Abstract:
A configurable closet organizer that includes a plurality of surfaces that can be configured to have storage features according to a user&#39;s needs.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The embodiments of the invention relate to organizers, and, in particular, organizers that are particularly useful for a user&#39;s closet.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Various types of closet organizers are known. For example, shoe racks, shelves and hangers are all well known. In addition, several types of hanging organizers are well-known, for example, hanging shoe racks and hanging shelves. As an example, a closet organizer system is currently sold on QVC as item number H77611.  FIGS. 1-4  show this commercially available organizer system.  FIG. 1  shows an organizer  10  with clear pouches  12  on its front  14  and back  16  designed to hold handbags.  FIGS. 2 and 3  shows hanging organizers  20  with shelves  22  to hold shoes or sweaters. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 3  on an exterior surface of the organizer  20  is a plurality of belt hooks  24 . The shelves  22  of the organizers  20  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , can also accommodate drawers  26  such as those shown in  FIG. 4 . The drawers  26  can be made of cardboard and are collapsible for convenient storage. The user can customize the configuration of the organizer according to her needs by having it with all shelves, all drawers or a plurality of both.  
         [0003]     The organizer shown in  FIG. 1  can be rotated, however, the organizers shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  hang from a closet hang rod in a fixed position. In particular, with respect to the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a loop  28  made from the same material as the organizer is used to mount the organizer to a closet rod. The loop  28  has a hook-and-loop fastener system so that it can be opened and wrapped around a closet rod and fastened. With this type of fastening mechanism, the organizer cannot be rotated as it is mounted on the closet rod.  
         [0004]     It is desirable to provide a user with increased flexibility and ease of use in the utilization of a closet organizer. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hanging organizer according to the prior art.  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of a hanging organizer according to the prior art.  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another hanging organizer according to the prior art.  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a drawer according to the prior art that can be used with the organizer shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  
         [0009]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a hanging organizer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the organizer shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0011]      FIG. 7  is a rear elevational view of the organizer shown in  FIG. 5  according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of the organizer shown in  FIG. 5  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 9  is an opposite side elevational view of the organizer shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a section of a hanging organizer according to any of the embodiments showing a hanging mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a hanging organizer according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a hanging organizer according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 12A  is a side cross-sectional view of the top section of the organizer shown in  FIG. 12  with its organizer rack in an unextended position.  
         [0018]      FIG. 12B  is a side cross-sectional view of the top section of the organizer shown in  FIG. 12  with its organizer rack in an extended position.  
         [0019]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a hanging organizer according to still another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 14  is a rear perspective of a discrete organizer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 15  is a rear perspective view of a discrete organizer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 16  is a rear perspective view of a discrete organizer according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an organizer according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the organizer shown in  FIG. 17  turned counterclockwise 90°.  
         [0025]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an organizer shown in  FIG. 17  turned clockwise 90°. 
     
    
     SUMMARY  
       [0026]     According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a closet organizer that includes a body and a hanging mechanism. The body includes a top; a bottom; a first side panel coupling the top to the bottom; a second side panel coupling the top to the bottom and coupling the first and second side panel along an edge thereof. The hanging mechanism is located at the top of the body and can be coupled to a closet rod wherein the hanging mechanism includes a rotating joint that allows the body to rotate 360 degrees.  
         [0027]     According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a closet organizer that includes a body and means for hanging the body. The body includes a top; a bottom; a first side panel coupling the top to the bottom; a second side panel, opposite the first side panel, coupling the top to the bottom; and a back panel coupling the top to the bottom and coupling the first and second side panel along an edge thereof. The means for hanging the body is located at the top of the body and allows the body to rotate 360 degrees.  
         [0028]     According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a closet organizer including a copy and a hanging mechanism. The body includes a top; a first side panel coupled to the top; a second side panel, opposite the first side panel, coupled to the top; a back panel coupled to the top and coupling the first and second side panel along an edge thereof.  
         [0029]     The hanging mechanism is located at the top of the body and can be coupled to a closet rod wherein the hanging mechanism includes a rotating joint that allows the body to ratite 360 degrees. Also included is a compartment on the back panel.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]     The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides practical illustrations for implementing exemplary embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a hanging organizer  100  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The organizer  100  has a body that includes a top  102 , a bottom  104 , a first side panel  106 , a second side panel ( 108 , see  FIG. 6 ) and a back panel ( 110 , see  FIG. 7 ). The first side panel  106  couples the top  102  and bottom  104  and the second side panel  108 , opposite the first side panel, also couples the top  102  and bottom  104 . The back panel  110  couples the top  102  and bottom  104  and the first  106  and second  108  side panels. Located at the top  102  of the body is a hanging mechanism  112  that allows the body to be coupled to a closet rod, for example. The hanging mechanism  112 , which will be described in further detail below, allows the body to be rotated 360 degrees about its longitudinal axis as shown by the arrow in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0032]     The body also includes cross panels  114  that are substantially parallel with the top  102  and bottom  104  that are coupled to the first  106  and second  108  side panels and back panel  110 . In a preferred embodiment, there are six cross-panels  114  although the number of cross-panels can certainly vary according to the size and configuration of the organizer  100 . The cross-panels create sectioned areas which may hold items such as sweaters or shoes, for example.  
         [0033]     In a preferred embodiment, the body and cross-panels are made of a heavy durable fabric such as any type of natural cloth, such as cotton, or synthetic material such as polyester, plastic, twill or any blended natural and synthetic material. In an embodiment, the body of the hanging organizer  100  is about 7 inches wide, 9 inches deep and 57 inches long, although the dimensions can certainly vary and the embodiments of the invention are not limited to these dimensions.  
         [0034]     Located on an exterior surface of the first  106  and second  108  side panels as seen in  FIGS. 5, 8  and  9  are a plurality of belt loops  116 . In a preferred embodiment, the belt loop has a hook and loop fastening mechanism so that it may be unfastened to couple a belt and refastened thus securing the belt in the loop  116 . This allows the user to easily undo the loop  116 , thread a belt through the loop  116  and resecure the ends of the loop  116 . Of course other embodiments may be used such as rings with open end or straps secured by a snap end. Also, hooks may be used as shown in the prior art design of  FIG. 3 . Both exterior surfaces of the first  106  and second  108  side panels may be provided with belt loops  116 . Alternatively, only one side panel may be provided with the loops or no side panels may be provided with the loops.  
         [0035]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 a  plurality of drawers  126  are located on the shelves or cross panels  114 . These drawers  126  may be collapsible drawers as shown in  FIG. 4  or they may be non-collapsible drawers. The drawers may be made out of plastic, cardboard or wood for example. Preferably they are provided with a pull  128  to allow a user to easily pull out the drawer to gain access to its interior. While only four drawers are shown, more or less of the shelves may have a drawer located thereon if so desired by the user.  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a rear elevational view of the organizer  100  shown in  FIG. 5  according to a preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the exterior of the back panel  110  is provided with a plurality of pouches  130 . These pouches  130  may be securely fastened to the exterior of the back panel  110 . The pouches  130  may be like those shown in  FIG. 1  to hold purses. Alternatively, as will be described with reference to  FIGS. 14-16 , discrete organizers may be removably fastened to the exterior of the back panel  110 . As will be described hereinafter, preferably each discrete organizer has an opening in a top section which can be closed by a closing mechanism such as a zipper, complementary hook and loop strips or snaps. The pouches shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  may be clear or opaque.  
         [0037]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a section of a section of a hanging organizer according to any of the embodiments of the present invention showing a hanging mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The hanging mechanism includes a hanger  200 , washers  202  and  204 , nut  206 , bearing  208 , and bearing coupler  210 . The hanger  200  includes a hook portion  212  and a rod portion  214 . The top  102  of the organizer has a bracket  216  located underneath that has an aperture through which a portion of the hanging mechanism extends. In particular, the bearing  208  and bearing coupler  210  surround a portion of the rod portion  214  of the hanger  200 . The bearing coupler  210  extends partially in the aperture to surround the bearing  208 . A washer  202  and lock washer  204  surrounds the rod portion  214  of the hanger  200  exposed to the interior of the organizer and the nut  206  secures the hanging mechanism to the organizer. In another embodiment, the bearing  208  and bearing coupler  210  may be omitted. The hanging mechanism allows the organizer to be rotated 360° while it is mounted to a closet rod so that a user has access to all sides of the organizer.  
         [0038]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of a hanging organizer. In this preferred embodiment, only a few cross-panels  314  are present and a top region is reserved for hanging articles of clothing inside the organizer via a clothes rod  310 . Alternatively, to hang very long articles of clothing there may not be any cross-panels present. The clothes rod  310  is located on an interior surface of the top to allow articles of clothing to be hung therefrom.  
         [0039]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a hanging organizer  400  according to another embodiment of the present invention. Like the organizer shown in  FIG. 11 , only a few cross-panels are present. In a top region of the organizer is located a rotating tie tree  402 . The tie tree may be located on a track  404  located on an interior surface of the top so that the tie tree  402  can be pulled out from the interior of the organizer to allow a user a better view of ties located on the tie tree  402  and better access to rotate the tie tree  402 .  FIG. 12   a  shows the tie tree  402  in its unextended position.  FIG. 12   b  shows the tie tree  402  in its extended position.  
         [0040]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a hanging organizer  500  according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Like the organizers shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the top region is left devoid of cross-panels. Coupled to an interior surface of the top is a plurality of racks  502  (only one of which is illustrated) that can be mounted in tracks on the interior surface of the top and slid out of the interior region of the organizer. The racks can be configured to hold slacks as shown. The racks may also be provided with clips to hold skirts as well.  
         [0041]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a rear of an organizer  600  according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The exterior of the back panel  110  is provided with fastening mechanisms  602 ,  604  that allow a discrete or a plurality of discrete organizers  606  to be coupled thereto. The discrete organizers  606  may have many different configurations to accommodate the storage of many types of items. For example, a discrete organizer  606  may be in the shape of a single pouch to hold a handbag or a pair of shoes. Another discrete organizer  606  may have multiple compartments to hold items such as lingerie, scarves, hair accessories and/or toiletries and cosmetics.  
         [0042]      FIG. 15  is a rear perspective view of a discrete organizer  606  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention that may be used with the organizer shown in  FIG. 14 . In this embodiment, hook and loop strips  612  are used as the coupling mechanism (see also  FIG. 15 ). Of course the other types of coupling mechanisms may be used and the embodiments of the invention are not limited to those illustrated. The discrete organizer may be optionally provided with a loop  608  so that when it is removed from the organizer it can be hung on a hook, for example.  
         [0043]      FIG. 16  is a rear perspective view of a discrete organizer  606  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention that may be used with the organizer shown in  FIG. 14 . It can be seen that the discrete organizer has a flat back, panel on which are located stud posts  614  of snap fasteners that line up with sockets  616  on the  610  surface of the back-panel (see  FIG. 15 ). The discrete organizer  606  is secured to the exterior surface of the back-panel  10  by lining up the stud posts with the sockets and applying enough pressure so that they snap together as is well known.  
         [0044]     In one embodiment, a support  700  (see  FIG. 5 ) is provided in the top of the body in a frame formed by two pieces of material, preferably wood or metal, perpendicularly arranged with respect to each other. Alternatively, a uniform piece of material such as wood or metal of the same dimension as the top piece may be used. An aperture is formed in the center of the top and through the support.  
         [0045]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an organizer  700  according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the organizer shown in  FIG. 17  turned counterclockwise 90°.  FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the organizer shown in  FIG. 17  turned clockwise 90°. In the preferred embodiments shown in  FIGS. 17-19 , a plurality of exterior surfaces of the organizer  700  are provided with features. For example, in the embodiment illustrated, two exterior surfaces, the back panel  110  and side panel  108  are provided with shoe pockets  702  and side panel  106 , is provided with belt loops  716 . The arrangement of these features may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In addition, instead of providing shoe pockets, removably attached discrete organizers may be provided on one or all exterior surfaces. The features described with respect to the various embodiments may be mixed and are not limited to the particular arrangements illustrated. Thus, for example, all three sides may be provided with shoe pockets and/or belt loops and/or discrete organizers. Furthermore, a third side panel may be included that couples the top and bottom and first and second side panels along an edge opposite of that coupled by the back panel so that there is no interior region of the closet organizer. Shoe pockets, belt loops, pooches and/or discrete organizers may be located on the exterior surface of the first, second, third and back panels in any configuration.  
         [0046]     The organizers described with respect to the various embodiments may also be configured without a bottom  104  so that the organizer is open at the bottom.