Abstract:
A jewelry organizer, holder and/or display has a beam or beams closed at each end to maintain the items on the holder/display unit. In one form, two paired storage beams or rods are cantilevered to each end of an elongated mounting strip. The open end of each paired rod extends towards the middle of the elongated strip. A pivotable cover in one embodiment or a sliding cover in another embodiment is secured to one of the paired rods and permits the rods to be secured together into a single elongated rod when the cover is in the closed position. When the cover is in the open position, a gap exists between the paired rods permitting continuous items of jewelry to be slipped onto or removed from the storage rods.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No. 15/043,557, inventor Tsigie Abebe, entitled “Rod-Type Organizer and Display Unit for Continuous Personal Items”, filed on Feb. 2, 2016, now pending and the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto, in its entirety; which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/115,835 filed on Feb. 13, 2015, inventor Tsigie Abebe, and the entire disclosure of this provisional patent application is hereby incorporated by reference thereto, in its entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to an Organizer and Display Unit for storing and displaying personal items or accessories, such as rings, bracelets, bangles, necklaces, watches and the like. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is a problem in the art to display personal items or accessories, such as rings, bracelets, bangles, necklaces, watches and the like. It is a particular problem to insert and remove such personal items from a display rod or rack, since such items are typically continuous, that is, they comprise continuous, closed circles or loops and cannot be opened or closed. 
         [0005]    Personal items or accessories, such as rings, bracelets, bangles, necklaces, watches and the like are often difficult to store and retrieve. One of the most common ways to store and display these personal items involves slipping them over an open rod-like storage device, often a simple wooden peg with one free end and with the other end secured to a door. Another common method for storage of personal items is the classic jewelry chest. Many people accumulate large numbers of these personal items and convenient, safe storage is always something of a problem. 
         [0006]    It is especially difficult to conveniently store bracelets or bangles (a rigid bracelet) in a jewelry chest as these items tend to be considerably larger than other personal items such as earrings, rings or even watches. In addition, bracelets and bangles are often of more delicate construction. Many if not most, bracelets, bangles, rings and watches are continuous—that is, they comprise continuous, closed circles or loops and cannot be opened or closed. This construction can cause problems when attempting to secure these items over a closed rod-type storage unit—that is, a rod-type storage unit which is closed at each end. Even personal items that can be opened and closed can be difficult to secure on a rod-type storage unit since many of these items tend to be rather delicate and fragile. 
         [0007]    A wide variety of devices have been provided over the years to conveniently store and retrieve personal items. These range from simple pegs with an open or free end and with the other end secured to a convenient surface such as the back of a closet door. In addition cup hooks screwed into a board, wall or door and also quite common storage devices. And, of course, the classic jewelry chest has been used for centuries as a jewelry storage device. Pegs or rods have to be individually mounted to the desired surface. In addition, the personal items may easily be dislodged from the peg or rod. These same problems occur when using cup hooks for storage. In addition, these personal items are often fragile and can easily be damaged or destroyed by a metal cup hook It is also easy to dislodge a personal item from one cup hook when removing another personal item from an adjacent cup hook Jewelry chests can also be problematic in that it is difficult to store larger items such as bracelets, bangles and necklaces in a jewelry chest because of size restraints. It is not unusual to have a bracelet or bangle exceed 4 inches in diameter and an inch in width. In addition, bracelets and bangles are often made of very thin metal and, consequently rather fragile. The same could be said of earrings, since many of them are also rather large and delicate. The size of a personal item can make it difficult to conveniently store the personal items in the typical jewelry box. In addition, it is always difficult to avoid damaging larger personal items when opening and closing drawers and/or doors in a jewelry box. 
         [0008]    It is often quite convenient to store bracelets, bangles, watches and rings on a rode-like storage device. If the rod is securely mounted at one end and free at the other, the bracelet, bangle, watch or ring may simple be slipped onto the free end of the rod for storage and then removed when desired. The rod-like storage device often has to be mounted at an angle or provided with an enlarged tip to keep the personal item on the rod-like storage device. In other words, such rods are often generally vertical or mounted at a significant angle to the horizontal such that gravity will assist in keeping the personal items on the rod-like storage device. 
         [0009]    Various devices have been provided in the prior art to resolve these issues and provide for more convenient storage and retrieval of personal items. For example, U.S. Pat. No 6,691,118 to Phillips discloses an accessory holding device for holding a plurality of accessory devices such as hair clips, bows, barrettes, ties and other hair accessories as well as various items of jewelry. The device comprises a plurality of rod-like members closed at both ends which provide storage for items which may be clipped onto the rod-like storage members. In addition, open-ended rods are provided for slip-on storage of continuous items such as bracelets, bangles and/or rings. Internal attachment members, drawers, and retainers are provided to accommodate a wide array of items. The device may be relatively open, formed only with a base and sides, or be enclosed with top, back, and face plates, in differing embodiments. The device may also be provided with a mounting device so that the entire device may be hung on the wall, the back of a door, or other surfaces. The Philips device does not provide for the rod-like storage members to open such that continuous items like bracelets, bangles, rings and watches may be easily mounted on and/or removed from the rod-like storage members. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,578 to Greiner discloses a jewelry holder with at least two movable and interchangeable stands and a base. The base may be in the form of a box with a slidable drawer in which a ring holder platform may be inserted. The base has a plurality of grooves to receive jewelry stands. The jewelry stands have various configurations to hold earrings, necklaces and bracelets. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a ring holder having a platform and a plurality of mounds integrally formed on the platform. The mounds have a shape that allows rings to be stored thereon. One embodiment of the Greiner jewelry holder provides open-ended rod-like storage members for storage of continuous items like bracelets, bangles, rings, or watches; however, the Greiner holder does not does not provide for the rod-like storage members to be closed at each end so that items mounted thereon cannot fall off the rod-like storage member. Nor does the Greiner holder provide for rod-like storage members which can be opened and closed such that continuous items like bracelets, bangles, rings and watches may be easily mounted on and/or removed from the rod-like storage members. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,891,506 to Komowski discloses a jewelry holder and display comprising an upstanding post the lower end of which is secured to a circular base which, in turn, is rotatably supported on a larger diameter primary base such that the upstanding stem can be readily rotated about its longitudinal axis. The stem supports radially located extending pegs and also supports at its upper end a generally cylindrical cap-shaped receptacle member having a plurality of radially extending pegs selectively secured to its outer circumference for supporting jewelry items such as bracelets, bangles, watches, necklaces, and the like. All of the Komowski rod-like support members are pegs mounted at one end and open at the other such that jewelry items can fall off the peg. The Komowski holder does not provide for rod-like storage members which can be opened and closed such that continuous items like bracelets, bangles, rings and watches may be easily mounted on and/or removed from the rod-like storage members. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,053 to Geiger discloses a jewelry rack or holder comprising a framework of attractive vertical and horizontal wooden bars. The horizontal bars are provided with hooks for hanging small items such as rings and necklaces. In one embodiment, the vertical bars are provided with small drilled holes for receiving the shafts of pierced-type earrings. In another embodiment, a block of plastic material covered with cloth is utilized to removably secure the shafts of pierced-type earrings. The jewelry rack may be hung from a wall or it may include removable stands for supporting it in an upright attitude on a horizontal surface. The Geiger jewelry rack does not provide for rod-like storage members which can be opened and closed such that continuous items like bracelets, bangles, rings and watches may be easily mounted on and/or removed from the rod-like storage members. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. D270,220 to Cuminale discloses an ornamental design for a bracelet display stand. The Cuminale invention provides for a base with two horizontal rods mounted on supports extending upwards from the base. The rods are closed at each end and appear to be capable of supporting continuous jewelry items like bracelets or bangles. Since the Cuminale patent is a design patent, there is no written description of how the apparatus is made or intended to be used other than a very brief description of the drawings. There is simply no information provided in Cuminale as to how bracelets, bangles, etc are inserted onto the display stand. 
