US20170043905A1

US20170043905A1 - Dual Expandable Tray

Info

Publication number: US20170043905A1
Application number: US15/235,942
Authority: US
Inventors: Valerio R. F. Matias
Original assignee: Crossover Designs LLC
Current assignee: Crossover Designs LLC
Priority date: 2015-08-12
Filing date: 2016-08-12
Publication date: 2017-02-16

Abstract

This invention is directed to an expandable utensil tray that may be expandable both in length and width, and consisting of one main element and one or more drawer trays nestable therein. The expandable storage tray is particularly suitable as a drawer organizer which maximizes space utilization.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to and claims priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/203,984 entitled “Dual Expandable Tray”, which was filed on Aug. 12, 2015 and the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to storage trays and organizers. More particularly, the present invention relates to an expandable storage tray that is adjustable both in length and width. As a result, the expandable storage tray is particularly suitable as a drawer organizer which maximizes space utilization.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most of current storage trays and organizers are of a one-piece structure making them impractical to fully utilize drawer and other confined spaces. They are further impractical as they often slide within confined spaces, which may undesirably reconfigure the space and may also cause loose objects to be inadvertently hindered under such trays and organizers.
An improvement of space utilization is shown by storage trays and organizers that are expandable in one single direction, either in length or width, such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,463,343, 6,129,433, 2008/0202976, 2008/0073241, 2008/0083753 and 2011/0084584. Compared to one-piece structures, such devices provide improved space coverage in one single direction and are still easily manufacturable in only two pieces. Nevertheless, they underutilize the confined spaces they are intended to organize, typically leaving a significantly amount of unused space outside their perimeter either along their width or along their length. Additionally, the occasional slip of loose objects under such devices may also happen.
A few other approaches attempt to provide trays and organizers with further improved space utilization of confined spaces. One such approach is to provide a base structure which may be cut to fit precisely within a drawer, along with other structures to be assembled on top of said base structure for compartmentalization (U.S. Pat. No. 8,628,155). However, many users find cutting and assembly tasks inconvenient and once structures are cut, they will likely not fit within another confined space. Other organizers provide both length and width adjustability through extendible parts, but they are composed of a multitude of pieces, disadvantageously requiring a user to assemble them together (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,073,794 and 6,871,921).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a utensil tray assembly comprising, a quadrilateral main tray having a floor, the floor having a linear gap running from one edge of the floor toward an opposite edge of the floor, the gap being delimited by upstanding walls disposed opposite one another, the upstanding walls being interconnected with one another by a ridge, the upstanding walls and the ridge defining a channel, a first quadrilateral drawer tray having a second floor with a boundary edge, the boundary edge having an upstanding edge wall on at least two sides of the boundary edge, the first quadrilateral drawer tray having an upstanding interior wall disposed perpendicular to the upstanding edge wall, the upstanding interior wall having a thickness sized for being slideably disposed in the channel and allowing the second floor to be slid under the floor for setting a size of the tray assembly.
In another aspect, the main tray has a main tray upstanding edge wall, the main tray upstanding wall has an opening that is an entrance to the channel.
In another aspect, the tray assembly further includes a second quadrilateral drawer tray having a third floor, with a second boundary edge, the second boundary edge having a second upstanding edge wall on three sides of the second boundary edge, the third floor being sized so that the second upstanding wall slides over a main tray upstanding edge wall around the floor.
In another aspect, the tray assembly further includes, a third quadrilateral drawer tray having a fourth floor with a third boundary edge, the third boundary edge having a third upstanding edge wall on two sides of the third boundary edge, the second upstanding edge wall having an L-shaped retainer attached on a top edge of the second upstanding edge wall and extending parallel to the second upstanding edge wall for defining a gap between a leg of the retainer and the second upstanding edge wall, the gap being sized for slideably receiving and holding the third upstanding edge wall therein.
In another aspect, the leg is parallel to the second upstanding edge wall.
In another aspect, the upstanding edge wall has a further L-shaped retainer attached on a top edge of the upstanding edge wall and which extends parallel to the upstanding edge wall to define a second gap between a leg of the further retainer and the upstanding edge wall, the second gap being sized to slideably receive and hold the third upstanding edge wall therein.
In another aspect, the floor is stepped on one side of the gap for defining a recess for receiving the third floor under the floor in a pushed-in position of the second quadrilateral drawer tray.
In another aspect, the second floor is stepped on a side of the interior wall that corresponds to the one side of the gap.
In another aspect, the second floor is disposed between the first floor and the third floor in the recess when the second floor and the third floor are positioned in the recess.
Disclosed as another embodiment, is a utility tray assembly comprising, a quadrilateral main tray having a floor defining two outer sides of the utility tray assembly, the two outer sides having an upstanding wall disposed there along, the floor having a channel disposed centrally in the floor, the channel being parallel with one outer side of the two outer sides, a quadrilateral drawer tray having a second floor defining a portion of the one outer side and a further outer side of the utility tray assembly, the portion of the one outer side and the further outer side having a further upstanding wall disposed there along, the second floor having an upstanding engaging wall disposed centrally on the second floor and extending parallel to the portion of the one outer side, the engaging wall being slideably guided in the channel.
In another aspect, the channel is defined by a first central upstanding wall and a second central upstanding wall opposite the first central upstanding wall and a ridge connecting the first and second central upstanding walls, the floor having a gap formed therein between the first and second central upstanding walls.
In another aspect, the tray assembly further comprises a second quadrilateral drawer tray having a third floor with a third upstanding wall disposed around three edges of the third floor, the upstanding wall being disposed along three sides of the floor, the third floor being sized for allowing the third upstanding wall to slide around the floor and the upstanding wall.
In another aspect, the floor is stepped on one side of the channel to define a recess on an underside of the floor, the recess receives the third floor in a pushed-in position of the second quadrilateral drawer tray.
Furthermore, disclosed is an expandable utensil tray suitable for organizing the space of a drawer, expandable both in length and width, and including, a main element comprising two box members within a perimeter, a one first box member being integrally connected to a second box member along upper transverse edges by a ridge that keeps the corresponding transverse walls in close proximity but physically apart from one another and therewith forming an inverted U-shaped tunnel, a first drawer element consisting of a base, two transverse side walls and a front wall, all the walls upwardly and contiguously extending from the base, wherein the first drawer element is nestable within the first box member of the main element, a second drawer element comprising two compartments within a perimeter, an anterior compartment consisting of a base and an upwardly and contiguously extending side wall and a posterior compartment consisting of a base, a side wall, a front wall and a back wall, and all the walls upwardly and contiguously extending from the base, wherein the anterior compartment is integrally connected to the posterior compartment through the front wall thereof, the front wall of the posterior compartment is slidably nestable within the inverted U-shaped tunnel of the main element, the anterior compartment is nestable within the first drawer element, the posterior compartment is nestable within the second box member of the main element, whereby the second drawer element is nestable within the first drawer element within the main element, and a third drawer element consisting of a base, a front wall and a side wall, both the walls upwardly and contiguously extending from the base, wherein the third drawer element is nestable within the anterior compartment of the second drawer, whereby the third drawer is nestable within the second drawer element within the first drawer element within the main element.
In another aspect, a portion of the upper edge of the front wall of the first drawer element and of the upper edge of the side wall of the second drawer element's anterior compartment extend outwardly for a short distance before further extending downwardly and parallel to their respective walls, thus defining retainers where the walls of the third drawer element are inserted, whereby the first and second drawer elements are slidably connected to the third drawer element.
In another aspect, most of the upper edge of the front wall of the first drawer element and most of the upper edge of the side wall of the second drawer element's anterior compartment extend outwardly for a short distance before further extending downwardly and parallel to their respective walls, thus forming invented U-shaped tunnels where the walls of the third drawer element are inserted, whereby the first and second drawer elements are slidably connected to the third drawer element.
In another aspect, the first drawer element comprises retaining ridges consisting of short inward extensions of a portion of the first drawer element's side walls and off the upper edges and close to the free vertical edges thereof, whereby the first drawer is prevented from falling off the main element once nested therein.
In another aspect, the posterior compartment of the second drawer element comprises a retaining ridge consisting of a short inward extension of a portion of the posterior compartment's back wall and off the upper edge and close to the free vertical edge thereof, whereby the second drawer is partially prevented from falling off the second box member of the main element once nested therein.
In another aspect, the third drawer element comprises retaining ridges consisting of short inward extensions of a portion of the third drawer element's front and side walls and off the upper edges and close to the free vertical edges thereof, whereby the third drawer is prevented from falling off from both the first and second drawer elements once the walls of the third drawer is inserted into the retainers and nested within the second drawer within the first drawer within the main element, and thus supporting the second drawer and indirectly preventing it from falling off the main element.
In another aspect, the main element comprises two box members within a perimeter, a back wall of a first box member and a front wall of a second box member extending upwardly for only a short distance before combining into a common wall that connects the first and second box members, therewithin a lower inverted U-shaped tunnel is formed.
In another aspect, the front wall of the posterior compartment's third drawer element extends upwardly for a height substantially similar to that of the inverted U-shaped tunnel.
In another aspect, a portion of the upper edge of a side wall of the first box member extend outwardly for a short distance before further extending downwardly and parallel to the side wall, thus defining a retainer where a side wall of the first drawer element is inserted, whereby a user is enabled to more easily push and pull the the first and third drawer elements, respectively, to and fro the box member.
In another aspect, most of the upper edge of a side wall of the first box member extend outwardly for a short distance before further extending downwardly and parallel to the side wall, thus defining an inverted U-shaped tunnel where a side wall of the first drawer element is inserted, whereby a user is enabled to more easily push and pull the the first and third drawer elements, respectively, to and fro the box member.
