U.S. patent application number 15/344147 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-23 for modular fashion accessory.
The applicant listed for this patent is Julianne Jones. Invention is credited to Julianne Jones.
Application Number | 20170049198 15/344147 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51522102 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170049198 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jones; Julianne |
February 23, 2017 |
Modular Fashion Accessory
Abstract
A modular handbag or fashion accessory having a main body and
one or more removably attachable accessories is provided
herein.
Inventors: |
Jones; Julianne;
(Plainsboro, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jones; Julianne |
Plainsboro |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51522102 |
Appl. No.: |
15/344147 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13844650 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
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15344147 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/1038 20130101;
A45C 2013/1015 20130101; A45C 7/0086 20130101; A45C 13/103
20130101; A45C 13/30 20130101; A45C 13/001 20130101; A45C 1/02
20130101; A45C 13/08 20130101; A45C 13/1076 20130101; A45C 13/1092
20130101; A45C 13/083 20130101; A45C 3/06 20130101; A45C 13/00
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 3/06 20060101
A45C003/06; A45C 7/00 20060101 A45C007/00; A45C 13/10 20060101
A45C013/10; A45C 13/08 20060101 A45C013/08; A45C 13/30 20060101
A45C013/30; A45C 1/02 20060101 A45C001/02; A45C 13/00 20060101
A45C013/00 |
Claims
1. A fashion accessory comprising: a main body having a first
surface and a second surface, wherein one or more of the first and
second surfaces comprises a plurality of apertures, one or more
modular accessories selectively attachable and removable from said
main body, and one or more means of fastening said modular
accessories to said main body, wherein the main body is a single,
substantially planar piece, and wherein the first and second
surfaces comprise the two sides of the substantially planar
piece.
2. The fashion accessory of claim 1, wherein the means of fastening
are integral with the modular handbag accessories.
3. The fashion accessory of claim 1, wherein the one or more
handbag accessories is selected from the group consisting of
decorative elements, additional storage compartments, and
straps.
4. The fashion accessory of claim 1, wherein the fastening means is
one or more of buttons, snap fasteners, clips, zippers, ties,
strings, ribbons, buckles, clasps, hooks, toggles, and hook and
loop fasteners.
5. The fashion accessory of claim 1, wherein the apertures are
selected from the group consisting of grommets, button holes,
eyelets, fabric loops, perforations, interwoven fabric, and
attached loops.
6. The fashion accessory of claim 3, wherein the strap comprises
one or more apertures.
7. The fashion accessory of claim 6, wherein the apertures are
selected from the group consisting of grommets, button holes,
eyelets, fabric loops, perforations, interwoven fabric, and
attached loops.
8. The fashion accessory of claim 1, wherein the main body
comprises one or more channels.
9. The fashion accessory of claim 8, further comprising stays or
stiffeners that can be inserted into said one or more channels.
10. A fashion accessory comprising: a first substantially planar
piece having a first surface and a second surface, wherein one or
more of the first and second surfaces comprises a plurality of
apertures, one or more other substantially planar pieces connected
to said first substantially planar piece, said one or more other
substantially planar pieces having a first surface and a second
surface selectively attachable to and removable from other planar
pieces, wherein one or more of the first and second surfaces
comprises a plurality of apertures, one or more modular accessories
selectively attachable and removable from said one or more
substantially planar pieces, and one or more means of fastening
said modular accessories to said substantially planar pieces,
wherein the first and second surfaces comprise the two sides of the
substantially planar pieces.
11. The fashion accessory of claim 10, wherein the means of
fastening are integral with the modular handbag accessories.
12. The fashion accessory of claim 10, wherein the one or more
handbag accessories is selected from the group consisting of
decorative elements, additional storage compartments, and
straps.
13. The fashion accessory of claim 10, wherein the fastening means
is one or more of buttons, snap fasteners, clips, zippers, ties,
strings, ribbons, buckles, clasps, hooks, toggles, and hook and
loop fasteners.
