Abstract:
A foldable cardboard desk organizer made of corrugated cardboard for use in standard elementary school desks. The desk organizer includes a base to which are attached a front wall, a back wall and two side walls. The walls are formed by folding the wall elements upon themselves and securing by a tab and slot system to create strong, two-layer walls. The wall elements further include wing portions that, when assembled, overlap and link separate wall elements together to provide structure and support for the desk organizer. One or more divider sections may be installed within the base by attaching them to the walls to create two or more compartments within the base and defined by the divider sections. The divider sections include three overlapping layers for increased strength.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The traditional elementary school desk includes four legs and a fixed desktop with an open shelf or book box underneath. This design has been standard for decades due to its simplicity and ruggedness. However, the book box generally includes a single, open-fronted shelf for students to store their books and supplies. Without a proper way to organize available to them, many children&#39;s school desks rapidly become incredibly disorganized and messy. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device to assist students in organizing their schoolbooks and supplies suitable for use in a standard elementary school desk. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a desk organizer that is sturdy enough for use by school age children, yet inexpensive enough to be widely available. 
     To attain the above objects, according to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a foldable cardboard desk organizer including a base having a straight front edge, a straight back edge, and a pair of straight side edges. The desk organizer also has a front wall including a first edge and a second edge extending in a spaced and parallel relationship to the first edge, wherein the front wall is connected to the base by a fold line along the front edge. The front edge includes a plurality of linear slots along the front edge, and the front wall includes an outer front wall and an inner front wall. The inner and outer front walls are connected by a fold line that bisects the front wall lengthwise. The inner front wall includes a slot extending perpendicularly from the second edge and a plurality of tabs extending from the second edge, wherein the tabs engage with the slots along the front edge when the front wall is folded along the fold line. The desk organizer further includes a back wall having a first edge and a second edge extending in a spaced and parallel relationship to the first edge. The back wall is connected to the base by a fold line along the back edge and the back edge includes a plurality of linear slots along the back edge. The back wall includes an outer back wall and an inner back wall, wherein the inner and outer back walls are connected by a fold line that bisects the back wall lengthwise. The inner back wall includes a slot extending perpendicularly from the second edge and a plurality of tabs extending from the second edge, wherein the tabs engage with the slots along the back edge when the back wall is folded along the fold line. The back wall further includes two wing portions that extend from opposite ends of the outer back wall and are connected to the outer back wall by a fold line. The desk organizer further includes a pair of side walls, each having a first edge and a second edge extending in a spaced and parallel relationship to the first edge. Each of the side walls are connected to the base by a fold line along the side edge and the side edge comprises a plurality of linear slots along the side edge. Each side wall includes an outer side wall and an inner side wall, wherein the inner and outer side walls are connected by a fold line that bisects each of the side walls lengthwise. The inner side wall includes a plurality of tabs extending from the second edge, wherein the tabs engage with the slots along the side edge when the side walls are folded along the fold lines. The outer side walls further include a wing portion that extends from the end of the outer side walls adjacent to the front edge, wherein the wing portions are connected to the outer side walls by fold lines. The desk organizer also includes a first divider section having three equal sections, wherein a first section is connected by a fold line with a second section and the second section is connected by a fold line with a third section. The first section and second section each comprise two wing portions extending from opposite ends of the respective sections and are connected to the respective sections by fold lines. The first divider section further includes a first slot that extends from the first section to the second section perpendicular to the fold line and a second slot that extends perpendicularly into the third section from an outer edge of the third section. The desk organizer further includes a second divider section having three equal sections, wherein a first section is connected by a fold line with a second section and the second section is connected by a fold line with a third section. The second section and third section each include two wing portions extending from opposite ends of the respective sections and are connected to the respective sections by fold lines. The second divider section further includes a first slot that extends from the first section to the second section perpendicular to the fold line and a second slot that extends perpendicularly into the third section from an outer edge of the third section. 
     In a feature, the base has a rectangular shape and is sized to fit within the book box of a standard elementary school desk. 
     In another feature, the first edge of the front wall is common with the front edge of the base, the first edge of the back wall is common with the back edge of the base, the first edges of the sidewalls are common with the side edges of the base. 
     In a further feature, the slot in inner front wall is located at the midpoint of the second edge of the front wall. 
     In a still further feature, the fold lines that connect the two wing portions to the outer back wall are adjacent and collinear with the side edges of the base. 
     In a feature, the wing portions connected to the outer back wall have the same width as the outer back wall. 
     In another feature, the wing portions connected to the outer back wall start with the same width as the outer back wall and taper slightly. 
