Accessory holder

Abstract

An accessory holder device for selectively mounting and retrieving accessories including a cylindrical body having an outer surface coupled to a peripheral protrusion. The peripheral protrusion is located toward the bottom of the outer surface to help prevent accessories mounted on the outer surface from sliding downward to a ground surface. The outer surface can additionally include gripping portions attached thereto in a predetermined pattern to further help prevent the accessories from sliding downward. The accessory holder device further includes an inner storage compartment formed therein for additional storage and a lid to selectively enclose the opening of the inner storage compartment.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an accessory holder for removably holding and storing a plurality of accessories.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In known types of personal accessory holding devices the devices are typically used to hold and display accessories such as hair accessories and jewelry within a box or storage caddy or on a hanger arrangement, e.g., on hooks, loops, elongated brackets, racks, and the like. With typical devices storage capacity of the device is limited and the devices are difficult and cumbersome to stow away due to their bulky size and/or shape. Known holding devices also allow accessories to disengage or slide off of the holding device and do not provide adequate surface area contact with an engagement surface(s) of the accessory to hold the accessory in place and help to retain its shape, e.g., conventional non-cylindrical holding devices are known to allow increased slippage and can stretch out, bend or otherwise allow accessories to be disadvantageously reshaped by the holder. Another common problem with known holding devices is that it is difficult and time consuming for a user to store and retrieve accessories typically requiring several steps and/or minutes in order to locate a predetermined item and remove it from the holding device for personal use. Known holding devices are also known to allow the accessories to become tangled together, e.g., resulting in more difficult accessory retrieval, and do not store both larger and smaller accessories of various types. Some known holding devices also require additional clamps, clips, and other fixtures adding to the complexity of the device and can require final assembly, e.g., by consumers to use the device, further resulting in increased maintenance and repair. They are also known to allow accessories to become pinched or caught within gaps and/or moving parts of the device's engagement surface interface. For these reasons, typical holding devices are known to be inefficient and cumbersome to use and to increase production and/or assembly time and/or costs.

Accordingly, there exists a need to develop an accessory holder that is easier to use and helps to provide efficient, effective and increased mounting, storing and retrieval of accessories.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an accessory holder device for selectively storing and retrieving hair accessories and the like, including a cylindrical body coupled to a peripheral protrusion. The cylindrical body has an inner storage compartment formed therein for additional storage and can be formed of material that allows the contents of the inner storage compartment to be viewable. Accessories are also mountable on the outer surface of the cylindrical body. The outer surface can additionally include gripping portions for enhancing frictional engagement that further help to prevent the accessories from slipping down, e.g., due to gravity. The peripheral protrusion or lip is located toward the bottom of the cylindrical body to help prevent accessories from sliding downward to a ground surface on which the accessory holder device rests and/or to an optional support base coupled to the cylindrical body, e.g., a fixed or rotatably coupled support base. The accessory holder device has a lid to selectively close the opening of the inner storage compartment.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an accessory holder device, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the accessory holder device of FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an accessory holder device, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a broken-away view of an attachment member of a lid engaging an attachment portion, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2 in general, an accessory holder device for selective storage and retrieval of a plurality of hair accessories and the like, is shown generally at 10, having a cylindrical body 12, e.g., substantially a right circular cylinder formed of molded plastic, including an outer surface 14 for frictionally mounting and holding accessories thereon. The cylindrical body 12 is coupled to a peripheral protrusion 16, e.g., an annulet, flange, protruding rim or lip and the like, encircling the bottom of the outer surface 14 and having a width W and depth D from the outer surface 14 operable to further help prevent the mounted accessories from slipping to a ground surface on which the accessory holder device rests. It is understood that, alternatively, the cylindrical body 12 can be integrally formed with the peripheral protrusion 16 extending outward from the outer surface 14 in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body 12.

An inner storage compartment, shown generally at 18, is formed within the cylindrical body 12 for selectively storing additional accessories, e.g., bulk loading accessories therein. The inner storage compartment 18 has an opening 20 located in a top surface 22 of the cylindrical body 12 and extends downward substantially along the longitudinal length of the cylindrical body 12 toward a base portion, shown generally at 24, of the accessory holder device 10 having a substantially planar bottom surface 26 for resting on the ground surface.

Generally, the base portion 24 is integrally formed with at least the peripheral protrusion 16. Preferably, the base portion 24 is integrally formed with the cylindrical body 12 and/or the peripheral protrusion 16. It is understood that the dimensions, e.g., height, of the accessory holder device 10 can be operable for storing the device in smaller areas including under or within cabinets, within drawers, and on countertops having smaller space constraints. It is further understood that the diameter and cylindrical shape of the cylindrical body 12 allows the accessories to generally follow the contour of the body and is operable for helping to provide desirable surface area contact for improved frictional engagement.

The inner storage compartment 18 is accessible through the top opening 20 formed in the cylindrical body 12. A selectively removable lid, shown generally at 28, is operably shaped and configured to fit over the top and close off access to the inner storage compartment 18. The lid 28, for example, can fit over the top 22 of the cylindrical body 12 and partly down the upper end of said outer surface 14 to encapsulate the upper end of the cylindrical body 12.

It is understood that, alternatively, the lid 28 can be formed to rest on the top of the cylindrical body 12, as illustrated in FIG. 3, or on an extending flange or lip recessed vertically within the inner storage compartment 18, e.g., the lid 28 can be at least partly recessed below the top plane of the cylindrical body 12. It is additionally understood that the lid 28 can, alternatively, have at least one attachment member operable for selectively interlocking the lid 28 with at least one opposing attachment portion formed on the cylindrical body 12 relative to the opening 20 area, e.g., rotating the lid 24 to engage a flange formed on the attachment member within a slot or groove formed in the attachment portion of the cylindrical body 12 to lock the lid 28 in place, as while be explained in greater detail below.

A plurality of accessories, shown generally at 30, are selectively mountable on the outer surface 14. By way of example, a plurality of U-like shaped headbands, e.g., about 30 headbands, can be mounted on the outer surface 14 such that the opposing arms of each headband are located at least partly about the surface and can extend generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body 12. It is understood that, alternatively, additionally at least one gripping portion can be attached to the outer surface 14 to further help to frictionally hold the accessories in place, as will be explained in greater detail below. It is further understood that the accessory holder device 10 can selectively allow accessories to at least partly overlap with one another while still helping to prevent significant tangling. The accessory holder device 10 of the present invention also advantageously allows accessories to be mounted to the outer surface 14 from any side and angle.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer surface 14 is formed as a one-piece outer surface with no additional clamps and the like used to form the outer surface 14. By way of example, the outer surface 14 is a solid continuous surface without any gaps, grooves, slits, apertures, or clamps, clips, screws and the like, e.g., requires no clamps to hold sections of the outer surface together since the surface can be a one-piece housing, such that accessories can be prevented from being pinched or caught in any grooves or on clamps and the like and requires less assembly and helps lower costs.

The peripheral protrusion 16 can be attached to the outer surface 14 of the cylindrical body 12 by at least one heatstake, rivet, bolt, adhesive, and/or weld.

The cylindrical body 12 can also be formed of material that allows the contents of the inner storage compartment 18 to be at least partly viewable, e.g., a clearer molded plastic material and the like. It is understood that the accessory holder device 10 can optionally include at least one removable tray 32 disposed within the inner storage compartment 18 that can be used to store and further separate accessories inside each tray. Preferably, the trays 32 include upward extending walls to allow the trays to stack upon one another inside the inner storage compartment 18. Alternatively, the tray(s) are substantially flat and/or the wall of the inner storage compartment includes at least one flange or lip to support the bottom of a tray, respectively. At least one aperture or raised feature can also be formed in the tray(s) to grasp for easier removal.

Referring to FIG. 3 an accessory holder device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, is shown generally at 100, having a cylindrical body 102 coupled to a support base 104. The cylindrical body 102 includes an outer surface 106 for frictionally mounting and holding accessories thereon and is coupled to a peripheral protrusion 108 encircling about the bottom of the outer surface 106 and having a width W′ and depth from the outer surface 106 operable to further help prevent the mounted accessories from slipping to a ground surface and/or the support base 104. It is understood that, alternatively, the cylindrical body 102 can be integrally formed with the peripheral protrusion 108 extending outward from the outer surface 106.

An inner storage compartment, as explained in greater detail above, is formed within the cylindrical body 102 accessible through an opening formed in a top surface 110 of the cylindrical body 102 for selectively storing additional accessories and can optionally include at least one removable tray disposed within the inner storage compartment that can be used to store and further separate accessories inside each tray. The cylindrical body 102 can also be formed at least partly of material that allows the contents of the inner storage compartment to be viewable.

The accessory holder device 100 further comprises a plurality of gripping portions 112 attached to the outer surface 106 of the cylindrical body 102, e.g., formed of a foam material with an adhesive backing and anti-slip surface, for helping to frictionally hold the accessories in place. The gripping portions 112 can be adhered to the outer surface 106 in a predetermined pattern, e.g., spaced intervals, operably configured to frictionally engage with said accessories to help prevent them from unintentionally sliding down toward the support base 104 and can be formed of felt, rubber, foam, textured pads and/or strips, and the like material. The gripping portions 112 can also be shaped as strips, letters, cartoon characters, landscape shapes, animals, polka-dots, swirls, and the like and can be various colors. It is understood that, alternatively, stipple or grain and the like can be formed on at least part of the outer surface 106 of the cylindrical body 102 to help prevent slipping.

The peripheral protrusion 108 can be located toward the bottom of the outer surface 106 and extends outward to further help prevent accessories from sliding downward to the support base 104 and/or ground surface or otherwise becoming disengaged from the bottom of the cylindrical body 102. It is understood that the peripheral protrusion 108 can also be adhered thereto and comprise a thicker piece made of the same material as the gripping portions 112. It is further understood that, alternatively, the peripheral protrusion 108 can be formed of at least two opposing peripheral protrusion 108 or a plurality of peripheral protrusion 108 formed at predetermined intervals on the bottom of the outer surface 106. In addition, it is further within the contemplation of the present invention that, alternatively, the support base 104 can be a separate piece coupled to the cylindrical body 102 and can at least partially extend upward to form the peripheral protrusion 108 about the bottom of the outer surface 106.

The support base 104 is operably shaped, e.g., generally truncated-like shape, to rest on the ground surface. The support base 104 can be fixedly connected at the bottom 110 of the cylindrical body 102, e.g., by at least one bolt, weld, rivet, and the like. Alternatively, the cylindrical body 102 is rotatably coupled to the support base 104 using a bearing, e.g., ball bearing, to allow an operator of the accessory holder device 100 to selectively rotate the cylindrical body 102 to scan its contents for mounting, displaying and retrieving of the accessories. The support base 104 can additionally be weighted, e.g., formed of molded plastic and having a weighted insert, to further stabilize the accessory holder device 100 and to help prevent it from tipping. It is understood that, alternatively, the support base 104 can be integrally formed with the cylindrical body 102.

The dimensions of the accessory holder device 100 are operable for storing the device in smaller areas including under cabinets, within drawers, and on countertops. Generally, the support base 104 is 2-4 inches tall and has an outer circumference of about 17.5 inches. Preferably, the cylindrical body 102 of the accessory holder device 100 is 11 inches tall and has an outer circumference of 17.5 inches to allow convenient and efficient storage of the accessory holder device 100.

It should be appreciated that accessories can include, for example, U-like shaped headbands, headbands, elastic hair ties, hair combs and brushes, barrettes, hair clips, ribbons, hair accessories, hair care items, and the like.

A removable lid, shown generally at 114, is formed to fit over the top surface 110 to close off the inner storage compartment. The lid 114 can rest on at least the top surface 110 of the cylindrical body 102 and/or on an extending flange or lip formed in the cylindrical body 102 relative to the opening of the inner storage compartment.

Referring to FIG. 4, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the lid 200 of the accessory holder device can additionally have at least one attachment member, shown generally at 202, operable for selectively interlocking the lid 200 with at least one opposing attachment portion, shown generally at 204, formed on at least one location of the cylindrical body 206 relative to the opening 208 area, e.g., rotating the lid 200 to engage a flange 210 formed on the attachment member 202 within a slot or groove 212 formed in the attachment portion 204 of the cylindrical body 206 to lock the lid 200 in place. This interlocking arrangement helps to prevent the lid 200 from becoming misplaced or dislodged when tipped, and can allow an operator grasping the lid 200 of the accessory holder device to lift the device from the ground surface by just the lid 200. It is understood that alternatively, a hinge and/or latch can be used to couple the lid 200 to the cylindrical body 206.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the essence of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An accessory holder device, comprising:

a cylindrical body including an outer surface for frictionally mounting hair accessories;

a peripheral protrusion located toward the bottom of said cylindrical body and encircling said outer surface;

an inner storage compartment for selectively storing additional accessories formed in said cylindrical body and having an opening located in a top surface of said cylindrical body and extending vertically downward toward a base of said cylindrical body having a substantially planar bottom surface for resting on a ground surface;

a lid operable to fit over the top of said cylindrical body and down the upper end of said outer surface for selectively closing said inner storage compartment; and

wherein said peripheral protrusion prevents said mounted accessories from slipping to said ground surface.

