U.S. patent application number 11/924847 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for pegboard wall-plug storage system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SS3 STORAGE SYSTEMS, L.L.C.. Invention is credited to James Eldon, Alan Winig, Richard Winig.
Application Number | 20080042026 11/924847 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38516794 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080042026 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Winig; Alan ; et
al. |
February 21, 2008 |
PEGBOARD WALL-PLUG STORAGE SYSTEM
Abstract
A system and apparatus for storing an item is provided that
includes a pegboard wall-plug having a plate including a central
opening. A tube projects outwardly from a rear surface of the plate
in surrounding relation to the central opening. A plurality of
circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges project
outwardly from a surface of the cylindrical tube. A hole is defined
by a surface of a wall where the surface defines a diameter of the
hole that is less than a diameter of at least one of the
circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges. In this
way, when the tube is received within the hole, the
circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges engage and
bite into the surface so as to retain the pegboard wall-plug in the
wall.
Inventors: |
Winig; Alan; (Wynnewood,
PA) ; Winig; Richard; (Villanova, PA) ; Eldon;
James; (Barto, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DUANE MORRIS LLP;IP DEPARTMENT
30 SOUTH 17TH STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103-4196
US
|
Assignee: |
SS3 STORAGE SYSTEMS, L.L.C.
PMB 984, 2711 Centerville Road Suite 300
Wilmington
DE
19808
|
Family ID: |
38516794 |
Appl. No.: |
11/924847 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11376451 |
Mar 14, 2006 |
|
|
|
11924847 |
Oct 26, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/220.22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 403/60 20150115;
A47F 5/083 20130101; A47B 96/068 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/220.22 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/06 20060101
A47B096/06 |
Claims
1. A pegboard wall-plug comprising: a plate including a central
opening; and a tube projecting outwardly from a rear surface of
said plate in surrounding relation to said central opening, and
including a plurality of circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart
parallel ridges projecting outwardly from a surface of said
cylindrical tube.
2. A pegboard wall-plug according to claim 1 wherein said plurality
of circumferential ridges have a triangular cross-sectional profile
including an inclined outer surface and a flat shoulder surface so
as to form a plurality of parallel serrations on an outer surface
of said tube.
3. A pegboard wall-plug according to claim 2 wherein said plurality
of circumferential ridges each have an edge that is defined by the
intersection of said inclined outer surface and said flat shoulder
surface.
4. A pegboard wall-plug according to claim 1 wherein said tube
includes a pair of pilot fins arranged one hundred and eighty
degrees apart on an outer surface so as to be in confronting,
coaxial relation to one another.
5. A pegboard wall-plug according to claim 4 wherein each of said
pilot fins includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged,
spaced-apart, parallel ridges.
6. A pegboard wall-plug according to claim 1 wherein said plurality
of circumferential ridges have a triangular cross-sectional profile
including an inclined outer surface and a flat shoulder surface so
as to form a plurality of parallel serrations on an outer surface
of said tube, and further wherein said tube includes a pair of
pilot fins arranged one hundred and eighty degrees apart on an
outer surface so as to be in confronting, coaxial relation to one
another with each of said pilot fins including a plurality of
circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart, parallel ridges that are
coextensive with said ridges on each of said pilot fins.
7. A system for accepting item holders adapted for supporting an
item being stored comprising: a pegboard wall-plug having a plate
including a central opening, and a tube projecting outwardly from a
rear surface of said plate in surrounding relation to said central
opening, and including a plurality of circumferentially arranged,
spaced-apart parallel ridges projecting outwardly from a surface of
said cylindrical tube; and a hole defined by a surface of a wall
said surface defining a diameter of said hole that is less than a
diameter of at least one of said circumferentially arranged,
spaced-apart parallel ridges so that when said tube is received
within said hole, said circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart
parallel ridges engage and bite into said surface so as to retain
said pegboard wall-plug in said wall.
8. A system according to claim 7 wherein said plurality of
circumferential ridges have a triangular cross-sectional profile
including an inclined outer surface and a flat shoulder surface so
as to form a plurality of parallel serrations on an outer surface
of said tube.
