Patent Publication Number: US-7712848-B1

Title: Storage device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to storage apparatus used for storing personal items and for reducing clutter. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The need to reduce clutter in personal spaces has produced many innovative storage solutions, including a wide variety of closet organizers, storage containers, storage bins, compartmented storage assemblies, and the like. Because personal workspaces, desktops, dresser tops, and other similar areas are particularly prone to accumulate clutter, a variety of specialized tabletop storage devices have been developed that are designed to be placed on tabletops and used to hold and organize items such as jewelry, letters, pens and pencils, scissors, and the like. Although tabletop storage devices have enjoyed considerable attention by devoted artisans, existing tabletop storage devices have little or no utility apart from the primary functions of organizing and storing items, and are aesthetically unpleasing. Given these and other deficiencies in the art, there is a continuing and ongoing need for further improvement in the art of storage devices. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to the invention, a storage device includes a base defining a top and an opposed bottom, a storage space formed between the top and the bottom, and an opening into the storage space formed between the top and the bottom. A first panel is pivotally attached to the base and to a second a second panel. The first and second panels pivot between a stored position including the first panel positioned against the top of the base and second panel positioned against the first panel, and a closed position including the first panel positioned against the top of the base and the second panel received against the base overlying the opening into the storage space. The first and second panels further pivot into a display position between the stored and closed positions including the first and second panels forming an A-shaped structure overlying the top of the base. A drawer is mounted to the base for movement between a first position in the storage space and a second position extending outwardly from the storage space through the opening. In the closed position of the first and second panels and the first position of the drawer the second panel encloses the drawer in the storage space. 
   According to the invention, a storage device includes a base defining a top and an opposed bottom, a storage space formed between the top and the bottom, and an opening into the storage space between the top and the bottom. A first panel has a first inner end and an opposed first outer end, a first inner face and an opposed first outer face. A second panel has a second inner end and an opposed second outer end, a second inner face and an opposed second outer face. A first hinged attachment is formed between the first inner end of the first panel and the base adjacent to the top, and a second hinged attachment is formed between the first outer end of the first panel and the second inner end of the second panel. The first and second panels are movable at the first and second hinged attachments between a stored position, a display position, and a closed position. The stored position includes the first inner face of the first panel positioned against the top, the inner face of the second panel positioned against the first outer face of the first panel, and the second outer face of the second panel facing outwardly forming a first display face. The closed position includes the first inner face of the first panel positioned against the top of the base, the second outer face of the second panel received against the base overlying the opening into the storage space, the second inner face of the second panel projecting outwardly forming a second display face, and the first outer face of the first panel facing outwardly forming a third display face. The display position includes the first and second panels forming an A-shaped structure overlying the top of the base including the second outer end of the second panel frictionally engaging the top of the base adjacent to the opening into the storage space, the second inner face of the second panel and the first outer face of the first panel each projecting upwardly and outwardly forming fourth and fifth display faces, respectively. 
   According to the invention, a storage device includes a base defining a top and an opposed bottom, a storage space formed between the top and the bottom, and an opening into the storage space between the top and the bottom. A drawer is mounted to the base for movement between a first position in the storage space and a second position extending outwardly from the storage space through the opening into the storage space. A first panel has a first inner end and an opposed first outer end, a first inner face and an opposed first outer face. A second panel has a second inner end and an opposed second outer end, a second inner face and an opposed second outer face. A first hinged attachment is formed between the first inner end of the first panel and the base adjacent to the top, and a second hinged attachment is formed between the first outer end of the first panel and the second inner end of the second panel. The first and second panels are movable at the first and second hinged attachments between a stored position, a display position, and a closed position. The stored position includes the first inner face of the first panel positioned against the top, the inner face of the second panel positioned against the first outer face of the first panel, and the second outer face of the second panel facing outwardly forming a first display face. In the second position of the drawer the closed position includes the first inner face of the first panel positioned against the top of the base, the second outer face of the second panel received against the base overlying the opening enclosing the storage space and the drawer positioned in the storage space in the second position of the drawer, the second inner face of the second panel projecting outwardly forming a second display face, and the first outer face of the first panel facing outwardly forming a third display face. The display position includes the first and second panels forming an A-shaped structure overlying the top of the base including the second outer end of the second panel frictionally engaging the top of the base adjacent to the opening into the storage space, the second inner face of the second panel and the first outer face of the first panel each projecting upwardly and outwardly forming fourth and fifth display faces, respectively. 
