SECURITY DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a device and method for improving the security of handbags and similar items usually worn or carried by an owner. The invention particularly relates to security of such items in a situation where the owner has removed the handbag or similar while sitting or standing at a table in a public place.

BACKGROUND ART Handbag theft is a persistent and growing problem. Thieves target handbags on the assumption that they can reasonably be expected to contain the valuables of an owner, such as wallets or purses, credit cards, mobile telephones and other items. This assumption is often proved correct as the primary purpose of a handbag is as an effective and efficient container for convenient storage of personal items while travelling, walking or shopping.

In this regard, similar items, such as camera bags, cameras with straps, especially video cameras, and waist belts with bags have been likewise targeted by thieves.

While bag snatching in the street or a crowd is reasonably common, this tends to be a physically aggressive and even violent procedure which is difficult to guard against.

A more insidious and subtle threat arises when the owner of a handbag or similar stops at a table and, rather than continue supporting the item, places it on the table or, more dangerously, on the floor adjacent their chair or looped over the back of a chair. If the owner leaves the environment briefly to obtain service or for personal comfort reasons, the bag becomes an easy target. However, a similar threat also arises when the owner is engaged in a distracting activity, such as conversing with friends, eating food or reading a paper. Passing pedestrian traffic provides cover to a thief who may simply and unobtrusively grab the bag and move off into the anonymity of a crowd.

In more sophisticated operations, an accessory may create a diversion, such as engaging in an argument with a shop keeper or dropping one or more items of crockery, thereby diverting the attention of the owner of the bag while it is purloined.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a solution that at least partially reduces the risk of theft of a handbag under the circumstances mentioned above, or at least to provide an alternative to any existing devices.

Accordingly the invention may be said to reside in a security device including receiving means for use with an upright support member of a table or other item of furniture and adapted to hold a handle of a handbag or the like. Preferably the receiving means includes a collar for attachment to the upright member and a bracket connected to the collar for holding the handle.

In a other aspect the invention resides in a security device including: a collar for attachment to an upright support of a table or other item of furniture, adjustment means for reversibly fixing the collar into position on the upright support, and receiving means attached to the collar and adapted to receive and hold or restrain the handle of a handbag or the like.

Preferably the collar includes a pair of curved members of substantially similar structure that combine to encircle the upright support member. The adjustment means may include one or more threaded members connecting the curved collar members. The curved members may be hingedly connected to each other to allow adjustment between an open position and a closed position. The receiving means may include a pair of opposed tabs or hooks.

In a further aspect the invention resides in a method of providing security for a handbag or similar, including fixing a bracket to an upright member of a table or other item of

furniture, the bracket being shaped to hold the handbag. The bracket is fixed removably or permanently on the upright member.

The invention also includes a table or other item of furniture in which an upright member has been modified with a security device as indicated above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the accompanying drawings of which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collar member of a security device, FIG. 2 is a top view of the collar member of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a side view of the collar member of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a front view of the collar member of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a top view of a further security device, FIG. 6 is a side view of the device of FIG. 5 in the direction of arrow A, FIG. 7 is a side view of the device of FIG. 5 in the direction of arrow B, FIG. 8 is a side view of the device of FIG. 5 in the direction of arrow C, and FIG. 9 is a side view of a further security device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the figures it will be appreciated that the invention can be implemented in a wide variety of different forms and these examples should not be regarded as limiting.

FIG. 1 shows a separate collar member 10 formed with a body 11, two spaced tabs 12,13 projecting from the body 11, and a hook or U-shaped bracket projecting perpendicularly to the tabs and from the body 11. The body has a substantially semi-circular recess 15 formed in its rearmost surface. The semi-circular recess 15 may be dimensioned to conform closely with an outer surface of an upright support member of a table or similar piece of furniture (not shown). The recess may be lined with a non-slip material such as a

rubber or a synthetic polymer. The surface of the recess 15 may be ribbed to provide additional grip in operation.

Apertures in the form of slots 16,17 are formed in an outer edge of the tabs 12,13. The slots are adapted to receive a locking device such as a bolt and nut, or perhaps the end of an elastic strap.

In operation, the collar member 10 is used in conjunction with a corresponding collar member which may be formed identically or simply as a back bracket having a semi- circular recess and apertures to receive the bolt and nuts. When the nuts are tightened onto the threaded shaft of the bolt, the two collar members are forced into increasingly pressurised abutting contact with an outer surface of the upright member. This compression leads to increased frictional resistance to sliding movement along a shaft of the upright member. The collar may therefore be locked into a fixed position. The position may be selected as required.

