JEWELRY HOLDER

Abstract

Apparatus for storing pinned jewelry. The apparatus includes a body having a field of fabric. The apparatus further includes a hanger attached to the body for supporting the body.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to apparatus for storing jewelry, and more particularly, to apparatus for storing pinned jewelry, such as earrings.

Pinned jewelry includes jewelry having post or pin fasteners for attaching the jewelry to a wearer's body or clothing. Such jewelry may also include jewelry having thin metal hooks or wires for attaching the jewelry to the wearer's body or clothing.

Jewelry is stored in various manners when not in use. For example, jewelry may be stored in a box, but tends to become tangled. Other storage devices include hooks, which are impractical for large jewelry collections because large numbers of hooks are required to accommodate the collection. Further, hooks do not provide a suitable holder for some jewelry configurations. Stands having holes are sometimes used, but some dexterity is required to insert the fastener portions of the jewelry in the holes, taking time and causing frustration for users. These stands are also impractical for large jewelry collections due to the large number of holes needed. Thus, there remains a need for jewelry storage devices that eliminate or alleviate the problems exhibited by conventional devices, including the problems outlined above.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure describes apparatus for storing pinned jewelry. The apparatus comprises a body including a field of fabric. Further, the apparatus includes a hanger attached to the body for supporting the body.

Other aspects of the present invention will be apparent in view of the following description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of apparatus for storing pinned jewelry.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional detail taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, a device or apparatus for storing pinned jewelry (e.g., J in FIG. 1) is designated in its entirety by the reference number 10. The apparatus 10 generally comprises a body, generally designated by 12, and a hanger 14 attached to the body for supporting the body in use. The body 12 includes a field of soft, bulky, deep-piled fabric 20. Although the fabric may be made of other materials, the illustrated fabric 20 comprises napped fleece, and more particularly anti-pilling polar fleece made from synthetic fibers such as polyester, or more particularly, polyethylene terephthalate. Such fleeces are available from fabric stores. One advantage of fabrics such as fleece is that they “self-mend” or “self-heal”. In other words, when jewelry is removed, holes made in the fabric 20 by the jewelry close. Thus, the jewelry may be pinned to the fabric 20 without damaging the body 12.

The body 12 also includes a stiffener such as a dowel or rod 22 attached to an upper edge and a lower stiffener 24 such as a dowel or rod attached to a lower edge of the body. Although the stiffeners 22, 24 may be attached in other ways, in the illustrated body 12, the fabric is folded and stitched along its upper and lower margins forming upper and lower sleeves 26, 28, respectively, for receiving the upper and lower stiffeners, respectively. Decorative applique 30 is applied over the upper sleeve 26 as shown in FIG. 1 to improve the appearance of the body 12. In an alternative version (not shown), it is envisioned that decorative applique may be applied over the lower sleeve 28 in addition to or in place of the applique 30. Although the applique 30 may be attached by other means such as stitching, fabric adhesive (not shown) is used to attach the decorative applique to the illustrated apparatus 10. Further, in the illustrated version the applique 30 comprises a three-dimensional commercially available trim such as leopard or zebra flowers trim distributed by Simplicity Creative Group of New York. Three dimensional trim overhangs the jewelry so it reduces dust collecting on the jewelry, thereby extending periods between jewelry cleaning. Although the finished body 12 may have other dimensions, the illustrated body is twelve inches wide and about fourteen inches long. Each of the illustrated rods 26, 28 is a ¼ inch wooden dowel having a length corresponding to the width of the body. It is envisioned that the rods 22, 24 may be made of other materials such as plastic or metal and have other lengths without departing from the scope of this description. Alternatively, it is envisioned the lower stiffener 24 may be omitted, particularly in smaller apparatus 10. Larger diameter rods may be advantageous to hold the body 12 farther from the surface on which the apparatus 10 is mounted to provide clearance for fasteners holding the jewelry in position.

The hanger 14 comprises a flexible line 40 extending between opposite ends of the upper rod 24 so the line extends between spaced points along upper edge of the body 12. Although the line 40 may be made of other materials, the illustrated line is a cord made from Mylar or other synthetic material. For example, the cord may be metallic apparel trim or gimp distributed by Simplicity Creative Group of New York. In an alternative version (not shown), the line may include chain, braided gimp, or twisted gimp, particularly those made from Mylar or other synthetic material. The line 40 may be inserted in a diametrically extending slot formed at each end of the upper rod 24. A knot may be formed in the line 40 to prevent the line from pulling through the slot. Glue or other conventional means may be used to axially retain the line 40 in the slots.

Those skilled in the art will readily understand how to assemble the apparatus 10 from the description provided above. To use the apparatus, the hanger is suspended from a suitable element (e.g., a hook or nail). Jewelry, particularly ear rings having posts, hooks, or wires are selectively attached to the fabric for storage and selectively detached from the fabric for use. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the various components of the apparatus 10 may be provided with contrasting or coordinating colors and patterns.

One advantage provided by the configuration of the apparatus 10 described above is that the apparatus may be rolled up for travel or transport. When rolled, the apparatus protects the jewelry from damage and keeps the jewelry clean. Further, rolling the apparatus allows for smaller packaging, reduced shelf space, and lower shipping cost.

Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. Apparatus for storing pinned jewelry, said apparatus comprising:

a body including a field of fabric; and

a hanger attached to the body for supporting the body.

2. Apparatus storing pinned jewelry as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fabric comprises fleece.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said hanger comprises a flexible line extending between spaced points along an upper edge of the body.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the body comprises an upper rod extending along the upper edge of the body.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

the fabric includes an upper sleeve extending across the upper edge of the body; and

the upper rod extends through the upper sleeve.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the line extends from opposite ends of the upper rod.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the body further comprises a decorative applique applied over and outer face of the upper sleeve.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the body comprises a lower rod extending along a lower edge of the body.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

the fabric includes a lower sleeve extending across the lower edge of the body; and

the lower rod extends through the lower sleeve.