Abstract:
A rotatable desktop organizer for holding a plurality of writing instruments and desk items such as paperclips. The desktop organizer has a platform having a plurality of concentric receptacles along the circumference of the top platform surface for securely holding, in each of the receptacle, a single writing instrument in a substantially upright position, a hollow column with an open top protruding upward from the center of the platform for storing desk items therein, a flat base rotatably connected to the bottom of the platform to allow, by rotating the platform, easier access to a particular writing instrument selected, and a removable plug for inserting into the column which has a magnet at its distal end for thereby picking up metallic items stored in the column. The desktop organizer may further have advertising material disposed on the side surface of either the column or the platform.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to field of an aesthetically designed, rotatable desktop organizer that can hold a plurality of wring instruments, each held in a separate receptacle, and retain metal desktop articles such as paperclips which can be conveniently picked up for use by a magnet. 
       CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0002]    (Not Applicable) 
       STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
       [0003]    (Not Applicable) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Desktop organizers are widely used for organizing various kinds of desktop items such as writing instruments, paper clips, staples, flag or roll tapes, note pads, erasers, alarmers, clocks, or even graphic images. What users of such desktop organizers consider in making a purchase decision is not merely the variety in kinds or number of desktop items that can be held in an organizer or the utility aspect relating how conveniently and efficiently an individual desktop item can be accessed and removed from the organizer. Often they consider the aesthetics, freshness, attractiveness, or compactness of the overall design since such a desktop organizer also may serve as an important portion of office decoration. 
         [0005]    Among others, several kinds of desktop organizers that can hold both one or plurality of pens and paperclips, most frequently used desk items, have been disclosed in the art, each of which has one or more shortcomings. U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,101 discloses an organizer having a circular base and a hollow circular tower with an open top protruding upward therefrom, where writing instruments such as painting brushes may be either retained in the tower or gripped, respectively, by a spring mechanism formed around the top of the tower, and desk items such as paperclips can be retained in a tray on the base. The drawbacks of this invention, however, are that the paperclips, being exposed on the tray, may pick up dirt and be lost, and further, that disengaging each writing instrument off the grip of the spring mechanism may require exertion of considerable force, and in so doing, cause scratches on the body of the writing instruments inflicted from the spring. U.S. Design Pat. No. D504,157 discloses a pen holder and paperclip container combination where paperclips can be removed, being attached to a magnet on the container plug. The invention, however, appears to hold only a single pen. 
         [0006]    Also, magnetic paperclip dispensers have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,033 in which paperclips are retained in a spherical barrel, being attached to a magnet near its opening for easy access and removal, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,209 in which paperclips, retained in a container, can be removed off from a magnetic stem sliding through the container via a top and a bottom holes defined thereon. These inventions, however, fail to disclose a capacity of holding any writing instrument. 
         [0007]    In light of limitations and shortcomings of prior art, it is desirable to provide a desktop organizer that has plurality of receptacles each of which can hold only a single writing instrument for easier and quicker access to a particular kind of writing instrument selected out of potentially several different kinds, and for easier removal thereof. It is also desirable to provide a mechanism in such a pen-holding organizer that can facilitate the access and removal of each selected writing instrument by, for instance, rotating the organizer. It is yet desirable to combine such a pen-holding organizer with a container that stores common metal desk items such as paperclips, hiding them from view when not in use for aesthetics and protection against dirt. It is further desirable to provide, in such a desk organizer, a mechanism that can facilitate easy removal of metal desk items, such as a magnetic dispensing mechanism. Lastly, it would be further desirable if such desktop organizer can provide a surface of considerable size to place advertising materials thereon. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a rotatable desktop organizer that can hold a plurality of writing instruments, each one in a separate receptacle, and store common desk items made of metal, such as paperclips, that can be conveniently removed, one by one, via a magnet. 
         [0009]    The desktop organizer made in accordance with the present invention is largely comprised of: in the preferred embodiment, a platform having a plurality of receptacles defined along the circumference of the top surface of the platform for securely holding, in each of the receptacle, a single writing instrument in a substantially upright position; a hollow cylindrical column with an open end disposed perpendicularly upwardly at the center of the platform top surface for storing desk items therein; a flat base on which the platform is pivotally mounted so that a particular pen-holding receptacle is easily accessible by rotating the platform thereon; and a plug for removably closing the open end of the column, which has a magnet formed on the bottom thereof for picking up metal desk items on the bottom of the column. 
         [0010]    The desktop organizer may also have advertising material or indicia imprinted on the round outer surface of the cylindrical column or on the side surface of the platform. 
         [0011]    One of the advantages of the present invention is that, while having the capacity of retaining several writing instruments, since each writing instrument is retained in a separate receptacle defined on the platform, it is easy to single out and access a particular kind of writing instrument in contrast to other common types of pen-holding containers where multiple writing instruments are mixed to make it cumbersome to spot and select a particular desired one. 