14. The fashion accessory of claim 10, wherein the apertures are
selected from the group consisting of grommets, button holes,
eyelets, fabric loops, perforations, interwoven fabric, and
attached loops.
15. The fashion accessory of claim 12, wherein the strap comprises
one or more apertures.
16. The fashion accessory of claim 15, wherein the apertures are
selected from the group consisting of grommets, button holes,
eyelets, fabric loops, perforations, interwoven fabric, and
attached loops.
17. The fashion accessory of claim 10, wherein the main body
comprises one or more channels.
18. The fashion accessory of claim 17, further comprising stays or
stiffeners that can be inserted into said one or more channels.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/844,650, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, the
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to modular handbags and
modular fashion accessories. Specifically, the present invention
relates to modular pieces that can be combined to create handbags,
such as hand-carried purses, shoulder bags, book bags, tote bags,
messenger bags, and the like, or to create wearable items to which
modular pieces with carrying capacity may be attached.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Handbags and other forms of carry cases, such as totes and
luggage, are designed by manufacturers with consideration to a
combination of aesthetics and functionality. However, only a
limited amount of designs are mass produced, limiting a consumer's
choice to the manufacturers' chosen combination of aesthetic design
and functionality. There remains a need for a user-friendly,
customizable fashion accessory which provides carrying capacity.
The invention addresses this need by providing a modular handbag
and fashion accessories that are customizable to suit the
owner's/user's unique usage and preferences while accommodating the
immensely varied items that may be carried and stored.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention fulfills the need for an easily
customizable modular handbag and/or fashion accessory. The present
invention comprises a main body having features capable of
receiving the connection of accessories or panels, such as
apertures, and one or more fastening means to secure said panels
and accessories to said main body. The main body may be a
prefabricated item, such as a handbag, a belt, or other wearable
articles. The main body may also be a single, substantially planar
piece of material comprising apertures, or multiple substantially
planar pieces of materials comprising apertures connected to one
another by various fastening means.
[0005] From a selection of individual components that connect in
various ways, and that also can be altered and reassembled to suit
future needs, the invention provides for a handbag or accessory
that can be customized at the time of purchase or at any time after
purchase, by adding, removing, or rearranging accessories and
panels. The main body of the accessory comprises apertures such
that straps, pockets, and various items, including keys, charms,
trinkets and other items can be securely attached or hung from the
accessory via fastening means. Accessories can be easily moved from
one area of the main body to another, thereby providing the option
to customize the product continually. Once assembled, the end
product may look and function like a standard bag. Optionally, the
handle(s) or strap(s) of the bag may comprise apertures such that
accessories can be hung and/or attached. In another embodiment of
the invention, a bag-like accessory may be created by attaching
straps to a handbag-sized single perforated panel to which pockets
may be attached or not. In other embodiments, bags of custom shapes
and sizes may be created by attaching multiple panels to each
other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E illustrate multiple
configurations of a modular fashion accessory wherein the main body
is a prefabricated handbag;
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a decorative item being secured to an
aperture of a main body;
[0008] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate modular fashion accessories
composed of multiple panels connected to each other. FIGS. 3D and
3E illustrates possible combinations of panels to create bag-like
fashion accessories.
[0009] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrates the functional use of straps as
an item to which additional accessories can be fastened to.
[0010] FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary substantially-planar panel
comprising a plurality of apertures. FIG. 5B illustrates one of an
optional channel that may receive stays or stiffeners to provide
rigidity or structural integrity where desired.
[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates a single, substantially planar piece of
material being customized with straps and modular storage
compartments to create a handbag-like fashion accessory.
[0012] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of FIG. 6, illustrating the
construction of a handbag-like fashion accessory.
[0013] FIG. 8 illustrates a fashion accessory comprises storage
compartments connected to a substantially planar piece of material
that is is strap-like.