The security device may be fixed at any convenient height on a cylindrical shaft member.

In general, it is preferred for the security device and associated bracket to be fixed towards the top of the upright member to avoid contact with the legs of people sitting around a table and also to maintain the carrying compartment of a handbag in close position to the upright member, thereby minimising its accessibility to thieves.

The U-shaped bracket or hook 14 is formed integrally with the body 11 and tabs 12,13. In an alternative embodiment, the U-shaped bracket may be formed separately and attached to the collar. The bracket may be formed with a tongue which is compressed between the body 11 and an outer surface of the upright member, thereby providing separate brackets for use with the collars. While a U-shaped bracket is a convenient shape, it is not necessarily restricted to that shape. Any receiving recessed bracket would be suitable for the present purpose and may be rectangular, square, circular, ellipsoidal or other shape.

The bracket in some embodiments may be closed at the top with a clip. The clip may be

spring loaded to a closed position and able to be deflected downwardly. An operator may then overcome the spring biasing of the clip to locate the strap in the bracket with the clip then springing back into closed position. Removal of the strap would require depression of the clip and subsequent removal of the strap, thereby providing an extra layer of security and retention of the device.

The above features can be further appreciated with reference to FIGS. 2,3 and 4.

While a backing plate is preferred, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide an alternative arrangement, such as a strap or straps, rather than a full plate. The strap or straps may terminate in a threaded shaft member locatable through apertures in the second collar member. Nuts may then be easily applied to the threaded shaft area. The nuts may be formed as wing nuts or any other suitable shape. While one bracket is shown, it is envisaged that a plurality of brackets may be provided so that a number of bags may be located on a single security device or alternative positions may be provided around a table.

The present device is particularly suitable for tables with a central upright cylindrical pillar. However, it may also be used on upright members of different cross-sectional shapes. In general, it is preferred that the shape of the recess conforms to that of the outer surface of the upright member.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a second embodiment of a security device 20. In this case, a first collar member 21 is hingedly connected to a second collar member 22 via hinge 23. The hinge allows deployment to an open position, as shown, or towards a closed position, as shown in hidden outline at 24. Each collar member has a respective body 25,26 each supporting a respective bracket 27,28. Adjustment means is provided in the form of bolt 29 and nut 30 located through apertures in tabs 31,32.

Advancing the nut 30 along the threaded shaft of bolt 29 leads to the tabs moving towards each other, thereby diminishing the space between the collar members 21,22 and clamping any structure located between them. The structure is preferably an upright central pillar of a table but may be any suitable structural device. Once located, a user may position their

bag strap in one of the brackets 27, 28, to thereby locate the bag in close proximity to the central pillar. The bag itself may be suspended above the ground, if preferred. Clearly, adjustment of the position of the security device simply requires loosening of the nut and bolt 29,30 and sliding the security device to preferred position.

FIG. 6 shows the hinge 23, tab 32 and nut 30 in side view.

The diametrically opposed U brackets 27, 28 are readily apparent in FIG. 7. The brackets may be formed separately and welded to the metallic body of a security device.

Alternatively, the brackets may be formed integrally with the body. Formation of the security device from durable polymer may provide a long lasting easily cleaned and hygienic device for use, particularly in food areas. While one nut and bolt arrangement is shown, it may be preferred in circumstances to use two or more nut and bolt arrangements to provide additional security to the device. However, one of the advantages of the device is its easy location and simple use. Unless required, it would generally be preferred to use a single clamping arrangement. Other clamping arrangements may also be used, such as an over-centre locking arm, an elastically deformable strap, or other arrangement known to a skilled addressee.

An opposite view of that in FIG. 7 was seen in FIG. 8 showing the hinge pin 35 fixing the two bodies 25,26 together.

In general, it is preferred if the security device is formed to cooperate with a 50 mm cylindrical upright member, as this is the most commonly available table support.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment in which a bracket arrangement 30 is permanently affixed to an upright member or table leg 31.

The bracket arrangement 30 is formed by a horizontal member 32 positioned through an aperture in the table leg 31. The horizontal member 32 supports two terminal upright sections 33,34 which, in co-operation with leg sections 35,36, respectively, define U-

shaped recesses for receiving a strap or straps. The horizontal member 32 is fixed in position by welding, adhesive or interference fit as appropriate.

The bracket arrangement may be fixed in position during manufacture. In the case of metallic components, the bracket member may be welded in place and the whole assembly then subject to coating such as by powder coating, galvanising or chroming.

A number of the bracket arrangements may be fixed to the same leg and at different heights if required. Of course, one or more brackets may be formed and simply welded or otherwise fixed to the upright member.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.