HANDBAG ASSEMBLAGES

Abstract

A handbag assemblage system with main bags and cover slip accessory bags for overlaying the main bag and hung therefrom by corresponding arrays of holes of such bags engaging projecting studs of the main bag, enabling a line of uncovered bags or a variety of covered bag assemblages for diverse aesthetic and functional purposes.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority is claimed from Applicant's U.S. design patent applications (U.S. Ser. No. 29/374,354 DES and U.S. Ser. No. 29/374,356 41058 P02 DES) both filed Aug. 3, 2001. The full content of said applications is incorporated herein by reference as though set out herein.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to handbags (hand carried purses, shoulder bags, briefcases, portable computer cases, book bags, clutches, and other forms of handbags) produced, sold and used as assemblages of a main bag and an accessory cover bag or sold as separate main and cover bag components intended to be assembled by a user, but all within a common standard of connection and support means enabling a new fashion industry paradigm. The covers are interchangeable on the main bag (with the uncovered or “naked” bag as a further option) to afford multiple looks, and multiple functionality choices and other benefits described herein.

Handbags are produced and sold by suppliers and used by purchasers/consumers (users) with consideration of functional and aesthetic factors, the latter often predominant.

It is the object of the present invention to effect improvement in production and sale and in user experience for such products (and for other classes of products) as described below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises handbags made as assemblages—including a main holding item (“bag” or “pouch”) with arrays of projecting studs on one or more sides or end regions (preferably on two opposite sides of an elongated bag). The studs are secured to the main bag at their proximal ends and have enlarged size, and preferably are of approximately spherical form, at their distal ends. The studs can be made of plastic, ceramic, wood or metal preferably metal and more preferably brass, copper, nickel, aluminum or a non tarnishing precious metal such as gold, silver, platinum chromium or high tech metal such as titanium, nickel super alloy or molybdenum or aluminum alloys, or cermets. One or more matching accessory cover slip pouches (bags) are provided to slide over the main bag (usually sliding over the bottom of the main bag and moved upward but sidewise or top down sliding can also be done). An array of holes is provided on the accessory bags spaced to match the projecting studs of the main pouch and be slid over them to thereby hang or otherwise support the accessory bag from main bag via the studs. The holes are stress relieved, e.g. by one or more radial slits at the periphery (and/or other artifacts to prevent tearing or enlargement) so they can repeatedly pass over enlarged stud ends for putting the slip cover accessory bag on and off while not enlarging the holes, to thus avoid a fall-off condition or tearing. The multiples of studs and hole arrays spread stresses so that there is no stress concentration on any one hole.

The attributes and benefits of the assemblage system include the following:

• The user need not move contents from one bag (e.g. a purse) to another. She simply uses a cover bag to, in effect, bring a new form of bag to the contents, a great saving of time and avoidance of loss or confusion in transfer of contents.
• The main bag will preferably have an openable/closable top optionally with clasp, snap, zipper, magnets or other closure and zipper, snap or hook-loop (Velcro) closeable or open internal pockets for cosmetics, smart phone or other PDA, portable computer or tablet, passport, gloves, e-book reader, wallet, etc.
• The cover accessory bag is easily spot cleaned, dry cleaned or laundered, as appropriate to the material, with greater ease and less cost than would be possible for the main bag.
• A suite of covers (say five in number) can be stored flat for use with one or two main bags as opposed to having 12 to 14 bags and the main bag(s) is (are) more durable because often used in diverse assemblage covered or naked modes.
• The same main bag can be used in various assemblage or naked choices, i.e. with and without cover slip accessory bags for diverse occasions—day/evening, formal/informal, matching clothes ensembles or making distinctive difference visual statements and/or seasonal variations and different text or graphic, monograms, identifier (or lack of identifiers) of the producer or users can be applied on the main bag and various cover bags.
• The main bag, if damaged or soiled, can still be used by keeping it covered until repaired, cleaned or replaced.
• From the viewpoint of the authorized producer or marketers a great variety of styles and images at various price levels can be established consistent with a standardized common core of production equipment and techniques.
• Each of main bag and accessory bags can have a variety of materials including woven and non-woven (e.g. flocked, meshed, spun) fabrics made of natural and synthetic fibers, natural or faux leather or thick fabric trims (belt or collar portions) that can add strength at critical points and/or provide a sturdy look.
• Functional attributes such as water resistance, stain resistance, reflectivity, insulation, color or other distinct identification (to show club or common interest affiliation or for meeting a person for the first time), RFID chips can be allocated to main bags and/or to cover bags.
• The studs on the main bag for hanging accessory cover bags can be one piece or two piece and the second piece can be a screw-on or snap on distal enlarged end as a metal ball or tab (disk) piece, diamond setting with diamond or even a light emitting diode (LED) with battery and electrical circuit elements and switching within or as part of connections in either or both of the main or accessory bags with connection to the LED through, or bypassing studs.

Other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a clutch bag embodiment of the invention with projecting studs without a cover;

FIG. 2A is a side view of the FIG. 1 clutch bag with a striped cover on it secured to the studs, and FIG. 213 shows the bag per se;

FIGS. 3A-3E show various forms of the accessory bags and portions thereof;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an accessory bag almost assembled (4A) and fully assembled (4B) with the main bag and FIGS. 4C-4E show three forms of stud components;

FIG. 5 is a side view of such another bag without a cover and FIGS. 5B and 5C are side views of such bags with other covers;

FIG. 6 is an open top view of the bag of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the bag (the other end view being identical);

FIG. 8 is a side view of a satchel bag embodiment of the invention (the bag being open) showing a design for a satchel bag without a cover on it;

FIG. 9 is an open top view of the open satchel bag without a cover on it;

FIG. 10 is a top side angle view of the closed satchel bag with a cover on it secured to the side studs;

FIG. 11 is a side view showing the satchel bag with a cover on it; and

FIG. 12 is an end view of the satchel bag without a cover on it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a main bag embodiment 10 with a lower section 12 and upper section 14. An integral handle 16 is provided at the upper section. A monogram label may be provided as indicated at 17. An array of brass studs 18 is provided at the upper section. The dividing line between upper or lower for purposes of this description can be at about 19A or 19B or places in between. The bag 10 is elongated with opposing similar sides ends, bottom and has an opening top at upper section by dividing two semi-rigid or rigid flaps one of which is shown at 14A to expose the interior. Other non-elongated forms can be provided, e.g. as circular or box-like (tetrahedral) and parts designated arbitrarily as “sides” or “bottom.”

FIG. 2A shows the same bag (at a different scale) with an exterior cover bag accessory bag 20 (shown as such in FIG. 2B) placed over the main pouch and hung from studs 18 via holes 22 in the accessory cover slip bag that pass over studs 18 repeatedly for putting the accessory bag on/off the main bag without permanent stretch or sag for hundreds to thousands of cycles and without tearing.

The views of the covered bag of FIG. 2A and of the cover in FIG. 2B are preferably the same as the other hidden sides although optionally the respective lines of holes/studs can be made in models with asymmetry. However, symmetry is preferred for aesthetic reasons and functionally so that cover can be oriented left or right and still slide over the main bag and be received/attached.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show two forms 20A and 20B of the cover bag with holes 22, the FIG. 3B embodiment differing from the embodiment of FIG. 2A in that the bag 20B has a stiffening collar 21.

FIGS. 3C and 3D are cross sectional views (cut away) showing variants of form of the bag 20A with the bag fabric tucked over at the upper edge and stitched (hemmed) to be above the holes 22 (3C) or to overlap the holes 22 (3D). In FIG. 3C an external collar 21 is provided to sandwich the upper end of the bag fabric and holes 22 pass through it.

FIG. 3B has holes 22 passing through the hemmed collar 21 as well as the fabric. FIG. 3F is a face view of a portion of fabric of any of the FIG. 3A-3G or other embodiments with a radial slit S at the edge (preferably bottom edge) of each hole to relieve stress and allow the holes to closely match expanded distal ends of studs but fit over them easily and avoid enlargement or tearing. In each case the shaft S4 mid-section of each stud accommodates the thickness of the cover bag fabric.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross section views of bags in process of assembly (4A) and as assembled (413), i.e. cover accessory bag 20 over main bag 10, the holes 22 passing flexibly over the studs 18 and restrained by the enlargement 18E at each of the stud ends. FIGS. 4C-4E show forms of the studs 22 on a section of main bag fabric F having interior (I) and exterior (E) faces, the studs having proximal base (B) and distal (D) ends, the latter of various expanded forms vis-à-vis a connecting shaft section between the proximal and distal ends, the studs being one piece or two pieces in FIG. 4E (22E1, 22E2). The expanded distal ends shapes can be approximately spherical, elliptical, flat tab or other formation.

Other bags are shown at FIGS. 5A (uncovered), 5B (covered), and 5C (covered).

FIG. 6 shows bags of previous embodiments opened at the top flaps 14A, 14B by revealing a magnetic latch 24 that has portions on each of flaps 14A, 14B and FIG. 7 shows such a bag closed in an end view, a view from the other (hidden) end being the same. As noted above, other forms of closing the main bag can be employed.

Permissible variants include arrays of studs and matching holes in diagonal line arrays or arced or sinuous line arrays instead of the shown straight line essentially horizontal arrays, reinforcement by metal or plastic wires in a hemmed pocket 20P at the tops of main and accessory bags (as indicated at 20W in FIGS. 4A-4B) for strengthening.

Large holes of circular, rectangular, cruciform, wave or other forms can be provided on the accessory cover slip bags to mix/match face patterns of main and accessory bags.

The accessory bags can provide functional as well as aesthetic modification of the assemblages—water resistance, scuff protection. Handle and shoulder straps can be affixed to or integral with either or both of the main and accessory bags.

Reference to handbags herein includes purses of all kinds as noted above, beach bags, shopping bags of all sizes, gym bags, flexible carryalls of all kinds, portable computer covers and other carrying cases. The main and outer bags can be of like or different fabric types, with or without strengthening collars or belts. The studs can be formed in one piece or in multi-part assemblies, e.g. a shaft with a threaded distal end to which a ball or other form of the end, with a threaded hole, is screwed for functional and/or aesthetic effects allowing a range of options. Snaps, bayonet grips or frictional holds can be used in lieu of screw connections. The proximal ends of studs can have a single base secured to a main bag fabric outside or inside surfaces or with double base portions sandwiching the fabric section and clipped, sewn, evoked, riveted or otherwise secured to the fabric. The main surface of the cover accessory bag can be altered or thickened, as a whole or in portions, by foam, non-woven fabric padding or bubble-wrap linings for insulation, impact protection and/or a puffed out look. Pleats or ribs can be added to accessory bag at spaces between the holes that engage main bag studs.

Optionally the slip cover accessory bags can be made to be side inserted or top inserted and secured to the main bag with corresponding changes to the main bag's stud placements if need be.

The structural, functional concepts described above for bags can be applied in essentially like manner to other products—footwear (e.g. shoes, boots, flats, flip flops, sandals); clothing of all types including headbands, scarves, shawls, belts and ties as well as skirts, pants, pullovers, shirts, sweaters, jackets, etc.); house wares (table cloths, valences over curtains, drapes or shears, bedspreads, sofa pillows/shams, etc.).

It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments, improvements, details, and uses can be made consistent with the letter and spirit of the foregoing disclosure and within the scope of this patent, which is limited only by the following claims, construed in accordance with the patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A handbag assemblage system comprising:

(a) a main bag with an upper opening, opposing sides, opposite ends and a bottom with arrays of studs with proximal and distal ends and an intervening shaft, of at least three per array, with arrays projecting from opposite sides at an upper portion of the main bag;

(b) one or more corresponding cover slip accessory bags of form and size essentially similar to that of all or a portion of the main bag, slidable over the main bag and having holes therein in arrays corresponding to the main bag studs arrays that are sized and constructed to pass over the studs as assembly is completed to hang the accessory bag from the main bag or otherwise engage the two bags.

2. The handbag assemblage system of claim 1 wherein the studs are connected to the main bag at their proximal ends, project outwardly therefrom and have enlarged portions at their distal ends.

3. The handbag assemblage of claim 2 wherein the holes of the cover bags have stress relief constructs to prevent tearing or enlargement from repeated passing over the studs' enlarged distal ends.

4. The handbag assembly system of claim 2 wherein the studs are of one piece form with a proximal base, shaft or pin like intermediate section and enlarged distal end.

5. The handbag assembly system of claim 2 wherein the studs are of two piece form.

6. The handbag assemblage system of claim 5 wherein the stud distal end is a distinct portion of it attachable to/removal from the stud at its distal end.

7. A multi-form article having a main piece with an array of at least two studs projecting from it and one or more separate accessory cover pieces, each with an array of at least two holes therein, sized and arranged to pass over the main piece's studs' distal ends for engagement of the cover piece with the main piece and engagement therefor, the studs having proximal and distal ends and an intermediate shaft portion and being attached to the main piece at stud proximal ends and having an enlarged distal end for retaining the cover piece after engagement.

8. The article of claim 7 comprising a main bag as the main piece and a suite of at least two cover bags each serving as a cover bag, each of the cover bags being engageable and disengageable with the main bag via their respective studs and hole arrangements.

9. The article of claim 7 as a clothing or footwear product.

10. The article of claim 7 as a house ware product.