Abstract:
An organizer for separating and holding a plurality of items is disclosed. The organizer includes a main compartment, at least one side compartment, and an adjustable retaining system. The adjustable retaining system is configured to selectively couple the main compartment to each side compartment and hold each side compartment in one of a plurality of positions relating to the main compartment.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus used to sort, segregate, and organize various items within an enclosed space. In particular, the present invention relates to an organizer having an adjustable width. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Organizers come in a variety of sizes and configurations and are frequently used to store items in a separate enclosure (e.g., a drawer). Examples of items which can be organized include cutlery, mixing utensils, eating utensils, stationary supplies, etc. Typically, drawer organizers include a plurality of compartments sized and arranged to receive a variety of items for storage and easy accessibility. 
     It is known to provide one or more boxes within a drawer. However, such an arrangement does not utilize the entire space within the drawer and the individual boxes may slide around and become disorganized. 
     Drawer organizers having a plurality of compartments are also known. However, such organizers typically do not adequately utilize the space within the drawer and may slide around when the drawer is opened or closed, requiring constant readjustment and repositioning. 
     In an attempt to overcome the shortcomings of such organizers, the use of “adjustable” or “custom” organizers may be employed. However, such products require cutting of material and are difficult to install. Prior organizers of this type are typically characterized by their lack of adjustability, inconvenience, inability to utilize the entire enclosure, or lack of a locking mechanism. As a result, such organizers are generally not well-suited for situations where reorientation and arrangement of the organizer is different or inconvenient. For example, after opening and closing a drawer several times, the organizer must be repositioned or reoriented. When the drawer is used often (e.g., for flatware), there may be a lot of movement that causes the organizer to lose its set positioning. Such “movement” may include picking the organizer up (e.g., to access areas of the drawer behind or otherwise adjacent to the organizer), or action created by the movement of a drawer to access the items stored in the organizer. 
     Second, certain known organizers can be adjusted but the methods for doing so involve inefficient steps. Third, even if adjustable, prior organizers are frequently not used as intended because of their inconvenience, and therefore the benefit of “adjustability” is not realized by the user. 
     Thus, there is a continuing need for an organizer having one or more compartments moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, the organizer being held or “locked” in a desired configuration. It would also be desirable if the product communicates to the user when the organizer is “locked” into the desired position. 
     Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have an organizer with adjustable width. It would also be advantageous to have an adjustable organizer capable of being secured or “locked” in a desired position. It would further be advantageous to have a “locking” adjustable organizer that signals to the user when it is in the locked position. It would further be advantageous to have an adjustable organizer that requires a minimum amount of assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating and holding a plurality of items. The apparatus includes a main compartment, at least a first side compartment, and an adjustable retaining system. The adjustable retaining system is configured to couple the main compartment to the first side compartment in a plurality of different positions. The first side compartment can be held in a desired position by a compliant retaining system. 
     The present invention also relates to an apparatus for holding a plurality of items. The apparatus includes a main section having one or more compartments, at least a first side compartment, and a means for reasonably coupling the main section to the first side compartment. 
     The present invention further relates to an apparatus for separating a plurality of items. The apparatus includes a main section having one or more compartments, a first side compartment, and a means for releasably coupling the main section the first side compartment. 
     The present invention further relates to various features and combinations of features shown and described in the disclosed embodiments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 are top perspective views of a drawer organizer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the drawer organizer of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded fragmentary elevation view of the drawer organizer of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is top elevation view of the drawer organizer of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 6 is front elevation view of the drawer organizer of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation view of the drawer organizer of FIG. 5 taken along line  7 — 7 . 
     FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the drawer organizer of FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the drawer organizer of FIG. 6 taken along line  9 — 9 . 
     FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the drawer organizer of FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 show an organizer  10  used to sort and segregate various items within an enclosed space. Organizer  10  also is configured to be adjustable to various widths. Organizer  10  includes a main compartment  12 , and a pair of side compartments  14 ,  16 , that function as one piece once assembled. Once set at the desired width, side compartments  14 ,  16  will remain at that setting until readjusted by the user. According to an alternative embodiment, drawer organize  10  has any number of side compartments (e.g.,  1 ,  2  (as shown),  3 ,  4 , etc.) coupled to main compartment  12 . According to a preferred embodiment, organizer  10  is molded from polypropylene, but it may be made from any of a variety of materials. 
     FIG. 1 shows side compartments  14 ,  16  in the retracted position and FIG. 2 shows side compartments  14 ,  16  in the extended position. When side compartment  14  and/or  16  is in an at least partially extended position, items may be stored and organized in them. As such, at least partially extended side compartments provide another level of organization for storing items. Side compartments  14 ,  16  include a bottom  18  and generally vertical walls  20 . Walls  20  are spaced apart and configured to slideably receive main compartment  12 . Sidewalls  20  includes a hand pad  21  which provides a surface for the user to grip side compartments  14 ,  16  for adjustment or placement (e.g., to differentiate sidewall  14 ,  16  from hand pad  21 ). A lip  22  is provided along the top of walls  20  and is configured to provide a sliding surface for lip  23  of main compartment  12 . 
     Side compartments  14 ,  16  also include a compliant member configured to deflect when side compartments  14 ,  16  are extended and forced against the walls of the enclosure or drawer. When the compliant member deflects, a biasing force acts to hold organizer  10  between the walls of the enclosure so that movement of the enclosure does not reposition organizer  10 . The biasing force is less than the force necessary to retract side compartments  14 ,  16  (e.g., the force necessary to move prong  72  relative to teeth  70 ). According to a preferred embodiment, compliant member is a flange  24  that extends generally downwardly and outwardly from lip  22  and is configured to deflect toward sidewalls  20  when pressed against the wall of the enclosure (e.g., to “pre-stress” the locking engagement of main compartment  12  and side compartments  14 ,  16 ). Flange  24  is also configured to provide a convenient place for the user to adjust organizer  10  (e.g., to allow a light sideways push on the side components to move them relative to the main compartment). 
