CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.

61/992,428 "Chest Freezer Organizer" to Floral Ann Roulett, filed May 13, 2014, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a device and method for organizing and/or storing items, and more particularly to a device and method for organizing and/or storing items within a chest freezer.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0001] Chest freezers are often deep. As a result, accessing items located in the middle or bottom of a chest freezer may be challenging. Devices exist to aid in accessing these items.

[0002] Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an organizer for a chest freezer having an interior space sized to receive frozen items. The organizer includes a base, at least one storage member sized to receive frozen items, and at least one vertical member that forms a hinge between the base and the storage member. The hinge rotatably supports the storage member to allow the storage member to slide up relative to the base and rotate relative to the base. The movement of the storage member relative to the base allows the user to access frozen items positioned under the storage member. [0003] Also accordingly, in one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an organizer for a top-opening chest freezer having an interior space sized to receive frozen items. The organizer includes a base, a vertical member, and a storage member configured to store frozen items. The storage member is coupled to the vertical member such that the storage member can slide vertically relative to the base and rotate horizontally relative to the base.

[0004] The present disclosure also contemplates a method for operating an organizer for a top-opening chest freezer having an interior space sized to receive frozen items. The method includes, in no particular order, (1) providing a top-opening chest freezer and (2) providing an organizer including a base, a vertical member extending vertically from the base, and a storage member configured to store frozen items. The storage member is coupled to the vertical member. The method further includes (3) sliding the storage member vertically relative to the base and (4) rotating the storage member horizontally relative to the base.

[0005] Additional embodiments, as well as features and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure, will be apparent from the descriptions herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary organizer with one storage member showing a hinge positioned between the storage member and a base of the organizer;

[0007] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the exemplary organizer of FIG. 1 showing the hinge dissembled such that the storage member and the base are unconnected; [0008] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the exemplary organizer of FIG. 1 showing the storage member raised vertically and rotated horizontally relative to the base;

[0009] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary organizer positioned within a chest freezer, part of which is removed such that the organizer is visible within the chest freezer;

[00010] Figure 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the storage member supported on a side of the chest freezer;

[00011] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary organizer with one storage member, showing a hinge positioned between the storage member and a base of the organizer;

[00012] Figure 7 is an exploded view of the exemplary organizer of FIG. 6 showing the hinge dissembled such that the storage member and the base are unconnected;

[00013] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the exemplary organizer of FIG. 6 showing the storage member raised vertically and rotated horizontally relative to the base;

[00014] Figure 9 is an exploded view of an exemplary organizer with one storage member, showing a hinge positioned between the storage member and a base of the organizer dissembled such that the storage member and the base are unconnected;

[00015] Figure 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary organizer with one storage member, showing a hinge positioned between the storage member and a base of the organizer;

[00016] Figure 11 is an exploded view of the exemplary organizer of FIG. 10 showing the hinge dissembled such that the storage member and the base are unconnected; [00017] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the exemplary organizer of FIG. 10 showing the storage member raised vertically and rotated horizontally relative to the base;

[00018] Figure 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary organizer with two storage members, showing a hinge positioned between the storage members and a base of the organizer;

[00019] Figure 14 is a perspective view of the exemplary organizer of FIG. 13 showing the storage members raised vertically and rotated horizontally relative to the base;

[00020] Figure 15 is a perspective view of an exemplary organizer with four storage members, showing hinges positioned between the storage members and a base of the organizer;

[00021] Figure 16 is a another perspective view of the exemplary organizer of FIG. 15;

[00022] Figure 17 is a top view of the exemplary organizer of FIG. 15; and

[00023] Figure 18 is a perspective view of the exemplary organizer of FIG. 15 showing one storage member raised vertically and rotated horizontally relative to the base and another storage member rotated horizontally relative to the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00024] Chest freezers present an issue of how to access items stored underneath other items in the freezer. The present disclosure contemplates devices and methods for organizing items in chest freezers. The devices and methods disclosed provide greater and/or easier access to items stored in a chest freezer, including items stored on top of other items within the freezer and items stored under other items within the freezer,

[00025] Referring to FIG. 1 , an exemplary organizer 20 is provided. Organizer 20 incudes a base 10, a storage member 18, a vertical member 12, and a coupling member 14. Base 10 and storage member 18 are both polygon-shaped. Base 10 includes a floor 9. Storage member 18 includes a floor 21 (not shown) and walls 22, 23, 24, 25 to define an interior space 26 to store frozen items. As illustrated in FIG. 2, vertical member 12 extends vertically from a corner 28 of base 10 and is received in an aperture 16 formed in coupling member 14. Coupling member 14 is supported on a corner 27 of storage member 18. In other instances, vertical member 12 can extend from a part of base 10 that is not a corner, coupling member 14 can be supported on a part of storage member 18 that is not a corner, and base 10 and/or storage member 18 can be shaped as to not have corners.

[00026] Aperture 16 is sized to receive vertical member 12. In this embodiment, coupling member 14 is a hollow pole or tube and aperture 16 is a circular bore extending through coupling member 14. In other embodiments, coupling member 14 can be, for example, a clamp, pulley, ring, partial ring, key-stock, or non-rigid member (e.g., elastic member, string, or wire), etc. and aperture 16 can be, for example, a hole, opening, gap, slot, etc. Aperture 16 can extend completely through or only partially through coupling member 14. In this embodiment, vertical member 12 is a circular support pole. In other embodiments, vertical member 12 can be, for example, a pole of different shape, a wall, or a non-rigid member (e.g., string or wire). [00027] Together, vertical member 12, coupling member 14, and aperture 16 form a preferred embodiment hinge 11 between base 10 and storage member 18 that rotatably supports storage member 18 such that storage member 18 can slide up relative to base 10 and rotate relative to base 10. This allows increased access to frozen items, such as frozen food, that are positioned in storage member 18 or positioned above base 10 but under where storage member 18 is positioned in FIG. 1. Coupling member 14 couples storage member 18 to vertical member 12 such that storage member 18 can slide vertically relative to base 10 and rotate horizontally relative to base 10. Compared to the vertical height and horizontal orientation of storage member 18 relative to base 10 in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows storage member 18 both raised vertically and rotated horizontally relative to base 10.

[00028] When storage member 18 is at a lowest vertical position relative to base 10, a space is provided between storage member 18 and base 10 by coupling member 14. This space is provided by coupling member 14 extending below the bottom or floor 21 (not shown) of storage member 18 and is abutted from below, specifically by base 10, at a certain position such that coupling member 14 and thus storage member 18, on which coupling member 14 is supported, cannot slide further vertically downward, and at that certain position, a space exists between the bottom or floor 21 (not shown) of storage member 18 and base 10.

[00029] Referring to FIG. 4, chest freezer 2 is an exemplary top-opening chest freezer having body 4 and lid 6 that define an interior space 5 sized to receive frozen items 7, 8. Positioned within chest freezer 2 is organizer 20. A section of body 4 of chest freezer 2 is cut away such that organizer 20 is visible within chest freezer 2. Exemplary frozen item 8 is stored in organizer 20 within interior space 26 of storage member 18, and exemplary frozen item 7 is stored in organizer 20 on base 10 such that frozen item 7 is below storage member 18 when storage member 18 is at a lowest vertical position relative to base 10.

[00030] Though chest freezer 2 is shown with one particular set of dimensions for height, width, and depth, it is contemplated that embodiments of the present disclosure will fit inside chest freezers of all shapes and sizes. Embodiments of the disclosure can be made to fit and/or fill the interior space of chest freezers of different shapes and sizes by, for example, varying the size of an organizer's parts, varying the number of storage members supported by an organizer, and/or varying the number of organizers positioned within a particular chest freezer. For example, storage member 18 and, more generally, organizer 20 can be adjustable in size to allow for configuration for use in a wide variety of chest freezers.

[00031] Figure 4 shows storage member 18 at a lowest vertical position relative to base 10, and in this position, organizer 20 can fit entirely inside interior space 5 of chest freezer 2 when lid 6 is closed. Compared to the vertical height and horizontal orientation of storage member 18 relative to base 10 in FIG. 4, FIG. 5 shows storage member 18 both raised vertically and rotated horizontally relative to base 10. In FIG. 5, storage member 18 rests on top of upper ledge 3 of a side of body 4 of chest freezer 2 such that storage member 18 is maintained at a vertical height above base 10 and is maintained in a rotated position relative to base 10. In alternative embodiments or positions, storage member 18 can be maintained at a vertical height above base 10 and maintained in a rotated position relative to base 10 by resting on another organizer or other frozen items in chest freezer 2. Resting storage member 18 on upper ledge 3, another organizer, or other frozen items in chest freezer 4 such that storage member 18 is maintained at a vertical height above base 10 and is maintained in a rotated position relative to base 10 allows for increased access to frozen items stored in organizer 20, such as frozen item 8 positioned in storage member 18 and frozen item 7 positioned above base 10 but under where storage member 18 is positioned in FIG. 4.

[00032] Referring to FIG. 6, an exemplary organizer 50 is provided. Organizer 50 incudes base 30, storage member 18, vertical member 12, and coupling member 14. Base 30 and storage member 18 are both polygon-shaped. Organizer 50 is similar to organizer 20 except that base 30 includes a floor 29 and walls 40, 42, 44 to define an interior space

46 to store frozen items, whereas base 10 of organizer 20 includes floor 9 and no walls. As illustrated in FIG. 7, vertical member 12 preferably extends vertically from a corner

47 of base 30.

[00033] Together, vertical member 12 and coupling member 14 form hinge 11 between base 30 and storage member 18 to rotatably support storage member 18 such that storage member 18 can slide up relative to base 30 and rotate relative to base 30. This allows increased access to frozen items, such as frozen food, that are positioned in storage member 18 or positioned in interior space 46 defined by floor 29 and walls 40, 42, 44 of base 30. Coupling member 14 couples storage member 18 to vertical member 12 such that storage member 18 can slide vertically relative to base 30 and rotate horizontally relative to base 30. Compared to the vertical height and horizontal orientation of storage member 18 relative to base 30 in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 shows storage member 18 both raised vertically and rotated horizontally relative to base 30. In FIG. 8, storage member 18 rests on top of side 44 of base 30 such that storage member 18 is maintained at a vertical height above base 30 and is maintained in a rotated position relative to base 30. In other embodiments, storage member 18 could rest on top of side 40, side 42, side 44, or any combination thereof. This allows for increased access to frozen items, such as frozen food, that are positioned in storage member 18 or positioned in interior space 46 defined by floor 29 and walls 40, 42, 44 of base 30.

[00034] Referring to FIG. 9, an exemplary organizer 69 is provided. Organizer 69 incudes base 10, storage member 18, vertical member 62, and coupling member 64. Coupling member 64 is supported on storage member 18 and includes rings 65 that define apertures 66. As illustrated by the exploded view of organizer 20 in FIG. 9, vertical member 62 extends vertically from base 10, preferably from a corner of base 10, and is received in apertures 66. Coupling member 64 is preferably supported on corner 27 of storage member 18.

[00035] Apertures 66 include slots 67, and vertical member 62 includes key-stocks 63. Slots 67 are sized and shaped to receive key-stocks 63 when slots 67 are aligned with key-stocks 63. Slots 67 are aligned with key-stocks 63 when apertures 66 are aligned with vertical member 62 and storage member 18 is positioned directly above base 10. Apertures 66 are sized and shaped to receive vertical member 62 such that rings 65 can slide freely vertically along vertical member 62 when slots 67 are aligned with key-stocks 63. When slots 67 are not aligned with key-stocks 63, rings 65 cannot slide freely vertically along the entire length of vertical member 62.

[00036] Key-stocks 63 can be support members configured to maintain storage member 18 at a vertical height relative to base 10. Key-stocks 63 allow storage member 18 to be locked in place at a certain height above base 10 when storage member 18 is raised vertically relative to base 10 (for example, by aligning slots 67 with key-stocks 63 such that rings 65 can slide freely vertically along vertical member 62) and then rotated horizontally relative to base 10 such that slots 67 are not aligned with key-stocks 63 and thus at least one ring 65 can rest on top of at least one key-stock 63.

[00037] Together, vertical member 62, coupling member 64, and apertures 66 form hinge 61 between base 10 and storage member 18 to rotatably support storage member 18 such that storage member 18 can slide up relative to base 10, rotate relative to base 10, and be maintained at a certain height above base 10. This allows increased access to frozen items, such as frozen food, that are positioned in storage member 18 or positioned above base 10 but below storage member 18 when storage member 18 is in a lowest position relative to base 10. Coupling member 64 couples storage member 18 to vertical member 62 such that storage member 18 can slide vertically relative to base 10 and rotate horizontally relative to base 10.

[00038] When storage member 18 is at a lowest vertical position relative to base 10, a space is provided between storage member 18 and base 10 by coupling member 64. This space is provided because coupling member 64 extends below the bottom or floor 21 of storage member 18 and is abutted from below, specifically by base 10, at a certain position such that coupling member 64 and thus storage member 18, on which coupling member 64 is supported, cannot slide further vertically downward, and at that certain position, a space exists between the bottom or floor 21 of storage member 18 and base 10.

[00039] Referring to FIG. 10, another exemplary organizer 80 is provided. Organizer 80 incudes base 70, storage member 78, vertical member 72, and coupling member 74. As illustrated by the exploded view of organizer 80 in FIG. 11, vertical member 72 extends vertically from a corner 77 of base 70 and includes aperture 76, which is formed in vertical member 72. Coupling member 74 is supported on a corner 81 of storage member 78 and is received in aperture 76.

[00040] Aperture 76 is sized to receive coupling member 74. In this embodiment, vertical member 72 is a hollow pole or tube and aperture 76 is a circular bore extending through vertical member 72. In other embodiments, vertical member 72 can be, for example, a clamp, pulley, ring, partial ring, key-stock, non-rigid member (e.g., elastic member, string, or wire), etc. and aperture 76 can be, for example, a hole, opening, gap, slot, etc. Aperture 76 can extend completely through or only partially through vertical member 72. In this embodiment, coupling member 74 is a circular support pole. In other embodiments, coupling member 74 can be, for example, a pole of different shape, a wall, or a non-rigid member (e.g., string or wire). Holes 73 are formed in storage member 78. In other embodiments, more holes, less holes, or no holes can be formed in a storage member. Holes 73 can be used as handles for lifting or rotating storage member 78 relative to base 70. In other embodiments, other types of handles can be included in an organizer for lifting or rotating a storage member relative to a base.

[00041] Together, vertical member 72 and coupling member 74 form hinge 71 between base 70 and storage member 78 to rotatably support storage member 78 such that storage member 78 can slide up relative to base 70 and rotate relative to base 70. This allows increased access to frozen items, such as frozen food, that are positioned in storage member 78 or positioned above base 70 but under where storage member 78 is positioned in FIG. 10. Coupling member 74 couples storage member 78 to vertical member 72 such that storage member 78 can slide vertically relative to base 70 and rotate horizontally relative to base 70. Compared to the vertical height and horizontal orientation of storage member 78 relative to base 70 in FIG. 10, FIG. 12 shows storage member 78 both raised vertically and rotated horizontally relative to base 70.

[00042] When storage member 78 is at a lowest vertical position relative to base 70, a space is provided between storage member 78 and base 70 by spacers 84. More specifically, spacers 84 provide a space between floor 75 of base 70 and floor 79 (not shown) of storage member 78. This space is also provided by coupling member 74 because coupling member 74 extends below the bottom or floor 79 of storage member 78 and is abutted from below, specifically by base 70, at a certain position such that coupling member 74 and thus storage member 78, on which coupling member 74 is supported, cannot slide further vertically downward, and at that certain position, a space exists between the bottom or floor 79 of storage member 78 and base 70. Spacers 84 can also serve as a support members to maintain storage member 78 at a certain vertical height above base 70. For example, the height of spacers 84 can be adjustable (e.g., via telescoping) so as to allow the lowest vertical position of storage member 78 relative to base 70 to be adjustable.

[00043] Organizer 80 includes legs 82 coupled to and extending downward from base 70. Legs 82 can be adjustable so as to allow the overall height of organizer 80, and specifically the height of base 70 above the floor of a chest freezer, to be adjusted. For example, legs 82 can be telescoping. [00044] Referring to FIG. 13, another exemplary organizer 160 is provided. Organizer 160 includes base 150, storage members 158, 159, vertical member 152, and coupling member 154. Base 150 and storage members 158, 159 are both polygon-shaped.

[00045] Coupling member 154 includes a hollow pole or tube portion and secondary hinges 155, 157 supported on the hollow pole or tube portion. Coupling member 154 is supported on a corner of storage member 158 by secondary hinge 155 and is supported on a corner of storage member 159 by secondary hinge 157. Secondary hinges 155, 157 allow storage members 158, 159 to rotate horizontally relative to base 150. Secondary hinges 155, 157 can comprise, for example, flexible material or moving components.

[00046] As illustrated by FIG. 14, vertical member 152 extends vertically from base 150 and is received in aperture 156 formed in the hollow pole or tube portion of coupling member 154. Aperture 156 is sized to receive vertical member 152. In this embodiment, aperture 156 is a circular bore extending through the hollow pole or tube portion of coupling member 154 and vertical member 152 is a circular support pole.

[00047] Together, vertical member 152, coupling member 154, and aperture 156 form hinge 151 between base 150 and storage members 158, 159 to rotatably support storage members 158, 159 such that storage members 158, 159 can each slide up relative to base 150 and rotate relative to base 150. This allows increased access to frozen items, such as frozen food, that are positioned in storage members 158, 159 or positioned above base 150 but under where storage members 158, 159 are positioned in FIG. 13. Coupling member 154 couples storage members 158, 159 to vertical member 152 such that storage members 158, 159 can slide vertically relative to base 150 and rotate horizontally relative to base 150. Compared to the vertical height and horizontal orientation of storage members 158, 159 relative to base 10 in FIG. 13, FIG. 14 shows storage members 158, 159 both raised vertically and rotated horizontally relative to base 150.

[00048] FIGS. 15, 16, 17, 18 represent another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, organizer 130 can include multiple sets and combinations of storage members 122, 124, 126, 128 for usage in larger chest freezers. In conjunction with the increased capacity for storage members 122, 124, 126, 128 in this embodiment, there is a corresponding increase in the number of vertical members 102, 104, 106, 108 upon which storage members 122, 124, 126, 128 will be positioned. Vertical members 102, 104, 106, 108 extend upward from base 100 and are coupled to storage members 122, 124, 126, 128 so as to allow storage members 122, 124, 126, 128 to be raised vertically along vertical members 102, 104, 106, 108 in relation to base 100. This is demonstrated in FIG. 18, which shows third storage member 126 raised vertically on vertical member 106 relative to base 100 as compared to the vertical height of third storage member 126 relative to base 100 in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16. Additionally, the connection between storage members 122, 124, 126, 128 and vertical members 102, 104, 106, 108 will allow for storage members 122, 124, 126, 128 to be rotated horizontally in relation to base 100. This is demonstrated in FIG. 18, which shows second storage member 124 and third storage member 126 both rotated horizontally relative to base 100 as compared to the horizontal orientations of second storage member 124 and third storage member 126 relative to base 100 in FIG. 15, FIG. 16, and FIG. 17.

