TRI-FOLD MIRROR SWIVEL ORGANIZER

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. A tri-fold mirror is provided by two additional doors provided on the sides of the organizer that may be rotated towards the front of the organizer, the exterior surfaces of the additional doors having mirrors disposed on their front surfaces.

Description

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. Also, usually a single, planar mirror is provided for the user to look at herself. This provides a limited field of view. 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 that provides enhanced field of view to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a storage organizer for vanity items. The organizer includes a cabinet including a first interior space 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. The organizer also includes 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 rotatably coupled to a front of the first side wall wherein the second door can be rotated from a collapsed state in which it is substantially perpendicular with the back wall and in which it is substantially parallel with the first side wall to an expanded state where it extends away from a back of the first side wall away from the cabinet; and a third door rotatably coupled to a front of the second side wall wherein the third door can be rotated from a collapsed state in which it is substantially perpendicular with the back wall and in which it is substantially parallel with the second side wall to an expanded state where it extends away from a back of the second side wall away from the cabinet. A base is joined to the bottom wall by a swivel joint, the swivel joint allowing the cabinet to rotate 360 degrees about the base.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage organizer for vanity items. The organizer includes a cabinet including a first interior space 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. The organizer includes 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 rotatably coupled to a front of the first side wall wherein the second door can be rotated from a collapsed state in which it is substantially perpendicular with the back wall and in which it is substantially parallel with the first side wall to an expanded state where it extends away from a back of the first side wall away from the cabinet; and a third door rotatably coupled to a front of the second side wall wherein the third door can be rotated from a collapsed state in which it is substantially perpendicular with the back wall and in which it is substantially parallel with the second side wall to an expanded state where it extends away from a back of the second side wall away from the cabinet.

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. 1 is a front elevation view of an organizer according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is top view of the organizer shown in FIG. 1 shown in various rotational positions.

FIG. 3 is elevation views of a first interior space of the organizer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a second interior space of the organizer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the swivel joint from FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a section view through section line B-B of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an organizer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stand that can be used in conjunction with the organizer shown in FIGS. 1-7 according to an embodiment 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. 1 is a front elevation view of an organizer 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The organizer has a main body which is described in detail in U.S. Ser. No. 11/368,019 entitled “Swivel Organizer” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The embodiments of the present invention add a tri-fold mirror component to the organizer described in U.S. Ser. No. 11/368,019. FIG. 1 illustrates a width W and height H of organizer 10; according to an exemplary embodiment, width W is approximately seventeen inches and height H is approximately sixty-two inches. FIG. 1 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 one inch and clearance c is approximately ¼ of an inch. Of course the organizer may have other sizes, both smaller and larger.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of first interior space 101 of organizer 10 designed specifically to house various cosmetic items 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 to a second position.

Referring back to FIG. 3, 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. 3 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. 3 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.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of second interior space 102 of organizer 10 specifically designed to house jewelry items therein. FIG. 4 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. 4 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 there between. 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. 4 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.

FIG. 5 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of swivel joint 145 from FIG. 1; and FIG. 6 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. 5 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. 6 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. 7 is a front perspective view of the organizer shown in FIGS. 1-6 in a partially expanded state according to some embodiments of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, a second and third door 18 and 22 respectively, are rotatably secured to a first and second sidewall of the organizer. In particular, the second door is rotatably secured to a front of the first side wall and the third door is secured to a front of the second sidewall. In an embodiment of the present invention, a second interior space is provided behind the second door and a third interior space is provided behind the third door. The second and third interior spaces may be independent of each other and of the first interior space, or, alternatively, they may be the same space, access to which is provided by different doors.

The second and third doors 18, 22 as well as the front door 16 all have mirrors disposed on their exterior surfaces although not all of the surfaces need have mirrors. Unlike the organizer shown in U.S. Ser. No. 11/368,019 the door on the left side of the front door 16 opens in the opposite direction so that when both doors on either side of the front door 16 are open, a tri-fold mirror arrangement is created. In particular, the second door extends away from a back of the first side wall as does the third door. The interior surfaces of the second and third doors as well as the front door may also have mirrors disposed thereon if no storage elements are provided.

Additional storage area may be provided at the back of the organizer which may be provided with shelves to hold clothing or house collectibles. This storage area at the back of the organizer may or may not be provided with a door. A secret compartment may be provided to the back wall of the organizer.

