Jewelry display and storage case

Patent Abstract
A jewelry storage and display case includes a box-shaped container having a hinged cover mounted thereon with the cover including a transparent panel. A first screen panel is mounted in the container and a second screen panel is mounted on the cover on the side of the transparent panel thereof which faces the container. The screen panels are mounted by hinges for pivotably moving the panels to provide access to both sides thereof for mounted storage of jewelry thereon and presenting the stored jewelry for display through the transparent panel of the cover. A U-shaped channel in provided within the container for holding rings and a plurality of pegs are provided in the container for hanging jewelry thereon. The screen panels may be mounted on special socket-pin hinge assemblies within the case which allows the positions of the panels to be interchanged or removed entirely from the case.

2. A jewelry display and storage case as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising at least one peg mounted in said container so as to extend into the interior compartment thereof, said peg being adapted for hanging of jewelry thereon.

3. A jewelry display and storage case as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising an elongated U-shaped channel mounted within the interior compartment of said container for frictionally gripping the finger encircling portions of rings.

4. A jewelry display and storage case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said screen panel has an elongated perforated bar mounted thereon for storing and displaying loop-type earrings.

5. A jewelry display and storage case as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising an additional hinged screen panel mounted on the frame of said hinged cover on the side of the transparent panel thereof which faces said container when said cover is in the container closed position.

6. A jewelry display and storage case as claimed in claim 5 wherein said hinged screen panel and said additional screened panel are adapted to store and display earrings of the type having a post when the post is passed through the screen and has a post cap mounted on its extending end.

7. A jewelry display and storage case comprising: a) a box-shaped container defining an interior compartment; b) a hinged cover mounted on said container for movement between container closed and open positions, said cover including a frame having a transparent panel therein for viewing the interior compartment of said container; and c) a hinged screen panel mounted on the frame of said hinged cover on the side of the transparent panel thereof which faces said container when said cover is in the container closed position, said hinged screen panel being movable between being disposed in a parallel relationship with the transparent panel of said hinged cover and a being disposed in an angular relationship with the transparent panel of said cover, said screen panel adapted for storing and displaying jewelry thereon.

8. A jewelry display and storage case as claimed in claim 7 and further comprising at least one peg mounted in said container so as to extend into the interior compartment thereof, said peg being adapted for hanging of jewelry thereon.

9. A jewelry display and storage case as claimed in claim 7 and further comprising an elongated U-shaped channel mounted within the interior compartment of said container for frictionally gripping the finger encircling portions of rings.

10. A jewelry display and storage case as claimed in claim 7 and further comprising at least one additional hinged screen panel mounted in said container for movement between a first position within the interior compartment of said container and a second position of being out of the interior compartment of said container, said additional screen panel being adapted for storing and displaying jewelry.

11. A jewelry display and storage case as claimed in claim 10 wherein said hinged screen panel mounted on the frame of said hinged cover and said at least one additional hinged screen panel mounted in said container are adapted to store and display earrings of the type having a post when the post is passed through the screen and has a post cap mounted on its extending end.

12. A jewelry display and storage case as claimed in claim 10 wherein said at least one additional hinged screen panel mounted in said container has an elongated perforated bar mounted thereon for storing and displaying loop-type earrings.

13. A jewelry display and storage case as claimed in claim 10 wherein the hinged mounting of said screen panel on the frame of said cover and said at least one screen panel in said container is accomplished by socket-pin assemblies each having a pin mounted in a socket, said pin-socket assemblies each define an axis about which said screen panels are pivotably movable, the sockets and pins of said socket-pin assemblies being axially movable relative to each other for separating the pins from the sockets for removing said screen panels from the jewelry storage and display case.

14. A jewelry display and storage case comprising: a) a box-shaped container defining an interior compartment; b) at least one hinged screen panel mounted in said container for movement between a first position within the interior compartment of said container and a second position of being out of the interior compartment of said container, said screen panel adapted for storing and displaying jewelry; c) a hinged cover mounted on said container for movement between container closed and open positions, said cover including a frame with a transparent panel therein for viewing the interior compartment of said container; d) an additional hinged screen panel mounted on the frame of said hinged cover on the side of the transparent panel thereof which faces said container when said cover is in the container closed position, said additional screen panel being movable between being disposed in a parallel relationship with the transparent panel of said hinged cover and a being disposed in an angular relationship with the transparent panel of said cover, said screen panel adapted for storing and displaying jewelry thereon.

15. A jewelry display and storage case as claimed in claim 14 and further comprising: a) at least one peg mounted in said container so as to extend into the interior compartment thereof, said peg being adapted for hanging of jewelry thereon; b) an elongated U-shaped channel mounted within the interior compartment of said container for frictionally gripping the finger encircling portions of rings; and c) said at least one additional hinged screen panel mounted in said container has an elongated perforated bar mounted thereon for storing and displaying loop-type earrings.

16. A jewelry display and storage case as claimed in claim 14 wherein said hinged screen panel mounted on the frame of said hinged cover and said at least one additional hinged screen panel mounted in said container are adapted to store and display earrings of the type having a post when the post is passed through the screen and has a post cap mounted on its extending end.

17. A jewelry display and storage case as claimed in claim 14 wherein the hinged mounting of said screen panel on the frame of said cover and said at least one screen panel in said container is accomplished by socket-pin assemblies each of which includes a pin mounted in a socket, said pin-socket assemblies each define an axis about which said screen panels are pivotably movable, the sockets and pins of said socket-pin assemblies being axially movable relative to each other for separating the pins from the sockets for removing said screen panels from the jewelry storage and display case.

Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to storage and display containers and more particularly to a jewelry display and storage case.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Earrings, necklaces, bracelets and the like are traditionally stored in a jewelry box These prior art jewelry boxes usually sit on the top surface of a dressing table and are in the from of a box having a hinged lid which opens to provide access to a plurality of upwardly opening compartments. The jewelry contained in these various compartments is oftentimes mixed and necklaces are tangled. Such an arrangement makes viewing the jewelry for selection purposes and extracting a selected piece or pieces difficult.

[0005] Some prior art attempts have been made to ease the difficulties associated with traditional jewelry boxes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,319 discloses a storage apparatus that is adapted for placement on a horizontal surface in an upstanding position. The apparatus includes a container having a back wall with plural pegs extending therefrom for the hanging storage of necklaces and bracelets. A hinged cover is mounted on the container and the cover comprises a frame in which a screen is supported. Earrings of the type having a post protruding therefrom are mounted on the screen by inserting the post through the screen from one side and securing it in place by sliding a post cap onto the post extending from the other side of the screen. While this prior art jewelry container solves the problems of difficult jewelry piece selection and extraction, the hinged cover in the form of a screen exposes the jewelry to the damaging effects of the elements, that is corrosion and dust.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,736 includes an apparatus similar to that disclosed in Prior Art Pat. No. 5,931,319 discussed above. The apparatus includes a container adapted for hanging on a vertical surface and a hinged cover is mounted on the container for allowing selective opening and closing of the container. Suitable pegs protrude inwardly from the back surface of the container and inwardly from the inner surface of the hinged cover with the pegs being movable to accommodate necklaces of various lengths. Also, the container is provided with means for the storage of rings. A desired representation such as a photograph or painting is positioned on the outwardly facing surface of the hinged cover and a frame is demountably attached thereto so that the representation can be changed when desired. This apparatus lacks any jewelry display capability in that the hinged cover is adapted to support a representation such as a photograph or painting rather than allowing viewing of the contained jewelry. Further, no screen panel nor any other means for the storage of earrings is disclosed.

[0007] Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved jewelry display and storage case which overcomes some of the shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention discloses a jewelry display and storage case including a container with a hinged cover. The container is a box-shaped structure including a planar surface and sidewalls that cooperative define an interior compartment and the hinged cover selectively opens or closes the compartment. A plurality of pegs extend from the planar surface of the container into the interior compartment of the case and the pegs are adapted to have necklaces and bracelets hung thereon. Also, an elongated U-shaped in cross section channel is provided adjacent the interior of one of sidewalls of the container for frictionally holding the finger encircling portion of rings therein. A first screened panel is mounted on one of the sidewalls of the container by means of suitable hinges so as to extend into the interior compartment of the case. The hinged cover includes a transparent panel such as of glass with a frame surrounding and supporting the panel. The frame is configured with a ledge that extends inwardly of the transparent panel and a second screened panel is hingedly mounted on that ledge. Both the first and second screened panels are adapted to display and store earrings by having the protruding posts of the earrings extending through the screens with post caps positioned on the protruding ends of the posts.

[0009] The jewelry display and storage case is adapted to be supported on a vertical surface such as a wall and the transparent panel of the hinged cover allows the jewelry supported on the second screened panel to be viewed there through. The hinges used to mount the first and second screened panels can be replaced by pin and socket devices that allow the panels to be pivotably movable as well as allowing the positions thereof to be interchanged for selectively displaying either the first or second screened panels. Further the pin and socket devices allow the panels to be removed from the case for transport to, for example a dressing table.

[0010] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an new and improved jewelry display and storage case. The foregoing and other objects will be more fully understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the jewelry display and storage case of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 2 and showing a modification of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the jewelry display and storage case of the present invention which is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 10. The case 10 includes a box-shaped container 12 having a planar bottom panel 14 with an opposed pair of sidewalls 16 and 18 and an opposed pair of end walls 20 and 22. The bottom panel 14, the sidewalls 16 and 18 and the end walls 20 and 22 cooperatively define a compartment 24 within the container 12. A cover 26 is attached to the side wall 16 of the container 12 by a pair of suitable hinges 28 so that the cover is movable between positions of closing and opening the container. The cover 26 includes a panel 30 supported in a frame 32, with the panel 30 being formed of a transparent material such as glass to permit viewing into the compartment 24 of the container 12. The transparent panel 30 is mounted in the frame 32 in an off-set position so that more than half of the frames thickness is located on the side of the cover 26 which faces the container 12. This configuration provides a relatively large perpendicular ledge 34 the purpose of which will hereinafter be described.

[0018] The container 12 is preferably lined with a suitable material 36 such as velvet to enhance the display of jewelry. A suitable closing mechanism is provided for holding the cover 26 in the closed position and as seen in FIG. 1 that mechanism may take the form of a metal strap 38 and mating staple 40 which cooperatively form a hasp. A plurality of pegs 42 are mounted on the bottom panel 14 so as to extend normally therefrom into the compartment 24 of the container 12. Articles of jewelry such as necklaces and bracelets are hung on the pegs 42 as shown at 44 in FIG. 1. As seen best in FIG. 4, the container 12 further includes an elongated U-shaped channel 46 mounted on the end wall 22 adjacent the bottom panel 14. The channel 46 is lined with velvet and is sized to frictionally hold the finger encircling portion of rings 48 therein.

[0019] The jewelry display and storage case 10 further includes a screen panel 50 mounted on the sidewall 16 of the container 14 by hinges 52 which allows the screen panel to extend into the interior compartment 24 of the container 14 when the case 10 is closed and to be swung outwardly to provide access to the jewelry stored on the bottom panel 14 of the container 12 when the case 10 is open. The screen panel 50 includes a frame 54 in which a screen 56 is mounted in the well known manner to provide means for displaying and storing a plurality of earrings 58. The earrings 58 are mounted on the screen panel 50 by having the protruding posts 60 thereof passed through the screen 56 from one side and post caps 62 positioned on ends of the posts which extend through the screen. Loop-type earrings of the type shown at 64 in FIG. 1 cannot be mounted on the screen panel 50 in the manner described above and are instead mounted on an elongated perforated bar 66 which, as seen in FIG. 3, is attached to the screen 56 by suitable stitches 68.

[0020] A second screen panel 70, is mounted in the cover 26 by hinges 72 which allows the panel 70 to disposed in a parallel relationship with the transparent panel 30 of the cover 26 when the case 10 is closed and can be swung away from that position when the case is opened. Such movement of the second screen panel 70 provides access to both sides of the panel to allow mounting of earrings 58 thereon in the manner described above. The second screen panel 70 is identical to the first screen panel 50 and therefore includes a frame 74 in which a screen 76 is mounted. The hinges 72 are attached to a spacer block 78 which is in turn attached to the perpendicular ledge 34 fo the frame 32 of the cover 26. The spacer block 78 is used to locate the hinges 72 in a position where they do not come into contact with the extending end 80 of the container sidewall 16 when the cover 26 is moved into the closed position and therefore do not interfere with closing of the case 10.

[0021] The Jewelry display and storage case 10 is preferably mounted on a wall 82 and any of the well known mounting hardware used to hang relatively heavy pictures can be used such as toggle bolts 82 (one shown).

[0022] A modification of the jewelry display and storage case is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this second embodiment, the hinges 52 and 72 used to mount the screen panels 50 and 70 respectively of the first embodiment are replaced by socket-pin assemblies 86. The socket-pin assemblies 86 (one shown) used to mount the first screen panel 50 include sockets 88 that are mounted on the sidewall 16 of the container 12 and the socket-pin assemblies 86 (one shown) used to mount the second screen panel 70 include sockets 88 that are mounted on the frame 32 of the cover 26. Pin members 90 are carried on the frames 54 and 74 of the first and second screen panels 50 and 70 respectively for mating with the sockets 88. As seen in FIG. 6, the pin-socket assemblies 86 define an axis 92 which allows the screen panels 50 and 70 to be pivotably moved for the purposes described above. Additionally, the pins and sockets can be separated by axially moving them relative to each other from the solid position to the dashed line position shown in FIG. 6. The ability to separate the socket-pin assemblies 86 allows the screen panels 50 and 70 to be moved from their mounted positions described above, so that the positions of the panels can be interchanged so that the jewelry viewed through the transparent panel 30 of the cover 26 can be either that mounted on the first screen panel 50 or the second screen panel 70. Further, the screen panels 50 and 70 can be completely removed from the case 10 and transported to, for example a dressing table.

[0023] While the principles of the invention have now been made clear in illustrated embodiments, many modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art which do not depart from those principles. For example, the container of the display and storage case could be fabricated with an increased depth dimension so that additional screen panels may be mounted therein. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover such modifications within the limits only of the true spirit and scope of the invention.