U.S. patent application number 11/544097 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-10 for organizer.
Invention is credited to Juan Escobar, Mark Naden, Marco Perry.
Application Number | 20080083753 11/544097 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39269162 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080083753 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Escobar; Juan ; et
al. |
April 10, 2008 |
Organizer
Abstract
A configurable organizer is described having releasably
securable dividers or partitions for defining areas or compartments
within the organizer for receiving items therein. The dividers are
secured via retainers having retainer portions that are resiliently
shiftable to permit insertion or removal of the retainer portions
within openings in the organizer and to permit shifting to a
natural outwardly biased position for retaining the dividers with
the organizer. Support structures may also be provided to retard or
prevent tilting or deflecting of the secured dividers.
Additionally, the organizer may include a pair of trays having the
openings for receiving the retainers and supports, and the trays
may be adjustably and selectively moved relative to each other to
expand or contract the organizer as desired, such as to conform to
interior dimensions of a drawer.
Inventors: |
Escobar; Juan; (New York,
NY) ; Naden; Mark; (New York, NY) ; Perry;
Marco; (Brooklyn, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEYFARTH SHAW LLP
131 S. DEARBORN ST., SUITE 2400
CHICAGO
IL
60603-5803
US
|
Family ID: |
39269162 |
Appl. No.: |
11/544097 |
Filed: |
October 4, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/06 20130101;
A47B 88/994 20170101; A47B 88/90 20170101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/8 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/00 20060101
B65D006/00 |
Claims
1. An organizer defining an area for receipt of items therewithin,
the organizer comprising: a tray having a base positionable within
the drawer, the base including at least one opening; and a divider
releasably securable with the tray and having a wall at least
partially defining portions of the area, the divider having
securing structure for securing the divider with the base, the
securing structure including a first retainer cooperable with a
first base opening to secure the divider with the tray, the first
retainer including at least a first retaining portion extending
from a first portion of the wall, the first wall portion being
resiliently shiftable to and between a clearance position and an
interference position, the clearance position permitting receipt
and removal of the first retaining portion relative to the first
base opening and the interference position generally preventing
passage of the first retaining portion through the first base
opening to secure the divider with the tray.
2. The organizer of claim 1 wherein the first retainer includes a
second retaining portion receivable within the first base
opening.
3. The organizer of claim 2 further including a second wall portion
from which a second retaining portion extends, the second wall
portion shiftable to shift the second retaining portion between a
clearance position and an interference position with respect to the
first base opening.
4. The organizer of claim 3 wherein the first and second shiftable
wall portions and the first and second retaining portions extending
therefrom are positioned in an opposed relationship, and the first
and second wall portions are compressible toward each other to
shift the first and second retaining portions to the clearance
position.
5. The organizer of claim 1 wherein at least the first retaining
portion includes a foot portion positioned below and in
interference with a bottom side of the base when the divider is in
the interference position and secured with the tray.
6. The organizer of claim 5 wherein at least the first retaining
portion includes an extending portion secured with the wall and
extendable through the opening from a top side of the base to the
bottom side of the base, the foot portion extending generally
laterally from the extending portion.
7. The organizer of claim 5 wherein the foot includes a leading end
for insertion within the opening, the leading end include a bevel
portion for contacting an edge of the opening during insertion to
shift the shiftable wall portion and to permit receipt of the first
retaining portion within the opening.
8. The organizer of claim 1 wherein the base has a plurality of
openings and the securing structure includes a plurality of
retainers respectively cooperable with the plurality of base
openings for securing the divider with the tray.
9. The organizer of claim 8 wherein the first retaining portion
includes a foot portion positioned below a bottom side in an
interference position when the divider is secured with the
tray.
10. The organizer of claim 8 wherein the wall includes a plurality
of resiliently shiftable portions having respective retaining
portions extending therefrom, the retaining portions being
receivable within the base openings for securing the divider with
the tray.
11. A configurable organizer for a drawer defining an area for
receipt of items therewithin, the organizer comprising: a tray
system adapted for receipt within the drawer, the tray system
including at least a first tray including a base having a plurality
of openings formed therein; a divider system adapted for defining
portions of the area and including at least a first divider having
a wall at least partially defining portions of the area and having
securing structure for securing the first divider with the tray
system, the securing structure including at least a first retainer
selectively cooperable with the base openings, the first retainer
including at least a first retaining portion extending from a first
portion of the wall, the first wall portion being resiliently
shiftable to and between a clearance position and an interference
position, the clearance position permitting receipt and removal of
the first retaining portion relative to the first base opening and
the interference position generally preventing passage of the first
retaining portion through the first base opening to secure the
divider with the tray.
12. The configurable organizer of claim 11 wherein the securing
structure includes a plurality of retainers selectively cooperable
with the base openings, at least two of the retainers including
retaining portions extending from respective shiftable wall
portions.
13. The configurable organizer of claim 11 wherein the first
retainer includes a second retaining portion receivable within the
base openings.
14. The configurable organizer of claim 13 including shiftable wall
portions from which the first and second retaining portions
respectively extend, the shiftable wall portions in an opposed
relationship.
15. The configurable organizer of claim 13 wherein the first and
second retaining portions are configured to be received within
respective base openings.
16. The configurable organizer of claim 13 wherein the first and
second retaining portions are configured to be received within a
single base opening.
17. The configurable organizer of claim 11 wherein the divider
system includes a plurality of dividers, each having a wall at
least partially defining portions of the area and having securing
structure for securing the dividers with the tray system.
18. The configurable organizer of claim 11 wherein the tray system
includes a second tray selectively positionable relative to the
first tray to selectively provide the tray area.
19. A method of configuring an organizer defining an area for
receipt of items therein, the method comprising: providing a tray
system having at least a first tray with a base including a
plurality of openings formed therein; providing a divider system
including at least a first divider having a wall with a resiliently
shiftable portion; providing retaining structure including a first
retaining portion extending from the resiliently shiftable portion
of the wall; aligning the retaining structure with the openings;
shifting the first retaining portion relative to the divider; and
inserting the securing structure within at least a first
opening.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the method further includes
permitting the first retaining portion to resiliently shift to an
interference position relative to the opening after insertion
therethrough.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein the method further includes
providing the first retaining portion with a bevel, the step of
aligning the retaining structure includes positioning the bevel
against an edge of the opening, and the step of shifting the first
retaining portion includes forcing the bevel against the opening
edge.
22. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of providing a tray
system includes providing a second tray selectively positionable
relative to the first tray.
23. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of providing a divider
system includes providing a plurality of dividers selectively
securable with the openings for defining portions of the area.
24. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of providing retaining
structure includes providing a plurality of retaining portions
extending from the wall.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of shifting includes
shifting a portion of the plurality of retaining portions relative
to the divider.
26. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of providing retaining
structure includes providing a second retaining portion extending
from a wall portion and opposed to the first retaining portion, and
the step of shifting the first retaining portion includes shifting
towards the second retaining portion.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein the step of shifting includes
resiliently compressing wall portions from which the first and
second retaining portions respectively extend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to an organizer and, in particular, to
an organizer that is configurable to define storage areas and, more
particularly, to an organizer having an adjustable size and
configurable partitions for defining storage areas within a
drawer.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Drawers, cabinet, other compartments are commonly used to
store a variety of objects in many different environments. The use
of these compartments typically does not necessitate any particular
adaptation in order to receive and store objects therein. However,
a size of a drawer in comparison to the objects stored therein
often results in many objects being loosely stored in a relatively
large space. As a drawer is typically pulled open by a user in
order to retrieve one or more items stored in the drawer, the items
may slide as the drawer is being pulled open. This often leads to
the objects losing some, if not all, of any organization that was
contemplated when the objects were initially placed in the
drawer.
