Patent Application
20070057606
The present invention generally relates to containers for the storage and display of jewelry and similar items and to dressing mirrors, and in its preferred embodiments more specifically relates to a jewelry cabinet for the organized storage and display of jewelry items, with mirrored faces for use as a dressing mirror or mirrors.
Jewelry of various types is one of the most common and popular fashion accessories, and many people accumulate a significant number of both individual jewelry pieces as well as sets, including, for example, a necklace, bracelet, and earrings. Because jewelry is such a popular accessory, storage cases, boxes, chests, and cabinets in a variety of designs are known in the prior art.
Perhaps the most common approach to jewelry storage is to place items of jewelry together in a box or in one or more drawers of a small chest. Although this approach does allow jewelry to be stored out of sight in a limited volume of space, it has the definite disadvantage of mixing the jewelry pieces together. Necklaces and bracelets, especially, easily intertwine and tangle when stored together, making it difficult to separate a desired item for use. Small jewelry items, such as earrings and rings, are easily overlooked when stored with other pieces, and finding both earrings of a set can be difficult and frustrating.
In another approach hooks are provided in a larger cabinet or case for hanging necklaces and bracelets individually, and containers such as trays or drawers may be provided for smaller items such as earrings and finger rings. Although this approach is more effective in preventing the tangling of necklaces and bracelets, it still suffers from disadvantages. Small items are still typically stored together, and it can be difficult and time consuming to find, for example, both earrings of a set. It can also be frustrating to find and retrieve matching pieces of jewelry often worn as a set, such as a necklace and matching bracelet and earrings, because they are stored in different places even though they may be in the same cabinet. In addition, in most designs of this type, the hooks or other means for hanging necklaces are in fixed positions that may provide inappropriate spacing for necklaces of different lengths. Long necklaces may become tangled with other necklaces hung above and below them, for example.
Some jewelry cabinet designs provide means for hanging earrings as well as necklaces and bracelets. This approach is an improvement over those designs in which small items are stored loose in trays or drawers. However, with such cabinets pieces making up a set, such as a necklace, bracelet, and earrings, must be separated and stored in different places in the cabinet, and it can still be difficult to find the various pieces of the set, especially quickly.
Some jewelry storage cases include a mirror for a person to use to view her appearance, but such mirrors are small and provide only a limited view. People often wish to see a complete view of themselves in a mirror, to check their overall appearance and/or to evaluate whether a particular set of jewelry complements the person's clothing and creates the intended overall impression. Larger mirrors suitable for this purpose are available, but not in conjunction with jewelry storage. It would be advantageous for an appropriate mirror system to be available in conjunction with jewelry storage, for convenience and for more efficient utilization of space.
The present invention addresses the problems and disadvantages with jewelry storage cases and cabinets known in the prior art, and in preferred embodiments incorporates a mirror system that allows a person to see at least a significant part of her body from several angles. The jewelry storage cabinet of the invention provides for the storage of a jewelry set of necklace(s), bracelet(s), and earrings together on the same hanger, so the pieces of the set do not become separated. The placement of hangers in the cabinet of the invention is adjustable, so that an individual user can easily choose the number of hangers and the positioning of hangers for efficient storage without tangling.
In the preferred embodiment the cabinet includes a hanger base with a back plate and a face plate parallel to the back plate and separated from it, with a retention means such as a plurality of closely spaced resilient fingers between them. The face plate is penetrated by a plurality of closely spaced apertures. Hangers are formed with a linear rod at the first end, to be inserted through a selected aperture in the face plate and through the retention means to removably secure the hangers to the hanger base and provide sufficient support for the weight of jewelry place on them. Other hanger designs, trays, drawers, and the like may also be used in the cabinet.
In the preferred embodiments the cabinet of the invention includes a plurality of mirrored doors integrated with the jewelry storage, so that a person can easily view herself from a variety angles both while selecting jewelry and after the selection is complete.
The structure and features of the jewelry cabinet of the invention will be described in detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawing figures.
