MODULAR BED LINEN HANGER AND STORAGE SYSTEM

Abstract

The modular bed linen hanger and storage system enables one to store and easily transport multiple bed linen items. These items can include sheets, blanks, bedspreads, and pillow cases. This hanger and storage system has multiple panel sections having front and back surfaces. Openings through these panel surfaces allow for inserting items through these openings. After partial insertion of an item, the item can rest in that panel section until needed. Multiple openings in the multiple panel sections enable this hanger storage system to hold and store many bed linen items simultaneously. Rollers attached to the bottom of this hanger and storage system allow more accessible transport of the system when desired. Further, foldable and detachable panel sections enable one to vary the length of the hanger. The foldable panel sections also facilitate easier transport of the hanger and storage system when not in use.

Claims

1. A modular hanger and storage device for bed linen comprising: a hook section for supporting the hanger when the hanger is stored; a top section in the form of a plane a flat front and back surfaces and extending downward with a top edge, a bottom edge and extending outward where said top and bottom edges meet left side and right side edge, and said top edge of said top section being connected to said hook section and having openings through said surfaces to facilitate storing of linen items; and a body section connected to said bottom edge of said top section and extending downward from said bottom edge of said top section, said body section being in form of a plane having smooth front and back surfaces, a top edge and a bottom edge and extending in a downward direction from said top section, said body section having left and right side edges and two or more openings through said front and back surfaces to facilitate storing of linen items.

2. The modular hanger and storage device for bed linen items as described in claim 1 wherein said body section has multiple openings extending in a downward direction from said top edge of said body section for storing linen items.

3. The modular hanger and storage device for bed linen items as described in claim 2 wherein said body section further comprising panel section with each panel section having at least one opening for storing linen items.

4. The modular hanger and storage device for bed linen as described in claim 3 wherein each panel section being in form of a plane having smooth front and back surfaces and extending in a downward direction from said top section, each panel section having left and right side edges and one or more openings through said front and back surfaces to facilitate storing of linen items, said panel section being connected to each other such that the bottom edge of one panel connects to the top edge of another panel such that these connected panel sections form said body section.

5. The modular hanger and storage device for bed linen as described in claim 4 wherein said panel sections of said body section are connected to facilitate varying body section length as desired.

6. The modular hanger and storage device for linen as described in claim 5 further comprising hinges attached to said panel sections such that said hinge is connected a bottom edge of an upper panel section and a top edge of a lower panel section to enable the lower panel section to fold up to the upper panel section and vary the length of said body section.

7. The modular hanger and storage device for linen as described in claim 5 wherein said panel sections are slidably attached at said left and right sides edges such that a lower panel section has the capability to slide up and lock to an upper panel section such that the body has a length that is varied as desired.

8. The modular hanger and storage device for bed linen as described in claim 5 wherein said panel sections are detachable connected such that panel section can be detach from each other and reattached to each other vary body section length as desired.

9. The modular hanger and storage device for bed linen as described in claim 1 further comprising two or more rollers attached to said bottom edge of body section, aid rollers facilitate easier movement of said modular hanger and storage device.

10. The modular hanger and storage device for bed linen as described in claim 1 wherein said top section has right side and left sides have vertical creases that enable said right and left sides of said top section to fold inward to decrease top section width.

11. The modular hanger and storage device for bed linen as described in claim 1 wherein said hook section connects to said top section such that said hook section can fold down along side front or back surface of said top section.

12. A modular hanger and storage device for bed linen comprising: a hook section for supporting the hanger when the hanger is stored; a top section in the form of a plane a flat front and back surfaces and extending downward with a top edge top that comprises a center point and top edges that slop downward in opposite directions from said center point to where said top and bottom edges meet, and said top edge of said top section being connected to said hook section at said center point of said top section and having openings through said surfaces to facilitate storing of linen items; and a body section connected to said bottom edge of said top section and extending downward from said bottom edge of said top section, said body section being in form of a plane having smooth front and back surfaces, a top edge and a bottom edge and extending in a downward direction from said top section, said body section having left and right side edges and two or more openings through said front and back surfaces to facilitate storing of linen items.

13. The modular hanger and storage device for bed linen items as described in claim 12 wherein said body section further comprising panel section with each panel section having at least one opening for storing linen items.

14. The modular hanger and storage device for bed linen as described in claim 13 wherein each panel section being in form of a plane having smooth front and back surfaces and extending in a downward direction from said top section, each panel section having left and right edges and one or more openings through said front and back surfaces to facilitate storing of linen items, said panel section being connected to each other such that the bottom edge of one panel connects to the top edge of another panel such that these connected panel sections form said body section.

