US20050193476A1

US20050193476A1 - Secret purse

Info

Publication number: US20050193476A1
Application number: US10/791,616
Authority: US
Inventors: Amanda Chinn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-03
Filing date: 2004-03-03
Publication date: 2005-09-08

Abstract

A storage unit for women primarily, for disposition on the leg, thigh or arm for the storage of small articles such as lipstick, credit card, drivers' license, key, etc., formed of a leg, thigh or arm encircling member connected to an elastic film, upon which film is mounted at least one and up to about four pockets, each of which pockets includes its own respective front flap having a closure thereon for removable engagement with a closure on the pocket's storage section. Two versions of the limb encircling member are set forth. The encircling member may be disposed interiorly or exteriorly to the pocket(s).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to a leg or thigh disposed storage compartment(s) intended primarily for women.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When women of any age go out socially, as a single person with an allegedly single male, the women often find that it is advantageous to have a $20 bill other personal necessities and a key available to them, but not in an obvious location such as a wallet or handbag. This is especially true when the night out is a night of dancing or a party where there is resistance to bringing one's purse to “a bed in the spare bedroom” among tens of others that are probably quite similar. Women are reluctant to take the risk of loss or confusion with another woman's purse in such common area locations as a bedroom. Also women are reluctant to leave their purse at a restaurant or club table while dancing, talking to others etc. due to fear of loss or theft.
There is indeed a need for a secret purse that can be hidden on the leg or thigh of the owner or even on the arm, preferably above the elbow until the time of absolute need, if at all.
The invention accordingly comprises the device possessing the features, properties, the selection of components which are amplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to a limb-mounted purse that mounts around the leg, thigh or upper arm. The device exists in two embodiments, each of which has a limb encircling elastic member, to which at least one storage compartment is attached. Each pocket or compartment has a snap or a hook and pile, closure, such as Velcro®, or even a zipper. The combination of the encircling member and the closeable compartment(s) comprises the invention.
It is a first object to provide a purse or storage device that can be quickly and easily mounted to the thigh or other limb section of a wearer.
It is a second object to provide a purse that when positioned on a limb will stay there during strenuous activities such as dancing or walking.
It is a third object to provide a purse that is easily mountable to the leg or thigh or arm of a wearer.
It is a fourth object to provide a hidden purse that is light in weight and which is not visible through a wearer's slacks or skirt or blouse and which will fit flush with the limb.
It is a fifth object to provide a readily accessible storage compartment that is discretely out of sight for the storage of small items such as a key, credit card, identification card or a few dollar bills.
Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference would be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of this invention disposed on a human leg.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a variant of the first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another variant of the first embodiment this invention.
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of an alternate construction of the second embodiment of the device of this invention.
FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the variant of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIG. 1, the first embodiment of this device is seen disposed upon the leg of a female below the knee. It is understood however, that thigh mounting is also contemplated by this invention; that is, above the knee.
Device 10 has a leg-encircling member 11 formed of a pair of spaced garter like elastic bands 17,19 with band 17 being the respective upper band. Band 17 is connected to the top edge of a sheet of elastic self-supporting film 15, while band 19 is connected to the lower edge of this annular sheet of elastic film 15. Preferably film 15 has the same or close coefficient of expansion as the two bands 17 and 19. The film mounted to the garter-like, hereinafter garter, or thigh high band may be made of polyester or nylon among others such materials as are used for women's stockings.
Pocket 14 is better seen in FIG. 2 has a storage section and a front flap. The storage section comprises a front panel 16, which is stitched at its interface with a rear panel 18, to lower garter member 19 using elastic thread. Rear panel 18 is stitched at the upper edge thereof by elastic stitching 22 to upper garter 17. A front flap 23 extends forwardly from the row of stitching 22 that joins the rear panel 18 to the upper garter or elastic band 17. Front flap 23 while appearing with two chamfered forward edges may be configured with an arcuate forward edge as well as one having two right angles, one at each forward corner.
On the underside of front flap 23 is a Velcro® tab 25 that matingly and removably engages on opposite gender Velcro® tab 27. One tab is of the hook type configuration and the other of the loop like configuration as is conventionally known to the art. Preferably the tab 25 is of the hook configuration for ease of operation. See FIG. 2 for the locations of the aforementioned Velcro® tabs.
