Inversible handbag

An accessory bag having a central compartment accessible from either a top access hole or a bottom access hole is disclosed. In one embodiment, the connection system uses straps affixed in a vertical position to each side of said handbag respectively. Accordingly, the handbag is used in an upright position or an upside down position.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to handbags.

PROBLEM STATEMENT Interpretation Considerations

This section describes the technical field in more detail, and discusses problems encountered in the technical field. This section does not describe prior art as defined for purposes of anticipation or obviousness under 35 U.S.C. section 102 or 35 U.S.C. section 103. Thus, nothing stated in the Problem Statement is to be construed as prior art.

Discussion

The present invention relates to an accessory bag, more particularly, to an accessory bag, such as a ladies' handbag or purse that can be utilized with or without a shoulder strap.

Typical accessory bags are held by the wearer using a shoulder strap. These types of accessory bags can be convenient and provide various advantages to the wearer, various shortcomings are experienced by each. For example, these purses or handbags are utilized in casual settings. In more formal settings, a wearer typically uses the handbag without the shoulder strap. Each of these handbags allow the wearer to carry various items, such as lipstick, cosmetic cases, cellular telephones, wallets, checkbooks, etc, while at the same time allowing the wearer to freely use one's hands and opposite shoulder for other purposes. Unfortunately, these types of handbags have some shortcomings or disadvantages as well. For example, finding a small item such as pen amongst all the other items in a wearer's handbag can be problematic, requiring extra time, and can lead to embarrassment if holding up a check out line. Also, the wearer may have to remove several of the larger items such as the wallet or cosmetic case in order to retrieve the items buried underneath.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a handbag that can allow easier access in order to retrieve contents.

It is further the object of the present invention to provide a handbag having the above indicted feature of being easily more accessible and maintaining an aesthetically pleasing manner. Various other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the invention, as well as an embodiment, are better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The detailed description, given by way of examples and not intended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and parts in which:

FIG. 1 is a top down view from the left side of the front according to the teachings of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top down view from the left side of the front according to the teachings of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a top down view from the right side of the front according to the teachings of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom up view from the right side of the back according to the teachings of the invention.

 EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE Interpretation Considerations

When reading this section (An Exemplary Embodiment of a Best Mode, which describes an exemplary embodiment of the best mode of the invention, hereinafter “exemplary embodiment”), one should keep in mind several points. First, the following exemplary embodiment is what the inventor believes to be the best mode for practicing the invention at the time this patent was filed. Thus, since one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from the following exemplary embodiment that substantially equivalent structures or substantially equivalent acts may be used to achieve the same results in exactly the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way, the following exemplary embodiment should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to one embodiment.

Likewise, individual aspects (sometimes called species) of the invention are provided as examples, and, accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from a following exemplary structure (or a following exemplary act) that a substantially equivalent structure or substantially equivalent act may be used to either achieve the same results in substantially the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way.

Accordingly, the discussion of a species (or a specific item) invokes the genus (the class of items) to which that species belongs as well as related species in that genus. Likewise, the recitation of a genus invokes the species known in the art. Furthermore, it is recognized that as technology develops, a number of additional alternatives to achieve an aspect of the invention may arise. Such advances are hereby incorporated within their respective genus, and should be recognized as being functionally equivalent or structurally equivalent to the aspect shown or described.

Second, the only essential aspects of the invention are identified by the claims. Thus, aspects of the invention, including elements, acts, functions, and relationships (shown or described) should not be interpreted as being essential unless they are explicitly described and identified as being essential. Third, a function or an act should be interpreted as incorporating all modes of doing that function or act, unless otherwise explicitly stated (for example, one recognizes that “tacking” may be done by nailing, stapling, gluing, hot gunning, riveting, etc., and so a use of the word tacking invokes stapling, gluing, etc., and all other modes of that word and similar words, such as “attaching”).

Fourth, unless explicitly stated otherwise, conjunctive words (such as “or”, “and”, “including”, or “comprising” for example) should be interpreted in the inclusive, not the exclusive, sense. Fifth, the words “means” and “step” are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the invention and do not mean “means” or “step” as defined in §112, paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C., unless used as “means for —functioning—” or “step for —functioning—” in the Claims section. Sixth, the invention is also described in view of the Festo decisions, and, in that regard, the claims and the invention incorporate equivalents known, unknown, foreseeable, and unforeseeable. Seventh, the language and each word used in the invention should be given the ordinary interpretation of the language and the word, unless indicated otherwise. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, various structures and devices are depicted in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention.

