Utility organizer for use on a deck rail

Abstract

An organizer that is intended to hold multiple items that are used during outdoor cooking on a deck. The organizer includes a groove along the bottom surface adapted to fit snugly over the top of a deck rail, so that the organizer is self-supporting and easily accessible to a barbeque grill. The organizer also includes one or more hooks extending from the outer surface for hanging cooking utensils. Desirably it also includes a handle pivotally mounted thereon.

1 . A utensil organizer capable of resting securely on a deck rail without the need for modifications to the deck rail or fasteners of any type for use by a person grilling on a deck, comprising:
 a basin with an open top and a front, back, left, right, and bottom outer surface, for storing cooking items used during grilling;   two downwardly extending flanges with opposed inner surfaces and outer surfaces formed by the front and back outer surfaces of the basin, thereby providing a groove along the bottom outer surface of the basin between the two flanges to allow the organizer to securely straddle a deck rail with one side of the organizer facing the person; and   at least one hook for hanging utensils, attached to the side of the organizer facing the person.   
   
   
       2 . The utensil organizer of  claim 1 , wherein the organizer is made of lightweight material. 
   
   
       3 . The utensil organizer of  claim 2 , wherein the lightweight material is moldable plastic. 
   
   
       4 . The utensil organizer of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one hook is molded into the organizer. 
   
   
       5 . The utensil organizer of  claim 1 , further comprising a weighted bottom to prevent the organizer from tipping over when set on a deck rail 
   
   
       6 . The utensil organizer of  claim 1 , wherein the length to width ratio of a horizontal cross section of the organizer is greater than 1 to 1. 
   
   
       7 . The utensil organizer of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one hook attached at a position on the side of the organizer facing the user, adapted to be detached and reattached at the same or a different position. 
   
   
       8 . The utensil organizer of  claim 1 , further comprising a horizontal support panel inside the basin, above the groove. 
   
   
       9 . The utensil organizer of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle pivotally mounted to the left and right outer surfaces of the basin to facilitate carrying and easy removal of the organizer from a deck rail. 
   
   
       10 . The utensil organizer of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid fitting over the top of the basin to protect the cooking items from weather and pests. 
   
   
       11 . The utensil organizer of  claim 10 , wherein the lid is hingedly attached to the basin. 
   
   
       12 . The utensil organizer of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the inner surfaces of the flanges is textured to provide additional security for the organizer as it straddles a deck rail. 
   
   
       13 . The utensil organizer of  claim 12 , wherein said at least one of the inner surfaces is textured with protrusions integrally formed thereon. 
   
   
       14 . The utensil organizer of  claim 12 , wherein said at least one of the inner surfaces is textured with foam rubber. 
   
   
       15 . The utensil organizer of  claim 1 , wherein compartments are formed within the basin to provide the user with various choices in organizing items or to quarantine certain cooking items. 
   
   
       16 . The utensil organizer of  claim 15 , wherein the compartments are formed by interlocking strips that fit into the basin and partition available storage space. 
   
   
       17 . The utensil organizer of  claim 1 , further comprising an insert adapted to be attached in the bottom outer surface of the basin, between the inner surfaces of the flanges, to allow the organizer to fit securely over a deck rail that is narrower than a typical deck rail.