U.S. patent application number 11/777206 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-15 for desktop organizer.
Invention is credited to Carl Cetera.
Application Number | 20090013566 11/777206 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40245007 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090013566 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cetera; Carl |
January 15, 2009 |
DESKTOP ORGANIZER
Abstract
A rotatable desktop organizer for holding a plurality of writing
instruments and desk items such as paperclips. The desktop
organizer has a platform having a plurality of concentric
receptacles along the circumference of the top platform surface for
securely holding, in each of the receptacle, a single writing
instrument in a substantially upright position, a hollow column
with an open top protruding upward from the center of the platform
for storing desk items therein, a flat base rotatably connected to
the bottom of the platform to allow, by rotating the platform,
easier access to a particular writing instrument selected, and a
removable plug for inserting into the column which has a magnet at
its distal end for thereby picking up metallic items stored in the
column. The desktop organizer may further have advertising material
disposed on the side surface of either the column or the
platform.
Inventors: |
Cetera; Carl; (Tenafly,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE SONI LAW FIRM
35 North Lake Ave., Suite 720
PASADENA
CA
91101
US
|
Family ID: |
40245007 |
Appl. No.: |
11/777206 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
40/124.06 ;
206/214 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B43M 99/009 20130101;
A45C 11/36 20130101; A45C 11/34 20130101; B43K 23/001 20130101;
B43M 99/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
40/124.06 ;
206/214 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/34 20060101
A45C011/34 |
Claims
1. A desk organizer comprising: a) a platform for removably
retaining a plurality of writing instruments therein, having
substantially planar opposing top and bottom surfaces and a
circumferential side surface extending therebetween, the top
surface defining a plurality of spaced-apart receptacles thereon
adjacent a circumferential edge thereof, each being sized and
configured to removably retain a respective writing instrument
therein in a substantially upright position; and b) a hollow column
protruding perpendicularly upward from a central portion of the top
surface of the platform for storing desk items therein, the column
having an open upper column end and an opposing closed lower column
end.
2. The desk organizer in claim 1, further comprising a
substantially flat base upon which the platform is rotatably
mounted for unobstructed rotation relative thereto.
3. The desk organizer in claim 1, further comprising a plug sized
and configured to removably cover the open upper end of the
column.
4. The desk organizer in claim 3, wherein a portion of the plug is
magnetized for attracting metallic items thereto.
5. The desk organizer in claim 4, wherein the plug comprises: a) an
elongated protrusion perpendicularly protruding from a central
portion of a bottom surface of the plug, the protrusion having a
length such that a distal end thereof substantially extends toward
the lower column end when the plug is inserted into the hollow
column; and b) a permanent magnet disposed adjacent the distal end
of the protrusion.
6. The desk organizer in claim 1, wherein the lower column end
extends into an interior of the platform below the top surface
thereof.
7. The desk organizer in claim 1, wherein advertising material is
disposed on an outer surface of the column.
8. The desk organizer in claim 1, wherein advertising material is
disposed on the side surface of the platform.
9. The desk organizer in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of
receptacles defines a substantially circular circumference on the
top surface of the platform.
10. The desk organizer in claim 1, wherein the receptacles are
substantially equal-spaced from one another.
11. The desk organizer in claim 1, further comprising paper clips
retained in the hollow column.
12. The desk organizer in claim 1, wherein the platform and the
column have substantially cylindrical shapes.
13. The desk organizer in claim 12, wherein the plurality of
receptacles is concentrically located.
14. The desk organizer in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of
receptacles has a depth such that at least half of the writing
instrument retained therein is exposed out of the each
receptacle.
15. The desk organizer in claim 1, wherein the number of the
receptacles is at least six.
16. A desk organizer comprising: a) a platform for removably
retaining a plurality of writing instruments therein, having same
sized, substantially planar and circular opposing top and bottom
surfaces and a side surface extending between circumferential edges
of the top and bottom surfaces, the top surface defining a
plurality of spaced-apart receptacles thereon adjacent the
circumferential edge thereof, each being sized and configured to
removably retain a respective writing instrument therein in a
substantially upright position; b) a substantially cylindrical
column protruding perpendicularly upward from a central portion of
the top surface of the platform, the column having an upper column
end and an opposing lower column end; and c) first advertising
material disposed on an outer surface of the column.
