REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation-in-part application of copending application Ser. No. 13/424,645, filed Mar. 20, 2012, entitled “ITEM ORGANIZER TO HOLD WRITING INSTRUMENTS AND OTHER ITEMS”. The aforementioned application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to the field of organizers. More particularly, the invention pertains to item organizers to hold long, thin items such as eyeglasses.
2. Description of Related Art
When individuals are in transit, or have reached a leisure or business trip destination, they often need easy access to writing instruments. In the prior art, pens and pencils may be placed in a small bag during travel. Some purses or briefcases include strapped slots that are fixed to a flat area of the interior of the bag to hold pens and pencils.
Single or double pen tubes or channels are known. Other flat multi pen holders have channels that are created by rows of stitching that create the channels. In other prior art, free standing pen holders may include multiple slots fixed to a flat material which can be rolled together.
In all of the prior art, the tubes or channels are not connected to each other, being held in place by a back plate or base.
People also often need to carry multiple pairs of eyeglasses, for example a pair of reading glasses and a pair of sunglasses. The eyeglasses are often of different frame widths, and, due to their fragile nature, need to be kept separate and secure in order to protect them from damage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An item organizer, for example a travel organizer, includes a plurality of sleeves, preferably constructed of a flexible material and extending radially from and longitudinally along a common central axis. The sleeves are attached around the central axis. In some embodiments, the sleeves are attached to each other around the central axis. In other embodiments, the sleeves are attached to each other or to a central hub that forms the central axis. In one preferred embodiment, the item organizer includes three sleeves. In other preferred embodiments, two, four, five, or even more sleeves may extend from the central hub. The sleeves may be permanently or reversibly attached around the central axis. The item organizer includes a central attachment location for the sleeves.
In some preferred embodiments, the item organizer includes three or more sleeves, where at least one of the sleeves is significantly wider than the other sleeves. In some embodiments, the wider sleeve opens along the length end opposite the central axis instead of along one or both of the width ends. In some preferred embodiments, the wider sleeve is used to hold large framed glasses and the narrower sleeves are used to hold small framed glasses. For example, the wider sleeve may be used to hold sunglasses and the narrower sleeves used to hold reading or other prescription eyeglasses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1a shows an item organizer with three sleeves attached to each other around a common central axis in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1b shows a cross-sectional top down view of the item organizer of FIG. 1.
FIG. 1c shows a cross-sectional top down view of the item organizer of FIG. 1a, with an item in two of the sleeves.
FIG. 2a shows an item organizer with two sleeves attached to each other at a central location in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2b shows a cross-sectional top down view of the item organizer of FIG. 2a.
FIG. 2c shows a cross-sectional top down view of the item organizer of FIG. 2a, with an item in one sleeve.
FIG. 3a shows an item organizer with four sleeves attached around a central hub that forms a common central axis in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3b shows a cross-sectional top down view of the item organizer of FIG. 3a.
FIG. 3c shows a cross-sectional top down view of the item organizer of FIG. 3a, with an item in two sleeves.
FIG. 4a shows an item organizer with five sleeves attached to each other around a common central axis in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4b shows a cross-sectional top down view of the item organizer of FIG. 4a.
FIG. 4c shows a cross-sectional top down view of the item organizer of FIG. 4a, with an item in two sleeves.
FIG. 5a shows an item organizer with twelve sleeves attached around a central hub that forms a common central axis in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5b shows a cross-sectional top down view of the item organizer of FIG. 5a.
FIG. 5c shows a cross-sectional top down view of the item organizer of FIG. 5a, with an item in three sleeves.
FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional top down view of a single sleeve attached to a central hub in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7a shows a central hub base for three sleeves in another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7b shows a top down view of the central hub base in the embodiment of FIG. 7a.
FIG. 7c shows a top down view of three sleeves attached to the central hub base of FIG. 7a.
FIG. 8a shows a central hub base for two sleeves in another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8b shows a top down view of two empty sleeves attached to the central hub base in the embodiment of FIG. 8a.
FIG. 8c shows a top down view of two expanded sleeves attached to the central hub base of FIG. 8a.
FIG. 9a shows a central hub base for four sleeves in another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9b shows a top down view of four empty sleeves attached to the central hub base in the embodiment of FIG. 9a.
FIG. 9c shows a top down view of four expanded sleeves attached to the central hub base of FIG. 9a.
FIG. 10a shows a central hub base for five sleeves in another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10b shows a top down view of five empty sleeves attached to the central hub base in the embodiment of FIG. 10a.
FIG. 10c shows a top down view of five expanded sleeves attached to the central hub base of FIG. 10a.