     In yet another feature, the second edge of the side walls is shorter than the first edge and terminates before the front edge of the base. 
     Preferably, the plurality of linear slots along the side edge include a smaller slot toward the front edge of the base, and the inner side wall further includes an angled cut-out that initially forms a right angle with the second edge then angles toward the front edge of the base. 
     More preferably, the outer side walls further include a second wing portion having a pentagonal shape in which a first side of the second wing portion is substantially parallel and adjacent to the wing portion of the outer side wall and an adjacent second side of the second wing portion forms the connection with the outer side wall by a fold line formed at an angle with respect to the side edge. 
     Still more preferably, an adjacent third side of the second wing portion includes a tab, wherein when the second wing portion is folded along the fold line the tab engages the smaller slot along the side edge of the base. 
     In a feature, the fold lines that connect the wing portions to the outer side walls are adjacent and collinear with the front edge of the base. 
     In another feature, the wing portions connected to the outer side walls have a width that is less than or equal to the width of the outer front wall of the front wall, 
     In a further feature, each of the sections of the first divider section have a length equal to the length of the side walls and a width equal to the width of the outer front wall, and each of the sections of the second divider section have a length equal to the length of the front and back walls and a width equal to the width of the outer front wall. 
     In a still further feature, the first slot in the first divider section has a length equal the width of the first section and extends equally into either section with the fold line between the first and second sections defining the midpoint of the first slot. 
     In a feature, the first slot and the second slot of the first divider section are collinear and situated are equidistant from the fold lines connecting the wing portions. 
     In another feature, the first slot in the second divider section has a length equal the width of the first section and extends equally into either section with the fold line between the second and third sections defining the midpoint of the first slot. 
     In yet another feature, the first slot and the second slot of the second divider section are collinear and situated are equidistant from the fold lines connecting the wing portions. 
     In a further feature, the slot on the back wall and the slot on the front wall are sized to receive the wing portions of the first and second sections of the first divider section. 
     These and other exemplary features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other exemplary purposes, aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic of an exemplary embodiment of the foldable cardboard desk organizer constructed from corrugated cardboard in a flat unfolded condition; 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic of a first divider section of the desk organizer illustrated in a flat unfolded condition; 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic of a second divider section of the desk organizer in a flat unfolded condition; and 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the assembled desk organizer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1-4 , there are shown exemplary embodiments of the system according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the foldable cardboard desk organizer constructed from corrugated cardboard in accordance with the invention. The desk organizer is indicated generally by  10  and is illustrated in a flat unfolded condition prior to folding thereof as shown in  FIG. 4  to provide a desk organizer for a standard school desk with an open book box. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the desk organizer  10  of the invention includes a base  12  having a rectangular shape including a straight front edge  14 , a straight back edge  16 , and a pair of straight side edges  18 . The base  12  is preferably sized to fit within the book box of a standard elementary school desk. However, it should be recognized that the desk organizer  10  may be realized in many different sizes. For example, the desk organizer  10  may be sized to occupy a smaller footprint within an elementary school desk, such as half the width of the book box. 
     The desk organizer  10  includes a front wall  20  having a first edge  22 , which is common with the front edge  14  of the base  12 , and a second edge  24  extending in a spaced and parallel relationship to the first edge  22 . The front wall  20  is connected to the base  12  by a fold line along the front edge  14  of the base  12 . The front edge  14  of the base  12  further includes a series of linear slots  26  evenly spaced along the front edge  14 . The front wall  20  includes an outer front wall  28  and an inner front wall  30 . The inner and outer front walls  28 , 30  are connected by a fold line  32  that bisects lengthwise the front wall  20 . The inner front wall  30  includes a slot extending perpendicularly from the second edge  24  of the front wall  20 . The inner front wall  30  further includes a series of tabs  36  situated on and extending from the second edge  24 . The tabs  36  are located such that when the front wall  20  is folded along the fold line  32 , the tabs  36  engage with the slots  26  along the front edge  14  of the base  12 . 
