Storage device

A storage device includes a base bounding a storage space and an opening into the storage space, a first panel pivotally attached to the base and a second panel pivotally attached to the first panel. The first and second panels pivot between a stored position including the first panel positioned against the base and the second panel positioned against the first panel, and a closed position including the first panel first panel positioned against the top of the base and the second panel received against the base overlying the opening into the storage space enclosing the storage space.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to storage apparatus used for storing personal items and for reducing clutter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The need to reduce clutter in personal spaces has produced many innovative storage solutions, including a wide variety of closet organizers, storage containers, storage bins, compartmented storage assemblies, and the like. Because personal workspaces, desktops, dresser tops, and other similar areas are particularly prone to accumulate clutter, a variety of specialized tabletop storage devices have been developed that are designed to be placed on tabletops and used to hold and organize items such as jewelry, letters, pens and pencils, scissors, and the like. Although tabletop storage devices have enjoyed considerable attention by devoted artisans, existing tabletop storage devices have little or no utility apart from the primary functions of organizing and storing items, and are aesthetically unpleasing. Given these and other deficiencies in the art, there is a continuing and ongoing need for further improvement in the art of storage devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a storage device includes a base defining a top and an opposed bottom, a storage space formed between the top and the bottom, and an opening into the storage space formed between the top and the bottom. A first panel is pivotally attached to the base and to a second a second panel. The first and second panels pivot between a stored position including the first panel positioned against the top of the base and second panel positioned against the first panel, and a closed position including the first panel positioned against the top of the base and the second panel received against the base overlying the opening into the storage space. The first and second panels further pivot into a display position between the stored and closed positions including the first and second panels forming an A-shaped structure overlying the top of the base. A drawer is mounted to the base for movement between a first position in the storage space and a second position extending outwardly from the storage space through the opening. In the closed position of the first and second panels and the first position of the drawer the second panel encloses the drawer in the storage space.

According to the invention, a storage device includes a base defining a top and an opposed bottom, a storage space formed between the top and the bottom, and an opening into the storage space between the top and the bottom. A first panel has a first inner end and an opposed first outer end, a first inner face and an opposed first outer face. A second panel has a second inner end and an opposed second outer end, a second inner face and an opposed second outer face. A first hinged attachment is formed between the first inner end of the first panel and the base adjacent to the top, and a second hinged attachment is formed between the first outer end of the first panel and the second inner end of the second panel. The first and second panels are movable at the first and second hinged attachments between a stored position, a display position, and a closed position. The stored position includes the first inner face of the first panel positioned against the top, the inner face of the second panel positioned against the first outer face of the first panel, and the second outer face of the second panel facing outwardly forming a first display face. The closed position includes the first inner face of the first panel positioned against the top of the base, the second outer face of the second panel received against the base overlying the opening into the storage space, the second inner face of the second panel projecting outwardly forming a second display face, and the first outer face of the first panel facing outwardly forming a third display face. The display position includes the first and second panels forming an A-shaped structure overlying the top of the base including the second outer end of the second panel frictionally engaging the top of the base adjacent to the opening into the storage space, the second inner face of the second panel and the first outer face of the first panel each projecting upwardly and outwardly forming fourth and fifth display faces, respectively.

According to the invention, a storage device includes a base defining a top and an opposed bottom, a storage space formed between the top and the bottom, and an opening into the storage space between the top and the bottom. A drawer is mounted to the base for movement between a first position in the storage space and a second position extending outwardly from the storage space through the opening into the storage space. A first panel has a first inner end and an opposed first outer end, a first inner face and an opposed first outer face. A second panel has a second inner end and an opposed second outer end, a second inner face and an opposed second outer face. A first hinged attachment is formed between the first inner end of the first panel and the base adjacent to the top, and a second hinged attachment is formed between the first outer end of the first panel and the second inner end of the second panel. The first and second panels are movable at the first and second hinged attachments between a stored position, a display position, and a closed position. The stored position includes the first inner face of the first panel positioned against the top, the inner face of the second panel positioned against the first outer face of the first panel, and the second outer face of the second panel facing outwardly forming a first display face. In the second position of the drawer the closed position includes the first inner face of the first panel positioned against the top of the base, the second outer face of the second panel received against the base overlying the opening enclosing the storage space and the drawer positioned in the storage space in the second position of the drawer, the second inner face of the second panel projecting outwardly forming a second display face, and the first outer face of the first panel facing outwardly forming a third display face. The display position includes the first and second panels forming an A-shaped structure overlying the top of the base including the second outer end of the second panel frictionally engaging the top of the base adjacent to the opening into the storage space, the second inner face of the second panel and the first outer face of the first panel each projecting upwardly and outwardly forming fourth and fifth display faces, respectively.

According to the invention, a storage device includes a base defining a top and an opposed bottom, a storage space formed between the top and the bottom, and an opening into the storage space between the top and the bottom. Drawers are each mounted to the base for movement between a first position in the storage space and a second position extending outwardly from the storage space through the opening into the storage space. A first panel has a first inner end and an opposed first outer end, a first inner face and an opposed first outer face. A second panel has a second inner end and an opposed second outer end, a second inner face and an opposed second outer face. A first hinged attachment is formed between the first inner end of the first panel and the base adjacent to the top, and a second hinged attachment is formed between the first outer end of the first panel and the second inner end of the second panel. The first and second panels are movable at the first and second hinged attachments between a stored position, a display position, and a closed position. The stored position includes the first inner face of the first panel positioned against the top, the inner face of the second panel positioned against the first outer face of the first panel, and the second outer face of the second panel facing outwardly forming a first display face. With each of the drawers disposed in the first position in the storage space, the closed position includes the first inner face of the first panel positioned against the top of the base, the second outer face of the second panel received against the base overlying the opening enclosing the storage space and the drawers positioned in the storage space in the first positions of the drawers, the second inner face of the second panel projecting outwardly forming a second display face, and the first outer face of the first panel facing outwardly forming a third display face. The display position includes the first and second panels forming an A-shaped structure overlying the top of the base including the second outer end of the second panel frictionally engaging the top of the base adjacent to the opening into the storage space, the second inner face of the second panel and the first outer face of the first panel each projecting upwardly and outwardly forming fourth and fifth display faces, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed toFIG. 1in which there is seen a storage device10constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention including drawers11and a display structure12maintained by a carcass13. Carcass13is the main supporting structure or base of storage device10, and consists of opposed parallel sides20and21, a back22affixed to and extending therebetween sides20and21, a bottom23affixed to lower edges of sides20and21and back22, and a top24affixed to upper edges of sides20and21and back22.

As seen inFIG. 4, forward edges of sides20and21, bottom23, and top24form an opening26into a storage space27in carcass13, which is bound and defined by sides20and21, back22, bottom23, and top24. Spaced apart, parallel shelves30and31disposed in storage space27are affixed in place to inner surfaces of sides20and21and back22. Shelves30and31extend between sides20and21dividing storage space27into three receiving areas for drawers11, in which a first receiving area is defined between top24and shelf30, a second receiving area is defined between shelves30and31, and a third receiving area is defined between shelf31and bottom23. Drawers11are received in the receiving areas, and are each movable relative to storage space27between a closed position in storage space27as shown inFIGS. 1 and 5, and an open position extending outwardly from storage space27through opening26as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3.

Carcass13and drawers11are fashioned of wood, plastic, metal, or other substantially rigid material or combination of materials. The construction and arrangement of carcass13and drawers11is generally representative of a typical chest-of-drawers, further details of which will readily occur to one having ordinary skill in the art and will not be discussed in further detail. In accordance with the skill attributed to the skilled artisan, it will be readily understood that drawers11can be mounted to carcass13in any conventional and well-known manner for allowing them to be moved between their closed and open positions relative to storage space27, such as with rails, tongue-and-groove assemblies, etc. In their open positions, personal effects may be placed into drawers11, or retrieved from drawers, after which drawers11may be closed for maintaining the items held thereby in storage space27.

Drawers11are each fashioned with a decorative opening14extending through the front face thereof. Decorative openings14, which are referenced inFIG. 1, provide not only a desired decorative affect, but also function as drawer pulls for allowing drawers11to be easily taken upon by hand and moved between their closed and open positions. Any suitable form of drawer pulls may be used with drawers11without departing from the invention, including knobs and the like or other selected form of drawer pull.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, display structure12consists of interconnected first and second panels40and41. First and second panels40and41are flat and broad, and are substantially coextensive relative to each other, and are each of them substantially coextensive relative to top24. First panel40has an inner end42and an opposing outer end43, and second panel41has an inner end44and an opposing outer end45. First panel40has opposing inner and outer faces40A and40B, and second panel has opposing inner and outer faces41A and41B. Inner end42of first panel40is hingedly attached to carcass13substantially at a juncture between the upper edge of back22and the rear edge of top24, and outer end43of first panel40is, in turn, hingedly attached to inner end44of second panel41, in accordance with the principle of the invention. The hinged attachment between first panel40and carcass13and the hinged attachment between first panel40and second panel41permit the pivotal adjustment of display structure between stored, display, and closed positions.

FIG. 1depicts display structure12as it would appear in a stored position, which consists of inner face40A of first panel40positioned flat atop top24, and inner face41A of second panel41, in turn, positioned flat atop outer face40B of first panel40. In the stored position, outer face41B of second panel41faces outwardly, and is capable of accommodating personal items set thereon, such as jewelry, pictures, etc. According to the principle of the invention, outer face41B can be configured with a picture frame or holder, for holding and displaying a selected picture. Alternatively, a picture or photograph or other selected item to be displayed may simply be mounted to outer face41B constituting a supporting display surface.

Display structure12is moveable at the hinged attachment points between first panel40and carcass13and between second panel41and first panel40from the stored position as shown inFIG. 1to a display position as shown inFIGS. 2-4. To move display structure12from the stored position to the display position, first panel40is pivoted relative to carcass13at the hinged attachment therebetween upwardly away from carcass13, and second panel41is pivoted relative to first panel40at the hinged attachment therebetween away from first panel41, thereby resulting in first and second panels40and41cooperating together forming an A-shaped structure atop top24defining the display position of display structure12, according to the principle of the invention. To secure display structure12in the display position, outer end45of second panel is set onto top24adjacent to the outer edge of top24defining, in part, opening26into storage space27, in which the frictional engagement between outer end45of second panel41and top24secures display structure12in the display position, in accordance with the principle of the invention. If desired, top24can be configured with an abutment surface, such as a raised feature defining a raised abutment surface, or a recess defining a recessed abutment surface, against which outer end45of second panel41may be positioned for securing display structure12in its display position.

In the display position of display structure12, inner face41A projects forwardly toward drawers11, and provides a unique display surface in conjunction with the remaining structure features of storage device10. According to the principle of the invention, inner face41A can be configured with a picture frame or holder, for holding and displaying a selected picture in the display position of display structure. Alternatively, a picture or photograph or other selected item to be displayed may simply be mounted to inner face41A constituting a supporting display surface.

From the display position, display structure12can be moved into a closed position closing storage device10in the closed position of drawers11, in accordance with the principle of the invention as shown inFIG. 6. To move display structure12into the closed position from the display position, drawers11are positioned in their closed positions and display structure12is pivoted disengaging outer end45of second panel from top24, and second panel41is pivoted somewhat outwardly away from inner face40A of first panel40, and first panel40is pivoted relative to carcass13at the hinged attachment therebetween downwardly locating inner face40A of first panel40flat atop top24as shown inFIG. 5. At this point, second panel41is pivoted downwardly toward drawers11bringing outer face41B against the front end of carcass13overlying and concealing drawers11at opening26into storage space27as shown inFIG. 6thereby closing storage device10, in accordance with the principle of the invention. The foregoing operation need only be reversed for placing display structure12back to the display position, and from the display position to the stored position. It is to be understood that display structure12can be moved between the stored and closed positions without placing it into the display position between the stored and closed positions.

In the closed position of display structure12, inner face41A projects forwardly away from drawers11, and, as in the display position of display structure12, provides a unique display surface in conjunction with the remaining structure features of storage device10. According to the principle of the invention, inner face41A can be configured with a picture frame or holder, for holding and displaying a selected picture in the closed position of display structure. Alternatively, a picture or photograph or other selected item to be displayed may simply be mounted to inner face41A constituting a supporting display surface.

In the closed position of display structure12, outer face40B of first panel41faces outwardly, and is capable of accommodating personal items set thereon, such as jewelry, pictures, etc. According to the principle of the invention, outer face40B can be configured with a picture frame or holder, for holding and displaying a selected picture. Alternatively, a picture or photograph or other selected item to be displayed may simply be mounted to outer face40B constituting a supporting display surface.

Referring toFIG. 7, opposed strips50of flexible material concurrently affixed, such as with glue, to top24of carcass13and inner end42of first panel40provide the hinged attachment between first panel40and carcass13. Strips50are fashioned of cloth, elastomer, or other flexible material or combination of materials. Two strips at either side of inner end42of first panel40are used in the immediate embodiment, and more can be used, if desired. Furthermore, one broad strip of material can be used for providing the hinged attachment between first panel40and carcass13.

Referring toFIG. 8, opposed strips51of flexible material concurrently affixed, such as with glue, to outer end43of first panel40and inner end44of second panel41provide the hinged attachment between first and second panels40and41. Strips51are fashioned of cloth, elastomer, or other flexible material or combination of materials. Two strips at either side of first and second panels40and41are used in the immediate embodiment, and more can be used, if desired. Furthermore, one broad strip of material can be used for providing the hinged attachment between first and second panels40and41s.

Although strips of material are used to provide the hinged attachment between first panel40and carcass13, and between first and second panels40and41, those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that any suitable form of hinge structure can be used between first panel40and carcass13and between first and second panels40and41without departing from the invention.

The invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.