Abstract:
A customizable clutch having a pair of removable shells and an interchangeable clasp mechanism to allow a wearer to change the look and style of the clutch. The customizable clutch has a main body with a pair of half sections, a removable rigid inner shell having a pair of half sections, and an interchangeable outer shell having a pair of half sections. Removable rigid inner shells are removably attached to the pair of rigid half shells forming the main body using magnets. Interchangeable outer shells are removably attached to the removable rigid inner shells using a fastener.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/037,101, filed Sep. 25, 2013, entitled “Customizable Clutch with Interchangeable Shells and Drop-In Clasps,” published as US 2015/0083288 A1, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully recited herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to clutches, and more particularly to a rigid customizable or modular clutch with interchangeable shells and interchangeable clasps. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Conventional handbags allow no flexibility in color coordination or in texture coordination with different clothing apparels that a user may wear. Such considerations are especially important in ladies&#39; handbags and clutches. Modern fashion clutches are often of similar shape but have very different decorative clasps, which change the look and sometimes the function of the clutch. Users are forced to either purchase and store a number of different clutches for use with different apparel outfits, or they must use the same clutch even though the exposed surface may clash or is otherwise inappropriate for use on particular occasions. Owning several clutches is not only expensive but it also requires a lot of storage room in one&#39;s closet or suitcase. Further, moving the contents of one clutch into a different clutch can be a tedious process, and there is a risk that something important may be left behind unnoticed in a pocket of the original clutch. 
         [0006]    Several attempts have been made to develop handbags and clutches with interchangeable covers for changing the external appearance. Various solutions have not entirely solved the current problems, including loss of items from open-mouth purses or purse inserts; increasing complexity of purses with interior pockets and flaps; inefficient means for fastening a cover to a foundation bag; and undesirable bulkiness or heaviness of the resulting handbag. Some handbags and purses provide embedded releasable snap fasteners to fasten detachable and interchangeable coverings and handles. However, these snap fasteners may easily come off and look unattractive. 
         [0007]    In light of the foregoing, there is a need for a customizable clutch with interchangeable outer shells and interchangeable clasps. Such a needed clutch would be rigid and easily customized to change its appearance. The customizable clutch would comprise a main body and interchangeable inner and outer shells and interchangeable clasps. The customizable clutch would also comprise a system that allows the clutch to easily interchange outer shells. Further, the clutch would comprise a clasp system that allows the clutch to easily interchange clasps or handles to provide desirable clutch designs and colors. Such a unique customizable rigid clutch would avoid the need for purchasing several clutches for coordination with different apparels that a user may wear. The present invention accomplishes these, among other, objectives. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present embodiment is a customizable rigid clutch with interchangeable outer shells and clasps. The customizable rigid clutch comprises a rigid main body, at least one interchangeable outer shell secured to the rigid main body, and an interchangeable clasp system. The main body serves as a platform for the interchangeable shells and the interchangeable clasps. The interchangeable outer shells and the interchangeable clasps may be easily changed for coordination with different apparels that a user may wear. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, the customizable clutch has a main body having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections attached along a bottom side by a hinge, and each of the pair of half sections having a first magnetic portions. The customizable clutch also has an interchangeable rigid inner shell having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections having a second magnetic portion to removably attach to the first magnetic portions in the pair of half sections of the main body. The customizable clutch also has an interchangeable (soft) outer shell having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections having a fastener to removably attach to the pair of half sections of the removable rigid inner shell. 
         [0010]    The customizable clutch also has an interchangeable clasp mechanism, which has a clasp base and at least one removable clasp. The customizable clutch has a clasp base having a spring-loaded latching mechanism with a latch and a release button. The removable clasp has an indent formed therein for receiving the latch. When the release button is depressed, the spring loaded latching mechanism allows the removable clasp to be removed from the customizable clutch. 
         [0011]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a customizable clutch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in a closed state; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the customizable clutch in accordance with an embodiment of present invention in an open state; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a partial exploded view of the customizable clutch system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a partial exploded view of the customizable clutch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention showing details of the interchangeable outer shell; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the clasp mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the clasp mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention where the clasp is being released by a user; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of the clasp base of the clasp mechanism with the clasp removed and the release button in an up position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the clasp base of the clasp mechanism with the clasp removed and the release button in a down position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7C  is bottom-perspective view of clasp piece; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the clasp base removed from the customizable clutch; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the clasp base showing mechanical details; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is cross-sectional view of the customizable clutch showing the spring of the customizable clutch. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    The following describes exemplary embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. This invention, however, may be embodied in many different ways, and the description provided herein should not be construed as limiting in any way. Among other things, the following invention may be embodied as methods or devices. As such, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. The following detailed descriptions should not be taken in a limiting sense. 
