Abstract:
Organizational and storage problems with multiple pieces of jewelry and accessories often result in clutter and tangling of those items. This invention solves the problem by having jewelry and accessories lay on a flat plane providing a quick glance of possessions with ease of accessibility. The organizing and storage system according to the present invention can be placed on a horizontal plane and a hung on a vertical plane such as a wall as well. The system of the present invention is simple in construction and inexpensive in production.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/419,633 filed on Dec. 3, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an organizing and storage system to hold multiple types of jewelry and accessories onto a fabric encased foam storage pad backed by a lightweight backing. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Organizational and storage problems with multiple pieces of jewelry and accessories often result in clutter and tangling of those items. Storage devices such as jewelry boxes and other bulky or massive structures that one uses to hold jewelry or accessories are known in the art. These jewelry cushions typically include a layer of sponge material mounted on a rigid backing layer surrounded by an outer cloth layer cushion. However, most of these storage devices suffer from the limitations that they need to lie on a horizontal surface (they cannot be placed in a vertical position because the jewelry or accessories often falls off of the cushion) thus occupying horizontal space which can be used for other purposes. Often times, the jewelry storage devices have multiple compartments one on top of another. This setup does not provide a quick glance of possessions with ease of accessibility. 
         [0006]    Some of the prior art references attempted to address part of these concerns but they do not resolve all of the problems. More specifically, by way of example, the U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,948 to Rainey discloses a jewelry storage device for holding and displaying jewelry which includes a multilayered jewelry cushion for receiving and holding the posts of jewelry and a transparent carrying case for receiving the jewelry cushion. Although the device is intended to improve the jewelry storage function when the device is carried in a vertical position, the device doesn&#39;t have a hook on its back and is not meant to be hung on a wall. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,953 discloses a flexible jewelry display, storage and transportation device includes a flexible screen or mesh for receiving the shaft or hook-like structures of jewelry items for display or storage. The mesh is surrounded by a flexible decorative fabric frame whereby the entire assembly and is intended to be rolled into cylindrical configuration for storage or transportation of an inventory of jewelry items. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,905,821 and 4,687,103 to Corbett disclose a rectangular device for displaying or storing jewelry. The device provides a panel of woven material or mesh stretched within a plane and mounted to the rectangular frame. The post or hook of a jewelry item such as a pierced earring is inserted through the mesh. The display device may be held in an upright position on a horizontal surface by a back support leg or on a vertical surface in the fashion of a picture frame. The use is limited to any jewelry that has at least one pin-like shaft, post or hook. It does not teach use for jewelry without a pin-like shaft, post or hook such as a necklace. The construction is more complex than necessary if the device is only for organizing and storing purpose. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,311,235 to Titus discloses a jewelry tray having apertures for receiving the post portion of the decorative body of the earring. The device is not designed to be hung on a vertical plane to store necklace. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,008,029 to Aclin discloses a wall suspended case for receiving and storing jewelry, where the suspended case includes at least a pair of hinged sections. The device appears as a framed picture, painting or portrait in a closed position, while in the pivoted position reveals a plurality of necklace and bracelet mounting hooks, and a series of free hanging mesh strips for easily mounting and retrieving earrings of the type having either a looped hook or a post and lock. This device is provided to offer security and thus, the construction is more complex than necessary if the device is only for organizing and storing purpose. 
         [0011]    Therefore, there exists a need for a organizing and storage system for multiple jewelry and accessories that provides a quick glance of possessions with ease of accessibility, ease of use, can be placed on a horizontal plane and hung on a vertical plane such as a wall as well, can be used for jewelry and accessories with and without pin-like post, shaft or hook and is simple in construction and inexpensive in production. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an organizing and storage device for multiple types of jewelry and accessories that can be placed on a horizontal plane and hung on a vertical plane as well. 
         [0013]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an organizing storage device for multiple types of jewelry and accessories that has jewelry and accessories lay out on a flat or vertical plane providing a quick glance of possessions with ease of accessibility. 
         [0014]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an organizing and storage device for multiple types of jewelry and accessories that is simple in construction and relatively inexpensive to produce. 
         [0015]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an organizing storage system that can organize multiple types of jewelry including jewelry with pin-like shaft, post or hook such as earrings, and jewelry without pin-like shaft, post or hook such as necklace or bracelet. The attachment of jewelry to the organizing storage system does not need special fasteners or ports for allowing fastening of the jewelry. 
         [0016]    In one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the organizing storage system when placed on a horizontal plane comprises the following components: a front fabric layer, a middle foam layer, a rear lightweight backing layer and a fastening means such as a hook to support the storage system on a vertical plane such as a wall. The same device when place on a horizontal plane, the front fabric layer will be on the top of the device and the rear lightweight backing layer will be on the bottom of the device. The fabric layer is the front outermost component of the storage system that makes contact with user&#39;s items placed on the storage system and should be of loose enough woven material to allow penetration by posts or hooks common to earring backings. The foam, having a tight dense construction, holds in place any item penetrating it. It provides padding for the surfaces of jewelry and accessories. 
         [0017]    The lightweight backing provides a measure of rigidity to the storage system also providing a soft padded contact when stacking multiple storage systems along with a stiff base for mounting the hook. The lightweight backing also provides a barrier and stopping point to any item penetrating the foam. The storage system further comprises a fastening means such as a hook to support the system when hung on a wall. Thus the system can be placed on a horizontal surface and hung on a vertical plane as well. The system is simple in construction and relatively inexpensive to produce. 
         [0018]    The jewelry with a pin-like post or hook such as earrings can be held to the system by piercing through the fabric and foam using the posts or hooks of the earrings. Other fashion accessories without a pin-like post or hook such as necklaces may be held to the system by a push pins, safety pins, or other fastening means. An advantage of this storage system of the present invention is that there are no predetermined fasteners or ports allowing for item placement and the fastening means used to hold the items to the system are at the user&#39;s discretion. 
         [0019]    The system has jewelry and accessories lay out on a flat or vertical plane providing a quick glance of possessions with ease of accessibility. The system may further comprise a transparent lid for covering the front fabric layer to protect jewelry from dust. 
         [0020]    The organizing and storage system can not only be used to organize and store jewelry and fashion accessories, it can be used in different settings for organizing other types of items, such as fishing tools in the garage, etc. 
         [0021]    The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
         [0022]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0023]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0024]    The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals. 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective front view of an organizing storage system for jewelry and accessories according to the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a perspective front view of an organizing and storage system of  FIG. 1  with the foam layer revealed on the right bottom angle. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a perspective rear view of the organizing storage system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view along the line  1 - 1  of the organizing storage system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  demonstrates the display of jewelry in the organizing storage system according to the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the components forming the organizing and storage system for jewelry and accessories according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is disclosed a front perspective view of an organizing and storage system  2  for jewelry and accessories according to the present invention. The storage system  2  can hold multiple types of jewelry and accessories onto its fabric encased foam storage pad backed by a light-weight backing. The storage system  2  comprises the following components: a front fabric layer  4 , a middle foam layer  6  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), a rear lightweight backing  8  and a fastening means  10  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) such as a hook to support the device  2  when the device is hung on a vertical plane such as a wall. The same device  2  when placed on a horizontal plane, the front fabric layer  4  will be on the top of the device  2  and the rear lightweight backing layer  8  will be on the bottom of the device  2 . The fabric  4  is the front outermost component of the storage system  2  that makes contact with user&#39;s items placed on the storage system  2  and should be of loose enough woven material to allow penetration by posts or hooks common to earring backings. The foam  6 , having a tight dense construction, holds in place any item penetrating it. It provides padding for the surfaces of jewelry and accessories. It may comprise any soft material known in the art, including but not limited to polyurethane, rubber, textile, or any soft synthetic material. The foam  6  is revealed in  FIG. 2  which also shows a front view of the storage system  2  but the fabric  4  in the right bottom corner is removed in this figure. 
         [0033]    The rear view of the storage system is shown in  FIG. 3 , wherein the backing  8  provides a measure of rigidity to the storage system  2  also providing a soft padded contact when stacking multiple storage systems along with a stiff base for mounting the hook  10 . The backing  8  also provides a barrier and stopping point to any item penetrating the foam  6 . The backing  8  may be made from any light-weight sturdy material known in the art including but not limited to cork, wood, cardboard, or other light-weight synthetic material. The hook  10  supports the storage system  2  when the storage system  2  is hung on a vertical plane such as a wall. The hook  10  may comprise metal, rope, or any material suitable to hold the weight of the storage system  2  on a fastener attached to said vertical plane. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is disclosed a sectional view along the line  1 - 1  of the storage system  2  in  FIG. 1 . The fabric  4  is preferably connected to the foam  6  wrapping around the foam  6 . Any connections described in this application may include but are not limited to adhesive materials such as glue or adhesive tape. In one embodiment, the fabric  4  is connected under the foam  6  where the fabric  4  wraps around the foam  6 . Then the wrapped around foam is connected to the top of the backing  8 . In another embodiment, the bottom of the foam  6  is attached to the top of the backing  8 . The hook  10  is connected to the rear of the backing  8 . 
         [0035]    The organizing and storage system  2  has different shapes, such as a rectangular and round shape, etc., preferably, a rectangular shape. The storage system  2  has different sizes, approximately 7-15 inches wide, 9-15 inches long, preferably 14 inches wide and 14 inches long. The storage system  2  is used to hold jewelry and accessories in place either horizontally or vertically on top of the storage system  2 . To hold items vertically, such as earrings, the posts or hooks on the back of earrings penetrate through the fabric  4  and foam  6  with the posts or hooks themselves being the fastening device held in place by the fabric  4  and foam  6 . Items such as necklaces can be held in place on storage system  2  by way of penetrating the front or side of storage system  2  with push pins and hanging the item from protruding portion of the push pin. When the storage system  2  is laid on a horizontal surface, jewelry and accessories can be hooked or placed on the horizontal soft padded surface of the fabric  4  and foam  6 .  FIG. 5  demonstrates how the storage system  2  is used to organize and store jewelry in a vertical position by hanging the system  2  on a wall and the jewelry are attached to the system by the post or hook of the jewelry or external push pins. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of the storage system  2  where each components are clearly observed. To make this storage system  2 , one could first provide the elements, including the fabric  4 , the foam  6 , the backing  8  and the hook  10 . Then one can wrap the fabric  4  around the foam  6  on its front side  61  and/or four lateral sides  62  and/or the rear side  63 . The fabric  4  and the foam  6  could be connected using glue and/or other adhesives and/or other connecting means e.g. sewn. Finally, one can connect the bottom  63  of the foam  6  to the front side  81  of the lightweight backing  8  using glue and/or other adhesives and/or other connecting means e.g. sewn to produce the storage system  2  shown in the drawing. A hook  10  is placed on the rear side  82  of the backing  8  to produce a storage system  2  for hanging on the wall. 
         [0037]    A person would use the storage system  2  in the following way if used vertically. First she would hang the storage system  2  from the hook  10  on a fastener, such as a nail, on a wall. She would also ensure that the storage system  2  is hung straight and leveled. Next she would penetrate the fabric  4  and then the foam  6  with a piece of jewelry or accessory leaving the jewelry or accessory connected to the storage system  2  held in place by the fabric  4  and the foam  6 . A person would use the storage system  2  in the following way if used horizontally. First she would sit the storage system  2  horizontally on a flat level plane with the backing  8  and hook  10  making contact with the plane. She would then place jewelry and accessories on to the fabric  4  top portion of the storage system  2 . 
         [0038]    The storage system  2  can further comprises a transparent lid to cover the front fabric sheet  4  where the jewelry are attached to for protecting the jewelry from dust. Another advantage of this system  2  of the present invention is that there are no predetermined fasteners or ports allowing for item placement and the fastening means used to hold the items to the system  2  is at the user&#39;s discretion. 
         [0039]    In another embodiment, the system  2  may comprise the backing  8  as the front side of the storage system  2  by way of fasteners e.g. thumb tacks for attaching items such as paper notes. In an alternative embodiment, the foam  6  and backing  8  can be used without the fabric  4  front layer to hold items in place. In another embodiment, the fabric  4  and the foam  6  can be used without the backing  8  and attached to a vertical surface with fasteners such as nails. In another embodiment, the fabric  4  can be attached to the backing  8  without the foam  6  for purposes of holding earrings or accessories with hooks penetrating the fabric  4 . 
         [0040]    The storage system  2  can be used in an office environment. One could post papers, thumb tacks, or items that penetrate and be held with components of the storage system  2 . In a garage, things such as fishing tackle, nails, hooks, and tacks can be attached to storage system  2 . In an arts and crafts setting, things such as push pins, needles of all kinds, knitting hooks can be attached to storage system  2 . 
         [0041]    While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled.