U.S. patent application number 12/131240 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-03 for purse with display case.
Invention is credited to Kathleena Bravo-Olsher, Elizabeth Santillana-Luna.
Application Number | 20090293999 12/131240 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41378296 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090293999 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bravo-Olsher; Kathleena ; et
al. |
December 3, 2009 |
PURSE WITH DISPLAY CASE
Abstract
The purse provides a display case incorporated therein which
allows a collector to display his/her collectable, such as for
example a doll, in a convenient manner. The display case is
removably secured to the purse and can therefore be replaced when
necessary. The display case has an adjustable back wall which
provides for variations in the depth of the display case.
Inventors: |
Bravo-Olsher; Kathleena;
(Chicago, IL) ; Santillana-Luna; Elizabeth; (Oak
Park, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TREXLER, BUSHNELL, GIANGIORGI,;BLACKSTONE & MARR, LTD.
105 WEST ADAMS STREET, SUITE 3600
CHICAGO
IL
60603
US
|
Family ID: |
41378296 |
Appl. No.: |
12/131240 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
150/104 ;
150/106; 150/107; 150/112; 150/117; 150/127; 211/60.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/00 20130101;
A45C 1/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
150/104 ;
150/106; 150/107; 150/117; 150/112; 150/127; 211/60.1 |
International
Class: |
A45C 3/06 20060101
A45C003/06; A45C 13/00 20060101 A45C013/00; A45C 13/26 20060101
A45C013/26; A45C 1/02 20060101 A45C001/02; A47F 7/00 20060101
A47F007/00 |
Claims
1. A purse comprising: an exterior shell defining an interior
compartment and a display aperture; means for opening and closing
said exterior shell to provide access to said interior compartment;
and means for securing a display case within said display
aperture.
2. The purse of claim 1, wherein said means for securing a display
case includes at least one snap receiver.
3. The purse of claim 1, wherein said means for securing a display
case includes at least one strap.
4. The purse of claim 1, wherein said interior compartment includes
at least one accessory compartment including a shelf attached to an
interior surface of said exterior shell.
5. The purse of claim 4, further including a moveable door for
providing access to said accessory compartments.
6. The purse of claim 1, wherein said interior compartment further
includes hanger receivers.
7. The purse of claim 1, wherein said interior compartment includes
a display portion and a personal belonging portion separated from
said display portion by a dividing wall.
8. The purse of claim 1, wherein said dividing wall further
includes a mesh cover and a display portion is provided between
said dividing wall and said mesh cover.
9. The purse of claim 1, further including a display case wherein
at least one wall of said display case is transparent and is
aligned with said display case aperture.
10. The purse of claim 2, further comprising a display case
including at least one transparent wall aligned with said display
case aperture and at least one snap fastener for mating with said
snap receiver.
11. The purse of claim 3, further comprising a display case
including as least one transparent wall aligned with said display
case aperture and at least one channel for receiving said
strap.
12. The purse of claim 9, wherein said display case includes a
display case base and a removable wall mounted to said display case
base and wherein said display case base includes a locking aperture
and said removable wall includes a locking member which mates with
said locking aperture.
13. The purse of claim 9, wherein said display case base includes a
plurality of locking apertures for receiving said locking member
and for varying the depth of said display case.
14. The purse of claim 9, wherein at least one wall of said display
case further includes at least one securing aperture therethrough
and said display case further includes a clamp mounted in said
securing aperture.
15. The purse of claim 14, wherein said doll receiving clamp
further includes an object receiving portion including a post
extending through said at least one securing aperture and a nut
engaged with said post.
16. The purse of claim 9, wherein said display case further
includes a light fixture.
17. A display case for mounting within a purse, said display case
comprising: a plurality of walls defining a display compartment; a
clamp for securing an item to be displayed within said display
case; fasteners for securing said display case to a purse; wherein
one of said plurality of walls is transparent for viewing the
contents of said display compartment; and wherein one of said
plurality of walls is moveable to provide access to said display
compartment.
18. A display case as defined in claim 17, wherein said moveable
one of said plurality of walls includes snap fit fasteners to
secure said moveable wall to a remainder of said display case.
19. A display case as defined in claim 17, wherein said moveable
wall includes a plurality of apertures for receiving said
clamp.
