Storage device for apparel belts and linear shaped accessory items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage solutions for belts with buckles in residential closets face issues with space efficiency, visibility, secure attachment, and easy retrieval, often relying on gravity or complex installations, which lead to dislodgement and aesthetic problems in crowded spaces.
Innovation Solution
A storage device utilizing a retractable mechanism with a stretchable cord or spring reel system that securely attaches to a closet rod, allowing for rotation and individual item retrieval without removing the entire device, featuring a hollow chassis with internal anchoring posts and attachment mechanisms for buckle prongs and loops, ensuring secure and efficient storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If belts are stored on perpendicular hangers with clips or slots, then space efficiency is improved, but visibility and secure attachment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic spring-loaded hook mechanism that automatically adjusts to belt thickness and weight. The spring allows the hook to flex and maintain constant contact pressure with the belt buckle, ensuring secure attachment regardless of belt variations. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing reliable attachment without requiring fixed perpendicular orientations that compromise visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional perpendicular storage to three-dimensional radial storage around a central rod. Multiple hangers can be stacked vertically and rotated independently, creating a multi-layered storage system that maximizes vertical space while maintaining horizontal accessibility. This dimensional change allows belts to be stored securely without compromising visibility or requiring crowded horizontal space.
2Ease of operation
If belts are stored on cantilevered surfaces relying on gravity, then attachment simplicity is improved, but reliability for rigid belts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded hook mechanism provides an active counteracting force that opposes the weight and rigidity of belts. Rather than relying on gravity alone, the spring tension continuously pushes against the belt buckle, preventing rigid belts from slipping or dislodging. This active force application maintains simple attachment while significantly improving reliability for various belt types.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism automatically adjusts its force application based on the belt's weight and dimensions. When a belt is hung, the spring compresses and generates the necessary holding force without user intervention. The system self-regulates to maintain optimal attachment pressure, combining ease of operation with reliable securement for both flexible and rigid belts.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple belts are stored on a single hanger, then space efficiency is improved, but visibility and retrieval ease deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system divides belts into separate compartments using multiple independent hangers that can be stacked vertically. Each hanger holds one or more belts independently, and the entire stack can be rotated or individually accessed. This segmentation allows efficient space utilization while maintaining easy visibility and retrieval, as users can rotate to view different sections without moving other belts.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention stacks hangers vertically to create a multi-tiered storage system that充分利用 vertical closet space. Each tier is accessible independently, and the entire assembly can be rotated around the central rod. This vertical dimensionality allows multiple belts to be stored efficiently while maintaining easy visibility and retrieval through rotation and tiered access.
4Illumination intensity
If hangers are rotated for visibility, then visibility is improved, but secure attachment and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded hooks are designed to be flexible and adaptive during rotation. As the hanger rotates to different positions, the spring mechanism continuously adjusts to maintain optimal contact with the belt buckles. This dynamic adjustment ensures that visibility is improved through rotation while secure attachment and stability are maintained throughout the rotation range.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring tension provides a stabilizing counteracting force that prevents the hanger from tilting or becoming unstable during rotation. The continuous spring pressure on the belt buckles creates a stabilizing effect that maintains hanger composition stability even when rotated to various positions for optimal visibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides space-efficient storage, secure attachment, and easy item retrieval in crowded closets, preventing dislodgement and improving visibility, while allowing secure attachment to the closet support member.
Implementation Method 1
A storage device utilizing a retractable mechanism with a stretchable cord or spring reel system
Implementation Method 2
A storage device utilizing a retractable mechanism with a stretchable cord or spring reel system that securely attaches to a closet rod
Data Source
AI summary
A storage device that hangs from a rod, rope, cable or other support member which employs tension force to hold apparel belts with prongs and buckles, or other linear items that have holding elements (rings, buckles, fabric loops or holes), to the surface of a hollow body which rotates around the shaft of the hanging hook. This is done by latching the belts or linear items to the device using eyelets, clasps, clips or closeable hooks (e.g. carabiner spring hooks or reversible wire gates or closeable rings). This device stores linear items in a space-efficient way when a plurality of items attached are hung, allows better organizing and viewing of the items stored, even in a crowded space. In addition it securely attaches the items stored to the attachment mechanism and allows retrieval of items easily without the need to remove the whole device from the support member.