Abstract:
A jewelry box and method of storing jewelry is described herein which affords the user a multi-perspective view of the jewelry. The method and box provide a simple means of placing, retrieving, and replacing the desired jewelry without requiring fine dexterity. Rods of the jewelry box readily accommodate user&#39;s having conditions such as arthritic immobility or long ornamental finger nails. The present jewelry box is quick and easy to use, while promoting tangle free necklace storage. Fine jewelry chains are protected from tarnish and readily accommodated next to bulky bead-like strands.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to jewelry boxes, and more particularly to easy and efficient storage of necklaces and bracelets. 
         [0002]    Conventional jewelry boxes, such as the jewelry boxes in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , provide hooks  110  and short pegs  160 , respectively, on which to hang necklaces, bracelets, or other chain-like jewelry. Necklaces  130  stored in these configurations can only be viewed from the front, and if more than one necklace  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134  is hung on a given hook  110  or peg  160 , the back necklace  134  is difficult for the jewelry box user to view without removing at least one necklace, such as the one in front  131 . These jewelry boxes  100 ,  150  only afford unobstructed views of the front most piece of jewelry, such as the front piece  131  shown in  FIG. 1A . The pegs  160 , likewise only provide an unobstructed view of a front necklace  161 . Bulky jewelry, such as a string of large precious stones or pearls may be quite difficult to hang in conventional jewelry boxes. 
         [0003]    Placement, retrieval, and replacement of necklaces in conventional jewelry boxes, such as those shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  require tedious and intricate manipulation by the user. Some health conditions, such as arthritis, or cosmetic conditions, such as long artificial fingernails can make the necessary manipulations to use the jewelry box for necklace storage, retrieval and replacement impossible or impractical. 
         [0004]    Another type of conventional jewelry box  200 , such as the one shown in  FIG. 2 , provides a pocket  210  in which dangling jewelry  220 , such as necklaces, clump together. The storage method provided in a jewelry box with a pocket such as  210 , promotes inter-tangling of the stored jewelry. The view afforded by such a jewelry box, is frontal and only partial since part of the jewelry is within the pocket. While the serrated blades  230  keep the necklaces separated at one end, the other end will clump in the pocket, limiting the number of necklaces which can be stored in such a conventional box and remain tangle-free. Fine motor skills and intricate manipulation is also required for removal and replacement of necklaces on the serrated blade  230  of box  200 . Temporary conditions, such as wet nails, make it difficult to use necklace storage in conventional jewelry boxes, such as  200 ,  100 , and  150 . 
         [0005]    It is desirable to provide a jewelry box which provides efficient storage, retrieval and replacement of jewelry and multi-viewing of the jewelry without removal. In addition, tangle free necklace storage is always desirable. Ready accommodation of fine chain, pearls, and larger strung beads in the same easy efficient storage is desirable. And further, efficient ease of use for a wide range of users is desirable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention addresses some of the shortcomings of jewelry boxes discussed above and provides additional benefits as well. 
         [0007]    One aspect of the present invention is to enable efficient placement, removal and replacement of necklaces. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of the present invention is to readily permit front and side viewing of dangling jewelry without removal from the jewelry box. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the present invention is to permit viewing of necklaces and bracelets side by side while both necklaces and bracelets are dangling and tangle free. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the present invention is to be user friendly, readily manipulated by one with impaired finger dexterity, arthritis, long finger nails, or other manipulation challenge. 
         [0011]    Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a means for necklace storage which promotes tangle free display and storage. 
         [0012]    Another aspect of the present invention is to provide necklace storage in a jewelry box which can readily accommodate varying sizes of necklace such as chains as well as strings of large beads, shells, stones, crystals or the like. 
         [0013]    Another aspect of the present invention is to provide storage with inhibits tarnishing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0014]    For more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures, wherein: 
           [0015]      FIGS. 1A-1B  shows conventional jewelry boxes which provide hooks and short pegs, respectively, for necklace storage; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows a conventional jewelry box in which dangling jewelry, such as necklaces, clump together in a pocket; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 3A-3B  show an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the closed and open position, respectively; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4A-4D  shows a back, necklace side, bracelet side, and top side, respectively, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 5A-5B  show front views of two embodiment of the present invention, A) shows a left and right door embodiment while B) shows a single door embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6A-6C  show exemplary single door embodiments in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 7  A- 7 E show the ease with which a user is able to remove and replace necklaces in a jewelry box in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    The invention, as defined by the claims, may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The description is meant to be read with reference to the figures contained herein. This detailed description relates to examples of the claimed subject matter for illustrative purposes, and is in no way meant to limit the scope of the invention. The specific aspects and embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of ways to make and use the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 3A-3B  show an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the closed and open position, respectively.  FIG. 3A  shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprising two side doors,  310  and  320 , a top  330 , and a set of drawers  340  between the two side doors.  FIG. 3B  shows the jewelry box opened. The top  330  is raised, exposing side compartments  315  and  325 . Side doors  310  and  320  are open exposing first rod  350  and second  360  and third  365  rods. Also shown in this open position are two of three pivotal mounts  380  and  385 .  FIG. 3B  shows pivotal mounts  380  comprising a right angled U-shape bracket  382  with a pin passing the bracket and the rod, where the rod is free to pivot about the pin in the horizontal plane and is prevented from rotating vertically with the bracket. This pivotal mount is merely exemplary and various suitable substitutes can be substituted by one of ordinary skill, in keeping within the scope and spirit of the invention. First, second and third fasteners are present but not shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B . All three rods are shown pivoted in the horizontal plane off a right angle from the back  390  of the box  300 . Although not shown, any of the rods, need not be cylindrical, for example, a half-pipe could be used. Other rod configurations permitting ease of removal and replacement are possible in accordance with the present invention. Additional examples include a triangular, square, or I-beam cross-section. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 4A-4D  shows a back side  490 , necklace side  410 , bracelet side  420 , and top side  430 , respectively, of an embodiment of the present invention, according to an exemplary embodiment. As can be seen from  FIGS. 4A-4D , the top side  430  covers the side compartments  415  and  425 . The height  450  of the back  490  and sides  410 ,  420  are between 11 and 15 inches, in accordance with the present invention and dependent upon an embodiment thereof. The width  452  of the side and depth of the top  453  is in a range of 6 to 9 inches, in accordance with the present invention and depending on the embodiment thereof. The width of the side doors is in the range of 3.5 to 5.0 inches, in accordance with the present invention and depending on the embodiment thereof. 