20. A display case as defined in claim 17, further including a
light fixture.
21. A display case as defined in claim 17, further including a
liner mounted to at least one of said plurality of walls.
22. A display case as defined in claim 17, wherein said display
case further includes a flange extending from at least one of said
plurality of walls and said fasteners are positioned on said
flange.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention is generally directed to a purse which
includes a display case for displaying an object therein while the
purse is in use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Collectors often display their collectable in cases which
protect the collectable from external conditions. Collectors often
attend shows and other gatherings during which they can display
their collectables to be viewed by others. The display cases
currently in use are generally not designed for transporting the
collectable. Although some display cases have been designed for
transporting collectables, these cases typically do not provide for
visualization of the collectibles during transportation. More over
these display cases are typically bulky and are not designed for
every day use. In addition, many collectors desire to show their
collectables more frequently and in a convenient manner. Thus, it
is desirable to provide a display case which can be easily
transported and provides display of collectables in a convenient
manner.
[0003] The present invention provides a purse which overcomes the
problems presented in the prior art and which provides additional
advantages over the prior art. Such advantages will become clear
upon a reading of the attached specification in combination with a
study of the drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Briefly, the present invention discloses a purse which is
designed for receiving a display case for displaying collectables
therein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The organization and manner of the structure and operation
of the invention, together with further objects and advantages
thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following
description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,
wherein like reference numerals identify like elements in
which:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a purse including a display
case in a closed condition;
[0007] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the purse display case in
an open condition;
[0008] FIG. 2B is an alternative perspective view of the purse in
an open condition;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the purse
and display case;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the display case with an
object to be placed therein;
[0011] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the display
case;
[0012] FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of a doll receiving
clamp of the display case;
[0013] FIG. 6B is an elevated view of the doll receiving clamp of
FIG. 6A;
[0014] FIG. 6C is an elevated view of an alternative doll receiving
clamp of FIG. 6A; and
[0015] FIG. 7 is an elevated view of a dividing wall of the
purse.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
[0016] While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in
different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be
described in detail, a specific embodiment with the understanding
that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification
of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit
the invention to that as illustrated and described herein.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the invention provides a purse 10
including a display case 12 mounted therein. The display case
provides protection for an object contained therein while providing
display of the object. The purse 10 provides a means for
transporting the display case 12 while simultaneously allowing for
display of the object 14 contained within the display case 12. The
purse provides a convenient and socially acceptable means for
transporting and displaying the object 14 contained within the
display case 12.
[0018] As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, the purse 10 includes
an exterior shell 16 which includes an inner surface 18, an outer
surface 20, and which defines an interior compartment 22. The
exterior shell 16 is comprised of a front wall 24, a rear wall 26
generally parallel to said front wall 24, a bottom wall 28
extending between said front and rear walls 24, 26 and generally
perpendicular to said front and rear walls 24, 26 and a generally
arched-shaped peripheral side wall 30 which extends between said
front wall 24 and said rear wall 26 and which extends to opposite
ends of said bottom wall 28. The arched-shaped edge wall 30
includes a front portion 30a and a rear portion 30b. An
arched-shaped zipper 32 joins said front and rear portions 30a, 30b
of the side wall 30 and secures the exterior shell 16 in a closed
condition, as shown in FIG. 1. When the zipper 32 is in an open
condition, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, access is provided to the
purse compartment 22. Handles 34 and a shoulder strap 36 are
attached to the outer surface 20 of the exterior shell 16 and
provide for conveniently transporting the purse 10.
[0019] As best shown in FIG. 2B, the interior compartment 22 of the
purse is generally divided in two portions: a display portion 22a
and a personal contents portion 22b. A dividing wall 38 is
positioned between the display portion 22a and the personal
contents portion 22b.
[0020] The personal contents portion 22b of the interior
compartment 22 is defined by the rear wall 26, a rear portion of
the bottom wall 28 and a rear portion 30b of the side wall 30. A
first portion 40 of the zipper 30 is mounted to a peripheral edge
of the rear portion 30b of the side wall 30. A pouch 42 is mounted
to the interior surface of the rear wall 26 and forms a pocket for
receiving personal contents 44 to be transported by the user. A
securing tab 46 is mounted to the interior surface of the rear wall
26 for securing the dividing wall 38 as will be described
herein.
