Patent Publication Number: US-2015076979-A1

Title: Storage apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Ser. No. 11/236,980 filed Sep. 28, 2005 which claims the benefit of Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 2,483,960, filed Oct. 4, 2004, titled JEWELLERY DISPLAY SYSTEM, the contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus or device used for storage, and more particularly, to an apparatus used for storing jewelry. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are many different types of jewelry storage devices that are readily available on the market. Such storage devices range from ordinary jewelry boxes designed to be placed in drawers and the like to rather elaborate arrangements which tend to be substantially more expensive. 
     It is also known in the prior art to provide lockable devices which prevent theft. These devices are often hidden in drawers, beneath a bed, or other similar locations, so that a potential thief will be unable to locate same. However, usually a burglar will ransack a residence until the jewelry is found. Thus, it is often futile to use such devices unless a very secure type of apparatus such as a wall safe is utilized. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel device for storing jewelry. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frame member, a mirror mounted in said frame member, where the jewelry storage apparatus is mounted to the frame rearwardly of the mirror. The jewelry storage apparatus is mounted to a wall in use. The mirror is movable from a position where the jewelry storage device is rearwardly disposed therefrom to a position beside the jewelry storage apparatus where the user can select the jewelry and try on the jewelry with the mirror being proximate thereto. 
     According to another aspect, a storage apparatus forms part of the invention. The storage apparatus is for use on a wall and with jewelry, and comprises a receiver and a cover. The receiver is adapted to receive said jewelry and is mounted to said wall in use such that said receiver presents jewelry received thereby away from said wall. The cover has a presentation face and is mounted to said receiver for sliding movement in use between a storage position whereat the receiver is disposed behind the presentation face and an extended position beside the receiver to permit access to jewelry received by said receiver. 
     According to another aspect, the presentation face may be transparent, such that, in use, with the cover in the storage position, jewelry received by said receiver can be viewed through the presentation face. 
     According to another aspect, the cover may be a picture frame, with the presentation face being a picture-receiving face. 
     According to another aspect, the cover may be a mirror, with the presentation face being a mirrored surface. 
     According to another aspect, the receiver may be further adapted to receive documents. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a storage apparatus or device for storing jewelry, with a cover shown in an extended position; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the storage apparatus, with the cover shown in a storage position; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevational view according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the storage apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawing in greater detail, and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2  and  5  a storage apparatus or device generally designated by reference numeral  10 . 
     The storage apparatus  10  includes a first portion comprising a frame or cover  12  having a top frame member  14 , a bottom frame member  16 , and a pair of side frame members  18 ,  20 . Mounted interiorly of frame members  14 , 16 ,  18 , and  20  is a mirror or presentation face generally designated by reference numeral  22 . The cover is shown in an extended position with respect to the storage apparatus  10  to permit access to the jewelry. 
     The storage apparatus  10  includes a sub frame assembly or receiver  24 . The receiver  24  is slidably mounted with respect to the cover  12  and to this end, a first ball bearing drawer slide  26  is located proximate to the bottom of the receiver  24  and a second ball bearing drawer slide  28  is proximate to the top of the receiver  24 . The receiver  24  includes a central portion  30 , which is designed to receive jewelry as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . The central portion preferably is formed of a soft material, one non-limiting example being cork covered with velvet. A plurality of hooks  32  are mounted on the central portion  28  to receive jewelry. A pocket  34  is included on the central portion  30 , to receive documents such as passports. Thumb tacks or any such suitable fastener as is known in the industry can alternately or additionally be used to secure jewelry or documents. 
     In use, normally the cover  12  is in a storage position, overlying the receiver  24 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , with the receiver  24  attached or mounted to a wall. The receiver  24  can be attached to the wall by screws or any such suitable fastener as is known in the industry. When the user wishes to access jewelry, the cover  12  is slid out to the position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , and the user can then try on various pieces of jewelry while looking in the mirror  22 . In this example, the members  14 , 16 , 18 , and  20  about the minor and the minor  22  itself may be of any conventional style and will normally be chosen for the aesthetics thereof. There are many mirrors and frames known in the art and any suitable combination may be utilized in the practice of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  shows a second embodiment of the invention. In this example, the mirror  22  is replaced by a picture holder  36 . In this embodiment, the storage apparatus  10  also functions as a picture frame. 
       FIG. 4  shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the minor  22  is replaced by a transparent panel  38 . In this embodiment, the storage apparatus  10  serves as a presentation fixture, for use in retail environments or the like. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.