Wallet with Card Holding Mechanisms

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. application Ser. No. 18/409,648; filed Jan. 10, 2024; and entitled WALLET WITH CARD HOLDING MECHANISMS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. application Ser. No. 18/478,962; filed Sep. 29, 2023; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,903,466 on Feb. 20, 2024; and entitled WALLET WITH CARD HOLDING MECHANISMS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. application Ser. No. 18/475,180; filed Sep. 26, 2022; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,896,099 on Feb. 13, 2024; and entitled WALLET WITH CARD HOLDING MECHANISMS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. application Ser. No. 18/304,175; filed Apr. 20, 2022; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,819,098 on Nov. 21, 2023; and entitled WALLET WITH CARD HOLDING MECHANISMS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. application Ser. No. 17/716,875; filed Apr. 8, 2022; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,653,729 on May 23, 2023; and entitled WALLET WITH CARD HOLDING MECHANISMS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. application Ser. No. 17/470,825; filed Sep. 9, 2021; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,337,498 on May 24, 2022; and entitled WALLET WITH CARD HOLDING MECHANISMS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. application Ser. No. 17/227,204; filed Apr. 9, 2021; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,178,947 on Nov. 23, 2021; and entitled WALLET WITH CARD HOLDING MECHANISMS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. application Ser. No. 16/250,310; filed Jan. 17, 2019; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,439,214 on Sep. 13, 2022; and entitled WALLET.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. application Ser. No. 16/659,627; filed Oct. 22, 2019; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,571,050 on Feb. 7, 2023; and entitled WALLET.

Various embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to wallets. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to wallets with a rail system, an elastic band, and at least one pocket.

Wallets are designed to carry articles such as credit cards, currency, business cards, pictures, identification cards (such as a driver's license or work ID), plus assorted other paper items. The most common type of wallet has a bifold design including one or more compartments and is made to be carried in a pocket or bag. Wallets are, in general, made from fabric and/or leather goods and sewn to form storage pockets. They may also utilize a metal clip of sorts intended to hold paper currency. These storage pockets are typically sewn to hold one, or a few, cards. Each pocket adds a layer of material, increasing the overall thickness of the wallet and limiting the number of cards a wallet can carry. As a result, typical wallets often become bulky in size and more difficult and uncomfortable to carry, especially in a pocket. Traditional wallets may also stretch and loosen over time, leaving the credit and/or identification cards, currency, etc. vulnerable to being lost. There is therefore a need for an improved type of wallet to hold a high capacity of cards and currency while maintaining a slim profile.

The disclosure includes a wallet comprising an open-sided shell having a personal card receiving surface and a back surface facing opposite the personal card receiving surface, the open-sided shell configured to securably couple at least one personal card along the personal card receiving surface within an internal portion of the open-sided shell. In many embodiments, the wallet further comprises a flexible member including an internal surface and an external surface facing opposite the internal surface, the flexible member defining a bottom half and a top half located opposite the bottom half, wherein the internal surface of the bottom half is coupled to the back surface of the open-sided shell. The wallet may include an elastic band having a first end coupled to a first side surface of the top half of the flexible member, and a second end located opposite the first end whereby the second end is coupled to a second side surface of the top half of the flexible member, the second side surface located opposite the first side surface. The elastic band may be configured to move between a first position whereby the elastic band wraps around the internal surface of the top half of the flexible member, and a second position whereby the elastic band wraps around the external surface of the top half of the flexible member.

