Kitchen Utensil Organizer and Utensil Support Rack

Abstract

A kitchen utensil organizer is provided by a block member. The block member includes an elongate base, a rib, an array of intermittently spaced-apart male members and a complementary array of interlocking female members. The rib extends from the base and has an array of spaced apart slots each sized to receive individual utensils. The array of intermittently spaced-apart male members extends laterally from one side of the base. The complementary array of interlocking female members extends laterally from another side of the base, opposite the one side.

Description

RELATED PATENT DATA

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/124,776, which was filed Apr. 21, 2008, and which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention pertains to apparatus for storing utensils. More particularly, the present invention relates to organizers for kitchen utensils, such as knife organizers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exist numerous problems when storing kitchen utensils in drawers and along storage surfaces. It is well known to store knives in drawers, as this can save counter space and provide for more security. Likewise, it is common for people to have a variety of different knife styles, shapes, and sizes that make it undesirable or impractical to store them all on a countertop. For example, wooden knife blocks enable storage of knives on a countertop, but the blocks take up counter space. It is also known that there is a wide range of different drawer sizes.

There also exist a variety of bins, baskets, and trays that are used for storing knives within a drawer. However, these devices have a number of limitations. Typically, bins, trays, and baskets are limited to incremental sizes and a predefined capacity, which can limit the number of knives being retained. Additionally, these types of devices become inconvenient to use as more knives are stacked on top of each other, necessitating the process of removing the knives on top to access the knives on the bottom of the bin. Since these types of storage methods do not typically provide any positive orientation of the blades, there exists the possibility of the knives damaging each other, or leaving a cutting edge exposed to someone selecting a knife.

Furthermore, there also exist some types of incrementally sized knife racks, blocks, or magnetic devices that can hold a knife in a particular orientation. Frequently, these devices make poor use of space, are configured to a particular knife style, and are expensive.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a knife storage system that can be simply and easily configured for any drawer size and maintains the orientation of the knives being held in a readily accessible configuration. Preferably, the device provides a method for accurately aligning the features that make it configurable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A configurable knife organizer is provided that can be stacked in order to adapt to nearly any size drawer. The organizer can be used alone, or in groups. Organizers can be mounted together in adjacent and overlapping relation to achieve a desired overall length for the assembly, thereby achieving a desired overall length along a mounting surface.

According to one aspect, a kitchen utensil organizer is provided by a block member. The block member includes an elongate base, a rib, an array of intermittently spaced-apart male members and a complementary array of interlocking female members. The rib extends from the base and has an array of spaced apart slots each sized to receive individual utensils. The array of intermittently spaced-apart male members extends laterally from one side of the base. The complementary array of interlocking female members extends laterally from another side of the base, opposite the one side.

According to another aspect, a kitchen utensil organizer is provided having an elongate base and a projection. The elongate base includes opposed lateral edges. One edge has a plurality of mating surfaces. Another edge has a plurality of complementary mating surfaces arranged to mate in complementary engagement with a mating surface on one edge of an adjacent utensil organizer. The projection extends from the base and has a plurality of utensil receiving apertures spaced-apart along the projection.

According to yet another aspect, a utensil support rack is provided having a foundation base and a projection. The foundation base has parallel and opposed side edges. One edge has a plurality of equidistant and spaced-apart mating surfaces. Another edge has a plurality of complementary, equidistant and spaced-apart mating surfaces configured to mate with the mating surfaces on the one edge of an adjacent utensil support rack. The projection extends from the base and has a plurality of utensil receiving apertures spaced-apart along the projection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a kitchen utensil, or knife, organizer, according to one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of the kitchen utensil organizer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical side view of the kitchen utensil organizer of FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the kitchen utensil organizer of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the kitchen utensil organizer of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 is a vertical left end view of the kitchen utensil organizer of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 is a vertical right end view of the kitchen utensil organizer of FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 8 is perspective view from below of a pair of the kitchen utensil organizers of FIGS. 1-7 prior to joining them together via respective arrays of interlocking tongues and grooves, with the pair of organizers offset lengthwise.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view from below of the pair of kitchen utensil organizers of FIG. 8 joined together via the respective arrays of interlocking tongues and grooves.

FIG. 10 is a vertical side view of the pair of kitchen utensil organizers of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the pair of kitchen utensil organizers of FIGS. 8-10.

FIG. 12 is a vertical left end view of the pair of kitchen utensil organizers of FIGS. 8-11.

FIG. 13 is a vertical right end view of the pair of kitchen utensil organizers of FIGS. 8-12.

FIG. 14 is a vertical centerline sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 4 of the kitchen utensil organizer.

