Patent Publication Number: US-9894990-B1

Title: Sorting, storage, and workspace unit for small items

Description:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of the inventive sorting and storage unit for small items. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective illustration of the inventive sorting and storage unit for small items. 
       FIG. 3  is an elevation illustration detailing various dados, rebates, ports, and assembly holes. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective illustration of the baffle group. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective illustration of an exterior panel detailing the central dado and edge drillings. 
       FIG. 6  is a partial perspective and interior illustration which shows the relationship between table top apertures, baffles, supporting dowels, and bins. 
       FIG. 7  is a plan view illustration detailing aperture shape, chamfer shape, and the table top with aperture matrix layout. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the inventive sorting and storage unit for small items, generally designated by the numeral  1 , variously formed from wood, includes the table top  2  with an aperture matrix  5  consisting of a plurality of apertures  3  with chamfers  4  arranged so that each aperture  3  vertically aligns over an interior vertically exposed portion of one of a plurality of offset bins  6  that are fully engaged into one of a plurality of ports  7  within the port matrix  8 . 
     Ports  7  within port matrix  8  are isosceles trapezoid shaped. The longer of the two parallel sizes of said trapezoid is variably 105 percent of the widest width of bin  6  and serves as the uppermost portion of port  7 . The shorter of the two parallel sides of said trapezoid serves as the lowermost portion of port  7 . The angled edge of port  7  which is closest to the respective outside edge of the left lower port panel  9 , right lower port panel  10 , and upper port panel  11  is aligned vertically. The angled edge of port  7  which is closest to the respective inside edge of the left lower port panel  9 , right lower port panel  10 , and upper port panel  11  are in line with ports  7  within the port matrix  8 . 
     Face  12  is comprised of upper port panel  11 , right lower port panel  10 , and left lower port panel  9  which form two port matrices  8  and chair passage  13 . The height of face  11  is equal to the length of panel  16 . The inventive sorting and storage unit for small items  1  has two outwardly opposing faces  11 . 
     Left lower port panel  9  and right lower port panel  10  are mirrored versions of each-other. It will be understood that descriptions of right lower port panel  10  will also describe the mirrored left lower port panel  9 . 
     Right lower port panel  10  incorporates all but the uppermost port  7  of port matrix  8 . The uppermost edge of right lower port panel  10  serves as a linear joint which is parallel to the uppermost edge of port  7  and bisects the vertical distance between the lower edge of port  7  within upper port panel  11  and the uppermost edge of the uppermost port  7  within right lower port panel  10 . The exterior facing portion of right lower port panel  10  exposes only the through-cut portions of port  7  and holes  14 . The interior-facing portion of right lower port panel  10  incorporates rabbeted edge  21 , wide dado  20 , narrow dados  18 , rebates  17 , ports  7 , holes  14 , and half circular slots  19 . The depths of each, not including the holes and half-circular slots, is variably 33 percent of the base material thickness of port panel  10 . Width of rabbeted edge  21  and wide dado  20  is equal to the 110 percent of the thickness of the base material. Rabbeted edge  21  is parallel to the vertical edges of ports  7  and extends the full height of right lower port panel  10 . Wide dado  20  is parallel to and adjoins the angled edges of ports  7  which is closest to the respective inside edge of the left lower port. Wide dado  20  extends for the full height of right lower port panel  10 . Rebate  17  is located in the material that forms the lower portion of port  7 , is located near the center of the bottom edge of port  7 . The lower portion of rebate  17  is half-circle shaped with a diameter equal to the diameter of dowel  22 . The upper portion of rebate  17  is a dado with a width equal to the diameter of dowel  22 , perpendicular to the lower edge of port  7 , and continues into the open area of port  7 . The width of narrow dados  18  and continuous dados  30  is variably 110 percent of the base material thickness of medium baffle  24 . Narrow dados  18  are parallel to the vertical edges of ports  7  and are horizontally inset from the vertical edge of each port  7 , not including the lowermost port  7  of port matrix  8 . Dado  18  terminates prior to encroaching into port  7 , and each port  7  has one narrow dado  18  oriented in this manner except for the lowermost port  7  of port matrix  8 . The diameter of holes  14  is variably 110 percent of the outermost diameter of the threaded portion of threaded fastener  15 . Hole  14  is located in the center of the half-circle portion of rebate  17  and along the parallel centerlines of rabbeted edge  21  and wide dado  20  at intervals that allow horizontal alignment with drillings  29  in panel  16  when inventive sorting and storage unit for small items  1  is assembled. The uppermost edge of wide dado  20  and rabbeted edge  21  terminates with a half circular slot  19 , is aligned with the respective holes  14 , and is of the same diameter as hole  14 . 
     Upper port panel  11  generally spans the length of the table top  2  and serves to stiffen the inventive sorting and storage unit for small items  1  in the assembled embodiment. In addition, upper port panel  11  incorporates two ports  7 , each port  7  constitutes the uppermost port of the mirrored port matrices  8 . The lowermost edges, exclusive of arcs  28 , serve as a linear joint which is parallel to the lowermost edge of port  7  and bisects the vertical distance between the lower edge of port  7  within upper port panel  11  and the uppermost edge of the uppermost port  7  within right lower port panel  10  in the assembled embodiment. Port panel  11  is symmetrical with the uppermost ports  7  located within port panel  11  to serve as a continuation of the port shape, spacing, and angle necessary to maintain the mirrored port matrices  8  when combined in the assembled embodiment with left lower port panel  9  and right lower port panel  10 . The exterior facing portion of upper port panel  11  exposes only the through-cut portions of ports  7 , holes  14 , and arcs  28 . The interior-facing portion of upper port panel  11  incorporates rabbeted end  27 , wide dado  20 , narrow dados  18 , rebates  17 , ports  7 , holes  14 , and half circular slots  19 . The depths of each, not including the holes and half-circular slots, is variably 33 percent of the base material thickness of upper port panel  11 . Rabbeted end  27  is parallel to the vertical edges of ports  7  and extends the full height of upper port panel  11 . Width of rabbeted end  27  and wide dado  20  is equal to the 110 percent of the thickness of the base material of panel  16 . Rabbeted end  27  is parallel to the vertical edges of ports  7  and extends the full height of upper port panel  11 . Wide dado  20  is parallel to and adjoins the angled edges of ports  7  which is closest to the respective arc  28  of the upper port panel  11 . Wide dado  20  terminates below the upper edge of upper port panel. Rebate  17  is located in the material that forms the lower portion of port  7 , and is aligned near the center of the bottom edge of port  7 . The lower portion of rebate  17  is half-circle shaped with a diameter equal to the diameter of dowel  22 . The upper portion of rebate  17  is a dado with a width equal to the diameter of dowel  22 , perpendicular to the lower edge of port  7 , and continues into the open area of port  7 . Narrow dados  18  are parallel to the vertical edges of ports  7  and are horizontally inset from the vertical edge of each port  7 . Dado  18  terminates prior to encroaching into port  7 . Within upper port panel  11 , continuous dado  30  serves as a continuation of dado  18  from right lower port panel  10  in the assembled embodiment. The diameter of holes  14  is 110 percent of the outermost diameter of the threaded portion of threaded fastener  15 . Hole  14  is located in the center of the diameter of the half-circle portion of rebate  17  and along the parallel centerlines of rabbeted end  27  and wide dado  20  at intervals that allow horizontal alignment with drillings  29  in panel  16  when inventive sorting and storage unit for small items  1  is in the assembled embodiment. The lowermost edge of wide dado  20  and rabbeted end  27  terminates with a half circular slot  19 , is aligned with the respective holes  14 , and is of the same diameter as hole  14 . 
     The interior un-machined portions and uppermost edge of upper port panel  11  is affixed to the underside of table top  2  with a plurality of metal hinges  31  and fasteners  32 . In the assembled embodiment, two upper port panels  11  are oriented parallel to the long edge of table top  2 , opposite each-other with uppermost edge flush with underside of table top  2 , each forming a right angle in relation to the horizontal surface of table top  2 , and with the horizontal distance between opposing machined faces of rabbeted ends  27  being equal to the width of panel  16 . The uppermost corners of the upper port panels, when aligned in this manner, represent the four corners of a rectangle that is centered horizontally under table top  2 . For shipping purposes, hinges  31  remain fastened to table top  2  and upper port panels  11  when the remainder of the inventive sorting and storage unit for small items  1  is completely unassembled. Hinges  31  allow for upper port panels  11  to be rotated from vertical to horizontal position to decrease shipping bulk and ease assembly by maintaining critical relational tolerances between upper port panels  11  and table top  2  that ensure proper functionality in the assembled embodiment without requiring alignment by end-users. 
     Table top  2  is rectangle-shaped with a length equal to twice the width of panel  16 , a width equal to the length of panel  16 , and is defined by a pair of aperture matrices  5 , opposite each-other. 
     Aperture matrix  5  is transverse to and centered along the width of the base material of table top  2 , and is comprised of a plurality of apertures  3  and chamfers  4 . In the assembled embodiment, each aperture  3  is oriented vertically over the unobstructed portion of a respective bin  6  within port  7  as located within port matrix  8 . Aperture  3  is a convex hexagon were each side is parallel to one other side of the same length. Within aperture matrix  8 , the long side of each aperture  3  is in line with the long sides of all other apertures  3  that service the bins  6  with a respective port matrix  8 . Aperture  3  extends vertically and completely through the base material of table top  2 . Each aperture  3  begins at the lowermost portion of table top  2  and vertically transitions to chamfer  4  prior to extending completely through the uppermost portion of table top  2 . The shape and orientation of chamfer  2  consists of two parallel sides that are also parallel to the longest parallel side of aperture  3  and spaced at a greater distance from each other than the spacing between the longest sides of aperture  3 . The parallel lines of chamfer  4  terminate at semi-circles, each semi-circle with a radius matching the space between the parallel lines of chamfer  4 . Chamfer  4  is centered over aperture  3 . The uppermost outside edges of table top  2  embody chamfered edge  33 . Chamfered edge  33  has a ¼″ diameter. 
     Exclusive of the base material thickness dimension, panel  16  is rectangle-shaped and is defined by bisecting dado  34  and a plurality of drillings along the centerline of the long edge which comprise the drilling matrix  35 . The interior-facing portion of panel  16  incorporates bisecting dado  34 , which is parallel to the long edges of panel  16 , and is centered horizontally between the long edges of panel  16 . Bisecting dado  34  is variably 33 percent of the depth of the base material and has a width that is 110 percent greater than the thickness of center baffle  26  to allow for the edge of baffle  26  to loosely engage with bisecting dado  34  in the assembled embodiment. Each of the two long edges of panel  16  incorporates drilling matrix  29 . The diameter of drilling  29  is 90 percent of the outermost diameter of the threaded portion of threaded fastener  15 , and the depth is equal to the length of threaded fastener  15 . The width of panel  16  is variably twice the length of the bottom of bin  6  as the width of panel  16  determines the depth of the port cavity interior to port  7 , allowing bin  6  to fully engage below the respective portion of aperture matrix  5 . The length of panel  16  determines the elevations of the underside of table top  2  and is variably 26 inches. The inventive sorting and storage unit for small items  1  is intended to allow for a seated adult to ergonomically reach each aperture  3  repeatedly as would be common when sorting amalgamated groups of small items. The manufactured length of panel  16 , and the resulting elevation of table top  2 , may vary to accommodate the ergonomics of users within a wide spectrum of sizes. The assembled embodiment of the inventive sorting and storage unit for small items  1  incorporates four panels  16  total. Two panels  16  form the left and right ends of the inventive sorting and storage unit for small items  1 . Two opposing panels  16  form the angled walls of chair passage  13 . In the assembled embodiment, one drilling  29  within drilling matrix  35  horizontally aligns with the opening formed when the outermost half circular slot  19  from upper port panel  11  adjoins the upper and outermost half circular slot  19  from right lower port panel  10 . In the assembled embodiment, a separate drilling  29  within drilling matrix  35  horizontally aligns with the opening formed when the half circular slot  19 , closest to chair passage  13 , from upper port panel  11  adjoins the half circular slot  19 , closest to chair passage  13 , from right lower port panel  10 . The remaining plurality of drillings  29  within drilling matrix  35  are spaced as structurally necessary. Holes  14  within face  12  horizontally align with drillings  29  in the assembled embodiment. It is important to note that two drillings  29  per panel  16  will not receive threaded fasteners  15  in the assembled embodiment, these non-utilized drillings facilitate the installation of a singular version of panel  16  in either the vertical orientation or the angled orientation per preference of the end user. 