In yet another embodiment, disclosed is an expandable utensil tray suitable for organizing the space of a drawer, expandable both in length and width, and including, a main element comprising two box members within a perimeter, a one first box member being integrally connected to a second box member through a common wall a first drawer element comprising two compartments within a perimeter, an anterior compartment consisting of a base, a front wall and a side wall, both walls upwardly and contiguously extending front the base and a posterior compartment consisting of a base, a side wall and a back wall, and all the walls upwardly and contiguously extending from the base, wherein the anterior compartment is integrally connected to the posterior compartment through the bases and side walls, the anterior compartment is nestable within the first box member and the posterior compartment is nestable within the second box member, whereby the first drawer element is nestable within the main element, a second drawer element consisting of a base, a side walls and a front wall, all the walls upwardly and contiguously extending from the base, wherein the second drawer element is nestable within the anterior compartment of the first drawer element, whereby the second drawer element is nestable within the first drawer element within the main element, and a third drawer element consisting of a base, a front wall and a side wall, both the walls upwardly and contiguously extending from the base, wherein the third drawer element is nestable within the second drawer element, whereby the third drawer is nestable within the second drawer element within the first drawer element within the main element.
In another aspect, a portion of the upper edge of the side wall of the main element extend outwardly for a short distance before further extending downwardly and parallel to the side wall, thus defining a retainer where a side wall of second drawer element is inserted, whereby the second drawer elements is slidably connected to the main element.
In another aspect, a most of the upper edge of the side wall of the main element extend outwardly for a short distance before further extending downwardly and parallel to the side wall, thus forming an invented U-shaped tunnel where a side wall of second drawer element is inserted, whereby the second drawer elements is slidably connected to the main element.
In another aspect, a portion of the upper edge of the side of the first drawer element's anterior compartment and of the upper edge of the front wall of the second drawer element extend outwardly for a short distance before further extending downwardly and parallel to their respective walls, thus defining retainers where the walls of the third drawer element are inserted, whereby the first and second drawer elements are slidably connected to the third drawer element.
In another aspect, most of the upper edge of the side of the first drawer element's anterior compartment and most of the upper edge of the front wall of the second drawer element extend outwardly for a short distance before further extending downwardly and parallel to their respective walls, thus defining invented U-shaped tunnels where the walls of the third drawer element are inserted, whereby the first and second drawer elements are slidably connected to the third drawer element.
In another aspect, the first drawer element comprises retaining ridges consisting of short inward extensions of a portion of the first drawer element's side walls and off the upper edges and close to the free vertical edges thereof, whereby the first drawer is prevented from falling off the main element once nested therein.
In another aspect, the side wall of the second drawer element comprises a retaining ridge consisting of a short inward extension of a portion of the upper edge thereof and close to the free vertical edge thereof, whereby the second drawer is partially prevented from falling off the second box member of the main element once nested therein.
In another aspect, the third drawer element comprises retaining ridges consisting of short inward extensions of a portion of the third drawer element's front and side walls and off the upper edges and close to the free vertical edges thereof, whereby the third drawer is prevented from falling off from both the first and second drawer elements once the walls of the third drawer is inserted into the retainers and nested within the second drawer within the first drawer within the main element, and thus supporting the second drawer and indirectly preventing it from falling off the main element.
One aspect of the present invention provides a dual expandable storage tray that expands both in width and in length for fully covering the area of a confined space, thus maximizing space utilization therein. In one preferred embodiment of the storage tray, the tray includes one main element and 3 drawer elements nestable therein.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a first and a third drawer element are slidably adjustable to increase the length of the storage tray, whereas a second and the third drawer are slidably adjustable to increase the width of the storage tray.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the main element includes two box members within a perimeter, one box member being integrally connected to the other box member along upper transverse edges by a ridge that keeps the corresponding transverse walls in close proximity but physically apart from one another, thus forming an inverted U-shaped tunnel therewithin. The inverted U-shaped tunnel serves to further slidably connect a drawer element to the main element.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the tray includes retainers for releasably securing the individual elements thereof together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of a dual expandable utensil tray in a fully collapsed configuration, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1b shows a top view of the dual expandable utensil tray according to FIG. 1a , according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1c shows a perspective view of the dual expandable utensil tray in a fully expanded configuration, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the dual expandable utensil tray with its individual elements substantially apart from one another, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a partial top view of the dual expandable utensil tray in a fully collapsed configuration, according to embodiments of the present invention,

FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of upstanding walls of the dual expandable utensil tray according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a main element according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6a and FIG.-6 b show partial perspective views of a first drawer tray according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7a shows a cross sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 1b (cross sectional view is not to scale), according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7b shows a cross sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 1b (cross sectional view is not to scale), according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7c shows a cross sectional view along line C-C of FIG. 1b (cross sectional view is not to scale), according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the dual expandable utensil tray with its individual elements substantially apart from one another according to other embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9a shows a side view of a main element according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9b shows a longitudinal cross sectional view of the main element, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10a shows a perspective view of a main element, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10b shows a transverse cross sectional view of a first box member of the main element, according to further embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a dual expandable utensil tray with its individual elements substantially apart from one another, according to other embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a dual expandable utensil tray with its individual elements substantially apart from one another, according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13a shows a perspective view of a partially expanded dual expandable utensil tray, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 13b shows a top view of a fully collapsed dual expandable utensil tray, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 14a shows a cross sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 13b , according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 14b shows a cross sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 13b , according to embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 14c shows a cross sectional view along line C-C of FIG. 13b , according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to the drawings showing embodiments of the present invention, wherein same reference numbers refer to the same components of utensil trays in different views.
The present invention is directed to a dual expandable utensil tray, preferably a dual expandable utensil tray for placement within a confined space, and more preferably a dual expandable utensil tray for placement inside of a drawer. The present invention is discussed herein with respect to an expandable tray for purposes of illustrating the gist of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited solely to the exact configuration and construction as illustrated and set forth herein. It is to be understood that the terms “tray” and “element” may be applied invariably herein. For example, the various tray elements of the dual expandable utensil tray may be referred to as “elements”.
FIGS. 1a and 1c show perspective views and atop view of one embodiment of a dual expandable tray assembly 010. The tray 010 is adjustable from a fully contracted configuration (FIGS. 1a and 3) to a fully expanded configuration (FIG. 1c ) in which both its length and width are substantially extended, thus providing a user with maximal space coverage in a confined space such as a drawer. The tray 010 includes a main tray 100 and three drawer trays (200, 300 and 400) nestable therein and that may be pulled from or pushed towards the tray 100 to adjust the tray's length and width (FIGS. 1a-c and 2). Trays 100, 200, 300 and 400 may also be completely set apart from one another (FIG. 2).
In a preferred embodiment, the main tray 100 includes two box members within a substantially rectangular perimeter. A first box member 110 has a base, two side walls parallel to one another (111 a and 111 b), a front wall 112 a and a back wall 112 b parallel to one another, and all said walls extending upwardly and contiguously from said base's edges (FIGS. 2 and 4). The first box member 110 is integrally and contiguously connected to a second box member 120 along the upper edges of the back wall 112 b and of a front wall 122 a by a ridge 130 (FIGS. 2-5). The second box member 120 has a base, two side walls parallel to one another (121 a and 121 b , a front wall 122 a and a back wall 122 b parallel to one another, and all said walls extending upwardly and contiguously from said base's edges (FIGS. 2 and 4). The ridge 130 keeps the back wall 112 b of box member 110 and the front wall 112 a of box member 120 in close proximity but physically apart from one another and forms therewith an inverted U-shaped tunnel 140 (FIGS. 4 and 5). In one aspect of this embodiment, the box member 120 is compartmentalized by three longitudinal, inner walls 123 that extend upwardly from the box's base and are contiguous therewith and with the box's front and back walls (FIGS. 2 and 4).
In one embodiment, the box 110 is compartmentalized by the inclusion of inner walls.
In one embodiment, the box member 120 is provided without any inner walls. In another embodiment, the box 120 is provided with a plurality of transverse inner walls for compartmentalization. In a further embodiment, the box 120 is provided with a plurality of transverse and longitudinal inner walls for compartmentalization.
A first drawer tray 200 has a substantially rectangular base, two side walls parallel to one another (201 a and 201 b ), a front wall 202, and all said walls extending upwardly and contiguously from said base's edges (FIGS. 2 and 4). Additionally, a portion of the upper edge of the front wall 202, close to the side wall 201 b, extends outwardly for a short distance before further extending downwardly and parallel to the wall 202, thereby forming a retainer 215 (FIGS. 2 and 6 a). A second drawer tray 300 includes two contiguous compartments: an anterior compartment 310 and a posterior compartment 320 (FIGS. 2 and 4). The anterior compartment 310 has a substantially rectangular base and a contiguous upwardly extending side wall 311, and is contiguously and integrally connected to the posterior compartment 320 through the front wall 322 a thereof. The compartment 310 further includes a retainer 315 (FIG. 2) which has a similar construction to retainer 215. More specifically, the retainer 315 is formed as a portion of the upper edge of the side wall 311, close to the free vertical edge thereof, extends outwardly for a short distance before further extending downwardly and parallel to the wall 311. The compartment 320 has a substantially rectangular base, a front wall 322 a and a back wall 322 b parallel to one another, a side wall 321, and all said walls extending upwardly and contiguously from said base's edges (FIG. 4). A third drawer tray 400 has a substantially rectangular base, a front wall 402 and a side wall 401, and both said walls extend upwardly and contiguously from said base's edges (FIGS. 2 and 4).
