U.S. patent application number 12/109015 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-29 for magnetic organizer.
This patent application is currently assigned to Penn United Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Thomas W. Lasher, Matthew F. Muir, Mark P. Noah, Charles M. Phillips, SR., Donald B. Roth, James A. Shreckengost, Mark J. Spiering.
Application Number | 20090266951 12/109015 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41214051 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090266951 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Phillips, SR.; Charles M. ;
et al. |
October 29, 2009 |
Magnetic Organizer
Abstract
A magnetic organizer is provided that includes cooperative
magnetic members, one generally planar member and one support
assembly having a magnetic member, and including one or more
horizontally-extending protuberances on the generally planar
member. The protuberances create a non-vertical surface that at
least some portion of the support assemblies may catch upon,
thereby preventing downward sliding.
Inventors: |
Phillips, SR.; Charles M.;
(Zelienople, PA) ; Noah; Mark P.; (Butler, PA)
; Roth; Donald B.; (Cabot, PA) ; Spiering; Mark
J.; (Leechberg, PA) ; Lasher; Thomas W.;
(Adrian, PA) ; Muir; Matthew F.; (Butler, PA)
; Shreckengost; James A.; (Adrian, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David C. Jenkins;Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC
600 Grant Street, 44th Floor
Pittsburgh
PA
15219
US
|
Assignee: |
Penn United Technologies,
Inc.
Cabot
PA
|
Family ID: |
41214051 |
Appl. No.: |
12/109015 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/206.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/0807
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/206.5 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/06 20060101
A47B096/06 |
Claims
1. A magnetic organizer comprising: a generally planar magnetic
member having an attachment surface, said attachment surface having
at least one protuberance thereon; said generally planar magnetic
member extending in a generally vertical plane; at least one
support assembly having a base and a support arm extending
therefrom, said base having a magnetic member therein, said support
arm structured to support a mass; said generally planar magnetic
member and said support assembly base magnetic member being
cooperative magnetic members; and said at least one protuberance
being structured to resist motion between said at least one support
assembly and said generally planar magnetic member when said at
least one support assembly is coupled to said generally planar
magnetic member with said cooperative magnetic members engaging
each other, and when said support assembly is supporting a mass,
said mass being sufficient to overcome the starting friction
between said at least one support assembly and said generally
planar magnetic member.
2. The magnetic organizer of claim 1 wherein: said at least one
protuberance includes an upper face; said support assembly base has
at least one protuberance interface, said at least one protuberance
interface structured to engage the at least one protuberance; and
wherein, when said at least one support assembly engages said
protuberance, substantially the entire length of said protuberance
interface engages said protuberance upper face.
3. The magnetic organizer of claim 1 wherein: said generally planar
magnetic member being a sheet of material, said sheet having
deformations therein, said deformations forming said attachment
surface at least one protuberance.
4. The magnetic organizer of claim 3 wherein: said deformation is a
ridge extending generally horizontally across said generally planar
magnetic member attachment surface; said ridge having an angled
upper face extending at an angle relative to the plane of said
generally planar magnetic member; said support assembly base has at
least one protuberance interface, said at least one protuberance
interface structured to engage said ridge; and wherein, when said
at least one support assembly engages said ridge, substantially the
entire length of said protuberance interface engages said ridge
upper face.
5. The magnetic organizer of claim 3 wherein: said deformation is a
ridge extending generally horizontally across said generally planar
magnetic member attachment surface; and said ridge having a
horizontal upper face extending generally perpendicularly to the
plane of said generally planar magnetic member.
6. The magnetic organizer of claim 3 wherein: said deformation is a
lip, having an associated cutout extending generally horizontally,
projecting from said attachment surface.
7. The magnetic organizer of claim 6 wherein: said lip is a lower
lip disposed below said cutout; said lower lip extending outwardly
at an angle between about 10 degrees from vertical and about 90
degrees from vertical; said at least one support assembly base
includes an attachment surface; said at least one support assembly
base attachment surface structured to engage said generally planar
magnetic member attachment surface and having a generally
horizontal notch extending thereacross; and said at least one
support assembly base attachment surface notch structured to engage
said lower lip in a tongue-and-groove manner.
8. The magnetic organizer of claim 6 wherein: said lip is an upper
lip disposed above said cutout; and said upper lip having an
outwardly extending portion and a downwardly extending vertical
portion, said upper lip forming a pocket.
9. The magnetic organizer of claim 1 wherein: said generally planar
magnetic member includes a generally flat sheet of material; and
said at least one protuberance being at least one separate
elongated member coupled to said generally flat sheet of
material.
10. The magnetic organizer of claim 9 wherein: said generally
planar magnetic member includes a generally flat sheet of material;
said at least one separate elongated member being at least one
elongated magnetic member having an attachment surface; said
generally planar magnetic member and said at least one elongated
magnetic member being cooperative magnetic members; and said at
least one elongated magnetic member attachment surface magnetically
coupled to said generally planar magnetic member attachment
surface.
11. The magnetic organizer of claim 10 wherein: said at least one
elongated magnetic member includes an outwardly projecting,
horizontally extending lip.
12. The magnetic organizer of claim 11 wherein: said lower lip
extending outwardly at an angle between about 10 degrees from
vertical and about 90 degrees from vertical; said at least one
support assembly base includes an attachment surface; said at least
one support assembly base attachment surface structured to engage
said generally planar magnetic member attachment surface and having
a generally horizontal notch extending thereacross; and said at
least one support assembly base attachment surface notch structured
to engage said lower lip in a tongue-and-groove manner.
13. The magnetic organizer of claim 11 wherein said lip is an upper
lip having an outwardly extending portion and a downwardly
extending vertical portion, said upper lip forming a pocket.
14. The magnetic organizer of claim 1 wherein: said generally
planar magnetic member is a channel magnetic member, said channel
magnetic member having a body with an elongated generally planar
base portion, a first, upper depending sidewall extending generally
perpendicularly to said base portion, a second, lower depending
sidewall extending generally perpendicularly to said base portion,
and one overhanging lip, said overhanging lip extending downwardly
from said first, upper depending sidewall, whereby said elongated
magnetic channel body defines a channel; said support assembly base
being sized to be disposed between said first, upper depending
sidewall and said second, lower depending sidewall with said
support assembly base extending substantially between said first,
upper depending sidewall and said second, lower depending sidewall;
and whereby when said support assembly is disposed in said channel
magnetic member, said support assembly is captured by said channel
magnetic member body.
15. The magnetic organizer of claim 1 wherein: said generally
planar magnetic member is a magnet; and said at least one support
assembly base magnetic member is a sheet of ferrous material.
16. The magnetic organizer of claim 1 wherein: said generally
planar magnetic member is a sheet of ferrous material; and said at
least one support assembly base magnetic member is a magnet.
17. The magnetic organizer of claim 1 wherein: said at least one
protuberance is selected from the group including: a deformation in
said sheet of ferrous material and an elongated magnetic member
having an attachment surface.
18. A support assembly for a magnetic organizer, said generally
planar magnetic member extending in a generally vertical plane,
said generally planar magnetic member having an attachment surface,
said attachment surface having at least one protuberance thereon,
said at least one protuberance extending generally horizontally on
said generally planar magnetic member, said at least one
protuberance having an upper face, said support assembly
comprising: a base and a support arm extending therefrom, said base
having a magnetic member therein, said support arm structured to
support a mass; said support assembly base magnetic member being
cooperative with said generally planar magnetic member; said
support assembly base having at least one protuberance interface,
said at least one protuberance interface structured to engage said
at least one protuberance.
19. The support assembly for a magnetic organizer of claim 18
wherein, said protuberance upper face is angled downwardly and
wherein: said at least one protuberance interface is the lower face
of said base, said protuberance interface angled to correspond to
said angle of said protuberance upper face.
20. The support assembly for a magnetic organizer of claim 18
wherein: said support assembly base has an attachment surface
structured to engage said generally planar magnetic member
attachment surface; and said protuberance interface is a generally
horizontal notch extending across said support assembly base
attachment surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a vertical, panel-like organizer
structured to have movable supports coupled thereto, and more
specifically, to a magnetic organizer having a generally planar
magnetic member with movable support assemblies coupled thereto,
said generally planar magnetic member having at least one
horizontally extending protuberance on an attachment surface.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] Vertical organizers are devices structured to support
various items along a vertical surface. Of course, vertical
organizers require an attaching means structured to support each
item in its vertical position. Thus, in perhaps its most primitive
form, a vertical organizer includes a series of pegs or nails
extending from a vertical wall. The user could then hang tools of
an appropriate shape, e.g., the curved side of a claw hammer, or
tools with an appropriately-positioned hole or loop of material,
from the peg.
[0005] While simple and functional, a fixed-peg system had the
disadvantage of not being adjustable. This could limit the number
of tools, and their positions, stored on the organizer. There are
at least two improvements that overcome this difficulty; pegboards
and magnetic strips, both of which are typically coupled to a wall.
A pegboard is a sheet of material having a series of holes
therethrough. The holes are typically disposed in a grid or other
regular pattern. A "peg" may be inserted into a hole and used to
store a tool or other device. Typically, a peg included a portion
that extended along the pegboard, along with two bent tips
structured to be inserted into the holes, and another portion that
extended generally perpendicular to the pegboard. If the user
needed to make more room or just wanted to reposition the tool, the
user simply removed the peg from its first hole(s) and inserted the
peg in another. Further, the "pegs" could easily be adapted to
store different types of tools. For example, a peg could be bent
into a horizontal loop and used to store screwdrivers and other
elongated tools, a peg could be split into a yoke and used to
support hammers or similar tools, a peg could be a U-shaped hook,
or otherwise adapted to a specific tool. While pegboards are
adjustable, the process of moving the pegs can be time consuming.
For example, a user may shift a series of pegs to one side to
accommodate a new tool. However, after placing the new tool in its
place, the user may discover the pegs are still too close, and the
process has to be repeated.
[0006] Magnetic organizers typically have an elongated, permanent
magnet disposed between two steel, or other ferrous metal, plates.
The thin edges of the plates are used as magnetic coupling
surfaces. Often, two such devices were disposed in a spaced
relationship. The devices typically extended generally
horizontally. A user may attach any ferrous tool to the exposed
edges of the plates. With such a magnetic device, a user may
quickly shift the tools around in order to accommodate new tools.
The disadvantage to this device is that it typically extends for a
limited length, thereby limiting the number of tools that may be
attached. Further, because the plates and/or different devices are
held in a spaced relationship, the user cannot, for example, move
the tools to a different vertical location on the wall. Further,
while the device is, by its nature, limited to ferrous tools, even
a small amount of plastic, such as a coating on a handle, could
diminish the attraction between the magnet and the tool to a point
where the magnetic force is insufficient to hold the tool to the
magnet. While the magnetic attraction could be increased by using
stronger magnets, such stronger magnets are expensive.
[0007] One attempt to combine the best features of these two
systems is to provide a ferromagnetic sheet and supports, e.g.,
"pegs" of various shapes, having a ferromagnetic base. That is, at
least one of the two components, either a sheet or the base of the
supports, was a magnet. The other was either another magnet or,
more typically, a ferrous material. Such a device addressed the
disadvantages of the prior two devices. Like a pegboard, the
supports could be moved to any location on the sheet, including
different vertical locations; but, like a magnetic organizer, the
user could simply attach/detach a support and not have inserted
pegs into holes.
[0008] Unfortunately, this configuration was not optimal either.
While the magnets were typically strong enough to resist being
separated from the sheet, the magnets did not have enough
attraction to prevent the support from sliding down the sheet. That
is, the magnets could not prove a sufficient magnetic attraction to
create a high starting friction between the sheet and the support
base. Thus, the support would slide down the sheet. This was
especially true when a mass, typically a tool, was coupled to the
support.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention overcomes this problem by providing
cooperative magnetic members, one generally planar member, and one
support assembly having a magnetic member, and including one or
more horizontally-extending protuberances on the generally planar
member. The protuberances create a non-vertical surface that at
least some portion of the support assemblies may catch upon,
thereby preventing downward sliding.
[0010] It is noted that any two objects placed in contact with each
other have a "starting friction" that must be overcome prior to the
two objects sliding against each other. Once objects are in motion,
a "sliding friction" exists therebetween. The force required to
overcome the starting friction is always higher than the force
required to overcome the sliding friction. Typically, both the
starting friction and the sliding friction may be increased by
increasing the coarseness of the two objects. For example, it is
easier to slide two sheets of plain paper against each other than
it is to slide two pieces of sandpaper against each other. Further,
starting friction is increased and therefore the force required to
overcome the starting friction is increased, when the objects are
biased or pressed together. Again, using sheets of paper as an
example, if one person was to hold three sheets of paper between
their thumb and forefinger and apply minimal force, another person
could remove the middle sheet of paper with ease. This is because
there is a minimal starting friction between the sheets of paper;
however, if the person holding the paper were to greatly increase
the force applied by their thumb and forefinger, the person
removing the middle sheet would have to pull harder as the starting
friction is greatly increased.
[0011] The strength of a magnetic attraction relates to both the
strength of the magnet and the distance to the ferrous object.
Further, even a slight increase in distance between the magnet and
the object will greatly reduce the strength of the magnetic
attraction. Thus, when coupling two objects by magnetic attraction,
it is best to have as much of the surface of the two magnetically
attracted objects as close together as possible, and more
preferably in contact with each other. Accordingly, most magnets
and the surface to which they are attached are smooth, thereby
increasing the surface area in contact; but, as noted above, smooth
surfaces tend to have a lower starting/sliding friction. Thus,
while an increased magnetic force acts to increase the starting
friction, that is, the magnetic force is similar to pressing the
magnet against the surface, this increase in starting friction is
not always so great as to prevent the magnet from sliding on a
ferrous surface. This is especially true as the inclination of the
surface becomes more vertical and/or the weight of the magnet, or
any object the magnet supports, increases.
[0012] The present invention overcomes the problem of sliding by
providing one or more protuberances on the sheet. The protuberances
have a sufficient perpendicular offset so that the support assembly
must be lifted off the sheet in order to move past the
protuberance. That is, as noted above, many magnetic devices have a
sufficient strength to support the weight of a tool, i.e., the
magnet device will not detach from a ferrous surface due to the
weight of the tool, but not enough strength to prevent sliding on a
vertical surface. Thus, when a protuberance has a sufficient
perpendicular offset, the support assembly must be lifted off the
sheet in order to move past the protuberance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the
following description of the preferred embodiments when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a magnetic organizer;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view of the magnetic organizer;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional side view of one
embodiment of the magnetic organizer; and
[0017] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a
support assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] As used herein, "generally planar" is used in a broad sense
meaning an object having a thickness that is substantially smaller
than the object's length and/or width and which generally defines a
plane. It is specifically noted that "generally planar" does not
mean substantially flat as one object of this invention is to
provide a "generally planar" member having protuberances on an
attachment surface.
[0019] As used herein, a "magnetic member" is either a member that
is attracted to iron or steel, e.g., a typical magnet, or an iron
or steel member to which a magnet is attracted. Further, when two
"magnetic members" are identified as "cooperative," it means that
at least one magnetic member is attracted to iron or steel. That
is, for example, two steel members may each be "magnetic members,"
but are not "cooperative magnetic members" as neither member would
be attracted to the other.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a magnetic organizer 10 includes
a generally planar magnetic member 12 and at least one support
assembly 14. The generally planar magnetic member 12 has an outer
attachment surface 16 and is disposed in a generally vertical
plane. The outer attachment surface 16 has at least one
protuberance 18 thereon, which will be discussed in greater detail
below. As noted above, a "magnetic member" 12 may be either a
member that is attracted to iron or steel, e.g., a typical magnet,
or an iron or steel member to which a magnet is attracted. In the
preferred embodiment, the generally planar magnetic member 12 is a
sheet 13 of ferrous metal and the at least one support assembly
magnetic member 26 (FIG. 3), discussed below, is a magnet. While
the claims are not so limited, the remainder of this discussion
will utilize this configuration of the magnetic members 12, 26. The
sheet 13, except for any protuberances 18, is preferably generally
flat and defines a plane.
[0021] The at least one support assembly 14 includes a support arm
20 and a base 22. The support arm 20 extends from the base 22.
Preferably, the at least one support assembly 14 includes a
moldable shell, such as, but not limited to, a plastic shell 24.
The plastic shell 24 defines the support arm 20 and a base 22. The
support arm 20 is structured to support a mass and may be of any
shape, such as, but not limited to, a peg (shown), a hook, a loop,
or a yoke. The portion of the plastic shell 24 that acts as a base
22 has cavities structured to accommodate one or more support
assembly magnetic member(s) 26 therein. While the base 22 and the
support assembly magnetic member 26 may have any shape, the support
assembly magnetic member 26 preferably has a height (from the back
surface of the base 22 to the outer side of the base 22) of between
about 0.10 inch and 0.25 inch, and more preferably, about 0.19
inch, and a width of between about 0.38 inch and 0.75 inch, and
more preferably, about 0.50 inch. The plastic shell 24 may
encapsulate the support assembly magnetic member 26, but in the
preferred embodiment, the support assembly magnetic member 26 has
an exposed face which, preferably, defines the back surface of the
at least one support assembly 14. The exposed face of the support
assembly magnetic member 26, or the back side of the base 22, acts
as an attachment surface 28. The generally planar magnetic member
12 and the support assembly magnetic member 26 are cooperative
magnetic members 12, 26, and the support assembly magnetic member
attachment surface 28 is structured to be magnetically coupled to
the generally planar magnetic member attachment surface 16. Thus,
when the generally planar magnetic member attachment surface 16 and
the support assembly magnetic member attachment surface 28 engage
each other, the cooperative magnetic members 12, 26 are coupled by
magnetic attraction.
[0022] Further, the support assembly base 22 includes at least one
protuberance interface 27 structured to engage the at least one
protuberance 18. That is, the support assembly base 22, preferably,
includes a protuberance interface 27 extending generally
horizontally across the support assembly base 22 and which engages
the at least one protuberance 18 over substantially the entire
length of the protuberance interface 27. When the at least one
protuberance 18 engages substantially the length of the
protuberance interface 27, the at least one support assembly 14 is
less likely to pivot or rotate when the at least one support
assembly 14 engages the at least one protuberance 18. The
protuberance interface 27 may be the bottom surface of the support
assembly base 22 or a support assembly base attachment surface
notch 64 (discussed below). When the protuberance interface 27 is
the bottom surface of the support assembly base 22, the
protuberance interface 27 is, preferably, angled to correspond to
the shape of the upper face 17 (discussed below) of the at least
one protuberance 18. As noted below, the at least one protuberance
upper face 17 may be angled downwardly, that is, more than ninety
degrees from vertical, generally perpendicular to vertical, or
upwardly, that is, less than ninety degrees from vertical. Thus,
the protuberance interface 27 may have a corresponding downwardly
angled bottom surface, a generally perpendicular lower surface, or
an upwardly angled bottom surface.
[0023] The at least one protuberance 18 is structured to resist
motion, more specifically, a descending sliding motion, between the
at least one support assembly 14 and the generally planar magnetic
member 12 when the at least one support assembly 14 is coupled to
the generally planar magnetic member 12 with the cooperative
magnetic members 12, 26 engaging each other, and when the support
assembly 14 is supporting a mass, the mass being sufficient to
overcome the starting friction between the at least one support
assembly 14 and the generally planar magnetic member 12. As stated,
the at least one protuberance 18 is structured to resist a
descending sliding motion of the at least one support assembly 14.
Thus, the at least one support assembly 14 must be magnetically
coupled to the generally planar magnetic member 12 at a location
above the at least one protuberance 18. The at least one
protuberance 18 has a perpendicular offset 30, indicated by the
arrow in the Figures, extending a distance normal to the plane of
the sheet 13. The offset 30, preferably, extends between about 0.10
and 0.5 inch and more preferably, about 0.30 inch, off the plane of
the metal sheet 13. Preferably, the at least one protuberance 18 is
elongated and extends in a substantially horizontal direction over
the generally planar magnetic member attachment surface 16 and
includes an upper face 17.
[0024] The at least one protuberance 18 may be a deformation 40 in
the generally planar magnetic member attachment surface 16 and/or
an elongated magnetic member 43 having an attachment surface 44.
Where the at least one protuberance 18 is a deformation 40, the
metal sheet 13 is crimped, bent, or otherwise deformed, so that the
deformation 40 defines the at least one protuberance 18. That is,
the at least one protuberance 18 may be a deformation forming a
ridge 46 extending generally horizontally across the generally
planar magnetic member attachment surface 16 and projecting
generally perpendicular from the plane of said generally planar
magnetic member 12. The ridge 46 may have a substantially
horizontal upper face 48, or an angled upper face 50, relative to
the plane of the generally planar magnetic member attachment
surface 16. The shape of the ridge 46 may be based on aesthetics
and/or the nature of the sheet 13. For example, a sheet 13 of a
magnetic rubber material may not easily bend to a ninety degree
angle. As such, a ridge 46 having an angled upper face 50 would be
easier to form. The support assembly base 22, preferably, has a
shape that corresponds to the shape of the ridge upper face 48,
50.
[0025] Alternatively, the deformation 40 may be a lip 60 having an
associated cutout 62. That is, a generally horizontal cut may be
made in the sheet 13. The tips of the horizontal cut include
relatively-small, vertical cuts of at least the thickness of the
sheet 13 and preferably slightly longer. In this configuration, the
material of the sheet 13 adjacent to the cut may be lifted out of
the plane of the sheet 13, thereby forming the lip 60. In one
embodiment, the lip 60 is disposed below the cutout 62 and is a
lower lip 63. Preferably, the lower lip 63 extends outwardly at an
angle between about perpendicular to the generally planar magnetic
member 12 to about ten degrees from vertical. Such a lower lip 63
acts as a protuberance 18 against which a support assembly 14 may
rest. However, in a preferred embodiment, the at least one support
assembly base attachment surface 28 includes a generally horizontal
notch 64 extending thereacross. The notch 64 is sized and shaped to
correspond to the shape of the lower lip 63. In this configuration,
the support assembly base attachment surface notch 64 is structured
to engage the lower lip 63 in a tongue-and-groove manner.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the lip 60 may be an upper lip 65 having
an associated cutout 62. Again, a generally horizontal cut may be
made in the sheet 13. The tips of the horizontal cut include
relatively-small, vertical cuts about the thickness of the sheet
13. In this configuration, the material of the sheet 13 adjacent to
the cut may be lifted out of the plane of the sheet 13, thereby
forming the upper lip 65. In this embodiment, the upper lip 65, as
the name implies, is disposed above the associated cutout 62.
Further, the upper lip 65 preferably includes an outwardly
extending portion 66, which extends either horizontally or is
downwardly angled, and a downwardly extending vertical portion 68.
In this configuration, the upper lip 65 acts as a protuberance 18
for a support assembly 14 disposed thereabove. Further, the upper
lip 65 forms a pocket 70 into which the upper edge of a support
assembly 14, or an additional tab 72 extending upwardly from the
support assembly base 22, may be inserted. This configuration is
useful for a support assembly 14 having an extended support arm 20.
When a tool, or other mass, is hung from an extended support arm
20, a substantial torque may be created at the interface between
the cooperative magnetic members 12, 26. This torque may be strong
enough to overcome the magnetic attraction between the cooperative
magnetic members 12, 26 and cause the cooperative magnetic members
12, 26 to separate. To prevent this, the upper edge of a support
assembly 14, or an additional tab 72 extending upwardly from the
support assembly base 22, is inserted into the pocket 70 as
described above. Once a portion of the support assembly 14 is in
the pocket 70, the pocket 70 captures the support assembly 14 and
prevents the separation of the cooperative magnetic members 12, 26.
Preferably, a second protuberance 18 is disposed an appropriate
distance below the upper lip 65 to support the support assembly 14
from below.
[0027] As an alternative to a deformation 40 in the generally
planar magnetic member attachment surface 16, the at least one
protuberance 18 may be a separate elongated member 42 that is
coupled to the generally planar magnetic member 12. Preferably, the
separate elongated member 42 is an elongated magnetic member 43
having an attachment surface 44. The elongated magnetic member
attachment surface 44 is structured to be magnetically coupled to
the generally planar magnetic member 12. The elongated magnetic
member 43 is simply a magnetic member 12 having a cooperative
relationship with the generally planar magnetic member 12. The
elongated magnetic member 43, preferably, has a thickness
corresponding to a minimal offset 30. Thus, the weight of the
elongated magnetic member 43 is minimal. The elongated magnetic
member 43 is magnetically coupled to the generally planar magnetic
member 12 and oriented to extend generally horizontally. This type
of protuberance 18 has the advantage of being movable. That is, if
the protuberance 18 is not in a desired location, the user may
simply detach, or slide, the elongated magnetic member 43 to a
different location on the generally planar magnetic member 12.
Alternatively, the separate elongated member 42 may be attached by
another means, such as, but not limited to, an adhesive, fasteners,
welding, or other known means. If such an alternate attachment
means is used, a non-magnetic elongated member (not shown) may be
used.
[0028] The elongated magnetic member 43 may also be formed with an
upper lip 63A. That is, a longitudinal edge of the elongated
magnetic member 43 may be bent so as to extend outwardly/upwardly
from the plane of the generally planar magnetic member 12. As with
the embodiment described above, the upper lip 63A may engage a
notch 64 in the at least one support assembly base 22. The
elongated magnetic member 43 may also be formed with a lower lip
(not shown) that forms a pocket 70 relative to the portion of the
generally planar magnetic member 12 disposed below the elongated
magnetic member 43 in a manner similar to the pocket 70 described
above. Such an elongated magnetic member 43 with a lower lip is
structured to support high torque/heavy loads.
[0029] In another embodiment, the generally planar magnetic member
12 may be shaped as channel magnetic member 80, as shown in FIG. 4.
As described below, the channel magnetic member 80 has a generally
"C-shaped" cross-section. As it is generally difficult to
incorporate this shape into a sheet metal panel, this embodiment is
disclosed as having a single channel magnetic member 80. However,
it is understood that, while difficult to form this shape in sheet
metal, it is not impossible and the generally planar magnetic
member 12 may incorporate more than the disclosed, single channel
magnetic member 80. For example, multiple channel magnetic member
80 may be attached (not shown) to a sheet 13 whereby each channel
magnetic member 80 acts as a protuberance 18. The channel magnetic
member 80 is, preferably, coupled directly to a wall and is
structured to support high torque/heavy loads.
[0030] In this embodiment, the channel magnetic member 80 includes
a body 82 having an elongated generally planar base portion 84, a
first, upper depending sidewall 86 extending generally
perpendicularly to the base portion, a second, lower depending
sidewall 88 extending generally perpendicularly to the base portion
84, and one overhanging lip 90. The overhanging lip 90 extends
downwardly from the first, upper depending sidewall 86 and is,
preferably, generally parallel to the base portion 84. In this
configuration, the channel magnetic member 80 forms a channel with
an overhanging lip 90. It is further noted that the channel
magnetic member 80 does not have a lip extending upwardly from the
lower depending sidewall 88. Thus, the lower depending sidewall 88
acts as the at least one protuberance 18 and may engage any support
assembly 14 disposed thereabove and prevent the support assembly 14
from sliding down, or off, the planar magnetic member 12.
[0031] A support assembly 14, as described above, is structured to
be disposed, and captured, within the magnetic channel member 80.
That is, the support assembly base 22 is sized to be disposed
between the first, upper depending sidewall 86 and the second,
lower depending sidewall 88 with the support assembly base 22
extending substantially between the first, upper depending sidewall
86 and the second, lower depending sidewall 88. In this
configuration, the upper, outer edge of the support assembly base
22 will contact, or be disposed immediately adjacent to, the
overhanging lip 90. Thus, the support assembly 14 is captured by
the elongated magnetic channel member body 82. When a heavy tool,
or other heavy item, is supported by the support assembly 14, the
torque created thereby will tend to cause the upper edge of the
support assembly base 22 to rotate away from the magnetic channel
member 80; however, the upper edge of the support assembly base 22
is held in place by the overhanging lip 90. That is, the upper edge
of the support assembly base 22 is biased against the overhanging
lip 90.
[0032] It is noted that the magnetic channel member 80
substantially traps the support assembly 14 within the defined
channel. As such, an alternate, non-magnetic support (not shown)
may be utilized. However, as the magnetic channel member 80 does
not have a lip extending upwardly from the lower depending sidewall
88, an unused or unencumbered support assembly 14 would not have
the upper edge of the support assembly base 22 biased against the
overhanging lip 90 and may be too loose to stay within the magnetic
channel member 80. When the support assembly 14 includes the
magnetic member 26, the magnetic member 26 aids in keeping an
unencumbered support assembly 14 within the magnetic channel member
80.
[0033] It is noted that a single, generally planar magnetic member
12 may include two or more different types of protuberances 18. In
a preferred embodiment, at least one protuberance 18 is selected
from the group including: a deformation 40 in the sheet 13 of
ferrous material and/or an elongated magnetic member 43 having an
attachment surface.
[0034] While specific embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that various modifications and alternatives to those details
could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the
disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are
meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of
the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims
appended and any and all equivalents thereof.
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