9. A system according to claim 7 wherein said plurality of
circumferential ridges each have an edge that is defined by the
intersection of said inclined outer surface and said flat shoulder
surface.
10. A system according to claim 7 wherein said tube includes a pair
of pilot fins arranged one hundred and eighty degrees apart on an
outer surface so as to be in confronting, coaxial relation to one
another.
11. A system according to claim 7 wherein each of said pilot fins
includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart,
parallel ridges.
12. A system according to claim 7 wherein said plurality of
circumferential ridges have a triangular cross-sectional profile
including an inclined outer surface and a flat shoulder surface so
as to form a plurality of parallel serrations on an outer surface
of said tube, and further wherein said tube includes a pair of
pilot fins arranged one hundred and eighty degrees apart on an
outer surface so as to be in confronting, coaxial relation to one
another with each of said pilot fins including a plurality of
circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart, parallel ridges that are
coextensive with said ridges on each of said pilot fins.
13. A system according to claim 10 wherein said surface in said
wall also defines a pair of pilot slots arranged one hundred and
eighty degrees apart so as to be in confronting, aligned relation
to one another so that each of said pair of pilot slots is arranged
in complementary alignment with a respective one of said pair of
pilot fins.
14.-27. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to storage and
organizational systems, and more particularly to structures used to
mount storage and organizational systems onto vertical
surfaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Storage and organizational systems of the type in which a
composition board with a plurality of holes is mounted vertically
on a surface are well known in the art. These systems, known as
pegboards, are often adapted to receive support devices, e.g., hook
and peg members, which extend into the holes so that articles may
be supported from the forwardly projecting portions of the support
device.
[0003] Mounting a pegboard in a home typically requires securing
the pegboard on a wall of the house. Typical walls in a home are
often constructed of either plaster or gypsum board supported upon
wall studs. The pegboard is mounted on the outer surface of the
wall, or on to a framework secured to the wall, by placing
fasteners, e.g. screws, through several holes disbursed throughout
the pegboard, and then driving each fastener into the frame, or
through the frame and into a stud. Frames are often necessary to
provide sufficient space between the back surface of the pegboard
and the wall of the home so as to accommodate engagement portions
of the support devices, e.g., hook and peg members, which extend
into the holes so that articles may be supported from forwardly
projecting portions of the support device.
[0004] This arrangement is often aesthetically undesirable, as it
requires large surfaces of the supporting wall to be covered by the
pegboard. The size of the pegboard, to some extent, also limits the
locations that a storage system may be placed. In pegboard systems
such as are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,788, a perforated
panel is provided in the form of a planer sheet of material,
preferably formed of a metal or polymer, and having a plurality of
regularly shaped perforations, disposed in a regular pattern
throughout the panel. The perforations are each preferably formed
so as to be defined by a circumferential edge, often forming a
rectangular or square opening in the panel. The perforated panel is
typically about one quarter to one half of an inch thick, with the
perforations being arranged in a regular pattern through panel.
These panels are often provided in three-by-three or four-by-four
foot sheets.
[0005] There is a need for a pegboard-type mounting system that is
compact and able to be arranged in a variety of locations on a wall
of a structure without covering excessive portions of the wall's
surface or requiring holes to be formed entirely through the wall
of the structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a pegboard wall-plug
including a plate having a central opening and a tube projecting
outwardly from a rear surface of the plate in surrounding relation
to the central opening. A plurality of circumferentially arranged,
spaced-apart parallel ridges project outwardly from a surface of
the cylindrical tube.
[0007] In one embodiment of the invention, a system for storing an
item is provided that includes a pegboard wall-plug having a plate
including a central opening. A tube projects outwardly from a rear
surface of the plate in surrounding relation to the central
opening. A plurality of circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart
parallel ridges project outwardly from a surface of the cylindrical
tube. A hole is defined by a surface of a wall where the surface
defines a diameter of the hole that is less than a diameter of at
least one of the circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel
ridges. In this way, when the tube is received within the hole, the
circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges engage and
bite into the surface so as to retain the pegboard wall-plug in the
wall.
[0008] In another embodiment of the invention, a system for storing
an item is provided that includes a pegboard wall-plug having a
plate including a central opening. A tube projects outwardly from a
rear surface of the plate in surrounding relation to the central
opening. A plurality of circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart
parallel ridges project outwardly from a surface of the cylindrical
tube. A hole is defined by a surface of a wall where the surface
defines a diameter of the hole that is less than a diameter of at
least one of the circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel
ridges. In this way, when the tube is received within the hole, the
circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges engage and
bite into the surface so as to retain the pegboard wall-plug in the
wall. An item holder, such as a hook with a catch or a bracket for
a shelf, is then positioned within the opening in the pegboard
wall-plug. The catch may comprise a curved cantilevered strap
projecting from the end and having a stop tab located at a strap
end positioned above, but spaced away from the end so that when the
cantilevered strap is inserted into the central opening defined
through the plate, the catch is releasably engaged with the plate
with the stop tab positioned on a front surface of the plate.
[0009] In a further embodiment, a system for supporting an item
being is provided that includes a pegboard wall-plug having a plate
including a central opening, and a tube projecting outwardly from a
rear surface of the plate in surrounding relation to the central
opening, a circumferential end edge, and a plurality of
circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges projecting
outwardly from a surface of the cylindrical tube. A blind hole is
defined by an inner circumferential surface and an inner transverse
surface of a wall on which items are to be hung or stacked for
storage. The inner circumferential surface defines a diameter of
the hole that is less than a diameter of at least one of the
circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges so that
when the tube is received within the hole, the circumferentially
arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges engage and bite into the
surface so as to retain the pegboard wall-plug in the wall with the
circumferential end edge rests upon the inner transverse surface of
the wall. An item holder is provided that includes a catch located
at an end. The catch comprises a curved cantilevered strap that
projects from the end and has a stop tab located at a strap end
positioned above, but spaced away from the end. When the
cantilevered strap is inserted into the central opening defined
through the plate, the catch is releasably engaged with the plate
with the stop tab being positioned on a front surface of the plate
and void is defined between the cantilevered strap and the inner
transverse surface of the wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by,
the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of
the invention, which are to be considered together with the
accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and
further wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pegboard wall-plug formed
in accordance with the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the pegboard wall-plug
shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the pegboard wall-plug
shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the pegboard wall-plug
shown in FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the pegboard wall-plug shown in
FIGS. 14;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view, as taken along lines
6-6 in FIG. 5;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a rear cross-sectional view, as taken along lines
7-7 in FIG. 5;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded view, partially
broken-away, of a pegboard wall-plug positioned adjacent to a wall
of a structure ready for mounting;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective broken-away view of the pegboard
wall-plug mounted in the wall shown in FIG. 8;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the pegboard wall-plug
mounted in a wall as taken along lines 10-10 in FIG. 9;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective broken-away and exploded view of a
pegboard wall-plug mounted within a wall and having an item holder
positioned for engagement with the pegboard wall-plug;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a perspective broken-away view of the pegboard
wall-plug and wall shown in FIG. 11, with the item holder snapped
in place within the pegboard wall-plug;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the pegboard wall-plug
and item holder shown in FIG. 12, as taken along lines 13-13 in
FIG. 12;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a perspective broken-away view of a pegboard
wall-plug and wall, with the item holder snapped in place within
the pegboard wall-plug; and
[0025] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the pegboard wall-plug
and item holder shown in FIG. 14, as taken along lines 15-15 in
FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be
read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be
considered part of the entire written description of this
invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and
certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale
or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and
conciseness. In the description, relative terms such as
"horizontal," "vertical," "up," "down," "top" and "bottom" as well
as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly,"
"upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation
as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under
discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description
and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation.
