Patent Publication Number: US-2011075402-A1

Title: Bag Illuminating device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of published Australia Provisional Patent Application No. 2009904477, filed Sep. 16, 2009, the disclosure of which patent application is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an illuminating device for illuminating the interior of a bag. In particular, the present invention relates to a transferable and interchangeable illuminating device for illuminating the interior of bags and for illumination generally. 
     Bags such as handbags are used to carry personal articles such as purses, keys, identification, credit cards, mobile phones, writing instruments and more. In addition to the utilitarian function of handbags, they also have an ornamental and fashion function. A problem with many bags and in particular handbags is that they come without any illuminating device inside. There are times in which people carrying handbags may require a light so to see what is inside when there is no other light source available. The invention has been conceived in order to enable the inside of bags, especially ladies&#39; handbags to be inspected easily, with the aim of making it easier to search for and select an item from among the objects contained in the bag, even when the owner of the bag is in a poorly lit environment. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an illuminating device for illuminating the interior of a bag. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     As used herein, the following terms and variations thereof have the meanings given below, unless a different meaning is clearly intended by the context in which such term is used: 
     “A,” “an” and “the” and similar referents used herein are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural unless their usage in context indicates otherwise. 
     “Comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. 
     “Exemplary,” “illustrative,” and “preferred” mean “another.” 
     It is an object of illustrative embodiments of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages, or at least to provide a useful alternative. Other objects of illustrative embodiments of the present invention are (without limitation):
         (a) to provide a light source in handbags;   (b) to provide easy access for illumination when necessary for handbag owners;   (c) to provide illumination capabilities to owners of all different sizes and styles of bags;   (d) to provide a self contained light source which aids the location of items within a bag;   (e) to provide a light utility to consumers which can be used easily and conveniently to provide illumination in a handbag, without damage to the bag, which is simple to use and inexpensive to manufacture, which can be used in any handbag, which can be used at length over the lifespan of an AAA battery. Such advantages will become apparent with the following description and drawings.       

