Abstract:
A hanging jewelry safe is disclosed that is disguised as a garment bag that can hang from and be secured to a closet rod. The hanging jewelry safe has loops, pouches, and/or pockets inside for holding jewelry and/or other valuable items. The hanging jewelry safe can be hung on and anchored to a closet rod in a folded, zipped, and locked configuration, and can be unlocked, unzipped, and unfolded into a double hanging arrangement for easy loading and unloading of jewelry and/or other valuables. The hanging jewelry safe maintains jewelry and/or other valuables in a substantially secured state, because the safe can be locked, anchored to a closet rod, and disguised due to its resemblance to a garment bag that appears to contain garments instead of jewelry and/or other valuables.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is based on the provisional application Ser. No. 61/672,266 filed Jul. 16, 2012, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference, in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to safes, and particularly to safes that are disguised as something else. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Conventionally, there are a number of ways to store and protect jewelry and other valuables. Some, such as jewelry boxes, or racks kept on dresser tops, or other readily accessible locations, are very convenient but are easily noticed and are often the first targets of thieves. Others, such as conventional safes, lockboxes, etc. are more secure, but attract undue attention, and are less convenient when retrieval of the jewelry or other items is desired. There are also small items for holding valuables, which appear to have other functions, so that thieves may tend to overlook them while searching for valuables. These include, for instance, hollowed out books or other items that appear to be common objects like soda cans, electric wall outlets, or product dispensers, but may actually be used to hold valuable items. However, these generally are not ideal for various reasons, including insufficient convenience, inconvenient security, and inability to hold enough valuables. Another problem with many of these items is that they appear to have little commercial value in themselves, so that they may be easily and perhaps accidentally discarded by housekeepers, spouses, children, or even absentmindedly by their owners. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A hanging jewelry safe disguised as a garment bag is disclosed and claimed which is large enough to hold a sizeable quantity of jewelry and/or other valuable items, which is also very convenient in day-to-day use so as to facilitate storage and retrieval of the jewelry, yet does not appear to be a place where valuables are stored, and does not look like something to be discarded even when empty, and nevertheless provides real security against thieves. 
         [0005]    A general aspect of the invention is a hanging jewelry safe for storing valuables. The hanging jewelry safe includes: a storage section substantially similar in appearance to a conventional garment bag, the storage section including a first storage side and a second storage side, the first storage side and second storage side being connected in bi-folded relationship such that from a folded, zipped, and locked configuration, the storage section can be unlocked, unzipped, and unfolded into an opened configuration so as to reveal the contents of each storage side; and a hook section, securely attached to the storage section, the hook section being capable of hanging from a closet rod, and being lockable onto the closet rod so as to prevent removal of the hook section from the closet rod when the hook section is locked. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the storage section includes at least one of: pockets, pouches, and loops for storing jewelry and other valuables. In some embodiments, the second storage side includes: a hook for supporting the second storage side from the closet rod when the storage section has been unfolded into the opened configuration. In further embodiments, the hook is rotatably coupled to the second storage side such that it is rotatable about two axes. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the hook section that is securely attached to the storage section is also rotatably attached to the storage section. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the hook section includes: a locking device capable of locking the hook section closed so that the hook section cannot be easily removed from the closet rod without use of a key or combination. In further embodiments, the locking device includes a hinged locking plate having a lockable post, and a post access slot through the hook section for receiving the lockable post, the lockable post having a lock hole through which a lock can be inserted so as to prevent the lockable post from being removed from the post access slot. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the storage section includes a zipper assembly, the zipper assembly including a zipper tab, the zipper tab having a zipper tab hole for receiving a lockable post, the lockable post having a lock hole through which a lock can be inserted so as to prevent the lockable post from being removed from the zipper tab hole. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the hook section includes: a locking device capable of locking the hook section closed and locking the zipper assembly closed so that the hook section cannot be easily removed from the closet rod and so that the zipper assembly cannot be opened without use of a key or combination. In further embodiments, the locking device includes: a hinged locking plate having a lockable post; and a post access slot through the hook section for receiving the lockable post, wherein the zipper assembly includes: a zipper tab having a zipper tab hole for receiving the lockable post, and wherein the lockable post has a lock hole through which a lock can be inserted so as to prevent the lockable post from being removed from the post access slot, and to prevent the lockable post from being removed from the zipper tab hole. 
         [0011]    Another general aspect of the invention is a hanging jewelry safe for storing valuables, the hanging jewelry safe including: means for storing, substantially similar in appearance to a conventional garment bag, the means for storing including a first storage side and a second storage side, the first storage side and second storage side being connected in bi-folded relationship such that from a folded, zipped, and locked configuration, the storage section can be unlocked, unzipped, and unfolded into an opened configuration so as to reveal the contents of each storage side; and means for hooking, securely attached to the means for storing, the means for hooking being capable of hanging from a closet rod, and being lockable onto the closet rod so as to prevent removal of the means for hooking from the closet rod when the means for hooking is locked. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the means for storing includes at least one of: pockets, pouches, and loops for storing jewelry and other valuables. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the second storage side includes: second means for hooking also being for supporting the second storage side from the closet rod when the means for storing has been unfolded into the opened configuration. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the means for hooking that is securely attached to the means for storing is also rotatably attached to the means for storing. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the means for hooking includes: means for locking closed the means for hooking so that the means for hooking cannot be easily removed from the closet rod without use of a key or combination. In further embodiments, the means for locking includes a hinged locking plate having a lockable post, and a post access slot through the means for hooking being for receiving the lockable post, the lockable post having a lock hole through which a lock can be inserted so as to prevent the lockable post from being removed from the post access slot. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the means for storing includes a zipper means, the zipper means including a zipper tab, the zipper tab having a zipper tab hole for receiving a lockable post, the lockable post having a lock hole through which a lock can be inserted so as to prevent the lockable post from being removed from the zipper tab hole. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the means for hooking includes: means for locking closed the means for hooking, and locking closed the zipper means so that the means for hooking cannot be easily removed from the closet rod, and so that the zipper means cannot be opened without use of a key or combination. In further embodiments, the means for locking includes: a hinged locking plate having a lockable post; and a post access slot through the means for hooking being for receiving the lockable post, wherein the zipper means includes: a zipper tab having a zipper tab hole for receiving the lockable post, and wherein the lockable post has a lock hole through which a lock can be inserted so as to prevent the lockable post from being removed from the post access slot, and to prevent the lockable post from being removed from the zipper tab hole. 
         [0018]    Another general aspect of the invention is a method of making a hanging jewelry safe disguised as a garment bag. The method includes providing a storage section that resembles a typical garment bag, the storage section including a first storage side, a second storage side, and a gusset connecting the first storage side to the second storage side, the gusset being operable to allow the second storage side to fold over the first storage side into a closed configuration, and being operable to allow the first and second storage sides to unfold into an open configuration; providing the storage section with a zipper for sealing the hanging jewelry safe when in the closed configuration by joining the first storage side to the second storage side; and affixing a plurality of jewelry-holding compartments within the storage section. 
         [0019]    The hanging safe of the invention enables valuables such as jewelry to be secured within what appears to be a typical garment bag that can hang inside of a clothes closet, for example. The hanging jewelry safe can be closed and locked so that it is difficult to open to be searched. The hanging jewelry safe of the invention cannot be easily removed from the rod upon which it hangs in the closet. The hanging jewelry safe of the invention has convenient receptacles for placing and organizing jewelry and other valuables in various locations throughout the safe for easy access by the user. The hanging jewelry safe of the invention can be securely hung in a closed configuration from a closet rod in a closet, and can be opened and hung in an opened configuration for easy access to the contents of the safe, without removing the safe from the closet rod. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0020]    The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the detailed description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  depicts a front view of various types of hanging storage devices of the prior art hanging on a closet rod, along with an embodiment of the hanging jewelry safe of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an upper portion of an embodiment of the hanging jewelry safe of the invention hanging on a closet rod in a rotational orientation so as to resemble how a typical garment bag hangs on the closet rod so as not to take up space along the closet rod. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the hanging jewelry safe of  FIG. 2A , in a rotational orientation so as to facilitate opening the hanging jewelry safe, and then easy access to the contents of the hanging jewelry safe. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2C  is a close-up perspective view of the hook portion of an embodiment of the hanging jewelry safe of the invention hanging on a closet rod. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3A  is a frontal view of an embodiment of the hanging jewelry safe of the invention in an open configuration. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3B  is a close up view of a secondary hook portion of an embodiment of the hanging jewelry safe of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a close-up view of one of the sides of the hanging jewelry safe of the invention, showing some of the storage compartments therein. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of using an embodiment of the hanging jewelry safe of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , various storage devices may be found and used in a closet, suspendable from a closet rod  102  that is typically used for suspending clothing from hangers. One example is a shoe organizer  110 , which utilizes a conventional method in which several pairs of shoes may be hung in a successive vertical array constructor from fabric or other material. Another example is an apparel organizer  112 , in which several successive vertical compartments are available for stacking various items of apparel which may be folded and placed on a shelf like platforms in the apparel organizer. 
         [0030]    Also in  FIG. 1  can be seen a typical garment bag  114 , used for protectively holding a suit, dress, or other garment. Next to it can be seen an embodiment of the hanging jewelry safe  120  of the invention, which hangs from the closet rod  102  by a secure hook  122 , and has a storage section  124  for storing jewelry and other valuables. Seen from the outside, the hanging jewelry safe  120  of the invention substantially resembles the typical garment bag  114 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , the hanging jewelry safe  120  can be suspended in a storage configuration from the closet rod  102  by the secure hook  122  that may be held securely on the closet rod  102  by a padlock  230  or other locking device. The storage section  124  of the hanging jewelry safe  120  may be opened or closed by securing means, for example by a zipper  210  opened and closed by means of a zipper pull  215 . In other possible embodiments, lockable clasps, straps, or other securing means may be used to keep the hanging jewelry safe closed. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 2B , the storage section  124  of the hanging jewelry safe  120  is shown rotated before being opened. It can be seen that the storage section  124  is rotatably affixed to the secure hook  122 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 2C  shows a possible embodiment the secure hook  122  section in more detail. The secure hook  122  may be rotatably secured to the storage section  124  by a connecting swivel or barrel (not shown) in such fashion that the storage section  124  is not easily detachable from the secure hook  122 . The zipper pull tab  215  of the zipper  210  has a hole through it. A lockable post  220 , having a lock hole  221  through it, may be sized to fit through a post access slot  225  that may pass through a bottom portion of the secure hook  122 . The lockable post  220  may be integral with or securely fastened to a latch plate  240  that may be rotatably attached to the secure hook  122  by a hinge device (not shown). 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 3A , the hanging jewelry safe  120  is shown in an open configuration. A first storage side  311  of the storage section  124  remains secured to the closet rod  102  by the secure hook  122 . A second storage side  312  of the storage section  124  may be supported from the closet rod  102  by a secondary hook  310 . 
         [0035]    Ideally, the closet rod  102  should be supported by a set of closet flanges (not shown) (or other closet rod mounting system) that cannot be easily removed from the walls of the closet, and also the closet flanges should not allow quick or easy removal of the closet rod  102  from the closet flanges. For example, the screws that secure the closet rod  102  to the walls of the closet can be tamper-resistant one-way screws that can be screwed inward to secure the closet flange but cannot be unscrewed with a standard screw driver. The more difficult it is to remove the closet rod  102  from the walls of the closet, the less likely a thief will abscond with the safe  120  and its contents. 
         [0036]    The first storage side  311  and the second storage side  312  may be connected by a gusset  314  between them that allows the two storage sides  311 ,  312  of the storage section  124  to fold over one upon the other. The first and second storage sites  311 ,  312  may be substantially rectangular in shape as necessary to mimic the shape of a conventional garment storage bag that may be hung in a closet. Of course, “substantially rectangular” as used here includes deviations from a strict rectangular shape, such as a tapered semi-triangular shape to mimic the shape of a typical clothes hanger, such as is shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         [0037]    The gusset  314  may be a separate piece of fabric or other flexible material, or a hinged metal unit or other rigid material fitted with a hinging device, that is sewn, riveted, bolted, screwed, or otherwise secured to the two storage sides  311 ,  312 , respectively. The gusset  314  may also be a weave or other material by which the two storage sides  311 ,  312  are flexibly sewn together. Alternatively, the first and second storage sides  311 ,  312  may be formed from a single piece of material, in which case the gusset  314  may be considered to be a common area between the two sides that is flexible enough for the two storage sides  311 ,  312  to fold over one upon the other. 
         [0038]    Mirrors  320  may be secured to the first and second storage sections. Various jewelry holding compartments can be affixed to the first and second storage sections, for example apparatus for earring-holding apparatus  322 , ring-holding apparatus  324 , pouches  326 , which may be transparent, for holding small items, bracelet-holding apparatus  328 , and necklace-holding apparatus  330 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 3B , the secondary hook  310  may be multi-rotatably affixed to the top of a second storage side  312  of the storage section  124 . The secondary hook  310  can be vertically rotated  362  about a horizontal axis pivot  352  to a downward position  364  to be out of the way for when the storage section  124  is closed, and can be vertically rotated  362  upward and rotated horizontally  360  about a vertical axis pivot  350  in order to more easily hang on the closet rod  102 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a close-up of the various storage apparatus that may be used on either the first and/or second sides of the storage section  124  is seen. In these drawings, hash lines represent areas where material of the various apparatus are secured by, for example, sewing or stitching  400 , to the side of the storage section  124 . (In this description we will assume sewing or stitching is a method used to secure the various apparatus, but other methods of affixing, for example bonding, riveting, etc. may be used. In the disclosed embodiment fabric, plastic, or leather pieces may be discussed as being used for the various straps, flaps, or other configurations of the storage apparatus, but other suitable materials may be used as well. Some possible apparatus will now be discussed. 
         [0041]    A flap of leather or other material acting as an earring-holding apparatus  322  may be stitched at its top to the storage section  124  and hang down therefrom. Holes in the material may act as stud holes for inserting earrings. A strap of leather or other material acting as a ring-holding apparatus  324  may be stitched on one side to the storage section  124 . Rings may be placed onto the strap in order to hold them, and the other side of the strap removably secured, for example by a snap, to the storage section  124  to keep the rings secure and in place. 
         [0042]    Pouches  326  can be sewn onto the storage section  124  with stitching on three sides, but with the top open, so that small valuables and other items can be placed into the pouches for storage. In some embodiments the material used may be plastic or other transparent material, so that the nature of the items placed therein can be ascertained by the user. 
         [0043]    Larger straps  328  acting as bracelet-holding and/or wristwatch-holding apparatus may be sewn onto the storage section  124  in a way similar to that of the ring-holding apparatus  324 , but correspondingly larger. Additional snaps may be used because of the larger size of the straps. Vertically oriented strap-hooks  430 , for example strong leather or fabric loops, may be used for holding necklaces. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 4 , the strap-hooks  430  are loops that start and are secured (by steps, for instance) at the top, so that the bottom of the loop access a strap-hook to hold necklaces or other similarly sized and shaped items. Preferably, the storage section  124  extends far enough below the strap-hooks  430  so that the necklaces, etc. have room to hang. 
         [0044]    The possible functions and usage of the various embodiments of the invention can be more easily understood in light of the following discussion. 
         [0045]      FIG. 1  shows the hanging jewelry safe  120  and a conventional garment bag  114  hanging side-by-side. These two examples are both readily recognized for their storage functions when viewed within a closet. Unlike the conventional examples however, it is not readily apparently that the hanging jewelry safe  120  is anything other than just another garment bag  114 . This provides a first level of security in that it is not readily apparent that the hanging jewelry safe  120  contains any valuables, so someone rummaging through the closet will likely assume that it contains only one or more articles of clothing. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the hanging jewelry safe  120  can hang from the closet rod  102  like any ordinary garment bag  114 . Referring to  FIG. 2C , to place the secure hook  122  of the hanging jewelry safe  120  onto the closet rod  102 , the latch plate  240  with lockable post  220  is rotatably attached to the secure hook  122  by either a free-hanging hinge or a spring-loaded hinge assembly. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 2C , to place the secure hook  122  onto the closet rod  102 , the latch plate  240  is pushed inward so that it rotates up toward the top of the secure hook  122 , thereby allowing the user to move the secure hook  122  over the closet rod  102  so that it is under the latch plate  240 . Then the user can raise the hanging jewelry safe  120  upward so that the closet rod  102  is in a lower cavity  250  of the secure hook  122 , in which position the latch plate  240  can be rotated back downward (assuming a spring-loaded hinge assembly is used the latch plate  240  will conveniently snap into place) so that the lockable post  220  attached to the latch plate  240  can pass through the post access slot  225 . Then the hanging jewelry safe  120  can be lowered so that the secure hook  122  is resting on and is supported by the closet rod  102 . 
         [0048]    Once the secure hook  122  is correctly hanging from the closet rod  102 , with the lockable post  220  protruding all the way through the post access slot  225 , the zipper  210  can be closed by means of the zipper tab  215 , and when the zipper  210  is fully closed, the zipper tab  215  can be positioned so that the lockable post  220  passes through the zipper tab hole  217  in the zipper tab  215 . In this position, the padlock  230  can be passed through the lock hole  210  in the lockable post  220  and locked, thereby securely capturing both the latch plate  240  and the zipper tab  215 . This embodiment utilizing a padlock  230  is one way to anchor and lock the hanging jewelry safe  120 . Once the lockable post  220  is locked, the hanging jewelry safe  120  cannot be removed from the closet rod  102  and the zipper  210  cannot be opened, and as a result, the contents of the hanging jewelry safe  120  cannot be examined without unlocking the padlock  230 . 
         [0049]    Not only is security provided by the hanging jewelry safe  120 , embodiments of the hanging jewelry safe  120  provide convenience of use as well. For example, the hanging jewelry safe  120  can be opened and its contents examined and accessed even while it is still supported by the closet rod  102 , by a general method outlined in  FIG. 5 . To show an example of how this can be done, first the secure hook  122  is unlocked  505 , which in the illustrated embodiment would be performed by unlocking the padlock  230  and removing the zipper tab  215  from the lockable post  220 . Then the storage section  124  may be rotated  510  by rotating it relative to the secure hook  122  for examination, for instance as shown in  FIG. 2B . Then the zipper  210  can be unzipped  515  and then the storage section  124  can be opened  520 , as shown in  FIG. 3A  for instance. Once in this position, with reference to  FIG. 3B , the secondary hook  310 , which hangs down from the top of the second storage side  312  while the hanging jewelry safe  120  is closed, can be attached  525  to the closet rod  102  as follows. The secondary hook  310  can be rotated upward around the horizontal axis pivot  352  and then rotated around the vertical axis pivot  350 , so that it can engage the closet rod  102  to support the second storage side  312 , so that the entire interior of the hanging jewelry safe  120  can be examined and accessed  530 , as shown in  FIG. 3A  for instance. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 3A and 4  show one possible embodiment and arrangements for various apparatus for storing different types of valuables, as previously described. 
         [0051]    Another benefit of the hanging jewelry safe  120  is that not only can it be used to securely hide and store valuable items in a closet, it is also portable and since it looks outwardly like a typical garment bag, it could even be used to transport valuables while traveling and can be easily overlooked by baggage handlers and others who are illicitly searching for valuables in checked luggage, moving trucks, automobile trunks, etc. 
         [0052]    Various materials can be used for the various parts of the invention. For example, any or all of the secure hook  122 , zipper tab  215 , lockable post  220 , etc. can be made of a sturdy metal, such as steel or brass, but alternate embodiments are possible in which sturdy fabric, leather, etc. may be used to construct these parts. Similarly, the various valuable-holding apparatuses can be made of various types of flexible and/or rigid materials including leather, fabric, plastics, and even metal. 
         [0053]    Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the following claims.