US20060181183A1

US20060181183A1 - Utility drawer system

Info

Publication number: US20060181183A1
Application number: US11/058,010
Authority: US
Inventors: Austra Galloway
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-15
Filing date: 2005-02-15
Publication date: 2006-08-17
Also published as: WO2006088918A3; WO2006088918A2

Abstract

A multi-directional utility drawer system. The utility drawer system allows multiple drawers to be remotely stored in a corner under a cabinet to maximize storage space. The drawer is connected to a multidirectional track, generally including a platform and a tray. When used, the drawer oriented on the tray can be pulled out as normal along one track. However, when the drawer is pushed back under the cabinet along the first track, it can then be pushed sideways along a second track via the platform, into a remote corner underneath a counter or cabinet. Typically, the tracks are coupled to each other via the tray and platform so that the drawer has a continuous track to move along.

Description

BACKGROUND

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of cabinets and drawers and more particularly to a multi-directional utility drawer system.
II. Description of the Related Art.
Many cabinets, including most kitchen cabinets have a large counter space with several drawers and doors in the cabinets to access storage space. When a cabinet is located in a corner of a kitchen for example, the cabinet may include drawers on one side of the corner and drawers on the other side of the corner, the respective drawers thus being oriented at about ninety degrees to one another. In this orientation, the very corner of the cabinet includes unused storage space into which no drawer moved into or out of. While, doors into the cabinet can provide access to these corner spaces, the corner spaces are still difficult to access and generally unusable for typical daily use.