     Baffle group  36  is comprised of short baffle  23 , medium baffle  24 , tall baffle  25 , and center baffle  26 . Base material thickness of each of the components of baffle group  36  is generally less than 50 percent of the thickness of table top  2  base material thickness. Exclusive of center baffle  26 , the quantity of baffles within baffle group  36 , transverse to table top  2 , is generally one fewer than the quantity of ports  7  within port matrix  8 . Exclusive of the base material thickness dimension, short baffle  23  is rectangle shaped, the length of short baffle  23  is equal to the width of panel  16  and the width generally equal to 95 percent of the vertical distance between the uppermost portion of the uppermost port  7  within port matrix  8  and the lowermost portion of table top  2 . Exclusive of the base material thickness dimension, medium baffle  24  is rectangle shaped, the length of medium baffle  24  is equal to the width of panel  16  and the width generally equal to 95 percent of the vertical distance between the uppermost portion of the second-to-uppermost port  7  within port matrix  8  and the lowermost portion of table top  2 . Medium baffle  24  is further defined by engagement groove  37 , commencing at the center of medium baffle  24 , and extending downward through the lower edge. The width of engagement groove  37  is equal to 110 percent of the thickness of base material of center baffle  26 . Exclusive of the base material thickness dimension, tall baffle  25  is rectangle shaped, the length of tall baffle  25  is equal to the width of panel  16  and the width generally equal 95 percent of the vertical distance between the uppermost portion of the third-to-uppermost port  7  within port matrix  8  and the lowermost portion of table top  2 . Tall baffle  25  is further defined by engagement groove  37 , commencing at the center of tall baffle  25 , and extending downward through the lower edge. The width of engagement groove  37  is equal to 110 percent of the thickness of base material of center baffle  26 . Exclusive of the base material thickness dimension, center baffle  26  is trapezoid shaped, the uppermost and lowermost sides perpendicular to the outermost side, and the forth side at an angle from vertical equal to the angle from vertical of the port  7  edges of port matrix  8  closest to chair passage  13  in the assembled embodiment. The outermost side of center baffle  26  is equal in length to the length of panel  16 . In the assembled embodiment, the two longer edges of center baffle  26  engage in the opposing bisecting dados  34  of two opposing panels  16 , this orientation allows for center baffle  26  to bisect the area beneath aperture matrix  5 . Center baffle  26  is further defined by bore matrix  39  and slot matrix  41 . Bore matrix  39  is comprised of a plurality of bores  38 . Bore  38  is circular and has a diameter equal to the diameter of dowel  22 . Each bore  38  within bore matrix  39  is horizontally aligned between respective rebates  17  within left lower port panel  9 , right lower port panel  10 , and upper port panel  11 . The quantity of bores  38  within bore matrix  39  is equal to the quantity of ports  7  within port matrix  8 . Slot matrix  41  is comprised of a plurality of engagement slots  40 . Engagement slots  40  align horizontally with narrow dados  18 . The width of engagement slots  40  is equal to 110 percent of the thickness of the base material of center baffle  26  and the depth is equal to the thickness of center baffle  26 . Engagement slot  40  commences at the uppermost edge of center baffle  26  and extends downward to a length equal to the length of the engagement groove  37  within the corresponding medium baffle  24  or tall baffle  25 , and equal to the width of short baffle  23  for corresponding short baffle  23 . Center baffle  26  is perpendicular to, and fully engages with short baffle  23 , medium baffle  24 , and tall baffle  25  in the assembled embodiment. In the assembled embodiment, the uppermost portions of baffle group  36  loosely abuts the underside of table top  2  with no portion of baffle group  36  visible through apertures  3  when viewed from directly above in a parallel projection manner. When engaged in the respective narrow dados  18 , continuous dados  30 , and bisecting dados  34 , baffle group  36  is retained in position within the assembled embodiment without the use of fasteners. 
