U.S. patent application number 11/768979 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-05 for tri-fold mirror organizer.
Invention is credited to Lori Greiner.
Application Number | 20080129163 11/768979 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39493052 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080129163 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greiner; Lori |
June 5, 2008 |
TRI-FOLD MIRROR ORGANIZER
Abstract
An organizer that includes a cabinet with an interior space
formed by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the first
sidewall, a top wall extending from the first sidewall to the
second sidewall, a bottom wall opposing the top wall and extending
from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, and a back wall
extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall and from
the top wall to the bottom wall. A door, for the interior space,
extends between the top wall and the bottom wall and from the first
sidewall to the second sidewall, opposite the back wall when in a
closed position. The storage organizer may further include a base
joined to the bottom wall by a swivel joint, the swivel joint
allowing the cabinet to rotate 360 degrees about the base. A
tri-fold mirror is provided by two panels that may be rotated
towards the front of the organizer the panels having mirrors
disposed on their front surfaces.
Inventors: |
Greiner; Lori; (Chicago,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP;FREDRIKSON & BYRON, P.A.
200 SOUTH SIXTH STREET, SUITE 4000
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
39493052 |
Appl. No.: |
11/768979 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60868613 |
Dec 5, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/225 ;
206/6.1; 312/226; 312/227; 312/294 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 67/005 20130101;
A47B 49/00 20130101; A47B 46/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/225 ;
206/6.1; 312/226; 312/227; 312/294 |
International
Class: |
A47G 1/00 20060101
A47G001/00; A45C 11/16 20060101 A45C011/16; A47B 67/00 20060101
A47B067/00; A47B 88/00 20060101 A47B088/00 |
Claims
1. An organizer comprising: a cabinet including a first interior
space formed by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the
first sidewall, a top wall extending from the first sidewall to the
second sidewall, a bottom wall opposing the top wall and extending
from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, and a back wall
extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall and from
the top wall to the bottom wall whereas the top wall and bottom
wall each extend past the back wall, to form an overhang; a first
door extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, the first
door rotatably coupled to the first sidewall wherein the first door
extends from the first sidewall to the second sidewall when in a
closed position; a first panel rotatably coupled to the overhang of
the top wall and bottom wall near the first side wall wherein the
first panel can be rotated from a collapsed state in which it is
behind the back wall to an expanded state where it extends from the
first side wall away from the cabinet. a second panel rotatably
coupled to the top wall and bottom wall near the second side wall
wherein the second panel can be rotated from a collapsed state in
which it is behind the back wall to an expanded state where it
extends from the second side wall away from the cabinet.
2. The organizer of claim 1, wherein: the back wall of the cabinet
includes a first side and a second side, and the first interior
space is disposed on the first side of the back wall; and further
comprising a mirror disposed on the second side of the back
wall.
3. The organizer of claim 1, wherein: the first panel has a first
surface and a second surface opposite the first surface wherein
when the first panel is in the expanded state its first surface
faces a front of the organizer.
4. The organizer of claim 3 further comprising a mirror disposed in
the first surface of the first panel.
5. The organizer of claim 4 further comprising a mirror disposed on
the second surface of the first panel.
6. The organizer of claim 3 further comprising a set of hooks
disposed on the second surface of either the first or second
panel.
7. The organizer of claim 1 further comprising a secret compartment
disposed on the back wall of the organizer.
8. The organizer of claim 1 further comprising a base joined to the
bottom wall by a swivel joint, the swivel joint allowing the
cabinet to rotate 360 degrees about the base.
9. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising a jewelry storage
element mounted within the first interior space.
10. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising a jewelry storage
element mounted on an inner surface of the first door.
11. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising: a first mirror
disposed on an outer surface of the first panel; and a second
mirror disposed on an outer surface of the second panel.
12. The organizer of claim 8, wherein the swivel joint includes a
pair of mating stops to slow rotation of the cabinet at a discrete
location, the stops allowing rotation of the cabinet past the
location.
