Adaptable electric accessory system for containers, receptacles, and the like

• US 6,340,235 B1
• Filed: 12/13/1999
• Issued: 01/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jimmy H. Bryan
• Original Assignee: Jimmy H. Bryan
• Inventors: Bryan, Jimmy H.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Guiyoung
• Application Number:
  US09/460,368
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 362/154, 362/155, 362/156, 362/570, 362/577, 150/101, 150/102, 150/103
• US Class Current: 362/156
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/24 Devices for sound-producing, piercing, gas-discharging, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/28 Combinations of handles with other devices
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/00 Purses, bags, luggage or other receptacles covered by groups A45C1/00 - A45C11/00, combined with other objects or articles A45C1/08, A45C3/14, A45C11/321, A45C13/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/06 with illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 3/08 Handbags provided with removable or washable covers

Abstract

An adaptable electric accessory system comprising a receptacle having an interior compartment, an illumination apparatus, and a power source for supplying power to the apparatus. The system may be provided with an insert removably positioned in the interior compartment of the receptacle. The illumination apparatus may be mounted on the insert or container for illuminating the insert. A charging apparatus may be provided for providing power to the power source for recharging the power source and removable electric devices. The receptacle may include a flexible strap with a pair of forcible release assemblies each being connected between one of the ends of the strap and the receptacle for detecting a forcible removal of the receptacle from the person of the user. A timer mechanism may be provided for causing illumination of the illumination apparatus for a predetermined period of time upon the closing of an activating switch. The illumination apparatus may comprise at least one illuminating liner panel positioned on an interior surface of the insert or container or both. An alarm apparatus may provide an alarm upon triggering by the removal of a strap attached to the receptacle or the actuation of an alarm activating switch. A pocket may be provided for removably receiving an electric device, and a power adapting apparatus may be provided for supplying power to an electrical device, with the power adapting apparatus being connected to the power source and base charging system.

Claims

1. An illuminating accessory system comprising:

a retainer device defining an interior compartment;

a liner having an interior adapted for removably receiving objects to be carried by said retainer device through an opening in said liner, said liner being removably positioned within the interior compartment of said retainer device, said liner having an exterior substantially coextensive with said interior compartment of said retainer device when said liner is positioned in said retainer device;

at least one light source secured on said liner for illuminating the interior of said liner and any objects positioned in said liner, and

an electrical power source secured on said liner in a manner such that said electrical power source is removable with said liner from said retainer device;

wherein said liner, said at least one light source, said electrical power source, and any objects received in the interior of said liner are removable as a unit from said retainer device for permitting insertion of said unit into another said retaining device.

2. The illuminating accessory system of claim 1 wherein said liner is formed of a light emitting fabric for illuminating substantially the entire interior of said liner.

3. The illuminating accessory system of claim 1 additionally comprising a combination power and dimmer switch secured to said liner for providing infinite variance of the electrical power provided by said power source to said light source.

4. The illuminating accessory system of claim 1 additionally comprising a shoulder strap mounted to said retainer device and an alarm system secured on said retainer device for detecting when said shoulder strap is removed from its mounted condition on said retainer device.

5. The illuminating accessory system of claim 1, wherein said retainer device has an interior surface defining the interior compartment of said retainer device, said liner having an exterior surface of a shape and size generally conforming to a size and shape of the interior surface of said interior compartment of said retainer device such that the exterior surface of said liner is located adjacent to the interior surface of said retainer device when said liner is removably positioned in said retainer device, said liner comprising a plurality of wall panels.

6. The illuminating accessory system of claim 1 additionally comprising a magnetic lock secured to said retainer device for closing the opening of said retainer device, wherein said magnetic lock is electrically connected to said alarm system for activating said alarm system upon opening of said retainer device when said alarm system is activated.

7. The illuminating accessory system of claim 1 wherein said liner is formed from a substantially transparent material to permit viewing through said transparent liner of objects held the interior of in said liner.

8. The illuminating accessory system of claim 2 wherein said light emitting fabric is comprised of a plurality of fiber optic filaments woven together and wherein said fiber optic filaments are optically connected to said light source.

9. An illuminating accessory system comprising:

a retainer device having an interior surface defining an interior compartment;

a liner having an interior adapted for removably receiving objects to be carried by said retainer device through an opening in said liner, said liner being removably positioned within the interior compartment of said retainer device, said liner having an exterior surface of a shape and size generally conforming to a size and shape of the interior surface of said interior compartment of said retainer device such that the exterior surface of said liner is located adjacent to the interior surface of said retainer device when said liner is removably positioned in said retainer device;

at least one light source secured on said liner for illuminating the interior of said liner;

an electrical power source secured on said liner in a manner such that said electrical power source is removable with said liner from said retainer device.