Terms including "inwardly" versus "outwardly," "longitudinal"
versus "lateral" and the like are to be interpreted relative to one
another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center
of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling
and the like, such as "connected" and "interconnected," refer to a
relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one
another either directly or indirectly through intervening
structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or
relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term
"operatively connected" is such an attachment, coupling or
connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as
intended by virtue of that relationship. In the claims,
means-plus-function clauses, if used, are intended to cover the
structures described, suggested, or rendered obvious by the written
description or drawings for performing the recited function,
including not only structural equivalents but also equivalent
structures.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, a pegboard wall-plug 2 formed in
accordance with the present invention includes a front plate 4 and
a tubular insert 6. Pegboard wall-plug 2may be made of any suitable
engineering material, such as, and without limitation, plastics,
thermoplastics (crystalline or non-crystalline, cross-linked or
non-cross-linked), thermosetting resins, elastomers, or composites
thereof, metal alloys, ceramics, wood, wood-plastic composites,
plastic-glass fiber reinforced composites, or other materials so
long as they provide sufficient structural rigidity and strength
for supporting a weight that is cantilevered from its front
surface.
[0028] Front plate 4 is often circular in shape and has a
through-hole 9 defined substantially at its center. Through-hole 9
often comprises a rectangular or square-shaped profile. Front plate
4 may include one or more grooves 11 that are defined in its
surface in a cruciform arrangement so as to be at substantially
ninety-degrees to one another around the face of front plate 4.
Tubular insert 6 projects outwardly from a back surface 13 of front
plate 4 so as to define an annular inner surface 16 that is
arranged in surrounding relation to through-hole 9. The outer
surface of tubular insert 6 includes a plurality of
circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart, parallel ridges 20.
Circumferential ridges 20 often have a triangular cross-sectional
profile including an inclined outer surface 22 and a flat shoulder
surface 23 so as to form a plurality of parallel serrations on the
outer surface of tubular insert 6 (FIGS. 5 and 6). Circumferential
ridges each have an edge 25 that is defined by the intersection of
inclined outer surface 22 and flat shoulder surface 23.
[0029] A pair of pilot fins 27 are arranged one hundred and eighty
degrees apart on the outer surface of tubular insert 6 so as to be
in confronting, coaxial relation to one another. The outer surface
of each pilot fin 27 includes a plurality of circumferentially
arranged, spaced-apart, parallel ridges 28 that are coextensive
with ridges 20. Parallel ridges 28 often also have a triangular
cross-sectional profile including an inclined outer surface 32 and
a flat shoulder surface 33 so as to form a plurality of parallel
serrations. Parallel ridges 28 each have an edge 35 that is defined
by the intersection of inclined outer surface 32 and flat shoulder
surface 33.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 8-10, pegboard wall-plug 2 is adapted for
mounting on a wall 50 on the exterior or interior of a building or
other structure. A hole 52 is formed in wall 50 that is
approximately the diameter of a tubular insert 6 without parallel
ridges 20 so that hole 52 has an internal diameter that is less
than the outer diameter of each parallel ridge 20, but greater than
the internal diameter of tubular insert 6. Hole 52 may entirely
pierce wall 50, i.e., be defined through the thickness of a
standard wall board, or be a "blind" hole 51, i.e., an opening
defined partially through the thickness of the material forming
wall 50 (FIG. 14). When a blind hole 51 is defined in wall 50, a
transverse portion 53 of the interior of wall 50 extends across the
rear of blind hole 51 closing it off and blocking further
penetration. A pair of pilot slots 54 defined in the inner surface
55 of wall 50 that defines hole 52, and are arranged one hundred
and eighty degrees apart so as to be in confronting, aligned
relation to one another. Inner surface 57 of wall 50 that defines
each pilot slot 54 extends inwardly, toward a back or rear surface
(not shown) of wall 50.
