Handbag display and display device

Handbag displays which advantageously increase the efficiency of existing displays by reducing the portion of a display taken up by a handbag strap with a novel handbag display device. A handbag display comprises a handbag having a strap, a support member over which a strap may be hung, and a display device which can be placed on the handbag strap for reducing the distance between the support member and the compartment portion of the handbag and the strap support. When the display device is positioned on a strap, the display device has the effect of reducing the length of the strap and therefore reducing the display area consumed by a handbag.

The present invention is directed to novel handbag display devices and a 
handbag display using such devices. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Handbags are used widely throughout the world. When handbags are displayed 
in a retail environment for sale to consumers, the handbags are often hung 
from their straps. The length of the strap can cause a significant portion 
of the display area to be occupied by the straps. Since retail display 
area is very valuable, this manner of display can result in considerable 
inefficiencies. 
Therefore, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved handbag 
display which more efficiently utilizes valuable display area. 
It would also be highly desirable to provide a handbag display which is 
more attractive than previously utilized displays. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to handbag 
displays which advantageously increase the efficiency of existing displays 
be reducing the portion of a display taken up by a handbag strap. The 
various embodiments of the present invention utilize novel display devices 
which are well suited for use with existing displays. 
According to one preferred embodiment, a handbag display comprises a 
handbag having a strap, a support member over which a strap may be hung, 
and a display device which can be placed on the handbag strap for reducing 
the distance between the support member and the compartment portion of the 
handbag. When the display device is positioned on a strap, the display 
device has the effect of reducing the length of the strap and therefore 
reducing the display area consumed by a handbag. 
The various embodiments of the present invention are designed for quick 
attachment and removal from a handbag strap. Furthermore, the illustrated 
embodiments are readily adjustable so that the distance separating the 
compartment portion of a handbag and a support is readily adjustable. 
It will therefore be appreciated that the various embodiments of the 
present invention provide a novel display which is more efficient than 
previously known displays and does rot create a risk of harm to the 
handbag straps nor require the use of paper closures, rubber bands, or 
knotting of the handbag strap in a unsightly manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
One aspect of the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 1, comprises a 
novel handbag display. While the embodiment of the present invention 
illustrated in FIG. 1 shows a conventional pocketbook-type handbag, as 
used herein the term "handbag" is meant to include any form of carrying 
device comprising a resilient strap connected to a compartment portion. 
For example, as used herein, the term "handbag" would include traditional 
pocketbooks, fanny packs, "wallets on a string", purses, and clutches. In 
the manner illustrated, a handbag comprising a compartment portion 10 and 
a strap 20 is suspended from a strap support 25. The strap support 25 may 
be connected to a display stand, a wall, or the like in a manner known in 
the art. Furthermore, a display device 30 is provided in order to shorten 
the effective length of the strap 20. 
One embodiment of a handbag display device 30 of the present invention is 
illustrated in FIGS. 2-8. This embodiment comprises a base 40 forming a 
first contact surface 42 and a second contact surface 44. According to 
this illustrated embodiment, base 40 is formed in a generally circular 
fashion with an inner notch 45. A resilient member 50 comprising a contact 
surface 52 and a connection portion 54 for connection to base 40 is 
positioned generally between the first contact surface 42 and the second 
contact surface 44. While the preferred illustrated embodiments of the 
handbag display devices 30 of the present invention are integrally formed, 
it is also possible to separately manufacture one or more portions and 
then assemble those subcomponents into a handbag display device. Those 
skilled in the art will appreciate that an integrally formed handbag 
display device 30 is more economical to manufacture than a device formed 
of separate elements. 
Resilient member 50 advantageously extends across the middle of the 
illustrated circular base 40. Resilient member 50 is connected to base 40 
by connection portion 54 but is not connected at the opposite side of the 
base 40 proximate notch 45 in order to allow a contact portion 52 of 
resilient member 50 to be moved further from the contact surfaces of the 
base for placement and removal of the handbag display device from a strap 
20. Resilient member 50 is connected to base 40 in such a manner that 
member 50 may move a sufficient distance from base 40 to allow a handbag 
strap to be slid under extension 56 for quick placement on a handbag 
strap. When the handbag device 30 is properly positioned on a handbag 
strap, first contact surface 42 of base 40, contact portion 52 disposed on 
the lower portion of resilient member 50, and second contact portion 44 of 
base 40 cooperate to releasably maintain the handbag display device 30 on 
a handbag strap 20 and prevent the strap 20 from slipping through the 
display device 30. Furthermore, a downward extension 56 may be provided to 
prevent the unintentional disconnection between handbag display device 30 
and a handbag strap. Handbag display device 30 can readily be removed from 
a handbag strap by simply applying pressure on resilient member 50 in a 
direction away from the common plane of the contact surfaces thereby 
allowing a strap to be removed under extension 56. 
An alternative embodiment of the handbag display device of the present 
invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. According to this illustrated 
embodiment, a first contact portion 142 and a second contact 144 are 
separately connected to a central movable finger 150. This illustrated 
embodiment operates in the same manner as the embodiment illustrated in 
FIGS. 1-8, however, the first contact portion 142 and second contact 
portion 144 are not connected at the side opposite the connection of 
movable finger 150. 
The various embodiments of handbag display devices of the present invention 
can be formed of a wide variety of materials such as moldable polymers, 
e.g., clear styrene, wood, metals or the like. In order to accommodate 
different sizes and styles of handbag straps, the handbag display devices 
may also be formed of a variety of different sizes. While the preferred 
illustrated embodiments are formed having substantially arcuate first and 
second contact portions, it is also within the scope of the present 
invention to provide contact portions with different shapes, such as one 
or more linear segments. For example, the bases can be oval, rectangular 
or triangular.