U.S. patent application number 12/394963 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-02 for adjustable partition for bottom mount freezer.
This patent application is currently assigned to Electrolux Home Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to William Lee Moody.
Application Number | 20100219147 12/394963 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42666169 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100219147 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moody; William Lee |
September 2, 2010 |
ADJUSTABLE PARTITION FOR BOTTOM MOUNT FREEZER
Abstract
An appliance is provided that includes a storage compartment
comprising a storage container, a partition, and at least one
fastening mechanism located on the partition configured to secure
the partition to a portion of the storage container. The partition
is configured to be removably installed at different locations
within the storage container. The at least one fastening mechanism
includes an area between a first portion and a second portion to
secure the portion of the storage container. The at least one
fastening mechanism includes a third portion protruding from the
first portion and a fourth portion protruding from the second
portion. A distance between the first portion and the second
portion is less than a second distance between an end of the third
portion and an end of the fourth portion which provides an expanded
area for locating the at least one fastening mechanism.
Inventors: |
Moody; William Lee;
(Anderson, SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PEARNE & GORDON LLP
1801 EAST 9TH STREET, SUITE 1200
CLEVELAND
OH
44114-3108
US
|
Assignee: |
Electrolux Home Products,
Inc.
Cleveland
OH
|
Family ID: |
42666169 |
Appl. No.: |
12/394963 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/181.1 ;
211/184 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 57/58 20130101;
F25D 25/022 20130101; A47F 5/005 20130101; A47F 5/01 20130101; F25D
25/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/181.1 ;
211/184 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/14 20060101
A47F005/14; A47F 5/00 20060101 A47F005/00 |
Claims
1. An appliance that includes a storage compartment comprising: a
storage container; a partition configured to be removably installed
at different locations within the storage container; at least one
fastening mechanism located on the partition, wherein the at least
one fastening mechanism includes a first portion and a second
portion and is configured to secure the partition to a portion of
the storage container; wherein the at least one fastening mechanism
includes an area between the first portion and the second portion
configured to secure the portion of the storage container; and
wherein the at least one fastening mechanism includes a third
portion protruding from at least one of the first portion and the
second portion that is configured to provide an expanded area
between the third portion and the second portion for locating and
receiving the portion of the storage container.
2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the storage container includes
a plurality of wire members and the partition is installed on at
least one wire member of the storage container.
3. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastening
mechanism includes a first fastening mechanism on a first side of
the partition and a second fastening mechanism on a second side of
the partition.
4. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the
second portion form a U-shape which is used to couple the partition
to a wire member of the storage container.
5. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastening
mechanism further includes a fourth portion protruding from at
least one of the first portion and the second portion; wherein a
mouth is formed between the third portion and the fourth portion;
wherein the mouth of the partition bounds a larger area than the
area that is configured to secure the portion of the storage
container.
6. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the first portion includes a
first longitudinal axis; wherein the second portion includes a
second longitudinal axis where the first longitudinal axis is
parallel to the second longitudinal axis; and wherein the third
portion includes a third longitudinal axis where the third
longitudinal axis is located at a first angle relative to the first
longitudinal axis.
7. The appliance of claim 6, wherein the at least one fastening
mechanism further includes a fourth portion with a fourth
longitudinal axis wherein the fourth longitudinal axis is located
at a second angle relative to the second longitudinal axis; wherein
a distance between the first portion and the second portion is less
than a second distance between an end of the third portion and an
end of the fourth portion.
8. The appliance of claim 7, wherein the first angle is equal to
the second angle.
9. An appliance that includes a storage compartment comprising: a
storage container; a partition configured to be removably installed
at different locations within the storage container; at least one
fastening mechanism located on the partition, wherein the at least
one fastening mechanism includes a first portion and a second
portion and is configured to secure the partition to a portion of
the storage container; wherein the second portion is offset a first
distance from the first portion; wherein the first portion and the
second portion bound an area for surrounding the portion of the
storage container to secure the partition to the storage container;
wherein the at least one fastening mechanism includes a third
portion protruding from the first portion and a fourth portion
protruding from the second portion; wherein an end of the third
portion is located at a second distance from an end of the fourth
portion; and wherein the second distance is greater than the first
distance such that the third portion and the fourth portion are
configured to provide an expanded area for receiving and locating
the portion of the storage container.