13. An organizer comprising: a cabinet including a first interior
space formed by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the
first sidewall, a top wall extending from the first sidewall to the
second sidewall, a bottom wall opposing the top wall and extending
from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, and a back wall
extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall and from
the top wall to the bottom wall whereas the top wall and bottom
wall each extend past the back wall, to form an overhang; a first
door extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, the first
door rotatably coupled to the first sidewall wherein the first door
extends from the first sidewall to the second sidewall when in a
closed position; a first panel slidably coupled between the
overhang of the top wall and bottom and behind the black wall
wherein the first panel can be slid out from a collapsed state in
which it is behind the back wall to an expanded state where it
extends from the first side wall away from the cabinet. a second
panel slidably coupled between the top wall and bottom and behind
the back wall wherein the second panel can be slid out from a
collapsed state in which it is behind the back wall to an expanded
state where it extends from the second side wall away from the
cabinet.
14. The organizer of claim 13, wherein: the first panel has a first
surface and a second surface opposite the first surface wherein
when the first panel is in the expanded state its first surface
faces a front of the organizer.
15. The organizer of claim 14 further comprising a mirror disposed
in the first surface of the first panel.
16. The organizer of claim 13, further comprising a jewelry storage
element mounted within the first interior space.
17. The organizer of claim 13, further comprising a jewelry storage
element mounted on an inner surface of the first door.
18. The organizer of claim 13, further comprising: a first mirror
disposed on an outer surface of the first panel; and a second
mirror disposed on an outer surface of the second panel.
19. The organizer of claim 13 further comprising a base joined to
the bottom wall by a swivel joint, the swivel joint allowing the
cabinet to rotate 360 degrees about the base.
20. The organizer of claim 19 wherein the swivel joint includes a
pair of mating stops to slow rotation of the cabinet at a discrete
location, the stops allowing rotation of the cabinet past the
location.
21. An organizer comprising: a cabinet including a first interior
space formed by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the
first sidewall, a top wall extending between the first sidewall and
the second sidewall, a bottom wall opposing the top wall and
extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and a
back wall extending between the first sidewall and second sidewall
opposite the open side of the interior space, at least one lower
panel section extending externally from the cabinet near the lower
portion of the back wall or the lower back portion of the first and
second sidewalls; at least one upper panel section extending
externally from the cabinet near the upper portion of the back wall
or the upper back portion of the first and second sidewalls; a
first door extending between the top wall and bottom wall, the
first door rotatably coupled to the first sidewall wherein the
first door extends across the open side of the interior space when
in a closed position; a first generally vertical panel rotatably
coupled to at least one said lower panel section and at least one
said upper panel section near the first sidewall wherein the first
generally vertical panel can be rotated from a collapsed state in
which it is behind the back wall to an expanded state where it
extends from the first sidewall away from the cabinet; and a second
generally vertical panel rotatably coupled to at least one said
lower panel section and at least one said upper panel section near
the second sidewall wherein the first generally vertical panel can
be rotated from a collapsed state in which it is behind the back
wall to an expanded state where it extends from the second sidewall
away from the cabinet.
22. The organizer according to claim 21 wherein the upper and lower
panel sections comprise overhanging sections of the top and bottom
walls, respectively, that extend past the back wall.
23. The organizer of claim 21 further comprising a base joined to
the cabinet such that the cabinet may rotate about the base.
24. An organizer comprising: a cabinet including a first interior
space formed by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the
first sidewall, a top wall extending between the first sidewall and
the second sidewall, a bottom wall opposing the top wall and
extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and a
back wall extending between the first sidewall and second sidewall
and opposing the open side of the interior space; at least one
lower panel section extending externally from the cabinet near the
lower portion of the back wall or the lower back portion of the
first and second sidewalls; at least one upper panel section
extending externally from the cabinet near the upper portion of the
back wall or the upper back portion of the first and second
sidewalls; a first door extending between the top wall and bottom
wall the first door rotatably coupled to the cabinet wherein the
first door extends across the open side of the interior space when
in a closed position; a first panel slidably coupled between at
least one lower panel section and at least one upper panel section,
wherein the first panel can be slid out from a collapsed state in
which it is behind the back wall to an expanded state where it
extends generally from the first sidewall away from the cabinet;
and a second panel slidably coupled between at least one lower
panel section and at least one upper panel section, wherein the
second panel can be slid out from a collapsed state in which it is
behind the back wall to an expanded state where it extends
generally from the second sidewall away from the cabinet.