In another embodiment, the retainers 215 and 315 are similarly constructed as described above, except that said retainers extend downwardly only for a short distance.
In a preferred embodiment, the distance between the side walls 201 is slightly larger than that between the walls 111, so that the drawer 200 is nestable within box member 110 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 7 a). Further, the distance between the walls 322 is slightly larger than that between the walls 122, and the thickness of the front wall 322 a is slightly smaller than the distance between the back wall 112 b and the front wall 122 a, so that the posterior compartment 320 is nestable within the box member 120 (FIGS. 2, 4, 7 b and 7 c). Additionally, the base of the compartment 310 has a substantially similar shape and size to the base of the drawer 200, which makes the compartment 310 nestable within drawer 200, thus making the drawer 300 nestable within the drawer 200 within the main tray 100. The base of outermost drawer tray, namely of tray 400, has a substantially similar shape and size to the base of the compartment 310, thereby making the drawer 400 nestable within the drawer 300 within the drawer 200 within the main tray 100 (FIGS. 1a-c , 2-4 and 7 a). Additionally, the sliding movements of the drawer 200 and that of the drawer 300 are each coupled to that of the drawer 400 by inserting the front wall 402 and the side wall 401 respectively within retainers 215 and 315 (FIGS. 1c and 2).
In one embodiment, the drawer tray 200 further includes retaining ridges 241 a and 241 b, which are short inward extensions of a portion of side walls 201 off the upper edges and close to the free vertical edges thereof (FIGS. 2 and 6 b). The lower faces of the ridges 241 are substantially parallel to and slightly offset from the upper edges of the side walls 111 (FIGS. 1c and 2). Ridges 241 prevent the drawer tray 200 from falling off the box member 110. The tray 200 is nested into box member 110 from the underside thereof upwards by slightly and temporarily forcing the upper portions of the side walls 201 transversely and outwardly apart. Because of the resilient nature of the preferred materials used for the elements and/or trays of the present invention (specified in more details below), the side walls 201 spring back to their original configuration once the force is removed while the ridges 241 clip against the upper edges of walls 111. The drawer tray 200 may thereby be slid to and fro the box member 110 without falling off therefrom (FIGS. 1a-c and 2). In another embodiment, similarly constructed retaining ridges are further provided: ridge 341 off the upper edge and close to the free vertical edge of back wall 322 b, ridge 441 a off the upper edge and close to the free vertical edge of front wall 402, and ridge 441 b off the upper edge and close of the free vertical edge of side wall 401 (FIG. 2). The lower faces of ridges 341, 441 a and 441 b are substantially parallel to and slightly offset from, respectively, the upper edges of the walls 122 b, 202 and 311 (FIGS. 1c , 2 and 4). The retaining ridge 341 partially prevents the drawer 300 from falling off the main tray 100. The box member 300 is also indirectly attached to the main tray 100 by the ridges 441 through the nestable drawer 400 within the drawer 300 within the drawer 200 within the main tray 100, as well as through the ridges 241 and the nestable drawer 200 within tray 100 (FIGS. 1a-c and 2). The retaining ridges 241, along with the retainers 215 and 315, additionally prevent the drawer 400 from falling off the drawer 300 within drawer 200 within main tray 100 (FIG. 2).
In one embodiment, the front wall of box member 110 includes a recess 114 (FIGS. 1c and 2) that allows a user to more conveniently reach a portion of the back side of the front wall 202 to push said front wall and therewith both drawer trays 200 and 400, thereby adjusting the length of the tray 010. In another embodiment, the side wall 121 b includes a recess 122 (FIG. 1c ) that allows a user to more conveniently reach the inner side of the side wall 321 to push it sideways and therewith both drawer trays 300 and 400, thereby adjusting the width of the tray 010. In another embodiment, the inner walls of the main tray 100 include recesses (121 a, 121 b and 121 c) that aid a user to reach for items stored within the spaces compartmentalized by said inner walls (FIG. 1c ). In another embodiment, the inner walls of box 120 include no recesses.
In one embodiment, the main tray 100 and the drawer tray 200 include, respectively, foot structures 125 and 225 (FIGS. 5 and 7 a-c). The foot structures 125 and 225 adjust the heights of, respectively, the box member 120 and the drawer tray 200 when all elements and structures of tray 010 are nested together, thus advantageously providing for a mostly contiguous surface on the underside of said tray in a fully collapsed configuration and preventing the wobbling of said tray as it is expanded from a fully collapsed to a fully extended configuration. Preferably, the foot structure 125 has a length substantially similar to the length of the box member 120 and a width substantially similar to the difference between the widths of the box member 120 and of the posterior compartment 320, whereas the foot structure 225 has a length substantially similar to that of the drawer 200, and a width that is substantially similar to the difference between the widths of the drawer 200 and of the drawer 400.
In another embodiment, a tray includes a main tray 100 b and three drawer trays (200, 300 b and 400) nestable therein and that may be pulled from or pushed towards the tray 100 b to adjust the tray's length and width. The back wall 112 b and the front wall 122 a of tray 100 b extend upwardly from their respective box's base for a short distance before combining into a common wall 118 (FIGS. 8 and 9 a-b), thereby forming in between the box members 110 and 120 an inverted U-shaped tunnel 141. The tunnel 141 is substantially lower than the tunnel 140 and, accordingly, the front wall 322 a of the drawer tray 300 b extends upwardly from the base of the posterior compartment 320 for only a short distance in this embodiment. Preferably, the front wall 322 a extends upwardly from the base of the posterior compartment 320 for a distance substantially similar to the height of the wall 122 a (FIGS. 8 and 9 b). Advantageously, a lower wall 322 a allows for the storage of longer items within the compartment confined by the walls 322 b, 321, 311, 401, 402, 201 b, 111 b and 121 b (FIG. 8).
