GB2363712A

GB2363712A - Multiple use mirror assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2363712A
Application number: GB0115321A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Susan D Bell
Original assignee: Goody Products Inc
Current assignee: Goody Products Inc
Priority date: 2000-06-23
Filing date: 2001-06-22
Publication date: 2002-01-09
Also published as: GB0115321D0; CA2351444A1

Abstract

A mirror and storage assembly 10 has a mirror 12 that is integrated as a cover for a storage compartment 14. The cover may be folded open to expose the reflective surfaces of the mirror 12 and to expose the contents of the storage compartment 14. Further, when closed, the backside or non-reflective surface of the mirror may include an integrated display device, such as a picture frame, which is displayed when the cover is closed.

Description

2363712 MULTIPLE USE MIRROR ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to a mirror assembly having a multiplicity of uses In particular, the disclosure relates to a mirror assembly having a base which acts as a storage unit, the mirror being hingedly coupled to the base and acting as a cover, and the mirror further having a picture frame integrated into the backside of the mirror and being displayed when the cover is closed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many situations it is desirable to have a mirror available for maintaining personal appearance, or for other varied uses For example, it is often desirable to have a mirror available in an office setting, where personal appearance may be of Importance Further still, it may be desirable to have a mirror available in a bedroom or bathroom in the home, where it is typical for one to take care of their personal appearance Yet further still, it may be desirable to have a mirror that is portable so that personal appearance may be maintained in almost any setting.

Often, in the act of maintaining personal appearance, Items may need to be used to help maintain personal appearance, such as, but not limited to, jewelry, makeup, combs, and other devices Therefore, it may be desirable to have a storage unit that is either nearby the mirror or is integrated into the mirror Further still, in such situations as an office, or a small apartment, space may be limited and it may not be desirable for one to have both a mirror and a storage unit which are separate from each other.

Because storage units often are set on a tabletop or desktop in plain view, it is often desirable to have a storage unit which is decorative in some manner For example, many storage units include decorative appliques, colors, designs, textures, etc.

Thus, there is a need for a mirror that is integrated into a storage unit and further integrates a picture frame Also, there is a need for a storage device that includes an integrated mirror and display device, such as a photo frame Further, there is a need for a mirror assembly, such that a storage bin acts as a base the mirror acts as a cover, and when the cover is closed, a display, such as a photo frame, is displayed on the outside portion of the cover for decorative purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a mirror assembly The mirror assembly includes a mirror The mirror assembly also includes a storage structure coupled to the mirror Further, the mirror assembly includes a display coupled to the storage structure The mirror, storage structure, and display are integrated into a single unit.

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a storage assembly The storage assembly includes a storage structure The storage assembly also includes a mirror coupled to the storage structure by a hinge The mirror has at least one reflective surface and at least one non-

reflective surface Further, the storage assembly includes a display coupled to at least one of the at least one non-reflective surfaces.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a mirror assembly The mirror assembly includes a base including space for storage of objects The mirror assembly also includes a cover coupled to the base by a hinge The cover includes a mirror integrated into the cover and a display integrated into the cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:

FIG 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a storage unit or mirror assembly having a closed cover and displaying a picture frame; FIG 2 is a diagrammatic view of a storage unit or mirror assembly, depicting the backside of a mirror which includes a picture frame and the mirror, being a tri-fold mirror, is folded out; and FIG 3 is a perspective view of a mirror or storage assembly depicting storage compartments with the cover/mirror in the open position, the mirror being a tri-fold mirror in the folded out position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG 1, a diagrammatic view of a mirror or storage assembly 10 is depicted Mirror assembly 10 includes a picture frame 11 which is integrated into a non-reflective surface of a mirror 12, mirror 12 being coupled by a hinge 13 to a base 14, base 14 acting as a storage compartment.

Mirror assembly 10 may be, in an exemplary embodiment, configured to sit on a desktop, tabletop, sink top, or any substantially horizontal surface, or the like In alternative exemplary embodiments, mirror assembly 10 may be configured to be mounted on a surface other than a horizontal surface by utilizing clips, apertures adhesives, or other mounting devices.

Mirror 12, acts as a cover for storage base 14 When mirror assembly 10 sits in a horizontal position, with mirror 12 in the closed position, a decorative picture, mounted in frame 11, will be displayed enhancing tie aesthetic ambiance of the surrounding environment.

Referring to FIG 2 mirror 12 is depicted In the open position, that is mirror 12 has been rotated by use of hinge 13 from the closed position depicted in FIG 1 In the open position depicted in FIG 2, mirror 12 is substantially upstanding from base 14 When mirror 12 is substantially upstanding, picture frame 11 may be viewed in a substantially vertical position, therefore the decorative feature of picture frame 11 is retained when the mirror is both In the open and closed positions In an exemplary embodiment, mirror 12, has side portions 15 and 16 Side portions 15 and 16 may In an exemplary embodiment, be mirror portions, thereby forming a tri-

fold mirror In alternative exemplary embodiments, side portions 15 and 16 may be used for display, storage, for hanging items, such as earrings and the like, or side portions 15 and 16 may be utilized to include lights for mirror 12.

As depicted in FIG 3, mirror 12 is depicted with side portions 15 and 16 being mirrors, thereby creating a tri-fold mirror, for substantially improved three dimensional viewing during maintenance of personal appearance, such as, but not limited to, use during the application of makeup.

Further, as depicted in FIG, 3, mirror 12 is coupled to base 14 by hinge 13.

However, it should be noted that coupling between base 14 and cover 12 is not necessarily required, and other types of couplings beyond hinge 13 may be used should base 14 and cover 12 be coupled Base 14 is further shown to include a plurality of storage compartments 17, which may be utilized to store any of a variety of items, including, but not limited to, makeup, jewelry, combs, or the like Further, if used in an office setting, storage compartments 17 may be used for paper clips, tacks, pencils and pens letter openers.

staples, tape, scissors, and the like Further still, base 14 may include any of a variety of configurations of storage compartments, including, but not limited to, bins, as depicted in FIG 3, or a single bin, or any other type of storage configuration.

As depicted in the FI Gs, mirror assembly 10 has the advantage of being an integrated unit, in which a display device, such as, but not limited to, a picture frame, a mirror, and a storage structure are all integrated into a single unit The single unit has the advantage of saving a substantial amount of space by including a display area, by utilizing a mirror and display in the cover of a storage unit, and further, by having a mirror which is foldable into a compact cover Thus, the compact design of the mirror assembly may be utilized in an office environment where desk space is a premium Further, the integrated mirror assembly 10 may be used on a small dressing table, where table space is also a premium Further still, mirror assembly 10 may be configured to be a portable unit that can be folded up and may be used for travel, or tucked into a purse, or the like.

Any of a number of varied uses can be made of mirror assembly without departing from the scope of the invention Further, mirror assembly 10-may include lights that are used in conjunction with and built into mirror 12, to enhance the effectiveness of mirror 12 during maintenance of personal appearance or to enable the use of mirror 10 in dimly lit environments Further still, display device 11 may include other types of decorative displays Yet further still, a "talking" picture frame (i e a picture frame including a speaker and digital or analog player/recorder), may be incorporated into frame 11.

While the detailed drawings, specific examples, and particular configurations given describe exemplary embodiments, they serve the purpose of illustration only Materials and configurations shown and described may differ depending on the chosen use and physical characteristics of the mirror assembly For example, a variety of materials may be used to form the mirror assembly, such as any of a variety of plastic materials, however, the mirror assembly would not be limited to plastic materials and it may be desirable to form the mirror assembly from wood, metal, or other materials The assembly shown and described is not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed Furthermore, other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Claims

1 A mirror assembly, comprising:

a mirror; a storage structure coupled to the mirror, and a display coupled to the storage structure.

wherein the mirror, storage structure, and display are integrated into a single unit 2 The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the mirror is a fold out mirror.

3 The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein the mirror is a tri- fold mirror.

4 The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the storage structure is a box.

The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the storage structure is compartmentalized.

6 The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the storage structure includes more than one bin.

7 The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the display includes a frame.

8 The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame is a photo frame.

9 The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein the display is integrated into the mirror.

The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the display is located substantially on a surface opposite a reflective surface of the mirror, 11 The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the mirror is rotatably coupled to the storage structure.

12 The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the mirror acts as a moveable cover for the storage structure.

13 The mirror assembly of claim 13, wherein the display is configured to be viewed at least when the cover is closed.

14 A storage assembly, comprising:

a storage structure; a mirror coupled to the storage structure by a hinge, the mirror having at least one reflective surface and at least one nonreflective surface; and a display coupled to at least one of the at least one non- reflective surfaces.

The mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein the mirror is a fold out mirror.

16 The mirror assembly of claim 15, wherein the mirror is a tri-fold mirror.

17 The mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein the storage structure is a box.

18 The mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein the storage structure is compartmentalized.

19 The mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein the storage structure includes more than one bin.

The mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein the display ' includes a frame.

21 The mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein the frame is a photo frame.

22 The mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein the display is integrated into the mirror.

23 The mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein the mirror acts as a moveable cover for the storage structure.

24 The mirror assembly of claim 23, wherein the display is configured to be viewed at least when the cover is closed.

A mirror assembly, comprising:

a base including space for storage of objects; and a cover coupled to the base by a hinge, the cover including a mirror integrated into the cover and a display integrated into the cover.

26 The mirror assembly of claim 25, wherein the base includes more than one bin.

27 The mirror assembly of claim 25, wherein the mirror is a fold-out mirror.

28 The mirror assembly of claim 25 wherein the mirror is a tri-fold mirror.

29 The mirror assembly of claim 25 wherein the display is a picture frame.

9 A mirror assembly substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

31 A mirror assembly substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

32 A mirror assembly substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.