Purse Having Interchangeable Ornamental Portion

Abstract

A purse having a strap, a main body bag, and an ornamental portion in a manner that allows the ornamental portion to be interchanged with different or additional ornamental portions. The ornamental portion also serves as part of the strap.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62/723,745 filed on Aug. 28, 2018 the entire contents and disclosure of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention is directed to a purse having a strap, a main body bag, and an ornamental portion in a manner that allows the ornamental portion to be interchanged with different or additional ornamental portions. The ornamental portion also serves as part of the strap.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Almost all women and many men carry a purse or some type of bag. Many people consider their purse or bag to be a reflection of their particular style. Purses and bags can be very expensive, so it would be desirable to have a purse or bag that can be quickly modified to change the style or statement of the purse or bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is the subject of this invention to provide a strap that has a portion that can be interchanged. There is a purse or bag that has a main bag portion and a strap and an interchangeable ornamental portion that is operatively associated with the strap. The ornamental portion is interchangeable with other ornamental portions, and in other embodiments there may be more than one ornamental portion.

The ornamental portion can be manually interchanged with a different ornamental portion, and in some embodiments there is more than one ornamental portion. By embedding the ornamental portion such that it is operatively associated with the strap of the purse or bag, the ornamental portion can be easily seen and thus allows the purse to make a specific style, fashion, or personality statement. Of note, the purse or bag can be customized with different ornamental portions in a way that other purses or bags cannot be.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a purse having a main body bag, a strap, and an ornamental portion that is interchangeable with other ornamental portions.

FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of a second connection where the main body bag is releaseably secured to the ornamental portion.

FIG. 2 is a perspective of another embodiment wherein there are two interchangeable ornamental portions.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment wherein the interchangeable ornamental portion is located along the strap.

FIG. 4 is a perspective front view of the purse having the main body bag, the strap, and the interchangeable ornamental portion, wherein the ornamental potion is on the left side of the purse.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At the outset the term purse and the term bag are used interchangeably and alternatively herein and are commonly indicated by reference numeral 10. In addition, common or like components have been given like reference numerals throughout.

FIGS. 1 and 4 depict front and rear perspective views of a purse or bag 10 having a main bag body 20. The main body bag has a front side 21 and a rear side 22, and first and second edge sides 23, 24 that all meet with a base portion 25. The purse or bag 10 also has a top portion 26. The top portion 26 defines a bag opening 27, and the bag 10 may have a suitable fastener, zipper, button or closure device (not shown) to close the bag opening 27. The main body bag also has first and second bag extensions 28, 29 in one of the embodiments.

Although FIG. 1 depicts one of the embodiments, other embodiments are envisioned. For example, it is to be understood that purse or bag 10 may have another shape other than that depicted in FIG. 1 and is not limited to what is depicted in FIG. 1. It is also to be understood that the purse or bag 10 may be embodied as a crossbody bag or a carrying case that is made out of non-flexible materials such as a hard case or a hard laptop bag or some other carrying case made of plastic or metal that has a strap or handles.

The purse or bag 10 has a strap 30 that connects to the main bag body 20 so a user (not shown) can carry the main body bag 20 by the strap 30. Although not depicted, it is to be understood that the main body bag 20 may be carried with handles instead of the strap 30. The strap 30 has first and second end portions 32, 34.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first end portion 32 of the strap 30 is detachably attached to main bag body 20 by way of a first connection 50 having a snap hook 45 connected to first bag extension 28 and a snap hook 45 connected to first end portion 32 of strap 30. Although embodied as snap hooks in FIG. 1, in other embodiments, the snap hooks may be embodied as any connector that is capable of releasably connecting the first end portion 32 of the strap 30 to the main bag body 20.

Snap hook 45 is secured to and extends from the main body bag 20 at first bag extension 28. It is to be understood that first connection 50 may be optional and strap 30 may be directly attached or secured to the main bag body 20 of purse or bag 10 in one embodiment, for example by sewing or stitching. Thus, although strap 30 is depicted as being detachably attached to main bag body 20, it is understood that strap 30 may be more permanently attached to main bag body 20.

