Abstrict
The present invention is a holder for retaining documents which
are necessary to board a means of public transportation, and which
holder enables the documents to be retained in a manner wherein
the documents can be easily verified by an examining agent and removed
from the holder by the examining agent, while at the same time enabling
the holder to be worn around a user's neck so that the user's hands
are free to carry objects. The holder consists of a retaining body
having a closed bottom and closed sidewalls and an open top so that
an airline ticket can be retained in the open top so that it is
readily accessible to be removed by the ticket agent at the time
the passenger boards the airplane. The holder also has at least
one plastic retaining means on one side so that the plastic retaining
means is sealed against the holder on all of its edges except for
one edge such as the top which is open so that a photo identification
means such as a driver's license can be retained in the clear plastic
sleeve so that the airline ticket agent can see the photo identification
means to verify the passenger's identity before permitting the passenger
to board the airplane. The holder also retains a strap so that the
holder can be worn around the user's neck so that the user's hands
are free to carry luggage or hold a child's hand or carry a baby.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A hands-free holder for removably retaining a boarding document
for a means of public transportation and for visibly retaining a
photo identification document, the holder comprising: a. a foldable
retaining body folded along its midline to form a first section
and a second section; b. said first section having an integrally
formed first pocket which extends the length of the first section,
the first pocket attached to the first section along their adjacent
bottoms and along their adjacent first sidewall and second sidewall,
with the first pocket being open at its top edge which is parallel
to the top edge of said first section in order to receive the public
transportation boarding document in a manner which permits the public
transportation boarding document to be partially retained within
the first pocket and partially extend out of the first pocket so
that it can be easily removed by a ticket agent; c. a clear retaining
means attached to a front surface of said first pocket such that
the clear retaining means is attached to the front surface along
its bottom wall and sidewalls, the clear retaining means having
an open top edge through which a photo identification means can
be inserted and retained within the clear retaining means in a manner
which permits the photo identification means to be clearly visible;
d. a strap means having two ends with one end attached adjacent
the top edge of said first pocket and adjacent the first sidewall
of the first section and the second end attached adjacent the top
edge of said first pocket and adjacent the second sidewall of said
first section so that the strap means forms a loop to enable the
holder to be worn around the user's neck; e. said second section
having at least one pocket having an enclosed bottom wall and sidewalls
attached to said second section and an open top through which an
article may be inserted and retained in said at least one pocket
such that said at least one pocket is concealed when said holder
is in the folded condition; and f. a first mating fastener located
on an interior wall of said first section and a second mating fastener
located on said second section to enable said holder to remain in
the folded condition when said first and second mating fasteners
are joined together.
2. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said first
section and said second section, said first pocket and said at least
one pocket are made of fabric material.
3. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 2, wherein said fabric
material is cotton.
4. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 2 wherein said fabric
material is polyester.
5. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 2 wherein said fabric
material is silk.
6. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said first
section and said second section, said first pocket and said at least
one pocket are made of vinyl material.
7. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said first
section and said second section, said first pocket and said at least
one pocket are made of leather material.
8. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 1, wherein the clear
retaining means is made of plastic.
9. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said first
and second mating means are hook-and-loop fasteners.
10. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said first
and second mating means are snap fasteners.
11. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said boarding
document is an airline ticket.
12. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said photo
identification is a driver's license.
13. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said at
least one pocket can retain cash, a credit card and a passport.
14. A hands-free holder for removably retaining a boarding document
for a means of public transportation and for visibly retaining a
photo identification document, the holder comprising: a. a foldable
retaining body folded along its midline to form a first section
and a second section; b. said first section having an integrally
formed first pocket which extends the length of the first section,
the first pocket attached to the first section along their adjacent
bottoms and along their adjacent first sidewall and second sidewall,
with the first pocket being open at its top edge which is parallel
to the top edge of said first section in order to receive the public
transportation boarding document in a manner which permits the public
transportation boarding document to be partially retained within
the first pocket and partially extend out of the first pocket so
that it can be easily removed by a ticket agent; c. a clear retaining
means attached to a front surface of said first pocket such that
the clear retaining means is attached to the front surface along
its bottom wall and sidewalls, the clear retaining means having
an open top edge through which a photo identification means can
be inserted and retained within the clear retaining means in a manner
which permits the photo identification means to be clearly visible;
d. a strap means having two ends with one end attached to said first
section and adjacent the first sidewall of the first section and
the second end attached to said first section and adjacent the second
sidewall of said first section so that said strap means forms a
loop; e. said second section having at least one pocket having an
enclosed bottom wall and sidewalls attached to said second section
and an open top through which an article may be inserted and retained
in said at least one pocket such that said at least one pocket is
concealed when said holder is in the folded condition; and f. a
first mating fastener located on an interior wall of said first
section and a second mating fastener located on said second section
to enable said holder to remain in the folded condition when said
first and second mating fasteners are joined together.
15. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 14, wherein said
first section and said second section, said first pocket and said
at least one pocket are made of fabric material.
16. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 15, wherein said
fabric material is cotton.
17. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 15, wherein said
fabric material is polyester.
18. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 15, wherein said
fabric material is silk.
19. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 14, wherein said
first section and said second section, said first pocket and said
at least one pocket are made of vinyl material.
20. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 14, wherein said
first section and said second section, said first pocket and said
at least one pocket are made of leather material.
21. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 14, wherein the clear
retaining means is made of plastic.
22. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 14, wherein said
first and second mating means are hook-and-loop fasteners.
23. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 14, wherein said
first and second mating means are snap fasteners.
24. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 14, wherein said
boarding document is an airline ticket.
25. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 14, wherein said
photo identification is a driver's license.
26. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 14, wherein said
at least one pocket can retain cash, a credit card and a passport.
27. A hands-free holder for removably retaining a boarding document
for a means of public transportation and for visibly retaining a
photo identification document, the holder comprising: a. a foldable
retaining body folded along its midline to form a first section
and a second section; b. said first section having an integrally
formed first pocket, the first pocket attached to the first section
along their adjacent bottoms and along their adjacent first sidewall
and second sidewall, with the first pocket being open at its top
edge which is parallel to the top edge of said first section in
order to receive the public transportation boarding document in
a manner which permits the public transportation boarding document
to be partially retained within the first pocket and partially extend
out of the first pocket so that it can be easily removed by a ticket
agent; c. a clear retaining means attached to a front surface of
said first pocket such that the clear retaining means is attached
to the front surface along all of its edges except for one open
edge through which a photo identification means can be inserted
and retained within the clear retaining means in a manner which
permits the photo identification means to be clearly visible; d.
a strap means having two ends with each end attached to said first
section so that the strap means forms a loop to enable the holder
to be worn around the user's neck; e. said second section having
at least one pocket having an opening through which an article may
be inserted and retained in said at least one pocket such that said
at least one pocket is concealed when said holder is in the folded
condition; and f. a first mating fastener located on an interior
wall of said first section and a second mating fastener located
on said second section to enable said holder to remain in the folded
condition when said first and second mating fasteners are joined
together.
28. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 27, wherein said
first section and said second section, said first pocket and said
at least one pocket are made of fabric material.
29. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 28, wherein said
fabric material is cotton.
30. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 28, wherein said
fabric material is polyester.
31. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 28, wherein said
fabric material is silk.
32. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 27, wherein said
first section and said second section, said first pocket and said
at least one pocket are made of vinyl material.
33. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 27, wherein said
first section and said second section, said first pocket and said
at least one pocket are made of leather material.
34. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 27, wherein the clear
retaining means is made of plastic.
35. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 27, wherein said
first and second mating means are hook-and-loop fasteners.
36. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 27, wherein said
first and second mating means are snap fasteners.
37. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 27, wherein said
boarding document is an airline ticket.
38. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 27, wherein said
photo identification is a driver's license.
39. The hands-free holder as defined in claim 27, wherein said
at least one pocket can retain cash, a credit card and a passport. Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of holders for carrying
documents which are necessary for travel. The present invention
also relates to the field of holders which can be used to carry
any documents when boarding a means of public transportation such
as an airplane.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, devices for carrying various articles and documents
which enable the document holder to be worn around a user's neck
have been known in the prior art. However, the inventions known
in the prior art were created prior to the terrible tragedy of Sep.