[0014] FIG. 9 illustrates a fashion accessory configured to be a
backpack-like fashion accessory, comprising a single, substantially
planar piece of material to which additional storage compartments
and straps are connected.
[0015] FIG. 10 illustrates a single, substantially planar piece of
material being customized with straps and modular storage
compartments having ribbons as a fastening element to create a
handbag-like fashion accessory.
[0016] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of FIG. 10, illustrating the
construction of a handbag-like fashion accessory.
[0017] FIG. 12 illustrates a fashion accessory wherein the main
body is a single, oblong, substantially planar piece of material,
wherein additional storage compartments and other substantially
planar pieces of material able to receive modular accessories or
modular panels.
[0018] FIG. 13 illustrates a wearable fashion accessory, wherein a
single, oblong, substantially planar piece of material, wherein
additional storage compartments and other substantially planar
pieces of material able to receive modular accessories or modular
panels.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The present invention comprises modular handbags, panels and
fashion accessories having features capable of receiving the
connection of accessories, such as apertures, and one or more
fastening means to secure said handbags, panels, and accessories to
other modular panels and accessories.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1A-E, the main body 10 can be a
prefabricated item, such as a handbag, comprising a plurality of
apertures 11. Through the apertures 11, accessories, such as
additional storage components 12, straps 13, and decorative items
14, such as ribbons, charms, chains, and trinkets, are securely
fastened through or hung from apertures 11. FIG. 2 shows the
fastening of a ribbon both as a means of fastening and as a
decorative item itself, through an aperture 11, which is a grommet
in this instance. Storage pockets used as accessories may be of any
shape or size that may be secured to the handbag using the
apertures and fastening means and include, but are not limited to,
cell phone holders, mp3 player holders, change pockets, ID/credit
card pockets, and the like. The plurality of the apertures 11
provides a high level of customization, as well as a large variety
of configurations.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates various methods one can create a handbag
or wearable fashion accessory by combining multiple
substantially-planar pieces of materials comprising a plurality of
apertures, connecting said substantially-planar pieces of materials
by various fastening means, such as using hook and loop fastening
(such as VELCRO) as a fastening element (FIGS. 3A-B). In certain
embodiments, individual panels can be used to form side walls of a
handbag. For example, the bag-like fashion accessory of FIG. 3C can
be constructed as shown in FIG. 3D, which is an exploded view of
FIG. 3C. Panels with apertures, such as the side walls and bottom
panel, can be folded and connected to other panels to create a
bag-like structure. In other embodiments, a single, substantially
planar piece of material having apertures may be folded or rolled,
and connected to other planar pieces of various shapes to create
handbags of various shapes. For example, FIG. 3E illustrates a
single planar piece being rolled, and fastened to various other
planar pieces to create a cylindrical handbag.
[0022] In other embodiments, the main body is a single planar piece
of material. The single substantially-planar piece of material that
is the main body may include channels closed on one end, as
illustrated in FIG. 5. Said channels may receive stays or
stiffeners that may add structural integrity where desired. Said
channels for can be provided as a passage through the
substantially-planar piece, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, or may be
provided on the face of the substantially planar material.
[0023] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate one example of the main body
comprising a single, substantially-planar piece of material. Strap
13 and storage components 12 are attached to main body 10 through
apertures 11 using a fastening element. In this instance, the
fastening element are buttons, and they are passed through
apertures in the main body and the additional storage compartments.
FIG. 6 shows a constructed fashion accessory, while FIG. 7 provides
an exploded view, illustrating how one can piece together the
fashion accessory of FIG. 6.
[0024] Similarly, FIGS. 8-13 illustrate examples of the main body
comprising a single panel of substantially-planar material, wherein
the shape and size of the main body vary, and the configurations of
accessories and straps vary. FIG. 13 specifically illustrates how
the main body can be fastened to the opposite end of itself,
creating a wearable main body.