In some embodiments, the wallet defines an open position, a closed position, and a clamshell position. When the wallet is in the open position, the flexible member may be configured to lay substantially flat such that the top half of the internal surface of the flexible member and the personal card receiving surface of the open-sided shell both substantially face a same direction, and the elastic band may be configured to be in at least one of the first position and the second position. When the wallet is in the closed position, the top half of the internal surface of the flexible member may be folded over the personal card receiving surface of the open-sided shell such that the top half of the internal surface of the flexible member faces the personal card receiving surface of the open-sided shell, and the elastic band may be configured to be in at least one of the first position and the second position. When the wallet is in the clamshell position, the top half of the internal surface of the flexible member may be folded over the personal card receiving surface of the open-sided shell such that the top half of the internal surface of the flexible member faces the personal card receiving surface of the open-sided shell, and when the wallet is in the clamshell position the elastic band may be configured to move to a third position whereby the elastic band wraps around the open-sided shell and the bottom half of the flexible member.

In many embodiments, the open-sided shell comprises a first side wall, a second side wall located opposite the first side wall, and a bottom side wall extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, whereby the first side wall, the second side wall, and the bottom side wall are configured to retain the at least one personal card in place with respect to the personal card receiving surface. The first side wall may comprise a first retention tab configured to move away from the second side wall to thereby receive the at least one personal card, the first side wall defining a first top portion and a first bottom portion located adjacent the bottom side wall, the first retention tab located adjacent the first top portion. The second side wall may comprise a second retention tab configured to move away from the first side wall to thereby receive the personal card, the second side wall defining a second top portion and a second bottom portion located adjacent the bottom side wall, the second retention tab located adjacent the second top portion. In some embodiments, the first retention tab comprises a first protruding portion configured to secure the at least one personal card in place with respect to the personal card receiving surface, the first protruding portion located adjacent the first top portion, and the second retention tab comprises a second protruding portion configured to secure the at least one personal card in place with respect to the personal card receiving surface, the second protruding portion located adjacent the second top portion.

The first retention tab and the second retention tab may be configured to move between a locked position and a receiving position, wherein when the first retention tab and the second retention tab are in the locked position the first retention tab and the second retention tab may be located a first distance from each other, wherein when the first retention tab and second retention tab are in the receiving position the first retention tab and the second retention tab may be located a second distance from each other, and wherein the first distance may be less than the second distance. In many embodiments, when the open-sided shell receives the at least one personal card, the first retention tab moves away from the second side wall and the second retention tab moves away from the first side wall to thereby receive the at least one personal card. When the open-sided shell securably couples the at least one personal card within the internal portion, the first retention tab may move towards the second side wall and the second retention tab may move towards the first side wall to thereby securably lock the at least one personal card within the internal portion of the open-sided shell. In many embodiments, the first retention tab defines a first cantilever arm physically spaced from a remaining portion of the first side wall, and the second retention tab defines a second cantilever arm physically spaced from a remaining portion of the second side wall.

In some embodiments, the bottom side wall comprises a first bottom side wall portion, a second bottom side wall portion, and an open clearance area located between the first bottom side wall portion and the second bottom side wall portion, whereby the open clearance area is configured to receive a user's finger to thereby push the at least one personal card away from the bottom side wall. The first bottom side wall portion may define a first width and the second bottom side wall portion may define a second width, wherein the second width may be greater than the first width.

The first side wall and the second side wall may be elongate along a first direction, and the bottom side wall may be elongate along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In some embodiments, the first side wall defines a first back portion located adjacent to the personal card receiving surface, and a first front portion located opposite the first back portion. The second side wall may define a second back portion located adjacent to the personal card receiving surface, and a second front portion located opposite the second back portion. In some embodiments, the bottom side wall defines a third back portion located adjacent to the personal card receiving surface, and a third front portion located opposite the third back portion. The open-sided shell may comprise a front retaining surface protruding along the second direction from the first front portion of the first side wall, along the second direction from the second front portion of the second side wall, and along the first direction from the third front portion of the bottom side wall. The front retaining surface may be spaced from the personal card receiving surface.

