US20050218090A1

US20050218090A1 - Hair accessory organizer and storage unit

Info

Publication number: US20050218090A1
Application number: US11/091,077
Authority: US
Inventors: Darren Sepanek
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-04-02
Filing date: 2005-03-28
Publication date: 2005-10-06

Abstract

A hair products and jewelry organizer storage system having a base and an inner storage compartment, such as a hollow vessel, with a top and bottom end. The bottom end is closed, supported by a base element. A top end may either be open or may otherwise be nominally covered such as by a lid or removable cover element. The storage vessel and bottom base are augmented by adding hinged doors mounted on the base. The doors include organizer features to increase the utility of the invention such as hooks, bars, holes, slats, slots, notches, protrusions, and such elements which are useful in securing items such as those used for the hair and jewelry. Furthermore the organizer can have additional features such as vertical and horizontal posts, rods, molded elements, drawers and trays for the organization and storage of hair accessory and jewelry items.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

A product is necessary for storing all types of hair accessories. It is difficult to store hair accessory items in a single location because there are such a wide variety of types, sizes and configurations of hair accessories. Although there are storage systems on the market today which utilize bins, spindles, drawers and pockets, these do not enable visibility or accessibility to individual items. These typical storage devices enable containment of most small items but do not enable the storage and organization of headbands. An organizer for hair accessories is needed that is easy to use and allows the user to see and access each item independently. There is currently no product on the market that can hold head bands, barrettes, hair ties/elastics, ribbons, scrunchies, auto barrettes, brushes, combs, hair products (such as hairspray), small clips, and jewelry in one compact unit whereby each item is accessed independently.



References Cited::
U.S. Patent Documents.

6,672,463 B2	January 2004	Dashefsky	211/13.1
6,688,316 B1	February 2004	Klug	132/286
6,595,609 B1	July 2003	Greiner	312/321.5
6,276,368 B1	August 2001	Giamalva	132/201
6,202,851 B1	March 2001	Walker	206/579
6,102,216	August 2000	Frank	211/85.3
5,176,263	January 1993	Caruso	211/13
5,168,985	December 1992	Shih	206/45.34
5,064,077	November 1991	Mitchell	211/60.1
3,847,285	November 1974	Leprince	211/1.5
2,550,621	April 1949	Tau