In another embodiment, the strap 30 may be optionally adjusted by way of a first buckle 80. In other embodiments, the first buckle 80 may be replaced with adjustable snaps or any other components capable of adjusting the length of the strap 30.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second end portion 34 of the strap 30 is detachably attached to ornamental portion 70 by way of a third connection 54 having a snap hook 45 connected to second end portion 34 and a snap hook 45 connected to a D ring 35 of ornamental portion 70. Although embodied as snap hooks and D rings in FIG. 1, in other embodiments, the snap hooks and D rings may be embodied as any connector that is capable of releasably connecting the second end portion 34 of the strap 30 to the ornamental portion 70.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, in one embodiment, the purse or bag 10 has an ornamental portion 70 that is detachably attached to the strap 30 of the purse or bag 10, such that the ornamental portion 70 is interchangeable with different ornamental portions. The ornamental portion 70 shown in FIG. 1 has a cylindrical shape 71.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the ornamental portion 70 has a snap hook 45 attached to a D-ring 35. This embodiment allows ornamental portion 70 to be connected to additional ornamental portions 72 as shown in FIG. 2. Snap hook 45 is removable and may be removed if it is not needed.

In FIG. 1A, ornamental portion 70 is depicted as detachably attached to the main body bag 20 at a second connection 52 and is also detachably attached to the strap 30 at a third connection 54 as shown in FIG. 1. The second and third connections 52 and 54 are comprised of D-rings and snap hooks 35, 45. The snap hook 54 is secured to and extends from the main body bag 20. The ornamental portion 70 is replaceable with other ornamental portions as described above.

In other embodiments the ornamental portion 70 (or additional ornamental portion 72 as depicted in FIG. 2) may be embodied as at least the following: a charm in the shape of a buffalo, as a flower, as a logo, as a skull and crossbones, as a peace sign, as a unicorn, as a pineapple graphic, or any other ornamental feature. It is understood that the ornamental portion 70 may be any ornamental shape or design and is not limited to those disclosed herein. The ornamental portion 70 may be made of metal, plastic, wood, ceramic or any other suitable material. In one embodiment, the ornamental portion 70 includes D-rings 35 at either end for purposes of connecting to the purse or another ornamental portion. In another embodiment, ornamental portion 70 may further include a functional portion including, but not limited to a cell phone holder, a sunglass holder, or some other functional feature. For example, in another embodiment, the ornamental portion may be a strap portion as depicted in FIG. 3

In another embodiment, D-rings 35, and snap hooks 45 may be embodied as any type of connector including but not limited to D-rings, O-rings, swivel hooks with clasps, D-rings, snap hooks, snap buttons, adjustable side buckles, rectangle rings, magnets, edge connectors, screw connectors, flat head rivet studs, spikes, triangle rings, grommets, clips, lobster hooks, lobster clasps, dog leash clasps, clasp with buckles, or bridge connectors, hardware, findings, toggles, tuck lock clasps, ties, kiss locks, turn locks, zippers, chains, links, chain links, square rings, jump rings, round buckles, rectangle buckles, key rings, lanyard hooks, slider clasps, swing clasps, hook and eye connectors, snap bars, spring rings, or any combination thereof.

In FIGS. 1 and 1A there is shown a connector 45 embodied as a snap hook that is secured to the main body bag 20. A D-ring 35 is also connected to a snap hook 45 at the second connection 52. The D-rings and snap hooks 35, 45 can swivel relative to one another. As understood, snap hooks 45, have release levers and release gates such that when the user presses on the release lever the release gate opens. The user can then change the ornamental portion 70 with another ornamental portion. In one embodiment, the D-rings are all structurally the same as each other and the snap hooks are all structurally the same as each other.

The D-rings 35 and snap hooks 45 may be made of metal, fabrics, plastic, and combinations thereof or from any other suitable material.

