Abstract:
An improved carrier for securely hanging containers with handles or slings in an accessible manner while providing anti-theft features which render removal of items more difficult by unauthorized person. One embodiment of the improved carrier is supported by an attached base, while another embodiment utilizes a table leg for support.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This non-provisional application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 62/314,363, filed Mar. 28, 2016, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to systems and methods for a carrier stand that can provide safety, convenience, and practicality to a user searching for a place to securely suspend one or more containers with handles or slings, such as purses, handbags, backpacks, camera cases, and other such containers in a non-obstructive and accessible location. 
         [0003]    Guests attending social functions or patronizing businesses are often looking for a convenient and secure means to store their effects, in such a way that it is easily accessible and safe from potential snatch theft. The ground is often dirty or wet, and items left at one&#39;s feet are often unsecured. Using an extra seat for storage is often impractical, and leaves items exposed to sudden seizure by opportunistic thieves. 
         [0004]    It is therefore apparent that an urgent need exists for carrier systems that can securely, non-obstructively hang containers with handles or slings. These improved carrier systems offer safety, convenience, and security by providing a security hanger from which to suspend a handled or slinged container or other similar gear. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    To achieve the foregoing and in accordance with the present invention, systems and methods for an improved carrier for hanging one or more handled or slinged containers are provided. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, a security carrier for hanging one or more handled or slinged containers, includes a vertical support, a hanger, a front stop and a retainer. The hanger is coupled to the vertical support, and is configured to suspend at least one container having a handle or a sling. The front stop is coupled to the hanger, and is configured to prevent the at least one container from slipping off a front end of the hanger. The retainer, coupled to the front stop, is configured to secure the container thereby preventing the at least one container from being easily snatched from the hanger. The carrier may also include a retainer extension coupled to the container retainer. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the vertical support is stabilized by an attached base enabling standalone use. In other embodiments, the vertical support can be operatively coupled to furniture such as a table or a chair. 
         [0008]    Note that the various features of the present invention described above may be practiced alone or in combination. These and other features of the present invention will be described in more detail below in the detailed description of the invention and in conjunction with the following figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    In order that the present invention may be more clearly ascertained, some embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a carrier stand suspending a handled container; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the embodiment of a carrier stand in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  depicts a side view of another embodiment of a carrier stand in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict perspective and side views, respectively, of yet another embodiment of a carrier; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 4 and 5  depict a side view and a perspective view, respectively, of two additional embodiments of carrier stands in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are side and top views illustrating yet another embodiment of a carrier stand in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  depict a side view and a top view, respectively, of yet another embodiment of a multi-purpose carrier stand in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0017]      FIGS. 8 and 9  depict perspective views of two embodiments of furniture-mounted carrier stands in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to several embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention. The features and advantages of embodiments may be better understood with reference to the drawings and discussions that follow. 
         [0019]    Aspects, features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description in connection with the accompanying drawing(s). It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the described embodiments of the present invention provided herein are illustrative only and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. All features disclosed in this description may be replaced by alternative features serving the same or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Therefore, numerous other embodiments of the modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention as defined herein and equivalents thereto. Hence, use of absolute and/or sequential terms, such as, for example, “always,” “will,” “will not,” “shall,” “shall not,” “must,” “must not,” “first,” “initially,” “next,” “subsequently,” “before,” “after,” “lastly,” and “finally,” are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention as the embodiments disclosed herein are merely exemplary. 
         [0020]    In addition, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular article forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include both singular and plural referents unless the context of their usage clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a retainer” includes a plurality of retainers as well as a single retainer, and the like. 
         [0021]    The present invention relates to systems and methods for an improved carrier stand that provides a safer and more convenient way to store bags, packs, luggage, gear, and other handle containers in a removed but accessible location. 
         [0022]    To facilitate discussion,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective and side views illustrating one embodiment of a carrier stand  100  in accordance with the present invention. Carrier stand  100  includes a base  110 , a vertical support  140 , a container hanger  160 , a front stop  150 , and a retainer  170 . One or more handled or slinged containers, for example, a handled container  190  such as a purse or handbag, can be suspended from container hanger  160 , to demonstrate intended use. 
         [0023]    Fastened to base  110 , extending in a perpendicular fashion can be the substantially vertical support  140 . At its other end, support  140  may be joined to the substantially horizontally-oriented container hanger  160  via an exemplary ‘L’ shaped bend as shown or via the addition of an elbow (not shown). The other end of hanger  160  may be coupled to one end of front stop  150 . In turn, the other end of front stop  150  may be coupled to the retainer  170 . 
