US20040206712A1

US20040206712A1 - Rotatable storage device and mirror

Info

Publication number: US20040206712A1
Application number: US10/417,235
Authority: US
Inventors: Cristian Wicha; William Becker
Original assignee: Becker Designed Inc
Current assignee: Becker Designed Inc
Priority date: 2003-04-17
Filing date: 2003-04-17
Publication date: 2004-10-21

Abstract

A rotatable storage device includes a frame member and a panel member rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis within the frame member. The panel member includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface includes a mirror and the second surface includes a plurality of storage areas. The rotatable storage device further has a bottom support and an upper support, the bottom support including a plurality of legs and the upper support including a plurality of wall engaging brackets. The plurality of storage areas may include, for example, a message board, a row of hooks, a storage cradle and/or a generally horizontal shelf.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to a free standing storage device, and more particularly, to a free standing rotatable device including a mirror and/or a plurality of storage areas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Freestanding mirrors, and in particularly full length free standing mirrors, make an attractive and highly functional addition to a bedroom, dressing room, or any other rooms decor. A popular type of free standing mirror, known as a cheval mirror, has a framed mirror portion which is pivotly mounted along a horizontal plane between two vertical supports to allow the mirror to be tilted relative to a vertical plane. Although very elegant, because mirrors of this type tend to be relatively large and occupy significant floor space, some consumers desiring a free standing mirror may be reluctant to consider a cheval mirror due to space limitations. Moreover, a majority of free standing mirrors available to the consumer have a very traditional styling, are manufactured from a heavy wood material and may therefore not be appropriate in homes having a more contemporary decor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a rotatable storage mirror including a frame member and a panel member rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis within the frame member. The panel member includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface includes a mirror and the second surface includes a plurality of storage areas. The rotatable storage mirror further has a bottom support and an upper support, the bottom support preferably including a plurality of legs and the upper support preferably including a plurality of wall engaging brackets. The plurality of storage areas may include, for example, a message board, a row of hooks, storage cradles and/or generally horizontal shelves. The rotatable storage mirror further includes a plurality of securement holes for selectively positioning the plurality of storage areas thereon and a locking means for selectively preventing rotation of the rotatable panel within the frame member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals, wherein: [0004]
FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a rotatable storage mirror according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0005]
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view thereof in a partially rotated position. [0006]
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a frame member for the rotatable storage mirror shown in FIG. 1. [0007]
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the rotatable panel for the storage mirror shown in FIG. 1. [0008]
FIG. 5A is a top plan view of the rotatable panel shown in FIG. 4; and FIG. 5B is a bottom plan view thereof. [0009]
FIG. 6A is a front view of the rotatable panel shown in FIG. 4; and FIG. 6B is a rear view thereof, without the storage areas and mirror.[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to a rotatable storage device, and more preferably to a rotatable storage mirror, as shown generally by [0011] reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1. The rotatable storage mirror 10 includes a frame member 12, a rotatable panel 14, and support structure, such as a bottom support 16. In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the bottom support 16 includes at least one and preferably two legs 16 a, 16 b. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, other types of bottom supports could also be provided, such as, for example, a single base unit or weighted base unit. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an upper support 18 may also be provided, the upper support 18 including at least one and preferably two brackets 18 a, 18 b. The upper support 18 may also include other types of supports such as, for example, a ceiling support pole or the like.
The [0012] rotatable panel 14 includes a first or rear surface 14 a preferably having a plurality of storage areas 20 and a second or front surface 14 b preferably including a mirror 22. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, storage areas 20 may include, for example, a message board 20 a, such as a cork board, bulletin board, chalk board, erasable marker board, or the like. Storage areas 20 may also include a row of pegs or hooks 20 b, one or more cradles 20 c, 20 f, and one or more shelves 20 d, 20 e. It should be apparent to one skilled in the art that any other type of storage area or storage compartment could similarly be utilized on the rotatable panel 14 and that any desired combination and arrangement of storage areas can be implemented in accordance with the present invention. The mirror 22 disposed on the opposing surface of rotatable panel 14 is preferably a full length mirror, i.e. one that allows a user to view substantially their entire body from head to toe. It is conceivable, however, and it should be clear to one skilled in the art that mirrors of a lesser extent could also be utilized such as one-half height mirrors, and additional storage areas could also be provided on the second surface of the rotatable panel. Moreover, if a mirror is not desired on the second surface 14 b of the rotatable panel, the second surface may remain as it is, be provided with further storage areas, be covered with a decorative panel, or be covered or used in any other manner depending upon the needs of the consumer.
