U.S. patent application number 12/349019 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-30 for plastic pegboard assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to NEWELL OPERATING SYSTEMS. Invention is credited to Brian Brigham, Benjamin M. Harvey, Gerard William Lang, Eric Sugalski.
Application Number | 20090108156 12/349019 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38830277 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090108156 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lang; Gerard William ; et
al. |
April 30, 2009 |
Plastic Pegboard Assembly
Abstract
A pegboard assembly is secured in a spaced relation against a
wall. The pegboard assembly has a plurality of pegboard members, in
which a first pegboard member is coupled to a second pegboard
member by a connector. The pegboard member has a front side and a
rear side, and has a plurality of holes defined therethrough. The
rear side has an integral spacer element and is adapted to contact
the wall such that the holes are adapted to be spaced from the
wall.
Inventors: |
Lang; Gerard William;
(Baltimore, MD) ; Harvey; Benjamin M.; (New
Market, MD) ; Sugalski; Eric; (Chicago, IL) ;
Brigham; Brian; (Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
TEN SOUTH WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 3000
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
NEWELL OPERATING SYSTEMS
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
38830277 |
Appl. No.: |
12/349019 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11455952 |
Jun 20, 2006 |
7481406 |
|
|
12349019 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/220.31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/0815
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/220.31 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/06 20060101
A47B096/06 |
Claims
1. A plastic pegboard assembly, comprising: a first plastic
pegboard member having a plurality of holes therethrough; a second
plastic pegboard member having a plurality of holes therethrough; a
connector associated with the pegboard members, wherein the
pegboard members and the connector have a cooperative structure
such that the first pegboard member is coupled to the second
pegboard member, wherein the first pegboard member has a first
tongue and the connector has a first groove, the first groove
receiving the first tongue, wherein the first tongue is generally
T-shaped and the first groove of the connector is substantially
cooperatively dimensioned to receive the first tongue.
2. The plastic pegboard assembly of claim 1, wherein the second
pegboard member has a first tongue and the connector has a second
groove, the second groove receiving the first tongue of the second
pegboard member.
3. The plastic pegboard assembly of claim 1, wherein the
cooperative structure is integral with the pegboard members.
4. The plastic pegboard assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector
has a base, a pair of opposing walls extending from the base, and a
pair of shoulders extending inwardly from the walls, wherein the
base, walls, and shoulders cooperatively define the first
groove.
5. The plastic pegboard assembly of claim 6, wherein the first
pegboard member has a peripheral edge, the first tongue of the
first pegboard member extending from the peripheral edge.
6. The plastic pegboard assembly of claim 1, wherein the first
pegboard member having a first peripheral edge having the first
tongue extending therefrom, the first pegboard member having a
second peripheral edge having a second tongue, the first tongue
extending substantially transverse to the second tongue.
7. The plastic pegboard assembly of claim 8, further comprising a
second connector receiving the second tongue, the second connector
connected to a third pegboard member.
8. The plastic pegboard assembly of claim 1, wherein the first
pegboard member has a front side and a rear side, the rear side
having a spacer element.
9. A plastic pegboard mounted on a wall, the plastic pegboard
comprising: a plastic pegboard member having a front side and a
rear side, and having a plurality of holes defined therethrough,
the rear side having a reinforcing rib, and a spacer element
extending from the reinforcing rib and extending away from the
front side, wherein the spacer element is adapted to contact the
wall such that the holes are adapted to be spaced from the
wall.
10. The plastic pegboard of claim 11, wherein the reinforcing rib
comprises a first reinforcing member intersecting a second
reinforcing member.
11. The plastic pegboard of claim 12, wherein the spacer element
has a first spacer member intersecting a second spacer member, the
first spacer member extending from the first reinforcing member and
the second spacer member extending from the second reinforcing
member.
12. The plastic pegboard of claim 13, wherein the reinforcing rib
and spacer element are integral with the pegboard member.
13. The plastic pegboard of claim 11, wherein the reinforcing rib
comprises a plurality of intersecting reinforcing members that
define a plurality of intersection areas, the spacer element
comprising a plurality of spacer elements, a respective spacer
element extending from each intersection area.
14. The plastic pegboard of claim 15, wherein the pegboard member
has a peripheral edge, a tongue extending from the peripheral edge,
the tongue adapted to cooperate with a connector wherein a
plurality of pegboard members are connected together.
15. A plastic pegboard assembly connected to a wall, the plastic
pegboard assembly comprising: a first plastic pegboard member
having a front side and a rear side, and a plurality of holes
defined through the first plastic pegboard member, the first
plastic pegboard member having a peripheral edge wherein a first
generally T-shaped tongue extends from the peripheral edge of the
first plastic pegboard member; a second plastic pegboard member
having a front side and a rear side, and a plurality of holes
defined through the second plastic pegboard member, the second
plastic pegboard member having a first peripheral edge wherein a
first generally T-shaped tongue extends from the first peripheral
edge of the second plastic pegboard member; and a first connector
defining a first generally T-shaped groove and further defining a
second generally T-shaped groove, wherein the first T-shaped tongue
of the first plastic pegboard member is received in the first
T-shaped groove of the first connector, and the first T-shaped
tongue of the second plastic pegboard member is received in the
second T-shaped groove wherein the first plastic pegboard member is
connected to the second plastic pegboard member.
16. The plastic pegboard assembly of claim 17 wherein the second
plastic pegboard member has a second peripheral edge having a
second generally T-shaped tongue extending therefrom, and further
comprising a second connector defining a first generally T-shaped
groove and further defining a second generally T-shaped groove,
wherein the second T-shaped tongue of the second plastic pegboard
member is received in the first T-shaped groove of the second
connector, and further comprising a third plastic pegboard member
having a first peripheral edge having a first T-shaped tongue
extending therefrom, the first T-shaped tongue of the third plastic
pegboard member being received in the second T-shaped groove of the
second connector, wherein the third plastic pegboard member is
connected to the second plastic pegboard member.
17. The plastic pegboard assembly of claim 18 wherein the third
plastic pegboard member has a second peripheral edge having a
second generally T-shaped tongue extending therefrom, and further
comprising a third connector defining a first generally T-shaped
groove and further defining a second generally T-shaped groove,
wherein the second T-shaped tongue of the third plastic pegboard
member is received in the first T-shaped groove of the third
connector, and further comprising a fourth plastic pegboard member
having a peripheral edge having a T-shaped tongue extending
therefrom, the T-shaped tongue of the fourth plastic pegboard
member being received in the second T-shaped groove of the third
connector wherein the fourth plastic pegboard member is connected
to the third plastic pegboard member.
18. The plastic pegboard member of claim 17 wherein the first
plastic pegboard member has a second peripheral edge extending
generally transverse from the peripheral edge of the first plastic
pegboard member, a second T-shaped tongue extending from the second
peripheral edge of the first plastic pegboard member, and further
comprising a second connector defining a first T-shaped groove and
a second T-shaped groove, wherein the second T-shaped tongue of the
first plastic pegboard member is received by the first T-shaped
groove of the second connector, and further comprising a third
plastic pegboard member having a peripheral edge having a generally
T-shaped tongue extending therefrom, wherein the T-shaped tongue of
the third plastic pegboard member is received by the second
T-shaped groove of the second connector.
19. The plastic pegboard member of claim 11 wherein the plastic
pegboard member has a first peripheral edge and a second peripheral
edge, the first peripheral edge is generally transverse to the
second peripheral edge, wherein the reinforcing rib and the spacer
element are spaced from the first peripheral edge and the second
peripheral edge.
20. The plastic pegboard member of claim 11 wherein the plastic
pegboard member has a first peripheral edge and a second peripheral
edge, the first peripheral edge is generally transverse to the
second peripheral edge, wherein the reinforcing rib and the spacer
element are spaced from the first peripheral edge and the second
peripheral edge, wherein the reinforcing rib comprises a first
reinforcing member intersecting a second reinforcing member,
wherein the spacer element has a first spacer member intersecting a
second spacer member, the first spacer member extending from the
first reinforcing member and the second spacer member extending
from the second reinforcing member.
21. A plastic pegboard assembly, comprising: a first plastic
pegboard member having a plurality of holes therethrough; a second
plastic pegboard member having a plurality of holes therethrough; a
connector associated with the pegboard members, wherein the
pegboard members and the connector have a cooperative structure
such that the first pegboard member is coupled to the second
pegboard member, where the first pegboard member having a first
peripheral edge having a tongue and a second peripheral edge having
a second tongue, the first tongue extending substantially
transverse to the second tongue.
22. The plastic pegboard assembly of claim 23, further comprising a
second connector receiving the second tongue, the second connector
connected to a third pegboard member.
23. A plastic pegboard comprising: a member having a plurality of
holes therethrough, the member having a first peripheral edge and a
second peripheral edge, wherein the second peripheral edge is
generally parallel to the first peripheral edge, wherein the member
has a first tongue at the first peripheral edge and a second tongue
at the second peripheral edge, wherein the first tongue is
identical in shape to the second tongue.
24. The plastic pegboard of claim 23, further comprising a first
connector connected to the first tongue, the first connector
connected to a second pegboard member.
25. The plastic pegboard of claim 24, further comprising a second
connector connected to the second tongue, the second connector
connected to a third pegboard.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of co-pending
U.S. Ser. No. 11/455,952, which was filed on Jun. 20, 2006, the
entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] None.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The invention relates to a plastic pegboard assembly
comprising a plurality of pegboard members that are coupled by a
connector and secured in a spaced relation from a wall.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Display wall panels such as pegboards are commonly known in
the art. Pegboard panels are frequently used to display or store
items, tools, supplies or accessories along a wall without
contacting the finished wall behind the pegboard. Pegboards are
most commonly found in garages, work sheds or utility rooms, in
which there may be less room for bulky storage containers. Wall
storage is, therefore, a practical solution. Typically, pegboards
are available in large sheets, having a pre-determined size and
configuration, and must be mounted using additional mounting
hardware that appropriately space the pegboard a certain distance
from the wall. The pegboards are commonly made of wood including
wood particle board. The large pegboard sheets can be cumbersome to
handle and difficult to mount. Furthermore, the final mounting of a
plurality of adjacent pegboards is often times not aesthetically
pleasing to users.
[0005] While such pegboards, according to the prior art, provide a
number of advantageous features, they nevertheless have certain
limitations. The present invention is provided to overcome certain
of these limitations and other drawbacks of the prior art, and to
provide new features not heretofore available. A full discussion of
the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to
the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides for a pegboard assembly
configured to couple a plurality of pegboard members and be secured
in a spaced relation against a wall. In one preferred embodiment, a
pegboard assembly is provided having a plurality of pegboard
members, in which the first pegboard member is coupled to the
second pegboard member by a connector. In one preferred embodiment,
the pegboard members are plastic.
[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, a pegboard
assembly is provided having a plurality of pegboard members. The
pegboard member has a front side and a rear side, and has a
plurality of holes defined therethrough. The rear side has a
plurality of reinforcement ribs having an integral spacer element.
The spacer element extends from the reinforcing rib, and is adapted
to contact the wall such that the holes are adapted to be spaced
from the wall.
[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, a pegboard
assembly is provided having a plurality of pegboard members. The
plurality of pegboard members are operably connected by a
connector. The pegboard members and connector have a cooperative
structure to connect the pegboard members. In one preferred
embodiment, the pegboard members have a generally T-shaped tongue
that is received by a generally T-shaped groove in the
connector.