[0003] An example of a common solution to this problem is an
organizer tray used for silverware or eating utensils. The tray
typically includes upstanding walls to segregate knives, spoons,
and forks from each other and in stacked relationships. More
elaborate trays may separate various types of forks or spoons, or
other kitchen utensils.
[0004] The tray is placed within an existing drawer for receiving
the objects. The drawer may be of a standard or stock size, in
which case it is relatively simple for a manufacture to size an
organizer for the drawer. However, many drawers are custom sized
for a particular kitchen's dimensions and the desires of the person
designing the kitchen arrangement. As a result, many drawers have
non-stock dimensions, such as width or depth. Designing individual
trays for each possible custom drawer size would be difficult and
less than cost-effective for a manufacturer.
[0005] In addition, the storage required or desired for a drawer by
one person in a kitchen varies widely from that desired by a second
person in their kitchen. The utensils stored in any particular
drawer vary widely by size and shape and kind. While the drawer may
be used to store relatively small and elongated items such as
silverware, other items whose size does not lend to a silverware
tray may be stored in the drawer, including spatulas and wooden
spoons that are much longer than silverware, pizza cutting wheels,
meat tenderizers/hammers, or whisks, to mention a few.
[0006] It should also be noted that many drawers may have items
stored therein in which it would be desirable to separate the items
for easy access. Examples of these items include hand tools such as
screwdrivers and pliers stored in a tool box or chest, cosmetics
and toiletries stored in a bathroom or vanity drawer, and desk
items kept in a desk drawer.
[0007] Accordingly, there has been a need for an improved drawer
organizer.
SUMMARY
[0008] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an
organizer is provided having a tray system and dividers selectively
positionable and securable with the tray system to define areas or
compartments within the organizer for receipt of items therein. The
organizer includes a tray having a base which may be positioned
within a drawer and including at least one opening, and at least
one divider releasably securable with the tray and having a wall at
least partially defining portions of the area. The divider has
securing structure for securing and supporting the divider with the
base, and the securing structure includes a first retainer
cooperable with the base opening to secure the divider with the
tray. The first retainer includes at least a first retaining
portion extending from a first portion of the wall that is
resiliently shiftable to and between clearance and interference
positions. The clearance position permits receipt and removal of
the first retaining portion with respect to the first base opening,
and the interference position generally prevents passage of the
first retaining portion through the first base opening to secure
the divider with the tray.
[0009] The first retainer may include a second retaining portion
receivable within the first base opening, and the divider may
including a second shiftable wall portion from which a second
retaining portion extends, the second wall portion shiftable to
shift the second retaining portion between clearance and
interference positions relative to the first base opening. The
first and second shiftable wall portions and the first and second
retaining portions extending therefrom may be positioned in an
opposed relationship, and the first and second wall portions may be
compressible, such as by manual pressure, toward each other to
permit the first and second retaining portions to be received
within or removed from the first base opening.
[0010] The retaining portions may include a foot portion positioned
below and in interference with the bottom side when the divider is
in the interference position and secured with the tray. The
retaining portions may include an extending portion secured with
the wall and extendable through the opening from a top side of the
base to the bottom side of the base, the foot portion extending
generally laterally from the extending portion. The foot may
include a leading end for insertion within the opening, the leading
end including a chamfer or bevel for contacting an edge of the
opening during insertion to shift the shiftable wall portion and to
permit receipt of the first retaining portion within the
opening.
[0011] The securing structure may include a plurality of retainers
cooperable with a plurality of base openings for securing the
divider with the tray. The retaining portions may include one or
more foot portions positioned below the bottom side in an
interference position when the divider is secured with the tray.
The wall may include a plurality of resiliently shiftable portions
having respective retaining portions extending therefrom, and the
retaining portions are receivable within the base openings for
securing the divider with the tray.
[0012] In another aspect, a configurable organizer defining an area
for receipt of items therewithin is disclosed including a tray
system adapted for receipt within a drawer, for instance, and
having at least a first tray including a base with a plurality of
openings formed therein, and a divider system adapted for defining
portions of the area and including at least a first divider having
a wall at least partially defining portions of the area and having
securing structure for securing the first divider with the tray
system. The securing structure includes at least a first retainer
selectively cooperable with the base openings, and the first
retainer includes at least a first retaining portion extending from
a first portion of the wall that is resiliently shiftable to and
between clearance and interference positions. The clearance
position permits receipt and removal of the first retaining portion
with respect to the first base opening, and the interference
position generally prevents passage of the first retaining portion
through the first base opening to secure the divider with the
tray.
[0013] The securing structure may include a plurality of retainers
selectively cooperable with the base openings, at least two of the
retainers including retaining portions extending from respective
shiftable wall portions. The first retainer may include a second
retaining portion receivable within the base openings, and the
organizer may include shiftable wall portions from which the first
and second retaining portions respectively extend, the shiftable
wall portions in an opposed relationship. The first and second
retaining portions may be configured to be received within
respective base openings. First and second retaining portions may
also or alternatively be configured to be received within a single
base opening.
[0014] The divider system may include a plurality of dividers, each
having a wall at least partially defining portions of the area and
having securing structure for securing the dividers with the tray
system.
[0015] In some forms, the tray system may include a second tray
selectively positionable relative to the first tray to selectively
provide the tray area.
[0016] In accordance with a further aspect, a method of configuring
an organizer defining an area for receipt of items therein is
disclosed including the steps of providing a tray system having at
least a first tray with a base including a plurality of openings
formed therein, providing a divider system including at least a
first divider having a wall with a resiliently shiftable portion,
providing retaining structure including a first retaining portion
extending from the resiliently shiftable portion of the wall,
aligning the retaining structure with the openings, shifting the
first retaining portion relative to the divider, and inserting the
securing structure within at least the first opening.
[0017] The method may include permitting the first retaining
portion to resiliently shift to an interference position relative
to the opening after insertion therethrough. The method may include
providing the first retaining portion with a bevel, positioning the
bevel against an edge of the opening, and forcing the bevel against
the opening edge. The method may include providing a second tray
selectively positionable relative to the first tray to selectively
provide the tray area. The method may include providing a plurality
of dividers selectively securable with the openings for defining
portions of the area.
[0018] The method may include providing a plurality of retaining
portions extending from the wall. The method may include shifting a
portion of the plurality of retaining portions relative to the
divider. The method may include providing a second retaining
portion extending from a wall portion and opposed to the first
retaining portion, and the step of shifting the first retaining
portion may include shifting towards the second retaining portion.
The step of shifting may include resiliently compressing wall
portions from which the first and second retaining portions
respectively extend.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] In the Figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an organizer
including a tray system having a first tray positioned relative to
a second tray in an expanded configuration, the first tray having a
plurality of positionable dividers releasably secured with openings
thereon and the second tray having a single divider secured with
openings thereon;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the organizer of FIG. 1 with
the first and second trays in a partially expanded configuration
and the single divider being removed from the second tray;
[0021] FIG. 3A is a bottom plan view of the organizer in the
expanded configuration of FIG. 1 showing securing structure of the
dividers received in openings of the trays;
[0022] FIG. 3B is an end elevation view of the lower right-hand end
of the organizer as viewed in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3C is a side elevation view of the upper right-side of
the organizer as viewed in FIG. 1 with portions shown in
phantom;
[0024] FIGS. 4A-4C are, respectively, side elevation, bottom plan,
and end elevation views of a representative first divider of the
organizer of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIGS. 5A-5C are, respectively, views of a second, smaller
representative divider of the organizer of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIGS. 6A-6C are, respectively, views of a third, smallest
representative divider of the organizer of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of a
portion of the view of FIG. 3A;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a further enlarged cross-sectional view taken
through the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;
[0029] FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view taken
generally in the direction of the line 9-9 in FIG. 2;
[0030] FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary view along the line
10-10 of FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line
11-11 of FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 12A is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the encircled
portion of FIG. 11 showing portions of a divider in an uncompressed
position in solid lines and in a compressed position in
phantom;
[0033] FIG. 12B is an enlarged, fragmentary view similar to FIG.
