US20120073995A1

US20120073995A1 - Interchangeable Lock Assembly

Info

Publication number: US20120073995A1
Application number: US12/891,457
Authority: US
Inventors: Linda K. Parker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-09-27
Filing date: 2010-09-27
Publication date: 2012-03-29

Abstract

An Interchangeable Lock Assembly, which connects a main bag and two accessory items. These Interchangeable Lock Assembly parts are disposed on accessory items and main case in suitable locations. Two individual accessory carrying items can also be secured together using this Interchangeable Lock Assembly. The main case and accessory items further include straps, a plurality of pockets or compartments and zippered openings.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates a multi-purpose locking assembly usage that includes various locking components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, locking systems consist of only two parts that lock to each other to secure various personal items to meet specific storage needs. Style, convenience and portability are taken into consideration. Suitable provisions are included for holding a large number of items and for various types of multi-connection needs for handbags, luggage, briefcases, collectables, electronic device holders, daily planners, accessory cases, organizers, small travel packs, and other personal items. Since these items are frequently changed for various reasons sometimes more than once in a day, moving items from one entity to another can be time consuming and laborious. This connecting assembly with interchangeable and convertible features has been developed to address the problem.
Several storage accessories for women with convertible and interchangeable features are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,254 to Fromm discloses a handbag assembly with separable inner and outer members, which allow easy conversion into a variety of different styles and configurations. The outer member comprises an envelope suspended from a carrying strap and has an open top closeable by a conventional fastener. The inner member comprises a lining pouch sized to be closely received within the envelope. The inner member is removably secured to the outer member by strips of hook and loop type fastening material which can also be used to seal the top edges of the inner member to one another when removed from the outer member.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,909 to Marsteller discloses a removable insert for bags that holds and organizes personal articles. The device includes a first insert module and a second insert module separable from the first insert module. Both the modules comprise a closed base, an open top, sidewalls and pocket walls extending between sidewalls. The pocket walls and sidewalls define a plurality of vertical pockets. An attachment mechanism selectively attaches and detaches the first ans second insert modules to one another.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,573 to Owens an interchangeable purse assembly is disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of outer bag components each having a unique color or design. An interior pouch may be removably received within any one of the associated bag components by zipping the pouch onto the interior surface of the bag component sidewalls. Items that are typically stored in a purse are placed in the removable pouch. When changing purse styles, a user would simply unzip the pouch and reattach it to another style bag component, thus eliminating the burdensome chore of having to individually transfer items.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,951 to Siegel discloses and organizer handbag system having multiple handbags in the system and interchangeable components and accessories. The interchangeable components and accessories may include a smaller travel bag, utility bag, electronic carrying device, daily planner, cosmetic case, organizer, and decorative icons. Selected components are provided with attachment means so that the interchangeable accessories can be conveniently transferred from one carrying case to another and secured with cooperable attachments means. The accessories are selected in design and appearance to be compatible with a wide variety of carry-on and briefcase styles.
Although, the above devices include convertible and interchangeable features, they do not include any means to attach or detach various other accessory storage members to the exterior of the accessory or entity that can be attached to each other to form a compact necessity oriented convenient item component that stands separate.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved connecting assembly that includes a detachable means to secure individual storage members of the accessory or travel assembly together.
A further object is to provide an improved bag, carry-on, briefcase assembly and other portable accessory which provides additional accessory storage members such as a utility bag, smaller travel bag, organizer, cosmetic bag, electronic device holder, or collectable memorabilia that can be detachably secured to a main body.
A further object is to provide an improved purse, luggage, and briefcase assembly, which can be employed at work, during business travel, at social gatherings, at leisure activities, or when shopping.
A further object is to provide an improved travel accessory or briefcase assembly, which can be transformed to suit various storage needs and occasions by using different combinations of the utility bag, electronic device holder, accessory holder, briefcase, smaller travel bag, carry-on, organizer and daily planner.
Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved connecting assembly, which includes means to detachably secure the individual items as a new unit of two parts as needed as a functional stand-alone entity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an improved connection assembly with detachable accessory storage members. The assembly mainly comprises a main body, with two accessory components such as a handbag, cosmetic bag, an electronic device holder, a collectable fashion icon, a utility bag, a daily planner, organizer or a smaller travel bag. Preferably, the main body item is firm or hard-sided and forms the base of the assembly. The assembly also includes a means to detachably secure the accessory components to the exterior of the hard-sides of the main body. The detachable means are disposed on the purse, cosmetic bag, electronic carrying device, carry on, briefcase, collectable, planner or organizer at suitable locations. The same detachable means can also be used to secure either the utility bag, cosmetic bag, handbag, collectable item, electronic carrying device, smaller travel bag, or the daily planner together.
The cosmetic bag, purse, electronic carrier, utility bag, briefcase, handbag, organizer, collectable, carry-on and daily planner can include straps, zippered openings, and a plurality of compartments, transparent windows, and pockets. All the components of assembly can be produced in different colors, sizes, shapes, fabrics, and designs. All carrying devices and straps are interchangeable from bag, briefcase or carry-on.
Several structural variations, dimensions, and additional embodiments of the assembly are possible. Several alternate configurations of the purse, the daily planner, organizer, utility or travel bag, the carry on, the briefcase, the electronic media holder, the collectable, handbag and the cosmetic bag regarding the number of compartments/sections and pockets are possible.
To the accomplishment of the above and related goals, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the front view of the devices

FIG. 2 is the rear view of the devices

FIG. 3 is the side view of the devices

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, the Interchangeable Lock Assembly for an improved carry-on or case assembly that exemplifies the detachable feature is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The assembly mainly comprises a main large case, a utility bag, and an electronic device holder and detachable means to removably secure the accessory items to the main carry on item or together.
FIG. 1 is an illustration of the perspective front view of the main connectors individually (a) and the system connected as one entity (b) and the resulting unit comprised of the detachable device holder and utility bag (c) attached to each other forming a separate functional carry-on.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of the unsecured position of the back of the four interchangeable connecting parts (d).
FIG. 3 is an illustration of the perspective side view of the four parts (e) with a side connected view (f) and the exterior view of the two accessory connector parts and main bag connector parts attached to each other (g).
Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specific function, or “step for” performing a specific functions, is not to be as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of ” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6.

Claims

1. An improved detachable lock assembly comprising of: four interconnecting parts to be attached to a main case having a plurality of compartments and a plurality of accessory holding members with a plurality of compartments removably secured to the main case. The improved detachable accessory assembly, wherein the two accessory components are secured on the two opposite exterior sides of the main case. The lock assembly, main case and accessory holding members are manufactured of textile based materials.

2. The improved detachable accessories can also be secured together.

3. The improved detachable accessory assembly may be interchangeable from carrying case to carrying case.