Modular storage and organization system for existing cabinets

Abstract

A storage and organization system is provided for customizing existing cabinets, such as kitchen, bathroom, pantry and/or garage cabinets. The system includes differently-sized stationary bases, pullouts, and accessories constructed to fit closely into any of many differently-sized storage spaces for optimal efficiency and maximum capacity, while providing customized functional support. The pullouts slidably extend from track extensions on the stationary bases, and allow side access and top access to selected accessories. The accessories are adjustably mounted on the pullouts for optimal position and function. Components are pre-constructed so that consumers can select and install a system with ease, while still meeting their needs and preferences.

1 . A storage and organization system for customizing existing cabinets, where the existing cabinets define differently-sized storage spaces with at least two differently-sized standardized access openings, comprising:
 differently-sized first and second stationary bases constructed to fit into an associated one of the differently-sized storage spaces and including attachment structure for bottom mounting to the associated cabinet and including spaced-apart track extensions located to extend through an associated one of the standardized access openings, but with a widest spaced one of the track extensions not being able to fit through a narrowest one of the standardized access openings;   first and second accessory-supporting pullouts configured to slidably engage the spaced-apart track extensions of the first and second stationary bases, respectively, and constructed to fit through and extend from the associated access opening of the existing cabinets, the pullouts being movable between an extended position for side access and a refracted position for storage; and   a plurality of different accessories selectively attachable to the pullouts to provide different functions on the pullouts.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pullout includes at least two vertical structural panels positioned on front and rear ends of the pullouts. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the pullout includes at least two horizontal braces rigidly supporting the at least two vertical structural panels. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least two vertical structural panels include a third intermediate structural panel. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of different accessories include a horizontal shelf extending between the at least two vertical structural panels. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the vertical structural panels include attachment sites spaced vertically, and wherein the shelf is selectively engagable with the attachment sites for selective vertical position adjustment. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein one of the accessories is an electrified accessory that includes an electrical device for providing electrical power inside the associated pullout. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the accessories include at least two items selected from a group consisting of: a vertically-adjustable shelf accessory, a side-by-side double shelf accessory, a knife-storage-and-butcher-block accessory, a utensil organizer accessory, a spice tray accessory, a roll manager accessory, a peg board accessory, a wine storage accessory, a wine glass storage accessory, a trash bin holder accessory, a media storage rack accessory, a peg board accessory, a side caddy accessory, a basket accessory, an insulated container-holding accessory, and an electrified accessory. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus including, in combination, a standardized cabinet and a storage and organization system adapted to be inserted into the standardized cabinet for organizing and customizing the standardized cabinet, where the standardized cabinet has a defined storage space and defined access opening, the storage and organization system comprising a stationary base adapted to fit within and be attached to a bottom of the existing cabinet and a pullout, the pullout engaging the stationary base for movement between an extended position for access and a retracted position within the standardized cabinet for storage; the pullout including front and rear spaced-apart vertical structural panels each having vertically-spaced horizontally-aligned pairs of attachment sites on inboard surfaces and including horizontal braces rigidly connecting the vertical structural panels to define laterally-accessible openings and further including at least one shelf selectively attached to the attachment sites and supported by the vertical structural panels. 
     
     
         10 . A method for customizing an existing cabinet comprising:
 measuring dimensions of an existing cabinet including dimensions of an access opening into the cabinet;   selecting a stationary base from a plurality of different sized bases, and installing the selected base in a bottom of the existing cabinet;   selecting an accessory-supporting pullout from a plurality of different pullouts and installing the selected pullout on the selected base for movement between an extended position for access and a retracted position for storage, the selected pullout including at least two vertical structural panels; and   selecting a functional accessory from a plurality of accessory components and installing the selected functional accessory on the pullout, the functional accessory being designed to organize and provide customized storage and holding functions.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the at least two vertical structural panels include front and rear vertical structural panels, and wherein installing the selected functional accessory includes supporting the selected functional accessory on the front and rear vertical structural panels. 
     
     
         12 . A method for customizing an existing cabinet having a main space and having an access opening with a width dimension and a height dimension comprising:
 installing a base in a bottom of the existing cabinet, the base including track extensions; and   selecting an accessory-supporting pullout from a plurality of different pullouts, each different pullout having a different structure for providing a different set of functions, where the selected pullout is constructed to closely fit into the width and height dimensions of the access opening and constructed to fit within the main space of the existing cabinet for storage;   operably installing the selected pullout on the track extensions of the base for movement between retracted and extended positions; and   selecting accessories to support a desired functional need and installing the selected accessories on the selected pullout.