to the upper bridge only.
(12) FIG. 4D is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the clip showing the midsection with curved surface irregularities.
(13) FIG. 5A is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the clip showing the midsection with a plurality of dimple surface irregularities.
(14) FIG. 5B is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the clip wherein the midsection is shaped like a rounded arrowhead and has a plurality of dimple surface irregularities.
(15) FIG. 5C is a front view of an alternative embodiment similar to the clip shown in FIG. 5B, wherein the midsection is lifted up above the upper bridge, then bowing downward at an angle, enabling the pouch to be better concealed when attached to an article of clothing. The arms in this embodiment contain attachment points for the clip to be sewn into the pouch more securely.
(16) FIG. 6A is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the clip-on pouch attached to a fitness top as an example of an article of clothing, and showing an exploded view of a key as an example of a storage item contained within the pouch.
(17) FIG. 6B shows the clip-on pouch with the clip embodiment shown in FIG. 5C attached to a pair of shorts as an example of an article of clothing.
(18) FIG. 7A is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the clip-on pouch. This embodiment is wide enough to provide the capacity to hold at least one credit card, or similar items.
(19) FIG. 7B is a back view of the clip of FIG. 7A, having a clip embodiment as shown in FIG. 4D containing a midsection with curved, wave-like surface irregularities.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(20) The present invention comprises various embodiments of a clip-on pouch to be removably attached to an article of clothing as a means for securing spare keys and a credit card, or similar items, on one's person while away from home or vehicle. This invention provides the means for immediate access to these items in times of need in addition to comfort, concealment, ease of use, simplified design, and other important features as further described in the following paragraphs.
(21) A first embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C of the drawings. In the first embodiment, the clip-on pouch 10 comprises a pouch 11, a clip 20, and a front flap 19, the pouch 11 comprising an envelope portion 12 having a front 14, a back 15, a bottom 16, and a top 17 having an opening 18, the back 15 having a flap 19 attached wherein the flap 19 folds over the opening 18 at the top 17 of the envelope portion 12. The envelope portion 12 is large enough to hold at least one spare key for a car or a house, or both. The front flap 19 is designed to be wider than the opening 18 at the top 17 of the envelope portion 12 of the pouch 11, and is therefore held in place within the envelope portion 12 of the pouch 11 when the flap 19 is tucked into the opening 18, requiring no additional snaps, buttons, zippers, or other closure means in order to firmly secure the contents within the pouch 11. Thus, efficient and less costly manufacturing is achieved. Additionally, the present invention offers more comfort and ease of use without snaps, zippers, or other closure means that may come in contact with skin or other articles of clothing while being worn. The described closure means for the pouch 11, without additional components is the preferred, best mode of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments herein. Other closure means may be used, if so desired by a consumer.
(22) FIG. 1C shows a clip 20 sewn into the back 15 of the pouch 11 and containing a plurality of dimples 41 to provide added gripping texture. The clip 20 enables a person to removably attach the clip-on pouch 10 to an article of clothing 50, depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B with a strap as an example of an article of clothing 50.
(23) The clip 20 of FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment containing a plurality of curved indentations 42 forming wave-like surface irregularities to provide added gripping texture with which to secure the clip-on pouch 10 to the article of clothing 50. Multiple curved indentations 42 also allow the pouch 11 to be adjusted to the most comfortable position, for optimal comfort. FIG. 2B shows a view of the front 14 of the pouch 11 with the flap 19 tucked into the opening 18 of the top portion 17 of the envelope 12.
(24) FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate an embodiment of the clip 20 which comprises a first arm 22a with an upper portion 31a, a lower portion 33a, and an inside surface 34a; a second arm 22b with an upper portion 31b, a lower portion 33b, and an inside surface 34b; and an upper bridge 24a connecting the upper portion of the first arm 31a to the upper portion of the second arm 31b. The upper bridge 24a forms an arch 25 above the upper portions of each of the first arm 22a and the second arm 22b. At least one, and preferably a plurality of attachment points 26 are drilled into the second arm 22b in order to more securely attach the clip 20 to the pouch 11 by stitching. The inside surface 34a of the first arm 22a has a plurality of zig-zag indentations 43 providing effective gripping means to securely adhere the clip 20 to an article of clothing 50, as depicted in FIG. 3C, with a wide strap shown as an example of an article of clothing 50.
(25) This embodiment of the clip 20 provides ease of use by allowing a person to slide the pouch 11 on to a chosen article of clothing 50 effortlessly due to the smoothness of the zig-zag indentations 43 which also offer secure gripping means to hold the pouch 11 in place even during vigorous activity. In addition, the smoothness of the zig-zag indentations 43 allows for easy, quick removal from an article of clothing 50 without causing any damage to the article of clothing 50. The gripping means are essential to securing the clip-on pouch 10 sufficiently to a selected article of clothing 50 and must be smooth enough to ensure fabric will remain intact and free of damage of any kind, including snags and tears.
(26) FIG. 3C illustrates the best mode of the clip-on pouch 10. However, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments herein. As it will be seen, many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the concept of the present invention and any works falling within the scope of the claims herein should be considered in accordance with the concept of the present invention. A wide strap shown is as an example of an article of clothing 50. The attachment points 26 are shown with stitching, further securing the clip 20 to the back 15 of the pouch 11. It is to be understood that the front 14 closure of the pouch 11 with the flap 19 tucked into the opening 18 of the envelope 12 is further secured by the front 14 of the pouch 11 facing inward toward the body of the person wearing the clip-on pouch 10. The embodiment of the clip-on pouch 10 shown in FIG. 3C allows for better concealment of the pouch 11, due to the arch 25 of the clip 20 extending above the flap 19, as compared to the clip-on pouch 10 embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B.
