ORGANIZER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

An organizer system with an over-door hanger, a shower head hanger with a pair of hanging ladder-type structures which allow for several storage devices, such as baskets, to be moved around the organizer as needed. The baskets could be half-sized, allowing it to hook onto one of the two ladder-type structures and to be offset from baskets from the other ladder-type structure. The baskets could be full-sized, hanging from both of the ladder-type structures simultaneously. Hooks or other organizer devices could also be connected to the ladder-type structures as needed. The present invention may also include other storage solutions with vertical structures for receiving storage devices. Additional solutions such as a storage device for placement on flat surfaces with a vertical handle having a ladder-type structure, could be included.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an organizer system and method for use thereof, and more specifically to a hanging ladder-style organizer system with adjustable baskets and hanger element.

2. Description of the Related Art

Storage solutions are a widely sought-after commodity, especially in rooms or homes with limited storage space. Some storage solutions are necessary for specific items, while others simply open up areas for storage which previously provided no storage at all. Most typical storage solutions for over-the-door, shower caddies, and table-top usage are rigid or limited in their adjustability. Having a highly customizable organizational system with interchangeable and customizable components is desirable.

Heretofore there has not been available a system or method for an organizer system with the advantages and features of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides an organizer system with an over-door hanger or a shower head hanger with a pair of hanging ladder-type structures which allow for several storage baskets to be moved around the organizer as needed. The baskets could be half-sized, allowing it to hook onto one of the two ladder-type structures and to be offset from baskets from the other ladder-type structure. The baskets could be full-sized, hanging from both of the ladder-type structures simultaneously. Hooks or other organizer devices could also be connected to the ladder-type structures as needed.

One embodiment of a storage device could be in the form of an over-the-door hanging system with flat hooks to allow the door or cabinet to close. Hooks, baskets, shelves, and towel rods can be customizably placed where the user needs along a pair of vertical structures hanging down from a crossbar connecting the flat hooks.

Another embodiment of a storage device could employ a shower caddy for hanging over a shower head. Similarly, hooks, baskets, shelves, and towel rods can be customizable placed where the user needs along a pair of vertical structures hanging down from the hanger element.

Still another embodiment of a storage device could employ a basket with vertical structure ending in a handle for placement atop a table or counter top. Similarly, hooks, baskets, shelves, and towel rods can be customizable placed where the user needs along the vertical structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of the present invention shown in a typical environment suspended from a door.

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view of a portion thereof.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional view of a hook element thereof interfacing with the system.

FIG. 4 is an alternative three-dimensional view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional view of a basket element thereof interfacing with the system.

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown in an alternative arrangement.

FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional view of a towel rod element thereof.

FIG. 8 is another three-dimensional view of the hook element of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is another three-dimensional view of the basket element of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a three-dimensional view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a three-dimensional view thereof with the basket elements of FIG. 5 incorporated therewith.

FIG. 12 is an alternative three-dimensional view thereof.

FIG. 13 is front elevational view of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 15 is a close-up three-dimensional view of a specific connection element of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view showing a kit of the first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention with interchangeable components.

FIG. 17 is a three-dimensional isometric view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a front elevational view thereof.

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 20 is a front elevational view of a hook element thereof.

FIG. 21 is a side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 22 is a top plan view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I. Introduction and Environment

As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.

II. Over-Door Embodiment Organizer System 2

FIGS. 1-6 show an organizer system 2 hanging from a door 8 using a pair of flat hooks 4 connected to a crossbar 6. The door 8 could be a standard room door, a cabinet door, or any suitable structure. The flat hooks 4 allow the door to fully close with the organizer system 2 installed.

The organizer system 2 includes a pair of vertical attachment arms 10, 12 extending down from the crossbar 6. As shown, ladder-like receivers 14 extend along the entire surface of the arms 10, 12 for receiving storage components. The ladder-like elements could instead be holes or specialized receivers for receiving specialized connectors, or any other suitable arrangement allowing for storage components to be moved between the two arms 10, 12, and up and down each arm to fully customize the organizer system 2.

