Expandable drawer organizer

Abstract

Embodiments of an expandable drawer organizer for segregating articles within a drawer are disclosed. Each embodiment utilizes at least one tray maintained in slidable agreement with another a tray, providing for the expandable drawer organizer to be varied to approximate the dimensional constraints of the subject drawer. Each embodiment further employs a locking mechanism for securing the associated trays in a user dictated predetermined position. Additional embodiments utilizing various arrangements of an expandable partition that may be arranged in unique configurations within the various trays is also disclosed. Several embodiments having retainers for further limiting the movement of the expandable drawer organizer within the drawer are also presented. Several embodiments are also disclosed and claimed that seek to more exactly retain various utensils i.e. cutlery, in one such embodiment additional storage is provided in a hidden compartment.

1 . An expandable drawer organizer for segregating articles within a drawer comprising: 
 a base tray having a top panel, a bottom panel, a front side panel, a rear side panel, a first side panel, a second side panel and a topside partition panel wherein, the front side panel, rear side panel, one of either the first side panel and second side panel, and topside partition panel are affixed to the respective edges of the top panel and the front side panel, rear side panel, first side panel, second side panel and topside partition panel are affixed to the respective edges of the bottom panel in a substantially perpendicular fashion, wherein the front side panel and rear side panel are in substantially parallel alignment and adjoined to the first side panel and second side panel in a substantially perpendicular manner, the first side panel and second side panel which are in substantially parallel alignment,    a first nesting tray having a bottom panel having a length and width slightly greater than the base tray, that will permit the base tray to be slidably received in spaced relationship, a front side panel, a rear side panel, and a first side panel wherein, the front side panel, rear side panel, and first side panel are affixed to the respective edges of the bottom panel in a substantially perpendicular fashion, wherein the front side panel and rear side panel are in substantially parallel alignment and adjoined to the first side panel and second side panel in a substantially perpendicular manner, wherein the base tray is received by the first nesting tray,    a locking mechanism incorporated into the base tray and first nesting tray for securing the base tray and nesting tray wherein the base tray and first nesting tray are maintained in a predetermined position.    
   
   
       2 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1  wherein, said base tray has at least one recess in one of either the front side panel and rear side panel, and said first nesting tray has at least one protuberance on one of either the front side panel and rear side panel, that engage the recess in the corresponding panel of said base tray under constant force.  
   
   
       3 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1  wherein, said base tray has at least one recess in each of the front side panel and rear side panel, and said first nesting tray has at least one protuberance on each of the front side panel and rear side panel, that engage the recess in the corresponding panel of said base tray under constant force.  
   
   
       4 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1  wherein, said base tray has at least one protuberance on one of either the front side panel and rear side panel, and said first nesting tray has at least one recess in one of either the front side panel and rear side panel, that engage the protuberance in the corresponding panel of said base tray under constant force.  
   
   
       5 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1  wherein, said base tray has at least one protuberance on each of the front side panel and rear side panel, and said first nesting tray has at least one recess in each of the front side panel and rear side panel, that engage the protuberance in the corresponding panel of said base tray under constant force.  
   
   
       6 . The expandable drawer organizer of  claim 1 , wherein the base tray further comprises hollow construction that is accessed by opening the top panel of said base tray.  
   
   
       7 . The base tray of  claim 6  further comprising a hinge affixed to one of either the base tray top panel rear side and the rear side panel, the top panel first side and first side panel, the top panel second side and second side panel, the top panel first side and topside partition panel, the top panel second side and topside partition panel, in a manner that permits the top panel opening radius to have a range comprising 0° to 180°, inclusive.  
   
   
       8 . The base tray of  claim 6  further comprising a ridge of a given height and width affixed to at least one of a top panel bottom front, rear, first and second side, so as to provide detachable agreement to an interior surface of the corresponding base tray front, rear, first and second side.  
   
   
       9 . The base tray of  claim 8  further comprising a ridge with a locking mechanism wherein, the base tray has at least one recess in the interior surface of one of either the front side panel, rear side panel, topside partition panel, first side panel and second side panel, and said ridge has at least one protuberance on one of either the top panel bottom front, rear, first and second side, that engages the recess in the corresponding panel of said base tray under constant force.  
   
   
       10 . The base tray of  claim 8  further comprising a ridge with a locking mechanism wherein, the base tray has at least one protuberance on the interior surface of one of either the front side panel, rear side panel, topside partition panel, first side panel and second side panel, and said ridge has at least one recess in one of either the top panel bottom front, rear, first and second side, that engage the recess in the corresponding panel of said base tray under constant force.  
   