10. The appliance of claim 9, wherein the storage container
includes a plurality of wire members and the partition is installed
on at least one of the wire members of the storage container.
11. The appliance of claim 9, wherein the at least one fastening
mechanism includes a first fastening mechanism on a first side of
the partition and a second fastening mechanism on a second side of
the partition.
12. The appliance of claim 9, wherein the first portion and the
second portion form a U-shape which is used to couple the partition
to a wire member of the storage container.
13. The appliance of claim 9, wherein a mouth is formed between the
third portion and the fourth portion; wherein the mouth of the
partition bounds a larger area than the area that surrounds and
secures the portion of the storage container.
14. The appliance of claim 9, wherein the first portion includes a
first longitudinal axis; wherein the second portion includes a
second longitudinal axis where the first longitudinal axis is
parallel to the second longitudinal axis; and wherein the third
portion includes a third longitudinal axis where the third
longitudinal axis is located at a first angle relative to the first
longitudinal axis.
15. The appliance of claim 14, wherein the fourth portion includes
a fourth longitudinal axis wherein the fourth longitudinal axis is
located at a second angle relative to the second longitudinal
axis.
16. The appliance of claim 15, wherein the first angle is equal to
the second angle.
17. An appliance that includes a storage compartment comprising: a
basket that includes a plurality of wire members; a partition
configured to be removably installed at different locations within
the basket; at least one fastening mechanism located on the
partition wherein the at least one fastening mechanism includes a
U-shape portion with a first end and a second end; wherein the
U-shape portion of the at least one fastening mechanism is
configured to bound an area for securing one of the wire members of
the basket and coupling the partition to the basket; wherein the at
least one fastening mechanism includes a first angled portion
extending from the first end of the U-shape portion and a second
angled portion extending from the second end of the U-shape
portion; and wherein the first angled portion and the second angled
portion bound a larger area than the area that secures one of the
wire members between the first end and the second end of the
U-shape portion; and wherein the larger area is configured for
locating one of the wire members of the basket.
18. The appliance of claim 17, wherein the at least one fastening
mechanism includes a first fastening mechanism on a first side of
the partition and a second fastening mechanism on a second side of
the partition.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a partition for a
storage container for use on a household appliance. In particular,
the invention relates to a partition and the fastening mechanisms
of the partition for installing the partition on various portions
of a storage container.
[0002] Refrigeration appliances typically have storage compartments
and storage containers. Storage containers can include a variety of
partitions for dividing certain items from other items within the
appliance. However, there is still a need for an improved partition
and system for installing a partition in a variety of
locations.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention
in order to provide a basic understanding of some example aspects
of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the
invention. Moreover, this summary is not intended to identify
critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the
invention. The sole purpose of the summary is to present some
concepts of the invention in simplified form as a prelude to the
more detailed description that is presented later.
[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an
appliance that includes a storage compartment is provided that
comprises a storage container, a partition, and at least one
fastening mechanism located on the partition. The partition is
configured to be removably installed at different locations within
the storage container. The at least one fastening mechanism
includes a first portion and a second portion and is configured to
secure the partition to a portion of the storage container. The at
least one fastening mechanism includes an area between the first
portion and the second portion to secure the portion of the storage
container. The at least one fastening mechanism includes a third
portion protruding from at least one of the first portion and the
second portion that is configured to provide an expanded area
between the third portion and the second portion for locating and
receiving the at least one fastening mechanism.
[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
an appliance that includes a storage compartment is provided that
comprises a storage container, a partition, and at least one
fastening mechanism located on the partition. The partition is
configured to be removably installed at different locations within
the storage container. The at least one fastening mechanism
includes a first portion and a second portion and is configured to
secure the partition to a portion of the storage container. The
second portion is offset a first distance from the first portion
and the first portion and the second portion bound an area for
surrounding the portion of the storage container to secure the
partition to the storage container. The at least one fastening
mechanism includes a third portion protruding from the first
portion and a fourth portion protruding from the second portion. An
end of the third portion is located at a second distance from an
end of the fourth portion where the second distance is greater than
the first distance such that the third portion and the fourth
portion are configured to provide an expanded area for receiving
and locating the portion of the storage container.
