CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to application number 61/809,912, filed on April 9, 2013, which is currently pending. The patent application identified above is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to purses and hand bags, and more particularly, protective wraps that wrap around handles of a purse and protect the handles from wear of use as well as dirt and oils on an individual's hands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Purses and handbags have always been a convenient and preferred method for females to carry and transport personal items. Purses can range in style and in value. Often, females have a collection of purses each serving a different purpose or having a specific style to match an outfit or occasion. One of the first parts to wear on a purse is often the handles. This is due to the friction of a user' s hands on the handles while carrying the purse. In addition, dirt, oils, lotions, nicotine and/or perspiration from the user's hands can also accumulate on the handles. This can cause discoloring and oxidation of the purse handles. Many purses can be expensive, thus, keeping them in pristine condition is very important not only for aesthetic purposes but for resale purposes also. Therefore, a need exists for an invention that will protect the handles of a purse while it is being used, thereby preserving the condition of the purse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide protective wraps for purse handles that protect the handles of the purse from wear and use.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a protective handle wrap that provides a barrier between an individual' s hands and the handles or straps of a purse.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a protective handle wrap of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of a protective handle wrap of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a protective handle wrap of the present invention being held by a user in preparation to apply the protective handle wrap to a handle of a purse; FIG 4. is a protective handle wrap of the present invention being applied to a handle of a purse; and

FIG. 5 is a protective handle wrap of the present invention on a handle of a purse during use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:

1. protective handle wrap, generally

2. upper surface

3. lower surface

4. underside of purse handle

5. purse handle

6. purse

7. first attachment means

8. second attachment means

9. opposing edge

10. upper edge

11. lower edge

12. hook and loop fastener

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a top plan view and bottom plan view, respectively, of a protective handle wrap 1 of the present invention is illustrated. The protective handle wrapl comprises planar piece of foldable material, such as cloth, leather or so forth, having an upper surface 2 and a lower surface 3. As illustrated here, the protective handle wrap 1 has an octagonal shape. The octagonal shape provides two advantages. First, the octagonal shape allows the protective handle wrap 1 to provide maximum coverage to an underside 4 of a purse handle 5, where a hand makes the most contact with the purse handle (as further illustrated in FIGS 4 and 5). Second, there is less material located on the top of the purse handle 5 so the protective handle wrap 1 is less visible and thus does not detract from the aesthetic appearance of a purse 6 (as illustrated in FIGS 4 and 5). However, the protective handle wrap 1 may also be any other geometric shape to achieve its main objective of protecting the purse handles 5 from wear, such as circular, rectangular square and so forth and the objective of not detracting from the appearance of the purse 6. In addition, the protective handle 1 wrap may be rectangular with rounded ends like an oval or rectangular with rounded projections on each end. A first attachment means 7 and second attachment means 8 are located on at least two opposing edges 9 of the protective handle wrap. As illustrated here, the first attachment means 7 is located on the upper surface 2 along an upper edge 10. In addition, the second attachment means 8 is located along a lower edge 11 on the lower surface 3. The first attachment means 7 and second attachment means 8 may be a hook and loop fastener 12 (as illustrated here), an adhesive, one or more snaps and so forth. When the protective handle wrap 1 is wrapped around a handle 5 the lower surface 2 makes contact with the upper surface 3, thereby allowing the user to connect the first attachment means 7 to the second attachment means 8 to secure the protective handle wrap 1 to the handle 5 of the purse 2

6. The protective handle wrap 1 may be made of leather, synthetic material, cloth or any other material capable of being wrapped around a purse handle 5 or strap. In addition, the protective handle wrap 1 may be available in various colors to match the colors or designs of different purses.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a top view of a protective handle wrap 1 of the present invention being held by a user in preparation to apply the protective handle wrap 1 to a handle 5 of a purse 6, a protective handle wrap 1 of the present invention being applied to a handle 5 of a purse 6 and a protective handle wrap 1 of the present invention on a handle 5 of a purse 6 during use are illustrated. These Figures are self explanatory when viewed in conjunction with the description of the protective handle wrap 1 described herein.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.