Patent Publication Number: US-4258856-A

Title: Space dividing assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a space dividing arrangement for dividing the space within existing drawers into smaller compartments as well as in forming drawers or other storage units, and to the drawers and other storage units formed thereby. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A number of arrangements are known for dividing an existing drawer into smaller compartments so that, for example, different items can be stored separately. Slotted interfitting partitions of various kinds have been used for this purpose and examples of other arrangements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 943,817 (Vick); 2,743,774 (Pinto); 2,614,715 (Ross); 2,082,667 (Vanderveld); 3,227,504 (Dunham); 3,746,181 (Benoit). Other patents of possible interest include U.S. Pat. Nos. 885,814 (Rote) and 261,919 (Gibbons). 
     Although divider arrangements of the prior art basically serve the purpose for which they are intended, these arrangements offer disadvantages particularly regarding ease of assembly, versatility in providing different compartment shapes and patterns, and flexibility in use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the invention, a space divider assembly is provided which possesses the advantages discussed above. The assembly is extremely versatile and flexible in use, permitting what is for all practical purposes an infinite number of compartment shapes and patterns while employing only a relatively few components. The elements of the assembly are relatively easy to manufacture and are quite easy to use. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, the space dividing assembly comprising a plurality of runner members of flat, generally rectangular shape and including longitudinal slots in the upper and lower edges thereof and a plurality of connector members for connecting runner members together to form the space dividing assembly. The connector members including at least two outwardly extending flanges engaging in the slots of juxtaposed ones of said runner members so as to connect said juxtaposed runner members together. At least one of the connector members comprises a substantially T-shaped member comprising a substantially planar T-shaped base having a bar portion and a central leg portion, a first flange extending from the bar portion perpendicularly to the plane of the base, and a second flange extending from the leg portion perpendicularly to the plane of the base and orthogonally to the first flange. The first and second flanges are spaced apart in the area of joindure of the bar portion and the leg portion. At least one further connector member comprises a substantially L-shaped member comprising a substantially planar L-shaped base and first and second flanges extending from respective legs of said base perpendicularly to the plane of the base and orthogonal to each other. The first and second flanges are spaced apart in the area of joindure between the legs of the L-shaped member. 
     In an embodiment wherein the assembly is disposed in an existing drawer or the like, at least one wall connector component is provided for connecting the ends of the runner member to the inner walls of the drawer. The wall connector component comprises a backing portion for adhesively securing the component to the wall and a pair of spaced, centrally disposed flanges which engage in the respective slots in a corresponding runner member. The wall connector component preferably includes further flanges which are disposed on opposite sides of the runner adjacent the side walls thereof. 
     In a further embodiment, the assembly includes a bottom-forming arrangement including a bottom-forming member comprising integral side and bottom portions. The side portion includes a slot in the top edge thereof corresponding to the slot in the runner members and a recess in the lower inside surface thereof. The bottom-forming arrangement further comprising a connector component including a rod portion which is received in said recess in the side portion of said bottom-forming member and a coupling flange secured to said rod portion and engaging in a slot in a said runner member. 
     In yet another embodiment, a back or bottom member is secured to a plurality of runner members, and the assembly further comprises a connector component comprising a generally L-shaped member comprising a pair of legs, one of the legs including an offset portion therein whose width is substantially equal to the width of the back or bottom member and the other of the legs engaging in one of the slots of a runner member. 
     According to a further feature of the invention, at least one tray member is provided which includes side walls and a central tray portion. The side walls of the tray member include means defining a coupling slot and the assembly further comprises a U-shaped connector member which engages in said coupling slot and a corresponding one of the slots in a runner member so as to couple the tray member to the runner member. Advantageously, where a plurality of the tray members are provided, the assembly further comprises a U-shaped connector whose legs of are received in the coupling slots of adjacent side walls of two of the tray members so as to connect the two tray members together. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in, or apparent from, in detailed description of a preferred embodiment found hereinbelow. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of a runner member in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the runner member of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a T-connector in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an L-connector in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a sub-assembly of the space dividing assembly of the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a wall connector component used in the embodiment of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further connector arrangement; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention; 
     FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) are, respectively, a persepctive view of a further connector component and a plan view showing the component in use; 
     FIGS. 12 and 13 are end elevational views of tray members of the assembly of the invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a connector used with the tray members of FIGS. 12 and 13; and 
     FIG. 15 is an end elevational view of tray member a tray member as connected to a runner member. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an end elevational and a plan view are provided of a basic runner member, generally denoted 10, which is used in contructing the space dividing assembly of the invention. As illustrated, runner member 10 includes upper and lower longitudinal slots 12 and 14 therein which extend a predetermined distance inwardly from the upper and lower edge surfaces of member 10. 
