Cross-Linking Modular Drawer Divider and Method of Use

Abstract

Storage drawers become more cumbersome to use as multiple objects are placed in the drawers without proper compartmenting. The invention uses multiple H-shaped beams of various lengths to create modular compartments in multiple types of storage drawers. The H-shaped beams have notches in them allowing multiple attachments to be placed depending on how the H-beams are aligned with respect to each other. The H-beams can be connected at the lateral ends to extend the compartment lengths and at points perpendicular to a primary H-beam. The invention may additionally use H-beam trims to prevent the attachments from inadvertently being removed from the notches in the connected H-beams.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 a first rail, the first rail including a first cavity defined by a first right wall and a first left wall, wherein the first right wall defines a first right slot;   a second rail, the second rail including a second cavity defined by a second right wall and a second left wall, wherein the second right wall defines a second right slot and the second left wall defines a second left slot;   a connector, the connector including a first block, a stem, and a second block, the stem adapted to extend through the first right slot and into the second rail between the second right wall and the second left wall;   the connector first block having a width larger than the first right slot and adapted to fit within the first cavity; and   the connector second block having a width greater than the width of the second cavity and adapted to at least partially extend through the second right slot and the second left slot, whereby the connector removably couples the first rail and the second rail by simultaneous placement of the first block within the first cavity of the first rail and of the second block within the second cavity of the second rail.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first left wall of the first rail defines a first left slot, the first left slot having a width greater than the connector stem and less than the width of the connector first block, whereby the connector removably couples the first rail and the second rail by simultaneous placement within both the second cavity of the second rail and the first left slot of the first rail. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first rail defines a plurality of slots, each slot having a width greater than the connector stem and less than the width of the connector first block, whereby the connector removably couples the first rail and the second rail by simultaneous extension through one of the plurality of slots and placement within both the second cavity of the second rail and the first left slot of the first rail. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the second cavity of the second rail is within ten percent of the width of the first right slot of the first rail. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second block is adapted to extend fully through the second right slot of the second right wall of the second rail. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second block is adapted to extend fully through the second left slot of the second right wall of the second rail. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the second block is adapted to extend fully through the second right slot of the second right wall of the second rail. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a first trim, the first trim adapted to form a friction fit with the first rail and enclosing the first block within the first cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the first trim is elastic. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a second trim, the second trim adapted to form a friction fit with the second rail and enclosing the second block within the second cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the second trim is elastic. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the first trim is rigid. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second trim, the second trim adapted to form a friction fit with the second rail and enclosing the second block within the second cavity. 
     
     
         14 . A device comprising:
 a first U-rail having a first slot;   a second U-rail having a second slot and a third slot;   a connector adapted to extend fully through the first slot, at least partially through the second slot and at least partially through the third slot; and   a trim adapted to simultaneously maintain the connector partially within the first U-rail and the second U-rail.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the trim simultaneously forms a friction fit with the first U-rail and the second U-rail. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the trim is elastic. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the trim comprises a first trim strip and a second trip strip, and the first trim strip maintains the connector partially within the first U-rail and the second trim strip maintains the connector partially within the second U-rail. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the connector is shaped to extend fully through the second slot. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the connector is shaped to extend fully through the third slot. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 providing the device of  claim 14 ;   simultaneously positioning the connector partially within the first U-rail and within the second U-rail; and   positioning the trim to simultaneously maintain the connector partially within the first U-rail and the second U-rail, whereby the first U-rail and the second U-rail are coupled.