SYSTEM FOR ACCESSORIZING AN ARRAY OF HANDBAGS AND BELTS WITH AN INTERCHANGEABLE ARRAY OF DECORATIVE ATTACHMENTS

Abstract

Systems are presented for providing the ability to accessorize handbags and belts to coordinate with a user's outfit. The systems include a plurality of handbags having different shapes and sizes. Each handbag is configured to represent a different style of handbag. The system also includes a plurality of belts having shapes and widths and a plurality of decorative attachments varying in at least one of color, shape or pattern. Each handbag and each belt is configured to receive any of the plurality of decorative attachments such that the received decorative attachment is detachably secured thereon. Further, each decorative attachment is configured to be a proper size and shape for decorating any of the handbags or belts.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The presently disclosed subject matter claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/002,938, filed Nov. 13, 2007; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to a system for accessorizing handbags and belts. More particularly, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system that allows a user to accessorize a plurality of differently styled handbags and/or differently styled belts with a range of decorative attachments in order to tailor the appearance of the handbags and/or belts to the outfit that the user is wearing or to the occasion that the user is attending, or alternatively to use one of the decorative attachments across a range of handbags and belts in order to bring the same look to a variety of outfits or occasions.

BACKGROUND

A woman often has a favorite bag for every occasion: a day bag, a smaller “dress-up” bag, a clutch, a tote, etc. She is limited to as many looks as she has bags. As a result, either the outfit that she wears or the bag that she carries must remain fairly neutral for her to achieve a coordinated, tailored look.

She may also have a bag that has a favorite decorative element on it. She might wish to have that same decorative element for use on a bag designed for a different occasion, but it is highly unlikely that she will find a bag for that different occasion already produced with that same decorative element, especially one that meets her optimum requirements of a bag designed for that occasion.

She also may want to coordinate her bag and her belt. It is highly unlikely that she can find two identical decorative elements that reside on both bag and belt.

Different handbags have been developed that provide a system for customization of a single bag. While this customization creates a versatility for a single handbag, the general shape of the handbag stays the same, thereby limiting the usefulness of the versatile handbag of a variety of outfits and occasions.

For example, a customizable handbag is available, wherein attachable articles are attached to a handbag using matched sets of fasteners on the handbag and the attached articles. The attachable articles can change the appearance of the handbag by allowing the user to change the color, pattern and texture of the handbag. This design is focused on eliminating the need for a user to have more than one bag by offering ways to customize the appearance of one bag. In fact, with this design, each attachable article is designed to work with only one style of bag.

Another handbag has been developed that has several flaps attached to the main body, which can be flipped from one side to the other by means of a cross bar attached to the top of each corner of the handbag, in order to change the color and appearance of the front or back sidewall to coordinate the handbag with the outfit being worn at the time. Again, this handbag design is focused on eliminating the need for a user to have more than one bag by offering ways to customize the appearance of that single bag.

A different purse has been developed that comprises a frame including a pair of elongated parallel rails and a pair of V-frames connected to opposite end of the rails which allow the rails to be moved between spaced-apart and closed-together positions. A cover defining an enclosure is sized to fit around the frame when the rails are in both of their positions. The cover includes opposite side walls with upper edge margins and cooperating fastening means on the frame and on the cover for releasably securing the side wall upper edge margins of the cover to the rails of the frame. As described, if a woman were to want several different styles or sizes of bag that could be customizable, she would have to buy both a range of bags, as well as a different set of customizing panels for each bag.

Another example includes a handbag that permits the adding of a decorative panel in a display position about the handbag by positioning opposite panel edges beneath front and rear fold-down flaps. The contacting surfaces of the flaps and panel edges are firmly secured to each other to an extent obviating inadvertent release of a flap during use as might result from snagging. In a similar example, a purse has interchangeable variegated closure flaps which can be selectively attached and retained to the purse body by a spring loaded toggle lock and hasp system. As described in these two examples, if a woman were to want several different styles or sizes of bag that could be customizable, she would have to buy both a range of bags, as well as a different set of customizing panels for each bag.