In many embodiments, the front retaining surface extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the personal card receiving surface, wherein the front retaining surface comprises a left side retaining surface and a right side retaining surface. The left side retaining surface may extend from a first location located below the first retention tab down along the first side wall to the first bottom portion of the first side wall and along the bottom side wall to a second location adjacent an open clearance area. The right side retaining surface may extend from a third location adjacent the open clearance area along the bottom side wall to the second bottom portion of the second side wall and up along the second side wall to a fourth location located below the second retention tab. In some embodiments, the second location of the left side retaining surface defines a first angle, and the third location of the right side retaining surface defines a second angle. The second angle may be greater than the first angle. In some embodiments, the left side retaining surface defines a left side height and a left side width, and the right side retaining surface defines a right side height and a right side width. The left side height and the right side height may be substantially equal, and the left side width may be less than the right side width.

In some embodiments, the at least one personal card comprises a front surface, a back surface located opposite the front surface, a first side edge, a second side edge located opposite the first side edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge located opposite the top edge. When the at least one personal card is securably coupled to the open-sided shell with the back surface facing the personal card receiving surface, the front retaining surface may be configured to cover at least a portion of the front surface along the first side edge, at least a portion of the front surface along the second side edge, and at least a portion of the front surface along the bottom edge.

The wallet may further comprise a first aperture located along a first side portion of the open-sided shell and a second aperture located along a second side portion of the open-sided shell, the first aperture located opposite the second aperture. When the wallet is in the clamshell position, the elastic band may wrap around the first aperture and the second aperture. In some embodiments, the first side wall and the second side wall are elongate along a first direction, and the bottom side wall is elongate along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the elastic band wraps around at least one of the flexible member and the open-sided shell along the second direction.

The wallet may also include an identification window coupled to the top half of the flexible member and located along the internal surface of the flexible member, and the identification window may be configured to receive an identification card. When the elastic band is in the first position the elastic band may at least partially cover the identification window, and when the elastic band is in the second position the elastic band may not cover the identification window. In many embodiments, the identification window includes an aperture configured to allow a user to view and directly contact the internal surface of the flexible member located beneath the identification window.

In some embodiments, the internal portion of the open-sided shell defines an internal width measuring at least 3.375″, and an internal height measuring at least 2.125″. The open-sided shell may define a first width, and the flexible member may define a second width that is less than the first width.

The disclosure includes a wallet comprising an open-sided shell having a personal card receiving surface and a back surface facing opposite the personal card receiving surface, the open-sided shell configured to securably couple at least one personal card along the personal card receiving surface within an internal portion of the open-sided shell. In some embodiments, the open-sided shell further comprises a first side wall, a second side wall located opposite the first side wall, and a bottom side wall extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, whereby the first side wall, the second side wall, and the bottom side wall are configured to retain the at least one personal card in place with respect to the personal card receiving surface. The wallet may also include a flexible member including an internal surface and an external surface facing opposite the internal surface, and the flexible member may define a bottom half and a top half located opposite the bottom half. In some embodiments, the internal surface of the bottom half is coupled to the back surface of the open-sided shell, and the internal surface of the top half is configured to retain and receive an identification card. The wallet may further comprise a pull tab coupled to the external surface of the flexible member and configured to extend from an opening in the external surface of the flexible member, and the pull tab may be configured to facilitate removal of the at least one personal card from a pocket coupled to the external surface of the flexible member.

In some embodiments, the bottom side wall comprises a first bottom side wall portion and a second bottom side wall portion, wherein the first bottom side wall portion defines a first width and the second bottom side wall portion defines a second width, wherein the second width is greater than the first width. The wallet may further comprise an open clearance area located along a bottom portion of the open-sided shell, and the open clearance area may be configured to receive a user's finger to thereby push the at least one personal card away from the bottom portion such that the at least one personal card may be removed from the wallet. In some embodiments, the open clearance area is located between the first bottom side wall portion and the second bottom side wall portion.

