GB2419918A

GB2419918A - Theft deterrence for bags, purses or the like

Info

Publication number: GB2419918A
Application number: GB0520625A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jean Rita Parish
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-11
Filing date: 2005-10-11
Publication date: 2006-05-10
Also published as: GB0520625D0

Abstract

An arrangement for deterring theft of bags, purses or the like comprises a first means 6 for attaching at one end to a bag 1 (for example via a bag fastener 3) and at the other end via a clip 7 to a shopping trolley; and a second means 8 for attaching at one end to the bag (for example via a bag fastener 4) and at the other end to a purse 14. A chain 9 can interconnect the ends of means 8 and a strap can extend around the purse to effect an attachment thereto.

Description

Ft 2419918 A DEVICE FOR DETERRING THE THEFT OF BAGS,

PURSES OR THE LIKE

The present invention relates to a device for deterring the theft of bags, purses or the like.

It is a problem for shoppers using trolleys or baskets in supermarkets and other retail outlets to keep their bags and purses safe from thieves whilst making their purchases.Shoppers invariably carry their bags on their person or resting on the trolley itself.Purses are usually carried inside the bag so that if a bag is stolen all money and cards will also be taken.There is a particular problem when the shopper reaches the checkout and is in the process of loading their purchases onto the conveyor belt and being distracted may not be able to have full control over their handbags and other bags which contain their valuables.

In order to help avoid these problems and lessen the chances of being a victim of theft there is provided according to the present invention a device for deterring the theft of bags, purses and the like, comprising first clip means adapted to attach a bag to a shopping trolley and second clip means adapted to attach a purse to a bag.

The second clip means may comprise a length of chain or the like having at one end region thereof a clip adapted to be attached to the purse and at the other end region thereof a clip adapted to be attached to a bag.

The first clip means may comprise a clip adapted to be attached to the strap of the bag, a further clip adapted to be attached to a zip of a bag and another clip adapted to be attached to a shopping trolley. All of the said clips may be connected to each other by a length of chain or the like and the clip for attaching the handbag to the trolley could be a permanent fixture to the trolley.

As well as shopping trolleys the present invention is equally applicable to trolleys used in, for example, airports or railway stations where luggage is being conveyed and it may be necessary to ensure that bags and purses are secure.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig 1 shows an illustration of a shopping bag and a purse secured by a device according to the present invention, Fig 2 shows a device according to the present invention unconnected to the bag or purse, Fig 3 shows an illustration of a shopping bag and a purse secured by a device according to another embodiment of the present invention, Fig 4 shows another device according to the present invention unconnected to the bag or purse, Fig 5 shows a further device according to the present invention which includes a strap adapted to surround a bag, purse or the like, Fig 6 shows the strap of figure 5 in its flat state, and Fig 7 also shows the strap in a flat state but with its end regions folded back.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Fig I shows a bag I having a strap 2 and zips 3 and 4.Attached to the zip 3 is a ring clip 5, and attached to the clip 5 is another clip 6 having a lever 7 which can be displaced to open the clip 6 so that it can be attached to a shopping trolley, not shown.

Attached to the zip 4 is a ring clip 8 and connected to this ring clip 8 is a length of chain 9. Attached to the opposite end of the chain 9 is a clip 10 which also has a lever 11 which can be displaced to open the clip I O.Attached to the clip 10 is a ring clip 12 which in turn is attached to the zip 13 of a purse 14.

Fig 2 shows the embodiment of the present invention shown in figure 1 but unsecured to the bag or purse. The reference numerals shown in figure 2 correspond with those shown in figure 1.

Fig 3 shows a bag 15 in which a portion 16 has been cut away to show part of the inside of the bag. A clip 17 is attached to the strap 18 of the bag and another clip 19 is connected to the clip 17.Attached to clip 19 is a length of chain 20 which is connected to a further lenght of chain 21 at point 22. One end of the chain 20 is connected to the zip 23 of the bag and the chain 21 is connected to a purse24 which is located inside the bag by means of a clip 25, similar to the clip 6 shown in fig 1.

Also attached to the strapl8 is a clip 26 similar to the clip 25. Connected to the clip 26 is a ring clip 27 which can be attached to a shopping trolley, not shown.Also attached to the clip 26 is one end of a chain 28 at the other end of the chain is a spare clip 29 similar to clip 26. Ring clip 30 attaches to the zip 23 and when the bag is to be zipped shut clip 17 can be attached to strap 18 so that the zip 23 cannot be opened easily by a thief.

Fig 4 shows the embodiment of the present invention shown in figure 3 but unsecured to the bag or purse.The reference numerals shown in figure 4 correspond with those shown in figure 3.

Fig 5 shows a purse 32 which is surrounded by a strap 33. As shown in figure 6, the strap has attached to it a pair of hook sections 34 and a pair of loop sections 35. The hook and loop sections may be in the form of lengths of VELCRO. Two rings 36 are freely displaceable along the strap 33. In use, as shown in figure 7, each hook section 34 is folded over to engage the adjacent loop section 35 so that the rings 36 is trapped in the respective fold. As shown in figure 5, the strap 33 is then wrapped around the purse 32 and the rings 36 are held together by a clip 37. The clip 37 is connected to another clip 38 which is connected to one end of a chain 39. The opposite end of the chain 39 is connected to a ring 40 which is connected to a clip 41 adapted to be attached to a bag in a similar manner to that shown in figures 1 to 4.

The strap may be of any suitable length such as 50 cm and with a width of 1.5 cm and with the rings moveable along the strap and of sufficient flexibility it will accommodate purses of differing sizes.

Claims

Claims l.A device for deterring the theft of bags, purses and the like,

comprising first clip means adapted to attach a bag to a shopping trolley and second clip means adapted to attach a purse to a bag.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second clip means comprises a length of chain or the like having at one end region thereof a clip adapted to be attached to the purse and at the other end region thereof a clip adapted to be attached to a bag.
3. A device as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein the first clip means comprises a clip adapted to be attached to the strap of the bag, a further clip adapted to be attached to a zip of a bag or strap and another clip adapted to be attached to the purse.
4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein all of the said clips are connected to each other by a length of chain or the like.
5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, such that when a bag is closed it cannot be opened when a zip of the bag is attached to the strap of the bag by clips at opposite ends of a length of chain.
6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second clip means comprises a strap adapted to surround the purse.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the strap comprises regions of releasable connecting means so that a particular region can be connected to another region.
8. A device for deterring the theft of bags, purses and the like, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
9. A device for deterring the theft of bags, purses and the like, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
10. A device for deterring the theft of bags, purses and the like, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 5 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.