A further example includes a purse that has a bag body with a separable decorative covering. A structure is provided for securing the separable decorative covering to the bag body in a releasable manner, so that the appearance of the bag body can be changed at will when the need arises. As with the other bags described above, if a woman were to want several different styles or sizes of bag that could be customizable, she would have to buy both a range of bags, as well as a different set of customizing panels for each bag.

With all the handbags described above, a single handbag or handbag structure is provided. The use of a single handbag severely limits the versatility of the bag system, because not all shapes and sizes of handbags are appropriate for all outfits, or even all occasions. By utilizing a single handbag, the general shape of the handbag stays the same thereby limiting the usefulness of the versatile handbag for a variety of outfits and occasions.

SUMMARY

In accordance with this disclosure, a system for accessorizing handbags and belts is provided. It is, therefore, an object of the present disclosure to provide a system for accessorizing handbags and belts that allows a user to accessorize a plurality of differently styled handbags and differently styled belts with a range of decorative attachments to coordinate with the outfit or occasion or to bring the same look to a variety of outfits or occasions. This and other objects as may become apparent from the present disclosure are achieved, at least in whole or in part, by the subject matter described herein.

According to an aspect of the present subject matter, a system is provided for providing the ability to accessorize handbags and belts to coordinate with a user's outfit. The system can include a plurality of handbags having different shapes and sizes. Each handbag can be configured to represent a different style of handbag. The system can also include a plurality of belts having different shapes and widths as well as a plurality of decorative attachments varying in at least one of color, shape or pattern. Each handbag and each belt can be configured to receive any of the plurality of decorative attachments such that the received decorative attachment is detachably secured thereon. Further, each decorative attachment can be configured to be a proper size and shape for decorating any of the handbags or belts.

An object of the presently disclosed subject matter having been stated hereinabove, and which is achieved in whole or in part by the presently disclosed subject matter, other objects will become evident as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings as best described hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter including the best mode thereof to one of ordinary skill in the art is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIGS. 1A-1I illustrate side views of an embodiment of a handbag that has different embodiments of decorative attachments attached thereto according to the present subject matter;

FIGS. 2A-2I illustrate side views of different embodiments of handbags and belts that have an embodiment of a decorative attachment attached thereto according to the present subject matter;

FIGS. 3A-3I illustrate side views of different embodiments of handbags and belts that have an embodiment of a decorative attachment attached thereto according to the present subject matter;

FIGS. 4A-4I illustrate side views of an embodiment of a handbag that has different embodiments of decorative attachments attached thereto according to the present subject matter; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of an embodiment of a fastener for use on handbags, belts and decorative attachments according to the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown in the figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not as a limitation. In fact, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used in another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the present subject matter cover such modifications and variations.

As used herein, “handbag” means any bag carried by a person that can be held in the hand or hung from a shoulder strap and used for carrying small personal articles and money. The term “handbag” includes, but is not limited to, a purse, a pocketbook, a day bag, a smaller “dress-up” bag, a clutch, a tote, or the like.

To provide more versatility to a woman's wardrobe while still maintaining a coordinated, tailored look, a system can be provided for providing the ability to accessorize handbags and belts to coordinate with a user's outfit. The system can include a plurality of differently styled handbags and differently styled belts that can be accessorized by different styled decorative attachments. Such a system allows the user to tailor the appearance of a handbag and/or belt to the outfit or occasion, or alternatively to use one of the decorative attachments across a range of handbags and belts in order to bring the same look to a variety of outfits or occasions.

For example, the system can include a plurality of handbags of varying shapes and sizes with each handbag configured to represent a different style of handbag. The system can also include a plurality of belts of varying shape and width as well as a plurality of decorative attachments varying in at least one of color, shape or pattern. Each handbag and each belt can be configured to receive any of the plurality of decorative attachments such that the received decorative attachment is detachably secured thereon. Each decorative attachment can also be configured to be a proper size and shape for decorating any of the handbags or belts. In this manner, a wide range of possibilities are made available to a user to coordinate both the belt and handbag to the outfit to be worn by the user with a limited number of handbags and belts.

FIGS. 1A-1I illustrate a system for accessorizing handbags and belts where a handbag, generally designated 12, can have different exchangeable decorative attachments 20 secured thereto to tailor its appearance to a specific outfit or occasion. Each decorative attachment can be removed and replaced by other decorative attachments to change the aesthetic appearance of the handbag 12. As shown, the decorative attachment 20 can be different shapes and can include different colors and patterns. Further, the decorative attachments 20 can comprise different materials. For example, the decorative attachments can comprise fabrics, plastics, metals, woods, other natural or synthetic materials or a combination thereof. For example, the fabrics can be made of cotton, rayon, silk, other natural or synthetic fibers, or the like.

In FIG. 1A, the handbag 12 in the form of a purse has a decorative attachment 20 in the form of a buckled bow 22 attached to a side panel 14 of the handbag 12. The buckled bow 22 is of an appropriate size and shape as to not overpower the handbag 12 while at the same time not being too small so as to fail to alter the overall appearance of the handbag 12. For example, the buckled bow 22 is not wider or larger than the side panel 14, while at the same time the buckled bow 22 can be larger than about 5% of the width and about 5% of the length of the side panel 14.

A single buckled bow 22 can be used on the one side panel 14 of the handbag 12. In such an embodiment, the side panel 14 on which the buckled bow 22 resides can be considered the front side of the handbag 12. Alternatively, a second matching or duplicate buckled bow 22 can be secured on an opposite side panel (not shown) to create a symmetry in the handbag such that either side of the handbag 12 can be considered the front side. Further, another duplicate buckled bow 22 can be provided that can be used on a belt (not shown) configured to receive a decorative attachment 20. Alternatively, a decorative attachment that is complimentary to the buckled bow 22 can be used on such a belt.

While the decorative attachment 20 in the form of a buckled bow 22 in FIG. 1A is shown attached to a center portion of the side panel 14 of the handbag 12, the handbag 12 can be designed to permit the decorative attachment 20 to be placed in other locations on the handbag 12 that are aesthetically pleasing. For example, the decorative attachment 20 can placed on a lower or an upper portion of the side panel 14. The decorative attachment could also be secured to a handle 16 of the handbag or on a latching mechanism (not shown) that can be used to close the handbag 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-11, different decorative attachments 20 can be secured in the same location on the handbag 12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, a decorative attachment 20 in the form of a buckled ribbon 24 is attached to the side panel 14 of the handbag 12. The buckle ribbon 24 is of an appropriate size and shape as to not overpower the handbag 12 while at the same time not being too small so as to fail to alter the overall appearance of the handbag 12. The buckle 24B is a square shape to create a different aesthetic in the handbag 12.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1C, a decorative attachment 20 in the form of a knotted ribbon 26 is attached to the side panel 14 of the handbag 12. The knotted ribbon 26 is also of an appropriate size and shape as to not overpower the handbag 12 while at the same time not being too small so as to fail to alter the overall appearance of the handbag 12. The knot 26B can be a folded piece of ribbon that overlays the length of ribbon 26C that extends outward from the knot 26B. Alternatively, the knot 26B can be an actual knot tied in the ribbon.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1D, 1E, 1G, and 1H, similar decorative attachments 20 in the form of buckled ribbons 28, 30, 32 and 34, respectively, are attached to the side panel 14 of the handbag 12. The buckled ribbons 28, 30, 32 and 34 are of an appropriate size and shape as to not overpower the handbag 12 while at the same time not being too small so as to fail to alter the overall appearance of the handbag 12. For example, the buckled ribbons 28, 30, 32 and 34 are not wider or larger than the side panel 14, while at the same time the ribbons 28, 30, 32 and 34 can be larger than about 5% of the width and about 5% of the length of the side panel 14. The buckles 28B, 30B, 32B and 34B are of a circular shape. Different patterns of ribbon or fabric can be used in the buckled ribbons 28, 30, 32 and 34 to create a different aesthetic in the handbag 12 as shown in FIGS. 1D, 1E, 1G, and 1H.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1F, a decorative attachment 20 in the form of a bow over ribbon configuration 36 is attached to the side panel 14 of the handbag 12. The bow over ribbon configuration 36 is also of an appropriate size and shape as to not overpower the handbag 12 while at the same time not being too small so as to fail to alter the overall appearance of the handbag 12. The bow 36B is placed on top of a length of ribbon 36C that extends outward from the bow 36B.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, a decorative attachment 20 in the form of a knotted and buttoned ribbon 38 is attached to the side panel 14 of the handbag 12. The knotted and buttoned ribbon 38 is also of an appropriate size and shape as to not overpower the handbag 12 while at the same time not being too small so as to fail to alter the overall appearance of the handbag 12. The knot 38B can be a folded piece of ribbon that overlays the length of ribbon 38C that extends outward from the knot 38B. Further, a button 38D can be placed in the middle of the knot 38B.