10. The illuminating accessory system of claim 9 wherein said liner is formed of a light emitting fabric for illuminating substantially the entire interior of said liner.

11. The illuminating accessory system of claim 9 additionally comprising a shoulder strap mounted to said retainer device and an alarm system secured on said retainer device for detecting when said shoulder strap is removed from its mounted condition on said retainer device.

12. The illuminating accessory system of claim 9, wherein said liner, said at least one light source, said electrical power source, and any objects received in the interior of said liner are removable as a unit from said retainer device for permitting insertion of said unit into another said retaining device.

13. The illuminating accessory system of claim 9 wherein said liner is formed from a substantially transparent material to permit viewing through said transparent liner of objects held in the interior of said liner.

14. The illuminating accessory system of claim 10 wherein said light emitting fabric is comprised of a plurality of fiber optic filaments woven together and wherein said fiber optic filaments are optically connected to said light source.

15. A illuminating accessory system comprising:

a retainer device having an interior compartment;

a liner having an interior adapted for removably receiving objects to be carried by said retainer device through an opening in said liner, said liner being removably positioned within the interior compartment of said retainer device, said liner comprising a plurality of wall panels defining said interior;

a pair of light sources secured on said liner for illuminating the interior of said liner and any objects in said liner, each of said light sources being mounted on one of a pair of opposing said wall panels of said liner; and

an electrical power source secured on said liner in a manner such that said electrical power source is removable with said liner from said retainer device;

wherein the pair of light sources each comprise a light emitting fabric.

16. The illuminating accessory system of claim 15 wherein said retainer device has an interior surface defining the interior compartment of said retainer device, said liner having an exterior surface of a shape and size generally conforming to a size and shape of the interior surface of said interior compartment of said retainer device such that the exterior surface of said liner is located adjacent to the interior surface of said retainer device when said liner is removably positioned in said retainer device, and wherein said liner, said pair of light sources, said electrical power source, and any objects received in the interior of said liner are removable as a unit from said retainer device for permitting insertion of said unit into another said retaining device.

17. The illuminating accessory system of claim 15 additionally comprising a shoulder strap mounted to said retainer device and an alarm system secured on said retainer device for detecting when said shoulder strap is removed from its mounted condition on said retainer device.

18. The illuminating accessory system of claim 17, wherein said alarm system includes:

a pair of shoulder strap end receiving sockets each mounted on said retainer device;

a pair of spherical balls each secured to an end of said shoulder strap and being adapted to be accepted within a said receiving socket;

an electrical buzzer secured within said retainer device for emitting an audible alarm upon triggering of said alarm system;

wherein each said socket is provided with a strap switch mounted adjacent to said socket and adapted to detect removal of the spherical ball of said strap from the socket, wherein removal of said ball from said socket triggers said alarm system.

19. The illuminating accessory system of claim 15 additionally comprising a magnetic lock secured to said retainer device for closing the opening of said retainer device, wherein said magnetic lock is electrically connected to said alarm system for activating said alarm system upon opening of said retainer device when said alarm system is activated.

20. The illuminating accessory system of claim 16 wherein said liner is formed of a substantially transparent material to permit viewing through said transparent liner of objects received in the interior compartment of said liner.

21. An adaptable electric accessory system comprising:

a receptacle having an interior compartment;

an insert having an interior adapted for removably receiving objects to be carried by said receptacle through an opening in said insert, said insert being removably positioned in the interior compartment of said receptacle, said insert having an exterior substantially coextensive with said interior compartment of said receptacle when said insert is positioned in said receptacle; and

a power source for supplying power being mounted on said insert for removal with said insert.

22. The adaptable electric accessory system of claim 21 additionally comprising an illumination apparatus is mounted on the insert for illuminating the insert.

23. The adaptable electric accessory system of claim 21 wherein the power source comprises at least one battery mounted on the insert.

24. The adaptable electric accessory system of claim 21 wherein the receptacle includes a frame constructed from a substantially rigid material and including a bottom wall with a substantially planar rectangular configuration, the bottom wall having relatively shorter ends and relatively longer sides, a pair of upstanding primary side walls each having a bottom end coupled to one of a pair of short ends of the bottom wall, the primary side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall, a pair of upstanding secondary side walls each having a lower extent coupled to the bottom end of one of the primary side walls, each of the secondary side walls extending outwardly and upwardly from the bottom end of the corresponding primary side wall, and each of the secondary side walls having an upper extent extending upwardly in spaced parallel relationship with one of the primary side walls.

25. The adaptable electric accessory system of claim 21 additionally comprising a charging apparatus for providing power to the power source on the insert through the receptacle to recharge the power source, the charging apparatus comprising a charging base, the receptacle including at least two first conductive contacts and the charging base having at least two second conductive contacts for electrically contacting the first conducting contacts of the receptacle when the receptacle is rested on the charging base.

26. The adaptable electric accessory system of claim 21 wherein the receptacle includes a flexible strap having ends coupled to the receptacle, and a pair of forcible release assemblies each being connected between one of the ends of the strap and the receptacle, each of the forcible release assemblies including a pin mounted on each of the ends of the strap with each of the pins having an annular groove formed therein, and a base member mounted on the receptacle, the base member having an aperture with a pair of rods extending in a substantially parallel orientation across the aperture, the rods of each base member being biased towards each other for engaging substantially diametrically opposite sides of the annular groove when the pin is inserted into the aperture for resisting removal of the pin from the aperture and permitting reinsertion of the pin between the rods after removal.

27. The adaptable electric accessory system of claim 21 additionally comprising a timer mechanism for causing illumination of the illumination apparatus for a predetermined period of time upon the closing of an activating switch.

28. The adaptable electric accessory system of claim 22 wherein the illumination apparatus comprises at least one illuminating liner panel positioned on an interior surface of the insert such that the liner panel is removable from the receptacle as a unit with the insert.

29. The adaptable electric accessory system of claim 28 wherein the at least one illuminating liner panel comprises an electroluminescent material.

30. The adaptable electric accessory system of claim 21 additionally comprising an alarm apparatus for providing an audible alarm upon triggering of the alarm apparatus and an alarm activating switch mounted on a bottom of the receptacle, wherein the alarm apparatus is triggered upon the removal of a strap attached to the receptacle or the actuation of the alarm activating switch.

31. The adaptable electric accessory system of claim 21 additionally comprising a pocket for removably receiving an electrical device, the pocket being formed on an interior surface of the insert for permitting an electrical device received in the pocket and the insert to be removed as a unit from the receptacle.

32. The adaptable electric accessory system of claim 21 additionally comprising a power adapting apparatus for supplying power to an electrical device, the power adapting apparatus being mounted on the insert and being connected to the power source on the insert.

33. The adaptable electric accessory system of claim 21 additionally comprising a first tab formed on the receptacle, and a second tab extending from the insert and being adapted to extend substantially parallel to the first tab of the receptacle when the insert is positioned in the interior compartment of the receptacle, the first tab having a first portion of a first connector mounted thereon and the second tab having a second portion of a first connector mounted thereon, the first and second portions of the first connector being electrically conductive to permit electricity to flow between the first and second portions of the first connector, the first tab having a first portion of a second connector mounted thereon and the second tab having a second portion of a second connector mounted thereon, the first and second portions of the second connector being electrically conductive to permit electricity to flow between the first and second portions of the second connector, the first portion of the first connector and the first portion of the second connector being in electrical communication with a receptacle electrical assembly, the second portion of the first connector and the second portion of the second connector being in electrical communication with an insert electrical assembly.

34. An adaptable electric accessory system for powering an electronic device through a device connector, comprising:

a receptacle with an interior compartment for receiving the electronic device;

an illumination apparatus operably positioned on the receptacle to light the interior compartment;

a power source mounted to the receptacle and electrically connected to the illumination apparatus for providing power to the illumination apparatus, the power source including a rechargeable battery in the interior compartment of the receptacle; and

a power adapter connector electrically connected to the power source and operable to electrically connect to the device connector for providing power to the electronic device.

35. The adaptable electric accessory system of claim 34, wherein the receptacle is selected from a receptacle group, the receptacle group including containers, purses, bags, luggage, backpacks, and pouches.

36. The adaptable electric accessory system of claim 34, wherein the receptacle includes a purse and the electronic device includes a portable phone such that the portable phone may be electrically connected to the power source through the power adapter connector.

37. The adaptable electric accessory system of claim 34, wherein the electronic device includes a portable computer such that the portable computer may be electrically connected to the power source through the power adapter connector.