U.S. patent application number 12/031755 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-05 for pegboard with through peg-hole mounting.
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 | 20080128372 12/031755 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35186020 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080128372 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Winig; Alan ; et
al. |
June 5, 2008 |
PEGBOARD WITH THROUGH PEG-HOLE MOUNTING
Abstract
A pegboard panel includes a plurality of perforations and a
plurality of box-anchor receptacles that project outwardly from a
rear surface. Each box-anchor receptacle communicates with one of
the plurality of perforations and includes a back wall that is
spaced from the rear surface and that defines a through opening
arranged in substantially coaxial relation with the perforation. A
storage system is also provided that includes the foregoing
pegboard panel into which a fastener is positioned within the
through opening. A portion of the fastener engages the back wall so
as to secure the pegboard panel to a structure, e.g., a wall,
thereby forming an interface between the fastener, the back wall,
and the structure. A support device engages a portion of one of the
plurality of box-anchor receptacles so as to be positioned on the
front surface of the pegboard panel so that loads supported by the
support device act directly upon the fastener-wall-structure
interface.
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.
Wilmington
DE
|
Family ID: |
35186020 |
Appl. No.: |
12/031755 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11079402 |
Mar 14, 2005 |
7353957 |
|
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12031755 |
|
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|
60565967 |
Apr 28, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/87.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/0815
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/87.01 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/00 20060101
A47B096/00; A47F 5/08 20060101 A47F005/08 |
Claims
1. A pegboard panel comprising: a front surface, a rear surface,
and a plurality of perforations that extend from said front surface
through said rear surface; and a plurality of box-anchor
receptacles projecting outwardly from said rear surface, each
arranged in surrounding relation to and communicating with one of
said plurality of perforations and comprising a back wall that is
attached to, but spaced from said rear surface and that defines a
through opening arranged in substantially coaxial relation with
said perforation so as to receive a fastener for mounting said
pegboard panel to a surface
2. A pegboard panel according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of
box-anchor receptacles are arranged in a pattern that corresponds
one for one with a pattern of said perforations.
3. A pegboard panel according to claim 1 wherein each of said
box-anchor receptacles further comprises a top wall, confronting
side walls, and a bottom ledge that are arranged together on said
rear surface so as to form a hollow cube arranged in surrounding
relation to a perforation.
4. A pegboard panel according to claim 1 wherein said through
opening is defined in a central portion of said back wall, and is
sized so as to receive a portion of a fastener.
5. A pegboard panel according to claim 3 wherein said bottom ledge
is positioned in spaced confronting relation to said top wall and
in annular relation to a bottom opening, such that said one of said
plurality of perforations communicates with said bottom
opening.
6. A pegboard panel according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of
structural reinforcement members located on said rear surface so as
to buttress said box-anchor receptacles.
7. A pegboard panel according to claim 6 wherein each of said
box-anchor receptacles comprises a top wall, a back wall,
confronting side walls, and a bottom ledge arranged on said rear
surface so as to form a hollow cube buttressed by said structural
reinforcement members.
8. A pegboard panel according to claim 7 wherein said confronting
side walls engage said structural reinforcement members so as to
provide structural rigidity and shear strength to each of said
box-anchor receptacles.
9. A pegboard panel according to claim 6 wherein said structural
members are arranged in rectilinear forms selected from the group
consisting of open squares, rectangles, and polygons that are
arranged in buttressing relation to outer portions of each of said
box-anchor receptacles so as to provide reinforcement and
structural support against shear loads.
10. A pegboard panel according to claim 1 comprising an annular
peripheral wall that projects outwardly from a peripheral edge of
said rear surface in surrounding relation to said plurality of
perforations and said plurality of box-anchor receptacles.
11. (canceled)
12. A pegboard panel according to claim 1 wherein a pad is
positioned in surrounding relation to each of said perforations and
stands proud of said front surface.
