U.S. patent application number 11/657770 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-02 for free-standing or hanging jewelry and/or accessory holder.
Invention is credited to Jennifer Cunningham.
Application Number | 20070175772 11/657770 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38320950 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070175772 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cunningham; Jennifer |
August 2, 2007 |
Free-standing or hanging jewelry and/or accessory holder
Abstract
This invention relates to an open jewelry and/or accessory
holder that can be free-standing, mountable or hang on a vertical
surface. The holder has shelfves or trays with varying amounts of
compartments of different or the same sizes aligned next to each
other for storing different types of jewelry and accessories,
particularly for holding pairs of earrings. The compartments can be
removable. The removable compartments can further be removed and
placed into a travel holder case. The trays are positioned on a
slant to make for ease in access. In addition, the holder can have
drawers, pegs or some other means for hanging jewelry and
accessories, mirrors or any type of means to hold a specific kind
of jewelry.
Inventors: |
Cunningham; Jennifer; (San
Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC
P.O. BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Family ID: |
38320950 |
Appl. No.: |
11/657770 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60764286 |
Feb 1, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/6.1 ;
211/85.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 3/001 20130101;
A47F 7/02 20130101; A45C 7/005 20130101; A45C 2013/026 20130101;
A45C 11/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/006.1 ;
211/085.2 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/04 20060101
A45C011/04; A47F 7/02 20060101 A47F007/02 |
Claims
1. An open jewelry and/or accessory holder comprising: two vertical
even length sides having a top and a bottom and an inside and an
outside; open shelves or trays in any combinations attached
horizontally to the inside of each vertical even-length-side at
equidistant points on the vertical even-length sides; wherein the
shelves or trays are slanted at an angle of at least 5.degree.; and
compartments in the shelves or trays for storing items.
2. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 1 wherein the
shelf or shelves are slanted at an angle of approximately
10.degree..
3. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 2 wherein the
holder is free-standing.
4. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 2 wherein the
holder can be hung on a vertical surface.
5. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 2 wherein the
trays or shelves are removable or interchangeable.
6. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 2 wherein the
compartments are removable or interchangeable.
7. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 6 wherein one
or more removable compartments is also a portable travel or
carrying case.
8. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 7 wherein the
removable compartment has a lid, cover, top, flap or holder.
9. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 2 wherein the
compartments have specialized earring compartments, each to be used
to hold at least one pair of earrings.
10. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 9 wherein the
earring compartments have slats.
11. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 2 further
comprising pegs for necklaces and other hanging jewelry and
accessories.
12. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 11 wherein
the pegs are removable or interchangeable.
13. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 11 wherein
the pegs can be pushed into the holder.
14. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 2 further
comprising a ring holder in at least one of the trays or
shelves.
15. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 2 further
comprising a drawer in the holder.
16. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 15 wherein
the drawer locks.
17. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 2 wherein at
least one shelf contains a watch holder.
18. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 2 wherein the
holder further comprises a mirror.
19. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 2 wherein at
least one shelf is lined with a suitable lining material.
20. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 1 further
comprising at least two open jewelry and/or accessory holders that
are capable of being stacked.
21. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 2 further
comprising at least two open jewelry and/or accessory holders that
are capable of being stacked.
22. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 2 further
comprising doors attached to the holder.
23. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 22 wherein
the doors are removable.
24. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 1 further
comprising a light source.
25. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 2 further
comprising a light source.
26. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 24 wherein
the light source is movable.
27. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 25 wherein
the light source is movable.
28. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 1 wherein the
trays or shelves are slanted at an angle of between 10.degree. and
35.degree..
29. The open jewelry and/or accessory holder of claim 1 wherein the
trays or shelves are slanted at an angle of approximately
20.degree..
30. A method of making a jewelry and/or accessory holder
comprising: attaching two vertical even length sides having a top
and a bottom and an inside and an outside; inserting shelves or
trays in any combinations attached horizontally to the inside of
each vertical even-length-side at equidistant points on the
vertical even-length sides; wherein the shelves or trays are
slanted at an angle of at least 5.degree.; and placing optional
removable compartments in the shelves or trays for storing
items.