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Ultimate Hair Accessory Organizer is unique in two ways:
1. It stores all types of hair accessories including head bands, all types of barrettes and clips, claw clips, hair pins, hair elastics (ponytail elastics), scrunchies and ribbons. The invention also holds hair products such as hair spray, gels, mousse, and other toiletry items, as well as brushes and combs. The invention can also hold jewelry including rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces.
2. It enables the user to access each item independent of all other items, in one compact and attractively designed unit. Each accessory item can be pulled and returned to the unit without disturbing other items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It should be understood that a wide range of changes and modifications can be made to the embodiment described here in. It is therefore intended that the foregoing description illustrates rather than limits this invention, and that it is the following description and claims, including all equivalents, which defines the invention.
Note: The preferred embodiment of the unit is made of molded plastic. Different types of plastic are necessary depending on the strength and flexibility necessary for the various embodiments.
A hair products and jewelry storage and organizer system, which comprises;
A storage compartment such as a nominally hollow storage vessel(s) 8. The interior of the vessel 8 may include optional organizer features such as crossbars, guides, or other features not shown, to hold particular devices and keep the items to be stored upright or separated.
One possible example of such an embodiment is where a storage vessel 8 could have divider elements to separate hair brushes from combs, or perhaps to keep combs and brushes upright. In the embodiment which is discussed as an example embodiment in detail, the storage vessel 8 is made primarily of plastic (in this case clear—absent of pigment) with a round cross section in the range of 242 millimeters tall and 130 mm diameter. Other obvious embodiments could use various shapes and dimensions and materials as can be perceived by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, several more additional upright vessels could be incorporated into the invention such as a plurality of clear cylindrical tubes to keep combs separate from hair brushes, or to allow several users to share the organizer without mixing the hair care items of the users. Other possible configurations of the inner storage compartment would be a square or rectangular vessel, or could be an enclosed plastic, glass or wooden cabinet. Within the present description, the example of the upright tubular embodiment 8 shall be used to describe how to make and use the novel storage organizer.
The bottom end of the storage vessel 8 is closed, supported by a base element 1 as shown in FIG. 2. A top end may either be open or may otherwise be nominally covered such as by a tray 16 and/or a lid 15 or other such cover element.
In one embodiment such as shown in FIG. 7 the base element 1 has a recessed middle 17 in order to receive and hold stationary the vessel which sits on top of said Base 1. It is possible to not have this recessed area but the vessel would need an alternative method for affixing to the base.
The lid 15 typically would have a knob or handle 19 to hold when opening and closing the vessel top 8. Although a lid 15 is not necessary to use and practice the invention, it would help to keep the contents clean from dust and adds to the aesthetics of the unit. In other embodiments, the cover may be vented, to allow vapors to escape and prevent moisture buildup, and in some cases no lid or cover may be desired at all, to allow a user of the organizer, quick one hand access, thus versatility is incorporated with the design of the invention.
The preferred embodiment includes a tray 16 which can fit precisely on top of the vessel 8. The tray has a dimension that is slightly larger than the cylinder. An extruded ring of plastic exists on the bottom of the tray, 1 cm from the edge, and is of an exact dimension to fit directly inside the cylinder to securely hold the tray in place on top of the cylinder 8. The primary purpose of the tray is for the containment of small hair accessories, toiletry items such as lip gloss or small jewelry such as bracelets and earrings. The tray in the embodiment described here in is divided 20. The tray can be divided into multiple sections as shown in FIG. 6 or not divided at all.
The tubular storage vessel 8 and bottom base 1 can be augmented by adding doors; a first door 2 and an additional door 2, mounted on the unit by the use of a hinged arm design that enables the doors to open and close. The doors include organizer features to increase the utility of the invention such as hooks, bars, holes, gaps, slots, slats, notches, protrusions, and such elements which are useful in securing hair accessories and jewelry.
The unit utilizes upright rods mounted in the base element to create a door hinging system. In such an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the doors of the organizer are connected to an upright rod 11, allowing the rods to support the doors, and where the doors can open and close, swinging on hinges 9 as attached to the rods. In a preferred embodiment, the hinge and support mechanism is enabled as shown in FIG. 2. The doors in this embodiment are made of molded plastic. These doors are molded to include two curved elongated elements extending from the main body of the door 9, with one hinge element 9 near the top and one near the bottom. Each of the extended hinge elements are connected to the door body 2 on one end; at the other end the cross section of the end 12 includes a hole of sufficient diameter to receive the outer diameter of the rod 11. In this hinge embodiment is an easy means of connecting doors 2 to the base 1 using upright rods 11. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vertical rods 11 are mostly unencumbered, and provide open access to attach hair (claw) clips o the rods for direct storage using the spring clip provided by the hair clip, grasping onto the rod with sufficient strength of grip to support the weight of the clip and keep it in place in an organized manner for easy access and visible sorting and selecting such hair clips as well as certain types of hair elastics (wrap style).
