Overhead organizer

Abstract

An overhead organizer is disclosed that is used to store items. The overhead organizer according to the invention takes advantage of little-used space near a ceiling to store items. The overhead organizer includes a ceiling mounted unit that is configured to be coupled to a ceiling, a storage unit that holds items to be stored, and one or more than one retractable extender which retractably couples the storage unit to the ceiling mounted unit. The one or more than one retractable extender is retracted and extended with a retractor mechanism. The retractor mechanism can be a double spool constant torque spring. The retractor mechanism extends or retracts the one or more than one retractable extender to adjust the distance between the storage unit and the ceiling. In some embodiments the retractor mechanism is controlled using a wireless remote control unit.

1 . An overhead organizer comprising:
 a ceiling mounted unit comprising:
 a top plate, wherein the top plate is configured to be coupled to a ceiling; 
 and 
 a retractor mechanism coupled to the top plate; 
   a storage unit, wherein the storage unit holds an item to be stored;   a first retractable extender;   and   a second retractable extender;   wherein the first and the second retractable extenders retractably couple the storage unit to the ceiling mounted unit; and   wherein the retractor mechanism extends and retracts the first and the second retractable extenders.   
     
     
         2 . The overhead organizer of  claim 1 , wherein the retractor mechanism comprises:
 a spring mount coupled to the top plate;   a drive spool rotatably coupled to the spring mount;   a drive shaft fixedly coupled to drive spool, wherein the drive shaft rotates in response to rotation of the drive spool;   a first cable spool fixedly coupled to the drive shaft, wherein:
 the first cable spool rotates in response to rotation of the drive shaft; 
 and 
 the first retractable extender unwinds from and winds onto the first cable spool to extend and retract, respectively the first retractable extender; 
   and   a second cable spool fixedly coupled to the drive shaft, wherein:
 the second cable spool rotates in response to rotation of the drive shaft; 
 and 
 the second retractable extender unwinds from and winds onto the second cable spool to extend and retract, respectively the second retractable extender. 
   
     
     
         3 . The overhead organizer of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first cable spool is fixedly coupled to a first end of the drive shaft;   the second cable spool is fixedly coupled to a second end of the drive shaft;   and   the drive shaft extends through the drive spool such that the drive spool is positioned along the drive shaft in a location between the first cable spool and the second cable spool.   
     
     
         4 . The overhead organizer of  claim 2 , wherein the retractor mechanism further comprises:
 a first spring spool rotatably coupled to the spring mount;   a second spring spool rotatably coupled to the spring mount;   and   a spring coupled to each of:
 the first spring spool; 
 the second spring spool; 
 and 
 the drive spool; 
   wherein the spring provides a constant amount of torque on the drive spool as the drive spool rotates.   
     
     
         5 . The overhead organizer of  claim 4 , wherein the first spring spool is coupled to the spring mount in a position between the drive spool and the top plate. 
     
     
         6 . The overhead organizer of  claim 5 , wherein the second spring spool is coupled to the spring mount in a position between the drive spool and the top plate. 
     
     
         7 . The overhead organizer of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the first spring spool has a first spring spool diameter;   the second spring spool has a second spring spool diameter;   the drive spool has a drive spool diameter;   the drive spool diameter is larger than the first spring spool diameter;   and   the drive spool diameter is larger than the second spring spool diameter.   
     
     
         8 . The overhead organizer of  claim 7 , wherein the first spring spool diameter is approximately equal to the second spring spool diameter. 
     
     
         9 . An overhead organizer comprising:
 a ceiling mounted unit comprising a top plate, wherein the top plate is configured to be coupled to a ceiling;   a storage unit, wherein the storage unit holds an item to be stored;   a retractor mechanism coupled to the top plate;   and   one or more than one retractable extender, wherein the one or more than one retractable extender retractably couples the storage unit to the retractor mechanism.   
     
     
         10 . The overhead organizer of  claim 9 , wherein the storage unit encloses the ceiling mounted unit in response to each of the one or more than one retractable extenders being fully retracted. 
     
     
         11 . The overhead organizer of  claim 9 , wherein the storage unit comprises a shelf. 
     
     
         12 . The overhead organizer of  claim 9 , wherein the storage unit comprises a clothes cubby. 
     
     
         13 . The overhead organizer of  claim 9 , further comprising a wireless remote control unit, wherein the retractor mechanism extends and retracts the storage unit in response to receiving a wireless communication from the wireless remote control unit. 
     
     
         14 . The overhead organizer of  claim 9 , wherein the retractor mechanism comprises a double spool constant torque spring. 
     
     
         15 . A method of forming an overhead organizer, the method comprising the steps of:
 forming a ceiling mounted unit, wherein the ceiling mounted unit is configured to be coupled to a ceiling;   coupling a retractor mechanism to a top plate of the ceiling mounted unit;   coupling one or more than one retractable extender to the retractor mechanism;   and   coupling a storage unit to the one or more than one retractable extender;   wherein the storage unit moves closer or farther away from the ceiling mounted unit in response to the retractor mechanism retracting or extending, respectively, the one or more than one retractable extender.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of coupling a retractor mechanism to a top plate of the ceiling mounted unit comprises the steps of:
 coupling a spring mount to the top plate;   coupling a double spool constant torque spring to the spring mount;   and   coupling a drive shaft to a drive spool of the double spool constant torque spring, wherein the drive shaft rotates with respect to the spring mount, and wherein each of the one or more than one retractable extenders is either extended or retracted in response to rotation of the drive shaft.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of coupling a double spool constant torque spring to the spring mount comprises the steps of:
 coupling a drive spool to the spring mount;   coupling a first spring spool to the spring mount;   coupling a second spool to the spring mount;   and   coupling a spring to the drive spool, the first spring spool, and the second spring spool, wherein the spring controls the rotational torque applied to the drive spool.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of coupling a first spring spool to the spring mount comprises the step of coupling a first spring spool to the spring mount such that the first spring mount is located between the drive shaft and the top plate. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the storage unit touches the ceiling in response to each of the one or more than one retractable extenders being fully retracted. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the storage unit encloses the ceiling mounted unit in response to each of the one or more than one retractable extenders being fully retracted.