11, 2001 when the two World Trade Center towers were destroyed.
Subsequent to this tragedy, extra precautions have to be taken for
screening and verifying passengers boarding a means of public transportation
such as an airplane. The prior art patents did not focus on a holder
to be used to carry any documents by passengers when boarding an
airplane and instead, focused on a holder for carrying articles
and documents for different purposes.
The following prior art references are found to be relevant in
the general area of holders which can be used to carry documents
and can be worn around a user's body parts such as a user's neck.
1. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 252,355 issued to Uber on Jul. 10; 1979 for
"Gaming Pouch For Keno Or The Like" (hereafter the "Uber
Patent"); 2. U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,018 issued to Seron on Mar.
3, 1992 for "Lanyard Construction" (hereafter the "Seron
Patent"); 3. U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,311 issued to McBride on Jan.
12, 1993 for "Neck-Supported map Holder" (hereafter the
"McBride Patent"); 4. U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,739 issued to
Gargan on Feb. 14, 1995 for "Commuter Ticket Holder" (hereafter
the "Gargan Patent"); 5. U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,816 issued
to Zapawa on Jul. 28, 1998 for "ProtectiveTicket Holder And
Memorabilia Device" (hereafter the "Zapawa Patent");
6. U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,657 issued to Romer on Nov. 3, 1998 for "Ticket
Stub Display Device And Article Carrier Combination" (hereafter
the "Romer Patent"); 7. U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,526 issued
to Longcor on Jan. 26, 1999 for "Expandable And Collapsible
Belt-Strap Card Holder" (hereafter the "Longcor Patent");
8. European Patent Application No. EP 0 909 538 A3
The Uber Patent is a design patent which protects the shape or
ornamental beauty of an object. It is a gaming pouch which basically
discloses a pouch having a strap member and which has pockets therein
for retaining money and other items associated with gaming.
The Seron Patent discloses an improved lanyard. It consists of
two strap members 10 and 14 which come together in a mounting element
16 which itself contains a hook member which an be used to hold
an identification card 18.
The McBride Patent essentially discloses a pouch for carrying a
map so that it can be supported on a long string which is worn around
a skier's neck. The map holder which has a ski area trail map or
related printed information therein is visible by being in an exposed
clear plastic holder which can be openable by means such as Velcro.
The map holder includes a string or elastic to be positioned around
the neck of the skier with the map supporting member attached to
the string or elastic. The map or other information is exposed in
the map supporting member. The string or elastic is sufficiently
long so that the map can be read by the skier or a companion without
the string or elastic being moved from around the neck of the skier.
The Gargan Patent discloses a clear plastic envelope which is designed
to hold a commuter ticket and an opening through the top of the
envelope through which an elastic neckband can be inserted so that
a commuter ticket can be placed in the clear plastic envelope through
an opening and the entire apparatus worn around the user's neck
so that the user's hands are free and the ticket is clearly visible
to anyone. In this device, the holder contains a clear plastic envelope
in which the ticket is clearly visible and is supported by an elastic
strap. It does not have any facility for holding anything else.
The Zapawa Patent is also a ticket holder which can be worn around
a person's neck. Similar to the previously described patent, this
ticket holder contains a generally rectangular transparent laminated
memorabilia card, with the card including aligned rear and front
panels with a common outer periphery. An insert displaying information
is disposed between the rear panel and the front panel such that
the insert is spaced away from the outer periphery and the rear
panel is bonded to the front panel along the outer periphery. The
ticket holder includes a transparent ticket pocket including aligned
rear and front partitions in facing relation to one another and
bonded the front panel of the card. An opening is provided in the
ticket holder so that a cord 12 can be inserted through the opening
so that the device can be worn around the user's neck.
The Romer Patent is designed specifically for carrying a portable
radio or binoculars in addition to a ticket. The Romer Patent discloses
a carrier having a body having front and rear walls, said walls
being connected at side edges and bottom edges thereof, thereby
defining a pouch having a closed bottom, closed sides and an openable
top portion capable of receiving an article which in this case is
defined as a portable scanning radio in the only independent claim.