[0009] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with
the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] To understand the present invention, it will now be
described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pegboard assembly
according to the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pegboard assembly
according to the present invention, showing pegboard members being
connected by a connector and showing additional connection
configurations;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of an edge of a
pegboard member according to the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a pegboard member
and a connector according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a first pegboard
member, a second pegboard member, and a connector according to the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along lines
6-6 of the pegboard assembly of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a partial rear view of the pegboard member of the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of
the pegboard member of FIG. 1; and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the
pegboard assembly mounted to a wall and showing a hook mounted on
the pegboard assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the
embodiments illustrated.
[0021] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 discloses a plastic
pegboard assembly according to the present invention, generally
designated by the reference numeral 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
the pegboard assembly 10 generally has a first pegboard member 12,
a second pegboard member 14, and a connector 18. FIGS. 2 and 5 show
a first pegboard member 12 and a second pegboard member 14 coupled
with the connector 18 that will be discussed in greater detail
below. The pegboard members 12,14 are generally identical. The
pegboard assembly 10 is designed to be mounted on the wall in any
number of desired configurations as shown in FIG. 2 such as in a
horizontal position or in a vertical position. The number of
pegboard members that are used will vary depending on the desired
size of the entire pegboard assembly 10. Accordingly, as shown in
FIG. 1, additional connectors 18 can be utilized to connect a third
pegboard member 112 to the second pegboard member 14 and a fourth
pegboard member 114 can be connected to the third pegboard member
112. Other combinations of pegboard members 12 can also be utilized
and this will be described in greater detail below.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, a cooperative structure 20 is utilized
between the pegboard members 12,14 and the connector 18. The
cooperative structure 20 allows for the pegboard members 12,14 to
fit securely into the connector 18 resulting in the pegboard
assembly 10. The cooperative structure 20 generally comprises a
structural feature between the pegboard member 12 and the connector
18 to allow for additional connections between pegboard members 12.
The connector 18 operates as a part of the cooperative structure 20
between the first pegboard 12 and the second pegboard 14 for
coupling the first pegboard 12 to the second pegboard 14. As
discussed in greater detail below, a tongue and groove arrangement
is one preferred embodiment of the cooperative structure 20
although other structures could be utilized.
[0023] The particular pegboard members 12 shown in FIG. 1 are made
of plastic although they could also be made from other materials
including wood. Thus, in one preferred embodiment, the pegboard
members 12 can be made from a plastic injection-molded process as
is understood in the art. The structure of the first pegboard
member 12 will be described with the understanding that the
structure of other pegboard members 14,112,114 are generally
identical. FIG. 1 shows the pegboard member 12 having a plurality
of holes 16 defined therethrough. The plurality of holes 16 may be
arranged at regular intervals or intermittently throughout the
pegboard members 12. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pegboard member
12 has a front side 58 and a rear side 48 that are generally
planar. The front side 58 has a generally smooth surface. The rear
side 48 also has a generally smooth surface but has a plurality of
reinforcing ribs 52 extending from the rear side 48. The
reinforcing ribs 52 will be discussed in greater detail below. In
one preferred embodiment, the pegboard member 12 is generally
rectangular although other shapes are readily possible.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the pegboard member 12 has a first
peripheral edge 38 and a second peripheral edge 40. The second
peripheral edge 40 is generally transverse to the first peripheral
edge 38. The first peripheral edge 38 is generally
vertically-oriented in FIG. 3 and the second peripheral edge 40 is
generally horizontally-oriented in FIG. 3. It is understood that
the pegboard member 12 may generally have a pair of
vertically-oriented peripheral edges 38 and a pair of
horizontally-oriented peripheral edges 40. The peripheral edge 38
has a first tongue 42 extending therefrom. The second peripheral
edge 40 also has a second tongue 44 extending therefrom. The second
tongue 44 extends generally transverse to the first tongue 42. In a
preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the tongues 42,44 join at
a corner of the pegboard member 12. At this corner and shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4, a flared ridge 43 is formed at generally an
interface between the first tongue 42 and the second tongue 44. The
flared ridge 43 acts as a stop structure in cooperation with the
connector 18 as described in greater detail below. The As can be
understood from FIGS. 3-6, the tongues 42,44 extend substantially
perpendicular from the peripheral edges 38,40 and are integral with
the pegboard member 12. In one preferred embodiment, the tongues
42,44 have a T-shape, formed by a first member intersecting a
cross-member. While the present invention has a tongue in the shape
of a T, it is contemplated that the tongue 42,44 can be of various
shapes and configurations providing for cooperation with the
connector 18 as further described below. Thus, in a preferred
embodiment, the first plastic pegboard member 12 has generally
T-shaped tongues 42,44 extending from the peripheral edges 38,40
and around the full periphery of the pegboard member 12. The
tongues 42,44 cooperate with the connector 18.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 7, the rear side 48 of the first pegboard
member 12 has a reinforcing rib 52 that operates to add further
support to the pegboard member 12 by strengthening and stiffening
the pegboard member 12. The pegboard member 12 may also have a
depending flange 60 extending around a periphery of the pegboard
member 12 that also may add rigidity and stiffness to the pegboard
member 12. As further shown in FIG. 7, the reinforcing rib 52 has a
first reinforcing member 64 and a second reinforcing member 66. The
first reinforcing member 64 intersects the second reinforcing
member 66 at an intersection area 54. It is understood that the
reinforcing rib 52 has a plurality of intersecting first
reinforcing members 64 and second reinforcing members 66 that make
up a grid like structure on the rear side 48 of the pegboard member
12. As further shown in FIG. 7, a spacer element 50 extends from
the intersection area 54. Each of the intersecting areas 54 has a
spacer element 50 extending therefrom as can be understood from
FIG. 7. The spacer element 50 extends from the reinforcing rib 52,
and is integral with the reinforcing rib 52. In a preferred
embodiment, the spacer element 50 has a first spacer member 68 and
a second spacer member 70. The first spacer member 68 intersects
the second spacer member 70 thus forming a cross shape. As further
shown in FIG. 7, the first spacer member 68 extends from the first
reinforcing member 64, and the second spacer member 70 extends from
the second reinforcing member 66, generally at the intersection
area 54. The spacer members 68,70 of the spacer element 52 define
engaging surfaces to abut a wall and further having a generally
curved segment 71 that meets the reinforcing members 64,66. In a
preferred embodiment, the spacer element 50 and the reinforcing rib
52 are integral with the rear side 48 of the pegboard member 12 and
formed in an injection molding process with the overall pegboard
member 12.
[0026] The spacer element 50 operates to contact the wall W upon
mounting the pegboard assembly 10, such that the holes 16 are
spaced from the wall W as shown in FIG. 9. The spacer element 50
thus ensures that the plurality of holes 16 are spaced a distance
from the mounting wall when installed in order to accommodate hooks
or other mounting accessories through the holes 16. Thus, as shown
in FIG. 9, the spacer element 50 is designed to provide a space S
between the rear side 48 of the pegboard 12 and the mounting wall W
to allow any standard pegboard hooks or other accessories to fit
into the plurality of holes 16 of the pegboard member 12.
[0027] FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-6 show the connector 18. The connector 18
generally defines a first groove and a second groove that in a
preferred embodiment, are generally T-shaped grooves. As shown in
FIG. 6, the connector 18 has a base 32, a first pair of opposing
walls 34 extending from the base 32 in one direction, and a pair of
shoulders 36 extending inwardly from the pair of the opposing walls
34. The connector 18 also has a second pair of opposing walls 34
extending in an opposite direction from the base 32. A second pair
of shoulders 36 extend inwardly from the second pair of opposing
walls 34. The base 32, the pairs of opposing walls 34, and the
pairs of shoulders 36 cooperatively define the first groove 24 and
the second groove 28 of the connector 18. In a preferred
embodiment, the first groove 24 and the second groove 28 are
generally T-shaped grooves. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, it is understood
that the connector 18 thus defines the first T-shaped groove 24
opposite the second T-shaped groove 28. As explained in greater
detail below, the T-shaped grooves 24,28 receive the T-shaped
tongues 42,44 of the pegboard member 12. Also, in one preferred
embodiment, the grooves 24,28 extend the length of the connector 18
and are open at each end. In an alternative embodiment, one end of
the connector 18 can be closed, thus closing off the grooves 24,28
at one end. This structure would help support the pegboard members
12,14 as further discussed below.
[0028] One aspect of the present invention allows a user to create
the pegboard assembly 10 according to a desired size or
configuration. Thus, by utilizing the cooperative structure 20
between the pegboard member 12 and the connector 18, a user can
assemble the pegboard assembly 10 in a number of different
configurations.
[0029] For example, FIG. 1 shows a pegboard assembly 10 having four
pegboard members interconnected by three connectors 18. It is
understood that the pegboard members 12 may be suitably mounted to
a mounting surface such as a wall using a variety of known mounting
hardware. For example, traditional screws, drywall anchors or other
hardware can be used. The holes 16 in the pegboard members 12,14
can be used in mounting the pegboard members 12,14. As shown in
FIG. 9, the spacer elements 50 assure that a space S is maintained
between the rear side 48 of the pegboard 12 and the wall W. The
second pegboard 14 is connected to the first pegboard member 12. As
can be understood from FIGS. 1 and 4-6, the first tongue 42 of the
first pegboard member 12 is received in the first groove 24 of the
connector 18 wherein the connector 18 is operably connected to the
first pegboard member 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the first
tongue 42 of the second pegboard member 14 is then received in the
second groove 28 of the first connector 18 wherein the second
pegboard member 14 is operably connected or coupled to the first
pegboard member 12. As shown in FIG. 6, the base 32, opposing walls
34 and shoulders 38 cooperate to engage the T-shaped tongue 42,44
of the pegboard members 12,14. It is understood that the grooves
24,28 of the connector 18 and the tongues 42,44 are dimensioned
such that there is suitable friction therebetween. Thus as shown in
FIG. 6, the grooves 24,28 and tongues 42,44 can be structured such
that there is frictional engagement between their respective
surfaces. The frictional engagement prevents the connector 18 from
sliding out of the pegboard members 12,14 and helps secure the
pegboard assembly 10. It is understood that the design provides
sufficient friction to keep the connector 18 and pegboard members
12,14 engaged as desired but allowing the connector 18 to be slid
along the tongues 42,44 of the pegboard members 12,14. It is
further understood that the frictional engagement configuration
could be the only means employed to prevent the connector 18 from
sliding out of the pegboard members 12,14. In such configuration,
the flared ridge 43 or utilizing a connector 18 having a closed end
are not employed. However, in one embodiment, and as can be
understood from FIG. 4, the flared ridge 43 helps in acting as a
stop structure so that the pegboard members 12,14 cannot slide out
of the connector 18. As previously discussed, if the connector 18
has one end closed, such configuration also acts as a stop
structure to prevent the pegboard members 12,14 from sliding out of
the connector 18. It is also understood that the first connector 18
may also be suitably mounted to the wall. A pegboard assembly 10
having a pair of pegboard members 12,14 utilizing a first connector
18 is formed.
[0030] As previously discussed, FIG. 1 shows a pegboard assembly 10
utilizing four pegboard members. Thus, it is understood that the
second pegboard member 14 has a second peripheral edge having a
T-shaped tongue 42 extending therefrom. A second connector 120 is
utilized generally identical to the first connector 18. Thus, the
second T-shaped tongue 42 of the second pegboard member 14 is
received in a first groove of the second connector 120. As further
shown in FIG. 1, a third pegboard member 112 having a first
T-shaped tongue 42 is positioned such that its first T-shaped
tongue 42 is received in the second groove of the second connector
120. Similarly, a third connector 122 is connected in identical
fashion such that a second T-shaped tongue on the third pegboard
member 112 is received in a first groove of the third connector.
Finally, a fourth pegboard member 114 having a first T-shaped
tongue 42 is received in the second groove of the third connector
122. It is understood that the plurality of pegboard members and
connectors are operably connected together and are suitably
connected to the wall. The cooperative structures 20 between the
pegboard members and the connectors provide for a pegboard assembly
having four pegboard members connected to one another in an
enhanced configuration. It is understood that more or less pegboard
members could be utilized in the pegboard assembly 10.
[0031] As previously discussed, the pegboard members have a second
tongue 44 that is generally transverse to the first tongue 42. In
one embodiment, the second tongue 44 may be located on a horizontal
bottom of the pegboard member 12. As shown in FIG. 2, a connector
130 could also be connected to this horizontally-oriented tongue 44
such that another pegboard member 132 may be connected to a bottom
portion of the first pegboard member 12. Because the pegboard
members have tongues 42,44 around generally a full periphery of the
pegboard members 12, multiple configurations for connecting the
pegboard members together are possible as can be appreciated from
FIGS. 1 and 2. It is further contemplated that the additional
pegboard member 132 shown in FIG. 2 could be connected such that
its longer side dimension can be connected to the horizontal
connector 130. FIG. 9 also shows additional connection
configurations using the second tongue 44.
[0032] In one embodiment, a user may mount the first pegboard
member 12 to a wall as discussed. The user then slides the
connector 18 onto the first pegboard member 12 wherein the tongue
42 slides in the groove 24. Frictional engagement between the
tongue 42 and the groove 24 keeps the connector 18 engaged with the
pegboard member 12. A user can then connect the second pegboard
member 14 to the connector 18 as discussed. Additional pegboard
members and connectors can also be connected as desired.
[0033] As discussed, a preferred form of the cooperative structure
20 includes a T-shaped tongue and a T-shaped groove. It is
understood that other cooperative connection structures could be
utilized between pegboard members. In particular, other tongue and
groove arrangements or other male/female structures can be utilized
to connect the plastic pegboard members together. Further, the
pegboard members may utilize structure having an interference fit
between members. A connector utilizing an interference fit with a
pegboard member may also be utilized. Finally, a connector can be
provided wherein the cooperative structure is completely provided
between the pegboard members. One pegboard member may have a first
structure that cooperates directly with another structure on
another pegboard member. For example, a first pegboard member may
have a tongue that is received by a groove on a second pegboard
member. In such configuration, the connector having cooperative
structure is associated with the pegboard members by being integral
with the pegboard members. Other cooperative structures are also
contemplated.
[0034] Thus, it can be appreciated that the plastic pegboard member
having an integral spacer element 50 provides an enhanced mounting
configuration against a wall. The integral spacer element 50
assures a space will be maintained between the rear side 48 of the
pegboard member 12 and the wall to allow for hooks to be readily
inserted into the holes 16. The hooks will not abut the wall
preventing proper insertion into the holes 16. Because the spacer
element 50 is integral with the pegboard member 12, a separate
spacer structure is not necessary, which is often cumbersome to
properly connect. The integral configuration of the spacer element
extending from the reinforcing rib also provides an enhanced,
simple construction. The cooperative structure 20 between the
pegboard member 12 and the connector 18 allows multiple pegboard
members 12 to be easily connected to one another. This has not been
possible with prior art pegboards made of wood or plastic. The
cooperative structure 20 allow a user to create a pegboard assembly
10 having various configurations as desired. The cooperative
structure 20 further provides for an aesthetically pleasing
mounting configuration.
[0035] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the
embodiments illustrated.
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