Patent Application
20170086554
The present invention pertains to the field of theft deterrent, and more specifically to the field of antitheft aids for wallets, purses, and bags.
An indispensable accessory carried by millions of women is a purse. The purse, also known as a pocket book or handbag, is manufactured from a variety of materials such as leather, straw, canvas or silk and is configured to efficiently store a woman's personal belongings. Manufactured in a variety of sizes, colors and styles all intended to appeal to the individual needs of the consumer, purses are used for everything from carrying an extra tube of lipstick to storing wallets, cellular telephones, important papers, and even extra clothing. Regardless of whether one is clutching a fancy beaded evening bag, a practical and stylish midsize purse, or a bulky oversized tote loaded with enough supplies to last a month, the purse is one necessity women rarely leave home without carrying.
Although there is little dispute that purses are practical and necessary items, using a purse has drawbacks. Specifically, a purse loaded with personal goods is a prized target of many thieves. Experienced criminals can run by a potential victim, literally ripping their purse off the victim's shoulder and snatching the bag before the victim even realizes what is happening. In addition to stealing the purse itself, many crafty criminals prefer a more subtle approach, sliding their hand into an unsuspecting victim's handbag and quickly retrieving the user's wallet, cell phone or other personal goods. Considering the plethora of personal items including cash, credit cards, bank cards, and identification stored inside a purse, the theft of a handbag is an emotionally and financially devastating experience. These scenarios also are true for carryalls such as diaper bags, gym bags and similar satchels, and thus, these snatching problems are encountered by men as well as women.
The prior art has put forth several designs for antitheft aids for wallets, purses, and bags. Among these are:
US Patent Publication 2010/0122560 to Victoria Marie Ricker and Martha Helen Curnow describes a theft deterrent device for use with a bag such as a purse, backpack or computer bag, and a method of deterring theft of an unsupervised bag. The device includes a housing with a connector attached to the housing, and a locking member with a retractable cord attached to an opposing side of the housing for use in securing the bag to a stationary object. Alternatively, the device includes a connector, attachment means and at least one locking member. The device includes a second locking member attached to the connector through a second attachment means useful for securing a zipper on a bag to prevent easy access to the contents of the bag.
US Patent Publication 2009/022118 to Roy Stanley Smith describes an antitheft device for securing an object such as a wallet or purse to a bag or clothing. The device comprises two connected arms moveable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position. Said arms are provided with releasable fastening means at each free end to allow an object such as a purse or wallet to be clasped and secured between the arms. At least one of the arms is provided with securing means for securement to clothing or bag.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,631 to Dean M. Laxton, Lendell W. Laxton and Donna M. Tidwell describes a security device for preventing the theft of a purse or other item from a shopping cart. The device includes a flexible strap having opposed, first and second ends. A snap hook is secured to the first end of the strap for attachment to a purse. A ring is secured to the second end of said strap for attachment to a shopping cart. In use, the device acts like a leash to prevent unauthorized removal of the purse.
None of these prior art references describe the present invention.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a decorative chain that secures a purse, handbag or similar carryall to a person or an object such as a table or chair.
The present invention includes a purse securing device for securing a purse to an object. The purse securing device comprises a chain having a first end and a second end. A first lobster clasp fastener is secured to the first end of the chain and a second lobster clasp fastener is secured to the second end of the chain. Upon looping the first end of the chain about the purse strap and releasably securing the first lobster clasp fastener to the chain and upon looping the second end of the chain about the object and releasably securing the second lobster clasp fastener to the chain, the purse is secured to the object, thereby inhibiting theft of the purse.
In addition, the present invention includes a method for securing a purse to an object. The method comprises providing a chain having a first end and a second end, securing a first lobster clasp fastener to the first fastener mechanism, securing a second lobster clasp fastener to the second fastener mechanism, looping the first end of the chain about the purse strap, releasably securing the first lobster clasp fastener to the chain, looping the second end of the chain about the object, releasably securing the second lobster clasp fastener to the chain, securing the purse to the object, and inhibiting theft of the purse.
The present invention further includes a purse securing device for securing a purse to an object. The purse securing device comprises a chain having a first end and a second end, a first fastener mechanism secured to the first end of the chain, and a second fastener mechanism secured to the second end of the chain. A first lobster clasp fastener is secured to the first fastener mechanism and a second lobster clasp fastener secured to the second fastener mechanism. A decorative charm is secured to either the first fastener mechanism or the second fastener mechanism. Upon looping the first end of the chain about the purse strap and releasably securing the first lobster clasp fastener to the chain and upon looping the second end of the chain about the object and releasably securing the second lobster clasp fastener to the chain, the purse is secured to the object, thereby inhibiting theft of the purse.
The present invention, hereinafter referred to as a Purse Securing Device, indicated generally at 10, providing users with a practical means of securing a purse 12, handbag, or similar carryall, and enclosed items therein, effectively to prevent theft of the purse 12 and accessories. The Purse Securing Device 10 easily secures a purse 12 to a person or an object, functioning to prevent a purse snatcher from grabbing one's purse 12 and accessing stored items.
