Abstract:
An organizer that may be mounted on either one or two surfaces, such as a wall, ceiling or floor, or two of them, using limited space, and using jars or other containers for storage. It has four wooden slats that have jars or other containers attached. In the first preferred embodiment, there are several jars, the number depending on the jar size, attached to each slat. The lids are fastened to the slats, and the jars can be opened by unscrewing them from their lids. In the second preferred embodiment, plastic containers, with lids that can snap open and shut, are attached to the slates. There are handles on one end to rotate the storage system. Because they are transparent, the jars or plastic containers allow you to visually select what you are looking for. These jars or plastic containers can hold anything from hobby Supplies to nuts and bolts.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation-In-Part of Regular Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/564,916, filed on Sep. 22, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to organizers for holding items. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    It is desirable for an organizer or storage device to be rotatable, to permit easier selection of desired items. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,732,131, issued on Oct. 15, 1929, to Benjamin S. Mahaffey, discloses a revolving display stand using jars for storage. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that in it the rotating portion of the organizer has an axle with both of its ends attached to a mounting bracket. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,732,298, issued on Oct. 22, 1929, Charles E. Arthur, discloses a revolving spice tray, with recesses in which the tops of items may be inserted. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that in it the containers or the lids of the jars are fastened to the slats. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,927,283, issued on Sep. 19, 1933, to Robert M. Hernandez, discloses a rotating display stand using jars or other containers for storage. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that in it the jars or other containers are retained on slats. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,436,289, issued on Feb. 17, 1948, to Thomas L. I. Carlson, discloses a rotating parts rack using jars for storage, having a pivot portion is the center of an axis of rotation. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that in it the axle is retained on its ends in the mounting bracket. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,557,801, issued on Jun. 19, 1951, to Joseph Shapiro, discloses an under shelf attachment for containers, which, unlike the instant invention, does not rotate. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,936,901, issued on May 17, 1960, to George D. Siemantel, discloses a rotatable storage and display assembly for parts, which is suspended from a ceiling or other surface, rather than resting on a support bracket as in the instant invention. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,944,761, issued on Jul. 12, 1960, to Bernard H. Best, discloses a rotary spool rack, which does not use jars or other containers as in the instant invention. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,337,082, issued on Aug. 22, 1967, to Henri J. Dorgelys, discloses containers that can rotate, but does not disclose that the rotating portion can be lifted out of a mounting bracket, as in the instant invention. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,620,363, issued on Nov. 16, 1971, William C. Donnithorne, discloses a rotating storage and display device, with tubes that are parallel to the axis of rotation. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that in it the jars can be unscrewed from lids attached to rotating slats, or the containers are attached to rotating slats. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,674,155, issued on Jul. 4, 1972, to Lester A. Kessler, discloses a rotating tool storage device, with trays or holders suspended from the rotating part, but without lids attached to the rotating part, from which jars can be unscrewed, as in the first embodiment of the instant invention, and without the rotating portion being manually liftable from a mounting bracket, as in the second embodiment of the instant invention. 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,965, issued on Apr. 23, 1974, to Albert Champagne, discloses a storage unit having an upright post with several circular plates with lids attached to their undersides, from which jars can be unscrewed. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it rotates on a horizontal rather than vertical axis, and the jars or other containers extend outward from the axis of rotation, rather than parallel to it. 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,628, issued on Jul. 22, 1986, to Michael M. Lowing, discloses rotary storage structures, which rotate on a horizontal axis, but without jars that can be screwed off from lids, or other containers attached to slats, as in the instant invention. 
         [0018]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,748, issued on Aug. 1, 1989, to William G. Burgess et al., discloses a ferris wheel shaped fixture holding apparatus, but does not disclose jars or other containers retained on slats as in the instant invention. 
         [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,260, issued on Jan. 23, 1990, to Jane Ancona and Bruce Ancona, discloses a rack for cylindrical containers, in which the containers are retained in apertures, rather than the containers or their lids being fastened to slats as in the instant invention. 
         [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,361, issued on Dec. 3, 1991, to Robert W. Jeffway, Jr. and Catherine R. Dobosz, discloses a rotatable crayon caddy, but does not disclose a rotatable portion retained on a mounting bracket that is separate from the rotatable portion, as in the instant invention. 
         [0021]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,670, issued on Jan. 28, 1992, to John J. Zimmer, discloses a revolving storage device for small items, with end caps of containers being affixed to a rotating drum, but it does not disclose rotatable elongated attachment members, as in the instant invention. 
         [0022]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,582, issued on Jul. 20, 1993, to J. C. Marshall and James C. Marshall II, discloses a rotating holder for screws, bolts, nuts and washers, but does not disclose jars or containers mounted on slats as in the instant invention. 
         [0023]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,049, issued on Sep. 28, 1993, to James E. Murphy, Sr., discloses a rotating tray caddy for holding items such as nuts and bolts, but without the closed containers of the instant invention. 
         [0024]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,828, issued on Feb. 29, 2000, to E. Stanley Robbins et al., discloses a turntable storage device, but does not disclose jar lids or containers mounted on multiple slats, as in the instant invention. 
         [0025]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,132, issued on May 2, 2000, to Bryan Robert Becker and Sean M. Murray, discloses a magnetizable parts holder, including a revolving drum having externally-mounted magnets. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it does not require the use of magnets, and has jar lids or containers attached to slats. 
         [0026]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,326, issued on May 22, 2001, to Mark A. Higgins, James David Robertson and James Douglas Whiten, discloses a beverage display rack with head locking keyways, but does not discloses that it rotates as in the instant invention. 
         [0027]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,448, issued on Apr. 24, 2007, to Frank Martino, Jr., discloses a modular storage system, with containers Attached to the undersides of shelves, but it does not rotate as does the instant invention. 
         [0028]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,647, issued on Oct. 2, 2007, to Alan S. Thompson, discloses a spice rack having a rotatable carriage with tracks within which containers are retained. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that in it the containers or the lids of jars are fastened to slats. 
         [0029]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 264,604, issued on May 25, 1982, to Howard Sussman, discloses a design for a desk unit for paper clips and sundries, without the closed containers of the instant invention. 
         [0030]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 278,585, issued on Apr. 30, 1985, to Rodnie D. Oldham, discloses a design for a rotatable storage rack for spice jars and the like, but not containers that are attached to slats, as in the instant invention. 
         [0031]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 320,141, issued on Sep. 24, 1991, to Kenneth L. Farrell, discloses a design for a spice rack, but not an axle retained in a mounting bracket, as in the instant invention. 
         [0032]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 329,573, issued on Sep. 22, 1992, to Serge Picard, discloses a design for a container storage assembly, in which the lids of jars appear to be fastened to a member that may rotate, but it does not disclose that the lids or containers are retained on slats between end pieces, as in the instant invention. 
         [0033]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 347,769, issued on Jun. 14, 1994, to Marcus W. Kibbe, discloses a design for a combined revolving spice rack and spice grinder containers, in which the lids of the containers appear to extend outward from the rack, rather than lids or the containers being fastened to slats as in the instant invention. 
         [0034]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 369,710, issued on May 14, 1996, to Serge Picard and Dominique Lesquir, discloses a design for a revolving container storage assembly, but it does not disclose that the containers are retained on slats between end pieces, as in the instant invention. 
         [0035]    U.S. patent No. D488,643, issued on Apr. 20, 2004, to Gerald Birmingham, discloses a design for a portable storage unit, with shelves that may rotate, with the shelves having holes that may retain jars, but it does not disclose lids or containers fastened to the rotating part, as in the instant invention. 
         [0036]    U.S. patent No. D542,583, May 15, 2007, to Mark A. Watchowski and Loretta S. Watchowski, disclose rotatable elongated attachment members, as in the instant invention. 
         [0037]    French Patent No. 2 76 341, published on Nov. 20, 1992, to Michel Paris, discloses a wine cellar with rotary hydraulic elevated storage racks. It does not discloses jar lids or containers attached to rotating slats, as in the instant invention. 
         [0038]    None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]    The present invention is an organizer that may be mounted on either one or two surfaces, such as a wall, ceiling or floor, or any two of them, using limited space, and using jars or other containers for storage. It has four wooden slats that have jars or other containers attached. (Alternatively, the slats may be made from various metals, alloys, or plastics.) In the first preferred embodiment, there are several jars attached to each slat. (The number of jars attached to a slat is dependent of the size of the jars used on a particular slat.) The lids are fastened to the slats, and the jars can be opened by unscrewing them from their lids. In the second preferred embodiment, plastic containers, with lids that can snap open and shut, are attached to the slats. There are handles on one end to rotate the storage system. There may be a ratchet on the interior to prevent slipping. The optional ratchet allows rotation in only one direction; otherwise, the organizer can be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise. Because they are transparent, the jars or plastic containers allow you to visually select what you are looking for. These jars or plastic containers can hold anything from hobby supplies to nuts and bolts. Potential applications range from garage organizing to commercial applications. It can be mounted in a commercial van for electricians or plumbers, or any other commercial vehicle. The invention may be suitably scaled for different uses. E.g., a small version may be mounted in a kitchen and used as a spice rack. 