FIG. 2 depicts another embodiment wherein there are two ornamental portions. There is the ornamental portion designated 70 and there is an additional ornamental portion designated by reference numeral 72. The ornamental portions 70, 72 are, in one embodiment, structurally the same, but in other embodiments they may be differently shaped. The ornamental portion 70 is connected at the second connection 52 in the manner described above. The two ornamental portions 70 and 72 are connected at the third connection by way of two snap hooks 45, which are connected to a D-ring at the ends of ornamental portion 70 and 72, as described above. Finally, ornamental portion 72 and strap 30 are connected at a fourth connection 56 as described above.

In other embodiments there may be more ornamental portions connected to the strap 30.

FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment wherein there is the strap 30 and a strap segment 36 with the ornamental portion 70 releaseably attached to the strap 30 and the strap segment 36. The strap segment 36 is shorter than the strap 30 in one embodiment, and in another embodiment the strap 30 and the strap segment 36 have the same length. This allows the ornamental portion 70 to be located virtually anywhere on the strap relative to the main bag body 20. The first connection 50 is the same as previously described. The second and third connections 52 and 54 are the same as previously described. The strap 30 is adjustable with buckle 80, and the strap segment 36 is adjustable with buckle 80. Two snap hooks 45 are connected at fourth connection 56, which connects strap segment 36 to a second extension 29 of main body bag 20.

The strap segment 36 extends to the second connection 52 by snap hook 45 and D-ring 35 and is thusly connected to the ornamental portion 70. The ornamental portion 70 is then connected at third connection 54 to strap 30 by D-ring 35 and snap hook 45.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment wherein the ornamental portion 70 is located on the other side of the purse. That is the ornamental portion 70 is on the left side of the purse or bag 10, rather than on the right side.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the purse or bag 10 having the ornamental portion 70 have been described in detail herein, the invention is not necessarily so limited and other examples, embodiments, uses, modifications, and departures from the embodiments, examples, uses, and modifications may be made without departing from the purse or bag 10 and methods for making the purse and bag 10 and all such embodiments are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A purse comprising:

a main body bag having first and second bag extensions;

a strap having a first end and a second end;

a first connection securing the first end of the strap to the first bag extension of main body bag;

an ornamental portion having a bottom end and a top end;

a first connector secured to the bottom end of the ornamental portion;

a second connector secured to the second bag extension of main body bag;

a second connection releasably securing the first connector and the second connector such that the bottom end of ornamental portion can be released from the second bag extension of main body bag by releasing the first connector from the second connector;

a third connector secured to the top end of ornamental portion;

a fourth connector secured to the second end of strap; and

a third connection releasably securing the third connector and the fourth connector such that the top end of ornamental portion can be released from the second end of strap by releasing the third connector from the forth connector.

2. The purse according to claim 1 wherein the strap has a buckle.

3. The purse according to claim 1 wherein the ornamental portion is one of the following: a cylinder, a charm, an ornament in the shape of a buffalo, an ornament in the shape of a flower, an ornament in the shape of a logo, an ornament in the shape of a skull and crossbones, an ornament in the shape of a peace sign, an ornament in the shape of a unicorn, an ornament in the shape of a pineapple graphic.

4. The purse according to claim 1 wherein the ornamental portion is detachable from the strap and a different ornamental portion can be connected to the strap.

5. The purse according to claim 1 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth connectors are selected from the group consisting of:

swivel hooks, snap hooks, clasps, D-rings, snap buttons, adjustable side buckles, rectangle rings, magnets, edge connectors, screw connectors, flat head rivet studs, spikes, triangle rings, grommets, clips, lobster hooks, clasp with buckles, bridge connectors, or combinations thereof.

6. A purse comprising:

a main body bag having first and second bag extensions;

a strap having a first and second end;

a first connector secured to the first bag extension of main body bag;

a second connector releasably secured to the first end of the strap;

a first connection releasably securing the first connector to the second connector such that the first end of strap can be released from the first bag extension of main body bag by releasing the first connector from the second connector;

an ornamental portion having a bottom end and a top end;

a third connector secured to the bottom end of ornamental portion;

a fourth connector secured to the second bag extension of main body bag;

a second connection releasably securing the third connector and the fourth connector such that the bottom of ornamental portion can be released from the second bag extension of main body bag by releasing the third connector from the fourth connector;

a fifth connector secured to the top end of ornamental portion;

a sixth connector secured to the second end of strap; and

a third connection releasably securing the fifth connector and the sixth connector such that the top end of ornamental portion can be released from the second end of the strap by releasing the fifth connector from the sixth connector.

7. The purse according to claim 6 wherein the strap has a buckle.

8. The purse according to claim 6 wherein the ornamental portion is one of the following: a cylinder, a charm, an ornament in the shape of a buffalo, an ornament in the shape of a flower, an ornament in the shape of a logo, an ornament in the shape of a skull and crossbones, an ornament in the shape of a peace sign, an ornament in the shape of a unicorn, an ornament in the shape of a pineapple graphic.

9. The purse according to claim 6 wherein the ornamental portion is detachable from the strap and a different ornamental portion can be connected to the strap.

10. The purse according to claim 6 wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth connectors are selected from the group consisting of:

swivel hooks, swivel hooks, clasps, D-rings, snap buttons, adjustable side buckles, rectangle rings, magnets, edge connectors, screw connectors, flat head rivet studs, spikes, triangle rings, grommets, clips, lobster hooks, clasp with buckles, bridge connectors, or combinations thereof.

11. A purse comprising:

a main body bag having first and second bag extensions;

a strap having a first and second end;

a first connector secured to the first bag extension of main body bag;

a second connector releasably secured to the first end of main body bag 20;

a first connection releasably securing the first connector to the second connector such that the first end of strap can be released from the first bag extension of main body bag by releasing the first connector from the second connector;

an ornamental portion having a bottom end and a top end;

a third connector secured to the bottom end of ornamental portion;

a fourth connector secured to the second bag extension of main body bag;

a second connection releasably securing the third connector and the fourth connector such that the bottom of ornamental portion can be released from the second bag extension of main body bag by releasing the third connector from the fourth connector;

a fifth connector secured to the top end of ornamental portion;

an additional ornamental portion having a top and bottom end;

a sixth connector secured to the bottom of additional ornamental portion;

a third connection releasably securing the fifth connector and the sixth connector such that the top end of ornamental portion can be released from the bottom end of additional ornamental portion by releasing the fifth connector from the sixth connector;

a seventh connector secured to the top of additional ornamental portion;

an eighth connector releasably secured to the second end of strap; and

a fourth connection releasably securing the seventh connector and the eighth connector such that the top end of additional ornamental portion can be released from the second end of the strap by releasing the seventh connector from the eighth connector.

12. The purse according to claim 11 wherein the strap has a buckle.

13. The purse according to claim 11 wherein the ornamental portion is one of the following: a cylinder, a charm, an ornament in the shape of a buffalo, an ornament in the shape of a flower, an ornament in the shape of a logo, an ornament in the shape of a skull and crossbones, an ornament in the shape of a peace sign, an ornament in the shape of a unicorn, an ornament in the shape of a pineapple graphic.

14. The purse according to claim 11 wherein the ornamental portion is detachable from the strap and a different ornamental portion can be connected to the strap.

15. The purse according to claim 11 wherein the ornamental portion is a strap segment.

16. The purse according to claim 11 wherein the strap has a buckle.

17. The purse according to claim 11 wherein the strap segment has a buckle.

18. The purse according to claim 11 wherein the additional ornamental portion is one of the following: a cylinder, a charm, an ornament in the shape of a buffalo, an ornament in the shape of a flower, an ornament in the shaped of shape of a logo, an ornament in the shape of a skull and crossbones, an ornament in the shaped a peace sign, an ornament in the shape of a unicorn, an ornament in the shape of a pineapple graphic.

19. The purse according to claim 11 wherein the additional ornamental portion is detachable from the strap and a different additional ornamental portion can be connected to the strap.

20. The purse according to claim 10 wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth connectors are selected from the group consisting of:

swivel hooks, swivel hooks, clasps, D-rings, snap buttons, adjustable side buckles, rectangle rings, magnets, edge connectors, screw connectors, flat head rivet studs, spikes, triangle rings, grommets, clips, lobster hooks, clasp with buckles, bridge connectors, or combinations thereof.