Christmas decoration organizer

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6401928
  • Patent Number
    6,401,928
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, July 26, 2000
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, June 11, 2002
    23 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Foster; Jim
    Agents
    • Breaux; Joseph N.
Abstract
A Christmas decoration organizer that includes a number of storage trays and boxes that are configured by the user to accommodate the user's specific decorations and which are then stacked one atop the other and secured by a securing mechanism with a handle to allow for easy transporting and storage of the decorations.
Description




TECHNICAL FIELD




The present invention relates to storage systems and more particularly to a Christmas decoration organizer for storing Christmas decorations such as tree ornaments, lights, garlands etc. between uses that includes a bottom box assembly, a number of stackable box assemblies and a top box assembly; the bottom box assembly including a bottom box structure defining a bottom box cavity having sidewalls provided with a number of parallel divider retaining channels, a number of bottom box cavity divider members that connect with the divider retaining channels and intersect each other when installed within the bottom box cavity to form a number of separated compartments for storing decorations, a bottom edge of each of two opposed sidewalls having a continuous box connecting hinge provide along the length thereof that is connected to a substantially rigid planar side flap having a rigid top flap hingedly connected to a side thereof opposite the box connecting hinge, each top flap being of a width equal to half the width of bottom box structure and including a fastener assembly for connecting with the fastener assembly of the other top flap when the two top flaps are folded down into the closed position, each top flap further including a handle member that is positioned directly adjacent to the handle member of the other top flap when the two top flaps are folded down into the closed position; each of the stackable box assemblies including a tray structure defining a storage compartment having sidewalls having a number of parallel divider retaining structures, a number of mating feet extending from a bottom surface thereof sized and positioned to seat against the interior top edge of a box assembly positioned below it, and a number of user moveable divider members wherein some of the divider members provided include opposed side indentations for allowing a string of Christmas lights or a garland to be wound therearound prior to inserting the ends of the divider member into two opposed parallel divider retaining structures; a lid member securable over the top of an uppermost stackable box assembly; the stackable box assemblies being stackable atop each other and the bottom box structure to a height equal to the height of the two rigid side flaps.




BACKGROUND ART




Decorating for Christmas can be both an enjoyable and a frustrating experience. The experience can be frustrating because the Christmas decorations can become lost, broken, tangled or the like making decorating more work then is necessary. It would be desirable, therefore, to have a Christmas decoration organizer that could provide a number of storage trays and boxes that could be configured by the user to accommodate the user's specific decorations and which could then be stacked one atop the other and secured by a securing mechanism with a handle to allow for easy transporting and storage of the decorations.




GENERAL SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF INVENTION




It is thus an object of the invention to provide a Christmas deoration organizer that includes a bottom box assembly, a number of stackable box assemblies and a top box assembly; the bottom box assembly including a bottom box structure defining a bottom box cavity having sidewalls provided with a number of parallel divider retaining channels, a number of bottom box cavity divider members that connect with the divider retaining channels and intersect each other when installed within the bottom box cavity to form a number of separated compartments for storing decorations, a bottom edge of each of two opposed sidewalls having a continuous box connecting hinge provide along the length thereof that is connected to a substantially rigid planar side flap having a rigid top flap hingedly connected to a side thereof opposite the box connecting hinge, each top flap being of a width equal to half the width of bottom box structure and including a fastener assembly for connecting with the fastener assembly of the other top flap when the two top flaps are folded down into the closed position, each top flap further including a handle member that is positioned directly adjacent to the handle member of the other top flap when the two top flaps are folded down into the closed position; each of the stackable box assemblies including a tray structure defining a storage compartment having sidewalls having a number of parallel divider retaining structures, a number of mating feet extending from a bottom surface thereof sized and positioned to seat against the interior top edge of a box assembly positioned below it, and a number of user moveable divider members wherein some of the divider members provided include opposed side indentations for allowing a string of Christmas lights or a garland to be wound therearound prior to inserting the ends of the divider member into two opposed parallel divider retaining structures; a lid member securable over the top of an uppermost stackable box assembly; the stackable box assemblies being stackable atop each other and the bottom box structure to a height equal to the height of the two rigid side flaps.




Accordingly, a Christmas decoration organizer is provided. The Christmas decoration organizer includes a bottom box assembly, a number of stackable box assemblies and a top box assembly; the bottom box assembly including a bottom box structure defining a bottom box cavity having sidewalls provided with a number of parallel divider retaining channels, a number of bottom box cavity divider members that connect with the divider retaining channels and intersect each other when installed within the bottom box cavity to form a number of separated compartments for storing decorations, a bottom edge of each of two opposed sidewalls having a continuous box connecting hinge provide along the length thereof that is connected to a substantially rigid planar side flap having a rigid top flap hingedly connected to a side thereof opposite the box connecting hinge, each top flap being of a width equal to half the width of bottom box structure and including a fastener assembly for connecting with the fastener assembly of the other top flap when the two top flaps are folded down into the closed position, each top flap further including a handle member that is positioned directly adjacent to the handle member of the other top flap when the two top flaps are folded down into the closed position; each of the stackable box assemblies including a tray structure defining a storage compartment having sidewalls having a number of parallel divider retaining structures, a number of mating feet extending from a bottom surface thereof sized and positioned to seat against the interior top edge of a box assembly positioned below it, and a number of user moveable divider members wherein some of the divider members provided include opposed side indentations for allowing a string of Christmas lights or a garland to be wound therearound prior to inserting the ends of the divider member into two opposed parallel divider retaining structures; a lid member securable over the top of an uppermost stackable box assembly; the stackable box assemblies being stackable atop each other and the bottom box structure to a height equal to the height of the two rigid side flaps.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS




For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein:





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the Christmas decoration organizer of the present invention.





FIG. 2

is a perspective view of the bottom box assembly showing the two rigid planar side flaps folded out.





FIG. 2



a


is a top plan view showing one of the numerous parallel divider retaining channels provided on the bottom box cavity sidewalls and the tray sidewalls.





FIG. 3

is a perspective view showing one of the number of stackable box, assemblies showing two of the four mating feet extending from a bottom surface thereof and a number of the user moveable divider members.





FIG. 4

is a perspective view showing another one of the number of stackable box assemblies showing a number of user moveable divider members provided with opposed side indentations for allowing a string of Christmas lights or a garland to be wound therearound prior to inserting the ends of the divider member into two opposed parallel divider retaining structures.





FIG. 5

is a perspective view showing the lid member securable over the top of an uppermost stackable box assembly.











EXEMPLARY MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION





FIGS. 1-5

show various aspects of an exemplary embodiment of the Christmas decoration organizer of the present invention generally designated


10


. Christmas decoration organizer


10


includes a bottom box assembly, generally designated


12


; a number of stackable box assemblies, each generally designated


14


; and a top box assembly, generally designated


16


.




Bottom box assembly


12


is constructed from rigid molded plastic and includes a bottom box structure, generally designated


20


, defining a bottom box cavity


22


having sidewalls


24


provided with a number of parallel divider retaining channels


26


, a number of bottom box cavity divider members


28


that connect with the divider retaining channels


26


and intersect each other when installed within bottom box cavity


22


to form a number of separated compartments


30


for storing decorations. A bottom edge


32


of each of two opposed sidewalls


34


each have a continuous box connecting hinge


36


provide along the length thereof that is connected to a substantially rigid planar pivoting side flap


40


having a rigid top flap


42


hingedly connected to a side edge


44


thereof that is opposite box connecting hinge


36


. Each top flap


42


is of a width equal to half the width of bottom box structure


20


and includes two fastener assemblies


50


for connecting with the two fastener assemblies


50


of the other top flap


42


when the two top flaps


42


are folded down into the closed position (shown in FIG.


1


). Each top flap


42


also includes a handle member


54


that are positioned directly adjacent to the handle member


54


of the other top flap


42


when the two top flaps


42


are folded down into the closed position (shown in FIG.


1


).




Each of the stackable box assemblies


14


is constructed from rigid plastic and includes a tray structure


60


defining a storage compartment


62


having sidewalls


24


having a number of parallel divider retaining structures


26


(shown in

FIG. 2



a


), four mating feet


66


(one at each corner) extending from a bottom surface


68


thereof sized and positioned to seat against the interior top edge


70


of a box assembly


20


or tray structure


60


positioned below it, and a number of user moveable divider members


72


,


74


. Divider members


74


are provided opposed side indentations


76


for allowing a string of Christmas lights or a garland to be wound therearound prior to inserting the ends


78


of divider member


74


into two opposed parallel divider retaining structures


26


. Lid member


16


is securable over the top of an uppermost stackable box assembly


14


.




Once the stackable box assemblies


14


are stacked atop each other and onto the bottom box structure


20


, lid member


16


is positioned into place and the two rigid side flaps


40


are folded upward and top flaps


42


folded over lid member


16


and secured with fasteners


50


. The height “A” of box assemblies


14


, bottom box structure


20


and lid member


16


is equal to the height “B” of each of the rigid side flaps


40


.




It can be seen from the preceding description that a Christmas decoration organizer has been provided that includes




It is noted that the embodiment of the Christmas decoration organizer described herein in detail for exemplary purposes is of course subject to many different variations in structure, design, application and methodology. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.



Claims
  • 1. A Christmas decoration organizer comprising:a bottom box assembly; a number of stackable box assemblies; and a top box assembly; said bottom box assembly including a bottom box structure defining a bottom box cavity having sidewalls provided with a number of parallel divider retaining channels, a number of bottom box cavity divider members that connect with said divider retaining channels and intersect each other when installed within said bottom box cavity to form a number of separated compartments for storing decorations, a bottom edge of each of two opposed sidewalls having a continuous box connecting hinge provide along said length thereof that is connected to a substantially rigid planar side flap having a rigid top flap hingedly connected to a side thereof opposite said box connecting hinge, each top flap being of a width equal to half said width of bottom box structure and including a fastener assembly for connecting with said fastener assembly of said other top flap when said two top flaps are folded down into said closed position, each top flap further including a handle member that is positioned directly adjacent to said handle member of said other top flap when said when said two top flaps are folded down into said closed position; each of said stackable box assemblies including a tray structure defining a storage compartment having sidewalls having a number of parallel divider retaining structures, a number of mating feet extending from a bottom surface thereof sized and positioned to seat against said interior top edge of a box assembly positioned below it, and a number of user moveable divider members wherein some of said divider members provided include opposed side indentations for allowing a string of Christmas lights or a garland to be wound therearound prior to inserting said ends of said divider member into two opposed parallel divider retaining structures; a lid member securable over said top of an uppermost stackable box assembly; said stackable box assemblies being stackable atop each other and said bottom box structure to a height equal to said height of said two rigid side flaps.
US Referenced Citations (10)
Number Name Date Kind
1061374 Harrington May 1913 A
4437713 Roach Mar 1984 A
4619363 Wolfseder Oct 1986 A
5033619 Garis Jul 1991 A
5501338 Preston Mar 1996 A
5653339 Dobson Aug 1997 A
5941388 Spielberger Aug 1999 A
5950828 Bal Sep 1999 A
6053322 Kim et al. Apr 2000 A
6105774 Jackson Aug 2000 A