Organizational basket and covering

Abstract

A storage organizing system comprises a basket and a pair of slide rail assemblies. A wrap is engaged about some of the surfaces of the basket. The wrap includes a plurality of panels each of which are configured to substantially cover a side of the basket. One or more of the panels include fixation mechanisms, such as ties, clips, clasps, buttons, snaps, hooks, hook and loop material, etc, to affix the wrap to the basket.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to organizing a closet or other storage space with a unique sliding basket system. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a organizational system comprising sliding and/or fixed baskets of metal or other materials; as well as bags, sacks, and/or wraps for use on or with the baskets to provide at least a partial cover to one or more of the baskets. While the covers described herein may have a decorative function, they also act as a protective covering from scratches and other normal ‘wear and tear’ which an unprotected basket would otherwise be subjected to. In addition, by providing the coverings with different colors, indicia, etc. the baskets which upon which they are mounted can be provided with an easily ascertainable visual organization system.

2. Description of the Related Art

As indicated above, the present invention is directed to storage space organization such as organizing closets. There are presently many products and services offered which claim to provide a consumer with a closet that is both organized and esthetically pleasing. Such closet organizer systems often have very specific partition widths and must be erected with great precision to provide for proper functioning of the system. As a result, many organizers require installation by professional designers and/or installers at significant expense to the consumer. These closet systems are often made of wood and/or laminate modules which partition the closet into compartments, with the various compartments corresponding to different types of items to be stored. The use of baskets in such systems is known.

Many existing organizational systems, are constructed not only for their unique ability to provide improved organization to closets and other spaces, but to provide a very distinct look and style to a storage space. In some cases system components are constructed from decorative materials (chrome finishes, etc.) that may be damaged by aggressive use. Systems, particularly those having slidable baskets and/or other moveable storage units, may often be subjected to significant contact with objects which can scratch, dent or otherwise impact the look of the system components an/or their long term performance (e.g. scratches from hangers; mis-handling by users, particularly young children; impacts with other components of the organizational system (racks, shelves, doors, etc.) and/or objects contained therein; etc.)

Any art referred to and/or described herein is not intended to constitute an admission that any patent, publication or other information referred to herein is “prior art” with respect to this invention. In addition, this section should not be construed to mean that a search has been made or that no other pertinent information as defined in 37 C.F.R. § 1.56(a) exists.

All US patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As indicated above the present invention is directed to a system for organizing a storage space which includes at least one storage basket and a covering for use thereon. Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a covering device which provides a protective covering to sliding and/or other types of baskets commonly used in organizational systems which is functional as well as esthetically pleasing, and which may be installed without a great degree of precision required.

In at least one embodiment the invention is directed to a cover or wrap, which is constructed and arranged to be mounted about at least a portion of the exterior surface of a basket. The wrap may be configured for use with any type of basket and/or organizational system utilizing baskets and other mechanisms for organizing storage spaces such as closets, pantries, etc. An example however, of a basket system suitable for use with the wrap of the present invention is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,173, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments the wrap is a single piece or multiple pieces of material, which is affixed to the basket to cover all or only some of the surface(s) of the basket upon which it is mounted. The wrap may be comprised of multiple panels such that each panel is affixed or otherwise engaged to a corresponding side of the basket (e.g. bottom panel of wrap engaged to bottom of basket, front side panel of wrap engaged to front side of basket, etc.). In order to enhance the fit of the wrap about the sides of the basket, adjacent panels may define one or more gaps or spaces therebetween. Gaps allow the wraps to be readily folded over or around protruding members, corners and/or edges of the basket to allow the adjacent panels to be properly folded about the respective sides of the basket for proper coverage.

The wraps of the present invention may be constructed of any suitable material for covering a basket. Such materials may be flexible or rigid with flexible. In at some embodiments the material is one or more cloth or cloth-like materials such as, but not limited to natural or artificial cloths, such as cotton, wool, nylon, rayon, etc; sail cloth; leather (natural or artificial, i.e. LEATHERELLE™, available from Sidelines® Inc. of Scottsdale, Ariz.), cloth blends; etc.

In some embodiments the wrap is comprised of one or more flexible or rigid panels having one or more engagement mechanisms for securement to the basket. Some examples of suitable securement members include but are not limited to, ties, clasps, buttons, snaps, hooks, hook and loop material (VELCRO®), etc.

While the covers described herein may have a decorative function, they also act as a protective covering from scratches and other ‘wear and tear’ which an unprotected basket might otherwise be subjected to. In addition, by providing the coverings with different colors, indicia, etc. the baskets which upon which they are mounted can be provided with an easily ascertainable visual organization system.

These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for further understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present sliding basket system and wrap.

FIG. 2 is a top down view of an embodiment of the wrap shown prior to application on to the basket shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top down view of an embodiment of the wrap shown prior to application on to the basket shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the basket and wrap illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 shown during application of the wrap to the basket.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the basket and wrap illustrated in FIG. 4 illustrating the final securement of the wrap to the basket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention comprising an example sliding basket system 10 comprises a pair of slide rail assemblies 14, upon which a basket 12 is engaged.

The system 10 also includes a cover or wrap 100 which is disposed about one or more sides of the basket 12. In the embodiment shown, the wrap 100 is comprised of three panels: front panel 102, base panel 104 and rear panel 106, each of which are sized and arranged to substantially cover the region of the basket 12 about which they are respectively positioned. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 1 the front panel 102 substantially covers or overlaps the front 22 of the basket 12, the base panel 104 substantially covers the bottom or base 24 of the basket 12, and the rear panel 106 substantially covers the back side 26 of the basket in the manner shown.

The wrap 100 having the three panel configuration described above is further illustrated in FIG. 2. As is shown, each panel of the wrap 100 intersects at a fold or seam 120. The folds 120 correspond to the position of the edges 30 of the sides of the basket 12 as is best illustrated in FIG. 4.

Many baskets are constructed of welded or otherwise affixed metal members 33, wires or grids, such as for example the basket 12 shown in FIG. 1. Another example of such basket construction is described more fully in U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,173.

The wrap 100 is configured for disposition over the external surface(s) of the basket 12 and is further configured to engage at least one of the members 33 of the basket 12 with any of a variety of fixation members 130 such as ties, clips, clasps, buttons, snaps, hooks, hook and loop material (VELCRO®). For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 the front panel 102 of the wrap is engaged to a member 33 with buttons or snaps 132 positioned on the top edge 122 of the panel, which is wrapped around a member 33 and affixed in the manner shown. The wrap 100 is then wrapped around the base 24 of the basket 12, and the rear panel 106 pulled upward over the back side 26 of the basket 12, whereupon it is engaged to a member 33 in a similar manner to the front panel 102 previously described.

In a preferred embodiment, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 complementary strips or sections 134 and 136 of hook and loop material are positioned adjacent to the top edges of a given panel which is to be engaged to a member 33 in the manner described. In some embodiments, different securement mechanisms 130 can be utilized on different panels of the wrap 100. In some embodiments combinations of different securement mechanisms 130 may be utilized on the same panel.

In addition to being able to be configured to engage any of a variety of basket surfaces or members, the wrap 100 may be configured to be accepted upon any of the variety of sizes and shapes that baskets are known to be available in.

For example, as described above, the wrap 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 comprises three panels 102, 104 and 106. However, it is noted that basket 12 upon which the wrap 100 is shown engaged to in FIG. 1 includes at least one support member 32. The support member 32 protrudes externally relative to the surrounding members 33 of the basket 12. In order to accommodate this aspect of the basket both the front and rear panels 102 and 106 define a gap or space 140 in which the support member 32 can extend through. Spaces 140 allows the adjacent sections of the front panel 102a and 102b and rear panel 106a and 106b to be secured to the basket 12 without creases, warping, etc. By varying to sizes and shapes of the various panels and through the judicious use of spaces and/or folds, the wrap 100 may be configured to fit over virtually any basket.

Furthermore, while the wrap 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured to substantially cover the front 22, back 26, and bottom 24, of the basket 12 (the regions of the basket 12 which are frequently contacted), if desired the wrap 100 can be configured to include a right side panel 108 and left side panel 109, to substantially cover the right side 28 and left side 29 of the basket 12 respectively.

As mentioned above, the wrap 100 may be constructed of any of a variety of materials. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 for example, the wrap 100 is of a multi-layer construction having a leather or LEATHERELLE™ (artificial leather) exterior 150 (the surface furthest away from the basket 12) and a nylon interior 152 (the surface immediately adjacent to the basket 12). Wrap 100 may be constructed of a single piece of material or multiple pieces sewn or otherwise secured together. Some examples of suitable materials from which the wrap may be constructed include but are not limited to natural or artificial cloths, such as cotton, wool, silk, satin, nylon, rayon, polyester, etc; sail cloth; leather (natural or artificial, i.e. LEATHERELLE™, etc.), cloth blends; etc.

In some embodiments one or more panels of the wrap 100 may be constructed of comparatively rigid or inflexible materials such as a plastic, wood, etc. Such panels can be engaged to one another along folds 120 by any desired mechanism such as by hooks, thread, string, elastic material, etc.

In some embodiments of the invention, an example of which is shown in FIG. 5, the wrap 100 includes on the external surface 150 various colors or indicia 160 which corresponds to a known organizational scheme or simply identifies the intended contents of the basket such as in the manner shown. In addition, by providing an organizational system with wraps of which one or more includes unique indicia 160 the difficulty of visually identifying the contents of the basket(s), despite the presence of the wrap, is eliminated or reduced.

As indicated above, the wrap shown and described herein are suitable for use on any of a wide variety of basket configurations and systems. In at least one preferred embodiment however, basket 12 is of the type shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,173, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In addition to being directed to the embodiments described above and claimed below, the present invention is further directed to embodiments having different combinations of the features described above and claimed below. As such, the invention is also directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the dependent features claimed below.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. The various elements shown in the individual figures and described above may be combined or modified for combination as desired. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”. Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims.

This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.

Claims

1. A storage organizing system comprising:

at least one basket, the at least one basket being at least partially constructed of a plurality of interconnected spaced apart members, the at least one basket having a front side, a back side, a right side, a left side and a base; and

at least one wrap, the at least one wrap comprised of a plurality of panels, a first panel having a first fixation mechanism, and a second panel having a second fixation mechanism, the first fixation mechanism engaged to one of the members on the front side of the at least one basket, the second fixation mechanism engaged to one of the plurality of members of the back side of the at least one basket, the first panel substantially covering the front side of the basket, the second panel substantially covering the back side of the basket.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a first slide rail assembly and a second slide rail assembly, one of the plurality of members on the right side of the at least one basket being engaged to the first slide rail assembly, one of the plurality of members on the left side of the at least one basket being engaged to the second slide rail assembly.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one wrap comprises a base panel, the base panel extending between the first panel and the second panel, the base panel substantially covering the base of the at least one basket.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein at least one of the first panel and second panel define a space, the space extending from the base panel to an edge of the at least one first panel and second panel.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the at least one wrap further comprises a third panel and a forth panel, the third panel and the forth panel each being engaged to the base panel, the third panel having a third fixation mechanism and the fourth panel having a forth fixation mechanism, the third fixation mechanism engaged to one of the plurality of members on the right side of the at least one basket, the fourth fixation mechanism engaged to one of the plurality of members on the left side of the at least one basket.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the first fixation mechanism and the second fixation mechanism is selected from at least one member of the group consisting of: ties, clips, clasps, buttons, snaps, hooks, hook and loop material and any combination thereof.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one wrap is constructed at least partially from one or more cloth materials.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one wrap is at least partially constructed from at least one member of the group consisting of: cotton, wool, silk, satin, nylon, rayon, polyester, sail cloth, leather, artificial leather, and any combination thereof.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the at least one wrap has an internal surface and an external surface, the internal surface being immediately adjacent to the at least one basket, the internal surface comprised of nylon, the external surface comprised of artificial leather.

10. The system of claim 9 comprising a plurality of wraps, the external surface of each wrap having indicia, at least one wrap having indicia different from that of another of the plurality of wraps.

11. A covering wrap for a multi-sided wire basket comprising:

a first panel, a second panel and a base panel therebetween, the first panel having a first fixation mechanism, and the second panel having a second fixation mechanism, the first fixation mechanism constructed and arranged to engage a wire on a first side of the basket, the second fixation mechanism constructed and arranged to engage a wire on a second side of the basket, at least one of the first panel and second panel defining a space, the space extending from the base panel to an edge of the at least one first panel and second panel.