Flexible desk organizer

Abstract

A modular desk organizer which includes a flexible base including which includes a plurality of engagement segment, each including a first engagement mechanism, and a plurality of connecting segments. Each pair of adjacent ones of the plurality of engagement segments is separated by one of the plurality of connecting segments, and the connecting segments have a smaller material thickness than the engagement segments. The modular desk organizer further includes at least one compartment holder reversibly engaged with at least one of the plurality of engagement segments. The at least one compartment holder including a recess for receiving a storage compartment and a second, corresponding engagement mechanism in engagement with the first engagement mechanism of the at least one of the plurality of engagement segments.

Claims

1. A modular desk organizer, comprising: a flexible base including: a plurality of engagement segments, each including a first engagement mechanism and having a first material thickness; and a plurality of connecting segments, each having a second material thickness and a width, wherein each pair of adjacent ones of said plurality of engagement segments is separated by one of said plurality of connecting segments, and wherein said second material thickness is smaller than said first material thickness; and at least one compartment holder engaged with at least one of said plurality of engagement segments, said at least one compartment holder including a recess for receiving a storage compartment and a second, corresponding engagement mechanism in engagement with said first engagement mechanism of said at least one of said plurality of engagement segments.

2. The modular desk organizer of claim 1, further comprising at least one storage compartment disposed in said recess of said at least one compartment holder.

3. The modular desk organizer of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of engagement segments has embedded therein a first magnet as said first engagement mechanism, and said compartment holder has embedded therein a second magnet as said second corresponding engagement mechanism, such that said compartment holder is reversibly engaged to said at least one engagement segment by attraction of said first and second magnets.

4. The modular desk organizer of claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of engagement segments includes a resilient compartment adapted to snugly and reversibly receive said first magnet therein.

5. The modular desk organizer of claim 3, wherein said first magnet of one of said plurality of engagement segments has a different shape than that of said first magnet of a different one of said plurality of engagement segments.

6. The modular desk organizer of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of engagement segments includes a plurality of upwardly facing protrusions as said first engagement mechanism, and said compartment holder includes a plurality of corresponding downwardly facing protrusions as said second corresponding engagement mechanism, such that said compartment holder is reversibly engaged with said at least one engagement segment by reversible interleaving of said upwardly facing protrusions and said downwardly facing protrusions.

7. The modular desk organizer of claim 1, wherein said flexible base is resilient.

8. The modular desk organizer of claim 1, wherein said flexible base is formed of at least one of rubber, silicone, and flexible plastic.

9. The modular desk organizer of claim 1, wherein said flexible base further includes a gripping tab, engageable by a user to lift said base from a surface.

10. The modular desk organizer of claim 1, wherein flexibility of said base is a function of at least one of: a ratio between said first material thickness and said width; and a ratio between said second material thickness and said width.

11. A kit for forming a modular desk organizer, comprising: a flexible base including: a plurality of engagement segments, each including a first engagement mechanism and a first material thickness; and a plurality of connecting segments, each having a second material thickness and a width, wherein each pair of adjacent ones of said plurality of engagement segments is separated by one of said plurality of connecting segments, and wherein said second material thickness is smaller than said first material thickness, at least one compartment holder adapted to be engaged with at least one of said plurality of engagement segments, said at least one compartment holder including a recess for receiving [a] at least one storage compartment and a second, corresponding engagement mechanism adapted for engagement with said first engagement mechanism of said at least one of said plurality of engagement segments; and said at least one storage compartment, adapted to be received in said recess of said at least one compartment holder.

12. The kit of claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of engagement segments is adapted to have embedded therein a first magnet [as] at said first engagement mechanism, and said compartment holder has embedded therein a second magnet [as] of said second corresponding engagement mechanism, and wherein said kit further comprises said first and second magnets such that, when said first magnet is embedded within at least one of said plurality of engagement segments and said second magnet is embedded within said compartment holder, said compartment holder is adapted to be engaged with said at least one engagement segment by attraction of said first and second magnets.

13. The kit of claim 12, wherein said first magnet is embedded within at least one of said plurality of engagement segments, and said second magnet is embedded within said compartment holder.

14. The kit of claim 12, wherein each of said plurality of engagement segments includes a resilient compartment adapted to snugly and reversibly receive said first magnet therein.

15. The kit of claim 12, wherein said first magnet of one of said plurality of engagement segments has a different shape than that of the first magnet of a different one of said plurality of engagement segments.

