Holder for Personal Items

Abstract

A holder is disclosed for carrying a variety of personal items in a variety of ways. The holder comprises covers which preferably fold between an open configuration and a closed configuration. When in the closed configuration, the covers define a space therebetween which forms an interior of the holder. The holder comprises a retraction member for releasably engaging particular personal items. The retraction member can be adjusted between a retracted position, wherein personal items engaged to the retraction member are located in the interior of the holder, and an extended position, wherein personal items engaged to the retraction member may be located on an exterior of the holder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A holder for personal items, the holder comprising:
 a partial enclosure for holding personal items in an interior thereof, the partial enclosure comprising a front cover and a back cover, the front and back covers spaced-apart from one another along at least one edge of the enclosure to define an enclosure opening; and   a retraction member having a carrying end for engaging personal items, the retraction member adjustable between: a retracted position wherein the carrying end is located in the interior of the enclosure; and an extended position wherein the carrying end is permitted to move through the enclosure opening to an exterior of the enclosure;   the enclosure opening located on a lower edge of the enclosure, thereby permitting gravity to move the carrying end through the enclosure opening when the retraction member changes from its retracted position to its extended position;   the retraction member comprising a flexible member which extends through one of the front and back covers, the carrying end located on the flexible member and the flexible member also having a locking end located on the exterior of the enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A holder according to  claim 27  wherein the locking end comprises a first portion of a locking mechanism for releasably coupling the locking end to the one of the front and back covers such that, when the locking end is coupled to the one of the front and back covers, the retraction member is locked in its retracted position and when the locking end is released from the one of the front and back covers, the retraction member is permitted to move to its extended position. 
     
     
         5 .- 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A holder according to  claim 4  wherein a second portion of the locking mechanism is attached to the spine portion and projects from the spine portion through the back cover to the exterior of the enclosure for releasably coupling to the first portion of the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . A holder according to  claim 9  wherein the clip comprises a pair of prongs spaced-apart from one another and wherein the second portion of the locking mechanism extends to the exterior of the enclosure in a location between the pair of prongs, such that, when the retraction member is in its retracted position, the locking end of the flexible member extends between the pair of prongs to couple the first portion of the locking mechanism to the second portion of the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . A holder according to  claim 9  wherein the clip comprises a pair of prongs spaced-apart from one another and wherein, when the retraction member is in its retracted position, the flexible member extends between the pair of prongs to couple the first portion of the locking mechanism to the second portion of the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . A holder according to  claim 11  wherein the enclosure comprises a stay facing connecting the front cover to the back cover, the stay facing foldable to adjust the enclosure between: a closed configuration wherein the front cover is folded toward the back cover to define the interior of the enclosure; and an open configuration wherein the front cover is folded away from the back cover to expose inner surfaces of the front and back covers. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A holder according to  claim 12  wherein the stay facing extends along a first partial perimeter of the enclosure, the first partial perimeter comprising a first side edge of the enclosure. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A holder according to  claim 14  comprising a closure mechanism for releasably connecting the front cover to the back cover such that, when the front and back covers are connected, the enclosure is locked in its closed configuration. 
     
     
         17 . A holder according to  claim 16  wherein the closure mechanism extends along a second partial perimeter of the enclosure, the second partial perimeter comprising a second side edge of the enclosure opposite the first side edge. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A holder according to  claim 18  wherein the second partial perimeter also extends along an upper edge of the enclosure. 
     
     
         20 . A holder according to  claim 11  comprising a secondary compartment releasably coupleable to the enclosure. 
     
     
         21 . A holder according to  claim 20  wherein the secondary compartment comprises a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface releasably coupleable to an exterior surface of the front cover of the enclosure. 
     
     
         22 . A holder according to  claim 21  wherein the front surface of the secondary compartment is functionally transparent. 
     
     
         23 . A holder according to  claim 22  wherein the releasable coupling between the rear surface of the secondary compartment and the exterior surface of the front cover of the enclosure comprises a pivot joint which permits pivotal movement of the secondary compartment relative to the enclosure. 
     
     
         24 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A holder according to  claim 1  comprising attaching means for releasably attaching the holder to a user's clothing, the attaching means comprising a clip which extends from the interior of the enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure, the clip comprising at least one prong portion on the exterior of the enclosure and at least one spine portion which extends along, and is attached to, the back cover in the interior of the enclosure wherein the flexible member extends through one or more apertures in the spine portion, the one or more apertures dimensioned to permit slidable movement of the flexible member therethrough. 
     
     
         28 . A holder according to  claim 1  wherein the enclosure comprises a stay facing connecting the front cover to the back cover, the stay facing foldable to adjust the enclosure between: a closed configuration wherein the front cover is folded toward the back cover to define the interior of the enclosure; and an open configuration wherein the front cover is folded away from the back cover to expose inner surfaces of the front and back covers. 
     
     
         29 . A holder according to  claim 28  wherein at least one of the front cover and the back cover comprises personal item storage means on the inner surface thereof. 
     
     
         30 . A holder according to  claim 29  wherein the stay facing extends along a first partial perimeter of the enclosure, the first partial perimeter comprising a first side edge of the enclosure. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A holder according to  claim 30  comprising a closure mechanism for releasably connecting the front cover to the back cover such that, when the front and back covers are connected, the enclosure is locked in its closed configuration. 
     
     
         33 . A holder according to  claim 32  wherein the closure mechanism extends along a second partial perimeter of the enclosure, the second partial perimeter comprising a second side edge of the enclosure opposite the first side edge. 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A holder according to  claim 33  wherein the second partial perimeter also extends along an upper edge of the enclosure. 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A holder according to  claim 1  comprising a secondary compartment releasably coupleable to the enclosure. 
     
     
         38 . A holder according to  claim 37  wherein the secondary compartment comprises a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface releasably coupleable to an exterior surface of the front cover of the enclosure. 
     
     
         39 . A holder according to  claim 38  wherein the front surface of the secondary compartment is functionally transparent. 
     
     
         40 . A holder according to  claim 39  wherein the releasable coupling between the rear surface of the secondary compartment and the exterior surface of the front cover of the enclosure comprises a pivot joint which permits pivotal movement of the secondary compartment relative to the enclosure.