CUSTOMIZABLE CLUTCH WITH INTERCHANGEABLE SHELLS AND INTERCHANGEABLE CLASPS
A customizable clutch having a pair of removable shells and an interchangeable clasp mechanism to allow a wearer to change the look and style of the clutch. The customizable clutch has a main body with a pair of half sections, a removable rigid inner shell having a pair of half sections, and an interchangeable outer shell having a pair of half sections. Removable rigid inner shells are removably attached to the pair of rigid half shells forming the main body using magnets. Interchangeable outer shells are removably attached to the removable rigid inner shells using a fastener.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/037,101, filed Sep. 25, 2013, entitled “Customizable Clutch with Interchangeable Shells and Drop-In Clasps,” published as US 2015/0083288 A1, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully recited herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to clutches, and more particularly to a rigid customizable or modular clutch with interchangeable shells and interchangeable clasps.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional handbags allow no flexibility in color coordination or in texture coordination with different clothing apparels that a user may wear. Such considerations are especially important in ladies' handbags and clutches. Modern fashion clutches are often of similar shape but have very different decorative clasps, which change the look and sometimes the function of the clutch. Users are forced to either purchase and store a number of different clutches for use with different apparel outfits, or they must use the same clutch even though the exposed surface may clash or is otherwise inappropriate for use on particular occasions. Owning several clutches is not only expensive but it also requires a lot of storage room in one's closet or suitcase. Further, moving the contents of one clutch into a different clutch can be a tedious process, and there is a risk that something important may be left behind unnoticed in a pocket of the original clutch.
Several attempts have been made to develop handbags and clutches with interchangeable covers for changing the external appearance. Various solutions have not entirely solved the current problems, including loss of items from open-mouth purses or purse inserts; increasing complexity of purses with interior pockets and flaps; inefficient means for fastening a cover to a foundation bag; and undesirable bulkiness or heaviness of the resulting handbag. Some handbags and purses provide embedded releasable snap fasteners to fasten detachable and interchangeable coverings and handles. However, these snap fasteners may easily come off and look unattractive.
In light of the foregoing, there is a need for a customizable clutch with interchangeable outer shells and interchangeable clasps. Such a needed clutch would be rigid and easily customized to change its appearance. The customizable clutch would comprise a main body and interchangeable inner and outer shells and interchangeable clasps. The customizable clutch would also comprise a system that allows the clutch to easily interchange outer shells. Further, the clutch would comprise a clasp system that allows the clutch to easily interchange clasps or handles to provide desirable clutch designs and colors. Such a unique customizable rigid clutch would avoid the need for purchasing several clutches for coordination with different apparels that a user may wear. The present invention accomplishes these, among other, objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present embodiment is a customizable rigid clutch with interchangeable outer shells and clasps. The customizable rigid clutch comprises a rigid main body, at least one interchangeable outer shell secured to the rigid main body, and an interchangeable clasp system. The main body serves as a platform for the interchangeable shells and the interchangeable clasps. The interchangeable outer shells and the interchangeable clasps may be easily changed for coordination with different apparels that a user may wear.
Accordingly, the customizable clutch has a main body having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections attached along a bottom side by a hinge, and each of the pair of half sections having a first magnetic portions. The customizable clutch also has an interchangeable rigid inner shell having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections having a second magnetic portion to removably attach to the first magnetic portions in the pair of half sections of the main body. The customizable clutch also has an interchangeable (soft) outer shell having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections having a fastener to removably attach to the pair of half sections of the removable rigid inner shell.
The customizable clutch also has an interchangeable clasp mechanism, which has a clasp base and at least one removable clasp. The customizable clutch has a clasp base having a spring-loaded latching mechanism with a latch and a release button. The removable clasp has an indent formed therein for receiving the latch. When the release button is depressed, the spring loaded latching mechanism allows the removable clasp to be removed from the customizable clutch.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
The following describes exemplary embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. This invention, however, may be embodied in many different ways, and the description provided herein should not be construed as limiting in any way. Among other things, the following invention may be embodied as methods or devices. As such, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. The following detailed descriptions should not be taken in a limiting sense.
In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or,” such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, all publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in this document are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as though individually incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and those documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference(s) should be considered supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls.
Referring to
Magnetic portion 111 is shown in
Clasp pieces 105 can have a variety of shapes and be made out of a number of materials. In a preferred embodiment, clasp piece 105 is made of a jewel or stone. Each clasp piece 105 has a dovetail-shaped recessed portion 122 to mate with the clasp base 118 found on main body 102 of customizable clutch 101.
Interchangeable outer shell 103 can also be made of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to leather, suede, denim, cotton or other natural or artificial fabric material and have a variety of patterns or embellishments. In a preferred embodiment, interchangeable outer shell 103 is non-rigid.
Removable rigid inner half shell 110 also has a main rectangular portion 116 and four side walls 117 extending from main rectangular portion 116. Loop and hook fasteners 115 (such as VELCRO®) are provided on a portion of the inside of each of the four side walls 114 and also on an inside walls of the four side walls 117 of removable rigid inner half shell 110. In a preferred embodiment, removable rigid inner half shell 110 has chamfered corners to allow interchangeable outer shells 103 to cover removable rigid inner half shell 110.
While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A customizable clutch comprising:
- a main body having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections attached along a bottom side by a hinge, each of the pair of half sections having a first magnetic portions;
- an interchangeable rigid inner shell having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections having a second magnetic portion to removably attach to the first magnetic portions in the pair of half sections of the main body;
- an interchangeable outer shell having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections having a fastener to removably attach to the pair of half sections of the interchangeable rigid inner shell; and
- an interchangeable clasp mechanism having a clasp base and at least one removable clasp.
2. The customizable clutch of claim 1, wherein said clasp base has a spring-loaded latching mechanism with a latch and a release button, said removable clasp having an indent formed therein for receiving said latch, and wherein when said release button is depressed, the spring loaded latching mechanism allows said removable clasp to be removed from the customizable clutch.
3. A customizable clutch comprising:
- a main body having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections attached along a bottom side by a hinge, each of the pair of half sections having a magnetic portion; and
- an interchangeable rigid inner shell having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections having a magnetic portion to removably attach to the magnetic portions in the pair of half sections of the main body; and
- an interchangeable outer shell having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections having a fastener to removably attach to the pair of half sections of the interchangeable rigid inner shell.
4. The customizable clutch of claim 1, wherein said clasp base has a spring-loaded latching mechanism with a latch and a release button, said removable clasp having an indent formed therein for receiving said latch and wherein when said release button is depressed, the spring loaded latching mechanism allows said removable clasp to be removed from the customizable clutch.
5. A customizable clutch comprising:
- a main body with two half shells;
- an interchangeable clasp mechanism having a clasp base and at least one removable clasp;
- said clasp base having a spring-loaded latching mechanism with a latch and a release button; and
- said removable clasp having a recess formed therein for receiving said latch;
- wherein when said release button is depressed, the spring loaded latching mechanism allows said removable clasp to be removed from the customizable clutch.
Type: Application
Filed: May 6, 2016
Publication Date: Sep 1, 2016
Inventors: Eliana Ghantous (Woodland Hills, CA), Sami Ghantous (Woodland Hills, CA)
Application Number: 15/149,070