Storage cabinet for clothing accessories

Abstract

A cabinet for storing accessories includes a frame having a top, a bottom and left and right side walls connected together to form a compartment and at least one door member connected by at least one hinge to one of the right side wall and the left side wall of the frame. Elongated members are pivotally and independently connected to an inner surface of one of the right side wall and the left side wall of the frame and pivotally movable in a horizontal plane between a first position for storing such clothing accessories within the compartment of the frame and a second position for positioning such clothing accessories external to the frame when the at least one door member is open. Clips or hooks are attached to each elongated member for hanging such clothing accessories in a spaced relationship from each other. Storage drawers and trays may be mounted within the frame.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priory from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/663,868 filed Mar. 21, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to storage cabinets and, more particularly, this invention relates to storage cabinets for clothing accessories such as neckties, scarves, belts, suspenders, handkerchiefs, tiepins, cufflinks, jewelry and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is generally well known, clothing accessories such as neckties, scarves, belts, suspenders, handkerchiefs, tiepins, cufflinks, jewelry and the like are stored in separate locations. This requires a greater effort by the wearer to find and collect particular articles of clothing accessories that they need in order to be fully dressed. Furthermore, storage cabinets such as dressers which are commonly used for storing such clothing accessories, particularly smaller clothing accessories, such as tiepins, cufflinks, jewelry and the like, are often limited in their construction to contain all articles that the wearer owns. Storing of neckties, scarves and handkerchiefs within a drawer of such dresser leads to forming of undesirable wrinkles and limit a user's ability to easily and quickly locate needed accessories.

Hanging of some clothing accessories, such as ties and belts, in the closet often causes them to fall to the floor of the closet area. Furthermore, difficulties remain in quickly selecting a matching necktie, as it is common to hang more than one necktie on a single hook.

Efforts have been made to improve storage of neckties and belts. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,940 to Richard discloses a storage cabinet which incorporate an internally movable single rack for holding a plurality of neckties. While such prior art solves the problem of undesirable wrinkling, it employs a complex arrangement to enable linear movement of such rack as well as to incorporate it into the cabinet structure. Such complex arrangement increases the cost of storing such plurality of neckties. Furthermore, Richard discloses tie restraints to prevent neckties from flapping during rack movement which are undesirable due to a further increase in cost of storing such plurality of neckties.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,975,057 to Smith discloses a pair of hangers which are connected by hinges. A plurality of clips for holding neckties and a plurality of hooks for holding belts are attached to a generally horizontal member of each hanger. Such pair of hangers may be easily positioned in the closet or within a garment bag. However, the wearer is burdened by the need to remove such pair of hangers from the closet rod or hook and either hold it in one hand or lay it on a generally horizontal surface in order to easily and quickly select a desirable necktie or belt. The wearer must than rehang the pair of hangers in order to properly store such clothing accessories.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a cabinet for storing clothing accessories. Such cabinet includes a frame having a top, a bottom and left and right side walls being connected together and forming a compartment. At least one door member is connected by a hinges to one of the right side wall and the left side wall of the frame. Elongated members are pivotally and independently connected to an inner surface of one of the right side wall and the left side wall of the frame and pivotally movable in a horizontal plane between a first position for storing such clothing accessories within the compartment of the frame and a second position for positioning them external to the frame when the at least one door member is open. Clips or hooks are attached to each elongated member for hanging such clothing accessories in a spaced relationship from each other.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a storage cabinet for clothing accessories.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage cabinet for clothing accessories which is suitable for storing a wide variety of such clothing accessories.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a storage cabinet for clothing accessories which eliminates undesirable wrinkling of neckties, scarves and the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a storage cabinet for clothing accessories which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a storage cabinet for clothing accessories which conceals the presence of such clothing accessories.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a decorative storage cabinet for clothing accessories.

In addition to the several objects and advantages of the present invention which have been described with some degree of specificity above, various other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a storage cabinet of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the storage cabinet taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1, particularly showing a necktie clip construction; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the storage cabinet of the present invention particularly showing its mounting to a wall structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

It is to be understood that the definition of a clothing accessory includes but is not limited to at least one of a necktie, scarf, belt, suspenders, handkerchief, tiepin, cufflinks, handbag and various article of jewelry.

Reference is now made, to FIGS. 1-3, wherein there is shown a cabinet, generally designated 10, for storing a predetermined quantity of at least one preselected clothing accessory 2. Such cabinet 10 includes a frame, generally designated 20, having a top 22, a bottom 24 and left and right side walls 26 and 28, respectively, being connected together to form a compartment 30.

A means, generally designated 40, is pivotally connected to an inner surface of one of the right side wall 26 and the left side wall 28 of the frame 20 for hanging such predetermined quantity of such at least one preselected clothing accessory 2. Such hanging means 40 is pivotally movable between a first position wherein such at least one preselected clothing accessory 2 is stored within the compartment 30 of the frame 20 and a second position wherein such at least one preselected clothing accessory 2 is positioned external to the frame 20.

The cabinet 10 may be further provided with a back 32 which is rigidly connected to the top 22, the bottom 24, the left side wall 26 and the right side wall 28.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention such hanging means 40 includes at least one elongated member 42 mounted for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane at a pivot 44 and a predetermined plurality of clips 46 attached to the at least one elongated member 42. By example, as shown in FIG. 2, each clip 46 includes a pair of arms 48 oriented in a generally vertical direction and which engage such at least one preselected clothing accessory 2.

Each arm 48 has a pair of opposed flanges 52 extending outwardly towards the other arm 48. Each flange 52 is provided with an aperture 54 for pivotally mounting such arm 48 onto the at least one elongated member 42. The pair of arms 48 are biased towards each other at respective first ends 56 and biased away from each other at an opposed respective second end 58. A spring means 60 is disposed intermediate the pair of arms 48 for biasing first ends 56 towards each other in order to securely hold such at least one preselected clothing accessory 2.

Spring means 60 is preferably a torsion spring provided with an aperture 62 for receiving such at least one elongated member 42. It will be understood that the second ends 58 are manually movable towards each other to move such first ends 56 away from each other for one of releasing from or placing such at least one preselected clothing accessory 2 into the clip 46. The first ends 56 may be larger than the second ends 58. Advantageously, such clip 46 can slide along the at least one elongated member 42 in order to hang such predetermined quantity of such at least one preselected clothing accessory 2 in a variably spaced relationship to each other.

Each of the pair of arms 48 may include a cushioning means 66, for example foam, attached to an interior surface thereof and disposed adjacent the first end 56.

Alternatively, one arm 48 may be rigidly attached to or provided as an integral part of such elongated member 42 resulting in such predetermined plurality of clips 46 being disposed in a fixed spaced relationship from each other.

The hanging means 40 may further include a predetermined plurality of hooks 70 attached in a spaced relationship from each other and from clips 46. Such hook 70 may include a base member 72 extending outwardly from the at least one elongated member 42 and a leg member 74 extending upwardly from an end of the base member 72. Alternatively, the hook 70 may be simply an elongated member 76 extending outwardly and angularly from such at least one elongated member 42.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arm form that the clip 46 is advantageous for hanging a necktie and/or scarf while hook 70 is advantageous for hanging a belt, long necklace, suspenders and the like.

Alternatively, a plurality of hooks 78 may be provided for attachment to the interior surface of the frame 20.

It is further preferred for the hanging means 40 to include a plurality of elongated members 42 each independently mounted for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane. Preferably, such plurality of elongated members 42 are vertically spaced from each other and further are horizontally spaced from each other, as best shown in FIG. 1. A plurality of braces 45, each aligned with a respective elongated member 42 and attached to the said wall 28 of the frame 20, are provided for supporting a free end of such respective elongated member 42 being disposed within the frame 20.

To conveniently store at least one preselected clothing accessory 2 of a smaller size, such as a handkerchief, tiepin, cufflinks, ring, earrings and the like, the cabinet 10 is provided with at least one storage drawer 80 disposed within the compartment 30 and in a spaced relationship to the hanging means 40 and with means, generally designated 82, engageable with a predetermined portion of each of the frame 20 and the at least one storage drawer 80 for slideably mounting the at least one storage drawer 80 within the cabinet 10. Preferably, such means 82 is a drawer slide 82 having a first member 84 attached to one side wall of the frame 20 and a second member 86 attached to an opposed side of the at least one storage drawer 80. A handle 83 is attached for manually moving such at least one storage drawer 80.

The at least one storage drawer 80 may further include at least one partition 88 mounted within an interior portion thereof. Preferably, such at least one storage drawer 80 includes a predetermined quantity of partitions 88 disposed therein for forming a predetermined quantity of compartments 89 disposed in a predetermined pattern. Such at least one storage drawer 80 may be separated from the hanging means 40 by a horizontal shelf member 34.

Alternatively to, or in combination with the at least one storage drawer 80, the cabinet 10 may further include at least one storage tray 90 disposed within the compartment 30 and slideably mounted with the pair of the drawer slides 84. Or, such at least one storage tray 90 may be disposed for removing it from within such at least one storage drawer 80.

In applications wherein it is desirable to minimize accumulation of dust on such at least one preselected clothing accessory 2 or to conceal such at least one preselected clothing accessory 2 from being viewed, the cabinet 10 includes at least one door member 92 connected by way of hinge 94 such as a continuous hinge or, preferably, a pair of hinges 94 mounted in a spaced relationship, as shown in FIG. 1, to one of the left side wall 26 and right side wall 28 of the frame 20.

Such at least one door member 96 may be mounted to enable a sliding movement of the at least one storage drawer 82 when such at least one door member 92 is in a closed position or the at least one storage drawer 82 may be hidden behind the at least one door member 92 when in such closed position. Furthermore, a mirror member 96 may be attached to the back surface of such at least one door member 92.

For aesthetic purposes, the cabinet 10 may include a predetermined indicia 98 applied to at least a portion of an exterior surface of one of the frame 20, the at least one door member 92, the at least one drawer member 80, the at least one drawer 90 and various combinations thereof. Decorative elements (not shown) may be provided in addition to the predetermined indicia 98.

Advantageously, the bottom 24 of the frame 20 enables the cabinet 10 to be placed onto a generally horizontal floor surface 4. When required in a particular application, the cabinet 10 may be provided with a mounting means, such as a plurality of apertures 100 disposed in the back member 32 or a pair of hanger means 102 attached to exterior surface of the back member 32 or to rear edges of the frame 20 for securely mounting the cabinet 10 to a vertical wall surface 6, preferably in a spaced relationship with such generally horizontal floor surface 4 as best shown in FIG. 3.

The material of the frame 20, hanging means 40, at least one storage drawer 82, at least one storage tray 94, and at least one door member 96 may be one of wood, metal, plastic and various combinations thereof.

In further reference to FIG. 1, top 22 and bottom 24 can be extended past the right side wall 28 and connected to a second right side wall 110 for forming a compartment 112 for containing a plurality of hooks 78 attached to inner surfaces thereof which is advantageous for storing clothing accessories 2 such as belts, long necklaces or scarves. A door member 114 may be connected by way of a hinge 116 such as a continuous hinge or, preferably, a pair of hinges 116 mounted in spaced relationship, as shown in FIG. 1, to one of the right side wall 28 and the second right side wall 110. Furthermore, at least one shelf member 118 may be stationary of movably disposed within the compartment 112.

Although the arrangement of the present invention has been shown in terms of the compartment 112 positioned to the right of the hanging means 40 and the at least one drawer member 80 positioned below the hanging means 40, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that other arrangements of such hanging means 40, the compartment 112, and at least one drawer member 80 may be utilized. For example, when such cabinet 10 is placed directly onto the floor surface 4, the at least one drawer member 80 may be positioned above the hanging means 40 to reduce a bending motion required from the wearer to use such at least one drawer member 80.

Thus, the present invention has been described in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same. It will be understood that variations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for components of the specifically described embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cabinet for storing a predetermined quantity of at least one preselected clothing accessory, said cabinet comprising:

(a) a frame having a top, a bottom and left and right side walls being connected together and forming a compartment; and

(b) means pivotally connected to an inner surface of one of said right side wall and said left side wall of said frame for hanging such predetermined quantity of such at least one preselected clothing accessory, said means pivotally movable between a first position wherein such at least one preselected clothing accessory is stored within said compartment of said frame and a second position wherein such at least one preselected clothing accessory is positioned external to said frame.

