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Patent Abstract
A garment-concealable jewelry case having a front opening with a
front cover panel portion that can be either moved or configured
to reveal a plurality of parallel-running isolated storage compartments
each having an interior storage space which is accessible through
a front opening revealed when the front cover panel is removed or
reconfigured. Through the front opening of each storage compartment,
one or more necklaces, pendants, bracelets or other strands of jewelry
can be securely hung on a pair of jewelry support posts adapted
for spatial separation on the back wall portion of the storage compartment
in order to accommodate the length of jewelry strands being supported.
The bottom portion of each parallel-running isolated compartment
has a stationary front panel portion which, cooperating with the
other wall portions of the storage compartment, provides a five
sided stationary storage tray accessible through the opening of
the respective storage compartment and within which articles of
jewelry such as rings, watches, earrings and/or tie tacks can be
placed for organization and storage. The front cover panel has a
tray cover panel integrated therewith, which closes off each jewelry
storage compartment when the front cover panel is positioned over
the access opening formed in the case housing. When the front cover
panel is closed, the jewelry support posts contact the rear surface
of the front cover panel to prevent supported articles of jewelry
from falling off and tossing about within the storage compartment
during usage, including travel.
Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A jewelry case for storing and organizing articles of jewelry,
comprising: a case housing having a form factor for supporting,
and being substantially concealed by garment such as a shirt or
blouse, said case housing having a number of housing portions including
a back panel portion, a pair of side wall portions extending from
and connected to said back wall portion, a bottom wall portion extending
from and connected to said side wall portions, a top wall portion
extending from and connected to said bottom wall portion and also
being connected to said side wall portions so as to define an interior
volume having an access opening, and a fixed front wall portion
connected to said bottom wall portion, and disposed substantially
parallel to said back wall portion, and extending between said side
wall portions, beneath said access opening; a plurality of partition
panels projecting from said back wall panel and running in a parallel
manner within said interior volume so as to form a plurality of
jewelry storage compartments therewithin; wherein each said jewelry
storage compartment has at least one support post for supporting
one or more strands of jewelry such as necklaces and bracelets;
wherein each said jewelry storage compartment has a jewelry storage
tray integrated therewith beneath said fixed front wall portion
for storage of jewelry items such as earrings, rings, pendants,
tie clips, and watches; a support hook, connected to said case housing,
for supporting said case housing from a closet rod while enabling
said case housing to be rotatably supported thereabout; and a front
cover panel for positioning over said access opening so as to close
off said interior volume and cover said plurality of jewelry storage
compartments and said plurality of jewelry storage trays.
2. The jewelry case of claim 1, wherein each said partition panel
has a slot formed therein slightly above said fixed front wall portion,
and said front cover panel has a tray cover panel projecting orthogonally
from the bottom inside surface thereof and slides into said slots
formed within said partition panels when said front cover panel
is positioned over said access opening, thereby closing off and
containing articles of jewelry placed within each said jewelry storage
tray.
3. The jewelry case of claim 2, wherein said front cover panel
is hingedly connected to said case housing.
4. The jewelry case of claim 1, wherein each said jewelry storage
compartment comprises a pair of spaced apart support posts mounted
to said back wall portion, for supporting strands of jewelry.
5. The jewelry case of claim 4, where the distance between said
pair of support posts within each said jewelry storage compartment
is user adjustable to accommodate the length of said jewelry strands
being supported on said support posts.
6. The jewelry case of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of each
said partition panel is tapered to facilitate placement of jewelry
strands about said support post within said jewelry storage compartment.
7. The jewelry case of claim 1, wherein said support hook is detachable
from said case housing.
8. The jewelry case of claim 1, wherein the surfaces bounded within
each said jewelry storage compartment are provided with a soft-textured
material to reduce scratching of articles of jewelry stored therewithin.
9. The jewelry case of claim 1, wherein said back panel is further
provided with at least one mounting hole for passage of a screw
to mount said case housing to a wall surface.
10. The jewelry case of claim 1, wherein each support post contacts
the rear surface of said front cover panel in order to prevent supported
articles of jewelry from sliding off said support post when said
front cover panel is closed and said jewelry case is being transported
or otherwise subjected to external forces, as experienced when moving
clothes around in a closet environment.