One storage component is a basket 16 with a connector 20 for interfacing with the receivers 14 to secure the basket 16 to the receiver 14. The connector 20 could be a simple hook, or could include a specialized connector 120 as shown in FIG. 15, with a spring 132 allowing the connector to pivot about one end 134 using a grip 130, and connecting to the receiver with the second end 136, which may be spring-activated to close around the receiver. The basket 16 shown in FIGS. 1-25, and 9 allow side-by-side baskets which are individually raisable or lowerable on either of the two arms 10, 12. FIG. 6 shows double baskets 24 which span both arms 10, 12 and connect to each individually. Each side is not separably raisable or lowerable.

A hook 18 is also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is further shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 8. This hook includes a connector 20 identical to the basket 16 for connecting to one of the ladder-like receivers 14.

A towel bar 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 spans both arms 10, 12 similarly to the double baskets 24, and is held away from the arms 10, 12 to form a space for receiving a towel or other similar object.

III. Surface-top Embodiment Organization System 52

FIGS. 10-12 show a surface-top organization system 52 which includes a surface station 54 which is meant to be placed on a surface 62, such as a table top, counter top, desktop, or vanity top. The basket base 60 rests on the surface 62 and a vertical tower 56 rises up and out of the basket base 60. A number of ladder-like receivers 64 extend across the vertical tower 56. The top of the vertical tower 56 provides a handle 58.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the baskets 16, hooks 18, and other storage compartments and devices that are the same as those used in the previous embodiment can be used to connect with the ladder-like receivers 64 of the present embodiment using the same connectors 20.

IV. Shower Caddy Embodiment Organization System 102

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a shower caddy organization system 102 featuring a shower caddy 104 which connects to a shower head in a typical shower environment via a hanger 106 which includes a space 108 for the shower head 128 as shown in FIG. 16. This opens up storage in an area that was previously lacking storage. Similar to the first embodiment, two arms 110, 112 hang vertically down from the hanger device and have ladder-like receivers 114. Baskets 16, 116 are hung from an individual one of the two ladder-type structures and can be removed and moved to different positions about the ladder-type structures. Double baskets 24 which connect to both of the ladder-type structures could also be used, as could the towel bar 22, hooks 18, or other devices. The basket 116 shown could include built-in hooks 118.

V. Customizable Organization System 152

FIG. 16 shows an organization system 152 combining the over-door organizer system 2, the surface-top organizer system 52, and the shower caddy organization system 102 into a swappable, highly customizable system where the baskets 16, 116, double baskets 24, towel bars 22, hooks 18, and other organizational devices can be freely swapped between each system 2, 52, 102 as desired, using the connectors 20 to connect to one of the ladder-like receivers 14, 64, 114.

Other organizational devices could replace the baskets, including hooks, organizers, storage containers, adjustable shelves, or any other suitable storage devices.

VI. Alternative Over-Door Organization System 202

FIGS. 17-19 show an alternative over-door organization system 202 which is similar to the first embodiment organization system 2. The system 202 hangs from a door (not shown) using a pair of flat hooks 204 connected to a crossbar 206. The door could be a standard room door, a cabinet door, or any suitable structure. The flat hooks 4 allow the door to fully close with the organizer system 202 installed.

The organizer system 202 includes a pair of vertical attachment arms 10, 12 extending down from the crossbar 206. As shown, receivers 214 are placed along the entire surface of the arms 210, 212 for receiving storage components. These receivers 214 allow for receiving specialized connectors 220 on the storage components, such as a basket 216 with a connector 220 for interfacing with the receivers 214 to secure the basket 216 to the receiver 214.

Double hooks 218 with hook elements 222 similarly are shown, and in more detail in FIGS. 20-22. These double hooks 218 also include the connectors 220 designed to interface with the receivers 214 of the arms 210, 212. Additional receivers 214 may be placed along horizontal bars 224 to provide even more customizable storage solutions.

It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.

Claims

1. An organizational system comprising: at least one vertical structure comprising a plurality of receivers;a top end, from which said vertical structure descends;a first storage element comprising a first connector, said first connector being selectively connectable to any one of said plurality of receivers; anda second storage element comprising a second connector, said second connector being selectively connectable to any one of said plurality or receivers except that upon which said first connector is connected.

2. The organizational system of claim 1, further comprising: said top end comprises a crossbar affixed to a pair of flat hooks configured to be placed over the top of a door such that said door can be closed with said flat hooks remaining engaged with said top of said door.

3. The organizational system of claim 1, further comprising: said top end comprises a handle; andsaid at least one vertical structure extends upwards from a base configured to be placed atop a surface.

4. The organizational system of claim 1, further comprising: said top end comprises a hanger configured to suspend said at least one vertical structure from a shower head.

5. The organizational system of claim 1, further comprising: wherein said first storage element is selected from a list comprising: a basket, a hook, a towel rod, and a shelf; andwherein said second storage element is selected from a list comprising: a basket, a hook, a towel rod, and a shelf.

6. The organizational system of claim 1, wherein said connector comprises a pivotable, spring-operated hook.

7. The organizational system of claim 1, further comprising: said plurality of receivers comprises ladder-like rungs along said at least one vertical structure.

8. The organizational system of claim 1, further comprising: said plurality of receivers comprises slots partially passing through said at least one vertical structure.

9. An organizational system comprising: a first organizational device comprising a pair of flat hooks configured for securing said first organizational device to the top of a door, and a first vertical structure comprising a first plurality of receivers;a second organizational device comprising a base configured for resting atop a surface and a second vertical structure comprising a second plurality of receivers;a third organizational device comprising a hanger configured to hang from a shower head, and a third vertical structure comprising a third plurality of receivers;a first storage element comprising a first connector and a second storage element comprising a second connector; andwherein said first and second storage elements are configured to be selectively connected to one of said first plurality of receivers, second plurality of receivers, and said third plurality of receivers, and wherein said first and second storage elements are interchangeably moveable between said first plurality of receivers, second plurality of receivers, and said third plurality of receivers.

10. The organizational system of claim 9, further comprising: wherein said first storage element is selected from a list comprising: a basket, a hook, a towel rod, and a shelf; andwherein said second storage element is selected from a list comprising: a basket, a hook, a towel rod, and a shelf.

11. The organizational system of claim 9, wherein said first and second connectors each comprise a pivotable, spring-operated hook.

12. The organizational system of claim 9, further comprising: said first, second, and third pluralities of receivers comprises ladder-like rungs along said at least one vertical structure.

13. The organizational system of claim 9, further comprising: said first, second, and third pluralities of receivers comprises slots partially passing through said at least one vertical structure.

14. A method of using an organizational system, the method comprising the steps: providing a first organizational device comprising at least one vertical structure having a plurality of receivers and a first top end;providing a second organizational device comprising at least one vertical structure having a plurality of receivers and a second top end;providing a first storage element comprising a first connector;providing a second storage element comprising a second connector;connecting said first storage element to one of said plurality of receivers of said first organizational device via said first connector;connecting said second storage element to said one of said plurality of receivers of said second organizational device via said second connector; andremoving said second storage element from said second organizational device and connecting said second storage element to a second one of said plurality of receivers of said first organizational device via said second connector.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps: providing a third organizational device comprising at least one vertical structure having a plurality of receivers and a third top end;providing a third storage element comprising a third connector;connecting said third storage element to one of said plurality of receivers of said third organizational device via said third connector; andremoving said first storage element from first second organizational device and connecting said first storage element to a second one of said plurality of receivers of said third organizational device via said first connector.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step: hanging said first organizational device from the top of a door via said first top end, wherein said first top end comprises at least one flat hook configured to allow said door to be closed while retaining said first organizational device.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps: placing a flat base said second organizational device atop a raised surface, said flat base comprising a basket; andwherein said second top end comprises a handle for lifting said second organizational device.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step: hanging said third organizational device from a shower head, said third top end comprising a hanger configured for engaging with said shower head.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said first, second, and third connectors each comprise a respective pivotable, spring-operated hook.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising: wherein said first storage element is selected from a list comprising: a basket, a hook, a towel rod, and a shelf;wherein said second storage element is selected from a list comprising: a basket, a hook, a towel rod, and a shelf; andwherein said third storage element is selected from a list comprising: a basket, a hook, a towel rod, and a shelf.