IP Library Granted Patent US 12,642,352
Granted Patent B2
US 12,642,352 · App. 18/939,740 · Granted Jun 2, 2026

Locking mechanism for organizer

Inventors: William Jack Merrill (Brooklyn, NY); Jeffrey Kalinoski (Brooklyn, NY); Ronald Ondrey (Bayonne, NJ)
Assignee: KAZ EUROPE SÀRL
A47B57/585A47B47/022A47B57/06A47B57/08A47B57/265A47B57/34
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,642,352
App. No.
18/939,740
Granted
Jun 2, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An organizer includes a support body and organizing member mounted to the support body. The organizing member is slidable relative to the support body. A locking mechanism locks a position of the organizing member relative to the base. The locking mechanism includes a first locking member and a second locking member. The first locking member is secured by the support body and is rotatable about an axis defined by the first locking member. The first locking member includes a first engaging feature. The second locking member is provided on the organizing member and includes a second engaging feature. The first locking member is rotatable about the axis between an unlocked position where the first and second engaging features are separated and a locked position where the first and second engaging features are engaged.

Claims (24)

1 . An organizer comprising:

a support body;

an organizing member mounted to the support body and slidable relative to the support body; and

a locking mechanism operable to lock a position of the organizing member relative to the support body, the locking mechanism including a first locking member secured by the support body and rotatable about an axis defined by the first locking member, the first locking member including a first engaging feature, and a second locking member provided on the organizing member and including a second engaging feature, wherein the first locking member is rotatable about the axis between an unlocked position where the first and second engaging features are separated from one another and a locked position where the first and second engaging features are directly engaged to one another,

wherein the support body includes a track, and the organizing member is slidable within the track when the first locking member is in the unlocked position.

2 . The organizer of claim 1 , wherein the organizing member includes a support wall having an end portion received in the track.

3 . The organizer of claim 1 , wherein the first locking member includes an elongated bar having first and second end portions rotatably connected to the support body, and the axis is defined by the elongated bar.

4 . The organizer of claim 3 , wherein the first engaging feature includes spaced apart first teeth provided on the bar and the second engaging feature includes spaced apart second teeth adapted to meshingly interlock with the first teeth.

5 . The organizer of claim 4 , wherein the organizing member includes a support wall having an end portion, and the second teeth are integrally formed in the end portion.

6 . The organizer of claim 4 , wherein the second teeth include lead-ins configured to direct the first teeth into engagement with the second teeth.

7 . The organizer of claim 6 , wherein the lead-ins of the second teeth are configured such that contact with the first teeth shifts the organizing member to align the first teeth and second teeth and allow the first teeth to interlock with the second teeth.

8 . The organizer of claim 6 , wherein leading edges of the first teeth are substantially triangular shaped in plan view.

9 . The organizer of claim 4 , wherein the first locking member includes a lock tab connected to the bar for rotating the first locking member between the unlocked position and locked position.

10 . The organizer of claim 9 , wherein the first teeth are further provided on an underside of the lock tab.

11 . The organizer of claim 1 , wherein the organizer is a cookware organizer and the organizing member is a divider.

12 . An organizer comprising:

a support body;

an organizing member mounted to the support body and slidable relative to the support body; and

a locking mechanism operable to lock a position of the organizing member relative to the support body, the locking mechanism including a first locking member secured by the support body and rotatable about an axis defined by the first locking member, the first locking member including a first engaging feature, and a second locking member provided on the organizing member and including a second engaging feature, wherein the first locking member is rotatable about the axis between an unlocked position where the first and second engaging features are separated from one another and a locked position where the first and second engaging features are directly engaged to one another,

wherein the first locking member includes an elongated bar having first and second end portions rotatably connected to the support body, and the axis is defined by the elongated bar,

wherein the first engaging feature includes spaced apart first teeth provided on the bar and the second engaging feature includes spaced apart second teeth adapted to meshingly interlock with the first teeth.

13 . The organizer of claim 12 , wherein the first locking member includes a lock tab connected to the bar for rotating the first locking member between the unlocked position and locked position.

14 . The organizer of claim 12 , wherein the support body includes a track, and the organizing member is slidable within the track when the first locking member is in the unlocked position.

15 . The organizer of claim 12 , wherein the organizer is a cookware organizer and the organizing member is a divider.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2025
From: HELEN OF TROY LIMITED
To: KAZ EUROPE SÀRL
Reel/Frame 070496/0834 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20260123746A1 · May 7, 2026
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