16. The kit of claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of engagement segments includes a plurality of upwardly facing protrusions as said first engagement mechanism, and said compartment holder includes a plurality of corresponding downwardly facing protrusions as said second, corresponding engagement mechanism, such that said compartment holder is adapted to be engaged with said at least one engagement segment by reversible interleaving of said upwardly facing protrusions and said downwardly facing protrusions.

17. The kit of claim 11, wherein said flexible base is resilient.

18. The kit of claim 11, wherein said flexible base is formed of at least one of rubber, silicone, and flexible plastic.

19. The kit of claim 11, wherein said flexible base further includes a gripping tab, engageable by a user to lift said base from a surface.

20. The kit of claim 11, wherein flexibility of said base is a function of at least one of: a ratio between said first material thickness and said width; and a ratio between said second material thickness and said width.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIGS. 1A and 1B are, respectively, a perspective view illustration and a planar side view illustration of a flexible desk organizer according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology, in use on a multi-level desk.

(2) FIG. 2 is a front view perspective illustration of a flexible base of the flexible desk organizer of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a back-view perspective illustration of a flexible base of the flexible desk organizer of FIG. 1.

(4) FIGS. 4A and 1-B are, respectively, a top view planar illustration and a bottom view planar illustration of the base of FIGS. 2 and 3.

(5) FIGS. 5A and 5B are, respectively, a top view planar illustration and a bottom view planar illustration of a second embodiment of a base suitable for the flexible desk organizer of FIG. 1.

(6) FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D are sectional illustrations of various sections of the base of FIGS. 2 to 4B, taken along respective section lines in FIG. 4A.

(7) FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, are, respectively, planar top, bottom, and side view illustrations of a compartment holder forming part of the flexible desk organizer of FIG. 1.

(8) FIG. 8 is a top view planar illustration of the base of FIGS. 2 to 4B, having mounted thereon two compartment holders of FIGS. 7A to 7C.

(9) FIG. 9 is a sectional illustration of arrangement of FIG. 8, having disposed therein a storage compartment, the sectional illustration taken along respective section lines in FIG. 8.

(10) FIG. 10 is a sectional illustration of another embodiment of a flexible desk organizer according to the disclosed technology, the base and compartment holders having interlocking indentations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

(11) In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a flexible base includes embedded magnets. One or more compartment holders, each including at least one embedded magnet, are placed at desired locations on the flexible base such that the embedded magnets of the base attract the embedded magnet(s) of the compartment holder(s). A storage compartment, such as a cup or paper holder, is placed in each compartment holder, thereby to form a desk organizer according to the disclosed technology.

(12) According to an aspect of some embodiments of the disclosed technology, there is provided a modular desk organizer. The modular desk organizer includes a flexible base including which includes a plurality of engagement segment, each including a first engagement mechanism, and a plurality of connecting segments. Each pair of adjacent ones of the plurality of engagement segments is separated by one of the plurality of connecting segments, and the connecting segments have a smaller material thickness than the engagement segments. The modular desk organizer further includes at least one compartment holder reversibly engaged with at least one of the plurality of engagement segments. The at least one compartment holder including a recess for receiving a storage compartment and a second, corresponding engagement mechanism in engagement with the first engagement mechanism of the at least one of the plurality of engagement segments.

(13) Embodiments of the disclosed technology will become clearer in view of the following description of the drawings.

(14) Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A and 1B which are, respectively, a perspective view illustration and a planar side view illustration of a flexible desk organizer 10 according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology, in use on a desk 20 having an elevated portion 22.

(15) As seen, the flexible desk organizer 10 includes a flexible base 30, having mounted thereon a pair of compartment holders 40, each having disposed therein a storage compartment 50 for storage of desk items, such as pencils, paper clips, note papers, and the like.

(16) As seen, in FIG. 1A, the flexible desk organizer 10 is simply placed on desk 20, such that a portion of the flexible desk organizer 10 is stable on the elevated portion 22 of desk 20, and the remainder of flexible desk organizer 10 slopes towards the surface of desk 20, in an unstable manner.

(17) In FIG. 1B, the flexible desk organizer 10 has been arranged such that the flexible base 30 thereof is folded along a corner 24 of the elevated portion 22 of the desk, and along a corner 26 at which the elevated portion 22 engages the desk 20. In this arrangement, all portions of base 30 are either horizontal or vertical. More specifically, the regions of base 30 including compartment holders 40 and storage compartments 50 are arranged horizontally on the upper surfaces of elevated portion 22 and of desk 20, such that the storage compartments 50 are stable and accessible on desk 20. The folding, or flexing, of flexible base 30 at corners 24 and 26 is facilitated by connecting segments of the base having a reduced thickness, as explained in detail hereinbelow with respect to FIGS. 2 to 4B.