     Runner members corresponding to member 10 are connected together by connector components illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 3, a &#34;perpendicular&#34; or T-shaped connector member 16 is shown which comprises a T-shaped base member 16a and a pair of orthogonal flanges 16b and 16c. Flange 16b extends perpendicular to the cross bar of base member 16a while flange 16c extends perpendicular to the cross bar of base member 16a while flange 16c extends perpendicular to the central leg of T-shaped base member 16a and runs along a portion of the length thereof so as to be spaced from flange 16b in the area of joindure of the cross bar and central leg of base member 16a. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, a corner or L-shaped connector member 18 is illustrated which comprises an L-shaped base member 18a and a pair of flanges 18b and 18c. Flanges 18b and 18c extend perpendicularly to the plane of base member 18a and are spaced from the area of joindure of the two legs forming L-shaped base member 18a, as illustrated. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, a subassembly of runners and connector members is shown which illustrates the function of the various components. As shown, a first runner 10 1  is connected to a second runner 10 2  at a point intermediate the ends thereof by means of a T-shaped 16 corresponding to that shown in FIG. 3. The elongate bar flange 16b is received in an upper slot 12 in runner 10 1  and flange 16c is received in the end of an upper slot 12 2  in runner 10 2 . Similarly, a connector 18 corresponding that illustrated in FIG. 4 connects the ends of runners 10 2  and 10 3 . It will be understood that the widths of the slots 12 and 14 as compared with the thicknesses of the connector flanges are such that two such flanges can fit in the same part of a slot and thus, for example, two cooperating T-shaped connectors can be used to form a cross-shaped configuration comprising a main wall and oppositely extending walls orthogonal to the main wall. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, a space dividing arrangement built from the components discussed above is used to divide an existing drawer 20. If desired, a connection with the side walls of drawer 20 can be provided utilizing a connector or &#34;starting component&#34; such as shown in FIG. 7. This connector, which is generally denoted 22, includes a base portion 22a which has a backing of adhesive and which, in use, extends vertically and engages the inner wall of the drawer. Connector 22 also includes a pair of side flanges 22b which extend outwardly from base 22a and fit on opposite sides of a runner 10, and first and second centrally located, vertically spaced flanges 22c which are adapted to be received in the upper and lower slots 12 and 14, respectively. As shown schematically in FIG. 6, connectors are placed with the adhesive backing against the drawer wall and flanges 22c received in runner slots 12 and 14. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, a storage drawer unit is illustrated which provides a number of compartments for storing such small items as nuts, bolts, screws and the like. The space divider arrangement of FIG. 8 is similar to that of FIG. 6 and the basic storage drawer unit, which is denoted 24, is formed by a series of runners and connectors corresponding to those discussed above. To provide a bottom for the drawer 24, a construction assembly such as illustrated in FIG. 9 is preferably employed. This assembly, which is generally denoted 26, includes an integral side wall 28 and a planar bottom 30 and a separate connector component 32 for connecting side wall 28 to a runner member 10 which rests on bottom 30. The side wall 28 forms one side wall of the storage drawer and includes a slot 28a corresponding to that of the runner members described above while the bottom 30 is forms the bottom of the storage drawer. A semi-circular recess or slot 28b formed in side wall 28 is adapted to receive approximately one-half of a rod-shaped portion 32a of connector 32. A flange 32b extends perpendicularly outwardly from the side wall 28 when rod portion 32a is received in slot 28b. Flange 32b is adapted to engage in a slot 14 of runner so that runner 10 divides the space within the drawer 10 so as to provide coupling with the runner. 
     Referring to FIG. 10, an example of an independent storage unit is shown which can be designed by a user to provide divided trays, racks, &#34;pigeon holes&#34; and the like. The unit of FIG. 10 uses T-shaped components 16 and corner components 18 corresponding to those described above, as well as a back or bottom connecting component illustrated in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b). As shown in FIG. 11a, the connecting component, which is denoted 34, comprises a generally L-shaped member 36 comprising a relatively short leg 36a, and a relatively long leg 36b which includes an offset portion 36c whose width is equal to the width of a back or bottom member and is adapted to receive the abutting end of such a member therein. As illustrated in FIG. 11(b), the non-offset portion of leg 36b is received in a corresponding slot 12 (or 14) of a runner 10 and, in the illustrative example, a back or bottom member 40 is mounted on the top of the runner member 10 and held in place in offset 36c by leg 36a. 
     Referring to FIGS. 12 to 15, a system of storage trays are illustrated which can be utilized with the space divider arrangement of the invention. Two such trays are shown in FIG. 12 and, as illustrated, the trays include a pair of spaced side walls 42 and a central semicircular tray portion 44. Generally L-shaped portions 46 of side walls 42 form slots 48 with the side walls. As shown in FIG. 13, by placing adjacent side walls in abutting relationship and using a U-shaped connector 50 shown in FIG. 14, the trays can be readily assembled into a unit by inserting the legs of the U into the two slots 48. Further, a tray can be readily connected to a runner member 10 using a U-shaped connector like that or similar to that of FIG. 14 (the width of the U-shaped connector might be different depending on the relative sizes of the tray and runner and the corresponding slots defined thereby). 
     Although the invention has been described relative to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood that other variations and modifications can be effected in these embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.