Abstract:
A method and kit for making a hollow door closet for holding articles. The method includes the steps of providing an existing hollow door, removing at least one section of the existing hollow door, and hingedly replacing the at least one section of the existing hollow door in order to make at least one secondary door, the secondary door providing access to the interior of the hollow door. The kit includes at least one hinge element for hingedly attaching cut-out sections of an existing hollow door for use as secondary doors in a hollow door closet. The kit may also include at least one element selected from the group consisting of a backing, a cutting device for removing a section of an existing hollow door in order to form a secondary door, a handle, a package of T-type or other such pins, and combinations of the above. The hollow door closet itself includes a door having a hollow interior, a volume of the hollow interior bounded at least by a backing and at least one sidewall. At least one secondary door is mounted to the door by a hinge, the secondary door further providing a boundary of the volume and including an interior wall and an exterior wall. At least one hooking device, such as a “T”-type straight pin, may be mounted to the backing or to the interior wall.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/865,887, filed May 25, 2001, entitled “Hollow Door Closet, Method of Making, and Kit for Making, Including a Rigid Foam Backing”, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/611,255, filed Jul. 6, 2000, entitled Hollow Door Closet, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,030, issued May 29, 2001. 
     
    
     
       CROSS REFERENCE TO FEDERAL FUNDING  
         [0002]    [0002] 
         CROSS REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
         [0003]    N/A  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    A. Field of the Invention  
           [0005]    This invention pertains to closets, and more particularly to closets which may be mounted and located in hidden locations, such as within doors and within larger closets.  
           [0006]    B. Background  
           [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 shows a prior art closet  10 . Certain parts of the closet  10  include sidewalls  16  and doors  12 . Within the sidewalls  16  and doors  12 , and also within a back, top, and floor (not shown), articles  14  may be stored. Articles  14  may include clothes, jewelry, shoes, knick-knacks, etc. One disadvantage of the closet  10  is that the same is bulky and requires significant floor space in an apartment or house. With real estate prices rising throughout the country, saving square footage is an important concern for many families. Thus, many families are choosing to live in smaller dwellings to reduce cost outlays for housing. Such families, as well as others, have a need for a smaller type of closet, and one that requires little or no square footage of space to maintain.  
           [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 shows a prior art door assembly. The door assembly includes a door  18  mounted to a frame  20 . The frame  20  includes a top piece  22 , two side pieces  24 , and a bottom piece  28 . A handle  26  is employed to allow the door  18  to be easily opened and closed. A set of hinges are employed to provide an axis about which the door rotates (not shown for clarity in the figure). Such doors may be used on entrances to rooms or also on entrances to closets, such as walk-in closets, among numerous other uses. Such doors do not, however, provide for any other uses.  
           [0009]    The door  18  includes a first side  17  and a second side  19 . The first side  17  and the second side  19  are typically maintained in a parallel relationship with each other via insertion of a material between the first side  17  and the second side  19 . This material may be Styrofoam, corrugated cardboard, etc. The material may also be strips of a material having sufficient hardness to maintain the first side  17  and the second side  19  in a fixed and preferably parallel relationship with respect to each other. In this case, the material will usually span from and between the first side  17  and the second side  19 .  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention addresses the needs discussed above.  
           [0011]    In one aspect, the invention is directed towards a kit for making a hollow door closet for holding articles. The kit includes at least one hinge element for hingedly attaching cut-out sections of an existing hollow door for use as secondary doors in a hollow door closet. The kit may also include at least one element selected from the group consisting of a backing, a cutting device for removing a section of an existing hollow door in order to form a secondary door, and combinations of the above. The hollow door closet itself includes a door having a hollow interior, a volume of the hollow interior bounded at least by a backing and at least one sidewall.  
           [0012]    At least one secondary door is mounted to the door by a hinge, the secondary door further providing a boundary of the volume and including an interior wall and an exterior wall.  
           [0013]    Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following. At least one hooking device may be mounted to the backing or to the interior wall. The hooking device may be a “T”-type straight pin. The hollow door closet may further include a layer of rigid foam mounted to the backing, where the foam is selected from the group consisting of: EPS, ethafoam, polyethylene, polystyrene, polylam, silicone sponge, and Styrofoam. The backing may be a rigid foam itself, the varieties of rigid foam as listed above. The secondary door may actually be two secondary doors. Molding may be attached to the door, and the hinge of the secondary door may be attached to the molding and to the secondary door. Molding may instead be attached to the secondary door; in this case, the hinge of the secondary door may be attached to the molding and to the door. A layer of fabric may be attached to the foam, such as velvet or satin. The secondary door may be made of the same material as a material of the door.  
           [0014]    In another aspect, the invention is directed towards a method for making a hollow door closet for holding articles. The method includes the steps of providing an existing hollow door, removing at least one section of the existing hollow door, and hingedly replacing the at least one section of the existing hollow door in order to make at least one secondary door, the secondary door providing access to the interior of the hollow door. Of course, the secondary door need not be exactly the same material as the removed section: rather, a different piece may be employed that has a similar shape and depth or as may be modified to fit the requirements of the designer. The hollow door closet itself includes a door having a hollow interior, a volume of the hollow interior bounded at least by a backing and at least one sidewall. At least one secondary door is mounted to the door by a hinge, the secondary door further providing a boundary of the volume and including an interior wall and an exterior wall.  
           [0015]    This invention provides several advantages. The invention is easy to manufacture and is of a relatively simple design. The invention may be conveniently retrofitted to most current door frames. The invention allows storage of small or flat articles, such as jewelry, ties, etc., to be accomplished with only a minimum of space required. Other articles which may be so stored include belts, accessories, craft supplies, handkerchiefs, etc. The articles so stored are protected from accumulation of dust, etc. The user is afforded quick access to the articles, which might otherwise have languished hidden in crowded drawers. The invention allows drawer space to be freed for other uses. The invention reduces the need for stand-alone cabinets requiring substantial floor or dresser space. The invention reduces the need for corrugated cardboard to be used as filler for hollow doors, thus having beneficial impacts on the environment.  
           [0016]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the background above, the description hereinafter, including the claims and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    In the drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of the present invention and are not intended to be limiting:  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art closet.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art door.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a front schematic view of an embodiment of a hollow door closet according to the invention, showing the secondary doors in a closed position.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a front schematic view of an embodiment of a hollow door closet according to the invention, showing the secondary doors in an open position.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a prior art door employing a molding.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a hollow door closet according to the invention, showing the secondary doors mounted on a molding.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 shows a front schematic view of an embodiment of a secondary door for a hollow door closet according to the invention, showing in particular an exterior wall of the secondary door;.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 shows a front schematic view of an embodiment of a secondary door for a hollow door closet according to the invention, showing in particular an interior wall of the secondary door.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 is a front perspective photograph of an embodiment of a hollow door closet according to the invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 is a front perspective photograph of another embodiment of a hollow door closet according to the invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a backing employing a fabric and T-type pins, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method for making a hollow door closet.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a kit for making a hollow door closet. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0031]    Although hereinbelow are described what are at present considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, the invention is limited solely by the claims appended hereto.  
         [0032]    Turning now to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout several views, FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a hollow door closet constituting this invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3 is a front schematic view of an embodiment of a hollow door closet  44  according to the invention, shown in combination with a door assembly  30 . Parts of the door assembly  30  include a door frame  32  and a door  34 . The door frame  32  includes two side pieces  36  and  41 , a top piece  40 , and a bottom piece  42 . A handle  38  is disposed on the door  34  to facilitate easy opening and closing of the same. A lock may similarly be provided. It will be noted that the hollow door closet, disclosed in more detail below, may be kept separate from the area in which the lock is mounted (i.e., the “lock block”).  
         [0034]    Within the door  34  is a hollow door closet  44 . That is, the hollow door closet in generally within a hollow space inside the door  34 . Hollow door closet  44  includes secondary doors  50  and  52  as well as locks  54 . Of course, it will be clear to one of skill in the art that more or less than two secondary doors may be provided, and the use of locks is optional. It may be preferred to use locks when the contents of the hollow door closet are valuable. A set of hinges  56  may be employed to allow the doors to swing freely. Handles  48  may be employed to make more convenient the opening and closing of the secondary doors.  
         [0035]    Referring to FIG. 4, the hollow door closet  44  is shown in an open position. In this position, the holders for various articles, identified as holders  60 , are evident. The holders  60  may be hooks, clasps, “T”-type straight pins, so-called “hatpins” or “headpins” such as decorative pearl headpins or any other device useful for holding articles. Hatpins may be useful as they often have colored heads and thus are easy to locate if dropped. In this regard, it is noted that thinner hatpins may be employed for certain articles, e.g., ties, as they provide easier penetration. As may be seen, the hollow door closet  44  may be particularly useful in this regard for holding articles of jewelry, ties, or other relatively flat items that may fit well within the confines of an interior of a door. As may be seen in FIG. 4, holders  60  may be against the back wall  62  of the hollow door closet  44  or may mounted on an interior of one of the secondary doors  50  or  52 .  
