Closet organizer

Abstract

Closet Organizer with a plurality of disks, each disk having a central circuar cut out portion and each disk having a radial slit from the cut out portion to the outer edge. The trailing edge of the slit of one the disk is attached to the leading edge of the next the disk until all disks are attached forming a screw type spiral assembly. The disks have a non slip material attached to their top surface. The disks are suspended one above the other by a plurality of cables, each cable having a washer or other standard supporting hardware under each disk so that the disks are set approximatly six inches apart from each other. The top most disk does not have a central cut out so that a hanger can be attached at its center. The entire disk assembly can then be hung on a standard closet rod.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of clothing organizers and more specifically to a closet organizer.

Organizers for storing various items of clothing have been in use for many years. Many people's homes have closets with horizotal hanger rods built into them. The user then hangs garments and the like on standard clothes hangers and are in turn hung on the hanger rod.

Although this configuration works well for hanging items such as pants, shirts, dresses and the like, it does not lend itself to storing other items such as shoes, socks, undergarments, and the like. Although many people store these items in drawers, some people do not have adequate drawer space and are forced to find other solutions. With regard to shoes, a variety of shoe holders are available today. They tend to be constructed of flat panels with a plurality of sewn pockets on one side. The user places the panel on a wall or door back and places the shoes in the verticaly oriented pockets. Although these devices provide storage, they are limited in the amount of shoes they can hold, they require a wall or door to hang them and they tend to deform the shape of the shoes they hold. Another recent storage design involves hanging a cloth shelf system thereby creating shelf space. The shelves are approximatly twelve inches square. These devices work well in that they can hold a variety of items and do not tend to deform shoes or the like. However, their relativly small size restricts the amount of items that can be stored. If the size were larger, the user would have a dificult time reaching items that are at the rear of the unit because the unit is designed to face forward with no provision for rotation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is To provide a closet organizer that makes maximum use of the space within a standard clothes closet.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closet organizer that is easily collapsable for storage or shipping.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closet organizer-that can rotate to allow the user to access items at the rear of the organizer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a closet organizer that can hang on a standard closet rod.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a closet organizer that allows the user to store shoes, shirts, socks and other items in a neat organized fashion.

Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a closet organizer that includes a non stick surface material that prevents items stored in the organizer from sliding off.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a Closet Organizer comprising: A plurality of stiff yet flexible disks approximatly twenty inches in diameter, each said disk having a central circuar cut out portion, each said disk having a radial slit from said cut out portion to the outer edge, the trailing edge of the slit of one said disk fixedly attached to the leading edge of the next said disk until all disks are attached forming a screw type spiral, said disks having a non slip material attached to their top surface, said disks suspended one above the other by a plurality of vertically oriented cables, each said cable having a washer or other standard supporting means under each said disk so that said disks are fixedly set approximatly six inches apart, said top most disk not having central cut out so that a hanger means can be attached at its center so that the entire disk assembly can be hung on a standard closed rod. Said hanger means includes a thrust bearing so that said hanging disks can be rotated by the user in either horizontal direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the closet organizer of the present invention in the use position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention in the closed, storage position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention with shoes placed in it.

FIG. 4 is a side section view of a portion of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a shelf of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective veiw of a poriton of the invention showing auxilary clothing holding trays