FIG. 15 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view taken from encircled region 16 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged partial bottom view taken from encircled region 17 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the pair of kitchen utensil organizers of FIGS. 8-13 provided atop a mounting surface and prior to receiving a kitchen knife for support there between.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the pair of kitchen utensil organizers of FIG. 18 after receiving a kitchen knife.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a pair of kitchen utensil organizers provided atop a mounting surface, but supported in spaced apart relation, and supporting a kitchen knife.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

Reference will now be made to a preferred embodiment of Applicants' invention for a kitchen utensil organizer in the form of a knife rack 10 that can be used individually, or can be used in groups in spaced apart relation to support utensils. While the invention is described by way of a preferred embodiment, it is understood that the description is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiment, but is intended to cover alternatives, equivalents, and modifications which may be broader than the embodiment, but which are included within the scope of the appended claims.

In an effort to prevent obscuring the invention at hand, only details germane to implementing the invention will be described in great detail, with presently understood peripheral details being incorporated by reference, as needed, as being presently understood in the art.

FIGS. 1-19 illustrate a kitchen utensil organizer, or knife rack 10 that is capable of being used individually or in groups. FIG. 20 illustrates an alternative construction for an organizer 110 that has additional surface mounting features. Groups can be formed by organizers being joined together into an assembly, or spaced apart from one another, or both. When used together in groups, organizer 10 of FIGS. 1-19 is configured to enable edge-wise connection between adjacent organizers in order to adjust and configure the overall length of a resulting assembly. Length of the resulting assembly can be adjusted to closely accommodate, or match available space on a desired mounting surface, such as inside a kitchen drawer. Adjacent organizers are capable of being locked or connected together along adjacent edges via an incremental array of mounting features. A user can select one of a plurality of unique and discrete overlapping positions between each pair of adjacent organizers so as to change the extent of overlap between the adjacent organizers, thereby changing the overall length of the assembled-together group of organizers. Two or more individual organizers can be joined together in series to span a desired mounting surface. In this manner, a group of organizers can be sequentially edge-assembled together to impart a desired length to the assembly that will span a desired dimension within a kitchen drawer, or across another desired mounting surface. The mounting surface can be horizontal, vertical, or anywhere in between. Hence, the assembly is rendered adjustable and configurable to accommodate most drawer sizes.

As shown in FIG. 1, kitchen utensil organizer 10 includes a base 12 and a projection, or rib 14 that is formed from a single piece of injection molded plastic material. An array 16 of individual apertures 18 is provided in equidistant spaced-apart relation along projection 14, each aperture 18 configured to support a kitchen utensil. In one case, aperture 18 is shaped as a tapering vertical slot, or notch 19 sized to receive a blade of a kitchen knife 58 (see FIGS. 18-19). Optionally, aperture 18 can take on other shapes that complement other types of kitchen utensils or tools, such as u-shaped, semi-cylindrical, or rectangular apertures. Further optionally, organizer 10 can be constructed by joining together multiple, separately formed pieces, such as a base and a rib formed separately from one another.

According to one construction where organizer 10 is made from a single piece of injection molded plastic material, base 12 is an elongate rectangle and projection 14 is an elongate rectangle integrally formed with base 12. A fillet 48 and 49 (see FIG. 6) is formed where base 12 and projection 14 join together. Optionally, base 12 and projection 14 can have other shapes. Further optionally, base 12 and projection 14 can be provided by a common shape, such as a semi-cylindrical or arched extrusion, with a bottom edge of the extrusion providing the base and slots in the arch or semi-cylinder providing the projection. In one case, a semi-cylindrical or arched extrusion can have an elongated taper, enabling lengthwise overlap to accommodate interested assembly.

Base 12 includes an array 20 (see FIG. 1) of tongues 24 and an array 22 (see FIG. 2) of grooves 26 on respective side surfaces 36 and 38. A mating surface 25 is provided on each tongue 24 and a complementary mating surface 27 is provided on each groove. As shown in FIG. 1, tongue 24 and groove 26 are configured as discrete curved, or serpentine shapes. However, it is understood that other mating shapes can be used to provide complementary mating surfaces, such as tenons and mortises, male and female mating members, or pairs of geometric surfaces (such as pairs of flat surfaces or concave/convex surfaces) that are secured together with fasteners.

In addition to parallel and opposed side surfaces 36 and 38, base 12 includes a pair of parallel end surfaces 40 and 42, a top surface 44 and a bottom surface 46 (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 2, bottom surface 46 includes a recessed surface 47 that is molded into organizer 10 as a relief surface. Optionally, the bottom surface can be flat.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, tongues 24 are spaced apart equidistant along organizer 10. Tongues 24 are aligned with a complementary array of grooves 26 also spaced apart equidistant along organizer 10. Furthermore, the provision of a partially formed groove 126 (see FIG. 5) also spaced apart a same distance enables assembly together of two adjacent organizers so that they are aligned lengthwise, or are offset lengthwise by a distance between adjacent tongues 24 and grooves 26, or a multiple of that distance. In this manner, multiple organizers 10 can be joined together much like links in a chain to closely approximate a desired overall distance being spanned be the multiple organizers 10 (see FIGS. 18-19).

