US20190269214A1

US20190269214A1 - Apparatus for a wrap-around accessory

Info

Publication number: US20190269214A1
Application number: US16/292,405
Authority: US
Inventors: Tracey A. Hunt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-03-05
Filing date: 2019-03-05
Publication date: 2019-09-05

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wrap-around accessory for carrying devices such as a handbag, purse, pocketbook, briefcases, tote and other carrying bags or luggage. The wrap-around accessory is configured to cover the frayed area of the carrying device such as a handle or strap of the handbag to provide aesthetic appearance to the handbag. The wrap-around accessory is further configured to prevent fraying of the handle or strap of the carrying device. The wrap-around accessory comprises a wrap portion including an outer surface and an inner surface, and a fastener means. The wrap portion is adapted to conform around the handle of the carrying device. The outer surface comprises two opposing ends extending from the wrap portion. The fastening means disposed at the opposing ends of the wrap is adapted to securely hold the wrap portion around the handle or strap.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/638,585 filed on Mar. 5, 2018. The above provisional application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to accessories for carrying devices such as handbags, purses, totes and the like, and, more particularly, to a wrap-around accessory, which securely wraps around the handle or strap of the carrying device such as handbag, purses, totes and the like to prevent fraying or to cover the frayed area of the handle or strap.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Carrying devices, such as handbags, purses, pocketbooks, briefcases, totes and other carrying bags or luggage, are items which people wish to keep close. These devices are used to carry items that are necessary to support their daily activities, such as: credit cards, photographs, identification credentials, glasses, checkbook, wallet, purse, keys, tissues, stamps, note paper, personal address and phone directories, and the like. As these carrying devices are an everyday accessory for many people, various kinds of designs are developed and designed to provide comfort and aesthetical look while carrying such. The carrying device comes in many sizes, shapes, and materials.
The handle or strap is a part or attachment of the carrying device, which is, given its constant use, one of the first parts to wear out or fray. This handle part gets damaged or frayed easily due to the frequent touching and the friction of a user's hands on the handles while carrying the carrying device. In addition, dirt, oils or lotions from the user's hands could also accumulate on the handles or straps. This could cause discoloring and oxidation of the handles or straps. Many handbags could be expensive, thus, keeping them in pristine condition is very important. Further, some people are passionate about preserving and maintaining the shape and condition of these carrying devices. Some users of handbags intend to resell handbags in a secondary or auction market and care for the handbag to prevent decrease of the resale value.
Some handbags have metal or other hard components or chains at the handle which can scratch, abrade, or cause indentation or other damage to the hands of the user. Also, when heavy items, such as cans, electronics or bottles, are carried in the handbags, the handles stretch to form relatively thin bands which apply substantial forces concentrated along narrow areas or regions of the hand, which can be painful when the bags are carried over for a period or distance. The stretching of handle portion leads to fraying of handle edge. Some people cannot afford to buy a new handbag and utilize the bag having an unattractive frayed handle.
Therefore, there is a need for an easily attachable/detachable wrap-around accessory, which securely wraps around the handle or strap of the carrying device to prevent fraying or to cover the frayed area of the handle or strap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wrap-around accessory for carrying devices such as handbag, purse, pocketbook, briefcases, tote and other carrying bags or luggage. The wrap-around accessory is configured to cover the frayed portion or part of the carrying device, such as a handle or strap of the carrying device. The wrap-around accessory is further configured to prevent fraying of the handle or strap of the carrying device.
The wrap-around accessory comprises a wrap portion and a fastener means. The wrap portion is configured to conform at a portion of the carrying device such as the handle or strap, which requires protection. The wrap-around accessory comprises an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface of the wrap-around accessory comprises two opposing ends, which extends from the wrap portion. In an embodiment, the fastener means is disposed at the opposing ends of the wrap-around accessory. The fastener means is configured to fasten or secure the wrap portion around the handle or strap of the carrying device. Further, the fastening means could be readily and easily opened and/or adjusted as and where needed. In an embodiment, the fastener means could be a hook and loop type fastener, button type fastener, snap-fit type fastener, zipper type fastener or any other type of fastener.
In one embodiment, the wrap-around accessory could be rectangular, square, circular or any other shape. In another embodiment, the wrap-around accessory is made of a pliable material. In another embodiment, the wrap around accessory could be made of a nylon material, water-resistant material, water-repellent or leather material. In another embodiment, the wrap-around accessory is of any color to match the color, pattern or design of different types of carrying devices. In another embodiment, the wrap-around accessory comprises printed patterns to match with the design of the carrying devices. In another embodiment, the wrap-around accessory could be of any length and width for the holding characteristics and for the flexibility desired.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A exemplarily illustrates a wrap-around accessory with hook and loop type fastener in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B exemplarily illustrates the wrap-around accessory with snap-fit type fastener in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1C exemplarily illustrates the wrap-around accessory with button type fastener in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1D exemplarily illustrates the wrap-around accessory with zipper type fastener in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a carrying device installed with the wrap-around accessory in an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given. It is expected that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Referring now to FIG. 1A, a wrap-around accessory 100 for carrying device such as handbag, pocketbook, briefcases, and other carrying bags or luggage is disclosed, in an embodiment of the present invention. The wrap-around accessory 100 is configured to wrap around a handle of the carrying device. The wrap-around accessory 100 is further configured to prevent fraying of the handle of the carrying device. The wrap-around accessory 100 is further configured to cover the frayed area such as a handle of the carrying device to provide aesthetic appearance to the carrying device.
The wrap-around accessory 100 comprises a wrap portion 102 and a fastener means 104. The wrap portion 102 is configured to conform at a portion of the carrying device such as handle, which requires protection. The wrap-around accessory 100 comprises an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface of the wrap-around accessory 100 comprises two opposing ends 106, which extends from the wrap portion 102. In an embodiment, the fastener means 104 is disposed at the opposing ends 106 of the wrap-around accessory 100. The fastener means 104 is configured to fasten or secure the wrap portion 102 around the handle of the carrying device.
In one embodiment, the wrap-around accessory 100 is of rectangular shape. In one embodiment, the wrap-around accessory 100 is of circular shape. In another embodiment, the wrap-around accessory 100 could be of any shape. In an embodiment, the fastener means 104 is a hook and loop fastener as shown in FIG. 1A. In one embodiment, the fastener means 104 is a snap-fit type fastener as shown in FIG. 1B. In another embodiment, the fastener means 104 is a button type fastener as shown in FIG. 1C. In yet another embodiment, the fastener means 104 is a zipper type as shown in FIG. 1D. In yet another embodiment, the fastener means 104 could be any other type of fastener.
The fastener means 104 is configured to close and hold the opposing ends 106 of the wrap portion 102 securely on the warped area of the carrying device, while still allowing for some adjustment, and would not open or gap with normal and expected use. Further, the fastening means 104 could be readily and easily opened and/or adjusted as and where needed. The fastener means 104 is sufficiently light in weight, pliable and flexible for use in and with the carrying device. In an embodiment, the present invention comprises pairs of wrap-around accessory 100 to secure over a pair of handle of the carrying device, respectively. In another embodiment, the wrap-around accessory 100 is sized to securely wrap around by adjoining at least two handles of the carrying device. FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates the carrying device installed with the wrap-around accessory 100 in an embodiment of the present invention.
In one embodiment, the wrap-around accessory 100 is made of pliable material. In another embodiment, the wrap-around accessory 100 is made of nylon or leather. In another embodiment, the wrap-around accessory 100 is made of synthetic material, cloth or any other material capable of being wrapped around a purse handle or strap. In another embodiment, the wrap-around accessory 100 is made of water-resistant fabric. In another embodiment, the wrap-around accessory 100 is made of water-repellent material.
In another embodiment, the wrap-around accessory 100 is of any color to match the color, pattern or design of different carrying devices. In another embodiment, the wrap-around accessory 100 comprises printed patterns to match with the design of the carrying devices.
In another embodiment, the wrap-around accessory 100 could be of any length and width for the holding characteristics and the flexibility desired. In another embodiment, the wrap-around assembly 100 could be fastened to handles made of any material such as metal, wood.
Advantageously, the wrap-around accessory 100 of the present invention enables to cover the frayed area to provide aesthetic appearance to the carrying device, prevents fraying of the handle of the carrying device, minimizes the discomfort or pain typically encountered when carrying such bags by hand, and protects or preserves the condition of the carrying device.
Although a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the above detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment developed herein, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The foregoing description comprises illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications could be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions. Although specific terms could be employed herein, they are used only in generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A wrap-around accessory for a carrying device, comprising:

a wrap portion comprising an outer surface and an inner surface adapted to conform around a handle of the carrying device, wherein the outer surface comprises two opposing ends extending from the wrap portion; and,

a fastening means disposed at the opposing ends of the wrap portion adapted to secure the wrap portion around the handle.

2. The wrap-around accessory according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means is at least one of a hook and loop fastener, a zipper fastener, a snap-fit fastener and a button type fastener.

3. The wrap-around accessory according to claim 1, wherein the wrap portion is a planar piece of foldable material.

4. The wrap-around accessory according to claim 1, wherein the wrap portion is one of a rectangular, square, and circular shape.

5. The wrap-around accessory according to claim 1, wherein the wrap portion is made of one of a nylon material, a water-resistant material, a water-repellent material, and a leather material.

6. The wrap-around accessory according to claim 1, wherein the wrap portion is of a color to match at least one of a color, pattern or design of the carrying device.

7. The wrap-around accessory according to claim 1, wherein the wrap portion is of a printed pattern to match with a design of the carrying device.

8. The wrap-around accessory according to claim 1, wherein the wrap portion is of any length and width to match characteristics of the handle of the carrying device.

9. The wrap-around accessory according to claim 1, wherein the fastener means is configured to close and hold the opposing ends of the wrap portion securely on a frayed area of the handle of the carrying device.

10. The wrap-around accessory according to claim 1, wherein the fastener means is readily and easily opened and adjusted as and where needed.

11. The wrap-around accessory according to claim 1, wherein the fastener means is sufficiently light in weight, pliable and flexible for use in and with the carrying device.

12. The wrap-around accessory according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of wrap-around accessories wherein each one is secured over one of a pair of handles of the carrying device.

13. The wrap-around accessory according to claim 1, wherein the wrap-around accessory is sized to securely wrap around by adjoining at least two handles of the carrying device.

14. A wrap apparatus to protect a carrying device handle, the wrap apparatus comprising:

an inner surface adapted to conform around the carrying device handle;

an outer surface, attached to the inner surface, wherein the outer surface comprises two ends which, when the inner surface is conformed around the carrying device handle, oppose one another; and,

a fastening means disposed at the opposing ends of the outer surface,

wherein the fastening means is adapted to secure the wrap apparatus around the carrying device handle.

15. The wrap apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the fastening means is at least one of a hook and loop fastener, a zipper fastener, a snap-fit fastener and a button type fastener.

16. The wrap apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the fastener means is configured to close and hold the opposing ends of the outer surface of the wrap apparatus securely on a frayed area of the carrying device handle.

17. The wrap apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the fastener means is readily and easily opened and adjusted as and where needed.

18. The wrap apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the fastener means is sufficiently light in weight, pliable and flexible for use in and with the carrying device.

19. The wrap apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the wrap apparatus is sized to securely wrap around by adjoining at least two carrying device handles.