         [0036]    The holders  60  may be permanently mounted to the back wall  62 , e.g., or may be temporarily mounted via use of “T”-type pins, etc. In the case where temporary hooking devices such as thumbtacks are employed, it is important to provide a backing whereby the temporary hooking devices may be inserted. While typically such a backing would be present on the back wall  62 , such backing may also be present on the interior of the doors  50  or  52 . This backing may be constituted of various types of Styrofoam or even just a bare piece of wood or other flat surfaced material. For example, polylam, polyethylene, ethafoam, EPS or other types of foams, and preferably rigid foams, may be employed depending on the user&#39;s preference. EPS is already used as a filler in hollow doors. Certain foams may be preferable due to the availability of certain colors (polylam), or due to their ability to withstand many temporary hooking device insertions without loss of resiliency. Certain foams may provide an ancillary benefit of providing a certain degree of soundproofing. The characteristics of various foams are known to one of skill in the art. In any case, the thickness of the foam will be chosen such as to maintain room within the door to hold the articles to be stored. For example, if the overall door dimension is 1⅝ inches, one suitable thickness of foam may be about ½ inch. To enhance the appearance of the foam, fabrics such as velvet or satin may be tacked to the same. The articles to be stored may then be tacked to the foam through the fabric. Fabric provides a benefit that the material of the fabric, when penetrated by a pin, helps to support the pin in a desired orientation. For additional detail, see FIG. 11, which shows T-type pins  76  mounted to backing  74  through fabric  72 .  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a prior art door  61 . As may be seen, and as is often typical in such doors, a molding  63  may be provided to enhance the decorative quality of the door and to provide a pleasing visual effect. In particular the molding  63  is such that the same has a greater depth than sections  65  of the same door.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a hollow door closet according to the invention, showing the secondary doors mounted on a molding. Such a molding may be of the same or similar type to that shown in FIG. 5. In particular, a molding  64  is provided which may extend around the general area of the hollow door closet  44 . The hinges  56  may then be mounted to the molding  64  rather than to the door  34 . In this way, the volume of the interior of the hollow door closet  44  is greatened by an amount approximately corresponding to the depth of the molding times the area of the doors  50  and  52 . The area of the doors  50  and  52  may cumulatively equate to about 10-12 square feet in most embodiments, although much smaller hollow door closets may also be constructed. FIG. 6 shows handles 54′ for opening and closing the secondary doors as well as locks  54  which may be employed to secure the hollow door closet.  
         [0039]    In a related embodiment, the volume of the interior of the hollow door closet  44  may be increased by use of a molding strip  66  mounted on an interior wall (or “skin”)  53  of secondary doors  50  and  52 . In particular, referring to FIG. 7, a detail of the left hand side secondary door, i.e., secondary door  50 , such as may be employed in the previous embodiments, is shown. The secondary door  50  may have an exterior wall  51  and an interior wall  53  (FIG. 8). However, referring to FIG. 8, the secondary door  50  of FIG. 7 may be outfitted with a molding strip  66  around the outside of the secondary door  50 . The molding strip  66  may generally surround the periphery of the interior wall  53  of secondary door  50 . Of course, analogous statements may be made for secondary door  52 . The molding strip  66  may have dimensions, e.g., of 1 “by ¼”, giving an extra ¼” depth to the closet, again increasing the volume of the hollow door closet for either additional articles to be stored, larger articles to be stored, or to provide use of a thicker, and perhaps sturdier, foam or other backing material as described above.  
         [0040]    It is noted here that the secondary doors  50  and  52  may be simply constructed by cutting away a portion of the skin originally forming the door  34 , and remounting the same with hinges attached.  
         [0041]    To further illustrate the invention, FIG. 9 shows a photograph of a hollow door closet according to an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the embodiment of FIG. 9 is a mock-up or model indicating how the embodiment may be deployed. In fact, the embodiment of FIG. 9 is not installed in the hollow of a door, but rather hanging on an existing prior art door. In any case, the FIGURE shows how an embodiment of the invention may appear. FIG. 10 shows another embodiment, this as part of a three-door closet, showing how the invention need not necessarily be installed on a typical hinged door. That is, an embodiment of the invention may be installed on numerous types of doors including sliding closet doors.  
         [0042]    Locks for the secondary doors have been discussed above. Clasps for the doors may be provided in known manner. For example, the doors may be provided with a hook and eyelet so that they may be attached to each other. This would have the effect of keeping the doors closed when desired.  
         [0043]    A method for making a hollow door closet is shown in FIG. 12. As may be seen, an existing hollow door may be provided (step  82 ). In this way, the invention may be made applicable to the multitudinous existing hollow doors already installed in homes and offices around the world. A section of the hollow door is cut out (step  84 ). This section is typically from one or another of the door faces, as opposed to the door sidewalls. Of course, more than one section may be cut out, and more than one face can have a section cut out. At this point, a piece may be remounted to the door, which now has a hole or void where the section was previously. The piece to be remounted may either be the cut out section or a portion thereof (step  86 ), or may alternatively be a different piece (step  86 ′), which may have a similar shape as the cut out section, substantially the same shape, or a different shape as dictated by the requirements of the designer. Either before or after the section or different piece is installed, a backing may be mounted (step  88 ) to the interior of the hollow door closet. Often, this backing will directly face where the installation or re-installation occurred. In this way, the articles mounted to the backing are most easily accessible when the section or different piece, which is now a secondary door as that term is used above, is opened. This backing may preferably be a rigid foam as disclosed above.  
         [0044]    A kit for performing this method is disclosed in FIG. 13. In this figure, the kit  91  may include a least a hinge element  90 . Hinge element  90  may most typically be a hinge of usual character, but may also include any device that can attach a section or different piece, i.e., a secondary door, to the remainder of the hollow door, in a way that allows access to the contents of the hollow door closet. The kit  91  may also include a backing  94 , which may be as described above. A cutting device  92  may also be provided for cutting out the section of the existing hollow door. Such cutting devices may include jigsaws or other portable saws, including non-electric saws and cutting drills, that can cut through a section of a door without necessarily cutting through a door&#39;s opposing face. A device  93  may be provided for mounting to the door to allow the convenient opening thereof, such as a handle. Devices may also be provided, in cases where more than one secondary door is employed, to latch the more than one secondary door in a closed fashion. For this purpose, locks, magnets, hooks, or other such devices may be used. A package  91  of pins, such as T-type pins, may be provided to be inserted by the user into the backing, to hold articles. Instructions may also be provided to teach the user how to perform the method.  
         [0045]    In use of the kit, the user may receive the kit and open the same. The user employs the cutting device, which may or may not be provided by the kit, to cut a portion out of a hollow door. The cut-out portion may then be used as a door of the resulting hollow door closet, or a separate door may be used. In the latter case, the separate door may have generally the same shape as the cutout portion. It may also be somewhat larger, as some of the door material may be lost in the cutting process, thus making the cut-out portion per se somewhat smaller than the cut-out hole remaining in the door. Alternatively, the cut-out portion per se may be used in combination with a molding that fills in for the missing material. If a separate door section is used, a molding may still be employed for convenience of mounting, for decorative purposes, and so on.  
         [0046]    The kit may also include the separate door itself, as well as a pattern which may be used on the hollow door to direct the cutting device to cut a hole fitting the separate door.  
         [0047]    The manner of usage and operation of the invention described above being readily apparent from the above disclosure, no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation of the invention shall be provided.  
         [0048]    With respect to the above description, it is to be understood that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, as well as variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly, and use, and equivalents of all the foregoing, are apparent to one skilled in the art. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, but to encompass all suitable modifications and equivalents within the scope of the invention. For example, the hollow door closet may be mounted as the door to a walk-in closet, affording even greater storage availability. Further, in this case, or in other variations, the secondary doors may or may not be attached according to the preference of the user. The door, hollow door closet, and secondary doors may be made of hardboard including wood, composite boards including fiberglass or carbon, or other similar materials. For fine jewelry requiring a degree of security, the doors could be made of a metal such as steel. Moreover, a portable hollow door closet could be made similar to the hollow door closet described above, the portable hollow door closet being modular and capable of being slung or hung over an existing door. One or more of the doors may have a mirrored surface to allow the user the benefit of seeing their reflection. In another embodiment, rather than using doors, shades such as rolled shades may be employed. The holders may, instead of pins, etc., be made of a molded wood piece with slots cut in it to allow jewelry or other articles to be hung thereon. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.