31. An open jewelry and/or accessory holder kit comprising: an open
jewelry and/or accessory holder comprising two vertical even length
sides having a top and a bottom and an inside and an outside; open
shelves or trays in any combinations attached horizontally to the
inside of each vertical even-length-side at equidistant points on
the vertical even-length sides; wherein the shelves or trays are
slanted at an angle of at least 5.degree.; removable or
interchangeable compartments; and a holder, carrying or travel case
to place removable or interchangeable compartments.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Provisional Application
No. 60/764,286 filed Feb. 1, 2006 having Jennifer Cunningham as the
sole inventor and is incorporated in its entirety by reference
herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention is related to an open jewelry and/or
accessory holder that can be free-standing, mountable or hang on a
vertical surface. The unit has shelves or trays with varying
amounts of compartments of different or the same sizes aligned next
to each other for storing different types of jewelry and
accessories, particularly for holding pairs of earrings. The
compartments can be removable. The removable compartments can
further be placed into a travel holder case. The trays are
positioned on a slant to make for ease in access. In addition, the
holder can have drawers, pegs or other means for hanging jewelry
and accessories, mirrors or any type of means to hold a specific
kind of jewelry.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to, but is not limited to, a
jewelry and/or accessory storage system. The invention relates to,
for example, a free-standing or hanging jewelry and/or accessory
holder that is open for ease in accessing the items stored in the
holder.
[0004] The jewelry and accessories market is a billion dollar
industry in the United States alone. Many people, particularly
women purchase numerous items of jewelry and different accessories
every year. Jewelry is also often given as a gift for many
occasions. In addition, it is often passed down to younger
generations.
[0005] Many of today's fashion trends often involve jewelry and/or
accessory pieces. Women, especially, often have many different
pieces of jewelry, including, but not limited to earrings,
necklaces, watches, rings, brooches, clips, bracelets, charms,
pendants, chains and hair accessories. These pieces are sometimes
taken off and on or changed daily. Some pieces are not worn often,
whereas others are worn almost everyday.
[0006] When jewelry and accessories are stored, due to their often
delicate nature, they can become broken, damaged, tangled or even
ruined. Earrings, in particular, come in pairs and often one of
them is misplaced, and they can no longer be worn. It is desirable
to have a convenient storage system for both protectively
safeguarding the items, and allowing for a convenient method of
accessing the pieces, as well as keeping paired pieces together to
prevent loss.
[0007] Previously, jewelry storage systems have been boxes,
drawers, chests or racks in an enclosed or closable form. In order
to access the jewelry or accessories in other forms the drawers and
doors would have to be opened. There is a need for a jewelry and/or
accessory holder with many different spaces to hold jewelry or
accessories, and that allows a person to customize the holder for
the jewelry to be stored and that is easy and convenient to
access.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The inventions described and claimed herein have many
attributes and encompass many embodiments including, but not
limited to, those set forth in this Summary. The inventions
described and claimed herein are not limited to, or by, the
features or embodiments identified in this Summary, which is
included for purposes of illustration only and not restriction. In
one embodiment the invention is an open jewelry and/or accessory
holder comprising two vertical even length sides having a top and a
bottom and an inside and an outside, open shelves or trays in any
combinations attached horizontally to the inside of each vertical
even-length-side at equidistant points on the vertical even-length
sides, wherein the shelves or trays are slanted at an angle of at
least 5.degree., and compartments in the shelves or trays for
storing items.
[0009] The invention in one aspect is an open holder for jewelry
and accessories with trays with specialized compartments for
jewelry, specifically earrings. In one aspect the compartments can
be removable. In yet another aspect the removable compartment can
also be a travel or carrying case or be placed into a separate
travel or carrying case.
[0010] In another aspect the holder is open for convenient access
and the trays or shelves inside are slanted so the items can be
seen and removed easily. In still another aspect the earring
compartments can have slats for the earrings to be held securely.
In another aspect it can be free-standing, mountable or able to
hang on any suitable surface.
[0011] In yet another aspect the holder can have pegs, hooks or
some other means for hanging jewelry that are staggered so the
jewelry or accessories do not come into contact or tangle. In
another aspect the pegs can be pushed into holder when not in use.
In still another aspect the invention can have a mirror mounted
somewhere on the holder. In another aspect of the invention it has
a compartment that is a watch holder.
[0012] In yet another aspect of the invention there could be a
drawer, or a plurality of drawers. In a further aspect the drawer
or drawers could have a locking mechanism. In another aspect the
trays, shelves, compartments and drawers of the holder can be lined
with any suitable lining material. In yet another aspect of the
invention the back of the holder could be fully or partially
covered with any suitable backing material. In still another aspect
there could be a door or any combination of doors on the holder to
provide protection. In another aspect the holder can have optional
removable doors.
[0013] In another aspect the holder can have a cover made of any
suitable cover material to protect the holder and the contents
therein, including for example a door, retractable cover, or other
means of concealing the open holder for jewelry and
accessories.
[0014] In yet another aspect the invention is a jewelry and/or
accessory holder comprising two vertical even length sides having a
top and a bottom and an inside and an outside, shelves or trays in
any combinations attached horizontally to the inside of each
vertical even-length-side at equidistant points on the vertical
even-length sides wherein the shelves or trays are slanted at an
angle of at least 5.degree. and compartments in the shelves or
trays are for storing items.
[0015] In still another aspect the invention is an open jewelry
and/or accessory holder kit comprising an open jewelry and/or
accessory holder comprising two vertical even length sides having a
top and a bottom and an inside and an outside, open shelves or
trays in any combinations attached horizontally to the inside of
each vertical even-length-side at equidistant points on the
vertical even-length sides; wherein the shelves or trays are
slanted at an angle of at least 5.degree., removable or
interchangeable compartments and a holder, and a carrying or travel
case to place removable or interchangeable
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGS.
[0016] FIG. 1: FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the holder with four
slanted removable shelves or trays with removable earring
compartments, as well as other compartments to hold different
jewelry or accessories. There are also necklace arms for hanging
jewelry and accessories. The holder also has doors which can be
removable and drawers for placing objects. The holder can be
hanging or free-standing.
[0017] FIG. 1A shows a front view of the jewelry and/or accessory
holder.
[0018] FIG. 1B shows a side-view of the holder.
[0019] FIG. 1C shows an angled view of the holder.
[0020] FIG. 1D shows an angled view of the holder with the optional
removable doors ajar and the optional drawers pulled open.
[0021] FIG. 2 FIG. 2 shows additional views of the holder.
[0022] FIG. 2A shows a front view of the holder.
[0023] FIG. 2B shows the slanted shelves or trays.
[0024] FIG. 3: FIG. 3 shows various embodiments of styles of the
removable compartments that can be placed on, or in, the slanted
shelves or trays depending on the user's needs.
[0025] FIG. 4: FIG. 4 shows details of the slanted shelves or
trays. The shelves or trays can be removable or stationary. There
could be any number of shelves or trays.
[0026] FIG. 5: FIG. 5 shows an optional holder or travel case for
the removable compartments to be placed in when removed from the
holder.
[0027] FIG. 5A shows a top view of the optional holder or travel
case.
[0028] FIG. 5B shows a three-dimensional view of the optional
holder or travel case.
[0029] FIG. 5C shows a front view of the optional holder or travel
case.
[0030] FIG. 5D shows a side view of the optional holder or travel
case.
[0031] FIG. 6: FIG. 6 shows the optional travel case with a
removable compartment from the holder placed into the travel
case.
[0032] FIG. 7: FIG. 7 shows several views of the optional travel
case with the removable tray removed.
[0033] FIG. 7A shows a top view of the optional travel case with
the lid or cover open.
[0034] FIG. 7B shows a three-dimensional of the optional travel
case with the lid or cover open.
[0035] FIG. 7C shows a front view of the optional travel case with
the lid or cover open.
[0036] FIG. 7D shows a side view of the optional travel case with
the lid or cover open.
[0037] FIG. 8: FIG. 8 shows the optional travel case with two
removable compartments that can be stacked in the travel case or
placed on or in the shelves of the free standing jewelry holder.
The optional removable compartments have four rectangular
separations to place and store accessories that can be stacked in
the optional travel case or holder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] The open structure allows ease in access because there are
no doors or drawers to open to access the items stored. In
addition, the items can be easily viewed without needing to open
any enclosures and there are no drawers or doors to block the
light. The jewelry and/or accessory holder described herein does
not have cumbersome mechanisms to contend with when removing or
placing items in the holder. The holder can be free-standing,
mountable or able to hang from any suitable vertical surface.
[0039] This invention provides a jewelry and/or accessory holder
that is open. The holder is designed with two vertical sides that
run parallel connected by shelves or trays 5 placed horizontally
between the sides, and it is open. The holder can have a back
covering attached to the sides and trays or shelves 5, and the back
covering can attach to only a portion of the entire unit, or it can
be open from the back. The holder can be constructed of any
suitable constructing material including, but not limited to, wood,
plastic, polyurethane or cardboard. The holder could be shipped
already assembled or some assembly could be required.