11. A jewelry case for storing and organizing articles of jewelry,
comprising: a case housing having a form factor for supporting,
and being substantially concealed by garment such as a shirt or
blouse, said case housing having a number of housing portions including
a back panel portion, a pair of side wall portions extending from
and connected to said back wall portion, a bottom wall portion extending
from and connected to said side wall portions, a top wall portion
extending from and connected to said bottom wall portion and also
being connected to said side wall portions so as to define an interior
volume having an access opening, and a fixed front wall portion
connected to said bottom wall portion, and disposed substantially
parallel to said back wall portion, and extending between said side
wall portions, beneath said access opening; a plurality of partition
panels projecting from said back wall panel and running in a parallel
manner within said interior volume so as to form a plurality of
jewelry storage compartments therewithin; wherein each said jewelry
storage compartment has at least one support post for supporting
one or more strands of jewelry such as necklaces and bracelets;
a support hook, connected to said case housing, for supporting said
case housing from a closet rod while enabling said case housing
to be rotatably supported thereabout; and a front cover panel for
positioning over said access opening so as to close off said interior
volume and cover said plurality of jewelry storage compartments
and said plurality of jewelry storage trays; wherein each support
post contacts the rear surface of said front cover panel in order
to prevent supported articles of jewelry from sliding off said support
post when said front cover panel is closed and said jewelry case
is being transported or otherwise subjected to external forces,
as experienced when moving clothes around in a closet environment.
12. The jewelry case of claim 11, wherein each said jewelry storage
compartment has a jewelry storage tray integrated therewith beneath
said fixed front wall portion for storage of jewelry items such
as earrings, rings, pendants, tie clips, and watches.
13. The jewelry case of claim 12, wherein each said partition panel
has a slot formed therein slightly above said fixed front wall portion,
and said front cover panel has a tray cover panel projecting orthogonally
from the bottom inside surface thereof and slides into said slots
formed within said partition panels when said front cover panel
is positioned over said access opening, thereby closing off and
containing articles of jewelry placed within each said jewelry storage
tray.
14. The jewelry case of claim 11, wherein said front cover panel
is hingedly connected to said case housing.
15. The jewelry case of claim 11, wherein each said jewelry storage
compartment comprises a pair of spaced apart support posts mounted
to said back wall portion, for supporting strands of jewelry.
16. The jewelry case of claim 11, where the distance between said
pair of support posts within each said jewelry storage compartment
is user adjustable to accommodate the length of said jewelry strands
being supported on said support posts.
17. The jewelry case of claim 11, wherein the upper portion of
each said partition panel is tapered to facilitate placement of
jewelry strands about said support post within said jewelry storage
compartment.
18. A jewelry case for storing and organizing articles of jewelry,
comprising: a case housing having a form factor for supporting,
and being substantially concealed by garment such as a shirt or
blouse, said case housing having an interior volume, an access opening
leading thereinto, and a plurality of jewelry storage compartments
extending parallel within said interior volume, wherein each said
jewelry storage compartment has at least one support post for supporting
one or more strands of jewelry such as necklaces and bracelets;
a support hook, connected to said case housing, for supporting said
case housing from a closet rod while enabling said case housing
to be rotatably supported thereabout; and a front cover panel for
positioning over said access opening so as to close off said interior
volume and cover said plurality of jewelry storage compartments
and said plurality of jewelry storage trays; and wherein each support
post contacts the rear surface of said front cover panel in order
to prevent supported articles of jewelry from sliding off said support
post when said front cover panel is closed and said jewelry case
is being transported or subjected to external forces when said jewelry
device is moved around in a closet environment.
19. The jewelry case of claim 18, wherein each said jewelry storage
compartment has a jewelry storage tray integrated therewith beneath
said fixed front wall portion for storage of jewelry items such
as earrings, rings, pendants, tie clips, and watches.
20. The jewelry case of claim 19, wherein said front cover panel
has a tray cover panel which closes off said jewelry storage trays
and contains articles of jewelry placed therewithin when said front
cover panel is closed over said access opening.
Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an improved device for
storing and organizing articles of jewelry including necklaces and
bracelets.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
[0004] For ages, jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, rings and
pendants, have been worn by men and women alike for ornamental and
symbolic reasons alike.
[0005] When not being not worn, such jewelry is typically placed
into a storage case for safe keeping. Over the years, numerous different
types of jewelry storage cases have been developed. Examples of
such prior art jewelry cases are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,401,219;
4,620,651; 4,720,987; 4,848,585; 4,854,656; 5,246,103; 5,246,103;
5,295,587; 5,427,230; Des. 167,836; and Des. 247,084, each being
incorporated herein by reference.
[0006] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,848,585, 4,854,656, 5,246,103 teach how
to make jewelry cases for storing necklaces in a way that prevents
tangling.
[0007] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,620,651 and 4,401,219 teach how prior art
jewelry cases are concealed by garments and stored in a clothes
closet. However, such prior art jewelry cases have suffered from
a number of shortcomings and drawbacks so as to not be commercially
practical.
[0008] In particular, prior art necklace holder and organizer designs,
configured in the shape of clothes hangers, are generally heavy,
flimsy, space consuming, unattractive, expensive to manufacture,
and fail to maintain necklaces in a tangle-free configuration if
the organizer is tipped or tilted during movement or transportation
operations.
[0009] In addition, such prior art necklace holder and organizer
designs often tend to catch on clothes used to conceal the same.
[0010] Thus, there is a great need in the art for an improved device
for storing and organizing articles of jewelry in a way and using
a means that overcomes the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art
devices.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] A primary object of the present invention is to provide
an improved device for storing and organizing articles of jewelry
in a way and using a means that overcomes the shortcomings and drawbacks
of prior art devices.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
garment-concealable jewelry case having a front opening with a front
cover panel portion that can be either moved or configured to reveal
a plurality of parallel-running isolated storage compartments each
having an interior storage space which is accessible through a front
opening revealed when the front cover panel is removed or reconfigured.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide such
a garment-concealable jewelry case, wherein through the front opening
of each storage compartment, one or more necklaces, pendants, bracelets
or other strands of jewelry can be securely hung on a pair of jewelry
support posts adapted for spatial separation on the back wall portion
of the storage compartment in order to accommodate the length of
jewelry strands being supported.
[0014] Another object of the present is to provide such a garment-concealable
jewelry case, wherein each jewelry post contacts the rear surface
of the front cover panel in order to prevent supported articles
of jewelry from sliding or otherwise falling off the support post
when the front cover panel is closed and the jewelry case is being
transported or otherwise subjected to external forces, as experienced
when moving clothes around in a closet environment.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide such
a garment-concealable jewelry case, wherein the bottom portion of
each parallel-running isolated compartment has a stationary front
panel portion which, cooperating with the other wall portions of
the storage compartment, provides a five sided stationary storage
tray accessible through the opening of the respective storage compartment
and within which articles of jewelry such as rings, watches, earrings
and/or tie tacks can be placed for organization and storage.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide such
a garment-concealable jewelry case, wherein the front cover panel
has a tray cover panel integrated therewithin, which closes off
each jewelry storage compartment when the front cover panel is positioned
over the access opening formed in the case housing.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide such
a garment-concealable jewelry case, in which security is obtained
by concealment rather than by locking mechanisms.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide such
a garment concealable jewelry case, wherein its housing or casing
has a form factor that is substantially free of sharp outer edges
which tend to get snagged, and its support hook can be removed or
collapsed during travel operations.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide such
a garment-concealable jewelry case, wherein the front cover panel
can be easily opened to reveal organized articles of jewelry when
the case is lying flat in a suitcase.
[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide such
a garment-concealable jewelry case having a very thin housing portion
that is dimensioned so that a shirt, blouse or coat can be fitted
or draped thereover to cover the storage case when it is hung inside
a closet from its removable/collapsible support hook.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide such
a garment-concealable jewelry case, wherein the interior of each
storage compartment is lined with material which presents necklaces
and other jewelry articles from scratching.
[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide such
a garment concealable jewelry case, which is designed to swivel
about its support hook within a closet so as to face the user and
enable easy access to the articles of jewelry supported therewithin.
[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide such
garment-concealable jewelry case, which is made from a durable colored
plastic that is easy to clean.
[0024] These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent hereinafter and in the claims to Invention staked out hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025] For a fuller understanding of the objects of the present
invention, the following Detailed Description of The Illustrative
Embodiments shall be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the garment-concealable
jewelry case of the first illustrative embodiment of the present
invention, shown supported from a closet rod, with the front cover
panel thereof arranged in its closed configuration, and a phantom
view of a blouse or like garment supported thereover to conceal
the jewelry case among other garments supported from the closet
rod;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the garment-concealable
jewelry case of FIG. 1, shown with the front cover panel thereof
removed to fully reveal its plurality of parallel-running jewelry
storage compartments and integrated jewelry storage trays;
[0028] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the garment-concealable
jewelry case of FIG. 2, taken along line 2A-2A in FIG. 2, showing
the pair of position-adjustable jewelry support posts mounted within
each parallel-extending jewelry storage compartment provided therein;
[0029] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the garment-concealable
jewelry case of FIG. 2, taken along line 2A-2A in FIG. 2, showing
the jewelry storage case integrated within each parallel-extending
jewelry storage compartment provided therein;
[0030] FIG. 2C is a perspective, partially cut-away view of garment-concealable
jewelry case of FIG. 1, showing its front cover panel arranged in
its open position, and the tray cover panel extending from the lower
inside surface thereof being withdrawn from the slots formed within
the partition panels of the storage compartments, slightly above
the front wall portion of the case housing;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the garment-concealable
jewelry case of the second illustrative embodiment of the present
invention, shown supported from a closet rod, with its left and
right front cover panels arranged in its closed configuration;
[0032] FIG. 3A is a perspective, partially cut-away view of garment-concealable
jewelry case of FIG. 3, showing its left front cover panel arranged
in its open position, and the tray cover panel extending from the
lower inside surface thereof being withdrawn from the slots formed
within the partition panels of the storage compartments, slightly
above the front wall portion of the case housing; and
[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the garment-concealable
jewelry case of the present invention, shown packed within a conventional
top-opening suitcase.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT
[0034] Referring now to the accompanying Drawings, the Detailed
Description of the Illustrative Embodiment will now be described
in detail hereinbelow, wherein like elements shall be denoted by
like reference numerals.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the jewelry case of the illustrative
embodiment of the present invention indicated by reference numeral
1 has a very thin housing that is dimensioned so that a shirt, blouse
or coat 2 (depicted in dotted lines) can be fitted thereover to
cover the storage case when it is hung from its retractable/projectable
support hook 3 on a closet rod 4 supported inside a clothes closet.
In the illustrative embodiments, the case housing 5 has maximum
length dimension of about 18.5 inches, a maximum width dimension
of about 11 inches, and a depth (i.e. thickness) dimension of about
1.0 inch or less, to provide an ultra-thin low-height profile design
that is easily concealed under a short, blouse or coat. Preferably,
the case housing is made from a lightweight, yet durable plastic
material of a designed coloring and surface texture using injection-molding
techniques well known in the art.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the case housing 5 has a form factor
for supporting, and being substantially concealed by a garment such
as a shirt, blouse, coat, robe or like article of clothing. In the
illustrative embodiment, the case housing 5 number of housing portions,
namely: a back panel portion 5A having a pair of holes 6A and 6B
formed therein for optional mounting of the case on a wall surface
using a pair of screws; a pair of side wall portions 5B and 5C extending
from the back wall portion 5A: a bottom wall portion 5D extending
from said back wall portion and connected to the side wall portions
5B and 5C; top wall portions 5E, 5F and 5G extending from and connected
to the back wall portion 5A and portions 5E and 5G being connected
to the side wall portions 5B and 5C, respectively, so as to define
an interior volume 7 having an access opening 8; a fixed front wall
portion 54 connected to the bottom wall portion 5D, and disposed
substantially parallel to the back wall portion 5A, and extending
between the side wall portions 5B and 5C, beneath the access opening
8; six thin wall-like partition panels 9A and 9E projecting from
the back wall panel 5A and running in a parallel manner within the
interior volume 7 so as to form a plurality of jewelry storage compartments
10A through 10G therewithin.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, each jewelry storage compartment has
a pair of jewelry support posts 11A and 11B that can be adjustably
spaced apart by the user pulling each support post by its disc-like
flange and sliding it into a desired position within the storage
compartment, in a lock-fit manner. As shown in FIG. 2A, when front
cover panel 17 is closed, each jewelry post 11A and 11B contacts
the rear surface thereof in order to prevent supported articles
of jewelry from sliding or otherwise falling off the support posts
11A and 11B, and tossing about within the storage compartment when,
for example, the jewelry case is being transported from one location
to another, or when subjected to external forces when moving clothes
around in a closet environment.
[0038] Notably, each jewelry post 11A and 11B within each jewelry
storage compartment is provided with a releasable lock mechanism.
One way of realizing the releasable lock mechanism is to provide
each support post with teeth or projections on the bottom portion
thereof (adjacent to the back panel portion 5A) and spring biasing
the support post 11A(11B) so that it can be pulled upwardly (against
string forces) to release the teeth or projections from holes formed
within the back panel portion 5A. With this arrangement, each support
post can be repositioned along the length of the respective jewelry
storage compartment, as required to support a necklace or bracelet
of a particular length. Alternatively, the releasable lock mechanism
can be realized by equipping the bottom of each spring-biased support
post with teeth or like projections that lock into detents formed
along a slot 12 formed along the vertical extent of the back panel
portion 5A.
[0039] The above-described support post position-adjustment mechanisms
are easy to use. First, a necklace or bracelet 13 of a particular
length is supported over the top or upper support post 11A and then
the lower or bottom support post 11B is slide into position to as
to take up the slack in the necklace or bracelet between the support
posts. In this supported configuration, the necklace or bracelet
should be taut, but not tight to create excessive strain therealong.
In a preferred embodiments disclosed herein, support posts 11A and
11B can each be repositioned within its parallel-extending jewelry
storage compartment.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, each end of hook 3 is provided with
a disc-like flange 3A and 3B integrated with the body of the hook.
The function of these flanges is to prevent either end of the hook
from falling through the hole formed in the top side panel 5F, and
thus prevents the retractable/projectable hook 3 from detaching
from its case housing and becoming lost while traveling. It is understood,
however, that there are many other alternative ways of realizing
a hook structure for supporting the case housing 5 from a closet
rod 4 or like support structure. In some embodiments, it may be
desirable to make the hook structure 3 detachable from the case
housing or reconfigurable therewith in some manner.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, each storage compartment 10A and 10G
also has an integrated jewelry storage tray 15A through 15G, respectively,
for storing articles of jewelry such as rings, earrings, pendants,
tie clips, cufflinks, etc. In particular, the first jewelry storage
compartment 10A has a first integrated storage tray 15A formed by
bottom wall portion 5D side wall portion 5B, partition panel 9A,
and front wall portion 5H; the second jewelry storage compartment
10B has integrated storage tray 15B formed by bottom wall portion
5D, partition panels 9A and 9B, and front wall portion 5H; the third
storage compartment 10C has integrated storage tray 15C formed by
bottom wall portion 5D, partition panels 9B and 9C, and front wall
portion 5H; the fourth storage compartment 10D has integrated storage
tray 15D formed by bottom wall portion 5D, partition panels 9C and
9D, and front wall portion 5H; the fifth storage compartment 10E
has integrated storage tray 15E formed by bottom wall portion 5D,
partition panels 9D and 9E, and front wall portion 5H; the sixth
storage compartment 10F has integrated storage tray 15F formed by
bottom wall portion 5D, partition panels 9F and 9F, and front wall
portion 5H; and the seventh storage compartment 10G has integrated
storage tray 15G formed by bottom wall portion 5D, side wall portion
5C, partition panel 9F, and front wall portion 5H. Notably, each
jewelry storage tray 15A through 15G is stationary and integrated
within the bottom portion of its respective jewelry storage compartment
10A through 10.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 2C, a single tray cover panel 16 extending
from the lower inside surface of front cover panel 17 passes through
slots 18A through 18C formed in partition panels 9A through 9F,
respectively, and fits over the top openings formed in each of the
integrated jewelry storage trays 15A through 15G. When the front
cover panel 17 is installed in place, as shown in FIG. 1, then each
of the integrated jewelry storage trays 15A through 15G are closed
or otherwise concealed by a portion of the tray cover panel 16,
thereby safely containing any articles of jewelry, e.g. stored therewithin.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the upper portion of each of the partition
structures is tapered so as to facilitate the hanging of necklaces
and bracelets from the upper support post within the respective
storage compartment. Also, the interior of each jewelry storage
compartment and tray is lined with a velvet-like textured material
in order to reduce scratching of necklaces and other jewelry articles
contained within the case.
[0044] When the jewelry case of the present invention is used in
a wardrobe or clothes closet, its case housing 5 can be rotated
a full 360 degrees about its support hook 3 so that the front cover
panel 17 is substantially parallel with a plane through which the
closet rod 4 is disposed, making the jewelry case easily accessible
even in spatially cramped environments. The front cover panel 17
can then be rotated about its hinges 19A and 19B, as shown partly
in FIG. 2C, to reveal the plurality of parallel-running isolated
storage compartments 10A through 10G. In this configuration, one
or more necklaces, pendants, bracelets and other strands of jewelry
can be securely hung on the pair of jewelry support posts located
within each jewelry storage compartment. Also, in this configuration,
the tray cover panel 16, extending from the inside surface of the
front cover panel 17, is withdrawn from the plurality of slots 18A
through 18F formed within the thin compartment partition panels
9A through 9F, slightly above the front bottom panel 5H, as best
shown in FIG. 2.
[0045] When the front door panel is closed, as shown in FIG. 1
the tray cover panel 16 is disposed within the slots 18A through
18F and cover each of the integrated jewelry trays 15A through 15G,
in order to securely retain loose articles of jewelry, such as rings,
watches, earrings and/or tie tacks, therewithin during storage,
transport and like operations. Also, as shown in FIG. 2A, each jewelry
support post 11A and 11B contacts the rear surface of the front
cover panel 17 in order to prevent supported articles of jewelry
from sliding or otherwise falling off the support post when the
front cover panel is closed and the jewelry case is being transported
or otherwise subjected to external forces, as experienced when moving
clothes around in a closet environment.
[0046] A snap-type locking mechanism 20 (or other mechanism) can
be provided to prevent the cover panel 17 from opening in its closed
configuration. In this configuration, a garment can be fitted over
the case housing, as in the case of outfitting a mannequin, so as
to conceal the jewelry case. Thereafter, the outfitted jewelry case
can be tucked away among other articles of clothing hanging within
the closet. While this method provides a measure of security provided
over the jewelry by concealment, rather than by locking mechanisms,
it is understood that locking mechanism may be provided on the jewelry
case to hinder theft and/or tampering with articles of jewelry contained
therewithin.
[0047] In FIG. 3, a second illustrative embodiment of the present
invention is shown. In this alternative embodiment, jewelry case
1' has a front cover panel structure that is realized as a pair
of front cover panel doors 17A and 17B. As shown, each panel door
is hingedly connected to an other edge of the case housing by a
pair of hinges 19A,19B (and 19A',19B'). Also as shown in FIG. 3A,
front cover panel 17A has a storage tray cover panel 16A extending
from the lower rear surface thereof and closing off the first half
of the integrated storage tray compartments formed within the case
housing. Likewise, front cover panel 17B has a storage tray cover
panel 16B extending from the lower rear surface thereof and closing
off the second of the integrated storage tray compartments formed
within the case housing. In all other respects, jewelry case 1'
is similar to jewelry case 1 described in detail hereinabove. When
the front cover panel doors 17A and 17B are arranged in their closed
configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, the free edges thereof meet along
the centerline of the case housing and can be locked together by
a releasable locking mechanism 26. A pair of small knobs, or recessed
pull-grips 27, can be provided to or formed on the front doors 17A
and 17B so as to facilitate opening and closing of these front panels.
[0048] Notably, the housing of the jewelry cases disclosed herein
have a form factor that is substantially free of sharp outer edges
so that it does not get snagged on articles of clothing. This makes
the jewelry device suitable for carrying within a suitcase or article
of luggage during travel operations. In such applications, the jewelry
case of the present invention 1 (or 1') can be lifted off the closet
rod, and the support hook 3 easily retracted within the case housing
(e.g. by pushing and wrangling it through to the inside of the case
housing). The jewelry case 1 (or 1') can then be packed in a horizontal
manner within a suitcase or piece of opened luggage 22, as shown
in FIG. 3. Other articles of clothing 24 can be packed over and
about the device to conceal the same. Alternatively, the jewelry
case of the present invention can be mounted against a closet wall
via a pair of holes formed in the rear panel of the storage case.
In this arrangement, however, concealment of the storage case within
a shirt, blouse or coat, will not be possible in the manner shown
in FIG. 1.
[0049] Ornamentation 21 or other decorative graphics, inscriptions
and/or designs can be provided to the front surface of the front
cover panel 17 (or front cover panels 17A and 17B) to enhance the
appearance thereof.
[0050] The jewelry case of the present invention can be modified
in a variety of ways to adapt to any particular application at hand.
In the illustrative embodiments described above, the front cover
panel 17 (and 17A, 17B) are realized using hingedly connected front
cover panels. However, in alternative embodiments of the present
invention, the front cover panel can be designed to lift off of
the case housing entirely, or slid thereonto in a horizontal or
possibly vertical manner.
[0051] Such modifications described above are merely exemplary.
It is understood that other modifications to the illustrative embodiments
will readily occur to persons with ordinary skill in the art. All
such modifications and variations are deemed to be within the scope
and spirit of the present invention as defined by the accompanying
claims to Invention.
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