Patent Publication Number: US-2010122560-A1

Title: Theft Deterrent Device and Method for Bags

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/895,825, filed on Aug. 28, 2007, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/840,963, filed Aug. 30, 2006 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/907,931, filed Apr. 23, 2007. These applications are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates to a theft deterrent device and method, and specifically to a device useful for releasably securing bag items, such as purses, backpacks, diaper bags and computer bags to stationary objects to discourage theft. The invention further includes a method for deterring theft through the use of a theft deterrent device of the present invention on a bag. The present invention further includes a zipper securing device, which can be used separately or incorporated into the theft deterrent device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Theft of purses and other personal bag items, such as backpacks, briefcases and computer bags is a common problem. Often, the owner of the bag will place the bag on the back of a chair, in a stroller or a grocery cart, inviting easy theft of the entire bag or pick pocketing of wallets, electronic devices or other important items out of the bag. Pick pocketing is often accomplished while the purse or bag is being carried on the person&#39;s body as well. 
     Given the fashionable aspect of most bags, using a pad lock with a cable or combination lock may serve the purpose of locking the bag; however it is not necessarily an attractive or convenient option. Locks and cables would need to be portable and stored when not in use, which may not be convenient for the user. The present invention is designed to provide a user-friendly, portable means for securing a bag to a stationary object, or large movable object, such as a grocery cart, while disguised as a decorative accessory maintaining the fashionable nature of the bag. The present invention further includes a means for securing the zipper on a bag in a closed or partially closed position, to deter theft of articles inside the bag. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a theft deterrent device for a bag, such as a purse. In one embodiment, the theft deterrent device comprises a housing, a connector attached to one side of the housing, at least one locking member attached to an opposing side of the housing, a cord having first and second ends, the first end of the cord coupled to the locking member, and the second end of the cord being coupled to a retracting member disposed within the housing for retracting and releasing the cord and the locking member. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the theft deterrent device comprises a housing, a connector attached to one side of the housing, a first locking member attached to an opposing side of the housing, a cord having a first end coupled to a first locking member and a second end coupled to a retracting member, the retracting member disposed within the housing for retracting and releasing the cord and the first locking member, and a second locking member connected to the connector through a second attachment means. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the theft deterrent device comprises a connector, an attachment means, and at least one locking member. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for deterring theft of an unsupervised bag is described. The method comprises the steps of providing a device comprising a connector, an attachment means attached to the connector and at least one locking member positioned on the attachment means. The method includes the steps of attaching the connector to a bag, wrapping the attachment means around an object to which the bag is to be secured, and connecting the locking member to the connector. This embodiment may also include a second locking member connected to a second attachment means attached to the connector. The second locking member may be used to secure the zipper in a closed position on the bag. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for deterring theft of an unsupervised bag, is described. The method comprises the steps of providing a device comprising an attachment means having a first end and a second end, a first locking member attached to the first end of the attachment means and a second locking member attached to the attachment means in close proximity to the first locking member. The method further includes the steps of wrapping the attachment means about an object to which the bag is to be secured, connecting the first locking member to the second end of the attachment means, connecting the second locking member to a closure device on the bag. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view of the theft deterrent device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed perspective view of the theft deterrent device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed perspective view of one embodiment of the theft deterrent device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the housing of the theft deterrent device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  of the housing of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the theft deterrent device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the theft deterrent device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the theft deterrent device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the theft deterrent device of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosures are to be considered as exemplifications of the principles of the invention and are not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     Turning now to the Figures,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the invention in use as a theft deterrent device  10 , for securing a bag or purse to a generally stationery object, such as a chair, or to a large movable object, such as a grocery cart. In general, and as shown in  FIG. 2 , the device  10  comprises a housing  12 , a connector  14  attached to one side of the housing through attachment means  22 , at least one locking member  16  attached to an opposing side of the housing through attachment means, a cord  18  having first  18   a  and second end  18   b,  the first end coupled to the locking member through a casing  26  and attachment means, and the second end coupled proximate to a retracting member  20 , shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , disposed within the housing for retracting and releasing the cord and the locking member. The device  10  and its component parts can be constructed of any durable material, such as plastic or metal. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the device  10  comprises a housing  12 . The housing  12  includes a connector  14  attached to one side of the housing by attachment means  22 , and a locking member  16  attached to an opposing side of the housing. The housing  12  can have any geometric shape, including but not limited to, square, oval, or circular. Preferably, the housing  12  is circular and can be constructed of any suitable durable material, such as plastic or metal. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the housing  12 , including the outer cover of the housing, can include a decorative element, such as crystals, real or faux gems, engraved wording, silk flowers, or any other suitable embellishment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , a retracting member  20  is located within the interior of the housing  12 . The retracting member  20  includes a spring loaded mechanism, as is generally known in the art. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , one end of the housing  12  includes a connector  14 . The connector  14  can be attached to the housing  12  by any suitable attachment means  22 , including a chain, wire, cord or cable. Preferably, the attachment means is at least one metal chain link or ring, which permits movement between the connector  14  and the housing  12 . The connector  14  can be any suitable geometric shape, preferably circular. The connector  14  should be easy to attach to and remove from the strap of a bag, and therefore a biased closure member, movable between open and closed positions, is preferred. Preferably, the connector  14  is a hinged ring, which opens with slight inward pressure and biases toward a closed position to seal the opening. The connector  14 , however, could be of any form suitable for securing and removing the device  10  to the bag, and thus could include a clip, clasp or any other suitable means for removing and attaching the device to the bag. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 3 , also attached to the housing  12  is at least one locking member  16 . The locking member  16  is secured to the housing  12  through an attachment means  22 , including a link or ring, a casing  26  and a cord  18  secured within the housing, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The locking member  16  can be any form of securing member such as a toggle, hook, or snap clasp. Preferably, the locking member  16  is a spring-loaded fastener, such as a lobster claw or snap clasp. As with the housing  12 , the locking member  16  can be constructed from any durable material, such as plastic or metal. Preferably, the locking member  16  is constructed from a lightweight metal for security, longevity after repeated use, as well as decorative appeal. When in use, the locking member  16  attaches to the connector  14  securing the bag to the stationary object. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , on the attachment means  22  opposite to the locking member  16 , is connected a retractable cord  18  having first end  18   a  and a second end  18   b.  The first end  18   a  of the cord  18  is attached by a secure method such as a knot or gluing, within a casing  26  which is secured to the attachment means  22  and then to the locking member  16 . When not in use, the cord  18  is retracted and stored within the housing  12 , with the second end  18   b  of the cord wrapped around a spool portion of a retracting member  20 , and further secured within the retracting member by knotting or gluing. The retracting member  20  can be a standard spring loaded mechanism known in the art, such as a flat coil spring surrounded by a plastic spool. The retracting member  20  permits easy release of the cord  18  from the housing  12  using the locking member  16 . The cord  18  is then wrapped around the portion of the stationary object, such as the arm of a chair, and the locking member  16  is secured to the connector  14 , securing the bag to the stationary object. When the locking member  16  is released from the connector  14 , the retracting member  20  automatically winds the cord  18  back into the housing  12 . The cord  18 , which can be any length suitable for the present invention, can be made from any durable, strong, flexible material so that it is not easily broken, such as stainless steel, nylon, flexible wire or plastic. Preferably, the cord  18  is nylon or plastic coated stainless steel. 
       FIG. 6  shows a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment includes a second locking member  24 . The second locking member  24  is attached to the connector  14  through a suitable attachment means  22   a,  which is separately connected to the connector from the first attachment means  22  and first locking member  16 . The second attachment means  22   a  may be constructed from a chain, wire, cord or cable, similar to first attachment means  22  used in connection with the first locking member  16 . Preferably, the second attachment means  22   a  is at least one chain link or ring, the number of which create a length suitable for the second locking member  24  to reach the zipper of the bag, and to permit movement between the second locking member and the connecting member  14 . As described above, the second locking member  24  can be any form of securing member, such as a hook or snap clasp, but is preferably a spring-loaded fasteners, such as a lobster claw clasp. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the second locking member  24  adds to the theft deterrent feature of the present invention because it secures the zipper on the bag in either the closed position, or it prevents the zipper from being fully opened permitting access to the contents of the bag. When the second locking member  24  is engaged with the zipper tag, it would be difficult to open the zipper of a bag without the owner&#39;s knowledge. Use of the second locking member  24  deters pick pocketing of items from the interior of the bag. In addition, decorative elements, such as charms or jeweled rings  22   b  can be added, either permanently or removably to the attachment means  22   a,  adding a further decorative feature to the device  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a zipper lock  28 . The zipper lock  28  includes a biased closure connector  30  of the type described above. Attached to the connector  30  is an attachment means  32 , including a chain, wire, strap, cord or cable, as described above. Preferably, the attachment means  32  is a plurality of chain links or metal rings. Secured on the opposing end of the chain links is a securing member  34 , such as a toggle, hook or clasp. In use, the connector  30  would receive the strap of the bag, purse, backpack, etc., and the securing member  34  would be attached to the zipper tag at the end of the zipper on the bag. The zipper lock  28  prevents the zipper on the bag from being opened easily without the knowledge of the owner of the bag. As an alternative, decorative charms or jewels can be added to the attachment means  32 , adding to the fashionable element of the device. Alternatively, keys, such as house or car keys or pass keys can be added to the connector  30  through the attachment means  32 . 
       FIG. 8  shows another embodiment of the theft deterrent device  36  according to the present invention. The device  36  includes a biased closure connector  38  as previously described. Preferably, the connector  38  is a hinged ring, which can be biased between an open and a closed position for ease of attachment to the bag to be secured. The device  36  also includes at least one attachment means  40  connected to the connector  38  in a manner which permits movement of the attachment means around the circumference of the connector. The attachment means  40  can include a chain, wire, cord or cable made of a durable material, such as metal or plastic. Preferably, the attachment means  40  is a chain link or plurality of rings made of metal, including stainless steel, silver or gold plated metal, or precious metals, including sterling silver or 14K gold. Optionally, charms, ID tags, or other decorations can be added to the attachment means  40  to enhance the aesthetic design of the device. 
     The theft deterrent device  36  of  FIG. 8  includes at least one locking member  42  attached to an end chain, link or ring of the at least one attachment means  40 . When the device  36  is used to secure a potentially unsupervised bag the hinged ring  38  is first attached to the strap of the bag. The attachment means  40  is then wrapped around an object to which the bag is to be secured. The first locking member  42  then connects to the connector  38 , securing the bag to the object. In a preferred embodiment, the device  36  includes a second attachment means  40   a,  secured to the connector  38  separate from the first attachment means  40 . The second attachment means  40   a  is preferably the same construction as the first attachment means  40 . A second locking member  44  is attached at an end chain, link or ring of the second attachment means  40   a,  opposed from the connector  38 . The second locking member  44  is used to secure the closure device, such as a zipper, on the bag in a closed position, as previously described. The second locking member  44  also prevents the zipper on the bag from being opened easily without the knowledge of the owner of the bag. The locking members  42  and  44  can be any form of securing device including a toggle, hook, snap clasp or lobster claw clasp. Preferably, the locking members  42  and  44  are spring-loaded fasteners, such as a lobster claw clasp or snap clasp that remain closed until opened by the user. 
       FIG. 9  shows yet another embodiment of the device of the present invention. The device  46  includes an attachment means  48 , having a first end  48   a  and a second end  48   b,  and at least one locking member  50 . The attachment means  48  is as described in the earlier embodiments, and is preferably a chain link or series of rings. The locking member  50  is attached to the first end  48   a  of the attachment means  48 , and can be any form of securing element including a toggle, hook, snap clasp or lobster claw clasp. When the device is in use as a theft deterrent, the attachment means  48  is wrapped around both a bag handle and the object to which the bag is secured. The first locking member  50  then engages the second end  48   b  of the attachment means  48 , securing the bag and deterring theft. In a preferred embodiment, the device  46  includes a second locking member  52 , positioned on the attachment means  48  proximate to first end  48   a  and the first locking member  50 . The second locking member  52  is used to secure the closure device or zipper on the bag in a closed position and also prevents the zipper from being opened easily without the knowledge of the owner of the bag. Preferably, the locking members  50  and  52  are spring-loaded fasteners, such as a lobster claw clasp or snap clasp that remain closed until opened by the user. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6  and  8 , to use the theft deterrent device of the present invention, the owner of the bag would attach the connector  14  to the strap of the bag by pushing the opening of the connector against the strap or metal hardware on the bag. In one embodiment, the user would pull on the locking member  16 , releasing the cord  18  from the retracting member, to a desired length for attachment to the object to which the bag is to be secured. The cord  18  would then be wound around the portion of the object, such as an arm of a chair, and the locking member  16  would be attached to the connector  14 . Using the embodiment of the theft deterrent device of  FIG. 8 , after attaching the connector  38  to the strap of the bag, the chain link attachment means  40  would be wound around the object to which the bag is to be secured, and the locking member  42  would engage the connector  38 , as previously described. In this manner, the bag is secured to a stationary object or large, but movable object such as a grocery cart, discouraging easy removal of the bag or its contents. The second locking member  44  and  52  of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , respectively, would likewise secure the zipper of the bag in a closed position. 
     According to the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 6 , the second locking member  24  is attached to the connector  14  through an attachment means  22 , having a length suitable to reach the zipper of the bag. The user would attach the clasp  24  to the zipper tag at the end of the zipper. This second locking member  24  secures the zipper in the closed position, or prevents the zipper from being fully opened, deterring removal of items from the interior of the bag without the owner&#39;s knowledge. Upon removal of the bag from the chair, the locking member  16  is released from the connector  14  and the cord  18  is automatically rewound on the retracting member  20  inside the housing. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the device may be sewn into the lining of the purse or bag. Specifically, the housing  12  would be sewn into the lining, either interior or exterior lining of the handbag, backpack, briefcase, etc. The attachment means  22  and the first locking member  16 , and optionally the second locking member  24  would protrude out from the lining, such that when the first locking member and cord  18  are pulled out from the housing, the housing remains secured within the lining. The device  10  would function in the same manner to secure the bag to a stationary object as previously described. Optionally, the second locking member  24  would also be used to secure the zipper on the bag, as previously discussed. 
     While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.