U.S. patent application number 11/610170 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-19 for tri-fold mirror swivel organizer.
Invention is credited to Lori Greiner.
Application Number | 20080143222 11/610170 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39514880 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080143222 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greiner; Lori |
June 19, 2008 |
TRI-FOLD MIRROR SWIVEL ORGANIZER
Abstract
A storage organizer for vanity items includes a cabinet in which
an interior space is 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 further
includes 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 additional doors
provided on the sides of the organizer that may be rotated towards
the front of the organizer, the exterior surfaces of the additional
doors 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: |
39514880 |
Appl. No.: |
11/610170 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/227 ;
312/249.2; 312/321.5; 312/326; 312/330.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 49/004 20130101;
A47B 67/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/227 ;
312/326; 312/249.2; 312/330.1; 312/321.5 |
International
Class: |
A47B 67/00 20060101
A47B067/00; A47B 49/00 20060101 A47B049/00; A47B 88/00 20060101
A47B088/00 |
Claims
1. A storage organizer for vanity items 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; a
first door, for the first interior space, extending 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; a
second door rotatably coupled to a front of the first side wall
wherein the second door can be rotated from a collapsed state in
which it is substantially perpendicular with the back wall and in
which it is substantially parallel with the first side wall to an
expanded state where it extends away from a back of the first side
wall away from the cabinet; a third door rotatably coupled to a
front of the second side wall wherein the third door can be rotated
from a collapsed state in which it is substantially perpendicular
with the back wall and in which it is substantially parallel with
the second side wall to an expanded state where it extends away
from a back of the second side wall away from the cabinet; and a
base joined to the bottom wall by a swivel joint, the swivel joint
allowing the cabinet to rotate 360 degrees about the base.
2. The organizer of claim 1, wherein the second and third doors
have an interior and an exterior surface further comprising a
mirror disposed on the exterior surfaces of the second and third
doors.
3. The organizer of claim 1 further comprising a secret compartment
disposed on the back wall of the organizer.
4. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising a jewelry storage
element mounted within the first interior space.
5. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising a jewelry storage
element mounted on an inner surface of the first door.
6. The organizer of claim 1, 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.
7. 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.
8. The organizer of claim 1 further comprising a mirror disposed on
an exterior surface of the front door.
9. 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 the
cabinet further includes a second interior space disposed on the
second side of the back wall and formed by the first side wall, the
second sidewall, the top wall, the bottom wall, and the back
wall.
10. The organizer of claim 9 further comprising a fourth door, for
the second interior space, extending 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.
11. The organizer of claim 9 further comprising shelves located in
the second interior space.
12. The organizer of claim 11 further comprising a fourth door, for
the second interior space, extending 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.
13. A storage organizer for vanity items 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; a
first door, for the first interior space, extending 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; a
second door rotatably coupled to a front of the first side wall
wherein the second door can be rotated from a collapsed state in
which it is substantially perpendicular with the back wall and in
which it is substantially parallel with the first side wall to an
expanded state where it extends away from a back of the first side
wall away from the cabinet; and a third door rotatably coupled to a
front of the second side wall wherein the third door can be rotated
from a collapsed state in which it is substantially perpendicular
with the back wall and in which it is substantially parallel with
the second side wall to an expanded state where it extends away
from a back of the second side wall away from the cabinet.
14. 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.
15. The organizer of claim 13 further comprising: a base of a chest
of drawers.
16. The organizer of claim 15 wherein the cabinet is rotatably
mounted to a top surface of the chest of drawers.
17. The organizer of claim 1 further comprising: a second interior
space disposed behind the second door and a third interior space
disposed behind the third door.
18. The organizer of claim 17 wherein the first, second and third
interior spaces are all mutually exclusive of each other.
19. The organizer of claim 17 wherein the first, second and third
interior spaces define the same space.
20. The organizer 17 further comprising a storage element mounted
in the second interior space and a storage compartment mounted in
the third interior space.
21. The organizer of claim 13, wherein the second and third doors
have an interior and an exterior surface further comprising a
mirror disposed on the exterior surfaces of the second and third
doors.
22. The organizer of claim 13, further comprising a jewelry storage
element mounted within the first interior space.
23. The organizer of claim 13, further comprising a jewelry storage
element mounted on an inner surface of the first door.
24. The organizer of claim 13, 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.
25. The organizer of claim 13 further comprising a mirror disposed
on an exterior surface of the front door.
26. The organizer of claim 13, 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
the cabinet further includes a second interior space disposed on
the second side of the back wall and formed by the first side wall,
the second sidewall, the top wall, the bottom wall, and the back
wall.
27. The organizer of claim 26 further comprising a fourth door, for
the second interior space, extending 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.
28. The organizer of claim 26 further comprising shelves located in
the second interior space.
29. The organizer of claim 28 further comprising a fourth door, for
the second interior space, extending 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.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention pertains to organizers and more
particularly to vanity organizers.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 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, for example, 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. Thus, these various storage receptacles may not be
conveniently located with respect to one another. Also, usually a
single, planar mirror is provided for the user to look at herself.
This provides a limited field of view. What is needed is a single
storage organizer accommodating many, if not all, of these vanity
items in an organized fashion and providing flexibility for ease of
access to each item that provides enhanced field of view to the
user.
SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0003] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a storage organizer for vanity items. The organizer
includes 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. The organizer also includes a first door, for the
first interior space, extending 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; a second door rotatably
coupled to a front of the first side wall wherein the second door
can be rotated from a collapsed state in which it is substantially
perpendicular with the back wall and in which it is substantially
parallel with the first side wall to an expanded state where it
extends away from a back of the first side wall away from the
cabinet; and a third door rotatably coupled to a front of the
second side wall wherein the third door can be rotated from a
collapsed state in which it is substantially perpendicular with the
back wall and in which it is substantially parallel with the second
side wall to an expanded state where it extends away from a back of
the second side wall away from the cabinet. A base is joined to the
bottom wall by a swivel joint, the swivel joint allowing the
cabinet to rotate 360 degrees about the base.
[0004] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a storage organizer for vanity items. The organizer
includes 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. The organizer includes a first door, for the first
interior space, extending 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; a second door rotatably
coupled to a front of the first side wall wherein the second door
can be rotated from a collapsed state in which it is substantially
perpendicular with the back wall and in which it is substantially
parallel with the first side wall to an expanded state where it
extends away from a back of the first side wall away from the
cabinet; and a third door rotatably coupled to a front of the
second side wall wherein the third door can be rotated from a
collapsed state in which it is substantially perpendicular with the
back wall and in which it is substantially parallel with the second
side wall to an expanded state where it extends away from a back of
the second side wall away from the cabinet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] 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.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an organizer according
to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is top view of the organizer shown in FIG. 1 shown in
various rotational positions.
[0008] FIG. 3 is elevation views of a first interior space of the
organizer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0009] FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a second interior space of
the organizer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the
swivel joint from FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a section view through section line B-B of FIG.
5.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an organizer according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stand that can be used in
conjunction with the organizer shown in FIGS. 1-7 according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] 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.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an organizer 10
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The
organizer has a main body which is described in detail in U.S. Ser.
No. 11/368,019 entitled "Swivel Organizer" which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference. The embodiments of the present
invention add a tri-fold mirror component to the organizer
described in U.S. Ser. No. 11/368,019. FIG. 1 illustrates a width W
and height H of organizer 10; according to an exemplary embodiment,
width W is approximately seventeen inches and height H is
approximately sixty-two inches. FIG. 1 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 and clearance c is
approximately 1/4 of an inch. Of course the organizer may have
other sizes, both smaller and larger.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of first interior space 101 of
organizer 10 designed specifically to house various cosmetic items
therein. FIG. 2A illustrates interior space 101 including two
shelf-like containers 21 that each include a plurality of
compartments 210, each compartment 210 having an opening directed
toward top wall 13, According to some embodiments of the present
invention, containers 21 are pivotally mounted to first and second
sidewalls 11, 12 for rotation from a first position to a second
position.
[0017] Referring back to FIG. 3, a second type of shelf-like
container 24 is shown disposed in interior space 101; according to
the illustrated embodiment, container 24 is partitioned into
compartments 240 by dividers extending from a front sidewall of
container 24 to back wall 16. According to an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention, a width of each compartment 240 is
approximately two inches, a depth of each compartment 240 is
approximately 1 and 3/8 inches, and a height of each compartment
240, defined by the front sidewall, is approximately 1 and 7/16
inches. According to the illustrated embodiment, each compartment
240 can hold wider items than compartments 210, for example jars of
cream or eye-shadow compacts. The dividers of container 24 may be
permanently positioned, or removable so that a user of organizer 10
may adjust the partitioning of container 24 to re-configure
compartments 240. FIG. 3 further illustrates a lower compartment
250 formed by a front sidewall 25 extending up from bottom wall 14
and across from first sidewall 11 to second sidewall 12. According
to an exemplary embodiment, compartment 250 has a depth of
approximately 1 and 3/4 inches. According to the illustrated
embodiment, compartment 250 can hold larger items than each of
compartments 240, for example bottles of lotion or hair styling
products.
[0018] FIG. 3 further illustrates additional shelf-like containers
22 and 23 mounted on an interior surface 118 of door 110; each of
containers 22 include compartments 220 and container 23 includes
compartments 230.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an elevation view of second interior space 102 of
organizer 10 specifically designed to house jewelry items therein.
FIG. 4 illustrates several jewelry storage elements mounted within
interior space 102 between first and second sidewalls 11, 12; the
storage elements, which are all shown attached to back wall 16,
include a ring storage element 34, a hook bar 32 supporting a
plurality of hooks, and a pocket-like receptacle 33. FIG. 4 further
illustrates pocket-like receptacle 33 disposed below hook bar 32,
for example, so that lower portions of necklaces, which would be
hanging from the hooks, can be received within pocket-like
receptacle 33, for example, to prevent damage or tangling.
According to the illustrated embodiment, ring storage element 34
includes a plurality of slits 340 arranged in an array of rows and
columns; each slit 340 is compliant and sized for an interference
fit about a single ring. Slits 340 may be formed in a foam panel,
which is glued to back wall 16, or by a plurality of parallel rolls
positioned adjacent one another to form the slits there between.
Although slits 340 are illustrated extending in a horizontal
direction, slits 340 may alternately extend in a vertical
direction. Pocket-like receptacle 33 may be formed by a fabric
panel including an elastic member attached to an upper edge
thereof, which may be stretched to open receptacle 33 to receive
portions of necklaces hung from the hooks of hook bar 32.
[0020] FIG. 4 further illustrates several additional jewelry
storage elements mounted on an inner surface 128 of door 120; the
additional storage elements include an earring storage element 31,
a second hook bar 32 supporting a plurality of hooks, and a second
pocket-like receptacle 33 disposed in proximity to hook bar 32 to
accommodate relatively short jewelry items hung from hook bar 32,
for example bracelets.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of
swivel joint 145 from FIG. 1; and FIG. 6 is a section view through
section line B-B of FIG. 4A. As previously described, swivel joint
145 allows the cabinet to swivel 360 degrees about base 15, so that
a person using organizer 10 may rotate the cabinet to gain access
to different sides thereof, for example to initially access first
interior space 101 and then to access second interior space 102.
FIG. 5 illustrates swivel joint 145 including a ball bearing
assembly 43 coupling base 15 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. 6
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.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the organizer shown in
FIGS. 1-6 in a partially expanded state according to some
embodiments of the present invention. In an embodiment of the
present invention, a second and third door 18 and 22 respectively,
are rotatably secured to a first and second sidewall of the
organizer. In particular, the second door is rotatably secured to a
front of the first side wall and the third door is secured to a
front of the second sidewall. In an embodiment of the present
invention, a second interior space is provided behind the second
door and a third interior space is provided behind the third door.
The second and third interior spaces may be independent of each
other and of the first interior space, or, alternatively, they may
be the same space, access to which is provided by different
doors.
[0023] The second and third doors 18, 22 as well as the front door
16 all have mirrors disposed on their exterior surfaces although
not all of the surfaces need have mirrors. Unlike the organizer
shown in U.S. Ser. No. 11/368,019 the door on the left side of the
front door 16 opens in the opposite direction so that when both
doors on either side of the front door 16 are open, a tri-fold
mirror arrangement is created. In particular, the second door
extends away from a back of the first side wall as does the third
door. The interior surfaces of the second and third doors as well
as the front door may also have mirrors disposed thereon if no
storage elements are provided.
[0024] Additional storage area may be provided at the back of the
organizer which may be provided with shelves to hold clothing or
house collectibles. This storage area at the back of the organizer
may or may not be provided with a door. A secret compartment may be
provided to the back wall of the organizer.
[0025] 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. 8. It may or may not be
provided with a swivel joint depending on whether rotation is
desired.
[0026] 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.
* * * * *