   
       11 . The base tray of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one partition affixed to one of either of the front side panel, rear side panel, topside partition panel, first side panel and second side panel of said base tray in substantially perpendicular alignment to the adjoining side panel and the bottom panel, for segregating articles within said base tray.  
   
   
       12 . The partition of  claim 11  wherein said partition is expandable and detachably connected to one of either the base tray and first nesting tray, further comprising; 
 a first panel of a given height and length with a row having at least one recess, and a row having at least one protuberance,    a second panel of a given height and length with a row having at least one recess, and a row having at least one protuberance, wherein the rows alternately correspond to engage under constant force with the first panel, to permit the predetermined expanded length to be maintained,    at least one coupler attached to the lengthwise edge of the first panel and second panel, whereby the first panel and second panel are maintained slidably in substantial parallelism,    at least one protuberance on each of the first panel and second panel located on the bottom side edge, wherein said partition is expanded to a predetermined length and the protuberance on each of the bottom side edge of the first panel and second panel engage a corresponding recess from a group consisting of: said base tray bottom panel and first nesting tray bottom panel, and    at least one protuberance on each of the first panel and second panel located at the far extents of said partition on the heightwise edge, wherein said partition is expanded to a predetermined length and the protuberance on each of the heightwise edge of the first panel and second panel engage a corresponding recess under constant force from a group consisting of: said base tray front side panel and rear side panel, first nesting tray front side panel and rear side panel, said base tray first and second side panel, said base tray first side panel and topside partition panel, said base tray second side panel and topside partition panel, topside partition panel and said first nesting tray first side panel, said base tray first side panel and said first nesting tray first side panel, said base tray front side panel and normal said expandable partition, said base tray rear side panel and normal said expandable partition, said base tray first side panel and normal said expandable partition, said base tray second side panel and normal said expandable partition, said first nesting tray front side panel and normal said expandable partition, said first nesting tray rear side panel and normal said expandable partition, said first nesting tray first side panel and normal said expandable partition, and two said expandable partitions in substantial parallel alignment.    
   
   
       13 . The expandable partition of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of recesses of a given shape, to accommodate at least one utensil selected from a group of utensils consisting of forks, knives, spoons, spatulas, whisks, bottle openers, can openers, scissors, strainers, brushes, tongs, pot holders, handles, thermometers, skewers, presses, mallets, mashers, basting equipment and measuring utensils; located about a top side edge of both the first and second panel, wherein said recesses are maintained in congruent alignment by a locking mechanism; upon slidably adjusting said expandable partition to a predetermined length.  
   
   
       14 . The expandable partition of  claim 13 , further comprising an extendable retaining arm of a predetermined length that is attached to at least one of either the first panel and second panel at opposing ends wherein said expandable partition is secured in a normal position to the adjoining sides of one of either the base tray, first nesting tray, base tray and first nesting tray.  
   
   
       15 . The partition of  claim 11  wherein said partition is expandable and detachably connected to one of either the base tray and first nesting tray, further comprising: 
 a panel of a given length, width and height; having a first side, second side, first end, second end, a top side and a bottom edge incorporating a plurality of recesses of a given shape, to accommodate at least one utensil selected from a group of utensils consisting of forks, knives, spoons, spatulas, whisks, bottle openers, can openers, scissors, strainers, brushes, tongs, pot holders, handles, thermometers, skewers, presses, mallets, mashers, basting equipment and measuring utensils; located about a top side of said panel, and    an extendable arm of a given length and size, slidably attached to the panel, having a first end and a second end terminating in a foot, and    a locking mechanism in operably connected to one of any the panel sides except the top side, and the extendable arm so that said partition is tensionably secured in position subsequent to slidably adjusting said extendable arm to a predetermined length.    
   
   
       16 . The expandable partition of  claim 12 , further comprising a hook attached to the topmost opposing corner of the heightwise edge of each of the first panel and second panel, which secure said expandable partition to a normal surface.  
   
   
       17 . The expandable partition of  claim 16 , wherein said hook terminates in a head that engages a recess adjacent to the recess engaged by the protuberance on each of the heightwise edge of the first panel and second panel, the corresponding recess from a group consisting of: said base tray front side panel and rear side panel, first nesting tray front side panel and rear side panel, said base tray first and second side panel, said base tray first side panel and topside partition panel, said base tray second side panel and topside partition panel, topside partition panel and said first nesting tray first side panel, said base tray first side panel and said first nesting tray first side panel, said base tray front side panel and normal said expandable partition, said base tray rear side panel and normal said expandable partition, said base tray first side panel and normal said expandable partition, said base tray second side panel and normal said expandable partition, said first nesting tray front side panel and normal said expandable partition, said first nesting tray rear side panel and normal said expandable partition, said first nesting tray first side panel and normal said expandable partition, and two said expandable partitions in substantial parallel alignment.  
   
   
       18 . The partition of  claim 13  wherein said partition is detachably connected to one of either said base tray and first nesting tray, further comprising; 
 a first panel of a given height and length, having at least one protuberance located on the front and rear side, wherein the protuberances alternately correspond to engage a recess under constant force within a row located from a group consisting of: said base tray front side panel and rear side panel, first nesting tray front side panel and rear side panel, said base tray first and second side panel, said base tray first side panel and topside partition panel, said base tray second side panel and topside partition panel, topside partition panel and said first nesting tray first side panel, said base tray first side panel and said first nesting tray first side panel, said base tray front side panel and normal said expandable partition, said base tray rear side panel and normal said partition, said base tray first side panel and normal said partition, said base tray second side panel and normal said partition, said first nesting tray front side panel and normal said partition, said first nesting tray rear side panel and normal said partition, said first nesting tray first side panel and normal said partition, and two said partitions in substantial parallel alignment.    
   
   
       19 . The partition of  claim 15  wherein said partition is detachably connected to one of either said base tray and first nesting tray, further comprising; 
 a first panel of a given height and length, having at least one protuberance located on the front and rear side, wherein the protuberances alternately correspond to engage a recess under constant force within a row located from a group consisting of: said base tray front side panel and rear side panel, first nesting tray front side panel and rear side panel, said base tray first and second side panel, said base tray first side panel and said first nesting tray first side panel, said base tray front side panel and normal said expandable partition, said base tray rear side panel and normal said partition, said base tray first side panel and normal said partition, said base tray second side panel and normal said partition, said first nesting tray front side panel and normal said partition, said first nesting tray rear side panel and normal said partition, said first nesting tray first side panel and normal said partition, and two said partitions in substantial parallel alignment    
   
   
       20 . The expandable drawer organizer of  claim 1 , wherein the base tray top panel further comprises a given configuration to accommodate the orderly storage of at least one utensil selected from a group of utensils consisting of forks, knives, spoons, spatulas, whisks, bottle openers, can openers, scissors, strainers, brushes, tongs, pot holders, handles, thermometers, skewers, presses, mallets, mashers, basting equipment and measuring utensils  
   
   
       21 . The base tray of  claim 20 , wherein said base tray further comprises a top panel of a given configuration constructed of at least two sections whereby a first section is horizontally slidably received by a second section and maintained in substantially parallel agreement throughout a given range.  
   
   
       22 . The base tray of  claim 20 , wherein said base tray further comprises a top panel of a given configuration constructed of at least two sections whereby a first section is vertically slidably received by a second section and maintained in substantially parallel agreement throughout a given range.  
   
   
       23 . The expandable drawer organizer of  claim 1 , wherein the base tray further comprises a top panel having a given length and width such that a section having a given shape of the base tray is exposed, wherein said section has at least one partition affixed to one of either of the front side panel, rear side panel, first side panel and second side panel of the base tray in substantially perpendicular alignment to the adjoining side panel and the bottom panel, for segregating articles within the base tray.  
   
   
       24 . The expandable drawer organizer of  claim 1 , further comprising a second nesting tray comprising similar structural elements as the first nesting tray wherein the orientation of these structural elements corresponds to a mirror image of the first nesting tray.  
   
   
       25 . An expandable drawer organizer for segregating articles within a drawer comprising: 
 a base tray having a bottom panel, a front side panel, a rear side panel, a first side panel and a second side panel wherein, the front side panel, rear side panel, first side panel and second side panel are affixed to the respective edges of the bottom panel in a substantially perpendicular fashion, wherein the front side panel and rear side panel are in substantially parallel alignment and adjoined to the first side panel and second side panel in a substantially perpendicular manner, the first side panel and second side panel which are in substantially parallel alignment,    a first nesting tray having a bottom panel having a length and width slightly greater than the base tray, a top panel having a given width less than the bottom panel and a length corresponding to the bottom panel, that will permit the base tray to be slidably received in spaced relationship, a front side panel, a rear side panel, topside panel partition and a first side panel wherein, the front side panel, rear side panel, topside panel partition and first side panel are affixed to the respective edges of the bottom panel in a substantially perpendicular fashion, wherein the front side panel and rear side panel are in substantially parallel alignment and adjoined to the first side panel and topside panel partition in a substantially perpendicular manner, wherein the base tray is received by the first nesting tray,    a locking mechanism incorporated into the base tray and first nesting tray for securing the base tray and nesting tray wherein the base tray and first nesting tray are maintained in a predetermined position.    
   
