Refrigerator divider assemblies and methods

Abstract

Refrigerator dividing assemblies and methods are disclosed. An example refrigerator dividing assembly includes a pair of dividers configured to be selectively positionable in a refrigerator, each of the dividers having a respective engaging feature; and a spacer having a first dimension along a first axis, a second different dimension along a second axis, a first pair of engaging features near ends of the spacer along the first axis, the first pair of engaging features configured to engage respective ones of the divider engaging features to fixedly hold the dividers apart by generally a first distance, and a second pair of engaging features near ends of the spacer along the second different axis, the second pair of engaging features configured to engage the respective ones of the divider engaging features to fixedly hold the dividers apart by generally a second distance.

1 . A refrigerator dividing assembly, comprising:
 a pair of dividers configured to be selectively positionable in a refrigerator to divide a volume of the refrigerator into at least two spaces, each of the dividers having a respective engaging feature; and   a spacer having:
 a first dimension along a first axis; 
 a second different dimension along a second axis; 
 a first pair of engaging features near ends of the spacer along the first axis, the first pair of engaging features configured to engage respective ones of the divider engaging features to fixedly hold the dividers apart by generally a first distance; and 
 a second pair of engaging features near ends of the spacer along the second different axis, the second pair of engaging features configured to engage the respective ones of the divider engaging features to fixedly hold the dividers apart by generally a second distance. 
   
     
     
         2 . A refrigerator dividing assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the spacer further has:
 a third dimension along a third axis, the third dimension different than the first and second dimensions; and   a third pair of engaging features near ends of the spacer along the third axis, the third pair of engaging features configured to engage respective ones of the divider engaging features to fixedly hold the dividers apart by generally a third distance, the third distance different than the first and second distances.   
     
     
         3 . A refrigerator dividing assembly as defined in  claim 1 ,
 wherein a one of the first and second pairs of engaging features comprises a first slot defined therethrough; and   wherein a one of the respective engaging features of the pair of dividers comprises:
 a second slot defined therethrough and dimensioned to allow the end of the spacer associated with the one engaging feature of the spacer to pass therethrough; and 
 a protrusion to engage the first slot. 
   
     
     
         4 . A refrigerator dividing assembly as defined in  claim 1 ,
 wherein a one of the first and second pairs of engaging features comprises a protrusion; and   wherein a one of the respective engaging features of the pair of dividers comprises:
 a slot defined therethrough and dimensioned to allow the end of the spacer associated with the one engaging feature of the spacer to pass therethrough; and 
 an indent in the slot to engage the protrusion. 
   
     
     
         5 . A refrigerator dividing assembly as defined in  claim 1 ,
 wherein a one of the first and second pairs of engaging features comprises a pair of protrusions;   wherein a one of the respective engaging features of the pair of dividers comprises a slot defined therethrough and dimensioned to allow the end of the spacer associated with the one engaging feature of the spacer to pass therethrough; and   wherein the pair of protrusions are configured to engage opposite sides of the divider associated with the one of the engaging features of the pair of dividers.   
     
     
         6 . A refrigerator dividing assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the engaging feature of a one of the dividers is near and generally parallel to a bottom of the one of the dividers. 
     
     
         7 . A refrigerator dividing assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the engaging feature of a one of the dividers is perpendicular to a bottom of the one of the dividers, and wherein when the dividers are fixedly held by the spacer, the dividers and the spacer are generally perpendicular to the same plane. 
     
     
         8 . A refrigerator dividing assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a polygonal shape, and the first and second axes are between respective opposing sides of the polygonal shape. 
     
     
         9 . A refrigerator dividing assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a hexagonal shape, and the first and second axes are between respective opposing sides of the hexagonal shape 
     
     
         10 . A refrigerator dividing assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a rectangular shape, and the first and second axes are between respective opposing sides of the rectangular shape. 
     
     
         11 . A refrigerator dividing assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises an oval shape, and the first and second axes correspond to respective axes of the oval shape. 
     
     
         12 . A refrigerator dividing assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a cross shape, and the first and second axes correspond to respective arms of the cross shape. 
     
     
         13 . A refrigerator dividing assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a first of dividers comprises a sidewall of a compartment of the refrigerator, or a sidewall of a drawer of the refrigerator. 
     
     
         14 . A refrigerator dividing assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is rotatably fixedly mounted. 
     
     
         15 . A method of positioning first and second dividers in a refrigerator, the method comprising:
 selecting a first of two or more orientations of a spacer corresponding to a desired distance between the dividers, the spacer having different dimensions in the two or more orientations;   engaging a first end of the spacer associated with the first orientation with the first divider; and   engaging a second opposite end of the spacer associated with the first orientation with the second divider to fixedly hold the dividers apart by generally the desired distance.   
     
     
         16 . A method as defined in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 selecting a second of two or more orientations of the spacer corresponding to a second different desired distance between the dividers;   disengaging the spacer from both dividers;   engaging a third end of the spacer associated with the second orientation with the first divider; and   engaging a fourth opposite end of the spacer associated with the second orientation with the second divider to fixedly hold the dividers apart by generally the second desired distance.   
     
     
         17 . A method as defined in  claim 15 , wherein engaging the first end of the spacer with the first divider comprises engaging a slot defined through the spacer with a protrusion defined in a slot defined through the first divider.