FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of vanity accessories. More specifically, the present invention relates to jewelry boxes, necklace stands, and mirrors and, even more specifically, to a spinning mirrored jewelry box.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Jewelry boxes, necklace stands, and vanity mirrors are well known. Commonly, these devices are used in conjunction and maintained in the same vicinity, for example, on a vanity table. An individual in the process of accessorizing will generally use the mirror to view herself as she chooses from the various accessories stored in a jewelry box or on a necklace stand located on the vanity table.

Jewelry boxes are generally used to store such accessories as rings, earrings, watches, etc. Prior jewelry boxes generally include a hinged top that opens to reveal a plurality of lidless compartments for separating and storing the accessories, and may include other lidless compartments, such as, drawers.

These types of lidless compartments may be adequate for storing small, compact items, such as, rings, earrings, and watches, but accessories that include long strands or chains, for example, bracelets and necklaces, tend to become tangled in these types of compartments. Consequently, necklaces are often stored on a separate device, namely, a necklace stand, which allows them to hang without getting tangled.

Jewelry boxes, necklace stands, and mirrors each occupy valuable surface area on vanity tables, which results in less usable surface on the vanity table and a cluttered appearance. Additionally, some vanity tables may be too small for multiple accessory storage devices, in which case a user may be forced to store her necklaces in the compartments of a jewelry box. Further, necklace stands generally do not enclose the accessories hanging from it, and a plurality of necklaces visibly hanging from the necklace stand tends to exacerbate a cluttered appearance.

Therefore, there exists a need for a jewelry box to be used in conjunction with a vanity table that mitigates the amount of surface area normally occupied on the table by multiple storage devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention broadly comprises a spinning mirrored jewelry box. The jewelry box comprises a plurality of walls defining an inner chamber, at least one wall of the plurality of walls comprising a rotatable panel having a first side opposite a second side, at least one of the first and second sides comprising a reflective surface, and at least one of the first and second sides comprising a compartment. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises three rotatable panels, each of which has the first side comprising the reflective surface and a second side comprising the compartment. In a preferred embodiment, each of the three rotatable panels has an outer mirrored surface, and the panels each rotate to reveal an inner storage compartment for jewelry and the like.

The present invention further comprises a means for securing the at least one rotatable panel in at least a first position, but preferably in a first and second position. In a preferred embodiment, the means for securing the panel in the at least first position includes magnetic attraction between at least one magnet secured to the panel and at least one magnet secured to one wall of the plurality of walls. In a preferred embodiment, one magnet is secured to the bottom of the panel and first and second magnets are secured to a bottom wall of the plurality of walls. When the panel is in a first rotated position, the magnet secured to its bottom is vertically aligned with the first magnet secured to the bottom wall. When the panel is in the second position, the magnet secured to its bottom is vertically aligned with the second magnet secured to the bottom wall.

A general object of the present invention is to provide an aesthetically pleasing jewelry box that minimizes and optimizes the amount of surface area occupied on a vanity table and removes clutter caused by multiple storage devices.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a single device that functions as a jewelry box, a necklace stand, and a mirror.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon study of the following detailed description in view of the drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the jewelry box of the present invention showing three mirrored rotatable panels in a first position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention shown in FIG. 1, but showing one rotatable panel in a second position and examples of accessories that may be stored within the jewelry box;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention shown in the preceding figures, showing one rotatable panel in the second position, one rotatable panel in the first position, and one rotatable panel partially rotated between the first and second positions;

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the invention shown in the preceding figures;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of Area 5 shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the rotatable panel;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a compartment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the top wall of the jewelry box;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the bottom wall of the jewelry box;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the jewelry box taken generally along line 10-10 in FIG. 3; and,

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the jewelry box taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which will be limited only by the appended claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices and materials are now described.

The following description is best understood in view of FIGS. 1-5. Spinning mirrored jewelry box 100 comprises: top wall 110 having outer surface 112, inner surface 114, and pivot pin apertures 115; bottom wall 120 having outer surface 122, inner surface 124, and pivot pin apertures 125; first side wall 130 having outer surface 132 and inner surface 134; second side wall 140 having outer surface 142 and inner surface 144; and back wall 150 having outer surface 152 and inner surface 154. Jewelry box 100 includes inner chamber 50, defined by inner surfaces 114, 124, 134, 144, and 154.

Jewelry box 100 further comprises at least one rotatable panel 160. In a preferred embodiment, device 100 comprises three rotatable panels 160. Each of the three panels 160 is independently rotatable around central vertical axis Y-Yâ€² (see, FIG. 12). Panel 160 includes top surface 165 and bottom surface 167. Upper pivot pin 200 is secured to top surface 165 in pivot pin aperture 184a, and lower pivot pin 210 is secured to bottom surface 167. Pivot pins 200 and 210 are vertically aligned along the axis Y-Yâ€². Inner surface 114 of top wall 110 includes pivot pin apertures 115 for receiving at upper pivot pins 200. Inner surface 124 of bottom wall 120 includes pivot pin apertures 125 for receiving lower pivot pins 210. Pivot pins 200 and 210 allow panel 160 to be rotated around axis Y-Yâ€² while remaining connected to the rest of device 100.

FIG. 1 shows jewelry box 100 having three panels 160, each of which is rotated to a first position. FIG. 2 shows jewelry box 100 with middle panel 160 rotated to a second position, and the adjacent panels 160 rotated to the first position. FIG. 3 shows jewelry box 100 with one rotatable panel 160 rotated to the second position, one rotatable panel 160 rotated to the first position, and one rotatable panel 160 partially rotated between the first and second positions.