It should be noted in the following discussion that acts with like names are performed in like manners, unless otherwise stated. Of course, the foregoing discussions and definitions are provided for clarification purposes and are not limiting. Words and phrases are to be given their ordinary plain meaning unless indicated otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is an apparatus used as an accessory bag, referred to as handbag herein, which has multiple access points allowing the user easier access to items contained inside the handbag. The invention includes various straps, strap holders, coverings, and the handbag component, as further discussed below, that realizes the above-mentioned objectives. Handbags come in all shapes and sizes. These handbags hold a variety of items including mobile phones, wallets, make-up, pens, etc. Finding pens or other small items buried amongst the other items, even beneath larger items is difficult and time consuming. Access to the bottom of the pile of items is easier done when accessed from beneath the pile, or flipping the handbag upside down and accessing the items from the bottom of the handbag through a second access point. When flipped upside down, the small buried items are now at the top of the pile and accessed easily and more efficiently.

FIG. 100 is the view of the strapless handbag, which is an alternative embodiment, shown from the top left front angle. The strapless handbag is more suitable for formal attire. The preferred embodiment will be discussed later shown with additional elements not present on the strapless handbag. The strapless handbag has a generally rectangular top surface 110, and a generally rectangular base surface (not shown in FIG. 100, but shown in later figures). The top surface 110 has a first access hole 112 which is closed by a fastener 114. In FIG. 100, the fastener is a string tie 115. The first access hole 112 is shown as closed by the fastener 114. The base surface has a second access hole which is also closed by a fastener (not shown in this figure, but shown and discussed later). Attached to the top surface 110 is a generally rectangular front surface 130. The front surface couples the top surface 110 to the base surface at the corresponding edges 132, 134. The front surface 130 has a first front edge 132 and a second front edge 134. The handbag has a rear surface (not shown in FIG. 100, but shown in later figures), which couples the top surface to the bottom surface at corresponding rear edges (not shown in FIG. 100, but shown and discussed later). Located adjacent to the top surface 110, the front surface 130, base surface and the rear surface is a generally rectangular first side surface 150 which is affixed to the top, base, front, and rear surfaces along the first side edges 152, 154, 156, 158. A generally rectangular second side surface (not shown in FIG. 100, but shown and discussed later) is affixed to the top, front, base, and rear surfaces at the second side edges (not shown in FIG. 100, but discussed and shown later). These surfaces (the top surface 110, front surface 130, base surface, rear surface, first side surface 150, and second side surface) define at least one enclosed space that is accessible by both the first access hole 112 and the second access hole. Each respective surface of the hand bag is made of material which the respective seams of said material are latched or sewn together to hold the handbag together. Of course the handbag of the present invention may have a different basic construction such as known in the art.

On the top surface 110 of the handbag is the fastener 114. In FIG. 100, the fastener shown is a string tie 115 and is in the closed position. A string tie is a string that is threaded through the material near the edges of the access hole and when tightened, the string tie pulls the material together closing off the access hole. When untied and loosened, the string tie 115 allows the enclosed space to be accessed; items can be placed inside or removed. The amount of access area 112 is restricted by the size of the top of the handbag. It can be smaller as well if needed. Located on the base of the handbag is a similar string tie that operates in the same fashion as the string tie 115 on the top 110 of the handbag. The base is not shown in FIG. 100, but will be shown and discussed in later figures. String ties are used in FIG. 100; other fasteners can be used including but not limited to zippers, buttons, Velcro, and ziplocks.

On the front 130 of the handbag are several ornamental designs 136. These ornamental designs 136 are hanging ornaments which is a string attaching the ornament to the front surface 130. These designs maintain aesthetic appeal whether the handbag is being used in the right side up position, shown, or the upside down position, not shown but understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art. When the handbag is flipped upside down, these ornaments 136 flip and hang in the opposite direction giving the handbag a similar look as the right side up position. In this example, an additional ornamental design 136 is the ying and yang symbol, which allows the handbag to look similar in either position. On the first side 150 of the handbag is another ornamental design 155. This design 155 also looks very similar in either the right side up position or the upside down position.

