Organizer for Portable Electronic Devices

Abstract

An organizer for portable electronic devices is provided. The organizer includes an enclosure that can be mounted under an item of furniture such as a shelf or cabinet. A moveable tray within the enclosure allows electronic devices to be stored in a convenient location, while hiding the associated power cords and adapters from view. The tray may be moved and/or rotated to allow access to the power cords and adapters. The organizer also may be incorporated into various items of furniture, such as cabinets, hutches, and the like.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/940,017, filed May 24, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Portable electronic devices of various types are becoming increasingly popular. As the use of such devices becomes more widespread, people who often carry multiple devices may want a centralized location to store and/or charge the various devices. Similarly, if each person in a family uses one or more electronic devices, it may be desirable to store those devices in a single location for ease of location and centralized charging. Since a portable electronic device often requires a charging adapter tailored to the device, this can result in a variety of charging adapters that must be connected to a power outlet in a relatively limited space. The cords connecting the charging adapters to the devices can become tangled, and the proximity of cords, charging adapters, and outlets can cause difficulty in connecting the electronic devices to the power source. The appearance of the various cords and charging adapters can also be aesthetically displeasing. However, covering the cords and/or adapters can result in further difficulty when a device is to be added to or removed from the power source or the centralized storage location. Thus there is a need for an organizer to efficiently store and/or charge electronic devices in an aesthetically pleasing way, while not preventing simple addition or removal of devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an organizer according to the present invention with a moveable tray in a retracted position.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of an organizer according to the present invention with a moveable tray in a retracted position.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of an organizer according to the present invention with a moveable tray in a retracted position.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of an organizer according to the present invention with a moveable tray in a retracted position.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an organizer according to the present invention with a moveable tray in an extended position.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of an organizer according to the present invention with a moveable tray in an extended position.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of an organizer according to the present invention with a moveable tray in an extended position.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of an organizer according to the present invention with a moveable tray in an extended position.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an organizer according to the present invention with a moveable tray in a rotated position.

FIG. 10 shows a top view of an organizer according to the present invention with a moveable tray in a rotated position.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of an organizer according to the present invention with a moveable tray in a rotated position.

FIG. 12 shows a front view of an organizer according to the present invention with a moveable tray in a rotated position.

FIG. 13 shows an exploded perspective view of an organizer according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary hutch incorporating an organizer according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows an exploded view of a furniture item incorporating an organizer according to the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An organizer suitable for holding portable electronics is provided. The organizer may be attached to the bottom of a horizontal surface, such as a cabinet, desk, shelf, or other item, including various items of furniture. The organizer may be a separate structure that is attached to a pre-existing item of furniture, or it may be incorporated as part of a larger organizer or cabinet. The organizer may include a moveable tray for directly removable storage of various electronic items, such as cell phones, PDAs, portable music players, and other devices. The tray may include a vertical wall that separates a front portion of the organizer from a rear portion. The rear portion may provide storage for charging adapters used by the various electronic devices. The tray may be moveable to hide the rear portion from view when in a first configuration, while allowing access to the rear portion when in a second configuration. A power strip, extension cord, or other electrical connection may be disposed within the rear portion. Power adapters may be connected to the electrical connection in the rear portion, and the connecting cable extended from the rear portion to the front portion to allow for electronic devices to be connected to the appropriate cord.

FIGS. 1-4 show perspective, top, side, and front views, respectively, of an organizer 100 according to the present invention in a first configuration. Two side walls 101 may be connected to a bottom 103 to define a semi-enclosed region in which a moveable tray 125 is disposed. The semi-enclosed region also may be further defined by a back wall 102. The moveable tray 125 may include a bottom 105 and a back wall 110. The bottom 105 may be configured to provide storage of portable electronic devices, such as cell phones, personal data assistants (PDAs), smart phones, music players, and the like. The top surface of the bottom 105 may have a coating, texture, or other surface to reduce slippage of items placed on the bottom. For example, the surface may have a rubberized, leather, leather-like or other coating. The back wall 110 defines a back portion 115 and separates the back portion from the front of the tray 125. The back wall 110 may include one or more openings 111 to allow cords and connectors to pass between the rear portion 115 and the storage region of the tray (i.e., the area above the bottom 105).

A power strip, extension cord, or other electrical connector (not shown) may be placed in the rear portion 115. Power adapters for powering and/or charging electrical devices also may be placed in the rear portion and connected to the electrical connector. Thus, when an electronic device is placed in the moveable tray 125, it may be connected to the corresponding power adapter in the rear portion 115 by placing the connecting cord through the openings 111.

