Convertible Clutch Bag

Abstract

The Convertible Clutch bag is a clutch style purse that converts to a waist bag (belt bag) allowing users to carry a stylish bag accessory while also providing for hands free use. This clutch bag is a purse with two straps attached to the bag portion at the opposing outside edges of the bag portion. The two straps are an integral part of the design style of the bag when it is used as a clutch style purse. Alternately the ends of the straps can be unwrapped and used as a belt to secure the clutch around the user's waist for hands free use.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/919,344 filed Dec. 20, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to handbags, in particular clutch style handbags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The clutch style hand bag is a popular fashion accessory, providing the user with a convenient storage for necessary items such as cell phones, keys, money, sunglasses, identification and other items. Generally smaller and less bulky than traditional purses, the clutch bag allows users to carry necessary items without being burdened with a large bag. It is also the case that clutch style handbags are often crafted with the fashionable user in mind, having been made with high quality materials and a thoughtful design. Typically, the clutch bag is strapless and held or “clutched” in the user's hand. A drawback of the strapless nature of the clutch bag is the requirement that the user hold the bag at all times. This can be burdensome to users wishing to have their hands free for activities.

The waist bag or “fanny pack” is a bag device typically comprising a bulky bag portion, often shaped like a football with straps extending from the ends of the bag. The straps wrap around the waist of the user, securing the bag to the hip region of the user. Waist bags are typically made from inexpensive, low quality materials such as nylon. The bulky nature of the waist bag along with its lack of thoughtful design and low quality materials, often make it a poor choice for fashion minded users.

The shortcomings in the prior art therefore create a need for a fashionable clutch style purse that can be adapted for hands-free use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the invention of the present disclosure is a clutch style purse that converts to a waist bag (belt bag) allowing users to carry a stylish bag accessory while also providing for hands-free use. The clutch purse of the present invention comprises a bag portion further comprising a front side, a back side, two opposing outside edges and at least one inside pocket, the clutch purse further comprises two straps coupled to the bag portion at the opposing outside edges of the bag portion. The straps further comprise terminal ends. The terminal ends of the straps further comprise a connection means for connecting the terminal ends of the straps to each other. The back side of the bag portion further comprises a loop adapted to hold the straps in place when not in use.

In another embodiment, the invention of the present disclosure is a method of reversibly converting a clutch bag to a waist bag comprising the steps of unwrapping two straps coupled to opposing edges of a bag portion and wrapped around the bag portion; wrapping the two straps around the waist of a user, securing the two straps together using a connection means coupled to the terminal ends of the two straps thereby securing the bag portion around the waist of a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Shows the front side of the bag portion.

FIG. 2: Shows the back side of the bag portion.

FIG. 3: Shows the back side of the bag portion with the straps unloosened from the front of the bag.

FIG. 4: Shows the front of the bag with the straps unloosened from the front of the bag.

FIG. 5: Shows a view of the bag from the top illustrating the bag portion and inside pocket.

FIG. 6: Shows the front of the bag with the straps secured for when the bag is in hands-free use as a waist bag.

FIG. 7: Shows a view of a user securing the waist bag in place for hands-free use.

FIG. 8. Illustrates how a user would wear the bag as a waist bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment the invention is a clutch style handbag or purse (hereinafter “clutch”) that converts to a waist bag. The clutch further comprises a bag portion which further comprises a front side 10, a back side 19, two opposing outside edges 14 15, and at least one inside pocket 20. The clutch further comprises two straps 12 13 coupled to the opposing outside edges of the bag portion. The two straps further comprise terminal ends 21 22 which further comprise a means of connecting the straps together 11. The back side of the clutch further comprises a loop 16 adapted to secure the straps to bag portion when not in use.

The bag portion may be constructed from any material known to those having skill in the art. More particularly, the bag portion may be constructed from high quality leather and/or canvas and may feature both fabric and waterproof vinyl liners giving the inside of the bag portion waterproof functionality and a finished appearance. For example the bag portion may further comprise a three panel construction, wherein the panels may be different colors and/or different materials. In a preferred embodiment, the bag portion may measure approximately 6″ by 8″ making it an ideal clutch-to-belt bag size. Then at least one inside pocket of the bag portion will therefore be large enough to fit a pair of sunglasses. Then at least one inside pocket of the bag portion may close using any closure means known to those having skill in the art. For example the bag portion may close via a zipper 17 with a leather zipper pull 18 along an outside top edge of the bag portion.

The clutch further comprises two straps 12 13 coupled to the opposing edges 14 15 of the bag portion. The straps may be of approximately the same length or of differing lengths such that one of the straps is substantially longer than the other strap. In such conformations, one strap may be about ˜13 inches long and the other strap may be about ˜23 inches long such that the total length of the clutch bag including the straps should be approximately ˜45 inches long, which includes ˜8 inches of bag. The straps further comprise terminal ends 22 23 which in turn further comprise a connection 11 means to fasten the terminal ends together, thereby allowing the clutch to be fastened around the waist of a user. Any connection means known to those having skill in the art may be utilized, as in, for example, a hook and loop closure system, a buckle, or the like. In a preferred embodiment one terminal end of one strap further comprises two D-rings 11 which allow for the fastening of the clutch around the waist of a user by looping one of the straps through the D-rings.

When the user desires to use the clutch as a hand held bag, the straps are unfastened from around the user's waist and each strap is wrapped around the bag portion. A loop 16 on the back side 19 of the bag portion serves to hold the straps in place and keep them flush against the surfaces of the bag portion. The loop may be made from any material known to those having skill in the art, as in, for example, leather. Once wrapped around the bag portion the straps are connected together using the connection 11 means located at the terminal ends of the straps, as in for example by looping the longer strap through the D-rings on the shorter strap, thereby securing the straps to the center of the front side of the bag portion.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

All references cited herein, including all patents, published patent applications, and published scientific articles, are incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

Claims

1. A clutch style purse that converts to a waist bag comprising:

a bag portion further comprising a front side, a back side, two opposing outside edges and at least one inside pocket;

two straps coupled to the bag portion at the opposing outside edges of the bag portion wherein the straps further comprise terminal ends; and wherein the terminal ends of the straps further comprise a connection means for connecting the terminal ends of the straps to each other; and

wherein the back side of the bag portion further comprises a loop adapted to hold the straps in place when not in use.

2. The clutch style purse of claim 1 wherein the bag portion is made of leather.

3. The clutch style purse of claim 1 wherein the bag portion is made of cotton.

4. The clutch style purse of claim 1 wherein the bag portion is made of neoprene.

5. The clutch style purse of claim 1 wherein the bag portion is made of nylon.

6. The clutch style purse of claim 1 wherein the bag portion is made of vinyl.

7. The clutch style purse of claim 1 wherein the bag portion is made of wool.

8. A method of reversibly converting a clutch bag to a waist bag comprising:

unwrapping two straps coupled to opposing edges of a bag portion and wrapped around the bag portion;

wrapping the two straps around the waist of a user; and

securing the two straps together using a connection means coupled to the terminal ends of the two straps thereby securing the bag portion around the waist of a user.