15. The modular hanger and storage device for bed linen as described in claim 14 wherein said panel sections of said body section are connected to facilitate varying body section length as desired.

16. The modular hanger and storage device for linen as described in claim 15 further comprising hinges attached to said panel sections such that said hinge is connected a bottom edge of an upper panel section and a top edge of a lower panel section to enable the lower panel section to fold up to the upper panel section and vary the length of said body section.

17. The modular hanger and storage device for linen as described in claim 5 wherein said panel sections are slidably attached at said left and right sides edges such that a lower panel section has the capability to slide up and lock to an upper panel section such that the body has a length that is varied as desired.

18. The modular hanger and storage device for bed linen as described in claim 15 wherein said panel sections are detachable connected such that panel section can be detach from each other and reattached to each other vary body section length as desired.

19. The modular hanger and storage device for bed linen as described in claim 12 further comprising two or more rollers attached to said bottom edge of body section, aid rollers facilitate easier movement of said modular hanger and storage device.

20. The modular hanger and storage device for bed linen as described in claim 12 wherein said top section has right side and left sides have vertical creases that enable said right and left sides of said top section to fold inward to decrease top section width.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of the modular linen hanger system of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the modular linen hanger system as one solid piece.

[0015] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the modular linen hanger system with multiple detachable sections connected together.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a side view of the modular linen hanger system showing the modular sections connected together.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a close up view of a connector design joining two modular sections of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a view of a varied length embodiment of the modular linen hanger system of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a close up view of the section panel of the modular linen hanger system.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a view of the modular linen hanger system with one modular panel section.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a view of the modular linen hanger system of the present invention folded for transport.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a view of the modular liner hanger showing a section being folded up.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a view of the modular liner hanger showing the section folded up to shorten the length of the hanger system.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a side view of the modular liner hanger system showing folded sections.

[0025] FIG. 13 is a side view of the modular liner hanger system of the present invention showing sections that slide up to shorten the length of the hanger system.

[0026] FIG. 14 is a front and top view of linen pieces being stored in the modular linen hanger system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The present invention provides a modular hanger device to store and transport linen bedding items such as sheets, pillowcases, bedspreads, and comforters. With this device and system, the user can easily store these bedding items to save storage space and transport them when desired. In addition, this system's modularity provides easy storage of the device to save space when not in use.

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates the basic design and embodiment of the hanger device of the present invention. This device 102 comprises one or more panel elements 104 connected together at one end 110. These panels can have a rectangular shape with a top edge and a bottom edge. These panels also comprise a flat surface 107 with a center opening 108. This opening is critical as it provides the space for storing the linen item. When the device only comprises one panel 104, as shown, the shape of that single panel can still have a rectangular shape. In this single panel embodiment, the panel can have multiple center openings. These center openings 108 should be sufficient to readily accommodate the various bed linen items. Connected to the top edge of panel 104 is a hook element to engage and store the hanger device. This hook element has a neck portion that can be a linear rod-like element 105 and a curve element 106 that serves as a hook that will support the hanger device when positioned on a door, wall, or other location.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of the modular linen hanger system as one solid piece. The hanger system 202 contains the one-piece 204 with multiple sections and multiple center openings 208. However, the top portion of this hanger system resembles a triangular shape 212 with edges that flare and extend outward from a hook element 206 at its top. Similar to the one-piece section 204, this triangular top section can have a flat smooth surface 213. Within this top section, 212 are openings 214. These openings provide spaces for storing smaller linen items such as pillow cases. Folding creases 216 and 218 provide the means to fold the side edges of this top section when the hanger is not in use to save space and optimize storage.

