U.S. patent application number 13/221946 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-06 for fashion accessory internal door storage cavity.
Invention is credited to Vicky Thomas.
Application Number | 20120223626 13/221946 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46752895 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120223626 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thomas; Vicky |
September 6, 2012 |
Fashion Accessory Internal Door Storage Cavity
Abstract
A storage device mounted within a door frame is disclosed for
storage and organization of fashion accessories or similar
articles. The device comprises a door having an internal cutout,
wherein an internal cavity is provided for storage of articles in a
condensed space, which can be accessed via a second, cutout door. A
full length mirror is mounted to the interior of the second door
along with peg board to allow attachment of accessory hooks for
hanging items. One or more hinged panels inside of the interior
cavity provide separation of the internal cavity and increased
surface area to allow attachment of additional hooks or attachment
means. The back wall of the interior cavity also provides a
location for further hooks and shelving for storage. The device may
be provided within the interior of a larger door, or as a door
insert adapted to be incorporated into an existing door.
Inventors: |
Thomas; Vicky; (Midland,
VA) |
Family ID: |
46752895 |
Appl. No.: |
13/221946 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61464451 |
Mar 4, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
312/242 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 7/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/242 |
International
Class: |
A47B 46/00 20060101
A47B046/00 |
Claims
1) A hollow door storage system device for hanging or storing
articles, comprising: an outer door that is hingeably attached to
an outer door frame; said outer door having a handle that is
disposed on said outer door to facilitate opening of the same; an
interior door that is mounted to an interior door frame that is set
into said outer door; said interior door having an outer and
interior side and outer and inner edge; said interior door having a
hollow interior, an interior volume of said hollow interior bounded
by a floor, ceiling and two side walls; said interior door being
secured in the closed position by a sealing means; at least one
panel oriented attached to said floor and ceiling of said hollow
interior so that said panel pivots open from a closed position to
an open position; peg board attached to said interior side of said
interior door and said back wall, and said panel being comprising
of peg board.
2) The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one hooking
device mounted to said peg board that is located on said interior
side of interior door, said back wall and said panel;
3) The device of claim 1, further comprising a mirror attached to
said interior side of said interior door.
4) The device of claim 1, wherein said interior door sealing means
is by magnets located along said inner edge of said interior door
and said interior door frame.
5) The device of claim 1, wherein said panel is attached to said
interior side wall by hinges.
6) The device of claim 1, wherein shelves are attached to said back
wall.
7) A hollow door storage system device for hanging or storing
articles, comprising: an outer door that is attached to an outer
door frame by hinges; said outer door has a handle that is disposed
on the outer door to facilitate opening of the same; an interior
door that is mounted to an interior door frame that is set into
said outer door; said interior door having an outer and interior
side and outer and inner edge; said interior door having a hollow
interior, an interior volume of said hollow interior bounded by a
floor, ceiling and two side walls; said interior door is secured in
the closed position by a sealing means; at least one panel oriented
transversely and attached to said side wall of said hollow interior
so that said panel pivots open from a closed position; peg board
attached to said interior side of said interior door, said back
wall and panel; shelves are mounted to said back wall.
8) The device of claim 7, further comprising at least one hooking
device mounted to said peg board that is located on said interior
side of interior door, said back wall and said panel.
9) The device of claim 7, further comprising a mirror attached to
said interior side of said interior door.
10) The device of claim 7, wherein said interior door sealing means
is by magnets located along said inner edge of said interior door
and said interior door frame.
11) The device of claim 7, wherein said panel is attached to said
interior side wall by hinges.
12) A hollow door storage system device for hanging or storing
articles and adapted for incorporation into an existing door,
comprising: an interior door that is mounted to an interior door
frame; said interior door having an outer and interior side and
outer and inner edge; said interior door having a hollow interior,
an interior volume of said hollow interior bounded by a floor,
ceiling and two side walls; said interior door being secured in the
closed position by a sealing means; at least one panel oriented
attached to said floor and ceiling of said hollow interior so that
said panel pivots open from a closed position to an open position;
peg board attached to said interior side of said interior door and
said back wall, and said panel being comprising of peg board.
13) The device of claim 12, further comprising at least one hooking
device mounted to said peg board that is located on said interior
side of interior door, said back wall and said panel;
14) The device of claim 12, further comprising a mirror attached to
said interior side of said interior door.
15) The device of claim 12, wherein said interior door sealing
means is by magnets located along said inner edge of said interior
door and said interior door frame.
16) The device of claim 12, wherein said panel is attached to said
interior side wall by hinges.
17) The device of claim 12, wherein shelves are attached to said
back wall.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/464,451 filed on Mar. 4, 2011, entitled "The
Fashion Accessory Store Door."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to closets and storage areas
that may be mounted and located in disguised or hidden locations.
More specifically, the present invention pertains to a storage
compartment that is housed within an interior door.
[0004] Prior to this invention there have been many varieties of
doors as well as various cabinet structures. One disadvantage of
closets is that they are bulky and require significant floor or
wall space. Many families today are choosing to live in smaller
dwellings to reduce cost outlays for housing. Such families, along
with other types, have a need for improved storage space that does
not occupy a large portion of the household livable area.
