Abstract:
A toteable or wearable fashion item configured to provide an electronic charge to a mobile electronic device. The item includes a battery having a battery housing enclosing at least one battery cell and at least one electronic connection port in communication with the battery cell. A pouch containing the battery substantially concealed therein is secured relative to the fashion item such that the battery is substantially concealed such that the aesthetic appearance of the fashion item is not affected.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/184,831, filed on Feb. 20, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/921,225, filed on Dec. 27, 2013, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a toteable or wearable fashion item which incorporates a battery for charging electronic devices wherein the battery is concealed but easily accessible. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Mobile electronic devices have become part of the daily lives of people in our society. Having fully charged, functional electronic devices on one&#39;s person has become a necessity. Many people carry multiple devices daily, including mobile telephones, electronic readers, and tablet computers, among others. Devices often require charging during the day. In most cases, charging is accomplished by plugging a cord between the electronic device and a power outlet or a USB port on a computer. People on the go may not have access to an outlet or may not have time to wait at an outlet until the device charges. While some portable charging sources have been developed, they are often inconvenient and/or have a bulky, non-appealing look. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a toteable or wearable fashion item configured to provide an electronic charge to a mobile electronic device. The item includes a battery having a battery housing enclosing at least one battery cell and at least one electronic connection port in communication with the battery cell. A pouch containing the battery substantially concealed therein is secured relative to the fashion item such that the battery is substantially concealed such that the aesthetic appearance of the fashion item is not affected. 
         [0005]    One embodiment of this system includes a handbag, a battery including at least one USB port and at least one pin port, and a universal connecting wire including a USB connector on one end and a pin connector on the other end. In the disclosed system, the universal connecting wire is capable of charging a variety of electronic devices without the need for multiple wires. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary handbag containing the battery and universal connecting wire and accessories in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view along the line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 1  illustrating connection of the connecting wire to the battery ports. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 1  illustrating the pocket which contains the battery and the connecting wire in a closed configuration. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the exterior of the handbag of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of an exemplary battery and universal connecting wire in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an exemplary piece of luggage containing the battery in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary pair of pants and belt, each containing the battery in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an exemplary jacket containing the battery in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The following describes preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be understood, based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments described herein. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a toteable or wearable fashion item  10  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described. In the illustrated embodiment, the fashion item  10  is in the form of a handbag, and more specifically a purse, however, the invention is not limited to such and may include various toteable or wearable items. For example, the fashion item  10  may include any bag or piece of luggage  10 ′ (see  FIG. 7 ), including, but not limited to, handbags, shoulder bags, messenger bags, roller bags, garment bags, luggage, wallets, and camera bags. In another embodiment, the toteable or wearable fashion item includes, but is not limited to, pants  10 ″, shorts, belts  10 ′″ (see  FIG. 8 ), jackets  10   iv  (see  FIG. 9 ), shirts and any other wearable accessory or clothing item. 
         [0018]    The exemplary fashion item  10  includes a body  12  having an outer shell  13  and an interior lining  17 . The outer shell  13  is seemed along three sides and has an opening  14  along the other side which opens into a main interior chamber  15 . A zipper  16  or the like may be provided to close the opening  14 . Strap rings  18  are provided for connection of a strap (not shown). It is understood that the fashion item  10  may have other configurations. 
         [0019]    Within the main interior chamber  15 , a pocket  20  which defines a secondary chamber  22  is formed along one side of the main chamber  15 . The pocket  20  is configured to house the battery  50 , the universal connecting wire  60  and accessory connectors  66 , if necessary. The pocket  20  may include a zipper  26  or the like to close the pocket  20 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . With the pocket  20  closed, the battery  50  and other components are concealed while leaving room in the main interior chamber  15  for electronic devices and various other items. The interior main chamber  15  may also include various other securing and holding devices including, but not limited to, additional pockets, slots, and clips. 
         [0020]    The fashion item  10  interior and exterior are preferably constructed of lightweight, high strength fabrics and materials. The fabrics and materials can be stain and tear resistant. The fashion item  10  can be constructed of soft and flexible materials, or solid and rigid materials. The fashion item  10  can also be constructed of soft and rigid materials. In one embodiment, the fashion item  10  is a handbag, the exterior shell  13  of which is made of leather and the interior lining  17  is made of nylon. Other materials that can be used for the exterior and/or interior of the fashion item  10  include, but are not limited to, natural fabrics, synthetic fabrics, rubber, recycled tires, polyurethane, and plastic. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the battery  50  is held within a pouch  30  within the pocket  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pouch  30  is formed by a single sheet of material  32  that is secured relative to the lining  17  along side seams  34  and  36  and along top and bottom seams  38  and  39 . The seams  34 ,  36 ,  38  and  39  in the illustrated embodiment are formed via stitching  35 , however, other seaming techniques may be utilized. Additionally, while all of the illustrated seams  34 ,  36 ,  38  and  39  are permanent seams, one of the seams, for example seam  38 , may be formed as a releasable seam, for example using hook and loop fastener, to facilitate removal of the battery  50 . 
