BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: The present invention relates to handbags and in particular to handbags adapted to accommodate attachment of a timepiece such as but not limited to a watch.

Timepieces can be attached to some existing handbags. However, until now, timepieces have been attached only on a limited number of locations on the bodies of such handbags. There is a need in the art for timepiece attachments to handbags that provides greater flexibility and convenience than is available with existing handbag timepiece attachments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

According to one aspect, the invention provides a handbag comprising a body; a handle extending from the body; and a timepiece forming part of the handle. According to another aspect, the invention provides a handbag comprising: a body; a handle extending from the body; and a timepiece removably attachable to the handle. According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a handbag comprising: a body having at least two ends; at least one gusset extending from each the end of the body of the handbag; a handle having straps, each of the straps connected to a respective gusset of the body of the handbag via respective connecting members; and a timepiece extending along the handle.

According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a handbag comprising: a handle; and a timepiece permanently affixed to the handle. According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a zipper assembly comprising: a zipper; and a timepiece connected to the zipper. According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a handbag comprising: a body having a selectively openable top; a part of a closure element extending from the body; and a timepiece having at least one strap extending from the selectively openable top and further having another part of the closure element, wherein the part of the closure element and the another part of the closure element engage each other when the selectively openable top is in a closed condition.

According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a handbag comprising: a body having a selectively openable top; a closure strap extending from the selectively openable top;

a timepiece coupled to a timepiece band thereby forming a timepiece assembly, wherein the timepiece assembly is removably attachable to the closure strap.

According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a handbag comprising: a body having a surface, at least a portion of the surface having a pattern; and a timepiece attached to the body, a face of the timepiece having a pattern that is coordinated with the pattern of the surface of the body.

According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a handbag comprising: a body, the body having a length extending from a first end of the body to a second end of the body; an inner collar adaptable to connect the first end to the second end; and a timepiece forming part of the inner collar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of illustrating the various aspects of the invention, there are shown in the drawings forms that are presently preferred. It being understood, however, that the invention is not meant to be limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities described and shown herein.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a one embodiment according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front view of another embodiment according to the present invention; FIG. 2A is a side perspective view of the embodiment according to FIG. 2; FIG. 2B is another side perspective view of the embodiment according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of another embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 A is a top plan view of a detail of the embodiment according FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a front view of still another alternate embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4A is a top plan view of a detail of the embodiment according FIG. 4;

FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of another embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a front perspective view of still another embodiment according to the present invention; FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a device according to the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a bottom plan view of the device according to FIG. 6;

FIG. 6B is a front elevational view of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6C is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6D is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an end view of a portion of a handbag according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the handbag of FIG. 8 having a secured lateral strap according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top view of a handbag in which a timepiece completes a connection between strap portions of an inner collar (bridal strap) of the handbag according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a handbag according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the handbag of FIG. 11 having a secured inner collar according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the handbag of FIGS. 11 and 12 having a secured inner collar and a secured lateral strap according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 14 is a top view of a portion of a handbag having a timepiece attached to one strap portion of an inner collar according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15A is a plan view of a timepiece molded to a zipper pull of handbag 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15B is a side view of the timepiece of FIG. 15A according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a front view of a handbag having a timepiece removably attached thereto according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a front view of a handbag to which timepieces may be removably attached at a plurality of possible locations according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a front view of a handbag in which a timepiece and associated straps form a mechanism for closing the handbag according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a front view of a handbag in which a timepiece and associated straps may be affixed to a closure strap for the handbag according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a front view of a handbag in which an attached timepiece face has a dial background having a printed pattern that is coordinated with a pattern of the timepiece straps and/or with the pattern of the handbag itself according to one embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 21 is a front view of a handbag in which an attached timepiece face has a dial background having a printed letter pattern that cooperates with a printed pattern on the timepiece strap and/or with the pattern of the handbag surface according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known features may be omitted or simplified so as not to obscure the present invention. Furthermore, reference in the specification to phrases such as "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearance of phrases such as "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Herein, the term gusset can refer to a strap or strap portion which may be permanently affixed to a body of a handbag and which may be attachable at one or more ends to another gusset, a strap, a strap portion, an attachment device, or a connecting member. Herein, a handbag can include a handle and a body. Herein, the "body" of a handbag generally corresponds to that portion of the handbag in which items can be stored and generally excludes the handle. However, in alternative embodiments, the body of a handbag may include the handbag's handle. Further, the present invention is not limited to handbags, and other devices for carrying items may be within the scope of the present invention.

Now referring to FIG. 1, handbag 10 is shown. Handbag 10 may include body 8 and handle 18 and may also include timepiece 20.