Although spacing between slots 19 and tongues 24 are the same, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, this correlated spacing is not necessary. It is understood that organizer 10 can have any spacing and arrangement of slots 19 (or other apertures). Likewise, several different types of apertures can be provided in organizer 10. For example, uniquely shaped slots can be provided for forks, spoons, or other utensils, either uniquely on individual organizers, or together.

FIGS. 8-13 illustrate one exemplary assembly between a pair of adjacent and overlapping organizers 10. As shown in FIG. 8, a series of individual tongues 24 on a first organizer 10 are aligned to sliding into interlocking engagement with respective individual grooves 22 on an adjacent organizer 10. Adjacent organizer 10 is offset lengthwise relative to the first organizer 10, wherein some of the tongues 24 in array 20 interlock with respective grooves 26 in array 22, as shown in FIG. 9. FIGS. 10-11 illustrate how the pair of adjacent and overlapping organizers 10 span a desired length. By adjusting the extent of overlap, the spanned length can be adjusted to more closely accommodate a desired distance spanning a support surface, such as a distance provided between side walls of a kitchen drawer. Additionally, more than two organizers 10 can be assembled together in order to span even greater distances. Furthermore, two or more assemblies of organizers can be provided on a support surface in spaced apart and parallel relation, in a manner similar to that shown by the individual organizers depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 20.

The assembly features depicted by the organizers 10 in FIGS. 8-13 provide a knife organizing system that is adjustable and configurable for most drawer sizes. The system allows adjustment features that maintain a desirable bias for holding knives on a support surface, such as in a drawer, as shown in FIGS. 14-16. The knife holding elements provided by slots 19 (see FIG. 16) maintain the knives 58 in an organized and protective orientation, preventing the edges from contacting each other. The knife holding elements provided by slots 19 are conjoined to the horizontal base feature.

FIG. 17 illustrates in greater detail assembly features used to join together adjacent organizers 10, as depicted variously in FIGS. 1-19. More particularly, each tongue 24 has an enlarged portion, or head 50 and an ensmalled portion, or neck 52. Similarly, each groove has an enlarged portion, or cavity 54 sized complementary to receive portion 50 and an ensmalled portion, throat 56 sized complementary to receive portion 52. Head 50 is provided distally of neck 52. Likewise, throat 56 is provided distally of cavity 54. Groove 126 is positioned to accommodate a respective tongue 24 on an adjacent organizer during adjacent and overlapped assembly. Optionally, mating surfaces can be provided that do not interlock together and fasteners, such as rivets, screws, or clips, can be used to secure together adjacent organizers. For example, discrete planar surfaces can be provided that mate together in assembly, after which a metal or plastic rivet is secured through a hole in each surface to secure together the organizers.

FIG. 18 illustrates one exemplary assembly of a pair of organizers 10 interlocked in side-by-side and partially overlapped relation to support a plurality of kitchen knives, such as knife 58 (of FIG. 19). Accordingly, by selecting the extent of overlap, total length spanned by the assembly can be achieved in order to obtain a length that more closely spans a desired dimension within a drawer or on a support surface.

FIG. 20 illustrates another assembly of organizers 110 each affixed onto a desired mounting surface using fasteners such as thumb tacks, nails, or screws (not shown). More particularly, each organizer is essentially the same as organizer 10 (of FIGS. 1-19), with the addition of individual retaining fingers 28 and 30 integrally molded at opposite ends. Each retaining finger 28 and 30 includes a through-bore 32 and 34, respectively, sized to receive a fastener, such as a thumb tack. A thumb tack is inserted through each bore 32 and 34 and into a mounting surface, such as a plywood bottom of a kitchen drawer. In use, the retaining fingers can be cut off with scissors in order to provide clearance with a drawer side wall, if necessary.

Additionally or optionally, each organizer 10 (FIGS. 1-19) and 110 (FIG. 20) can include an adhesive layer provided along a bottom surface (such as surface 46 of FIG. 2). For example, a layer of adhesive or a two-sided adhesive tape can be affixed onto the bottom surface to facilitate mounting of each organizer onto a mounting surface. Optionally, organizers (alone or assembled together) can be merely supported atop a mounting surface without use of fasteners and/or adhesive.

The embodiments of FIGS. 1-19 and 20 provide a unitary structural body. The body includes a horizontal base, at least one generally vertical surface, and a plurality of notches provided in the generally vertical surface each configured to receive a respective knife blade. A plurality of male connecting features are provided opposite the female connecting features sized to receive the male connecting features. Each embodiment can include a provision for affixing the organizer onto a mounting surface, either using a fastener or adhesive for securing the block to the mounting surface. The block can be made of any rigid or semi-rigid material such as plastic, wood, metal, composite or elastomer.

FIGS. 2 and 18-19 show two basic building blocks on each organizer arranged such that the male and female features combine to interlock adjacent organizers together to prevent any relative horizontal movement between the organizers. Additionally, the aforementioned male and female features are spaced such that all instances of them can fit together, if desired, or such that only one or more features mesh together. In one case, the connecting features are arranged such that they ensure alignment between the knife notches at any biased, or overlapped position.

FIGS. 18-19 show one configuration as to how additional blocks, or organizers 10 can be added and linked together to maximize the storage potential of nearly any drawer size. FIG. 19 also shows how the notches hold a knife in a generally vertical position and maintain a consistent spacing of adjacent knives.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A kitchen utensil organizer, comprising:

a unitary structural body including, an elongate base; a rib extending from the base and having an array of spaced apart slots each sized to receive individual utensils; an array of intermittently spaced-apart male members extending laterally from one side of the base; and a complementary array of interlocking female members extending laterally from another side of the base, opposite the one side.

2. The kitchen utensil organizer of claim 1, wherein each male member comprises a tab and each female member comprises a complementary, interlocking cavity.

3. The kitchen utensil organizer of claim 1, wherein each male member comprises a head and each female member comprises a complementary receptacle configured to interlock with the head.

4. The kitchen utensil organizer of claim 1, further comprising a first retaining finger extending laterally from one end of the base and a second retaining finger extending laterally from another end of the base.

5. The kitchen utensil organizer of claim 4, wherein each retaining finger includes a bore sized to receive a retaining fastener for securing the base to a horizontal mounting surface.

6. The kitchen utensil organizer of claim 1, wherein each slot comprises a v-shaped slot having an open mouth along a top edge of the rib sized to receive a knife blade.

7. The kitchen utensil organizer of claim 1, wherein each female member is provided within a bottom surface of the base to enable assembly of one block member in interlocking engagement with an adjacent block member such that each female member on one block member is configured to be received in interlocking relation with a respective male member on another block member.

8. The kitchen utensil organizer of claim 7, wherein each male member has a head with an enlarged portion and each female member has a mouth with a complementary ensmalled portion.

9. The kitchen utensil organizer of claim 1, wherein the base is rectangular and the rib is rectangular.

10. A kitchen utensil organizer, comprising:

an elongate base including opposed lateral side surfaces, one side surface having a plurality of mating surfaces spaced apart equidistant there along, and another side surface having a plurality of complementary mating surfaces spaced apart equidistant there along and arranged to mate in complementary engagement with a mating surface on one side surface of an adjacent utensil organizer; and

a projection extending from the base and having a plurality of utensil receiving apertures spaced-apart along the projection.

11. The kitchen utensil organizer of claim 10, wherein the projection comprises a rib and the utensil receiving apertures are spaced-apart equidistant along the rib.

12. The kitchen utensil organizer of claim 10, wherein the mating surfaces on the one side surface comprise an array of intermittently spaced-apart tabs extending laterally from the one side surface.

13. The kitchen utensil organizer of claim 12, wherein the mating surfaces on the another side surface comprise an array of interlocking cavities formed within the another side surface.

14. The kitchen utensil organizer of claim 13, wherein the tongues and the grooves are respectively spaced-apart equidistant along the one side surface and the another side surface in complementary relation.

15. The kitchen utensil organizer of claim 10, further comprising a first retaining finger provided on a first longitudinal end of the base and a second retaining finger provided on a second longitudinal end of the base, each retaining finger having a hole for receiving a fastener to secure the base to a mounting surface.

16. A utensil support rack, comprising:

a base having parallel and opposed sides, one side having a plurality of equidistant and spaced-apart mating surfaces, and another side having a plurality of complementary, equidistant and spaced-apart mating surfaces configured to mate with the mating surfaces on the one side of an adjacent utensil support rack; and

a projection extending from the base and having a plurality of utensil receiving apertures spaced-apart along the projection.

17. The utensil support rack of claim 16, further comprising a mounting tab provided on each end of the foundation base each configured to receive a fastener to secure the support rack onto a support surface.

18. The utensil support rack of claim 16, wherein the mating surfaces of the one side each comprise a male member and the mating surfaces on the another side each comprise a female member sized to interlock with respective ones of the male members on an adjacent utensil support rack.

19. The utensil support rack of claim 16, wherein the foundation base and the extension are formed from a unitary piece of material.

20. The utensil support rack of claim 19, wherein the foundation base is a rectangular base and the extension is a rectangular wall extending perpendicular to the base.