FIG. 11a shows a central hub base for twelve sleeves in another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11b shows a top down view of twelve empty sleeves attached to the central hub base in the embodiment of FIG. 11a.
FIG. 11c shows a top down view of twelve expanded sleeves attached to the central hub base of FIG. 11a.
FIG. 12 shows a single sleeve that fits into the central hub base of FIGS. 7a through 11c.
FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional top down view of a single sleeve attached to a central hub in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14a shows a first side of a sleeve that is open on both ends.
FIG. 14b shows a second side of the sleeve of FIG. 14a.
FIG. 15a shows the open position of another embodiment for a sleeve with a flap in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15b shows the top and bottom of the sleeve of FIG. 15a in a closed position.
FIG. 16a shows an alternative embodiment with sleeves of different widths.
FIG. 16b shows the item organizer of FIG. 16a with two of the sleeves open.
FIG. 16c shows a cross-sectional top down view of the item organizer of FIG. 16a.
FIG. 17a shows an example of a type of eyeglass that could be placed in the sleeves of the embodiment shown in FIG. 16a.
FIG. 17b shows another example of a type of eyeglass that could be placed in the sleeves of the embodiment shown in FIG. 16a.
FIG. 18a shows a single sleeve that fits into the central hub base of FIGS. 7a through 11c.
FIG. 18b shows another single sleeve that fits into the central hub base of FIG. 7a through 11c.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An item organizer includes at least two sleeves (for example, channels or tubes), preferably constructed of a flexible material and joined around a central hub or axis. The sleeves are attached around a common central axis. The sleeves are arranged around the central axis circumferentially. In one preferred embodiment, the item organizer includes three sleeves. In other preferred embodiments, two, four, five, or even more sleeves may be connected to each other or to a central hub. The item organizer preferably includes a single attachment position for the sleeves. In some preferred embodiments, the organizer may be used while traveling.
The sleeves provide organization for several items, for example writing instruments or eyeglasses, when carrying them all at the same time. The item organizer creates an organized bundle of items, such as writing instruments or eyeglasses. In some embodiments, different types of items may be placed in different sleeves of the item organizer.
In one preferred embodiment, the sleeves are permanently attached to the central hub or axis. In these embodiments, the sleeves and the hub can be permanently attached by stitching. Alternatively, they may be permanently connected using adhesives.
In one embodiment, the axis may be a central connection point between the multiple sleeves, and the sleeves are stitched or otherwise permanently attached to each other by connecting the sides (or the front edges in embodiments with two or three sleeves) of the sleeves together around a central axis. In embodiments where the sleeves connect directly to each other, the diameter of the central hub or space forming the central axis does not grow substantially as the number of sleeves increases. In another embodiment, the central hub includes additional material to which each of the sleeves is permanently attached. In embodiments where the sleeves are connected to a central hub forming the central axis, the diameter of the central hub increases as the number of sleeves increases.
In preferred embodiments, the sleeves are made of a flexible material, for example leather or fabric. The sleeves preferably have a substantially flattened cylindrical shape, like a football or a flower petal. In embodiments with a central hub, the central hub is preferably made of a flexible material, for example leather or fabric. In some preferred embodiments, the sleeves and the hub are made of the same flexible material.
In other embodiments, the sleeves and/or the central hub are made of a less flexible material, such as deformable plastic, and the components are attached by an adhesive. Alternatively, in these embodiments, the item organizer could be manufactured from a mold in a single piece.
In other embodiments, the sleeves are reversibly attached to the central hub. In these embodiments, the sleeves connect to the central hub by mating portions of the sleeves to a corresponding portion of the central hub.
Each of the sleeves is shaped and sized to hold a long, relatively thin, preferably substantially cylindrical item. Each sleeve is biased towards a closed position to hold the item. The user preferably applies pressure to the sides of the sleeves to open the sleeves for release of the item or for placement of the item in the sleeves.
Some items that could be held in the organizer include, but are not limited to, writing instruments (for example, pens, pencils, markers, and highlighters), tools, cigars, makeup brushes, paint brushes, silverware settings, and eyeglasses (including prescription eyeglasses, nonprescription eyeglasses and sunglasses). In embodiments with silverware settings, the tubes could include special tarnish felt in its interior to reduce the chances of tarnish on the pieces of silverware. Each of the sleeves isolates each of the items being held from the others while keeping all of the items (for example, pens) together in a neat bundle.
In some embodiments, the sleeves have different heights and/or widths. In other embodiments, the sleeves have the same heights and widths. The sleeves can hold items that are shorter in length than the length of the sleeves. The sleeves can also hold items that are longer in length than the sleeves, and protrude from the sleeves when held in place by the sleeves.
