Adjustable Holder and Organizer
An adjustable holder and organizer comprises a plurality of movable pins that fit within a frame having a plurality of pin openings that allow the pins to move from a fully extended position to a fully retracted position. A tool or other item is placed against the pins and pressure applied to move the pins under the tool leaving the other pins extended thus creating a custom space to hold the tool. The pins may be frictionally engaged within the openings by means of O-rings, frictional bushings or spring biased detents. The frame may be placed within a housing to utilize the adjustable holder and organizer within a drawer or other flat surface. A reset panel may be disposed within a housing to enable a user to return the pins to a fully extended position to customize the adjustable holder and organizer for different uses.
This application claims priority and herein incorporates by reference U.S. provisional patent application 60/752,604, filed Dec. 22, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONAnyone who has experienced the frustration of not being able to locate a tool when needed will appreciate the need for an easy to use organizer. Jobs are made easier by being able to locate needed tools and clutter is eliminated by good organizational aides. Tool cabinets, shelves, workbenches, cabinets and peg boards have all been utilized to help people locate and organize items. It is known to trace an outline around a tool that has been placed on a wall organizer or in a drawer. This is time-consuming and does not easily facilitate moving the tool to a different location or replacing the tool with new model.
It is also known to utilize foam or some other moldable material to make a custom fitting opening for a tool, but this is relatively expensive and complex and the foam must generally be discarded if rearrangement is desired.
There is a need for an easy to use, flexible item holder and organizer that overcomes the limitations of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn adjustable holder and organizer comprises a plurality of movable pins that fit within a frame having a plurality of pin openings that allow the pins to move from a fully extended position to a fully retracted position. A tool or other item is placed against the pins and pressure applied to move the pins under the tool leaving the other pins extended thus creating a custom space to hold the tool. The pins may be frictionally engaged within the openings by means of O-rings, frictional bushings or spring biased detents. The frame may be placed within a housing to utilize the adjustable holder and organizer within a drawer or other flat surface. A reset panel may be disposed within a housing to enable a user to return the pins to a fully extended position to customize the adjustable holder and organizer for different uses.
Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference is now made to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements.
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Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
Claims
1. An adjustable holder and organizer comprising:
- a frame having a plurality of pin openings;
- said plurality of pin openings being regularly spaced at selected intervals; and
- a plurality of pins movably disposed within said pin openings.
2. An adjustable holder and organizer according to claim 1 further comprising:
- a plurality of frictional engagement members disposed around at least a portion of said pin whereby said pins are held in a selected configuration.
3. An adjustable holder and organizer according to claim 2 whereby said frictional engagement member is an O-ring.
4. An adjustable holder and organizer according to claim 3 further comprising:
- an O-ring retainer panel having a plurality of pin openings aligned with and corresponding to said frame pin openings whereby said O-rings are held in place.
5. An adjustable holder and organizer according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of pull knobs disposed on a top of said pins.
6. An adjustable holder and organizer according to claim 1 further comprising:
- a plurality of pressure detents disposed within said openings; and
- at least one catch groove radially disposed on said pins whereby said pressure detent movably fits within said catch groove.
7. An adjustable holder and organizer according to claim 6 further comprising a plurality detent springs disposed within a plurality of detent openings disposed around said pin openings within said frame whereby said pressure detents are biased against said pins.
8. An adjustable holder and organizer according to claim 1 further comprising a housing to enclose a lower portion of said frame whereby said frame can lie flat against a surface.
9. An adjustable holder and organizer according to claim 8 further comprising a reset panel movably disposed within said housing and engaging a bottom portion of said pin whereby said pin may be moved together to a fully out position.
10. An adjustable holder and organizer according to claim 9 further comprising a handle outwardly extending from said reset panel.
11. An adjustable holder and organizer according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of end stops disposed on at least one end of said pins whereby said pins are prevented from passing through said pin openings.
12. An adjustable holder and organizer according to claim 1 whereby said frame is adapted to fit within a drawer.
13. An adjustable holder and organizer according to claim 1 whereby said frame is adapted to be mounted vertically.
14. An adjustable holder and organizer according to claim 9 whereby said reset panel is spring-loaded to bias said reset panel against a bottom of said pins.
15. An adjustable holder and organizer according to claim 14 further comprising a reset panel catch to hold said reset panel away from said bottom of said pins until a user chooses to reset.
16. An adjustable holder and organizer comprising:
- a frame having a plurality of pin openings spaced at selected intervals;
- a plurality of pins movably disposed within said pin openings; and
- a plurality of catching means disposed on said plurality of pin openings whereby said pins are held in a selected position.
17. An adjustable holder and organizer according to claim 16 whereby said catching means is an O-ring.
18. An adjustable holder and organizer according to claim 16 whereby said catching means is a pressure detent.
19. An adjustable holder and organizer according to claim 16 whereby said catching mean is a friction bushing.
20. An adjustable holder and organizer comprising:
- a frame having a plurality of pin openings spaced at selected intervals;
- a plurality of pins movably disposed within said pin openings; and
- a plurality of frictional engagement members disposed around at least a portion of said pins whereby said pins are held in a selected configuration.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 22, 2006
Publication Date: Jun 28, 2007
Inventor: Michael Hill (Cedar Falls, IA)
Application Number: 11/615,644
International Classification: A47F 7/00 (20060101);