17. The desk organizer in claim 16, further comprising a flat base
upon which the platform is rotatably mounted so as to rotate
unobstructively relative thereto.
18. The desk organizer in claim 16, wherein the cylindrical column
defines a cylindrical hollow extending between the upper and lower
column ends for retaining desk items therein, the hollow being open
at the upper column end and closed at the lower column end.
19. The desk organizer in claim 18, further comprising a plug sized
and configured to removably cover the upper end of the column.
20. The desk organizer in claim 19, wherein the plug is magnetized
so as to attract metallic items thereto.
21. The desk organizer in claim 20, wherein the plug comprises: a)
a cylindrical protrusion perpendicularly protruding from a central
portion of a bottom surface of the plug, the protrusion having a
length such that a distal end thereof substantially extends toward
the lower column end when the plug is inserted into the column; and
b) a permanent magnet disposed adjacent the distal end of the
protrusion.
22. The desk organizer in claim 16, wherein the lower column end
extends into an interior of the platform below the top surface
thereof.
23. The desk organizer in claim 16, wherein the first advertising
material is imprinted on the outer surface of the column.
24. The desk organizer in claim 16, further comprising a
transparent sleeve sized and configured to fit around the column
wherein the first advertising material is imprinted on a
cylindrical piece of paper disposed between the outer surface of
the column and the transparent sleeve.
25. The desk organizer in claim 16, further comprising second
advertising material disposed on the side surface of the
platform.
26. The desk organizer in claim 16, wherein each of the plurality
of receptacles has a substantially circular circumference on the
top surface of the platform.
27. The desk organizer in claim 26, wherein the receptacles are
concentrically arranged and substantially equal-spaced from one
another.
28. The desk organizer in claim 16, further comprising paper clips
retained in the column.
29. The desk organizer in claim 16, wherein each of the plurality
of receptacles has a depth such that at least half of the writing
instrument retained therein is exposed out of the each
receptacle.
30. The desk organizer in claim 16, wherein the number of the
receptacles is at least six.
31. A method of advertising comprising the steps of: a) providing a
desk organizer comprising: 1) a platform for removably retaining a
plurality of writing instruments, having same sized, substantially
planar and circular opposing top and bottom surfaces and a side
surface extending between circumferential edges of the top and
bottom surfaces, the top surface defining a plurality of
spaced-apart receptacles thereon adjacent the circumferential edge
thereof, each of being sized and configured to retain a respective
writing instrument therein in a substantially upright position, 2)
a cylindrical column protruding perpendicularly upward from a
central portion of the top surface of the platform, the column
having an upper column end and an opposing lower column end, and 3)
a flat base upon which the platform is rotatably mounted so as to
rotate unobstructively relative thereto; and b) disposing
advertising material on a visible outer surface of the desk
organizer.
32. The method of advertising in claim 31, wherein the step of
disposing advertising material comprises the step of imprinting
first advertising material around an outer surface of the
column.
33. The method of advertising in claim 32, wherein the step of
disposing advertising material further comprises the step of
imprinting second advertising material around on the side surface
of the platform.
34. The method of advertising in claim 31, wherein the step of
disposing advertising material comprises the steps of: p1 a)
imprinting the first advertising material on a cylindrical piece of
paper sized and configured to fit around the column; b) disposing
the piece of paper around the column; and c) disposing a
transparent shell over the piece of paper so that the first
advertising material may be visible therethrough.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to field of an aesthetically
designed, rotatable desktop organizer that can hold a plurality of
wring instruments, each held in a separate receptacle, and retain
metal desktop articles such as paperclips which can be conveniently
picked up for use by a magnet.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0002] (Not Applicable)
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0003] (Not Applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Desktop organizers are widely used for organizing various
kinds of desktop items such as writing instruments, paper clips,
staples, flag or roll tapes, note pads, erasers, alarmers, clocks,
or even graphic images. What users of such desktop organizers
consider in making a purchase decision is not merely the variety in
kinds or number of desktop items that can be held in an organizer
or the utility aspect relating how conveniently and efficiently an
individual desktop item can be accessed and removed from the
organizer. Often they consider the aesthetics, freshness,
attractiveness, or compactness of the overall design since such a
desktop organizer also may serve as an important portion of office
decoration.