         [0022]    A first opening  42  is defined into the pouch  30  aligned with a first port  52  of the battery  50  and a second opening  40  is defined into the pouch  30  aligned with a second port  54  of the battery  50 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first opening  42  has an extended area  43  which reveals an on/off switch  56  of the battery  50 . While two separate openings  40 ,  42  are described, a single opening allowing access to both ports  52 ,  54  may be utilized. The continuous nature of the pouch  30  with the minimal openings  40  and  42  acts to conceal the battery  50  while still allowing easy access to the battery ports  52 ,  54 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . It is further noted that in the present embodiment, the pouch  30  is free of cumbersome straps, flaps and the like which may interfere with access to the battery  50  or items within the pocket  20  and also which would take away from the aesthetic appearance of the fashion item  10 . It is further noted with reference to  FIG. 5  that none of the battery  50  or charging components extend to the outer shell  13  of the fashion item such that the aesthetic appearance of the fashion item  10  is not affected. 
         [0023]    While the illustrated embodiment includes a pocket  20  in which the pouch  30  is positioned, it is recognized that the pocket  20  is not required. Instead, for example, the pouch  30  can simply be secured within the main chamber  15 . In other embodiments wherein the fashion item  10  is other than a handbag, the pouch  30  may be secured as desired. For example, if the fashion item is a jacket, the pouch  30  may be secured within an interior pocket  20 ′. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 6 , an exemplary battery  50  will be described. The battery  50  includes a housing  51  with one or more interior battery cells  53 . The battery  50  may be, for example, a lithium-ion battery, a nickel metal hydride battery or a nickel-cadmium battery. Other types of rechargeable batteries may also be utilized. Batteries with different storage capacities (e.g. amp hours) and/or different sizes may be used in connection with the disclosed invention. As the capacity of the battery increases, the thickness or length of the battery can increase. For example, the length, width, or depth of the battery may increase or decrease, depending upon the storage capacity of the battery. The configuration of the pouch  30  is preferably selected to complement the configuration of the battery  50 . 
         [0025]    The exemplary battery  50  has at least two ports, a USB port  54  and a pin port  52 , defined into the housing  51  along with an on/off switch  56 . In other embodiments, the battery  50  may have more than two ports and may also have differently configured ports, e.g. two USB ports. Additionally, the battery  50  may be configured such that an on/off switch  56  is not necessary. In the illustrated embodiment, the pin port  52  is an in-port, as the electric current flows from a charger or an electric outlet to the battery  50 , transmitting a charge. The USB port  54  is an out-port, as the electric current flows from the battery  50  to the electronic device being charged. 
         [0026]    With the described configuration, the battery  50  is charged by connecting the pin connector end  64  of the universal connecting wire  60  to the battery  50  and connecting the USB connector end  62  of the universal connecting wire  60  to a computer or car charger with a USB port for charging. The battery  50  can also be charged by plugging the pin connector end  64  of the universal wire  60  into the battery  50  and the USB connector end  62  into a plug adapter with a USB port (not shown), including, but not limited to, those that come with many mobile phones, electronic readers and tablet computers. The plug adapter is then in turn connected to any electrical outlet. The battery  50  can also be charged without using the universal connecting wire  60  or any adapters by utilizing any plug charger that can be connected to an electrical source and contains a connecting wire with a pin connector on the end that can be inserted into the battery&#39;s pin port  52 . Once the battery  50  is charged, the battery  50  can be used to charge a variety of electronic devices. The universal connecting wire  60  allows the battery  50  to be recharged even when not at home or at the location of a dedicated docking station. 
         [0027]    In the present disclosure, an electronic device includes, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a handheld computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), a digital camera, a portable game machine, a portable music player, a portable media device, an electronic reader and/or a flashlight. A variety of types of mobile phones, electronic readers and tablet computers can be used in connection with the disclosed invention. 
         [0028]    To charge an electronic device, the electronic device is connected to the universal connecting wire  60 , which is connected to the battery  50  via the USB connector end  62 . For electronic devices having a pin port, the pin connector end  64  can be inserted directly into the electronic device whereby charge will be delivered from the battery  50  to the electronic device. In the event the electronic device has a different type of port, an adapter  66  with a female pin port and a desired male port can be connected to the pin connector end  64 , whereafter the electronic device will be charged by the battery  50 . The universal connecting wire  60  is reversible in that the same wire can be used to allow for the charging of an electronic device, and the battery, as described above. This cuts down on bulk and increases the ease of use of the disclosed invention, in that it is not necessary to pack multiple cords to both charge and recharge a single electronic device. 
         [0029]    The universal connecting wire  60  is preferably insulated and of a sufficient length to allow connection from the battery  50  to the electronic device and also to allow connection from the battery  50  to a power source for recharging of the battery  50 . 
         [0030]    It is contemplated that more than one electronic device can be charged at a given time within the fashion item  10  using power from the battery  50 . For example, multiple electronic devices can be connected to the battery  50  using a multiple port adapter (not shown) connected to the pin connector end  64  of the universal connecting wire  60 . Alternatively, the battery  50  may have multiple USB ports  54  which allow connection of multiple wires  60 . 
         [0031]    These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.