   According to the invention, a storage device includes a base defining a top and an opposed bottom, a storage space formed between the top and the bottom, and an opening into the storage space between the top and the bottom. Drawers are each mounted to the base for movement between a first position in the storage space and a second position extending outwardly from the storage space through the opening into the storage space. A first panel has a first inner end and an opposed first outer end, a first inner face and an opposed first outer face. A second panel has a second inner end and an opposed second outer end, a second inner face and an opposed second outer face. A first hinged attachment is formed between the first inner end of the first panel and the base adjacent to the top, and a second hinged attachment is formed between the first outer end of the first panel and the second inner end of the second panel. The first and second panels are movable at the first and second hinged attachments between a stored position, a display position, and a closed position. The stored position includes the first inner face of the first panel positioned against the top, the inner face of the second panel positioned against the first outer face of the first panel, and the second outer face of the second panel facing outwardly forming a first display face. With each of the drawers disposed in the first position in the storage space, the closed position includes the first inner face of the first panel positioned against the top of the base, the second outer face of the second panel received against the base overlying the opening enclosing the storage space and the drawers positioned in the storage space in the first positions of the drawers, the second inner face of the second panel projecting outwardly forming a second display face, and the first outer face of the first panel facing outwardly forming a third display face. The display position includes the first and second panels forming an A-shaped structure overlying the top of the base including the second outer end of the second panel frictionally engaging the top of the base adjacent to the opening into the storage space, the second inner face of the second panel and the first outer face of the first panel each projecting upwardly and outwardly forming fourth and fifth display faces, respectively. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a storage device constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention, the storage device including drawers and a display structure maintained by a carcass, the display structure shown as it would appear in a stored position; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the storage device of  FIG. 1  illustrating the drawers shown as they would appear open and the display structure shown in a display position; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the storage device of  FIG. 2  with the display structure shown in the display position; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the storage device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the storage device of  FIG. 1  showing the display structure as it would appear disposed in an intermediate position between the display position of the display structure illustrated in  FIG. 2  and a closed position of the display structure closing the storage device; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the storage device of  FIG. 1  showing the display structure at it would appear in a closed position closing the storage device; 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged, fragmented perspective view of the storage device of  FIG. 1  illustrating a hinged attachment between the display structure and the carcass; and 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged, fragmented perspective view of a hinged attachment between first and second panels of the display structure of the storage device of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to  FIG. 1  in which there is seen a storage device  10  constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention including drawers  11  and a display structure  12  maintained by a carcass  13 . Carcass  13  is the main supporting structure or base of storage device  10 , and consists of opposed parallel sides  20  and  21 , a back  22  affixed to and extending therebetween sides  20  and  21 , a bottom  23  affixed to lower edges of sides  20  and  21  and back  22 , and a top  24  affixed to upper edges of sides  20  and  21  and back  22 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 4 , forward edges of sides  20  and  21 , bottom  23 , and top  24  form an opening  26  into a storage space  27  in carcass  13 , which is bound and defined by sides  20  and  21 , back  22 , bottom  23 , and top  24 . Spaced apart, parallel shelves  30  and  31  disposed in storage space  27  are affixed in place to inner surfaces of sides  20  and  21  and back  22 . Shelves  30  and  31  extend between sides  20  and  21  dividing storage space  27  into three receiving areas for drawers  11 , in which a first receiving area is defined between top  24  and shelf  30 , a second receiving area is defined between shelves  30  and  31 , and a third receiving area is defined between shelf  31  and bottom  23 . Drawers  11  are received in the receiving areas, and are each movable relative to storage space  27  between a closed position in storage space  27  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , and an open position extending outwardly from storage space  27  through opening  26  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
   Carcass  13  and drawers  11  are fashioned of wood, plastic, metal, or other substantially rigid material or combination of materials. The construction and arrangement of carcass  13  and drawers  11  is generally representative of a typical chest-of-drawers, further details of which will readily occur to one having ordinary skill in the art and will not be discussed in further detail. In accordance with the skill attributed to the skilled artisan, it will be readily understood that drawers  11  can be mounted to carcass  13  in any conventional and well-known manner for allowing them to be moved between their closed and open positions relative to storage space  27 , such as with rails, tongue-and-groove assemblies, etc. In their open positions, personal effects may be placed into drawers  11 , or retrieved from drawers, after which drawers  11  may be closed for maintaining the items held thereby in storage space  27 . 
   Drawers  11  are each fashioned with a decorative opening  14  extending through the front face thereof. Decorative openings  14 , which are referenced in  FIG. 1 , provide not only a desired decorative affect, but also function as drawer pulls for allowing drawers  11  to be easily taken upon by hand and moved between their closed and open positions. Any suitable form of drawer pulls may be used with drawers  11  without departing from the invention, including knobs and the like or other selected form of drawer pull. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , display structure  12  consists of interconnected first and second panels  40  and  41 . First and second panels  40  and  41  are flat and broad, and are substantially coextensive relative to each other, and are each of them substantially coextensive relative to top  24 . First panel  40  has an inner end  42  and an opposing outer end  43 , and second panel  41  has an inner end  44  and an opposing outer end  45 . First panel  40  has opposing inner and outer faces  40 A and  40 B, and second panel has opposing inner and outer faces  41 A and  41 B. Inner end  42  of first panel  40  is hingedly attached to carcass  13  substantially at a juncture between the upper edge of back  22  and the rear edge of top  24 , and outer end  43  of first panel  40  is, in turn, hingedly attached to inner end  44  of second panel  41 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. The hinged attachment between first panel  40  and carcass  13  and the hinged attachment between first panel  40  and second panel  41  permit the pivotal adjustment of display structure between stored, display, and closed positions. 
     FIG. 1  depicts display structure  12  as it would appear in a stored position, which consists of inner face  40 A of first panel  40  positioned flat atop top  24 , and inner face  41 A of second panel  41 , in turn, positioned flat atop outer face  40 B of first panel  40 . In the stored position, outer face  41 B of second panel  41  faces outwardly, and is capable of accommodating personal items set thereon, such as jewelry, pictures, etc. According to the principle of the invention, outer face  41 B can be configured with a picture frame or holder, for holding and displaying a selected picture. Alternatively, a picture or photograph or other selected item to be displayed may simply be mounted to outer face  41 B constituting a supporting display surface. 
   Display structure  12  is moveable at the hinged attachment points between first panel  40  and carcass  13  and between second panel  41  and first panel  40  from the stored position as shown in  FIG. 1  to a display position as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . To move display structure  12  from the stored position to the display position, first panel  40  is pivoted relative to carcass  13  at the hinged attachment therebetween upwardly away from carcass  13 , and second panel  41  is pivoted relative to first panel  40  at the hinged attachment therebetween away from first panel  41 , thereby resulting in first and second panels  40  and  41  cooperating together forming an A-shaped structure atop top  24  defining the display position of display structure  12 , according to the principle of the invention. To secure display structure  12  in the display position, outer end  45  of second panel is set onto top  24  adjacent to the outer edge of top  24  defining, in part, opening  26  into storage space  27 , in which the frictional engagement between outer end  45  of second panel  41  and top  24  secures display structure  12  in the display position, in accordance with the principle of the invention. If desired, top  24  can be configured with an abutment surface, such as a raised feature defining a raised abutment surface, or a recess defining a recessed abutment surface, against which outer end  45  of second panel  41  may be positioned for securing display structure  12  in its display position. 
   In the display position of display structure  12 , inner face  41 A projects forwardly toward drawers  11 , and provides a unique display surface in conjunction with the remaining structure features of storage device  10 . According to the principle of the invention, inner face  41 A can be configured with a picture frame or holder, for holding and displaying a selected picture in the display position of display structure. Alternatively, a picture or photograph or other selected item to be displayed may simply be mounted to inner face  41 A constituting a supporting display surface. 
   From the display position, display structure  12  can be moved into a closed position closing storage device  10  in the closed position of drawers  11 , in accordance with the principle of the invention as shown in  FIG. 6 . To move display structure  12  into the closed position from the display position, drawers  11  are positioned in their closed positions and display structure  12  is pivoted disengaging outer end  45  of second panel from top  24 , and second panel  41  is pivoted somewhat outwardly away from inner face  40 A of first panel  40 , and first panel  40  is pivoted relative to carcass  13  at the hinged attachment therebetween downwardly locating inner face  40 A of first panel  40  flat atop top  24  as shown in  FIG. 5 . At this point, second panel  41  is pivoted downwardly toward drawers  11  bringing outer face  41 B against the front end of carcass  13  overlying and concealing drawers  11  at opening  26  into storage space  27  as shown in  FIG. 6  thereby closing storage device  10 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. The foregoing operation need only be reversed for placing display structure  12  back to the display position, and from the display position to the stored position. It is to be understood that display structure  12  can be moved between the stored and closed positions without placing it into the display position between the stored and closed positions. 
   In the closed position of display structure  12 , inner face  41 A projects forwardly away from drawers  11 , and, as in the display position of display structure  12 , provides a unique display surface in conjunction with the remaining structure features of storage device  10 . According to the principle of the invention, inner face  41 A can be configured with a picture frame or holder, for holding and displaying a selected picture in the closed position of display structure. Alternatively, a picture or photograph or other selected item to be displayed may simply be mounted to inner face  41 A constituting a supporting display surface. 
   In the closed position of display structure  12 , outer face  40 B of first panel  41  faces outwardly, and is capable of accommodating personal items set thereon, such as jewelry, pictures, etc. According to the principle of the invention, outer face  40 B can be configured with a picture frame or holder, for holding and displaying a selected picture. Alternatively, a picture or photograph or other selected item to be displayed may simply be mounted to outer face  40 B constituting a supporting display surface. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , opposed strips  50  of flexible material concurrently affixed, such as with glue, to top  24  of carcass  13  and inner end  42  of first panel  40  provide the hinged attachment between first panel  40  and carcass  13 . Strips  50  are fashioned of cloth, elastomer, or other flexible material or combination of materials. Two strips at either side of inner end  42  of first panel  40  are used in the immediate embodiment, and more can be used, if desired. Furthermore, one broad strip of material can be used for providing the hinged attachment between first panel  40  and carcass  13 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , opposed strips  51  of flexible material concurrently affixed, such as with glue, to outer end  43  of first panel  40  and inner end  44  of second panel  41  provide the hinged attachment between first and second panels  40  and  41 . Strips  51  are fashioned of cloth, elastomer, or other flexible material or combination of materials. Two strips at either side of first and second panels  40  and  41  are used in the immediate embodiment, and more can be used, if desired. Furthermore, one broad strip of material can be used for providing the hinged attachment between first and second panels  40  and  41   s.    
   Although strips of material are used to provide the hinged attachment between first panel  40  and carcass  13 , and between first and second panels  40  and  41 , those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that any suitable form of hinge structure can be used between first panel  40  and carcass  13  and between first and second panels  40  and  41  without departing from the invention. 
   The invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.