US20090057166A1

US20090057166A1 - Jewelry hanger

Info

Publication number: US20090057166A1
Application number: US11/897,199
Authority: US
Inventors: Chanitya Janet Nelson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-08-29
Filing date: 2007-08-29
Publication date: 2009-03-05
Also published as: US8070025B1

Abstract

A jewelry storage apparatus is disclosed that fills these needs by combining the traditional box with a hanger utilizing vertical space in a closet. One embodiment is an apparatus for storing jewelry comprising a hanger and a storage structure affixed to the hanger where the apparatus is suitable for storing in a display-mode a large amount of various types of jewelry including rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets in both a scratch-free mode and a tangle-free mode.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a hanging apparatus for storing jewelry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for an apparatus to store larger quantities and more varied forms of jewelry in an easily displayed and a space saving manner off of countertops and floors, without getting jewelry pieces tangled up.
Typically jewelry is stored in boxes and organizers. However, boxes and organizers have limited space that results in jewelry often being crowded when it is stored. Crowding causes the tangling of items especially necklaces. Additionally, existing jewelry boxes and organizers are very limited in the amount of jewelry they can hold requiring a person to purchase additional boxes. The drawback is twofold, spending more money and taking up more counter or floor space. Furthermore, rummaging through many drawers in a jewelry box is inconvenient.
The need to store more jewelry has increased. In recent years jewelry makers have increased the color, style and choices available so that women can more closely and uniquely match jewelry with their outfits and personalities. As a result, the public has been buying more than ever before. The jewelry “box” and armoires that have been the standard of containing these items in the home are causing a greater level of irritation as pieces of jewelry become more tangles and scratched and the number of boxes to search multiplies. Earring and necklace sets more often become separated.
Vertical storage devices have been known but are inadequate. These devices do not permit display of a wide enough variety of types of jewelry. Often the devices are able to display necklaces in an untangled hanging mode and bracelets suspended to avoid scratching. However, none permit easy display of rings in compression slits as seen in jewelry store boxes. Thus, sets of rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces for various outfits are difficult to find or assemble.
There is still an increasing need for a jewelry organizer which holds large amounts of a wide array of different types of jewelry in a limited space, keeping all pieces tangle free while displaying them in open view.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

My invention fills these needs by combining the traditional box with a hanger utilizing vertical space in a closet. Specifically I have invented a jewelry storage hanger. One embodiment of my invention is an apparatus for storing jewelry comprising a hanger and a storage structure affixed to the hanger where the apparatus is suitable for storing in a display-mode various types of jewelry including rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
Another embodiment is a jewelry storage apparatus comprising a hanger and a jewelry storage structure affixed to the hanger. The hanger includes a hook midway between two arms that extend in opposite directions and angle downward, each arm having an end. The jewelry storage structure affixed to each end comprises a horizontal sheet with holes suitable for affixing earrings, an elongated container, at least one vertical sheet and at least one hook. The horizontal sheet has a top, a bottom, an elongated center section, two short ends and two long ends, wherein the top of the horizontal surface along the short ends is affixed to the arm ends and the horizontal surface along the long ends have the vertical holes. The elongated container has a bottom surface that is attached to the top of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet and a top surface with at least one slit suitable for compression holding at least one ring. The vertical sheet is suspended from the structure below the bottom of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet, has a top, a first side and a second side, and at least one post extending outward from at least the first side of the vertical sheet suitable for holding a necklace in an untangled orientation. The hook is suspended downward from beneath the bottom of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet and configured to be able to support the hanging of a bracelet.
Still another embodiment of the invention is a system for storing jewelry. The system includes an apparatus and a clothing dust cover. The apparatus comprises a hanger as described earlier and a jewelry storage structure affixed to each end if the hanger and including a horizontal sheet with holes suitable for affixing earrings, and an elongated container, at least one vertical sheet, all as described earlier. The dust cover is shaped to drape over the apparatus when the apparatus is in a hanging position and to cover the apparatus to protect jewelry affixed to the apparatus from being contacted with undesirable dust.
As used herein:
“Scratch-free mode” means providing a means for placing items of jewelry in relatively stationary isolation such as, for example, placing rings within compressive slits.
“Tangle-free mode” means providing a means for suspending individually from protrusions tangle-prone types of jewelry such as, for example, necklaces.
My invention has several advantages over existing jewelry storage devices. First it allows the visible storage of a large amount of varied pieces of jewelry including rings. Second, the jewelry is affixed in a manner that greatly decreases the chance of pieces becoming tangled or scratched. Third, it has the ability to be concealed or revealed at the desire of the owner. Fourth, the large capacity of some embodiments of my apparatus conserves space for the storage of jewelry at a time when the trend is to acquire numerous varied pieces of jewelry for many different outfits of clothing. While other jewelry storage devices may have some of these features, my invention provides all of them. This has not been taught or suggested by other devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention are described in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are briefly described below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus of the invention from an upper central point of view.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a jewelry storage structure without a hanger and with a drawer partially open from a slightly leftward frontal point of view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

My invention is a jewelry storage apparatus or system that combines the advantages of a traditional jewelry storage box with a hanger utilizing vertical space in the closet. The apparatus is a storage means that allows one to visually display a variety of types of jewelry in a manner that prevents the pieces of jewelry from becoming tangled or scratched. The system further permits the visually-displayed jewelry from such things as dust or undesirable view.
Jewelry storage boxes have been used for many years to store jewelry. They generally have multiple compartments suitable for storage a variety of types of jewelry such as, for example, rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. In addition, some have compartments that have compressive slits specifically designed to hold the rings in a separate and secure manner. The major disadvantage of these jewelry boxes is that jewelry often becomes tangles and possibly scratched. Also, sets of jewelry such as, for example, earrings and necklaces become separated in various small boxes as more boxes and pieces of jewelry are acquired. Larger jewelry storage boxes sometimes have pegs to allow for the vertical hanging of necklaces to keep them tangle-free. However, large jewelry storage boxes consume a significant amount of space on floors or table tops, i.e., have an undesirably large footprint.
Recently the problems are increasing as people buying more jewelry to more individually coordinate jewelry with clothing outfits. Also in addition to the problems of tangled pieces and undesirably large footprints, a new need has arisen. The increased amount of jewelry has created a desire to store jewelry in a visible manner to allow for more timely selections of particular pieces for a particular outfit.
Over the years, various types of hanging jewelry storage devices have been disclosed to address the growing footprint and tangling issues. While these devices address the problems of tangles necklaces and large footprint, they do not provide some of the advantages of boxes. The hanging devices have not been as able to store as much variety of jewelry as boxes have been. In particular, none of the hanging devices have compressed slits, available in some jewelry boxes, for storing rings so they will not become scratched. Also, none of the hanging devices provided the ability to store the quantity of jewelry pieces often desired to be stored today. Thus, sets of rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces for various outfits are difficult to find or assemble.
There is still an increasing need for a jewelry organizer which holds large amounts of a wide array of different types of jewelry in a limited space, keeping all pieces tangle free while displaying them in open view. My invention fills this need by combining a hanger utilizing vertical space in the closet with parts of a traditional jewelry box.
One embodiment of my invention is an apparatus for storing jewelry as illustrated in FIG. 1. The apparatus (10) is comprised of a hanger (12) and a storage structure (14) affixed to the hanger where the apparatus is suitable for storing in a display-mode various types of jewelry including rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets. Hanger 10 includes a hook (16) midway between two arms (18, 20) that extend in opposite directions and angle downward, each arm having an end (22, 24). The hook is of a shape sufficient to hang the apparatus on a closet clothing pole and should be made of a material that is strong enough to support the apparatus when loaded with pieces of jewelry. Suitable materials are well known to the art and include metal, wood and plastic. The arms are of a shape and material suitable to attach the hook to the jewelry structure and support the jewelry storage apparatus when loaded with jewelry. Suitable shapes and materials are well known to the art and suitable materials include metal, wood and plastic. The embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrates arms that are also suitable to support conventional clothing although that shape is not required for all embodiments.
Jewelry storage structure 14 is affixed to each hanger arm end 22, 24 and comprises a horizontal sheet (26) with holes (28) suitable for affixing earrings. The horizontal sheet also has a top (30), a bottom (32), an elongated center section (34), two short ends (36, 38) and two long ends (40, 42), wherein top 30 of the horizontal surface along short ends 36, 38 is affixed to arm ends 22, 24 and the horizontal surface along long ends 40, 42 have vertical holes 28 offset from the edges. Earrings with posts are able to be inserted through holes 28 so that caps can be put over the tips of the protruding posts. Preferably horizontal sheet 26 has a vertical thickness suitable for clip-on earrings to be affixed thereto.
Structure 14 also includes an elongated container (44). The elongated container has a bottom surface (46) that is attached to the top of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet and a top surface (48) with at least one slit (50) suitable for compressively holding at least one ring. Apparatus 10 shows two slits. Top surface 48 is made of a material that suitable to form slits able to expand to allow a ring to enter but be stiff enough to hold the ring in substantially a stable position. Materials able to do this are well known to the art and include, for example, soft wood like balsa, both open and closed cell foam, cardboard, and harder materials. The materials may be further covered in cloth such as, for example, velvet or cotton. The rest of the container needs to be made of material that provides sufficient support to maintain the shape of the container. Suitable materials include, for example, wood, plastic, metal, and even cardboard.
Structure 14 further comprises at least one vertical sheet (52). Vertical sheet 52 is suspended from the structure below the bottom of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet. The sheet has a top (54), a first side (56) and a second side (58), and at least one post (60) extending outward from at least first side (56) of the vertical sheet that is suitable for holding a necklace in an untangled substantially vertical orientation. Some embodiments may have posts extending outward form both sides. Other embodiments, like the one shown in FIG. 1, have two sheets parallel to each other with posts extending outward from each sheet. Posts 60 typically are configured to retain the necklaces by means of ridges or contours, or extending slightly upward. Sheet 52 and post 60 may be made of the same or different materials as long as sufficient support is achieved. Suitable materials include, for example, wood, plastic and metal.
Some embodiments also include at least one hook (62) as shown in FIG. 2. The hook is suspended downward from beneath the bottom of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet and configured to be able to support the hanging of a bracelet. Some embodiments do not have hooks but make use of posts to suspend bracelets. Hooks may be double as illustrated in FIG. 2, single, or some other combination. The may be of any material able to provide sufficient support. Suitable materials include, for example, metal, wood, and plastic. Some embodiments have hooks may be attached to the horizontal sheet.
Other embodiments also include a means for supporting a drawer and a pull-out drawer. These embodiments also often have two vertical sheets. The means may be any that are known to support a drawer including something as simple as horizontal rails affixed to the inside surfaces of the vertical sheets to a more complete enclosure that encircles the space where a drawer is slideably engaged. The means as illustrated in FIG. 2 (64) includes guide rails (not shown) affixed to the insides of two vertical sheets (52) and a horizontal bracing member attached to bottom 32 and the inside of vertical sheets (52). A drawer (66) is slideably engaged within the means. The drawer is useful for storing items that are not desired to be on visual display or for large bracelets or pins. Materials used for means 64 and drawer 66 may be the same or different as long as they provide sufficient support to function as intended. Suitable materials include, for example, metal, plastid and wood. Embodiments having a means for support and a drawer may also have hooks 62 attached to the bottom of the drawer, where the bottom is exposed, or the bottom of the supporting means where it encloses the drawer. The former is illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 2.
Still another embodiment of the invention is a system for storing jewelry. The system includes an apparatus and a cover similar to a clothing dust cover. The apparatus comprises a hanger as described earlier and a jewelry storage structure affixed to each end if the hanger and including a horizontal sheet with holes suitable for affixing earrings, and an elongated container, at least one vertical sheet, all as described earlier. In one embodiment, the cover is somewhat transparent and shaped to drape over the apparatus when the apparatus is in a hanging position and cover the apparatus to protect jewelry affixed to the apparatus from collecting undesirable dust. In another embodiment, the cover is similarly shaped but opaque to have the jewelry storage apparatus appear like a coat in a closet to unknowing eyes.
Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Some embodiments may have the elements in different arrangements. For example, the elongated box may be affixed to the side of one of two vertical sheets. Some embodiments may be made predominately of wood whole others may be predominately of plastic. This document is meant to include all embodiments that encompass the spirit and purpose of the invention.

Claims

1. A jewelry storage apparatus, comprising,

a hanger comprising a hook midway between two arms extending in opposite directions and angling downward, each arm having an end and

a jewelry storage structure affixed to each end able to store in a displaying manner pieces of jewelry comprising necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets,

wherein the pieces of jewelry are displayed in a tangle-free and scratch-free manner.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the jewelry storage structure comprises,

a jewelry storage structure affixed to each end, comprising,

a horizontal sheet having a top, a bottom, an elongated center section, two short ends and two long ends, wherein the top of the horizontal surface along the short ends is affixed to the arm ends and the horizontal surface along the long ends have vertical holes of a size suitable for affixing pierced earrings,

an elongated container having bottom surface affixed to the top of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet and a top surface with at least one slit suitable for compression holding at least one ring, and

at least one vertical sheet suspended from the structure below the bottom of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet, the vertical sheet having a top, a first side and a second side, and at least one post extending outward from at least the first side of the vertical sheet suitable for holding a necklace in an untangled orientation.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the horizontal sheet has a vertical thickness suitable for clip-on earrings to be affixed thereto.

4. The jewelry storage structure of claim 2 further comprising, at least one hook suspended downward from beneath the bottom of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet and configured to be able to support the hanging of a bracelet.

5. The jewelry storage structure of claim 2, further comprising,

a second vertical sheet substantially parallel to the first vertical sheet is suspended from the structure below the bottom of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet, the vertical sheet having a top, a first side and a second side, and

at least one post extending outward from at least the first side of the vertical sheet suitable for holding a necklace in an untangled orientation.

6. The jewelry storage structure of claim 5, further comprising,

means for supporting a drawer where means is horizontally-affixed the second sides of each vertical sheet, and

a pull-out storage drawer having a bottom, aligned below the bottom elongated center section of the horizontal sheet, and slideably engaged to the support means.

7. The jewelry storage structure of claim 6, further comprising, at least one hook suspended downward from the bottom of the drawer and configured to be able to support the hanging of a bracelet.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the jewelry storage structure is substantially composed of wood.

9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the jewelry storage structure is substantially composed of plastic.

10. A jewelry storage apparatus, comprising,

a jewelry storage structure affixed to each end, comprising,

an elongated container having bottom surface affixed to the top of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet and a top surface with at least one slit suitable for compression holding at least one ring,

at least one vertical sheet suspended from the structure below the bottom of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet, the vertical sheet having a top, a first side and a second side, and at least one post extending outward from at least the first side of the vertical sheet suitable for holding a necklace in an untangled orientation, and

at least one hook suspended downward from beneath the bottom of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet and configured to be able to support the hanging of a bracelet.

11. A system for storing jewelry, comprising,

an apparatus, comprising,

a hanger comprising a hook midway between two arms extending in opposite directions and angling downward, each arm having an end; and

a jewelry storage structure affixed to each end, comprising,

at least one vertical sheet suspended from the structure below the bottom of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet, the vertical sheet having a top, a first side and a second side, and at least one post extending outward from at least the first side of the vertical sheet suitable for holding a necklace in an untangled orientation; and

a clothing dust cover shaped to drape over the apparatus when the apparatus is in a hanging position and cover the apparatus to protect jewelry affixed to the apparatus from collecting undesirable dust.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the cover is substantially transparent,

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the cover is substantially opaque.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the horizontal sheet has a thickness suitable for clip-on earrings to be affixed thereto.

15. The jewelry storage structure of claim 11 further comprising, at least one hook suspended downward from beneath the bottom of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet and configured to be able to support the hanging of a bracelet.

16. The jewelry storage structure of claim 11, further comprising,

17. The jewelry storage structure of claim 16, further comprising,

18. The jewelry storage structure of claim 17, further comprising, at least one hook suspended downward from the bottom of the drawer and configured to be able to support the hanging of a bracelet.

19. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the jewelry storage structure is predominately composed of wood.

20. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the jewelry storage structure is predominately composed of plastic.