Decorative Wall Mounted Storage Container
Disclosed is a decorative wall mounted container system. The system includes a container with an opened front and a pivotal forward cover. The cover has both a closed orientation, overlying the opened front of the container and an opened orientation. The front face of the cover can take the form of a decorative picture, which is displayed when the cover is in the closed orientation. In the opened configuration, the cover is retained at a 90-degree angle relative to the container, such that the rearward face of the cover can be used as a work surface and the contents of the container can be accessed.
This application claims benefit from provisional application Ser. No. 60/730437 filed on Oct. 26, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is also a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 11/544,444, the contents of which are likewise incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a wall mounted storage container; more particularly, the invention relates to a container that takes on a decorative appearance in its closed configuration and which provides for a work surface in its opened configuration.
2. Description of the Background Art
Presently, picture frames that include enclosed compartments are known in the art. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,654 to Whalen discloses a corner picture frame comprising an enclosed triangular compartment. The picture is mounted upon, and forms a portion of, the outer, rectangular closure. The enclosure includes a hollow interior with one or more triangular shelves. Hinges are included on one side of the closure to enable pivotal movement of the picture.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 191,795 to Bowers and Murphy discloses a picture frame that is intended to be suspended against a wall and that is combined with a writing desk. When used as a writing desk, the frame is drawn down to the desired height. The front of the device is then opened forward on hinges. The front is secured by side braces. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 279,290 to Von Der Wulbeke discloses a table that when not in use can be swung upward and held in place against a wall, whereby it can serve as a picture, mirror or other ornament.
Finally, it is also known in the art to use storage containers for gift-wrapping supplies. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,197 to Marquez discloses a storage container for holding wrapping paper and gift-wrapping accessories. The container is adapted to vertically receive rolls of wrapping paper. Internal receptacles are also included at an inclined configuration within the interior of the container.
Although each of the above-referenced inventions achieves its individual objective, they all suffer from common drawbacks. The decorative wall mounted storage container of the present invention is aimed at overcoming the drawbacks associated with these prior art devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is therefore one of the objectives of this invention to provide a wall mounted storage container with both an opened and closed configuration.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a storage container wherein in the closed configuration it takes the appearance of a decorative picture and the opened configuration it forms a suitable work surface.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a wall mounted container system that is specifically adapted to hold wrapping paper supplies and, therefore, includes inclined shelving to securely store rolls of wrapping paper.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a wall mounted container system that is combined with a picture and picture frame and wherein the picture can be easily removed and replaced such that a user can use various decorative pictures in conjunction with the container system.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter, which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTThe present invention relates to a decorative wall mounted container system. The system includes a container with an opened front and a pivotal forward cover. The cover has both a closed orientation, overlying the opened front of the container and an opened orientation. The front face of the cover can take the form of a decorative picture, which is displayed when the cover is in the closed orientation. In the opened configuration, the cover is retained at a 90-degree angle relative to the container, such that the rearward face of the cover can be used as a work surface and the contents of the container can be accessed. The various details of the present invention, and the manner in which they interrelate, will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
With reference now to
In the preferred embodiment, container 22 has a depth of between 3 to 8 inches, a height of between 24 and 36 inches and a width of between 30 to 44 inches. It has been discovered that these dimensions provide for optimal storage capacity, but at the same time do not provide for an overly bulky or obtrusive structure when mounted upon a wall. Of course, the use of containers with varying dimensions and shapes is within the scope of the present invention.
A series of shelves are ideally included within container 22 to facilitate the convenient storage of a wide variety of items. The shelves can be horizontally arranged in a conventional configuration, or they can be positioned at right angles to each other to form a series of smaller individual compartments. Alternatively, individual compartments can be formed via a series of internal drawers or doors. It is within the scope of the present invention to use any number of shelves to better maximize storage within the interior of the container. It is also within the scope of the present invention to not include any drawers at all, leaving the entire container free for the storage of supplies. In such an embodiment, a series of elongated dowels can be secured to the bottom of container 22 to support long rolls of wrapping paper within the container.
However, in the preferred embodiment, three different shelves are positioned between the sidewalls 28 of container 22 (
A conventional tape holder 54 can also be secured to the working surface of the frame (Note
Frame 24 depicted in the embodiment of
In order to facilitate the positioning of the frame in the opened orientation, the container system includes two braces 76 (note
Frame 24 is maintained in the closed orientation via mating latch members 72-74. Namely, two female latch members 74 are included along the upper edge 26 of container 22 and two male latch 72 members are included at corresponding positions along the rear face 62 of frame 24 (note
A multipart frame 86 is illustrated in the embodiment of the invention depicted in
Thus, a user can select a picture 94 of a suitable size, either matted or non-matted, and place it within the stepped edge 98 of frame 86. This allows the picture 94 to be viewed through the open front face 92 and through the glass or plastic 96. With picture 94 so positioned, a rigid backing 102 can be positioned upon the back of the picture 94 by placing it within the stepped peripheral edge 98 of frame 86. Thereafter, the rotatable latches 78 can be closed to secure both the picture 94 and rigid backing 102 to the frame 86. This arrangement allows the frame container system 20 to be used in conjunction with any number of suitably sized pictures. Furthermore, when frame 86 is in its opened configuration (note
As noted above, when frame 86 is in its opened configuration, the rear surface 62 of frame 86 serves as a suitable work surface. The rear surface 62 can also include grooves to make it easier for a user to cut wrapping paper that is lying flat upon surface 62. Guide lines and rulers can also be included upon surface 62. In this configuration, a user has access to all of the interior shelving, including any retained spools of ribbon. This gives a user ready access to any of the supplies normally needed to wrap gifts, such as scissors or tape. In the closed orientation, the container system would take on the appearance of wall-mounted artwork. Due to the relatively narrow depth of container 22, a passer-by would not recognize the invention as a container system 20.
Container system 20 is designed to be hung on a wall via a hanging wire 36. Although a wire is disclosed in the preferred embodiment, the system can also be hung by drilling it into the wall or via heavy duty picture hangers. Any device used to hang large pictures can potentially be used to support the container of the present invention. The position of container system 20 upon the wall will depend upon its intended manner of use. For example, system 20 can be hung higher upon a wall if it is intended for use by a user who wishes to use it while standing. If frame 86 is to be used as a writing desk, system 20 would be hung at a lower orientation. The hanging height can also be varied depending upon the height of the intended user. Additionally, container system 20 can be fitted into a recessed portion within a wall. This would allow the frame to lie flush against a wall.
It is within the scope of the present invention to provide the container system in a wide variety of sizes and dimensions. It is further within the scope of the present invention to construct the system from any of a wide variety of suitable materials, such as wood, metal or injection molded plastic.
The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Now that the invention has been described,
Claims
1. A container system comprising:
- a vertical wall within the interior of a room;
- a container having a width and sidewalls, the container being mounted upon the vertical wall and at a height such that it is accessible by a user, the container having a closed rearward face and an opened forward face;
- a shelf secured within the container, the shelf extending the width of the container and being inclined downwardly towards the rearward face of the container with respect to the sidewalls, the inclined shelf functioning to secure cylindrical rolls of paper;
- a cover having front and rear faces, hinges pivotally interconnecting the cover to the container, the cover having a closed orientation wherein the cover is overlying the opened forward face of the container, the cover also having opened orientation wherein the cover is at a 90-degree angle relative to the container;
- a decorative picture incorporated on the front face of the cover, wherein when the cover is in its closed orientation, the container is hidden and the picture is visible and wherein when the cover is in its opened orientation the contents of the container are readily accessible and the rearward face of the cover forms a work surface.
2. The wall mounted container system as described in claim 1 wherein the decorative picture can be removed from the front face of the cover.
3. The wall mounted container system as described in claim 1 wherein female latches are included on the container and male latches are included on the cover and wherein the male and female latches come together to keep the frame in the closed orientation.
4. The wall mounted container system as described in claim 1 wherein braces are included between the container and cover to brace the container.
5. A container system comprising:
- a wall mounted container having sidewalls mounted upon the vertical wall, a closed rearward face and an opened forward face;
- an elongated shelf secured within the container, the shelf being inclined downwardly towards the rearward face of the container;
- a roll of wrapping paper stored upon the elongated shelf, with the inclination of the shelf being sufficient to maintain the roll upon the shelf;
- a cover having front and rear faces, hinges pivotally interconnecting the cover to the container, the cover having a closed orientation wherein the cover is overlying the opened forward face of the container, the cover also having opened orientation wherein the cover is at a 90-degree angle relative to the container;
- a decorative picture incorporated on the front face of the cover, wherein when the cover is in its closed orientation, the container is hidden and the picture is visible and wherein when the cover is in its opened orientation the contents of the container are readily accessible and the rearward face of the cover forms a work surface;
- a series of rotatable latches mounted about the cover, the latches having a first orientation wherein the decorative picture is secured within the front face of the cover, and a second orientation wherein the decorative picture can be removed from the front face of the cover.
6. The wall mounted container system as described in claim 5 wherein female latches are included on the container and male latches are included on the cover and wherein the male and female latches come together to keep the frame in the closed orientation.
7. The wall mounted container system as described in claim 5 wherein braces are included between the container and cover to brace the container.
8. A container system comprising:
- a container having sidewalls mounted upon a vertical wall, the container having a closed rearward face and an opened forward face;
- an elongated shelf secured within the container, the shelf being inclined downwardly towards the rearward face of the container;
- a cover having front and rear faces, hinges pivotally interconnecting the cover to the container, the cover having a closed orientation wherein the cover is overlying the opened forward face of the container, the cover also having opened orientation wherein the cover is at a 90-degree angle relative to the container;
- a decorative picture being removably positioned within the front face of the cover, wherein when the cover is in its closed orientation, the container is hidden and the picture is visible and wherein when the cover is in its opened orientation the contents of the container are readily accessible and the rearward face of the cover forms a work surface.
9. The wall mounted container system as described in claim 8 further comprising a series of rotatable latches mounted about the cover, the latches having a first orientation wherein the decorative picture is secured within the front face of the cover, and a second orientation wherein the decorative picture can be removed from the front face of the cover.
10. The wall mounted container system as described in claim 8 wherein female latches are included on the container and male latches are included on the cover and wherein the male and female latches come together to keep the frame in the closed orientation.
11. The wall mounted container system as described in claim 8 wherein braces are included between the container and cover to brace the container.
12. The wall mounted container system as described in claim 8 wherein an additional shelf in mounted within the container and wherein a vertical dowel is mounted upon the shelf for use in storing rolls of ribbon.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 16, 2009
Publication Date: Jan 21, 2010
Inventor: Samantha Milburn-Hall
Application Number: 12/355,499
International Classification: A47G 1/06 (20060101);