[0040] The holder can be any particular color and it can be left
natural, painted, stained, varnished, lacquered or treated by any
other suitable means. The holder can also have decorative etchings,
finishes, trims or any other desired decorative element. In
addition, the holder could be provided with different skins or
colors such that a user could change the color to match the room,
furniture or the like, or whenever the user desired a new color.
Furthermore, the holder could be covered in any type of desired
cover material or covering
[0041] The holder can be free-standing. (FIGS. 1 and 2A) It can
have a base 1 to stand on or it can have legs that allow it to be
placed on any suitable surface. (FIG. 1) In another embodiment the
holder can be hung on any suitable vertical surface. It can have a
means for hanging attached to the holder or the holder can be
mounted on a vertical surface such as a wall or a door. There can
be multiple holder units that can be stacked together to form a
larger unit. The holder units can be stacked horizontally or
vertically. In another embodiment the holder unit can be small or
miniaturized and suitable for small spaces or travel.
[0042] The holder could also have a light source, such as a light
bulb, to better view the jewelry and accessories placed in it. The
light source could be placed anywhere in the unit or could be
movable within the unit. For example, the light source could be
built into the top shelf so it shines down on the items contained
in the holder. The light source could be powered by a battery or it
could be powered by an AC power source via a plug that would
connect to a wall socket.
[0043] The holder has trays or shelves 5 that are placed at an
incline to provide for ease in viewing the items contained therein
and better ability to remove the items. (FIGS. 1.5, 2B and 4) The
trays or shelves can be at any incline greater than, but not
limited to 5.degree., with approximately 10.degree. being the
preferable incline (e.g., at or around 10.degree.). Alternatively,
the trays 5 or shelves can be at any incline between 10.degree. and
35.degree., or alternatively still, at approximately 20.degree.
(e.g., at or around 20.degree.). The incline allows the user to
easily remove small and often delicate earrings, and other jewelry
pieces from the holder. Because earrings are often small, if they
are dropped they can be lost or damaged. The incline helps prevent
this from happening as well as allowing for better viewing of the
content in the holder. In an alternative embodiment, there is no
incline.
[0044] The trays, shelves, 5 earrings compartments and various
compartments 6 in the holder can be lined with a suitable lining
material, including, but not limited to, velvet, silk, satin,
cotton, jersey, felt, corduroy or the like. The lining material
aids to both protect the items placed in the holder and position
them more securely in place to prevent slipping, sliding, shifting
and moving of the items. The lining material also adds aesthetic
quality to the holder because of its open nature. The lining
material can be of any color or pattern and can complement the
lining material and color of the holder so as to be a decorative
accent.
[0045] The holder can have many different types of compartments 6
suitable to hold specific types of jewelry, particularly earrings.
(FIGS. 1 and 3) The earring compartments each securely hold a pair
of earrings. (FIG. 3B) This prevents earrings from being separated
from each other and also from being tangled and damaged. The
earrings can be viewed easily and removed from the holder with
ease. In another embodiment the earring compartments could have
slats to hold the earrings more firmly in place. (FIGS. 3A and 3B)
The holder could also include a ring holding compartment to keep
rings firmly in place. In addition, the unit could have a watch
holder compartment. (FIG. 3) All or some of the compartments 6
could be interchangeable or removable, or extra inserts could be
provided or purchased separately, thus providing for different
designs or combinations to suit the needs of the user. In another
embodiment the holder has a drawer 2 or a plurality of drawers to
hold items. (FIG. 1) The drawer, or drawers, could have a locking
mechanism to safeguard expensive or cherished jewelry. The holder
can have any of these different compartments 6 in any number of
combinations and is not limited to any single one.
[0046] The removable compartment or compartments can also have an
optional cover, flap, lid or top 7 so the compartment could be
removed and used as its own travel or carrying case or placed into
an additional optional carrying or travel case 8. (FIGS. 5,6,7 and
8) The user can put certain jewelry or belongings into the
removable compartment so the user will have a separate case to
carry the jewelry or belongings. (FIG. 8) The cover, flap, lid or
top 7 can be attached or bound to the actual compartment 6 or it
can be detachable or the carrying or travel case 8 can be totally
separate. (FIGS. 5,6,7 and 8) The cover, flap, lid or top 7 can
have a lock or clasp 9 so that the case 8 or compartment 6 can
securely close or lock. The compartment 6 or case 8 can be of any
shape, size or design and can consist of different size segments
within to hold earrings, rings, necklaces, watches bracelets or any
number of accessories or belongings. The holder could come as a kit
and include the holder (FIG. 1), different removable compartments 6
and a travel or carrying case 8.
