Patent Publication Number: US-2006016532-A1

Title: Bag including lockable member

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
      This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/897,451, filed Jul. 22, 2004, which is incorporated in its entirety herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for securing bags and, more particularly, to a bag including a lockable handle.  
      People use several types of bags, handheld bags, handbags or containers for carrying different personal items with them to a store, the beach, the pool and other locations. For example, women use purses to carry cosmetics, wallets, checkbooks and other personal and valuable items with them. Similarly, students use backpacks to carry books, homework and other items to and from school. Travelers carry clothes, passports and other similar items with them when they travel. These bags or containers contain valuable items that the person does not want to lose or have stolen. Therefore, to ensure that the items are not being removed or stolen from the person&#39;s bags, the persons must keep the bags with them at all times. In some situations, carrying the bags at all times becomes burdensome and makes some activities almost impossible.  
      For example, if a person is at a relatively open area such as a pool or beach and the person has a bag such as a beach bag or purse, the person cannot leave their spot at the pool or beach without taking the bag with them for fear that the bag will be stolen or that one or more items from the bag will be stolen or removed by thieves or the like. The person must therefore carry the bag or purse with them to get food, go to the bathroom or to perform other activities such as playing volleyball. In addition, if the person wants to go in the water to swim, the person must have another person such as a spouse watch their bag while they are in the water. Otherwise, the person must place the bag as close to the water as possible to keep an eye on the bag. The additional burdens of watching the bag and carrying the bag makes carrying other items such as food trays or performing functions such as going to the bathroom more difficult.  
      Thieves operate quickly and discretely. Therefore, a bag that is secured and locked to an object or at least secured and locked in a closed position is a less desirable target for a thief because the thief will have to spend too much time and effort to attempt to remove the bag or to remove the items from the bag. A thief is less likely to want to draw attention to themselves by trying to cut, pry or break into a secured and locked bag to remove the bag or remove the contents of the bag.  
      Accordingly, it is desirable to have a container such as a handbag or bag which includes a handle that is securable and lockable to the body of the bag to simultaneously enable the bag to be secured and locked to another item or object such as a beach chair and also enable the container or bag to be secured closed so that personal items and valuable items cannot be removed from the bag. This enables the bag owners to temporarily leave the bag in a particular location without allowing thieves to easily take the bag or remove contents from the bag while the bag owner is away. The bag owner can then feel assured that the bag is safe while they perform other functions and activities.  
      It is therefore desirable to provide a bag or container that enables a user to secure the bag to another item.  
      It is also desirable to provide a bag having a handle that is securable to an object such as a chair to prevent the bag from being easily removed or stolen.  
      Furthermore, it is desirable to provide a bag including a handle that enables the bag to be secured and locked in a closed position to prevent unauthorized persons from opening the bag and removing personal items and valuable items from inside the bag.  
      It is also desirable to provide a bag having a lockable handle that includes several different types of locks.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a securable container such as a bag and method for securing containers such as bags, handbags, purses, luggage, beach bags, duffel bags, back packs and the like. The teachings of the present invention, however, are not dependent upon the handbags or bags being any particular type of bag, container or any other item which is used to carry personal items from one location to another location. The bags described herein are configured to securely hold one or more personal items while preventing the bag and any of the personal and valuable items contained inside the bag from being removed when the bag is secured to an object in a designated location.  
      In an embodiment, the a bag of the present invention is provided where the bag includes a body defining an interior space and an opening. A closing member is connected to the body, where the closing member is movable to a first position to allow access to the interior space through the opening and to a second position to prevent access to the interior space through the opening. The bag also includes a handle connected to the body, where the handle has a least one removable end. The bag includes a securing member connected to the removable end of the handle and a lockable member connected to the body. The securing member engages the closing member and the lockable member to simultaneously lock the closing member and the securing member to the body when the closing member is in the second position.  
      In an embodiment, the lockable member defines an opening, where the opening is sized to receive a key which locks and unlocks the lockable member.  
      In another embodiment, the body includes a front wall, a rear wall side walls and a bottom wall which are connected together.  
      In an embodiment, at least one cover is attached to at least one of the walls.  
      In another embodiment, the lockable member includes a suitable combination lock.  
      In an embodiment, the removable end of the handle includes a plurality of securing members each adapted to be received by the lockable member, where at least one of the securing members is insertable through the closing member to secure and lock the closing member and the removable end of the handle to the lockable member.  
      In another embodiment, the closing member includes a zipper having a plurality of opposing mating dividers connected to the body and a zipper pull movably connected to each of the plurality of dividers, the zipper pull including a tab, wherein the tab enables the zipper pull to be moved between the first position and the second position.  
      In an embodiment, at least a portion of at least one of the body and the handle includes a reinforcer.  
      In another embodiment, at least a portion of the reinforcer includes a metal.  
      In an embodiment, at least a portion of the reinforcer includes a fabric material.  
      In an embodiment, a suitable pad lock is attachable to the closing member, removable end and the body.  
      In an embodiment, the lockable member further includes a removable lock that is attachable to the handle, the closing member and the body.  
      A bag of another embodiment of the present invention is provided where the bag includes a body defining an interior space and a cover connected to the body. The cover is movable between an open position and a closed position. The open position allows access to the interior space of the body, and the closed position prevents access to the interior space of the body. The bag also includes a handle having at least one removable end and a securing member connected to the removable end of the handle. The bag includes a lock integrally connected to the body, where the securing member is secured to the cover and the lock to simultaneously secure and lock the cover in the closed position.  
      In an embodiment, the lock defines a keyhole adapted to receive a key.  
      In another embodiment, the lock includes a suitable combination lock.  
      In an embodiment, a suitable pad lock is attachable to the closing member, removable end and the body.  
      In an embodiment, at least a portion of at least one of the cover and the body includes a reinforcer.  
      In another embodiment, at least a portion of the reinforcer includes a metal.  
      In an embodiment, at least a portion of the reinforcer includes a fabric material.  
      In an embodiment, the lock further includes a removable lock that is attachable to the handle, the closing member and the body.  
      A method of securing and locking a bag is provided where the method includes the steps of providing a body defining an interior space and an opening, where the body includes a handle having two ends and a lockable member. At least one of the ends is removable from the body and the lockable member is adapted to receive the removable end of the handle. The next step includes moving a closing member from an open position to a closed position to prevent access to the interior space through the opening, where the closing member is adapted to receive at least a portion of the removable end of the handle. The next step includes locking the closing member and the removable end of the handle to the lockable member.  
      In an embodiment, the method includes positioning the removable end of the handle about an object before locking the securing member and the removable end of the handle to the lockable member.  
      In another embodiment, the method includes attaching a reinforcer to at least a portion of at least one of the handle and the body.  
      In an embodiment, the method includes locking and unlocking the closing member and the removable end of the handle to and from the lockable member using a key insertable into the lockable member.  
      In another embodiment, the method includes locking and unlocking the closing member and the removable end of the handle to and from the lockable member using a combination settable on the lockable member.  
      In a further embodiment, the method includes locking and unlocking the closing member and the removable end of the handle to and from the lockable member using a padlock.  
      Another embodiment of a method of securing and locking a bag according to the present invention is provided where the method includes the steps of comprising providing a body defining an interior space, where the body includes a handle with at least one removable end and a zipper including a pull which is movable between an open position and a closed position. The pull includes a tab defining an opening adapted to receive the removable end of the handle, where the open position allows access the interior space of the body, and the closed position prevents access the interior space of the body. The next steps include moving the pull to the closed position and inserting a securing member connected to the removable end of the handle through the opening of the tab and into a lockable member attached to the body. The next step includes locking the pull and the securing member to the lockable member.  
      In an embodiment, the method includes the step of locking the removable end of the handle to the lockable member includes inserting a key into the lockable member and moving the key to and from a designated position to lock and unlock the removable end of the handle to the lockable member.  
      In another embodiment, the method includes locking the removable end of the handle to the lockable member includes adjusting at least one dial having indicia to a designated position on the lockable member to lock and unlock the removable end of the handle to and from the lockable member.  
      In a further embodiment, the present invention is directed to a bag including a body defining an interior space and a receptacle. A closing member is connected to the body, where the closing member is movable to a first position to allow access to the interior space of the bag and to a second position to prevent access to the interior space of the bag. The bag further includes a securing member which is connected to the body, and a lockable member which is connected to the securing member. In this embodiment, the securing member engages the closing member and the receptacle to simultaneously lock the closing member and the securing member to the receptacle when the closing member is in the second position.  
      In an embodiment, the lockable member includes a combination lock.  
      In another embodiment, the lockable member defines an opening, the opening being sized to receive a key which locks and unlocks the lockable member.  
      In a further embodiment, the bag includes a removable lock that is attachable to the securing member, the closing member and the body.  
      In an embodiment, the closing member includes a zipper having a plurality of opposing mating dividers connected to the body and a zipper pull movably connected to each of the plurality of dividers, the zipper pull includes a tab, wherein the tab enables the zipper pull to be moved between the first position and the second position.  
      In an embodiment, at least a portion of at least one of the body and the securing member include a reinforcer.  
      In another embodiment, at least a portion of the reinforcer includes a metal.  
      In an embodiment, at least a portion of the reinforcer includes a fabric material.  
      In an embodiment, a removable lock is attachable to the securing member, the closing member and the body.  
      In another embodiment, the bag includes a handle connected to the body, where the handle has a least one removable end.  
      In an embodiment, at least a portion of the handle includes a reinforcer.  
      In an embodiment, the securing member includes at least one tightener.  
      In an embodiment, the bag includes at least one release tab movably connected to the body, where the release tab is adapted to release the securing member from the receptacle.  
      A bag of another embodiment of the present invention is provided where the bag includes a body defining an interior space and a receptacle, where the body includes a lock. The bag also includes a closing member connected to the body, where the closing member is movable to a first position to allow access to the interior space and to a second position to prevent access to the interior space. The bag further includes a securing member connected to the body, where the securing member engages the closing member and the receptacle. In this embodiment, the lock is operable to simultaneously lock the closing member and the securing member to the receptacle when the closing member is in the second position.  
      A bag of a further embodiment of the present invention is provided where the bag includes a body defining an interior space and a receptacle and a closing member connected to the body. The closing member is movable to a first position to allow access to the interior space and to a second position to prevent access to the interior space. The bag further includes a handle connected to the body, where the handle has a least one removable end and includes a lockable member. The bag also includes a securing member connected to the removable end of the handle, where the securing member engages the closing member and the receptacle. The lockable member is operable to simultaneously lock the closing member and the securing member in the receptacle when the closing member is in the second position.  
      In another embodiment, a method of securing and locking a bag is provided where the method includes the steps of providing a body defining an interior space and a receptacle and providing a securing member attached to the body, where the securing member includes a lockable member. The next step includes moving a closing member attached to the body from an open position to a closed position to prevent access to the interior space, where the closing member is adapted to receive at least a portion of the securing member. The method further includes the steps of engaging the securing member with the closing member and the receptacle and locking the securing member and the closing member to the receptacle using a lockable member.  
      In an embodiment, the method includes the step of attaching a reinforcer to at least a portion of at least one of the securing member and the body.  
      In an embodiment, the method includes the step of locking and unlocking the closing member and the securing member to and from the body using a removable lock.  