         [0024]    Retainer  170  prevents the handled container  190  from accidentally slipping off stand  100  when, for example, accidentally brushed by a passerby. The assembled stand  100  that results from the coupling of front stop  150 , handled container hanger  160 , and retainer  170  is intended to prevent snatching of the handled container  190 , by a thief attempting to steal container  190  from the user. 
         [0025]    Base  110  may be made from a variety of suitable materials, such as steel plate, aluminum plate, and wood. Vertical support  140 , handled container hanger  160 , and retainer  170 , along with front stop  150 , may be made from a variety of suitable materials, such as rebar, aluminum, and plastic. The segments  140 ,  150 ,  160  and  170  can be entirely or partially solid and/or hollow. The cross-sectional profile of segments  140 ,  150 ,  160  and  170  can be round, elliptical or polygonal. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, one or more pads  120  may be fastened to the bottom of base  110  to provide stability and/or traction. The pads  120  may be made from a variety of non-slip and/or impact absorbing materials, such as rubber or foam. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  depicts a side view of another embodiment of a carrier stand  200  in accordance with the present invention. The stand  200  includes a base  110 , a vertical support  140 , a container hanger  160 , a front stop  150 , and a retainer  170 . One or more handled and/or slinged containers (not shown) can be securely suspended from container hanger  160 . In this embodiment, a modification has been made to stand  200 , by way of the addition of a retainer extension  270 , extending from the retainer  170 . The existence of extension  270  increases the difficulty for a potential thief to snatch a handled container hanging from the carrier stand  200 . 
         [0028]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are perspective and side views, respectively, depicting yet another embodiment of a carrier stand  300 . The stand  300  includes a base  110 , a vertical support  140 , a container hanger  160 , a front stop  150 , a retainer  170  and a retainer extension  370 . One or more handled/slinged containers (not shown) can be securely suspended from container hanger  160 . In this embodiment, stand  300  is further modified to include a rotatable backstop  380 , for example, a key ring, operatively coupled to the retainer extension  370 , to further prevent easy removal of a handled container (not shown) from the carrier stand  300 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3B  further illustrates how backstop  380  rests at an angle away from a vertical axis on hanger  160 , and how backstop  380  can be lifted to release a handled container from the carrier stand  300 . Because backstop  380  has to be manually lifted in order to release a handled container from stand  300 , the resulting structure of modified stand  300  functions as a deterrence to potential snatch thieves from easily removing handled container(s) from the carrier stand  300 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  depicts a side view of an additional embodiment of a carrier stand  400  in accordance with the present invention. Stand  400  includes a base  110 , a vertical support  140 , a container hanger  160 , a front stop  150 , a retainer  170  and a retainer extension  270 . One or more handled/slinged containers (not shown) can be securely suspended from container hanger  160 . 
         [0031]    In this embodiment, an enhancement has been made to the handled container hanger  160  by way of a backstop  480 . Backstop  480  may take the form of one or more bends between hanger  160  and vertical support  140 , thereby preventing the handle(s) and/or sling(s) of handled container(s) from slipping off hanger  160 . The angle of each bend in backstop  480  may vary, as may the length of each subsequent segment resulting from the bends. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating an additional embodiment of a carrier stand  500  in accordance with the present invention. Stand  500  includes a base  110 , a substantially vertical support  140 , a container hanger  160 , a front stop  150  and a retainer  170 . Stand  500  may be modified to also include a retainer extension (not shown) coupled to retainer  170 . One or more handled/slinged containers (not shown) can be securely suspended from container hanger  160 . 
         [0033]    In this embodiment, an enhancement has been made to the handled container hanger  160  by way of a backstop  580 , for example, an “O” shaped ring. Backstop  580  provides a physical barrier to prevent the handles or slings of container(s) from slipping off of the backend of hanger  160 . The backstop  580  may be secured to hanger  160  by tension (as shown) or by a set screw (not shown). Backstop  580  can take the form of a variety of sizes and shapes, and may be constructed from a variety of suitable materials, such as rubber or aluminum. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  depict side and top views of an additional embodiment of a carrier stand  600  in accordance with the present invention. Stand  600  includes a base  110 , a vertical support  140  and a substantially horizontally-oriented container hanger  660 . One or more handled and/or slinged containers (not shown) can be securely suspended from container hanger  660 . 
         [0035]    The stand  600  features multiple container retainers  672  and  674 , which can be oriented on a plane substantially parallel to the base  110 . Hanger  660  is coupled to vertical support  140  at one end. At its other end, corresponding front stops  652  and  654  extend on a plane that is substantially parallel to the base  110 . Extending from front stops  652  and  654  are container retainers  672  and  674 , respectively. 
