Compact Wallet
Patent No. US11596212 (titled "Compact Wallet") was filed by The Ridge Wallet Llc on Sep 28, 2020.
What is this patent about?
’212 is related to the field of wallets, specifically low-profile wallets designed to hold credit cards and other similar-sized items. Traditional wallets are often bulky and inconvenient, leading to a desire for a more minimalist solution. Existing money clips and elastic-band wallets have drawbacks such as snagging, limited expansion, difficulty in accessing contents, and insufficient protection for the cards.
The underlying idea behind ’212 is to create a compact wallet that is no larger than a credit card while maximizing its expandability and accessibility. This is achieved by using two rigid plates held together by an encircling elastic band that runs in channels *within* the plates themselves, rather than around the outside. This internal channeling allows the band to stretch along the full length of the plates, maximizing the volume available for cards.
The claims of ’212 focus on a compact wallet comprising two plate members, each formed from a grooved part and a backing part. An encircling elastic band runs between the interior areas of these plate members, creating a resiliently expandable space. A retention elastic band extends along the exterior surface of one plate member, securing items like cash.
In practice, the wallet works by sandwiching cards between the two rigid plates. The elastic band, running in grooves within the plates, provides compression to hold the cards securely. The internal channeling of the band is key, as it allows for maximum expansion without increasing the overall size of the wallet. A finger notch on the plates allows users to easily push cards up for selection.
This design differentiates itself from prior approaches by minimizing the wallet's profile and maximizing its expandability. Unlike wallets with external straps or clips, the elastic band is contained within the plates, preventing snagging and maintaining a smooth contour. The internal channeling also allows the band to stretch along the entire length of the plates, providing greater capacity than designs where the band is anchored at fixed points.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the mid-2010s when ’212 was filed, at a time when credit and debit cards were increasingly used for purchases, traditional wallets were evolving to accommodate this shift. Systems commonly relied on physical cards rather than solely on electronic wallets. Hardware or software constraints made implementing highly compact and expandable wallets non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The claims were rejected during prosecution. Rejections included indefiniteness under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) and anticipation under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) based on prior art such as the "Smart Money Clip II" and the Ridge Wallet. The prosecution record does NOT describe the technical reasoning or specific claim changes that led to allowance.
Claims
This patent contains 11 claims, with claim 1 being the only independent claim. Independent claim 1 is directed to a compact wallet comprising grooved and backing parts, encircling elastic bands, and a retention elastic band. The dependent claims generally add specific features, materials, or attachment methods to the wallet described in independent claim 1.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
File Wrapper
The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.
Date
Description
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US11596212
- Application Number
- US17035261
- Filing Date
- Sep 28, 2020
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Dec 20, 2035
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents