Expandable drawer apparatus and method

Abstract

An adjustable drawer where a frame type of drawer can be made to fit an furniture application with any size of opening by providing a split frame that expands either in width, length or both to fit the opening. The expansion mechanism can be made from sets of single or double telescoping tubing. The drawer can also be made to collapse for storage, stocking or shipping.

1 . An expandable drawer apparatus comprising: 
 a first frame portion;    a second frame portion;    said first frame portion expandably coupled to said second portion so that width of said first and second frame portions taken together is adjustable.    
   
   
       2 . The expandable drawer apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising at least one set of telescoping tubes comprising an inner tube portion attached to said first frame portion and an outer tube portion attached to said second frame portion, whereby said inner tube slides into and out of said outer tube.  
   
   
       3 . The expandable drawer apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said frame portions are made of stainless steel.  
   
   
       4 . The expandable drawer apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said frame portions are made of plastic.  
   
   
       5 . The expandable drawer apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said frame portions are made of aluminum.  
   
   
       6 . The expandable drawer apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and second frame portions are attached to a furniture slide.  
   
   
       7 . An expandable drawer apparatus comprising: 
 a first frame portion;    a second frame portion;    said first frame portion expandably coupled to said second portion with at least one set of telescoping tubes so that width of said first and second frame portions taken together is adjustable;    each set of telescoping tubes comprising an inner tube portion attached to said first frame portion and an outer tube portion attached to said second frame portion, whereby said inner tube slides into and out of said outer tube.    
   
   
       8 . The expandable drawer apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said frame portions are made of stainless steel.  
   
   
       9 . The expandable drawer apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said frame portions are made of plastic.  
   
   
       10 . The expandable drawer apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said frame portions are made of aluminum.  
   
   
       11 . The expandable drawer apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising at least one sliding track attached to at least one frame portion.  
   
   
       12 . A method of creating a universal drawer piece that can match width or length of different furniture applications comprising the steps of: 
 providing both a first and second frame portion, said first frame portion being expandably coupled by at least one set of telescoping tubes to said second frame portion;    providing said telescoping tubes with an inner tube portion and an outer tube portion wherein the inner tube portion slides into and out of the outer tube portion.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said frame portions are made of stainless steel.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said frame portions are made of plastic.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said frame portions are made of aluminum.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising at least one sliding track attached to at least one frame portion.