Identification holder system

Abstract

A non-rigid identification card holder system is provided which can be attached to either a breakaway lanyard for holding the identification card about the neck or to a clip for attaching the identification card to an article of clothing. The identification card holder comprises at least one pocket sized to hold the identification card. In a preferred embodiment, at least one face of the pocket comprises a transparent polymeric material to allow easy viewing of the card. Any information contained on electronic chips which may be part of the card can also be scanned through the transparent material. A reinforced hole may be provided in the pocket face through which a finger may be inserted to aid in removing the identification card from the pocket. In another preferred embodiment, the card holder has two back-to-back pockets with the outer face of each pocket comprising a window of transparent polymeric material. The identification card holder may also provide additional pockets sized to hold ATM cards, phone cards, credit cards, photographs, security cards etc. For improved durability, the identification card holder may be made of a second material such as a woven material or nylon in addition to the first transparent polymeric material.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A system for holding at least one identification card comprising: 
 an identification card holder comprising at least one pocket sized to hold the identification card;    a breakaway lanyard comprising a breakaway element; and    means for slidably attaching the identification holder to the breakaway lanyard.    
     
     
         2 . The identification card holder system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one face of the pocket comprises transparent polymeric material, whereby the identification card can be viewed or scanned through the transparent material.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein one face of the pocket additionally comprises a reinforced hole through which a finger may be inserted to aid in removing the identification card from the pocket.  
     
     
         4 . The identification card holder system of  claim 1 , wherein the identification card holder comprises two back-to-back pockets capable of holding identification cards.  
     
     
         5 . The identification card holder system of  claim 4 , wherein the outward face of each of the back-to-back pockets comprises transparent polymeric material, whereby identification cards can be viewed or scanned through the transparent material.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the outward face of each of the back-to-back pockets additionally comprises a reinforced hole through which a finger may be inserted to aid in removing the identification cards from the pocket.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the identification card holder comprises additional pockets.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the breakaway element comprises a piece of flexible piece of polymeric tubing which is sized to fit closely around the ends of the lanyard inserted therein.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  additionally comprising a slide to adjust lanyard length.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  additionally comprising a clip and means for attaching the identification card holder to the clip wherein the means for slidably attaching the identification card holder to the breakaway lanyard is reversibly interchangeable with the means for attaching the identification card holder to the clip.  
     
     
         11 . An identification card holder system comprising 
 an identification card holder comprising at least one pocket sized to hold the identification card, the pocket comprising a first material which is a transparent polymer sheet and a second material which is a woven material or leather;    a breakaway lanyard; and    means for slidably attaching the identification holder to the breakaway lanyard.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein one face of the pocket additionally comprises a reinforced hole through which a finger may be inserted to aid in removing the identification card from the pocket.  
     
     
         13 . The identification card holder system of  claim 11 , wherein the identification card holder comprises two back-to-back pockets capable of holding identification cards.  
     
     
         14 . The identification card holder system of  claim 14 , wherein the outward face of each of the back-to-back pockets comprises the first transparent material, whereby the identification card can be viewed or through the transparent material.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the breakaway element comprises a piece of flexible piece of polymeric tubing which is sized to fit closely around the ends of the lanyard inserted therein.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11  additionally comprising a clip and means for attaching the identification card holder to the clip wherein the means for slidably attaching the identification card holder to the breakaway lanyard is reversibly interchangeable with the means for attaching the identification card holder to the clip.