The organizer according to the various embodiments described herein may be mounted on another structure such as a chest of drawers, for example such as seen in FIG. 8. It may or may not be provided with a swivel joint depending on whether rotation is desired.

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.

Claims

1. A storage organizer for vanity items comprising:

a cabinet including a first interior space 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 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 rotatably coupled to a front of the first side wall wherein the second door can be rotated from a collapsed state in which it is substantially perpendicular with the back wall and in which it is substantially parallel with the first side wall to an expanded state where it extends away from a back of the first side wall away from the cabinet;

a third door rotatably coupled to a front of the second side wall wherein the third door can be rotated from a collapsed state in which it is substantially perpendicular with the back wall and in which it is substantially parallel with the second side wall to an expanded state where it extends away from a back of the second side wall away from the cabinet; 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.

2. The organizer of claim 1, wherein the second and third doors have an interior and an exterior surface further comprising a mirror disposed on the exterior surfaces of the second and third doors.

3. The organizer of claim 1 further comprising a secret compartment disposed on the back wall of the organizer.

4. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising a jewelry storage element mounted within the first interior space.

5. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising a jewelry storage element mounted on an inner surface of the first door.

6. The organizer of claim 1, 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.

7. The organizer of claim 1, wherein:

the back wall of the cabinet includes a first side and a second side, and the first interior space is disposed on the first side of the back wall; and

further comprising a mirror disposed on the second side of the back wall.

8. The organizer of claim 1 further comprising a mirror disposed on an exterior surface of the front door.

9. The organizer of claim 1, wherein:

the back wall of the cabinet includes a first side and a second side and the first interior space is disposed on the first side of the back wall; and

the cabinet further includes a second interior space disposed on the second side of the back wall and formed by the first side wall, the second sidewall, the top wall, the bottom wall, and the back wall.

10. The organizer of claim 9 further comprising a fourth 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.

11. The organizer of claim 9 further comprising shelves located in the second interior space.

12. The organizer of claim 11 further comprising a fourth 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.

13. A storage organizer for vanity items comprising:

a cabinet including a first interior space 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 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 rotatably coupled to a front of the first side wall wherein the second door can be rotated from a collapsed state in which it is substantially perpendicular with the back wall and in which it is substantially parallel with the first side wall to an expanded state where it extends away from a back of the first side wall away from the cabinet; and

a third door rotatably coupled to a front of the second side wall wherein the third door can be rotated from a collapsed state in which it is substantially perpendicular with the back wall and in which it is substantially parallel with the second side wall to an expanded state where it extends away from a back of the second side wall away from the cabinet.

14. The organizer of claim 13 further comprising:

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

15. The organizer of claim 13 further comprising:

a base of a chest of drawers.

16. The organizer of claim 15 wherein the cabinet is rotatably mounted to a top surface of the chest of drawers.

17. The organizer of claim 1 further comprising:

a second interior space disposed behind the second door and a third interior space disposed behind the third door.

18. The organizer of claim 17 wherein the first, second and third interior spaces are all mutually exclusive of each other.

19. The organizer of claim 17 wherein the first, second and third interior spaces define the same space.

20. The organizer 17 further comprising a storage element mounted in the second interior space and a storage compartment mounted in the third interior space.

21. The organizer of claim 13, wherein the second and third doors have an interior and an exterior surface further comprising a mirror disposed on the exterior surfaces of the second and third doors.

22. The organizer of claim 13, further comprising a jewelry storage element mounted within the first interior space.

23. The organizer of claim 13, further comprising a jewelry storage element mounted on an inner surface of the first door.

24. The organizer of claim 13, wherein:

the back wall of the cabinet includes a first side and a second side, and the first interior space is disposed on the first side of the back wall; and

further comprising a mirror disposed on the second side of the back wall.

25. The organizer of claim 13 further comprising a mirror disposed on an exterior surface of the front door.

26. The organizer of claim 13, wherein:

the back wall of the cabinet includes a first side and a second side and the first interior space is disposed on the first side of the back wall; and

the cabinet further includes a second interior space disposed on the second side of the back wall and formed by the first side wall, the second sidewall, the top wall, the bottom wall, and the back wall.

27. The organizer of claim 26 further comprising a fourth 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.

28. The organizer of claim 26 further comprising shelves located in the second interior space.

29. The organizer of claim 28 further comprising a fourth 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.