2. The cabinet, according to claim 1, wherein said cabinet includes at least one door member connected by at least one hinge to one of said right side wall and said left side wall of said frame.

3. The cabinet, according to claim 1, wherein said cabinet further includes a back connected to said top, said bottom, said left side wall and said right side wall.

4. The cabinet, according to claim 1, wherein said cabinet further includes at least one storage drawer disposed within said compartment and in spaced relationship to said hanging means and means engageable with a predetermined portion of each of said cabinet and said at least one storage drawer for mounting said at least one storage drawer for sliding within said cabinet.

5. The cabinet, according to claim 4, wherein said at least one storage drawer includes at least one partition mounted within an interior portion thereof.

6. The cabinet, according to claim 4, wherein said storage drawer includes a predetermined quantity of partitions disposed therein for forming a predetermined quantity of drawer compartments disposed in a predetermined pattern.

7. The cabinet, according to claim 4, wherein said cabinet includes at least one door member connected by at least one hinge to one of said right side wall and said left side wall of said frame, whereby said at least one door member being in a closed position enables a sliding movement of said at least one storage drawer.

8. The cabinet, according to claim 4, wherein said cabinet includes at least one door member connected by at least one hinge to one of said right side wall and said left side wall of said frame and said at least one storage drawer is disposed behind said at least one door member when in a closed position.

9. The cabinet, according to claim 1, wherein said cabinet further includes at least one storage tray disposed within said compartment and means engageable with a predetermined portion of each of said cabinet and said storage tray for mounting said at least one storage tray for sliding within said cabinet.

10. The cabinet, according to claim 1, wherein said hanging means includes at least one elongated member mounted for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane and a predetermined plurality of clips attached to said at least one elongated member.

11. The cabinet, according to claim 10, wherein each of said predetermined plurality of clips includes a pair of arms biased towards each other at respective first ends thereof and biased away from each other at opposed respective second ends and a spring means disposed intermediate said pair of arms for biasing said first ends towards each other.

12. The cabinet, according to claim 11, wherein each of said pair of arms includes a cushioning means attached to an interior surface thereof disposed adjacent said first end.

13. The cabinet, according to claim 1, wherein said hanging means includes a plurality of elongated members each independently mounted for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane and a predetermined plurality of clips attached to said each of said plurality of elongated members.

14. The cabinet, according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of elongated members are spaced from each other in at least one of a vertical and a horizontal plane.

15. The cabinet, according to claim 1, wherein said hanging means includes at least one elongated member disposed in horizontal plane and a predetermined plurality of hooks attached in a spaced relationship to said at least one elongated member.

16. The cabinet, according to claim 17, wherein each of said predetermined plurality of hooks includes a base member extending outwardly from said at least one elongated member and a leg member extending upwardly from an end of said base member.

17. The cabinet, according to claim 1, wherein said top and said bottom extends past one of said right side wall and said left side wall and said cabinet includes a third side connected thereto for forming a second compartment.

18. The cabinet, according to claim 1, wherein said cabinet further includes means engageable with a predetermined portion thereof for mounting said cabinet to a vertical structure.

19. A cabinet for storing a predetermined quantity of at least one preselected clothing accessory, said cabinet comprising:

(a) a frame having a top, a bottom and left and right side walls being connected together and forming a compartment;

(b) at least one door member connected by at least one hinge to one of said right side wall and said left side wall of said frame;

(c) a plurality of elongated members each pivotally and independently connected to an inner surface of one of said right side wall and said left side wall of said frame and pivotally movable in a horizontal plane between a first position for storing such at least one preselected clothing accessory within said compartment of said frame and a second position for positioning such at least one preselected clothing accessory external to said frame when said at least one door member is open; and

(d) means attached to said each of said plurality of elongated members for hanging such predetermined quantity of such at least one preselected clothing accessory in a spaced relationship from each other.

20. The cabinet, according to claim 19, wherein said hanging means is a predetermined plurality of one of a clip, hook and a combination thereof.