2. The accessory holder device of claim 1, wherein said base is integrally formed with said cylindrical body and peripheral protrusion.

3. The accessory holder device of claim 1, wherein said outer surface is formed as a one-piece outer surface with no additional clamps or other fixtures forming said outer surface.

4. The accessory holder device of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical body further comprises gripping portions attached to said outer surface to further prevent said accessories from sliding down toward said peripheral protrusion and/or said ground surface.

5. The accessory holder device of claim 1, further comprising a support base coupled to the bottom of said cylindrical body for resting on said ground surface.

6. The accessory holder device of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical body is rotatably coupled to a support base.

7. The accessory holder device of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical body further comprises a plurality of gripping portions adhered to said outer surface spaced apart in a predetermined pattern operably configured to frictionally engage with said accessories, wherein said gripping portions is selected from the group consisting of felt, rubber, foam, textured pads or strips, and combinations thereof.

8. The accessory holder device of claim 1, further comprising an attachment member formed on said lid for selectively interlocking said lid with at least one opposing attachment portion formed toward the top of said cylindrical body.

9. The accessory holder device of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical body is formed of a molded plastic material that is at least partially transparent for viewability of accessories within said inner storage compartment.

10. The accessory holder device of claim 1, wherein said outer surface of said cylindrical body further comprises a grain or stipple surface treatment to help frictionally hold said accessories in place.

11. The accessory holder device of claim 1, further comprising at least one tray located within said inner storage compartment for selectively compartmentalizing said accessories.

12. The accessory holder device of claim 1, wherein said peripheral protrusion is a separate piece attached to said outer surface of said cylindrical body, wherein an attachment is selected by the group consisting of at least one heatstake, rivet, bolt, adhesive, weld, and combinations thereof.

13. An accessory holder device, comprising:

a cylindrical body forming a continuous outer surface for frictionally mounting accessories;

a peripheral protrusion formed toward a bottom of said outer surface of said cylindrical body and having a width and depth operable to prevent said accessories from moving vertically downward to a ground surface and having a substantially planar bottom surface for resting said accessory holder device on said ground surface;

an opening formed in a top surface of said cylindrical body;

an inner storage compartment extending from said opening and extending substantially the longitudinal length of said cylindrical body for storing accessories; and

a lid including a handle for selectively removing said lid, wherein said lid is operably shaped to fit down over the top of said cylindrical body for selectively closing off said inner storage compartment.

14. The accessory holder device of claim 13, wherein said outer surface is formed as a one-piece outer surface with no gaps or grooves formed therein.

15. The accessory holder device of claim 13, wherein said cylindrical body further comprises a plurality of gripping portions attached to said outer surface to further prevent said accessories from sliding down toward said peripheral protrusion and/or said ground surface, wherein said peripheral protrusion is formed of substantially the same material as said gripping portions and has a greater width than said gripping portions.

16. The accessory holder device of claim 13, further comprising a support base coupled to said cylindrical body for resting on said ground surface.

17. The accessory holder device of claim 13, wherein said cylindrical body is rotatably coupled to a support base.

18. The accessory holder device of claim 13, wherein said cylindrical body further comprises a plurality of gripping portions adhered to said outer surface spaced apart in a predetermined pattern operably configured to frictionally engage with said accessories, wherein said gripping portions is selected from the group consisting of felt, rubber, foam, textured pads or strips, and combinations thereof.

19. The accessory holder device of claim 1, further comprising an attachment member formed on said lid for selectively interlocking said lid with at least one opposing attachment portion formed toward the top of said cylindrical body.

20. The accessory holder device of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical body is formed of a molded plastic material that is at least partially transparent for viewability of accessories within said inner storage compartment.