A storage system, comprising a body having a cavity therein configured to house one or more items, and an opening defined by the body and a panel configured to mate with the opening and prevent access to the cavity when the panel is in position; a first lock system between the body and the panel and providing a locked condition in which the panel is locked to the body thereby preventing removal of the panel and access to the cavity, an attachment mechanism coupled to one end of the body and configured to suspend the device; and the body configured to be covered by an article of clothing such that if suspended from a clothes rod among other clothes, the body is substantially disguised as an article of clothing.

In combination: a) a portable consumer article having a U-shaped portion; and b) a security system having: a frame; and a closure assembly movable to change the security system between a loading state and a secured state. The frame, closure assembly, and portable consumer article are configured so that: i) with the security system in the loading state the U-shaped portion can be displayed to straddle a part of the frame; and ii) with the portable consumer article displayed the security system can be changed from the loading state into the secured state wherein the article is prevented from being separated from the security system.

A security system having: a frame with first and second support assemblies respectively having first and second cantilevered arms, each with a free end; and a blocking assembly. The first free end can be directed into a U-shaped portion on a first portable consumer article to allow the U-shaped portion to straddle the first cantilevered arm. The second free end can be directed into a U-shaped portion on a second portable consumer article to allow the U-shaped portion on the second article to straddle the second cantilevered arm. Changing the blocking assembly from the loading state into the securing state prevents the first and second articles, straddling respective arms, from being separated from the security system. Changing the blocking assembly from the securing state into the loading state allows either of the first and second displayed articles to be separated from the security system without separating the other.

Embodiments pertain to a storage system for securely storing a plurality of garment bags in a publicly accessible area, comprising: at least one frame structure, wherein the at least one frame structure comprises a plurality of item hanging hardware mechanisms for receiving items for storage, and a plurality of garment bags comprising receptacles that are non-removably coupled, in a suspending manner, from the frame structure, and fasteners for opening and closing the respective receptacles, wherein each one of the fasteners operably cooperates with a lock mechanism of the storage system for selectively securing the fastener in a closed position and for unsecuring the fastener for allowing the fastener to be set from the closed into an open position; an alarm system that is operably coupled with the plurality of receptacles and, when armed, provides an output responsive to detecting that the structural integrity of the receptacle is compromised; and an output module to indicate a user located in the publicly accessible area which one of the garment bags have an item stored therein and which not, to indicate to the user which of the plurality of item storage devices is available for storing items therein.

Embodiments pertain to a storage system for securely storing a plurality of garment bags in a publicly accessible area, comprising: at least one frame structure, wherein the at least one frame structure comprises a plurality of item hanging hardware mechanisms for receiving items for storage, and a plurality of garment bags comprising receptacles that are non-removably coupled, in a suspending manner, from the frame structure, and fasteners for opening and closing the respective receptacles, wherein each one of the fasteners operably cooperates with a lock mechanism of the storage system for selectively securing the fastener in a closed position and for unsecuring the fastener for allowing the fastener to be set from the closed into an open position; an alarm system that is operably coupled with the plurality of receptacles and, when armed, provides an output responsive to detecting that the structural integrity of the receptacle is compromised; and an output module to indicate a user located in the publicly accessible area which one of the garment bags have an item stored therein and which not, to indicate to the user which of the plurality of item storage devices is available for storing items therein.

A storage system, comprising a body having a cavity therein configured to house one or more items, and an opening defined by the body and a panel configured to mate with the opening and prevent access to the cavity when the panel is in position; the system have a first level of security securing items stored in the cavity; a second level of security securing the body from a structure from which it is hung, and an third level of security disguising the storage system as a hanging piece of clothing.

A shoe organizer unit, a method of using a shoe organizer unit, and a method for storing shoes in a plurality of shoe storing shelves of a shoe organizer unit are described. The shoe organizer unit includes a plurality of shoe storing shelves adapted to store shoes therein. A plurality of linear actuators moves the plurality of shoe storing shelves in a path within a cabinet.; A controller manages operation of the linear actuators to move the shoes along the path. Transparent panels secure the shoes within the cabinet. Secure storage and retrieval of the shoes is controlled by electronics including a keypad, a push button and a shoe shelf identification code card printer. The shoe organizer unit provides for sterilization of the shoes stored and secure storing and retrieval of the shoes.

A directional lock or a headgear or interface assembly comprising one or more directional locks that include a catch arrangement for initiating or assisting in movement of a lock member of the direction lock. In some configurations, the catch arrangement assists movement of the lock member in only a portion of a range of travel of the lock member. In some configurations, the directional lock comprises a housing and a sleeve and the catch arrangement comprises a catch arm carried by the sleeve. The catch arm includes a catch end that contacts the lock member, which can be a lock washer in some configurations.

A directional lock or a headgear or interface assembly comprising one or more directional locks that include a catch arrangement for initiating or assisting in movement of a lock member of the direction lock. In some configurations, the catch arrangement assists movement of the lock member in only a portion of a range of travel of the lock member. In some configurations, the directional lock comprises a housing and a sleeve and the catch arrangement comprises a catch arm carried by the sleeve. The catch arm includes a catch end that contacts the lock member, which can be a lock washer in some configurations.

Aspects of embodiments pertain to a lock mechanism for at least one puller-equipped fastener, the lock mechanism comprising a frame having at least one slot, each of the at least one slot comprising an opening and a closed end; at least one actuator affixed to the frame; at least one arm operationally coupled to each actuator, and at least one rotating member operationally coupled to each actuator and to the at least one arm coupled thereto; wherein each arm obstructs one of the at least one slot adjacent to the opening when the actuator coupled thereto is in a first state, and unblocks the slot when the actuator coupled thereto is in a second state, and wherein each at least one rotating member is selectively switchable by the actuator coupled thereto between a first position when the actuator is in the first state and a second position when the actuator is in the second state, and wherein the lock mechanism is configured to allow each at least one rotating member in the first position to counterpoise force enacted on the at least one arm coupled thereto to unblock the slot, and in the second position to allow each at least one arm coupled thereto to unblock the slot.