BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a front view of one example of an organizational device constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure;
FIG. 1B is a top view of the organizational device shown in FIG. 1A;
FIG. 1C is a top perspective view of the organizational device shown in FIG. 1A;
FIG. 1D is a rear perspective view of the organizational device shown in FIG. 1A;
FIG. 1E is a front perspective view of a pair of organizational devices of the type shown in FIG. 1A, nested with one another;
FIG. 2A is a front view of an alternate embodiment of an organizational device constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure;
FIG. 2B is a top view of the organizational device shown in FIG. 2A;
FIG. 2C is a bottom perspective view of the organizational device shown in FIG. 2A;
FIG. 2D is a left side view of the organizational device shown in FIG. 2A;
FIG. 2E is a front perspective view of a pair of organizational devices of the type shown in FIG. 2A, nested with one another;
FIG. 3A is a front view of another alternate embodiment of an organizational device constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure;
FIG. 3B is a top view of the organizational device shown in FIG. 3A;
FIG. 3C is a top perspective view of the organizational device shown in FIG. 3A;
FIG. 3D is a rear perspective view of the organizational device shown in FIG. 3A;
FIG. 3E is a front perspective view of a pair of organizational devices of the type shown in FIG. 3A nested with one another;
FIG. 4A is a front view of a yet another alternate embodiment of an organizational device constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure;
FIG. 4B is a top view of the organizational device shown in FIG. 4A;
FIG. 4C is a bottom perspective view of the organizational device shown in FIG. 4A;
FIG. 4D is a left side view of the organizational device shown in FIG. 4A; and
FIG. 4E is a front perspective view of a pair of organizational devices of the type shown in FIG. 4A, nested with one another.
It will be understood that the drawings are not to scale and that, in some instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosed embodiments or which render other details difficult to perceive, may have been omitted. It should also be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments specifically illustrated in the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A nestable multi-function, multi-tiered organizational device, hereinafter described as an organizational device, for storing and organizing papers, files, documents, and the like, in a vertical or horizontal orientation is shown and described. The disclosed organizational devices can nest with one another in a stacked configuration to reduce the amount of retail display shelf space and shipping space that is required for more than one of these devices. The disclosed organizational devices, when nested, take up much less space than comparable traditional devices. Shipping costs are also reduced relative to conventional non-nested organizational products.
In one embodiment, the organizational device may contain at least one storage cavity, the storage cavity is separated into at least two storage receptacles by a divider. The number of storage receptacles per organizational device is limited only by the number of dividers disposed in the storage cavity. Similarly, the width of the organizational device is selectable based on the media to be stored in the organizational device. Typically, each storage receptacle may be designed for a particular maximum size item to be inserted into the storage receptacle. These items typically can be, by way of example only, papers, file folders, documents, and the like. In at least one other embodiment, the number of storage receptacles built into the organizational device can be doubled by repeating the layout of the storage receptacles laterally adjacent to the first set of storage receptacles and connecting them all together as one unit. Of course, alternate embodiments could be produced in which the number of storage receptacles could be tripled (or quadrupled, etc.) by repeating the layout of the storage receptacles laterally adjacent to the first set of storage receptacles and connecting them all together as a unit, doing so in such a way as to maintain the nestable nature of the organizational device.
Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate an organizational device 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. The organizational device 10 includes a front wall 12, a rear wall 20, first and second side walls 19, and first, second and third bottom portions 32, 52, 72. A storage cavity 11 is defined between the front wall 12, rear wall 20, first and second side walls 19 and above the bottom portions 32, 52, 72. The storage cavity 11 is further divided into a plurality of storage receptacles 30, 50, 70 by first and second dividers 24, 26. The first and second dividers 24, 26 are disposed within the storage cavity 11 and span between the first and second side walls 19.
In this example, the organizational device 10 may hold media, such as, envelopes, files, papers, and the like in an upright vertical orientation within a first storage receptacle 30, a second storage receptacle 50, and/or a third storage receptacle 70. The first storage receptacle 30 includes space defined between the first and second side walls 19, the front wall 12, the first divider 24, and above the first bottom portion 32.
The second storage receptacle 50 includes space defined between the first and second side walls 19, the first divider 24, the second divider 26, and above a second bottom portion 52. The second bottom portion 52 is preferably not co-planar with the first bottom portion 32 and more preferably the second bottom portion 52 is disposed at a higher elevation than the first bottom portion 32. This arrangement of the first and second bottom portions 32, 52 creates a higher tier for the second storage receptacle 50, relative to the first storage receptacle 30 enhancing presentation of the media stored therein.
The third storage receptacle 70 includes space defined between the first and second side walls 19, the second divider 26, the rear wall 20, and above the third bottom portion 72. The third bottom portion 72 is preferably not co-planar with either the first bottom portion 32 or the second bottom portion 52, and more preferably, the third bottom portion 72 is disposed at an even higher elevation than the second bottom portion 52 enhancing presentation of media stored therein. Edges of stored media, such as paper, rest against one of the first, second and third bottom portions 32,52,72. As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the disclosed organizational device 10 may be alternatively configured to hold other types of media, for example, envelopes, documents or paper in a horizontal orientation, as opposed to an upright, vertical orientation. In such a configuration, the media rests against one of the first and second dividers 24,26 or the rear wall 20.
In the disclosed example shown in FIG. 1A, the front wall 12 wraps around a front corner edge 16, leading to the pair of generally opposed and spaced apart first and second side walls 19. Each side wall 19 continues wraps around a rear corner edge 18, and connects to the rear wall 20. The front wall 12 includes a front bottom edge 14, two front corner edges 16, and a top edge 13, which may have an indentation 15, in order to facilitate access to any media stored in the first storage receptacle 30.
Each side wall 19 includes a top edge 17 which may rise from the front corner edge 16 to the rear corner edge 18. The rear wall 20 may have a higher elevation than the front wall 12, which combined with the tiered structure of the first, second and third bottom portions 32, 52, 72, forms a multi-tiered arrangement of storage receptacles. A top edge 22 of the rear wall 20 may have an indentation 23, in order to facilitate access to any material stored in the third storage receptacle 70. One or more mounting holes 28 may be provided on each side of the rear wall 20, each of which may receive a fastener to secure the organizational device 10 to a wall, or other surface.
FIG. 1B shows details of the first divider 24 and the second divider 26. The first divider 24 may include a first spar 42 attached to a crosspiece 38. This crosspiece 38 may extend away from the first spar 42 until it connects with a second spar 34, forming an arch or inverted U-shape. This arch or inverted U-shape has an opening, thereby providing the first divider 24 with additional flexibility, allowing the first divider 24 to bend. The same can be said for the second divider 26 having a respective opening. Divider flexibility assists in the nesting capability of the organizational device 10, as will be discussed with respect to FIG. 1E, where first and second dividers 24, 26 are pressed against respective first and second dividers 24, 26 of a second organizational device when first and second organizational devices are stacked in a nested configuration.
The second divider 26 may be constructed in a similar fashion as the front divider 24. However, a space 21 exists between the second divider 26 and the first side wall 19 and between the second divider and the second side wall 19. This space 21 is sized and shaped to receive a foot 80 (FIG. 1D) of a second organizational device 10 when first and second organizational devices are stacked in a nested configuration. Furthermore, the foot 80 of the second organizational device rests on the third bottom portion 72 of the first organizational device, when two or more organizational devices 10B, 10A are nested with one another (see FIG. 1D and FIG. 1E).