         [0036]    In some embodiments such as stand  600 , the substantially horizontally-oriented dual retainers  672  and  674  arrangement can provide further functionality. For example, in addition to allowing one or more containers to be suspended from hanger  660 , and the orientation of front stops  652  &amp;  654  and container retainers  672  &amp;  674  allows for the respective handles/slings of a container to be suspended from corresponding retainers  672  and  674 , thereby holding the container open for easy content access. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are side and top views illustrating yet another embodiment of a carrier stand  700  in accordance with the present invention. Stand  700  includes a base  110 , a vertical support  140 , a substantially horizontally-oriented container hanger  660  and a tray  715 . Tray  715  is mounted to base  110 , and can be constructed from a variety of suitable materials such as plastic, wood or aluminum. One or more handled and/or slinged containers (not shown) can be securely suspended from container hanger  660 . 
         [0038]    The stand  700  includes curved container retainers  772  and  774 , which can be oriented on a plane substantially parallel to the base  110 . Hanger  660  is coupled to vertical support  140  at one end. At its other end, corresponding front stops  752  and  754  extend on a plane that is substantially parallel to the base  110 . The curved container retainers  772  and  774  extend from their respective front stops  752  and  754 . 
         [0039]    In this embodiment, the shapes of curved retainers  772  and  774  allows stand  600  to be multi-functional. For example, in addition to allowing one or more containers to be suspended from hanger  660 , and the orientation of front stops  752  &amp;  754  and the curvature of container retainers  772  &amp;  774  enables stand  700  to accommodate one or more elongated accessories such a walking stick  790  (as shown in  FIG. 7B ) and/or an umbrella (not shown). The tray  715  is intended to, for example, house a distal end of the elongated accessory thereby providing additional stability. 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a container carrier  810  in accordance with the present invention. Carrier  810  includes a substantially vertical support  840 , a container hanger  160 , a substantially vertically-oriented front stop  150  and a container retainer  170 . 
         [0041]    Carrier  810  can be mounted to a table leg  894  of table  890  via a suitable bracket  892 . Carrier  810  may be securely mounted to table leg  894  by other suitable fasteners such as a hook-and-loop fastener. 
         [0042]    The carrier subassembly, comprising of container hanger  160 , retainer  170  along with front stop  150 , is coupled to vertical support  840 . One or more handled and/or slinged containers (not shown) can be securely suspended from container hanger  160 . 
         [0043]    Bracket  892  securely anchors and orients carrier  810  with respect to table  890 , while allowing for rotational movement along an axis of vertical support  840 . By permitting this rotation, the carrier  810  can be swung out away from table leg  894  and be positioned appropriately while in use, and then secured out of the way while not in use. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a perspective view of another embodiment of a container carrier  910  in accordance with the present invention. Carrier  910  includes a substantially vertical support  840 , a container hanger  160 , a substantially horizontally-oriented front stop  952  and a curved container retainer  972 . 
         [0045]    Carrier  910  can be mounted to a table leg  894  of table  890  via a suitable bracket  892 . The subassembly, comprising of container hanger  160 , retainer  170  along with front stop  150 , is coupled to vertical support  840 . One or more handled/slinged containers (not shown) can be securely suspended from container hanger  160 . 
         [0046]    Bracket  892  securely anchors and orients carrier  910  with respect to table  890 , while allowing for rotational movement along an axis of vertical support  840 . By permitting this rotation, the carrier  910  can be swung out away from table leg  894  and be positioned appropriately while in use, and then secured out of the way while not in use. 
         [0047]    In this embodiment, the curved retainer  972  can also be substantially horizontally-oriented thereby enabling carrier  910  to be multi-functional, for example, to be able to securely accommodate one or more elongated accessories such as umbrella(s) and/or walking stick(s) (not shown). 
         [0048]    Many modifications and additions are also possible. For example, instead of a table, the above described carriers, such as carriers  810  and  910 , can be attached to other suitable furniture such as chairs (not shown). 
         [0049]    In sum, the present invention provides systems and methods for improved carriers configured to secure handled and/or slinged container(s). The advantages include the ability to store items in a secure and non-obstructive location, while still enable hanging containers such as purses to be easily accessible and within eyesight of one or more of the owners. 
         [0050]    While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, modifications, permutations, and substitute equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. Although sub-section titles have been provided to aid in the description of the invention, these titles are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0051]    It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, modifications, permutations, and substitute equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.