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
an appliance that includes a storage compartment is provided that
comprises a basket that includes a plurality of wire members, a
partition configured to be removably installed at different
locations within the basket, and at least one fastening mechanism
located on the partition. The at least one fastening mechanism
includes a U-shape portion with a first end and a second end. The
U-shape portion of the at least one fastening mechanism is
configured to bound an area for securing one of the wire members of
the basket and coupling the partition to the basket. The at least
one fastening mechanism includes a first angled portion extending
from the first end of the U-shape portion and a second angled
portion extending from the second end of the U-shape portion. The
first angled portion and the second angled portion bound a larger
area than the area that secures one of the wire members between the
first end and the second end of the U-shape portion. The larger
area is configured for locating the one of the wire members of the
basket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention
will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the
present invention relates upon reading the following description
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side view of an example appliance that includes
a storage container;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a front view of a first example partition for the
storage container that includes at least one fastening
mechanism;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front view of a second example partition for the
storage container that includes at least one fastening
mechanism;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a front view of a first example fastening
mechanism;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second example fastening
mechanism; and
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a storage container that
includes the second example partition of FIG. 3 installed on the
storage container through the use of the first example fastening
mechanism of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Example embodiments that incorporate one or more aspects of
the present invention are described and illustrated in the
drawings. These illustrated examples are not intended to be a
limitation on the present invention. For example, one or more
aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other
embodiments and even other types of devices. Moreover, certain
terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be
taken as a limitation on the present invention. Still further, in
the drawings, the same reference numerals are employed for
designating the same elements.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, a household appliance 10 is provided.
The appliance can be a household bottom-mount refrigerator, though
other appliances can also be used that includes a first storage
compartment 12 and a second storage compartment 18. The first
storage compartment 12 houses at its upper portion a fresh food
compartment that is typically maintained at a temperature of
greater than 32.degree. Fahrenheit and at its lower portion a
freezer compartment that is typically maintained at a temperature
substantially below 32.degree. Fahrenheit. The storage compartment
12 in one example can be a refrigerator compartment. The appliance
10 can include a first door 14 and a first handle 16. The first
door 14 closes off an opening at the front of the storage
compartment through which access can be provided to the interior of
the storage compartment 12. A second door 20 can be provided that
closes off an opening of the second storage compartment 18. The
second storage compartment 18 at the front of the freezer
compartment through which access can be provided to the interior of
the freezer compartment.
[0016] A first storage container 30 and a second storage container
32 can be provided within the freezer compartment of the appliance
10. In this example, the first storage container 30 is larger than
the second storage container 32 but it is appreciated that in other
examples various shapes and sizes can be used for both the first
storage container 30 and the second storage container 32. The first
storage container 30 and the second storage container 32 are
configured to move in and out of the storage compartment. The
second storage container 32 can be located above the first storage
container 30 though other arrangements for multiple storage
containers can be used such as the storage containers 30, 32 being
located side-by-side or at various angles relative to each other.
The first storage container 30 or the second storage container 32
can be a storage basket or can be a storage container such as a
solid storage container though other storage apparatuses or shelves
can also be used. It is appreciated that either the first storage
container 30 or the second storage container 32 can also be a wire
basket. A variety of storage containers, such as bins and baskets,
can be attached to the second door 20 and supported by telescoping
sliding rails or the like so that they travel with the door as it
is opened and closed. For example, two storage containers can be
located below the second storage container 32. Other numbers of
storage containers can also be located in the freezer compartment
including providing the storage containers in a side-by-side
arrangement.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, a first example partition 40 can be
provided for use within one of the storage containers 30, 32. The
partition 40 is configured to be removably installed at different
locations within one of the storage containers 30, 32 of FIG. 1.
For example, the partition 40 can be adjusted to be installed along
any length, width, or diagonal within the storage container 30, 32.
The partition 40 can include at least one fastening mechanism 60,
such as a tab, a clip, or other structure configured to fasten two
objects together. The at least one fastening mechanism 60 is
secured on the partition 40 and is configured to secure the
partition 40 to a portion of a storage container, such as a wire
member. In FIG. 2, the first example partition 40 can have a shape
for use with the first storage container 30, such as the lower
storage container. The partition 40 can be adjusted and installed
by the at least one fastening mechanism 60 being secured to one of
the wire members of the storage container 30 for example. In
alternative examples, the partition 40 can be installed onto a
plurality of wire members. The partition can include a first side
42, a second side 44, a third side 46, and a fourth side 48. It is
appreciated that any of the sides, such as the second side 44, can
include a plurality of different segments, such as two different
segments 44A, 44B. Various segments can also include curvatures as
well as straight portions. A plurality of segments can be used such
that the shape of the partition 40 can correspond to the shape of
the storage container 30.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, a second example partition 50 is
provided that can be used with one of the storage containers 30,
32. The partition 50 is configured to be removably installed at
different locations within one of the storage containers 30, 32 of
FIG. 1. For example, the partition 50 can be adjusted and installed
along any length, width, or diagonal within the storage container
30, 32. The second example partition can include at least one
fastening mechanism 60. The at least one fastening mechanism 60 is
located on the partition 50 and is configured to secure the
partition 50 to a portion of a storage container, such as a wire
member. The partition 50 in the example of FIG. 3 can have a shape
for use with second storage container 32, such as the upper storage
container. The second example partition 50 can include a first side
52, a second side 54, a third side 56, and a fourth side 58. It is
appreciated that either partition 40, 50 can have other shapes. The
shapes can correspond to a shape of the storage containers 30, 32.
Alternatively, the partitions 40, 50 can have shapes that do not
correspond to the shape of the storage containers 30, 32, as the
partitions 40, 50 can instead be configured to be installed within
a width or a length of the storage containers 30, 32 or across
various diagonals between various points along the perimeter of the
storage containers 30, 32. Various numbers of fastening mechanisms
60 can be secured to various sides and various portions of the
partitions 40, 50.
[0019] A fastening mechanism 60, for use with either example
partition 40, 50, is shown in FIG. 4. The fastening mechanism 60
can include a first portion 62 and a second portion 64. The second
portion 64 can be offset a first distance 66 from the first portion
62. Both the first portion 62 and the second portion 64 can extend
from an intermediate portion 68 of the fastening mechanism 60. The
intermediate portion 68 can have a curvature, a plurality of
curvatures, or can have at least one substantially straight
portion. While the first portion 62 and the second portion 64
appear to be of the same dimensions, with the same shape, and
appear to be symmetrical, it is appreciated that in other examples,
the first portion 62 and the second portion 64 can have different
dimensions, different shapes, and are not required to be
symmetrical to one another. The first portion 62 and the second
portion 64 bound an area 76 of insertion for surrounding a portion
of the storage container 30, 32 to secure the partition 40, 50 to
the storage container 30, 32. The area 76 of insertion is between
the first portion 62 and the second portion 64 and the area 76 is
configured to receive and secure a portion of the storage container
30, 32. Thus, the fastening mechanism 60 is inserted onto the
storage container 30, 32 and the area 76 receives and secures a
portion of the storage container 30, 32. It is appreciated that the
fastening mechanism 60 can receive a portion of the partition 50.
In this example, the partition 50 is comprised of wire members and
is received within the intermediate portion 68 of the fastening
mechanism 60. The fastening mechanism 60 can include a first
retaining element 92 and a second retaining element 94. The first
retaining element 92 and the second retaining element 94 can be
moved apart such that the wire member of the partition 50 is
received by the intermediate portion 68, the first retaining
element 92 and the second retaining element 94. The first retaining
element 92 and the second retaining element 94 can have a variety
of shapes. Alternatively, one retaining element can be located
across most of the area 76 of insertion to constrain the wire
member of the partition 50. In other examples, a variety of
structures can be formed for receiving the partition 50, such as
indentations within the first portion 62 and the second portion 64
for trapping and securing a portion of the storage container 30,
32. In another example, the fastening mechanism 60 can include
structure for engaging the partition 50, such as by snappingly
engaging the partition 50 without providing any retaining elements
92, 94. The fastening mechanism 60 can also be formed unitarily
with the partition 40, 50.