[0005] In the past, a variety of devices have been used for the
purpose of storing items within a hollow compartment. Some of these
devices allow for storage of items within a hollow door.
Unfortunately with these devices storage is only available in a
limited space within the area. A user cannot store items in
multiple compartments, which may be required for separating items
by category or for each family member. These devices also do not
allow the user to view and compare items before taking items
outside of the storage area. Previous devices further include
additional handles that extend outward from the door, which creates
issues with space and interferences.
[0006] The present invention solves these problems by providing a
means for multiple layers of storage within a hollow door storage
system that maximizes the space available. The present invention
limits utilized space by providing a closet door that does not have
an additional handle that protrudes outwardly towards the interior
space of the room. The present invention also provides a means to
view items before removing them from the closet space.
[0007] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0008] The prior art contains a variety of devices for hollow door
storage systems. These devices have familiar design and structural
elements for the purposes of storing and retaining various
articles. The prior art for hollow door storage systems are
structured by allowing only one storage space within the interior
space. These devices, however, are not optimally structured to
maximize the amount of storage for the space provided, nor do they
provide an improved means of organizing fashion accessories or
similar articles. They similarly do not allow for viewing of
articles within the storage space itself prior to removal
thereof.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,030, U.S. Patent Application No.
2002/0008449 (continuation in part) and U.S. Patent Application No.
2003/0085641 (continuation in part) to Matselboba all disclose a
method to make a hollow door closet, a kit to make a hollow door
closet and the hollow door closet itself. The hollow door closet
includes a door having a hollow interior, a volume of the hollow
interior bounded at least by a backing and at least one sidewall.
At least one secondary door is mounted to the door by a hinge,
further providing a boundary of the volume and including an
interior wall and an exterior wall. The hollow door closet has at
least one hooking device that may be mounted to the backing or to
the secondary door. A layer of foam is mounted to a portion of the
back wall in order to pin things to it. The one or more secondary
doors are provided to provide a boundary to the hollow interior.
The secondary doors each have a lock and handle, the handle
extending out into the interior of the room. There is space within
the interior storage area along the back wall that provides storage
for articles of clothing or on one of the secondary doors. The
Matselboba device does not extend rearwardly from the closet door,
which significantly limits storage space, while its door entry is a
door gate that opens using two doors that spread apart to gain
access to the hollow interior. The present invention provides an
internal cavity that protrudes from both sides of a standard door,
improving overall storage space. It further provides a standard
swinging door for access to the cavity interior, which provides
another, uninterrupted surface along the backside of the door for
hanging articles or for mounting a mirror device.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,745 to Zagata describes a door closet
that includes a closet box that extends rearwardly to define a
compartmented chamber for containing various articles. A
modification of the invention includes fiber optic illumination
operative through a switch member relative to the closet box. The
closet box includes at least one shoe rack, shelves and chambers
for storage. This door closet provides storage space only along the
back wall of the compartment chamber. The door closet and closet
box both have handles that are similar to that provided in the
Matselboba device, which are less than ideal given the additional
space that the handles take up within the room.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 3,822,925 to Osroff describes a utility door
storage container. The door frame has inner annular surfaces
receivable of a removable storage container mountable within the
annular through space of the annular frame. The storage container
includes structures for removably mounting a plurality of shelves
and coat hanger support. The storage container composed of a light
weight fire-resistant plastic. The utility door storage container
provides storage space along the back wall of the container and is
removable. The storage space is located only against the back wall
of the storage container, which does not maximize the space within
the storage container.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,049 to Tyner discloses a door having
storage and display areas provided therein. The door includes a
back wall, side walls, and a shelf which cooperates to define
storage spaces therein. The storage spaces may be enclosed by a
door included therein. The main focus for this device is a way to
display the items that will be placed in the storage area. There is
only one section of shelves that are provided within this device.
This does not focus on the ability to maximize storage space.
[0013] The devices disclosed in the prior art do not address the
need for maximizing the storage space that is available through a
storage space within the hollow of a door. The current invention
relates to a device that allows a user to access articles through
one or more swinging door panels on a door and view what is
selected with a mirror attached to the interior of the attached
storage door. It substantially diverges in design elements from the
prior art by the improved storage means and consequently it is
clear that the present invention is not described by the prior art.
A need therefore exists for an improved hollow door storage system
that provides access to a multitude of accessory items and that
allows a user to view items prior to leaving the storage area. In
this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these
needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of door closets now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides a new means of storage and organization while
minimizing utilized floor space to accomplish these goals.
[0015] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved hollow door storage system that has all
of the advantages of the prior art and none of the
disadvantages.
[0016] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a
storage compartment mounted within the thickness of an existing
door, wherein articles may be stored therein while reducing
utilized space within a dwelling.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
secondary door access for the storage compartment within a larger
door that houses the compartment and a fold out panel.
[0018] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
new and improved hollow door storage system with multiple levels of
storage, along with a fold out panel that increases usable surface
area for storage of articles.
