US20110121697A1

US20110121697A1 - Swivel organizer

Info

Publication number: US20110121697A1
Application number: US12/943,634
Authority: US
Inventors: Lori Greiner
Original assignee: For Your Ease Only Inc
Current assignee: For Your Ease Only Inc
Priority date: 2005-12-28
Filing date: 2010-11-10
Publication date: 2011-05-26
Also published as: EP1803367A1; ATE457141T1; EP1803367B1; HK1110755A1; US20140217867A1; US20070145868A1; DE602006012162D1

Abstract

A storage organizer for vanity items includes a cabinet in which an interior space is formed by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the first sidewall, a top wall extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, a bottom wall opposing the top wall and extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, and a back wall extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall and from the top wall to the bottom wall. A door, for the interior space, extends between the top wall and the bottom wall and from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, opposite the back wall when in a closed position. The storage organizer further includes a base joined to the bottom wall by a swivel joint, the swivel joint allowing the cabinet to rotate 360 degrees about the base.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/368,019, titled SWIVEL ORGANIZER, filed Mar. 3, 2006, which claims priority to provisional application No. 60/754,445 filed on Dec. 28, 2005, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains to organizers and more particularly to vanity organizers.

BACKGROUND

Vanity items such as jewelry and cosmetics, for example, makeup, hair styling products, creams, lotions, etc., are often stored in a number of storage receptacles, for example, cabinets and chests, that may vary considerably from one another, according to the type of item stored therein and the intended placement thereof, for example in a drawer, on a counter or dresser top, or on a floor. Thus, these various storage receptacles may not be conveniently located with respect to one another. What is needed is a single storage organizer accommodating many, if not all, of these vanity items in an organized fashion and providing flexibility for ease of access to each item.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A storage organizer for vanity items, according to embodiments of the present invention, includes a cabinet in which an interior space is formed by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the first sidewall, a top wall extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, a bottom wall opposing the top wall and extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, and a back wall extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall and from the top wall to the bottom wall. A door, for the interior space, extends between the top wall and the bottom wall and from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, opposite the back wall when in a closed position; according to some embodiments, the door includes a mirror disposed on an outer surface thereof. The storage organizer further includes a base joined to the bottom wall by a swivel joint, the swivel joint allowing the cabinet to rotate 360 degrees about the base. Embodiments including the mirror, may further include a tilting mechanism to allow the mirror to tilt upwards. Embodiments of the present invention may further include a shelf-like container disposed within the interior space and pivotally mounted to the first and second sidewalls for rotation from a first position to a second position.
According to some alternate embodiments, first and second interior spaces are disposed on either side of the back wall; a first door into the first interior space is hinged to the first sidewall and extends from the top wall to the bottom wall and across to the second sidewall, and a second door into the second interior space is hinged to the second sidewall and extends from the top wall to the bottom wall and across to the first sidewall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present invention and therefore do not limit the scope of the invention. The drawings are not to scale (unless so stated) and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1A is a side elevation view of an organizer, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a section view through section line A-A of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a front elevation view of the organizer shown in FIGS. 1A-B.

FIG. 1D is top view of the organizer shown in FIGS. 1A-C.

FIGS. 2A-B are elevation views of a first interior space of the organizer shown in FIGS. 1A-B.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a container disassembled from the first interior space.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a second interior space of the organizer shown in FIGS. 1A-B.

FIG. 4A is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the swivel joint from FIG. 1A.

FIG. 4B is a section view through section line B-B of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a section view through an organizer according to alternate embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-B are a side elevation view and a top view of an organizer according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6C is a detail view of a portion of a tilt mechanism from FIGS. 6A-B.