Shown in FIG. 200 is the top, left, front view of the handbag with a shoulder strap. The shoulder strap is used with the handbag to increase convenience allowing the wearer to keep the handbag secured and the freedom to use one's hands. The handbag has a generally rectangular top surface 210, and a generally rectangular base surface (not shown in FIG. 200, but shown in later figures). The top surface 210 has a first access hole 212 which is closed by a fastener 214. In FIG. 200, the fastener is a zipper 215. The first access hole 212 is shown as closed by the zipper 215. The base surface has a second access hole which is also closed by a fastener (not shown in this figure, but shown and discussed later). Attached to the top surface 210 is a generally rectangular front surface 230. The front surface couples the top surface 210 to the base surface at the corresponding edges 232, 234. The front surface 230 has a first front edge 232 and a second front edge 234. The handbag has a rear surface (not shown in FIG. 200, but shown in later figures), which couples the top surface to the bottom surface at corresponding rear edges (not shown in FIG. 200, but shown and discussed later). Located adjacent to the top surface 210, the front surface 230, base surface and the rear surface is a generally rectangular first side surface 250 which is affixed to the top, base, front, and rear surfaces along the first side edges 252, 254, 256, 258, a first side first edge 252, a first side second edge 254, a first side third edge 256, a first side fourth edge 258. A generally rectangular second side surface (not shown in FIG. 200, but shown and discussed later) is affixed to the top, front, base, and rear surfaces at the second side edges (not shown in FIG. 200, but discussed and shown later). These surfaces (the top surface 210, front surface 230, base surface, rear surface, first side surface 250, and second side surface) define at least one enclosed space that is accessible by both the first access hole 212 and the second access hole. Each respective surface of the hand bag is made of material which the respective seams of said material are latched or sewn together to hold the handbag together. Of course the handbag of the present invention may have a different basic construction such as known in the art.

On the top surface 210 of the handbag is the fastener 214. In FIG. 200, the fastener shown is a zipper 215 and is in the closed position. When unzipped and loosened, the zipper 215 allows the enclosed space to be accessed; items can be placed inside or removed. The amount of access area 212 is restricted by the size of the top of the handbag. It can be smaller as well if needed. Located on the base of the handbag is a similar zipper that operates in the same fashion as the zipper 215 on the top 210 of the handbag. The base is not shown in FIG. 200, but will be shown and discussed in later figures. String ties are used in FIG. 100, zippers are used in FIG. 200; other fasteners can be used including but not limited to buttons, Velcro, and ziplocks.

On the first side 250 of the handbag is a rolled length of material, a first strap 251 having a top end 253 and a bottom end 255. The top end 253 is affixed along the first side near the first side first edge 252 and the bottom end 255 is affixed near the first side third edge 256. A rolled length of material is a leather strap or a string, a piece of material that looks the same on both sides and can support the weight of the handbag and its contents. A first coupler 257 is coupled about the first strap such the first couple can slide along the first strap. The coupler's ability to move freely allows the user to move a third strap 270 when the handbag is flipped such that when the handbag is in the upright position, shown in FIG. 200, the first end 272 of the third strap is positioned near the top end 253 of the first strap 251. When the handbag is flipped into the upside down position, the first end 272 of the third strap 270 and the first coupler 257 are moved along the first strap 251 to the position near the bottom end 255 of the first strap 251. The first coupler 257 can be a ring that is situated around the first strap 251. The ring can be a torus metallic ring, a wooden ring, or a plastic ring. The third strap 270 is the shoulder strap and is made of a rolled length of material which is one of a string, a leather strap, a band, or leash. Other materials that are suitable for the third strap look similar on both a top side and bottom side and can support the weight of the handbag and its contents. The second end of the third strap 270 is not shown in FIG. 200, but it attaches to a second strap on the second side set up in similar fashion to the first side. The second side along with the second end of the third strap 270 will be shown and discussed in later FIGS. 300.

On the front 230 of the handbag are several ornamental designs 236. These ornamental designs 236 are hanging ornaments which is a string attaching the ornament to the front surface 230. These designs maintain aesthetic appeal whether the handbag is being used in the right side up position, shown, or the upside down position, not shown but understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art. When the handbag is flipped upside down, these ornaments 236 flip and hang in the opposite direction giving the handbag a similar look as the right side up position. Additional ornamental designs, such as the ying and yang symbol, that look similar in either handbag position, are suitable to be added to the front side 230 of the handbag, but not pertinent.