13. A storage system comprising: a pegboard panel having a front
surface, a rear surface, a plurality of perforations that extend
from said front surface through said rear surface, and a plurality
of box-anchor receptacles projecting outwardly from said rear
surface, each arranged in surrounding relation to and communicating
with one of said plurality of perforations and comprising a back
wall that is spaced away from said rear surface and defines a
through opening arranged in substantially coaxial communicating
relation with said perforation; a fastener positioned within said
through opening and engaging said back wall so as to secure said
pegboard panel to a structure thereby forming a pegboard panel
supporting interface between said fastener, said back wall, and
said structure; and a support device that engages a portion of one
of said plurality of box-anchor receptacles and is positioned on
said front surface so that loads supported by said support device
act directly upon said fastener-wall-structure pegboard panel
supporting interface.
14. A storage system according to claim 13 wherein said plurality
of box-anchor receptacles are arranged in a pattern that
corresponds to a pattern of said perforations.
15. A storage system according to claim 13 wherein each of said
box-anchor receptacles each comprise a pair of confronting side
walls that project outwardly from said rear surface so as to
support said back wall in spaced relation to said rear surface, a
top wall, and an internally disposed bottom ledge so as to form a
hollow cube.
16. A storage system according to claim 13 wherein said through
opening is defined through a central portion of said back wall, and
is sized so as to receive a portion of a fastener and engage a
portion of said fastener.
17. A storage system according to claim 15 wherein said bottom
annular ledge is positioned in spaced confronting relation to said
top wall and in annular relation to a bottom opening, such that
said one of said plurality of perforations communicates with said
bottom opening.
18. A storage system according to claim 13 comprising a plurality
of structural reinforcement members that are arranged in
buttressing relation to outer portions of each of said box-anchor
receptacles.
19. A storage system according to claim 18 wherein each of said
box-anchor receptacles comprises a top wall, confronting side
walls, and a bottom annular ledge that are arranged together on
said rear surface so as to form a hollow cube and that is
buttressed by said structural reinforcement members.
20. A storage system according to claim 19 wherein said confronting
side walls engage and are buttressed by said structural
reinforcement members so as to provide structural rigidity and
shear strength to each of said box-anchor receptacles.
21. A storage system according to claim 18 wherein said structural
members are arranged in rectilinear forms selected from the group
consisting of open squares, rectangles, and polygons that are
arranged in surrounding relation to outer portions of said
box-anchor receptacle so as to provide reinforcement and
buttressing against shear loads.
22. A storage system according to claim 13 comprising an annular
peripheral wall that projects outwardly from a peripheral edge of
said rear surface in surrounding relation to said plurality of
perforations and said plurality of box-anchor receptacles.
23. (canceled)
24. A storage system according to claim 13 wherein a pad is
positioned in surrounding relation to each of said perforations,
and stands proud of said front surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/565,967, filed Apr. 28, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 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
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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, and do not
have sufficient structural strength alone to support a pegboard or
the loads caused by items mounted on the pegboard. Installation
thus usually involves locating the wall studs located behind the
plaster or gypsum board, and fastening a framework through the
plaster or gypsum board to one or more studs. The pegboard is then
mounted on the framework 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.
[0005] This arrangement is not only aesthetically undesirable, but
also requires mounting holes be provided solely for securing the
pegboard to the vertical surface in the pegboard, which could
otherwise receive additional support devices. Also, since loads
will often be cantilevered to the front surface of the pegboard,
the pegboard will be subject to torques which can deteriorate the
strength and the stability of the pegboard as well as its
connection to the supporting wall. The fact that a frame is often
used is also disadvantageous in that additional time and materials
beyond the purchase and installation of the pegboard itself must be
expended. This situation is further exacerbated when pegboards of
the type taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,788, are employed.
[0006] More particularly, 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. Hooks having cantilevered
latches are releasably snap-fit into these perforations to provide
the same storage function as support devices on traditional
pegboard systems.
