Field of the invention

[001 ] The present invention relates to a carrier for storing an item, and in particular, a carrier which is adapted for mounting on a user's body part.

Background of the invention

[002] When exercising, people often wish to carry certain items with them. For example, runners in particular like to carry items such as mobile telecommunication devices, keys, music devices and other personal items whilst running. Often these items are carried in small bags which can be worn around the waist. However, carrying bags whilst exercising can become uncomfortable for the wearer as the bag often moves around on the body and the items therein may move around.

[003] Other types of carriers have been developed which include arm bands for carrying portable music players (such as MP3 players or the like). However, carriers of this type may lack sufficient retention of the items therein or may require a relatively complex series of manufacturing steps which can increase cost.

[004] Thus, there is a need for a carrier for storing the item or the like which solves and/or ameliorates some of the problems of known devices, or provides an alternative to existing arrangements.

[005] Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application.

Summary of the invention

[006] In one general form, the invention provides a carrier comprising a band and a flap having a pocket for retaining an item.

[007] In a further form, there is provided herein a carrier for storing an item, the carrier including: a band portion, the band portion being configured to be retained around a body part of a wearer of the band portion in use; and, a flap portion, the flap portion extending from the band portion, the flap portion having a pocket for storing the item therein, the pocket having an opening for removably inserting the item, wherein the flap portion is moveable between an extended position and a retained position, where when in the extended position, the opening is accessible for removably inserting the item, and when in the retained position, at least a part of the flap portion is positioned in use between the band portion and the body part of the wearer to substantially retain the item in the pocket. [008] In one example, the flap portion folds into a space formed by the band portion.

[009] In a further example, the carrier is formed from a generally T-shaped sheet material blank.

[010] In yet a further example, the T-shaped material blank has a head portion and an elongate tail portion attached to the head portion at a first end of the tail portion, the pocket being formed by folding the elongate tail portion along a median line and attaching sides of the tail portion to each other so that a pocket opening is formed by a second end of the tail portion.

[01 1 ] In yet another example, the sides of the tail portion are stitched together to form the pocket.

[012] Further embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the description and the claims below.

[013] It will also be appreciated that various features can be used independently or in combination.

Brief description of the drawings

[014] An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first example carrier of the present invention, with a flap portion in an extended position;

[016] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-section along the centre line of the example carrier of Figure 1 with the flap portion extended;

[017] Figure 3 is a cross-section corresponding to Figure 2 with the flap portion in a retained position;

[018] Figure 4A is a plan view of an example material blank for making the carrier of

Figure 1 ;

[019] Figure 4B shows the example material blank of Figure 4A partly formed into the carrier, with the pocket of the flap portion formed;

[020] Figure 4C shows a third step in manufacturing the carrier from the blank of

Figures 4A and 4B; and

[021 ] Figures 5A and 5B are a plan view of an example alternative material blank configuration being formed into a carrier.

[022] Unless otherwise indicated, drawings are not to scale. Detailed description of the embodiment or embodiments

[023] Figures 1 to 4 show an example of a carrier 10 for storing an item (not shown).

[024] In these particular examples, the carrier 10 includes a band portion 15, where the band portion 15 is generally sized and configured to form around a limb (not shown) of a wearer of the carrier 10, preferably the user's arm, in use.

[025] The band may be formed of a flexible sheet material attached back onto itself to form a band, for example by stitching the ends together. Other forms of attachment may include welding or the use of fasteners such as hook and loop material (e.g. Velcro™), Zip™ fasteners or clasps.

[026] Stitching is preferred due to simplicity of manufacture.

[027] The material may be one which is sufficiently elastic that the band portion resiliently conforms and is retained around the user's limb in use, and preferably is sufficiently elastic to fit users with a range of limb sizes without need for adjustment fasteners. For example the band material may be sufficiently elastic to allow the carrier to be provided in just a band single diameter, in two sizes (e.g. large and small) or three sizes (e.g. large, medium and small).

[028] An example sheet material is neoprene rubber, optionally with a woven or non- woven fabric coating or layer on the surface facing the skin, for moisture absorbency and/or increased comfort. Optionally, the sheet material may have an outer fabric layer for decorative purposes or the like.

