US20090229628A1

US20090229628A1 - Compact, multi-purpose tool for women

Info

Publication number: US20090229628A1
Application number: US12/400,547
Authority: US
Inventors: GinaMarie Slattery; Kris Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-17
Filing date: 2009-03-09
Publication date: 2009-09-17

Abstract

A personal mirrored compact device which includes a top member having a top surface and a bottom surface, a bottom member having a top surface and a bottom surface, a mirror positioned to or contained within the bottom surface of the top member, at least one receptacle contained within the bottom member, at least one implement contained within the receptacle, and a hinge mechanism connecting the top and bottom members.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 11/873,915 filed Oct. 17, 2007, which claims the benefit of Ser. No. 60/829,726 filed Oct. 17, 2006, and also claims the benefit of provisional patent application having Ser. No. 61/034,565 filed Mar. 7, 2008, which are herein incorporated in their entireties.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is related to a women's personal compact mirror which also functions as a multi-tool by containing one or more of a number of implements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pocket knives, such as SWISS army knives, often contain other implements or tools such as tweezers, a corkscrew, small scissors, and a number of various sized pocket knives. This type of tool, which is marketed to men, can be easily carried in a pants pocket or shirt pocket.
Women also have a need for a multi-purpose device which is capable of containing a number of implements that are more directed to their needs. Accordingly, there is a need for a personal mirrored compact device which also functions as a multi-tool for women.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a personal mirrored compact device which generally includes a top member having a top surface and a bottom surface, a bottom member having a top surface and a bottom surface, a mirror positioned adjacent to or within the bottom surface of the top member, a least one receptacle contained within the bottom member, at least one implement contained within the at least one receptacle, and a hinge mechanism connecting the top and bottom members. One or more receptacles are contained within the bottom member for retaining one or more implements. These implements may include, but are not limited to, a pocket knife, a shears, a razor, a bottle opener, a corkscrew, a scissors, a tweezers, a light, a nail clipper, a whistle, a brush, a screwdriver, a comb, and a nail file.
Depending upon the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the implements may be removably retained within the receptacles contained in the bottom member or, alternatively, they may be attached to the receptacles in such a way that enables them to be ejected or released into a position where the implement can be used by a user while it is still attached to the bottom member. In one exemplary embodiment, the implements may be retained within the receptacles contained within the bottom member by magnets. In another exemplary embodiment, the implements may be retained within the receptacles contained within the bottom member by hinges or any other type of pivot like mechanism known in the art.
In yet exemplary embodiment of the invention, the bottom member may include a watertight compartment which can be sealed with a slotted cap member so that matches, money, or other items which must be kept dry can be contained within the watertight compartment.
In still another exemplary embodiment, the personal mirrored compact device of the present invention may include a whistle permanently contained within an edge of the bottom member so that a user can easily access and employ the whistle in an emergency situation.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the personal mirrored compact device may include a light member contained within the bottom member along with a battery compartment capable of containing a battery for powering the light member and a switch contained within the bottom member for activating the light member.
In still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the personal mirrored compact device may include at least one removable spool of thread contained within the bottom member of the device. A cutting member for cutting thread or paper may also be contained within the bottom member. In addition, the bottom member may include a receptacle for retaining a sewing needle and a needle may be removably contained within that receptacle.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the personal mirrored compact device may include a nail file embedded within the bottom surface of the bottom member. Further, the personal mirrored compact device of the present invention may include a latch member for retaining the bottom surface of the top member against the top surface of the bottom member when in a closed position and releasing the top member from the bottom member when in an open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the personal mirrored compact device of the present invention shown with the top member in an open position so that one can view the bottom surface of the top member;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the bottom member of the personal mirrored compact device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the top surface of the bottom member;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the personal mirrored compact device of the present invention when shown in a closed position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the personal mirrored compact device of the present invention when in a closed position; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of an implement contained within the bottom member of the personal mirrored compact device of the present invention with the implement shown in both the ejected and closed positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a personal mirrored compact device 10 which includes a top member 12 having a top surface (not shown) and a bottom surface 16 which is connected to a bottom member 18 having a top surface 20 (shown in FIG. 3) and a bottom surface 22 (shown in FIG. 2). Top member 12 of personal mirrored compact device 10 is connected to bottom member 18 of device 10 by one or more hinges 24 or other type of pivot mechanism well known in the art. Mirrored compact device 10 also includes a mirror 26 that is positioned adjacent to, or contained within, the bottom surface 16 of top member 12. FIG. 1 shows a front elevational view of the personal mirrored compact device 10 of the present invention shown with top member 12 in an open position so that one can view the bottom surface 16 of top member 12 along with mirror 26.
FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the top surface 20 of bottom member 18. Bottom member 18 of device 10 includes one or more receptacles 28 which are capable of retaining various implements 30 which may include, but are not limited to, a pocket knife, a shears, a razor, a bottle opener, a corkscrew, a scissors, a tweezers, a light, a nail clipper, a whistle, a brush, a screwdriver, a comb, a nail file, a watertight compartment, a sewing needle, and a spool of thread. For example, one receptacle 28 contains an implement 30 which constitutes a watertight or water proof container 32 having a slotted cap 34. Watertight/waterproof container 32 can be used to store matches, money, or any other item which must be kept dry. Slotted cap 34 seals watertight/waterproof container 32 to insure that no moisture or water leaks into watertight/waterproof container 32. Bottom member 18 may also include a light member 36, a battery compartment 38 for retaining a battery to power light member 36, and a switch 40 to activate light member 36.
Bottom member 18 may also include one or more round receptacles 42 for retaining one or more removable spools of thread 44. In addition, bottom member 18 may include long thin receptacles 46 for retaining one or more sewing needles 48. Bottom member 18 of mirrored compact device 10 may also include a thread or paper cutter 52 and a whistle 54 contained or embedded within an edge of bottom member 18 so that a user can easily access whistle 54 in an emergency situation.
FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of bottom member 18 of personal mirrored compact device 10 of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows bottom surface 22 of bottom member 18 which contains a nail file 56. In addition, slotted cap 34 can be seen from the bottom 22 of bottom member 18. Slotted cap 34 enables a user to open watertight/waterproof container 32 and then reseal watertight/waterproof container 32 contained in bottom member 18 with slotted cap 34.
A front elevational view of personal mirrored compact device 10 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4 in a closed position. FIG. 4 shows whistle 54 contained in bottom member 18 of device 10 and slotted cap 34 contained in bottom member 18 of device 10. In addition, FIG. 4 shows a latch member 58 which is used to retain bottom surface 16 of top member 12 against top surface 20 of bottom member 18 while in a closed position and is also used to release top member 12 from bottom member 18 when device 10 is in an open position.
A side elevational view of the personal mirrored compact device of the present invention when in a closed position is shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows one or more magnets 50 or similar functioning devices which can be used to retain implements 30 within bottom member 18. A step 60 may be contained within receptacle 28 which contains implement 30 to assist pivoting or elevating implement 30 into an ejected position for use or removal. FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of an implement 30 contained within bottom member 18 of personal mirrored compact device 12 of the present invention with implement 30 shown in both the ejected and closed positions.
Although the invention has been described herein in conjunction with the appended drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the scope of the invention is not so limited. Modifications in the selection, design, and arrangement of the various components discussed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A personal mirrored compact device comprising:

a top member having a top surface and a bottom surface;

a bottom member having a top surface and a bottom surface;

a mirror positioned adjacent to or within the bottom surface of the top member

at least one receptacle contained within the bottom member;

at least one implement contained within said at least one receptacle; and

a hinge mechanism connecting the top and bottom members.

2. The personal mirrored compact of claim 1 further comprising at least one magnet for retaining the implement in an ejected or closed position.

3. The personal mirrored compact of claim 1 wherein said at least one implement comprises at least one of a pocketknife, a shears, a razor, a bottle opener, a corkscrew, a scissors, a tweezers, a light, a nail clipper, a whistle, a brush, a screw driver, a comb, and a nail file.

4. The personal mirrored compact of claim 1 wherein said at least one implement is removably contained within said at least one receptacle.

5. The personal mirrored compact of claim 1 further comprising a watertight compartment within the bottom member.

6. The personal mirrored compact device of claim 5 further comprising a slotted cap member for sealing the watertight compartment contained within the bottom member.

7. The personal mirrored compact device of claim 1 further comprising a whistle permanently contained within an edge of the bottom member.

8. The personal mirrored compact device of claim 1 further comprising a light member contained within the bottom member.

9. The personal mirrored compact device of claim 8 further comprising a battery compartment contained within the bottom member for powering the light member.

10. The personal mirrored compact device of claim 9 further comprising a switch in the bottom member for activating the light member.

11. The personal mirrored compact device of claim 1 further comprising at least one removable spool of thread contained within the bottom member.

12. The personal mirrored compact device of claim 1 further comprising a cutting member contained within the bottom member.

13. The personal mirrored compact device of claim 1 wherein said bottom member includes a receptacle for retaining a sewing needle and a needle removably contained within the receptacle for retaining a sewing needle.

14. The personal mirrored compact device of claim 1 further comprising a nail file embedded within the bottom surface of the bottom member.

15. The personal mirrored compact device of claim 1 further comprising a latch member for retaining the bottom surface of the top member against the top surface of the bottom member in a closed position and releasing the top member from the bottom member in an open position.