The device also has on its front an envelope structure coupled to
said body so as to extend generally vertically from the body, said
envelope structure having a front panel and a rear panel, certain
edges of said front panel and said rear panel being joined together
so as to define a pocket having an opening in which a generally
planar item such as the ticket may be inserted, and may be visible
through the pocket. There is also a suspending structure which in
this case is a cord by which the entire apparatus can be worn around
a user's neck. As can be seen from the pictures, the primary purpose
of the central pocket is to hold an article such as a scanning radio,
binoculars etc.
The Longcor Patent discloses an expandable and collapsible belt
strap container for conveniently carrying sports cards on a person
and comprises a container 10 having an inner side attached to the
mid-portion 14 of a belt 12 by elastic webbings 13 and 13'. The
container comprises an expandable and collapsible bellows 11 with
an open top and a flap 18 hingeably attached to an outer side of
the container. The flap stretches across the open top and down the
inner side of the bellows. A long piece of hook-and-loop fastener
19 is attached to the inner side of the bellows while a short piece
of hook-and-loop fastener 20 is attached to the distal side of the
flap. Therefore, when the bellows is fully collapsed, the distal
side of the flap may be attached to the lower side of the long fastener.
When the bellows is fully expanded for carrying a large number of
sports cards, the side of the flap may be attached to the upper
side of the long fasteners.
The European Patent Application EP 0 909 538 A3 is very similar
to the badge carrying device already discussed. It consists of a
base section 4 that engages a cord 2 and an attachment section 6
that secures the object to be held or displayed. The cord 2 may
be worn by a person such that the object, for example, an identification
badge, key ring, etc. is held and/or displayed.
None of these prior art items focus on the principal object of
the present invention which is to enable a user to carry in a hands-free
manner a boarding ticket and personal verification means as well
as other necessary means when boarding a means of public transportation
such as an airplane.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a holder for retaining documents which
are necessary to board a means of public transportation and which
holder enables the documents to be retained in a manner wherein
the documents can be easily veirified by an examining agent and
removed from the holder by the examining agent, while at the same
time enabling the holder to be worn around a user's neck so that
the user's hands are free to carry objects.
It has been discovered, according to the present invention, that
if a holder is comprised of a retaining body having a closed bottom
and closed sidewalls and an open top, an airline ticket can be retained
in the open top so that it is readily accessible to be removed by
the ticket agent at the time a passenger boards an airplane.
It has also been discovered, according to the present invention,
that if the holder contains at least one plastic retaining means
on one side so that the plastic retaining means is sealed against
the holder on all of its edges except for one edge such as the top
which is open, a photo identification means such as a driver's license
can be retained in the clear plastic sleeve so that an airline ticket
agent can see the photo identification means to verify the passenger's
identity before permitting the passenger to board the airplane.
It has additionally been discovered, according to the present invention,
that if the holder is designed in a foldable condition so that the
holder can be folded and retained shut by closure means such as
mating hook-and-loop fasteners of snap fasteners, then additional
pockets can be manufactured into the interior wall of the holder
means to retain additional items such as credit cards, passports,
cash, and other personal items which the passenger may need either
subsequent to boarding the airplane or prior to boarding the airplane.