FIG. 7A is a front elevation view of an organizer according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a section view of a door of the organizer shown in FIG. 7A, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7C is a side view of the door shown in FIG. 7B wherein a tilt mechanism is engaged.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are a perspective views into interior spaces of an organizer, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides practical illustrations for implementing exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 1A is a side elevation view of an organizer 10 according to some embodiments of the present invention; and FIG. 1B is a section view through section line A-A of FIG. 1A. FIGS. 1A-B illustrate a cabinet of organizer 10 including a first interior space 101 and a second interior space 102, each formed by a first sidewall 11, a second sidewall 12 opposite first side wall 11, a top wall 13 and a bottom wall 14, each extending from first sidewall 11 to second sidewall 12; a back wall 16 extends from first sidewall 11 to second side wall 12 and from top wall 13 to bottom wall 14 such that first interior space 101 is disposed on a first side 161 of back wall 16 and second interior space 102 is disposed on a second side 162 of back wall 16. A first door 110, for first interior space 101, is shown hinged to second side wall 12, and a second door 120, for second interior space 102, is shown hinged to first side wall 11, for example with hinges 121; both doors 110, 120 are shown partially open. According to the illustrated embodiment, second door 120 includes a mirror 125 disposed on an exterior surface 122; likewise, another mirror may be disposed on an exterior surface of first door 110. It should be noted that embodiments of the present invention are not limited to doors which are hinged to sidewalls as depicted in the illustrations, for those skilled in the art will appreciate other locations for, and types of couplings suitable for the doors.
FIG. 1A further illustrates organizer 10 including a base 15 joined to bottom wall 14 by a swivel joint 145. According to embodiments of the present invention, swivel joint 145 allows the cabinet to swivel 360 degrees about base 15, so that a person using organizer 10 may rotate the cabinet about a vertical axis, per arrow A, in order to gain access to all sides of organizer 10. FIG. 1D is a top view of organizer 10 further illustrating various swivel positions of organizer 10 with dashed lines. An exemplary embodiment of swivel joint 145 will be described below in conjunction with FIGS. 4A-B.
FIG. 1B further illustrates a depth D of the cabinet, a depth D1 of first interior space 101 and a depth D2 of second interior space 102; according to an exemplary embodiment depth D is approximately seven inches, depth D1 is approximately 3 and 9/16 inches, and depth D2 is approximately 2 and 9/16 inches. According to the illustrated embodiment, first interior space 101 is configured to accommodate cosmetic items and second interior space 102 is configured to accommodate jewelry items, as will be described in greater detail below, in conjunction with FIGS. 2A-C and FIG. 3, respectively. It should be understood that, according to alternate embodiments of the present invention, both interior spaces 101, 102 could be configured to store cosmetic items, or both spaces 101, 102 could be configured to store jewelry items. Furthermore, although organizer 10 is shown including two interior spaces 101, 102, alternate embodiments of the present invention include a single interior space, either configured to store jewelry items or cosmetic items, while further alternate embodiments include one or more additional interior spaces, in addition to spaces 101, 102, for example formed by additional sidewalls extending from opposing sides of either or both of first and second sidewalls 11, 12, as is shown in cross-section in FIG. 5. If organizer 10 includes only one interior space, for example interior space 101, back wall 16 would terminate the single space, and an outer surface of back wall 16, for example second side 162, could include a mirror disposed thereon.
FIG. 1C is a front elevation view of organizer 10 from FIGS. 1A-B. FIG. 1C illustrates a width W and height H of organizer 10; according to an exemplary embodiment, width W is approximately nine and ½ inches and height H is approximately nineteen and ½ inches. FIG. 1C further illustrates a height h of base 15 and a clearance c between base 15 and the cabinet to accommodate swiveling action. According to an exemplary embodiment, base height h is approximately 5/16 of an inch and clearance c is approximately 1/16 of an inch.
FIGS. 2A-B are elevation views of first interior space 101 of organizer 10 and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of interior space 101 showing various cosmetic items stored therein. FIG. 2A illustrates interior space 101 including two shelf-like containers 21 that each include a plurality of compartments 210, each compartment 210 having an opening directed toward top wall 13. According to some embodiments of the present invention, containers 21 are pivotally mounted to first and second sidewalls 11, 12 for rotation from a first position, in which containers 21 are shown in FIG. 1A, to a second position, in which containers 21 are shown in FIG. 1B. FIG. 2C is a perspective view of one of containers 21 disassembled from interior space 101 to show how containers 21 are pivotally mounted. FIG. 2C illustrates container 21 adapted to be pivotally mounted on pins 215, one pin 215 protruding from each of sidewalls 11 and 12; each pin 215 mates in a slot 213 formed in either end of each container 21. According to the illustrated embodiment, a front end 211 of each slot 213 rests on the corresponding pin 215 in the first position (FIG. 2A) until container 21 is lifted slightly to allow each slot 213 to slide forward from each pin 215, so that an opposing end 217 of each slot 213 rests against each pin 215, such that container 21 is tilted forward into the second position (FIG. 2B). The dashed lines in FIG. 2C represent an end profile of container 21 tilted into the second position, wherein end 217 of slot 213 is resting on pin 215. According to the illustrated embodiment, an upper surface of container 21, corresponding to the openings of compartments 210, is disposed at an angle β of approximately 45 degrees, with respect to a horizontal plane, when container 21 is in the second position.
Each compartment 210 of containers 21 may hold tubes or bottles of cosmetics (FIG. 8), for example lipstick or nail polish, respectively, and, according to an exemplary embodiment, have a width, depth and height of approximately ⅞ of an inch. The second, or tilted position of containers 21 (FIG. 2B) may allow for easier access to compartments 210 for insertion and removal of items. With reference to FIG. 2A, a spacing S21 between containers 21, measured from a bottom of one to the bottom of the other, according to an exemplary embodiment, is approximately 3 and ¼ inches; the uppermost container 21 may also be spaced a similar distance from top wall 13.
Referring back to FIG. 2A, a second type of shelf-like container 24 is shown disposed in interior space 101; according to the illustrated embodiment, container 24 is partitioned into compartments 240 by dividers extending from a front sidewall of container 24 to back wall 16. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a width of each compartment 240 is approximately two inches, a depth of each compartment 240 is approximately 1 and ⅜ inches, and a height of each compartment 240, defined by the front sidewall, is approximately 1 and 7/16 inches. According to the illustrated embodiment, each compartment 240 can hold wider items than compartments 210, for example jars of cream or eye-shadow compacts. The dividers of container 24 may be permanently positioned, or removable so that a user of organizer 10 may adjust the partitioning of container 24 to re-configure compartments 240. FIG. 2A further illustrates a lower compartment 250 formed by a front sidewall 25 extending up from bottom wall 14 and across from first sidewall 11 to second sidewall 12. According to an exemplary embodiment, compartment 250 has a depth of approximately 1 and ¾ inches. According to the illustrated embodiment, compartment 250 can hold larger items than each of compartments 240, for example bottles of lotion or hair styling products (FIG. 8). With reference to FIG. 2B, a spacing S241 between containers 24 and 21, measured from a bottom of one to a bottom of the other, may be approximately 3 and ¾ inches, and a spacing S254 between bottom wall 14 and container 24 may be approximately 7 and ½ inches.
FIG. 2A further illustrates additional shelf- like containers 22 and 23 mounted on an interior surface 118 of door 110; each of containers 22 include compartments 220 and container 23 includes compartments 230. According to an exemplary embodiment, each compartment 220 has a width of approximately four inches, a depth of approximately ¾ of an inch and a height of approximately one inch, and each compartment 230 has a width of approximately one and ⅜ inch, a depth of approximately ¾ of an inch, and a height of approximately two inches. As previously described for container 24, dividers of containers 22 and 23 forming compartments 220 and 230, respectively, may also be removable so that a user of organizer 10 can reconfigure the compartments of each container. With reference to FIG. 2B, a spacing S22 between containers 22, measured from a bottom of one to a bottom of the other, may be approximately three and ½ inches, a spacing S221 between a top of door 110 and the bottom of the uppermost container 22 may be approximately three inches, and a spacing S23 between container 23 and the lowermost container 22, measured from a bottom of one to a bottom of the other, may be approximately seven and ½ inches.
FIG. 3 is an elevation view of second interior space 102 of organizer 10 and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of interior space 102 showing various jewelry items stored therein. FIG. 3 illustrates several jewelry storage elements mounted within interior space 102 between first and second sidewalls 11, 12; the storage elements, which are all shown attached to back wall 16, include a ring storage element 34, a hook bar 32 supporting a plurality of hooks, and a pocket-like receptacle 33. FIG. 3 further illustrates pocket-like receptacle 33 disposed below hook bar 32, for example, so that lower portions of necklaces, which would be hanging from the hooks, can be received within pocket-like receptacle 33, for example, to prevent damage or tangling. According to the illustrated embodiment, ring storage element 34 includes a plurality of slits 340 arranged in an array of rows and columns; each slit 340 is compliant and sized for an interference fit about a single ring. Slits 340 may be formed in a foam panel, which is glued to back wall 16, or by a plurality of parallel rolls positioned adjacent one another to form the slits therebetween. Although slits 340 are illustrated extending in a horizontal direction, slits 340 may alternately extend in a vertical direction. Pocket-like receptacle 33 may be formed by a fabric panel including an elastic member attached to an upper edge thereof, which may be stretched to open receptacle 33 to receive portions of necklaces hung from the hooks of hook bar 32.
FIG. 3 further illustrates several additional jewelry storage elements mounted on an inner surface 128 of door 120; the additional storage elements include an earring storage element 31, a second hook bar 32 supporting a plurality of hooks, and a second pocket-like receptacle 33 disposed in proximity to hook bar 32 to accommodate relatively short jewelry items hung from hook bar 32, for example bracelets. According to the illustrated embodiment, earring storage element includes a plurality of horizontal cross-bars 315 spanning posts 310 that are attached to inner surface 128 of door 120; each horizontal cross bar 315 includes a plurality of openings, each dimensioned to receive an earring.
Further details regarding the jewelry storage elements described herein are included in commonly assigned patent application, publication no. 2005/0093405, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,178, which is hereby incorporated by reference, in its entirety. Furthermore, it should be noted that any or all of the storage elements of the present invention may be designed to be moveable within interior space 102, as described in the aforementioned commonly assigned patent application, and, any additional storage items not described herein but described in the aforementioned patent application may also be incorporated into embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 4A is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of swivel joint 145 from FIG. 1A; and FIG. 4B is a section view through section line B-B of FIG. 4A. As previously described, swivel joint 145 allows the cabinet to swivel 360 degrees about base 15, so that a person using organizer 10 may rotate the cabinet to gain access to different sides thereof, for example to initially access first interior space 101 and then to access second interior space 102. FIG. 4A illustrates swivel joint 145 including a ball bearing assembly 43 coupling base 15 to a swivel mount 41, which is coupled to bottom wall 14 of the cabinet; a cavity 435 of base 15 contains this coupling, and an annular groove 425, formed in base 15, contains a turning ring 42 including casters 420, which support a weight of the cabinet while allowing swiveling action. FIG. 4B illustrates mount 41 including an outward projecting protrusion 410 and annular groove 425 including a plurality of inward projecting protrusions 450 disposed about a perimeter thereof. According to the illustrated embodiment, protrusion 410 along with each of protrusions 450 form a pair of mating stops as protrusion 410 of mount 41 rotates past each of protrusions 450; the mating stops will slow or stop the rotation of the cabinet at discrete locations about the 360 degree-revolution thereof. The mating stops can regulate a speed of rotation so that a person using organizer 10 does not inadvertently spin the cabinet past a desired point, and can hold the cabinet at a desired point about the 360 degree-revolution. It should be noted that alternate embodiments of the present invention may include a fewer or a greater number of protrusions 450 in groove 450 to provide a different number of mating stops; furthermore, additional embodiments include other types of stops or no stops at all.
FIG. 5 is a section view through an organizer 50 according to alternate embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 5 illustrates organizer 50 including a cabinet having four interior spaces 501, 502, 503, and 504, each of which may include either shelf-like containers, for example as described for first interior space 101 of organizer 10, or jewelry storage elements, for example as described for second interior space 102 of organizer 10, or a combination of both. First and second interior spaces 501 and 502 are shown formed by a first side wall 511, a second sidewall 512 and a back wall 516 extending between first and second sidewalls 511, 512. Third interior space 503 is shown formed by a pair of sidewalls 513 and 523 extending from opposing ends of first sidewall 511; and fourth interior space 504 is shown formed by a pair of sidewalls 514 and 524 extending from opposing ends of second sidewall 512. FIG. 5 further illustrates each interior space 501, 502, 503, 504 accessible through corresponding doors 510, 520, 530 and 540, which are shown hinged to sidewalls 511, 512, 523 and 514, respectively; each door is shown partially open. According to embodiments of the present invention, organizer 50 further includes a base 515 on which the cabinet is pivotally mounted, so that a user may swivel the cabinet for access to each of interior spaces 501, 502, 503, 504; although not shown, it should be understood that the cabinet is joined to base 515 by a swivel joint, which may be similar to that described for organizer 10.
Organizers according to the present invention may be of any proportions, for example, one group of embodiments has a relatively large overall size, for example, to stand on a floor, and another group of embodiments has a relatively small overall size, for example, to stand on a counter-top or dresser-top. In either case, some of the embodiments, which include a mirror, for example, as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1C, further include a tilt mechanism in order to orient the mirror at an angle with respect to a vertical axis. For the floor models, an upward tilt of the mirror may be particularly desired, however it is contemplated that an upward tilt would also be desirable for the counter-top or dresser-top models, particularly if the top on which the organizer is placed is around waist height. FIGS. 6A-7C illustrate several embodiments of tilt mechanisms. Of course other types of tilting mechanisms now known or later invented may be used. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,858 entitled “Christmas Tree Stand”, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety, describes a tilt mechanism which may be adapted for use with organizers of the present invention. Furthermore, foot activated mechanisms for applying either a lever or a wedging action may be incorporated into tilting mechanisms for organizers of the present invention.
FIGS. 6A-B are a side elevation view and a top view of an organizer 60 according to some embodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 6A-B illustrate organizer 60 including first sidewall 11, second sidewall 12 opposite first side wall 11, top wall 13 and bottom wall 14, each extending from first sidewall 11 to second sidewall 12; a back wall 16 extends from first sidewall 11 to second side wall 12 and from top wall 13 to bottom wall 14. Similar to the cabinet of previously illustrated organizer 10, the aforementioned walls enclose an interior space of the cabinet, which is accessible via door 120 that may be hinged to first side wall 11; the cabinet is also similarly coupled by swivel joint 145 to base 15. A mirror may be disposed on an outer surface of either or both of door 120 and back wall 16, and FIG. 6A further illustrates organizer including a tilt mechanism 650 to orient organizer 60 and thus mirror(s) at an angle with respect to a vertical axis. According to the illustrated embodiment, tilt mechanism 650 includes a first telescoping leg 654 and a second telescoping leg 656, which each include an inner portion 651 and an outer portion 652, into which inner portion 651 extends.
FIG. 6C is a detail view of one of telescoping legs 654, 656. FIG. 6C illustrates a locking pin 653 holding inner portion 651 in place with respect to outer portion 652 at a desired extension of inner portion 651 from outer portion 652. According to the illustrated embodiment, outer portion 651 includes a hole (not shown), passing through opposing sidewalls thereof, and inner portion 651 includes a series of holes (not shown) spaced along a length thereof, each hole extending through opposing sidewalls thereof; an alignment of inner and outer holes provides a passageway for pin 653 to pass in order to reversibly lock portions 651, 652 together at various extensions of inner portion 651 from outer portion 652. FIG. 6A illustrates inner portions 651 extending equidistance from outer portions 652 of first and second legs 654, 656, such that organizer 60 is not tilted; FIG. 6A further illustrates, with dashed lines, a tilt of organizer 60 that would result if inner portion 651 of first leg 654 were to be extended, per arrow C. If door 120 includes a mirror disposed on an outer surface thereof, it will be appreciated that the tilt shown by the dashed lines will provide a person, whose eye-level is within a range extending along and above an upper portion of the mirror, an improved view into the mirror.
FIG. 7A is a front elevation view of an organizer 70 according to some embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 7A illustrates a door 720, which provides access to an interior space of a cabinet of organizer 70; the cabinet of organizer 70 may include one or more interior spaces, for example, similar to either organizer 10 or organizer 50, previously illustrated, and is shown coupled to base 15 by swivel joint 145. FIG. 7A further illustrates a panel 721 including a mirror 726 and a handle 725, each disposed on an outer surface thereof; panel 721 is shown coupled to door 720 by a pair of hinges 730.
FIG. 7B is a section view of a door of the organizer shown in FIG. 7A, according to one embodiment. FIG. 7B illustrates door 720 including a recessed area 724 into which panel 721 is fitted. FIG. 7B further illustrates panel 721 including a tilt mechanism, which is formed by an arm 723 joined to panel at a pivot joint 722, in combination with hinges 730. According to the illustrated embodiment, a lower portion of panel 721 may be pulled away from door 720, for example, via handle 725, to be reversibly locked in a tilted position, when arm 723 rotates about pivot joint 722 and becomes extended to support panel as illustrated in FIG. 7C. According to some embodiments arm 723 is disposed near a midpoint of a width of panel 721 and may extend across the width; according to alternate embodiments, multiple arms 723 may be spaced apart approximately across the width of panel 721. It may be appreciated that the tilt of panel 721 shown in FIG. 7C will provide a person, whose eye-level is within a range extending along and above an upper portion of the mirror, an improved view into mirror 726.
In the foregoing detailed description, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, it may be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
FIG. 10 shows the interior of one embodiment of the jewelry cabinet 810, including the interior surface 830 of the door 822 and the interior 832 of the box frame 812. A number of jewelry storage elements are contained in the interior 830 of the door 822 and the interior 832 of the box frame 812. The jewelry storage elements are described in more detail below. For convenience, the same reference numbers will be used to refer to the same features when used in different embodiments.
Now referring to FIG. 10, the interior surface 830 of the door 822 includes an earring storage area 840. The earring storage area 840 may include one or more earring bars 842. Each earring bar 842 includes a number of slits 844 for receiving the post or other component of a pair of earrings. Earrings intended for pierced ears may be inserted or dropped into the slits 844. Clip earrings may be mounted directly on the earring bar 842. In one embodiment, ten earring bars are included in the earring storage area 840. However, many different numbers of earring bars may be provide din the earring storage area 840, such as one, two, five, twelve or fifteen.
Vertical elements 846 are connected to the earring bars 842. The vertical elements 846 attach to the door 822 and the earring bars 842 in turn attach to the vertical elements 846. The vertical elements 846 may attach to the interior surface 830 of the door 822 in many ways. For example, the vertical elements may be nailed, screwed, or glued to the interior 830 of the door 822. The interior surface 830 of the door 822 includes the wood frame and central area 848 surrounded by the wood frame. The central area 848 includes a cloth covering or other type of covering over the back of the mirror. In one embodiment, the cloth as anti-tarnish properties. Alternatively, a separate piece of wood, laminate, or other material may be positioned next to the back of the mirror. A cloth may be positioned in the central area 848 directly adjacent to the mirror or in addition to another piece of material. Alternatively, the back of the mirror could be exposed on the interior surface of the door. Alternatively, as noted above, the door 822 can be solid so that the back of the mirror 826 is not exposed by the interior surface 830 of the door 822.
Again referring to FIG. 10, below the earring storage area 840 there are two hook bars 850. The hook bars 850 have a number of hooks positioned on them to hold hanging items, such as bracelets, necklaces, or other hanging jewelry articles. Between the two hook bars 850, a bracelet storage area 852 is defined. The size of the bracelet storage area 852 may be selected to allow for convenient storage of bracelets.
The lower hook bar 850 on the inside surface 830 of door 822 is arranged to allow for storage of longer hanging items such as necklaces. This hook bar may be referred to a necklace bar, because the area beneath it is ample to support the hanging of necklaces. A pouch 854 is positioned at the bottom of the door's interior surface 830. The pouch 854 functions to contain very long necklaces that would otherwise extend below the bottom of the door 822. The pouch 854 preferably includes an elastic element 856 at it stop edge to neatly contain the necklace portions.
The door interior 830 may also include a door securing element 858. Alternatively, a door securing element is not required for the cabinet 810. The door securing element 858 could be a magnet that holds the door shut without locking it. Alternatively, the door securing element 858 could be a latching or locking-type mechanism, such as a standard key-operated locking mechanism.
FIG. 10 also shows the interior 832 of the box frame 812. A ring storage area 860 includes a foam ring section with slits 862 for holding rings. The ring storage area 860 is defined between a top wall 814 of the box frame 812 and a divider 864. On the sides, the ring storage area is bordered by the two side walls 818, 820 of the box frame 812. The ring area may be about 7 inches tall including a foam section about ¾ inch thick. The foam section may be secured in the box frame using glue.
Below the divider 864, another hook bar 850 is positioned including a number of hooks for hanging jewelry articles, such as necklaces. Another pouch 854 is located below the hook bar 850 that is located on interior 832 of the box frame 812.
Below the hook bar 850 and pouch 854, a shelf storage area 870 is defined and includes a number of shelves 872. In one embodiment, the shelves may be provided with shelf dividers 874 for conveniently dividing the top surface area on the shelves 872 into individual storage areas for jewelry articles. The dividers 874 may be movable and/or removable.
In one embodiment, the earring bar is about 12 inches wide, about ⅛ thick and about 7/16 inches tall. The slits 844 for holding earrings in the earring bar 842 may be about ⅛ inch deep and may be spaced apart by about ½ inch. Many different configurations are possible for the earring bar, including different shapes, and many different dimensions for the depth of the slits, the spacing of the slits, and the dimensions of the earring bar. The earring bar 842 can be attached to vertical elements 846 as shown in FIG. 10.
Another alternative arrangement of interior components of a cabinet would involve placing the door elements from FIG. 10 in the box frame and placing the box frame elements on the door. These components may be reversed or certain specific components may be reversed in their placement on the door or in the box frame. For example, the box frame may include several earring bars, two hook bars and a pouch. The door may include a ring storage foam structure, a hook bar, and one or more shelves. A bracelet bar may be positioned on either the door or in the box frame in this version.

Claims

1-51. (canceled)

52. A storage organizer for vanity items comprising:

a cabinet including:

a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the first sidewall, a top wall extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, a bottom wall opposing the top wall and extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, and a back wall extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall and from the top wall to the bottom wall;

a first interior space disposed on the first side of the back wall and formed by the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the top wall, the bottom wall, and the back wall; and

a second interior space disposed on the second side of the back wall and formed by the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the top wall, the bottom wall, and the back wall;

a first door, for the first interior space, extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, opposite the back wall when in a closed position;

a second door, for the second interior space, extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, opposite the back wall, when in a closed position; and

a base joined to the bottom wall by a swivel joint, the swivel joint allowing the cabinet to rotate 360 degrees about the base.

53. The organizer of claim 52, further comprising a mirror disposed on an outer surface of the first door.

54. The organizer of claim 53, further comprising another mirror disposed on an outer surface of the second door.

55. The organizer of claim 52, further comprising a jewelry storage element mounted within the first interior space.

56. The organizer of claim 52, further comprising a shelf-like container mounted within the first interior space.

57. The organizer of claim 56, wherein the container includes a plurality of compartments, each compartment having an opening.

58. The organizer of claim 56, wherein the container is pivotally mounted to the first and second sidewalls for rotation from a first position to a second position.

59. The organizer of claim 58, wherein the container includes at least one compartment, the compartment having an opening, the opening directed toward the top wall when the container is in the first position and directed outward from the first interior space when in the container is in the second position.

60. The organizer of claim 56, further comprising a jewelry storage element mounted within the second interior space.

61. The organizer of claim 52, further comprising a jewelry storage element mounted on an inner surface of the first door.

62. The organizer of claim 52, further comprising a jewelry storage element mounted on an inner surface of the second door.

63. The organizer of claim 52, wherein the swivel joint includes a pair of mating stops to slow rotation of the cabinet at a discrete location, the stops allowing rotation of the cabinet past the location.

64. The organizer of claim 52, wherein the swivel joint includes a plurality of pairs of mating stops to slow rotation of the cabinet, each at a corresponding discrete location, the pairs of stops allowing rotation of the cabinet past each of the locations.

65. The organizer of claim 60 wherein the jewelry storage element is a ring tray.

66. The organizer of claim 62 wherein the jewelry storage element is a bracelet bar.

67. The organizer of claim 62 wherein the jewelry storage element is an earring storage area.

68. The jewelry organizer of claim 61 wherein the jewelry storage element is a hook bar having a plurality of hooks.

69. The jewelry organizer of claim 67 wherein the earring storage area has at least one earring bar, with the earring bar having a plurality of slits.

70. The jewelry organizer of claim 68, further comprising a pouch located beneath the hook bar and is configured to capture lengthy pieces of jewelry placed on the plurality of hooks.