The following description of rotatable panel 160 is best understood in view of FIGS. 4-6. Panel 160 comprises first side 162 and second side 166. In a preferred embodiment, first side 162 comprises reflective surface 164 to serve as a mirror, and second side 166 comprises compartment 170, which may be used to store accessories, and pegs 198, which may be used for hanging necklaces. Second side 166 may further comprise apertures 163 for receiving pegs 198.

The following description of compartment 170 is best understood in view of FIGS. 6-8. In a preferred embodiment, compartment 170 includes generally flat base 176 having top surface 180, bottom surface 182, and edge 181. Compartment 170 further includes wall 172 extending generally upwardly from base 176. In a preferred embodiment, base 176 is substantially semicircular, thereby having a perimeter comprising an arcuate portion and a linear portion. Wall 172 extends upwardly from the arcuate portion of the perimeter, and edge 181 is defined by the linear portion of the perimeter. Wall 172 includes vertical edges 173 extending from the top of the wall to edge 181. In a preferred embodiment, bottom surface 167 includes bottom surface 182 of compartment 170, and pivot pin aperture 184b is disposed primarily in bottom surface 182. Compartment 170 further comprises magnet aperture 183, in which magnet 185 is disposed. Magnet 185 is used to secure panel 160 in at least the first and/or second positions, as will be described infra.

In a preferred embodiment, panel 160 is laminate and comprises core panel 168 disposed between mirror 169 and felt 190. When this embodiment of panel 160 is assembled, edges 181 and 173 of compartment 170 are disposed flush against felt 190 and secured to core panel 168 via screws 205 extending through apertures 161 in core panel 168, apertures 191 in felt 190, and apertures 174a and 174b in compartment 170. Mirror 169 is fixed to core panel 168 over screws 205 by any means known in the art, for example, adhesives, so that screws 205 are hidden from view.

However, alternative embodiments of compartment 170 are possible and fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, the particular shape of the compartment may be varied provided it is not impeded as panel 160 is rotated about axis Y-Yâ€². Additionally, panel 160 may include a plurality of compartments. Further, pegs 198 may be replaced with other structures, such as, hooks and/or clamps, to hang necklaces. It has also been contemplated that device 100 could be configured to serve as a medicine cabinet, in which case, a toothbrush holder may be affixed to one side.

The present invention further includes a means for securing each panel in at least a first rotated position and, in a preferred embodiment, in first and second rotated positions. When panel 160 is in the first rotated position, first side 162 faces away from inner chamber 50, while second side 166 faces inner chamber 50. When panel 160 is in the second rotated position, second side 166 and faces away from inner chamber 50, while first side 162 faces inner chamber 50. In this embodiment, it is preferred that first side 162 comprises reflective surface 164, and second side 166 comprises compartment 170 and a plurality of pegs 198.

FIG. 9 is a top view of top wall 110 showing pivot pin apertures 115, which preferably do not extend from inner surface 114 to outer surface 112. FIG. 10 is a top view of bottom wall 120 showing pivot pin apertures 125, which may extend from outer surface 122 to inner surface 124. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 in FIG. 7 which shows first position magnet apertures 126 and second position magnet apertures, which are defined by outer surface 122. Preferably, apertures 126 and 128 do not extend completely from outer surface 122 to inner surface 124 so that any magnets secured within them are hidden from view underneath jewelry box 100. First position magnet apertures 126 are operatively arranged to receive magnets 127, and second position magnet apertures 128 are operatively arranged to receive magnets 129.

The following description is best understood in view of FIGS. 2, 3, 11, and 12. When panel 160 is in the first rotated position, magnet 185 is vertically aligned with aperture 128 and magnet 127, as referenced in FIGS. 11 and 12 as A1. When panel 160 is in the second rotated position, magnet 185 is vertically aligned with aperture 126 and magnet 129, as referenced in FIGS. 11 and 12 as A2.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of jewelry box 100 taken generally along line 11-11 in FIG. 3. As shown in this figure, panel 160 on the far left is in the second position as denoted by reference number A2 which, in conjunction with the solid-lined circle to which A2 references, illustrates the alignment of apertures 183 and 128. The middle panel 160 is shown partially rotated between the first and second positions. The far right panel 160 is in the first position as denoted by reference number A1 which, in conjunction with the solid-lined circle to which A1 references, illustrates the alignment of apertures 183 and 126. Each panel 160 may be independently rotated and held in the first and second positions via the magnetic attraction between magnet 185 in its bottom surface 182 and magnets 127 and 129, respectively, when they are vertically aligned, i.e., alignments A1 and A2, respectively.

To further illustrate the relative alignments of the apertures and magnets in the first and second positions, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of jewelry box 100 taken generally along 12-12 in FIG. 3. FIGS. 2 and 12 show the left and right panels 160 in the first rotated position and the middle panel 160 in the second rotated position. FIG. 12 shows the vertical alignment A1 of magnets 185 and 127 for the right and left panels 160 in the first position, and the vertical alignment A2 of the magnets 185 and 129 for the middle panel 160 in the second position. Also shown in this figure is the vertical alignment of upper pivot pins 200 and lower pivot pins 210 along the central axes Y-Yâ€² of panels 160.

It is contemplated that jewelry box 100 may include any number of panels 160. It is further contemplated that jewelry box 100 could be configured such that panel 160 could be secured in more than the first and second positions by including more magnet apertures and magnets in outer surface 122 of bottom wall 120.

Thus it is seen that the objects of the invention are efficiently obtained although changes and modifications to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which changes would not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.