Convertible Hat-Handbag System And Conversion Kit

Abstract

A convertible hat-handbag system is disclosed, which may be embodied as a kit for converting a hat into a handbag. When the hat is not being worn, the hat may be turned upside down and folded to bring opposing portions of the hat's brim together over a crown of the hat. A clasp may be used to hold the opposing portions of the brim together. A handle may be coupled to the clasp via a strap for carrying the hat along with any loose articles placed in the crown. A pouch may be provided for organizing the loose articles in the crown. In some examples, the clasp comprises magnetic members that pinch the opposing portions of the brim together with enough force to suspend the weight of the hat and loose articles from the handle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hat-handbag conversion kit, comprising:
 a clasp securable to opposing portions of a brim of a folded hat to hold the opposing portions of the brim together over a crown of the hat; and   a handle coupled to the clasp, wherein the clasp is secured to the brim with sufficient force to support a combined weight of the hat and one or more loose articles received in the crown of the hat.   
     
     
         2 . The hat-handbag conversion kit of  claim 1 , wherein the clasp comprises first and second ferromagnetic members positionable about the opposing portions of the brim and having sufficient magnetic attraction to hold the opposing portions of the brim together while supporting the combined weight of the hat and the one or more loose articles received in the crown of the hat. 
     
     
         3 . The hat-handbag conversion kit of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a strap secured to the handle and to one or both of the first and second ferromagnetic members.   
     
     
         4 . The hat-handbag conversion kit of  claim 3 , wherein the strap comprises a first strap leg secured to the first ferromagnetic member and a second strap leg secured to the second ferromagnetic member. 
     
     
         5 . The hat-handbag conversion kit of  claim 4 , further comprising one or more replacement strap leg interchangeable with one or both of the first strap leg and the second strap leg. 
     
     
         6 . The hat-handbag conversion kit of  claim 1 , wherein the clasp comprises a first clasp member pre-securable to one of the opposing portions of the brim and a second clasp member pre-securable to the other of the opposing portions of the brim, such that the first and second clasp members remain secured to the brim while wearing the hat and are releasably securable one to the other when the hat is folded. 
     
     
         7 . The hat-handbag conversion kit of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second clasp members comprise first and second ferromagnetic members releasably securable one to the other by ferromagnetic attraction, first and second snap members releasably securable by snapping together, or first and second hook-and-loop members releasably securable on contact. 
     
     
         8 . The hat-handbag conversion kit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pouch sized for positioning within the crown of the hat and including at least one compartment for containing the one or more loose articles.   
     
     
         9 . The hat-handbag conversion kit of  claim 8 , wherein the pouch is structurally separate from the hat and has a diameter of within 90% of a diameter of the crown. 
     
     
         10 . The hat-handbag conversion kit of  claim 8 , wherein the pouch is securable to the hat so that the pouch remains within the crown while the hat is worn. 
     
     
         11 . The hat-handbag conversion kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a clip for securing the handle to a handbag or other clothing article and for suspending the hat from the handbag or other clothing article. 
     
     
         12 . The hat-handbag conversion kit of  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a ring sized to fit over an arm between a wrist and an elbow of the arm. 
     
     
         13 . A hat-handbag conversion kit, comprising:
 a pouch sized for positioning within a crown of a hat and including at least one compartment for containing one or more loose articles;   a clasp configured for securing opposing portions of a brim of the hat when the hat is folded to bring the opposing portions of the brim together over the crown of the hat, the clasp including first and second ferromagnetic members positionable about the opposing portions of the brim and having sufficient magnetic attraction to hold the opposing portions of the brim together while supporting a combined weight of the hat and the one or more loose articles received in the crown of the hat;   a strap including a first strap leg secured to the first ferromagnetic member and a second strap leg secured to the second ferromagnetic member; and   a handle secured to the clasp via the strap, wherein the clasp and the handle support a combined weight of the hat, the pouch received in the crown of the hat, and the one or more loose articles contained in the pouch.   
     
     
         14 . A convertible hat-handbag system, comprising:
 a hat including a crown and a brim extending from the crown, the crown configured for positioning over a user's head when wearing the hat and for containing one or more loose articles when not wearing the hat, wherein the hat is foldable to bring opposing portions of the brim together over the open end of the crown when the hat is not being worn;   a clasp configured for securing the opposing portions of the brim together with sufficient force to support a combined weight of the hat and the one or more loose articles; and   a handle securable to the clasp for supporting the hat and the one or more loose articles received in the crown of the hat.   
     
     
         15 . The convertible hat-handbag system of  claim 14 , wherein the clasp comprises first and second ferromagnetic members positionable about the opposing portions of the brim and having sufficient attraction to hold the opposing portions of the brim together and support the combined weight of the hat and the one or more loose articles received in the crown of the hat. 
     
     
         16 . The convertible hat-handbag system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a strap securable to the handle, wherein one or both of the first and second ferromagnetic members are pre-secured to the strap.   
     
     
         17 . The convertible hat-handbag system of  claim 15 , wherein one or both of the first and second ferromagnetic members are pre-secured to the brim of the hat. 
     
     
         18 . The convertible hat-handbag system of  claim 14 , wherein the clasp comprises a first clasp member secured to one of the opposing portions of the brim and a second clasp member secured to the other of the opposing portions of the brim, wherein the first and second clasp members are releasably securable one to the other when the hat is folded. 
     
     
         19 . The convertible hat-handbag system of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second clasp members comprise first and second ferromagnetic members, first and second snap members, or first and second hook-and-loop members. 
     
     
         20 . The convertible hat-handbag system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a pouch sized for positioning within the crown of the hat and including at least one compartment for containing the one or more loose articles and that fits within the crown.