12A showing portions of the divider in the uncompressed position in
phantom and in the compressed position in solid lines; and
[0034] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the divider of FIGS. 12A
and 12B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a configurable
organizer 10 is shown having a tray system 12 and a plurality of
positionable dividers 14. The tray system 12 includes a first or
inner tray 16 and a second or outer tray 18 which may be shifted
relative to each other to alter the size or dimension of the
organizer in at least one direction. For instance, FIG. 1 shows the
outer tray 18 positioned relative to the inner tray 16 to provide a
first width W1 for the organizer 10, while FIG. 2 shows a relative
position for the trays 16, 18 such that the organizer 10 has a
second width W2 smaller than the first width W1. In this manner,
the size, or footprint, of the organizer 10 may be adjusted to more
closely match a predetermined size of a drawer (not shown), though
the organizer may also be used on a shelf or otherwise with a
particular size or configuration as desired by a user.
[0036] The dividers 14 may be selectively positioned relative to
the trays 16, 18 to define or arrange a plurality of compartments.
More specifically, the trays 16, 18 may be configured to a desired
relative position, as will be discussed in greater detail below, to
provide an interior surface area 30. One or more dividers 14 are
installed on the trays 16, 18 to divide the interior surface area
30 into smaller areas 32. In FIG. 1, several dividers 14 are
installed on the inner tray 16, while a single divider 14 is
installed on the outer tray 18. By comparison, FIG. 2 shows the
tray system 12 in a partially expanded configuration and the outer
tray 18 without a divider 14 installed thereon.
[0037] The trays 16, 18 and the dividers 14 are provided with
structure to secure the dividers 14 with the trays 16, 18. Each of
the trays 16, 18 includes openings 34 arrayed on and through a
respective top interior surfaces 36, 39 thereof, the openings 34
cooperating with securing structure 40 (see, e.g., FIGS. 4A-C) of
the dividers 14. Other than the openings 34, the interior surfaces
36, 39 are generally flat and planar, as well as parallel to each
other. The openings 34 have an inner periphery 38 defining the
shape of the opening 34, the periphery 38 providing the opening 34
with an approximately square shape, though with inner corners 38a
slightly rounded, as best seen in FIG. 3A.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 4A-C, the securing structure 40 of the
dividers 14 includes retainers 42 and support structures 44
received within the openings 34. A retainer 42 includes a pair of
opposed retainer portions 46 for releasably engaging, such as by
snapping, into the openings 34. Each divider 14 has a pair of
opposed sidewalls 48 which, when the divider 14 is secured, extend
above the trays 16, 18. The sidewalls 48 include a bottom edge and
surface 50 from which the feet retainer portions 46 extend. Each
retainer portion 46 has an extension portion 52 extending from the
surface 50 to a foot 54. Each foot 54 extends laterally outward
from the associated extension portion 52, and each foot 54 includes
a chamfer or beveled surface 56 that angles upwardly and outwardly
from a foot tip 58.
[0039] With reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, to secure the divider
14 with a tray 16, 18, the retainers 42 of the divider 14 are
pressed into the openings 34. In greater detail, the divider 14 is
positioned above the tray system 12 so that the retainer 42 is
aligned with an opening 34, and then is pressed downwardly against
one of the trays 16, 18. The beveled surfaces 46 of the feet 54
wedge against the periphery 38 of the opening 34 and compress
inwardly so that the feet 54 and retainer portions 56 are shifted
to a position allowing an outer edge 60 of the feet 54 to pass into
the opening 34. While the feet 54 are compressed inwardly, the
sidewalls 48 are deflected, as is represented by the sidewalls
48'.