[0021] The dividing wall 38 is secured to the bottom wall 30 of the
purse 10 at its lower edge and is formed from a rigid material.
When the purse 10 is in its closed condition, the dividing wall 38
is positioned between the display and personal contents portions
22a, 22b of the interior compartment 22 and is generally parallel
to the front and rear walls 24, 26 of the purse 10. The dividing
wall 38 is dimensioned so as to conceal the personal contents 44
contained within the personal contents portion 22b of the interior
compartment 22 when in the closed condition, as shown in FIG. 2A.
An organizer 48 is provided on the front surface of the dividing
wall 38. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 7, the organizer 48 includes a
plurality of snap receivers 50 mounted to a horizontally positioned
bar 52. A plurality of hangers 54, each including a snap 56, are
mounted to the snap receivers 50. A plurality of rails 58 are
positioned to form compartments 60 used to store and display
objects. The organizer 48 can, for example, be used to contain
accessories or other collectable related items such as doll
clothing. A snap receiver 61 is also provided on the front surface
of the dividing wall 38 to receive a snap on the securing tab
46.
[0022] A door 62 is attached proximate the lower end of the
dividing wall 38 and is rotatable relative to the dividing wall 38.
The door 62 is preferably formed from a rigid mesh material to
allow visualization of the articles hanging on the hangers 54 and
positioned within the compartments 60. The door 62 is secured in a
closed position using snaps 66 affixed to straps 68 mounted on the
dividing wall 38 which mate with snap receivers 70 affixed to the
door 62.
[0023] The display portion 22a of the interior compartment 22 is
defined by the front wall 24, a portion of the bottom wall 28, and
the front portion 30a of the side wall 30. A second portion 72 of
the zipper 32 is mounted to a peripheral edge of the front portion
30a of the side wall 30 and mates with the first portion 40 of the
zipper 32 to secure the purse 10 in a closed position. The front
portion 30a of the side wall 30 and the front wall 24 define a
display case aperture 74 (See FIG. 1). The display case aperture 74
is generally centrally located in the front wall 24. Vertically
positioned mounting strips 76 are provided on opposite sides of the
display case aperture 74 at the interior surface of the front wall
24. A plurality of snap receiving elements 78 are secured to each
mounting strip 76, As will be described herein, a plurality of snap
elements 80 are provided on the display case 12 for securing the
display case 12 within the display portion 22a of the purse as
shown in FIG. 2A. A plurality of shelves 82 are provided within the
display portion 22a of the interior compartment 22. The shelves 82
extend from the interior surface of the front wall 24 and are
mounted generally perpendicular thereto. The shelves 82 abut the
display case 12 and extend to the side wall 30 of the purse 10. The
shelves 82 can be permanently or removably mounted within the
display portion 22a of the interior compartment 22. Permanent
mounting can be achieved through stitching or gluing, for example.
Removable mounting of the shelves can be achieved by mounting
tracks on the interior surfaces of the side and front walls 30, 24,
for example and slidingly engaging the shelves 82 in the tracks.
Shelving covers 84 are mounted to the side wall 30. The shelving
covers 84 are preferably formed from a rigid mesh material to allow
visualization of the contents positioned on the shelves. The
shelving covers 84 are secured to the interior surface of the
exterior shell 16 in a manner which allows covers to be moved
between an open position (See FIG. 3) and a closed positioned (See
FIG. 2A). An outer edge of each shelf cover 84 may, for example, be
stitched to the side wall 30 to provide a hinge about which the
shelf cover 84 can rotate.
[0024] The display case 12 is generally rectangularly-shaped and
includes a front wall 90, a rear wall 92, opposite side walls 94, a
top wall 96 and a bottom wall 98. The top and bottom walls 96, 98
are generally perpendicular to the side walls and the front and
rear walls. The front and rear walls 90, 92 are generally
perpendicular to the side walls 94. The display case walls 90, 92,
94, 96 are formed from a rigid material, and at least the front
wall 90 is transparent. Flanges 91 extend outwardly from the side
walls 94. The snaps 80 mate with the snap receiving elements 78
adjacent the display case aperture 74 defined by the front wall 24
to secure the display case 12 to the purse 10.
[0025] As best shown in FIG. 3, the top, bottom, front and side
walls 96, 98, 90, 94 are preferably integrally formed and provide a
display case base 100 which defines a display compartment 102 in
which an item to be displayed is positioned. A lighting fixture 104
(see FIG. 4) is mounted to the bottom wall 98 to provide
illumination of display compartment 102. A switch 106 is
electrically connected to the lighting fixture to allow the user to
easily turn the lighting fixture 104 on or off.
[0026] The rear wall 92 is removably mounted to the display case
base 100 and provides closure of the display compartment 102. The
rear wall 92 includes a back member 108 and a forwardly extending
skirt 110 extending from a peripheral edge of the back member 108.
The skirt 110 is positioned generally perpendicular to the back
member 108 and includes a top flange 110a, a bottom flange 110b and
opposite side flanges 110c. The skirt 110 is dimensioned such that
when the rear wall 92 is mounted to the display case base 100 an
exterior surface of the top flange 110a abuts the interior surface
of the top wall 96, the exterior surface of the bottom flange 110b
abuts the interior surface of the bottom wall 98, and the exterior
surface of the side flanges 110c abut the interior surfaces of the
side walls 94. As best shown in FIG. 5, outwardly extending locking
members 112 are provided on the exterior surface of the top and
bottom flanges 110a, 110b. A pair of forward lock apertures 114 and
a pair of rearward lock apertures 116 are provided through the top
wall 96 proximate a rear edge thereof for receiving the locking
members 112 of the top flange 110a. A pair of forward lock
apertures 118 and a pair of rearward lock apertures 120 are
provided through the bottom wall 98 proximate a rear edge thereof
for receiving the locking members 112 of the bottom flange 110b.
The locking members 112 of the top flange 110a mate with either the
forward lock apertures 114 or the rearward lock apertures 116 of
the top wall 96 to secure the rear wall 92 to the base 110 and the
locking members 112 of the bottom flange 110b mate with either the
forward lock apertures 118 or the rearward lock apertures 120 of
the bottom wall 98 to secure the rear wall 92 to the base 100. A
plurality of clamp apertures 122 are provided through the rear wall
92 to receive the post of a clamp 124 therethrough. The rear wall
92 further includes a channel 126 between the front and rear
surfaces of the rear wall 92. An interchangeable template 128 is
sized to fit within said channel 126 and provides a scenic
background for items to be displayed within the display compartment
102. The template 128 includes perforated holes 130 which are
aligned with the clamp apertures 122 of the rear wall 92 when the
template 128 is positioned within the channel 126.
[0027] The clamp 124 is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The clamp 124
includes an object securing portion 132 and a nut 134. The object
securing portion 132 includes arms 136 for grasping an object, such
as for example, the waist of a doll. The object securing portion
132 also includes a rearwardly extending post 138 having a thread
thereon. The object securing portion 132 is positioned within the
display compartment 102 such that the post 138 extends through one
of the clamp apertures 122 of the rear wall and one of the
perforated holes 130 of the template 128. The object securing
portion 132 abuts the inner surface of the rear wall 92 of the
display case 12. The nut 134 is threaded onto the post 138 and
rotated until the nut 134 abuts the outer surface of the rear wall
92 and the clamp 124 is sufficiently secured to the rear wall 92. A
logo may be imprinted on the nut 134.
[0028] An alternative clamp 124' is shown in FIG. 6C. The clamp
124' includes an extended securing portion 132' to position the
object to be secured to the rear wall 92 further from the rear wall
92. The alternative clamp 124' can, for example, be used to display
larger dolls within the display case 12.
[0029] Use of the purse 10 and display case 12 is provided as
follows. A user begins by selecting a template 128 to provide a
scenic background for the display case 12 and slides the template
128 in the channel 126 of the rear wall 92. Next, the user selects
the appropriate sized clamp 124,124' for the object to be displayed
in the display case 12. Next, the user secures an object 14, for
example a doll, within the arms 136 of the object securing portion
132 of the clamp 124. The user then determines the desired position
of the clamp 124 and passes the post 138 of the object securing
portion 132d through a clamp aperture 122 of the rear wall 92 and
through a perforated hole 130 of the template 128. The nut 134 is
then threadedly engaged with the post 138 to secure the clamp and
doll relative to the rear wall 92. The rear wall 92 is then mounted
to the display case base 100 by positioning the skirt 110 of the
rear wall 92 proximate the interior surfaces of the top, bottom and
opposite side walls 96, 98, 94 of the display case 12 and sliding
the rear wall 92 forward to engage the locking members 112 of the
rear wall 92 with the locking apertures of the top and bottom walls
96, 98. As the rear wall is advanced in the forward direction, the
top and bottom flanges 110a 110b of the skirt 110 flex inwardly due
to the engagement of the protruding locking members 112 with the
inner surfaces of the top and bottom walls 96, 98 of the display
case. When the locking members 112 are aligned with the rearward
lock apertures 116, 120 or the forward lock apertures 114, 118, the
top and bottom flanges 110a, 110b of the skirt 110 will spring
outwardly to position the locking members 112 in the rearward
apertures 116, 120 or the forward apertures 114, 118. If the
locking members 112 are positioned in the rearward apertures 116,
120 a relatively large display compartment 102 is provided for
accommodating objects of greater depth. If the locking members 112
are positioned in the forward apertures 114, 118 a relatively small
display compartment 102 is provided for accommodating objects of
lesser depth.
[0030] The display case 12 is then inserted into the display case
aperture 74 of the purse 10. The snap members 88 on the flanges 91
of the display case 12 are aligned with the snap receiving elements
78 on the interior surface of the front wall 24 of the purse. The
snaps 80 are then snap fit with the snap receiving elements 78 to
secure the display case 12 within the purse 10.
[0031] Although in the embodiment shown a bowler-styled purse 10 is
illustrated, it is to be understood that the purse 10 can be of a
variety of styles so long as a display case aperture 74 is provided
in a wall of the purse 10 so that the collectables within the
display case can be viewed as the purse is carried. For example,
display case apertures could be provided in the side wall of the
purse. Display cases mounted in the side wall of the purse are
particularly desirable for a purse where access to the interior
compartment is provided at the top of the purse.
[0032] Although in the embodiment shown a template 128 is provided
on only the rear wall 92 of the display case 12, it is to be
understood that channels can also be provided on the top, bottom
and side walls 94, 96, 98 for receiving similar templates. In
addition, although the channel 126 is described as a gap between
the front and rear surfaces of the rear wall 92, the channels can
also be provided by spaced tabs under which an edge of the template
128 can be positioned.
[0033] Because damage may occur to the display case 12 and in
particular, the front wall 92 of the display case may become
scratched, it is advantageous to provide for removal of the display
case 12 from the purse. In this manner, the replacement of the
display case 12 can be made without requiring replacement of the
purse 10.
[0034] Securement of the display case 12 to the purse 10 has been
described using snaps 80 positioned along opposite side walls of
the display case 12 which mate with snap receiving elements 78
positioned on opposite edges of the display case aperture 74 of the
purse 10. Alternatively, outwardly extending notches, having
apertures therethrough could be provided on the side walls 94 of
the display case and straps secured to the interior surface of the
front wall 24 of purse 10 could be passed through the apertures so
as to secure the display case 12 to the purse 10. A seal can be
mounted to the interior surface of the wall at the perimeter of the
display case aperture 74 so as to improve the fit between the
display case aperture 74 and the display case 12.
[0035] Although not necessary, it is beneficial to allow the rear
wall 92 of the display case 10 to be removed from the display case
base 100 without detaching the display case 12 from the purse 10.
In this manner, the object displayed can be removed from the
display case 12 without removing the display case 12 from the purse
10.
[0036] The purse 10 provides for the display of a collectable in a
manner which allows for simultaneous transportation and display of
the collectable. Furthermore the purse is fashionable and therefore
provides a device for displaying a collectable in a socially
acceptable manner. Because the purse also accommodates a user's
personal effects the display of a user's collectables can be
incorporated in to a daily routine, providing frequent
opportunities for displaying the collectable.
[0037] While preferred embodiments of the present invention are
shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art
may devise various modifications of the present invention without
departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *