U.S. patent application number 14/132552 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-17 for width-adjustable storage module for cabinets.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ornamental Products, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Ornamental Products, LLC. Invention is credited to Robert L. Fouts, Michael Knight, Jeffrey A. Varner.
Application Number | 20140197121 14/132552 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51164392 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140197121 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Knight; Michael ; et
al. |
July 17, 2014 |
WIDTH-ADJUSTABLE STORAGE MODULE FOR CABINETS
Abstract
A modular storage apparatus includes an expandable frame
adjustably expandable to fit a storage space in an existing
cabinet. The frame has adjustable-width cross members and uprights
defining U-shapes, extendable glides attached to the uprights, and
an expandable pullout module operably mounted on the glides for
movement. The pullout module includes right and left half-basket
portions connected by connectors permitting lateral expansion. The
connectors may define discrete width adjustments, or may permit
infinite adjustment (within the range of adjustment permitted).
Inventors: |
Knight; Michael; (Albany,
NH) ; Fouts; Robert L.; (High Point, NC) ;
Varner; Jeffrey A.; (Climax, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ornamental Products, LLC |
Archdale |
NC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ornamental Products, LLC
Archdale
NC
|
Family ID: |
51164392 |
Appl. No.: |
14/132552 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61751439 |
Jan 11, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/86.01 ;
29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 88/407 20170101;
A47B 88/90 20170101; Y10T 29/49826 20150115; A47B 45/00 20130101;
A47B 88/994 20170101; A47B 88/988 20170101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/86.01 ;
29/428 |
International
Class: |
A47B 45/00 20060101
A47B045/00 |
Claims
1. A modular storage apparatus configured for installation into an
existing cabinet defining a storage space, comprising: an
expandable frame adjustably expandable to fit the storage space,
the frame having cross members and uprights, the cross members
being adjustable in length to at least a narrow-width position and
a wide-width position; extendable glides attached to the uprights
at top and bottom positions on each side; and a
laterally-expandable pullout module operably mounted on the glides
for movement, the pullout module having right and left half-basket
portions connected by connectors, each half-basket portion having a
half floor and a fence extending around three sides of the half
floor, and the connectors permitting lateral adjustment of the
basket portions selectively to the narrow-width position and the
wide-width position.
2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the connectors define
at least two discrete width-adjusted positions for the half-basket
portions.
3. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the connectors are
infinitely width-adjustable within a given range of adjustments for
the half-basket portions.
4. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the half-basket
portions include wires with inwardly-extending wire ends, and the
connectors include tubes matably telescopingly engaging the wire
ends.
5. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the connector is
molded and has a height selected to combine with the fences of the
half-basket portions to form a continuous fence around the combined
half floors.
6. The apparatus defined in claim 5, wherein the connector bracket
also includes a molded retainer panel that clamps against the
molded component to fixedly retain the half-basket portions
together.
7. The apparatus defined in claim 1, including at least two
different storage accessories with feet shaped to selectively
frictionally releasably engage the right and left half-basket
portions.
8. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the expandable frame
includes front and rear sets of the cross members and uprights, a
rear one of the sets being adjustable in a forward direction away
from a rear of the pullout module so that the rear one avoids
interfering engagement with an existing permanent half shelf in the
existing cabinet.
9. A method of installing functional and customized storage into an
existing cabinet defining a storage space, comprising: providing an
expandable frame adjustably expandable to fit the storage space,
the frame having cross members and uprights defining U-shapes, the
cross members being adjustable in length to at least a narrow-width
position and a wide-width position; providing extendable glides
attached to the uprights at top and bottom positions on each side;
providing a laterally-expandable pullout module operably mounted on
the glides for movement, the pullout module having right and left
half-basket portions connected by connectors, each half-basket
portion having a half floor and a fence extending around three
sides of the half floor, and the connectors permitting lateral
adjustment of the basket portions selectively to the narrow-width
position and the wide-width position; assembling the expandable
frame into the existing cabinet including expanding the expandable
frame to fit the defined storage space; attaching the glides at a
desired height to the expandable frame; and adjusting a width of
the pullout module and then attaching the pullout module to the
glides to provide a pullout storage function.
10. The method defined in claim 9, wherein the connectors define at
least two discrete width-adjusted positions for the half-basket
portions, and wherein the step of adjusting the width of the
pullout module includes adjusting the width between two different
discrete width positions.
11. The method defined in claim 9, wherein the connectors define an
infinite number of width-adjusted positions within a range of
positions for the half-basket portions, and wherein the step of
adjusting the width of the pullout module includes selecting a
particular one of the width-adjusted positions.
12. The method defined in claim 9, wherein the half-basket portions
include wires with inwardly-extending wire ends and tubes matably
telescopingly engaging the wire ends, and the step of adjusting the
width of the pullout module includes telescopingly adjusting the
wire ends.
13. The method defined in claim 9, including forming a continuous
fence around the combined half floors of the pullout module.
14. The method defined in claim 13, wherein the connectors include
a molded retainer panel that clamps against the molded component to
fixedly retain the half-basket portions together.
15. The method defined in claim 9, including providing at least two
different storage accessories with feet shaped to selectively
frictionally releasably engage the right and left half-basket
portions, and including a step of frictionally attaching at least
one of the different storage accessories to the pullout module in a
selected orientation.
16. The method defined in claim 9, wherein the expandable frame
includes front and rear sets of the cross members and uprights, and
wherein the step of installing the expandable frame includes
adjusting the rear one of the sets in a forward direction away from
a rear of the pullout module so that the rear set avoids
interfering engagement with an existing permanent half shelf in the
existing cabinet.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/751,439, entitled "WIDTH-ADJUSTABLE STORAGE
MODULE FOR CABINETS," filed on Jan. 11, 2013, the entire disclosure
of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates storage modules for cabinets,
including standard-sized and customized cabinets, new or existing,
and more particularly relates to a laterally-expandable pullout
storage module that can be adjusted to fill differently sized
cabinets with efficient and optimal personalized storage
capabilities.
[0003] Lack of organization in storage spaces and cabinets
continues to be problematic for a variety of reasons. For example,
consumer needs and preferences vary widely, and also change over
time. Seemingly, every homeowner has issues with the storage system
in their kitchen or other utility area, where the existing cabinet
system does not adequately meet their needs or preferences. A
storage system is desired that offers good organization, but also
that is adjustable and flexible in use, so that it can be used in
different circumstances and environments, yet without great
installation expense and without the need for good installation
skills.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect of the present invention, a modular storage
apparatus is configured for installation into an existing cabinet
defining a storage space. The apparatus comprises an expandable
frame adjustably expandable to fit the storage space, the frame
having cross members and uprights, the cross members being
adjustable in length to at least a narrow-width position and a
wide-width position, extendable glides attached to the uprights at
top and bottom positions on each side, and a laterally-expandable
pullout module. The pullout module is operably mounted on the
glides for movement. In particular, the pullout module has right
and left half-basket portions connected by connectors, each
half-basket portion having a half floor and a fence extending
around three sides of the half floor, and the connectors permitting
lateral adjustment of the basket portions selectively to the
narrow-width position and to the wide-width position.
[0005] In another aspect of the present invention, a method of
installation is also provided that is related to the various
apparatus disclosed above. Specifically, a method is provided for
installing functional and customized storage into an existing
cabinet defining a storage space. The method comprises providing an
expandable frame adjustably expandable to fit the storage space,
the frame having cross members and uprights defining U-shapes, the
cross members being adjustable in length to at least a narrow-width
position and a wide-width position, providing extendable glides
attached to the uprights at top and bottom positions on each side,
and providing a laterally-expandable pullout module operably
mounted on the glides for movement, the pullout module having right
and left half-basket portions connected by connectors, each
half-basket portion having a half floor and a fence extending
around three sides of the half floor, and the connectors permitting
lateral adjustment of the basket portions selectively to the
narrow-width position and the wide-width position. The method
further includes assembling the expandable frame into the existing
cabinet including expanding the expandable frame to fit the defined
storage space, attaching the glides at a desired height to the
expandable frame, attaching the glides at a desired height to the
expandable frame, and attaching the pullout module to the glides to
provide a pullout storage function.
[0006] These and other aspect, objects, and features of the present
invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in
the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and
appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an existing cabinet and
a width-adjustable storage module therein, the storage module
including expandable frame with glides, and expandable top and
bottom drawer-like pull-out modules.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a snap-on top insert (also
called an "accessory" herein) attached to a top of the drawer-like
pull-out modules in FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 in a narrow-width
position.
[0010] FIGS. 4-5 are perspective views of FIG. 3, FIG. 4 being in a
narrow-width position and FIG. 5 being in a wide-width position,
and showing articles stored on the two drawer-like pullout modules,
and with inserts positioned in different orientations.
[0011] FIG. 6 is an enlarged top perspective view of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 7 is an enlarged top perspective view of the expandable
frame in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a side of FIG. 7, and FIG. 8A
is an enlarged view of a bottom-front of FIG. 7
[0014] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a rear of FIG. 6, with half of
the retainer component being removed to show an inside of the
molded base component for retaining inboard edges of the
basket-half portions together, and FIGS. 9A-9C show orthogonal
views of the retainer component and molded base component fixed
together from FIG. 9.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 but with the top
drawer-like pullout module pulled out and with the bottom
drawer-like pullout module left in its inward stored position, and
including two of the accessories from FIG. 2 shown positioned on
the top pullout.
[0016] FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the insert shown in
FIG. 3 with it being rested on a countertop, the insert including
rubber feet configured for snap attachment to a pullout module and
for non-scratch resting on a countertop.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second insert, the insert
being a two-wine-bottle holder accessory (i.e. a wine rack).
[0018] FIG. 12A is a perspective view of an alternative foot for
the accessory of FIG. 12, the foot having perpendicular slots for
frictional attachment to wires of the pullout module.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a view like FIG. 12 but also showing wine bottles
stored thereon.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a third insert, the insert
being a translucent pan with apertured floor for drainage and
rubber feet for snap attachment to a pullout module and for
non-scratch resting on a countertop.
[0021] FIGS. 15-16 are perspective views of a second embodiment
width-adjustable storage module in an existing cabinet, the views
and module being similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 15
showing the draw-like pullout modules adjusted to a narrow
width-adjusted position, and FIG. 16 showing the pullout modules
adjusted to a wide width-adjusted position.
[0022] FIGS. 17-18 are perspective views showing the second
embodiment width-adjustable storage module adjusted to its narrow
width-adjusted position.
[0023] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a third embodiment
width-adjustable storage module, the third module being similar to
the one shown in FIG. 15 but being three-tiered and constructed to
adjust to fill a wider cabinet space.
[0024] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of FIG. 15 but with different
inserts on the top and bottom drawer-like pullout modules.
[0025] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of FIG. 15, but using a top
drawer-like pullout module from FIG. 15 and a bottom drawer-like
pullout module from FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The present apparatus (FIG. 1) is a width-adjustable modular
storage unit 20 (also called "storage module" herein) for use in
existing cabinets 10 (such as in existing kitchen cabinets), where
the unit 20 is expandable to fit into the internal space of the
existing cabinet 10. Specifically, the present system includes an
expandable frame 21 adapted to attach inside the existing cabinet
10, one or more expandable drawer-like pullout modules 22 slidably
supported on double-extendable glides 23 attached to sides of the
expandable frame 21, and clip-on accessories such as wine rack 55.
The features permitting expansion/contraction are discussed below.
The modular storage unit 20 of FIG. 1 is expandable between two
discrete positions such that it fits closely into either of two
different-sized standard sized kitchen cabinets 10. In practice, at
least two different modular storage units (20) will be provided, so
that a total of four different standard cabinet sizes can be
accommodated. This embodiment provides discrete positions of
width-adjustment. However, it is contemplated that the present
modular storage unit 20 can be made to define more than two
discrete width-adjusted positions, or could be made to be
infinitely expandable (within a given range of adjustments) (for
example, see FIGS. 15-21).
[0027] The illustrated existing cabinet 10 (FIG. 1) includes a
floor panel 11, upright side panels 12, 13, an upright rear panel
14, and a door 15 hinged to the side panel 12 (or 13). A facing
member 16 is attached as desired to the panels 12-14 for
aesthetics.
[0028] The expandable frame 21 (FIGS. 3 and 7) includes front and
rear U-shaped subframes interconnected by glides 23 and shaped for
anchored support in a cabinet (10). Specifically, the front
subframe is formed by cross pieces 25, and uprights 26 at each end
of cross pieces 25. The rear subframe is similarly formed. Upper
and lower glides 23 each have an outboard stationary channel that
connects the front and rear uprights 26 on each side, thus forming
the frame 21. The illustrated cross pieces 25 include slidable
overlapping flanges 27, 28 (see FIG. 8A) with multiple sets of
holes 29 that can be aligned to define a wide-frame adjusted
position or a narrow-frame adjusted position. Screws 30 are
extended through the aligned hates 29 fixing a width of the frame
21 and securing it to the floor panel 11 so that the frame 21 fills
a pre-existing cabinet space (FIG. 7). It is noted that one of the
screws 30 can be replaced with a peg if desired. A rear
bracket/foot 31 (FIG. 8) includes a slot or aperture that receives
a screw to secure a rear of the glide 23 to the cabinet 10. The
stationary outboard channel of at least one (or both) glide(s) 23
is secured to a front portion of the cabinet 10, such as to the
facing member 16 on the side panel 12. Alternatively, the glides 23
are spaced apart by the frame 21 sufficiently to closely abut an
inside of the facing members 16, such that they are "trapped"
therebetween, thus holding the frame 21 stationary.
[0029] The module 22 is expandable (compare FIG. 4 which shows the
narrow-width position and FIG. 5 which shows the wide-width
position). The module 22 includes right and left bent-wire
half-basket portions 35, 36 with inner/lower wire edges 37, 38
(FIG. 9) along the floor of the basket portions 35, 36 and
inner/upper loop wire edges 40, 41 along the front/rear side fences
of the basket portions 35, 36. Notably, the word "floor" herein
includes a floor formed by spaced wires (FIGS. 1 and 3) or formed
by aperture panel (see FIG. 14, for example). Connectors 45 secure
the basket portions 35 and 36 together, and further, the front
connector 45 acts as a convenient handle for pulling out the
drawer-like module 22. The illustrated connectors 45 define
discrete basket widths. In particular, the illustrated connectors
45 are brackets that include a molded back component 46 with a
bottom linear slot 47 configured to receive the wire edges 37, 38
of basket portions 35, 36 in an overlapped condition, and a top
slot 48 configured to matably receive loop wire edges 40, 41 in a
manner fixing a width of the basket portions 35, 36 selectively in
the narrow-width position or the wide-width position. A molded
inside retainer component 49 (FIG. 9A) clamps against the back
component 46 and is retained by screws that self-thread into the
back component 46. It is contemplated that the connectors 45 can
define additional discrete positions (i.e. more than two positions)
if desired.
[0030] It is noted that mating basket portions 35, 36 each include
side fences that bound their respective floors on three sides and
that are horizontally open in an inboard direction. The connector
bracket 45 is sufficient in height and width to continue the side
fences around the module 22 when connected. Thus, the present
arrangement provides a bounded enclosure for items stored on the
module 22 even when the module 22 is fully expanded. (See FIGS.
3-5.)
[0031] It is noted that FIG. 10 shows top and bottom modules 22,
the top module 22 being extended forwardly and the bottom module 22
being in a retracted stored position, with the top module 22 being
several inches above the bottom module 22. Notably a height between
the modules 22 can be adjusted based on selective securement to the
uprights 26 on the frame 21.
[0032] The illustrated module 22 is a wire basket substantially
constructed from bent wire; but it is contemplated that it could be
made of a material other than wire and still be within a scope of
the present innovation.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows an insert 55 (also called an "accessory"
herein) that snap-attaches to and can be used with the module 22 in
either the wide-width or narrow-width positions. Also, the insert
55 includes resilient non-scratch feet 58 that are designed to snap
onto wires of the module 22 and to stably rest on and engage a flat
surface (such as a countertop). Specifically, the insert 55
includes inverted bent-wire U-shaped members 56 secured to two
fore-aft wires 57, with the front and rear U-shaped members 56
including rubber T-shaped feet 58. The feet 58 include bottom
grooves for snap-fit onto mating wires in the basket portions 35,
36 such that the U-shaped members 56 are positioned to hold pots,
pans, dishes, bottles and/or other tools, and utensils. The feet 58
can rotate on their wire supports so the inserts can be positioned
in different orientations (compare FIGS. 4-5). It is contemplated
that the feet can be different shapes (i.e. see the circular foot
shown in FIG. 12A), and that a bottom of the feet can include
multiple grooves for snapping onto wires in the module 22 in
different orientations (i.e. the multiple grooves in FIG. 12A are
perpendicular to each other). Notably, two inserts 55 can be used
on a module 22 in a transverse orientation with one being in front
of the other (FIG. 3) and with the module 22 adjusted to a
wide-width position. Alternatively, two inserts 55 can be used on a
module 22 in a front-to-rear orientation with one being in front of
the other (FIG. 4) and with the module 22 adjusted to a
narrow-width position. Alternatively, one insert 55 can be used
alone. As noted above, the insert 55 can be removed from the module
22 and set on a countertop without fear of damaging or scratching
the countertop (see FIG. 11) due to the feet 58.
[0034] It is contemplated that other accessories can be developed
using the present innovation. The insert 55 is particularly adapted
as a pot-and-pan/lid holder. Since the insert 55 is releasably
snapped onto the pullout modules 22, the insert 55 along with any
pots or pans thereon can be lifted as a unit from the storage
module 20. FIGS. 12-13 shows a wine rack 60 with inverted U-shaped
front and rear wires connected by fore-aft linear wires 61 to a top
of the arch, and with snap-attach soft rubber feet 62 similar to
feet 58. Also, a translucent tray 63 (FIG. 4) can be constructed
that is perforated and has dimensions to allow one tray to be
rotated 90 degrees to thus fit both sizes of a particular pullout
module 22. The tray may (or may not) include rubber feet similar to
the feet 58/62 discussed above. Alternatively, the tray can include
integrally formed grooves for snap attachment to wires in the
module 22.
[0035] As noted above, it is contemplated that variations can be
made while still staying within a scope of the present invention.
Below, identical and modified components, features, and
characteristics are described using similar numbers but with
addition of a letter such as "A" or "B". This is done to reduce
redundant discussion.
[0036] A second embodiment width-adjustable storage module 20A
(FIGS. 15-16) is shown installed in an existing cabinet under a
countertop. The module 20A has similar components and is
adjustable/operates similar to the embodiment module 20 shown in
FIG. 1. FIG. 15 shows the drawer-like pullout modules 22A adjusted
to a narrow width-adjusted position, and FIG. 16 shows the pullout
modules 22A adjusted to a wide width-adjusted position. FIGS. 17-18
are perspective views showing the second embodiment
width-adjustable storage module 20B adjusted to its narrow
width-adjusted position. Module 20B is similar to module 20A, but
manufactured to adjust between a wider range of widths. Module 20C
(FIG. 19) shows a version similar to module 20A but having three
drawer-like pullout modules 22C.
[0037] In storage module 20A, the connectors 45A replace the
discrete-position-defining connectors 45 (FIGS. 9, 9A, 10). The
connectors 45A include tubes 70A that are either fixed to one of
the half-basket portions 35A or 36A or that loosely receive wires
extending therefrom. Specifically, the draw-like pullout modules
22A include laterally-extending wires 71A forming the half-basket
portions 35A, 36A, with inboard ends of the wires 71A sliding into
the open ends of the tube connectors 70A. This allows infinite
width-adjustability (within a limited range of adjustment
physically allowed by lengths of the tube connectors 70A and wires
71A). Since the glides 23A and frame 21A fix the adjusted width,
the connectors 70A and wires 71A do not need to be clamped
together. Nonetheless, it is contemplated that the connectors and
wires could provide some frictional force to retain a set
dimension, or that a device (such as a clamp) could be used to fix
the selected width dimension if desired.
[0038] FIG. 20 shows is a perspective view of the storage module
20A with drawer-like pullout modules 22A in FIG. 15 but with
different inserts 55 (FIG. 2) and 60 (FIG. 12) on the top and
bottom drawer-like pullout modules 22A. It is noted that the rear
U-shaped upright can be moved forward if desired. Compare the rear
upright 21 in FIG. 1, which is at an extreme rear of the storage
module 20, and the rear upright in FIG. 20, which is forward
several inches from a rear of the storage module 20. This may be
done for several different reasons. For example, see the dashed
lines in FIG. 21, where the rear upright 21 is moved forward
sufficiently so that a permanent half-shelf in the cabinet 10 does
not have to be removed. Notably, many home owners do not want to
destroy a half shelf in their existing cabinets, even though the
half shelf is not being used.
[0039] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the module 20A in FIG. 15,
but using a top drawer-like pullout module 22A from FIG. 15 and a
bottom drawer-like pullout module 22 from FIG. 1. This illustrates
the interchangeability and flexibility of use provided by the
present innovation. Also, notice that a single wine-bottle-holder
accessory is shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, while a two
wine-bottle-holder accessory is shown in FIGS. 12-13, and a six
wine-bottle-holder accessory is shown in FIG. 20.
[0040] A method of installation is also provided that is related to
the various apparatus disclosed above. Various methods are
contemplated for installing functional and customized storage into
an existing cabinet defining a storage space. The illustrated
method comprises providing an expandable frame adjustably
expandable to fit the storage space, the frame having cross members
and uprights defining U-shapes, the cross members being adjustable
in length to at least a narrow-width position and a wide-width
position, providing extendable glides attached to the uprights at
top and bottom positions on each side, and providing a
laterally-expandable pullout module operably mounted on the glides
for movement, the pullout module having right and left half-basket
portions connected by connectors, each half-basket portion having a
half floor and a fence extending around three sides of the half
floor, and the connectors permitting lateral adjustment of the
basket portions selectively to the narrow-width position and the
wide-width position. The method further includes assembling the
expandable frame into the existing cabinet including expanding the
expandable frame to fit the defined storage space, attaching the
glides at a desired height to the expandable frame, attaching the
glides at a desired height to the expandable frame, and attaching
the pullout module to the glides to provide a pullout storage
function. Accessories can be removed for setting directly on a
countertop without damaging the countertop, and can be loaded and
then reassembled into the drawer-like modules of the storage
unit.
[0041] It is to be understood that variations and modifications can
be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the
concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be
understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the
following claims unless these claims by their language expressly
state otherwise.
* * * * *