[0040] With continued advancement of the feet 54 into the opening
34, the feet 54 will pass through the opening 34 and, upon full
clearance, will resiliently return to an uncompressed or
less-compressed position, a result of the natural outward bias of
the material of the sidewalls 48. As can be seen in FIGS. 12A and
12B, a short wall 70 extends downwardly from a bottom side 72 of a
base or tray floor 73 of each of the trays 16, 18. The tray floor
73 has a top surface 78 which may be either of the interior top
surfaces 36, 39 of the trays 16, 18. When the feet 54 have been
fully advanced into the opening 34, a top surface 74 of each foot
54 abuts a bottom surface 76 of the short wall 70, and the divider
bottom surface 50 abuts the top surface 78 of the tray floor 73. In
simple terms, the feet 54 snap into the opening 34 so that the feet
54 are in an interference position with the tray short wall 70 and
the tray floor 73. The short wall 70 provides additional structural
integrity for the opening 34, which would otherwise simply be the
thickness of the tray floor 73.
[0041] The organizer 10 is preferably made of formed plastic
material, such as molded plastic. This material, while inexpensive,
often produces some degree of tolerance due to its inherent
materials properties. The extension portion 52 is sized laterally
to closely abut lateral sides of the periphery 38 and is sized in
length to closely mate with and receive the tray short wall 70 and
the tray floor 73 between the divider sidewall bottom surface 50
and the foot top surface 74. However, due to tolerances, the
rigidity provided by the cooperation between the retainers 42 and
the openings 34 may not always be as great as desired. Therefore,
the support structures 44 are provided.
[0042] The support structures 44 also extend from the divider
sidewalls 48, though they span laterally across and between the
divider sidewalls 48, as best seen in FIGS. 4B and 4C. The support
structures 44 are generally short tab-like walls extending from the
divider bottom surface 50 and having side edges 80. The lateral
dimension of the support structure 44, from edge 80a to edge 80b,
is sized to be approximately the lateral width of the openings 34
(within the periphery 38) so that the support structures 44 fit
closely therein when the divider 14 is secured with the tray floor
73. As noted above, the operation of the retainers 42 depends on
the retainer portions 46 being resiliently deflectable inwardly. It
is preferred that the retainer portions 46 extend from and are
oriented with the divider sidewalls 48 in a generally parallel
manner, as will be discussed below. In the absence of any other
structure, the dividers 14 would be susceptible to tipping. The
support structures 44 provide constraint, in addition to the
divider bottom surface 50, to resist this tipping or deflecting of
the divider 14 as a whole by closely abutting the interior of the
opening periphery 38.
[0043] The divider 14 includes additional structure to resist the
divider 14 being deflected to its side. Each end 90 of the divider
14 includes a flared portion, as best viewed in FIG. 4B. More
specifically, the divider sidewalls 48 have outwardly flared
portions 48a (FIG. 4B) which flare outwardly from each other at the
divider ends 90, at least along a bottom wall portion 92 thereof
(FIG. 4C). The divider 14 includes end walls 90a which extend
between and connect the divider sidewalls 48 at the ends 90 of the
divider 14. The end walls 90a similarly flare outwardly to span
between the bottom wall portions 92 of the opposed divider
sidewalls 48. The bottom surface 50 of the divider sidewalls 48
extends in a generally planar manner around and along the bottom of
both divider walls 50, as well as both end walls 90a. When the
divider 14 is secured with the tray floor 73, the entire bottom
surface 50 is positioned against or proximate to the top surface 78
of the tray floor 73. Thus, when a deflecting force is applied to
the divider 14, the bottom flared-out portions 48a and the bottom
surface 50 press against or contact the tray floor top surface 78
to prevent or limit the amount of deflection possible.
[0044] As noted, the retainer portions 46 preferably extend from
and are oriented with the divider sidewalls 48 in a generally
parallel manner. The divider sidewalls 48 are joined at the ends 90
by the aforementioned divider end walls 90a. The divider 14 further
includes a divider top wall 98 joining the divider sidewalls 48 at
the top, and may include one or more webbings 100 extending between
the divider sidewalls 48. The webbings 100, extending between the
sidewalls 48 and preferably a portion of the support structures 44,
are positioned generally away from the deflectable retainers 42.
