Abstract:
A system and method for accessorizing hand bags with a flexible system capable of attaching myriad decorated accessories to myriad hand bags utilizing a hooking method of attachment.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     I. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to the field of handbags, in particular to a system and method for accessorizing handbags with a flexible system capable of attaching myriad decorated accessories to myriad handbags utilizing a hooking method of attachment.  
         [0003]     II. Discussion of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Handbags have an infamous reputation through out the world for various reasons, while the following patents disclose some of the problems and solutions that have become widely apparent over the last century, there are yet unresolved issues.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 2,656,870 issued to Wishina, discloses a lady&#39;s handbag in which the decorative effects can be changed by a replaceable front panel of the purse. The panel is retained by a thumb nut. Although the appearance of the purse may be changed, the front panel is very limited in its ability to change the overall appearance of the handbag.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,167 issued to Scwartz, discloses a handbag with interchangeable handles. The handles have a limited number of embodiments which are highly limited by the requirement for the handle to have the same limited shape for attachment which would result in a limited amount of design flexibility for different seasons and occasions.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,784 issued to Katz discloses a complex connector system for attaching jewelry to a plurality of clasps. Such a complex design leads to increased costs and increases the potential for a mechanical failure.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,787 issued to Davis discloses a ladies handbag capable of limited ornamentation via a magnetically attached clasp. The clasp required an anti-rotation element and suffers from a generally unstable platform due to the limited strength of attachment associated with small fixed magnets.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,280 issued to Sands, discloses another transformable purse. However, the disclosed purse requires that the entire contents of the bag be transferred between different shells. This time consuming method would severely limit the occasions for which a handbag could be utilized. Additionally, such shells would require expensive precision created materials which would increase their overall costs.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention relates to accessorizing handbags to accommodate different outfits, moods, and occasions without having to replace the entire handbag. It also allows numerous combination looks and bags as women accumulate inter-changeable bags, handles and hook on accessories through-out the years. This potentially saves consumers from having to purchase new bags every time they change outfits or go to different functions. Additionally, the present invention allows consumers to personalize their bag and get super creative with the look they can create on a daily basis.  
         [0011]     Therefore an object of the present invention is to provide a handbag whose appearance is capable of being quickly and easily changed by the end user to enable them to accessorize myriad outfits for different seasons and occasions.  
         [0012]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a handbag with an interchangeable accessory mount capable of matching the handbag with the end users mood and style.  
         [0013]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a handbag with an interchangeable accessory mount that is reliable and strong so that highly ornamented accessories cannot break free.  
         [0014]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a handbag with an interchangeable accessory mount that is inexpensive to manufacture to allow a wide variety of custom accessorizing.  
         [0015]     Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     It is convenient to hereinafter describe embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be appreciated that the particularity of the drawings and the related description is to be understood as not superseding the broad description of the invention in which:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of the present invention, including a handbag  20 , releasably coupled to a handle  10  and a jeweled accessory  30 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the present invention, illustrating (among other things), a handle  10  having handle hooks  11 , handle strap  18 , a handbag  20  having front  21  and side  23  surfaces, and a jeweled accessory  30  having jeweled decorations  36 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is detailed view of the current invention, illustrating (among other things), a handle ring member loop  24  and a handle ring member  22  capable of releasably coupling a handle hook  11  fixedly attached to a handle strap  18 ; and a jeweled accessory ring member loop  28  fixedly attached to a jeweled accessory handbag ring member  26  capable of releasably coupling a jeweled accessory  30 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a detailed view of the handle hook  11 , illustrating (among other things), a hook body  12 , a hook lever  14 , and a hook pin  16  fixedly attached to a handle strap  18  through a fastening means  13 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the handbag  20 , illustrating (among other things), handbag material  25  for extending a handle ring member  22  from the handbag  20 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the handbag  20 , illustrating (among other things) an embodiment wherein a handle ring member  22  is disposed in the side surface  23  of the handbag  20 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the handbag  20 , illustrating (among other things) an embodiment wherein a handle ring member  22  is disposed in a handbag handle flap  27  which is fixedly attached to the handbag  20 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a detailed view of the jeweled accessory  30  with a handle hook  11  capable of releasably coupling to the handbag  20 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]     Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The system to accessorize handbags disclosed herein boasts a variety of inventive features and components that warrant patent protection, both individually and in combination.  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates the present invention as would be utilized by the end-user in an accessorized manner. Specifically, a handle  10  is attached to the handbag  20  at two points generally at opposite sides of the handbag  20 . The handle  10  is releasably coupled to handle ring members  22  that are fixed to the handbag  20  though a variety of methods. One skilled in the art will understand the variety of methods in the embodiment described in  FIG. 1  as well as in  FIGS. 5-7  described below.  
         [0027]      FIG. 1  further discloses a handbag  20  with a generally centrally located jeweled accessory handbag ring member  26  disposed on the front surface  21  of the handbag  20  capable of releasably coupling a jeweled accessory  30 . The jeweled accessory  30  is designed to be easily attached and released from the handle ring member  22  with a tension spring (not shown) loaded to a hook lever  14 . The hook lever  14  is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The end-user of the present invention will realize myriad advantages of the simple and elegant method of accessorizing the present embodiment with a handle hook  11  because it can be manufactured of strong materials that will have a long useful life.  
         [0028]      FIG. 1  further discloses the jeweled accessory handbag ring member  26  fixedly attached to the handbag  20  with a jeweled accessory ring member loop  28 . The jeweled accessory ring member loop  28  can be made of a variety of materials such as cloth, fabric, leather, or any other suitable polymer, such as a faux leather, faux alligator skin or other suitable faux animal skins. Thus the handbag  20  will not be limited to a particular type of material to match the jeweled accessory  30 , and the variety of fashionable designs can be coordinated between the handbag  20  and the jeweled accessory  30 . Further it can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the jeweled accessory ring member  26  can be made of metal, wood, or polymer and the ring member  26  could be further accessorized by jewels or coverings such as electro plating, brassing, or paint.  
         [0029]      FIGS. 2-3  illustrate the system and method for accessorizing handbags  100  with the handle  10  and jeweled accessory  30  in the released position from the handbag  20 . The handbag  20  of the present embodiment illustrates the attachment of the handle ring members  22  attached with a handbag handle ring loop  24  which is fixedly attached to the handbag  20  forming a loop having the handle ring member  22  integrated to and permanently attached to the handbag  20 . There are several other methods of integrating the handle ring member  22  disclosed and illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 , below. Further, the handbag  20  of the present invention discloses a handbag ring member  26  for releasably coupling to the jeweled accessory  30  disposed of generally centrally in the face of the handbag. The handbag ring member  26  for releasably coupling to the jeweled accessory  30  is attached to the handbag  20  by a piece of cloth or other material which is suitable such as the same material as the handbag. One skilled in the art would understand that both the handle ring member  22  for the handle  10  and the handbag ring member  26  for releasably coupling the jeweled accessory  30  are capable of manufacture as metal, wood, polymer, cloth or other suitable material and that ring members may have decorative features such as bronzing, brassing, painting, electro-plated coverings or other decorative features.  
         [0030]     The handle  10  has two handle hooks  11  on each end. The handle  10  is generally symmetrical and capable of being manufactured with a variety of materials including the cloth, leather, polymer or other appropriate materials which are capable of matching the style of the handbag  20 . The handle hooks  11  on the ends of the handle strap  28  are made of metal such as aluminum or steel but one skilled in the art would recognize that a variety of metals would be suitable. In the present embodiment, the handle hooks  11  have springs (not shown) which keep a hook lever  14  on the handle hook  11  in the closed position, wherein the hook lever  14  is in direct contact with the hook body  12 . The handle hook  11  is capable coupling to the handle ring member  22  by applying pressure to the hook lever  14  directly to the handle ring member  22  which would move the hook lever  14  to the open position and allow the handle ring member  22  to slide inside the handle hook  11 . The handle hook  11  is detached by the end user applying pressure to the hook lever  14  with their thumb or finger to move the hook lever  14  to the open position, then the handle hook  11  can slide the off the handle ring member  22  and then close by spring pressure exerted when the thumb or finger relaxes the pressure on the hook lever  14 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  additionally shows the jeweled accessory  30  in one embodiment that has a jewel hook  32 , a decorative body  34  and hanging jewel decorations  36 . The jeweled accessory  30  has a similar method of coupling to the handbag  20  as the handle  10  does to the handbag  20 , except that it requires only a single handbag ring member  26  attached to the front of the handbag  20  to be securely coupled. Although the present embodiment illustrates in  FIGS. 2-3  that only a single handbag ring member  26  is necessary for attachment, it would be an additional design feature to employ a plurality of such handbag ring members  26  capable of receiving numerous jeweled accessories  30 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates the handle hook  11  of the present invention. The handle hook  11  has a hook body  12 , a hook lever  14 , an attachment pin  16 , a hook housing  17 , an internal spring (not shown) and a hook loop  19 . The hook lever  14  is attached to the hook body  12  by the attachment pin  16 . The hook lever  14  thereby is capable of rotation through the attachment pin  16  axis. The hook body  12  rotatably coupled to the loop body  19  through the hook housing  17 . The hook housing  17  has an internal diameter capable of receiving the hook body  12  with a slightly smaller diameter and will not slip from the hook housing  17  because the top end of the hook housing  17  is tapered to a smaller diameter than a portion of the hook body  12 .  