To achieve nestability, the first and side walls 19 are slanted, i.e. angled, outwardly from one another from the bottom portions 32, 52, 72 toward the top 17 of the side walls 19. As seen in FIG. 1C, the side walls 19 are also shaped such that the rear corner edge 18 of each side wall 19 is slanted rearwardly, with the rear corner edge 18 extending farther away from the front wall 12 at the top 17 of the side walls 19 than at the bottom portion 72. The rear wall 20, which joins the side walls 19 along the rear corner edge 18, is also slanted rearwardly. Alternately, or in addition, the front corner edge 16 of each of the side walls 19 may be slanted forward, with the front corner edge 16 extending farther away from the rear wall 20 at the top 17 of the side walls 19 than at the bottom portion 32. The front wall 12, which joins the side walls 19 along the front corner edge 16, may also be slanted forward. While the front wall 12 and rear wall 20 are shown as flat panels, one or both could alternately be curved or bowed in a direction away from one another, or a portion of the front wall 12 and/or rear wall 20 may be curved or bowed. Likewise, while the side walls 19 are shown as flat panels, they may alternately be curved or bowed in a direction away from one another.
One or more of the bottom portions 32, 52, 72 includes an opening 25, 27 (FIG. 1B) through which first and second dividers 24, 26 of a second organizational device are inserted when first and second organizational devices are stacked in a nested configuration. The openings 25, 27 allow the first and second dividers 24, 26 of the second organizational device to be received into the storage cavity 11 of the first organizational device. It is desirable to align the first divider 24 of the second organizational device with the second storage receptacle 52 of the first organizational device and align the second divider 26 of the second organizational device with the third storage receptacle 72 of the first organizational device. Further, the openings 25, 27 are large enough to receive more than one divider. For example, if three organizational devices were stacked in a nested configuration, each opening may receive portions of at least two dividers of other organizational devices.
FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate an alternate embodiment of an organizational device constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. In this example, the organizational device 210 may hold media, such as, envelopes, files, papers, and the like in an upright vertical orientation within a first storage receptacle 230, a second storage receptacle 250, and a third storage receptacle 270. The first storage receptacle 230 is the space defined between first and second side walls 219, a front wall 212, a first divider 224, and above a first bottom portion 232. The second storage receptacle 250 is the space defined between the first and second side walls 219, the first divider 224, a second divider 226, and above a second bottom portion 252. The third storage receptacle 270 is the space defined between the first and second side walls 219, the second divider 226, a rear wall 220, and above a third bottom portion 272. Edges of any media stored in the organizational device 210 rest against the bottom portions 232, 252, 272 of one of the storage receptacles 230, 250, 270. The disclosed organizational device 210 can be alternatively oriented to hold media, such as envelopes, other documents or paper in a horizontal orientation. In such an orientation, the media rests against one of the dividers 224,226, or the rear wall 220.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the organizational device 210 includes the front wall 212 which wraps around a front corner edge 216 rearward, leading to the pair of generally opposed and spaced apart side walls 219. Each side wall 219 continues rearward and wraps around a rear corner edge 218, and connects to the rear wall 220. The front wall 212 includes a front bottom edge 214, two front corner edges 216, and a top edge 213, the top edge may include an indentation 215, which facilitates access to media stored in the first storage receptacle 230 shown in FIG. 2B.
Each side wall 219 includes a top edge 217 which may extend from the front corner edge 216 to the rear corner edge 218. The rear wall 220 may have a higher elevation than the front wall 212 as seen in FIG. 2D. This higher elevation of the rear wall 220 provides a tiered arrangement for the storage receptacles 230, 250, 270, the first storage receptacle 230 being lower than the second storage receptacle 250, which in turn is lower that the third storage receptacle. A first bottom portion 232 may be set lower than a second bottom portion 252, which in turn may be set lower than a third bottom portion 272. The varying heights of the bottom portions 232, 252, 272 allow for the enhanced presentation of media stored in the storage receptacles 230, 250, 270. A top edge 222 of the rear wall 220 may include an indentation 223, that facilitates access to any media stored in the third storage receptacle 270 shown in FIG. 2A.
One or more mounting holes 228 may be provided on the rear wall 220, each of the mounting holes 228 may receive a fastener to secure the organizational device 210 to a wall or other surface.