[0005] Among others, several kinds of desktop organizers that can
hold both one or plurality of pens and paperclips, most frequently
used desk items, have been disclosed in the art, each of which has
one or more shortcomings. U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,101 discloses an
organizer having a circular base and a hollow circular tower with
an open top protruding upward therefrom, where writing instruments
such as painting brushes may be either retained in the tower or
gripped, respectively, by a spring mechanism formed around the top
of the tower, and desk items such as paperclips can be retained in
a tray on the base. The drawbacks of this invention, however, are
that the paperclips, being exposed on the tray, may pick up dirt
and be lost, and further, that disengaging each writing instrument
off the grip of the spring mechanism may require exertion of
considerable force, and in so doing, cause scratches on the body of
the writing instruments inflicted from the spring. U.S. Design Pat.
No. D504,157 discloses a pen holder and paperclip container
combination where paperclips can be removed, being attached to a
magnet on the container plug. The invention, however, appears to
hold only a single pen.
[0006] Also, magnetic paperclip dispensers have been disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,033 in which paperclips are retained in a
spherical barrel, being attached to a magnet near its opening for
easy access and removal, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,209 in which
paperclips, retained in a container, can be removed off from a
magnetic stem sliding through the container via a top and a bottom
holes defined thereon. These inventions, however, fail to disclose
a capacity of holding any writing instrument.
[0007] In light of limitations and shortcomings of prior art, it is
desirable to provide a desktop organizer that has plurality of
receptacles each of which can hold only a single writing instrument
for easier and quicker access to a particular kind of writing
instrument selected out of potentially several different kinds, and
for easier removal thereof. It is also desirable to provide a
mechanism in such a pen-holding organizer that can facilitate the
access and removal of each selected writing instrument by, for
instance, rotating the organizer. It is yet desirable to combine
such a pen-holding organizer with a container that stores common
metal desk items such as paperclips, hiding them from view when not
in use for aesthetics and protection against dirt. It is further
desirable to provide, in such a desk organizer, a mechanism that
can facilitate easy removal of metal desk items, such as a magnetic
dispensing mechanism. Lastly, it would be further desirable if such
desktop organizer can provide a surface of considerable size to
place advertising materials thereon.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a rotatable desktop organizer
that can hold a plurality of writing instruments, each one in a
separate receptacle, and store common desk items made of metal,
such as paperclips, that can be conveniently removed, one by one,
via a magnet.
[0009] The desktop organizer made in accordance with the present
invention is largely comprised of: in the preferred embodiment, a
platform having a plurality of receptacles defined along the
circumference of the top surface of the platform for securely
holding, in each of the receptacle, a single writing instrument in
a substantially upright position; a hollow cylindrical column with
an open end disposed perpendicularly upwardly at the center of the
platform top surface for storing desk items therein; a flat base on
which the platform is pivotally mounted so that a particular
pen-holding receptacle is easily accessible by rotating the
platform thereon; and a plug for removably closing the open end of
the column, which has a magnet formed on the bottom thereof for
picking up metal desk items on the bottom of the column.
[0010] The desktop organizer may also have advertising material or
indicia imprinted on the round outer surface of the cylindrical
column or on the side surface of the platform.
[0011] One of the advantages of the present invention is that,
while having the capacity of retaining several writing instruments,
since each writing instrument is retained in a separate receptacle
defined on the platform, it is easy to single out and access a
particular kind of writing instrument in contrast to other common
types of pen-holding containers where multiple writing instruments
are mixed to make it cumbersome to spot and select a particular
desired one.
[0012] Another advantage of the present invention is that each
selected writing instrument can be easily and conveniently removed
form the receptacle by rotating the platform on the base.
[0013] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that metal
desk items such as paperclips can be easily picked up one by one
when needed, using the magnet formed on an end of the plug closing
the desk-item container.
[0014] Still another advantage of the present invention is that
while retaining all the above-described utilities, the desktop
organizer has a unique compact and aesthetic appearance that would
suit the aesthetic need of a user as well in an office
environment.
[0015] Lastly, the desktop organizer in the present invention has a
further advantage that it can be used as an effective vehicle for
advertisement by providing rather ample surfaces, the outer surface
of the central column or the side walls of the platform, for
placing advertising materials thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the desktop organizer made
in the preferred embodiment of the present invention with writing
instruments held in the exemplary way;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the desktop organizer made in
the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the desktop organizer made
in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing
paperclips attached to the removable magnetic plug;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the desktop organizer made
in the preferred embodiment of the present invention with writing
instruments held in the exemplary way;
[0020] FIG. 5 is an exploded view, in the perspective, of the
desktop organizer made in the preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the desktop organizer
made in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the desktop organizer made
in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The present invention generally relates to a rotatable
desktop organizer that can hold a plurality of writing instruments,
each one in a separate receptacle, and store common desk items made
of metal, such as paperclips, that can be conveniently removed, one
by one, via a magnet.
[0024] The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now
be described with reference to FIGS. (`FIGS.`) 1-7, wherein like
components are designated by like reference numerals throughout the
figures. With regard to means for fastening, mounting, attaching or
connecting the components of the present invention to form the
assembly as a whole, unless specifically described otherwise, such
means are intended to at least encompass conventional fasteners
such as machine screws, machine threads, snap rings, hose clamps,
rivets, nuts and bolts, toggles, pins and the like. Components may
also be connected by friction fitting, snap fitting, adhesives or
by welding or deformation, if appropriate. Unless specifically
otherwise disclosed or taught, materials for making components of
the present invention are selected from appropriate materials such
as metal, ceramics, metallic alloys, natural or synthetic fibers,
plastics and the like, and appropriate manufacturing or production
methods including casting, extruding, injection molding and
machines may be used.
[0025] Although the present invention is generally described in
terms of the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that it
is shown and described, only by way of illustration of the best
mode contemplated in carrying out the invention, but not intended
to limit in any way the spirit and scope of the invention to the
particular embodiments described.
[0026] Now referring to FIGS. 1-7, the desktop organizer 10 made in
the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises largely
a platform 20, a hollow column 30, a plug 40, and a base 50. The
platform 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape having a flat
circular top surface 20a, an opposing identically sized bottom
surface 20b, a round circumferential side surface 20c extended
therebetween, and a hollow interior surrounded thereby. The
platform, however, may have other geometrical shapes where the flat
top and bottom surfaces have the shape of squares, rectangles, or
other polygons and the side surface is correspondingly angled. The
top surface 20a defines a circular aperture 21 at the center
thereof extending into the interior of the platform 20 in which the
hollow column 30 is to be removably inserted. While the aperture 21
is preferably circular, it may be formed having a other geometric
shapes according to design and style preferences. Further, the top
surface 20a defines a plurality of concentric circular apertures 22
around the circumferential edges of the top surface 20a, which are,
preferably, equally spaced from one another. Each aperture 22 is
connected into the interior of the platform 20 and sized,
preferably, to retain only a single writing instrument of a
standard size therein in a substantially upright orientation, as
shown in FIG. 4, so as to form a single pen-holding receptacle 22.
As described herein, the term receptacle refers to the
implement-holding portion of the platform 20 which is defined by
the apertures. In this respect, the receptacle 22 may be formed
without an aperture according to design choice. The types of
standard sized writing instruments include, but are not limited to,
pens, pencils, highlighters, pen-shaped erasers or PDA stylus
implements, laser pointers, or painting brushes. For easier and
quicker removal of a writing instrument from the receptacle 22, the
depth of each receptacle 22 or the height of the platform 20 is
chosen, in the preferred embodiment, such that at least half of the
body of a standard sized writing instrument is exposed out of the
receptacle. Also, For more secure retention of a writing instrument
and for protection of its surface against potential scratches from
the edge of a receptacle during its removal therefrom, a leaf 22a
made of smooth fabrics and having a cross-shaped slit at its center
may be formed around the opening of each receptacle 22, whereby a
writing instrument, inserted into the central slit, may be
frictionally retained against the surrounding leaf 22a.
Prefereably, the leaf 22a may be fabricated from a foam material or
a rubber material that allows for frictional engagement to
implements.
[0027] Moreover, in order to facilitate easy access and removal of
a particular writing instrument selected, it is desirable that the
platform 20 is freely rotatable. This is achieved in the preferred
embodiment by connecting a thin flat base 50 under the bottom
surface 20b of the platform 20 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, wherein
the platform 20 and the base 50 are pivotally connected at their
centers so that the platform 20 may freely rotate on the base 50.
The method and means for such pivotal connection are well known to
those skilled in the art and not described herein further.