     In an illustrative embodiment, the invention provides a means by which any bag, such as a handbag, purse, tote, pocketbook or duffel can be illuminated. In this embodiment, the invention is essentially a light inside a handbag activated by the owner to illuminate the bag when the owner of the handbag so desires. A function of the illuminating device is to enable location of specific items within the bag. However, the illuminating device is available to be used otherwise, as needed. Further, in an illustrative embodiment, the invention is the unique construction of an illuminating device for use within a bag when illumination is required. 
     In another illustrative embodiment, the present invention meets the need in the art by providing a transferable illuminating device which may be moved from bag to bag and attached for use within any bag. The illuminating device includes an attachment means that is disposed on at least one wall of the device which attaches the illuminating device to a bag. The attachment means is so disposed so as to not permanently affix the illuminating device onto a bag but to attach and detach when and as required. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, the attachment means may comprise a hook and loop fastener (e.g., Velcro®) strip for attaching the device to the inside of the bag. In another aspect of the invention, the attachment means comprises adhesive tape, e.g., 3M adhesive tape. In accordance with other embodiments of this invention, it is contemplated that the attachment means may also include (without limitation) a single male plug or a plurality of male plugs which extend either directly or indirectly from the body of the device and is capable of delicately piercing the fabric lining of a bag wherein the male plug/(s) is secured in place by the use of one or more clasp/(s) and/or fastener/(s). All the preferred embodiments of this invention, particularly the various uses of the attachment means, allow the illuminating device to be transferred from one bag to another. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the illuminating device comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED) as a light source and circuit, and at least one power cell, e.g., one or more batteries. In this embodiment, the illuminating device comprises a top moveable end which engages with a core by means of a magnet which is preferably embedded in the top moveable end. The core comprises an activating means which powers the at least one light source, such as an LED, on and off. The activating means is preferably an on/off switch/button, operated manually when the bag is opened. The on/off button is rectangular in shape and is preferably constructed of highly chromed material and thereby capable of functioning as a mirror. The manually operated button completes the circuit which supplies power to the light source. The circuit preferably comprises a LED assembly and associated wiring. The LED is preferably mounted on a circuit substrate and may include circuitry for power saving (pulse mode) or other options such as an automatic shutoff. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the power cell, preferably an AAA battery, is held within a pressed metal compartment in the bottom end of the core of the device whereupon at least one LED is arranged. In this embodiment, plastic lens or bottom cover is adapted to cover the power cell, power cell holder and the LED. In addition to the magnet, the top moveable end is adapted to engage with the core by means of a retractable string. The retractable string also ensures that the top moveable end does not become lost. The retractable coil mechanism (e.g., a mechanism comprising a coiled spring) is contained within the top moveable end. The retractable coil mechanism may also be stopped and started manually. In one embodiment of the invention, the power cell holder is affixed to the lower part of the core. In another embodiment, the power cell holder is integrally connected with the plastic lens cover. 
     In one aspect, the present invention provides a transferable illuminating device for use within a bag, said transferable illuminating device comprising: a core; at least one activating means which is integrally connected with said core; a top moveable means that is adapted to engage with said core and that is retractably connected with said core; at least one light source and a circuit including power means for driving the same; cover means which encloses said light source; and one or more fasteners arranged on said device, which are adapted to attach to a bag in a detachable manner; whereby upon manual actuation of activating means, said light source illuminates the interior of the bag to enable the owner of the bag to locate items within the bag. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the device is to be substantially constructed from plastic, with the core, the top moveable part and the cover means fitting together to form the structural elements of the device. Once said components are fitted together, in cross section the device has a rectangular shape wherein four walls are formed. The cover means is preferably constructed from smooth and translucent plastic so as to diffuse light from the LED light source. The device is preferably designed to comprise the light source and other components which are encased so as to not interfere with the contents of the bag and the contents to not to interfere with the light source. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the invention is a transferable illuminating device for use within a bag having an interior, said transferable illuminating device comprising: a core; a top moveable means that is adapted to engage with said core and that is retractably connected with said core; at least one light source, a circuit comprising power means for driving said at least one light source and activating means for activating said at least one light source that are disposed in said core; cover means that encloses said at least one light source; and one or more fasteners arranged on said device that are adapted to attach the device to the interior of the bag in a detachable manner; whereby upon manual actuation of said activating means, said at least one light source illuminates the interior of the bag to enable an owner of the bag to locate items within the bag. In another embodiment, said top moveable means engages with the core of said device via a magnet embedded in said top moveable means. 
     In another embodiment, said top moveable means is retractably connected with said core via a retractable string. In another embodiment, said top moveable means houses a retracting coil mechanism, wherefrom said retractable string extends. In another embodiment, said activating means comprises a chromed button, thereby allowing said activating means to also function as a mirror. In another embodiment, said one or more fasteners comprise a hook and loop fastener. In another embodiment, said one or more fasteners comprise a male plug which fits into a female counterpart. 
     In another illustrative embodiment, the invention is a device for illuminating the interior of a bag, said device comprising: a core comprising a light source, a battery and a light switch, said core having a notch; a top movable housing comprising a magnet for holding said top movable housing in said notch and a coil mechanism, said top movable housing being retractably connected to said core with a string that is retracted by said coil mechanism; a bottom cover that is adapted to cover said light source and said battery, at least a portion of said bottom cover being adapted to transmit light produced by said light source; and a fastener that is operative to removably attach the device to the bag. In another embodiment, said light switch comprises a button that reflects light. 
     Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the drawings and the ensuing description of exemplary embodiments of the invention. A person skilled in the art will realize that other embodiments of the invention are possible and that the details of the invention can be modified in a number of respects, all without departing from the concept. Thus, the following drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features of the invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of the device showing the top moveable end. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the device showing the activating means and the bottom cover. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the device. 
         FIG. 4A  is a top plan view of the top moveable end. 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the top moveable end showing the retracting means. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the device showing the fasteners in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     The following reference numerals are used to indicate the parts and environment of an illustrative embodiment invention on the drawings:
       10  illuminating device, device     12  movable end     14  bottom cover, bottom closed end, plastic lens     16  core     18  activating means, light switch, switch     20  magnet     22  retractable string, string     24  coil mechanism, coil     26  light source, LED     28  power cell, battery     30  walls     32  fasteners   

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An illustrative embodiment of illuminating device  10  is shown in the accompanying drawings. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the top and the front face of device  10  are depicted. Device  10  may be used to illuminate items contained within a handbag. In this embodiment, device  10  comprises top moveable end  12 , bottom cover  14  and core  16 . Top moveable end  12  preferably comprises magnet  20  which holds top moveable end  12  in place in a notch provided in core  16 . Top moveable end  12  is preferably also retractably connected via retractable string  22  to core  16  and activating means  18 . Core  16  preferably comprises light source  26  (e.g., an LED), power cell  28  (e.g., a battery) and activating means  18  (e.g., a light switch). Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , retractable string  22  is connected to coil  24  which is housed within top moveable end  12 . In this embodiment, plastic lens or bottom cover  14  is adapted to cover the power cell, the power cell holder and the LED. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, manual actuation of activating means  18  activates a circuit which includes the power cell  28  that powers light source  26 . In this embodiment, activating means  18  comprises an on/off switch which is highly chromed or otherwise adapted to be reflective of light, thereby allowing activating means  18  to also function as a mirror. 
     In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  device  10  is generally rectangular in cross section, and as such has four external walls  30 . However, it will be appreciated that device  10  may be made in another suitable shape such as a triangle, circle or polyhedron. Walls  30  and bottom closed end  14  are preferably constructed from a suitable translucent plastic to enable the light to diffuse from LED  26 . 
     Accordingly, although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. It should therefore be understood that modifications to the present invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims. 
     Although some embodiments are shown to include certain features or steps, the applicant specifically contemplates that any feature or step disclosed herein may be used together or in combination with any other feature or step on any embodiment of the invention. It is also contemplated that any feature or step may be specifically excluded from any embodiment of the invention.