Hingedly adjustable two sided storage device

A hingedly adjustable two-sided storage system and device having a front and back portion that may be secured to a fixed structure through a plurality of adjustable attachment mechanisms to allow a user to access both portions during operation and configure the storage device with a plurality of attachment hangers and components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to storage devices and more particularly to a hingedly adjustable two sided storage system and device that may be secured to a fixed structure through the use of adjustable attachment mechanisms.

2. Description of the Related Art

Currently, systems for closet door storage or other fixed surfaces only use one side for storage and are door or wall attached or door hanging. Usual door openings, specifically wall and wood trim allow for approximately four inches of “free space”, adequate for limited two sided use. However, as known in the art, closets differ in both depth and usage, thereby allowing for the possibility of greater “free space”. As such, adjustable hinges and latches would further expand two sided storage capabilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention, as illustrated herein, is clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof.

According to one aspect of the device, a two-sided door storage device is disclosed, wherein the storage device is preferably secured to a fixed structure such as a wall or door through the use of a plurality of adjustable attachment mechanisms, in order to allow for a user to access both a front and back portion of the storage device. A user of the storage device is easily able to configure the storage device by adding a plurality of optional attachment components to meet an individual user's needs. Furthermore, the storage device utilizes the “free space” that exists between usual door openings, while correspondingly allowing for the type of storage space required while being in a hinge controlled environment. As such, if there is limited “free space” available, a user may adjust the attachment mechanisms to compensate for the limited “free space” and selectively place less bulky items for storage.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of a hingedly adjustable two-sided storage device in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

These together with other objects of the device, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the device, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the device, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the device and does not represent the only forms in which the present device may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the device in connection with the illustrated embodiments.

FIGS. 1A-2illustrates a first embodiment of a hingedly adjustable two-sided storage device10, wherein the storage device comprises a pair of lateral members12A and12B in communication with a top portion14and bottom portion16. Preferably the pair of lateral members12A and12B is attached to the top portion14and bottom portion16of the storage device10through a plurality of corner joints18. In one embodiment, each lateral member12A and12B, along with the top portion14and bottom portion16includes a plurality of apertures20preferably equidistantly spaced along each lateral member12A and12B, and the top portion14and bottom portion16, disposed to receive a plurality of elements discussed below. In one alternate embodiment, the lateral elements12A and12B are comprised of a plurality of sections joined together, wherein the sections may be button joined or screwed together to increase and maintain stability throughout the entire lateral elements12A and12B. The storage device10further comprises a plurality of attachment mechanisms22, wherein the attachment mechanisms22are disposed to secure the storage device10to a fixed structure24, including but not limited to a door and a wall. Additionally, the storage device10may include a latch26, wherein the latch26is disposed to be received by a corresponding ring26B (seeFIG. 4A) attached to the fixed structure24. As such, the storage device10possesses both a front portion30A and a back portion30B to allow a user of the storage device10to utilize and access both portions for storage and other associated use. In one embodiment, the latch26allows for the storage device10to be secured in a “closed” position when not in use.

FIGS. 3A-3Dillustrate two separate embodiments of the attachment mechanism22for the storage device10, wherein the attachment mechanism22includes a cavity32A disposed to be received by one of the lateral members12A and12B. The attachment mechanism22further includes a housing34extending outwardly from the cavity32A, wherein the housing34is disposed to receive an arm36, wherein one end of the arm36is allowed to move in and out of the housing34and wherein the other end of the arm36extends downwardly to secure contact with the fixed structure24. In both embodiments, the housing34includes a holding mechanism38, wherein the holding mechanism38corresponds with a plurality of pin holes40located on the arm36such that the holding mechanism38is allowed to be received through an aperture42located within the housing34and a corresponding pin hole40on the arm36to allow for an adjustable distance between one of the lateral elements12A and12B and the fixed structure24. In the embodiment disclosed inFIG. 3A, the arm36further includes an end hinge90(shown inFIG. 3B) extending horizontally and secured to the fixed structure24. In an alternate embodiment of the attachment mechanism shown inFIG. 3D, the arm36further includes a pin44extending downwardly from the arm36to be received in a corresponding cavity46secured to the fixed structure24. The cavity46secured to the fixed structure24further includes a liner48disposed to allow for the pin44to move freely while simultaneously reducing the noise that would be associated with movement of the attachment mechanism22.

FIGS. 4A-4Hillustrate several embodiments of the latch26; all embodiments of the latch26are secured to the lateral elements12A and/or12B using a filler62having an adhesive side facing towards the lateral elements12A and12B, and a polished side facing the latch26, thereby allowing the latch26to move freely up and down. Furthermore, all embodiments of the latch26are secured to the fixed structure24by a ring26B. The latch26further comprises a latch arm housing56and a latch sleeve26A which extends outwardly from the latch arm housing56to receive the ring26B. The latch arm housing56includes a holding mechanism58, wherein the holding mechanism58corresponds with a plurality of pin holes60located on the latch sleeve26A such that a holding mechanism58is allowed to be received through an aperture42(seeFIG. 3C) located within the latch arm housing56and a corresponding pin hole60on the latch sleeve26A to allow for an adjustable distance and to be secure between one of the lateral elements12A and12B and the fixed structure24. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 4C, the latch sleeve26A includes a plurality of ratchet mechanisms86wherein the ratchet mechanisms86correspond with the holding mechanism58(seeFIG. 4D), such that a sliding member88which is affixed to the latch sleeve26A and passed through and held by a cutout87in the latch arm housing56which allows for an adjustable distance between one of the lateral elements12A and12B and the fixed structure24.

FIGS. 4E-4Hillustrate an alternate embodiment of the latch26, wherein a button94is disposed to be attached to a spring section96A to allow for an adjustable distance between the latch sleeve26A and the fixed structure24such that the button94is received in a corresponding pin hole96B in the latch arm housing56. In yet another alternate embodiment (seeFIG. 4H) of the latch26, the latch26includes a threaded screw90, wherein one end is disposed to be received in a housing92.

FIGS. 5A-5Fillustrates a variety of optional attachment hangers for use and attachment to the storage device10. In one embodiment, a hanger62is secured to apertures20on the lateral elements12A and12B, and includes a plurality of apertures to receive a plurality of items, including hanger embodiments68,70and72. Furthermore, alternate embodiment hangers62,64and66are preferably curved inward to approximately one half of the lateral elements12A and12B to maximize available space ordinarily lost to frame laterals. In yet another alternate embodiment, hangers62,64,66,68,70and72may be utilized to secure items including, but not limited to belts, ties, clothing and towels. Finally, an alternate embodiment hanger72is preferably utilized as a support unit, but is not limited for use with attachment components80,82, and84.

FIGS. 6A-6Fillustrates a variety of optional attachment components for use and attachment to the storage device10preferably in conjunction with one or more of the hangers62,64,66,68,70and72mentioned above. In one embodiment, a variety of components74,76,78,80,82,84are shown, including but not limited in size or function to a mirror, curtain (to shield items located on both sides), shoe storage, containers and a clothes hamper.

In operation, a user of the storage device10may first remove the hook26A from the fixed structure24to switch the storage device10from a “closed” position to an “open” position, thereby allowing for a user to access both the front portion30A and back portion30B of the device10. Furthermore, a user of the storage device10possesses the ability to configure the storage device10to a user's own needs by adding a variety of storage components and/or hangers to the storage device10or as demand warrants.