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a perspective view of the present invention 100. The organizer 100 is hung on a standard closet rod 2 by a hook portion 6. The organizer 100 is comprised of a series of identical disk shaped shelves 14 that are circular in design. In the preffered embodiment. In the preferred embodiment, the disks are constructed of stiff yet flexible material such as one sixteenth of and inch thick styrene plastic or the like. The disks 14 have an inner cut out poriton 15. The disks 14 have a slit 17 that travels from the inner cut out portion 15 to the outer edge. The leading poriton of one disk 21 is fixendly attached to the trailing disk 19 of another disk thereby creating an overall spiral design when the disks are hung as they are in the present design. A plurality of vertically oriented cables 10, 12 made of rope material or stranded wire cable or the like, pass through apertures in each disk. A disk supporting means 8 in the form of a washer, or a knot in the cord, or other standard supporting means helps position each disk so that they are evenly spaced, one above the other. The preverred space between each disk is approximatly six inches. The disks 14 are approximatly twenty inches in diameter thereby fitting comfortably into most standard clothes closets which are about twenty one inches deep as shown by arrows 4. A U shaped trim strip 16 helps create stiffness at the outer edge of each disk 14 and alos creates a neat, finished appearance. FIG. 2 shows the present invention 100 in its collapsed, stored form. This configuration allows the unit 100 to be packaged in a relativly flat box. The unit 100 instantly becomes usable when the user lifts hanger portion 6 and hangs it on a horizontal rod. The top ends of cables 10, 12 can also be clearly seen. Additionlly, it can be seen that the top most disk 3 does not have a central cutout so that hanger 6 can be installed. FIG. 3 shows the present invnetion 100 in use with a plurality of shoes 20 in place on each shelf. Because there are no vertical partitions in the design of the present invention 100, the shoes 20 can be placed in a position decided by the user. FIG. 4 is a side section view that shows the construction of the hanger portion where a thrust bearing 22 allows hanger 6 to rotate freely thereby allowing the user to turn the disk assembly to access items stored an all sides of the unit. Threaded portion 24 allows the hanger 6 to be unscrewed so that maximum flatness can be obtained for packaging. Additionally, in FIG. 4 one can clearly see circular cut out 15, vertical cables 10, 12, supporting means 8 and disk 14. A non slip surface 30 is placed on top of disk 14 so that even though the disks are angled in their use position, the items stored on surface 30 will not slip off. U shaped trim piece 16 can also be clearly seen. FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a disk 14. Non slip material 30 is clearly seen. Outlines of shoes 20 shows one possible configuration of shoe placement. FIG. 6 shows a partial perspective view of the invention 100 that includes the addition of pie shaped trays 60, 70 that can hold small items such as socks and undergarments 62. Folded shirts or sweaters 50 can also be placed directly on a disk shelf 14 as well as shoes 20 as already described.

Obviously, an alternate embodiment of the present invention can be envisioned where each disk 14 is kept as a flat disk without the spiral effect shown in the preferred embodiment. It is our belief that the spiral design provides a more versital storage means in that, because the storage surface is a continuous plane, items can be placed side by side without regard for individual shelf size.

Additionally, other materials can be envisioned for the disk shaped shelf such as wire and, or paperboard reinforced cloth.

The above description and drawings show that the present invention provides an ideal storage means for clothes closets that include a standard hanger pole. Because the invention is rotatable, items in rear of the present storage device can be reached as easily as items in the front.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Closet Organizer comprising:

A plurality of stiff yet flexible disks approximatly twenty inches in diameter;

each said disk having a central circuar cut out portion;

each said disk having a radial slit from said cut out portion to the outer edge;

the trailing edge of the slit of one said disk fixedly attached to the leading edge of the next said disk until all disks are attached forming a screw type spiral;

said disks having a non slip material attached to their top surface;

said disks suspended one above the other by a plurality of vertically oriented cables;

each said cable having a washer or other standard supporting means under each said disk so that said disks are fixedly set approximatly six inches apart;

said top most disk not having central cut out so that a hanger means can be attached at its center so that the entire disk assembly can be hung on a standard closed rod; and

said hanger means includes a thrust bearing so that said hanging disks can be rotated by the user in either horizontal direction.

2. Closet Organizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shoes, shirts, or other clothing items can be set on the top surface said disks for storage.

3. Closet Organizer as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of pie shaped trays. for holding smaller garments such as socks or the like.

4. An alternate embodiment of said Closet Organizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said disks are made of cloth and having a sewn in spring steel hoop member that defines the outer edge of said disks.

5. An alternate embodiment of said Closet Organizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said disks are larger or smaller in diameter.

6. Closet Organizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the edges of said discs are enclosed by a U shaped flexible trim strip.