In a further embodiment, the first box member of a main tray 100 c includes a longitudinal, inverted U-shaped tunnel 104 that assists in guiding a first drawer tray to and fro said box member (FIG. 10a-b ). More specifically, a substantial portion of the upper edge of the side wall 111 b extends outwardly for a short distance before further extending downwardly and parallel to the wall 111 b, thereby forming a third side wall 111 c and an inverted U-shaped tunnel 104 therewithin (FIG. 10a-b ). Thus, a first drawer tray 200 may be nestable within said first box member while the side wall 201 b of said first drawer tray is nestable within the tunnel 104, further aiding in guiding said drawer tray to and fro said box member.
In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 11, a tray includes a main tray 100 d and three drawer trays (200 d, 300 d and 400 d) nestable therein and that may be pulled from or pushed towards the tray 100 d to adjust the tray's length and width. In this embodiment, the retainers 215 d and 315 d originate from a substantial portion of the upper edges of their respective walls. Namely, the retainer 215 d extends outwardly for a short distance from a substantial portion of the upper edge of the front wall 202 and it further extends downwardly and parallel to the wall 202, forming therewithin an inverted U-shaped tunnel 204. The tunnel 204 aids in guiding the drawer tray 400 d to and from the box member 110 through the front wall 402. The retainer 315 d extends outwardly for a short distance from a substantial portion of the upper of the side wall 311 and it further extends downwardly and parallel to the wall 311, forming therewithin an inverted U-shaped tunnel 304. The tunnels 304 aids in guiding the drawer tray 400 d to and from the anterior compartment 310 through the side wall 401. As the drawer tray 400 d in this embodiment is devoid of retaining ridges, such as the ridges 441 depicted in FIG. 2, the tray of this embodiment is preferably expanded to a desired configuration while laid on a flat surface to avoid the falling off of the tray 400 d from the other tray elements.
In a further embodiment, a drawer tray 400 e is nestable within a drawer tray 200 e within a drawer tray 300 e within a main tray 100 e (FIGS. 12-14 a-c). In this embodiment, a first box member 110 e has a base, two side walls parallel to one another (111 a and 111 b), a front wall 112 a and is integrally and contiguously connected to a second box member 120 e through a common wall 118 (FIGS. 12 and 14 c). The second box member 120 e has a base, two side walls parallel to one another (121 a and 121 b) and a back wall 122 b, and all said walls extend upwardly and contiguously from said base's edges. In one aspect of this embodiment, the box member 120 e is compartmentalized by three longitudinal, inner walls that extend upwardly from the box's base and are contiguous therewith and with the box's front and back walls (FIGS. 12). Preferably, a retainer 115 extends outwardly for a short distance from a portion of the upper edge of the side wall 111 a, close to the front wall 112 a, and it further extends downwardly and parallel to the wall 111 a (FIG. 12). In another aspect of this embodiment, the anterior compartment 310 e of the drawer tray 300 e further includes a front wall 312, which has a retaining ridge 342 off the upper edge and close to the free vertical edge of said front wall (FIG. 12). Additionally, the distance between the walls 312 and 322 b is slightly larger that that between the walls 112 a and 122 b, and the size and shape of the bases of compartments 310 e and 320 e conform to the size and shape of the bases of, respectively, box members 110 e and 120 e (FIG. 14a-c ), so that the tray 300 e is nestable within the main tray 100 e. Advantageously, the ridges 341 and 342 prevent the falling off of tray 300 e from the tray 100 e. The drawer tray 200 e has a substantially rectangular base, a side wall 201 a and a front wall 202, and both said walls extending upwardly and contiguously from said base's edges (FIG. 12). The size and shape of the base of tray 200 e conforms to the size and shape of the base of the compartment 310 e (FIG. 14a-c ), so that the tray 200 e is nestable within the compartment 310 e, thus making the tray 200 e nestable within the tray 300 e within the tray 100 e. Preferably, the wall 201 a is slid in between the retainer 115 and side wall 111 a and guided along the upper edge thereof by the ridge 241 a, thereby preventing the falling off of tray 200 e from tray 300 e and aiding in guiding the side wall 201 a parallel to the wall 111 a. A drawer tray 400 e has a substantially rectangular base, a front wall 402 and a side wall 401, and both said walls extend upwardly and contiguously from said base's edges. The base of the tray 400 e also has a shape and size that conforms to the size and shape of the base of tray 200 e (FIG. 14a-c ), so that the tray 400 e is nestable within tray 200 e, thus making tray 400 e nestable within tray 200 e within tray 300 e within tray 100 e. The trays 300 e and 200 e also include, respectively, retainers 315 and 215, which are constructed as describe above. Preferably, the wall 402 is slid in between the retainer 215 and front wall 202 and guided along the upper edge thereof by the ridge 441 a, whereas the wall 401 is slid in between the retainer 315 and side wall 311 and guided along the upper edge thereof by the ridge 441 b, thereby preventing the falling off of tray 400 e from both trays 200 e and 300 e and aiding in guiding the wall 402 parallel to the wall 202 and the wall 401 parallel to the wall 311.
The trays 100, 200, 300 and 400 may be made of a number of materials, including plastics, wood, metal, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the trays 100, 200, 300 and 400 are made of a thermoplastic material. More preferably, the trays 100, 200, 300 and 400 are made of a thermoplastic material and are manufactured by injection molding.
It is to be understood that the above described utensil tray may be used for various utensils and/or as a utility tray for various tools.
It is to be understood that the term “base” as described above may be invariably referred to, and may have the same plain meaning as the term “floor”. Further, the term “tunnel” as described above may be invariably referred to, and may have the same plain meaning as the term “channel”.
For example, in an embodiment the tray assembly may include a quadrilateral main tray (e.g. main tray 100). The quadrilateral main tray may include a floor 701 (e.g. base) shown in FIGS. 7a-c , the floor having a linear gap running from one edge of the floor toward an opposite edge of the floor, the gap being delimited by upstanding walls disposed opposite one another, the upstanding walls being interconnected with one another by a ridge, the upstanding walls and the ridge defining a channel. For example, the upstanding walls of the main tray 100 may be walls 112 b and 122 a as shown in FIG. 4. The ridge may be ridge 130 shown at least in FIG. 2. The channel may be tunnel 140 or 141 shown in FIGS. 5 and 9 a. An exemplary gap 901 in the floor 701 is shown at least in FIG. 9a .
The utensil tray assembly may further include a first quadrilateral drawer tray, such as drawer tray 300. The first quadrilateral drawer tray may have a second floor 250 (FIG. 2) that has a boundary edge, the boundary edge having an upstanding edge wall on at least two sides of the boundary edge, the first quadrilateral drawer tray having an upstanding interior wall disposed perpendicular to the upstanding edge wall, the upstanding interior wall having a thickness sized for being slideably disposed in the channel and allowing the second floor 250 (FIG. 2) to be slid under the floor 701 (FIG. 7) for setting a size of the tray assembly. For example, the upstanding edge wall of the first quadrilateral drawer tray may include one or more or a combination of walls 321, 322 b, and 311 shown in FIG. 4. The upstanding interior wall of the first drawer tray may be 322 a also shown in FIG. 4.
The main tray may have a main tray upstanding edge wall, the main tray upstanding wall having an opening that is an entrance to the channel. For example, the main tray upstanding wall may be 121 b and/or 111 b shown in FIG. 4, alone or in combination. Although FIG. 4 shows walls 121 b and 111 b non-co-linear, the walls 121 b and 111 b may be co-linear or co-planar.
The utensil tray assembly may further include a second quadrilateral drawer tray having a third floor 260 (FIG. 2), with a second boundary edge, the second boundary edge having a second upstanding edge wall on three sides of the second boundary edge, the third floor 260 being sized so that the second upstanding wall slides over a main tray upstanding edge wall around the floor 701. For example, the second drawer tray may be drawer tray 200, the second upstanding edge wall may be one or a combination of walls 201 a, 202, and 201 b as shown in FIG. 2, and the main tray upstanding edge wall may be one or a combination of walls 111 a, 111 b, or 112 a shown in FIG. 4.
The utensil tray assembly may further include a third quadrilateral drawer tray having a fourth floor 270 (FIG. 2) with a third boundary edge, the third boundary edge having a third upstanding edge wall on two sides of the third boundary edge. The second upstanding edge wall may have an L-shaped retainer attached on a top edge of the second upstanding edge wall and extending parallel to the second upstanding edge wall for defining a gap (e.g. retainer gap 601 between leg 604 and wall 202, FIGS. 4 and 6 a) between a leg of the retainer and the second upstanding edge wall, the gap being sized for slideably receiving and holding the third upstanding edge wall therein. For example, the third drawer tray may be drawer tray 400, and the third upstanding edge wall may be one or a combination of walls 401 and 402 shown in FIG. 2. The L-shaped retainer may be retainer 215 shown in FIG. 2. The leg of the retainer may be parallel to the second upstanding edge wall.
The upstanding edge wall of the first drawer may include a further L-shaped retainer attached on a top edge of the upstanding edge wall and which extends parallel to the upstanding edge wall to define a second gap between a leg of the further retainer and the upstanding edge wall, the second gap being sized to slideably receive and hold the third upstanding edge wall therein. For example, the further L-shaped retainer may be retainer 315 shown in FIG. 2.
The floor 701 of the main tray may be stepped on one side of the gap 901 or the channel for defining a recess for receiving the third floor 260 under the floor 701 in a pushed-in position of the second quadrilateral drawer tray. For example, such a recess is shown in FIG. 5 as recess 501. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the floor of the main tray has two portions that are non-coplanar while still being substantially parallel, such two portions being on opposite sides of the channel 140 or the gap 901 in the floor 701. The second floor 250 may be stepped on a side of the interior wall, and or a side of the wall lib shown in FIG. 4, that corresponds to the one side of the gap 901. As such, the step provides a space for a floor of another tray to slide under the floor of the main tray.
The second floor 250 may be disposed between the first floor 707 and the third floor 260 in the recess when the second floor 250 and the third floor 260 are positioned in the recess.
In other words, the utility tray assembly may include a main tray 100 having a floor 701 defining two outer sides of the utility tray assembly, the two outer sides having an upstanding wall (e.g. two or a combination of walls 122 b, 122 a, 112 b, and 112 a, FIG. 4) disposed there along, the floor having a channel disposed centrally in the floor, the channel being parallel with one outer side of the two outer sides. Further, the tray assembly may include a quadrilateral drawer tray 320 having a second floor 250 defining a portion of the one outer side and a further outer side of the utility tray assembly, the portion of the one outer side and the further outer side having a further upstanding wall disposed there along (e.g., one or a combination of walls 322 b, 321, and 311 FIG. 4), the second floor having an upstanding engaging wall (e.g. wall 322 a, FIG. 4) disposed centrally on the second floor 250 and extending parallel to said portion of the one outer side, the engaging wall being slideably guidable or guided in the channel. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 4, the wall 322 a has been partially slid into the channel defined by walls 112 b and 122 a.
The channel may be defined by a first central upstanding wall and a second central upstanding wall (e.g. between walls 122 a and 112 b) opposite the first central upstanding wall and a ridge (e.g. ridge 130) connecting the first and second central upstanding walls, the floor having a gap (e.g. gap 901) formed therein between the first and second central upstanding walls. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the channel 140 is below the ridge 130, and in FIG. 9a the gap 901 is opposite the ridge 130. The gap could be considered part of the channel.
The utility tray assembly may further include a second quadrilateral drawer tray having a third floor with a third upstanding wall disposed around three edges of the third floor, the upstanding wall being disposed along three sides of the floor, the third floor being sized for allowing the third upstanding wall to slide around the floor and the upstanding wall.
The floor may be stepped on one side of the channel to define a recess on an underside of the floor, the recess configured to receive the third floor in a pushed-in position of the second quadrilateral drawer tray.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A utensil tray assembly comprising:

a quadrilateral main tray having a floor, said floor having a linear gap running from one edge of said floor toward an opposite edge of said floor, said gap being delimited by upstanding walls disposed opposite one another, said upstanding walls being interconnected with one another by a ridge, said upstanding walls and said ridge defining a channel; and

a first quadrilateral drawer tray having a second floor with a boundary edge, said boundary edge having an upstanding edge wall on at least two sides of said boundary edge, said first quadrilateral drawer tray having an upstanding interior wall disposed perpendicular to said upstanding edge wall, said upstanding interior wall having a thickness sized for being slideably disposed in said channel and allowing said second floor to be slid under said floor for setting a size of the tray assembly.

2. The utensil tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein said main tray has a main tray upstanding edge wall, said main tray upstanding wall has an opening that is an entrance to said channel.

3. The utensil tray assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a second quadrilateral drawer tray having a third floor, with a second boundary edge, said second boundary edge having a second upstanding edge wall on three sides of said second boundary edge, said third floor being sized so that said second upstanding wall slides over a main tray upstanding edge wall around said floor.

4. The utensil tray assembly according to claim 3, further comprising:

a third quadrilateral drawer tray having a fourth floor with a third boundary edge, said third boundary edge having a third upstanding edge wall on two sides of said third boundary edge;

said second upstanding edge wall having an L-shaped retainer attached on a top edge of said second upstanding edge wall and extending parallel to said second upstanding edge wall for defining a gap between a leg of said retainer and said second upstanding edge wall, said gap being sized for slideably receiving and holding said third upstanding edge wall therein.

5. The utensil tray assembly according to claim 4, wherein said leg is parallel to said second upstanding edge wall.

6. The utensil tray assembly according to claim 4, wherein said upstanding edge wall has a further L-shaped retainer attached on a top edge of said upstanding edge wall and which extends parallel to said upstanding edge wall to define a second gap between a leg of said further retainer and said upstanding edge wall, said second gap being sized to slideably receive and hold said third upstanding edge wall therein.

7. The utensil tray assembly according to claim 3, wherein said floor is stepped on one side of said gap for defining a recess for receiving said third floor under said floor in a pushed-in position of said second quadrilateral drawer tray.

8. The utensil tray assembly according to claim 7, wherein said second floor is stepped on a side of said interior wall that corresponds to said one side of said gap.

9. The utensil tray assembly according to claim 8 wherein said second floor is disposed between said first floor and said third floor in said recess when said second floor and said third floor are positioned in said recess.

10. A utility tray assembly comprising:

a quadrilateral main tray having a floor defining two outer sides of the utility tray assembly, said two outer sides having an upstanding wall disposed there along, said floor having a channel disposed centrally in said floor, said channel being parallel with one outer side of said two outer sides; and

a quadrilateral drawer tray having a second floor defining a portion of said one outer side and a further outer side of the utility tray assembly, said portion of said one outer side and said further outer side having a further upstanding wall disposed there along, said second floor having an upstanding engaging wall disposed centrally on said second floor and extending parallel to said portion of said one outer side, said engaging wall being slideably guided in said channel.

11. The utility tray assembly according to claim 10 wherein said channel is defined by a first central upstanding wall and a second central upstanding wall opposite said first central upstanding wall and a ridge connecting said first and second central upstanding walls, said floor having a gap formed therein between said first and second central upstanding walls.

12. The utility tray assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a second quadrilateral drawer tray having a third floor with a third upstanding wall disposed around three edges of said third floor, said upstanding wall being disposed along three sides of said floor, said third floor being sized for allowing said third upstanding wall to slide around said floor and said upstanding wall.

13. The utility tray assembly according to claim 12 wherein, said floor is stepped on one side of said channel to define a recess on an underside of said floor, said recess receives said third floor in a pushed-in position of said second quadrilateral drawer tray.