Accessory storage and display apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for displaying and storing accessories in particular children's and adults head bands and other hair accessories. The apparatus is cylindrical or semi cylindrical in shape and allows for the storage of accessories on the outer portion of the apparatus. The apparatus may have additional storage for accessories or other items contained with in the body section of the device. The apparatus additionally may be mounted on a vertical surface and have an extension function to allow for the easy display of accessories in a closet drawer or other confined space.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The claimed invention relates to an accessory storage and display apparatus, which may be used to hold various accessories including, but not limited to, head bands which ranging from the rigid semi-circular variety to the cloth and/or the elasticized varieties. More particularly, it relates to a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical apparatus that allows the secure placement of multiple headbands on the exterior surface and may also include additional accessory storage within the cylindrical or semi-cylindrical body section of the apparatus. The invention allows for the placement of the accessories on the external surface where the accessories will not move or slip until removed from the original position by the user irrespective of the position of the apparatus.

Accessory storage and display apparatus are disclosed known in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,951,270, 3,954,182, 4,264,013, 4,427,119, 4,939,466, 5,191,984, 5,303,855, 5,664,669 and 6,158,578.

The aforementioned patents disclose various storage apparatuses for use with accessories ranging from jewelry, neckties and hair accessories. The storage apparatuses disclosed in the patents all similarly teach that the section of the storage apparatus that engages the accessories must be in a horizontal position which allows for the engagement of the accessories in a non secured manner. The section of the apparatus' disclosed lacks any aspect that will securely engage the accessories in a way that will prevent the accessories from moving or shifting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a storage and display apparatus for accessories which secures the accessories in a secure position. The apparatus includes a body section configured to engage various accessories and allow the accessories to maintain the position on the body section where they are placed. The body section has is at least 6 inches in height to any height desired. The preferred range is from six inches to thirty-six inches in height. The apparatus additionally includes a base section at one end of the body section and a top section at the end opposite the base section of the body section. The base section is arranged and secured to the body section stabilizing the apparatus in the vertical or horizontal position. The diameter of the base member is directly related to the height of the body member and increases as the height of the body member increases to maintain the stability of the display apparatus.

In the preferred embodiment the body section of the apparatus has a cylindrical formation or a semi-cylindrical formation where the circumference is large enough to engage the accessories in a manner to secure them on the body section of the display apparatus. In the preferred embodiment the body section is covered in a substance to increase the stability of the accessories on the body section. The covering of the body section can be fabric, silicone coatings or any other substance that aids in the support of the accessories.

In any of the embodiments of the apparatus it may be included a second accessory storage member in the internal section of the body section. The addition of the second accessory storage member allows for the secure placement of the accessories on the external surface of the body section while also including additional storage sections within the body section of the apparatus. The second storage member may consist of hook members, container members and/or a drawer member that can contain additional items such as pins, jewelry, chains, hair accessories and/or elastic bands.

A further embodiment of the invention allows for the apparatus to be mounted to a vertical or horizontal surface. This embodiment may also include an apparatus that allows for the apparatus to be extended and retracted allowing the increase in the body section or easier access to the body section when the apparatus is contained in a confined area.

The invention has a further embodiment that allows for the apparatus to having a body member engaged with the base section and top section where the base section and the top section have a mounting member enabling the apparatus to be secured in a drawer unit or system.

These and other aspects of the present invention, together with the organization and operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the storage and display apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a front exploded view of one embodiment of the storage and display apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a top view of one embodiment of the storage and display apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of the storage and display apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of a second embodiment of the storage and display apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a third embodiment of the storage and display apparatus wherein the body section of the apparatus includes an additional storage section shown in phantom.

FIG. 7 is a front exploded view of a third embodiment of the storage and display apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the storage and display apparatus wherein the body section of the apparatus includes an additional storage section shown in phantom.