[0025] Apertures of the present invention include any type of
aperture capable of receiving and connecting to a fastening means
and suitable for use with the materials used in the construction of
fashion accessories and handbags. Apertures suitable for use in the
present invention include grommets, button holes, eyelets, snaps,
fabric loops, perforations, interwoven fabric, and attached loops.
The apertures may be integral with or attached to the walls of the
handbag or fashion accessory. In the embodiments wherein the main
body is a prefabricated handbag, both the inner and outer walls of
the handbag may comprise apertures. In certain embodiments of the
invention, the handle(s) or strap(s) of the handbag or fashion
accessory may comprise apertures and may additionally receive
accessories for connection.
[0026] Means of fastening accessories, such as storage components
12, can be buttons, snap fasteners, clips, zippers, ties, strings,
ribbons, buckles, clasps, hooks, toggle fasteners, hook and loop
fasteners such as VELCRO, and any other means known in the art. In
addition, as shown in FIGS. 1A-E and FIG. 4, straps 13 can be woven
through apertures 11, creating an additional means for fastening
accessories to the main body of the handbag. Further, the modular
accessories can be fastened to the inside of the main body of a
handbag, as well, using the same or different apertures. For
example, if the aperture is a grommet or button hole that extends
through both the inner and outer walls of the handbag, the aperture
may be utilized to secure accessories on either the inside or
outside of the handbag. In an alternative embodiment, the handbag
may have separate apertures on both the inner and outer walls of
the handbag, for example, grommets on the outside and button holes
in fabric lining in the interior. Fastening the accessories, to the
inside of the body of the bag can assist in compartmentalizing and
organizing the contents of the handbag.
[0027] In certain embodiments, where the main body is a
prefabricated handbag, the main body may be comprised of an outer
material and an inner lining. The outer material may be comprised
of one or several layers and may optionally be supplemented with
batting or stiffening materials to create the appropriate
composition for thickness, durability, and strength. The inner
lining is preferably sewn together with the outer material. In a
preferred embodiment, a grid of apertures, such as buttonholes, is
arranged throughout the outer material and, optionally, the inner
material. The apertures may optionally be finished in a material
other than thread. The dispersed or patterned arrangement of
apertures permits a wide variety of attachment and accessory
options and user/owner customization and additionally permits the
user/owner to modify and alter the handbag as desired, adding,
removing, and rearranging accessories. In certain embodiments, a
lining material having an open cavity can be inserted between and
fastened to two or more panels, creating a bag-like structure.
[0028] The various attaching sets, for example, two buttons
attached together back to back, attach to the buttonholes in the
pocket and to buttonholes in the bag or panel. These pockets can be
attached inside or outside the bag. An inside attachment would
allow the attaching piece, for example, the button, to become a
decorative element seen on the outside of the bag. Other items can
be attached to the outside buttons, for example a fabric flower, as
an additional decorative element.
[0029] As both the main body and the pockets have buttonholes or
openings, any number of attaching items can be used to secure one
to the other. Custom-made clips and snaps may be used as optional
attaching devices. Straps can be attached to the bag in much the
same way as the pockets and other accessories and may include the
use of standard buckles and locking loop hardware and the like.
Further, the accessories themselves may have one or more apertures.
This will allow for additional accessories to be fastened, or can
be used as a part of a means to fasten the accessory itself to the
main body 10. For example, two buttons can be linked back-to back
and be used as a fastening means by securing one button through an
aperture in main body 10, and securing the other button through an
aperture in an accessory.
[0030] Bags and accessories within the scope of the present
invention may be made from any material known in the art of bag or
storage container manufacture and design, including, but not
limited to, all variants of fabric, metal, rubber, plastics, plant
fibers, and other suitable materials, with a preference for
environmentally conscious products.
[0031] Various of the above-disclosed and other features and
functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other
different embodiments. Various presently unforeseen or
unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or
improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in
the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the
disclosed embodiments.
* * * * *