In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in
The cabinet of the invention provides storage for jewelry and other small or similar accessory items utilizing a hanger system that includes at least one perforate hanger base 16 and a plurality of hanger devices that are removably and adjustably affixed to the hanger base. In the preferred embodiment the hanger base includes a back plate 17, formed to fit within the cabinet body and attached to the back wall 15 of the cabinet. A face plate 18, of generally the same size and configuration as back plate 17, is disposed in parallel relation to the back plate in front of and spaced away from the back plate toward the open front of the cabinet, and is connected to the back plate, preferably along their aligned edges. Face plate 18 is penetrated by a multiplicity of closely spaced, symmetrically arrayed apertures 19. In the preferred embodiment each aperture 19 is approximately 1.5 millimeters in diameter and the apertures are spaced approximately 3 millimeters from center to center, but it is to be understood that neither the specific size nor spacing of the apertures is critical to the invention, and other sizes and spacings may be used. It is desirable, however, that a large number of closely spaced apertures be provided, in order to allow a high degree of flexibility in the placement of jewelry hangers 20 on the hanger base. In the preferred embodiment face plate 18 is formed of a metallic material, but other suitably sturdy and generally rigid materials may be used within the scope of the invention.
A plurality of jewelry hangers 20 are provided for hanging sets of jewelry or individual jewelry pieces on the hanger base of the cabinet. In the preferred embodiment each hanger 20 is formed as an elongate body with a first end 21 and a second end 22. The portion of hanger 20 at the first end is a support rod 23 of the same cross-sectional configuration as apertures 19, sized to be received through apertures 19 in closely fitting relation and to extend from back plate 17 and through face plate 18 at least to, or slightly beyond, the outer surface of the face plate.
To provide for secure retention of support rods 23 in the hanger base while allowing hangers 20 to be easily moved from place to place on the hanger base, the space between the back plate 17 and face plate 18 of the hanger base is filled with a support rod retaining material. In the preferred embodiment, the rod retaining material comprises a plurality of closely spaced fingers 24 connected at one end to back plate 17 and extending perpendicular to the back place through the space between the back plate and the face plate. Fingers 24 are formed of a slightly resilient shape retentive material. When a support rod 23 is inserted through an aperture 19, the support rod extends between several adjacent ones of fingers 24, pushing the fingers aside while remaining in contact with them along the surfaces of the support rod and fingers. The fingers are sufficiently stiff and closely spaced to frictionally retain the support rod and prevent lateral movement of the support rod. When the support rod is removed the fingers close to their original positions without damage to the fingers. Accordingly, the support rod of a hanger can be repeatedly inserted and removed from the same aperture in the hanger base without damage to the hanger base or reduction in the effectiveness of the retention of the hanger on the hanger base.
As an alternative to fingers 24, the space between back plate 17 and face plate 18 of the hanger base may be filled with a plurality of closely spaced generally spherical beads 25. Beads 25 are preferably uniform in dimension, slightly larger than apertures 19 in the face plate of the hanger base, to prevent the beads from passing through apertures 19. When a support rod 23 is inserted through an aperture 19 the support rod pushes aside beads encountered by the support rod as it moves through the space between face plate 18 and back plate 17. The close spacing of beads 25 allows them to move only sufficiently to allow passage of support rod 23, which is then retained by the surrounding beads.
Although the outward appearance of the hanger base of the invention is somewhat similar to the appearance of a conventional pegboard hanger system, there is a significant distinction in function. With a conventional pegboard system the hangers cannot be inserted straight into the holes in the board, but must be inserted an at angle to engage the hanger with the board. With the hanger base of the invention the support rods 23 of hangers 20 are inserted straight into the apertures 19 and are engaged with the hanger base without tilting, allowing hangers 20 to be repositioned on the hanger base without the need to remove jewelry pieces from the hanger and without disturbing the placement of the pieces on the hanger.
Hanger 20 includes a first depression 26 adjacent to the inner end of support rod 23, and a second depression 27 between the first depression and the second end of the hanger. An earring holder 28 is connected to the second end 22 of hanger 20, for the attachment of earrings. In the illustrated embodiment earring holder 28 is formed in the shape of a multi-pointed star, with a least a pair of small apertures 29 formed in each earring holder. Earring holders 28 may be formed of the same material used for the face plate of the hanger base, with a plurality of apertures in the holder, or other materials may be used as desired. Clip-type earrings can be attached to the earring holder by clipping them on without using apertures 29, and earrings for pierced ears can be attached to the earring holder by extending the posts or hanging wires through apertures 29. It is to be understood that though hangers 20 are illustrated with a simple wire form structure, the hanger body may be formed in a variety of ways, so long as at least two depressions or spaces for hanging different jewelry pieces along the hanger body are provided. As a non-limiting example of an alternative configuration, the hanger may be formed as a straight rod 38 with disks 39 spaced along its length to divide the rod into sections for hanging different jewelry pieces. Similarly, earring holder 28 may be formed in a variety of configurations, so long as the selected configuration accommodates the attachment of earrings to the holder.
In another alternative embodiment of hanger 20, the support rod portion 23 of the hanger is omitted and a magnet 40 is connected to the first end of hanger 20. This embodiment of hanger 20 may be used with a hanger base 16 in which face plate 18 is formed of a magnetic material, including but not necessarily limited to a ferrous metal. In this approach both the preferred embodiment of hanger 20 and the magnetically attachable embodiment may be used simultaneously if desired. In another approach, hanger base 16 as described above is omitted and a plate 41 formed of ferrous metal or another magnetic material is connected directly to back wall 15 of the cabinet body.
Each of hangers 20 is designed to hold matching or coordinated pieces of jewelry the user typically wears as a set, such as but not limited to necklace, bracelet, and earrings. It will be understood, however, that the hangers may be used in whatever manner may be desired by each user. Regardless of the manner in which a user chooses to arrange pieces of jewelry on a hanger, the ability to separate pieces on a single hanger allows more pieces of jewelry to be stored in a given volume, and significantly reduces the likelihood of tangling of the stored pieces.
Other types of removable storage means may also be provided within the scope of the invention in addition to hangers 20, such as drawers 42, trays 43, finger ring holders 44, and the like. Drawers and trays may be lined with a tarnish resistant material, and ring holders may be covered with a tarnish resistant material, if desired. Elongate hanger strips for hanging necklaces, bracelets, scarves, and the like may be used in addition to or in lieu of individual hangers 20, if desired. Selected alternative storage means are formed with one or more support rods 23 extending from the rear surface, each support rod to be inserted into an aperture 19 in the face plate of the hanger base to retain the storage structure on the hanger base. The number of support rods used should be sufficient to achieve a secure mounting of the storage structure on the hanger base.
Although the cabinet of the invention could be left open, an open jewelry cabinet is neither attractive nor secure, and it is preferred that at least one door 37, hinged to either first sidewall 11 or second side wall 12, be provided to close the cabinet. In the preferred embodiment of the invention mirrored a mirrored door or, more preferably, at least two doors are used to not only close and secure the cabinet, but to provide a highly useful and compact series of mirrors in combination with the jewelry storage function. In one embodiment of the invention two overlapping mirrored doors are provided, with door 37 being the outer door, and an inner door 38. Both doors are sized and configured to match the cabinet opening. Outer door 37 has opposed long edges 39 and 40, and inner and outer faces 41 and 42. Similarly, inner door 38 has opposed long edges 43 and 44, and inner and outer faces 45 and 46. Outer door 37 is pivotally connected at one of its edges, e.g., edge 39, to one of the side walls, e.g., first side wall 11, of the cabinet by hinge means 47. In the same manner, inner door 38 is connected at one of its edges, e.g., edge 44, to the opposite side wall, e.g., second side wall 12, of the cabinet by hinge means 48. Inner door 38 may be pivoted on hinge means 48 to close the cabinet opening, with its inner face toward the back wall of the cabinet. Outer door 37 may be pivoted to lie flat against inner door 38, with the inner face of the outer door against the outer face of the inner door. To allow the outer door to lie flat against the inner door with both door closed, the pivot point for the outer door is positioned farther from the back wall of the cabinet than the pivot point for the inner door, by a distance generally equal to the thickness of the inner door. The offset of the outer door pivot point may be accomplished by the structure of hinge means 47, or by increasing the width of the side wall to which the outer door is connected, so that side wall extends farther from the back wall of the cabinet than the opposite side wall.
It is preferred in this embodiment that the outer face and the inner face of the outer door are both mirrored, and at least the outer face of the inner door is mirrored. With both doors closed a mirrored face is presented for viewing without opening the cabinet. With the outer door opened and the inner door closed a double mirror is presented, and a user can view herself from a variety of angles by adjusting the degree to which the outer door is opened. The inner door can then be opened to provide access to jewelry stored in the cabinet. The mirrored inner surface of the outer door remains available for viewing while the user chooses jewelry to wear.
In another embodiment a third, intermediate door 49 is provided. The intermediate door has long edges 50 and 51, and inner and outer faces 52 and 53. The intermediate door is pivotally connected to the same side wall of the cabinet as inner door 38, either using a separate hinge means or using a combined hinge to which the inner and intermediate doors are both connected. The pivot point positions are adjusted so that the intermediate door will overlie the inner door and the outer door will overlie the intermediate door when all doors are closed. At least the inner face 52 of intermediate door 49 is mirrored, and it is preferred that both faces 52 and 53 be mirrored. In this embodiment the mirrored outer face of the outer door is presented to a user with all three doors closed. When the outer door is opened, the mirrored inner face of the outer door and the mirrored outer face of the intermediate door provide a double mirror. When the intermediate door is then opened the mirrored inner face of the outer door, the mirrored inner face of the intermediate door, and the mirrored outer face of the inner door provide a three panel mirror. The inner door may then be opened for access to stored jewelry while the mirrored inner face of the outer door remains available for viewing.
In a variation of the three door embodiment a second jewelry storage area may be provided on the inner face of inner door 38 by attaching a second hanger base 16 or magnetic plate 33 to the inner face of that door. Side walls and a top and bottom wall may also be attached to the inner face of the inner door around the hanger base. The pivot point positions are adjusted accordingly, so that the inner door will close against the main cabinet, and the other two doors will close as described above. A similar variation may be made in the two door embodiment as well, by providing a second jewelry storage area, with a hanger base 16 or magnetic plate 33, on the inner door in the same manner. Still further, a second jewelry storage area may be provided on the inner face of a single door embodiment in the same manner. These variations provide additional jewelry storage without interfering with the ability to use the mirrors as described in the primary embodiments.
The size and configuration of the cabinet of the invention is subject to a great deal of variation within the scope of the invention. As non-limiting examples, the cabinet may be made as a tall, free standing unit to be placed on a floor, a smaller unit to be placed on top of a dresser or chest, and as a unit to be hung on a wall or on, e.g., a closet door. The cabinet of the invention may also be incorporated into the construction of a piece of furniture such as a dressing table or vanity table, a chest of drawers, or the like, as an alternative to providing the cabinet as a separate unit.
The cabinet of the invention may also be provided in alternative embodiments with permanently affixed storage means, such as drawers and/or trays, either in lieu of or in addition to removable and re-positionable drawers, trays, and the like described above.
The foregoing description of preferred and alternative embodiments of the cabinet of the invention, and of variations within those embodiments, is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. It is contemplated that further embodiments and variations can be devised by those of skill in the art on the basis of the foregoing description, all within the scope of the invention in accordance with the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/715,678, filed Sep. 12, 2005, titled “Mirrored Jewelry Cabinet With Adjustable Hanger System”.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60715678 | Sep 2005 | US |
