Abstract:
A handbag storage and display apparatus which has a plurality of straps suspended from a supporting connection and along each plurality of straps has a plurality of connection points for attachment of handbags and other like items which can be used to store and display handbags and other like items in an efficient and aesthetically pleasing manner and a method for storing and displaying handbags in an efficient and aesthetically pleasing manner.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. application 62/285,820, filed Nov. 9, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated for all purposes by references. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to the storage and display of handbags. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Handbags, when not in use, are typically stored on shelving, in drawers, or other similar storage devices. Storing a large number of handbags takes up considerable storage space. Handbags can vary in size from small type purses to larger bulky bags and pouch type purses. Storage of these handbags, particularly the larger handbags uses a substantial amount of typical storage space and also prevents use of this storage space for storing other items. Storage of a number of handbags by a typical method also involves relatively higher costs because of the need for adding sufficient storage space to store many handbags. Storing more than a few larger handbags using typical methods can be cumbersome and unsightly. Lack of sufficient typical storage space can lead to overcrowding and overuse of the storage space available. Which in turns leads an unaesthetically pleasing result. Often resulting in an unappealing disorganized pile or jumble of handbags stuffed into too little storage space. 
         [0004]    In addition, lack of sufficient typical storage space tends to cause handbags to be cramped into the space available. This causes the handbags to be distorted and misshapen due to improper storage. Often, such handbags are made from natural leather or synthetic material that appears leather like. These materials can be particularly prone to damage from such improper storage. When stored folded or creased these materials are likely to permanently adapt to the shape in which they are stored. This leads to undesired creases and folds remaining in the material once a handbag is removed from storage for use. These undesired folds and creases are difficult to remove and may be permanent. The result of which diminishes the aesthetic appeal and value of the handbag. This can also result in prematurely diminishing the life of the handbag because of the tendency of these materials to fold and unfold along such unintentional creases, which degrades the material fibers along these folds and creases causing creases and tears in the material. 
         [0005]    Even in situations where sufficient typical storage space is available, use of typical storage systems can lead to similar undesired results. Most handbags, by design, are meant to be used in a hanging fashion. During use handbags are typically suspended from handles or a strap so that a handbag can hang from a users hand, arm, or shoulder. Used this way, when filled, the handbags sufficiently fill out the bulk and volume of the handbag in a manner intended by the designer. In contrast many typical storage systems, such as shelves and drawers, do not allow for handbags to be stored in a hanging position. Instead the handbags must be stored on a hard surface that supports the handbags from the bottom, instead of from the handles or top. Stored in this manner a handbag would lie flat and unsupported which is in contrast to the manner of use that was intended by the designer. Storage in this manner can also lead to undesired and unsightly folds, creases, and distortions of the material of the handbag. These distortions can occur when a handbag is stored empty, but when a handbag is stored with items inside of it the distortions are enhanced by the bulk of the items inside the handbag. Since the handbags are stored flat and supported from the bottom, the resulting distortions in the material of the handbags are not in line with the designed and intended appearance of the handbag while in use. Like overcrowded and improper storage using typical storage systems, this can lead to undesired folds, creases, and distortions which diminish the aesthetic appeal, value, and lifetime of a handbag. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The invention pertains to generally to one or more aspects of a system and method for storing and displaying handbags in a small amount of space relative to typical storage methods. 
         [0007]    One exemplary embodiment of such a storage and display system allows for the storage of multiple handbags along a plurality of suspended straps with points of attachment for handbags along each strap. The entire system is able to be suspended from a ceiling, shelf, closet rod, overhang, or similar supporting location. Handbags are attached to the straps by loops and/or hooks spaced apart along each strap. Staggering of the points of attachments on adjacent straps further assists in accommodating more handbags by reducing the opportunity for handbags on the adjacent straps from hanging at the same height. 
         [0008]    In this manner, handbags can be suspended from the storage and display system for storage. Most handbags are, by design, typically meant to be used in a suspended manner, such as from handles or a strap that hangs from a user&#39;s hand, arm, or shoulder. For this reason, handbags are typically designed to have the most aesthetically pleasing appearance when suspended. The storage and display system allows for storage by suspension of the handbags, which preserves the intended shape and appearance of the handbags. Even during long term storage, handbags stored on the storage and display system are not prone to taking on undesired and unaesthetically appealing folds, creases, and distortions, whether stored empty or with items inside, because they are stored in the same manner as their intended use. 
         [0009]    Another feature of the storage and display system is its ability to be used to display handbags in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Using the suspension system of the storage and display system allows for handbags to be placed along the straps of the storage and display system at various intervals for display purposes. When filled with handbags, the storage and display system itself is mostly blocked from view by the handbags stored on the storage and display system and the handbags are stored in an organized and uncluttered manner. In addition, when the storage and display system is filled with handbags from bottom up, the general appearance of the handbags is that is a tree shape. These features lend themselves to creating an aesthetically pleasing arrangement and display of the stored handbags. 
         [0010]    Another feature of the storage and display system its ability to store a number of handbags in a relatively small amount to of space. The suspension of the storage and display system from an elevated support and the plurality of points of attachment of handbags extending along the entire length of the straps of the storage and display system allow for many handbags to be stored in a vertical oriented manner, without occupying a substantial amount of horizontal space. Storage in this manner makes efficient use of the available vertical space without making the storage and display system too bulky in the horizontal directions. The total number of handbags that may be stored by the storage and display system may vary depending on the number of straps, the number of points of attachment of handbags, and the length of the straps But, generally, the storage and display system installed at a typical ceiling height may be capable of storing and displaying  50  or more handbags. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a depiction of a first embodiment of a storage and display system for handbags and the like. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a close up view of a hook for use with the storage and display system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a close up view of a loop sewn onto a strap of the first embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the first embodiment of the storage and displaying system showing staggering of the loops on multiple straps of the storage and display system. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a hook inserted into a loop of the first embodiment of the storage and display system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  depicts the storage and display system of  FIG. 1  storing and displaying handbags. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a storage and display system for handbags and the like. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    In the following description, like numbers refer to like elements. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , one example of an embodiment of a storage and display system  10  has multiple straps  12  affixed to each other at one end of each strap—its proximal end—near support connection  14 . The straps may be connected to each other by, for example, stitching, riveting, screwing, or otherwise joining them with, adhesives or welding or otherwise fusing them under, for example, heat. The storage and display system is attached to a support, such as a ceiling of a room or any structure from which the system may hang under the pull of gravity in a vertical fashion, via support connection  14 . While, one end of each of the multiple straps  12  is connected to the other of the multiple straps  12  near or at the support connection  14 , the other end of each of the multiple straps  12 —the distal end—is allowed to hang freely. Multiple loops  16  are placed at intervals along each of the multiple straps  12 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  depicts an example of one of the loops  16 . In this example, it is formed by folding in half a short length of material and sewing this material, near the ends of the material, onto the strap  12   a  to form a loop. Loops  16  are sewn onto all of the straps in  12   a - 12   d  in  FIGS. 1-7  in this fashion in this particular example. However, in alternative embodiments, different techniques of forming and/or attaching loops to the straps, such as the one described below in connection with  FIG. 8 , may be used. Furthermore, in still further embodiments, different techniques for forming and/or attaching loops can be used on the same strap, if desired, and different techniques can be used on different straps comprising the system. Each loop  16  is sized so that it is capable of accepting one end of a hook. In the depicted embodiment, the loops are sized and shaped to accept one end of hook  18 , depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0022]    In this preferred embodiment, straps  12  and loops  16  are made from nylon webbing. In alternate embodiment, one or more materials capable of supporting the weight of the storage and display system and any attached handbags may be used for straps  12  or loops  16 . In addition, straps  12  may be formed in various ways without departing from the invention. For example, each strap  12  may be made from a single length of material. Or two straps  12  may be made from a single piece of material that is twice the desired length of a strap  12  where the single piece of material is folded over in half and connected to supporting connection  14  at its midway point, so that two straps  12  are formed from the same piece of material depend from supporting connection  14 . The use of one piece of material to create more than one strap provides the added benefit of making simplifying the manufacturing process because it requires fewer cuts in the material used to make straps  12  to be made during manufacturing. While it may be desirable to use fewer pieces of material as possible to form straps  12 , straps  12  can also be formed from multiple pieces of material attached end to end to create the desired overall length of straps  12 , without departing from the invention. In addition, the different straps  12  of the storage and display system may be formed using a combination of these methods to achieve the desired strap  12  lengths. 
