Purse and accessory holder

Abstract

A holder for a clothing article, such as a purse, scarf, or glove, the holder generally including a base and a hanger, wherein the hanger supports the clothing article but does not compress the clothing article.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A holder for a clothing article comprising: 
 a base having a first surface and a second surface; and    a hanger having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first end and a second end, and the second portion defining a loop,    wherein the first end of the first portion of the hanger is connected to the base, and the loop supports the clothing article but does not compress the clothing article.    
     
     
         2 . The holder as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a pivot joint rigidly connected to the base and wherein the first end of the first portion of the hanger is rotatably connected to the pivot joint.  
     
     
         3 . The holder as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the pivot joint is connected to an outer edge of the base.  
     
     
         4 . The holder as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a pad positioned adjacent to the base.  
     
     
         5 . The holder as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first surface of the base and the second surface of the base each define a circular shape.  
     
     
         6 . The holder as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the loop is a substantially closed O-shaped loop.  
     
     
         7 . The holder as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the loop is a C-shaped loop.  
     
     
         8 . The holder as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising a ball positioned at a free end of the C-shaped loop.  
     
     
         9 . The holder as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the clothing article is selected from the group comprising a scarf and a glove.  
     
     
         10 . The holder as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base is made from metal.  
     
     
         11 . A method of holding a clothing article comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a planar surface having a leading edge;    b) providing a holder comprising: 
 i) a base; and  
 ii) a hanger connected to the base, the hanger having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion defining a loop;  
   c) positioning the base of the holder on the planar surface adjacent to the leading edge of the planar surface, such that the second portion of the hanger is positioned substantially parallel to the leading edge of the planar surface, the loop extends away from the base, and the planar surface is positioned between the base and the loop; and    d) inserting the clothing article in the loop, such that the loop supports the clothing article but does not compress the clothing article.    
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  11 , further comprising a stem positioned between the loop and the first portion of the hanger and a purse having a carrying strap and further comprising the step of positioning the carrying strap of the purse adjacent to the stem.  
     
     
         13 . A holder for clothing article comprising: 
 a base having a first surface, a second surface, and an outer edge; and    a hanger having a first portion and a substantially closed O-shaped second portion, the first portion having a first end pivotally connected to the base,    wherein when the clothing article is positioned in the substantially closed O-shaped loop, the substantially closed O-shaped loop supports the clothing article but does not compress the clothing article    
     
     
         14 . The holder as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising a stem positioned between the second end of the first portion of the hanger and the substantially closed O-shaped second portion of the hanger.  
     
     
         15 . The holder as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the stem of the substantially closed O-shaped second portion of the hanger intersects the second end of the first portion of the hanger, such that an angle is defined between the first portion of the hanger and the substantially closed O-shaped second portion of the hanger.  
     
     
         16 . The holder as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the hanger is pivotally connected to the base.  
     
     
         17 . The holder as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising a pad positioned on the base.