Otherwise, the webbings 100 may restrict the ability of the
retainers from deflecting inwardly during securement with the tray
openings 34. More broadly, removal and repositioning of the
dividers 14 requires the retainer portions 46 to deflect inwardly
so that the feet 44 may pass through and out of the openings 34. It
would be simple enough to directly mechanically compress the feet
54 from the bottom of the organizer 10. However, this would require
removing the entire organizer 10 from a drawer in which it is
located, possibly also requiring the removal of any contents stored
in the organizer 10, and accessing the bottom of the organizer 10
so that the feet 54 can be pressed inwardly on the bottom while the
divider 14 is also pulled away from the tray floor top surface 78.
This is an awkward and cumbersome process for doing no more than
repositioning a divider 14.
[0045] Thus, the construction of the divider sidewalls 48 and the
retainer portions 46 advantageously allows a user to remove the
divider 14 without removing the organizer in its entirety, or its
contents. Instead, the sidewalls 48 are inwardly compressible by
manual pressure in a region, generally indicated at 100 in FIGS. 1
and 2, proximate to where the retainers 42 extend so that the feet
44 move from their secured position in interference with the
periphery short wall 70 to a clearance position. When compressed
concurrent with pulling on the divider 14, the divider 14 is easily
removed. The divider sidewall regions 100 may be slightly thinner
than the balance of the sidewall 48 to promote localized
compression during this operation.
[0046] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the trays 16, 18 and a
plurality of dividers 14 are depicted. The inner tray 16 has
dividers 14 defining the smaller areas 32. More specifically, the
inner tray 16 has four tray walls 110 bounding an area 112
(corresponding to the top interior surface 36, FIG. 1) of the tray
floor top surface 78 (corresponding to interior area 30), though in
some forms one or more of the tray walls 110 may be omitted, such
as tray wall 110a. As can be seen, a first divider 120a abuts tray
wall 110a and tray wall 110b so that both ends 122 fit
substantially flush against or close to the tray walls 110a, 110b.
A second divider 120b, substantially identical to the first divider
120a, extends generally parallel with the first divider 120s so
that the second divider 120b is also substantially flush against or
close to the tray walls 110a, 110b. A third, smallest divider 128
extends between and fits substantially flush against the first and
second dividers 120a, 120b. Larger dividers 130 extend between tray
wall 110c and the second divider 120b, again fitting substantially
flush or close thereto. To promote understanding, the
above-described regions 100 in which the divider sidewalls 48 may
be manually compressed are highlighted. Thus, as the regions 100
preferably correspond to locations of retainers 42 extending from
the bottom surface 50 of the dividers 120a, 120b, 128, 130 it
should be recognized that the first, second, and third dividers
120a, 120b, 128 include one retainer 42 apiece, while the larger
dividers 130 include a pair of retainers 42.
[0047] FIGS. 4A-C depict the divider 14, described above, in the
specific form of the larger divider 130, thus having four support
structures 44 and a pair of retainers 42, each having a pair of
opposed retainer portions 46 with feet 54 thereon, the retainers 42
and support structures 44 receivable or removable concurrently
within openings 34 in the trays 16, 18. As can be seen, the
sidewalls 48 are slightly angled downwardly and outwardly from each
other. In order to follow a similar sidewall angle for another
divider 14, the endwalls 90a are provided with a similar slight
inward and downward angle, as can be seen in FIG. 4A. Additionally,
the tray walls 110 of the inner tray 16 (as well as tray wall 190a
of the outer tray 18, discussed below) have an inner surface 160
(see also FIG. 11) constructed with an angle substantially matching
the angle of one of the sidewalls 48.
[0048] With reference to FIGS. 5A-C, the divider 120 in accordance
with the above-described dividers 120a, 120b is depicted. As can be
seen, the divider 120 includes a single retainer 170, and four of
support structures 172 for securing the divider 120 with the
openings 34. The divider 120 includes sidewalls 174, endwalls 176,
and a top wall 178, the operation and construction of which being
described above.
