GB2137079A - Wallets and Purses - Google Patents

Abstract

A wallet is provided having a suspension strap (2) on the free end of which there is mounted a clip (5) for embracing a trouser or skirt waist band and comprising a U-shaped member to embrace the waist band, one arm (4) of the U-shaped member having an inwardly projecting tooth (10) and the other arm (6) terminating in a pivot carrying a rotatable latch member (7), said latch member (7) being formed by a lug (9) to engage the waist band and a handle portion (8) by means of which the latch member (7) may be rotated between engaged and disengaged positions. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Wallets and Purses This invention relates to wallets and purses primarily intended for use on wearing apparel. For the sake of simplicity all such wallets, purses, and other document and/or money containers of small size-for carrying on the person will be hereinafter referred to as wallets.

Particularly when in informal clothing, the safe keeping of wallets presents problems since trouser back pockets are easily picked by thieves and wrist-hung wallets can be inconvenient.

Traditional money belts are very secure but are not readily accessible particularly in public places.

The present invention provides a wallet which can be attached to a trouser or skirt waist band in a secure manner and can then be tucked inside the waist band where it is hidden but readily accessible to the wearer.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a wallet having a suspension strap on the free end of which there is mounted a clip for embracing a trouser or skirt waist band and comprising a U-shaped member to embrace the waist band, one arm of the U-shaped member having an inwardly projecting tooth and the other arm terminating in a pivot carrying a rotatable latch member, said latch member being formed by a lug to engage the waist band and a handle portion by means of which the latch member may be rotated between engaged and disengaged positions.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing showing a side elevation of wallet according to the invention.

As shown in the drawing a wallet 1 of any preferred type has a strap 2 attached to a back wall thereof. At its other, free, end the strap is anchored, e.g. by rivetting, to one end 3 of an arm 4 of a U-shaped clip 5, the other arm 6 being so spaced from the arm 4 to allow-the inverted clip to lie over and loosely embrace the waist band of a pair of trousers or skirt.

Pivotally attached to the free end of the arm 6 is a snap action pivoted latch 7 having handle 8 and a lug 9. When the clip is placed over the waist band, the handle is raised as shown in dotted lines to maintain the lug clear of the mouth of the "U" and the handle is then pressed down so that the lug is pressed into the adjacent waist band surface to tightly grip the waist band To avoid inadvertent displacement the clip is rotated over centre, as shown in full lines so that the edge of then lug points angularly towards the top of the waist band. For further security, the arm 4 mounts an inwardly projecting tooth 10 which provides a co-opernting grip for the clip lug.When the clip is latched in position the wallet can then be tucked in underneath the waist band, the strap overlying the curved base of the clip.

1. A wallet having a suspension strap on the free end of which there is mounted a clip for embracing a trouser or skirt waist band and comprising a U-shaped member to embrace the waist band, one arm of the U-shaped member having an inwardly projecting tooth and the other arm terminating in a pivot carrying a rotatable latch member, said latch member being formed by a lug to engage the waist band and a handle portion by means of which the latch member may be rotated between engaged and disengaged positions.

2. A wallet according to claim 1, wherein the latch member in the engaged position is rotated over centre with respect to the pivot so that the edge of the lug points angularly towards the top of the clip.

3. A wallet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Wallets and Purses This invention relates to wallets and purses primarily intended for use on wearing apparel. For the sake of simplicity all such wallets, purses, and other document and/or money containers of small size-for carrying on the person will be hereinafter referred to as wallets. Particularly when in informal clothing, the safe keeping of wallets presents problems since trouser back pockets are easily picked by thieves and wrist-hung wallets can be inconvenient. Traditional money belts are very secure but are not readily accessible particularly in public places. The present invention provides a wallet which can be attached to a trouser or skirt waist band in a secure manner and can then be tucked inside the waist band where it is hidden but readily accessible to the wearer. In accordance with the invention there is provided a wallet having a suspension strap on the free end of which there is mounted a clip for embracing a trouser or skirt waist band and comprising a U-shaped member to embrace the waist band, one arm of the U-shaped member having an inwardly projecting tooth and the other arm terminating in a pivot carrying a rotatable latch member, said latch member being formed by a lug to engage the waist band and a handle portion by means of which the latch member may be rotated between engaged and disengaged positions. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing showing a side elevation of wallet according to the invention. As shown in the drawing a wallet 1 of any preferred type has a strap 2 attached to a back wall thereof. At its other, free, end the strap is anchored, e.g. by rivetting, to one end 3 of an arm 4 of a U-shaped clip 5, the other arm 6 being so spaced from the arm 4 to allow-the inverted clip to lie over and loosely embrace the waist band of a pair of trousers or skirt. Pivotally attached to the free end of the arm 6 is a snap action pivoted latch 7 having handle 8 and a lug 9. When the clip is placed over the waist band, the handle is raised as shown in dotted lines to maintain the lug clear of the mouth of the "U" and the handle is then pressed down so that the lug is pressed into the adjacent waist band surface to tightly grip the waist band To avoid inadvertent displacement the clip is rotated over centre, as shown in full lines so that the edge of then lug points angularly towards the top of the waist band. For further security, the arm 4 mounts an inwardly projecting tooth 10 which provides a co-opernting grip for the clip lug.When the clip is latched in position the wallet can then be tucked in underneath the waist band, the strap overlying the curved base of the clip. CLAIMS

1. A wallet having a suspension strap on the free end of which there is mounted a clip for embracing a trouser or skirt waist band and comprising a U-shaped member to embrace the waist band, one arm of the U-shaped member having an inwardly projecting tooth and the other arm terminating in a pivot carrying a rotatable latch member, said latch member being formed by a lug to engage the waist band and a handle portion by means of which the latch member may be rotated between engaged and disengaged positions.

2. A wallet according to claim 1, wherein the latch member in the engaged position is rotated over centre with respect to the pivot so that the edge of the lug points angularly towards the top of the clip.

3. A wallet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing,