SCHOOL DESK ORGANIZER

Abstract

An organizer for use with a school desk includes a tray having a bottom and four integrally formed side walls, a removable divider wall extending between two of the side walls, the divider wall removably retained by connecting features on the intersecting side walls. The removable divider wall includes a plurality of first connectors spaced apart by predetermined distances along the divider wall adapted to removably retain a secondary divider, and at least one side wall opposite the divider has a plurality of second connectors spaced apart corresponding to the first connectors of the divider and adapted to removably retain the secondary divider. Each corresponding first connector and second connector are adapted to removably retain the secondary divider therebetween. The organizer may be used with a school desk having a cavity beneath a desktop, the cavity comprising a cavity height and cavity width and an access opening, and wherein the width of the organizer tray is between 85% and 100% of the cavity width, the height of the side walls less than the cavity height, and the organizer tray fitting substantially within the desk cavity.

Description

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/401,444, filed Aug. 13, 2010.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

School desks for children in primary schools, i.e. grade schools, often include a book box or a book storage compartment. The book and storage box of many conventional desks is positioned under the desktop, accessible from the front of the compartment, or by lifting the desktop for top access. These desk storage cavities are used for holding student books, notebooks and ordinary paraphernalia such as pencil box, pencils, pens, rulers, erasers, etc. In the past, it has been difficult to organize a desk book box, especially a front-opening compartment, because one has to reach into the compartment from the front, making it difficult to arrange the contents. The disorganized desks make it more time-consuming to switch from one lesson to another, easier to lose important items, and makes the desk a less desirable workspace for the student. There remains a need to organize a student's workspace without the high cost of additional furniture or replacing the old desks in the classroom.

What is disclosed is an organizer for use with a school desk, the organizer comprising:

• • a tray having a bottom and four integrally formed side walls extending upwardly from the bottom,
  • a removable divider wall extending between two of the side walls, the divider wall removably retained by connecting features on said two of the side walls, a secondary divider comprising a first engaging portion on a first end and a second engaging portion on a second end,
  • the removable divider wall comprising a plurality of first connectors spaced apart by predetermined distances along the divider wall, each first connector comprising a cavity portion having an upper opening adapted to receive the first engaging portion of the secondary divider and a retaining portion adapted to removably retain the secondary divider,
  • at least one side wall opposite the divider comprising a plurality of second connectors, the second connectors in the side wall spaced apart corresponding to the first connectors of the divider, each second connector comprising a cavity portion having an upper opening adapted to receive the second engaging portion of the secondary divider and a retaining portion adapted to removably retain the secondary divider,
  • each corresponding first connector and second connector adapted to removably retain the secondary divider therebetween.

The side wall opposite the divider comprising the second connectors may also include a groove corresponding to each second connector adapted to receive a portion of the second end of the secondary divider.

The cavity portion of the first connector and/or the second connector may include a slot. Alternatively or additionally, the cavity portion and retaining portion of the first connector and/or the second connector forms a T-slot.

The connecting features on the side walls intersecting the divider wall each may have a cavity portion having an upper opening adapted to receive a divider wall engaging portion and a retaining portion adapted to removably retain the removable divider wall.

The cavity portion of at least one of the connecting features may include a slot. Alternatively or additionally, the cavity portion and retaining portion of at least one of the connecting features forms a T-slot.

Each side wall may include a step. Additionally, each side wall may be sloped between one and 15 degrees In one alternative, one side wall or the tray is a front wall having at least one opening therethrough. Each organizer may be nestable with another organizer when the removable divider wall and the secondary divider are removed.

Optionally, the bottom of the tray includes a recess in the bottom, and the removable divider wall comprises a protrusion extending therefrom corresponding to the recess, the protrusion and the recess positioned such that the protrusion engages the recess when the removable divider wall is installed in the tray.

In one application, the organizer may be used with a school desk, the school desk comprising a cavity beneath a desktop, the cavity comprising a cavity height and cavity width and an access opening, and wherein the width of the organizer tray being between 85% and 100% of the cavity width, the height of the side walls being less than the cavity height, the organizer tray fitting substantially within the desk cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the school desk organizer of the present disclosure,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a removable divider wall removed from the organizer of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a secondary divider removed from the organizer of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the desk organizer of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the connection between the removable divider and a wall of the organizer,

FIG. 6 is a detail view of the connection between the secondary divider and the removable divider wall,

FIG. 7 is a detail view of the connection between the secondary divider wall and a wall of the organizer, and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a school desk for use with the present school desk organizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Disclosed herein is a school desk organizer intended for use by grade school children sitting at a school desk having an integrated storage compartment. The present school desk organizer for use with the integrated storage compartment of a school desk includes a box, i.e. a tray, with integral front, back and opposite sidewalls and one, two, three or four internal dividers. The unit is preferably made of injection molded plastic.

In accordance with our invention, we provide a school desk organizer which can be inserted into a conventional student desk and is capable of holding student books, notebooks and ordinary paraphernalia such as pencil box, pencils, pens, rulers, erasers, etc. Our school desk organizer comprises integral front, back and opposite side walls and a bottom extending between the front, back and side walls to define a generally rectangular tray with slightly sloped sides at the bottom coming to second layer at the top such as a lip or flange that allows the school desk organizer to nest one inside the other for shipping. Within the tray we utilize one, two, three or four dividers, which in one embodiment extends between the front and back walls parallel to and spaced from the sidewalls to define two or three compartments. The side dividers are adjustable to form various sizes of compartments in the tray. In one alternative, the dividers utilize T-slots in the dividers and in the tray as discussed below. The T-slots allow the dividers to fasten securely so form a fixed wall when the divider is installed, yet the divider is removable.

As discussed below, we incorporate two cutouts in the front wall where the user may grip the school desk organizer in order to pull it out of the school desk storage compartment. The entire box including the partitions is preferably integrally made of injection molded plastic so as to be both useful, durable and economical to manufacture.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a school desk organizer 10 includes a tray 12 having a bottom 20 and four integrally formed side walls extending upwardly from the bottom 20. The four side walls include a front wall 22, a rear wall 24, left side wall 26 and right side wall 28. A removable divider wall 30 extends between two of the side walls, such as between the front wall 22 and the rear wall 24 as shown in FIG. 1. The removable divider wall 30 is removably retained by connecting features 32 on the intersecting walls. A secondary divider 40 may be adjustably positioned between the removable divider wall 30 and a side wall opposite the removable divider 30. The secondary divider 40, shown in FIG. 3 removed from the organizer, has a first engaging portion 42 on a first end 44 and a second engaging portion 46 on a second end 48 for removably connecting one end of the secondary divider 40 to the removable divider wall 30 and the other end of the secondary divider to the desired side wall opposite the removable divider 30.

The removable divider wall 30 includes a plurality of first connectors 50 spaced apart by predetermined distances along the divider wall 30 such as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in the detail of FIG. 6, each first connector 50 comprises a cavity portion 52 having an upper opening 54 adapted to receive the first engaging portion 42 of the secondary divider and a retaining portion 56 adapted to removably retain the first engaging portion 42 on the secondary divider 40. The retaining portion 56 may at least partially interlock with the first engaging portion 42 to hold the first end 44 of the secondary divider 40 in place.

The cavity portion 52 of the first connector 50 may include a slot 58. In one alternative, the slot 58 is a T-slot formed by the cavity portion 52 and the retaining portion 56.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, at least one side wall opposite the divider comprises a plurality of second connectors 60. The second connectors 60 in the side wall are spaced apart corresponding to the first connectors 50 of the removable divider 30. Each second connector 60 comprises a cavity portion 62 having an upper opening 64 adapted to receive the second engaging portion 46 of the secondary divider 40 and a retaining portion 66 adapted to removably retain the second engaging portion 46 of the secondary divider 40. The retaining portion 66 may at least partially interlock with the second engaging portion 46 to hold the second end 48 of the secondary divider 40 in place.

The cavity portion 62 of the second connector 60 may include a slot 68. In one alternative, the slot 68 is a T-slot formed by the cavity portion 62 and the retaining portion 66. The secondary divider 40 is removably retained between a corresponding first connector and second connector as selected by the user of the organizer.

The shape of the tray 12 is such that the tray 12 is nestable with a second organizer tray when the removable divider wall 30 and the secondary divider 40 are removed. In this way, the trays 12 may be nested together in stacks for shipping and distribution of the organizers, and for storage of the trays 12 in a classroom or storage area. Each side wall 22, 24, 26, 28, may comprise a step 70. The step 70 may be such that a lower portion of the side walls is inset a desired amount toward the interior of the tray as shown in FIG. 1. The step 70 is positioned such that when nested, at least a portion of the step 70 on at least one side wall of one tray rests on a corresponding upper portion of side walls of a second tray beneath it. The upper portion of the side walls 22, 24, 26, 28 may have a lip or flange.

One or more of the side walls 22, 24, 26, 28 may be outwardly sloped between 1 and 15 degrees. In one embodiment, the side walls 22, 24, 26, 28 are sloped at an outward angle between about 5 and 10 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 7, at least one of the side walls opposite the divider may include a groove 72 corresponding to each second connector 60 adapted to receive a portion of the second end 48 of the secondary divider. The groove 72 may be positioned between the bottom 20 and the second connector 60 such that the second end 48 of the secondary divider 40 will engage the groove 72 to inhibit movement of the end 48. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the groove 72 is formed in the step 70 and aligned with the second connector 60.

As discussed above, the removable divider wall 30 is removably retained by connecting features 32 on the intersecting walls. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the removable divider wall 30 is positioned between the front wall 22 and the rear wall 24 retained using the divider wall connecting features 32. The connecting features 32 on the intersecting two side walls each may have the same geometry as the second connectors 60 on the side wall, as shown in FIG. 5. The connecting features 32 may include the cavity portion 62 having the upper opening 64 adapted to receive a divider wall engaging portion 74, and the retaining portion 66 adapted to removably retain the removable divider wall 30. The cavity portion 62 of the divider wall connecting features 32 may include the slot 68. As discussed above with reference to the second connector 60, the slot 68 in the connecting features 32 may be a T-slot formed by the cavity portion 62 and the retaining portion 66. The retaining portion 66 may at least partially interlock with the divider wall engaging portion 74 to hold the divider wall 30 in place.

The front wall 22 of the tray 12 may include at least one opening 80 therethrough. The opening 80 may be a recess in an upper portion of the front wall 22 as shown in FIG. 1. The opening 80 may be sized and positioned for viewing at least a portion of the contents of the organizer from the front. Alternatively or additionally, the opening 80 may sized and positioned such that a user can grasp the front wall 22 at the opening 80 to use as a pulling handle. In yet another alternative, the opening 80 may be sized such that a user can reach through the opening to remove items from the organizer.

In one alternative, the bottom 20 includes at least one recess 82 in the bottom 20, and the removable divider wall 30 has at least one protrusion 84 extending therefrom positioned corresponding to the recess 82. The protrusion 84 and the recess 82 are positioned such that the protrusion 84 engages the recess 82 when the removable divider wall 30 is installed in the tray.

In one application, the school desk organizer 10 is sized to fit within a book box 88 of a primary school desk 90, such as shown in FIG. 8. The school desk 90 includes a desktop 92, and a plurality of supporting legs 94.

The book box 88 includes an access opening 96 through which items may be placed in the storage cavity of the book box 88. The book box 88 may be a front-opening compartment as shown in FIG. 8 having a storage cavity therein. Alternatively, the school desk 90 may be a lift-lid style desk wherein the desktop 92 pivots upwardly for accessing the book box 88. It is contemplated that the school desk organizer 10 may be adapted to fit within book boxes of other school desk configurations.

In any event, the school desk organizer 10 is sized for the tray 12 to fit substantially within the book box cavity, i.e. the desk cavity. The width of the tray 12 may be between 85% and 100% of the width of the desk cavity, and the height of the side walls of the tray 12 being less than the height of the desk cavity such that the desk organizer 10 fits within the book box 88.

In a desk with a front-opening book box 88, the school desk organizer 10 is sized to slide into and out of the access opening 96 in the front of the desk. A user may use the present organizer as a drawer by sliding the organizer partially from the cavity, and sliding it back in return. Alternatively, when the desk is a lift-top desk, the school desk organizer 10 is sized to fit within the book box such that the desktop closes without interference with the school desk organizer 10.

The school desk organizer 10 may be made by injection molding, and made of a thermoplastic selected from various available grades of polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS, polycarbonate, high impact polystyrene, polyester, or other suitable thermoplastic as desired. In one alternative, the school desk organizer 10 is molded using ABS. In another alternative, the tray may be molded using one material, such as high density polyethylene, and the dividers molded out of another material such as ABS. The material may be selected considering material properties including durability strength, stiffness, impact resistance and other desired properties.

This invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments and is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments provided herein but only as set forth in the accompanying claims. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as additional embodiments to the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description.

Claims

1. An organizer for use with a school desk, the organizer comprising:

a tray having a bottom and four integrally formed side walls extending upwardly from the bottom,

a removable divider wall extending between two of the side walls, the divider wall removably retained by connecting features on said two of the side walls,

a secondary divider comprising a first engaging portion on a first end and a second engaging portion on a second end,

the removable divider wall comprising a plurality of first connectors spaced apart by predetermined distances along the divider wall, each first connector comprising a cavity portion having an upper opening adapted to receive the first engaging portion of the secondary divider and a retaining portion adapted to removably retain the secondary divider,

at least one side wall opposite the divider comprising a plurality of second connectors, the second connectors in the side wall spaced apart corresponding to the first connectors of the divider, each second connector comprising a cavity portion having an upper opening adapted to receive the second engaging portion of the secondary divider and a retaining portion adapted to removably retain the secondary divider,

each corresponding first connector and second connector adapted to removably retain the secondary divider therebetween.

2. The organizer according to claim 1, where the at least one side wall opposite the divider further comprises a groove corresponding to each second connector adapted to receive a portion of the second end of the secondary divider.

3. The organizer according to claim 1, where the cavity portion of the first connector and/or the second connector comprises a slot.

4. The organizer according to claim 1, where the cavity portion and retaining portion of the first connector and/or the second connector forms a T-slot.

5. The organizer according to claim 1, the connecting features on said two of the side walls each comprising a cavity portion having an upper opening adapted to receive a divider wall engaging portion and a retaining portion adapted to removably retain the removable divider wall.

6. The organizer according to claim 5, where the cavity portion of at least one of the connecting features comprises a slot.

7. The organizer according to claim 5, where the cavity portion and retaining portion of at least one of the connecting features forms a T-slot.

8. The organizer according to claim 1, where each side wall comprises a step.

9. The organizer according to claim 1, where one side wall is a front wall comprising at least one opening therethrough.

10. The organizer according to claim 1, where each side wall is sloped between one and 15 degrees.

11. The organizer according to claim 1, where the bottom comprises a recess in the bottom, and the removable divider wall comprises a protrusion extending therefrom corresponding to the recess, the protrusion and the recess positioned such that the protrusion engages the recess when the removable divider wall is installed in the tray.

12. The organizer according to claim 1, where the organizer is nestable with a second organizer when the removable divider wall and the secondary divider are removed.

13. A school desk and organizer comprising:

a school desk comprising a cavity beneath a desktop, the cavity comprising a cavity height and cavity width and an access opening,

an organizer comprising: a tray having a bottom and four integrally formed side walls extending upwardly from the bottom, the width of the tray being between 85% and 100% of the cavity width, the height of the side walls being less than the cavity height, the tray fitting substantially within the desk cavity,

the organizer further comprising:

a removable divider wall extending between two of the side walls, the divider wall removably retained by connecting features on said two of the side walls,

a secondary divider comprising a first engaging portion on a first end and a second engaging portion on a second end,

the removable divider wall comprising a plurality of first connectors spaced apart by predetermined distances along the divider wall, each first connector comprising a cavity portion having an upper opening adapted to receive the first engaging portion of the secondary divider and a retaining portion adapted to removably retain the secondary divider,

at least one side wall opposite the divider comprising a plurality of second connectors, the second connectors in the side wall spaced apart corresponding to the first connectors of the divider, each second connector comprising a cavity portion having an upper opening adapted to receive the second engaging portion of the secondary divider and a retaining portion adapted to removably retain the secondary divider,

each corresponding first connector and second connector adapted to removably retain the secondary divider therebetween.

14. The school desk and organizer according to claim 13, where the at least one side wall opposite the divider further comprises a groove corresponding to each second connector adapted to receive a portion of the second end of the secondary divider.

15. The school desk and organizer according to claim 13, where the tray is slidable in and out of the access opening.

16. The school desk and organizer according to claim 13, where the cavity portion of the first connector and/or the second connector comprises a slot.

17. The school desk and organizer according to claim 13, where the cavity portion and retaining portion of the first connector and/or the second connector forms a T-slot.

18. The school desk and organizer according to claim 13, the connecting features on said two of the side walls each comprising a cavity portion having an upper opening adapted to receive a divider wall engaging portion and a retaining portion adapted to removably retain the removable divider wall.

19. The school desk and organizer according to claim 13, where the bottom comprises a recess in the bottom, and the removable divider wall comprises a protrusion extending therefrom corresponding to the recess, the protrusion and the recess positioned such that the protrusion engages the recess when the removable divider wall is installed in the tray.

20. The school desk and organizer according to claim 13, where the organizer is nestable with a second organizer when removed from the desk and the removable divider wall and the secondary divider are removed.