[0007] These newer perforated pegboards need to be formed with a
perceptible thickness in order to accommodate the cantilevered
latches. This need creates difficulty when conventional mounting
holes are provided in the board for mounting to vertical surfaces.
Either a counter-sunk hole is required, or longer fasteners are
needed to overcome the added thickness of these boards. This need
results in the foregoing aesthetic issues and general difficulty in
mounting the pegboard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a pegboard panel having a
front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of perforations. A
plurality of box-anchor 20 receptacles project outwardly from the
rear surface. Each box-anchor receptacle communicates with one of
the plurality of perforations and includes a back wall that is
spaced from the rear surface and that defines a through opening
arranged in substantially coaxial relation with the
perforation.
[0009] A storage system is also provided that includes the
foregoing pegboard panel into which a fastener is positioned within
the through opening. A portion of the fastener engages the back
wall so as to secure the pegboard panel to a structure, e.g., a
wall, thereby forming an interface between the fastener, the back
wall, and the structure. A support device engages a portion of one
of the plurality of box-anchor receptacles so as to be positioned
on the front surface of the pegboard panel so that loads supported
by the support device act directly upon the fastener-wall-structure
interface.
[0010] Significantly, not only does this structural arrangement
provide an improved aesthetic appearance to the pegboard panel, but
it also allows for the positioning of the load-bearing parts, e.g.,
hooks, pegs, shelves, directly over the fastener holding the
pegboard panel. In this way, substantially all of the bending and
shear loads that are applied to the pegboard panel as a result of
supporting loads on the support devices, act directly upon the
fastener-wall-interface, thus preventing unwanted and damaging
torque loads from being applied to the pegboard panel. Moreover,
the perforations allow a support device to be secured to the
pegboard panel so that there is no need for a frame when mounting
the pegboard panel to a wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] 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:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pegboard panel formed in
accordance with the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of a pegboard panel formed in
accordance with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a broken-away, front view of a pegboard panel
formed in accordance with the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a broken-away, cross-sectional view of a novel
perforation formed in accordance with the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a broken-away, rear view of a novel perforation
formed in accordance with the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a broken-away, cross-sectional view of a novel
perforation formed in accordance with the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a partially broken-away, perspective view of a
storage system formed in accordance with the present invention;
and
[0019] FIGS. 8 and 9 are a broken-away, cross-sectional view, as
taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7, of a storage system formed in
accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] 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.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, a pegboard panel 2 formed in
accordance with the present invention includes a front surface 4, a
rear surface 6, an annular peripheral wall 8, a plurality of
openings or perforations 10, and a plurality of box-anchor
receptacles 12. Annular peripheral wall 8 projects outwardly from
the peripheral edge of rear surface 6 in surrounding relation to
plurality of perforations 10 and plurality of box-anchor
receptacles 12, and is typically about one quarter to one half of
an inch thick. Each perforation 10 extends through pegboard panel 2
from front surface 4 to rear surface 6 in a regular pattern, and
communicates with an interior portion of a corresponding box-anchor
receptacle 12 (FIGS. 4, 6, and 8). A pad 14 is positioned in
surrounding relation to each perforation 10, and stands proud of
front surface 4 (FIG. 4). Pegboard 2 may be formed from either
metal or polymer, as long as the material comprises sufficient
structural integrity to withstand both bending and shear loads
without appreciable deformation. Pegboard panel 2 is often provided
in modules of about two to three feet wide. Of course, it will be
understood that perforated pegboard panel 2 may have various
lengths and widths, depending upon the size of the storage system
in which it is being installed.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 3-6, each box-anchor receptacle 12
projects outwardly from rear surface 6 of pegboard panel 2 as a
part of a regular pattern of box-anchor receptacles that
corresponds to the pattern of perforations 10, and comprises a top
wall 22, a back wall 24, confronting side walls 26, and a bottom
ledge 28. More particularly, top wall 22, back wall 24, and
confronting side walls 26 are preferably arranged on rear surface 6
so as to form a hollow receptacle space, often a hollow cube. An
opening 30 is defined through the center of back wall 24, and is
sized so as to receive a fastener 32, e.g., a wood screw or sheet
metal screw, or the like. Bottom ledge 28 is positioned in spaced
confronting relation to top wall 22 and in annular relation to a
bottom opening 34, such that perforation 10 opens into of
box-anchor receptacle 12, with bottom opening 34 forming an exit
way leading from the interior of the hollow cube. A plurality of
structural reinforcement members 36 are arranged in buttressing
relation to the outer portions of top wall 22, back wall 24, and
confronting side walls 26 so as to provide structural rigidity and
shear strength to box-anchor receptacle 12. Often, structural
members 36 are arranged in rectilinear forms, i.e., open squares,
rectangles, or other polygonal shapes (FIG. 5) that surround the
outer portions of box-anchor receptacle 12 so as to provide
reinforcement and buttressing, particularly against shear
loads.
[0023] Pegboard panel 2 is often arranged on the interior or
exterior wall A of a room or shop area so that a plurality of
support devices 40 may be positioned on front surface 4 (FIG. 7).
For convenience, in this specification, the term "support device"
will be used to represent a type of fixture that is attachable to
pegboard panel 2, by insertion of a catch element 42 (often "hook"
or "L" shaped) into at least one of perforations 10, and used to
hold various implements, i.e., hand tools, garden tools,
instruments, wires, cables, display objects (such as packages,
blister display packs, vacuum display packs, loose hardware or
household items, grocery items, department or variety store items,
and shelves, pictures, wire frames, and the like).
[0024] More particularly, pegboard panel 2 is mounted upon a wall A
in the following manner. Pegboard panel 2 is arranged so that rear
surface 6 is positioned in confronting parallel relation to a front
surface of wall A. Once in this position, pegboard panel 2 is moved
towards wall A until annular peripheral wall 8 engages wall A. In
this position, pegboard panel 2 sits flush on the outer surface of
wall A such that back surface 44 of back wall 24 of plurality of
box-anchor receptacles 12 engages at least a portion of wall A.
Once in this position, a fastener such as wood screw 32 is arranged
in confronting coaxial relation with both a perforation 10 and
opening 30 of a selected box-anchor receptacle 12. Once in this
position, wood screw 32 is moved toward wall A until its pointed
tip 47 travels through opening 30 and engages the surface of wall
A. Once wood screw 32 is then rotated so as to be driven into wall
A. As the shaft and threads of wood screw 32 moves into wall A,
head 50 of wood screw 32 draws toward the inner surface of back
wall 24. Head 50 engages back wall 24 and secures it in contacting
engagement with the portion of wall A that is adjacent to it.
[0025] This procedure can be repeated in as many perforations 10 as
is necessary to provide secure fixed engagement of pegboard panel 2
to wall A. It should be noted that as a result of this
construction, structural members 36 act in cooperation with the
structure of box-anchor 12 to provide frame-like support at each
position in which a wood screw 32 has been driven into wall A.
Advantageously, head 50 of wood screw 32 is not readily obvious
upon viewing front surface 4 of pegboard panel 2. Additionally, if
a stud underlying wall A is not engaged by any one or more wood
screws 32, it is only necessary to move to adjacent perforations 10
in an attempt to drive a wood screw 32 into a stud.
[0026] Significantly, not only does this structural arrangement
provide an improved aesthetic appearance to pegboard panel 2, but
it also allows for the positioning of the load-bearing parts, e.g.,
hooks, pegs, shelves, directly over wood screw 32 holding pegboard
panel 2. In this way, substantially all of the bending and shear
loads, that are applied to pegboard panel 2 as a result of
supporting loads on those hooks and shelves, act directly upon the
screw-wall-surface interface, i.e., orthogonally with the
screw-wall surface interface, thus preventing unwanted and damaging
torque loads from being applied to pegboard panel 2.
[0027] 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.
* * * * *