         [0012]    Another advantage of the present invention is that each selected writing instrument can be easily and conveniently removed form the receptacle by rotating the platform on the base. 
         [0013]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is that metal desk items such as paperclips can be easily picked up one by one when needed, using the magnet formed on an end of the plug closing the desk-item container. 
         [0014]    Still another advantage of the present invention is that while retaining all the above-described utilities, the desktop organizer has a unique compact and aesthetic appearance that would suit the aesthetic need of a user as well in an office environment. 
         [0015]    Lastly, the desktop organizer in the present invention has a further advantage that it can be used as an effective vehicle for advertisement by providing rather ample surfaces, the outer surface of the central column or the side walls of the platform, for placing advertising materials thereon. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the desktop organizer made in the preferred embodiment of the present invention with writing instruments held in the exemplary way; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the desktop organizer made in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the desktop organizer made in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing paperclips attached to the removable magnetic plug; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the desktop organizer made in the preferred embodiment of the present invention with writing instruments held in the exemplary way; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view, in the perspective, of the desktop organizer made in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the desktop organizer made in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the desktop organizer made in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    The present invention generally relates to a rotatable desktop organizer that can hold a plurality of writing instruments, each one in a separate receptacle, and store common desk items made of metal, such as paperclips, that can be conveniently removed, one by one, via a magnet. 
         [0024]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. (‘FIGS.’)  1 - 7 , wherein like components are designated by like reference numerals throughout the figures. With regard to means for fastening, mounting, attaching or connecting the components of the present invention to form the assembly as a whole, unless specifically described otherwise, such means are intended to at least encompass conventional fasteners such as machine screws, machine threads, snap rings, hose clamps, rivets, nuts and bolts, toggles, pins and the like. Components may also be connected by friction fitting, snap fitting, adhesives or by welding or deformation, if appropriate. Unless specifically otherwise disclosed or taught, materials for making components of the present invention are selected from appropriate materials such as metal, ceramics, metallic alloys, natural or synthetic fibers, plastics and the like, and appropriate manufacturing or production methods including casting, extruding, injection molding and machines may be used. 
         [0025]    Although the present invention is generally described in terms of the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that it is shown and described, only by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated in carrying out the invention, but not intended to limit in any way the spirit and scope of the invention to the particular embodiments described. 
         [0026]    Now referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , the desktop organizer  10  made in the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises largely a platform  20 , a hollow column  30 , a plug  40 , and a base  50 . The platform  20  has a substantially cylindrical shape having a flat circular top surface  20   a , an opposing identically sized bottom surface  20   b , a round circumferential side surface  20   c  extended therebetween, and a hollow interior surrounded thereby. The platform, however, may have other geometrical shapes where the flat top and bottom surfaces have the shape of squares, rectangles, or other polygons and the side surface is correspondingly angled. The top surface  20   a  defines a circular aperture  21  at the center thereof extending into the interior of the platform  20  in which the hollow column  30  is to be removably inserted. While the aperture  21  is preferably circular, it may be formed having a other geometric shapes according to design and style preferences. Further, the top surface  20   a  defines a plurality of concentric circular apertures  22  around the circumferential edges of the top surface  20   a , which are, preferably, equally spaced from one another. Each aperture  22  is connected into the interior of the platform  20  and sized, preferably, to retain only a single writing instrument of a standard size therein in a substantially upright orientation, as shown in  FIG. 4 , so as to form a single pen-holding receptacle  22 . As described herein, the term receptacle refers to the implement-holding portion of the platform  20  which is defined by the apertures. In this respect, the receptacle  22  may be formed without an aperture according to design choice. The types of standard sized writing instruments include, but are not limited to, pens, pencils, highlighters, pen-shaped erasers or PDA stylus implements, laser pointers, or painting brushes. For easier and quicker removal of a writing instrument from the receptacle  22 , the depth of each receptacle  22  or the height of the platform  20  is chosen, in the preferred embodiment, such that at least half of the body of a standard sized writing instrument is exposed out of the receptacle. Also, For more secure retention of a writing instrument and for protection of its surface against potential scratches from the edge of a receptacle during its removal therefrom, a leaf  22   a  made of smooth fabrics and having a cross-shaped slit at its center may be formed around the opening of each receptacle  22 , whereby a writing instrument, inserted into the central slit, may be frictionally retained against the surrounding leaf  22   a . Prefereably, the leaf  22   a  may be fabricated from a foam material or a rubber material that allows for frictional engagement to implements. 
         [0027]    Moreover, in order to facilitate easy access and removal of a particular writing instrument selected, it is desirable that the platform  20  is freely rotatable. This is achieved in the preferred embodiment by connecting a thin flat base  50  under the bottom surface  20   b  of the platform  20  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , wherein the platform  20  and the base  50  are pivotally connected at their centers so that the platform  20  may freely rotate on the base  50 . The method and means for such pivotal connection are well known to those skilled in the art and not described herein further. 
         [0028]    Now referring to  FIG. 5 , the hollow column  30  is used in the present invention for containing various desk items such as paperclips therein and has an open upper end  30   a  and closed lower end  30   b . It is sized to removably fit into the circular aperture  21  at the center of the platform  20 , with a substantial portion of it protruding upward therefrom. Although the column  30  is shown to have the shape of a right-angle cylindrical shell in the preferred embodiment, it may have in another embodiment other geometrical shapes in which the upper end  30   a  and lower end  30   b  may be squares, rectangles, or any other polygons, in which case, the aperture  21  at the center of the platform  20  is accordingly shaped to receive the lower column end  30   b.    
         [0029]    In the preferred embodiment, the plug  40  is generally shaped as a mushroom, as shown in  FIG. 3 , having a round and convex upper portion  41  sized to close the open upper end  30   a  of the column  30  and a cylindrical protrusion  42  attached therebelow. The protrusion  42  has a length such that its distal end  42   a  may substantially reach the bottom of the column  30  when the plug  40  closes upon the column  30 . To pick up metallic desk items such as paperclips lying at the bottom of the column  30 , a permanent magnet is disposed, preferably, within a cavity formed near the distal end  42   a  of the plug  40 . But in another embodiment, the same effect can be obtained by painting or coating the protrusion  42  proximate its distal end  42   a  with magnetic material. Such method and material used are well known in the art. 
         [0030]    The platform  20 , the column  30 , the plug  40 , and the base  50  is fabricated of, preferably, plastics, ceramics, or polymeric compositions, but may be made of any rigid suitable material known to those in the art, including but not limited to, wood, metal, cardboard, synthetic fibers, fiberglass, hardboard, or the like, by using appropriate manufacturing or production methods such as casting, extruding, injection molding or other currently known means readily recognized by one skilled in the art. 
         [0031]    Since the desktop organizer  10  would be more likely to attract attentions of the user and other viewers owing to its unique appearance, it can be an effective vehicle for advertisement. The unique design of the desktop organizer  10  in the present invention provides ample space for placing advertising material thereon. Since a substantial portion of the column  30  is exposed above the platform  20 , the circumferential side surface  30   c  thereof, which is of a substantial area, can be an excellent place to place advertising material  60  as shown in FIGS.  1  and  3 - 5 . Such advertising material  60  may include, but not be limited to, a logo, trademark, advertisement, emblem, label, stamp, feature, brand, insignia, crest, token, seal, decal, pitch, announcement, slogan, monogram. Such indicia need not be limited to letters or words, but can be also a photo, design, or other pictorial representation. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the advertising material  60  may be imprinted on a piece of paper  61  attached to or removably wrapping around the side surface  30   c  of the column  30 . A circular flange  31  may be formed around the upper end  30   a  of the column  30  to keep the piece of paper in place. Further, for protection of the advertising material  60  on the paper, a transparent sleeve  62  may removably sheathe the column  30  upon the advertising material  60 . In another embodiment however, the advertising material  60  may be imprinted directly upon the side surface  30   c  of the column  30 . Furthermore, the side surface  20   c  of the platform  20  also can be used to place another advertising material  60  thereon by, for example, imprinting as shown in FIGS.  1  and  3 - 5 . 
         [0032]    Although the column  30  is in the preferred embodiment a hollow shell with an open top to be used as a container, it may have in another embodiment closed upper and lower ends so that it may serve merely as an advertising tower upon which advertising material is disposed in various ways described above. 
         [0033]    Accordingly, the present invention also includes a method of advertising using the desktop organizer made according to the invention. Such an advertising method comprises the steps of providing a desktop organizer made according to the present invention, and disposing advertising indicia on an external visible surface of the desktop organizer. The term “providing” is meant in a broad sense to include not only manufacturing but also acquiring from another source or selecting from available supplies. The term “disposing” is meant broadly to encompass any means for physically putting the advertising indicia on the device&#39;s surface, including but not limited to, imprinting, engraving, adhering, etc. The “disposing” step could even include sub-steps such as (a) imprinting the first advertising material on a cylindrical piece of paper sized and configured to fit around the column; (b) disposing the piece of paper around the column; and (c) sleeving a transparent shell over the piece of paper so that the first advertising material may be visible therethrough. 
         [0034]    The present invention is capable of embodiments other than those described above, and its several details are capable of modifications in various respects apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, all without departing from the essential spirit or attributes of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments described hereinbefore should be considered to be merely illustrative, not restrictive.