Patent Publication Number: US-2021169278-A1

Title: Organizer system and method of use

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/945,419 Filed Dec. 9, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to an organizer system and method for use thereof, and more specifically to a hanging ladder-style organizer system with adjustable baskets and hanger element. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Storage solutions are a widely sought-after commodity, especially in rooms or homes with limited storage space. Some storage solutions are necessary for specific items, while others simply open up areas for storage which previously provided no storage at all. Most typical storage solutions for over-the-door, shower caddies, and table-top usage are rigid or limited in their adjustability. Having a highly customizable organizational system with interchangeable and customizable components is desirable. 
     Heretofore there has not been available a system or method for an organizer system with the advantages and features of the present invention. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally provides an organizer system with an over-door hanger or a shower head hanger with a pair of hanging ladder-type structures which allow for several storage baskets to be moved around the organizer as needed. The baskets could be half-sized, allowing it to hook onto one of the two ladder-type structures and to be offset from baskets from the other ladder-type structure. The baskets could be full-sized, hanging from both of the ladder-type structures simultaneously. Hooks or other organizer devices could also be connected to the ladder-type structures as needed. 
     One embodiment of a storage device could be in the form of an over-the-door hanging system with flat hooks to allow the door or cabinet to close. Hooks, baskets, shelves, and towel rods can be customizably placed where the user needs along a pair of vertical structures hanging down from a crossbar connecting the flat hooks. 
     Another embodiment of a storage device could employ a shower caddy for hanging over a shower head. Similarly, hooks, baskets, shelves, and towel rods can be customizable placed where the user needs along a pair of vertical structures hanging down from the hanger element. 
     Still another embodiment of a storage device could employ a basket with vertical structure ending in a handle for placement atop a table or counter top. Similarly, hooks, baskets, shelves, and towel rods can be customizable placed where the user needs along the vertical structure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof. 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of the present invention shown in a typical environment suspended from a door. 
         FIG. 2  is a three-dimensional view of a portion thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is a three-dimensional view of a hook element thereof interfacing with the system. 
         FIG. 4  is an alternative three-dimensional view thereof. 
         FIG. 5  is a three-dimensional view of a basket element thereof interfacing with the system. 
         FIG. 6  is a three-dimensional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  shown in an alternative arrangement. 
         FIG. 7  is a three-dimensional view of a towel rod element thereof. 
         FIG. 8  is another three-dimensional view of the hook element of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 9  is another three-dimensional view of the basket element of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10  is a three-dimensional view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a three-dimensional view thereof with the basket elements of  FIG. 5  incorporated therewith. 
         FIG. 12  is an alternative three-dimensional view thereof. 
         FIG. 13  is front elevational view of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 15  is a close-up three-dimensional view of a specific connection element of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a front elevational view showing a kit of the first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention with interchangeable components. 
         FIG. 17  is a three-dimensional isometric view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a front elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 19  is a side elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 20  is a front elevational view of a hook element thereof. 
         FIG. 21  is a side elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 22  is a top plan view thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Introduction and Environment 
     As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning. 
     II. Over-Door Embodiment Organizer System  2   
       FIGS. 1-6  show an organizer system  2  hanging from a door  8  using a pair of flat hooks  4  connected to a crossbar  6 . The door  8  could be a standard room door, a cabinet door, or any suitable structure. The flat hooks  4  allow the door to fully close with the organizer system  2  installed. 
     The organizer system  2  includes a pair of vertical attachment arms  10 ,  12  extending down from the crossbar  6 . As shown, ladder-like receivers  14  extend along the entire surface of the arms  10 ,  12  for receiving storage components. The ladder-like elements could instead be holes or specialized receivers for receiving specialized connectors, or any other suitable arrangement allowing for storage components to be moved between the two arms  10 ,  12 , and up and down each arm to fully customize the organizer system  2 . 
     One storage component is a basket  16  with a connector  20  for interfacing with the receivers  14  to secure the basket  16  to the receiver  14 . The connector  20  could be a simple hook, or could include a specialized connector  120  as shown in  FIG. 15 , with a spring  132  allowing the connector to pivot about one end  134  using a grip  130 , and connecting to the receiver with the second end  136 , which may be spring-activated to close around the receiver. The basket  16  shown in  FIGS. 1-2   5 , and  9  allow side-by-side baskets which are individually raisable or lowerable on either of the two arms  10 ,  12 .  FIG. 6  shows double baskets  24  which span both arms  10 ,  12  and connect to each individually. Each side is not separably raisable or lowerable. 
     A hook  18  is also shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and is further shown in  FIGS. 3, 4 , and  8 . This hook includes a connector  20  identical to the basket  16  for connecting to one of the ladder-like receivers  14 . 
     A towel bar  22  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7  spans both arms  10 ,  12  similarly to the double baskets  24 , and is held away from the arms  10 ,  12  to form a space for receiving a towel or other similar object. 
     III. Surface-top Embodiment Organization System  52   
       FIGS. 10-12  show a surface-top organization system  52  which includes a surface station  54  which is meant to be placed on a surface  62 , such as a table top, counter top, desktop, or vanity top. The basket base  60  rests on the surface  62  and a vertical tower  56  rises up and out of the basket base  60 . A number of ladder-like receivers  64  extend across the vertical tower  56 . The top of the vertical tower  56  provides a handle  58 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the baskets  16 , hooks  18 , and other storage compartments and devices that are the same as those used in the previous embodiment can be used to connect with the ladder-like receivers  64  of the present embodiment using the same connectors  20 . 
     IV. Shower Caddy Embodiment Organization System  102   
       FIGS. 13 and 14  show a shower caddy organization system  102  featuring a shower caddy  104  which connects to a shower head in a typical shower environment via a hanger  106  which includes a space  108  for the shower head  128  as shown in  FIG. 16 . This opens up storage in an area that was previously lacking storage. Similar to the first embodiment, two arms  110 ,  112  hang vertically down from the hanger device and have ladder-like receivers  114 . Baskets  16 ,  116  are hung from an individual one of the two ladder-type structures and can be removed and moved to different positions about the ladder-type structures. Double baskets  24  which connect to both of the ladder-type structures could also be used, as could the towel bar  22 , hooks  18 , or other devices. The basket  116  shown could include built-in hooks  118 . 
     V. Customizable Organization System  152   
       FIG. 16  shows an organization system  152  combining the over-door organizer system  2 , the surface-top organizer system  52 , and the shower caddy organization system  102  into a swappable, highly customizable system where the baskets  16 ,  116 , double baskets  24 , towel bars  22 , hooks  18 , and other organizational devices can be freely swapped between each system  2 ,  52 ,  102  as desired, using the connectors  20  to connect to one of the ladder-like receivers  14 ,  64 ,  114 . 
     Other organizational devices could replace the baskets, including hooks, organizers, storage containers, adjustable shelves, or any other suitable storage devices. 
     VI. Alternative Over-Door Organization System  202   
       FIGS. 17-19  show an alternative over-door organization system  202  which is similar to the first embodiment organization system  2 . The system  202  hangs from a door (not shown) using a pair of flat hooks  204  connected to a crossbar  206 . The door could be a standard room door, a cabinet door, or any suitable structure. The flat hooks  4  allow the door to fully close with the organizer system  202  installed. 
     The organizer system  202  includes a pair of vertical attachment arms  10 ,  12  extending down from the crossbar  206 . As shown, receivers  214  are placed along the entire surface of the arms  210 ,  212  for receiving storage components. These receivers  214  allow for receiving specialized connectors  220  on the storage components, such as a basket  216  with a connector  220  for interfacing with the receivers  214  to secure the basket  216  to the receiver  214 . 
     Double hooks  218  with hook elements  222  similarly are shown, and in more detail in  FIGS. 20-22 . These double hooks  218  also include the connectors  220  designed to interface with the receivers  214  of the arms  210 ,  212 . Additional receivers  214  may be placed along horizontal bars  224  to provide even more customizable storage solutions. 
     It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.