Abstract:
A modular organizer includes a plurality of walls, two faceplates, and a plurality of shelves. In a storage mode, the walls and shelves of the organizer are stored within the containing walls of the faceplates. The containing walls of the faceplates are each equipped with an exterior edge that presents an uneven outline. When the uneven outlines of each faceplate are positioned adjacent each other, a substantially sealed interface is created containing the walls and shelves within. In an organizer mode, the walls are supported by, and serve to separate the faceplates. The shelves are placed within the structure formed by the walls and are positionable between a display and storage position. Each faceplate of each modular organizer is identically configured to incorporate at least one post and hole pair. When one modular organizer is placed adjacent another, the post of one engages the hole of the other and vice-versa allowing a user to fashion virtually any desired modular organizing unit to fit a specific space, e.g., side-by-side, top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top positioning of multiple modular organizers.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/871,215, filed May 31, 2001, and entitled “MODULAR ORGANIZER,” which is divisional of application Ser. No. 09/542,771, filed Apr. 4, 2000, entitled “MODULAR ORGANIZER,” now abandoned, which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to devices for storing and/or organizing literature, papers and, in general, office products. More particularly, the present invention relates to a modular device which is conveniently packaged, easily assembled, and combined with one or more additional modular devices into a user&#39;s desired configuration.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Modular organizers are convenient devices for organizing numerous types of spaces because they allow the user to configure the modular organizers in a fashion to best suit the space. For instance, modular organizers may be used alone or in combination with a small number of other modular organizers to organize a table or desktop. A greater number of modular organizers may be used, e.g., in stacks, towers, rows, etc., to organize a wall space or floor space. Because a user will generally do the work himself in creating a desired modular organizer configuration, it is important that the modular organizer itself be easy to assemble and easily attached to other like modular organizers. Additionally, because modular organizers are often used in place of more expensive wooden bookcases, it is important that the cost to the user be as low as possible.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,807,572 describes an adjustable compartment size storage unit wherein the units are attached to each other by aligning holes within each unit and securing the units via a nut and bolt combination, wherein the bolt is inserted through the aligned holes. As such, an additional component beyond the unit itself is required for securement to another unit. That additional component adds cost to each unit and extra effort for the user in attempting alignments and the screwing on bolts. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,505,395 describes a magazine display tray that may be attached to additional trays by use of an external clip device that is inserted into each adjacent tray. Again, the additional part makes assembly more complex and requires the creation of an expensive mold to manufacture the external clip device adding cost to the overall unit.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,880 describes a modular bin and organizer that in one sense avoids the use of an external, additional component for securing two units together. Here a dowel and hole combination is used, i.e., the dowel extending upward from a lower unit is inserted into the bottom-located hole of a top unit. The limitation in this arrangement is that the dowel and hole combination only allow for an upward stacking pattern, e.g., no side-by-side pattern of units by using the dowel and hole combination, and further, top and bottom units are not interchangeable, e.g., the top unit must always be a top unit and the bottom unit must always be a bottom unit.  
           [0006]    In view of the above, there is a need for a modular organizer that is easily assembled and secured to other modular organizers in virtually any desired fashion without the use of additional, external components.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The needs described above are in large measure solved by the modular organizer of the present invention. The modular organizer has both a storage mode, in which the organizer can be shipped, sold and/or stored, and an organizer mode, in which the modular organizer is assembled and useful for organizing various items. The modular organizer generally incorporates a plurality of walls, e.g., two side panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel, and two base sections, e.g., face plates. Each of the base sections includes a containing wall which extends around its perimeter and the containing wall has an exterior edge that presents an uneven outline, such as a wave or step.  
           [0008]    In storage mode, the walls are stored within the containing wall of the base sections and the uneven outlines of the containing walls are placed proximate each other to substantially, sealingly interface creating a neat compact package for shipping, sale and/or storage. In organizer mode, the walls serve to separate, and are supported by, the base sections. The modular organizer may be converted from organizer mode to storage mode and storage mode to organizer mode any number of times. The modular organizer additionally preferably includes shelves and a back panel, which may also be stored within the containing walls of the base sections. The shelves are preferably positionable in a display (angled) position or storage (horizontal) position.  