     According to an alter native embodiment, the compliant member includes a compressible bumper or pad  25  positioned in a recess  27  on side compartments  14 ,  16 . Pad  25  is configured to deflect toward sidewalls  20  to match the contour of the wall of the enclosure and to pre-stress the locking engagement of main compartment  12  and side compartments  14 ,  16 . Alternatively, pad  25  coacts with flange  24  to provide a compliant member. 
     Main compartment  12  includes one or more areas  26  which are sized and shaped to receive items (e.g., flatware, tools, accessories, etc.). According to a preferred embodiment areas  26  are integrally molded with main compartment  12 . As shown in the FIGURES, areas  26  are defined by one or more walls  28  configured to provide storage areas to segregate and organize items. Sidewalls  30 ,  32  of main compartment  12  include a recess  34  that is intended to allow the user access to the hand pad  21 . Hand pads  21  on sidewalls  20  of side compartments  14 ,  16  are configured to be disposed adjacent to recess  34  when side compartments  14 ,  16  are in the retracted position. 
     Feet  36  are provided at the corners of side compartments  14 ,  16  and are configured to provide a level support surface for organizer  10 . According to a preferred embodiment, non-slip pads  37  are attached to feet  36  (e.g., with an adhesive, pressure sensitive adhesive, thermal bonding, etc.), and are configured to inhibit movement of organizer  10  in the enclosure. Pads  37  may be made from any number of materials that provide a non-slip or griping surface (e.g., rubber, etc.). Top opening  38  of main compartment  12  and bottom  18  of side compartments  14 ,  16  are shaped and sized to provide a nesting function with other organizers  10 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, engagement between main compartment  12  and side compartments  14 ,  16  is along a pair of members (shown as guide ribs  42 ,  44 ) of main compartment  12  disposed in a pair of guide slots  46 ,  48  in side compartments  14 ,  16 . Guide ribs  42 ,  44  extend along opposite sides of the bottom  54  of main compartment  12  and slide within respective slots  46 ,  48  in opposite sides of side compartments  14 ,  16 . Each rib  42 ,  44  includes a projection  56  that extends substantially perpendicular to ribs  42 ,  44  and is configured to “capture” bottom  18  of side compartments  14 ,  16  when disposed and projected through slots  46 ,  48 . As such, side compartments  14 ,  16  slide below main compartment  12  to adjust the width of the assembled organizer  10 . 
     Guide slots  46 ,  48  of side compartments  14 ,  16  are proximate the intersection of the bottom  40  and sidewalls  56 ,  58 . A transversely extending flange  60  extends between the sidewalls of each side compartment  14 ,  16  along bottom surface  40 . Bridging portions  62 ,  64  of flange  60  cover inward ends  66 ,  67  of the guide slots  46 ,  48 . Guide ribs  42 ,  44  of main compartment  12  are retained within guide slots  46 ,  48  of side compartments  14 ,  16  by bridging portions  62 ,  64 . Flange  60  is also intended to support guide ribs  42 ,  44  as they reciprocally move within slots  46 ,  48 . 
     A locking element (shown as a strip  68 ) extends along the longitudinal center line of bottom surface  54  of main compartment  12 . According to a preferred embodiment, strip  68  is integrally formed with main compartment  12  and includes a series of spaced apart, downwardly directed teeth  70  (e.g., it is “serrated”). According to a preferred embodiment, teeth  70  have an incremental pitch of 0.10 inches. 
     Each side compartment  14 ,  16  includes a compliant prong  72  formed in the bottom surface  40  configured to engage teeth  70  of rib  68  of main compartment  12  as side compartments  14 ,  16  move toward and away from main compartment  12 . Prong  72  fixes side components  14  or  16  relative to main component  12  when it drops between teeth  70  and sideways pressure stops. Prong  72  is configured to flex or deflect when side compartments  14 ,  16  are extended or retracted, but to provide a positive lock between the components when the desired position of side compartments  14 ,  16  relative to main compartment  12  is achieved. According to a preferred embodiment, voids  74  are provided (e.g., molded, machined, etc.) adjacent prong  72  and are intended to improve the flexural characteristics of prong  72 . 
     The sliding engagement between teeth  70  and prong  72  is intended to communicate to the user that incremental width change is occurring. For example, the engagement provides a signal such as an audible click and/or a vibration sensed in the hands of the user. In addition to providing a signal to the user that incremental width change is occurring, teeth  70  are also intended to prevent inadvertent movement of side compartments  14 ,  16  relative to main compartment  12 . This allows the three components  12 ,  14 ,  16  to act as one piece when sideways forces do not exist. 
     When assembled, main compartment  12  is supported by side compartments  14 ,  16 . A center post  76  extends from the underside of bottom  54  of main compartment  12 . Under normal conditions, post  76  has a terminal lower end  78  that is spaced above support feet  36  of side compartments  14 ,  16  and does not contact the drawer surface. Post  76  is configured to provide a support structure for main compartment  12  when side compartments  14 ,  16  are in the extended position and main compartment  12  is undergoing loading from one or more items being placed in compartments  38 . 
     Although only a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (such as variations in sizes and proportions of the various elements, materials and the like) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention. For example, the features and combination of features described herein may be used with any of a variety of devices used to organize items on a surface or in an enclosed space. Also, instead of providing a “serrated” strip locking mechanism, other arrangements may be used to provide incremental or variable locking or securing of the compartments. Further, the compliant member may be provided by any number of a variety of configurations or structures which are capable of being biased when the side compartments are pressed against the enclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.