In some preferred embodiments, the item organizer includes three or more sleeves, where at least one of the sleeves is significantly wider than the other sleeves. In some embodiments, the wider sleeve opens along the length end opposite the central axis instead of along one or both of the width ends. In some preferred embodiments, the wider sleeve is used to hold larger framed glasses and the narrower sleeves are used to hold smaller framed glasses. For example, the wider sleeve may be used to hold sunglasses and the narrower sleeves used to hold reading or other prescription eyeglasses.
In other embodiments, the item organizer could be used to hold different types of eyeglasses.
Any combination of different items could be held in the item organizers described herein.
In some embodiments, one or more of the sleeves include a flap, cover or lid that can be open or closed. In the closed position, the flap, cover or lid provides extra security for retaining the item in the organizer. In other embodiments, both ends of at least one of the sleeves are open. A flap, cover, or lid may be located on either end of the sleeve, along the side of the sleeve, or in any combination of these locations.
FIGS. 1a through 1c show an item organizer 1 with three sleeves 2 attached around a central axis 5. The sleeves 2 are permanently attached around the central axis 5. Each sleeve 2 includes a first side 7 and a second side 8. In some embodiments, a central hub 4 forms the central axis 5, and the sleeves 2 are attached to the central hub 4. Examples of a central hub 4 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. In other embodiments, the sleeves 2 are attached directly to each other and surround a space that forms the central axis 5. In still other embodiments, the sleeves 2 are attached to each other and surround the central hub 4. FIG. 1b shows empty sleeves, while FIG. 1c shows two of the sleeves 2 holding an item 6, such as a pen. The sleeves 2 preferably expand to hold the items 6 in place. As shown in these figures, the sleeves 2 are preferably spaced evenly and extend radially outward from the central axis.
FIGS. 2a through 2c show an item organizer 10 with two sleeves 2 attached at a central axis 5. Each sleeve 2 includes a first side 7 and a second side 8. The sleeves 2 are permanently attached around the central axis 5. In some embodiments, a central hub 4 forms the central axis 5, and the sleeves 2 are attached to the central hub 4. Examples of a central hub 4 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. In other embodiments, the sleeves 2 are attached directly to each other and the location where they are attached forms the central axis 5. In still other embodiments, the sleeves 2 are attached to each other and surround the central hub 4. FIG. 2b shows empty sleeves, while FIG. 2c shows a sleeve 2 holding an item 6, such as a pen. The sleeves expand to hold the items in place. As shown in these figures, the sleeves are preferably spaced evenly around and extend radially outward from the central axis 5.
FIGS. 3a through 3c show an item organizer 20 with four sleeves 2 attached around a central axis 5. Each sleeve 2 includes a first side 7 and a second side 8. The sleeves 2 are permanently attached around the central axis 5. In some embodiments, a central hub 4 forms the central axis 5, and the sleeves 2 are attached to the central hub 4. In other embodiments, the sleeves 2 are attached directly to each other and surround a space that forms the central axis 5. Some examples of these embodiments are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. In still other embodiments, the sleeves 2 are attached to each other and surround the central hub 4. FIG. 3b shows empty sleeves, while FIG. 3c shows two sleeves 2 holding an item 6, such as a pen. The sleeves expand to hold the items in place. As shown in these figures, the sleeves are preferably spaced evenly around and extend radially outward from the central axis 5.
FIGS. 4a through 4c show an item organizer 30 with five sleeves 2 attached at a central axis 5. Each sleeve 2 includes a first side 7 and a second side 8. The sleeves 2 are permanently attached around the central axis 5. In some embodiments, a central hub 4 forms the central axis 5, and the sleeves are attached to the central hub 4. Examples of a central hub 4 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. In other embodiments, the sleeves 2 are attached to each other and surround a space that forms the central axis 5. In still other embodiments, the sleeves 2 are attached to each other and surround the central hub 4. FIG. 4b shows empty sleeves, while FIG. 4c shows two sleeves 2 holding an item 6, such as a pen. The sleeves expand to hold the items in place. As shown in these figures, the sleeves are preferably spaced evenly around and extend radially outward from the central axis 5.
FIGS. 5a through 5c show an item organizer 40 with twelve sleeves 2 attached around a central axis 5. Each sleeve 2 includes a first side 7 and a second side 8. The sleeves 2 are permanently attached around the central axis 5. In some embodiments, a central hub 4 forms the central axis 5, and the sleeves are attached to the central hub 4. In other embodiments, the sleeves 2 are attached to each other and surround a space that forms the central axis 5. Some examples of these embodiments are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. In still other embodiments, the sleeves 2 are attached to each other and surround the central hub 4. FIG. 5b shows empty sleeves, while FIG. 5c shows three sleeves 2 holding an item 6, such as a pen. The sleeves expand to hold the items in place. As shown in these figures, the sleeves are preferably spaced evenly around and extend radially outward from the central axis 5.
