US20130069510A1

US20130069510A1 - Jewelry Retainer

Info

Publication number: US20130069510A1
Application number: US13/236,640
Authority: US
Inventors: Elizabeth Jill Wexler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-09-20
Filing date: 2011-09-20
Publication date: 2013-03-21

Abstract

Methods and systems for retaining jewelry and other objects in an organizer having a plurality of panels configured as rectangular frames. The organizer is configured as stand-up a cabinet for retaining the panels, each configured with a retaining mechanism. The cabinet may be configured with one or more storage drawers, that may be separate or integral to the please retaining cabinet. The stand-up a cabinet may is configured such that the panels are rotatably mounted to allow the user to view each side of the panels. Each panel is configured with a plurality or racks and/or mesh sheets for mounting the user's items. Although the devices, system and method of storage re generally directed to retaining jewelry other items such that the product is not limited by the embodiments described herein.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/384,009, filed Sep. 17, 2010, the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to devices, systems and methods for retaining jewelry and other objects in an organized container. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a cabinet having a plurality of retaining panels, each configured with a retaining device; wherein the cabinet may further include a plurality of storage drawers.
Jewelry is frequently kept loose in boxes or other containers. Heretofore, containers for small items, and more particularly to containers for displaying and organizing jewelry was typically stored in a jewelry box or in a drawer. A problem that frequently arises is matching earrings and other accessories kept in the box. As a result, the jewelry become tangled, and particular items of jewelry were difficult to locate. Such storage devices make it difficult for users to select or itemize jewelry and other objects in the containers.
An alternative known system was configured to place judge and other items upon pages having apertures and shafts such that pierced earring passed though the aperture. A clip affixed on the rear of the shaft held the earring in place on the page, thus displaying the earrings in close proximity to one another. Although such a storage method was an improvement over merely placing such jewelry loosely in a jewelry box the configured was limited in scope and was not enclosed to protect the items from dust and damage. Similar devices have been adapted for carrying jewelry in a within a pouch of a purse. Such purse systems were formed from a tab of material with apertures through which the posts of earrings were passed and are secured.
Other attempts to organize jewelry have been numerous but inadequate. For example, one jewelry holder was configured from a rigid plastic device having holes to accommodate pierced earrings, and rigid plastic devices having U-shaped slots to hold necklaces. Additionally, jewelry holders having a series of pouches have been commercially available, wherein the user had difficulty seeing and accessing the contents of each pouch. The pouches are particularly unsuitable for small or dainty jewelry, such as small earrings that become “lost” in the pouch or become tangled within the pouch.
The difficulties with prior jewelry holders are that they are unable to accommodate many different types of jewelry, and they are unable to display the jewelry in such a manner so that the user can see and access the jewelry and other stored objects. Being able to clearly view several items of jewelry is important, so that the user does not overlook a stored item, and so that the different items of jewelry may be coordinated depending upon the particular outfit worn or the user's preference.
Retail jewelry vendors have used several different devices and methods to display jewelry to their customers. One common device for displaying jewelry for sale is a book-like display, either of the type that lays flat or of the type that stands erect. For example, one known device is a jewelry storage case that has several trays for holding jewelry items, wherein each tray has a plurality of apertures for securing jewelry thereto or a plurality of hooks for hanging jewelry therefrom. The trays are movably attached to each other and allow the case to be opened and stood in a vertical orientation or to be closed for storage. In addition, book-like jewelry cases in which “pages” for holding jewelry are movably attached to one another and which may be closed for storage have been disclosed. Also known is a book-like jewelry case having pages of mesh material onto which jewelry may be hung. Separator pages, each having cushioning on both sides, are bound between the mesh pages, and the front and rear covers also contain cushioning on the inside of page.
Many of the aforementioned jewelry display cases are structured to allow the user to open the display case and display the jewelry by turning the “pages” of the book onto which the jewelry is secured. The case may vertically positioned to display the jewelry by resting on the bottom edges of the cover or pages of the book when open. Such cases may also be closed to allow the jewelry to be stored inside and to allow the jewelry case to be portable. Those jewelry cases, however, are structured for retail display that can be attached to a or rested upon a display counter top
Some display stands have allowed retail exhibition of jewelry in a non-portable frame having an earring rack having two shutters movably attached to the outside edges of a grid frame. The grid frame is mounted in a stationary position to a flat base to prevent the rack from tipping over when jewelry is removed therefrom or when the shutters are swung open. Other known display devices include a series of swinging panels pivotally mounted within a frame having a mounting arrangement for panels of objections in which each panel swings from one of two pivot points at opposite sides of the frame, wherein offset crank arms provide clearance between each leaf. In a very complex manner, each leaf pivots about an axis set within two parallel stationary tracks.
What has been needed and heretofore unavailable is an efficient and multi-functional method and system for retaining jewelry and other objects in an organized container. The present invention disclosed herein satisfies these and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, new devices, systems and methods for the retention of jewelry and other objects are presented. The present invention is directed to a cabinet having a plurality of retaining panels, each configured with a retaining device; wherein the cabinet may further include a plurality of storage drawers. The retaining panels may be configured with a mesh sheet (with or without hooks), a plurality of rods or other devices, such as pockets, for retaining the jewelry. The present invention is not, however, limited to the retention of jewelry, but may be used for storage of any suitable object that can be retained by the panels (also referred to herein as “pages”).
One aspect of the present invention includes a device for the retention of jewelry and other objects. Another aspect of the present invention includes a system for the retention of jewelry and other objects. Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for the retention of jewelry and other objects.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which illustrates, by way of example, the features of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a cabinet of the present invention having an upper portion for retaining jewelry and other objects, wherein the cabinet is configured with a plurality of drawers, each having different depths.

FIG. 2 depicts an upper portion of a cabinet of the present invention configured with a plurality of retaining panels.

FIG. 3 depicts the upper portion of the cabinet in FIG. 2 showing the plurality of retaining panels mounted on a retractable base.

FIG. 4 depicts a plurality of panels including a panels having a mesh sheet, and including a panel having a rack mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a panel having a mesh sheet, including a plurality of hooks for retaining jewelry and other objects in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts bracelets hung from the hooks shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 depicts earrings hung directly on a the mesh of a page in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts a panel configured with a rack mechanism having jewelry hung thereon in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts a panel having a mesh sheet, further including a pocket for retaining jewelry and other objects in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The methods and composition of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for retaining jewelry and other objects in an organized container. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a cabinet having a plurality of retaining panels, each configured with a retaining device, such as a mesh sheet or rack system. The cabinet may be configured a plurality of storage drawers each having a different depth and positioned below the retaining panels. The retainer panels may be mounted on hinges or other mechanism for moving the panel within an upper cabinet having one or more doors. The cabinet, panels and drawers may be formed from wood, plastic or other suitable material.
FIG. 1 shows a cabinet 10 of the present invention having an upper portion 20 for retaining jewelry and other objects. The upper portion of the cabinet may be configured with doors 22 having handles 24. The doors may be pivotally attached to the cabinet via hinges 26 (FIG. 5) or other suitable device. The cabinet may be configured with a lower portion 30 configured with plurality of drawers 32, 34, 36, 38, 39, each having different depths. The lower cabinet portion may separate or integral to the top cabinet. The cabinet 1of the present invention may ony include the top portion 20,so as to stand alone without the drawer cabinet section 30.
FIG. 2 shows an upper portion 20 of a cabinet 10 of the present invention configured with a plurality of retaining panels 40. One or more panels may be configured with a mesh 42 with the border of the panel. One or more panels may be configured with a rack mechanism 44 having a plurality of dowels or rods 46 (FIG. 4) for retaining the jewelry.
FIG. 3 shows the upper portion of the cabinet 10 in FIG. 2, wherein the plurality of retaining panels 40 are mounted on a retractable base 50 so that the retaining panels 40 may be accessed by the user. The base may include a slide 52 or other suitable mechanism for removably positioning the panels for access by the user. The panels may be mounted on a frame 54 having a plurality of hinges 56 or other mechanism to allow the panels to swing within the upper portion 20 of the cabinet 10 when the doors 22 are opened.
As shown in FIG. 5, one embodiment of the present invention is configured a mesh sheets that hold a plurality of hooks 48 for retaining jewelry and other objects. Jewelry 60 such as bracelets 62 may be hung from the hooks as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, earrings 64 may be hung directly on a the mesh of a panel as shown in FIG. 7. With reference to FIG. 8, a panel configured with a rack mechanism 44 allows jewelry to be hung on the rods 46 (FIG. 4).
FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the jewelry retainer of the present invention, wherein one or more of the pages include a pocket 100 for holding desired items. For example the pockets may be configured to store items that do not readily fit on the hooks and rods previously described in accordance with the present invention. The pocket 100 includes an outside 102 and an inside 104, formed from a sheet of material such as clear plastic (rubber, vinyl or other suitable materials. Alternatively, the pocket may be formed as a mesh mage from clothe, plastic or other materials suitable for viewing and retaining the contents.
The top edge 106 of the pocket is configured to allow the placement of jewelry and other items 130, 132 into an opening at the top 120 of the the pocket 100. The top of the pocket may be formed with an elastic or similar material to more rigidly hold the jewelry in the pocket and against the mesh 42 and frame 44. The bottom pocket edge 108 is configured for attachment to the bottom frame edge 110. The left pocket edge 112 is configured for attachment to the left attachment frame edge 114 Similarly, the right attachment pocket edge 116 is configured fot be secured to the right attachment frame edge 118.
While particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the inventive concept. References to use of the invention with a specific material of construction and with respect to a object, such as jewelry, are by way of example only, and the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited except by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for retaining objects, comprising:

a cabinet having at least one open side; and

a plurality of retaining panels disposed in the cabinet.

2. The system for retaining jewelry and other objects of claim 1, wherein each drawer is of a different depth.

3. The system for retaining jewelry and other objects of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of retaining panels are each configured with a retaining mesh.

4. The system for retaining jewelry and other objects of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of retaining panels are configured with a rack mechanism.

5. The system for retaining jewelry and other objects of claim 1, wherein the plurality of retaining panels are mounted on a retractable base.

6. (canceled)

7. A system for retaining jewelry and other objects, comprising:

a cabinet having a plurality of retaining panels; and

a plurality of storage drawers in the cabinet.

8. A method for retaining jewelry and other objects, comprising:

providing a cabinet having a plurality of retaining panels; and

providing a plurality of storage drawers in the cabinet.

9. The method for retaining jewelry and other objects of claim 8, wherein each drawer is of a different depth.

10. The method for retaining jewelry and other objects of claim 8, wherein one or more of the plurality of retaining panels are configured with a retaining mesh.

11. The method system for retaining jewelry and other objects of claim 8, wherein t one or more of the plurality of retaining panels are configured with a rack mechanism.

12. The method for retaining jewelry and other objects of claim 8, wherein the plurality of retaining panels are mounted on a retractable base.

13. (canceled)