The Purse Securing Device 10 of the present invention is a specially constructed protective security invention that is configured in the form of a decorative chain 14. Preferably, the Purse Securing Device 10 is a decorative chain 14 that secures a purse 12, handbag, or similar carryall to a person or an object such as a table or chair. In addition, the Purse Securing Device 10 secures a zipper 16 of a purse 12 closed during use. It should be noted that while the Purse Securing Device 10 of the present invention has been described an illustrated as being in the form of a chain 14, it is within the scope of the present invention for the Purse Securing Device 10 to include, but not limited to, a belt, a cable, a cord, a strip, a line, a ribbon, a rope, a strap, etc.
As stated, the Purse Securing Device 10 of the present invention includes the chain 14 having a first end and a second end. Preferably, the chain 14 is constructed of a plurality of stylish oval links and primarily of a heavy duty, plated, metal material although constructing the chain 14 from a different material is within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the chain 14 is preferably available in a variety of tones including, but not limited to, silver, brass, copper, and gold. Also, the chain 14 preferably measures approximately twenty seven and one-half (27% cm) centimeters in length although having a chain 14 with a different length, either longer or shorter, is within the scope of the present invention.
The first end of the chain 14 of the Purse Securing Device 10 of the present invention includes a first fastener mechanism 18 and the second end of the chain 14 includes a second fastener mechanism 20. In a preferred embodiment, the first fastener mechanism 18 and the second fastener mechanism 20 are a durable O ring fastener releasably secured to the first end and the second end of the chain 14, respectively. Preferably, each O ring fastener 18, 20 measures approximately one and two-tenths (1.2 cm) centimeters in diameter and approximately fifteen hundredth (0.15 cm) centimeters in depth although having an O ring fastener 18, 20 having a greater or lesser measurement is within the scope of the present invention.
A first durable lobster clasp fastener 22 is releasably secured to the first fastener mechanism 18 of the Purse Securing Device 10 of the present invention and a second durable lobster clasp fastener 24 is releasably Secured to the second fastener mechanism 20. The first lobster clasp fastener 22 and the second lobster clasp fastener 24 comprising interlocking jaws configured in the shape of a heart. Each heart shaped fastener mechanism 22, 24 preferably measures approximately two and one-half (2½ cm) centimeters in length and width at the longest and the widest point. Each fastener mechanism 22, 24 preferably has a thickness ranging from approximately twenty hundredths (0.20 cm) centimeters to approximately one-half (½ cm) centimeter at different points about the perimeter of the heart. Once again, while preferred measurements of the fastener mechanisms 22, 24 have been set forth herein, it is within the scope of the present invention to have the fastener mechanisms 22, 24 with different measurements.
In addition, the Purse Securing Device 10 of the present invention includes a decorative charm 26 secured to either the first fastener mechanism 18 or the second fastener mechanism 20. The decorative charm 26 is preferably a plated metal charm with artistically etched surfaces is available in a variety of decorative shapes including, but not limited to, butterflies, shells, flowers, stones, and animals. The charms 26 are preferably adorned with colorful enamel, faux gemstones, or other decorative finery, lending to their overall aesthetic appeal. A butterfly version of the charm 26 preferably measures approximately four and twenty-hundredth (4.20 cm) centimeters in length, approximately three and twenty-hundredth (3.20 cm) centimeters in width, and approximately one-tenth (0.10 cm) centimeters in depth or thickness.
Application and use of Purse Securing Device 10 of the present invention is simple and straightforward. A user purchases the Purse Securing Device 10 in a desired metal tone and decorative design. The user secures the first clasp fastener mechanism 22, the first end of the chain 14 containing the decorative charm, about their purse strap 28, looping it around the strap 28 and anchoring the interlocking lobster first clasp fastener 22 to the strap 28 and the zipper closure 16 respectively, thus securing the zipper 16 closed while also anchoring the chain 14 to the purse 12. The user then secures the second clasp fastener 24 located at the second end of the chain 14 to their person or another object. If carrying their purse 12, the user may secure the second clasp fastener 14 to their belt loop, a coat strap, or other anchorage point on a clothing article. Alternately, the user may secure the second clasp fastener 24 to the handle of a shopping cart, stroller handle, a restaurant chair, or even a desk drawer pull. In this manner, the purse 12 is securely fastened closed as well as tethered to a person or object, thereby inhibiting a nefarious individual from accessing the purse's contents or snatching the purse 12 outright. The Purse Securing Device 10 remains left in its secure place as long as one carries or stores their purse 12. Removal of the present invention simply involves reversing the aforementioned application process to remove the Purse Securing Device 10 from the person or object.
A security fastener which runs through the straps 28 of the purse 12 and is anchored to the person or a dedicated object, the Purse Securing Device 10 of the present invention effectively functions to prevent a thief from pulling a purse 12 off the body or other object and fleeing with this accessory. Protecting a user from having their purse 12 stolen, the Purse Securing Device 10 prevents pickpockets and other criminals from opening the user's purse 12 and stealing a wallet; cell phone, or other personal item stored within. The present invention is applicable to purses 12, gym bags, travel bags, briefcases, laptop bags, and a plethora of other carryalls. Durably constructed, the Purse Securing Device 10 will withstand many years of continued use with ease.
Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claim.
This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/235,323 filed Sep. 30, 2015, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “The Purse Chain,” which is incorporated herein by reference as though the same were set forth in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62235323 | Sep 2015 | US |