         [0025]    In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or,” such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, all publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in this document are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as though individually incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and those documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference(s) should be considered supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , customizable clutch  101  in accordance with one aspect of the invention is illustrated. Customizable clutch  101  generally comprises a main body  102 , at least one interchangeable rigid inner shells (not visible in  FIG. 1 ) surrounded by an interchangeable outer shell  103 , and an interchangeable clasp mechanism  104 . Main body  102  generally comprises two rigid half shells  102 A and  102 B, which open and close along a hinge at a bottom of the main body  102 .  FIG. 1  shows two rigid half shells  102 A and  102 B in a closed state. Interchangeable clasp mechanism  104  generally comprises a clasp base (not visible in  FIG. 1 ) and clasp portion  105 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  shows customizable clutch  101  in an open state and exemplary optional features. For example, customizable clutch  101  can have hooks  106  formed on an inside of main body  102  to allow for attachment of varying carrying straps or handles. Also formed on an inside of main body  102  are two side walls  107  that keep various contents stored inside customizable clutch  101 . In one example, pockets  108  (zippered or non-zippered) and card holders  109  can also be included to allow for organization of the contents stored inside customizable clutch  101 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  shows a partial exploded view of the customizable clutch  101  with a plurality of interchangeable outer covers or shells  103  and a plurality of clasp pieces  105 . In this view, removable rigid inner half shells  110  are shown detached from main body  102 . Removable rigid inner half shells  110  affix (removably) to rigid half shells  102  via at least one magnetic portion  111  (either magnet or metal disk). Corresponding to the at least one magnetic portion  111  on main body  102  is another magnetic portion  112  (either magnet or metal disk) so that removable rigid inner half shell  110  can attach to main body  102 . Magnetic portion  111  on main body  102  can fit in a recess formed on an inside of main body  102 . Lining found on the inside of main body  102  can be used to cover the appearance of the magnetic portion  112 . 
         [0029]    Magnetic portion  111  is shown in  FIG. 3  to be circular but can be a variety of shapes. A metal plate can be used in conjunction with the either magnetic portion to increase the magnet&#39;s strength and also to shield the magnet from the contents placed in the customizable clutch  101 . 
         [0030]    Clasp pieces  105  can have a variety of shapes and be made out of a number of materials. In a preferred embodiment, clasp piece  105  is made of a jewel or stone. Each clasp piece  105  has a dovetail-shaped recessed portion  122  to mate with the clasp base  118  found on main body  102  of customizable clutch  101 . 
         [0031]    Interchangeable outer shell  103  can also be made of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to leather, suede, denim, cotton or other natural or artificial fabric material and have a variety of patterns or embellishments. In a preferred embodiment, interchangeable outer shell  103  is non-rigid. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  shows details of the interchangeable outer shell  103  in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. Interchangeable outer shell  103  has a main rectangular portion  113  and four side walls  114  extending from each side of main rectangular portion  113 . At the distal end of the each of four side walls  114  is a tab  115 . 
         [0033]    Removable rigid inner half shell  110  also has a main rectangular portion  116  and four side walls  117  extending from main rectangular portion  116 . Loop and hook fasteners  115  (such as VELCRO®) are provided on a portion of the inside of each of the four side walls  114  and also on an inside walls of the four side walls  117  of removable rigid inner half shell  110 . In a preferred embodiment, removable rigid inner half shell  110  has chamfered corners to allow interchangeable outer shells  103  to cover removable rigid inner half shell  110 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of interchangeable clasp mechanism  104  with clasp piece  105  connected to main body  102  via clasp base  118 . Shown in this figure is release button  119 , which allows a user to easily interchange clasp piece  105 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  shows a user actuating release button  119  of clasp base  118  to slide clasp piece  105  off clasp base  118 . As a user pushes release button  119 , clasp piece  105  is released from a latch found on clasp base  118 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 7A  shows a perspective view of the clasp base  118 . Fasteners  120 , such as screws, hold clasp base  118  together. In this example, clasp base  118  is in a clasp-engaging state, where release button  119  is in a non-actuated state and spring-loaded latching mechanism  121  is in an up position to hold the clasp piece  105  (not shown in this FIG.) in place. In an up position, the latch of the spring-loaded latching mechanism  121  can mate with an indent  129  formed in clasp piece  105  (shown in  FIG. 7C ). 
         [0037]      FIG. 7B  shows the spring-loaded latching mechanism  121  in a down position, which occurs by pushing release button  119  and lowering the latch (at  121 ) of the spring-loaded latching mechanism  121 . When the latch of the spring-loaded latching mechanism  121  is down, clasp piece  105  is able to be slid off by a user. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7C  shows the bottom of the clasp piece  105 . Clasp piece  105  has a recess  122  formed therein to mate with clasp base  118  (shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B ). In a preferred embodiment recess  122  and clasp base  118  are dovetail shaped. Other shapes could be used without departing from the general scope of the invention. Recess  122  is defined by a base portion  123 , two side walls  124 , and a rear abutting wall  125 . Formed in recess  122  is indent  129 , which mates with latch (at  121  shown in  FIGS. 7A &amp; 7B ). 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of clasp base  118  removed from main body  102  of customizable clutch  101 . Clasp base  118  has spring-loaded mechanism  121  and U-shaped portion  126 , which is rigidly fixed to the body of clasp base  118 . Clasp base  118  has a number of fasteners  120  and release button  119 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  shows a cross-sectional view of clasp base  118  and the spring-loaded latching mechanism  121 . As release button  119  is depressed, release button  119  actuates spring-loaded mechanism  121  against the spring  127 , lowering a latch portion (at  121 ) of the spring-loaded latching mechanism  121 . When latch portion (at  121 ) is lowered, clasp piece is able to be slid, removed, and replaced by a user. Latch portion (at  121 ) is also tapered such that sliding of clasp piece along latch portion depresses the latch portion against the force of the spring-load. 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  shows a cross-sectional view of the customizable clutch  101  showing spring  128  of the customizable clutch  101  and clasp piece  105 . Spring  127  extends through U-shaped portion  126  of clasp base  118 . As spring  128  is twisted by movement of U-shaped portion  126 , torque is created to keep the clasp base closed on the main body of customizable cutch  101 . Spring  128  extends around an inside corner of the main body  102  of customizable clutch  101 , which corner creates a fulcrum to allow the spring  128  to twist thereon. 
         [0042]    While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.