It has further been discovered, according to the present invention,
that if the holder has a strap or cord either permanently or removably
affixed to the upper body of the foldable container, then the holder
can be worn around the user's neck in a manner which permits the
airline ticket to extend out of the opening in the container so
that it can be examined by a ticket agent and the photo identification
is visible through the clear plastic sleeve so that the airline
ticket agent can verify the passenger's identity before permitting
the passenger to board the airplane, while at the same time the
user's hands are free to carry luggage, or carry a baby or hold
a child's hand.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to create a
document holder which can be worn around a user's neck so that the
user's hands are free to carry luggage, hold a baby, or hold a child's
hand, etc., while at the same time visibly retaining a boarding
ticket in a manner which permits a ticket agent to remove the ticket
for inspection without requiring the passenger to use his/her hands
and assist the ticket agent and further provides a clearly visible
photo identification which the airline ticket agent can clearly
see without requiring the passenger to use his hands to assist the
ticket agent, so that the ticket agent can verify the passenger's
identity, all without requiring the passenger to release the items
he or she is carrying.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a means
to speed up the boarding of aircraft by providing a holder which
enables a passenger to have the ticket and photo identification
readily available for examination by the ticket agent. At present,
there are substantial delays encountered when boarding an aircraft
because the passenger has to place the passenger's luggage on the
ground and reach into his/her pocket or purse to give the ticket
agent the ticket and reach into his or her wallet to show the ticket
agent the passenger's photo I.D. such as a driver's license. It
is an object of the present invention to avoid these delays by having
a holder in which the ticket is readily visible and retrievable
by the ticket agent while at the same time displaying the photo
identification without the necessity of the passenger having to
remove these items from his possession and give them to the ticket
agent, and thereby avoiding the delays in the boarding lines while
other passengers are waiting to board the airplane.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hands-free
holder to retain additional necessary items such as credit cards,
cash, etc.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hands-free
holder for airline tickets, photo identification, user's credit
cards and cash, which is of simple construction and light in weight
so that it can be worn around the person's neck, even if the person
is handicapped, in a manner which does not require any effort on
the user's or passenger's part to display the ticket, photo identification
or other items.
Further novel features and other objects of the present invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion
and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration
only and not limitation, there is illustrated:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention hands-free
holder being worn around a passenger's neck while the passenger
is carrying luggage with both hands.
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the present invention hands-free
holder with an airline ticket extending out of the top opening.
FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the hands-free holder in the open
condition to expose the interior pockets.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG.
3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now
be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood
that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative
of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments
which can represent applications of the principles of the present
invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled
in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to
be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention
as further defined in the appended claims.
Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the present invention hands-free
holder is shown at 10 and comprises a foldable container having
a first section 20 and a second section 60 which can be folded in
half and retained closed by fastening means 70 and 72 which can
by way of example be mating hook-and-loop fasteners or snap fasteners.
Mating hook-and-loop fasteners are illustrated in FIG. 3.
First section 20 has an integrally formed first pocket 22 which
extends for most of the length of first section 20 as illustrated
in FIG. 2. The first pocket 22 is attached to the first section
20 along their adjacent bottom 24 and along their adjacent sidewalls
26 and 28, with the first pocket 22 being opened at its top edge
30 in order to receive a public transportation boarding document
100 which by way of example, is an airline ticket.
A clear retaining means 40 is attached to the front surface 32
of first pocket 22 so that the clear retaining means 40 is attached
to the front surface 32 of first pocket 22 along its bottom edge
42 and along its sidewalls 44 and 46 so that its top edge 48 is
open in order to receive and retain therein the photo identification
means 200 which by way of example, can be a driver's license. It
will be appreciated that the clear retaining means 40 can have any
opening to receive the photo identification means along any of its
walls but it is preferred that the top edge be the open edge in
order to avoid having the photo identification means fall out of
the clear retaining means 40.
A strap means 50 is attached to the top 12 of the hands-free holder
10 so that one end 52 of strap means 50 is attached adjacent first
sidewall 26 and the second end 54 of the strap means 50 is attached
adjacent second sidewall 28. The ends 52 and 54 can either be attached
to the rear surface 34 of first pocket 22 which is the preferred
embodiment or ends 52 and 54 can be attached to the front surface
21 of first section 20. The front surface 21 of first section 20
forms the rear wall of first pocket 22. In the preferred embodiment,
ends 52 and 54 are permanently attached. It is also within the spirit
and scope of the present invention to have ends 52 and 54 removably
attached by fastening means such as mating hook-and-loop fasteners
or snap fasteners.
With the hands-free holder in the folded condition as just described,
the boarding document 100 extends out of the top edge 30 of the
first pocket 22 so that it is clearly visible and can be removed
by the ticket agent for processing before the passenger boards the
means of public transportation. In addition, the photo identification
200 is clearly visible through clear retaining means 40 so that
the ticket agent can verify the identity of the passenger at the
same time. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the strap means 50 enables
the passenger 300 to wear the hands-free holder around the passenger's
neck with the boarding document 100 such as an airline ticket in
the exposed condition and the photo identification 40 is clearly
visible so that the passenger does not have to use the passenger's
hands to expose the documents to the ticket agent and the passenger
can use both hands to carry luggage as illustrated in FIG. 1 or
for any other purpose such as to hold a baby, hold a child's hand,
etc.
Referring to FIG. 3, the hands-free holder 10 is illustrated in
the open condition. The second section 60 has a front surface 62
to which is attached at least one retaining means such as a pocket.
In the illustration in FIG. 3, two pockets are illustrated therein,
a first pocket 80 and a second pocket 90. First and second pockets
80 and 90 have common sidewalls 82 and 84 attached to the sidewall
of second section 60 such that the first surface 62 forms the interior
wall of each pocket. In the illustration in FIG. 4, the pockets
82 and 84 have a common bottom surface 86, but it is also within
the spirit and scope of the present invention to have first pocket
80 be smaller than illustrated so that its lower surface extends
further away from bottom 86. The pockets 82 and 84 can retain one
or more credit cards 110, or cash 120, or any other objects necessary
for the passenger.
The hands-free holder 10 is folded along its middle line 96 so
that the fastener members 70 and 72 cause the pockets 80 and 82
to be concealed within the interior of the hands-free holder 10.
In its folded condition, the hands-free holder appears as illustrated
in FIG. 1.
In the preferred embodiment, the hands-free holder can be made
of fabric material such as cotton. It will also be appreciated that
the hands-free holder can be manufactured of any other material
such as plastic.
While two pockets have been illustrated in FIG. 3, it will be appreciated
that any number of interior pockets can be formed on the hands-free
holder in either the first section or on the second section or on
the same adjoining wall of the first section 20. In addition, pockets
can be formed on the second surface 64 of second section 60. Also,
while the pockets have been illustrated as generally flat pockets,
they can also be accordion shaped so that more items can be retained
therein.
Through use of the present invention, a passenger can have his
or her hands free as illustrated in FIG. 1 with the primary items
which are the boarding ticket 100 and the photo identification 200
clearly exposed so that a ticket agent can easily obtain access
to both documents without the passenger having to remove the luggage
from his hands and without the passenger having to delay in locating
these objects at the time the passenger is boarding the means of
public transportation such as an airline.
Defined in detail, the present invention is a hands-free holder
for removably retaining a boarding document for a means of public
transportation and for visibly retaining a photo identification
document, the holder comprising. (a) foldable retaining body folded
along its midline to form a first section and a second section;
(b) the first section having an integrally formed first pocket which
extends the length of the first section, the first pocket attached
to the first section along their adjacent bottoms and along their
adjacent first sidewall and second sidewall, with the first pocket
being open at its top edge which is parallel to the top edge of
the first section in order to receive the public transportation
boarding document in a manner which permits the public transportation
boarding document to be partially retained within the first pocket
and partially extend out of the first pocket so that it can be easily
removed by a ticket agent; (c) a clear retaining means attached
to a front surface of the first pocket such that the clear retaining
means is attached to the front surface along its bottom wall and
sidewalls, the clear retaining means having an open top edge through
which a photo identification means can be inserted and retained
within the clear retaining means in a manner which permits the photo
identification means to be clearly visible; (d) a strap means having
two ends with one end attached adjacent the top edge of the first
pocket and adjacent the first sidewall of the first section and
the second end attached adjacent the top edge of the first pocket
and adjacent the second sidewall of the first section so that the
strap means forms a loop to enable the holder to be worn around
the user's neck; (e) the second section having at least one pocket
having an enclosed bottom wall and sidewalls attached to the second
section and an open top through which an article may be inserted
and retained in the at least one pocket such that the at least one
pocket is concealed when the holder is in the folded condition;
and (f) a first mating fastener located on an interior wall of the
first section and a second mating fastener located on the second
section to enable the holder to remain in the folded condition when
the first and second mating fasteners are joined together.