25. The organizer according to claim 24 wherein the upper and lower
panel sections comprise overhanging sections of the top and bottom
walls, respectively, that extend past the back wall.
26. The organizer of claim 24 further comprising a base joined to
the cabinet such that the cabinet may rotate about the base.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/868,613
filed Dec. 5, 2006 which is hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The embodiments of the present invention pertain to
organizers and, more particularly, to organizers incorporating a
tri-fold mirror.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Vanity items such as jewelry and cosmetics, for example,
makeup, hair styling products, creams, lotions, etc., are often
stored in a number of storage receptacles, such as, cabinets and
chests, that may vary considerably from one another, according to
the type of item stored therein and the intended placement thereof,
for example in a drawer, on a counter or dresser top, or on a
floor. These various storage receptacles may not be conveniently
located with respect to one another from the user's perspective.
Also, a user often requires a mirror to inspect the application of
cosmetics, the styling of one's hair or the placement of jewelry.
Most often, a single planar mirror is used and the user has a
limited field of view that does not encompass side views or a rear
view. It would be desirable to provide a system that incorporated
storage with the enhancement of mirrors offering a greater field of
view.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The following drawings are illustrative of particular
embodiments of the present invention and therefore do not limit the
scope of the invention. The drawings are not to scale (unless so
stated) and are intended for use in conjunction with the
explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of
the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction
with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like
elements.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an organizer in its
collapsed state, according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the organizer shown in
FIG. 1 in its expanded state according to some embodiments of the
present invention.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of the organizer shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 not mounted on any type of stand in its collapsed
state.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a back elevation view of the organizer shown in
FIGS. 1-3 in its expanded state.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of the organizer shown in
FIGS. 1-4 in a partially expanded state.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of the organizer shown in
FIGS. 1-5 in its fully expanded state according to some embodiments
of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a back perspective view of another embodiment of
the organizer in a partially expanded state.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
interior of the organizer as described in U.S. Ser. No.
10/809,030.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a particular type of stand
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of an organizer such as
that shown in FIG. 1 mounted on a different type of stand according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 11 is a top view of the organizer shown in FIG. 10
rotated to various positions.
[0016] FIG. 12 is a section view of an embodiment of a swivel joint
shown in FIG. 10.
[0017] FIG. 13 is a section view through section line B-B of FIG.
12.
[0018] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a base that may be used
with any of the embodiments of the organizer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The following detailed description is exemplary in nature
and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or
configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following
description provides practical illustrations for implementing
exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an organizer 10 in its
collapsed state, according to an embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the organizer 10
shown in FIG. 1 in its expanded state according to some embodiments
of the present invention. The organizer 10 has a main body 12 which
is described in U.S. Ser. No. 10/809,030 entitled "Jewelry Cabinet"
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The
embodiments of the present invention add a tri-fold mirror
component to the organizer described in U.S. Ser. No. 10/809,030.
In FIG. 1, the organizer is shown in its collapsed state, meaning a
tri-fold mirror configuration has not been implemented. In this
collapsed state, the organizer presents a user with a mirror 14 on
the front door 16 of the organizer. FIG. 2 shows the organizer with
the tri-fold mirror configuration implemented. It can be seen that
a first panel 18 extends from the left side of the organizer 10 and
presents the user with a mirror 20 on its front surface. The term
"front" refers to a position in front of the organizer shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 where a user can open the front door 16 of the
organizer whereas the term "back" refers to a position behind the
organizer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 where a user does not have access
to the front door 16. A second panel 22 extends from the right side
of the organizer 10 and presents the user with a mirror 24 on its
front surface. As will be explained in more detail with reference
to FIGS. 5 and 6, the first and second panels, 18 and 22, swing out
from behind the organizer 10 to create the tri-fold mirror. A user
can thus expand the organizer 10 to its expanded state where the
user can have access to the interior of the main body 12 of the
organizer while being able to view herself in the mirrors 20 and 24
located on the first and second panels 18 and 22, respectively. The
organizer 10 is shown mounted on a stand 26 as will be described in
detail hereinafter.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of the organizer 10 shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2 in its collapsed state. The organizer 10 is shown
not mounted on any type of stand. The organizer described in U.S.