[00049] As shown in FIG. 17, storage members 128, 126 of organizer 130 each contain four walls 132 and a floor 134 that define an interior space 136 configured to store frozen items. As shown in FIG. 17, vertical members 106, 108 are positioned so as to attach to comer 107, 109 of storage members 126, 128. Storage members 126, 128 are shaped so as to allow for vertical members 102, 104, which are coupled to lower positioned storage members 122, 124, without impairing either the vertical movement or horizontal rotation of upper positioned storage members 126, 128 relative to base 100.

[00050] Additionally, this embodiment may also include vertical spacers 112, 114, 116, 118 as seen in FIG. 15, FIG. 16, and FIG. 18. Referring to FIGS. 15, 16, and 18, vertical spacers 112, 114, 116, 118 can be used to set a lowest position of storage members 122, 124, 126, 128. Vertical spacers 112, 114, 116, 118 can thereby provide a space between storage members 122, 124, 126, 128 and base 100 when storage members 122, 124, 126, 128 are in a lowest position relative to base 100. For example, spacers 112, 114 can provide that the bottom-most portions of storage members 122, 124 configured closest to base 100 do not rest on base 100 itself when storage members 122, 124 are in a lowest position relative to base 100. Also, for example, spacers 116, 118 can define a fixed or adjustable height relative to base 100 for storage members 126, 128 below which storage members 126, 128 cannot be vertically lowered relative to base 100. Storage members 126, 128 are configured to be positioned above storage members 122, 124 when storage members 122, 124, 126, 128 are each in a lowest position relative to base 100.

[00051] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, spacers 112, 114, 116, 118 can be coupled to vertical members 102, 104, 106, 108 but may also be completely independent of vertical members 102, 104, 106, 108 in other embodiments. Spacers 112, 114, 116, 118 can be supported on vertical members 102, 104, 106, 108, storage members 122, 124, 126, 128, base 100, or any combination thereof. Also, spacers 112, 114, 116, 118 can serve as support members to maintain storage members 122, 124, 126, 128 at certain vertical heights above base 100. For example, heights of spacers 112, 114, 116, 118 relative to base 100 can be adjustable (e.g., via telescoping) so as to allow a lowest vertical position of storage members 122, 124, 126, 128 relative to base 100 to be adjustable.

[00052] In additional embodiments, an organizer can be provided with any number or combination of storage members, vertical members, coupling members, or hinges. A storage member can be, for example, a shelf, basket, or container and may include holes. A storage member can comprise, for example, a metal and/or a plastic.

[00053] Also contemplated is a method for operating an organizer (e.g., organizer 20) for a top-opening chest freezer (e.g., chest freezer 2) that has an interior space (e.g., interior space #) sized to receive frozen items (e.g., frozen items 7, 8). This method includes, in no particular order, (1) providing a top-opening chest freezer 2, (2) providing an organizer 20 including a base 10, a vertical member 12 extending vertically from base 10, and a storage member 18 coupled to vertical member 12 and configured to store frozen items, (3) sliding storage member 18 vertically relative to base 10, and (4) rotating the storage member 18 horizontally relative to base 10. This method can also include a step of resting storage member 18 on a side 3 of top-opening chest freezer 2 after rotating storage member 18 horizontally relative to base 10. Alternatively, the method can include a step of resting storage member 18 on at least one frozen item positioned within top- opening chest freezer 2 after rotating storage member 18 horizontally relative to base 10. This method for operating organizer 20 can also include locking storage member 18 in place on vertical member 12. [00054] Though this method has been described in regards to organizer 20 and chest freezer 2, this method can also apply to other embodiments of this disclosure.