      In an embodiment, the method includes the step of locking and unlocking the closing member and the securing member to and from the lockable member using a key insertable into the lockable member.  
      In an embodiment, the method includes the step of locking and unlocking the closing member and the securing member to and from the receptacle using a combination settable on the lockable member.  
      In another embodiment, a method of securing and locking a bag is provided where the method includes the steps of providing a body defining an interior space and a receptacle, where the body includes a lock. The method also includes the steps of providing a securing member connected to the body and moving a closing member connected to the body from a first position on the body to allow access to the interior space to a second position on the body to prevent access to the interior space. The next step includes engaging the securing member with the closing member and the receptacle. Next, the method includes the step of locking the securing member and the closing member in the receptacle using the lock on the body when the closing member is in the second position.  
      In a further embodiment, a method of securing and locking a bag is provided where the method includes the steps of providing a body defining an interior space and a receptacle and providing a securing member connected to the body. The next step includes providing a handle connected to the body, where the handle has a least one removable end, and where the removable end includes a lockable member. The next step includes moving a closing member connected to the body from a first position on the body to allow access to the interior space to a second position on the body to prevent access to the interior space. The next steps include engaging the securing member with the closing member and the receptacle and locking the securing member and the closing member to the receptacle using the lockable member when the closing member is in the second position.  
      In an embodiment, the method includes the step of including a combination lock on the removable end of the handle.  
      In an embodiment, the step of including a lockable member on the removable end of the handle further includes the step of including a lockable member defining an opening on the removable end of the handle, where the opening is sized to receive a key which locks and unlocks the lockable member.  
      In another embodiment, the method includes attaching a reinforcer to a portion of at least one of the body and the handle.  
      It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a container such as a bag which is securable and lockable so that the bag cannot be opened to remove items from the bag.  
      It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a bag which is securable and lockable to another object to prevent the bag from being stolen and to prevent items contained in the bag from being stolen.  
      It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a bag that is simultaneously securable and lockable in a closed position and to an object so that owner of the bag can temporarily leave the bag without items in the bag or the bag itself being stolen.  
      It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a bag that is simultaneously securable and lockable in a closed position and/or to an object using a lockable member which is attached to the bag and independent of the handle attached to the bag.  
      It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a bag that is simultaneously securable and lockable in a closed position and/or to an object including a handle having at least one lockable end.  
      Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the figures.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the bag of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a front perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  where the strap is secured through the zipper to the body of the bag.  
       FIG. 3  illustrates a front perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  where the end of the strap is locked to the body of the bag.  
       FIG. 4  illustrates a front perspective view of another embodiment of the bag of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  illustrates a front perspective view of a further embodiment of the bag of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  illustrates a front perspective view of another embodiment of the bag of the present invention where the bag includes a suitable combination lock.  
       FIG. 7  illustrates a front perspective view of a further embodiment of the bag of the present invention where the bag includes a plurality of securing members.  
       FIG. 8  illustrates a front perspective view of another embodiment of the bag of the present invention where the bag includes a securable cover.  
       FIG. 9  illustrates a front perspective view of a further embodiment of the bag of the present invention where the bag includes a integral handle which moves upward and downward in the body of the bag to secure and lock the handle to the body.  
       FIG. 10  illustrates a front perspective view of another embodiment of the bag of the present invention where a suitable padlock is attached to the removable end of the handle, the closing member and the body of the bag.  
       FIG. 11A  illustrates a front perspective view of a further embodiment of the bag of the present invention including a combination lock and a padlock where the handle is not secured to the body of the bag.  
       FIG. 11B  illustrates a front perspective view of a further embodiment of the bag of the present invention including a combination lock and a padlock where the handle is secured to the body of the bag.  
       FIG. 12  illustrates a front perspective view of another embodiment of the bag of the present invention including a body having a combination lock which secures the handle to the body of the bag.  
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  illustrate a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the bag of the present invention where the bag includes a lockable member having a lock which is independently attached to the body of the bag and secures and locks the closing member in place using the lock.  
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate another alternative embodiment of the bag of the present invention where the bag includes a lockable member and a separate lock which are attached to the body of the bag for securing and locking the closing member.  
       FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the bag of the present invention where the bag includes a handle having a lock at one end for securing and locking the closing member.  
       FIGS. 16A and 16B  are front perspective views of another alternative embodiment of the bag of the present invention where the bag includes a securing member which secures one end of the handle and the closing member of the bag.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides an apparatus and method for securing different types of containers such as handbags or bags and specifically for securing the handles and/or zippers of such bags. The present invention may be employed to secure a strap, handle or other carrying device of a bag to the body of the bag to prevent the strap or handle from being removed from the bag or to prevent the bag from being opened and/or removed or stolen from a particular location. For example, the strap or handle can be secured to the body of the bag through the zipper or other closing member to prevent the zipper from being opened to gain access to the contents of the bag. It should be appreciated that the present invention may be used to secure any type of handheld bag or other type of bag such as purses, beach bags, tool bags, backpacks, luggage and the like.  
      The handle or strap may also be attached around and secured and locked to a relatively stationary object such as the arm of a chair or a fence, and then through the zipper pull or tab of a zipper to secure the bag to the chair or fence and also secure the pull in a closed position. This enables the bag&#39;s owner to temporarily secure the bag and specifically, the contents of the bag so that the bag owner can temporarily leave the bag at that location. For example, a bag owner may secure the bag to the arm of a beach chair and to leave the beach to go swimming, go to the bathroom, get food or perform some other activity. In another example, the bag can be secured to the handle of a stroller when in a crowded area to prevent thieves from snatching the bag or taking items out of the bag such as the bag owner&#39;s wallet or checkbook when the owner is not looking. The present invention therefore enables users to secure their bags to a relatively immovable object such as a chair at a particular location or to movable objects such as strollers or shopping carts so that the user does not have to constantly keep an eye on the bag and so the user can leave the bag temporarily to perform other activities without having the burden of carrying their bag with them at all times.  
      Referring now to FIGS.  1  to  3 , one embodiment of a securable and lockable container of the present invention is generally illustrated by handbag or bag  20 . Bag  20  includes a body  22  and a strap or handle  24  having two ends  25   a  and  25   b . In an embodiment, the end  25   a  of the handle  24  is connected to the body  22 . The end  25   a  may be integrally formed with the body  22  or connected using any suitable attachment method. It should appreciated that either end  25   a  or  25   b  may be secured or attached to the body  22 . In this embodiment, end  25   b  is removably secured to the body  22  as described in more detail below. Bag  20  also includes a closing member such as a zipper  26  having a zipper pull  28 . A tab  30  is connected to the pull  28  as shown in  FIG. 1  and enables a user to grab and hold the tab to pull the tab and the zipper pull  28  along the zipper  26  to open and close the bag.  
      The end  25   b  of the handle  24  includes a securing member such as post  34  having a slot  36  which is connected to or integrally formed with end  25   b . The slot  36  engages a corresponding surface in a receptacle  37  described below. The post  34  may be any suitable post such as a metal post or a post made out of any other suitable material. Preferably, the post  34  is made of a material which cannot be easily cut, severed, broken or removed from the handle  24 . In an embodiment, the post  34  is sized to fit through an opening  32  defined by the handle or tab  30  of the zipper pull  28 . Specifically, the zipper pull is pulled along the zipper  26  until the tab  30  is at one end of the bag which is adjacent to where the end  25   b  of the handle or strap  24  is secured to the body  22 . A lockable member or lock  38  is attached to a surface of the body  22  of the bag  20  and includes a receptacle or other opening for receiving the post  34 . The post  34  is inserted through the opening  32  of tab  30  and into the receptacle  37  or other opening of the lock  38  to simultaneously secure and lock the tab  30  and the post  34  (which is attached to the removable end of the handle) to the body  22 . In an embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a combination lock including dials  39   a ,  39   b  and  39   c  is used to secure and lock the post  34  to the body  22 . It should be appreciated that any suitable lockable member or lock may be used to secure and lock the end  25   b  of the handle  24  and the closing member to the body  22 . A release tab or lever  40  is movably connected to the body of the bag. The release tab  40  is moved upward or downward to release the post  34  from the receptacle  37 . The release tab  40  causes the receptacle to hold or secure the post  34  to the body and thereby the handle  24  to the body  22  when the lockable member  37  is in the locked or unlocked position. It should be appreciated that the release tab  40  may be any suitable tab or lever and may move in any suitable direction to release the post  34  from the receptacle  37 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , the post  34  is inserted into and through the opening  32  of tab  30  of the zipper pull. The post  34  is inserted through the opening  32  until the post cannot be inserted any further into the receptacle  37  associated with the lock  38 . In an embodiment, each of the dials  39   a ,  39   b  and  39   c  of the lockable member of combination lock  38  include indicia such as symbols or numbers. In this embodiment, when each of the dials are set to 0-0-0, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the post  34  is not locked to the body  22 . When the numbers on the dials  39   a ,  39   b  and  39   c  are set to any other combination such as 2-5-8 shown in  FIG. 3  (which is not a designated unlocking combination), the post  34  is locked to the body  22 . It should be appreciated that any suitable combination of indicia or symbols may be used to release or lock the post  34  to the body  22 . Thus, in this embodiment, a user moves or rotates the dials  39   a ,  39   b  and  39   c  to scramble or otherwise hide the designated unlocking or release combination and thereby lock the post  34  to the body  22  after the post  34  is inserted into the receptacle  37  of the body  22 . To release the post  36  from the body  22 , the user moves or rotates the dials  39   a ,  39   b  and  39   c  to the designated unlocking combination (i.e., a combination including three numbers which the user will remember) to unlock the post  34  from the body  22 . The user then presses or pushes the release lever or tab  40  to release the handle from the body. It should be appreciated that the dials  39   a ,  39   b  and  39   c  of the combination lock  38  may include any suitable symbols, indicia, letters, numbers or any other suitable symbols.  
      In an alternative embodiment, the lockable member is connected to the removable end  25   b  of the handle. The lockable member automatically locks the closing member and post to the body of the bag when the lockable member the post is inserted into a receptacle or similar opening defined by the body of the bag. The removable end of the handle and the closing member are unlocked from the body by unlocking the lockable member as described above. It should be appreciated that the lockable member may be connected to any suitable portion of the body of the bag or the handle or other part of the bag which enables the removable end of the handle and the closing member to be secured and locked to the body.  
      In one embodiment, the post  34  and closing member are automatically locked to the lockable member or lock when the post is inserted into the lock. In this embodiment, the post and closing member are unlocked using one of the methods described above. By automatically locking the post and closing member to the body when the post is inserted into and secured to the lock, the present invention enables a user to always securely lock their bag before they leave it at a location. This embodiment prevents a user from accidentally or inadvertently forgetting to lock the bag.  
      In one example, a user takes their bag to a beach. The user wants to go swimming but does not want to leave the bag unattended. Instead of searching for a locker, which could be far away, or worrying about the bag, the user removes the end  25   b  of the handle  24  from the body of the bag and loops the end  25   b  around the arm of their beach chair so that ends  25   a  and  25   b  are on opposite sides of the arm of the chair. The end  25   b  is then simultaneously secured and locked to the closing member and the lock connected to the body  22  of the bag the manner described above. This method therefore secures and locks the bag  20  to the chair and also secures the bag in a closed position to prevent the bag from being opened while the bag is secured to the chair. It also prevents the bag from being easily stolen. The user can now leave the bag locked to the chair to go swimming without having to carry the entire bag with them to the water or without having to constantly watch the bag and worry about whether the bag or the contents of the bag will be stolen.  
      Referring to  FIG. 4 , other types of closing members or closing devices may be employed by the present invention. For example, a round post  44  may be attached to the end  25   b  of the handle  24  and inserted through a corresponding round receptacle or opening  32  of the tab  30  and to the combination lock  38  having settable dials  39   a ,  39   b  and  39   c  to secure the handle  24  to the body  22  of the bag. The release tab  40  is moved to release the post  44  from the body  22 . It should be appreciated that any suitable post, closing member (i.e., zipper), or other suitable closing devices or methods may be employed by the present invention.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 5 , another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as bag  50  where the bag includes a reinforcing mechanism, reinforcing member or reinforcer  72  such as a metal wire or the like that adds to the security of the bag. In  FIG. 5 , the bag  50  includes a body  52  and a handle or strap  54  which has two ends  55   a  and  55   b . The end  55   a  is connected to the body  52  using any suitable attachment method. The end  55   b  of the handle  54  is removably secured to the body  52  to enable a user to secure and lock the bag to another object or item such as a chair as describe above. In this embodiment, the end  55   b  of the handle  54  includes a securing member or post  64  which is inserted through an opening  62  of the zipper pull  58  to secure the end  55   b  and the zipper pull  58  in place. In particular, the post  64  is inserted through the opening  62  and into the lockable member or combination lock  66  having settable dials  67   a ,  67   b  and  67   c . A release lever or tab  68  secures and releases the post  64  from the body  52 . The post  64  (i.e., the removable end  55   b ) and the zipper pull  58  are simultaneously secured to the lock  66 . The dials  67   a ,  67   b  and  67   c  of the combination lock are moved to lock post  64  in place. Alternatively, the post and zipper pull are simultaneously and automatically locked to the combination lock  66 . This secures the handle  54  in place as well as prevents the zipper pull  58  from being moved to open zipper  56  and thereby gain access to the contents in the bag  50 .  
      In the illustrated embodiment, the bag  50  also includes a reinforcing member or reinforcer such as wire  72  which is positioned within or otherwise connected or attached to at least a portion of the handle  54  and at least a portion of the body  52 . The wire  72  is preferably made of a suitable material such as a suitable metal or a strong fiber or fabric material which is difficult to cut, rip, sever or break. This prevents the bag and specifically the secured handle  54  from being cut, broken or severed in any way to remove the bag  50  from the object that it is secured to. The reinforcer  72  thereby makes cutting or otherwise removing the bag away from the object it is secured and locked to much more difficult. This embodiment further prevents a thief from quickly and easily taking the bag or from removing the contents of the bag. It should be appreciated that the reinforcer may include any suitable wire, fabric, or other lining device or material. The reinforcer  72  may be positioned in, manufactured or otherwise connected to a portion or all of the surfaces of the body  52  of bag  50 . For example, the reinforcer  72  may be sewn into or otherwise connected to all of the sides or surfaces of the body  52  to prevent the body  52  from being severed or otherwise cut to remove the bag from an object or to gain access to the contents in the bag  50 . In another embodiment, a substantial portion of the walls of the body  52  are lined with a suitable reinforcing material to further prevent unauthorized access into the bag. It should be appreciated that any suitable portion of the body  52  or the handle  54  may include the reinforcing member  72  or a reinforcing material.  
      Referring to  FIG. 6 , another embodiment of the bag of the present invention is generally illustrated as bag  100 . Bag  100  includes a body  102  and a handle  104  including ends  105   a  and  105   b . One end of the handle  104  such as end  105   a  is secured to the body  102  as described above. The end  105   b  includes a post  114  which is secured through opening  112  defined by tab  110  of zipper pull  108  to secure the zipper pull  108  in place. This secures zipper  106  in a closed position. In this embodiment, the lockable member or lock  118  is a suitable combination lock which enables a user to set a designated combination to release the post  114  from the lock. In an embodiment, the combination lock includes four rotatable devices or dials  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c  and  120   d . Each of the dials  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c  and  120   d  include different indicia or symbols such as letters or numbers which combine to form the combination. The user sets the combination using the dials  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c  and  120   d  then rotates or moves the dials to scramble or hide the designated unlocking combination and lock the post  114  to the lock mechanism or combination lock  118 . When the user desires to release the post  114  from the lock  118 , the user turns or moves at least one of the dials  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c  and  120   d  to indicate the designated unlocking combination. It should be appreciated that any suitable number of dials and/or combinations of indicia may be employed. Release tab  117  is moved to release the post  114  from the body  102  when the post  114  is unlocked.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 7 , another embodiment of the bag of the present invention is generally illustrated as bag  200 . The bag  200  includes the body  202  and a handle  204 . The handle  204  includes a three securing members or posts  206 . Specifically, the securing members  206  include prongs or extenders  208   a ,  208   b  and  208   c . The securing members and specifically, the prongs are made of any suitable material such as metal. The body  202  includes a number of receptacles such as receptacles  214   a ,  214   b  and  214   c  which correspond in size and shape to extenders or prongs  208   a ,  208   b  and  208   c  to receive the prongs. In an embodiment the prongs  208   a ,  208   b  and  208   c  are positioned above and adjacent to the receptacles  214   a ,  214   b  and  214   c  and are inserted into the receptacles. At least one of the prongs such as prong  208   b  is inserted through the opening  213  defined by tab  212  of zipper pull  210  to secure the zipper pull in place. The prongs  208   a ,  208   b  and  208   c  are snap-fit or otherwise positioned in receptacles  214   a ,  214   b  and  214   c  and secured in the receptacles using any type of securing mechanism or lock. A release lever  218  is movably connected to the body  202  and is pressed or otherwise activated to release the prongs  208   a ,  208   b  and  208   c  from the receptacles  214   a ,  214   b  and  214   c . When the prongs  208   a ,  208   b  and  208   c  are inserted into the receptacles  214   a ,  214   b  and  214   c , the dials  217   a ,  217   b  and  217   c  are moved to hide the designated combination and lock the prongs to the body  202 . The three prong securing member  206  provides another apparatus and method for securing the handle  204  to the body  202  and thereby enhances the security of the bag.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 8 , in another embodiment, a bag  300  includes a flap or cover  302  which covers the opening  304  of the bag and is secured adjacent to the removable end  308  of the handle  306  and the lock  310 . The end of the handle can then be inserted through a corresponding opening defined by the end of the flap  302  to secure the end  308  of the handle and the flap  302  to the lock  310 . It should be appreciated that the flap or cover may be any suitable type of flap or cover used to cover the opening of the bag to prevent the contents of the bag from being stolen.  
      In a further embodiment, the lockable member includes a key-type lock  310  which defines an opening or keyhole  312 . The opening or keyhole  312  is formed into a suitable size and shape to receive a key  314 . In this embodiment, the handle  306  is secured to the body of the bag by inserting the post into the receptacle. In one aspect of this embodiment, the post is automatically locked to the body when the post is fully inserted into the receptacle. In another aspect of this embodiment, the post is inserted into the receptacle and then the key is turned a designated distance to lock the post to the body of the bag. To release the post from the body, the key  314  is inserted into the opening  312  and turned in one direction or the other. Then, the release tab or lever  316  is moved to release the post from the receptacle defined by the body of the bag.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 9 , in a further embodiment, a bag  400  includes a handle  402  which is a generally u-shaped handle. The handle is a single solid part or component such as a metal handle which moves or slides upward and downward within the body  404  of the bag as shown. To secure and lock the handle  402  to the body  404  of the bag, a user pushes down on the handle  402  to insert the securing member  406  through the zipper pull  408  and to the lock  410 . To release the handle  402 , the user unlocks the securing member  406  from the combination lock  410  by moving dials  411   a ,  411   b  and  411   c  to the designated combination. The user then moves the release tab  412  to release the post from the body of the bag. Then, the user lifts or pushes upward on the handle  402  to move the handle away from the body. The handle  402  can then be re-engaged or moved downward to re-engage the lock to secure the handle in place to carry the bag. It should be appreciated that handle can be manufactured and made of any material such as a suitable metal or the like.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 10 , another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated which includes a bag  500  having a body  501  and a handle  502  connected to the body. The handle  502  includes a first end  505   a  and a second end  505   b . Securing members or securing rings  508   a  and  508   b  are connected to each end of the handle  512 . In this embodiment, one end  508   b  is removable from the body  501  to enable the end  505   b  to be secured about another item such as a chair. Specifically, the closing member or zipper  504  is pulled or moved until the tab  506  is positioned adjacent to the securing ring  508   b  at one end of the body  501 . A lock ring  510  is connected to the body  501 . The securing ring  508   b , the tab  506  and the lock ring  510  are all positioned adjacent to each other so that a detachable lock such as the combination lock  514  may be used to secure the securing ring  508   b , the tab  506  and the lock ring  510  together so that the bag may not be opened or the contents in the bag may not be removed. In particular, the U-shaped member  511  of the lock  514  is inserted through the securing ring  508   b , the tab  506  and the lock ring  510  to hold these devices in place. The combination lock  514  is locked. To release these devices, the user sets or indicates the designated combination on the combination lock  514  which opens the lock and releases the securing ring  508   b , the tab  506  and the lock ring  510 . The securing ring  508   b  is then suitably secured or attached to the body  501  of the bag by attaching the securing ring  508   b  to the lock ring  510  or to any other suitable portion of the body  501 . It should be appreciated that any suitable attachable lock such as a padlock may be used to secure the securing ring  508   b , the tab  506  and the lock ring  510  together to lock and/or unlock the end  505   b  of the handle  502  to the body  501 .  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , a further embodiment of the present invention which includes a bag  600  having a body  601  and a handle  602  connected to the body where the handle  602  is securable to the body using locking device or locking mechanism  614  and/or a suitable padlock  620 . Specifically, the handle  602  includes a first end  605   a  and a second end  605   b . Securing members or securing rings  608   a  and  608   b  are connected to each end of the handle  602 . It should be appreciated that the bag  600  may include one or a plurality of securing rings. In this embodiment, one end  605   b  is removable from the body  601  to enable the end  605   b  to be secured about another item as described above. The closing member or zipper  604  is pulled or moved until the tab  606  is positioned adjacent to receptacle  612  defined by the body  601  as shown in  FIG. 11A . A post  609 , which is connected to the end  605   b  of the handle  602 , is inserted through an opening defined by pull tab  606  of zipper  604  and into the receptacle  612  to secure the handle  602  and zipper in place as shown in  FIG. 11B . A lever or tab  611  is moved or pressed to release the post  609  from the receptacle  612 .  
      Once the post  609  is secured in the receptacle  612 , the handle can be locked in place by using lock mechanism  614  and/or padlock  620 . The lock mechanism  614  is a combination lock including three dials  618   a ,  618   b  and  618   c . As described above, the dials each include indicia which are set to a designated release or unlocking combination to unlock the post  609 . The designated combination may be any suitable combination. Alternatively, the handle  602  can be locked in place by using a suitable detachable lock such as padlock  620  as shown in  FIG. 11B . Once securing ring  608   b , tab  606  and lock ring  610  are all positioned adjacent to each other, combination lock  614  is inserted through each of these components as shown in  FIG. 11B  to secure the securing ring  608   b , the tab  606  and the lock ring  610  together. As a result the handle  602  is locked in place. It should be appreciated that handle  602  and zipper  604  may be secured and locked in place using lock mechanism  614 , padlock  620  or both the lock mechanism  614  and padlock  620 .  
      Referring now to  FIG. 12 , another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a bag  700  having a body  701  and a handle  702  connected to the body where the handle  702  is securable to the body using a padlock type lock  709  connected to the body  701 . In this embodiment, the lock  709  includes a dial  710  having a plurality of indicia, where the dial is rotatably connected a side of the body  701 . The lock also includes a curved securing member  712  movably connected to the top side or surface of the body. The handle  702  includes at least one ring  708  where the ring is connected to a removable end of the handle.  
      To secure and lock the handle to the body, the ring  708  is placed around the securing member  712 . The securing member is then pushed or pressed downward through opening  707  defined in tab  706  of zipper  704  and into a receptacle (not shown) defined in the top side of the body and the zipper to secure the securing member, closing member or zipper and handle to the body. An indicator  714  indicates one or more of the indicia on the dial to manually set a combination associated with the lock to unlock and release the securing member  712  from the body  701 . Therefore, to unlock the securing member, closing member and handle, a user turns or rotates the dial  710  to indicate the designated combination with indicator  714 . Once the designated combination is indicated, the securing member is unlocked and the user pushes or presses release tab  716  to release the securing member, closing member and the handle from the body. It should be appreciated that any suitable combination lock may be used to secure and lock the closing member and the handle to the body of the bag.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 13A and 13B , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is directed to a bag  800  including a body  801  and a lockable member or lockable strap  816  which secures and locks the closing member such as zipper  804  to the body. In this embodiment, the bag  800  includes a handle  802  having two ends which are each attached to the body  801 . The bag also has a closing member or closing mechanism such as zipper  804  having a zipper pull  806  and a tab  808  connected to the zipper pull which enables a user to move the zipper pull in either direction along the zipper teeth  810 , which are attached to the body or the bag. In the illustrated embodiment, the body  801  defines a receptacle or opening  814  which is sized to receive the post  822  of the lockable member or strap  816 . Specifically, the lockable member or strap  816  includes a flexible body  818  and the post  822  connected to the flexible body  818 . It should be appreciated that the flexible body  818  may be made using elastic, nylon or any other suitable durable and flexible material. The post  822  includes a lip or shoulder  826  which prevents the zipper tab  808  from moving up along the flexible body  818 . In this embodiment, a lock mechanism or lock  820 , which includes at least one dial or wheel  824 , is attached to the flexible body  818 . Each dial on the lock includes a plurality of indicia or symbols. As described above, a user sets a desired combination including the indicia for the lock using the dials. In the illustrated embodiment, the post  822  is inserted through the opening of the tab  808  and into the receptacle  814  to secure the tab  808  of the zipper pull  806  to the body  801 . The user than rotates or moves at least one of the dials  824  of the lock  820  to scramble the combination and lock the lockable member  816  in place, which thereby locks the closing member in place. It should be appreciated that the lock may be a combination lock, a key lock, a padlock or any other suitable lockable member or lock. It should also be appreciated that the closing member may be any suitable closing member such as a zipper or other suitable closing device.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the post of the lockable member or strap  816  is inserted into the receptacle  814  until the post clicks or snaps into place inside the receptacle  814 . The user then rotates or moves one or more of the dials  824  of the lock  820  on lockable member  816  to lock the closing member or zipper in place as described above. To remove or unlock the lockable member  816 , the user rotates or moves the dials  824  of the lock  820  until the designated indicia or symbols are indicated on each of the dials (i.e., the desired combination) in a particular position. The user then pushes, pulls or presses the release tab  812  to disengage the post  822  from the receptacle. Next, the user pulls the post out from the receptacle and through the opening of tab  808  of the zipper pull to release the closing member or zipper  804  to enable a user to gain access to the interior of the bag.  
      In one embodiment, the lockable member or strap  816  includes a tightening device or tightener  828  which is attached to the flexible body  818  of the lockable member and enables a user to tighten (i.e., remove the slack) from the lockable member or strap so that the strap tightly secures the closing member in place and thereby prevents the zipper  804  from being moved to expose the interior of the body  801  of the bag. The tightening member or tightener  828  may be any suitable tightening device such as the adjustment buckles or devices commonly found on child safety seat straps, backpack straps or any other suitable adjustable straps. Accordingly, this embodiment enables a user to secure and lock the closing member in place without having to secure and lock the handle to the body as well. It should be appreciated that one or more tighteners may be used to decrease the slack in the securing member.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 14A and 14B , another alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated where a bag  900  includes a body  901  and a lockable member  916  attached to the body. A lock such as a combination lock  928  is attached to the body. Additionally, the bag  900  includes a handle  902  having two ends which are attached to each side of the body  901  as shown in  FIG. 14A . A closing member such as zipper  904  includes a zipper pull  906  and a pull tab or tab  908  which is connected to the zipper pull  906 . The tab  908  defines an opening for receiving a post  920  of the lockable member. The zipper pull is adapted to travel along the zipper teeth  910  attached to the body  901 . A user can pull the tab  908  in either direction to move the zipper pull  906  in the corresponding direction. The lockable member  916  is attached to the body  901  of the bag and is sized to extend over the closing member of the bag. In particular, the lockable member  916  includes a flexible body  918  and a post  920  which is attached to the flexible body  918 . To secure and lock the closing member or zipper  904 , the opening of the tab  908  is positioned over the receptacle or opening  926  defined by the body  901 . The post  920  is inserted through the opening of the tab  908  and into the receptacle  926  until the post  920  clicks or is otherwise secured in the receptacle. A collar, lip or shoulder  922  is formed at the base of the post  920  to prevent the zipper tab  908  from moving outward along the flexible body  918  and away from the body  901  of the bag. Once the post  920  is secured to the receptacle  926 , the user rotates or moves one or more of the dials  930   a ,  930   b ,  930   c  which are movably connected to the body  901  of the bag to scramble the opening combination for the lock.  
      Referring to  FIG. 14B , the lockable member is inserted through the opening defined by the tab  908  of the closing member or zipper  904  and into the receptacle  926  (shown in  FIG. 14   a ) of the body. To remove the zipper and enable a user to open the bag, the user rotates or moves the dials  930   a ,  930   b  and  930   c  of the lock  928  to indicate the designated combination, designated opening combination or designated unlocking combination set by the user. Once unlocked, the user pulls, presses or pushes the release tab  924  to release the post of the lockable member from the receptacle. When the post is released from the receptacle, the post  920  is pulled out and away from the tab  908  of the zipper  904  to enable the user to move the zipper along the zipper track or teeth  910 .  
      In the above embodiments, the securing member strap is attached or connected to one side of a bag. It should be appreciated that the securing member or strap may be attached to any suitable side of a bag or any suitable portion of a bag. For example, the securing member may be attached to a front side, rear side, left side, right side or any suitable side of a bag.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 15 , a further alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated where a bag  1000  includes a body  1001  and a handle  1002  which is attached to the body  1001  and includes a lock such as a combination lock  1014 . Specifically, a user moves or pulls the zipper  1004  including a zipper pull  1006  and tab  1008  towards one end of the bag which closes the zipper and prevents access to the interior of the bag. Once the opening defined by the tab  1008  is positioned over a corresponding receptacle (not shown) defined by the body  1001 . A post  1012  is attached to the handle  1002  and is inserted through the opening of the zipper tab  1008  and into the receptacle defined by the body  1001 . Once the post  1012  clicks or is secured in the receptacle defined by the body  1001 , the user rotates or otherwise moves the dials of the combination lock  1014  on the handle  1002  to lock the closing member in place. It should be appreciated that the handle could be looped around a chair, fence or other object to secure the bag to the other object.  
      When a user desires to open the bag and/or remove the bag, the user moves or rotates at least one of the dials of the combination lock  1014  to the designated combination or designed unlocking combination as described above. Once the post is unlocked from the receptacle, the user pushes, pulls or presses the release tab  1011  to release the post  1012  from the receptacle defined by the body  1001  of the bag and lift the end of the handle  1002  including the post  1012  away from the body. Removing the post  1012  releases the zipper  1004  so the zipper can be moved to the open position to gain access to the interior compartment of the bag. It should be appreciated that any suitable lock or locking mechanism may be employed by the present invention.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 16A and 16B , another alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated where a bag  1100  includes a body  1101  and a handle  1102  having at least one removable end. In this embodiment, the handle  1102  includes rings  1112   a  and  1112   b  connected at each end of the handle. The end including ring  1112   b  is removable from the body  1101  of the bag by connecting and disconnecting the ring  1112   b  from a body ring  1114  connected to the body  1101  of the bag. Any suitable connector or connection method may be employed to connect the ring  1112   b  to the body ring  1114 . It should be appreciated that one or both sides or ends of the handle  1102  may be removable from the body  1101  of the bag. The closing member or zipper  1104  is movably attached to a side of the body  1101 . Specifically, a plurality of zipper dividers  1110  are attached to the body  1101 . The zipper  1104  includes a zipper pull  1106  and a zipper tab  1108  which is connected to the zipper pull  1106 . The zipper tab  1108  includes a movable or depressible member or button  1107  which includes a spring or spring member (not shown) which causes the button  1107  to be biased away from the zipper pull. Therefore, when the button  1107  is pressed or pushed downward and then released, the button moves or springs upward away from the zipper pull  1106  back to its initial extended non-depressed position.  
      In the illustrated embodiment, the zipper  1104  removably connects to a securing member or securing strap  1109  attached to a side of the body  1101 . The securing member or securing strap  1109  is made of a suitable flexible material as described above and includes a lock member  1116 . The zipper tab  1108  is sized to slide through the lock member  1116  when the button  1107  is in the depressed or downward position. When the button  1107  is fully inserted through the lock member  1116 , the button or tab  1107  moves or springs upward or back to its initial position to secure the tab  1108  with the lock member  1116  by preventing the zipper  1104  and more specifically, the button  1107  from moving backward through the lock member  1116  to prevent the zipper from disconnecting from the securing member  1109 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 16A and 16B , the securing member or strap  1109  is inserted through the ring  1112   b  of the removable end of the handle  1102  and is connected with the zipper  1104  as described above. After the zipper  1104  and the securing member  1109  are secured together, a suitable lock attached to the zipper  1104  is locked to secure and lock the closing member or zipper, the handle  1102  and the securing member  1109  together. This prevents the zipper and/or the handle from being opened or removed from the bag. The zipper  1104  may include any suitable lock such as a combination lock, a key lock or any other suitable type of lock. It should be appreciated that the securing member  1109  may be inserted through the ring  1112  of the removable end of the handle as shown in  FIG. 16B  or the zipper  1104  may be inserted through the ring  1112   b  and then secured to the securing member  1109 . It should further be appreciated that the method of securing the zipper to the securing member  1109  may include any suitable securing mechanism, lock mechanism or lock.  
      In an alternative embodiment, the zipper  1104  and the securing member  1109  are not inserted through the ring  1112   b  of the removable handle  1102  but are secured and locked together to secure and lock the closing member of zipper  1104  in place to prevent a person from opening and accessing the interior of the bag  1100 .  
      It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.