FIGS. 16a through 16c show an item organizer 160 with three sleeves 161, 162 attached around a central axis 5, where the sleeves 161, 162 are of different widths (W1) and (W2). Although three sleeves 161, 162 are shown in this figure, other numbers of sleeves 161, 162 may alternatively be included in the item organizer 160. The sleeves 161, 162 are permanently attached around the central axis 5. Each sleeve 161, 162 includes a first side 7 and a second side 8. In some embodiments, a central hub 4 forms the central axis 5, and the sleeves 161, 162 are attached to the central hub 4. Examples of a central hub 4 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. In other embodiments, the sleeves 161, 162 are attached directly to each other and surround a space that forms the central axis 5. In still other embodiments, the sleeves 161, 162 are attached to each other and surround the central hub 4. FIGS. 16b and 16c show empty sleeves, while FIG. 16a shows one of the sleeves 162 holding an item, such as a pair of eyeglasses 170. The sleeves 161, 162 preferably expand to hold the items 170 in place. As shown in these figures, the sleeves 161, 162 are preferably spaced evenly and extend radially outward from the central axis 5.
The sleeves 161, 162 in FIGS. 16a through 16c are preferably of different widths, with two of the sleeves 161 preferably having a width (W1) to fit a narrow framed pair of eyeglasses 170 (for example reading glasses), while the third sleeve 162 preferably has a width (W2) sized to fit a wider framed pair of eyeglasses 171 (for example sunglasses). In one preferred embodiment, the width (W2) of the wider sleeve 162 is approximately 1.75 times the width (W1) of the narrower sleeves 161. In other embodiments, two of the sleeves 162 may be wider than the third sleeve 161. The narrow sleeves 161 are preferably permanently closed on one end 107 and have a closable flap 201, into which the eyeglasses may be inserted, with a snap or other fastener 209 on the other end 207. While end 107 is shown as being closed in the figure, with a closable flap on end 207, either end 107, 207 may be closed, and/or either or both ends 107, 207 may include the flap 201. In an alternative embodiment, one of the ends 107, 207 may be open, similar to the open ends shown in FIG. 1a.
The wider sleeve 162 may have both ends 167 and 267 closed, with an opening into which to place the items on the long side 168 of the sleeve 162. Alternatively, one of the ends 167, 267 may be open and/or one or both ends 167, 267 may include a closable flap, similar to the flap 201 on the narrower sleeves 161. The closure 169 on the long side 168 of the wider sleeve 162 is shown as a zipper in FIGS. 16a and 16b. However, other closures, including, but not limited to, a snap closure 189 (shown in FIG. 18b), on the long side 168 of the wider sleeve 162 may alternatively be used. While three sleeves are shown in the Figures, additional sleeves could be included to hold additional sets of eyeglasses, or other items.
FIGS. 17a and 17b show examples of eyeglasses with different size frames to fit into the sleeves in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16a through 16c. More specifically, FIG. 17a shows a pair of eyeglasses 170 with narrow frames 173. FIG. 17b shows a pair of eyeglasses 171 with wide frames 174. In one embodiment, the eyeglasses 170 in FIG. 17a are a pair of reading glasses and the eyeglasses 171 in FIG. 17b are a pair of sunglasses. These figures show examples only, any types of eyeglasses of appropriate width could be inserted into the sleeves 161 and 162.
Note that, while each of FIGS. 1c, 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c and 16a show certain sleeves filled with an item, the organizers are designed so that any number of sleeves may be filled or empty at any given time. The user can choose to put any number of items into individual sleeves, up to the maximum number of sleeves on that particular organizer.
Also note that, while FIGS. 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b and 16c show adjacent empty sleeves not touching each other, these figures are schematic only. The sides of adjacent sleeves may touch (and be permanently attached to each other where they touch) even while all the sleeves are empty and not expanded.
Although FIGS. 1a-5c and 16a-16c show a certain numbers of sleeves 2, 161, 162 (two, three, four five, twelve, and three, respectively) permanently attached around a central axis 5, FIG. 6 shows that any number of sleeves 2, 161, 162 can be permanently attached around the central axis 5. There may be any number of sleeves 2, 161, 162 depending on the embodiment. The diameter of the optional central hub 4 or the space forming the central axis 5 may increase as the number of sleeves increases. The diameter of the hub 4 or the space forming the central axis 5 depends on the size and number of the sleeves circumferentially spaced around the central axis 5. Also, the angles of space available for each sleeve is equal to 360/n degrees, where n is the number of sleeves.
The sleeves 2, 161, 162 in FIGS. 1a through 6 and 16a through 16c are permanently attached around a central axis 5. The sleeves 2, 161, 162 may be attached in any manner, including, but not limited to, stitching the sleeves 2, 161, 162 to each other or a central hub 4 or gluing the sleeves 2, 161, 162 to each other or to the central hub 4. In preferred embodiments, the sleeves 2, 161, 162 and/or the central hub 4 are made of a flexible material. Some examples for the flexible material include, but are not limited to, fabric or leather. In other embodiments, the central hub 4 and/or the sleeves 2, 161, 162 may be made of a deformable plastic. In some embodiments, the item organizer may be manufactured in a single piece, for example by using a mold that includes the sleeves attached to each other or to a central hub.
FIGS. 7a through 7c show an item organizer 70 with three sleeves 102 reversibly attached to a central hub 104. The central hub 104 includes three channels 108. The channels 108 are each shaped to fit a rod 112 on each of the sleeves 102 (see FIG. 12). The sleeves 102 each have a first side 109 and a second side 111. The sleeves 102 can be placed in the channels 108, and are easily removable from the channels 108. FIG. 7c shows the sleeves 102 connected to each corresponding channel 108 with a rod 112. The channels 108 of the central hub 104 are circumferentially organized around a central axis 105. This figure also shows an item 106, such as a pen, inside one of the sleeves 102. The channels 108 and the corresponding sleeves 102 (when connected to the hub 104 through the channels 108) are preferably spaced evenly around and extend radially outward from the central hub 104.
FIGS. 8a through 8c show an item organizer 80 with two sleeves 102 reversibly attached to a central hub 104. The central hub 104 includes two channels 108 shaped to fit a rod 112 on each of the sleeves 102 (see FIG. 12). The sleeves 102 each have a first side 109 and a second side 111. The sleeves 102 can be placed in the channels 108, and are easily removable from the channels. FIG. 8c shows the sleeves 102 connected to each corresponding channel 108 with a rod 112. The channels 108 of the central hub 104 are organized around a central axis 105. This figure also shows an item 106, such as a pen, inside one sleeve 102. The channels 108 and the corresponding sleeves 102 (when connected to the hub 104 through the channels 108) are preferably spaced evenly around and extend radially outward from the central hub 104.
FIGS. 9a through 9c show an item organizer 90 with four sleeves 102 reversibly attached to a central hub 104. The central hub 104 includes four channels 108 shaped to fit a rod 112 on each of the sleeves 102 (see FIG. 12). The sleeves 102 each have a first side 109 and a second side 111. The sleeves 102 can be placed in the channels 108, and are easily removable from the channels. FIG. 9c shows the sleeves 102 connected to each corresponding channel 108 with a rod 112. The channels 108 of the central hub 104 are circumferentially organized around a central axis 105. This figure also shows items 106, such as pens, inside two sleeves 102. The channels 108 and the corresponding sleeves 102 (when connected to the hub 104 through the channels 108) are preferably spaced evenly around and extend radially outward from the central hub 104.
FIGS. 10a through 10c show an item organizer 100 with five sleeves 102 reversibly attached to a central hub 104. The central hub 104 includes five channels 108 shaped to fit a rod 112 on each of the sleeves 102 (see FIG. 12). The sleeves 102 each have a first side 109 and a second side 111. The sleeves 102 can be placed in the channels 108, and are easily removable from the channels. FIG. 10c shows the sleeves 102 connected to each corresponding channel 108 with a rod 112. The channels 108 of the central hub 104 are organized circumferentially around a central axis 105. This figure also shows items 106, such as pens, inside two sleeves 102. The channels 108 and the corresponding sleeves 102 (when connected to the hub 104 through the channels 108) are preferably spaced evenly around and extend radially outward from the central hub 104.
FIGS. 11a through 11c show an item organizer 110 with twelve sleeves 102 reversibly attached to a central hub 104. The central hub 104 includes twelve channels 108 shaped to fit a rod 112 on each of the sleeves 102 (see FIG. 12). The sleeves 102 each have a first side 109 and a second side 111. The sleeves 102 can be placed in the channels 108, and are easily removable from the channels. FIG. 9c shows the sleeves 102 connected to each corresponding channel 108 with a rod 112. The channels 108 of the central hub 104 are circumferentially organized around a central axis 105. This figure also shows items 106, such as pens, inside three sleeves 102. The channels 108 and the corresponding sleeves 102 (when connected to the hub 104 through the channels 108) are preferably spaced evenly around and extend radially outward from the central hub 104.
FIG. 12 shows a schematic of a single sleeve 102 of any size that can be attached to any of the hubs shown in FIGS. 7-11. The sleeve 102 includes a main sleeve portion 103 and a rod 112 that is permanently attached to the sleeve 102. The rod 112 slips into the corresponding channel 108 in the central hub 104 to reversibly attach the sleeve 102 to the central hub 104.
FIGS. 18a and 18b show schematics of some examples of single sleeves 181, 182 that can be attached to any of the hubs shown in FIGS. 7-11. The sleeve 181 is similar to the sleeves 161 in FIGS. 16a through 16c, with the addition of the rod 112. The sleeve 182 is similar to the sleeve 162 in FIGS. 16a through 16c, with the addition of the rod 112.
Like the sleeve 102 shown in FIG. 12, the sleeves 181, 182 in FIGS. 18a and 18b include a main sleeve portion 183, 184 and a rod 112 that is permanently attached to the sleeve 181, 182. The rod 112 slips into the corresponding channel 108 in the central hub 104 to reversibly attach the sleeve 102 to the central hub 104. FIG. 18a shows a sleeve 181 with a main sleeve portion 183 sized to fit a pair of narrow framed eyeglasses 170 and FIG. 18b shows a sleeve 182 with a main sleeve portion 184 sized to fit a pair of wider framed eyeglasses 171. While FIG. 18b shows a snap closure 189 on the long side 188 of the sleeve 182, any alternative closures, such as the zipper 169 shown in FIGS. 16a and 16b, or the closures 201 shown in FIG. 18a, may be used on the sleeve 182 shown in FIG. 18b.
In one preferred embodiment, the item organizer of FIG. 7 is created with two of the sleeves 181 and one of the sleeves 182. The sleeve 181 has a first width (W1) and sleeve 182 has a second width (W2), which is larger than the first width (W1). In one preferred embodiment, two of the sleeves 181 inserted into the hub 104 of FIG. 7 preferably have a width (W1) to fit a narrow framed pair of eyeglasses 170 (for example reading glasses), while the third sleeve 182 preferably has a width (W2) sized to fit a wider framed pair of eyeglasses 171 (for example sunglasses). In one preferred embodiment, the width (W2) of the wider sleeve 182 is approximately 1.75 times the width (W1) of the narrower sleeves 181. In other embodiments, two of the sleeves 182 inserted into the hub 104 may be wider than the third sleeve 181 inserted into the hub 104. The narrow sleeves 181 are preferably permanently closed on one end 107 and have a closable flap 201, into which the eyeglasses may be inserted, with a snap or other fastener 209 on the other end 207. While end 107 is shown as being closed in the figure, with a closable flap on end 207, either end 107, 207 may be closed, and/or either or both ends may include the flap 201. In an alternative embodiment, one of the ends 107, 207 may be open, similar to the open ends shown in FIG. 1a.
The wider sleeve 182 may have both ends 187 and 287 closed, with an opening 189 into which to place the items on the long side 188 of the sleeve 182. Alternatively, one of the ends 187, 287 may be open and/or one or both ends may include a closable flap, similar to the flap 201 on the narrower sleeves 181. The closure 189 on the long side 188 of the wider sleeve 182 is shown as a snap closure 189 in FIG. 18b. However, other closures, including, but not limited to, a zipper 169 (shown in FIGS. 16a and 16b) on the long side 188 of the wider sleeve 182 may alternatively be used.
In other embodiments, at least one of sleeves 181 and at least one of sleeves 182 are connected to the hubs in any of FIGS. 7-11.
Note that, while each of the central hubs shown in FIGS. 7a through 11c have a certain number of spaces into which you can place sleeves, the hub does not need to be completely filled with sleeves at any given time. The user can choose to put in any number of sleeves into the hub, up to the maximum number that fits into the hub.
In some embodiments, the channels 108 connect to each other and form around a central hollow space, with no material in between the channels 108. In embodiments with only two sleeves, the channels 108 may connect directly to each other, without a hollow space or a central hub 104. In other embodiments, the channels 108 surround a solid center of the central hub 104.
In some embodiments, the channels 108 are all the same length. In other embodiments, the lengths of the channels 108 vary. In embodiments with a solid central hub 104 to which the channels 108 are each connected, the central hub 104 may be the same length as one or more of the channels 108, or the central hub 104 may be a different length than the channels 108.
Although the figures show certain numbers of sleeves (two, three, four five, and twelve) removably attached to the central hub, there may be any number of sleeves, depending on the embodiment. FIG. 13 shows that any number of sleeves 102, 181, 182 may be attached to the central hub 104. The diameter of the core grows as the number of sleeves 102, 181, 182 increases. The diameter of the hub depends on the size and number of the channels circumferentially spaced along the hub. Also, the angle of space available for each of the sleeves is equal to 360/n degrees, where n is the number of sleeves 102, 181, 182. The channels 108 are circumferentially spaced around the central axis 105.
The sleeves 102, 181, 182 in FIGS. 7a through 13 and 18a through 18b are reversibly attached to the central hub 104 at a central axis 105. In preferred embodiments, the sleeves 102, 181, 182 and/or the central hub 104 are made of a flexible material. Some examples for the flexible material include, but are not limited to, fabric or leather. In other embodiments, the central hub 104 and/or the sleeves 102, 181, 182 may be made of a deformable plastic. In still other embodiments, the sleeve may be made of both a deformable plastic and a flexible material, for example the rod is made of plastic and the sleeve sides are made of a flexible material. In other embodiments, the central hub and the rod are made of a rigid plastic, and the rest of the sleeve is made of a flexible material or a deformable plastic. In some embodiments, the central hub 104 is manufactured in a single piece, for example by using a mold including all of the channels 108 of the central hub 104.
While a channel 108 and a rod 112 are shown in FIGS. 7a through 13 and 18a through 18b, in other embodiments, the sleeves 102, 181, 182 are removable from the central hub 104 in other ways. For example, in one alternative embodiment, the central hub 104 is hollow, and each of the sleeves 102, 181, 182 includes a clip or other protruding portion that can be inserted into the hollow portion of the central hub 104 for removably fastening the sleeve to the hub 104 at the central hollow axis 105.
In another alternative embodiment, the exterior of the central hub 104 includes a fastener, such as snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, zippers, or hook and eye and the sleeves 102, 181, 182 each include a corresponding fastener material that attaches the sleeves 102, 181, 182 to the central hub 104. In another embodiment, magnets on the sleeves 102, 181, 182 and central hub 104 are used to reversibly fasten the sleeves 102, 181, 182 to the hub 104.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the central hub 104 includes spoke-like protrusions and the sleeves 102, 181, 182 include pocket portions that the spoke-like protrusions fit in to fasten the sleeves 102, 181, 182 to the spokes.
FIGS. 14 and 15 show embodiments for the sleeves 2, 102. Any of the item organizers described herein could incorporate any combination of these sleeves 2, 102 in combination with the central hub 4, 104. For example, FIG. 1a shows a sleeve 2 with open ends 107. FIG. 1a also shows a sleeve 2 with a closed end 207. The sleeve 102 shown in FIG. 12 could also have either of these types of ends.
FIGS. 14a and 14b show the sleeves 2, 102 open at both ends 107. FIG. 14a shows a first side 7, 109 of the sleeve 2, 102 and FIG. 14b shows a second side 8, 111 of the sleeve 2, 102. In some embodiments, when an item is placed in the 2, 102 sleeve, it is held in place because the sleeve 2, 102 is made of a flexible material and sized to snugly fit the item in place.
FIGS. 14a and 14b show another embodiment, where the sleeve 2, 102 includes a cutaway 301 on both ends, such that the end of one side of the sleeve 2, 102 is lower than the end of the other side of the sleeve 2, 102. This permits items with a clip 302 (see FIG. 1a) to attach to the sleeve 2, 102 using the cutaway 301. While a cutaway 301 is shown in both ends in FIGS. 14a and 14b, in other embodiments, a cutaway 301 could be located on only one end of the sleeve 2.
As an example of an embodiment with a cutaway 301, FIG. 1a shows an item 6, such as a pen or other writing instrument, held in place in the sleeve 2 by securing the clip 302 over the cutaway 301 on the exterior of the sleeve 2. The rest of the item 6 is on the inside of the sleeve 2. This design for the sleeves 2, 102 effectively holds the item 6, 106 in place inside the sleeve 2, 102. In preferred embodiments with a cutaway 301, the cutaway 301 is sized such that the items 6 being held are flush with or below the top of the sleeves 2, 102 when placed in the sleeves 2, 102.
FIGS. 16a, 16b and 18b show an alternative embodiment for a sleeve 162, 182, where the opening to receive the item is located on the long side 168, 188 of the sleeve 162, 182 instead of on one of the ends 107, 207. Any of the openings and fasteners discussed herein could be used in the sleeves 2, 102, 161, 162, 181, 182. In addition, any of the sleeves 2, 102, 161, 162, 181, 182 could have the opening to receive the item located on the long side 168, 88 of the sleeve 2, 102, 161, 162, 181, 182.
In other embodiments, items 6, 106, with clips 302 can be held in place in the same manner as discussed above in sleeves 2, 102 without cutaways 301. In these embodiments, the clip portion 302 of the item 6 is outside the sleeve and the rest of the item 6 is inside the sleeve 2. Since there is no cutaway 301 in these embodiments, the item 6 may extend above the top of the sleeve 2, 102 when it is secured in the sleeve 2, 102.
In one preferred embodiment using the sleeves 2, 102 in FIGS. 14a and 14b, the sleeve 2, 102 has an approximately 1″ width (W) and an approximately 6″ height (H).
FIGS. 15a and 15b show a sleeve 2, 102 with a flap or cover 201 that extends over the open ends 207 to cover the open ends 207 to better secure an item in place. The flaps 201 can also be closed when a particular sleeve is not being used. For example, FIG. 1a shows a sleeve 2 with one end 207 secured by a flap 201 and a fastener 209. FIG. 15a shows the sleeve 2, 102 in an open position. FIG. 15b shows the sleeve 2, 102 in a closed position, with both flaps 201 extended over the open end 207 and fastened with a fastener 209.
FIGS. 15a and 15b show that the flaps 201 on each end 207 are located on opposite sides 7, 8 or 109, 111 of the sleeve 2, 102, and therefore close on opposite sides 7, 8 or 109, 111 of the sleeves from each other. In other embodiments, the flap 201 for both ends 207 could be located on the same side 7 or 109 of the sleeve 2, 102, and close on the same side 8 or 111 of the sleeve 2, 102.
In one preferred embodiment using the sleeves 2, 102 in FIGS. 15a and 15b, the sleeve 2, 102 has an approximately 1″ width (W) and an approximately 6″ height (H). The flap 201, when extended, measures approximately 1.75″ (F). The extension over the open end is approximately 0.5″ (E).
Although FIGS. 15a and 15b show a flap top 201 on both ends 207, in other embodiments, the flap 201 could be located on just one of the ends 207 (see FIG. 1a). In addition, while FIGS. 15a and 15b show a snap 209 fastening the flap top 201 when in the closed position, other fasteners 209, such as buttons, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, or magnets could alternatively be used to fasten the sleeves 2, 102, 161, 162, 181, 182 in any of the embodiments described herein. In alternative embodiments, one or both of the flaps 201 do not include fasteners 209.
Although FIGS. 14 and 15 show open ends, in other embodiments, one of the ends 207 of any of the sleeves 2, 102 could be permanently closed, creating a bottom for the sleeve, resulting in a pocket for the item being placed in the sleeve 2, 102. In still other embodiments, such as the embodiments shown in FIGS. 16a through 16c and FIG. 18b, the top 207, 287 and bottom ends 107, 187 of any of the sleeves 2, 102, 161, 162 are both permanently closed, and there is an opening with a fastener 169 along the long side 168 of the sleeve 2, 102, 161, and 162.
In some preferred embodiments using the sleeves of FIGS. 16a through 16c or FIGS. 18a and 18b, the width (W1) of the narrower sleeves 161, 181 is preferably approximately 1.75 times smaller than the width (W2) of the wider sleeves 162, 182. In one preferred embodiment using the sleeves of FIGS. 16a through 16c or FIGS. 18a and 18b, the narrower sleeves 161 are preferably approximately 2 inches wide (W1) and the wider sleeve 162 is approximately 3.5 inches wide (W2). In some preferred embodiments using the sleeves of FIGS. 16a through 16c or FIGS. 18a and 18b, the height (H1) of the sleeves 161, 181 and 162, 182 is approximately 7 inches.
In some embodiments, one or more of the sleeves has two or more compartments, so multiple items can be held in the same sleeve. The compartments in the sleeves may all be the same size, or may differ in size. FIG. 5a shows a sleeve 2 with two compartments 402 and 502 divided by a dividing wall 403. FIG. 10c shows a sleeve 102 with three compartments 602, 702, and 802. The compartments 602, 702, and 802 are separated from each other by dividing walls 603. Note that, while these figures separate the sleeves horizontally (perpendicular to the outer walls of the sleeves) across the sleeves, in other embodiments, the compartments could be formed longitudinally (parallel to the outer walls). In still other embodiments, the compartments could be formed in an asymmetrical pattern. Any of the sleeves 2, 102,1 161, 162, 181, 182 described herein may have more than one compartment.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.