(18) Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a front view perspective illustration of flexible base 30 of flexible desk organizer 10 of FIG. 1, to FIG. 3, which is a back view perspective illustration of flexible base 30, to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which are, respectively, a top view planar illustration and a bottom view planar illustration of flexible base 30, to FIGS. 5A and 5B, which are, respectively, a top view planar illustration and a bottom view planar illustration of a second embodiment of flexible base 30, and to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, which are sectional illustrations of various sections of flexible base 30.

(19) As seen, base 30 includes a plurality of engagement segments 32, interconnected by connecting segments 34. In some embodiments, base 30 further includes a gripping tab 35 to lake it easier for the user to lift the base 30 after it has been placed on a desk.

(20) Although in the illustrated embodiment engagement segments 32 are shown as rectangular segments, the engagement segments may be of any suitable shape or dimensions. Base 30 is typically formed of a flexible, and in some embodiments also resilient, material, such as rubber, soft plastic, silicone, and the like. In some embodiments, the material of base 30 has a Shore A value in the range of 25 to 60.

(21) As seen clearly in FIGS. 6C to 6D, connecting segments 34 have a first material thickness t.sub.1, and engagement segments 32 have a second material thickness t.sub.2, greater than t.sub.1. The reduced material thickness at connecting segments 34, together with the flexible material from which flexible base 30 is formed, provide the flexibility of base 30 and facilitate matching of the base to contours of a desk or other object on which the base is placed, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

(22) Additionally, the connecting segments 34 have a width therebetween. FIG. 6C shows a first width w1 while FIG. 6D shows a second width w2, greater than width w1. The flexibility of the base 30 is dependent on the ratio between the thickness and the width of the connecting segments 34, namely the ratio t1/w1 or t1/w2. The lower the ratio, the greater the flexibility of the base, and its ability to adapt to different surfaces. In some embodiments, the ratio t1/w1 or t1/w2 is in the range of to 1/10, to 1/10, or to 1/10.

(23) Similarly, the ratio between the thickness t2 of the engagement segments 32 and the width of the connecting segments 34, namely the ratio t2/w1 or t2/w2 impacts the flexibility of the base, such that the lower the ratio the greater the flexibility of the base. In some embodiments, the ratio t2/w1 or t2/w2 is in the range of to 1/9, to 1/9, or to 1/9.

(24) A plurality of indentations 36 are formed on a lower surface 37 of base 30, beneath engagement segments 32, such that a magnet 38 is embedded in each such indentation 36. In some embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4B, multiple magnets 38 may be embedded beneath each engagement segment 32. In other embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIG. 5B, at least some of engagement segments 32 have a single magnet 38 embedded thereunder. As seen in FIG. 5B, different engagement segments 32 may have different shaped magnets embedded therein, which span different portions of the area of the engagement segment. Specifically, in FIG. 5B, some of the magnets are circular dot magnets, while others are rectangular magnets spanning most of the area of the engagement segment.

(25) In some embodiments, magnets 38 do not fill indentations 36, as seen in FIG. 6A. In such embodiments, an air gap may exist between magnets 38 and the desk, when lower surface 37 of the base is placed on the desk. Additionally, as seen in FIG. 6A, in some embodiments, magnets 38 may be pressured into their place such that a portion 39 of the base may extend over a portion of the magnets, thereby ensuring that the magnets 38 don't move or shift relative to lower surface 37. The ability pressure the magnets 38 into place, as shown, in FIG. 6A, is based on the resiliency of the indentations 36 and the flexibility of the material of base 30, such that the magnets are snugly retained upon insertion into the indentations, but can also be removed or replaced by suitable flexing of the base, when desired.

(26) In other embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIG. 6B, the magnets 38 fill the entire space of indentations 36, such that a surface of magnets 38 is flush with lower surface 37 of base 30.

(27) In yet other embodiments (not explicitly shown), the magnets 38 may be embedded in suitable compartments, or gaps, within the material thickness of engagement segments 32, In such embodiments, lower surface 37 of base 30, as well as upper surfaces of engagement segments 32, appear uniform and sealed.

(28) Although in the illustrated embodiment, flexible base 30 has an elongate, rectangular structure, it is appreciated that the base may have any suitable shape or configuration. For example, the base may be square, or may have multiple elongate portions extending from a hub, such as in an X or + shape.

(29) Reference is now made to FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, which are, respectively, planar top, bottom, and side view illustrations of a compartment holder 40 forming part of flexible desk organizer 10.

(30) As seen in FIGS. 7A to 7C, compartment holder 40 has an upper surface 42 including a recess 44 for receiving a storage compartment, as described hereinbelow. Compartment holder 40 further includes a lower surface 46, having embedded therein at least one magnet 48, adapted to cooperate with magnets 38 of flexible base 30, as explained in further detail hereinbelow. The magnet(s) 48 may be arranged at any suitable location(s) within lower surface 46 of compartment holder 40. Typically, the arrangement of magnets 48 corresponds to the arrangement of magnets 38 (FIG. 3).

(31) Although compartment holder 40 is shown as a square element in the illustrated embodiment, it is appreciated that the compartment holder may have any suitable outline and contour, based on the desired application and on the shape of the base.

(32) Additionally, the compartment holder 40 may be adapted to engage multiple engagement regions 32 of base 30, as shown in FIG. 8 described hereinbelow. Alternatively, the compartment holder 40 may be adapted to engage a single engagement region 32, or even a portion of an engagement region 32.

(33) In some embodiments (not explicitly illustrated) lower surface 46 of compartment holder 40 may include a downwardly protruding frame, adapted to be disposed around engagement segments 32 and to extend within connecting segments 34. In such embodiments, the frame may further ensure that the compartment holder remains fixed relative to base 30, during use thereof.

(34) Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is a top view planar illustration of flexible base 30 of FIGS. 2 to 4B, having mounted thereon two compartment holders 40 of FIGS. 7A to 7C, and to FIG. 9, which is a sectional illustration of arrangement of FIG. 8, having disposed therein a storage compartment 50, the sectional illustration taken along respective section lines in FIG. 8.

(35) As seen in FIG. 8, two compartment holders 40 are placed over flexible base 30. In the illustrated embodiment, each compartment holder 40 spans two engagement regions 32, and the compartment holders 40 are in parallel placement along the base 30. However, any other arrangement, as suitable for the purposes of the user, is considered within the scope of the invention. For example, the base may have only a single compartment holder disposed thereon, or more than two compartment holders. The compartment holders disposed on the base may be identical to one another, as in the illustrated embodiment, or may be different from one another, for example in shape, dimension, and/or purpose. For example, one of the two compartment holders may be a compartment holder similar to that shown and suitable to receive, as the storage compartment, a circular cup for pens, whereas another of the compartment holders may be rectangular, and may include a rectangular recess 44 suitable for receiving a rectangular container for holding note papers.

(36) Turning to FIG. 9, it is seen that storage container 50 is disposed within recess 44 of compartment holder 40, and extends outwardly therefrom. Additionally, compartment holders 40 are arranged such that magnets 48 thereof are aligned with, and are attracted to, magnets 38 of flexible base 30, such that compartment holder 40 is stable and in a fixed position relative to flexible base 30. However, given the reversible nature of magnetic attraction, the fact that compartment holders 40 are magnetically held to flexible base 30 provides the modularity of desk organizer 10, and enables the user to change the position(s) of compartment holder(s), whenever desired.

(37) Reference is now made to FIG. 10, which is a sectional illustration of a second embodiment of a flexible desk organizer 10a according to the disclosed technology, having a base 30a and a compartment holder 40a having interlocking indentations.

(38) As seen in FIG. 10, in another embodiment of the disclosed technology, connecting segments 32a of base 30a include multiple protrusions 60 extending outwardly from an upper surface 62, the protrusions 60 separated by gaps 64. The compartment holder 40a includes multiple downwardly extending protrusions 70 extending downwardly from lower surface 46a thereof, the protrusions 70 separated by gaps 74. A storage compartment 50 is disposed in recess 44 of compartment holder 40a.

(39) In use, compartment holder 40a is held to flexible base 30a by interleaving downwardly extending protrusions 70 in gaps 64 between protrusions 60 of base 30a, and protrusions 60 in gaps 74 between protrusions 70. In this arrangement, compartment holder 40a is stable, and fixed, relative to base 30a, and may easily be moved between different positions along the base, thus maintaining the modular nature of the desk organizer of the disclosed technology.

(40) In some embodiments, magnets may be provided to reinforce the stability of the arrangement of FIG. 10. For example, magnets may be embedded in gaps 64 and at the lower ends of protrusions 70, which magnets attract each other when the compartment holder 40a is attached to base 30a, substantially as described above.

(41) It will be appreciated by people of skill in the art that compartment holders may be reversibly attached to the base using many different mechanisms and arrangements, all of which are considered within the scope of the disclosed technology.

(42) While the disclosed technology has been taught with specific reference to the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosed technology. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Combinations of any of the methods and apparatuses described hereinabove are also contemplated and within the scope of the invention.