           [0009]    Any number of modular organizers may be combined to create a singular modular unit of a desired configuration. The base sections, which are preferably four-sided, of each modular organizer preferably include at least one post and hole pair per side. As such, when one modular organizer is placed adjacent another modular organizer, the post of one organizer engages the hole of the other and vice-versa. This identical configuration of base sections thus requires only a single manufacturing mold, thereby reducing cost, and allows side-by-side, top-to-bottom, and bottom-to-top placement of adjacent modular organizers. Note, that the hole used for engaging another modular organizer may also be used in securing the walls to the base sections.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 depicts a modular organizer of the present invention in a fully assembled configuration presenting two shelves in a storage mode and two shelves in a display mode.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a faceplate of the modular organizer of the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a side view of the faceplate of FIG. 2.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a front view of the faceplate of FIG. 2.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a back view of the faceplate of FIG. 2.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is an outside view of a side panel of the modular organizer of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 is an inside view of the side panel of FIG. 6.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 is a side view of the side panel of FIG. 6.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 is a detail view of section A, as indicated on FIG. 8.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 10 is a detail view of section B, as indicated on FIG. 8.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 11 is a partial perspective of the outside of the side panel of FIG. 6.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 12 is a partial perspective of the inside of the side panel of FIG. 6.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 13 is an outside view of a top or bottom panel of the modular organizer of the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 14 is an inside view of the top or bottom panel of FIG. 13.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 15 is a side view of the top or bottom panel of FIG. 13.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 16 is a detail view of section C, as indicated on FIG. 15.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 17 is a detail view of section D, as indicated on FIG. 15.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a back panel of the modular organizer of the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a shelf of the modular organizer of the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 20 is a top view of the shelf of FIG. 19.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the shelf of FIG. 19.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 22 is a side view of the shelf of FIG. 19.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 23 is a front view of the shelf of FIG. 19 as it would appear in a storage mode.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 24 is a front view of the shelf of FIG. 19 as it would appear in a display mode.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 25 is a packaging assembly view of the modular organizer of the present invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 26 depicts how the top panel of the modular organizer of the present invention and the side panel of the modular organizer are joined together.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 27 depicts a partial assembly of the modular organizer of the present invention.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 28 depicts how the faceplate of the modular organizer of the present invention fits over the joined top panel and side panel.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 29 depicts the placement of a shelf in display mode.  
         [0039]    FIGS.  30 A- 30 E depict various modular unit configurations of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0040]    A modular organizer  10 , see FIG. 1, of the present invention is an article of manufacture that may be conveniently packaged, easily assembled, and combined with one or more additional modular organizers  10  to create a desired storage configuration that may be used on a desk, shelf, or on the floor. Modular organizer  10  preferably incorporates two faceplates  12 , two side panels  14 , a top panel  16 , a bottom panel  18 , a back panel  20  and a plurality of shelves  22 .  
         [0041]    Referring to FIGS.  2 - 5 , each faceplate  12  preferably comprises four identical sides  30  joined together in a unitary assembly. Each side  30  includes an upper portion  32  presenting an outline  34  in a sweep configuration. Additionally, upper portion  32  provides a post  36  and a hole  38  which have a petal shape as shown. Each side  30  also includes a bottom edge  40 , which extends between upper portion  32  and an inner wall portion  43 . In combination, upper portion  32 , bottom edge  40 , and inner wall portion  43  create a slot opening  44  for insertion of panels  14 ,  16  and  18 . An inner lip portion  42  extends from inner wall portion  43 .  
         [0042]    Referring to FIGS.  6 - 12 , side panels  14  are depicted in detail. Each side panel  14  has an outer surface  50  defined by a plurality of ribbings  51  (some ribbings  51  are not shown for clarity of view). Outer surface  50  is additionally defined by four petal-shaped bosses  52 , located near the corners of outer surface  50 , and a pair of outer ribs  54  that are substantially transverse to the plurality of ribbings  51  but incorporating the sweep configuration of outline  34 . Each side panel  14  also has an inner surface  56  that is defined by a plurality of ribbings  57  (some ribbings  57  are not shown for clarity of view). Ribbings  51  and  57  allow for a thicker overall side panel  14  while using less fabrication material. Inner surface  56  is additionally defined by a pair of inner ribs  58  that are substantially transverse to ribbings  57  and substantially linear in nature. Outer ribs  54  and inner ribs  58  add structural stability to side panel  14 .  
         [0043]    Inner surface  56  further includes a plurality of shelf supports  60 . Each shelf support  60  preferably includes an elongate, substantially linear leader portion  62  as well as a rounded, upper hook portion  64  and a rounded, lower hook portion  66 . However, note that the topmost shelf support  60  preferably has only leader portion  62  and lower hook portion  66  while lowermost shelf support  60  preferably has only leader portion  62  and upper hook portion  64 .  
         [0044]    Each side panel  14  additionally includes a top edge  68  and a bottom edge  70 , which are depicted most clearly in FIGS.  8 - 10 . Top edge  68  has a radiused configuration that, along with lip edge  72 , accepts and holds an edge of top panel  16 . Bottom edge  70  is also of a radiused configuration but does not include a lip edge. Note that each of outer ribs  54  extends up and over top edge  68  thereby creating a rib corner  74  that is at approximately a right angle. The tip of rib corner  74  is preferably rounded to eliminate the presence of a sharp edge. Outer ribs  54 , however, do not extend over bottom edge  70 , but rather, preferably stop at the last one of the plurality of ribbings  51  prior to bottom edge  70 .  
         [0045]    Referring to FIGS.  13 - 17 , top panel  16  and bottom panel  18 , which is identical to top panel  16 , are depicted by singular representation. Each panel  16 ,  18  has an outer surface  80  defined by a plurality of ribbings  81  (some ribbings  81  are not shown for clarity of view). Outer surface  80  is additionally defined by four petal-shaped bosses  82 , located near the corners of outer surface  80 , and a pair of outer ribs  84  that are substantially transverse to a plurality of ribbings  81 , but incorporating the sweep configuration of outline  34 . Each panel  16 ,  18  also has an inner surface  86  that is defined by a plurality of ribbings  87  (some ribbings  87  are not shown for clarity of view). Ribbings  81  and  87  allow for a thicker overall panel  16 ,  18  while using less fabrication material. Inner surface  86  is additionally defined by a pair of inner ribs  88  that are substantially transverse to ribbings  87  and substantially linear in nature. Outer ribs  84  and inner ribs  88  add structural stability to panel  16 ,  18 .  
         [0046]    Each panel  16 ,  18  additionally includes a first side edge  90  and a second side edge  92 , which are depicted most clearly in FIGS.  15 - 17 . First side edge  90  has a radiused configuration that, along with lip edge  94 , accepts and holds bottom edge  70  of side panel  14 . Second side edge  92  is also of a radiused configuration but does not include a lip edge. Note that each of outer ribs  84  extends up and over first side edge  90  thereby creating a rib corner  96  that is at approximately a right angle. The tip of rib corner  96  is preferably rounded to eliminate the presence of a sharp edge. Outer ribs  84 , however, do not extend over second side edge  92 , but rather, preferably stop at the last one of plurality of ribbings  81  prior to second side edge  92 .  
         [0047]    Referring to FIG. 18, back panel  20  is depicted. Back panel  20  is a thin sheet having a substantially square configuration. A front surface  100  and back surface  102  of back panel  20  are preferably identical in that they are each substantially planar. Back panel  20  is preferably provided with rounded corners  104  to eliminate the presence of a sharp point.  
         [0048]    Referring to FIGS.  19 - 24 , one of shelves  22  is depicted in detail. Each shelf  22  preferably includes a top surface  110  that is substantially planar. Additionally, each shelf  22  preferably includes two side edges  112 . Each side edge  112  has a first cut-out portion  114 , serving to narrow the overall width of shelf  22  at a first end of shelf  22 . Located within each first cut-out portion  114  is a storage post  116  that is used to help position shelf  22  when in a storage orientation. Each side edge  112  also has a second cut-out portion  118 , serving to narrow the overall width of shelf  22  at a second end of shelf  22 . The length of second cut-out portion  118  is slightly less than the length of first cut-out portion  114 . Located within each second cut-out portion  118  is a display post  120  that is used to help position shelf  22  when in a display orientation.  
         [0049]    A display face  122  of shelf  22  is seen when shelf  22  is in the display orientation, and is best seen in FIGS. 19 and 24. As shown, display face  122  has a sweeping wave configuration that presents a lip edge  123  above the plane of top surface  110  to prevent papers from sliding off of shelf  22  when in display mode. A central section  124  of display face  122  is preferably of sufficient height and width to allow for placement of a shelf label (not shown). Additionally, central section  124  is provided with a slight indent  125  to allow for the papers on shelf  22  to be more easily grasped.  
         [0050]    A storage face  126  of shelf  22  is seen when shelf  22  is in the storage orientation, and is best seen in FIGS. 19 and 23. As shown, storage face  126  has a sweeping wave configuration but does not present a lip edge; no lip edge is necessary to hold papers in place, as shelf  22  is substantially horizontal in the storage orientation. A central section  127  of storage face  128  is preferably of sufficient height and width to allow for placement of a shelf label (not shown). Additionally, central section  127  is provided with a slight indent  128  to allow for the papers on shelf  22  to be more easily grasped.  
         [0051]    A bottom surface  130  of shelf  22  is best seen in FIG. 21. Bottom surface  130  is substantially planar but includes a plurality of ribs  132  and a plurality of ribs  134  which are substantially transverse to ribs  132 . Ribs  132  and ribs  134  aid in providing shelf  22  with structural rigidity.  
         [0052]    Faceplates  12 , side panels  14 , top panel  16 , bottom panel  18 , back panel  20  and the plurality of shelves  22  are preferably fabricated from ABS or high-impact polystyrene, however, other materials may be used without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.  
         [0053]    Storage and Packaging of the Modular Organizer  
         [0054]    Modular organizer  10  is conveniently self-packaging, i.e., all shelves and panels may be stacked and contained within the structure formed by interfacing faceplates  12 . FIG. 25 provides a packaging assembly of the preferred stacking configuration of the components of modular organizer  10 .  
         [0055]    As shown, one of the two faceplates  12  comprises the base of the packaging structure and is positioned for reception of panels and shelves by placing outline  34  upwards. Placed within the four sides  30  of faceplate  12  is top panel  16 . Side panel  14  is preferably placed with outer surface  80  faced downward and inner surface  86  faced upward. Next, one of side panels  14  is preferably placed atop top panel  16 . Top panel  16  is preferably placed with inner surface  56  faced downward and outer surface  50  faced upward. Additionally, side panel  14  is preferably rotated such that top edge  68  and bottom edge  70  are ninety degrees rotated from first side edge  90  and second side edge  92  of top panel  16 .  
         [0056]    Next in the preferred stacking sequence are two shelves  22 . The first of shelves  22  is preferably placed atop side panel  14  with bottom surface  130  faced downward and top surface  110  faced upward. The second of shelves  22  is preferably placed atop the first of shelves  22  and is also positioned with bottom surface  130  faced downward and top surface  110  faced upward. Display face  122  and storage face  126  of the first of shelves  22  are preferably placed in substantial alignment with first side edge  90  and second side edge  92 , respectively, of top panel  16 . Display face  122  and storage face  126  of the second of shelves  22  are preferably rotated ninety degrees from the first of shelves  22  so as to be in substantial alignment with top edge  68  and bottom edge  70  of side panel  14 . Following up the stack of FIG. 25, the next component to be placed is back panel  20 .  
         [0057]    Atop back panel  20 , and reversing the order of components below back panel  20 , are two more shelves  22 . The first of the two shelves  22  is positioned atop back panel  20  with top surface  110  faced downward and bottom surface  130  faced upward. Display face  122  and storage face  126  of the first of two shelves  22  is preferably oriented such that they are one-hundred eighty degrees opposite display face  122  and storage face  126  of shelf  22  that is located immediately below back panel  20 . The second of two shelves  22  is preferably placed atop the first of two shelves  22  with top surface  110  faced downward and bottom surface  130  faced upward. Display face  122  and storage face  126  of the second of two shelves  22  are preferably oriented such that they are one-hundred eighty degrees opposite display face  122  and storage face  126  of the first of two shelves  22 ; the first of two shelves  22  is located immediately below back panel  20 . As such, display face  122  and storage face  126  of the second of two shelves are oriented ninety degrees from display face  122  and storage face  126  of the first of two shelves  22 .  
         [0058]    Next, the second side panel  14  is placed atop the second of two shelves  22  with outer surface  50  faced downward and inner surface  56  faced upward. Top edge  68  is preferably at ninety degrees to storage face  130  of the second of two shelves  22 , as shown. Bottom panel  18  (top panel  16  and bottom panel  18  are interchangeable) is then preferably stacked atop the second side panel  14  with inner surface  86  faced downward and outer surface  80  faced upward. First edge  90  and second edge  92  are ninety degrees rotated from adjacent side panel&#39;s top edge  68  and bottom edge  70 , as shown.  
         [0059]    Finally, the second of the two faceplates  12  is stacked atop bottom panel  18  with outline  34  faced downward. In this position, outline  34  of the first of the two faceplates interfaces with the second of the two faceplates  12  and all panels and shelves of modular organizer  10  are contained within the enclosing structure of faceplates  12  for storage and/or sale purposes. Note that outer surface  80  of top panel  16  and bottom panel  18  are visible through the central opening of faceplates  12 .  
         [0060]    At least one additional shelf  22  may be added to the stack described above while still allowing for a complete interface between faceplates  12 , i.e., a closed structure. If even more shelves  22  are desired, they may be stored and/or sold separately from the stack described above.  
         [0061]    The stacking sequence and orientation of components in the stack described above is the preferred sequence and orientation, however, it should be noted that other stacking sequences and component orientations may be used without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.  
         [0062]    Assembly of the Modular Organizer  
         [0063]    The components of modular organizer  10 , e.g., faceplates  12 , side panels  14 , top panel  16 , bottom panel  18  and back panel  20 , may be assembled in any suitable fashion without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. One possible and preferred assembly procedure is described below.  
         [0064]    With modular organizer  10  packaged or stored as described above, top faceplate  12  is preferably removed from the stack. Next, all components remaining within bottom faceplate  12  are preferably removed and separated.  
         [0065]    Panels  14 ,  16 , and  18  are then preferably assembled. As shown in FIG. 26, the first of two side panels  14  is preferably joined with top panel  16  by sliding second side edge  92  of top panel  16  between top edge  68  and lip edge  72  (not seen) of the first of two side panels  14  until top panel  16  and the first of two side panels  14  are substantially flush. With top panel  16  now presenting an open first side edge  90 , bottom edge  70  of the second of two side panels  14  is slid between first side edge  90  and lip edge  94  of top panel  16  until substantially flush with top panel  16 .  
         [0066]    Next, bottom panel  18  is joined with open bottom edge  70  of the first of two side panels  14  and open top edge  68  of the second of two side panels  14 . As such, bottom edge  70  of the first of two side panels  14  is slid between first side edge  90  and lip edge  94  of bottom panel  18  until flush with bottom panel  18  and second side edge  92  of bottom panel  18  is slid between top edge  68  and lip edge  72  of the second of side panels  14 . Thus, an open-ended cube  140 , see FIG. 27, has now been established having the preferred dimensions of approximately 11.8 by 11.8 by 11.8 inches.  
         [0067]    Next, the first of two faceplates  12  is placed on a surface with outline  34  faced upward. Back panel  20  is then inserted between inner wall portions  43  of the four sides  30  of the first of two faceplates  12 . Inner lip portion  42  of faceplate  12  serves to prevent back panel  20  from completely sliding through faceplate  12 . Next, one end of open-ended cube  140  is preferably inserted into the first of two faceplates  12 . That is, each of panels  14 ,  16 , and  18  are inserted into slot openings  44 . In doing so, upper portion  32  of faceplate  12  slides over outer surface  50  of each side panel  14  and over outer surface  80  of top panel  16  and bottom panel  18 . Faceplate  12  continues to slide until bosses  52  of side panels  14  and bosses  82  of top panel  16  and bottom panel  18  engage holes  38  on sides  30  of faceplate  12 . Note that bosses  52  and  82  do not extend through the complete depth of holes  38  but rather, extend only partially, e.g., approximately half-way, into holes  38 . Referring to FIG. 28, bosses  52  and  82  are shown engaged with holes  38 .  
         [0068]    With open-ended cube  140  substantially secured to one of two faceplates  12 , the second of two faceplates  12  is preferably slid over the remaining open end of cube  140 . Again, face plate  12  is slid over outer surface  50  of each side panel  14  and over outer surface  80  of top panel  16  and bottom panel  18  until bosses  52  and bosses  82  engages holes  38  on the second of two faceplates  12 . Again, bosses  52  and bosses  82  do not extend through the complete depth of holes  38  but rather, extend only partially, e.g., approximately half-way, into holes  38 . With both faceplates  12  secure, modular organizer  10  presents a cube with the preferred approximate dimensions of 12 by 12 by 12 inches.  