       SUMMARY Of THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    From the foregoing, it is seen that it is a problem in the art to provide a device meeting the above requirements. According to the present invention, a device is provided which meets the aforementioned requirements and needs in the prior art. Specifically, the device according to the present invention provides a device so display personal items or accessories, such as rings, bracelets, bangles, necklaces, watches and the like. 
         [0015]    The device of the present invention provides a rod-like jewelry organizer, holder and/or display closed at each end to maintain the items on the holder/display unit. In its most basic form, the invention comprises two paired storage rods which are cantilevered to each end of an elongated mounting strip. The open end of each paired rod extends towards the middle of the elongated strip. A pivotable cover (in one embodiment) or a sliding cover (in another embodiment) is secured to one of the paired rods and permits the rods to be secured together into a single elongated rod when the cover is in the closed position. When the cover is in the open position, a gap exists between the paired rods permitting continuous items of jewelry to be slipped onto the storage rods. The invention will provide for convenient storage and retrieval of a large number of continuous items of jewelry such as bracelets, bangles, watches, necklaces, rings and the like. This is accomplished by providing a rod-like storage device which is closed at both ends of the rod so that items stored on the rod cannot fall off the rod, and providing the device with an opening means so that items can easily be slipped onto the rod once it has been opened. Although the invention is directed towards the storage and/or display of continuous personal items of jewelry it should be understood that the invention is equally useful for storing non-continuous personal items—items that can themselves be opened or closed. The invention may also be used for the storage and/or display of other items, for example rubber bands, O-rings or the like. 
         [0016]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction wit: the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wall mount organizer and display unit, according to the present invention, showing a movable locking device in an open position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a wall mount organizer and display unit, according to the present invention, showing a movable locking device in a closed position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows an over the door rack that having a plurality of organizer racks, according to the present invention, showing respective movable locking devices in an open position, a closed position, and an intermediate position in which the movable locking device is partially open. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a wall mount perspective view of an organizer and display unit, according to the present invention, showing a slidable locking device in an open position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a wall mount organizer and display unit, according to the present invention, showing a slidable locking device in a closed position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows an over the door rack having a plurality of organizer racks, according to the present invention, showing respective slidable locking devices in an open position, a closed position, and an intermediate position in which the slidable locking device is partially open. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wall mount organizer and display unit  100 , showing a movable locking device  22  in an open position. The organizer and display unit  100  is intended to be used for supporting a number of items such as bracelets and bangles, and other types of continuous personal items, so that they can be organized and held in specific relative locations. That is, this invention allows the user to remove one specific bangle or bracelet or continuous item by sliding all of the adjacent items to right or left-side of the bar holding them and then be able to remove that specific item without removing any other item or multiple items. The items supported are moved by sliding along the supporting bar, such that the item to be removed is adjacent to the openable section (discussed below) and can be removed once that section has been opened. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a wall mount organizer and display unit  100 , showing a movable locking device  22  in a closed position. 
         [0025]    The storage device and organizer  100  is shown for storing a plurality of personal items. The device  100  includes a mounting member  12  having a facing side and a mounting side. The mounting member  12  has a first end and a second end, and is adapted to be mounted on a wall with the mounting side facing the wall. The device  100  also includes a first support member  16  connected to the first end of the mounting member  12 , and that member  16  extends a predetermined distance from the facing side of the mounting mender  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 , and includes a second support member  14  connected to the second end of the mounting member and this member  14  extends at a substantially same predetermined distance from the facing side of the mounting member  12 . 
         [0026]    The device  100  has a left storage beam portion having a first end and a second end, the first end of the left storage beam portion  18  being fixedly secured to the first support member  16 , and the second end of the left storage beam portion  18  being free. 
         [0027]    The device  100  has a right storage beam portion  20  having a first end and a second end, the first end of the right borage beam portion  20  being fixedly secured to the second support member  14 , and the second end of the right storage beam portion  20  being free. The second end of the right storage beam portion  20  has a securing portion which is formed by a pin  26  disposed in a slot or recess (not numbered) in the second end of the right storage beam portion  20 . 
         [0028]    The device  100  has a movable locking device  22  having a first end and a second end, the first end of the movable locking device  22  being pivotably connected by a pivot device  28  to the second end of the left storage beam  18 . The second end of the movable locking device  22  is adapted to be secured to the securing portion  26  of the second end of the right storage beam portion  20 . 
         [0029]    The movable locking device  22  having an open position (shown in  FIG. 1 ) wherein the second end of the movable locking device  22 , having the recess  24 , is not secured to the right storage beam portion  20 , for insertion and removal of items from the left storage beam portion and the right storage beam portion  20 . 
         [0030]    The movable locking device  22  has a closed position (shown in  FIG. 2 ) wherein the second end of the movable locking device  22  is secured to the securing portion  26  of the right storage beam portion  20 . Once the movable locking device  22  in the closed position, it enables sliding movement of items between the left storage beam portion  18  and the right storage beam portion  20 . Such items can include rings, necklaces, and other personal items capable of being supported on a beam including a rectangular beam or a circular beam. 
         [0031]    The movable locking device  22  is manually movable by pivoting about a pivot member  28 , such pivoting being relative to the second end of the left storage beam  18 , the pivoting being between the open position and the closed position, for insertion and removal of items from the left storage beam portion  18  and the right storage beam portion  20 . The pivot member  28  is preferably a pin or bolt which passes through the walls of the left storage beam portion  18 , and wherein the free end of the left storage beam portion  18  has a recess (not shown) to receive a portion of the movable loosing device  22 . The present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and can include any pivotable locking device which would be known to any one having skill in the mechanical construction and connecting arts. 
         [0032]    The securing portion  26  on the second end of the right storage beam portion  20  includes a slot (unnumbered) adapted to receive the second end of the movable locking device  22 . The securing portion  26  can be a pin disposed in the slot of the second end of the right storage beam portion, to engage the movable locking device  22  when in the closed position. 
         [0033]    The left storage beam portion, as well as the right storage beam portion, can be respectively formed as an elongated body having a substantially rectangular prismatic shape, that is adapted to support bracelets and rings. The left storage beam portion, as well as the right storage beam portion, can be respectively formed as an elongated body having a substantially tubular shape having a substantially circular cross section. Other types of cross section can be used, for example hexagon, oval, triangular, and so on. All such cross sections which would be known to any one having skill in she mechanical construction arts are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0034]    The second end of the movable locking device  22  has a recess  24  adapted to receive the pin disposed in the slot of the second end of the right storage beam portion, to engage the movable locking device  22  with the pin  26  when in the closed position. 
         [0035]    In a further embodiment, one of the pin  26  and second end of the movable locking device  22  has a portion composed of ferrous metal, the other one of the pin  26  and second end of the movable locking device has a portion which comprises a magnet; whereby the movable locking means is magnetically secured to the right storage beam portion when in the closed position. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  shows a rack  200  having a plurality of organizer racks  240 ,  260 , and  280 , showing respective movable locking devices  22 ,  22 ,  22  in an open position, a closed position, and an intermediate position in which the movable locking device is partially open. 
         [0037]    The rack  200  has an upper portion collectively serving as a mounting member having a facing side and a mounting side; and wherein the mounting member has a first end  222  and a second end  212 , the first end  222  having an elongated mounting member  220  and the second end  212  having an elongated mounting member  210 . The first end  222  has a first hook portion for mounting atop a door (not shown), and the second end having a second hook portion for mounting atop a door. The mounting members are adapted to be mounted on a door with the mounting side facing the door. 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 3 , each of the plurality of organizer racks  240 ,  260 , and  280  is substantially the same as that shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and therefore the description thereof is referred with reference to this figure. Here, rack  240  has left and right storage beam portions  242  and  244  respectively; rack  260  has left and right storage beam portions  262  and  264  respectively; and rack  280  has left and right storage beam portions  282  and  284  respectively. 
         [0039]    It is contemplated that the embodiment of  FIG. 3  could encompass only one of the racks such as rack  240 ; or two of the racks such as racks  240  and  260 ; or can include additional racks (not shown) so that there are four or more such racks. All such variations are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an organizer and display unit  300 , showing a slideable locking device  370  is an open position. The slideable locking device  370  has a first end (unnumbered) and a second end  372 , and can move in the directions indicated by the double-headed arrow M in  FIG. 4 . The unit  300  has a mounting member  340 , a body  310 , and support member  312 , and a first storage beam post ion  350  and a second storage beam portion  360 . The structures herein which are similar to those of the preceding figures are not explained in detail and reference is made to the foregoing discussion. 
         [0041]    Here, there are circular cross sections for the first storage beam portion  350  and the second storage beam portion  360 . Other types of cross section can be used, as explained in the foregoing with reference to the preceding figures. 
         [0042]    The slidable locking device  370  is preferably a tubular member as shown, which is slideable in the directions indicated by the double-headed arrow M. The slideable locking device  370  can be spring biased in a known type of manner for slideable elements or telescoping elements, or it can be free. Limiting elements such as stops (not shows) can likewise be provided, and such features and variations are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0043]    Furthermore, a magnet can be provided one of the slideable locking device  370  and the free end of the second storage beam portion  360 , in which the other one of the slideable locking device  370  and the free end of the second storage beam portion  360  is composed of ferrous material, whereby the movable locking device  370  is magnetically secured to said right storage beam portion  360  when in said closed position. 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an organizer and display unit, showing a slideable locking device  370  (also referred to herein as the movable locking device  370 ) in a closed position. 
         [0045]      FIG. 6  shows a rack  400  having a body  410  which supports a plurality of organizer racks  450 ,  460 , and  470 , and shows respective movable locking devices  454 ,  464 , and  474  in an open position, a closed position, and in an intermediate position in which the movable locking device  474  is partially open. The respective movable locking devices  454 ,  464 , and  474  are substantially the same as that shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , and therefore reference is made to the foregoing discussion with respect to those figures. 
         [0046]    The rack  400  has an upper portion collectively serving as a mounting member having a facing side and a mounting side; and wherein the mounting member has a first end  414  and a second end  412 , the first end  414  having an elongated mounting member (unnumbered) and the second end  412  having an elongated mounting member (unnumbered) extending vertically downward for supporting the plurality of organizer racks  450 ,  460 , and  470 . The first end  414  has a first hook portion for mounting atop a door (not shown), and the second end  412  having a second hook portion for mounting atop a door. The mounting members are adapted to be mounted on a door with the mounting side facing the door. 
         [0047]    In  FIG. 6 , each of the plurality of organizer racks  450 ,  460 , and  470  is substantially the same as that shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , and therefore the description thereof is not repeated herein with reference to this figure. Here, the rack  450  has left and right storage beam portions  452  and  456  respectively; the rack  460  has left and right storage beam portions  462  and  464  respectively; and the rack  40  has left and right storage beam portions  472  and  476  respectively. 
         [0048]    It is contemplated that the embodiment of  FIG. 6  could encompass only one of the racks such as rack  450 ; or two of the racks such as racks  450  and  460 ; or can include additional racks (not shown) so that there are four or more such racks. All such variations are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0049]    The invention being thus described, it will be evident that the same may be varied in many ways by a routineer in the applicable arts. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.