[0020] After the fastening mechanism 60 is secured to a location of
the partition 40, 50 selected by the user, the area 76 between the
first portion 62 and the second portion 64 can engage and secure a
wire member of the storage container 30, 32, such that the wire
member is secured within the first portion 62 and the second
portion 64 of the fastening mechanism 60. The first portion 62 and
the second portion 64 can form a U-shape which is used to couple
the partition 40, 50 to a wire member of the storage container 30,
32. The first portion 62 and the second portion 64 can also form
other shapes with varying intermediate portions 68 and various
shapes for the intermediate portions 68. The substantial U-shape
can have a distance 66 between the first portion 62 and the second
portion 64 corresponding to the wire members of the storage
container 30, 32 such that a wire member is snappingly installed
within the at least one fastening mechanism 60.
[0021] The at least one fastening mechanism 60 can further include
a third portion 70 protruding from at least one of the first
portion 62 and the second portion 64 that is configured to provide
an expanded area of insertion for receiving the at least one
fastening mechanism 60. In one example, the fastening mechanism 60
can include a first portion 62 that is shorter than the second
portion 64 where the third portion 70 protrudes from the shorter
first portion 62. Thus, in this example, the at least one fastening
mechanism 60 provides an expanded area 78 between the end of the
third portion 70 and the end of the second portion 64 for receiving
and locating the portion of the storage container 30, 32. The
larger area 78 of insertion is configured to improve the ability to
locate the partition 40, 50 to receive a desired wire member of the
storage container 30, 32. In further examples, the end of the third
portion 70 can be approximately the same distance from the
intermediate portion 68 as the end of the second portion 64.
[0022] The at least one fastening mechanism 60 can further include
a fourth portion 72 protruding from at least one of the first
portion 62 and the second portion 64. It is appreciated that the
first portion 62, the second portion 64, the third portion 70, and
the fourth portion 72 can be unitary in structure or can be
combined from a variety of pieces. An end of the third portion 70
can be located at a second distance 74 from an end of the fourth
portion 72. The second distance 74 is greater than the first
distance 66 between the first portion 62 and the second portion 64
such that the third portion 70 and the fourth portion 72 are
configured to provide an expanded area 78 of insertion for the at
least one fastening mechanism 60. The larger distance 74 between
the end of the third portion 70 and the end of the fourth portion
72 is configured to improve the ability to locate the partition 40,
50 and receive a desired wire member of the storage container 30,
32. A mouth can be defined as an area 78 between the third portion
70 and the fourth portion 72. The mouth of the fastening mechanism
60 can bound a larger area 78 of insertion for receiving and
locating the portion of the storage container 30, 32 than the area
76 of insertion that is configured to secure and receive the
portion of the storage container 30, 32. For example, the area 78
between the third portion 70 and the fourth portion 72 can be wider
than the area 76 between the first portion 62 and the second
portion 64, such as the U-shape portion. The third portion 70 and
the fourth portion 72 are configured to be lead-in portions for
expanding the area 76 of insertion of the fastening mechanism 60
onto the storage containers 30, 32, such as wire baskets. As
opposed to having just the narrow area 76 between the first portion
62 and the second portion 64, the expanded area 78 of insertion
between the third portion 70 and the fourth portion 72 improves the
installation of the partition 40, 50 as it helps direct and locate
the partition 40, 50 onto a desired portion or wire member of the
storage container 30, 32. By providing a larger area 78 of
insertion, this makes it easier for a user to install the partition
40, 50 on at least one wire member or on a portion of the storage
container 30, 32 as it is easier to locate the portion of the
storage container 30, 32 into the receiving location of the
fastening mechanism 60.
[0023] In the first example fastening mechanism 60, the first
portion 62 and the second portion 64 can each have sections that
have a curvature. For example, the first portion 62 and the second
portion 64 can each have a curvature, a plurality of different
curvatures, or it can have at least one substantially straight
section and at least one section with a curvature. The first
portion 62 can include a first longitudinal axis 80. The second
portion 64 can include a second longitudinal axis 82. In one
example, the first longitudinal axis 80 can be parallel to the
second longitudinal axis 82. The third portion 70 can include a
third longitudinal axis 84 where the third longitudinal axis 84 is
located at a first angle 88 relative to the first longitudinal axis
84. The fourth portion 72 can include a fourth longitudinal axis 86
where the fourth longitudinal axis 86 is located at a second angle
90 relative to the second longitudinal axis 82. The first angle 88
can be equal to the second angle 90.