         [0069]    Modular organizer  10  may now be placed upright, i.e., in an orientation where back panel  20  is to the rear and shelf supports  60  of side panels  14  are to the side. In this position, modular organizer  10  is ready to accept one or more shelves  22 , see FIG. 29. Shelves  22  may be positioned within modular organizer  10  in either a storage mode or a display mode. In storage mode, shelf  22  is in a substantially horizontal orientation. As such, shelf  22  is inserted between an upper hook portion  64  and a lower hook portion  66  of adjacent shelf supports  60  with display face  122  towards back panel  20 . Once inserted, shelf  22  is then lowered to allow storage posts  116  and display posts  120  to rest on those leaders  62  connected to the described upper hook portion  64  at the front and corresponding rear location in modular organizer  10 .  
         [0070]    In display mode, see FIG. 29, shelf  22  is positioned at a downward sloping angle. As such, shelf  22  is preferably inserted between one of upper hook portions  64  and one of lower hook portions  66  of adjacent shelf supports with storage face  126  towards back panel  20 . Once inserted, shelf  22  is pulled forward so that display posts  120  generally engage upper hook portion  64  to the front of modular organizer  10 . Then, shelf  22  is tilted upward and pushed backward slightly so that storage posts  116  may engage one of lower hook portions  66  on shelf support  60 , which is to the rear of modular organizer  10 , that is located above shelf support  60  on which display posts  120  rest.  
         [0071]    Numerous shelves  22  may be incorporated into modular organizer  10  in either storage mode, display mode, or a combination of both, as desired. Atop shelves  22  may be placed loose papers, binders, books, office products, drawer inserts and the like.  
         [0072]    Assembly of Modular Units  
         [0073]    Modular organizer  10  may be used alone, e.g., placed on a desk top or table, or in combination with additional modular organizers  10  to form a modular unit  146 . Referring to FIG. 30, a plurality of modular unit  146  configurations are presented (details for each modular organizer  10  have been omitted for clarity of view). FIG. 30A depicts a side-by-side modular unit  146  which incorporates two modular organizers  10 . This type of modular unit  146  configuration is appropriate for almost any setting and is especially appropriate for a desktop or table. FIG. 30B depicts a tower-type arrangement of modular unit  146  wherein two modular organizers  10  are stacked atop each other. This type of modular unit  146  configuration is appropriate for both floor and desk top settings.  
         [0074]    The modular unit  146  configuration of FIG. 30C is a cube configuration using two modular organizers  10  that are adjacent and atop two additional modular organizers  10 . The modular unit  146  configuration of FIG. 30D is a 2 by 3 tower configuration of modular organizers  10  and is appropriate for both floor and desktop settings. FIG. 30E exemplifies how multiple modular organizers  10  may be combined to create virtually any desired modular unit  146  configuration. Here, four modular organizers  10  form the base of unit  146  with two additional modular organizers  10  atop the base, and with one additional modular organizer  10  atop the two. Of course, numerous other modular unit  146  configurations utilizing modular organizers  10  are possible without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention.  
         [0075]    Modular organizers  10  are especially suited for stacking and side-by-side placement. One modular organizer  10  is held adjacent a second modular organizer  10  by virtue of posts  36  and holes  38  of faceplates  12 . If a first modular organizer  10  is placed into position, wherein looking to the left of front faceplate  12 , hole  38  appears at the top of left side  30 , as shown in FIG. 2, then the right side  30  of the same faceplate  12  has post  36  at its top. As such, to join two modular organizers  10  in a side-by-side configuration, a second modular organizer  10  is placed beside first modular organizer  10 , in the same orientation as first modular organizer  10 . In this presentation, when modular organizers  10  are pressed together, post  36  on the top, right side  30  of the first modular organizer  10  engages hole  38  on the top, left side  30  of the second modular organizer  10 , and likewise with the additional posts  36  and holes  38  along the right side  30  of the front and rear face plate  12  of the first modular organizer and the left side  30  of the front and rear face plate of the second modular organizer. Similarly, when adjoining two modular organizers  10  one atop the other, each modular organizer  10  should be oriented identically to ensure a match up of post  36  to hole  38  for each face plate  12 .  
         [0076]    It should be noted that post  36  does not extend through the complete depth of hole  38  but rather, extends only partially, e.g., approximately half-way, into hole  38 . In this manner, each of holes  38  has a dual purpose of engaging bosses  52  and  82  on the panels and engaging posts  36  on faceplates  12 .  
         [0077]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential attributes thereof; therefore, the illustrated embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.