U.S. patent application number 15/134205 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-23 for apparatus for holding and organizing articles.
The applicant listed for this patent is Meir OREN. Invention is credited to Meir OREN.
Application Number | 20170049250 15/134205 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55022922 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170049250 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OREN; Meir |
February 23, 2017 |
APPARATUS FOR HOLDING AND ORGANIZING ARTICLES
Abstract
Disclosed is a system for holding and organizing articles that
provides for easy addition of new holding elements to the system
without the need to disturb existing system elements. The system
includes holding "clips" that are deployable on the system "rail"
by inserting a portion of the clip through a slot in the rail, at
substantially any point along the length of the slot. The clip,
upon being inserted into the rail, then lockingly engages the rail
at substantially any point along the length of the slot.
Inventors: |
OREN; Meir; (Ramat Hasharon,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OREN; Meir |
Ramat Hasharon |
|
IL |
|
|
Family ID: |
55022922 |
Appl. No.: |
15/134205 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25H 3/04 20130101; F16B
2/245 20130101; A47B 2096/1491 20130101; A47B 96/1433 20130101;
A47B 96/1466 20130101; A47F 5/0853 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/08 20060101
A47F005/08; B25H 3/04 20060101 B25H003/04; F16B 2/24 20060101
F16B002/24; A47B 96/14 20060101 A47B096/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 19, 2015 |
IL |
240681 |
Claims
1-22. (canceled)
23. A holding-and-organizing apparatus for holding and storing
articles, the apparatus comprising: a) at least one support element
having a forward wall configured with at least one slot, said slot
being defined by spaced apart substantially parallel edges, said
forward wall having a wall thickness, wherein an inner space is
formed behind said forward wall; and b) at least one holder element
comprising: i. a base having two sides, a first end and a second
end; ii. a position-retaining mechanism; and iii. an article
support arm having an article holding portion, wherein said
position-retaining mechanism includes a pair of springy lower walls
that extend from each of said sides of said base, away from said
base and both in the same direction, starting at and proximal to
said first end of said base, and wherein a lower gap is formed
between said springy lower walls; wherein said position-retaining
mechanism further includes a pair of unlocking leaves, wherein each
said unlocking leaf extends from a respective said springy lower
wall; wherein a ridge is formed on an external surface of each said
springy lower wall, at a border line between said springy lower
wall and said respective unlocking leaf, and wherein a width
measured between two respective ridges is larger than a width
between a plurality of external virtual lines formed on the
external surface of each said springy lower wall immediately
adjacent to said respective ridges, and wherein an upper gap is
formed between said unlocking leaves, and wherein said upper gap
and said lower gap facilitate motion of said unlocking leaves
towards each other and thereby motion of said springy lower walls
towards each other; wherein all said ridges have substantially
equal distance from respective said base sides; and wherein said
inner space is configured to receive said position-retaining
portion; and wherein said springy lower walls are configured so as
to be elastically deformable between a relaxed state and a
compressed state, such that in said compressed state said
position-retaining portion is insertable through said slot into
said inner space, and wherein upon insertion of said springy lower
walls through said slot, as the ridges pass the edges of the slot,
said springy lower walls are released toward said relaxed state and
said ridges engage with a plurality of inner rims of said slot and
an inner surface of said front wall proximal to said inner rims of
said slot, and wherein the external surface of said unlocking
leaves, proximal to said ridge, engage said edges of said slot,
thereby retaining said holder element in position on said support
element at substantially any point along said slot.
24. A The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 23, wherein
said springy lower walls diverge slightly from each other as said
pair of springy lower walls extend away from said base.
25. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 23, wherein
said unlocking leaves diverge slightly from each other as said pair
of unlocking leaves extend away from said base.
26. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 23, wherein
said unlocking leaves are made of laterally flat springy material,
and wherein a flat dimension of said unlocking leaves is parallel
to said sides of said base.
27. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 23, wherein
said article holding portion is configured so as to be elastically
deformable.
28. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 23, wherein
said article support arm includes an arm-lower-wall and said
article holding portion, and wherein at least said article holding
portion is made of laterally flat material such as metal.
29. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 28, wherein
said arm-lower-wall extends from said second end of said base, in
the same direction as said unlocking leaves.
30. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 29, wherein
said article holding portion extends from said arm-lower-wall.
31. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 30, wherein
said article support arm is substantially longer than said
unlocking leaves.
32. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 30, wherein
said arm-lower-wall is narrower than said flat article holding
portion, forming a stopper on both sides of said flat article
holding portion at a virtual boundary line between said
arm-lower-wall and said article holding portion.
33. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 32, wherein
said stopper is spatially situated more distal from said base than
said ridge, by a distance that is substantially equal to a wall
thickness of said arm-lower-wall.
34. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 33, wherein
said stopper is spatially situated such that upon said insertion of
said position-retaining portion through said slot and said springy
lower walls are released toward said relaxed state so as to said
ridges engage with the inner rims of said slot and the inner
surface of said front wall proximal to said inner rims of said
slot, and wherein the external surface of said unlocking leaves,
proximal to said ridge, said stopper blocks the further insertion
of said position-retaining portion through said slot.
35. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 23, wherein
said at least one support element is configured as a rail with a
constant cross-sectional profile.
36. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 35, wherein
said at least one support element is an extruded rail configured
from metals and plastics.
37. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 35, wherein
the open ends of said at least one support element are enclosed by
fitted rail-plugs.
38. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 35, wherein at
least two of said support elements are interconnected by a fitted
mediating-plug.
39. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 23, wherein
said article holding portion is configured to independently support
an article.
40. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 23, wherein
said article holding portion is configured as a hook.
41. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 23, wherein
said at least one holder element is configured as at least two of
said associated holder elements arranged to support an article.
42. The holding-and-organizing apparatus as in claim 41, wherein
said holder elements are configured such that at least one said
article holding portion comprises a springiness such that, once
deployed on said support element, said springiness is in a
direction substantially parallel to said slot, whereby an article
is supported between said two holder elements by the force of a
spring tension of said at least one springy article holding
portion.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO EXISTING APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims foreign priority under the Paris
Convention and 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 to Israel Patent Application No.
Israel Application No. 240681, filed Aug. 19, 2015 with the Israel
Patent Office.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to mechanisms for holding and
organizing articles and, in particular, it concerns an apparatus
that provides for easy addition of new holding elements to the
apparatus without the need to disturb existing system elements, and
further providing for easy adjustment of holding elements within
the apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] One embodiment of a device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
3,515,284 to Taylor consists of a runner bar and springy clip
halves, the clips being held in place by the friction of the spring
effect between two legs of the clip base. Each of the clips of
Taylor must be inserted into the runner bar at one of the two ends
and then slid to the desired location along the length of the
runner bar. This may prove to be a cumbersome process if a large
number of clips need to be arranged along the length of a loge
runner bar. Once a suitable arrangement of clips is deployed,
articles may be held in place between two opposing clips. If a new
article is to be added to the group of articles stored or held on
the assembled device, it may require that some clips be removed
from the end of the runner bar, the clips for the new article
inserted into the runner bar and the previously removed clips
reinserted. One can well imagine the inconvenience of this process
if a large number of clips must be removed and reinserted.
[0004] One solution to overcome the problem of feed holding
elements from an open end of a runner of rail is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,826,022 to Duarte. The Duarte device includes two panels
each of which contain associated slots. One of the slots is
configured with notches arranged to engage the engagement portion
of the hanger element. Placement of the Duarte hangers is limited
by the position of the notches, and therefore placement of the
hangers is not continuously variable along the full length of the
slot.
[0005] Another solution to overcome feeding holding elements from
the end of a runner or rail is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,801
to the present inventor. The rails of this device are configured
with a longitudinal slot. The holding elements are configured with
a holder portion configured to extend perpendicular to the rail,
with a gripper portion configured so as to fit through the slot.
Once inserted in the slot the gripper is rotated so as to align
with the rail along the edge of the slot. By tightening a screw,
the gripper then grips the portion of the rail between the gripper
and the base of the holder portion. This device suffers from the
need to rotate the gripper so as to bring it into suitable
alignment with the rail, both during installation of the holding
element and when adjusting the position of the holding element on
the rail.
[0006] Yet another solution to overcome feeding holding elements
from the end of a runner or rail is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,986,430 to the present inventor. The disclosed system provides
for easy addition of new holding elements to the system without the
need to disturb existing system elements. The system includes
holding "clips" that are deployable on the system "rail" by
inserting a portion of the clip through a slot in the rail, at
substantially any point along the length of the slot. The clip then
lockingly engages the rail at substantially any point along the
length of the slot. However, the clips are built such that after
being inserted into the rail the clip must be rotated 90.degree. to
be in operational position.
[0007] There is therefore a need for a holding and storage system
that provides easy attachment of holding elements to a base element
substantially along the entire length of a slot provided in the
base element such that a connecting portion of the holding element
may be inserted into the slot at substantially any point along the
length of the slot, wherein after deployment the holding element is
in operational position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to the teachings of the present invention there is
provided, a holding-and-organizing apparatus for holding and
storing articles. The apparatus includes at least one support
element and at least one holder element. The support element
includes a forward wall configured with at least one slot, the slot
being defined by spaced apart substantially parallel edges. The
forward wall have a wall thickness, wherein an inner space is
formed behind the forward wall.
[0009] The holder element includes a base having two sides, a first
end and a second end, a position-retaining mechanism and an article
support arm having an article holding portion. The
position-retaining mechanism includes a pair of springy lower walls
that extend from each of the sides of the base, extending away from
said base and both in the same direction, starting at and proximal
to the first end of the base, wherein the springy lower walls are
generally perpendicular to the base and generally parallel to each
other, and wherein a lower gap is formed between said of springy
lower walls. The position-retaining mechanism further includes a
pair of unlocking leaves, wherein each unlocking leaf extends from
a respective springy lower wall, wherein an upper gap is formed
between said unlocking leaves, and wherein said upper gap and said
lower gap facilitate motion of said unlocking leaves towards each
other and thereby motion of said springy lower walls towards each
other.
[0010] A ridge is formed on the external surface of each springy
lower wall, at the border line between the springy lower wall and
the respective unlocking leaf, wherein the width measured between
the two respective ridges is larger than the width between the
external virtual lines on the external surface of each springy
lower wall, immediately adjacent to the respective ridges. All of
the ridges in one side have substantially the same distance from
the respective base side. The inner space is configured to receive
the position-retaining portion.
[0011] The springy lower walls are configured so as to be
elastically deformable between a relaxed state and a compressed
state, such that in the compressed state the position-retaining
portion is insertable through the slot into the inner space, and
wherein upon insertion of the springy lower walls through the slot,
as the ridges pass the edges of the slot, the springy lower walls
are released toward the relaxed state and the ridges engage with
the inner rims of the slot and the inner surface of the front wall
proximal to the inner rims of the slot, and wherein the external
surface of the unlocking leaves, proximal to the ridge, engage the
edges of the slot, thereby retaining the holder element in position
on the support element, the engagement being at substantially any
point along the slot.
[0012] Preferably, the springy lower walls divert slightly from
each other as the pair of springy lower walls extend away from the
base.
[0013] Preferably, the unlocking leaves diverge slightly from each
other as the pair of unlocking leaves extend away from the
base.
[0014] Preferably, the unlocking leaves are made of laterally flat
springy material such as metal, and wherein the flat dimension of
the unlocking leaves is parallel to the sides of the base.
[0015] Preferably, the article holding portion is configured so as
to be elastically deformable.
[0016] Preferably, the article support arm includes an
arm-lower-wall and the article holding portion, wherein at least
the article holding portion is made of laterally flat material such
as metal, and wherein the flat dimension of the unlocking leaves is
perpendicular to the sides of the base. The arm-lower-wall extends
from the second end of the base, in the same direction as the
unlocking leaves, wherein the article holding portion extends from
the arm-lower-wall, and wherein the article support arm is longer
than the unlocking leaves.
[0017] Preferably, the arm-lower-wall is narrower than the flat
article holding portion, forming a stopper on both sides of flat
article holding portion at the virtual boundary line between the
flat arm-lower-wall and the article holding portion.
[0018] Preferably, the stopper is spatially situated more distal
from the base than the ridge, by a distance that is substantially
equal to the wall thickness.
[0019] Preferably, the stopper is spatially situated such that upon
the insertion of the position-retaining portion through the slot
and the springy lower walls are released toward the relaxed state
so as to the ridges engage with the inner rims of the slot and the
inner surface of the front wall proximal to the inner rims of the
slot, and wherein the external surface of the unlocking leaves,
proximal to the ridge, the stopper blocks the further insertion of
the position-retaining portion through the slot.
[0020] Preferably, the at least one support element is configured
as a rail with a constant cross-sectional profile.
[0021] Optionally, the at least one support element is an extruded
rail configured from a material chosen from a list of materials
including metals and plastics.
[0022] Optionally, the open ends of the at least one support
element are enclosed by fitted rail-plugs.
[0023] Optionally, at least two of the support elements are
interconnected by a fitted mediating-plug.
[0024] Optionally, the article holding portion configured to
independently supports an article.
[0025] Optionally, the article holding portion is configured as a
hook.
[0026] Optionally, the holder element is configured as at least two
associated holder elements arranged to support an article.
[0027] Optionally, the holder elements are configured such that at
least one of the article holding portion is springy such that, once
deployed on the support element, the springiness is in a direction
substantially parallel to the slot, whereby an article is supported
between the two holder elements by the force of the spring tension
of the at least one springy article holding portion.
[0028] There is also provided according to the teachings of the
present invention, a deployment method for deploying a holder
element on a support element. The method includes the steps of: a)
providing a holding-and-organizing apparatus; b) inserting the
position-retaining portion through the slot; and c) upon the
stopper reaching the external surface of the forward wall,
terminating the insertion step.
[0029] According to a further teaching of the present invention,
there is provided a method for removing a holder element from a
support element, the method includes the steps of a) providing a
holding-and-organizing apparatus; b) pressing the unlocking leaves
towards each other; and c) removing the holder element from the
support element through the slot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The present invention will become fully understood from the
detailed description given herein below and the accompanying
drawings, which are given by way of illustration and example only
and thus not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
holding-and-organizing apparatus for holding and organizing
articles, constructed and operative according to embodiments of the
present invention.
[0032] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a pair of embracing clip
elements constructed and operative according to embodiments of the
present invention, this embodiment being configured to springly
hold an article between two opposing such clips, the clips are
shown here with the spring element of the position-retaining
portion in a non-compressed state.
[0033] FIG. 2b illustrates the embracing clip elements in a front
view, a rear view and a side view.
[0034] FIG. 2c illustrates the embracing clip elements in a
perspective view.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two other identical clip
elements constructed and operative according to embodiments of the
present invention, this embodiment configured with an individual
hook.
[0036] FIG. 4 shows five embracing clip elements at various
deployed positions.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a front view of a holding-and-organizing
apparatus, similar to that shown in FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
modular-holding-and-organizing apparatus for holding and organizing
articles, constructed and operative according to embodiments of the
present invention.
[0039] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the rail of one
variation of a modular-holding-and-organizing apparatus, with
respect to the modular-holding-and-organizing apparatus shown in
FIG. 6.
[0040] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the rail of
another variation of a modular-holding-and-organizing apparatus,
with respect to the modular-holding-and-organizing apparatus shown
in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0041] The present invention will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided, so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art.
[0042] An embodiment is an example or implementation of the
inventions. The various appearances of "one embodiment," "an
embodiment" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to
the same embodiment. Although various features of the invention may
be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features
may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination.
Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the
context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also
be implemented in a single embodiment.
[0043] Reference in the specification to "one embodiment", "an
embodiment", "some embodiments" or "other embodiments" means that a
particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in
connection with the embodiments is included in at least one
embodiment, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions.
It is understood that the phraseology and terminology employed
herein are not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive
purpose only.
[0044] Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are
to be commonly understood as to which the invention belongs, unless
otherwise defined. The present invention can be implemented in the
testing or practice with methods and materials equivalent or
similar to those described herein.
[0045] It should be noted that orientation related descriptions
such as "bottom", "up", "upper", "down", "lower", "top" and the
like, assumes that the associated item is operationally situated,
that is, with no limitations, securely attached to a vertical wall
and being faced by a viewer.
[0046] The present invention is an apparatus for holding and
organizing articles that provides for easy addition of new holding
elements to the system without the need to disturb existing system
elements.
[0047] The principles and operation of an apparatus for holding and
organizing articles that provides for easy addition of new holding
elements to the apparatus without the need to disturb existing
system elements according to the present invention may be better
understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying
description.
[0048] Reference is made to the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a
perspective view of an embodiment of a holding-and-organizing
apparatus 100 for holding and organizing articles, constructed and
operative according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0049] By way of introduction, holding-and-organizing apparatus 100
of the present invention consists of a support element 110,
hereafter referred to as the "rail" 110 for brevity, to which rail
110 are attached at least one holder element, hereafter referred to
as a "clip" (such as embracing clip element 122 and hook clip
element 130) for brevity. A principle of the present invention is
to provide a rail that includes a slot with substantially parallel
edges. It is another principle of the present invention to provide
a clip that is deployable on the rail by inserting the
position-retaining portion of the clip through the slot, at
substantially any point along the length of the slot, the clip is
further configured so as to engage the rail at substantially any
point along the length of the slot. Once inserted, the clip is
ready for use, wherein there is no need to rotate the clip into an
operational position. While the embodiment of the rail herein
described is made of one or more pieces, preferably extruded rail
configured preferably from metal, however the use of
plastic/polymers is within the scope of the present invention. Rail
110 may also be made from a sheet of metal.
[0050] It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the
art that the forward and rearward walls of the rail need not be
configured as parts of an integral unit, as herein described, but
rather may be separate associated pieces that perform the same
function. It will be further apparent that the forward and rearward
walls may be configured as associated panels, the forward panel 111
may include a plurality of slots, and that the slots may be
disposed at any given angle. The forward wall 111 may also be
formed from separated pieces that are interconnected by a fitted
spacer (116, see FIG. 6). The forward wall 111 may also be formed
from separated pieces that are spaced apart so as to form a slot
between them. Alternatively, the slot may be provided in a single
walled rail.
[0051] Holding-and-organizing apparatus 100 includes a rail 110
having a hollow body and a substantially parallel-sided slot 112
formed therein the forward wall 111 of the rail 110. In some
embodiments, forward wall 111 is configured with a plurality of
slots 112. Holding-and-organizing apparatus 100 includes one or
more clip elements such as a pair 120 of embracing clip elements
122 and hook clip elements 130, being spring elements, each
constructed and operative according to embodiments of the present
invention, and configured to be deployed inside the hollow body of
rail 110.
[0052] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a pair 120 of embracing
clip elements 122. Embracing clip elements 122 are configured to
springly hold an article, such as tool device 50, between two
opposing such clip elements 122. FIG. 2b illustrates the embracing
clip elements 122 in a front view, a rear view and a side view.
FIG. 2c illustrates the embracing clip elements 122 in a
perspective view.
[0053] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another clip element
constructed and operative according to embodiments of the present
invention, this embodiment configured with a hook portion 139. It
should be noted that hook clip element 130 may be formed to be
inserted into rail 110 as a right side insertion hook clip element
130a or a left side insertion hook clip element 130b.
[0054] The clip elements (122, 130) include a position-retaining
mechanism 140 having a pair of unlocking leaves 145, a base (146,
126, 136), a rail-engagement region (121, 131).
[0055] It should be noted that while each leaf of the pair of
unlocking leaves 145 described herein is shown as a single integral
unit, this is not intended as a limitation, but rather as a
non-limiting example. Embracing clip elements 122 and hook clip
elements 130 are shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 3 with the unlocking
leaves 145, being spring elements, in a non-compressed state.
[0056] Position-retaining mechanism 140 includes a pair of lower
walls 142 that extend from each of the sides 149 of the base (146,
126, 136), starting at and proximal to a first end 143 of the base
(146, 126, 136), the lower walls 142 being generally perpendicular
to the base (146, 126, 136) and generally parallel to each other,
but preferably, and with no limitations, slightly diverging from
each other as the pair of lower walls 142 extend away from the base
(146, 126, 136). Each unlocking leaf 145 extends from a respective
lower wall 142, wherein the two unlocking leaves 145 are generally
parallel to each other, but preferably, and with no limitations,
slightly diverging from each other as the pair of unlocking leaves
145 extend away from lower walls 142. The space formed between the
pair of unlocking leaves 145 is referred to as the inner space of
position-retaining mechanism 140.
[0057] A lower gap 141 is formed between said of springy lower
walls 142 and an upper gap 147 is formed between of unlocking leaf
145. The upper gap 147 and lower gap 141 facilitate motion of
unlocking leaves 145 towards each other and thereby the motion of
springy lower walls 142 towards each other.
[0058] While each and unlocking leaf 145 extends from the
respective lower wall 142, the unlocking leaf 145 is not flush with
the respective lower wall 142, wherein a small ridge 144 may be
formed on the external surface of each lower wall 142 at the border
line between the unlocking leaf 145 and the respective lower wall
142, by bending the unlocking leaf 145 inwardly with respected to
the respective lower wall 142 and the bending of the unlocking leaf
145 right back, to extend generally in the direction of the
respective lower wall 142. Alternatively, a ridge 144 may be formed
on the external side of each lower wall 142 at the border line
between the unlocking leaf 145 and the respective lower wall 142,
by a formed protrusion. In any embodiment, the distance of the
ridge 144 from the respective side 149, on both sides is
substantially identical. Furthermore, in any embodiment, the width
measured between two respective ridges 144 must be larger than the
width between the external lines immediately adjacent to the
respective ridges 144.
[0059] While the pair of lower walls 142 and unlocking leaves 145
extend from the first end 143 of the base (146, 126, 136), an
article support arm (128, 138), being an elongated portion with
respect to the pair of unlocking leaves 145, also extends at the
second end 123 (see FIG. 2c) of the base portions (126, 136), in
the same direction. However, the flat surfaces of the article
support arm (128, 138) are generally perpendicular to the flat
surfaces of unlocking leaves 145. Article support arm 128 of each
clip element (122, 130) includes a rail-engagement region (121,
131) and an article holding portion (129, 139). Article holding
portion 129 of embracing clip element 122 is an article embracing
portion 129 and article holding portion 139 of hook clip element
130 is a hook portion 139.
[0060] The rail-engagement region (121, 131) includes an
arm-lower-wall (125, 135) that may be configured from flat
materials, from which the flat article support arm (128, 138)
extends away from the base portion (126, 136). Arm-lower-wall (125,
135) extends from the second end 123 of the base portion (126,
136), the arm-lower-wall (125, 135) being generally perpendicular
to the portion (126, 136). Flat arm-lower-wall (125, 135) is
narrower than flat article holding portion (129, 139), forming a
stopper (127, 137) on both sides of flat article holding portion
(129, 139) at the virtual boundary line between flat arm-lower-wall
(125, 135) and article holding portion (129, 139).
[0061] Stopper (127, 137) is spatially situated just above ridge
144, with respect to the base (146, 126, 136). The difference in
height is configured to accommodate the width of forward wall 111
of the rail 110. The width of flat arm-lower-wall (125, 135) is
configured to allow comfort insertion of clip element (122, 130)
through slot 112 and into rail 110. Upon insertion of clip element
(122, 130) into rail 110, ridge 144 goes through slot 112, pushing
the arm-lower-walls (125, 135) towards each other, the
arm-lower-walls (125, 135) being springy. Upon passing over the
inner edges formed by the rims of slot 112 and the inner surface of
forward wall 111, the springy arm-lower-wall (125, 135) move away
from each other to thereby position ridges 144 adjacently to the
internal surface of forward wall 111, and thereby lock clip element
(122, 130) inside rail 110 and bring clip element (122, 130) to a
deployed state. In the deployed state, stopper (127, 137) is
configured to be situated proximately adjacent to the external
surface of front wall 111. In FIG. 4, Position A illustrates an
embracing clip element 122 in a deployed state.
[0062] To removes clip element (122, 130) from rail 110, unlocking
leaves 145 are manually pushed towards each other, to thereby move
ridges 144 away from being adjacent to the internal surface of
forward wall 111 (see FIG. 4, Position B). Then, while unlocking
leaves 145 are being pushed towards each other, the clip element
(122, 130) is manually pulled out of rail 110, though slot 112 (see
FIG. 4, Position C).
[0063] In FIG. 4, Position D illustrates that an embracing clip
element 122 can be deployed on rail 110 in either direction. This
allows for a pair of embracing clip elements 122a and 122b to be
deployed such that their respective article embracing portion 129
face each other (see clip elements 122a and 122b in FIG. 5),
facilitating cooperative operation of holding a single article,
such as article 50, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0064] Reference is also made to FIG. 6, showing a perspective view
of a portion of holding-and-organizing apparatus 100, illustrating
one alternative for deploying a clip element (122, 130) into the
hollow body of rail 110 through the open ends 113 of
holding-and-organizing apparatus 100. In the example shown in FIG.
6. Preferably, open ends 113 may be enclosed by fitted rail-plugs
114. A fitted mediating-plug 116 may be used to interconnect two
segments rails 110.
[0065] FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of portions of rails 110
of variations of a modular-holding-and-organizing apparatus 100.
Rail-plugs 114 and/or mediating-plugs 116 may also be used attach
modular-holding-and-organizing apparatus 100 to a wall, for
example, by screws 118.
[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the steps of deployment of a clip
element (122, 130) on the rail 110 is effected as follows:
[0067] Step 1: The rail-engagement region (121, 131) of the clip
element (122, 130) is inserted through slot 112 in the forward wall
111 of the rail 110.
[0068] Step 2: The clip element (122, 130) is pushed manually
inwardly into rail 110, thereby, the arm-lower-walls (125, 135) are
pushed towards each other, the arm-lower-walls (125, 135) being
springy.
[0069] Step 3: Once ridges 144 pass over the inner edges formed by
the rims of slot 112 and the forward wall 111, the springy
arm-lower-wall (125, 135) move away from each other in the open
space of the hollow rail 110, to thereby place ridges 144
adjacently to the internal surface of forward wall 111, thereby
lock clip element (122, 130) inside rail 110 and bring clip element
(122, 130) to a deployed state.
[0070] To effect a change of a clip element's (122, 130) position,
the unlocking leaves 145 are manually pushed towards each other and
the clip element (122, 130) may be slid along the rail 110 in
either direction to the desired location.
[0071] To remove a clip element's (122, 130) from the rail 110, the
steps of deployment are simply reversed. That is, the unlocking
leaves 145 are manually pushed towards each other and the clip
element (122, 130) is removed through the slot 112.
[0072] Some of the advantages of the present invention with regard
to the addition of new clip element (122, 130) to the rail 110,
especially at points along a relatively full rail to which a new
storage location is desired near the middle, will be readily
apparent to anyone who has faced this situation.
[0073] The invention being thus described in terms of several
embodiments and examples, it will be obvious that the same may be
varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a
departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such
modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art.
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