Locking divider for a refrigerator storage compartment

Abstract

A divider for a pan, drawer or the like compartment in a refrigerator is constituted by multiple, pivotally interconnected pieces which can be selectively locked in a desired position to compartmentalize the storage compartment. The divider defines an over-center device that can be snapped into a locked in a desired position in the compartment, while being locked in position as a result of compressive forces being applied by front and rear walls of the pan or drawer. That is, the pan or drawer is preferably made of plastic and includes walls which deflect upon locking the divider in place. When the divider is opened or unlatched, all compressive forces are removed and the divider can be easily adjusted within the pan or drawer.

1 . A refrigerator comprising: 
 a cabinet within which is defined a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment;    a plurality of shelves arranged in the fresh food compartment;    a storage drawer extending substantially an entire width of the fresh food compartment, said storage drawer including front, bottom, rear and side walls; and    a divider extending between and against the front and rear walls of the storage drawer in order to divide the storage drawer into multiple storage zones that collectively span substantially an entire width of the fresh food compartment.    
   
   
       2 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein storage drawer is located below multiple shelves supported in the fresh food compartment.  
   
   
       3 . The refrigerator according to  claim 2 , further comprising: a plurality of additional storage drawers located above the storage drawer.  
   
   
       4 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the fresh food compartment is arranged above the freezer compartment.  
   
   
       5 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the storage drawer constitutes a crisper drawer.  
   
   
       6 - 25 . (canceled)