In FIG. 3, a variant of the first embodiment is shown disposed on a thigh. Here the storage aspect is formed into two pockets 66 and 68 separated by a conventional vertical seam 65. Each pocket 66 and 68 has its own front flap 63 respectively. The same hook and loop tab system 25,27 is used to retain contents such as a driver's license, credit card, key, lipstick, etc. in the pocket(s).
While loop like tab closure segments are the preferred closure, a simple two-part snap closure can also be employed, among others.
While embodiments having one or two pockets have been specifically disclosed, it is believed that devices having up to four pockets of varying widths can be employed for small item retention. Thus a one-inch or so wide slightly bulging pocket would be most suitable for a lipstick tube. See FIG. 4 wherein a tubular pocket 76 is shown specifically configured for a lipstick. Here four pockets are shown, one tubular and three as described of varying widths to accommodate different articles.
Among the fabrics that can be used for the front and rear panels of the pocket and the flap is Lycra® spandex stretch material. This type of fabric will stretch along with the film and the elastic bands to ensure that the devices of this invention can be fitted both above and below the knee on legs and various diameters.
As to dimensions it is envisioned that the depth (vertical distance when disposed on a wearer's limb) of each pocket can vary from about 2.5 inches to 4.0 inches, while the total width of the one or more pockets will vary from four inches to a maximum of eight inches with six inches being the middle preferred overall width.
In the second embodiment of this invention, designated 80, the encircling member is defined in a different manner. Instead of using two-spaced garter like elements with a film layer there between, as in the FIG. 1 embodiment, the encircling member is a section of elasticized mesh of a fine denier similar to the mesh used in support stockings. This mesh is strong enough to be self-supporting on the leg or thigh even with the minimal added weight of the items being carried in the pocket. This mesh segment 91 is a circular elastic member capable of encircling the leg or thigh of a wearer. A one-piece pocket, 81 is formed of a front panel 86 having a fold at the lower end thereof 86F, which fold extends transversely across the pocket 81. From this fold commences an integral rear panel 88, which extends upwardly to a second fold 88F, which fold also extends transversely across the pocket. At this upper fold 88F, commences the front flap 83. The pocket is sewn together along side edges 89 (FIG. 6) to form a unitary structure prior to being sewn along stitch lines 90 and 90 at or near the folds 86F,88F to the mesh 91. Velcro® tabs 85 is on the underside of the front flap 83 and tab 87 is on the exterior face of the front panel 86. The pocket flap may be squared off slightly per FIG. 6 or pointed per FIG. 1 or of any other configuration as may be desired.
In FIGS. 7 and 8 a variant of the construction discussed for FIG. 6 is seen. Whereas in the FIG. 6 embodiment, the elastic band was external to the pocket(s), in the variant the elastic band is internal. Thus, a band 70 is disposed between the front and rear panels 66, 68 of the pocket by optionally stitching a circular hem 71 all around the lower periphery of the device. The pocket flap is designated 63 while the two closures, one on the inside surface of the flap is designated 65 while the other on the front panel 66 of the pocket is designated 67. The vertical hems 72 will hold the elastic band in retention. But the presence of hem 71 adds durability and creates a true front and back storage sections in each pocket.
As can be seen in FIG. 8 the shape of each flap is generally V-shaped, which is another alternative decorative form for the flap shape. A total of four pockets that are adjacent to each other is shown in the drawing, each adjacent to each other separated by a vertical seam. While four pockets are shown, again only at least one is required.
Again while Velcro® hook and loop closures are discussed, it is also envisioned to use snap closures having a snap and a snap receiver, that are readily available to the sewing art.
Typical additional pocket materials for either embodiment include, linen, spandex, cotton muslin, and nylon mesh as used in women's hosiery, among others.
Indeed the pocket forming materials of the first embodiment may be used with the second structure and the materials recited for the second embodiment may be used in the first embodiment structure.
The term “limb section” is intended to include both the upper and lower arms as well as the leg and thigh. It is recognized however that to be discreet, and also to avoid detection of the presence of the instant devices, most wearers will place the devices of this invention on the leg or thigh, beneath a clothing article such as a skirt or pants, especially since many women wear sleeveless tops or shirts. Disposition upon the lower arm can be carried out, but this seems to defeat the purpose of hiding the contents disposed in the instant device.
It is seen that I have provided a secure, easily accessible, hidden from view, new storage means for women for the short-term storage of various personal items. These items are stored discretely, but can be accessed on a moment's notice when and if needed. The devices of this invention permit the wearer to travel without the necessity of a purse or pocketbook, and without the fear of loss or theft of same.
Since certain changes may be made in the described device without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A storage device for disposition on a wearer's limb section for the storage of small articles comprising a limb encircling member connected to an elastic film, upon which film is mounted at least one and up to about four pockets, each of which pockets includes its own respective front flap having a closure thereon for removable engagement with a closure on the front of the respective pocket's storage section.

2. The storage device of claim 1 wherein the closures on the pockets present and the front flap of each pocket are a tab of engageable hook and loop closure.

3. The storage device of claim 1 wherein the closure on the pockets present is a snap and the closure on each front flap is a snap receiver.

4. The storage device of claim 1 wherein there is one pocket, and the closures are hook and loop tabs.

5. A storage device for disposition on a wearer's lower limb for the storage of small articles comprising an encircling member connected to an elastic film, upon which film is mounted at least one pocket, wherein each at least one pocket includes a front flap having a closure thereon for removable engagement with a closure on the front of the pocket's storage section.

6. The storage device of claim 1 wherein the limb encircling member is formed of a pair of spaced garter like elastic bands, one of which bands is connected to the top edge of, a sheet of elastic self-supporting film and the other band is connected to the lower edge of said sheet of elastic film 15.

7. The storage device of claim 6 wherein said film has the same or close coefficient of expansion as said bands.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein the sheet of film is annular in configuration and is selected from the group consisting of nylon and polyester.

9. The device of claim 5 wherein there are two pockets separated by a conventional vertical seam, and each pocket and has its own front flap respectively.

10. The device of claim 5 wherein the depth of each pocket varies from about 2.5 inches to 4.0 inches, stretch material.

11. The device of claim 8 wherein the front and rear panels of each pocket present and the flap of each pocket present is Lycra® spandex stretch material.

12. The device of claim 5 wherein the depth of each pocket varies from about 2.5 inches to 4.0 inches, while the total width of the at least pocket will vary from four inches to about a maximum of eight inches.

13. The device of claim 1 the depth of each pocket can vary from about 2.5 inches to 4.0 inches, while the total width of the one or more pockets will vary from four inches to a maximum of eight inches.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein, the encircling member is a section of elasticized mesh of a fine denier similar to the mesh used in support stockings.

15. The device of claim 5 wherein, the encircling member is an annular section of elasticized mesh of a fine denier similar to the mesh used in support stockings; and wherein there are two pockets separated by a conventional vertical seam, and each pocket and has its own front flap respectively.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the depth of each pocket varies from about 2.5 inches to 4.0 inches, and the material used for the front and rear panels of each pocket present and the flap of each pocket present is Lycra® spandex stretch material.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein the closures for the pockets are tabs of hook and loop pile closures.

18. The device of claim 1 wherein the encircling member is an elastic band disposed interiorly of the elastic film.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein four pockets are present, each of which is separated by a vertical hem.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein the flap of each pocket is V-shaped.