[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the modular linen hanger system of FIG. 2, with multiple sections connected. Unlike the previously described one-piece embodiments, this embodiment 302 enables the user to alter the length of the hanger system by removing one or more of the lower connected panel elements 304. Again, each panel section contains a center opening 308. The panel elements connect to each other by connecting the bottom edge of the upper panel with the top edge of the lower panel 320. In this embodiment, various means can be employed to join the panel elements and secure them when the hanger system is in use. Some connectors can be hinges, rods, or latches to secure these panels in place. When the design contains detachable panels, means such as rods or hooks can perform the attaching function with locks or latches securing the panels in place. The top portion of the hanger system can have a design consistent with FIG. 2. The top triangular section 312 has openings 314 for storing items and creases 318 for folding the edges of the top section. The hook element 306 attaches to the top area, as previously explained.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a side view of the modular linen hanger system showing the modular sections connected together. This view illustrates how the various components of the hanger system of the present invention connect. The hook element 406 connects to the top section 412. This connection can facilitate the folding down of the hook element when the hanger system is not in use. The top section connects to the first or top panel section 404. The bottom edge of the top panel section connects to the top edge of the second-panel section 404. This same configuration exists for connecting second and third-panel sections and for as many additional as may be desired or feasible. The connection means 420 provides the flexibility to fold these sections or detach and reattach these sections as desired. A connection means can also be present between the top section and the first panel.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a close-up view of a connector design joining two modular sections of the invention. In this illustration, the connection means is a hinge system. This hinge system connects the lower edge 522 of the upper panel 504 with the upper edge 523 of, the lower panel 507. The hinge system can comprise metal plates 527 attached to the lower edge of panel 504 and the upper edge of panel 507. In addition, one or more metal rods 524 can connect these plates, thereby securing the upper and lower panels. These rods also facilitate the pivoting or rotating function of the hinge system to enable the user the fold the panels as desired or when necessary.

[0033] The modularity of this invention gives the user the flexibility to change the configuration of the hanger system. FIG. 6 is a view of a varied length embodiment of the modular linen hanger system of the present invention. As mentioned, an embodiment of this hanger can comprise multiple panels 604 and 608.

[0034] In this illustration, the hanger comprises only two panels. In other embodiments, the user can add one or more panels or reduce the number of panels to one. For example, FIG. 7 shows an individual panel 704 containing a center opening 708. As previously stated, the user can detach the panel from the hanger to reduce the hanger length. Likewise, the user may fold up the bottom panel in another embodiment to minimize the hanger length.

[0035] Still, another approach is to attach the panels slidably. In the embodiment, one can slide a lower panel upward to the same length location as the adjacent upper panel. The lower panel would slide up and cover the upper panel in the same manner as folding the lower panel upward.

[0036] FIG. 8 shows a view of the modular linen hanger system with one modular panel, section 804. This one panel can be detachable from the upper section 812. In another embodiment, this panel can be affixed to the upper with the capability to fold if desired. FIG. 9 shows a folded modular hanger system of the present invention. The panel 904 with opening 908 can fold up over the upper section 912. The edges of the upper section 918 fold in front of the opening 914. The hook element 906 folds down over the upper section 912 and panel 904. The capability to fold the components of this modular hanger system provides conveniences for transporting the system when desired.

[0037] FIG. 10 shows the ability to shorten the length of the hanger system by folding the sections. Shown are sections 1034, 1036, and 1038. A connector device such as the previously mentioned hinge 1040 can attach the sections together. The hinge connector gives this system the capability for the sections to fold together. As shown in FIG. 11, the modular sections 1136 and 1138 fold up to shorten the length of the system. The hinge 1140 facilitates the folding process. These two folded sections 1136 and 1138 can also fold up to section 1134. When the sections are folded, a fastener can secure the sections in place.

[0038] FIG. 12 shows a side view of the liner hanger system of the present invention with the lower sections in a folded position. Sections 1236, 1238, and 1242 fold and lock together. Section 1234 can remain as it is, or the other sections can fold onto it. The folding of these sections primarily enables more straightforward transporting of this hanger system when it is not in use.

[0039] FIG. 13 shows a side view of sections that are slidably attached. In this embodiment, the sections are attached at the edges. Each section can slide upward or downward as desired. As shown, sections 1336, 1338, and 1342 slide to the same level as section 1334. In one embodiment, an engaging mechanism can enable the user to extend the lower section outward and then slide that section upward. Once at the desired position, the user can lock the moved-up section in place. This process can continue for each they desire to move.

[0040] FIG. 14 is a front and top view of linen pieces stored in the present invention's modular linen hanger system. Shown is the modular linen hanger system of the present invention holding and keeping various linen pieces. The system has the hook 1406 at the top of the hanger. The top section 1412 has openings 1414 that can hold smaller items 1448, such as pillow cases. The modular sections 1404 have openings that can store and hold more oversized linen items 1445, such as sheets. Although not shown, this modular hanger system can be equipped with attachable rollers to the bottom section to enable one to move this system conveniently and to make the system portable. The rollers can be fixed or removable as desired. These features make this system a helpful tool for those using, transporting, and storing linen materials.

[0041] While the description of embodiments thereof has illustrated the present invention, and while the embodiments have been described in some detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the invention to such information. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. In its broader aspects, the invention is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.