US4376935A — Handbag utilizing automatically functioning illum…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 191 words

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.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 191 words

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.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 41 words

The electrical arrangement as defined in claim 1 in which said electrical terminal is designed to receive a bulb, said bulb being caused to illuminate as the handbag is opened, with the bulb being extinguished when the user closes the bag.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 52 words

The electrical unit as defined in claim 1 in which said electrical terminal is designed to receive a bulb, said bulb, when said magnet is in a first position on its mounting means, causing said bulb to illuminate as the handbag is opened, and to extinguish when the handbag is again closed.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 62 words

The electrical unit as defined in claim 3 in which said bulb, when said magnet is in said second position, is caused to illuminate irrespective of the open or closed condition of the handbag, and switch means in series with said exterior terminal and electrical source for enabling the user of the handbag to turn the bulb on or off at will.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 60 words

The electrical unit as defined in claim 1 in which said switch unit has a pair of exterior terminals, at least one of said terminals being adapted to receive either an illumination means or a theft alarm, said magnet, when in its first position, causing the illumination means to illuminate or the alarm to sound if the handbag is opened.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 38 words

The electrical unit as defined in claim 5 in which disabling means are provided in conjunction with said alarm, so that the sounding of said alarm can be selectively prevented by the owner of the purse of handbag.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 47 words

The electrical arrangement as defined in claim 1 in which a pressure sensitive switch is located on the bottom of the handbag, said switch being connected in series with a theft alarm and said switch unit, such that the lifting of the handbag will activate said alarm.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 31 words

The electrical arrangement as defined in claim 7 in which switch means are provided on said switch unit for selective activation of said theft alarm by the owner of the handbag.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 172 words

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.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 172 words

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.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 100 words

The apparatus for a handbag as defined in claim 9 in which said control switch is magnetically responsive, and mounted on one side of the interior of said handbag, and a magnet supported on magnet mounting means disposed in alignment with said control switch, on the opposite side of the interior of said handbag, and having at least two positions, said magnet in a first position bringing about the flow of current through said control switch when said handbag is opened, and in a second position having no effect upon said control switch, whether the handbag is open or closed.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 60 words

The apparatus for a handbag as defined in claim 9 in which said first electrically actuated device is an illumination means arranged to illuminate the interior of said handbag when the handbag is opened, and said second electrically actuated device is an illumination means mounted on the exterior of said bag, that can function to provide needed illumination at night.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 57 words

The apparatus for a handbag as defined in claim 9 in which said first electrically actuated device is an illumination means arranged to illuminate the interior of said handbag when the handbag is opened, and said second electrically actuated device is an alarm means arranged to provide an audible signal if an unauthorized person opens said handbag.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 82 words

The apparatus for a handbag as defined in claim 9 in which said first electrically actuated device is an illumination means arranged to illuminate the interior of said handbag when the handbag is opened, and said second electrically actuated device is an alarm means directly controlled by a separate electrical switch provided on the underside of said handbag, the arrangement being such that said alarm means will provide an audible signal to indicate if an unauthorized person has picked up said handbag.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 75 words

The apparatus for a handbag as defined in claim 9 in which said first electrically actuated device is an illumination means for the interior of said handbag, and said second electrically actuated device is a pair of light bulbs connected in a circuit separate from the circuit of said first electrically actuated device, said light bulbs being disposed upon an upper exterior portion of said handbag so as to represent the eyes of an animal.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 193 words

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.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 193 words

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.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 69 words

The electrical arrangement as defined in claim 15 in which said control switch is magnetically responsive, and is mounted inside the handbag in substantial alignment with a magnet having at least two positions, said magnet in a first position bringing about the flow of current through said control switch when the handbag is opened, said magnet having no effect on said control switch when disposed in its second position.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 38 words

The electrical arrangement as defined in claim 16 in which said control switch is disposed in a switch unit mounted on the opposite side of the handbag from the magnet, said switch unit also containing said multiposition switch.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 44 words

The electrical arrangement as defined in claim 17 in which said switch unit also contains a light bulb that can be made to illuminate at such time as the purse or handbag is opened, and to turn off again as the handbag is closed.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 55 words

The electrical arrangement as defined in claim 15 in which a pair of light bulbs are disposed in an upper part of said handbag, to resemble the eyes of an animal, and means for controlling the illumination of said bulbs, so as to provide exterior illumination for said handbag at the behest of the owner.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1986-03-14	1986-09-13	1987-03-15	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1990-03-14	1990-09-13	1991-03-15	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1994-03-14	1994-09-13	1995-03-15	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Handbag utilizing automatically functioning illumination and alarm devices

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