     The desk organizer  10  further includes a back wall  38  having a first edge  40 , which is common with the back edge  16  of the base  12 , and a second edge  42  extending in a spaced and parallel relationship to the first edge  40 . The back wall  38  is connected to the base  12  by a fold line along the back edge  16  of the base  12 . The back edge  16  of the base  12  further includes a series of linear slots  44  evenly spaced along the back edge  16 . The back wall  38  includes an outer back wall  46  and an inner back wall  48 . The inner and outer back walls  46 , 48  are connected by a fold line  50  that bisects lengthwise the back wall  38 . The inner back wall  48  includes a slot  52  extending perpendicularly from the second edge  42  of the back wall  38  and a series of tabs  54  situated on and extending from the second edge  42 . The tabs  54  are located such that when the back wall  38  is folded along the fold line  50 , the tabs  54  engage with the slots  44  along the back edge  16  of the base  12 . The back wall  38  further includes two wing portions  56  that extend from opposite ends of the outer back wall  46  and are connected to the outer back wall  46  by a fold line  58 , which is adjacent and collinear with the side edges  18  of the base  12 . The wing portions  56  are preferably the same width as the outer back wall  46  or start as the same width as the outer back wall  56  and taper slightly. 
     The desk organizer  10  further includes a pair of side walls  60 , each having a first edge  62 , which is common with the side edge  18  of the base  12 , and a second edge  64  extending in a spaced and parallel relationship to the first edge  62 . Preferably, the second edge  64  is of shorter length than the first edge  62  terminating before the front edge  14  of the base  12 . Each of the side walls  60  are connected to the base  12  by a fold line along the side edge  18  of the base  12 . The side edge  18  of the base  12  further includes a series of linear slots  66  spaced along the side edge  18 . Preferably, the linear slots  66  include a smaller slot  68  toward the front edge  14  of the base  12 . 
     Each side wall  60  includes an outer side wall  70  and an inner side wall  72 . The inner and outer side walls  70 , 72  are connected by a fold line  74  that bisects lengthwise each of the side walls  60 . The inner side wall  70  includes a series of tabs  76  situated on and extending from the second edge  64 . The tabs  76  are located such that when the side wall  60  is folded along the fold line  74 , the tabs  76  engage with the slots  66  along the side edge  18  of the base  12 . The inner side wall  72  further includes an angled cut-out  78  initially forming a right angle with the second edge  64 , then angled toward the front edge  14  of the base  12 . The outer side wall  70  includes a wing portion  80  that extends from the end of the outer side wall  70  adjacent to the front edge  14  of the base  12 . The wing portion  80  is connected to the outer side wall  70  by a fold line  82 , which is adjacent and collinear with the front edge  14  of the base  12 . The wing portion  80  preferably has a width that is less than or equal to the width of the outer front wall  28  of the front wall  20 , or starts with the same width as the outer front wall  28  and tapers slightly. 
     The outer side wall  70  further includes a second wing portion  84 . The second wing portion  84  has a pentagonal shape in which a first side of the second wing portion  84  is substantially parallel and adjacent to the wing portion  80  and an adjacent second side of the second wing portion  84  forms the connection with the outer side wall  70 . In this manner, the second wing portion  84  is connected to the outer side wall  70  by a fold line  86  formed at an angle with respect to the side edge  18 . An adjacent third side of the second wing portion  84  includes a tab  86 , which when the second wing portion  84  is folded along the fold line  86  engages the smaller slot  68  along the side edge  18  of the base  12 . 
     The side walls  60  and back wall  38  have a uniform height defined to be less than the standard height of the opening of a book box of an elementary school desk. The front wall  20  is shorter in height than the other walls to permit visibility and access to the desk organizer  10  from the front of the book box, as well as a surface for the desk organizer  10  to be grasped. Additionally, the angled portion of the side walls  60  defined by the fold line  86  that connects the second wing portion  84  improves the aesthetics, safety and durability of the desk organizer. 
     Preferably, the side walls  60  and back wall  38  have a height of approximately 3.5 inches and the front wall  20  has a height of approximately 2 inches. Such back wall  38  height allows the desk organizer  10  to tilt down when pulled out of the desk box by a child. As the desk organizer  10  is let go when removed half way from the book box, the desk organizer  10  then tilts down, but the back wall  38  contacts the lower surface of the desk top to create a wedge in the book box. This prevents the desk organizer  10  from falling out. Additionally, such a height for the back wall  38  creates the maximum angle/tilt to permit access to the desk organizer  10  within the book box, while reducing the amount of disturbance to the contents in the desk organizer  10 . 
     Preferably, the side walls  60  are constructed in a manner such that they taper away from the base  12 . For example, when assembled, the side walls  60  may be angled away from the base by approximately 5 to 8 degrees from vertical. The back wall  38  may also be optionally tapered in a similar manner. By tapering the side walls  60  and back wall  38  in this manner, the assembled desk organizers  10  may be easily nested and stacked upon one another to accommodate and facilitate the stacking of the desk organizers  10  for storage or delivery. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there are shown two divider sections  90 , 120  of the desk organizer  10  in accordance with the invention. The divider sections  90 , 120  are illustrated in a flat unfolded condition prior to folding thereof. 
       FIG. 2  shows a first divider section  90  constructed from corrugated cardboard that provides a separation within the desk organizer between and parallel to the side walls  60 . The first divider section  90  includes three equal rectangular sections  92 , 94 , 96 , each having a length substantially similar to the length of the side walls  60  and a width substantially similar to the width of the outer front wall  20 . A first section  92  is connected by a fold line  98  with a second section  94 , while the second section  94  is connected by a fold line  100  with the third section  96 . The first section  92  further includes two wing portions  102  extending from opposite ends of the first sections  92 . The wing portions  102  are connected to the first section  92  by fold lines  104 . Similarly, the second section  94  includes two wing sections  106  extending from either end of the second section  94 . The wing portions  102 , 106  are preferably the same width as their respective sections  92 , 94  or start as the same width as their respective sections  92 , 94  and taper slightly. 
     The first divider section  90  further includes a slot  110  that extends from the first section  92  to the second section  94  perpendicular to the fold line  98 . Preferably, the slot  110  has a length substantially equal the width of the first and second sections  92 , 94 , and extends equally into either section  92 , 94  with the fold line  98  defining the midpoint of the slot  110 . The third section  96  includes a second slot  112  extending perpendicularly into the third section  96  from an outer edge  114  of the third section  96 . The first slot  110  and the second slot  112  are collinear and are each situated at an equal distance from the fold lines  104 , 108 . The distance may be selected to comport with the desired dimensions of any resultant divisions within the desk organizer  10 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a second divider section  120  constructed from corrugated cardboard that provides a separation within the desk organizer between and parallel to the front wall  20  and the back wall  38 , and therefore perpendicular to the first divider section  90 . The second divider section  120  also includes three equal rectangular sections  122 , 124 , 126 , each having a length substantially similar to the length of the front and back walls  20 , 38 , and a width substantially similar to the width of the outer front wall  20 . A first section  122  is connected by a fold line  128  with a second section  124 , while the second section  124  is connected by a fold line  130  with the third section  126 . The second section  124  further includes two wing portions  132  extending from opposite ends of the second section  124 . The wing portions  132  are connected to the second section  124  by fold lines  134 . Similarly, the third section  126  includes two wing sections  136  extending from either end of the third section  126 . The wing portions  132 , 136  are preferably the same width as their respective sections  124 , 126  or start as the same width as their respective sections  124 , 126  and taper slightly. 
     The second divider section  120  further includes a slot  140  that extends from the first section  122  to the second section  124  perpendicular to the fold line  128 . Preferably, the slot  140  has a length substantially equal the width of the first and second sections  122 , 124 , and extends equally into either section  122 , 124  with the fold line  128  defining the midpoint of the slot  140 . The third section  126  includes a second slot  142  extending perpendicularly into the third section  126  from an outer edge  144  of the third section  126 . The first slot  140  and the second slot  142  are collinear and are each situated at an equal distance from the fold lines  134 , 138 . The distance may be selected to comport with the desired dimensions of any resultant divisions within the desk organizer  10 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the completed desk organizer  10  formed by folding and combining the desk organizer  10  and the divider elements  90 , 120 . To achieve the desk organizer  10 , the unfolded elements  10 , 90 , 120  must be properly folded and assembled to construct the desk organizer  10 . 
     First, the back wall  38  is folded ninety degrees to vertical along the fold line  40 , and the inner back wall  48  is folded 180 degrees along the fold line  50  toward the front edge  14  of the base  12  and over the outer back wall  46 , such that the tabs  54  on the second edge  42  of the back wall  38  engage with the slots  44  on the back edge  16  of the base. This creates a secure two-layer back wall  38  roughly perpendicular with the base  12 . The wing portions  56  are then folded ninety degrees along fold lines  58  toward the front edge  14  of the base  12 . 
     The side walls  38  are then constructed by folding the side walls  60  ninety degrees to vertical with respect to the base  12  along fold lines  18 . In this position, the outer side walls  70  should be substantially parallel and adjacent to the wing portions  56  of the back wall  38 , with the wing portions  56  positioned proximal to the base  12 . The second wing portions  84  of the outer side walls  70  are then folded 180 degrees toward the base  12  along fold lines  86 , such that tab  88  on the second wing portion  84  engages the smaller slot  68  along the side edge  18 . The inner side walls  72  are then folded 180 degrees toward the base  12  and over the wing portions  56 , second wing portions  84 , and the outer side walls  70 , such that the tabs  76  on the second edge  64  of the side walls  60  engage the slots  66  along the side edges  18 . As such, the wing portions  56  of the back wall  38  will be located between the inner side wall  72  and the outer side wall  70 . In this manner, the back wall  38  may be vertically secured and the resultant corners reinforced by the interaction between the wing portions  56  of the back wall  38  and the side walls  60 . The wing portions  80  are then folded ninety degrees toward the base  12  along fold lines  82 . 