     Dowel  22  is cylinder shaped with a diameter that is variably 70 percent of the thickness of table top  2 . The length of dowel  22  is equal to the width of panel  16 . Dowel  22  is further defined by hollow  42 , at each end of dowel  22 . Hollow  42  is circular with a diameter equal to 95 percent of the outermost diameter of the threaded portion of threaded fastener  15 , and a depth equal to the length of threaded fastener  15 . In the assembled embodiment, one end of dowel  22  is fully seated in the lower portion of rebate  17 . Dowel  22  extends horizontally from rebate  17 , through the respective bore  38  of center baffle  26 , and terminates in the respective opposing rebate  17 . Dowel  22  is secured in place with threaded fastener  15 , through the respective hole  14  within rebate  17 , at each end. 
     Bin  6  is a commercially available, ne stable, plastic tray. When viewed from above, the upper edges of bin  6  generally form a rectangle, the greatest length of said rectangle is approximately 50 percent of the width of table top  2 , and the width of said rectangle is approximately 60 percent of the length. The height of bin  6  is approximately 35 percent of the longest length. When viewed from above, the lower edges of bin  6  generally form a rectangle, and both dimensions of the lower rectangle are approximately 85 percent of the upper rectangle dimensions. The orientation of bin  6  within port  7  is affected by the angle from horizontal of the lowermost portion of port  7 . 
     Description of the Use: 
     The inventive sorting and storage unit for small items  1  facilitates the process of sorting an amalgam of small items into a plurality of sorted groups wherein each small item shares one or more predetermined traits. A user commences the typical sorting process by ensuring that each port  7  houses a bin  6  in a fully-engaged position. Placing said amalgamated group of small items on the upper surface of table top  2 , from a standing or seated position, individual items are identified and removed from said amalgamated group of small items. Each individual small item is then dropped through one of a plurality of apertures  3  within at least one ergonomically located aperture matrix  5  and falls into a corresponding bin  6  wherein one of said sorted groups is located. It is common for a label to be placed near each aperture  3  to identify the one or more shared predetermined traits associated with said small items within each small group. 
     The inventive sorting and storage unit for small items  1  functions as a repository for small items. Table top  2  can serve as a display area for assemblies of said small items. Bins  6 , when fully engaged within respective ports  7 , serve to contain groups of small items as well as to orient said groups of small items beneath table top  2 , thusly providing partial protection to said groups of small items from environment conditions such as direct sunlight and dust. 
     The inventive sorting and storage unit for small items  1  facilitates the manipulation of a plurality of small items into assemblies by providing a workspace, comprising the ergonomically oriented horizontal surface of table top  2 , and easily accessible bins  6 . Small items stored within bin  6  may be accessed for said manipulation by sliding bin  6  horizontally outward from port  7  a distance up to about 75 percent of the length of bin  6 , then released to allow gravity and the binding action between bin  6  and port  7  to suspend bin  6  and expose for retrieval of small items wherein. If desired, bin  6  may also be fully removed from port  7  for retrieval of said small items therein.