Rotating Card Wallet Device

Abstract

A rotating card wallet device is provided. The device is comprised of a wallet body, which includes a top member and a bottom member, both preferably made from RFID-blocking materials. The members are connected to each other via support posts and pivot posts, allowing for the rotation of a card-holding member secured around a pivot post and between the members. The card-holding member, which secures a card by its corner once the card is placed into the member, can be rotated outward for card usage without complete removal of the card from the device. Additionally, the body may include an elastic strap for holding paper currency and housing a GPS device.

Claims

1. A rotating card wallet device comprising: a top member comprised of a first opening; a bottom member comprised of a second opening; a support post positioned through the first opening and the second opening, wherein the support post secures the top member to the bottom member; a pivot post positioned through the first opening and the second opening, wherein the support post secures the top member to the bottom member; and a card-holding member positioned between the top member and the bottom member, wherein the card-holding member is rotatably attached to the pivot post, the card-holding member comprising a cutout configured to removably secure a corner of a card.

2. The rotating card wallet device of claim 1, wherein the top member and the bottom member are comprised of an RFID-blocking material.

3. The rotating card wallet device of claim 2, wherein the RFID-blocking material is comprised of an aluminum, a copper, or a carbon fiber.

4. The rotating card wallet device of claim 1, wherein the pivot post is positioned at a first corner of the top member and a second corner of the bottom member.

5. The rotating card wallet device of claim 1, wherein the card-holding member is comprised of a right-triangle shape.

6. The rotating card wallet device of claim 5, wherein the card-holding member is comprised of a carbon fiber.

7. A rotating card wallet device comprising: a top member comprised of a first opening and a first cutout; a bottom member comprised of a second opening and a second cutout; a support post positioned through the first opening and the second opening, wherein the support post secures the top member to the bottom member; a pivot post positioned through the first opening and the second opening, wherein the support post secures the top member to the bottom member; and a card-holding member positioned between the top member and the bottom member, wherein the card-holding member is rotatably attached to the pivot post, the card-holding member comprising a cutout configured to removably secure a corner of a card.

8. The rotating card wallet device of claim 7 further comprised of an elastic strap.

9. The rotating card wallet device of claim 8, wherein the elastic strap is comprised of a receiving area for a GPS tracker.

10. The rotating card wallet device of claim 7, wherein the elastic strap attaches to the top member.

11. The rotating card wallet device of claim 7, wherein the elastic strap is comprised of a secondary fastener.

12. The rotating card wallet device of claim 7, wherein the pivot post is comprised of a two-piece male and female threaded fastener assembly.

13. The rotating card wallet device of claim 7, wherein the support post is comprised of a two-piece male and female threaded fastener assembly.

14. A method of using a rotating card wallet device, the method comprising the following steps: providing a rotating card wallet device comprised of a body comprising a top member and a bottom member, a support post and a pivot post securing the top member and bottom member, and a card-holding member rotatably attached to the pivot post, the card-holding member comprising at least one cutout configured to secure a corner of a card; rotating the card-holding member such that the card can be manipulated outwards from between the top member and the bottom member; and using the card at a payment terminal while the card remains attached to the card-holding member.

15. The method of using a rotating card wallet device of claim 14, wherein the card-holding member is comprised of a flexible material.

16. The method of using a rotating card wallet device of claim 14, wherein the card-holding member is comprised of a right triangle shape.

17. The method of using a rotating card wallet device of claim 14, wherein the top member is comprised of an RFID-blocking material.

18. The method of using a rotating card wallet device of claim 14, wherein the bottom member is comprised of an RFID-blocking material.

19. The method of using a rotating card wallet device of claim 14, wherein the top member is comprised of a first cutout.

20. The method of using a rotating card wallet device of claim 14, wherein the bottom member is comprised of a second cutout.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a rotating card wallet device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a rotating card wallet device of the present invention with the members attached and with no card-holding members in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a card-holding member of one potential embodiment of a rotating card wallet device of the present invention while a card is secured within the member in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a rotating card wallet device of the present invention with a plurality of cards attached to card-holding members and rotated outside of the members of the body of the device in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method of using one potential embodiment of a rotating card wallet device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0020] As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved wallet. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a rotating card wallet device. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a rotating card wallet device that allows a user to easily remove a card from a wallet in an efficient and organized manner. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a rotating card wallet device, wherein a card remains attached to the wallet during use, while still being able to be used at a payment reader. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a rotating card wallet device that protects a card within the device from being skimmed and stolen by a thief.

[0021] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a rotating card wallet device comprised of a wallet body comprised of a top member and a bottom member preferably made from an RFID-blocking material. Both members are comprised of at least one opening that receives at least one support post and at least one pivot post (as will be described more fully below). The body may also be comprised of at least one fixedly or removably attached strap that is preferably comprised of an elastic strap that can be used to secure paper currency against the top member and/or bottom member. The strap may also be comprised of at least one receiving area that receives at least one GPS tracking device.

[0022] The top member is secured to the bottom member via at least one support post and at least one pivot post, wherein the pivot posts are preferably positioned on the corners of the body. The posts are preferably two-piece threaded fasteners. At least one pivot post is positioned through at least one card-holding member, which is positioned between the top member and the bottom member through at least one opening of the member. The card-holding member is preferably right-triangle shaped and is comprised of at least one cutout that allows at least one corner of a card to be removably secured within the member. During use, a user can rotate a card (while the card is attached to the member) via manipulating the card outwards from between the members via the cutout(s). In this manner, the card can be used at a payment reader without having to be completely removed from the device. The member preferably rotates at least one degree relative to a vertical axis of the pivot post.

[0023] The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a body comprised of a top member secured to a bottom member via a pivot post, and a card-holding member rotates about the pivot post. Then, the card-holding member is rotated outside of the members such that a corner of a card can be secured within a cutout of the card-holding member. Next, the card can be rotated between the members when not in use. When a user desires to use the card, the card can be rotated outwards from between the members such that the card be used to pay at a payment terminal, while remaining attached to the device via the card-holding member.

[0024] Accordingly, the rotating card wallet device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved wallet. More specifically, the device allows a user to easily remove a card from a wallet in an efficient and organized manner. While doing so, the card remains attached to the wallet via the card-holding member, while still being able to be used at a payment reader. In addition, the RFID-shielding surfaces of the device protect a card within the device from being skimmed and stolen by a thief. In this manner, the rotating card wallet device overcomes the limitations of existing wallets known in the art.

[0025] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a rotating card wallet device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is comprised of a wallet body 110. The body 110 is preferably rectangular but may be any shape. More specifically, the body 110 is comprised of a top member 130 and a bottom member 140. Both members 130, 140 are preferably made from an RFID-blocking material such as, but not limited to, an aluminum, a copper, a carbon fiber, etc. Both members are comprised of at least one opening 132, 142 that receives at least one support post 150 and at least one pivot post 160 (as will be described more fully below). Either or both members 130, 140 may also be comprised of at least one cutout 134, 144. The cutout 134, 144 is preferably a semi-circular cutout (but may be any shape) that allows a user to easily manipulate cards 10 stored between the members 130, 140 outside of the members 130, 140 when the device 100 is in use.

[0026] The body 110 may also be comprised of at least one fixedly or removably attached strap 120. The strap 120 is preferably comprised of an elastic strap that can be used to secure paper currency and/or cards against the top member 130 and/or bottom member 140. The strap 120 may also be comprised of at least one receiving area 121. The receiving area 121 may be any size, shape, and configuration to receive at least one GPS tracking device 123. In one embodiment, the receiving area 121 attaches to the strap 120 via at least one secondary fastener 122 such as, but not limited to, an opening or a split opening (or any other fastener known in the art).

[0027] The top member 130 is secured to the bottom member 140 via at least one support post 150 and at least one pivot post 160 (as seen in FIG. 2), wherein the pivot posts 160 are preferably positioned on the corners of the body 110. The posts 150, 160 are preferably two-piece threaded fasteners, wherein each half of the post 150, 160 can be placed through an opening 132, 142 of the members 130, 140 and secured to each other between the members 130, 140. The posts 150, 160 may be any fastener type such as, but not limited to, a two-piece male and female threaded fastener assembly. The posts 150,160 may be any length to accommodate any number of cards 10.

[0028] At least one pivot post 160 is positioned through at least one card-holding member 170, which is positioned between the top member 130 and the bottom member 140 through at least one opening 174 of the member 170. The card-holding member 170 is preferably right-triangle shaped but may be any shape. The member 170 is preferably made from a carbon fiber material but may be made of any material that may be rigid or flexible. More specifically, the member 170 is comprised of at least one cutout 172. The cutout 172 allows at least one corner 20 of a card 10 to be removably secured within the member 170, as seen in FIG. 3. The cutout 172 may be any size, shape, configuration, or pattern that allows the member 170 to receive at least one card 10.

[0029] During use, a user can rotate a card 10 (while the card 10 is attached to the member 170) via manipulating the card 10 outwards from between the members 130, 140 via the cutout(s) 134, 144, as seen in FIG. 4. In this manner, the card 10 can be used at a payment reader without having to be completely removed from the device 100. The member 170 preferably rotates at least one degree relative to a vertical axis of the pivot post 160.

[0030] The present invention is also comprised of a method of using 200 the device 100, as seen in FIG. 5. First, a device 100 is provided comprised of a body 110 comprised of a top member 130 secured to a bottom member 140 via a pivot post 160, and a card-holding member 170 rotates about the pivot post 160 [Step 202]. Then, the card-holding member 170 is rotated outside of the members 130, 140 such that a corner 20 of a card 10 can be secured within a cutout 172 of the card-holding member 170 [Step 204]. Next, the card 10 can be rotated between the members 130, 140 when not in use [Step 206]. When a user desires to use the card 10, the card 10 can be rotated outwards from between the members 130, 140 such that the card 10 be used to pay at a payment termina while remaining attached to the device 100 via the card-holding member 170 [Step 208].

[0031] The device 100 may also be comprised of a belt clip 180 of any style and configuration in one embodiment.

[0032] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein rotating card wallet device and device are interchangeable and refer to the rotating card wallet device 100 of the present invention.

[0033] Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rotating card wallet device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the rotating card wallet device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the rotating card wallet device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the rotating card wallet device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the rotating card wallet device 100 may be of any size, shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0034] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0035] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.