[029] The carrier 10 further includes a flap portion 20 extending from one side 25 of the band portion 15. The flap portion 20 has a pocket 30 for storing an item (not shown) therein. Notably, the item can be removably inserted into the pocket 30 through an opening 35 of the pocket 30.

[030] The pocket 30 may be sized for example to receive a mobile telephone or portable music player, or may be smaller to secure a key or similar.

[031 ] As can be seen in these particular examples, the flap portion 20 is moveable between an extended position (as shown in figures 1 and 2) and a retained position (as shown in figure 3). When in the extended position, the pocket opening 35 is accessible for inserting and removing the item and, when in the retained position, the flap portion 20 is positioned in use between the band portion 15 and the body part of the wearer to retain the item in the pocket 30.

[032] As shown in Figure 3, the flap portion 20 can fold into the interior space 40 formed by the band portion 15. In this particular example, the flap portion 20 folds relative to the band portion 15 at the junction of the flap with the side 25 of the band portion 15. [033] The opening of the pocket 30 is thus located adjacent the junction of the flap portion 20 and side 25 of the band 15, such that when the flap is folded in use about this junction line into its retained position the pocket opening is situated proximal the fold between the flap and the band 15. This, plus the compression on the pocket by being located between the resilient band 15 and the user's arm, helps to restrict items from coming out of the pocket, preferably without the need for a closure at the opening of the pocket.

[034] It will be appreciated that the band portion 15 and flap portion 20 can be formed integrally from one piece of sheet material, which can allow for a simple manufacturing process for the carrier 10, as further described below.

[035] Figures 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate steps of an example manufacturing method for making the carrier of Figure 1 .

[036] In this example, in a first step a sheet material blank is cut to form a generally T- shaped blank (Figure 4A), or to form a series of such blanks, e.g. nested together (not shown).

[037] In this particular example, the T-shaped material blank 50 has a head portion 55 which when the carrier assembled is attached to itself, e.g. by stitching, to form the band 15 of the carrier. An elongate tail portion 60 of the T extends from a side of the head portion 55, which will form the flap portion 25 of the carrier.

[038] Figure 4B illustrates a second manufacturing step, in which the pocket 30 is formed when the material of the elongate tail portion 60 is folded back onto itself along a transverse line 70 approximately mid-way along the tail 60, such that the distal end 75 of the tail portion is adjacent the first end 65. Respective longitudinal edges 80A, 80B are attached together, e.g. by lines of stitching, so that a pocket is formed between the two layers of the flap portion.

[039] Figure 4C shows a third manufacturing step, in which the ends 85A and 85B of the head portion 55 of the T are joined together to form the band 15 of the carrier.

[040] According to one preferred example, the respective edges 80A, 80B of the tail portion of the T can be stitched together. Furthermore, the ends 85A, 85B of the head portion can be stitched together to form the band portion 15.

[041 ] It will however be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the respective ends of the head portion 55, at least, can be attached together by any means such as (and not limited to) by hook and loop devices, clasps, press studs, or the like.

[042] It will further be appreciated that the sheet material blank may not be formed as a

T-shape but in other shapes which allow formation of a band and a flap which forms a pocket and folds into the band portion 15 to hold an item securely within the pocket. [043] Additionally, it will also be appreciated that although in the examples shown, the opening 35 of the pocket 30 is formed proximate the side 25 of the band portion 15, the opening 35 can be formed on at any other end or edge of the flap portion 20.

[044] In one alternative example form, shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the blank may be formed in approximately an "h"-shape having a longer leg 90 and a shorter leg 95 generally parallel to each other, attached via a fold line at the side 25 of the band.

[045] The shorter leg of the h-shaped blank may fold back on itself and be stitched

100A, 100B together to form the pocket of the flap, generally similar to the T-shaped example.

[046] The ends of the longer leg 90 are joined together to form the band (not shown), in similar fashion to the head portion 55 of the T-shaped blank in the example of Figures 4A to 4C.

[047] In use, an item is placed in the pocket and the flap folded back within the band to be held between the band and the user's arm, again generally as previously described except for orientation of the flap and of the pocket opening.

[048] Where ever it is used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of". A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear.

[049] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

[050] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.