[0019] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a new and improved hollow door storage system with a mirror for
viewing items as they are accessed.
[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a new
and improved hollow door storage system that allows a user to
utilize the system for the organization of fashion accessories or
similar articles.
[0021] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Although the characteristic features of this invention will
be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and
manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood
after a review of the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are
provided throughout.
[0023] FIG. 1, shown is a perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention in an open position.
[0024] FIG. 2, shown is a side view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention in a closed position.
[0025] FIG. 3, shown is a front view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention in an open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, there is shown the hollow
door storage device 10 of the present invention in a fully open
position. The device defines a structure that fits within an outer
door frame 12 along a wall surface 11 to provide a door with an
internal storage compartment mounted therein. The device is
hingeably mounted to the outer door frame 12 to allow operation as
a normal interior door. The device includes a door perimeter handle
29 fixedly mounted to an outer door 13 adjacent to the entrance. An
interior door 14 set within the outer door 13 encloses the storage
compartment while not in use. The interior door 14 is hingeably
mounted to an interior door frame 15 that is set within the outer
door 13. The interior door has an outer 25 and interior side 26 as
well as an outer 31 and inner edge 32. The interior side of the
interior door 26 may have peg board 30 thereattached, along with
hooks 27 for holding accessories. A mirror 28 is attached to the
interior side of the interior door 26 so that a user can locate an
accessory and look at it in the mirror before deciding which
accessory to use.
[0027] The interior door 14 opens up to a panel 16 that is
connected to an interior hollow storage compartment 17. The panel
16 is a hingedly attached peg board panel that is connected by a
rotatable securing means along the floor 18 and ceiling 19 of the
interior hollow storage compartment 17. The panel 16 swings/pivots
open to show the hollow storage compartment 17 that projects
rearwardly of the door frame perimeter. The interior panel 16 is
peg board 30 that allows for hooks 27 to be attached therethrough
for placement of hooks and accessory holders. Alternate embodiments
of the device allow for further panels within the interior hollow
storage compartment 17.
[0028] The hollow storage compartment 17 includes a floor 18, a
ceiling 19, a back wall 20 and two side walls 21, 22. The space
within the hollow storage compartment is bounded by the interior
door 14. The back wall 20 has peg board 30 which hooks 27 can be
attached for holding accessories.
[0029] In the preferred embodiment of the device, accessory items
are placed on the hooks 27 located on the interior side of the
interior door 26, both sides of the panel 23, 24 and on the back
wall 20. Small items can also be placed along the floor of the
hollow storage compartment 17. Once a user is done with the
selection of an accessory, the panel 16 can pivot back to a flat
position parallel with the wall and frame. The interior door 14 can
be closed over the panel 16 and hollow storage compartment 17. The
interior door 14 can be kept closed in place by a sealing means.
One option to secure the interior door 14 in place is through
magnets at either end of the outer edge 31 that would connect to
magnets on the interior door frame 15 of the device. An alternate
embodiment of the device includes shelves along the back wall
20.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a side view of the
hollow door storage device 10 in the closed position. The outside
of the hollow storage compartment 17 can be viewed from the right
side of the drawing extending outward from the outer door 13. The
interior door 14 can be viewed on the left side of the drawing as
it extends out from the outer door 13. The door perimeter handle 29
is fixedly mounted to an outer door 13 and is shown in the
forefront of the drawing. The interior door 14 does not extend
outward from the outer door and beyond the door perimeter handle,
thereby ensuring that space is limited to the door area and within
the space behind the door.
[0031] In use, the present invention provides a means to store
various articles and accessories within an internal cavity that is
supported from a sectioned outer door. Access is provided to the
cavity via an interior door, and an internal panel is hingeably
attached therein to increase surface area of the cavity to provide
further attachment locations for articles and accessories. The
surfaces may be lined with peg board that allows any configuration
of hooks or supports to be mounted thereto, or likewise sections of
the surfaces may be adorned with mirror devices. The goal is to
provide a user with a compact storage means for areas wherein large
closets or dressers are not practical. The depth of the cavity and
the number of internal panels may be adjusted to suit a particular
user's preferences, but it is preferred to keep the width of the
cavity within the confines of the door perimeter handle to prevent
oversized, bulky or cumbersome door closet cavities.
[0032] The present invention may be provided as a combined
structure wherein the interior cavity is provided within a larger
door, or alternatively, the device may be provided as a door insert
adapted to be incorporated into an existing door and installed by a
user therein. The device provides a convenient cavity that does not
require excess floor space or wall space to store accessories and
other items, while providing a modular design that allows the user
to customize the interior setup of hooks and attachments. The
interior door is a unitary structure, while the interior panel
comprising of peg board material hingeably rotates outward to
increase usable surface area within the cavity. The device may be
manufactured as a complete door replacement, or as an insert,
wherein the interior cavity is provided for placement within an
existing door.
[0033] To this point, the instant invention has been shown and
described in what is considered to be the most practical and
preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures
may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious
modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With
respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that
the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
[0034] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *