Width-adjustable storage module for cabinets

Abstract

A modular storage apparatus includes an expandable frame adjustably expandable to fit a storage space in an existing cabinet. The frame has adjustable-width cross members and uprights defining U-shapes, extendable glides attached to the uprights, and an expandable pullout module operably mounted on the glides for movement. The pullout module includes right and left half-basket portions connected by connectors permitting lateral expansion. The connectors may define discrete width adjustments, or may permit infinite adjustment (within the range of adjustment permitted).

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A modular storage apparatus configured for installation into an existing cabinet defining a storage space, comprising:
 an expandable frame adjustably expandable to fit the storage space, the frame having cross members and uprights, the cross members being adjustable in length to at least a narrow-width position and a wide-width position;   extendable glides attached to the uprights at top and bottom positions on each side; and   a laterally-expandable pullout module operably mounted on the glides for movement, the pullout module having right and left half-basket portions connected by connectors, each half-basket portion having a half floor and a fence extending around three sides of the half floor, and the connectors permitting lateral adjustment of the basket portions selectively to the narrow-width position and the wide-width position.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the connectors define at least two discrete width-adjusted positions for the half-basket portions. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the connectors are infinitely width-adjustable within a given range of adjustments for the half-basket portions. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the half-basket portions include wires with inwardly-extending wire ends, and the connectors include tubes matably telescopingly engaging the wire ends. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the connector is molded and has a height selected to combine with the fences of the half-basket portions to form a continuous fence around the combined half floors. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus defined in  claim 5 , wherein the connector bracket also includes a molded retainer panel that clamps against the molded component to fixedly retain the half-basket portions together. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , including at least two different storage accessories with feet shaped to selectively frictionally releasably engage the right and left half-basket portions. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the expandable frame includes front and rear sets of the cross members and uprights, a rear one of the sets being adjustable in a forward direction away from a rear of the pullout module so that the rear one avoids interfering engagement with an existing permanent half shelf in the existing cabinet. 
     
     
         9 . A method of installing functional and customized storage into an existing cabinet defining a storage space, comprising:
 providing an expandable frame adjustably expandable to fit the storage space, the frame having cross members and uprights defining U-shapes, the cross members being adjustable in length to at least a narrow-width position and a wide-width position;   providing extendable glides attached to the uprights at top and bottom positions on each side;   providing a laterally-expandable pullout module operably mounted on the glides for movement, the pullout module having right and left half-basket portions connected by connectors, each half-basket portion having a half floor and a fence extending around three sides of the half floor, and the connectors permitting lateral adjustment of the basket portions selectively to the narrow-width position and the wide-width position;   assembling the expandable frame into the existing cabinet including expanding the expandable frame to fit the defined storage space;   attaching the glides at a desired height to the expandable frame; and   adjusting a width of the pullout module and then attaching the pullout module to the glides to provide a pullout storage function.   
     
     
         10 . The method defined in  claim 9 , wherein the connectors define at least two discrete width-adjusted positions for the half-basket portions, and wherein the step of adjusting the width of the pullout module includes adjusting the width between two different discrete width positions. 
     
     
         11 . The method defined in  claim 9 , wherein the connectors define an infinite number of width-adjusted positions within a range of positions for the half-basket portions, and wherein the step of adjusting the width of the pullout module includes selecting a particular one of the width-adjusted positions. 
     
     
         12 . The method defined in  claim 9 , wherein the half-basket portions include wires with inwardly-extending wire ends and tubes matably telescopingly engaging the wire ends, and the step of adjusting the width of the pullout module includes telescopingly adjusting the wire ends. 
     
     
         13 . The method defined in  claim 9 , including forming a continuous fence around the combined half floors of the pullout module. 
     
     
         14 . The method defined in  claim 13 , wherein the connectors include a molded retainer panel that clamps against the molded component to fixedly retain the half-basket portions together. 
     
     
         15 . The method defined in  claim 9 , including providing at least two different storage accessories with feet shaped to selectively frictionally releasably engage the right and left half-basket portions, and including a step of frictionally attaching at least one of the different storage accessories to the pullout module in a selected orientation. 
     
     
         16 . The method defined in  claim 9 , wherein the expandable frame includes front and rear sets of the cross members and uprights, and wherein the step of installing the expandable frame includes adjusting the rear one of the sets in a forward direction away from a rear of the pullout module so that the rear set avoids interfering engagement with an existing permanent half shelf in the existing cabinet.