BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the realm of organizing, many women find themselves unable to organize their plethora of bras. Many women rather toss the bras in a drawer as the most common habit. However, tossing the bras in a drawer makes the bras tangle with each other and in the process distort or crush the cups thus deforming the smooth shape of the cups.
Other females have the tendency to hang the bras by their straps in a hook as a way to keep them organized or hang the bras in anything around the bedroom or bathroom. These approaches make the straps loose its elasticity and make an eye soar in keeping things organized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is geared towards a bra organizer to keep the bras neatly organized and give each woman the satisfaction of being organized as well.
The bra organizer is substantially a flat rectangular baseboard that can be hung. The baseboard can be used to organize bras on either one side of both sides.
Attached to the baseboard are multiple holders that have bra cavities. The bra cavities are transparent so that you can see the color of the bra. Each of the holders can open and close using a latch. A zipper pocket or pouch is right above or at the same level of each holder to store extra bra straps or matching underwear. A transparent window will be in communication with the zipper pocket so that one can see contents inside the zipper pocket.
The unique feature is that each of the bra holders can hold multiple bras in their intended form so as to make the bras look worn by a person. The bra organizer is designed to hang in the closet to maximize space. It allows women to have convenient access to bras and undergarments. The organizer will make the bras last significantly longer without the abuse they would have faced if the bras were placed inside a dresser drawer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the bra organizer.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the bra organizer.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the bra organizer.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the bra organizer.
FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of a window insert used in the bra organizer.
FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of the holder showing the front side.
FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of the holder showing the backside.
FIG. 8 shows a front view of the baseboard containing its cover.
FIG. 9 shows a partial cross-section view 9-9 shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of a hinge used to connect the holders to the baseboard.
FIG. 11 shows an isometric view of a board, without its cover, used to make the baseboard.
FIG. 12 shows an isometric view of an assembled board
FIG. 13 shows a front view of a second embodiment of the board.
FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of a hinge connection between sections of the board shown in FIG. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a bra organizer 10 in an assembled state. The organizer 10 comprises multiple holders 13 that keep at least one bra, not shown, in place. For the sake of discussion, it is contemplated that more than one bra would be organized singly or stacked together in each holder 13. The bra organizer 10 comprises a baseboard 11 that contains several holders 13 that pivot relative to the baseboard 11. The pivotable motion sets forth open and closed positions of the holders so that one can access a bra or accessory. In the closed position, the holder 13 is kept closed by a magnetic latch. To pivot the holder, one must exert a force enough to overcome the magnetic attraction of a magnet 13c and a ferromagnetic tab 11c or, alternatively, between two magnets which make up the magnetic latch. For the sake of illustration, the magnet 13c will attract the ferromagnetic tab 11c but of course two magnets could easily accomplish the same magnetic attraction. The ferromagnetic tab 11c is connected to the baseboard 11 using fasteners 11h such as nails screws, bolts, or rivets. Of course the tabs 11c alternatively can be glued thereon.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the holders 13 includes a top-opened and side-opened container 13a. The top of the container 13a is opened so that one can have access to a bra and the bra be retrieved or organized. The container 13a further comprises a pair of sidewalls 13e and a front wall 13f. The front wall 13f contains a window opening 13d resembling a perimeter of bra cups. The window opening 13d is provided with a window insert 15 that is transparent or semitransparent, see FIG. 5. The window insert 15 contains a pair of cavities 15a to receive the bra cups of a bra. The bra cavities 15a project beyond the window opening 13d so that the bra cavities 15a extend beyond the front wall 13f of the container 13a. The window insert 13d contains a boarder 15b around the bra cavities 15a so that it is adhered to the front wall 13f of the container 13a within the container 13a. The backside of the container 13a contains a pair of flanges 13b where magnets 13c are glued on.
As shown in FIG. 8, the baseboard 11 is comprised of a cover 11b. The cover conforms to the shape of the board 11a and houses the board 11. The cover 11b contains a cording edge 11j that goes around the perimeter of the cover 11b. The cover 11b contains at least one zipper 11e accessing a pocket 11d that is within the cover 11b. At least a window opening 11f is cut out from the cover 11b so that one can determine contents inside the pocket 11d. The window opening 11f is covered with a clear window 11g that is sawn or glued onto the cover 11b as seen in FIG. 9. The location of the pocket 11d will be in the same location where the holders 13 will be located.
As shown in FIG. 10, hinge 14 is utilized to make the holders 13 pivotable relative to the baseboard 11. The hinge 14 comprises a first portion 14a that is fastened to a lower portion of the container 13 on the backside. A second portion 14b is fastened to the baseboard 11 using fasteners that pass through fastener openings 14d. The first portion 14a and the second portion 14b are pivotally connected using a pivot pin 14c. The hinge 14 will be located so that it is hidden from view when one looks straight onto the holders 13 but of course the hinge 14 can be made visible when looking straight onto the holders 13. The hinge 14 will be space evenly along the baseboard to allow the holder 13 to open perpendicular to the baseboard 11 as seen in FIG. 4.
As shown in FIG. 11, the board 11a that makes the baseboard 11 is comprised of a solid planar board 11a made from any known material. Although not shown, the board 11a can be hollowed out or contain openings to reduce the weight. The board 11a contains a portion that simulates part of a clothes hanger. The board 11a further includes a hanger 12 comprising a hook 12a and an anchor portion 12b. At the end of the anchor portion 12b is a cylindrical flange 12c that is used to make the hook 12a rotatable relative to the board 11a. Both the anchor portion 12b and the cylindrical 12c flange fit in a T-shape slot 11i on the board 11a. The T-shape slot 11i is then covered with a pair of plaques 16 from either side of the board 12a. Each of the plaques 16 can be riveted, fastened with screws, or adhered to the board 11a. Of course, the method of connection can be made by any fashion as long as the plate prevents the hanger 12 from laterally coming out of the t-slot 11i as shown in FIG. 12.
FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of the board 21 used to make a baseboard. In this version, the board 21 is sectioned into three portions 21a-21c so that the baseboard is able to collapse and be made less bulky. The first portion 21a is pivotally connected to the second portion 21b, which in turn, is pivotally connected to the third portion 21c. The pivot connection is similar to those found in watches. As shown in FIG. 14, for example, the third portion 21c contains opposite housing openings 21d which house a slidable pin 22 that is biased with a coil spring 23. The slidable pin 22 is then biased to lock into a pin opening 21e on the second portion 21b of the board 21 thus keeping the third portion locked with the second portion.
The bra organizer is not only intended for displaying and organizing bras but can as well can be used to store and display, camis, bathing suits, or bikinis. Even though there is no significant in materials, all components can be made from any known material. The cover 11b, preferably, will be made from vinyl and the cover made permanent with the board 11a. Of course, the cover 11b can also be made removable and made with a washable cloth material. The invention is also envisioned in that the hinge connection of the holders 13 can be made using a separate hinge 14, as demonstrated, or made integral with the holders 13. It is also envisioned that live hinges can be used in lieu of mechanical hinges as long as the holders or board sections 21a-21c are allowed to pivot. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the holders 13 do not need to pivot until being perpendicular to the baseboard 11. The rotational range of motion could be limited by spacing the holders 13 much closer to each other thus limiting the rotational motion of the holders 13.
Even though magnetism is the prefer approach in keeping the holders in the closed position for the latch, it is also envisioned that other types of mechanical fasteners can be used such as hook and loop fasteners, or snap connections.
Patent Application
20140144952
