Abstract:
A handbag having integrally constructed into its fabrication, a closure element, and/or handle resembling a necktie while the interior of the bag may be lined with a liner providing the aesthetics of a pocketed dress shirt.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATON  
       [0001]     This application claims priority upon the provisional application filed on Oct. 8, 2003, and Feb. 2, 2004, under Ser. No. 60/510372. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to handbags, and provides for variation in decor and structure of the handbag to provide it with similarities to select items of clothing, providing the integration of such elements of clothing into the structure and to enhance the aesthetics of the handbag as completed.  
         [0003]     Many styles of handbags are available in the art. Some have been constructed with closure flaps that have a shape similar to the lowermost portion of a necktie as it looks when it is being worn. They do not, however, purposefully duplicate the shape of a necktie as an integral part of the structure and design of the handbag.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 2,608,228 (Rose) uses a closure tab for the handbag, element  16 , that is similar in shape to the lowermost portion of a necktie. U.S. Pat. No. 1,939,276 (Robbins et al) has a handbag handle strap, element  24 , and an ornamental piece, element  38 , that are similar in shape to a necktie. The similarities of shapes are coincidental, and not purposeful. Neither of these inventions utilizes the shape of a necktie as a structural element of the handbag.  
         [0005]     U.S. Design Pat. No. Des. 319,933 (Costello) describes an ornamental design for a money bag with portions of the bag simulating a dinner jacket, dress shirt, and bow tie. The overall effect is that of a figure dressed in black tie. Of note is the use of a bow tie, rather than necktie, as the neckwear associated with the figure. In addition, the jacket, shirt, and tie are simulated as design elements rather than as useful composites of the product.  
         [0006]     The current invention is designed to bring a basic element of a man&#39;s wardrobe, the necktie, in a functional way into a basic woman&#39;s accessory, her handbag. The invention creates a product for necktie manufacturers to provide to the female population. More importantly, the invention facilitates entry by menswear designers into the lucrative womenswear market. The invention also allows women access to beautiful necktie designs as a personal accessory.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     This invention relates to a handbag constructed of conventional fabric with key elements replicating portions of a man&#39;s necktie providing a closure flap, handle, or both. The necktie fabric may include silk, cotton, polyester, rayon, or mixtures thereof along with other conventional neckwear fabric.  
         [0008]     The exterior of the handbag may be made of fabrics that imitate traditional patterns for men&#39;s jackets in wool, cotton, gabardine, silk, or other fabrics and blends. The interior of the handbag may be made of fabrics that imitate traditional patterns for men&#39;s dress shirts in cotton, silk, polyester, or other fabrics and blends. The interior may also include a pocket of the size and shape typically used on a man&#39;s shirt.  
         [0009]     The handbag closes by folding the widest end of a man&#39;s necktie over the opening of the handbag. The necktie is attached at the back of the handbag opening so that the widest portion of the tie folds over the opening to the front of the handbag, providing a mechanism to hold the handbag closed. In addition, the narrow portions of a man&#39;s necktie can provide handles or a carrying strap for the handbag.  
         [0010]     It is, therefore, the principal object of this invention to provide a handbag constructed to give the aesthetics of other items of clothing as integrated into the appearance of the handbag for usage.  
         [0011]     Another object is to provide a handbag with a closure element having the appearance of a necktie.  
         [0012]     A further object is to provide a handbag where the interior of the bag, when opened, provides the appearance of a collared, and/or pocketed shirt.  
         [0013]     These and other objects may become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the summary of invention provided herein, and upon undertaking a study of description of its preferred embodiment, in view of the drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the handbag incorporating the invention as a closure flap and two short handles or carrying straps;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the handbag shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  provides a perspective view of the handbag shown in  FIG. 1  with the closure flap up, the handbag is open;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  discloses a cut-view of the handbag shown in  FIG. 1  to reveal the interior with pocket;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  shows another style of handbag incorporating the invention as closure flap with one long carrying strap in lieu of two smaller handles; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates a different style of handbag incorporating the invention as a closure flap without a handle or carrying strap. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]     Referring to the drawings in  FIG. 1  to  6  by reference numerals, this handbag is constructed of conventional fabric  15  with a closure flap replicating the widest portion of a man&#39;s necktie  1  connected to the back of the opening of the handbag  2 . The handbag is closed by folding the wide closure flap  1  over the opening of the bag  5  to the front of the bag as seen in  FIG. 1 . The traditional mechanisms such as a zipper or magnetic snap may be used as additional protection to hold the handbag closed. The bag is opened by folding the wide closure flap  1  back over the opening of the bag  5  to the back of the bag as seen in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0021]     Conventional fabric replicating the narrowest portions of a man&#39;s necktie can provide handles or carrying straps for the handbag. One section is connected to the front of the handbag  3  with each end equidistant from the sides of the bag. Another section of the same length is connected to the back of the handbag  4  with each equidistant from the sides of the bag. Another section of the same length is connected to the back of the handbag  4  with each end equidistant from the sides of the bag.  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 .  
         [0022]     The shape of the handbag forms no part of the claimed inventions, and is shown by broken lines.  
         [0023]     As viewed in  FIG. 4  the exterior of the handbag  15  may consist of fabrics that imitate traditional patterns for men&#39;s jackets. The interior of the handbag  16  may consist of fabrics that imitate traditional patterns for men&#39;s dress shirts. The interior may also include a pocket of the size and shape typically used on a man&#39;s shirt  17 .  
         [0024]     Another style of handbag has one long strap  18  rather than two short straps  3  and  4  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The longer strap provides the means for a woman to carry the handbag by hanging the strap over her shoulder, or across her chest in a messenger style. Of course, one could create a style of handbag without a handle altogether as shown in  FIG. 6 . In this case, a woman would clutch the purse along the top next to the necktie closure mechanism.  
         [0025]     Variations and modifications to the subject matter of this invention may occur to those skilled in the art upon review of the invention as described herein. Such variations, if within the spirit of this development, are intended to be encompassed within the scope of this invention as described. The description of the preferred embodiment and its disclosure within the drawings are set forth for illustrative purposes only.