[0047] The holder can also have pegs 4 on the bottom, sides, or on
or below the trays or shelves 5 to hold different hanging
accessories including, but not limited to necklaces, watches,
bracelets, hair ribbons, scarves or any other jewelry or
accessories. The pegs 4 can be next to each other or staggered.
(FIG. 1C) Placing the staggered pegs on the side of the unit
provides a convenient place to hang jewelry and accessories and
prevents them from becoming tangled with each other by limiting
contact. In another embodiment the pegs 4 can be removable or
interchangeable and the user can decide where the pegs should be
placed, or if they should be used at all. Further, the pegs 4 could
be pushed into the holder when not in use. The holder can have a
mirror, or a plurality of mirrors, placed on any part of the holder
to make it convenient to try on and view jewelry and
accessories.
[0048] The holder could also have a door 3 to close over any
portion of the holder and provide further protection to the items
placed therein. The door or doors 3 can be removable. (FIG. 1) The
doors 3 could be glass, plastic or any other suitable clear
material. In another embodiment the holder has a cover, made from
any suitable cover material, to cover the holder and any items
stored in the holder.
[0049] In accordance with the detailed description, the following
abbreviations and definitions apply. It must be noted that as used
herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural
referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0050] Patents, patent applications, publications, scientific
articles, books, web sites, and other documents and materials
referenced or mentioned herein, or attached hereto, are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety. All claims in this
application, and all priority applications, including but not
limited to original claims, are hereby incorporated in their
entirety into, and form a part of, the written description of the
invention. Applicant reserves the right to physically incorporate
into this document (including the specification, written
description, the claims, the original claims, and the abstract) any
and all materials and information from any such patents,
applications, publications, scientific articles, web sites,
electronically available information, and other referenced
materials or documents.
[0051] The inventions have been described broadly and generically
herein. Each of the narrower species and subgeneric groupings
falling within the generic disclosure also form part of these
inventions. This includes the generic description of each invention
which hereby include, including any claims thereto, a proviso or
negative limitation removing or optionally allowing the removal of
any subject matter from the genus, regardless of whether or not the
excised materials or options were specifically recited or
identified in haec verba herein, and all such variations form a
part of the original written description of the inventions
[0052] The inventions illustratively described and claimed herein
can suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or
elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed
herein or described herein as essential. Thus, for example, the
terms "comprising,""including,""containing,""for example," etc.,
shall be read expansively and without limitation.
[0053] Under no circumstances may the patent be interpreted to be
limited to the specific examples or embodiments or methods
specifically disclosed herein. Under no circumstances may the
patent be interpreted to be limited by any statement made by any
Examiner or any other official or employee of the Patent and
Trademark Office unless such statement was specifically and without
qualification or reservation expressly adopted by Applicant in a
responsive writing specifically relating to the application that
led to this patent prior to its issuance.
[0054] The terms and expressions employed herein have been used as
terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no
intention in the use of such terms and expressions, or any portions
thereof, to exclude any equivalents now know or later developed,
whether or not such equivalents are set forth or shown or described
herein or whether or not such equivalents are viewed as
predictable, but it is recognized that various modifications are
within the scope of the invention claimed, whether or not those
claims issued with or without alteration or amendment for any
reason. Thus, it shall be understood that, although the present
invention has been specifically disclosed by embodiments and
optional features, modifications and variations of the inventions
embodied therein or herein disclosed can be resorted to by those
skilled in the art, and such modifications and variations are
considered to be within the scope of the inventions disclosed and
claimed herein.
[0055] Specific methods and compositions described herein are
representative of preferred embodiments and are exemplary and not
intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Other
objects, aspects, and embodiments will occur to those skilled in
the art upon consideration of this specification, and are
encompassed within the spirit of the invention as defined by the
scope of the claims. Where examples are given, the description
shall be construed to include but not to be limited to only those
examples. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art
that varying substitutions and modifications may be made to the
invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention, and from the description of the
inventions, including those illustratively set forth herein, it is
manifest that various modifications and equivalents can be used to
implement the concepts of the present invention without departing
from its scope. A person of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. The
described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive. Thus, for example, additional
embodiments are within the scope of the invention and within the
following claims.
* * * * *