Jewelry storage system and method of use

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 9723904
  • Patent Number
    9,723,904
  • Date Filed
    Friday, September 23, 2016
    8 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, August 8, 2017
    7 years ago
  • Inventors
    • Taylor; Sabra (Dallas, TX, US)
  • Examiners
    • Michener; Joshua J
    • Barnett; Devin
    Agents
    • Eldredge Law Firm
    • Eldredge; Richard G.
Abstract
A jewelry storage system includes a first elongated section, a second elongated section, and a third elongated section. The system further includes a necklace panel, an earring panel, a ring bar, an earring shelf, a cylindrical bracelet bar, a panel, and a locking mechanism having a plurality of slots extending partially through the thickness of the first side of the second elongated section; and a tab rigidly secured to the panel and removably attached to the plurality of slots.
Description
BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention


The present invention relates generally to storage systems, and more specifically, to a jewelry storage system for organization of jewelry collections.


2. Description of Related Art


Storage systems are well known in the art and are effective means to organize items such as jewelry, accessories, and clothing. For example, FIG. 1 depicts a conventional jewelry storage system 101 having a base 102 in communication with a lid 103 and jewelry 104. During use, the user (not shown) stores jewelry 104 in the base 102.


One of the problems commonly associated with system 101 is its limited organizational features. For example, system 101 does not provide all users with adequate room and/or storage elements appropriate for all types of jewelry such as large or long necklaces. As a result, there is a risk that jewelry can become lost, damaged, or tangled.


Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of jewelry storage systems, many shortcomings remain.





DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:



FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a common jewelry storage system; and



FIG. 2 is a front view of a jewelry storage system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application.





While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.


The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional jewelry storage systems. Specifically, the present invention provides adequate means of organization and storage for most jewelry collections and reduces the risk of jewelry becoming damaged, lost, or tangled. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.


The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.


The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.


Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 2 depicts a front view of a jewelry storage system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system 201 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional jewelry storage systems.


In the contemplated embodiment, system 201 includes two outside sections 202, 203 in communication with one or more middle sections 204. Each outside section 202, 203 comprises a rectangular, box type structure with one closed side and one open side. The middle section 204 comprises one or more open sides. During use, jewelry is stored in the open sides of the sections 202, 203, 204. Although not shown for each section, the sections include opposing sides that engage with the bars, panels, elements, and the like. For example, section 204 includes a first section 305 and a second opposing side 306 running relatively parallel with each other.


Each section 202, 203, 204 houses one or more various jewelry storage elements 205, 206, 207, 208, 209. Contemplated jewelry storage elements include: a necklace storage panel 205 comprising various sized hooks 210, 211; an earring storage panel 206 comprising holes 212 for stud earrings and a pivot point 213; a ring storage shelf 207 comprising a ring holding groove 214; an earring storage shelf 208 comprising hoop earring protrusions 215 extending from shelf; and a bracelet storage bar 209 secured to a rod socket 216. It will be appreciated that the present and alternative embodiments could include ring bars, bracelet bars, bangle bars, stud panels, earring panels, necklace panels, and the like. It should also be appreciated that the panels and bars are removably attached to the structure, which in turn allows the user to interchange the desired types of panels and bars. One method to achieve this feature is via a locking mechanism 301 configured to engage with the panels and the sides of the sections, as described more fully below.


It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the means of adequate organization of jewelry collections due to the various jewelry storage elements. It is understood that the various sized hooks 210, 211 of the necklace storage wall 205 provide a means to store many sized necklaces with reduced risk of tangles and damage to necklaces. In addition, the pivot point 213 of the earring storage wall 206 provides a means to conveniently attach and display stud earrings onto the earring storage wall 206, which is understood to reduce the risk of misplaced stud earrings. Further, the rod socket 216 allows for removal of the bracelet storage rod 209, which enables the securement of one or more bracelets around the bracelet storage rod 209 and reduces the risk of loss or damage to the bracelets.


Alternative embodiments of the present application contemplate incorporating a base structure (not shown) that supports sections 202, 203, 204 and wheels (not shown) in communication with the base structure to facilitate movement of system 201 on a surface. In addition, it is contemplated that sections 202, 203, 204 and the various jewelry storage elements can vary in size, material, number, and placement as manufacturing, aesthetic, or functional considerations require.


One of the unique features believed characteristic of the present invention is the use of removable panels 309 that are adjusted in height via a locking mechanism 301 having a plurality of slots 303 partially extending through the thickness of the side 305 and adapted to engage with a tab 307 on opposing ends of the panel 309. This feature is particularly useful because the user can adjust the height according to the reach capacity and/or size of the jewelry hanging from hook 311 secured to the panel 309. It will be appreciated that all elements could incorporates the features of panel 309 and locking mechanism 301 to adjust for different height and/or jewelry sizes.


The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims
  • 1. A jewelry storage system, consisting of: a first elongated frame section, a second elongated frame section, and a third elongated frame section; the first, second, and third elongated frame sections each have a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a top wall and a bottom wall; the first elongated frame section further having a front wall so that the first elongated frame section defines a box shape with an open end; and the third elongated frame section further having a rear wall so that the third elongated frame section defines a box shape with an open end;wherein the first elongated frame section is pivotally attached to the second elongated frame section by a first hinge and the second elongated frame section is pivotally attached to the third elongated frame section by a second hinge;wherein the first elongated frame section and the second elongated frame section form a first cavity for jewelry storage and the third elongated frame section and the second elongated frame section form a second cavity for jewelry storage;a necklace panel removably secured to the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the first elongated frame section, the necklace panel having a plurality of hooks configured to removably engage with necklaces;an earring panel removably secured to the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the first elongated frame section, the earring panel having a plurality of holes configured to receive earning studs;a pivot joint secured to the second sidewall of the first elongated frame section and secured to the earring panel, the pivot joint being configured to allow pivoting movement of the earring panel relative to the second sidewall of the first elongated frame section;a ring shelf having a width, the ring shelf removably secured to the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the first elongated frame section, wherein an elongated groove is formed in the ring shelf and extends the across the entire width of the ring shelf, wherein the elongated groove is configured to receive rings therein;an earring shelf removably secured to the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the first elongated frame section, the earring shelf having a plurality of protrusions extending upwardly therefrom, the protrusions are each configured to receive earrings;a cylindrical bracelet bar removably secured to the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the first elongated frame section;a generally arcuate shaped socket secured to the second sidewall of the first elongated frame section, the socket being configured to engage with the cylindrical bracelet bar in order to securely mount the cylindrical bracelet bar to the first elongated frame section;a first panel removably secured to the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the second elongated frame section;a locking mechanism having a plurality of slots extending partially through the thickness of the first sidewall of the second elongated frame section; and a tab rigidly secured to the first panel and protruding therefrom, the tab being removably inserted within a corresponding slot of the plurality of slots in order to adjust the height of the panel.
US Referenced Citations (75)
Number Name Date Kind
949485 Karay Feb 1910 A
1456613 Bartels May 1923 A
1960073 Warner May 1934 A
2439664 Marchand Apr 1948 A
2911275 Wise Nov 1959 A
D186829 Jachetta Dec 1959 S
3321117 Hedin May 1967 A
3421634 Huth Jan 1969 A
4040202 Wille Aug 1977 A
4324446 LeSage Apr 1982 A
D266115 Glenn, Sr. Sep 1982 S
4420084 Whelan Dec 1983 A
4776650 Ferenzi Oct 1988 A
4848585 Snyder Jul 1989 A
4923069 Germain May 1990 A
4978001 Nelson Dec 1990 A
D317380 Snyder Jun 1991 S
5033625 Campbell Jul 1991 A
5035319 Kunisch Jul 1991 A
5050745 Sanders Sep 1991 A
5067617 Caldwell Nov 1991 A
5069332 Williams Dec 1991 A
5121833 Lindsay Jun 1992 A
5141300 Ciesla Aug 1992 A
5168986 Stenhouse Dec 1992 A
D335768 Romo May 1993 S
D348155 McCreary Jun 1994 S
5363953 Carter Nov 1994 A
D368583 Sharer Apr 1996 S
5511873 Mech Apr 1996 A
D382731 Martin Aug 1997 S
D387920 Powell Dec 1997 S
5692605 Lai Dec 1997 A
D393542 Thompson Apr 1998 S
5762184 Greiner Jun 1998 A
5899343 Franklin May 1999 A
5931319 Murphy Aug 1999 A
6161686 Simon Dec 2000 A
D436727 Hsu Jan 2001 S
6361130 Kardy Mar 2002 B1
6375018 Clement Apr 2002 B1
6857519 Daetweiler Feb 2005 B2
6884081 Ovadia Apr 2005 B1
6926136 Lynch-Bass Aug 2005 B1
6991118 Phillips Jan 2006 B2
7008029 Aclin Mar 2006 B1
D525030 Farmer Jul 2006 S
7367449 Kaminski May 2008 B2
7389868 Lewand Jun 2008 B2
D601798 Hsu Oct 2009 S
7673744 Henderson Mar 2010 B1
7806255 Staver Oct 2010 B1
8070025 Nelson Dec 2011 B1
D667238 Greiner Sep 2012 S
8651291 Prather Feb 2014 B1
D705582 Hayes May 2014 S
8770416 Guida Jul 2014 B1
9131789 Williams Sep 2015 B1
D769025 Eberling Oct 2016 S
20030062285 Bleggi Apr 2003 A1
20030234185 Flagg Dec 2003 A1
20050011774 Barker Jan 2005 A1
20060180481 McGaughey Aug 2006 A1
20070175772 Cunningham Aug 2007 A1
20100000884 Harris-Bowman Jan 2010 A1
20110266163 Mostowy Nov 2011 A1
20120241329 Gaspari Sep 2012 A1
20130256159 Walsh Oct 2013 A1
20140263116 Wojciechowski Sep 2014 A1
20150068993 Ye Mar 2015 A1
20150257551 Trainor-Smith Sep 2015 A1
20150313379 Millen Nov 2015 A1
20160150895 Conley Jun 2016 A1
20160174675 Bedman Jun 2016 A1
20170014002 Frisbie Jan 2017 A1
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
62232954 Sep 2015 US