As described above, by just changing the decorative attachments 20 on a handbag 12 or a belt, a different appearance can be created that can facilitate the tailoring of a belt or handbag to the outfit of the user and/or the occasion that the user is attending.

FIGS. 4A-4I illustrate the same decorative attachments 20 shown in FIGS. 1A-1I and described in detail above. The decorative attachments 20 are in the form of buckled bow 22, buckled ribbons 24, 28, 30, 32, 34, knotted ribbon 26, the bow over ribbon configuration 36, and knotted and buttoned ribbon 38. These decorative attachments are secured on a side panel 14 of a handbag 12 in the form of a tote bag 45. As can be seen, the different embodiments shown in FIG. 4A-4I not only give a different appearance as compared to each other, but they also give a different appearance from the respective purse handbags using the same decorative attachments 20 as shown in FIGS. 1A-1I while still tying those embodiments together through coordination of the decorative attachments 20.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2I, the system can include a plurality of handbags and belts to accompany the plurality of decorative attachments. A single decorative attachment 20 in the form of a buckled ribbon 28 can be exchangeably secured to different handbags 12 and belts 50. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2I, the handbags can be of varying shapes and sizes with each handbag configured to represent a different style of handbag. The handbags 12 can be different types such as a large purse 40, a small purse 42, a day bag 44, a tote bag 45, a clutch 46, and a strapped pocketbook 48. The handbags 12 can be made of different material. For example, the handbags can be leather, plastic, fabric, or the like. For instance, the fabric can be made of cotton, silk, rayon, polyester, other natural or man-made fibers or a combination thereof. Also, the fabric can be of different constructions, for example, woven, knit, or nonwoven. Additionally, the handbags can have different patterns woven, knitted, or stitched therein or printed thereon. Further, the handbags 12 can vary in color between the different handbags and within the same handbag.

Similarly, the belts 50 can vary in shapes and widths. The belts 50 can be made of different material. For example, the belts 50 can be leather, plastic, fabric, or the like. For instance, the fabric can be made of cotton, silk, rayon, polyester, other natural or man-made fibers or a combination thereof. Also, the fabric can be of different constructions, for example, woven, knit, or nonwoven. Additionally, the belts 50 can have different patterns woven, knitted, or stitched therein or printed thereon. Further, the belts 50 can also vary in color between the different belts 50 and within the same belt 50.

As seen from FIGS. 2A-2I, the buckled ribbon 28 is of an appropriate size and shape as to not overpower the handbags 12 or the belts 50, no matter the size, while at the same time not being too small so as to fail to alter the overall appearance of the handbags 12 or the belts 50. Even if the same or duplicate buckled ribbon 28 is used on the different handbags 12 and belts 50, a different aesthetic is created in different handbags 12 and belts 50 while still tying those embodiments together through coordination of the buckled ribbons 28.

This aesthetic contrast can be further seen in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A-31. A different decorative attachment 20 in the form of buckled ribbon 34 is secured to the same handbags 12 in FIGS. 3A-3F of a large purse 40, a small purse 42, a day bag 44, a tote bag 45, a clutch 46, and a strapped pocketbook 48 as those shown in FIGS. 2A-2F. Further, the decorative attachment 20 in the form of buckled ribbon 34 is also secured to the same belts 50 in FIGS. 3G-31 as those shown in FIG. 2A-2I. The buckled ribbon 34 is also of an appropriate size and shape as to not overpower the handbags 12 or the belts 50, no matter the size, while at the same time not being too small so as to fail to alter the overall appearance of the handbags 12 or the belts 50. Each embodiment provides a different appearance between the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A-2I and 3A-3I.

At least one duplicate decorative attachment that corresponds to at least one of the plurality of decorative attachments can be provided. The duplicative decorative attachment 20 and the corresponding decorative attachment 20 can be matching decorative attachments 20 that can be received on a handbag 12 and a belt 12 to be used together as with those handbags illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2F with the belts illustrated in FIGS. 2G-21 and as with those handbags illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3F with the belts illustrated in FIGS. 3G-31. Similarly, a plurality of duplicate decorative attachments that correspond to the plurality of decorative attachments can be provided. As above, the duplicative decorative attachments and the corresponding decorative attachments can be matching decorative attachments that can be received on a handbag and a belt to be used together.

The different decorative attachments 20 can be attached to the different handbags or belts in different manners. For example, the decorative attachments 20 can be coupled to the handbags and/or belts by fasteners. These fasteners can be matching fasteners such that the plurality of handbags and plurality of belts each include a fastener and each decorative attachment includes a matching fastener that permits the coupling of the any decorative attachment to any of the plurality of handbags and any of the plurality of belts. For example, the fasteners can be snaps, buttons, magnets, or the like. Further, the fasteners can be hook and loop fasteners such as those fasteners sold under the trade name VELCRO®.

The fasteners can be reversible fasteners. The reversible fastener can be configured to allow an item of apparel, such as a belt, to be reversible. The reversible fastener would also permit a wearer to attach decorative items having hook and loop fastening means. As shown in FIG. 5, a reversible fastener, generally designated 60 can be a series of aligned strips of hooks 62 and strips of loops 64, alternating between the hook strip 62 and the loop strip 64. When secured to a belt, handbag, or decorative attachment, the strips 62, 64 can run in a vertical direction as measured from a normal orientation of the belt, handbag, or decorative attachment. Such a configuration can permit the decorative attachment to be detachably securable to the belts and handbags. Further, such a configuration can allow the belt to be worn with either side of the belt facing outward while also permitting use of the decorative item to cover the hook and loop fasteners.

Embodiments of the present disclosure shown in the drawings and described above are exemplary of numerous embodiments that can be made within the scope of the appending claims. It is contemplated that the configurations of a system for providing the ability to accessorize handbags and belts to coordinate with a user's outfit can comprise numerous configurations other than those specifically disclosed. The scope of a patent issuing from this disclosure will be defined by these appending claims.

Claims

1. A system for providing the ability to accessorize handbags and belts to coordinate with a user's outfit, the system comprising:

a plurality of handbags having different shapes and sizes, each handbag configured to represent a different style of handbag;

a plurality of belts having different shapes and widths;

a plurality of decorative attachments varying in at least one of color, shape or pattern; and

each handbag and each belt being configured to receive any of the plurality of decorative attachments such that the received decorative attachment is detachably secured thereon and each decorative attachment is configured to be a proper size and shape for selective decorating any of the handbags or belts.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of handbags comprise different material.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of handbags comprise different patterns.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of handbags comprise different colors.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of belts comprise different material.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of belts comprise different patterns.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of belts comprise different colors.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of decorative attachments comprise different material.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of handbags and plurality of belts each include a fastener and each decorative attachment includes a matching fastener that permits the coupling of any decorative attachment to any of the plurality of handbags and any of the plurality of belts.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the fasteners and matching fasteners comprise hook and loop fasteners.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the fasteners and matching fasteners comprise reversible fasteners.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the reversible fasteners comprise a series of vertical strips of hooks and loops, alternating between the hook strips and the loop strips.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the belts of the plurality of belts is reversible.

14. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one duplicate decorative attachment that corresponds to at least one of the plurality of decorative attachments such that the duplicate decorative attachment and the corresponding decorative attachment comprise matching decorative attachments that can be received on a handbag and a belt to coordinate the handbag and belt.

15. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of duplicate decorative attachments that correspond to the plurality of decorative attachments such that the duplicate decorative attachments and the respective corresponding decorative attachments comprise matching decorative attachments that can be received on a handbag and a belt to coordinate the handbag and belt.