U.S. patent application number 10/085004 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-04 for drawer partitioning system and fastening arrangement therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rousseau Metal Inc.. Invention is credited to Bisson, Serge, Guay, Emmanuel.
Application Number | 20030164665 10/085004 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27803728 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030164665 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guay, Emmanuel ; et
al. |
September 4, 2003 |
Drawer partitioning system and fastening arrangement therefor
Abstract
A partitioning system for a drawer, having partitions and
dividers with ends provided with side flanges projecting therefrom
and forming L-like end extensions when viewed from above.
Interlocking strips projecting along inner sides of the peripheral
walls of the drawer and on sides of the partitions, have a series
of inwardly L-shaped vertical slots adapted to slidably receive one
of the L-like end extensions of the partitions or the dividers in
horizontal interlocking engagement.
Inventors: |
Guay, Emmanuel; (Montmagny,
CA) ; Bisson, Serge; (Saint-Jean-Port-Joli,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
McDERMOTT, WILL & EMERY
600, 13th Street North-West
Washington
DC
20005-3096
US
|
Assignee: |
Rousseau Metal Inc.
|
Family ID: |
27803728 |
Appl. No.: |
10/085004 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/348.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 88/975 20170101;
A47B 88/90 20170101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/348.3 |
International
Class: |
A47B 088/00 |
Claims
1. A fastening arrangement for fastening a partition to peripheral
walls of a drawer, comprising: interlocking vertical side flanges
projecting from respective ends of the partition and forming L-like
end extensions of the partition when viewed from above; and
interlocking strips projecting along respective ones of the
peripheral walls of the drawer on inner sides thereof, each of the
interlocking strips having a series of inwardly L-shaped vertical
slots adapted to slidably receive one of the L-like end extensions
of the partition in horizontal interlocking engagement.
2. The fastening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
interlocking vertical side flanges project on opposite sides of the
partition.
3. The fastening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
interlocking vertical side flanges are formed by vertical bent end
portions of the partition.
4. A fastening arrangement for fastening a divider to a partition
of a drawer, comprising: interlocking vertical side flanges
projecting from respective ends of the divider and forming L-like
end extensions of the divider when viewed from above; and an
interlocking strip projecting along the partition on one side
thereof, the interlocking strip having a series of inwardly
L-shaped vertical slots adapted to slidably receive one of the
L-like end extensions of the divider in horizontal interlocking
engagement.
5. The fastening arrangement according to claim 4, further
comprising an additional interlocking strip projecting along the
partition on an opposite side thereof, the additional interlocking
strip having a series of inwardly L-shaped vertical slots adapted
to slidably receive one of the L-like end extensions of the divider
in horizontal interlocking engagement.
6. The fastening arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the
interlocking strips protrude from the sides of the partition at
successive lower and upper positions thereof.
7. The fastening arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the
interlocking strips are integral parts of the partition.
8. A partitioning system for a drawer with peripheral and bottom
walls, comprising: at least one partition having interlocking
vertical side flanges projecting from respective ends of the
partition and forming L-like end extensions of the partition when
viewed from above; and interlocking strips projecting along
respective ones of the peripheral walls of the drawer on inner
sides thereof, each of the interlocking strips having a series of
inwardly L-shaped vertical slots adapted to slidably receive one of
the L-like end extensions of the partition in horizontal
interlocking engagement.
9. The partitioning system according to claim 8, further
comprising: at least one divider having interlocking vertical side
flanges projecting from respective ends of the divider and forming
L-like end extensions of the divider when viewed from above; and an
interlocking strip projecting along the partition on one side
thereof, the interlocking strip having a series of inwardly
L-shaped vertical slots adapted to slidably receive one of the
L-like end extensions of the divider in horizontal interlocking
engagement.
10. The partitioning system according to claim 9, wherein each
partition further has an additional interlocking strip projecting
along the partition on an opposite side thereof, the additional
interlocking strip having a series of inwardly L-shaped vertical
slots adapted to slidably receive one of the L-like end extensions
of the divider in horizontal interlocking engagement.
11. The partitioning system according to claim 10, wherein each
partition and divider has a horizontal bottom flange projecting on
one side thereof and adapted to rest against the bottom wall of the
drawer, the bottom flange having at least one screw fitting hole
for fastening of the partition or divider to the bottom wall of the
drawer.
12. The partitioning system according to claim 11, wherein the
vertical side flanges of each divider and partition project on
opposite sides thereof.
13. The partitioning system according to claim 12, wherein the
interlocking vertical side flanges are formed by vertical bent end
portions of each partition and divider.
14. The partitioning system according to claim 13, wherein the
interlocking strips of each partition protrude from the sides of
the partition at successive lower and upper positions thereof.
15. The partitioning system according to claim 14, wherein the
interlocking strips have a thickness of less than 6 mm.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to drawer partitioning, and
more particularly to a drawer partitioning system and a fastening
arrangement therefor. The partitioning system according to the
present invention is particularly useful for modular drawers in a
tool cabinet and for other storage equipment having drawers or
trays.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Modular and other kinds of drawers are often partitioned by
a system of partitions and dividers for facilitating the
organization of the content to be stored or for other purposes. One
popular type of partitioning system consists of vertical slots on
the peripheral wall of the drawer which can receive partitions. The
partitions are also provided with slots for receiving dividers
possibly made of a mere sheet of steel which may have longitudinal
folds for strengthening purposes. This type of system is simple and
functional but has various drawbacks. Because of the impacts
between the content and the back of the drawer caused by the
repeated closing of the drawer, the back can bend backwards and the
partitions can then disengage. If the compartments on one side of a
partition are loaded while the compartments on the other side of
the partition are not, the loads may cause the dividers and the
partition to bend and disengage. The slotted partitioning strips
extending on the side peripheral walls of the drawer and on the
partitions create a loss of storage space. Indeed, each
partitioning strip has a thickness of approximately 6.35 mm (1/4
inch) to provide slots having a sufficient depth for holding the
partitions in place. As a result, the more partitions are used, the
more important the loss of space is. In a typical drawer, the loss
of space caused solely by the presence of the partitioning strips
can easily stands between 5% and 10% of the total storage space of
the drawer. The thickness of the partitioning strips can hardly be
reduced because the aforementioned disengagement problems would
then be amplified.
[0003] Examples of prior art partitioning systems are given in the
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,145,106 (Anderson), U.S. Pat. No. 2,214,042
(Burdick), U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,246 (Bross), U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,710
(Takama), U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,856 (Pacetti), and U.S. Pat. No.
6,073,794 (Bidot). In general, the partitioning systems are
relatively complex, occupy important space in the drawer, or
require special drawer structural arrangements.
SUMMARY
[0004] An object of the invention is to provide a drawer
partitioning system and a fastening arrangement therefor which are
simple, efficient and have a considerably reduced thickness so as
to occupy minimum space in the drawer.
[0005] An object of the invention is to provide such a drawer
partitioning system and fastening arrangement therefor which may
additionally strengthen the drawer's structure.
[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a
fastening arrangement for fastening a partition to peripheral walls
of a drawer, comprising interlocking vertical side flanges
projecting from respective ends of the partition and forming L-like
end extensions of the partition when viewed from above, and
interlocking strips projecting along respective ones of the
peripheral walls of the drawer on inner sides thereof, each of the
interlocking strips having a series of inwardly L-shaped vertical
slots adapted to slidably receive one of the L-like end extensions
of the partition in horizontal interlocking engagement.
[0007] According to the present invention, there is also provided a
fastening arrangement for fastening a divider to a partition of a
drawer, comprising interlocking vertical side flanges projecting
from respective ends of the divider and forming L-like end
extensions of the divider when viewed from above, and an
interlocking strip projecting along the partition on one side
thereof, the interlocking strip having a series of inwardly
L-shaped vertical slots adapted to slidably receive one of the
L-like end extensions of the divider in horizontal interlocking
engagement.
[0008] According to the present invention, there is also provided a
partitioning system for a drawer with peripheral and bottom walls,
comprising one or more partitions each having interlocking vertical
side flanges projecting from respective ends of the partition and
forming L-like end extensions of the partition when viewed from
above, and interlocking strips projecting along respective ones of
the peripheral walls of the drawer on inner sides thereof, each of
the interlocking strips having a series of inwardly L-shaped
vertical slots adapted to slidably receive one of the L-like end
extensions of the partition in horizontal interlocking
engagement.
[0009] The partitioning system may further comprise dividers having
interlocking vertical side flanges projecting from respective ends
of the divider and forming L-like end extensions of the divider
when viewed from above, and an interlocking strip projecting along
the partition on one side thereof, the interlocking strip having a
series of inwardly L-shaped vertical slots adapted to slidably
receive one of the L-like end extensions of the divider in
horizontal interlocking engagement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A detailed description of preferred embodiments will be
given herein below with reference to the following drawings, in
which like numbers refer to like elements:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective partial view of a partitioning
system according to the present invention; and
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a partition according to the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a partitioning system
for a drawer 2 with peripheral and bottom walls 4, 6, according to
the present invention.
[0014] As best shown in FIG. 2, a partition 8 for the partitioning
system according to the present invention has interlocking vertical
side flanges 10 projecting from respective ends of the partition 8
and forming L-like end extensions of the partition 8 when viewed
from above.
[0015] Referring back to FIG. 1, interlocking strips 12 project
along respective ones of the peripheral walls 4 of the drawer 2 on
inner sides of it. Each interlocking strip 12 has a series of
inwardly L-shaped vertical slots 14 adapted to slidably receive one
of the L-like end extensions formed by the flanges 10 of the
partition 8 in horizontal interlocking engagement. The interlocking
strips 12 can be made as integral parts of the side walls 4 of the
drawer 2, for example by means of a punching process. They can be
made otherwise, for example by welding on the walls 4. Each strip
12 can be formed of a unitary elongated element, or of separate
"hooking" elements arranged next to one another.
[0016] Preferably, the interlocking vertical side flanges 10
project on opposite longitudinal sides of the partition 8 so that
both end sides of the partition 8 are equally slideable in one of
the interlocking strip 12. In such a case, the two interlocking
strips 12 receiving the partition 8 extend in a complementary
arrangement as if they were formed by a single strip running around
the peripheral walls 4 of the drawer 2, with the slots all
extending on the right (or left) hand side behind the front face 28
of the strips. The flanges 10 may also project on a same side of
the partition 8 provided that the interlocking strips 12 are
arranged accordingly (as an image to each other) to receive the
flanges 10. The interlocking vertical side flanges 10 may project
at approximately 90.degree. from the longitudinal sides of the
partition 8, so that the partition 8 extends perpendicularly to the
walls 4 between which it is mounted. Other angles can be used so
that the partition 8 may be mounted diagonally between opposite or
adjacent walls 4 provided that the length of the partition 8 is
adapted for this purpose, e.g. shorter or longer than for straight
mounting between opposite walls 4.
[0017] The interlocking vertical side flanges 10 may conveniently
be formed by vertical bent end portions of the partition 8 (i.e.
"folds"). The number of strips 12, their length and their position
may vary according to the user's needs. Strips 12 may be provided
only on a portion of the drawer 2 if desired.
[0018] The partition 8 may itself be provided with interlocking
strips 12' projecting along both its longitudinal sides (or only
one longitudinal side if desired), for attachment of an optional
divider 16 (or several ones if desired) based on the same fastening
principle as for the partition 8 with the walls 4 of the drawer 2.
The interlocking strips 12' may conveniently be made as integral
parts of the partition 8 which protrude from the longitudinal sides
of it at successive lower and upper positions, for example by means
of a punching process, as best shown in FIG. 2.
[0019] Each partition 8 and divider 16 preferably has a horizontal
bottom flange 18, 20 projecting on one side and adapted to rest
against the bottom wall 6 of the drawer 2.
[0020] Each bottom flange 18, 20 has one or more screw fitting
holes 22, 24 for fastening of the partition 8 or divider 16 to the
bottom wall 6 of the drawer 2 which is then preferably provided
with corresponding holes 22. The divider 16 (and optionally the
partition) can be provided with a top flange 30 if desired.
[0021] In short, the dividers 16 have vertical folds 26 on their
end sides. The end sides of the partitions 8 have the same folds
(i.e. flanges 10). The interlocking strips 12, 12' are provided
with horizontal slots 14 at the top and the bottom. These
horizontal slots 14 allow the passage of the vertical folds 26, 10
of the dividers 16 and the partitions 8 during their insertion.
Once the dividers 16 and the partitions 8 are in place, they can no
longer disengage under a bending action of the back or side walls 4
of the drawer 2 or of the partitions 8. Furthermore, when the
partitions 8 are screwed to the bottom wall 6 of the drawer 2, they
prevent the bottom wall 6 from bending by the weight of the
articles stored in the drawer 2, thereby providing the drawer 2
with a longer lifetime. Likewise, the dividers 16 can be screwed to
the bottom wall 6 of the drawer 2 to prevent the partitions 8 from
bending. Consequently, the fastening of the elements of the
partitioning system protect them in addition to preventing them
from disengaging. It also prevents small articles stored in the
compartments from passing under the dividers 16 and the partitions
8 and thus to mix from one compartment to another.
[0022] Another advantage of the partitioning system is that the
width of the interlocking strips 12, 12' can be considerably
reduced in comparison with conventional systems, thereby reducing
the loss of space due to the presence of the interlocking strips
12, 12'. The interlocking strips 12, 12' may typically have a
thickness of less than 6 mm (1/4 inch). However, thicker strips 12,
12' can nevertheless be used if desired.
[0023] The height of the flanges 10, 26 may be less than the height
of the partitions 8 or the dividers 16 provided that they
sufficiently engage with the slots 14 when they are in place.
[0024] While embodiments of this invention have been illustrated in
the accompanying drawings and described above, it will be evident
to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be
made therein without departing from the essence of this invention.
All such modifications or variations are believed to be within the
scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended
hereto.
* * * * *