US20100164339A1

US20100164339A1 - Wardrobe Storage System

Info

Publication number: US20100164339A1
Application number: US12/675,629
Authority: US
Inventors: Andrew M. Jenkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-08-27
Filing date: 2008-08-21
Publication date: 2010-07-01
Also published as: AU2008252008A1; WO2009026613A1; EP2182824A4; CN101820797A; EP2182824A1; JP2010536509A

Abstract

A narrow space storage system is useful for storing and displaying elongated clothing accessories. The system comprises a frame and a storage means. The storage means is movably attached to a portion of the frame, and the storage means includes a plurality of receptacles and a plurality of bracket series. Each bracket series in the plurality of bracket series comprises a plurality of brackets, and each bracket in a bracket series is positioned along a line at a different vertical and horizontal position relative to other brackets in the bracket series. In use, items hung from the brackets are thus each viewable from a side of the storage means.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to storage systems, and in particular but not only to wardrobe storage systems for the efficient usage of wardrobe space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional wardrobe storage arrangements fail to make efficient use of wardrobe space. Additionally, many wardrobe items, such as belts, scarves, ties and the like, do not lend themselves to be readily stored in a conventional wardrobe format and thus often become disorganised, damaged or lost.
There is a continuing interest in providing an apparel and clothing accessories storage system that makes more efficient use of available wardrobe or bedroom space. Ideally, a storage system should be easy to install into a wardrobe or other narrow space, should compartmentalise stored items, facilitate viewing of stored items without requiring excessive rearranging of stored items, be relatively stable, and efficiently use available storage space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved storage system for wardrobes, and to provide an alternative to existing wardrobe storage systems.
According to one aspect, the invention comprises a narrow space storage system, including: a frame; and a storage means movably attached to a portion of the frame, the storage means comprising a plurality of receptacles and a plurality of bracket series, where each bracket series in the plurality of bracket series comprises a plurality of brackets, and each bracket in a bracket series is positioned along a line at a different vertical and horizontal position relative to other brackets in the bracket series, whereby in use items hung from the brackets are each viewable from a side of the storage means.
Optionally, a bracket series in the plurality of bracket series is connected to an end wall of the storage means.
Optionally, a bracket series in the plurality of bracket series is connected to an arm extending downward from a bottom panel of the storage means.
Optionally, the frame is an upper portion of a cabinet.
Optionally, the frame comprises a first end of a movable arm and the storage means is attached to a second end of the moveable arm.
Optionally, the storage means comprises telescoping track means.
Optionally, a plurality of brackets in a bracket series are adapted to hang elongated clothing accessories including belts, ties, or scarves.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the accompanying drawings, of which:
FIG. 1 shows a storage system with a single rail support, according to some embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 2 shows a front elevation of the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows an alternative storage system; and
FIG. 4 shows an alternative support frame.
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view illustrating a storage system in the form of a self-contained cabinet, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view illustrating the self-contained cabinet of FIG. 5 with the doors open, revealing a storage means.
FIG. 7 shows a close up perspective view of the storage means of FIG. 6, illustrating a plurality of receptacles and a plurality of bracket series, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 8 shows a further close up perspective view of the storage means of FIG. 7, illustrating a plurality of bracket series from which a plurality of ties are shown hanging.
FIG. 9 shows a perspective view illustrating a storage system in the form of a self-contained cabinet, according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 shows a perspective view illustrating the self-contained cabinet of FIG. 9 with the door open, revealing a storage means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a wardrobe storage system. Elements of the invention are illustrated in concise outline form in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are necessary to understanding the embodiments of the present invention, but so as not to clutter the disclosure with excessive detail that will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present description.
In this patent specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, front and back, top and bottom, etc., are used solely to define one element from another element without necessarily requiring a specific relative position or sequence that is described by the adjectives. Words such as “comprises” or “includes” are not used to define an exclusive set of elements or method steps. Rather, such words merely define a minimum set of elements or method steps included in a particular embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the invention may be implemented in a variety of ways for a variety of wardrobes, and that this description is given by way of example only.
Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 displays a schematic view of a storage system for a wardrobe, according to some embodiments of the present invention. A support frame 11 is installed inside the wardrobe and a moveable arm 12, which can extend and retract through the front of the wardrobe, in the direction indicated by the double headed perspective arrow 13, is represented connected to the support frame 11. A rail 17 is shown fixed perpendicular to the face of the wardrobe. Attached to the moveable arm 12 which extends and retracts from the rail 17 is a storage means 14 which includes receptacles for the storage of personal items. The receptacles may optionally include such means as drawers, racks, hooks, boxes, containers and the like. The apertures of containers, boxes and other compartmentalising storage receptacles may be covered by doors, lids or flaps, or may have one or more bars across the front so as to ensure the item stored therein does not fall out. The rear of the compartments may be covered by a gauze, grill, mesh or other semi-transparent material so as to allow light in to the compartments to allow for easy viewing of objects therein. Alternatively, the rear of the compartments may be enclosed by a solid panel.
Referring to FIG. 2, a frame 25 of a storage system is shown fixed to a horizontal surface 23. The horizontal surface 23 may be, for example, the ceiling of a wardrobe or the underside of a shelf. The frame 25 may be fixed to the wardrobe by, for example, bolting the frame 25 to an underside of a surface using a bolt 29. The frame 25 is shown fixed between a rear wall 22 of the wardrobe and a front 28 of the wardrobe. As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 11 may be fixed between vertical structures in the wardrobe including a post 15. Optional features such as hooks 26 and racks 24 also may be present on the storage device. The front of the receptacles may have a bar 27 extending across the front. The exemplary device shown in FIG. 2 has two drawers 21, although devices may be provided with more or fewer drawers.
Referring to FIG. 3, a smaller storage system is displayed schematically. It is anticipated that the dimensions of the storage system can be altered in order to fit into wardrobes of varying depth and breadth. Smaller systems may be desirable in, for example, hotel wardrobes and apartment wardrobes and closets. However, larger systems may be desirable for household wardrobes and closets.
The wardrobe storage system can be adapted to suit the storage of predominantly men's accessories, such as bow ties, belts, cuff-links, socks, handkerchiefs, ties and the like, or alternatively can be adapted to be more suitable for women's accessories such as scarves, stockings, lingerie, gloves, jewelry and the like. The storage system may also include drawers, or receptacles with doors, which may be locked to secure valuable items or other like items that require more secure storage. A double-sided storage means is also envisaged, whereby the storage means has a set of separate receptacles on both the front and back face of the storage means. Each side of the storage means may be identical. That is, one side may be duplicated on the other side. Alternatively, the receptacles on each side may be different, for example, one side may be suited for the storage of men's accessories and the other side suitable for the storage of women's accessories. In addition, the storage means may have a single set of receptacles that have front and back apertures, which are thus receptacles accessible from both sides. The storage system need not solely be used to organise adult clothing and accessories but alternatively may be adapted to a child's wardrobe and include receptacles suitable for the storage of children's clothes, toys and other paraphernalia in a child's wardrobe. When the receptacles are boxes, as required covers, doors, bars or other types of retaining features may be added to the front of the receptacles in order to ensure that items placed in the receptacles do not fail out.
As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the constituent parts of the storage system may be constructed from a range of materials including metals, woods and plastics and other synthetic materials. The constituent parts of the wardrobe system may be hand made, machined, or pre-moulded.
Referring to FIG. 4, a storage system is represented in perspective from behind. The system shown includes two parallel arms 41 supporting the storage means. The storage means can slide in and out of the wardrobe, as indicated by the double-headed perspective arrow 42, through a telescopic action of the arms 41 attached to the storage means at portions 43. A grill 44 is shown covering the rear of the storage means. The grill 44 allows light to enter into the compartments of the storage means for easy viewing of the items therein.
Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view illustrates a storage system in the form of a self-contained cabinet 51, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The cabinet 51 is shown with doors 52, 53 closed and with a handle 54 extending through the doors 52, 53.
Referring to FIG. 6, a perspective view illustrates the self-contained cabinet 51 with the doors 52, 53 open. A storage means 61 movably attached to a frame comprising an upper portion of the cabinet 51 is shown extending out of the cabinet 51. For example, the storage means 61 can be slidably attached to the cabinet 51 using telescoping track means 62.
Referring to FIG. 7, a close up perspective view of the storage means 61 illustrates a plurality of receptacles 71 and a plurality of bracket series 72, 73A, 73B, 73C, 73D, 73E, 73F, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The receptacles 71 include open ended boxes and two drawers 76 for storing items such as T-shirts, socks, shorts and other small items. Each bracket series 72, 73A, 73B, 73C, 73D, 73E, 73F comprises a plurality of brackets, such as brackets 77 included in the bracket series 72. Each bracket in a bracket series is positioned along a line at a different vertical and horizontal position relative to other brackets in the bracket series. For example, the brackets 77 of the bracket series 72 are positioned along a line 78, where each bracket 77 extends further outward from an end wall 79 of the storage means 61 than each bracket 77 above. Thus, for example, if in use a different belt is hung from each bracket 77, the belts will hang stacked against the end wall 79; however, a portion of each belt will remain visible through a vertical space between at least one pair of brackets 77. That enables elongated clothing accessories such as belts, ties, and scarves to be stored in a neat and compact manner, while enabling at least a portion of each accessory to be visibly inspected while stored.
Referring to FIG. 8, a further close up perspective view of the storage means 61 illustrates the plurality of bracket series 73A, 73B, 73C, 73D, 73E, 73F from which a plurality of ties are shown hanging. As shown, there is no need for a user to shuffle through a hanging stack of ties to find, for example, an appropriate match for a suit, because at least a portion of each of the user's ties can be visibly inspected without touching or moving any of the ties.
Referring to FIG. 9, a perspective view illustrates a storage system in the form of a self-contained cabinet 91, according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The cabinet 91 is shown with a door 92 closed.
Referring to FIG. 10, a perspective view illustrates the self-contained cabinet 91 with the door 92 open. A storage means 101 movably attached to an upper portion of the cabinet 91 is shown extending out of the cabinet 91.
For example, the storage means 101 can be slidably attached to the cabinet 91 using telescoping track means 102. The storage means 101 includes a plurality of receptacles having a size that can be adjusted by a user. Also, a plurality of bracket series 103A, 103B, 103C, 103D is shown, where each bracket in a bracket series is connected to an arm 104 extending downward from a bottom panel of the storage means 101. Thus, similar to the plurality of bracket series 72, 73A, 73B, 73C, 73D, 73E, 73F, the plurality of bracket series 103A, 103B, 103C, 103D enables each bracket in a bracket series to be positioned along a line at a different vertical and horizontal position relative to other brackets in the bracket series. In use, at least a portion of each item hung from a bracket in the bracket series 103A, 103B, 103C, 103D is viewable from a side of the storage means 101.
The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this patent specification is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

Claims

1. A narrow space storage system, comprising:

a frame; and

a storage means movably attached to a portion of the frame, the storage means comprising a plurality of receptacles and a plurality of bracket series, where each bracket series in the plurality of bracket series comprises a plurality of brackets, and each bracket in a bracket series is positioned along a line at a different vertical and horizontal position relative to other brackets in the bracket series, whereby in use items hung from the brackets are each viewable from a side of the storage means.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one bracket series in the plurality of bracket series is connected to an end wall of the storage means.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one bracket series in the plurality of bracket series is connected to an arm extending downward from a bottom panel of the storage means.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the frame is an upper portion of a cabinet.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a first end of a movable arm and the storage means is attached to a second end of the moveable arm.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the storage means comprises telescoping track means.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of brackets in at least one of the plurality of bracket series is adapted to hang elongated clothing accessories.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the elongated clothing accessories comprise belts, ties, or scarves.