The wallet may further comprise a stretchable band configured to wrap around the open-sided shell and the bottom half of the flexible member, and the stretchable band may be configured to securably couple at least one personal card against at least one of the personal card receiving surface and the external surface of the flexible member. In some embodiments, the first side wall comprises a first aperture and a second aperture, the first aperture configured to receive an attaching mechanism to thereby couple the wallet to at least one of a key, a lanyard, and a tether, and the second side wall comprises a third aperture, the second aperture and the third aperture configured to receive the stretchable band.

In some embodiments, the wallet includes a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion. The first protruding portion may be coupled to the first side wall and may be configured to move away from the second side wall to thereby receive the at least one personal card. In some embodiments, the first side wall defines a first top portion and a first bottom portion located adjacent the bottom side wall, and the first protruding portion is located adjacent the first top portion. The second protruding portion may be coupled to the second side wall and may be configured to move away from the first side wall to thereby receive the at least one personal card. In some embodiments, the second side wall defines a second top portion and a second bottom portion located adjacent the bottom side wall, and the second protruding portion is located adjacent the second top portion. The first protruding portion and the second protruding portion may be configured to move between a locked position and a receiving position. In some embodiments, when the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion are in the locked position, the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion are located a first distance from each other. When the first protruding portion and second protruding portion are in the receiving position, the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion may be located a second distance from each other. In some embodiments, the first distance is less than the second distance.

In some embodiments, the pull tab defines a first portion and a second portion, and the pull tab is configured to move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first portion of the pull tab may be configured to extend from the opening in the external surface of the flexible member and the second portion of the pull tab may be located at least partially within the flexible member, and the at least one personal card may be located within the pocket. In the second position, the first portion of the pull tab and the second portion of the pull tab may be configured to extend from the opening in the external surface of the flexible member, and the at least one personal card may be configured to at least partially extend from the pocket.

The disclosure includes a wallet comprising an open-sided shell having a personal card receiving surface and a back surface facing opposite the personal card receiving surface, the open-sided shell configured to securably couple at least one personal card along the personal card receiving surface within an internal portion of the open-sided shell. In some embodiments, the open-sided shell comprises a first side wall, a second side wall located opposite the first side wall, and a bottom side wall extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, whereby the first side wall, the second side wall, and the bottom side wall are configured to retain the at least one personal card in place with respect to the personal card receiving surface.

The wallet may further comprise a flexible member including an internal surface and an external surface facing opposite the internal surface. In some embodiments, the flexible member defines a bottom half and a top half located opposite the bottom half, wherein the internal surface of the bottom half may be coupled to the back surface of the open-sided shell. The wallet may also include a stretchable band configured to wrap around the open-sided shell and the bottom half of the flexible member, and the stretchable band may be configured to securably couple at least one personal card against at least one of the personal card receiving surface and the external surface of the flexible member. In some embodiments, the wallet further comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) protection plate coupled to the open-sided shell, wherein the RFID protection plate is located between the personal card receiving surface and the stretchable band.

The first side wall and the second side wall may be elongate along a first direction, and the bottom side wall may be elongate along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In some embodiments, the stretchable band wraps around the open-sided shell and the bottom half of the flexible member along the second direction. The RFID protection plate may be configured to move along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction to securably couple the at least one personal card between the RFID protection plate and the personal card receiving surface. In some embodiments, the stretchable band is configured to extend along the third direction to couple at least one of at least one personal card and at least one paper bill between the stretchable band and the bottom half of the flexible member.

At least one of the open-sided shell and the RFID protection plate may comprise an open clearance area located along a bottom portion of at least one of the open-sided shell and the RFID protection plate. In some embodiments, the open clearance area is configured to receive a user's finger to thereby push the at least one personal card away from the bottom portion such that the at least one personal card may be removed from the wallet.

The wallet may further comprise an interior pocket coupled to the top half of the flexible member and located along the internal surface of the flexible member, and the interior pocket may be configured to receive and retain the at least one personal card. In some embodiments, the wallet includes a first exterior pocket coupled to the top half of the flexible member and located along the external surface of the flexible member opposite the interior pocket, the first exterior pocket configured to receive and retain the at least one personal card. The wallet may also include a second exterior pocket coupled to the bottom half of the flexible member and located along the external surface of the flexible member opposite the open-sided shell, the second exterior pocket configured to receive and retain the at least one personal card. In some embodiments, the interior pocket and the first exterior pocket are coupled to the top half of the flexible member via stitching extending along a perimeter of the top half of the flexible member, and the second exterior pocket is coupled to the flexible member via stitching and is coupled to the open-sided shell via a plurality of rivets, wherein the stitching and the plurality of rivets extend around a perimeter of the bottom half of the flexible member.

The disclosure includes a wallet comprising an open-sided shell having a first personal card receiving surface and a second personal card receiving surface facing opposite the first personal card receiving surface. The open-sided shell may be configured to securably couple at least one personal card along the first personal card receiving surface and the second personal card receiving surface within an internal portion of the open-sided shell. In some embodiments, the first personal card receiving surface comprises a first side wall, a second side wall located opposite the first side wall, and a first bottom side wall extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, whereby the first side wall, the second side wall, and the first bottom side wall are configured to retain the at least one personal card in place with respect to the first personal card receiving surface.

The wallet may further comprise a first protruding portion coupled to the first side wall and configured to move away from the second side wall to thereby receive the at least one personal card. In some embodiments, the first side wall defines a first top portion and a first bottom portion located adjacent the first bottom side wall, and the first protruding portion is located adjacent the first top portion. The wallet may also include a second protruding portion coupled to the second side wall and configured to move away from the first side wall to thereby receive the at least one personal card. In some embodiments, the second side wall defines a second top portion and a second bottom portion located adjacent the bottom side wall, and the second protruding portion is located adjacent the second top portion. The second personal card receiving surface may comprise a third side wall, a fourth side wall located opposite the third side wall, and a second bottom side wall extending between the third side wall and the fourth side wall.

In some embodiments, the wallet includes a stretchable band configured to wrap around the open-sided shell, the stretchable band configured to securably couple at least one personal card against at least one of the first personal card receiving surface and the second personal card receiving surface. The wallet may further comprise a radio frequency identification (RFID) protection plate coupled to the open-sided shell, wherein the RFID protection plate may be located between the second personal card receiving surface and the stretchable band, and wherein the RFID protection plate may be configured to securably couple the at least one personal card between the RFID protection plate and the second personal card receiving surface. In some embodiments, at least one of the open-sided shell and the RFID protection plate comprises an open clearance area located along a bottom portion of at least one of the open-sided shell and the RFID protection plate. The open clearance area may be configured to receive a user's finger to thereby push the at least one personal card away from the bottom portion such that the at least one personal card may be removed from the wallet.

The wallet may further comprise at least one aperture located along a perimeter of the open-sided shell, and the at least one aperture may be configured to receive an attaching mechanism to thereby couple the wallet to at least one of a key, a lanyard, and a tether. In some embodiments, the wallet also includes a pocket configured to receive the at least one personal card, the pocket configured to detachably couple to the open-sided shell adjacent the second personal card receiving surface. The pocket may comprise an opening configured to receive a pull tab, wherein the pull tab may be configured to facilitate removal of the at least one personal card from the pocket.

Although certain embodiments and examples are disclosed below, inventive subject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses, and to modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, the scope of the claims appended hereto is not limited by any of the particular embodiments described below. For example, in any method or process disclosed herein, the acts or operations of the method or process may be performed in any suitable sequence and are not necessarily limited to any particular disclosed sequence. Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding certain embodiments; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent. Additionally, the structures, systems, and/or devices described herein may be embodied as integrated components or as separate components.

For purposes of comparing various embodiments, certain aspects and advantages of these embodiments are described. Not necessarily all such aspects or advantages are achieved by any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, various embodiments may be carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as may also be taught or suggested herein.

The disclosure includes multiple embodiments of a wallet. In some embodiments, the wallet comprises a bifold-style wallet with an elastic band configured to wrap around the wallet. In other embodiments, the wallet comprises a single pocket wallet. Multiple embodiments may include a rail system configured to hold multiple personal cards, such as credit cards, identification cards, business cards, membership cards (e.g., grocery store rewards card, gym membership, library card), gift cards, and the like. Multiple embodiments may also be configured to hold paper currency, coupons, photographs, and other paper items.

show different perspective views of a wallet, according to some embodiments.corresponds to, and shows a bifold-style walletin an open position. As illustrated, the walletmay include a flexible membercomprising a bottom halfand a top half, as well as an open-sided shellcoupled to the bottom halfof the flexible member. In many embodiments, the open-sided shellincludes a personal card receiving surfaceconfigured to receive at least one personal card, as shown in. As such, the personal card receiving surfacemay not be visible beneath the at least one personal card. In some embodiments, the open-sided shellis configured to hold up to five personal cards. Depending on the type of card, the open-sided shellmay be configured to hold more than five personal cards.also shows that the top halfof the flexible membermay include an identification windowconfigured to hold at least one personal card. In many embodiments, the identification windowis configured to hold a single personal card. The identification windowmay be configured to hold more than one personal card. As demonstrated, both the identification windowand the open-sided shellmay be located on an internal surfaceof the flexible member.

corresponds to, and shows the walletin a clamshell position. In many embodiments, the clamshell positionis defined as the walletin a closed position with an elastic bandwrapped around the wallet, thereby keeping the walletclosed. It should be noted that the elastic bandmay comprise any flexible material, including rubber, elastic, or any suitable stretchable material. In many embodiments, the elastic bandcomprises a single continuous piece.also shows that, in many embodiments, the walletincludes a first external pocket. Similar to the identification windowand the open-sided shell, the first external pocketmay be configured to hold at least one personal card. The first external pocketmay be located on the external surfaceof the bottom halfof the flexible member, opposite the open-sided shell, which may be located on the internal surface, as indicated in.

also shows the walletin the clamshell position, but includes a perspective view of the top halfrather than the bottom half, as in. As shown, the top halfmay include a second external pocketconfigured to hold at least one personal card. In many embodiments, the second external pocketis located on the external surfaceof the wallet, opposite the identification window, which is located on the internal surfaceof the wallet.also includes the elastic band, which may be coupled to the top halfand configured to wrap around the bottom halfof the wallet, thereby holding the top halfagainst the bottom halfin the clamshell position. It should be noted that “top half” and “bottom half” indicate opposite portions of the wallet. A “dividing line” may be imagined as extending through the flexible memberbetween the open-sided shelland identification windowand/or between the first external pocketand the second external pocket. As such, the “dividing line” may comprise the portion of the flexible memberconfigured to fold when the walletis in the clamshell positionand/or the closed position(shown in). It should also be noted that the walletmay be configured to “backbend,” or bend in an opposite direction as compared to what is illustrated in the Figures. For example, the first and second external pockets,may comprise internal pockets, and the open-sided shelland the identification windowmay be located on an external portion, when the walletis in a backbended position. In some embodiments, the elastic bandis configured to wrap around the walletto keep it closed in a backbended position.

also shows the stitchingof the wallet. In many embodiments, substantially an entire perimeter of the flexible memberis stitched. The stitchingmay be used to couple the second external pocketto the top halfof the flexible member, as well as to couple the identification windowto the top halfof the flexible member. Stitchingmay also be used to couple the first external pocketto the bottom halfof the flexible member. In some embodiments, the stitchingis used to form a finished edge of the flexible member, such as in a center portion of the internal surfacebetween the open-sided shelland the identification window. The stitchingmay comprise hand-stitching or machine-stitching. Though not labeled in every Figure, the stitchingmay be present in many embodiments of the wallet, both on the external surface(as shown in), and on the internal surface(as shown in).

show the walletwith the elastic bandin the first positionand second position, respectively. As illustrated, in the first position, the elastic bandmay be configured to wrap around an internal surfaceof the top halfof the flexible member, such that the elastic bandat least partially covers an apertureof the identification window. The arrows inindicate that the elastic bandmay be configured to change to a second positionsuch that the bandwraps around an external surfaceof the top halfso that it no longer extends across the identification window, as demonstrated by.also shows that, in many embodiments, the elastic bandcomprises a first endcoupled to the first side surfaceof the top half, and a second endcoupled to the second side surfaceof the top half, where the first side surfaceis located opposite the second side surface. The first endand second endmay be defined as respective halves of the elastic band. In some embodiments, the first endand second enddefine only the small end portions coupled to the first side surfaceand second side surface, respectively. Each “end”,may be defined as any length of the elastic band, between 0.1% and 50% of the total length.

Each end,may be coupled to the respective side surface,via stitching, adhesive, or any other suitable method and/or combination of methods. Each end,may be coupled between layers of material of the top half. For example, each end,may be coupled between the identification windowand the flexible member, or between the flexible memberand the second external pocket. Alternatively, each end,may be coupled to the internal surface(e.g. to the identification window) or to the external surface(e.g. to the second external pocket). In some embodiments, the first endis coupled via a different method and/or to a different location than the second end. The first and second ends,may be coupled via substantially the same method and to corresponding locations; for example, both ends,coupled between layers, both ends,coupled to the internal surface, and/or both ends,coupled to the external surface.

In some embodiments, the elastic bandmay be configured to hold at least one personal cardand/or paper currency (or other similar items). For example, in the first positionillustrated in, the elastic bandmay be used to hold additional cards, currency, etc. against the identification window. In the second position illustrated in, the elastic bandmay be used to hold additional cards, currency, etc. against the external surfaceof the flexible member(e.g., against the second external pocket). The elastic bandmay also be used to hold additional cards, currency, etc. when the walletis in the clamshell position, as will be discussed further with reference to.

also show the apertureof the identification window. In many embodiments, the aperturecomprises an open aperture, such that a user is able to view and directly contact the internal surfaceof the flexible memberbelow the identification windowthrough the aperture. Stated differently, the aperturemay not include a covering (e.g. clear plastic), as is common in many traditional wallet designs. An open aperturemay provide easy access to the at least one personal cardlocated in the identification window, thereby making it easier for a user to remove the at least one personal card. The open aperturemay also contribute to reducing the overall size (weight, bulk, etc.) of the wallet

, similar to, shows the walletwith the elastic bandin the first position. As previously mentioned, the elastic bandmay comprise a first endlocated opposite a second end, and, when in the first position, the elastic bandmay be configured to wrap around the internal surfaceof the top half, such that the bandextends across the identification window. In many embodiments, the elastic bandis located near a center portion of the identification window, such that when the elastic bandis in the first position, it extends across substantially the center of the identification windowand aperture. The elastic bandmay be off-center with respect to the identification window.shows a back perspective view of the walletwith the elastic bandin the first position. As illustrated, the elastic bandis visible coupled to the second side surface, but does not extend across the external surfaceof the flexible member.

, similar to, shows the walletwith the elastic bandin the second position. As previously stated, when the elastic bandis in the second position, it may be configured to wrap around an external surfaceof the top halfof the flexible member. As such, in the second position, the elastic bandmay not extend across an internal surfaceof the top half, as indicated by.shows a back perspective view of the walletwith the elastic bandin the second position, and shows the bandextending across the external surfaceof the top half. In many embodiments, the elastic bandextends from a first endcoupled to a first side surfaceof the top halfto a second endcoupled to a second side surfaceof the top half. The elastic bandmay be configured to extend across substantially a center portion of the second external pocket.