         [0025]    The back side  490  of box  400  has three parts, a back of a necklace door  412 , and a back of a bracelet door  422 , and a main back  492 . These backs of the doors  410  and  420  are each secured to the main back  492  of the box  400  by hinges which enable the doors to open up such that the side of the door is parallel or nearly parallel to the back of the box, as later described and as shown in  FIG. 7B , which further contributes to the ease of jewelry manipulation for the box user and to multiple viewing perspectives. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 5A-5B  show front views of two embodiments of the present invention, A) shows a left and right door embodiment  500  while B) shows a single door embodiment  510 . A two door embodiment in accordance with the present invention opens as shown in  FIG. 3A . In contrast,  FIG. 5B  opens, according to one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6B . Rods in accordance with a two door embodiment may mount to the back of a side door of the jewelry box. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, three rods can be mounted within a single door compartment in a single door jewelry box. The rods in a one door jewelry box may extend from a back or a drawer side of the jewelry box. 
         [0027]      FIG. 6A  shows a top view of exemplary grooved rods  650 ,  660  in an exemplary single door embodiment  600  in accordance with the present invention. A third rod mounted vertically beneath rod  650  or  660  can provide another post for bracelets, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with the present invention, any of the rods in any of the embodiments may be grooved or notched to restrict movement of the jewelry hanging on the rod in the axial direction. In yet another embodiment, the rods may be covered with anti-tarnish material or other cloth. The doors and drawers, such as  310 ,  320  and  340 , respectively, in  FIG. 3A , may also be lined with cloth or anti-tarnish material. 
         [0028]    The doors in accordance with the present invention may comprise more than one set of hinges  640 ,  642 ,  644 , such as the hinge positions shown in  FIG. 6A . The door  610 , in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A  has a front  616 , a side  612 , and a back  614  each divided by a set of hinges. Rods  650  and  660  extend from the back of the door  614  and fasten  633 ,  635  to the front of the door  610 . A rod fastening mechanism in accordance with the present invention may be a magnet and metal combination. A fastener  672  for securing the door to the box may also be magnetic. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6B  shows an exemplary single door jewelry box embodiment  601  with the door  615  in an open position. Two front rods are shown  650 ,  655 , vertically displaced, while a third rod is behind the top rod. In the particular embodiment of  601 , a single set of hinges  644  connect the side door to the back of the box  690 . Door fastener  672  is shown, while rod fasteners, such as  633  and  635  in  FIG. 6A , are not shown. 
         [0030]    In yet another embodiment, shown for example in  FIG. 6C , the pivotal mounts are mounted to a side piece adjacent to the drawers  640  and the rods  650 ,  660  extend parallel to the back of the box,  690 . Door  617  has three sets of hinges  640 ,  642 ,  644  and fastens to the front of the jewelry box  603  via fastener  672 . Given the three sets of hinges, the door can be open front  616  first about hinge set  640 , or as a unit  615  about hinge set  644 . Rod  660  is shown covered in tarnish resistant material. 
         [0031]    As can be seen from  FIGS. 7A-7B , a rod, in accordance with the present invention accommodates jewelry forms from fine chains to bulky beads. A single door embodiment of the present invention, such as the example of  FIG. 6A , enables the user to get a close full view of necklaces and bracelets in a dangling orientation and adjacent to each other. Viewing multiple sides of each jewelry piece side by side. The rods, in accordance with the present invention, readily accommodate wide bands, such as solid bracelets or watches. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 7  A- 7 E show the ease with which a user is able to remove and replace necklaces in a jewelry box in accordance with the present invention. Turning first to  FIG. 7A , a user easily swings the desired door  710  open, unlatches a first end of the rod  750 , and pivots the rod about its mount  780 . The rod may be secured by a magnet which will release the rod with just a nudge or in accordance with an alternate embodiment a button may be pushed to disengage a latch which grasps the rod. In yet another embodiment a fastener is spring loaded and compression of the spring releases the rod. In another example, a spring mounted magnetic may be used to secure the rod at end opposite the pivotal mount. In still another embodiment, the rod is held in place by friction about the pivot point and is not fastened on the opposite end, while a gentle push still rotates the rod about its pivot mount. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 7B  the user reaches in and grasps a number of necklaces and lifts them off of the rod. As shown in  FIGS. 7A-7B , all these moves require little dexterity of complex fine motor skills. In  FIG. 7C , the user selects a bulky necklace, for example, and in  FIG. 7D , returns the remaining necklaces to the rod  750 . And finally, as shown in  FIG. 7E  the rod  750  is readily secured, fastened again to the front side of the door  710 . When the door opens about its hinges the rod rotates on its mount remaining attached to the front of the door until the user desires to release the rod. 
         [0034]    While specific alternatives to steps and elements of composition of the invention have been described herein, additional alternatives not specifically disclosed but known in the art are intended to fall within the scope of the invention. Thus, it is understood that other applications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the described embodiment and after consideration of the appended claims and drawing.