Abstract:
A storage unit for women primarily, for disposition on the leg, thigh or arm for the storage of small articles such as lipstick, credit card, drivers&#39; license, key, etc., formed of a leg, thigh or arm encircling member connected to an elastic film, upon which film is mounted at least one and up to about four pockets, each of which pockets includes its own respective front flap having a closure thereon for removable engagement with a closure on the pocket&#39;s storage section. Two versions of the limb encircling member are set forth. The encircling member may be disposed interiorly or exteriorly to the pocket(s).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention pertains to a leg or thigh disposed storage compartment(s) intended primarily for women.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     When women of any age go out socially, as a single person with an allegedly single male, the women often find that it is advantageous to have a $20 bill other personal necessities and a key available to them, but not in an obvious location such as a wallet or handbag. This is especially true when the night out is a night of dancing or a party where there is resistance to bringing one&#39;s purse to “a bed in the spare bedroom” among tens of others that are probably quite similar. Women are reluctant to take the risk of loss or confusion with another woman&#39;s purse in such common area locations as a bedroom. Also women are reluctant to leave their purse at a restaurant or club table while dancing, talking to others etc. due to fear of loss or theft.  
         [0003]     There is indeed a need for a secret purse that can be hidden on the leg or thigh of the owner or even on the arm, preferably above the elbow until the time of absolute need, if at all.  
         [0004]     The invention accordingly comprises the device possessing the features, properties, the selection of components which are amplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.  
         [0005]     For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     This invention pertains to a limb-mounted purse that mounts around the leg, thigh or upper arm. The device exists in two embodiments, each of which has a limb encircling elastic member, to which at least one storage compartment is attached. Each pocket or compartment has a snap or a hook and pile, closure, such as Velcro®, or even a zipper. The combination of the encircling member and the closeable compartment(s) comprises the invention.  
         [0007]     It is a first object to provide a purse or storage device that can be quickly and easily mounted to the thigh or other limb section of a wearer.  
         [0008]     It is a second object to provide a purse that when positioned on a limb will stay there during strenuous activities such as dancing or walking.  
         [0009]     It is a third object to provide a purse that is easily mountable to the leg or thigh or arm of a wearer.  
         [0010]     It is a fourth object to provide a hidden purse that is light in weight and which is not visible through a wearer&#39;s slacks or skirt or blouse and which will fit flush with the limb.  
         [0011]     It is a fifth object to provide a readily accessible storage compartment that is discretely out of sight for the storage of small items such as a key, credit card, identification card or a few dollar bills.  
         [0012]     Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.  
         [0013]     For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference would be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of this invention disposed on a human leg.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the first embodiment.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a variant of the first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another variant of the first embodiment this invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of this invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment.  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of an alternate construction of the second embodiment of the device of this invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the variant of  FIG. 7 .  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0022]     In  FIG. 1 , the first embodiment of this device is seen disposed upon the leg of a female below the knee. It is understood however, that thigh mounting is also contemplated by this invention; that is, above the knee.  
         [0023]     Device  10  has a leg-encircling member  11  formed of a pair of spaced garter like elastic bands  17 , 19  with band  17  being the respective upper band. Band  17  is connected to the top edge of a sheet of elastic self-supporting film  15 , while band  19  is connected to the lower edge of this annular sheet of elastic film  15 . Preferably film  15  has the same or close coefficient of expansion as the two bands  17  and  19 . The film mounted to the garter-like, hereinafter garter, or thigh high band may be made of polyester or nylon among others such materials as are used for women&#39;s stockings.  
         [0024]     Pocket  14  is better seen in  FIG. 2  has a storage section and a front flap. The storage section comprises a front panel  16 , which is stitched at its interface with a rear panel  18 , to lower garter member  19  using elastic thread. Rear panel  18  is stitched at the upper edge thereof by elastic stitching  22  to upper garter  17 . A front flap  23  extends forwardly from the row of stitching  22  that joins the rear panel  18  to the upper garter or elastic band  17 . Front flap  23  while appearing with two chamfered forward edges may be configured with an arcuate forward edge as well as one having two right angles, one at each forward corner.  
         [0025]     On the underside of front flap  23  is a Velcro® tab  25  that matingly and removably engages on opposite gender Velcro® tab  27 . One tab is of the hook type configuration and the other of the loop like configuration as is conventionally known to the art. Preferably the tab  25  is of the hook configuration for ease of operation. See  FIG. 2  for the locations of the aforementioned Velcro® tabs.  
         [0026]     In  FIG. 3 , a variant of the first embodiment is shown disposed on a thigh. Here the storage aspect is formed into two pockets  66  and  68  separated by a conventional vertical seam  65 . Each pocket  66  and  68  has its own front flap  63  respectively. The same hook and loop tab system  25 , 27  is used to retain contents such as a driver&#39;s license, credit card, key, lipstick, etc. in the pocket(s).  