Now referring to FIGs. 2-2B in another embodiment handbag 10 comprises gussets 12 and 14 and handle 18 comprises timepiece 20 and straps 22 and 24. Gusset 12 further comprises an attachment device such as but not limited to buckle 16. Strap 24 further comprises an attachment device such as but not limited to buckle 26. In the embodiment according to FIGs. 2-2B timepiece 20 is a typical watch having typical straps 22 and 24, and gussets 12 and 14 of handbag 10 are adapted to securely connect to each other, such as but not limited to by means of a buckle, Velcro, or other means known in the art, to form a handle 18. Gussets 12 and 14 are adapted to, when not connected to each other, connect to straps 22 and

24 via, for example, buckles 16 and 26 to form handle 18. In accordance with the FIGs. 2-2B, strap 22 is fastenable to buckle 16 and gusset 14 is fastenable to buckle 26.

Handbag 10 may comprise a plurality of gussets beyond what is shown in the FIGs., i.e., it is understood the present invention contemplates multiple gussets extending from handbag 10. The number of gussets employed is a matter of design choice. Likewise, more than one timepiece 20 can be employed and more than one handle 18 can be employed, although the number of timepieces is not meant to be dependent on the number of gussets. For example, embodiments including multiple gussets of differing lengths but only one timepiece are anticipated in order to allow for handle length variations. Now referring to FIGs. 1 and 3 -3 A timepiece 20 may be permanently affixed to a handbag 10 by straps 12 and 14. In accordance with FIG. 3, connecting members 30 such as but not limited to ring, loops, squares and the like may be made of materials such as but not limited to leather, fabric, metal, wood, plastic and the like. Connecting members 30 may be employed to connect gussets 12 and 14 to straps 22 and 24, respectively. Any number of connecting members 30 may be employed.

Now referring to FIGs. 4-4A, timepiece 20 is disposed in handle 18. For example, handle 18 may comprise a cutout in which timepiece 20 fits snugly. Alternatively, timepiece 20 may be affixed to handle 18 by any known means such as but not limited to by adhesive, stitching or the like. Now referring to FIGs. 5A-5B, timepiece 20 is disposed on a strap of handbag 10, which strap is not part of handle 18. In a preferred embodiment, timepiece 20 is disposed between straps 40 and 42 along a front side of handbag 10. Now referring to FIG. 5B, timepiece 20 further comprises straps 22 and 24, as in a conventional watch, and buckle 44

extending from strap 24. Straps 40 and 42 are adapted to connect to straps 22 and 24 of timepiece 20. For example, buckle 46 is disposed on strap 42 in accordance with FIG. 5B. The buckles 44 and 46 are merely exemplary of fastening devices that may be employed to dispose timepiece 20 on handbag 20. Moreover, in other embodiments, a plurality of such straps and timepieces may be affixed to handbag 10.

Now referring to FIGs. 6-6D, a timepiece 20 is disposed within a ring 50 which extends from handbag 10. A plurality of rings 50 at least one of which contains timepiece 20 may be linked or connected to each other to form a handle 18 (not shown). Alternatively, a device comprising at least one of the rings 50 and at least one timepiece 20 can form a strap for use with a handbag 10 as described above with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGs. 5A-5B.

Now referring to FIG. 7, timepiece 20 is adapted to extend from a zipper pull element

(zipper pull) 60. In one embodiment timepiece 20 extends from a zipper pull element 60 which is engaged to a closure zipper on handbag 10 (not shown). In an alternate embodiment the timepiece 20 extends from zipper pull 60 which is engaged to a zipper that when opened creates a double handle (not shown).

FIG. 8 is an end view of a portion of handbag 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Strap portion 72 of inner collar 70 is also shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, strap portion 72 of inner collar 70 is on the exterior of handbag 10. However in other embodiments, inner collar strap portion 72 could be affixed to the interior of handbag 10. FIG. 9 is a top view of handbag 10 having a secured lateral strap 68 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Lateral strap 68 can include first strap portion 62, second strap portion 64, and snap 66. When lateral strap 68 is secured as shown in FIG. 9, first strap portion 62 may be attached to second strap portion 64 with snap 66. While one specific embodiment of lateral strap 68 is shown in FIG. 9, it will be appreciated that other embodiments are possible. Lateral strap 68 may be located elsewhere on handbag 10. Moreover, in other embodiments, attachment means other than snap 66 may be employed to attach first strap portion 62 to second strap portion 64, such as, but not limited to, buckles, strap assemblies, Velcro ^® , etc.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a handbag 10 in which timepiece 20 completes a connection between strap portions 72 and 74 of inner collar 70 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, strap portions 72 and 74 are connected to the exterior of handbag 10. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, inner collar 70 could be

connected without using timepiece 20 as a connecting element and can be connected to the interior of handbag 10 (for example, see FIG. 12).

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a handbag 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is noted that in this embodiment, no strap portion of inner collar 70 is visible on the exterior of handbag 10. Thus, in this embodiment, strap portions 72 and 74 of inner collar 70 may be affixed to interior surfaces of handbag 10. In this embodiment, one or both of inner collar 70 and lateral strap 68 may be secured.

FIG. 12 is a top view of handbag 10 having a secured inner collar 70 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, strap portions 72 and 74 of inner collar 70 are shown directly connected using buckle 76 without the presence of an intervening part, such as timepiece 20 and are shown connected to the interior of handbag 10.