FIG. 300 shows the top surface 310, the front surface 330 and the second side surface 360 of the handbag from the top, front, right view angle. The front surface 330 and the top surface 310 are discussed and shown in FIG. 200. FIG. 300 will focus primarily on the second side surface 360 which was not shown in FIG. 200.

On the second side surface 360 of the handbag is a rolled length of material, a second strap 361 having a top end 363 and a bottom end 365. The top end 363 is affixed along the second side 360 near the second side first edge 362 and the bottom end 365 is affixed near the second side third edge 366. A second coupler 367 is coupled about the second strap 361 such the second coupler can slide along the second strap. The coupler's ability to move freely allows the user to move a third strap 370 when the handbag is flipped such that when the handbag is in the upright position, shown in FIG. 300, the second end 374 of the third strap 370 is positioned near the top end 363 of the second strap 361. When the handbag is flipped into the upside down position, the second end 374 of the third strap 370 and the second coupler 367 are moved along the second strap 361 to the position near the bottom end 365 of the second strap 361. The second coupler 367 can be a ring that is situated around the second strap 361. The ring can be a torus metallic ring, a wooden ring, or a plastic ring. The first end of the third strap 370 was shown in FIG. 200.

FIG. 400 shows the base, left, rear view of the handbag with the shoulder strap. In FIG. 400, the handbag is shown in the right side up position. Shown is the base surface 420, the rear surface 440, and the first side 450. The first side 450 was discussed in FIG. 200. FIG. 400 will focus on the base surface 420 and rear surface 440.

On the base surface 420 of the handbag is the fastener 424. In FIG. 400, the fastener shown is a zipper 425 and is in the closed position. When unzipped and loosened, the zipper 425 allows the enclosed space to be accessed; items can be placed inside or removed. The amount of access area 422 is restricted by the size of the top of the handbag. It can be smaller as well if needed. String ties are used in FIG. 100, zippers are used in FIGS. 200 and 400; other fasteners can be used including but not limited to buttons, Velcro, and ziplocks. The second zipper 425 operates in similar fashion to the first zipper shown in FIG. 200. The rear surface 440 has ornamental designs 442 which are similar to the designs in FIGS. 100, 200, and 300 in that they look similar in the right side up position or upside down position.

There are two uses of the handbag. There is the first use, which is the right side up position and then the second use, which is an upside down position or inverted set-up to the first use. When the shoulder strap and the first coupler and the second coupler are in the position at the tops of both the first strap and the second strap respectively, then the hand bag is being used in the upright position. When the shoulder strap and the first coupler and the second coupler are in the is at the bottom ends of both the first strap and the second strap respectively, the handbag is in the upside down position, which is not shown but understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art.

When in use, the items contained in the handbag may slide to the bottom of the handbag and be covered by other items. The user may have trouble locating items that have slipped to the bottom of the handbag. Utilizing the capability of this inversible handbag, the user can flip the handbag from the standard position to the upside down position. The upside down position allows the user to access the items through the base and find these covered items more easily as the items are no longer at the bottom of the handbag, but now at the top of the handbag in the upside down position. Due to the fashionable considerations and the mechanical ability of the Inversible handbag, it looks the same or similar in the either position allowing a user to carry said handbag in either position, which is more convenient.

Claims

1. An apparatus being accessory bag adapted to operate in a right side up or upside down position, comprising;

a generally rectangular top surface and a generally rectangular base surface, the top surface has a first access hole closed by a first fastener, the base surface as a second access hole closed by a second fastener;
a generally rectangular front surface and a generally rectangular rear surface;
the front surface couples the top surface to the base surface at corresponding front first edge and front second edge, the rear surface also couples the top surface to the base surface at corresponding rear first edge and rear second edge;
a generally rectangular first side surface and a generally rectangular second side surfaces,
the first side surface being affixed to said top surface, base surface, front surface, and rear surface along first side first edge, first side second edge, first side third edge, and first side fourth edge, the second side surface being affixed to said top surface, base surface, front surface, and rear surface along second side first edge, second side second edge, second side third edge, second side fourth edge, such that the surfaces define at least one enclosed space that is accessible by both the first access hole and the second access hole;
a first rolled length of material, a first strap having a top end and a bottom end, the top end affixed along the first side near the top and the bottom end affixed to the first side near the base;
a second rolled length of material, a second strap having a top end and a bottom end, the top end affixed along the second side near the top and the bottom end affixed to the second side near the base;
a first coupler coupled about the first strap that can slide along the first strap;
a second coupler coupled about the second strap that can slide along the second strap; and
a third rolled length of material, a shoulder strap having a first end attached to the first coupler, and a second end attached to the second coupler.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first fastener and the second fastener comprise zippers.

3. The apparatus of claim I wherein the first fastener and the second fastener comprises string ties.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein first fastener and the second fastener comprises buttons.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first coupler and the second coupler are generally round metallic rings that fit around the first and second straps respectively and attach the shoulder strap.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one ring is wood.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one ring is metal.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 having a first ornamental feature located on an exterior of the front surface, the ornamental feature having the same appearance when inverted.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 having a first hanging ornamental feature attached to an exterior of the front surface proximate to the top surface, the hanging ornamental feature having the same appearance when inverted.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 having a first hanging ornamental feature attached to an exterior of the front surface proximate to the bottom surface, the hanging ornamental feature having the same appearance when inverted.

11. The apparatus in claim 1 having a right side up or upside down position, comprising;

a generally rectangular top surface and a generally rectangular base surface, the top surface has a first access hole closed by a first fastener, the base surface as a second access hole closed by a second fastener;
a generally rectangular front surface and a generally rectangular rear surface;
the front surface couples the top surface to the base surface at corresponding front first edge and front second edge, the rear surface also couples the top surface to the base surface at corresponding rear first edge and rear second edge;
a generally rectangular first side surface and a generally rectangular second side surfaces,
the first side surface being affixed to said top surface, base surface, front surface, and rear surface along first side first edge, first side second edge, first side third edge, and first side fourth edge,
the second side surface being affixed to said top surface, base surface, front surface, and rear surface along second side first edge, second side second edge, second side third edge, second side fourth edge, such that the surfaces define at least one enclosed space that is accessible by both the first access hole and the second access hole;
a first rolled length of material, a first strap having a top end and a bottom end, the top end affixed along the first side near the top and the bottom end affixed to the first side near the base;
a second rolled length of material, a second strap having a top end and a bottom end, the top end affixed along the second side near the top and the bottom end affixed to the second side near the base;
a third rolled length of material, a shoulder strap having a first end attached coupled about the first strap, and a second end coupled about the second strap.

12. We claim an apparatus being accessory bag adapted to operate in a right side up or upside down position, comprising;

a generally rectangular top surface and a generally rectangular base surface, the top surface has a first access hole closed by a first fastener, the base surface as a second access hole closed by a second fastener;
a generally rectangular front surface and a generally rectangular rear surface;
the front surface couples the top surface to the base surface at corresponding front first edge and front second edge, the rear surface also couples the top surface to the base surface at corresponding rear first edge and rear second edge;
a generally rectangular first side surface and a generally rectangular second side surfaces,
the first side surface being affixed to said top surface, base surface, front surface, and rear surface along first side first edge, first side second edge, first side third edge, and first side fourth edge, the second side surface being affixed to said top surface, base surface, front surface, and rear surface along second side first edge, second side second edge, second side third edge, second side fourth edge, such that the surfaces define at least one enclosed space that is accessible by both the first access hole and the second access hole.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first fastener and the second fastener comprise zippers.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first fastener and the second fastener comprise string ties.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein first fastener and the second fastener comprise buttons.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 having a first ornamental feature located on an exterior of the front surface, the ornamental feature having the same appearance when inverted.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 having a first hanging ornamental feature attached to an exterior of the front surface proximate to the top surface, the hanging ornamental feature having the same appearance when inverted.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 having a first hanging ornamental feature attached to an exterior of the front surface proximate to the bottom surface, the hanging ornamental feature having the same appearance when inverted.

Patent History
Publication number: 20120152417
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 20, 2010
Publication Date: Jun 21, 2012
Inventors: Judith K. Thomas (Richardson, TX), Philip M. Cox (Hamilton, MO)
Application Number: 12/928,832
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Single (150/110); Independently Closable Compartments (150/117)
International Classification: A45C 13/00 (20060101); A45C 3/06 (20060101);