US20110168595A1

US20110168595A1 - Method and System for Storage

Info

Publication number: US20110168595A1
Application number: US12/686,177
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark Meyers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-01-12
Filing date: 2010-01-12
Publication date: 2011-07-14

Abstract

A method, system and apparatus for storage wherein the storage units are designed to stand in an upright position storable on a typical shelf, adjustable in size and designed as to have the outward appearance of a book, in its preferred form.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a method, system and apparatus for storage, and more particularly, to a method, system and apparatus shaped, in its preferred form, to mimic the outward appearance of a book and designed as to allow for significant internal storage of items on a traditional book shelf in an upright position

BACKGROUND

At home and in busy office spaces, careful attention is often given to the aesthetics of a particular room. When organized and neatly arranged, a bookshelf can set the tone of a room by providing a classy and sophisticated professional appearance. However, organized bookshelves have been historically utilized for holding books in an upright position.
In contrast, a disheveled and unorganized appearance is created by items that have been piled up and stacked in an unorganized manner across the shelves of a bookshelf, on a floor, in a garage or in a closet.
There are a multitude of small storage items, such as for example, owners manuals, warranty documents, extra cables, connectors, chargers, keepsakes, and the like, that need to be stored for potential future needs. Traditionally, most individuals have a “special” drawer or box that they throw these items into. Not only is this method esthetically displeasing, it is extremely inefficient when the need arises to find a specific item. More specifically, one must often times expend enormous efforts sifting through these disorganized drawers or boxes to find the item at need. As such, there is an unmet need for an aesthetically pleasing means, system and apparatus for efficiently storing various items in an organized and categorized manner.

SUMMARY

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present method, system and apparatus for storage overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by employing a device that is storable on a typical shelf, adjustable in size and designed, in its preferred embodiment, as to have the outward appearance of a book. The present invention is generally rectangular in shape and available in a multitude of sizes.
More specifically, the device has a preferably rigid exterior, wherein the lower portion has preferably a smooth flat surface that connects to bottom of four upward extending walls. The walls have an outer and inner portion, the outer wall portion extends upward a vertical distance that is slightly above that of the inner wall portion. The width of each wall is substantial enough as to support the device's top. The device's top makes contact with and rests just above the highest points along the top most surface of the inner wall. In an alternate embodiment, the storage device may not have the outer appearance of a book, but instead, have an area contained, preferably on the outward facing side wall, for writing the category and/or list of items stored therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Accordingly, the present disclosure will be understood best through consideration of, and with reference to, the following Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designate like structure, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a detailed drawing of the preferred embodiment of the present device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two of the preferred embodiments of the present device.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present system.

FIG. 4 is a view of exemplary labeling indicia for use with the present device and system.

It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In describing the preferred embodiment of the storage box uniquely designed to resemble a book's binding on its front surface and storable on a typical book shelf and method therein of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The claimed invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
As shown in FIGS. 1-2, storage device 10 preferably comprises a book-like designed front wall 20, a preferably flat floor 30, two vertically extending side walls 40,42, a rear wall 50, supports 60, 62, closure flaps 64 and a top 70.
As shown in FIGS. 1-2, storage device 10 is preferably rectangular in shape. Front wall 20 preferably has a design that looks similar to the binding on a book. Side walls 40, 42 extend upward from floor 30 in a vertical direction to top 70. Rear wall 50 of storage device 10 faces away from the visible front wall 20 and aids in overall support.
Side walls 40, 42 preferably have a flat surface that is designed to make contact with and align against an adjacent box. Top 70 extends from side wall 42 and in the closed position, makes contact with and rests against support 60. Floor 30 extends downward from side wall 42 and in the closed position, makes contact with and rests against support 62.
As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality storage devices 10 of varying sizes are placed on book shelves to create a storage system 12. Now referring to FIG. 4, a plurality of letters, numbers and symbols 90 are provided, in preferably removable sticker form, such that labeling area 80 (see FIG. 1-2) may be marked as desired by the user to facilitate storage and retrieval. Although removable stickers are the preferred form, it is understood that other forms such as magnets, slidable slotted pieces, and markers may be utilized.
In an alternate embodiment, the storage device may not have the outer appearance of a book, but have an area contained, preferably on the outward facing side wall, for writing the category and/or list of items stored therein. Alternatively, stickers/labels or the like could be utilized as discussed above. In addition, other walls could be utilized for writing or labeling indicia thereon. It should also be noted that color coding can be utilized such that a specific color matches a desired stored content or alternatively, a specific color matches a desired size.

Claims

1. A device for storing items on a bookshelf in a box designed to resemble a book, comprising:

a top capable of being opened;

a bottom;

a first side wall in contact with said top and said bottom;

a second side wall in contact with said top and said bottom;

a third side wall in contact with said top and said bottom;

a fourth side wall in contact with said top and said bottom,

wherein an internal storage space is created within said walls for storing items, and wherein said device is capable of sitting on said first side wall in an upright position on a book shelf.

2. A device for storing items on a bookshelf, comprising:

a top capable of being opened;

a bottom;

a first side wall in contact with said top and said bottom;

a second side wall in contact with said top and said bottom;

a third side wall in contact with said top and said bottom;

a fourth side wall in contact with said top and said bottom,

3. A system for storing items, comprising:

a plurality of storage boxes having a generally rectangular shape in the form of a book wherein said boxes are capable of sitting on its side in an upright position; and

an area on said storage boxes for labeling.