FIG. 2B shows details of the first divider 224 and the second divider 226. Since the first and second dividers 224, 226 are similarly constructed, they are described concurrently. Each divider 224, 226 includes a first spar 240, 260, a second spar 234, 254, and a third spar 236, 256. Disposed on the top of each second spar 234, 254 is a crosspiece 238, 258. Each crosspiece 238, 258 facilitates keeping stored material separated into respective storage receptacles 230, 250, 270. Divider flexibility, especially of each first and third spar 240, 260, 236, 256, assists in the nesting capability of the organizational device 210, as can be seen in FIG. 2E. The dividers 224, 226 of a first organizational device are pressed against dividers 224, 226 of a second organizational device in the nested position. In FIG. 2E, the respective components of the first nested organizational device 210A have an “A” appended to their reference numerals, whereas like components of the second nested organizational device 210B have a “B” appended to their reference numerals.
As shown in FIG. 2B, there are three bottom portions 232, 252, 272. The first bottom portion 232 may extend the entire width of the organizational device 210, spanning from the first side wall 219 to the second side wall 219. However, the second bottom portion 252 may extend only partially between the sidewalls 219 leaving a gap 221 between the second bottom portion 252 and the sidewalls 219, and likewise, the third bottom portion 272 may extend only partially between the sidewalls 219, leaving the gap 221 between the third bottom portion 272 and the sidewalls 219. Each of the crosspieces 238, 258 may have a small notch 229 at either end. Also, as seen in FIG. 2C, there may one or more be a feet 280 located on an underside of the organizational device 210, to support the organizational device 210 when it is in an upright vertical position on a surface. When two or more organizational devices 210 are nested (see FIG. 2E), a bottom part 283 of each foot 280 of the second organizational device 210B rests upon the third bottom portion 272 of the first organizational device 210A. Portions 281 of the feet 280 of the second organizational device may extend through an opening in the third bottom portion 272 of the first organizational device 210A.
To achieve nestability, the first and second side walls 219 of the organizational device 210 are slanted, i.e. angled, outwardly from one another from the bottom portions 232, 252, 272 toward the top 217 of the first and second side walls 219. As seen in FIG. 2B, the first and second side walls 219 are also shaped such that the rear corner edge 218 of each side wall 219 is slanted rearwardly, with the rear corner edge 218 extending farther away from the front wall 212 at the top 217 of the side walls 219 than at the third bottom portion 272. The rear wall 220, which joins the side walls 219 along the rear corner edge 218, is also slanted rearwardly. Alternately, or in addition, the front corner edge 216 of each of the first and second side walls 219 may be slanted forward, with the front corner edge 216 extending farther away from the rear wall 220 at the top 217 of the side walls 219 than at the first bottom portion 232. The front wall 212, which joins the first and second side walls 219 along the front corner edge 216, is also slanted forward. While the front wall 212 and rear wall 220 are shown as flat panels, one or both could alternately be curved or bowed in a direction away from one another, or a portion of the front wall 212 and/or rear wall 220 may be curved or bowed. Likewise, while the side walls 219 are shown as flat panels, they may alternately be curved or bowed in a direction away from one another.
In at least one other embodiment, the number of storage receptacles built into an organizational device can be doubled by repeating the layout of the storage receptacles laterally adjacent to the first set of storage receptacles and connecting them together as one unit, with a partition such that the nesting nature of the organizational device is maintained. Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 3A-3E illustrate an organizational device 310 having such an array of storage receptacles. The organizational device 310 is essentially two organizational devices of FIGS. 1A-1E placed side by side and joined by a partition 390.
The partition 390 includes a fin 391 disposed on a wedge 392. The partition 390 splits the storage receptacles 330, 350, 370 and their respective bottom portions 332, 352, 372 (see FIGS. 3B and 3C). The wedge 392 may be hollow on the underside (see FIG. 3D) and may extend from the rear wall 320 (see FIG. 3D) toward the front wall 312 (see FIG. 3A). This wedge 392 and the fin 390 extend from the rear wall 320 to the front wall 312. As seen in FIG. 3E, when a first organizational device 310B is nested on top of a second organizational device 310A, the nesting is complete when an underside of the wedge 392 of the first organizational device 310B receives the fin 390 of the second organizational device 310A. Otherwise, the organizational device of FIGS. 3A-3E nests with like organizational devices in a similar manner to the organizational devices of FIGS. 1A-1E.
Edges of any stored media, such as paper, rests against one of the bottom portions 332,352,372. The organizational device 310 can be alternatively oriented to hold other types of media, such as, envelopes, other documents or paper in a horizontal orientation. In such a horizontal orientation, the media rests against one of the dividers 324, 326, or the rear wall 320. The organizational device 310 may include more than one partition. Additionally, when first and second organizational devices 310 are nested, the first and second organizational devices 310 may have a different number of partitions 390.
FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate another alternate embodiment of an organizational device 410 having an array of storage receptacles. In this example, the organizational device 410 may hold media, such as envelopes, files, papers, and the like, in an upright vertical orientation within a first storage receptacle 430, a second storage receptacle 450, and a third storage receptacle 470. The embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4E is essentially two organizational devices of FIGS. 2A-2E joined together in a side by side orientation, joined with a partition 490. A fin 491 is provided on top of a wedge 492 in the storage receptacle 411 of the organizational device 410, splitting the storage receptacles 430,450,470 and their respective bottom portions 432,452,472 (see FIGS. 4B, 4C and 4E). As seen in FIG. 4C, the wedge 492 is hollow on the underside and may extend from the rear wall 420 toward the front wall 412 (see FIG. 4A). This wedge 492 has the fin 491 sitting on top and extending from the rear wall 420 until it joins the front wall 412. As seen in FIG. 4E, when a first organizational devices 410B is nested with a second organizational device 410A, such nesting is complete when the underside of the wedge 492 of the first organizational device 410B receives the fin 491 of the second organizational device 410A. Otherwise, the organizational device of FIGS. 4A-4E nests with like organizational devices in a similar manner to the organizational devices of FIGS. 2A-2E.
Of course, the organizational device 410 may include more than one partition 490. Additionally, when first and second organizational devices 410 are nested, the first and second organizational devices 410 may have a different number of partitions 490.
If desired, the openings (25,27, 325, 327) or gaps (221) maybe closed by plugs (not shown) when the organizational devices (10, 210, 310, 410) are not stacked and nested (i.e., being used as individual units to store media) to prevent small media from falling through the openings or gaps. The plugs may be sized and shaped to cooperate with the openings or gaps to form a substantially solid bottom portion (e.g., 32, 52, 72). The plugs may be designed to be temporarily secured in the openings or gaps such that the plugs may be removed to allow multiple organizational devices (10, 210, 310, 410) to be stacked and nested. Alternatively, the plugs may be designed to be inserted into the openings or gaps in a snap-fit arrangement such that the plugs are not removable once inserted into the opening or gap. In this manner, an effectively solid bottom portion may be provided so that virtually any size media may be stored in the storage receptacles (30, 50, 70, 230, 250, 270, 330, 350, 370, 430, 450, 470).
To-prevent scuffing of the outer (cosmetic) surfaces of the organizational devices (10, 210, 310, 410), the dividers (24, 26, 224, 226, 324, 326, 424, 426) and openings (25, 27, 325, 327) and/or gaps (221) may be arranged such that bearing surfaces of the organizational devices (10, 210, 310, 410) when stacked are interior surfaces (i.e., the dividers) as opposed to the outer surfaces of the walls (12, 19, 20). In this way, the outer (cosmetic) surfaces do not contact other surfaces when the organizational devices are stacked and nested and thus the outer surfaces do not become scuffed or scratched and maintain a more pleasing appearance.
While various embodiments have been disclosed herein, it will be understood that variations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, or the appended claims.
Patent Application
20080035645