Mounting brackets 120 may be attached to the side walls 101 to allow the organizer to be mounted under a support, such as a shelf, cabinet, or other structure. In this configuration, the support to which the organizer is mounted may provide a top surface to further define the semi-enclosed region in which the moveable tray 125 is disposed. The mounting brackets may be used to removeably and/or moveably mount the organizer to a structure, allowing the organizer to be repositioned after mounting.

Typically, the back wall 110 may partially or completely hide items positioned in the rear region. For example, when viewed from the front (such as in FIG. 4), power adapters and/or power sources positioned in the rear portion 115 may not be visible or may be only partially visible. When the organizer is mounted under a support, the support may further hide the rear portion 115 from view.

In the configuration shown in FIGS. 1-4, the moveable tray is in a back-most position, causing the back region 115 to be a minimal size. Typically, the back region 115 will be sufficiently large to contain a power source such as an extension cord or power strip and one or more power adapters associated with electronic devices to be stored in the organizer 100, though various other dimensions may be used.

FIGS. 5-8 show perspective, top, side, and front views, respectively, of an organizer 100 according to the present invention in a second configuration. In this second configuration, the moveable tray 125 is in a forward-most extended position. The moveable tray 125 may be connected to the sides 101 of the enclosure by slides, runners, matching pegs and slots, or any other suitable connector. For example, FIG. 5 shows a slot 501 on the interior surface of a side wall 101. Matching pegs connected to the moveable tray 125 may allow the tray to move forward and backward within the enclosure formed by the side walls 101, back wall 102 and bottom support 103. When the moveable tray is in a forward position, items stored on the support 105 may be accessible by an operator of the organizer. For example, when the organizer is mounted under a cabinet or other structure, the tray 125 may be completely under the cabinet when the tray is in a back-most position as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Items stored on the tray may then be hidden from view or less accessible to an operator of the organizer. When moved to a forward position as shown in FIGS. 5-8, the moveable tray 125 may extend beyond the surface to which the organizer 100 is mounted, and items stored on the tray may be more readily accessible. An exploded view of an organizer according to the present invention in which pegs connect the moveable tray to the enclosure is shown in FIG. 15, which can allow for both translational and rotational movement of the tray relative to the enclosure.

FIGS. 9-12 show perspective, top, side, and front views, respectively, of an organizer 100 according to the present invention in a third configuration. In this configuration, the moveable tray 125 is in a forward extended and rotated position. As illustrated, the moveable tray 125 may be rotated forward. This may allow for access to the rear portion 115 from the front of the organizer, even when the organizer is mounted under a cabinet or other structure. In some configurations, the moveable tray 125 may be rotated through 90° or more. For example, in the illustrated configuration the moveable tray 125 is rotated so that the back wall 110 of the tray is parallel to the bottom 103 of the enclosure.

When used, a power strip, extension cord, outlet, or other electrical source may be placed in the rear portion 115. Power adapters for electronic devices may be connected to the electrical source. Typical power adapters have at least two ends—an electrical connection end such as a plug, and an end configured to connect to the electronic device. The plug may be connected to the electrical source, and the connecting cable positioned through an opening 111 in the back wall 110 of the moveable tray. The moveable tray may then be rotated and/or translated to one of the configurations illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, and an electronic device placed on the bottom 105 of the tray. The tray also may be positioned in various other configurations, such as where the tray is placed in a position between the position illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and the position illustrated in FIGS. 5-8 (i.e., partially extended).

FIG. 13 shows an exploded perspective view of an organizer 100 according to the present invention. The moveable tray 125 may include mounting connectors 1301 which, for example, may be disposed within slots 501 in the inner surface of the side walls 101 as previously described. This configuration may allow the moveable tray to be moved horizontally within the semi-enclosed region partially defined by the side walls 101, back wall 102, bottom support 103, and/or the surface on which the organizer is mounted. In some configurations, the mounting connectors may also be hingeably connected to the side walls or other portions of the exterior body of the organizer. For example, the connectors 1301 may be pegs attached at the vertices of the moveable tray as shown. When the moveable tray is moved so that the pegs are in the front-most portion of the slots 501, the moveable tray may rotate or be rotated forward so that the back wall 110 can be positioned horizontally, i.e., parallel to the bottom support 103. This may allow for unobstructed access to the rear portion 115, such as to connect and/or disconnect power adapters to an electrical connection as previously described. When the moveable tray is positioned in a non-rotated position, i.e., so that the back wall 110 is perpendicular or roughly perpendicular to the bottom support 103, the back wall 110 may obstruct the view of the electrical connector and power adapters disposed in the rear portion 115.

The organizer 100 also may be incorporated into other items and structures, such as other furniture. An exemplary hutch incorporating an organizer according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 14. A hutch 1400 includes a cabinet 1410 and side supports 1401, 1402. The hutch 1400 may include an organizer 100 according to the present invention. In this configuration, the side supports 1401, 1402 may provide the side walls 101 previously described. Similarly, a rear support or wall of the hutch 1400, if present (not shown) may provide the back wall 102. In some configurations, the hutch 1400 may not have a back wall, in which case the organizer may have a separate back wall 102, the back wall may not be present, or it may be formed by a wall or other structure against which the hutch 1400 is placed. The cabinet 1410 or other structure such as a shelf, drawer, etc. may provide a top cover of the organizer 100.

FIG. 15 shows an exploded view of a furniture item such as a hutch, shelf, or bookcase incorporating an organizer 100 according to the present invention. The furniture item 1500 may include upright supports 1401, 1402 as previously described, one or more shelves 1520, 1530, and a moveable tray 125. The moveable tray may be disposed between the shelves 1520, 1530, such that the bottom-most shelf 1530 forms the bottom support 103 of the organizer, and the top-most shelf defines an upper surface of a semi-enclosed region in which the moveable tray is disposed. Similarly, the upright supports 1401, 1402 may further define the semi-enclosed region, similar to the side walls 101 previously described. The moveable tray may be positioned at various places between the upright supports 1401, 1402, and the moveable tray may include a back wall and create a rear portion, as previously described. The moveable tray may be hingeably connected to the upright supports, such that when the moveable tray is in a front-most position it may be rotated down and forward, allowing access to a rear portion. As previously described, electrical connectors, power adapters, cords, and other items may be disposed in the rear portion of the organizer. Thus, these items may be accessible when the tray is moved and rotated forward, but hidden from view when the tray is in an upright and/or rear position. The organizer 100 may be part of the furniture 1500, or it may be a separate entity that is added to the furniture 1500. Configurations other than those specifically illustrated may be used.

While the present invention is described with respect to particular examples and preferred embodiments, it is understood that the present invention is not limited to these examples and embodiments. For example, many of the structures described herein may be substituted with other structures without deviating from the spirit of the invention. The present invention as claimed therefore includes variations from the particular examples and preferred embodiments described herein, as will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

Claims

1. An organizer for storing portable electronic devices comprising:

a bottom support and two side walls defining an outer enclosure, the bottom support being disposed between the side walls; and

a moveable tray disposed within the outer enclosure and above the bottom support, the moveable tray comprising a back wall and a storage shelf connected to the back wall, the back wall dividing a region within the outer enclosure into a front portion and a rear portion;

wherein the moveable tray is moveably and hingedly connected to the two side walls and moveable from a first position to a second position in which the moveable tray is rotated relative to the first position.

2. The organizer of claim 1, wherein the back wall of the moveable tray includes a plurality of openings, the openings providing a connection between the rear portion of the organizer and a front portion of the organizer.

3. The organizer of claim 1, wherein a rear portion of the organizer is accessible from the front of the organizer when the moveable tray is in the second position.

4. The organizer of claim 1, wherein the back wall of the moveable tray is parallel to the bottom support when the moveable tray is in the second position.

5. The organizer of claim 1, wherein, when viewed from the front of the organizer, a rear portion of the organizer is at least partially hidden from view when the moveable shelf is in the first position.

6. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising a mounting connector configured to attach the organizer to the bottom of a horizontal surface.

7. The organizer of claim 1, wherein the storage shelf comprises a slip-reducing surface.

8. An item of furniture comprising the organizer according to claim 1.

9. An organizer comprising:

a bottom support and two side walls defining an outer enclosure, the bottom support being disposed between the side walls; and

a moveable tray comprising: a back wall disposed between the side walls and roughly perpendicular to the bottom support; and a storage shelf connected to and roughly perpendicular to the back wall;

the moveable tray moveably connected to the side walls;

wherein, when the moveable tray is in the second position, the moveable tray is rotatable from the second position to a third position in which the moveable tray is rotated relative to the outer enclosure;

wherein a rear portion of the organizer is hidden from view when viewed from the front of the organizer when the moveable tray is in the first position;

wherein the rear portion of the organizer is hidden from view when viewed from the front of the organizer when the moveable tray is in the second position; and

wherein the rear portion of the organizer is accessible from the front of the organizer when the moveable tray is in the third position.

10. The organizer of claim 9, wherein the back wall of the moveable tray has a plurality of openings, the openings providing a connection between the rear portion of the organizer and a region above the storage shelf when the moveable tray is in the first position.

11. The organizer of claim 9, wherein the back wall of the moveable tray is approximately parallel to the bottom support when the moveable tray is in the third position.

12. The organizer of claim 9, further comprising a mounting connector configured to attach the organizer to the bottom of a horizontal surface.

13. The organizer of claim 9, wherein the storage shelf comprises a slip-reducing surface.

14. An item of furniture comprising the organizer according to claim 9.