BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1 . Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to storage devices and, specifically, to an efficient, belt storage unit.

2. Description of the Background Art

Numerous storage devices have been proposed for storing small personal items. These include storage devices in which variously shaped drawers, trays or storage bins are vertically arranged or stacked and individually movable to open positions to access the contents thereof by pivoting about a vertical axis. Such storage cabinets that have circular or round trays, drawers or storage bins are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Design Patent No. 693,154 and International Patent No. WO9905907. Such bins or trays can be almost any shape including square, as shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,663,608 and U.S. Patent No. 405,003, pie-shaped as shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,429,290; U.S. Patent No. 8,636,327; U.S. Patent No. 2,541,848 and U.S. Patent No. 655,275, rectangular as shown in U.S. Patent No. 1383259 and U.S. Patent No. 6,705,655, pentagonal as shown in U.S. Patent No. 321 ,037 or any other odd shape as shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,498,471.

While U.S. Design Patent No. 693,154 and International Patent No. WO9905907 show circular trays or bins arranged in only a single column it is also known to integrate multiple columns to provide multiple sets of vertically stacked bins or drawers, including four stacked columns as shown in U.S. Patent No, 405,003 and U.S. Patent No. 509,773, six stacked columns as shown in U.S. Patent No. 655,275 and eight stacked columns as shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,541 ,848 and U.S. Patent No. 1,383,259.

While none of the known cabinets or storage bins are specifically designed lo store rolled up belts, U.S. Patent Publication No. US/20120241400 published on September 27, 2012 suggests that the rotating storage rack can accommodate a number of different items including a "rolled-up bell". However, the storage rack is more in the nature of a rotating "Lazy Susan" type construction rather than individually movable bins, drawers or trays each for accommodating another rolled-up belt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome the disadvantages in the prior art devices, it is an object of the invention to provide a belt storage unit that is efficient for storing a predetermined number of belts while occupying a minimal footprint;

It is another object of the invention to provide a belt storage unit as in the previous objects which is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a belt storage unit as in the previous objects that is convenient to use.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a belt storage unit of the type on the discussion that can be vertically securely stacked to increase the belt storage capacity.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a belt storage unit in which the belt receiving compartments are shaped and dimensioned to readily receive typically sized belts that are rolled up without excess volume to conserve space and maximize the number of belts that can be received in a cabinet of a predetermined size.

In order to achieve the above objects, as well as others that will become apparent hereinafter the present invention contemplates a single vertical housing or column of belt storage units or a plurality of similar belt storage units integrally connected and stackable to allow a user to customize the footprint as well as the height of the storage unit or units to accommodate a desired number of rolled up belts for a given amount of support surface area. Each vertical column of the belt storage unit comprises a plurality of belt receiving compartments. Each compartment is generally in the shape of a right circular cylinder having a substantially circular cross section and uniform horizontal cross section. The belt storage unit has a generally circular bottom wail centered on an axis defined by the vertically stacked belt receiving compartments. Each compartment is formed of a bottom wall, a generally circular peripheral wall and an open top and all are pivotally mounted for independent pivoting to move a selected compartment off the axis of the unit to provide substantially unfettered access to the compartment interior from the top opening. Each compartment is dimensioned to receive a rolled up belt that receives conventional belts and belt buckles. In a presently preferred embodiment, the compartments form interior circular spaces approximately 5" in diameter with a height of approximately 2.125" high and dimensioned to accommodate most typical belts without loss of space or volume in order to maximize the number of compartments within a given footprint and vertical height cabinet or storage unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the improvements and advantages that derive from the present invention upon reading the following detailed description, claims, and drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspecti ve view of an efficient belt storage unit consisting of two integrated vertical columns of circ ular belt receiving compartments, the compartment walls being made of a transparent material, such as plastic to show the stored belts through the side walls of the compartments.

Fig. 2 is front elevational view of the storage unit shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rare elevational view of the cabinet shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a left side elevational view of the belt storage unit;

Fig. 5 is a right side elevational view of the belt storage cabinet;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the belt storage unit;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the belt storage unit; and

Figs. 8-14 are similar to Figs. 1-7 but showing a single vertical column of belt receiving compartments,

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, in which identical or similar parts are designated by the same reference or numeral throughout, and first referring to Fig. 1, a belt storage unit in accordance with the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