SUMMARY

In general, the invention features a multi-directional utility drawer system. The utility drawer system allows multiple drawers to be remotely stored in a corner under a cabinet to maximize storage space. The drawer is connected to a multidirectional track, generally including a platform and a tray. When used, the drawer oriented on the tray can be pulled out as normal along one track. However, when the drawer is pushed back under the cabinet along the first track, it can then be pushed sideways along a second track via the platform, into a remote corner underneath a counter or cabinet. Typically, the tracks are coupled to each other via the tray and platform so that the drawer has a continuous track to move along.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a utility drawer apparatus, including a platform having an upper surface and a lower surface, a tray connected to the platform and a drawer connected to the tray.
In one implementation, the platform, tray and drawer travel together in a first direction as a single unit into a first open position.
In another implementation, the drawer travels in a second direction to a second open position.
In another implementation, the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to one another.
In another implementation, the apparatus further includes elongated panels connected to the lower surface of the platform, the panels including a first track.
In another implementation, the apparatus further includes elongated track panels having mating tracks coupled to the first tracks on the elongated panels.
In another implementation, the apparatus further optionally includes support panels connected to the elongated track panels.
In another implementation, the apparatus further includes brackets to be connected to the track panels, optionally to the support panels and to inner walls of a cabinet.
In still another implementation, the tray includes elongated panels connected to the upper surface of the platform, elongated track panels connected to the elongated panels, a first track connected to the track panels and a second mating track coupled to the first track and connected to the drawer.
In another implementation, the elongated panels are positioned parallel with respect to the track panels.
In another implementation, the elongated panels are positioned perpendicular with respect to the track panels.
In another aspect, the invention features a utility drawer system, including a cabinet having inner walls, a platform connected to the inner walls, a tray connected to the platform and a drawer connected to the tray.
In one implementation, the platform is connected to the inner walls via elongated track panels having a track coupled to a mating track on elongated panels connected to the platform.
In another implementation, the tray includes elongated panels connected to the upper surface of the platform, elongated track panels connected to the elongated panels, a first track connected to the track panels and a second mating track coupled to the first track and connected to the drawer.
In another implementation, the elongated panels are positioned parallel with respect to the track panels.
In another implementation, the elongated panels are positioned perpendicular with respect to the track panels.
In another aspect, the invention features a utility drawer system, including a cabinet having inner walls, a platform connected to the inner walls, a tray connected to the platform, a drawer connected to the tray, first means for directing the platform, the tray and the drawer in a first direction to a first open position and second means for directing the drawer to a second open position after the first open position has been attained.
In one implementation, the first means are a coupled track oriented in a first direction.
In another implementation, the second means are a coupled track oriented in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
One advantage of the invention is that otherwise unused or difficult to access space under cabinets becomes more easily accessible and/or usable.
Another advantage of the invention is that multiple drawers can be placed into difficult to access space.
Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing the preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a utility drawer system shown in partial phantom;
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a utility drawer system in a first position;
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a utility drawer system in a second position;
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a utility drawer system in a third position;
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the constituent components of an embodiment of a utility drawer apparatus;
FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a utility drawer apparatus; and
FIG. 7 illustrates an internal side view of an embodiment of a utility drawer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures, reference is made first to FIG. 1 that illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a utility drawer system 100 shown in partial phantom. The system 100 generally includes a cabinet 105 having a counter top 110 and multiple cabinet doors 115. The system 100 further includes an embodiment of a multi-directional utility drawer apparatus 200, generally shown occupying otherwise unusable corner space 120. The apparatus 200 is generally accessed by directing the apparatus 200 along a multiple directions shown generally by arrow A in a first direction and arrow B is a second direction generally orthogonal to the direction represented by arrow A. In general, the apparatus 200 includes a platform 205 onto which a tray 210 is connected. In turn, a drawer 215 is connected to the tray 210. The platform 205, tray 210 and drawer 215 are discussed in further detail in the description below.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a utility drawer system 100 in a first position. As described above, the system 100 generally includes the cabinet 105 having the counter top 110 and multiple cabinet doors 115, and as shown in the figure additional conventional exterior drawers 116. The system 100 further includes the embodiment of a multi-directional utility drawer apparatus 200, generally shown occupying otherwise unusable corner space 120. As shown in the figure, the system 100 can include multiple apparatuses 200, in this case an upper apparatus 200 and a lower apparatus 200. As further described above, each apparatus 200 includes a platform 205 onto which a tray 210 is connected. In turn, a drawer 215 is connected to the tray 210. In this first position, each apparatus 200 is shown in its fully stored and closed position into the space 120. As such, when in this fully stored position, a user can easily access the normally accessible cabinet space 150 while having items stored remotely in the apparatuses 200.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a utility drawer system 100 in a second position. Once again as described above, the system 100 includes the cabinet 105 having the counter top 110 and multiple cabinet doors 115, and additional conventional exterior drawers 116. The system 100 as illustrated includes the upper apparatus 200 and lower apparatus 200, each apparatus 200 having a platform 205 onto which a tray 210 is connected. In turn, a drawer 215 is connected to the tray 210. In this second position, each apparatus 200 is being directed along the direction as represented by arrow A generally into the once empty space 150, from the space 120. It is understood that a user must typically removed any stored items from the space 150 before the apparatuses 200 can be moved into the space 150.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a utility drawer system 100 in a third position. Once again as described above, the system 100 includes the cabinet 105 having the counter top 110 and multiple cabinet doors 115, and additional conventional exterior drawers 116. The system 100 as illustrated includes the upper apparatus 200 and lower apparatus 200, each apparatus 200 having a platform 205 onto which a tray 210 is connected. In turn, a drawer 215 is connected to the tray 210. In this third position, each apparatus 200 is being directed along the direction as represented by arrow A generally into the once empty space 150, from the space 120. It is understood that a user must typically removed any stored items from the space 150 before the apparatuses 200 can be moved into the space 150. In turn the lower apparatus is directed along the direction represented by arrow B from the space 150, the direction represented by arrow B being the more conventional direction of a conventional drawer. The upper apparatus 200 is being directed further along the direction represented by arrow A. The relative positions of the upper and lower apparatuses are represented for illustrative purposes only. It is understood that the upper apparatus 200 can also be moved along the direction as represented by arrow B. It is now appreciated that the utility drawer system 100 allows a user to remotely store multiple drawers in normally difficult to access space such as the space 120, and then be able to direct the drawers 215 in a multidirectional manner to access the drawers 215 via the platform 205 and tray 210, which are now described in more detail with respect to FIGS. 2-4 and further with respect to FIGS. 5-7 below.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the constituent components of an embodiment of a utility drawer apparatus 200. As described above, the apparatus 200 generally includes the platform 205, the tray 210 and the drawer 215, all of which are now described in greater detail. The platform 205 is a generally planar surface that includes elongated panels 204 connected generally perpendicular to the bottom of the platform 205. The panels 204 include tracks 203 that are any conventional suitable tracks used in conventional drawers. The tracks 203 are coupled with mating tracks 206 that can be connected directly onto the inner walls of the cabinet 105. The mating tracks 206 can also be connected to elongated track panels 207 that can be connected directly to the inner walls of the cabinet. These elongated track panels 207 are labeled in FIGS. 2-4. The platform 205 can further include any number of support panels 208 as shown connected generally perpendicular to the elongated track panels 207. Suitable connectors such as L brackets 209 can be used to connect the platform 205 to the inner walls of the cabinet 105. It is understood that suitable connection devices such as screws nails and the like are used to connect the L brackets 209 to the platform 205 and the inner walls of the cabinet 105.
As described above, the tray 210 is connected to the platform 205. The platform 205 is a generally planar surface onto which the tray 210 is connected. The tray 210 generally includes elongated panels 211 connected to the upper planar surface of the platform 205. Elongated track panels 212 are connected to the elongated panels 211. Tracks 213 are connected to the track panels 212. Mating tracks 214 are coupled to the tracks 213 and connected to the drawer 215. The elongated panels 211 are shown connected generally perpendicular to the elongated track panels 212. In another embodiment, the elongated panels 211 can be connected generally parallel to the elongated track panels 212. Once again, the directional arrows A, B are shown to illustrate the directions in which the platform 205 and tray 210 travel during use.
FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a utility drawer apparatus 200. The apparatus 200 is shown fully assembled as it would be positioned in a cabinet. It is generally understood that existing cabinets can be retrofitted with the apparatus 200. In addition, new cabinets can be assembled with the apparatus 200 installed. As described above, the apparatus 200 includes the platform 205 including elongated track panels 207, support panels 208 and brackets 209. A portion of elongated panels 204 is also illustrated. The coupled tracks 203, 206 are not shown in this position. The platform 205 is connected to the tray 210 that includes elongated panels 211 that are shown in the alternate embodiment, connected and parallel to the elongated track panels 212, having coupled tracks 213, 214. The drawer 215 is connected to the tray 210 via the coupled tracks 213, 214.
FIG. 7 illustrates an internal side view of an embodiment of a utility drawer system 100. The cabinet 105 includes an upper and lower apparatus 200. This internal side view should be viewed in conjunction with FIG. 4, in which the relative positions of the upper and lower apparatuses are similar. In this orientation, both apparatuses 200 have been directed along arrow A, and the lower apparatus has been further directed along arrow B. As described above, both the upper and lower apparatus include the platform 205 having elongated panels 204, elongated track panels 207, coupled tracks 203, 206, support panels 208 and brackets 209 connected to the inner walls 104 of the cabinet 105. The tray 210 is connected to the platform 205, the tray 210 including the elongated panels 211, elongated track panels 212 and coupled tracks 213, 214, one track 214 being illustrated on the lower apparatus 200. It is now understood that the platform 205 moves along the direction a with respect to the track panels 207, and that the drawers 215 moved along the direction B with respect to the tray 210. In general, the platform 205 and the tray 210 stay fixed relative to one another. The fixed positioning of the platform 205 and the tray 210 allow the multi-directional feature of the apparatuses 200 to be enabled during use. In addition, the track pairs 203,206 and 213,214 remain orthogonally positioned relative to one another. It is further appreciated that the platform 205, the tray 210 and the drawer 215 travel together as a unit along the direction A into a first open position. When this first open position is attained, the drawer is further opened along B into the second open position.
In the embodiments described above, one drawer is illustrated for use in the utility drawer apparatus and system. It is understood that multiple drawers can be added to the tray and platform, typically side by side. Additional panels and tracks can be added to accommodate the additional added drawers.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, various modifications may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and which are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A utility drawer apparatus, comprising:

a platform having an upper surface and a lower surface;

a tray connected to the platform; and

a drawer connected to the tray.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the platform, tray and drawer travel together in a first direction as a single unit into a first open position.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the drawer travels in a second direction to a second open position.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to one another.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising elongated panels connected to the lower surface of the platform, the panels including a first track.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 further comprising elongated track panels having mating tracks coupled to the first tracks on the elongated panels.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 further optionally comprising support panels connected to the elongated track panels.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 further comprising brackets to be connected to the track panels, optionally to the support panels and to inner walls of a cabinet.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tray comprises:

elongated panels connected to the upper surface of the platform;

elongated track panels connected to the elongated panels;

a first track connected to the track panels; and

a second mating track coupled to the first track and connected to the drawer.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the elongated panels are positioned parallel with respect to the track panels.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the elongated panels are positioned perpendicular with respect to the track panels.

12. A utility drawer system, comprising:

a cabinet having inner walls;

a platform connected to the inner walls;

a tray connected to the platform; and

a drawer connected to the tray.

13. The system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the platform is connected to the inner walls via elongated track panels having a track coupled to a mating track on elongated panels connected to the platform.

14. The system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the tray comprises:

elongated panels connected to the upper surface of the platform;

elongated track panels connected to the elongated panels;

a first track connected to the track panels; and

a second mating track coupled to the first track and connected to the drawer.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the elongated panels are positioned parallel with respect to the track panels.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the elongated panels are positioned perpendicular with respect to the track panels.

17. A utility drawer system, comprising:

a cabinet having inner walls;

a platform connected to the inner walls;

a tray connected to the platform;

a drawer connected to the tray;

first means for directing the platform, the tray and the drawer in a first direction to a first open position; and

second means for directing the drawer to a second open position after the first open position has been attained.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the first means are a coupled track oriented in a first direction.

19. The system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the second means are a coupled track oriented in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.