         [0033]     The loop body  19  is attached to the handle  10  where the end of the handle strap  18  is placed through the loop body  19  and permanently attached to another portion of the handle strap  18 , thus forming a tight fitting loop. The handle  10  can form a loop by sewing through the material; such material as cloth, leather, polymer or faux animal skin are examples and not limitations. One skilled in the art could appreciate that additional methods of forming a loop to hold the handle hook  11  firmly to the handle  10  such as gluing, heat bonding, epoxy, or other appropriate chemical catalysts capable of cross-linking a portion of the handle strap  18  material to another portion of the handle strap  18 .  
         [0034]      FIGS. 5-7  illustrate several methods of integrating the handle ring member  22  into the handbag  20 . More specifically,  FIG. 5  illustrates the handbag side surface  23  of a handbag  20  where the handle ring member  22  is attached to a piece of handbag extender which forms a handbag handle ring loop  24  around the handle ring member  22  and is further attached to the handbag  20 , allowing the handle ring member  22  to rotate from a hanging position to an elevated position when the handle  10  is attached to the handbag  20  and the handle  10  is lifted.  FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of the handle ring member  22  wherein it is disposed of in the handbag side surface  23  of the handbag  20 . The handle ring member  22  is substantially flush with the handbag side surface  23 .  FIG. 7  discloses a method of attaching the handle  10  to the handbag  20  wherein the handle ring member  22  is first disposed of in a handle flap  27  which is further attached to the handbag  20  on the handbag side surface  23 . Thus, the handle flap  27  is rotatable from a hanging position to a raised position when the handle  10  is used to lift the handbag  20 . The handle flap  27  may be attached to the handbag  20  by a variety methods such as gluing, heat bonding, epoxy, or other appropriate chemical catalysts capable of cross-linking the handle flap  27  material to a portion of the handbag  20 . The handle ring member  22  is substantially flush with the surface of the handle flap  27  to avoid any potential snagging. However, the handle ring member  22  would be appreciated by one skilled in the art to encompass many types of materials which could make the surface of the handle ring member  22  protrude from the surface of the handle flap  27 . By way of example only, and not by way of limitation, a handle ring member  22  could be made of aluminum, steel, anodized metals, brass or brushed nickel, all of which could further add to the aesthetics of the accessorized handbag.  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  illustrates a jeweled accessory  30  having a jewel hook  32  capable of releasably coupling the handbag  20  at the handbag ring member  26 . The jewel hook  32  operates in the same manner as the handle hook  11 , as described in  FIG. 4 . The jeweled accessory  30  is designed to be easily attached and released from the handbag ring member  26  through a spring loaded hook lever  14  which is part of a jewel hook  32 . The hook lever  14  is illustrated in  FIG. 4  and a similar hook is contemplated for both the handle hook  11  and the jewel hook  32 . In the present embodiment, the jewel hook  32  has a spring (not shown) which holds a hook lever  14  on the jewel hook  32  in the closed position where the hook lever  14  is in direct contact with the hook body  12 . The jewel hook  32  is capable coupling to the handbag ring member  26  by applying pressure with the hook lever  14  directly to the handbag ring member  26  which moves the hook lever  14  to the open position and allows the handbag ring member  26  to slide inside the jewel hook  32  to attach. The jewel hook  32  is detached when the end user applies pressure to the hook lever  14  with their thumb or finger to move it to the open position. Then the jewel hook  32  can slide the off the handbag ring member  26  and the jewel hook  32  will automatically close by internal pressure created by the hook spring (not shown) when the thumb or finger relaxes the pressure on the hook lever  14 .