     The front wall is then constructed by folding the front wall  28  along fold line  14  ninety degrees to vertical with respect to the base  12 . In this position, the wing portions  80  of the side walls  60  are located parallel and adjacent to the outer front wall  28 . The inner front wall  30  is then folded 180 degrees along fold line  32  toward the base  12  and over the wing portions  80  of the side walls  60  and the outer front wall  28 , such that tabs  36  on the second edge  24  of the front wall  20  engage the slots  26  along the front edge  14  of the base  12 . Thus, the wing portions  80  of the side walls  60  are located between the inner front wall  30  and the outer front wall  28 . In this manner, the final two corners of the desk organizer  10  are secured and the four walls securely fixed vertically readily defining the desk organizer  10 . 
     The final steps for constructing the desk organizer  10  involve the assembly and installation of the divider elements  90 , 120 . The first divider element  90  is constructed by folding the third section  96  over the second section  94  along fold line  100 . The first section  92  is then folded over the other two sections  94 , 96  along fold line  92 , such that the third section  96  is sandwiched between the first and third sections  92 , 96 . In this configuration, the first slot  110  and the second slot  112  form a single slot through the first divider element  90  that extends approximately one-half the width the combined sections. Similarly, the second divider element  120  is constructed by folding the third section  126  over the second section  124  along fold line  130 , and folding the first section  122  over the other two sections  124 , 126  along fold line  128 , such that the third section  126  is sandwiched between the first and second sections  122 , 126 . Again, this configuration aligns the first and second slots  140 , 142  such that they result in a single slot defined on the second divider element  130 . 
     Once the two divider elements  90 , 120  are constructed, they are installed in the desk organizer  10 . The second divider element  120  is first installed by inserting the wing portions  132 , 136  into a slot formed by the interaction between the inner side walls  72  and the outer side walls  70 . In particular, the angled cut-out  78  of the inner side wall  72  forms a slot or pocket when folded over the outer side wall  70 . The second divider element  120  may be secured by inserting the wing portions  132 , 136  into the formed slot, thus situating the second divider element  120  perpendicular to the base  12  and parallel with the front wall  20 . Alternately, the side walls  60  may include pre-defined slots, such as the slot  34  in the front wall  20 . 
     The constructed first divider element  90  is then installed by aligning and inserting the slot formed by slots  110 , 112  in the first divider element  90  with the slot formed by slots  140 , 142  in the second divider element  120 . The interaction between the two slots fixedly connects the two divider elements  90 , 120 . The wing portions  102 , 106  are then inserted into slot  34  in the inner front wall  30  and slot  52  in the inner back wall  48  to connect the first divider element  90  to the desktop organizer  10 . In this manner, the two divider elements  90 , 120  provide a sturdy and rigid divider mechanism that allows the desk organizer  10  to offer multiple areas or compartments for storage and organization. Additionally, the overlapping three sections that make up each divider section  90 , 120  add significantly more integrity to the desk organizer  10  and can handle over 16 lbs of materials being pushed and pulled multiple times per school day. 
     It should be understood, that the above configuration for the divider elements is exemplary, and that slots within the dividers and/or the walls of the desk organizer  10  may be added, eliminated, moved and/or altered to accommodate any desired number of storage compartments and/or the dimensional configurations of the storage compartments within the desk organizer  10 . 
     The desk organizer  10  may also include a handle disposed along the outer front wall  28 . Preferably, the handle is an elongated separate plastic member having a wide section for grasping and an attachment mechanism on either end. The attachment mechanism may be a T-shaped member that may be inserted and secured in a pre-defined slot in the outer front wall  28 . It should be understood that any handle that permits young children to easily and securely grasp it to pull or carry the desk organizer  10  would be suitable for use with the desk organizer  10 . Additionally, the handle may be utilized by children who have issues with fine motor skills that prevent them from pronating, or turning their hands palm down. The handle allows children to withdraw the desk organizer from the book box of the desk by supinating, turning their hands palm up to grasp the handle. 
     While the invention has been described in terms of several exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 
     Further, it is noted that, Applicant&#39;s intent is to encompass equivalents of all claim elements, even if amended later during prosecution.