   
       26 . The locking mechanism of  claim 25  wherein, said base tray has at least one recess in one of either the front side panel and rear side panel, and said first nesting tray has at least one protuberance on one of either the front side panel and rear side panel, that engage the recess in the corresponding panel of said base tray under constant force.  
   
   
       27 . The locking mechanism of  claim 25  wherein, said base tray has at least one recess in each of the front side panel and rear side panel, and said first nesting tray has at least one protuberance on each of the front side panel and rear side panel, that engage the recess in the corresponding panel of said base tray under constant force.  
   
   
       28 . The locking mechanism of  claim 25  wherein, said base tray has at least one protuberance on one of either the front side panel and rear side panel, and said first nesting tray has at least one recess in one of either the front side panel and rear side panel, that engage the protuberance in the corresponding panel of said base tray under constant force.  
   
   
       29 . The locking mechanism of  claim 25  wherein, said base tray has at least one protuberance on each of the front side panel and rear side panel, and said first nesting tray has at least one recess in each of the front side panel and rear side panel, that engage the protuberance in the corresponding panel of said base tray under constant force.  
   
   
       30 . The expandable drawer organizer of  claim 25 , wherein the first nesting tray further comprises hollow construction that is accessed by opening the top panel of said first nesting tray.  
   
   
       31 . The base tray of  claim 30  further comprising a hinge affixed to one of either the first nesting tray top panel rear side and the rear side panel, the top panel first side and first side panel, the top panel second side and topside panel partition side, in a manner that permits the top panel opening radius to have a range comprising 0° to 180°, inclusive.  
   
   
       32 . The first nesting tray of  claim 30  further comprising a ridge of a given height and width affixed to at least one of a top panel bottom front, rear, first and second side, so as to provide detachable agreement to an interior surface of the corresponding first nesting tray front, rear, first and topside panel partition side.  
   
   
       33 . The first nesting tray of  claim 32  further comprising a ridge with a locking mechanism wherein, the first nesting tray has at least one recess in the interior surface of one of either the front side panel, rear side panel, first side panel and topside panel partition, and said ridge has at least one protuberance on one of either the top panel bottom front, rear, first and second side, that engages the recess in the corresponding panel of said first nesting tray under constant force.  
   
   
       34 . The first nesting tray of  claim 32  further comprising a ridge with a locking mechanism wherein, the first nesting tray has at least one protuberance on the interior surface of one of either the front side panel, rear side panel, first side panel and topside panel partition, and said ridge has at least one recess in one of either the top panel bottom front, rear, first and second side, that engage the recess in the corresponding panel of said first nesting tray under constant force.  
   
   
       35 . The first nesting tray of  claim 30 , further comprising at least one partition affixed to one of either of the front side panel, rear side panel, first side panel and second side panel of said first nesting tray in substantially perpendicular alignment to the adjoining side panel and the bottom panel, for segregating articles within said first nesting tray.  
   
   
       36 . The expandable drawer organizer of  claim 30 , wherein the first nesting tray top panel further comprises a given configuration to accommodate the orderly storage of at least one utensil selected from a group of utensils consisting of forks, knives, spoons, spatulas, whisks, bottle openers, can openers, scissors, strainers, brushes, tongs, pot holders, handles, thermometers, skewers, presses, mallets, mashers, basting equipment and measuring utensils.  
   
   
       37 . The first nesting tray of  claim 36  wherein said first nesting tray further comprises a top panel of a given configuration constructed of at least two sections whereby a first section is horizontally slidably received by a second section and maintained in substantially parallel agreement throughout a given range.  
   
   
       38 . The first nesting tray of  claim 36  wherein said first nesting tray further comprises a top panel of a given configuration constructed of at least two sections whereby a first section is vertically slidably received by a second section and maintained in substantially parallel agreement throughout a given range.  
   
   
       39 . The expandable drawer organizer of  claim 30 , wherein the first nesting tray further comprises a top panel having a given length and width such that a section having a given shape of the first nesting tray is exposed, wherein said section has at least one partition affixed to one of either of the front side panel, rear side panel, first side panel and topside panel partition of the first nesting tray in substantially perpendicular alignment to the adjoining side panel and the bottom panel, for segregating articles within the first nesting tray.  
   
   
       40 . The expandable drawer organizer of  claim 25 , further comprising a second nesting tray comprising similar structural elements as the first nesting tray wherein the orientation of these structural elements corresponds to a mirror image of the first nesting tray.