Wearable map holder

Abstract

An attachable map holding apparatus comprising a pouch for displaying at least one map, having a front surface and a back surface, being flexible but substantially flat, foldable between an open position and a closed position, and configured to fold at least once along a fold line into the closed position; the front surface being, at least partially, made of transparent material; the back surface having a means for attaching a coupling structure to a wearer; at least one opening on the exterior of the pouch that allows the wearer to place at least one map inside the pouch; at least one means for securing the apparatus in the closed position; and at least one coupling tab that folds underneath the pouch to lock it in the closed position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An attachable map holding apparatus comprising:
 a pouch for housing and displaying at least one map, the pouch being comprised of a front surface and a back surface, the pouching having an interior and an exterior, the pouch being flexible but substantially flat, the pouch being foldable between an open position and a closed position, and the pouch being configured to fold at least once along a fold line into the closed position;   the front surface having at least one region that allows visibility of some portion of the contents inside the interior of the pouch;   the back surface having a means for attaching a coupling structure to a wearer;   at least one opening on the exterior of the pouch to allow the wearer to place at least one map inside the interior of the pouch;   at least one means for securing the apparatus in the closed position; and   the pouch having at least one coupling tab that couples with the at least one means for securing the apparatus in the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the means for attaching the coupling structure comprises at least one loop adapted to receive the coupling structure. 
     
     
         3 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the coupling structure consists of at least one strap. 
     
     
         4 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the at least one strap includes at least one securing mechanism selected from the group consisting of hook and loop connectors, snaps, buckles, tieable ends, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the means for securing the apparatus in the closed position comprises one part of a set of the hook and loop coupling patches and is attached to the back surface of the pouch and when worn by the wearer is located between the pouch and the wearer's arm, the complimentary part of the set of the hook and loop coupling patches is attached to the coupling tab on the perimeter of the pouch, and wherein, when the apparatus is in the closed position, the coupling tab is tucked under the back surface of the pouch between the pouch and the wearer's arm, connecting the hook and loop coupling patches. 
     
     
         6 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a perimeter piece that is attached along the perimeter of the exterior of the pouch. 
     
     
         7 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the perimeter piece has at least one side with an opening to allow the wearer to place at least one map within the interior of the pouch. 
     
     
         8 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the at least one side with an opening of the perimeter piece further comprises a pouch securing piece to prevent the map from escaping the pouch and selected from the group of a zipper, hook and loop connectors, fasteners, snaps, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the perimeter piece has at least one form-keeping substrate. 
     
     
         10 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the exterior of the pouch is made of material that is at least partially hydrophobic. 
     
     
         11 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a layer of hydrophobic material within the interior of the pouch that is between the inserted map and the back surface. 
     
     
         12 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one region that allows visibility of some portion of the interior of the pouch is comprised of a transparent material. 
     
     
         13 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one region that allows visibility of some portion of the interior of the pouch is comprised of a cut-out section of the front surface. 
     
     
         14 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the means for attaching comprises one part of a fastener and the coupling structure comprises the corresponding part of the fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the means for attaching comprises one part of a snap fastener and the coupling structure that is affixed to the wearer's apparel comprises the corresponding part of the snap fastener. 
     
     
         16 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the means for attaching the coupling structure comprises one part of at least one hook and loop coupling patch and the coupling structure that is affixed to the wearer's apparel comprises the corresponding part of the at least one hook and loop coupling patch. 
     
     
         17 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the means for attaching the coupling structure comprises two pairs of loops that are placed on opposite sides of the perimeter of the portion of the back surface that contacts the wearer and wherein the coupling structure comprises a pair of straps, each strap being placed through a corresponding pair of loops. 
     
     
         18 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the front surface is made of materials selected from the group of plastic, nylon, rayon, vinyl, polyester, glass, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The attachable map holding apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the back surface and perimeter piece are made of materials selected from the group of cloth, canvas, nylon, wool, hemp, flannel, and combinations thereof.