[0031] Pegboard wall-plug 2 is positioned within wall 50 by first
orienting pegboard wall-plug 2 so that tubular insert 6 is arranged
in spaced, confronting coaxial relation to hole 52. Care must be
taken to ensure that each pilot fin 27 is arranged so as to be in
aligned relation with a respective one of pilot slots 54. In this
way, the proper orientation of pegboard wall-plug 2 may be
maintained on wall 50. Once in this position, pegboard wall-plug 2
is moved toward wall 50 such that tubular insert 6 enters hole 52
(hole 51) with pilot fins 27 simultaneously entering each of their
respective pilot slots 54. As this occurs, parallel ridges 20
engage surface 55 of wall 50 that defines hole 52 such that each
edge 25 bites into wall 50, i.e., cuts into and through surface 55
to hold pegboard wall-plug 2 tightly in place. At the same time,
parallel ridges 28 of each pilot fin 27 engage surface 57 of wall
50 that defines each pilot slot 54 such that each edge 35 bites
into wall 50, i.e., cuts into and through surface 57 to hold
pegboard wall-plug 2 tightly in place. In this way, pegboard
wall-plug 2 is fixedly positioned in wall 50.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 11-13, an item holder, such as a hook or
a shelf bracket, may be mounted to pegboard wall-plug 2 so as to
support a wide variety of things. For example, a hook 80 may be
directly supported by pegboard wall-plug 2 so as to advantageously
store additional items. More particularly, hook 80 comprises a
shank 82, a support arm 84, and a catch 86. Shank 82 and support
arm 84 form a conventional hook of the type known for hanging tools
and other items. Hook 80 may be formed from any of the well known
polymer or metal materials that are known to exhibit good spring
characteristics.
[0033] Catch 86 comprises a stop tab 88 and a cantilevered strap 92
that are located adjacent to a top portion 87 of shank 82. Stop 88
includes a nose, a pair of inclined surfaces forming a ramp 94, and
a shoulder surface 95 so as to form a wedge-shaped tab. A first end
96 of cantilevered strap 92 projects outwardly from shoulder
surface 95 and a second end 97 of cantilevered strap 92 projects
outwardly from top portion 87 of shank 82, so that cantilevered
strap 92 comprises a curved profile. Cantilevered strap 92 may have
a variety of cross-sectional shapes, e.g., rectangular, circular,
elliptical, etc., so long as a fully elastic spring is created by
the structure of the strap. A transverse slot 98 is defined through
the underside of cantilevered strap 92 between top portion 87 of
shank 82 and second end 97 of cantilevered strap 92. Slot 98 is
sized and shaped to accept an edge portion of front plate 4 that
defines through-hole 9 of pegboard wall-plug 2.
[0034] Hook 80 may be assembled to any pegboard wall-plug 2, as
shown in FIGS. 11-12. More particularly, hook 80 is arranged
adjacent to pegboard wall-plug 2 such that support arm 84 is
directed away from front plate 4, and cantilevered strap 92 is
arranged in coaxially aligned, confronting relation to hole 52 in
wall 50 (FIG. 11). Ramp 94 of stop 88 is then depressed, deflecting
cantilevered strap 92 such that the underside of stop 88 moves
toward top portion 87 of shank 82. Once in this position, hook 80
is moved toward hole 52 (or hole 51) until shoulder surface 95
engages the front surface of front plate 4 that surrounds hole 52,
and the edge of front plate 4 that defines through-hole 9 engages
slot 98 of catch 86. Pressure is then released from ramp 94 so as
to allow cantilevered strap 92 to spring back towards its original,
undeflected position, and thereby engage the internal edges of
front plate 4 that define through-hole 9. When hook 80 is assembled
to pegboard wall-plug 2 located within a blind hole 51,
cantilevered strap 92 does not extend beyond the edge of tubular
insert 6 so as to not engage transverse portion 53 of wall 50
thereby defining a void space 89 between it and transverse portion
53. In order to remove catch 86 from pegboard wall-plug 2, it is
only necessary to grip shank 82 and move it toward stop 88, once
again deflecting cantilevered strap 92, and thereby disengaging the
edge of perforated front plate 4 that defines through-hole 9 from
slot 98 of catch 86. Once cantilevered strap 92 is deflected, hook
80 may be withdrawn from pegboard wall-plug 2.
[0035] It is to be understood that the present invention is by no
means limited only to the particular constructions herein disclosed
and shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or
equivalents within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *