Retractable identification holder and methods of using same

Abstract

A retractable card carrying holder is provided for retention of identification cards, particularly for use when traveling through security checkpoints. The photo ID card(s) can be disposed within a transparent sleeve which is attached by a retractable tether to an opaque enclosure into which it is operatively associated, which enclosure includes a clip or other fastener operatively associated thereto to clip onto a belt, backpack, luggage, a wearer, or other clothing. Preferably, at least one of the sleeve or the enclosure is sufficiently non-deformable to inhibit or avoid damage to the card(s). Methods using the card(s) are also included.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A retractable identification-card holder comprising: 
 a transparent sleeve that is configured and dimensioned to receive one or more identification cards;    an opaque enclosure having an interior that is configured and dimensioned to removably store the sleeve and the one or more cards therein;    a retraction mechanism that is operatively associated with the sleeve and the enclosure without damaging the one or more cards to facilitate the return of the sleeve and the one or more cards to the enclosure after being displayed by a user; and    at least one fastener operatively associated with the enclosure to attach the card holder to the user;    wherein at least one of the sleeve or the enclosure is sufficiently non-deformable to inhibit or avoid damage to the one or more cards.    
     
     
         2 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is fastened in a fixed position on at least one of: a part of the user, a piece of clothing on the user, a backpack, a purse, a briefcase, a pouch, a money belt, a suitcase, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The holder of  claim 2 , wherein the enclosure is wearable and is fastened on a belt, belt buckle, belt loop, or around a user's neck.  
     
     
         4 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fastener comprises a hook and loop type closure, a clip, a cord, or a combination thereof sufficient to securely fasten the holder to the desired fixed position.  
     
     
         5 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the retraction mechanism comprises a spring-loaded reel assembly.  
     
     
         6 . The holder of  claim 5 , wherein the reel assembly is disposed inside the enclosure and the retraction mechanism comprises a flexible tether connected at one end to the reel assembly and at the other end to the sleeve, the card, or both, and is arranged to be selectively extended from an opening in the enclosure and retracted into a position wound around the reel assembly after being temporarily removed.  
     
     
         7 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible tether comprises a string, a cord, a line, flexible tape, metal chain, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The holder of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible tether comprises a line having at least one thread or filament and comprising a polyamide polymer.  
     
     
         9 . The holder of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible tether is attached at the other end to the sleeve by a split ring device therein and further comprising at least one additional sleeve to store and display at least one of the one or more identification cards.  
     
     
         10 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the card holder is configured and dimensioned to store only a single identification card.  
     
     
         11 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is sufficiently non-deformable and the sleeve is deformable.  
     
     
         12 . The holder of  claim 11 , wherein the enclosure is made of metal comprising stainless steel, tin, bronze, brass, aluminum, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is sufficiently opaque to avoid viewing any information on the one or more cards while in the enclosure.  
     
     
         14 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is sufficiently opaque to avoid viewing any information on any of the cards while in the enclosure and the sleeve is transparent to permit viewing of the card therein once the sleeve is temporarily removed from the enclosure.  
     
     
         15 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure has no lid and a permanent opening in an upward facing direction to facilitate frequent removal and retraction of the sleeve and each card with the opening configured and dimensioned to minimize inadvertent removal of the sleeve and each card from the enclosure.  
     
     
         16 . An identification-card holder comprising: 
 a transparent sleeve that is configured and dimensioned to receive one or more identification cards;    an opaque enclosure having an interior that is configured and dimensioned to store the sleeve and the one or more cards therein and having a pivotably openable portion to display one or more cards; and    at least one fastener operatively associated with the enclosure to attach the card holder to a user or their clothing;    wherein at least one of the sleeve or the enclosure is sufficiently non-deformable to inhibit or avoid damage to each card.    
     
     
         17 . The holder of  claim 16 , wherein the pivotably openable portion comprises a hinge across the top or bottom of the holder and a portion of the enclosure that covers the one or more identification cards and opens the enclosure to an open state to permit viewing of the one or more cards.  
     
     
         18 . The holder of  claim 16 , wherein the pivotably openable portion comprises a spring mechanism arranged to return the openable portion to a closed state to inhibit viewing of the one or more cards.  
     
     
         19 . A method of displaying an identification card comprising: 
 providing one or more identification cards retained in a transparent article which is retractably disposed in an opaque article attached to the user or the user's clothing;    removing the transparent article having the one or more cards retained therein from the opaque article; and    displaying the transparent article so as to see at least one of the one or more identification cards.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , which further comprises retracting the transparent article into the opaque article to prohibit undesired viewing of the one or more cards therein.