         [0040]    Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved means for organizing various items by placing them in transparent containers. 
         [0041]    It is another object of the invention to provide an improved means for finding a particular item from among the items organized. 
         [0042]    It is a further object of the invention to provide an organizer for home use. 
         [0043]    Still another object of the invention is to provide an organizer for business use. 
         [0044]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
         [0045]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0046]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 2  is a right side elevational view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 3  is a left side elevational view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0049]      FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention, with the large jars facing forward. 
           [0050]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention, with the small jars facing forward. 
           [0051]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention, with the small jars on top. 
           [0052]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention, with the large jars on top. 
           [0053]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention, without the jars or lids. 
           [0054]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view along lines  9 - 9  in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0055]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view along lines  10 - 10  in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0056]      FIG. 11  is a detail view of the right side end piece of the first preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0057]      FIG. 12  is a detail view of the four slats in the first preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the lids attached to the slats. 
           [0058]      FIG. 13  is a detail view of the four slats in the first preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the sides of the slats opposite the sides to which the lids are attached. 
           [0059]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the organizer resting in the mounting bracket. 
           [0060]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the organizer lifted out of the mounting bracket. 
           [0061]      FIG. 16  is a detail view of the pivot socket in the second preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0062]      FIG. 17  is a right side elevational view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0063]      FIG. 18  is a left side view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0064]      FIG. 19  is a front elevational view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, with the containers closed. 
           [0065]      FIG. 20  is a front elevational view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, with the containers open. 
           [0066]      FIG. 21  is a top view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, with the rotatable slat on top in a lowered position. 
           [0067]      FIG. 22  is a top view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, with the rotatable slat on top in a raised position. 
           [0068]      FIG. 23  is a sectional view along line  23 - 23  in  FIG. 21 . 
           [0069]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the organizer with the removable slats removed. 
           [0070]      FIG. 25  is a detail view of a removable slat. 
           [0071]      FIG. 26  is a detail view of a retention member. 
       
    
    
       [0072]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0073]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention, showing large jars  10  and small jars  12 . Different items may be put in different jars to organize them. Large jar lids  14  and small jar lids  16  are retained on generally rectangular slats  18  by screws, nails, glue or other suitable means. The jars are removably retained on the jar lids by external screw threads around the openings of the jars that engage internal screw threads in side walls of the jar lids. The slats are retained between generally circular end pieces  20  and  22 . The slats, end members, jar lids, jars and any items in them all rotate around the axle  24 . The axle is preferably a dead axle that does not itself rotate, but it may also be a live axle that rotates with the slats. Rotation of the slats about the axle is preferably permitted in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, but an optional ratchet (not shown) may permit rotation in one direction only. Handles  26  on the rim of the right end piece  20  facilitate manual rotation of the slats. Mounting bracket  28  has two triangular frames  30  at each end with vertical center supports  32  having holes in which the opposite ends of the axle  24  are retained. A locking member ( 34  in  FIG. 4 ) passes through a second hole in the right center support  32  to engage one of the locking sockets  36  in the right end piece. A knurled knob  38  can be manually rotated to move the locking member in and out. Two attachment members  40  run between corners of the triangular frames. The attachment members have holes  42  through which nail, screws or other fasteners can pass, and can rotate 360 degrees on pivots  44  to permit attachment to one or two surfaces. The jars are preferably made of transparent glass, so that items in the jars can be viewed without opening the jars. The slats and end members are preferably made of wood, but can also be made of metal, alloy or plastic. The axle, supporting bracket and jar lids are preferably made of metal, but can also be made of alloy or plastic. 
         [0074]      FIG. 2  is a right side elevational view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention. Ends of the axles are held in place by external nuts  46  with the aid of external washers  48 . Ends of the slats are retained in rectangular holes  50  in the end pieces. 
         [0075]      FIG. 3  is a left side elevational view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention. The left end piece  22  does not have handles, locking pins or locking sockets. (Alternatively, both end pieces may have handles around their rims and/or there may be locking pins and locking sockets at both ends of the organizer.) 
         [0076]      FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention, with the large jars  10  facing forward, small jars  12  on the bottom, and medium-sized jars  52  on the top. The medium-sized jars are screwed into medium-sized jar lids  54  attached to a slat. The slats  18  are parallel to the axle  24 . Each slat is an equal distance from the axle. Edges of each slat contact edges of the two slats that are closest to itself. The slats are radially symmetric with respect to the axle. The end pieces are perpendicular to the axle. The jar lids have flat circular tops that are attached to the slats, and cylindrical sides with internal screw threads that can engage external screw threads around openings of jars, and the cylindrical sides extend outward from the axle. The locking member  34  is shown in a closed position where it passes into one of the locking sockets ( 36  in  FIG. 2 ) thus preventing the end member from rotating, and thereby also preventing the slats and jars from rotating. Exterior screw threads on the locking member engage interior screw threads in the second hole in the right center support. The attachment member  40  shown in  FIG. 4  has been rotated to a position such that, if the other attachment member is rotated to the same position, the organizer can be fastened to a single surface. 
         [0077]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention, with the small jars  12  facing forward, and large jars  10  on both the top and bottom. The locking member  34  is shown in an open position where it has been screwed back, so that it does not pass into one of the locking sockets, thus permitting rotation. The attachment member  40  shown in  FIG. 5  has been rotated to a position such that, if the other attachment member is rotated to the same position, the organizer can be fastened to two perpendicular surfaces. 
         [0078]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention, with the small jars  12  on top, and the large jars  10  on the front and rear sides. The attachment members  40  have been rotated to a position such that the organizer can be fastened to a single surface, and the locking member  34  is in a closed position, as in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention, with the large jars  10  on top, the small jars  12  on the front side, and the medium jars  52  on the rear side. The attachment members  40  have been rotated to a position such that the organizer can be fastened to two perpendicular surfaces, and the locking member  34  is in an open position, as in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention, without jars or lids.  FIG. 9  is a sectional view along lines  9 - 9  in  FIG. 8 , showing the axle  24  held in place with the aid of internal nuts  56  and internal washers  58 .  FIG. 10  is a sectional view along lines  10 - 10  in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 11  is a detail view of the right side end piece of the first preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the center hole  54  through which the axle passes. 
         [0082]      FIG. 12  is a detail view of the four slats in the first preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the lids attached to the slats  18 . Tabs  60  at the ends of the slats fits into the rectangular holes  50  in the end pieces, enabling the slats to be retained between the end pieces. Large jar lids  14  and small jar lids  16  are retained against the slats by bolts  62  with the aid of large circular washers  64 . Medium jar lids  54  are retained against the slats by bolts  62  with the aid of large semicircular washers  66 . (The heads of the bolts are shown in  FIG. 12 .) 
         [0083]      FIG. 13  is a detail view of the four slats in the first preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the sides of the slats opposite the sides to which the lids are attached, showing the ends of the bolts  62  opposite their heads retained on the slats with the aid of nuts  68  and small washers  70 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the organizer resting in the mounting bracket. Containers  72  (preferably made of plastic) are retained on the generally rectangular slats by bolts, screws, nails or other suitable means. The containers have main bodies  74 , lids  76 , hinges  78 , and latches  80  by which the lids may be snapped open or shut. There are four slats, three of which are removable slats  82 , and one of which is a rotatable slat  84  that is not removable. (The numbers of the removable and rotatable slats may be varied.) The slats are retained between right end piece  86  and left end piece  88 . The end pieces are generally circular. The removable slats, when they are in the organizer, are retained on retention members having tabs on their ends that extend into rectangular holes  90  in the end pieces, by which the retention members are retained between the end pieces. The left end piece  88  has three rectangular openings  92  around its rim, through which the removable slats may be slid off of the retention members and removed from the organizer. The rotatable slat  84  is shown in a closed (lowered) position, but can be rotated to an open (raised) position that permits manual access to the axle, so the organizer can be lifted out of the mounting bracket  28  when wing nuts  94  (also called “butterfly nuts”) are removed from the ends of the axle. The mounting bracket is generally similar to that in the first preferred embodiment, but the axle is removably retained in two pivot sockets with open tops, that are retained on the vertical center support  32  by two bolts  96  that pass through two of three bolt holes. (Bolt hole  98  is empty.) The position of the pivot socket can be adjusted by selecting the bolt holes to use, depending on whether the mounting bracket is attached to a horizontal or vertical surface, so that the open top of the pivot socket is always on top. Reinforcing bars  100  keep the mounting bracket stable when the organizer is removed. 
         [0085]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the organizer lifted out of the mounting bracket. One of the pivot sockets  102  with an open top  104  can be seen. The rotatable slat  84  is shown in an open position.  FIG. 16  is a detail view of the pivot socket in the second preferred embodiment of the invention, shown as seen from the inside of the organizer, without the axle. 
         [0086]      FIG. 17  is a right side elevational view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, with the rotatable slat on the front side (but not visible in this view).  FIG. 18  is a left side view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, with the rotatable slat again on the front side, but not visible. The T-shaped longitudinal extensions  106  of the retention members can be seen inside matching longitudinal cavities of the removable slats  82 , by which the latter are retained. (Optionally, either or both end pieces may have handles around their rims as in the first preferred embodiment, and/or there may be locking pins and locking sockets at both ends of the organizer.) 
         [0087]      FIG. 19  is a front elevational view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, with the containers closed, and the rotatable slat  84  in front in a closed position. The retention members  108  that hold the removable slats  82  are shown. A first set of locking pins  110  keep the removable members from sliding off the retention members when they are in an extended position, as shown in this view. There is one locking pin attached to each retention member, and they screw into holes in the removable slats to lock them into place. Locking member  34  is turned into a locking socket in right end piece  86  to prevent rotation. Washers  112  (preferably made of plastic) reduce friction between the pivot sockets and the end pieces when the latter rotate. When all of the removable slats are locked to the retention members, and all of the rotatable slats are locked in a closed position: each slat is an equal distance from the axle; each slat is an equal distance from neighboring slats; and the slats are radially symmetric with respect to the axle. The attachment member  40  is shown in the same position as in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0088]      FIG. 20  is a front elevational view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, with the containers open. The first set of locking pins  110  is in a retracted position, releasing the removable slats  82  and allowing them to be slid off the retention members and removed from the organizer. Locking member  34  is turned out in a retracted position to allow rotation. The attachment member  40  is shown in the same position as in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 21  is a top view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, with the rotatable slat  84  on top in a closed position. The ends of the axle  114  are visible. The rotatable slat is attached to the end pieces by a pair of aligned fixed pins  116  that extend from opposite ends of the rotatable slat into a first set of holes  118  in the end pieces, enabling the slat to rotate between a closed position and an open position in which there is at least one opening between the slats that is wide enough for the axle to be grasped to lift the organizer. The rotatable slat can be locked in either the open position or the closed position by a second set of locking pins  120 . It is locked into the closed position when the second set of locking pins are extended into the second set of holes  122  (as shown in  FIG. 21 ). It is locked into the open position when the second set of locking pins are extended into the third set of holes  124  (as shown in  FIG. 22 ). 
         [0090]      FIG. 22  is a top view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, with the rotatable slat on top in an open position, showing the axle  114 . The axle passes through holes in the end pieces, and is removably retained by the wing nuts  94  on its ends and by headed locking pins  119  that pass through holes  121  in the axle adjacent to the end pieces. The headed locking pins are removably retained on the axle by their heads  123  and by cotter pins  125  passing through holes in ends opposite their heads. 
         [0091]      FIG. 23  is a sectional view along line  23 - 23  in  FIG. 21 . The rotatable slat  184  is show in a closed position in solid lines, and in an open position in dashed lines. The cotter pin  125  is shown passing through a hole  126  in the headed locking pin  119 . 
         [0092]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the organizer with the removable slats removed. 
         [0093]      FIG. 25  is a detail view of a removable slat, showing its T-shaped cavity  128 . 
         [0094]      FIG. 26  is a detail view of a retention member, showing the end tabs  130  that fit into the rectangular holes in the end pieces. 
         [0095]    The preferred embodiments of the invention may be used in a method of organizing items, comprising the steps of sorting the items, and placing the items in the containers that are attached to the slats. The slats may then be rotated around the axle to select one of the containers. If the first preferred embodiment is used, there may be the further steps of unscrewing one or more of the jars from their lids, removing some of the items from the jars, and screwing the jars back onto their lids. If the second preferred embodiment is used, there may be the further steps of snapping lids of one or more of the containers open, removing some of the items from the containers, and snapping the lids of the containers shut. There may also be the further steps of removing wing nuts from ends of the axle, grasping the axle to lift the slats and containers out of the mounting bracket, grasping the axle to lower the slats and containers back into the mounting bracket, and reattaching the wing nuts to the ends of axle. In either embodiment, there may be the further step of using handles extending from a rim of at least one of the circular end pieces to rotate the organizer. 
         [0096]    The mounting bracket may be attached to a wall, ceiling or other surface of a building, to a surface of a vehicle, to any other suitable surface, or it may be attached to any two of such surfaces. 
         [0097]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.