Defined broadly, the present invention is a hands-free holder for
removably retaining a boarding document for a means of public transportation
and for visibly retaining a photo identification document, the holder
comprising: (a) a foldable retaining body folded along its midline
to form a first section and a second section; (b) the first section
having an integrally formed first pocket which extends the length
of the first section, the first pocket attached to the first section
along their adjacent bottoms and along their adjacent first sidewall
and second sidewall, with the first pocket being open at its top
edge which is parallel to the top edge of the first section in order
to receive the public transportation boarding document in a manner
which permits the public transportation boarding document to be
partially retained within the first pocket and partially extend
out of the first pocket so that it can be easily removed by a ticket
agent; (c) a clear retaining means attached to a front surface of
the first pocket such that the clear retaining means is attached
to the front surface along its bottom wall and sidewalls, the clear
retaining means having an open top edge through which a photo identification
means can be inserted and retained within the clear retaining means
in a manner which permits the photo identification means to be clearly
visible; (d) a strap means having two ends with one end: attached
to the first section and adjacent the first sidewall of the first
section and the second end attached to the first section and adjacent
the second sidewall of the first section so that the strap means
forms a loop; (e) the second section having at least one pocket
having an enclosed bottom wall and sidewalls attached to the second
section and an open top through which an article may be inserted
and retained in the at least one pocket such that the at least one
pocket is concealed when the holder is in the folded condition;
and (f) a first mating fastener located on an interior wall of the
first section and a second mating fastener located on the second
section to enable the holder to remain in the folded condition when
the first and second mating fasteners are joined together.
Defined more broadly, the present invention is a hands-free holder
for removably retaining a boarding document for a means of public
transportation and for visibly retaining a photo identification
document, the holder comprising: (a) a foldable retaining body folded
along its midline to form a first section and a second section;
(b) the first section having an integrally formed first pocket,
the first pocket attached to the first section along their adjacent
bottoms and along their adjacent first sidewall and second sidewall,
with the first pocket being open at its top edge which is parallel
to the top edge of the first section in order to receive the public
transportation boarding document in a manner which permits the public
transportation boarding document to be partially retained within
the first pocket and partially extend out of the first pocket so
that it can be easily removed by a ticket agent; (c) a clear retaining
means attached to a front surface of the first pocket such that
the clear retaining means is attached to the front surface along
all of its edges except for one open edge through which a photo
identification means can be inserted and retained within the clear
retaining means in a manner which permits the photo identification
means to be clearly visible; (d) a strap means having two ends with
each end attached to the first section so that the strap means forms
a loop to enable the holder to be worn around the user's neck; (e)
the second section having at least one pocket having an opening
through which an article may be inserted and retained in the at
least one pocket such that the at least one pocket is concealed
when the holder is in the folded condition; and (f) a first mating
fastener located on an interior wall of the first section and a
second mating fastener located on the second section to enable the
holder to remain in the folded condition when the first and second
mating fasteners are joined together.
Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a hands-free
holder for removably retaining a boarding document for a means of
public transportation and for visibly retaining a photo identification
document, the holder comprising: (a) a foldable retaining body folded
along its midline to form a first section and a second section;
(b) the first section having an integrally formed first pocket which
is open at its top edge in order to receive a public transportation
boarding document in a manner which permits the public transportation
boarding document to be partially retained within the first pocket
and partially extend out of the first pocket so that it can be easily
removed by a ticket agent; (c) a clear retaining means attached
to a front surface of the first pocket such that the clear retaining
means is attached to the front surface such that it has at least
one opening through which a photo identification means can be inserted
and retained within the clear retaining means in a manner which
permits the photo identification means to be clearly visible; (d)
a strap means attached to the holder so that the strap means forms
a loop to enable the holder to be worn around the user's neck; (e)
the second section having at least one pocket having an opening
through which an article may be inserted and retained in the at
least one pocket such that the at least one pocket is concealed
when the holder is in the folded condition; and (f) the holder having
closure means to retain the holder in the folded condition.
Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted
to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment,
or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified
in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit
or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described
of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration
and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of
the various forms or modifications in which this invention might
be embodied or operated.
The present invention has been described in considerable detail
in order to comply with the patent laws by providing full public
disclosure of at least one of its forms. However, such detailed
description is not intended in any way to limit the broad features
or principles of the present invention, or the scope of the patent
to be granted. Therefore, the invention is to be limited only by
the scope of the appended claims. |