FIG. 13 is a top view of handbag 10 showing both a secured inner collar 70 and a secured lateral strap 68. Securing inner collar 70 alone (as in FIG. 12) or along with securing together lateral strap 68 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 13 can provide a more compact profile for handbag 10, as is shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a top view of a portion of handbag 10 having timepiece 20 attached to one strap portion of inner collar 70 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, timepiece 20 may be easily removed from handbag 10 by disconnecting timepiece 20 from one or both of strap portion 72 and strap portion 74. While in the embodiment of FIG. 14, timepiece 20 is shown attached to a portion of inner collar 70, it will be appreciated that other items having functional and/or ornamental value may be connected to inner collar 70. Moreover, these other items could be external devices having a function independent of handbag 10 or devices forming an integral part of handbag 10. Furthermore, these other items could also be attached, or located in proximity to, parts of handbag 10 other than inner collar 70.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are a plan view and a side view, respectively, of a timepiece 20 molded to a zipper pull 60 of handbag 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In alternative embodiments timepiece 20 could be directly connected to zipper pull

60 by means other than being molded thereto. Such other means may include but are not limited to one or more clips, and/or one or more clamps.

FIG. 16 is a front view of handbag 10 having timepiece 20 removably attached thereto according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, handle 18 can be complete with or without the attachment of timepiece 20 thereto. Timepiece 20 and connected

straps 22 and 24 can be attached to handle 18 employing snaps 80 and 82. While two snaps 80, 82 are shown in FIG. 16, fewer or more than two snaps could be employed to attach timepiece 20 to handle 18. Moreover, timepiece 20 could be connected to handle 18 without also attaching straps 22 and 24. Moreover, in alternative embodiments, attachment devices other than snaps 80 and 82 could be employed, such as buckle assemblies, buttons, Velcro®, magnets, and strap assemblies.

FIG. 17 is a front view of handbag 10 to which timepieces 20 may be removably attached at a plurality of possible locations according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, timepieces 20 may be attached to the various locations on handbag 20 employing snaps similar to snaps 80 and 82 of FIG. 16. However, in alternative embodiments, other attachment devices could be employed such as buckles, buttons, and/or Velcro®.

FIG.18 is a front view of handbag 10 in which timepiece 20 and at least one strap connected to timepiece 20 form a mechanism for closing handbag 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, timepiece 20 is mounted on strap 84, and strap 84 is operative to close handbag 10 upon being secured in buckle 88. Buckle 88 may be mounted on base 86. However, in alternative embodiments, attachment devices other than buckle 88 may be employed to secure strap 84 and close handbag 10 such as one or more buttons, one or more snaps, one or more magnets, hook and loop connectors, and/or Velcro®. FIG. 19 is a front view of handbag 10 in which timepiece 20 and straps 92 and 94 may be affixed to closure strap 90 for handbag 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, timepiece 20 and straps 92 and 94 can be attached to closure strap 90 via use of snaps 96 and 98. In alternative embodiments, other attachment devices could be employed for this purpose such as one or more buttons, one or more magnets, a buckle, and/or Velcro®. In this embodiment, closure strap 90 can be operative to close handbag 10 upon being secured in buckle 88. However, in other embodiments, as discussed in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 18, attachment devices other than buckle 88 may be employed.

FIG. 20 is a front view of handbag 10 in which an attached timepiece 20 face has a printed dial background having a pattern 106 that is coordinated with a pattern 108 of the timepiece straps 102, 104 and/or with a pattern 100 of the handbag itself according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the coordinated printed patterns are sequences of letters that spell out a recognizable word: "USA." However, in alternative embodiments, the coordination between the timepiece 20 face and the timepiece

straps 102, 104 and/or the surface of handbag 10 could include anything that creates a consistent visual pattern once timepiece 20 is affixed to handbag 10. Some illustrative examples include a cross-hatch pattern (or other pattern) that is consistent between timepiece 20' s face and the other surfaces, a timepiece 20 face having the same color as, or a color similar to, the color of straps 102, 104 and/or the surface of handbag 10. As used herein, the term "consistent" is not meant to limit how the patterns of the timepiece face and those of the handbag relate to each other, and so an identical matching of patterns or symmetry is not required.

Moreover, the various surfaces could cooperate logically such as with a meaningful sequence of alphanumeric characters, of which the sequence "USA" is one example. Another logical sequence could include a logical sequence of numerals such as "1, 2, 3"; "1, 1, 1"; and so forth. Other variations will be apparent to those of skill in the art. It will be appreciated that pattern 106 on the face of timepiece 20 may include more than one character. Moreover, the symbols which may be placed on the face of timepiece 10, of straps 102, 104 and of the surface of handbag 10 are not limited to being alphanumeric characters.

FIG. 21 is a front view of handbag 10 in which an attached timepiece 20 forms part of a word, such as, for example, MOM and/or LOVE seen in FIG. 21.

While the preferred embodiments have been described and illustrated it will be understood that changes in details and obvious undisclosed variations might be made without departing from the spirit and principle of the invention and therefore the scope of the invention is not to be construed as limited to the preferred embodiments.