Connecting both upright rods 11 in the back of the unit is a curved bar 13. Attached to the end of the bar 13 in this preferred embodiment is a cap 12 with a cross section that is the same circumference as the rods 11 so that the cap 12 will fit securely over the top of the rod. The same configuration appears on both ends of the bar. In this embodiment placed on top of the cap 11 for decorative purposes is a ball 14. The bar 13 detaches from the rod 11 by lifting the cap 12 off of the rod 11. Both ends of the bar 13 can be detached from the rod 11 in the same way. Once the cap 12 is lifted off the bar 13, the bar swivels open because the cap end 12 which remains secured to the rod 11 rotates on the rod 11. The bar 13 swiveling open allows for easy access to hair elastics, scrunchies, hair ties and jewelry such as necklaces and bracelets. The preferred embodiment described here has a single bar 13 however multiple bars 13 can be added to the unit designed with a molded piece of plastic that would enable the bar to snap on/off of the rods 11 for access to the bar 13.
Another feature which can be included in the organizer is a storage tray or drawer mounted into or onto the base 1. It can be made of molded plastic, and sized to fit on top of the base 1 or to be an internal embodiment of the base 1 which consists of a drawer with a knob or handle to open and close said drawer. There can exist multiple drawers or storage trays as part of the base 1.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1
FIG. 1 is a front view of the preferred embodiment with (two) doors 2 closed. In this preferred embodiment of each door, there exists a plurality of protruded slats 3, 5, 6 (aligned both horizontally and vertically) designed to hold barrettes of a variety of sizes and design. The number, dimension and positioning of said slats 3, 5, 6 can vary depending on user requirements and preferred design. Vertical slats 6 accommodate large hair clips which would be more common for older girls and adults. Small barrettes are adequately held on smaller horizontal slats 3, 5.
In this preferred embodiment of each door, there exists a plurality of protruded tabs 4 which appear as circles protruding from the door 2. Each tab is connected to the door through a right angle curve 20 of the molded plastic which extends from the bottom of the tab to the door. Each tab 4 is of an adequate dimension (minimally 3 cm) to hold a variety of hair scrunchies, hair ties, round elastics and ribbons which loop over the top of the tab 4.
In this preferred embodiment of the doors 2, each door 2 is curved to align with the curve of the base 1 and covers a minimum of 50% of the circumference of the base (16 cm) and is 26 cm in height. An alternately shaped base would require corresponding adjustments to the shape of the door.
There is existent on the bottom of each door a (one) tiny protrusion or “pimple” 7 (approximately 1 cm in length) the purpose of which is to fit in a similarly sized dimple in the base 1 to secure the doors 2 in the closed position.
FIG. 2
In this figure, the doors 2 are presented in the open position whereas the doors 2 are able to open because of hinged arms 9, (located on the top and bottom of the door), which extend to rods 11 and contain open loops or cross sections at the end of the arms which drop over the rod 11.
The rods 11, located in the back of the unit, extend from the base 1 to the top of the unit. (See FIG. 3 for a detailed view) The rods 11 are secured by means of hollow tubes 10 molded to the base 1 in which the rods 11 are placed to secure them to the unit and provide stability.
The hinged design of the doors 2 enables them to swing open wide exposing the cylinder 8 located inside and mounted centrally on the base 1.
A tray, approximately 2.5 cm deep sits on top of the cylinder 8 and is covered by a lid 15 which fits securely on top of the tray 16.
FIG. 3
At the back of the unit is a bar 13 that connects to the top of both rods 11. The bar 13 is curved such that it aligns with the same curvature of the base 1 (18 cm). The bar 13 attaches to the rod 11 by the use of a disc 12 permanently attached to the bar with a cross section that is of a dimension to adequately fit over the rod and secure the bar in place. The bar 13 can be lifted off of the rod 11 on one end with the other end secured to its rod 11 but able to rotate. The bar 13 can swing out away from the unit on one end to enable the user to place items on and take items off of the bar 13. Both ends of the bar 13 can swing open.
In this preferred embodiment of the unit, a ball 14 is permanently attached to the top of the disc 12 (which is attached to each end of the bar referenced above) for decorative purposes. The ball 14, made of plastic is approximately 2.5 cm high and is centered on the disc 12.
FIG. 4
A lid 15 made of molded plastic fits securely on top of the tray for decorative purposes and to keep debris and dust out of the tray 16 and/or cylinder 8. A ball 19 is secured on the apex of the lid 15 for decorative purposes and to enable the user to easily lift the lid 15 off of the tray 16 and/or cylinder 8.
FIG. 5
This figure shows a view of the underside of the tray 16. On the bottom of the tray extruded ring of plastic, 1 cm from the edge, and is of an exact dimension to fit directly inside cylinder 8 to securely hold the tray 16 in place on top of the cylinder 8.
FIG. 6
In this preferred embodiment of the unit, the tray 16 has been divided in three equal sections with dividers 21 made of the same plastic.
FIG. 7
The unit sits on a base 8 which in this preferred embodiment is round in shape and approximately 130 mm in diameter. A recess 17 of approximately 12 cm is centered in the middle of the base for placement of the hollow cylinder 8. Two molded hollow tubes 10 equal to the height of the base and the circumference of the rods 11 are positioned toward the back of the unit to house the rods 11 and hold them securely in position.

Claims

1. A hair accessory, products and jewelry storage and organizer system, or the like comprising:

a unit with a base whereas said base supports all elements of the invention, such as but not limited to, those described in claim 1, whereas said base has a recess which is designed to house a hollow cylinder or storage vessel which resides in the center of the base and is of sufficient size to house hair brushes, combs and hair products; and

a plurality of doors attached to said base whereas the doors can open because of hinged arms, of which arms extend from said doors to (upright) rods inserted in said base and the arms contain open loops or cross sections at the end of the arms which drop over the rod, and whereas each door contains a plurality of slats (vertical and horizontal), tabs, and other protrusions for holding accessories, whereas the number, dimension and positioning of said protrusions can vary depending on user requirements and

a bar which is connected to and rests between the rods, which are connected to the base, and whereas each end of the bar has a cross section which fits precisely over the end of the upright rod to hold the bar in place and whereas each end of the bar can be lifted off of the rod and rotated out for access and

a tray which sits securely on top of the central cylinder or storage vessel which is sized proportionally to fit securely on top of the storage vessels and can be divided by the use of molded or inserted plastic to allow for separation of items stored in the tray and

a cover which sits securely on top of the divided tray which would include a handle, knob or other decorative item for easy placement and removal of said cover

2. A hair accessory and jewelry organizer according to claim 1, further comprising:

a base of significant depth so as to include a drawer(s) which is an embodiment of the internal portion of the base and pulls open from the front of the unit with a small knob or handle

3. A hair accessory and jewelry organizer as in claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a permanent wall on the back of the unit similar in style and function to the doors (on the front of the unit) for purposes of additional storage capacity which would include slats, tabs, and/or other protrusions

4. A hair accessory and jewelry organizer as in claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a cylinder or storage vessel, which sits on the base, comprised of a plurality of drawers whereas each drawer is a section of the cylinder or storage vessel and whereas each drawer or section swivels open or is opened by pulling the drawer straight out in traditional fashion

5. A hair accessory and jewelry organizer as in claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a plurality of rods as described in claim 1 which are mounted on the base as in claim 1 or by inserting the rods in recesses cut into the base whereas there is no obstruction on the top of the rod leaving it accessible from the top

6. A hair accessory and jewelry organizer as in claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a central cylinder or storage vessel which is divided vertically in order to hold items upright or to keep items contained therein separate from each other

7. A hair accessory and jewelry organizer as in claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a plurality of cylinders or storage vessels to hold items separately; for example for the hair brushes of multiple users to be kept separate

8. A hair accessory and jewelry organizer as in claim 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or 7 further comprising:

a unit without a divided tray; where the central cylinder or hollow storage vessel can be of greater height than described in previous claims (where a divided tray has been included) and which has a cover where said cover is either solid or vented

9. A hair accessory and jewelry organizer as in claim 1, 2, or 4 further comprising:

a plurality of bars on the back of the unit as seen in the preferred embodiment in FIG. 3. The bars can be designed in such a way that they would attach to the rods by means of a molded piece of plastic that is of the same curvature as the upright rod such that the molded piece or “mouth” can snap on the rod for attaching to the unit and snap off for accessing hair products and jewelry that hang or are clipped on the bar. The curved molded piece that enables the bar to snap on/off of the upright rod can exist on both ends of the bar to enable access to items from either side.