         [0023]    Hook  18 , depicted in  FIG. 2 , is an example of a hook designed so that one end of hook may be inserted into a loop  16  and the other end of hook may be used to hang a handbag by its handles. For the hook  18  depicted in  FIG. 2 , upper end  20  of hook  18  is intended to be inserted into loop  16 . The upper end  20  is relatively narrow (as compared to its lower end  24 ). The narrow dimensions allow it to be more easily inserted into a loop  16 , and it allows the loop size to be made smaller. The upper end  20  also possesses, at its terminus in this example, a retaining stop  22  in the form that helps to avoid hook  18  from unintentionally sliding out of loop  16  after it has been inserted, and yet is still is small enough for it to fit through the loop. The lower end  24  of hook  18  is, in this embodiment, relatively wider than the upper end. A wider hook provides more surface area with which the handles may engage, thereby distributing the weight of the handbag over a wider area of the hook and lessening stress where the handles engage the hook. Stress concentrated at a given point on the handle over a prolonged period of time may cause the handles to crease or become deformed. Hook  18 , in this embodiment is made from plastic, but may alternatively be made from metal, wood, or any other material with sufficient strength for supporting a handbag without significantly bending, deforming or breaking.  FIG. 6  depicts hook  18  inserted into loop  16 , with the lower and wider end of hook  18  ready for receiving the handles of a handbag. In  FIG. 7  a variety of handbags  26  have been hung by the handles  27  from hooks  18  of the storage and display system  10 . As more handbags are added, the straps can spread outwardly to accommodate them. 
         [0024]      FIG. 8  depicts another example of an embodiment of a storage and display system  28  for handbags comprising a plurality of straps  30 . In this embodiment, each strap  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c  and  30   d  is formed by sandwiching together two lengths  32   a  and  32   b  of material together. The two lengths of material are, in one embodiment, formed by folding a continuous piece of web material midway and connecting it at the midway point to the support connection  14 . However, they may be formed from separate pieces of material cut the length of the strap, or multiple straps may be formed from a single piece of material that is folded at its midpoint, and then folded again to form two straps, each with two lengths. The two lengths of material used to form a strap need not be attached to each other along the entire length of the strap. In this embodiment, loops  34  are formed by sewing together the two lengths or layers of each strap  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c  and  30   d  at intervals along each strap so as to create a plurality of slot type loops  34 , into which hook  18  may be inserted. While the depicted preferred embodiment shows that hook  34  is formed by sewing together the two lengths of material of strap  32   a  and  32   b , as indicated by bar tack stitches  36  formed on opposite sides of the opening  38  between the lengths forming the loops  34 , the two lengths of material may be attached together by other means such as adhesive, heat seal, rivets, grommets, and the like. The depicted embodiment of  FIG. 8  shows that loop  34  is formed by stitching together the two lengths  32   a  and  32   b  of material forming a strap  30  at close intervals so as to create a slot  38  between the lengths, thereby forming a slot type loop. 
         [0025]    One feature of the depicted example embodiments is the staggered nature of the loops  16  ( FIGS. 1-7 ) and  34  ( FIG. 8 ) along the length of one strap relative to the location of loops along at least one of the other straps, such as an immediate adjacent strap or two straps that are formed from the same piece of material. This staggering is best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 8 . Staggering the locations of the various loops along different straps in this fashion tends to reduce the amount of space required—and thus the overall width of the system when nearly fully loaded with handbags—to accommodate the same number of handbags as compared to a system in which all of the loops are placed at the same intervals along each of the straps.  FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 8  depict example embodiments of the storage and display system in which, on a given strap, the loops are located are regular intervals, and that same spacing or interval is used on each of the straps. However, in alternate embodiments intervals between loops on one strap can be varied, for example with greater spacing at the top and closer spacing at the bottom, and vice versa. Similarly, the spacing intervals of loops on one strap may be different than the spacing intervals of a different on of the plurality of straps comprising the storage and display system. 
         [0026]    In the depicted example embodiments, hook  18  is a comprised of a c-shaped hook. But other suitable hook types and shapes may also be used in place of, or in addition to, a c-shaped hook without departing from the invention, so long as hook  18  is simultaneously capable of being attached to a loop  16  or  34  on one end and capable of supporting a handbag  24  at its other end. One, non-limiting example, of such a hook is an S-shaped hook. In addition, although shown to be removable, hook  18  may be attached to a strap, though a loop, in a manner that prevents its removal. Advantages of a removable hook include being able to package the system without the hooks installed to reduce the size of packaging, being able to replace more easily hooks, and the user being able to customize the placement of hooks so as to better accommodate handbags of various sizes and to create the users desired display of handbags when the storage and display system is in use. 
         [0027]    Support connection  14  in the depicted example embodiments is comprised of a closed loop member in the shape of, for example, a ring, square, triangle or other shape. It may also have an open loop or other shape that extends through, for example, a loop formed where proximal ends of the straps are connected together. This supporting connection may optionally be coupled to a hook  40  through a swivel  42 . In this example the swivel takes the form of a post connected to the hook that extends through a hole in the member forming supporting connection  14 , and is held between two protuberances on opposite sides of the openings to the hole to hold it in place and yet allow it to rotate. This arrangement of the hook and swivel is referred to as a swivel hook. The hook may be used, for example, to attach the storage and display system to structures from which the system can be hung. On such example with a strap with a ring attached to each end. The strap is wrapped around, for example, a rod in a closet so that the two rings are adjacent, and the hook hooked to the two rings. Use of a swivel connection allows for rotation of the display system, which in turn allows for rotation of the handbags stored and displayed on the storage and display system. The visual appearance of the stored handbags may be changed by rotating the suspended handbags so that a preferred display is achieved. The stored handbags may also be rotated via the swivel hook to facilitate removal and addition of handbags from the storage and display system. Even though, the depicted example embodiments indicate that supporting connection  14  is a ring or closed member and is coupled to a swivel hook capable of rotation, supporting connection  14  may be comprised of other types of rotational and non-rotational elements. Non-limiting examples include hooks of a different shape, rings, loops, clamps, clips, or other item capable of supporting the storage and display system. In addition, supporting connection  14  may be made from various materials, such as metal, plastic, and fabric, without deviating from the invention. 
         [0028]    Although shown for, and perhaps used to best advantage for handbags and similar articles, the system  10  could also be adapted for use for storing other types of bulky articles. For example, shoes could be stored in bags, such as clear plastic shopping bags, with handles that are hung for the hooks  18 . Other items could also be stored in such bags for display or easy retrieval. 
         [0029]    The foregoing descriptions are of exemplary embodiments of the storage and display system. The storage and display system, as defined by the appended claims, is not limited to the described embodiments. Alterations and modifications to the disclosed example embodiments may be made without departing from the invention. The meaning of the terms used in this specification are, unless expressly stated otherwise, intended to have ordinary and customary meaning and are not intended to be limited to the details of the illustrated or described structures or embodiments.