Referring also to FIG. 3, the [0013] frame member 12 is shown in greater detail. As illustrated, each of the brackets 18 a, 18 b preferably includes an L-shaped arm member 26 and a wall anchor 28 which are connected together by a pin 30 or other connection means. The wall anchors 28 preferably include openings 28 a through which wall fastening means 34, such as screws, nails, bolts or other connection mechanisms may be inserted for securing the upper support to a stationary wall. The frame member 12 further includes a plurality of predrilled holes 32 a through which bolts 24 a may be extended for attachment of the L-shaped arm members 26 to the upper edge of the frame member. The frame member 12 further includes a plurality of predrilled holes 32 b on the lower edge for insertion of bolts 24 b therethrough and connection of the bottom legs 16 a, 16 b. The frame member may also preferably include a predrilled locking hole 32 c extending therethrough for securing the rotatable panel 14 against movement during transportation and/or shipping or from inadvertent movement by a child, as explained in greater detail below. In a preferred embodiment, the locking hole 32 c is formed in the upper edge of the frame member.
The frame member is preferably formed from steel material. The cross sectional area of the frame member is preferably oval, however, circular, square, or other configurations of tubing could also be used. Other materials could of course also be used, such as aluminum, wood, plastic, particle board, MDF board and generally any other type of composite engineered material. The [0014] bottom support 16 and upper support 18 are preferably formed from the same material as frame member 12, however it is within the scope of the present invention that the lower and upper supports may be formed from a different material.
Referring to FIG. 4, an exploded view of the [0015] rotatable panel 14 is illustrated. Panel 14 is preferably formed from an MDF board and if desired a veneer surface such as maple may be applied to the first and/or second surfaces. Other materials could of course also be used, such as LDF board, Masonite, plywood, particle board, hex-comb, plastic, solid wood, or generally any other type of composite engineered material. In a preferred embodiment, the rotatable panel 14 has an overall height in the longitudinal direction of approximately 1,511.3 mm and a width in the transverse direction of approximately 435.0 mm. As shown most clearly in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the first surface 14 a of the rotatable panel 14 includes a plurality of holes 36 a, preferably spaced approximately 70.0 mm between adjacent holes in the longitudinal direction. The second surface 14 b preferably includes holes 36 a which are spaced a greater distance apart, approximately 350.0 to 420.0 mm apart. Each of the holes 36 a preferably includes a threaded insert for receiving the bolts for securing the various mirrors and storage areas on the first and second surfaces of the rotatable panel. The rotatable panel 14 also preferably includes at least one and preferably two locking holes 38 a, 38 b disposed on the top edge thereof, as shown in FIG. 5A.
FIG. 4 illustrates in further detail the preferred arrangement and attachment of the [0016] mirror 22 and storage areas 20 to the opposing surfaces of rotatable panel 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, it is noted that storage cradles 20 c, 20 f have been removed and additional shelf units 20 g, 20 h have been installed.
In addition, referring also to FIGS. 5A and 5B, upper and [0017] lower mounting pins 40 a, 40 b are secured in openings 44 a, 44 b on the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the rotatable panel 14 at the centerline thereof. Hence, upon securing rotatable panel 14 within frame member 12, the rotatable panel 14 is free to rotate about its longitudinal axis in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, at least approximately 180°. Recognizing that there are times when it is not desirable to have a rotatable device accessible to small children, the present invention provides the rotatable storage device 10 with locking means for preventing rotation of the rotatable panel within the frame member. More particularly, the locking means may include at least one hole 32 c formed in an edge of the frame member and at least one hole 38 a, 38 b formed in a corresponding edge of the rotatable panel such that a locking pin 42 may be inserted through the frame member and fixedly secured against rotation within the at least one hole in the rotatable panel regardless of which surface is facing outwardly on the rotatable panel.
When the [0018] rotatable storage mirror 10 is thereafter positioned either adjacent to a wall or in a corner, the consumer is able to substantially conceal the storage areas by having the second surface 14 b and mirror 22 facing outwardly, but it is merely a matter of rotating the panel 14 in order to easily obtain access to items within the storage areas 20. In addition to the obvious advantages for placing the rotatable storage mirror 10 in a bedroom or in a dressing room or bathroom, it is believed that the rotatable storage mirror of the present invention also has utility in a foyer or family room or another area of the home where it is sometimes desirable to have a full length mirror if placement of the same does not result in the loss of valuable storage space. Further, although discussed above in terms of the free-standing full length preferred embodiment, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the rotatable storage device 10 of the present invention may also be manufactured in a smaller scale for table top or vanity top use. In such instances, the rotatable storage device will likely require only a bottom support, such as a single base unit, rather than the bottom and upper supports of the full length embodiment.
While the present invention has been depicted, described, and is defined by reference to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, such reference does not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts. The depicted and described preferred embodiment of the invention is exemplary only, and is not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects. [0019]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A rotatable storage mirror comprising:

a frame member;

a panel member rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis within the frame member, the panel member including a first surface and a second surface;

wherein the first surface includes a mirror; and

wherein the second surface includes a plurality of storage areas.

2. The rotatable storage mirror according to claim 1, further comprising a bottom support.

3. The rotatable storage mirror according to claim 2, wherein the bottom support includes a plurality of legs.

4. A rotatable storage mirror according to claim 3, further comprising an upper support.

5. A rotatable storage mirror according to claim 4, wherein the upper support includes a plurality of wall engaging brackets.

6. The rotatable storage mirror according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of storage areas include a message board.

7. The rotatable storage mirror according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of storage areas include a row of hooks.

8. The rotatable storage mirror according to claim 1, wherein the storage areas include at least one storage cradle.

9. The rotatable storage mirror according to claim 1, wherein the storage areas include at least one generally horizontal shelf.

10. The rotatable storage mirror according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable panel includes a plurality of securement holes for selectively positioning the plurality of storage areas thereon.

11. The rotatable storage mirror according to claim 1, further comprising a locking means for preventing rotation of the rotatable panel within the frame member.

12. The rotatable storage mirror according to claim 11, wherein the locking means includes at least one through-hole formed in an edge of the frame member and at least one hole formed in a corresponding edge of the rotatable panel such that a locking pin may be inserted through the at least one through-hole in the frame member and fixedly secured against rotation within the at least one hole in the rotatable panel.

13. The rotatable storage mirror according to claim 1, wherein the frame member is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, aluminum, wood, plastic, particle board, MDF board, and composite engineered board.

14. The rotatable storage mirror according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable panel is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of: MDF board, LDF board, Masonite, plywood, particle board, hex-comb, plastic, wood, and composite engineered board.

15. The rotatable storage mirror according to claim 1, wherein the mirror extends substantially the entire height of the rotatable panel.

16. A rotatable storage device comprising:

a frame member;

wherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface includes a plurality of storage areas.

17. The rotatable storage device according to claim 16, further comprising a bottom support.

18. The rotatable storage device according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface includes a decorative accent panel.

19. The rotatable storage device according to claim 16, further comprising a locking means for selectively preventing rotation of the rotatable panel within the frame member.

20. A rotatable mirror comprising:

a frame member; and

wherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface includes a mirror.