[0024] In a second example fastening mechanism 100, shown in FIG.
5, a storage container, such as a wire basket, is provided that
includes a plurality of wire members and a partition 40, 50 is
configured to be removably installed at different locations within
the basket. One example location within a storage container 32 is
shown in FIG. 6. The at least one fastening mechanism 100 of FIG. 5
can be located on the partition 40, 50 at various locations. The at
least one fastening mechanism 100 includes a U-shape portion 102
with a first end 104 and a second end 106. The at least one
fastening mechanism 100 includes a first angled portion 108
extending from the first end 104 of the U-shape portion and a
second angled portion 110 extending from the second end 106 of the
U-shape portion. The U-shape portion 102 of the at least one
fastening mechanism 100 is configured to bound an area 110 for
receiving one of the wire members of the storage container and
coupling the partition 40, 50 to the storage container. The first
angled portion 108 and the second angled portion 110 bound a larger
area 112 of insertion than the area 110 that receives one of the
wire members between the first end 104 and the second end 106 of
the U-shape portion 102. In an alternative example, the second
example fastening mechanism 100 can include only a first angled
portion 108 where the larger area 112 of insertion can be between
the first angled portion 108 and the second end 106. While the
first end 104 and the second end 106 are at the same distance from
an end of the fastening mechanism 100, it is appreciated that both
the first end 104 and the second end 106 can be located at various
dimensions. The second example fastening mechanism 100 can also be
configured for engagement with a variety of storage containers
aside from a wire basket. The second example fastening mechanism
100 can also include angled portions 108, 110 at various angles
relative to the U-shaped portions and the angles can be either
equal or the same.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the partition 40, 50 in any
of the examples can include a first fastening mechanism 60 or 100
on a first side 42, 52 of the partition 40, 50 and a second
fastening mechanism 60, 100 on a second side 44, 54 of the
partition 40, 50. Moreover, any number of fastening mechanisms 60,
100 can be located on any side 42, 44, 46, 48, 52, 54, 56, 58 of
the partition 40, 50. Various arrangements, such as providing two
fastening mechanisms 60, 100 on the second side 44, 54 and on the
fourth side 48, 58 can also be provided. Fastening mechanisms 60,
100 can also be placed selectively on only some of the sides where
some sides do not receive any fastening mechanisms.
[0026] An example of the second storage container 32 is shown in
FIG. 6. In this example, the second storage container 32 is a wire
basket that includes a plurality of wire members 36. The partition
50 can be installed on a portion 34 of the storage container 32,
such as to at least one of the wire members 36 of the storage
container 32. This example shows a fastening mechanism 60 as it
engages a wire member 36 of the storage container 32. The fastening
mechanism 60 is receiving a member of the partition 50 as well as
receiving one of the wire members 36 of the storage container 32.
It is appreciated that either example fastening mechanism 60, 100
can allow the partition to engage any one of the plurality of wire
members 36. In further examples, the partition 40, 50 can be
configured to engage the storage container 32 in any vertical,
horizontal, or any other orientation and is not limited to the
front-to-back orientation within the storage container 32. In
examples where the storage container 32 is not a wire basket, the
fastening mechanisms 60, 100 can be configured to engage
protrusions or other engagement structures located on the storage
container 32. While the partition 50 in this example is installed
on the portion 34 of the storage container 32, it is appreciated
that the partition 50 can be adjusted or removably installed to any
other wire member 36 of the storage container 32. A user can adjust
the partition 50 by removing each fastening mechanism 60, 100 from
the storage container 32 and then placing at least some of the
fastening mechanisms 60, 100 in engagement at different locations
within the storage container 32.
[0027] The invention has been described with reference to the
example embodiments described above. Modifications and alterations
will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this
specification. Example embodiments incorporating one or more
aspects of the invention are intended to include all such
modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope
of the appended claims.
* * * * *