Abstract:
The present invention provides apparatus for efficiently providing a storage place for a Personal Bag proximate to the bag owner. Preferably the personal bag will remain suspended above a surface supporting the apparatus. In another aspect the apparatus may impede pilfering of the bag by limiting angles of personal bag removal.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a freestanding device used to hold a purse or other bag off of a floor. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Placement of a purse in the commercial world has long been a problem. In many venues a safe and hygienic way to secure a purse in a location which remains proximate to the purse owner and also conveniently out of the way from where people would like to walk or sit, has just not been available. 
         [0003]    Many times a purse is placed upon a floor where people need to walk, or on a chair or bench in a place that is meant for sitting. In addition, in a bathroom situation, a purse is often placed upon a floor or other surface that is filled with harmful bacteria, mold or toxins. Some studies indicate that the bottom surfaces of a purse may contain more harmful bacteria than a toilet seat. It is also not uncommon for such a purse to be placed upon a tabletop that is used to serve food, thereby exposing the table top to the harmful bacteria. 
         [0004]    Other concerns relate to a place to store a purse while the owner is occupied with some activity, such as dining, which will deter theft of the purse while the owner is occupied with the activity. Other times, a person may be confined to a chair for a short period of time, such as during dental work, hair styling, ophthalmology exam, medical examination and the like. 
         [0005]    All of the concerns above also relate to the growing use of backpacks by members of both sexes. What is needed is a secure and hygienic place to temporarily store a bag or purse while the owner of the bag or purse is occupied 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus that includes a central beam maintained in a dimension generally vertical to the floor to a height just longer than an average purse strap or back pack strap. The central beam includes a lower portion, the lower portion is fixedly attached to the base with the central beam extending upward from the base in a generally vertical direction. The central beam additionally includes an upper portion maintained at a predefined distance from the lower portion, wherein the central beam is sufficiently rigid to support a personal bag with straps. One or more bag hangers are fixedly attached to the central beam at the upper portion, wherein each bag hanger is attached at a first point to the central beam and extends upward from the first point and outward from the central beam to an open end at an angle sufficient for gravity to move a personal bag strap looped around the bag hanger from the second point to the first point. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, one or more bag retainers are incorporated into or attached to the bag hangers. The bag retainers are devices, which impede surreptitious removal of a personal bag from the bag hanger and therefore deter theft of a purse or other personal bag hanging on the bag hanger. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    As presented herein, various embodiments of the present invention will be described, followed by some specific examples of various components that can be utilized to implement the embodiments. The following drawings facilitate the description of some embodiments: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates some embodiments of the present invention with four bag hangers and pronounced retainers. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates some additional embodiments with angular bag retainers according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates some additional embodiments with varied length bag retainers according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top down view of embodiments with varied length bag retainers according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a base including flat stock. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Overview 
         [0015]    The present invention provides apparatus for securing a personal bag, such as a purse or a backpack in proximity to an owner or steward of the personal bag. In some preferred embodiments, the apparatus is at or below table height and can be moved according to a seating arrangement in a restaurant. Additional embodiments include apparatus for placement in proximity to a dental examination chair, doctor&#39;s examination table, or other location where attendance to the personal bag is a second priority to a purpose for being in the location. 
         [0016]    Definitions 
         [0017]    “Central Beam” as used herein refers to a rigid support structure capable of supporting one or more Personal Bags with straps. 
         [0018]    “Personal Bag with Strap” as used herein refers herein to a purse, back pack, diaper bag, attache, computer bag or other storage bag with at least one strap for carrying the storage bag by hand or over the shoulder. 
         [0019]    “Strap” as used herein refers to an extension from a Personal Bag which either forms a closed loop or includes a closed loop capable of being placed over a support. 
       Apparatus 
       [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a bag stand  100  is illustrated according to some preferred embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated, a central beam  101  includes a lower portion  101 A and an upper portion  101 B. The lower portion  101 A of the central beam is fixedly attached to a base  104 . The base  104  maintains the central beam in a position essentially perpendicular, or vertical, from a surface on which the base  104  rests. In some embodiments, the base  104  will include one or more legs  104 A supporting the base. 
         [0021]    The base  104  may include legs of various size, shape and number arranged to maintain the stability of the base portion  104 . Alternatively, the base may comprise a solid form, such as for example: a cube, a polygon or a cylinder. The base  104  may be attached to the central beam  101  via any know means, such as, for example, one or more of: welding, threaded device, and rivets. The base  104  may also be formed in one piece with the central beam, such as, for example via cast molding. In some preferred embodiments, a combination of the base  104  and central beam  101  includes a vertical height of less than about 48 inches and preferably the height is between about 24 inches and 48 inches. 
         [0022]    An upper portion  101 B is generally distal from the base. One or more bag hangers  102  are attached to the central beam  102  at the upper portion  102 B. The bag hangers include a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the upper portion  102 B of the central beam. The second end extends outward and upward from a point of attachment to the central beam  102 . According to the present invention, a personal bag with a strap may have the strap placed around the bag hanger  102 . The upward positioning of the bag hanger  102  will cause gravity to pull the personal bag with a strap downward and towards the central beam  101 . As the personal bag with a strap comes into proximity of the central beam via the downward and inward motion, the stability of the bag stand  100  will increase due to the weight of the bag pressing downward on the beam. The close proximity of the bag to the central beam minimizes a tendency of the bag stand  100  to tip over, such as, if the force from the weight of the bag were placed at and end of the bag hanger distal to the central beam  101 . 
         [0023]    Some preferred embodiments include a bag retainer  103 . The bag retainer  103  is located at an end of the bag hanger distal to the central beam  101  and includes an impediment to removing a personal bag with a strap from the bag hanger  102 . In some embodiments, such as the one illustrated, a bag retainer  103  includes a crosspiece. The crosspiece  103  will typically include material of a cross shape and size similar to the bag hanger  102  set at an angle generally perpendicular to the bag hanger  102 . 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the retainer  103  is a cross piece that either is curve back (as illustrated) in an arc of less than 90° from the bag hanger  102 . As discussed further, below with reference to  FIG. 2 , additional embodiments include a straight portion angled back upon the bag hanger  102 . Generally the length of a cross piece retained  103  will be less short enough to allow for a personal bag strap to be placed over the crosspiece, such as 4 inches or less, but long enough to restrain a surreptitious removal of the bag from the bag hanger  102 . A curve back upon the bag hanger  103  may additionally aid with easy placement of the bag onto the bag hanger  103  and additionally impede surreptitious removal of bag from the bag hanger  103 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  additionally illustrates a knob  105  at the top of the central beam  101  which may act as a receptacle for hanging a short jacket or other article of clothing. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , additional embodiments of a bag stand  200  according to the present invention are illustrated. The illustrated bag hangers  202  comprise essentially straight stock and include a retainer  203  that it also essentially straight stock turned back at an angle onto the bag hanger  202  of 90° or less. As illustrated, the bag retainer  103  includes a portion of the bag hanger  202  turned back onto the bag hanger  202  at an angle of 90° or less from the bag hanger  203  in a direction generally parallel to a surface upon which the bag hanger  200  rests, however other directions are also within the scope of the invention. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, a retainer includes fastener, such as, for example one or more of: a clasp, a hook, a hook and loop strap, a strap with a snap, one or both of a straight and bent gate carabiner, the carabiner may be with a flexible strap, such as dogbone runner to create a strong quickdraw or other fastener. The fastener can be utilized to further deter surreptitious removal of a personal bag hanging upon the bag hanger. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  additionally illustrates an alternate shaped bag hanger  205  attached to a central beam  201 . The alternate shaped bag hanger  204  includes a polygon with an arc  206  cut through the polygon to form a curved surface to direct a bag strap placed upon the bag hanger  205  towards the central beam  201 . As illustrated, the bag stand  200  additionally includes a base  204  with four legs  204 A supporting the central beam in a position generally perpendicular to a surface upon which the legs  204 A are placed. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , additional embodiments of the present invention are illustrated with bag hangers  302 - 303  of varied length and at varied arc angles to a central beam  301 . The illustrated bag hangers  302 - 303  each additionally include a retainer  304 . The retainer  304  includes a knob for impeding surreptitious removal of a bag strap placed over the bag hanger  302 - 303 . 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a top down view of some embodiments including bag hangers of various lengths  302 - 303 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , a base  500  with flat stock legs 
       Conclusion 
       [0031]    A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, various methods or equipment may be used to implement the innovations described herein or to create a device according to the inventive concepts provided above and further described in the claims. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.