         [0027]     While loop like tab closure segments are the preferred closure, a simple two-part snap closure can also be employed, among others.  
         [0028]     While embodiments having one or two pockets have been specifically disclosed, it is believed that devices having up to four pockets of varying widths can be employed for small item retention. Thus a one-inch or so wide slightly bulging pocket would be most suitable for a lipstick tube. See  FIG. 4  wherein a tubular pocket  76  is shown specifically configured for a lipstick. Here four pockets are shown, one tubular and three as described of varying widths to accommodate different articles.  
         [0029]     Among the fabrics that can be used for the front and rear panels of the pocket and the flap is Lycra® spandex stretch material. This type of fabric will stretch along with the film and the elastic bands to ensure that the devices of this invention can be fitted both above and below the knee on legs and various diameters.  
         [0030]     As to dimensions it is envisioned that the depth (vertical distance when disposed on a wearer&#39;s limb) of each pocket can vary from about 2.5 inches to 4.0 inches, while the total width of the one or more pockets will vary from four inches to a maximum of eight inches with six inches being the middle preferred overall width.  
         [0031]     In the second embodiment of this invention, designated  80 , the encircling member is defined in a different manner. Instead of using two-spaced garter like elements with a film layer there between, as in the  FIG. 1  embodiment, the encircling member is a section of elasticized mesh of a fine denier similar to the mesh used in support stockings. This mesh is strong enough to be self-supporting on the leg or thigh even with the minimal added weight of the items being carried in the pocket. This mesh segment  91  is a circular elastic member capable of encircling the leg or thigh of a wearer. A one-piece pocket,  81  is formed of a front panel  86  having a fold at the lower end thereof  86 F, which fold extends transversely across the pocket  81 . From this fold commences an integral rear panel  88 , which extends upwardly to a second fold  88 F, which fold also extends transversely across the pocket. At this upper fold  88 F, commences the front flap  83 . The pocket is sewn together along side edges  89  ( FIG. 6 ) to form a unitary structure prior to being sewn along stitch lines  90  and  90  at or near the folds  86 F, 88 F to the mesh  91 . Velcro® tabs  85  is on the underside of the front flap  83  and tab  87  is on the exterior face of the front panel  86 . The pocket flap may be squared off slightly per  FIG. 6  or pointed per  FIG. 1  or of any other configuration as may be desired.  
         [0032]     In  FIGS. 7 and 8  a variant of the construction discussed for  FIG. 6  is seen. Whereas in the  FIG. 6  embodiment, the elastic band was external to the pocket(s), in the variant the elastic band is internal. Thus, a band  70  is disposed between the front and rear panels  66 ,  68  of the pocket by optionally stitching a circular hem  71  all around the lower periphery of the device. The pocket flap is designated  63  while the two closures, one on the inside surface of the flap is designated  65  while the other on the front panel  66  of the pocket is designated  67 . The vertical hems  72  will hold the elastic band in retention. But the presence of hem  71  adds durability and creates a true front and back storage sections in each pocket.  
         [0033]     As can be seen in  FIG. 8  the shape of each flap is generally V-shaped, which is another alternative decorative form for the flap shape. A total of four pockets that are adjacent to each other is shown in the drawing, each adjacent to each other separated by a vertical seam. While four pockets are shown, again only at least one is required.  
         [0034]     Again while Velcro® hook and loop closures are discussed, it is also envisioned to use snap closures having a snap and a snap receiver, that are readily available to the sewing art.  
         [0035]     Typical additional pocket materials for either embodiment include, linen, spandex, cotton muslin, and nylon mesh as used in women&#39;s hosiery, among others.  
         [0036]     Indeed the pocket forming materials of the first embodiment may be used with the second structure and the materials recited for the second embodiment may be used in the first embodiment structure.  
         [0037]     The term “limb section” is intended to include both the upper and lower arms as well as the leg and thigh. It is recognized however that to be discreet, and also to avoid detection of the presence of the instant devices, most wearers will place the devices of this invention on the leg or thigh, beneath a clothing article such as a skirt or pants, especially since many women wear sleeveless tops or shirts. Disposition upon the lower arm can be carried out, but this seems to defeat the purpose of hiding the contents disposed in the instant device.  
         [0038]     It is seen that I have provided a secure, easily accessible, hidden from view, new storage means for women for the short-term storage of various personal items. These items are stored discretely, but can be accessed on a moment&#39;s notice when and if needed. The devices of this invention permit the wearer to travel without the necessity of a purse or pocketbook, and without the fear of loss or theft of same.  
         [0039]     Since certain changes may be made in the described device without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.