The belt storage unit 10 shown in Fig. 1 includes a first generally cylindrical housing or column 10a and a second housing or column 10b. The unit has a base 12 consisting of a first circular base portion 12a and a second circular base portion 12b. A connecting support or upright portion 14 connects the columns 10a, 10b into a single integral unit. The connecting support is arranged in a plane of symmetry P, the columns 10a, 10b being mirror images relative to the plane P. A cover 16 includes a first cover portion 16a and a second cover portion 16b, each generally circular, and a transition portion 16c bridging the region above the connecting portion 14 to form a recess 16d. The base 12 has a base perimeter 18 that defines a footprint FP (Fig. 7) configured and dimensioned to be receivable within a recess 16d within a cover 16 perimeter wall or lip 20 with some clearance to allow easy insertion of the base one belt storage unit into the cover of another, with the cover perimeter portion 20 securing a storage unit 10, shown in phantom outline in Fig, 1, to prevent lateral shifting or displacement in any horizontal directions.

In a presently preferred embodiment the storage unit 10 includes belt-receiving compartments 22 including five stacked bins or compartments 20a - 20e that are preferably at least partially transparent to allow a user to view the contents thereof.

Belt sizes generally correspond to the length of the strap measured to the buckle to the mid hole which is where a belt should normally be fastened allowing for slightly higher or lower waist trousers and natural variations in waist circumference. Waist sizes typically range 34-36 inches. Belt widths also range in size. However, formal belts typically range from 1" (24 mm) to 1.25" (32 mm). Buckles typically have a height or width greater than the width of the belt, typically by 5-10%. The bins or compartments 10a, 10b preferably have a height h within 1 - 1.5". When rolled up, such belts can define an outer diameter of 3.5-4. 5", so the diameters d of the bins or compartments are preferably within the range of 3-5". Referring to Figs. 1 -5, each compartment has a height of approximately 2.125" to accommodate most typical belts and buckles. Each compartment 20a - 20e has a generally uniform cross-section along a common generally vertical compartment axis Ac. Each axis Ac extends through the centers C of the bins in each column. The diameter of each compartment is 5", and the overall height is approximately 6.3". The compartments in the first line or column 10a are vertically aligned along a first axis A ₁ and the compartments of the second column 10b are likewise vertically aligned along a second axis A ₂ , said axes A _c in each column being coextensive with associated housing axes A ₁ , A ₂ when the bins or compartments are closed or in retracted positions shown in Fig. 1. In their closed or retracted positions, shown in the Figures, the centers C of each of the compartments are aligned along their associated or respective axes A ₁ , A ₂ . Each compartment is formed of a bottom wall 24a, circular sidewall 24b and a top opening.

Each of the compartments are individually hinged, each hinge 26 consisting of a vertical channel or bore 26a along a sidewall 24b and a vertical post or rod 26b that defines a hinge axis A _h . Each vertical line or column is provided with a vertical post, at the lateral side of the unit generally spaced from the connecting support 14 to allow the units to pivot outwardly sufficiently to provide full access to the compartments within the bins or drawers through the top openings.

The hinge 26 for each housing is arranged within a transverse plane TP and offset an angle a approximately 90° from a front-facing direction F (Fig. 6). A finger or hand grip or handle 28 is preferably provided on each sidewall 24b to facilitate gripping by a user for pivoting a bin or drawer from its closed or retracted position shown to an open extended position to facilitate insertion or removal of a belt. Referring to Fig. 6, for example, bin retainers, such as magnets 32, may be provided on each bin or drawer, proximate to a rear wall 10c on which magnets 34 are placed in close proximity to the magnets 32 when the drawers or bins are in their closed positions. The magnets 32, 34 create attraction forces to prevent inadvertent opening of the bins and retain them in their closed positions. The bins or compartments can be moved from their retracted or closed positions by appli cation of a manual force in excess of the force applied by the magnets.

Suitable stops (not shown) may optionally also be provided to prevent excess pivoting in the outward or extended positions of the bins or drawers to avoid excessive stress or strain on the hinges.

Referring to Fig, 3, cutouts 36 are illustrated configurated and dimensioned to receive fasteners, such as nails or screws embedded in a wall or other surface to allow easy mounting and removal of the cabinet or storage unit from the wall or surface.

Suitable engaging or locking members, including magnets, (not shown) may be provided within the cover 16 to provide additional retention or engagement of an additional storage unit 10' mounted or stacked on a lower unit.

Referring to Figs. 8-14 a similar construction is shown with only one line or column of bins, in all other respects, the construction is similar to either one of the lines or columns as shown in Figs. 1 -7.

The belt storage unit in accordance with the invention, therefore, is an efficient unit that minimizes footprint as well as space for a given number of rolled up belts, that is expandable to accommodate any number of belts and is easy and convenient to use and may be free standing or mounted on a wall surface. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and clianges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.