[jQuery] storing jquery object in array

[ScottBruin]

Please pardon my poor understanding of javascript basics:

I've been using the following method to create an object array of
variables:

        $.searchfunction = {
                searchbox: $('#searchinput'),
                url: 'http://localhost',
                targetdiv: $('#results'),
                specifierobj: {},
                keyboardid: '#keyboard'
        };

I'm having trouble with getting the value of
$.searchfunction.searchbox. I'm calling it in the following manner:

        var curval = $.searchfunction.searchbox.val();


This isn't working--I tested this attempt with val() in Firebug and it
does not work. I've noticed that if I type in $('#searchinput') in
Firebug, the object is different than $.searchfunction.searchbox.

Respectively,

        >>> $.searchfunction.searchbox;
        Object length=0 context=document selector=#searchinput

        >>> $('#searchinput');
        Object 0=input#searchinput length=1 context=document

I know there are jQuery objects and other types of objects, so I am
assuming it is a problem with this but I don't understand why the
variable does not store the #searchinput in the same manner.

Thanks for any help.