(27) The alternative clip 20 embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D comprise an upper bridge 24a, a first arm 22a, a second arm 22b, and a midsection 23. The upper bridge 24a connects the upper portion 31a of the first arm 22a, the upper portion 31c of the midsection 23, and the upper portion 31b of the second arm 22b. The first arm 22a has a lower portion 33a, the midsection 23 has a lower portion 33c, and the second arm 22b has a lower portion 33b. The first arm 22a, the second arm 22b, and the upper bridge 24a will be sewn into the back 15 of the pouch 11, as depicted in FIG. 2B. The alternative clip 20 embodiment of FIG. 4C comprises an additional lower bridge 24b connecting the lower portion 33a of the first arm 22a and the lower portion 33b of the second arm 22b. This embodiment offers added support between the first arm 22a and the second arm 22b. A perspective view of a clip 10 embodiment is shown in FIG. 4D wherein the midsection 23 contains a plurality of curved indentations 42 to provide gripping texture.
(28) The midsection 23 is offset from the first arm 22a and the second arm 22b and is used as a means for securing the pouch 11 to an article of clothing 50 by sliding the clip-on pouch 10 in a downward, sliding motion over the outward facing surface of the article of clothing 50, beginning with the lower portion 33c of the midsection 23. The design of the present invention provides the ability to slide the pouch 11 onto an article of clothing 50 with one hand. The clip 20 is designed to hold the pouch firmly in place even during vigorous activity. The clip 20 may be removed by pulling upward on the midsection 23. All edges of the clip 20 are smoothed to ensure no damage occurs to the article of clothing 50 during application or removal of the clip-on pouch 10 from the article of clothing 50.
(29) FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, as well as 1C depict a plurality of dimple indentations 41 as midsection 23 inside surface 34c irregularities are shown. The different types and shapes of surface irregularities described are dimple indentations 41, curved indentations 42, and zig-zag indentations 43. However, many additional different sizes and shapes of surface irregularities can accommodate different preferences desired by the consumer. The type and shape of surface irregularities are essential to providing adequate gripping friction without causing damage to clothing. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described, and encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the claims herein. In addition to the dimple indentations 41, the embodiment of FIG. 5A shows the clip 20 with a first arm 22a, a midsection 23, a second arm 22b, and the upper bridge 24a connecting all three components together. FIG. 5B shows a similar embodiment to FIG. 5A, but the midsection 23 is shaped like a rounded arrowhead.
(30) The alternative clip 20 embodiment featured in FIG. 5C, similar to the clip 20 of FIG. 5B with a rounded arrowhead shape to the midsection 23 and containing dimple indentations 41, can be more securely attached to thick articles of clothing such as sweaters or sweat pants with the upper portion 31c of the midsection 23 lifted up and bent out as the lower portion 33c of the midsection 23 is angled more snugly inward. This design provides added spring to the midsection 23 of the clip 20. The attachment points 26 shown in FIG. 5C on the first arm 22a and the second arm 22b allow the clip 20 to be more securely attached to the pouch 11 by stitching.
(31) As demonstrated herein, the midsection 23 can be shaped many different ways to provide attachment means to an article of clothing 50. FIG. 6A shows the clip-on pouch 10 attached to a fitness top as an example of an article of clothing 50, wherein the clip 20 embodiment shown is the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C. A spare key K is shown as an example of an item contained inside the clip-on pouch 10. FIG. 6B shows the clip-on pouch 10 attached to the waist band of a pair of shorts as an example of an article of clothing 50, wherein the clip 20 shown is the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5C.
(32) There are times when one would like to carry a credit card or identification along with a spare key to an event without bringing a wallet or purse. Many times an outfit does not have pockets or one may want to be able to conceal the container for better security. The clip-on pouch 10 embodiment represented in FIGS. 7A and 7B is a larger version designed to hold at least one credit card, driver's license, or similar items in addition to at least one spare key. FIG. 7A is a front view of this embodiment showing the flap 19 tucked into the opening 18 of the front 14 of the envelope 12 portion of the pouch 11. FIG. 7B is a back view of the embodiment in FIG. 7A showing the clip 20 sewn into the back 15 of the pouch 11, the flap 19 sewn onto the back 15 of the envelope portion 12 of the pouch 11. The clip 20 represented is the embodiment shown in FIG. 4D.
(33) It is preferred that the clip 20 be made of stainless steel so as not to rust even after many wash cycles. It is also extremely helpful to the environment to use stainless steel and to discontinue manufacture of any petroleum-based, non-biodegradable materials. However, for the purposes of the invention, materials used to form the clip 20 may consist of any malleable, sturdy material that will not rust.
(34) The pouch 11 may be made of many different materials and fabrics provided the material is extremely soft while also durable. The preferred material is combed suede. Any fabric that is biodegradable and 100% natural is preferred for environmental reasons. However, many other fabrics shall be considered for the construction of the pouch 11 within the scope of the present invention. While it is not a principal object of the present invention to provide water resistance or protection from moisture to items contained, the clip-on pouch 10 may be constructed of waterproof materials in addition to other durable fabrics and materials. The pouch 11 will be available in different colors, patterns, and sizes according to consumer demand within the scope of the present invention.
(35) It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments herein. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the concept of the present invention, and any works falling within the scope of the claims herein should be considered in accordance with the concept of the present invention.
