US20070080125A1

US20070080125A1 - Corner closet

Info

Publication number: US20070080125A1
Application number: US11/544,823
Authority: US
Inventors: Gregory Fratantoni
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-10-06
Filing date: 2006-10-06
Publication date: 2007-04-12

Abstract

An easy to use, discreet, and functional device that can be used to convert any space within a home into a useful storage closet. The device comprises a unit base comprising at least two separate wall mounts having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface of the wall mount is capable of being secured to a pair of opposing walls. A brace assembly is attached to the second surface of each of the wall mounts. A holder joint is secured to each of the braces. Preferably the brace assembly includes hinges so as to allow the holder joints to swivel in order to accommodate a variety of sized/shaped spaces. At least one rod having a pair of opposing ends capable of fitting within respective holder joints extends between the pair of opposing walls to form a closet in which articles may be stored.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/724,096, filed Oct. 6, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a device for converting an area of the home into a closet and, more particularly, to a device for converting a seldom utilized portion of the home, such as a corner, into a closet capable of storing a plurality of items in an out of the way location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many homes and apartments lack adequate closet space leaving clothes, accessories, and other items meant for storage, without proper placement. It is virtually impossible to stuff everything into one storage closet. Clothing can often be found in several different areas throughout the house and frequently in overcrowded closets, dressers, and garment bags. As a result of this lack of space, clothes, shoes, and accessories can become damaged or ruined when not properly stored.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,087,006 to Schill and U.S. Pat. No. 4,192,426 to Gauthier disclose a mountable/dismountable clothes line/rod device that can be readily erected, for example in the bathroom or on a balcony, for hanging clothes for drying. These devices are temporary solutions and are not meant to form a permanent type storage space within the house for clothes, shoes, accessories and the like. These devices also form an unattractive site at the location from which they are mounted.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,762 to Haghayegh and Japanese Publication JP11070040 teach triangular shaped shelves, which may be mounted within a corner. JP ('404) even teaches that a hanging bar may be extended from the shelves. While these devices can provide an attractive storage space, this space is somewhat limited in size, limited with respect to the shape of the corner it is positioned within, and limited in the load that it is capable of supporting.
There is a need in the art for a device that offers a discreet, functional, and practical storage solution for consumers to adequately and easily store clothing, shoes, accessories and the like. There is a further need in the art for a device that is easy to construct and is suitable for use in any area of the house.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device for converting a space into a storage closet.
It is still yet another object of the invention to provide a device for converting a space into a storage closet that is easy to construct and is suitable for use at any location within the house.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a device for converting a corner space into a storage closet which is capable of attaching to opposing walls having any size/angle with respect to one another.
It is still yet another object of the invention to provide a device for converting a space into a storage closet, which is functional, discreet, and attractive.
It is an even further object of the invention to provide a device for converting a space into a storage closet that includes means for readily disguising the storage space to appear as a window, mirror, and the like.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide a device for converting a space which is capable of supporting a shelf and having a plurality of hanging devices extending therefrom to maximize the storage capabilities of the space.
In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention which have been described in some specific detail above it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, and in accordance with the forgoing objects, the invention comprises a device for converting a space into a closet comprising a unit base comprising at least two separate wall mounts having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface of the wall mount is capable of being secured to a pair of opposing walls by any well-known means. A brace assembly is attached to the second surface of each of the wall mounts. A holder joint is secured to each of the braces. Preferably the brace assembly includes hinges so as to allow the holder joints to swivel in order to accommodate a variety of sized/shaped spaces. At least one rod having a pair of opposing ends capable of fitting within respective holder joints extends between the pair of opposing walls to form a closet in which articles may be stored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the device for converting a space into a closet including several accessories that can be supported by the invention.
FIG. 2 shows a simplified diagram of the device of closet converting device of FIG. 1
FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show individual components of the closet converting device of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 4A-4E show a variety of disguising devices for the closet converting device of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 5A-5E show a variety of accessories that can be hung or supported by the closet converting device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing the invention in detail, the reader is advised that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components having identical functions have been marked where possible with the same reference numerals in each of the Figures provided in this document.
Now reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2 that show the device for converting a space, generally indicated as 11, into a closet, generally indicated as 10, comprising a unit base, generally indicated as 12, comprising at least two separate wall mounts 14 having a first surface 18 and a second surface 20. The first surface 18 of each wall mount 14 is capable of being secured to a pair of opposing walls 22, 24 by any well known means such as screws, nails, and the like.
A brace assembly 26, as shown in FIG. 3A, is attached to the second surface 20 of each of the wall mounts 14. A holder joint is secured to each of the brace assemblies 26. Preferably the brace assembly includes hinges 30 so as to allow the holder joints 28 to swivel in order to accommodate a variety of sized/shaped spaces 11.
At least one rod 32 having a pair of opposing ends 34 capable of fitting within respective holder joints 28 extends between the pair of opposing walls 22, 24 to form a closet 10 in which articles may be stored.
An ideal use for the device of the present invention is in the conversion of a corner space 11 wherein the pair of opposing walls 22, 24 are positioned at an angle α with respect to each other. By utilizing a brace assembly 26 that includes hinges 30, the holder joints 28 are capable of swiveling back and forth to accommodate any angled/sized corner space 11.
The rod 32, as shown in FIG. 3C, can comprise a telescoping rod that is extendable from approximately 1-4 feet and is preferably formed from a lightweight, durable material.
The holder joints 28, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3B include recesses into which the opposing ends 34 of the rod 32 can snap into place and be held therein. The opposing ends 34 of the rod, as shown in FIG. 3C, can include spring loaded snaps 36. Alternatively, a pin or screw system assembly can be used for securing the rod within the holder. The pin acts as an axis for the holder joint to rotate on. The holder joints 28 include openings 38 for receiving the spring loaded snaps 36.
As shown in FIG. 1, the device of the invention can be designed to include a plurality of brace assemblies 26 and holder joints 28 secured thereto which are capable of mounting a plurality of rods 32.
As shown in FIGS. 4A-4D, the invention can further include a disguising means and a means for mounting the disguising means in front of the closet 10 for hiding the stored items. This disguising means can include a curtain rod and a curtain 40, as shown in FIG. 4A, available in a variety of colors to match any decorating scheme. This disguising means can also include a window treatment 42, as shown in FIG. 4B, placed over the closet as if it were another window in the room. An alternative disguising means can be in the form of a decorative paneling system 44, as shown in FIG. 4C, which comprises a series of panels formed from lightweight material and approximately ½ inch wide that fold one over the other like a closet door. Another disguising means is a set of doors 46, shown in FIG. 4D, which open from the middle. Yet another disguising means can be a mirror 48, as shown in FIG. 4E, which opens similar to the door 46 of FIG. 4D.
The rod 32 of the invention is capable of having a plurality of accessories one of mounted thereon, extending therefrom and a combination of mounted thereon and extended therefrom. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5A-5D, this accessory can comprise at least one shelf 50 mounted above the rod 32, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5A, or a lightweight shelf 52, as shown in FIG. 5C, hanging from a series of hooks 53 from the rod 32. Other types of accessories include a belt and tie hanger 54, multi-pant hanger 56, vertical hanger 58, as shown in FIG. 5C, which comprises one hook 59 with several vertical holes that allow one to place individual hanger in each hole so that the clothing lays one atop the other, and a shoe rack 60, as shown in FIG. 5D. Hangers 62, as shown in FIG. 5E, may be used in the device of the invention wherein the hangers swivel on a hook 64, such as used in belt and tie holders and vertical hangers, to allow more clothing to hang in the closet by overlapping hangers.
The closet converting device of the invention provides an easy, discreet, and functional device that can be used to convert any space within a home into a useful storage facility.
The invention has been described in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms so as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same. It should be understood that variations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for components of the specifically described embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Persons who possess such skill will also recognize that the foregoing description is merely illustrative and not intended to limit any of the ensuing claims to any particular narrow interpretation.

Claims

1. A device for converting a space into a closet, said device comprising:

(a) a unit base comprising at least two separate wall mounts having a first surface and a second surface, said first surface capable of being secured to a pair of opposing walls;

(b) a brace assembly attached to said second surface of each of said wall mounts;

(c) a holder joint secured to each of said brace assembly;

(d) a rod having a pair of opposing ends, each of said end capable of fitting within a respective said holder joint such that said rod extends between said pair of opposing walls to form a closet in which articles may be stored.

2. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said space comprises a corner space and said pair of opposing walls are positioned at an angle with respect to each other.

3. A device as recited in claim 2 wherein each said brace assembly comprises a hinged portion allowing said holder joints to swivel back and forth to accommodate said corner space.

4. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said rod comprises a telescoping rod.

5. A device as recited in claim 4 wherein said telescoping rod is extendable from approximately 1-4 feet.

6. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said rod is formed from a lightweight, durable material.

7. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said holder joints include recesses into which said opposing ends of said rod can snap into place and be held therein.

8. A device as recited in claim 7 wherein said opposing ends of said rod include spring loaded snaps.

9. A device as recited in claim 8 wherein said holder joints include openings for receiving said spring loaded snaps.

10. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said wall mounts are capable of being secured to such pair of opposing walls be means of screws.

11. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said wall mounts include a plurality of brace assemblies and holder joints secured thereto which are capable of mounting a plurality of rods.

12. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said rod is capable of having a plurality of accessories one of mounted thereon, extending therefrom and a combination of mounted thereon and extended therefrom.

13. A device as recited in claim 12 wherein said accessory comprises at least one shelf mounted above said rod.

14. A device as recited in claim 12 wherein said accessory comprises at least one shelf made of lightweight material hanging from a series of hooks from said rod.

15. A device as recited in claim 12 wherein said accessory comprises one of a belt and tie hanger, multi-pant hanger, vertical hanger, and a shoe rack.

16. A device as recited in claim 1 further including a means for mounting a disguising means in front of said closet.

17. A device as recited in claim 17 wherein said disguising means comprises one of a curtain, a window treatment, a foldable panel, a door, and a mirror.

18. A device for converting a corner space into a closet, said device comprising:

(a) a unit base comprising at least two separate wall mounts having a first surface and a second surface, said first surface capable of being secured to a pair of opposing corner walls;

(b) a hinged brace assembly attached to said second surface of each of said wall mounts;

(c) a holder joint secured to each of said hinged brace assemblies, said holder joints capable of swiveling back and forth to accommodate said corner space having a variety of sizes and shapes;

(d) at least one extendable telescoping rod having a pair of opposing ends, each of said end capable of fitting within a respective said holder joint such that said rod extends between said pair of opposing walls to convert said corner space into a closet in which articles may be stored.

19. A device as recited in claim 18 said opposing ends of said at least one rod include spring loaded snaps and said holder joints include openings for receiving said spring loaded snaps and locking said at least one rod into place.

20. A device as recited in claim 18 including a disguising means positioned in front of said at least one rod and said at least one rod is capable of having a plurality of accessories one of mounted thereon, extending therefrom and a combination of mounted thereon and extended therefrom.