US 4,376,935 A · Handbag utilizing automatically functioning illumination and alarm devices

Abstract

An electrical arrangement for a handbag including a switch unit having at least one electrical terminal on its exterior, a magnetically resposive switch in its interior connected to the terminal, and a battery in the handbag connected to the terminal and to the magnetically responsive switch. The terminal is adapted to receive either an illumination device or an alarm device at the option of the handbag owner. A magnet is utilized in conjunction with my novel switch unit, with the switch unit being mounted on one interior wall of the handbag, and the magnet being mounted on another interior wall of the handbag in a position opposite, and in substantial alignment with, the switch unit. The magnet is supportable in at least two different positions on its mounting such that when in a first position it can interact with the magnetically responsive switch as the handbag is opened or closed, thus causing the illumination of a bulb or sounding of the alarm as the handbag is opened. However, when the handbag owner has moved the magnet to a second position, the magnet does not bring about a switching function as the handbag is opened, thus enabling the handbag owner to utilize an alarm circuit that will sound if the unattended bag is lifted off a surface upon which it has been resting, irrespective of the bag being open or closed. A number of different illumination circuits and alarm circuits are available at the option of the owner.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An electrical arrangement for a purse or handbag, comprising a switch unit having at least one electrical terminal on its exterior, and a magnetically operable switch in its interior connected to said electrical terminal;

and a magnet used in conjunction with said switch unit, means for mounting said switch unit on one wall of the handbag, and means for mounting said magnet on another wall of the handbag in a position opposite, and in substantial alignment with, said switch unit;
and an electrical source connected to said magnetically operable switch and to said electrical terminal such that when said switch is in a closed condition, current will flow from said source to an electrical device connected to said electrical terminal, said magnet being supportable in at least two different positions on said magnet mounting means, such that when in a first position, it can interact with said magnetically operable switch as the handbag is opened or closed, and when in a second position on said magnet mounting means, it is disposed sufficiently far away from said magnetically operable switch as not to interact therewith as the handbag is opened or closed.

Apparatus for a handbag capable of being opened and closed comprising

first and second electrically actuated devices carried by said handbag,
an electrical source connected to supply electrical current to either of said devices on occasion,
a control switch operatively involved with the opening and closing of said handbag, said control switch being electrically connected to normally cause a flow of current from said electrical source to bring about actuation of one or the other of said devices when said bag is opened, and a cessation of flow of such current when the bag is reclosed,
a three-position switch electrically interposed to enable the selective directing of current to said first and second electrically actuated devices,
said three-position switch, when in a first position, directing the flow of current to said first device when said bag is opened;
when in a second position, directing the flow of current to said second device when said bag is opened;
and when in the third position, effectively preventing the actuation of either of said devices.

4 more elements

Apparatus for a handbag capable of being opened and closed comprising

a first electrical terminal, located in the interior of said handbag,
a second electrical terminal, located on the exterior of said handbag,
an electrical source connected to supply power to said electrical terminals,
a control switch operatively involved with the opening and closing of said handbag, said control switch being interposed between said electrical source and said first electrical terminal,
said control switch being closed to supply electrical power to said first terminal when said handbag is opened, and being opened to interrupt power to said first terminal when said handbag is closed,
pressure sensitive switch means mounted on the underside of said handbag, and being electrically connected between said electrical source and said second electrical terminal, such that said second terminal will be activated when said handbag is lifted,
at least one of said electrical terminals being arranged to receive either an illumination means or an alarm means, and
multiposition switch means interposed between said electrical source and said terminals, enabling a user to be able to selectively interrupt the flow of electrical current to either or both of said terminals.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Handbag utilizing automatically functioning illumination and alarm devices

Life of this patent

Handbag utilizing automatically functioning illumination and alarm devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19