Ser. No. 10/809,030 is modified so that its top panel 28 and bottom
panel 30 extend past the back wall 32 (see also FIG. 4) of the
organizer 10 to provide an overhang. It is in this space created by
the overhang and the back wall 32 of the organizer that the first
and second panels 18 and 22 are housed. In particular, the second
panel 22 shown in FIG. 2 is folded first into the back of the
organizer and then the first panel 18 is folded back so that the
mirror 20 on its front surface now faces out from behind the
organizer.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the first panel 18 is rotatably
secured to the top and bottom panels 28 and 30 on the right side
(when viewed from behind the organizer) and the second panel 22 is
rotatable secured to the top and bottom panels on the left side
(when viewed from behind the organizer). The first panel 18 is
secured at a position closer to a front edge of the top and bottom
panels than the second panel 22 so that the second panel 22 can be
accommodated between the first panel 18 and the back wall 32 of the
organizer 10.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a back elevation view of the organizer shown in
FIGS. 1-3 in its expanded state. In an embodiment, the back
surfaces 34 and 36 of the first and second panels 18 and 22
respectively as well as the back wall 32 of the organizer 10 are
not provided with a mirror. Alternatively, one, some or all of
these surfaces may be provided with a mirror. In another
embodiment, one, some or all of these surfaces may be provided with
hooks or rods, for example, to increase the storage capacity of the
organizer 10.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of the organizer shown in
FIGS. 1-4 in a partially expanded state. FIG. 6 is a back
perspective view of the organizer shown in FIGS. 1-5 in its fully
expanded state according to some embodiments of the present
invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first and
second panels 18 and 22 are rotatably secured to the top and bottom
panels 28 and 30. In one embodiment, loop screws 38 are used to
secure the panels to the top panel 28. When the organizer is in its
collapsed state, the loop screws 38 are tightened to maintain the
first and second panels in the position shown in FIG. 3. To
configure the organizer in its expanded state, first the loop screw
38 securing the first panel 18 is loosened and that panel is swung
towards the front of the organizer as shown in FIG. 5. When the
first panel 18 is in the position desired by the user, the loop
screw 38 securing that panel is then tightened to maintain the
panel in that position. The same procedure is performed with
respect to the second panel 22 as shown in FIG. 6. Thus the user
can position the first and second panels as desired.
[0025] Alternatively, other arrangements may be used to secure the
first and second panels other than screws. In one preferred
embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a pair of grooves 100 that extend
parallel to the edge of the top and bottom overhang may be formed
in the surface of the top and bottom overhangs facing the panels. A
left edge 102 of the first panel 118 may have a rod 104 extending
from its top and bottom edge that rides in the groove and the
second panel may also have a rod that extends from its top and
bottom edge that rides in the other groove. The groove 100 that the
first panel rides in stops short of the right side of the top and
bottom overhang and likewise the groove that the second panel rides
in stops short of the left side of the top and bottom overhangs so
that the panels are not detachable from the top and bottom
overhangs. In use, the user slides the first panel to the right
(when viewed from the back of the organizer) and the second panel
is slid to the left. Once each panel reaches the end of its groove,
it may be rotated to a position desired by the user. There could be
an adjustment mechanism incorporate that allows the user to secure
the panel at the desired angle of rotation, for example, the
grooves may extend through the top overhang and a screw may be
secured to the top rod of each panel. This embodiment of the
organizer may be mounted on a wall via the top and bottom panels.
Alternatively, an additional back wall may be added in front of the
first panel 118 and a mounting arrangement my be provided on this
additional wall.
[0026] As previously described, the back wall 32 of the organizer
may be provided with a mirror. The mirror may encompass
substantially the entire back wall of the organizer or only a
portion thereof. In addition, the back wall may be provided with
hooks or rods from which items such as ties, necklaces, purses
and/or belts may be hung. In addition, the back of the organizer
may be provided with a secret compartment to house items of value.
The secret compartment may be a drawer or drawers, for example,
secured to the back wall of the organizer.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
interior of the organizer as described in U.S. Ser. No. 10/809,030.
The interior of the organizer may have other configurations as will
be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The interior of
the organizer may also be configured to house cosmetic either alone
or in combination with jewelry.
[0028] The organizer is preferably received in a stand. Various
types of stands may be used to receive the organizer. FIG. 9 is a
perspective view of a particular type of stand 40 according to an
embodiment of the invention. The stand 40 is a frame that has a
base 42 and a pair of arms 44 extending up from the base 42. The
pair of arms 44 are tilted back so that the organizer will be at an
incline. Alternatively, the pair of arms 44 may be substantially
vertical with reference to the ground so that the organizer is not
tilted backwards. The organizer is secured to the stand via a screw
46 (see FIG. 2) located in each arm as shown. The screws 46 form a
fulcrum about which the organizer can rotate when the screws are
loosened. In this manner, the cabinet can rotate so that it forms
various angles from the horizontal. For example, in a substantially
vertical position, the cabinet forms an angle of about 90 degrees
from the horizontal. The cabinet can be rotated, however so that
the back wall of the cabinet forms an angle with the horizontal
that is less than 90 degrees. Thus, it is possible to rotate the
cabinet backwards and forwards about the fulcrum created by the
screws. It is possible to adjust the cabinet angle and simply
tighten the screws when the cabinet is at the desired angle.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of an organizer such as
that shown in FIG. 1 mounted on a different type of stand according
to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the
stand 50 is a swivel stand that includes a swivel joint 145 as will
be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 134 that allows the
organizer to rotate 360 degrees as shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 10
illustrates a width W and height H of organizer; according to an
exemplary embodiment, width W is approximately seventeen inches and
height H is approximately sixty two inches. FIG. 10 further
illustrates a height h of base 15 and a clearance c between base 15
and the cabinet to accommodate swiveling action. According to an
exemplary embodiment, base height h is approximately one inch thick
and clearance c is approximately 1/4 of an inch. Of course the
organizer may be of other sizes both larger and smaller than the
embodiment described.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of
swivel joint 145 shown in FIG. 9; and FIG. 13 is a section view
through section line B-B of FIG. 12. As previously described,
swivel joint 145 allows the cabinet to swivel 360 degrees about
base 50, so that a person using organizer 10 may rotate the cabinet
to gain access to different sides thereof. FIG. 12 illustrates
swivel joint 145 including a ball bearing assembly 43 coupling base
50 to a swivel mount 41, which is coupled to bottom wall 14 of the
cabinet; a cavity 435 of base 15 contains this coupling, and an
annular groove 425, formed in base 15, contains a turning ring 42
including casters 420, which support a weight of the cabinet while
allowing swiveling action. FIG. 12 illustrates mount 41 including
an outward projecting protrusion 410 and annular groove 425
including a plurality of inward projecting protrusions 450 disposed
about a perimeter thereof. According to the illustrated embodiment,
protrusion 410 along with each of protrusions 450 form a pair of
mating stops as protrusion 410 of mount 41 rotates past each of
protrusions 450; the mating stops will slow or stop the rotation of
the cabinet at discrete locations about the 360 degree-revolution
thereof. The mating stops can regulate a speed of rotation so that
a person using organizer 10 does not inadvertently spin the cabinet
past a desired point, and can hold the cabinet at a desired point
about the 360 degree-revolution. It should be noted that alternate
embodiments of the present invention may include a fewer or a
greater number of protrusions 450 in groove 450 to provide a
different number of mating stops; furthermore, additional
embodiments include other types of stops or no stops at all.
[0031] Several embodiments of tilt mechanisms are described in U.S.
Ser. No. 11/368,019 entitled "Swivel Organizer" which is hereby
incorporated herein in its entirety. Of course other types of
tilting mechanisms now known or later invented may be used. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,858 entitled "Christmas Tree Stand",
which is hereby incorporated in its entirety, describes a tilt
mechanism which may be adapted for use with organizers of the
present invention. Furthermore, foot activated mechanisms for
applying either a lever or a wedging action may be incorporated
into tilting mechanisms for organizers of the present
invention.
[0032] The organizer according to the various embodiments described
herein may be mounted on another structure such as a chest of
drawers, for example such as seen in FIG. 14. It may or may not be
provided with a swivel joint depending on whether rotation is
desired.
[0033] In the foregoing detailed description, the invention has
been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, it
may be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be
made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth
in the appended claims.
* * * * *