[0028] Now referring to FIG. 5, the hollow column 30 is used in the
present invention for containing various desk items such as
paperclips therein and has an open upper end 30a and closed lower
end 30b. It is sized to removably fit into the circular aperture 21
at the center of the platform 20, with a substantial portion of it
protruding upward therefrom. Although the column 30 is shown to
have the shape of a right-angle cylindrical shell in the preferred
embodiment, it may have in another embodiment other geometrical
shapes in which the upper end 30a and lower end 30b may be squares,
rectangles, or any other polygons, in which case, the aperture 21
at the center of the platform 20 is accordingly shaped to receive
the lower column end 30b.
[0029] In the preferred embodiment, the plug 40 is generally shaped
as a mushroom, as shown in FIG. 3, having a round and convex upper
portion 41 sized to close the open upper end 30a of the column 30
and a cylindrical protrusion 42 attached therebelow. The protrusion
42 has a length such that its distal end 42a may substantially
reach the bottom of the column 30 when the plug 40 closes upon the
column 30. To pick up metallic desk items such as paperclips lying
at the bottom of the column 30, a permanent magnet is disposed,
preferably, within a cavity formed near the distal end 42a of the
plug 40. But in another embodiment, the same effect can be obtained
by painting or coating the protrusion 42 proximate its distal end
42a with magnetic material. Such method and material used are well
known in the art.
[0030] The platform 20, the column 30, the plug 40, and the base 50
is fabricated of, preferably, plastics, ceramics, or polymeric
compositions, but may be made of any rigid suitable material known
to those in the art, including but not limited to, wood, metal,
cardboard, synthetic fibers, fiberglass, hardboard, or the like, by
using appropriate manufacturing or production methods such as
casting, extruding, injection molding or other currently known
means readily recognized by one skilled in the art.
[0031] Since the desktop organizer 10 would be more likely to
attract attentions of the user and other viewers owing to its
unique appearance, it can be an effective vehicle for
advertisement. The unique design of the desktop organizer 10 in the
present invention provides ample space for placing advertising
material thereon. Since a substantial portion of the column 30 is
exposed above the platform 20, the circumferential side surface 30c
thereof, which is of a substantial area, can be an excellent place
to place advertising material 60 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5. Such
advertising material 60 may include, but not be limited to, a logo,
trademark, advertisement, emblem, label, stamp, feature, brand,
insignia, crest, token, seal, decal, pitch, announcement, slogan,
monogram. Such indicia need not be limited to letters or words, but
can be also a photo, design, or other pictorial representation. As
shown in FIG. 5, the advertising material 60 may be imprinted on a
piece of paper 61 attached to or removably wrapping around the side
surface 30c of the column 30. A circular flange 31 may be formed
around the upper end 30a of the column 30 to keep the piece of
paper in place. Further, for protection of the advertising material
60 on the paper, a transparent sleeve 62 may removably sheathe the
column 30 upon the advertising material 60. In another embodiment
however, the advertising material 60 may be imprinted directly upon
the side surface 30c of the column 30. Furthermore, the side
surface 20c of the platform 20 also can be used to place another
advertising material 60 thereon by, for example, imprinting as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5.
[0032] Although the column 30 is in the preferred embodiment a
hollow shell with an open top to be used as a container, it may
have in another embodiment closed upper and lower ends so that it
may serve merely as an advertising tower upon which advertising
material is disposed in various ways described above.
[0033] Accordingly, the present invention also includes a method of
advertising using the desktop organizer made according to the
invention. Such an advertising method comprises the steps of
providing a desktop organizer made according to the present
invention, and disposing advertising indicia on an external visible
surface of the desktop organizer. The term "providing" is meant in
a broad sense to include not only manufacturing but also acquiring
from another source or selecting from available supplies. The term
"disposing" is meant broadly to encompass any means for physically
putting the advertising indicia on the device's surface, including
but not limited to, imprinting, engraving, adhering, etc. The
"disposing" step could even include sub-steps such as (a)
imprinting the first advertising material on a cylindrical piece of
paper sized and configured to fit around the column; (b) disposing
the piece of paper around the column; and (c) sleeving a
transparent shell over the piece of paper so that the first
advertising material may be visible therethrough.
[0034] The present invention is capable of embodiments other than
those described above, and its several details are capable of
modifications in various respects apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art, all without departing from the essential spirit
or attributes of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments
described hereinbefore should be considered to be merely
illustrative, not restrictive.
* * * * *