FIG. 9 is a front exploded view of a fourth embodiment of the storage and display apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the storage and display apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of the storage and display apparatus with the internal extension mechanism of the apparatus shown in phantom.

FIG. 12 is an exploded side view of a fifth embodiment of the storage and display apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the storage and display apparatus wherein an additional storage member in the body section of the apparatus and the extension mechanism are shown in phantom.

FIG. 14 is a front view of a sixth embodiment of the storage and display apparatus.

FIG. 15 is an exploded side view of a sixth embodiment of the storage and display apparatus.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limited. The use of “including,” “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “mounted,” “connected” and “coupled” are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mounting, connecting and coupling. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1, 4 and 5 shows two embodiments for the accessory storage and display apparatus 10 comprising a base member 13, a body member 12 that is cylindrical or semi cylindrical in shape and engaged at one end with the base member 13 and engaged at the opposite end of the body member 12 is a top member 14. The base member 13 is attached in a non-removable manner to the body member 12. In one embodiment the top member 14 is non-removable attached to the body member 12. The outer portion of the body member 16 is covered with a material that allows the placement of an accessory in a position without movement of the accessory.

FIG. 2 is the top view of the accessory storage and display apparatus showing the cylindrical formation of the display and storage apparatus 10 and the handle member 18 that is attached to the upper side of the top member 19.

FIG. 3 shows the connection of the accessory storage and display apparatus 10 in an exploded view allowing to see the base member 13, top member 14 and body member 12 separately.

FIG. 6, 7, 8 and 9 shows additional embodiments of the accessory storage and display apparatus 10 where the top member 14 is removable attached to the body member 12. This embodiment of the accessory storage and display apparatus 10 has a hollow center section of the body member 21 that allows for the additional storage and display of accessories with the addition of a storage member 24.

FIG. 6 and 7 show one embodiment of the accessory storage and display apparatus 10 where the storage member 24 has a vertical support member 25 with one or more hook members 26 extending from the support member 25. The support member 25 is attached to the lower section of the top member 23 and when the top member 14 is engaged with the body member 12 the vertical support member 25 extends into the hollow center section of the body member 21.

FIG. 8 and 9 shows a further embodiment of the accessory storage and display apparatus 10 where the storage member 24 has a vertical support member 25 with one or more compartment members 27 engaged with the vertical support member 25. The vertical support member 25 is attached to the lower section of the top member 23 and when the top member 14 is engaged with the body member 12 the vertical support member 25 extends into the hollow center section of the body member 21.

FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 show additional embodiments of the accessory storage and display apparatus 10 comprised of an end member 30 that is attachable to a vertical surface, a body member 12 that is cylindrical semi-cylindrical in shape and engaged at one end with the end member 30; and a front member 31 engaged by its lower side 322 with the body member 12 at the opposite end of the body member 12 from the end member 30. The end member 30 may be non-removable attached to the body member 12. The outer portion of the body member 16 is covered with a material that when an accessory is engaged with the body member the accessory remains in the position it is placed. In one embodiment the front member 31 is non-removable attached to the body member 12 and the storage and display apparatus 10 may be stored in a drawer or other space that is confined.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show another embodiment consists of a large cylinder 34 and small cylinder 33 or semi-cylinder member that forms the body member 12. The small cylinder or semi-cylinder member 33 is functionally engaged with the large cylinder or semi-cylinder member 34 allowing the small cylinder or semi-cylinder member 33 to slide in and out of the hollow center of the large cylinder or semi-cylinder member 35. When the small cylinder or semi-cylinder member 33 is full engaged with the large cylinder or semi-cylinder member 34 the body member 12 is in a retracted state. Therefore, when the small cylinder or semi-cylinder member 33 is the least engaged with the large cylinder or semi-cylinder member 34 the body member 12 is in full extension.

FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 show an additionally embodiment of the accessory storage and display apparatus 10 that includes a drawer member 37 that is contained in the hollow center of the small cylinder or semi-cylinder member 36 and is accessed through the end member 30. The drawer member 37 may be opened or closed with the handle member 18 and allows for additional storage and display of accessories in the accessory storage and display apparatus 10.

Various alternatives to the certain features and elements of the present invention are described with reference to specific embodiments of the present invention. With the exception of features, elements, and manners of operation that are mutually exclusive of or are inconsistent with each embodiment described above, it should be noted that the alternative features, elements, and manners of operation described with reference to one particular embodiment are applicable to the other embodiments.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing and displaying accessories comprising: a base member, a body member that is cylindrical in shape and engaged at one end with the base member; and a top member engaged for a lower side with the body member at the opposite end of the body member from the base member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member is non-removable attached to the body member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an outer portion of the body member is covered with a material that when outer portion of the body member is engaged with an accessory the accessory remains in the position it is placed.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the top member is non-removable attached to the body member.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, the top member has a handle member attached to an upper side of the top member.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top member is removable attached to the body member.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the body member is cylindrical and has a hollow center section.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, including a storage member attached to the lower side of the top member.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a storage member is contained with in the hollow center of the body section when the top member is engaged with the body section of the apparatus.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the storage member is comprised of a vertical support member with at least one hook member extending from the support member

11. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the storage member is comprised of a vertical support with at least one compartment member attached to the support member.

12. An apparatus for storing and displaying accessories comprising: an end member that is attachable to a vertical surface, a body member that is cylindrical in shape and engaged at one end with the end member; and a front member engaged for a lower side with the body member at the opposite end of the body member from the end member.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the end member is non-removable attached to the body member.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein an outer portion of the body member is covered with a material that when outer portion of the body member is engaged with an accessory the accessory remains in the position it is placed.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the front member is non-removable attached to the body member.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the body member consist of two cylindrical sections a small cylinder member and a large cylinder member wherein the small cylinder member is functionally attached with the large cylinder member and can be retracted into a hollow center of the large cylinder member and extended out from the hollow center of the large cylinder member.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the front member includes a drawer member.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a handle member is attached to the drawer member.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the small cylinder member has a hollow center section.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the drawer member extends through the end member and is contained with in the hollow center section of the small cylinder member.

21. An apparatus for storing and displaying accessories comprising: a base member, a body member that is semi-cylindrical in shape and engaged at one end with the base member; and a top member engaged for a lower side with the body member at the opposite end of the body member from the base member.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the base member is non-removable attached to the body member.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein an outer portion of the body member is covered with a material that when outer portion of the body member is engaged with an accessory the accessory maintains its position.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the top member is non-removable attached to the body member.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, the top member has a handle member attached to an upper side of the top member.

26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the top member is removable attached to the body member.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the body member is semi-cylindrical and has a hollow center section.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, including a storage member attached to the lower side of the top member.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein a storage member is contained with in the hollow center of the body section when the top member is engaged with the body section of the apparatus.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the storage member is comprised of a vertical support member with at least one hook member extending from the support member

31. The dispenser of claim 29, wherein the storage member is comprised of a vertical support with at least one compartment member attached to the support member.

32. An apparatus for storing and displaying accessories comprising: an end member that is attachable to a vertical surface, a body member that is semi-cylindrical in shape and engaged at one end with the end member; and a front member engaged for a lower side with the body member at the opposite end of the body member from the end member.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the end member is non-removable attached to the body member.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein an outer portion of the body member is covered with a material that when outer portion of the body member is engaged with an accessory the accessory maintains its position.

35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the front member is non-removable attached to the body member.

36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the body member consist of two semi-cylindrical sections a small cylinder member and a large cylinder member wherein the small cylinder member is functionally attached with the large cylinder member and can be retracted into a hollow center of the large cylinder member and extended out from the hollow center of the large cylinder member.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the front member includes a drawer member.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein a handle member is attached to the drawer member.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the small cylinder member has a hollow center section.

40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the drawer member extends through the end member and is contained with in the hollow center section of the small cylinder member.