[0049] Finally, FIGS. 6A-C depict the smallest third divider 128.
The securing structure 40 for the divider 128 includes merely a
single retainer 180.
[0050] It should be clear from the description that the number and
location of the securing structure 40 preferably aligns with the
array of openings 34, and it should also be clear that the number
of features included in the securing structure 40 may easily be
altered. For instance, the openings 34 may be doubled in number so
that the distance between them is halved. While this would not
necessitate an increase in securing structures 40 on the dividers
14, 120, 128, 130, but it would at least permit such.
[0051] However, it should be noted that the depicted dividers do
utilize securing structures 40 in adjacent openings 34. Turning now
to FIG. 3A, retainers 42a, as well as support structures 44a, are
indicated for the largest dividers 130 of FIG. 1. Similarly,
retainers 42b and support structures 44b are indicated for the
first and second dividers 120a, 120b, and retainer 42c is indicated
for the third divider 128, which has no support structure. As can
be seen, openings 34a are occupied by the retainers 42 and support
structures, while openings 34b are empty.
[0052] The outer tray 18 also has tray walls 190 bounding an area
192. As the trays 16, 18 are shifted from and between expanded and
unexpanded positions relative to each other, the area 192 is
expanded or decreased. Additional dividers 14, such as those
described herein, may be secured with the tray floor 73 of the
outer tray 18 to define smaller areas therewithin in the same
manner as the smaller areas 32 are defined for the inner tray
16.
[0053] As noted, the inner tray wall 110a may be omitted, in which
case the area 112 bound by the inner tray walls 110 is generally
contiguous with the area 192 bound by the outer tray walls 190, in
the absence of any dividers 14. Others of the tray walls 110, 190
may also be omitted, particularly if the organizer 10 is to be used
to cover the bottom of a drawer (not shown) which has its own
sides.
[0054] The trays 16, 18 have cooperating structure to facilitate
and control the expansion and contraction of the area 192 of the
outer tray 18. With specific reference to FIGS. 3A, and 7-10, the
inner tray 16 includes a pair of guides 200 positioned proximate an
outer edge 202 of the inner tray bottom 204 while the outer tray
includes a pair of rails 206 received within respective guides. The
guides 200 have a first portion 200a that extends downward,
preferably orthogonally, from the inner tray bottom 204, and a
second portion 200b that extends laterally outward from the first
portion 200a. The rail 206 has a first portion 206a that extends
upwardly from a top surface 208 formed on the outer tray 18
proximate the outer tray wall 190a (FIG. 10) and a second portion
206b that extends laterally inwardly. The rail second portion 206b
is received between the guide second portion 200b and the inner
tray bottom 204, and the guide second portion 200b is consequently
positioned between the rail second portion 206b and the outer tray
top surface 208. As can be seen in phantom in FIGS. 3A and 3C, the
rail 206 need only extend a short distance relative to the length
of the outer tray 18, while the guide 200 extends generally the
length of the inner tray 16.
[0055] The organizer 10 further includes structure to define
discrete relative positions for the inner and outer trays 16, 18.
In the present form, the inner tray 16 includes two rows 211 of
receptacles 214 defining recesses 216 positioned inboard of the
guide 200. The outer tray 18 includes a pair of fingers 220 that
are generally deflectable downwardly in the vertical direction,
each having a boss 222 (FIG. 8) thereon. The boss 222 has a
slightly rounded top surface 224 to allow the boss 222 to deflect,
wedge-like, against the receptacles 214 so that the boss 222 is
forced out of the recesses 216 when the trays 16, 18 are shifted
relative to each other. In a selected position, the boss 222 is
received within the recess 216 so that the tray system 14 generally
resists being shifted out of the selected position.
[0056] While the invention has been described with respect to
specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying
out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
there are numerous variations and permutations of the above
described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
* * * * *