Walls are typically useful for hanging items, including display boards and certain furniture. As noted in U.S. Pat. No. 7,481,406, display wall panels, such as pegboards are well known. Pegboards have many uses, including displaying merchandize, storing tools along a wall without contacting the finished wall behind the pegboard. This patent uses interlocking modular pegboards that can be directly mounted to a wall by providing a clearance behind the panel to allow for insertion of a hook. U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,538 also discloses a similar modular pegboard that is directly mounted to a wall.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,798,338 discloses another pegboard application, where multiple display modules are mechanically linked using interlocking connectors, and hung from either conventional pegboards or slatwall using a universal mounting bracket.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,963,621 further discloses that pegboards are typically secured to a front face of wall studs or free standing vertical supports, such as contained in rolling and floor-mounted cabinets. Conventional pegboards require sufficient back clearance to allow mounting of hanging hooks or brackets for hanging, for examples, tools.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,497,079 and 4,461,443 further disclose a box-type support structure for a pegboard to allow for improved stability or weight carrying capability.
One known wall-mountable furniture uses a French cleat system. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,780,349 and 7,954,653, which disclose opposed complementary cleats with angled mating ends. One cleat is secured to a support wall and the other cleat having a similar configuration, inverted in relation to the one cleat, is attached to the back of a cabinet. The cleat secured to the wall is a horizontal beam with an angled mating end that angles down toward the wall to draw the cabinet and the cleats into abutting engagement with the wall. That is, the shorter side of the wall cleat confronts the wall, while the shorter side of the cabinet cleat confronts the cabinet.
Another example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,381,636, uses a French cleat system for a shelving application. A wall cleat configured as a horizontal beam is secured to a wall. This cleat has a cut-out at the upper side that confronts the wall, forming an upwardly facing groove when mounted to the wall. The end of the shelf has a downwardly facing mating end that sits on the wall cleat.
There still remains a need for a wall system that can be easily adopted in homes and offices, as well as for shop use, namely to display merchandize, while providing appealing appearance. The present development addresses this need.
One aspect of the present development is a panel assembly. The panel assembly is hangable on a hanging horizontal beam mounted to a structural support and usable with at least one peg to display an object. The panel assembly includes a first panel and a first back support. The first panel has a front side and a back side, and a plurality of spaced first through holes extending between the front side and the back side. Each of the plurality of first through holes is dimensioned to permit the peg to pass therethrough.
The first back support has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and is secured to the back side of the first panel with the first side of the first back support confronting the back side of the first panel. The first back support includes, on the first side, a plurality of first blind holes that each align with one of the plurality of first through holes, and is configured engage and hang from the hanging horizontal beam. Each of the plurality of first blind holes is dimensioned to receive the peg inserted through one of the plurality of first through holes. The first back support can also include, on the second side, a plurality of back blind holes each configured to receive the peg inserted from the second side.
The panel assembly can include a second panel and a second back support. The second panel is disposable below the first panel. The second panel has a front side and a back side, and a plurality of spaced second through holes extending between the front side and the back side thereof. The second back support has a first side and a second side opposite the first side thereof, and is secured to the back side of the second panel with the first side of the second back support confronting the back side of the second panel. The second back support includes, on the first side thereof, a plurality of second blind holes that each align with one of the plurality of second through holes. Each of the plurality of second through holes is dimensioned to permit the peg to pass therethrough. Each of the plurality of second blind holes is dimensioned to receive the peg inserted through one of the plurality of second through holes. The plurality of first through holes and the plurality of second through holes can be arrayed.
The first back support includes a plurality of first vertical beams and a first horizontal beam. Each of the plurality of first vertical beams has a first side disposed confronting the back side of the first panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof. The plurality of first vertical beams are horizontally spaced from each other. The first horizontal beam having a first side disposed confronting the back side of the first panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof.
Each of the plurality of first vertical beams has, on the first side thereof, a first slot sized to receive the first horizontal beam and allow the first side of the first horizontal beam and the first sides of the plurality of first vertical beams to contact the back side of the first panel. Each of the plurality of first vertical beams has, on the second side, a second slot configured to hook onto an upper portion of the hanging horizontal beam. Each of the first vertical beams has a plurality of vertically spaced first blind holes opening from the first side thereof. The plurality of first blind holes in the first back support correspond to the plurality of vertically spaced first blind holes in the plurality of first vertical beams.
The second back support includes a plurality of second vertical beams and a second horizontal beam. Each of the plurality of second vertical beams has a first side disposed confronting the back side of the second panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof. The plurality of second vertical beams are horizontally spaced from each other. The second horizontal beam has a first side disposed confronting the back side of the second panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof.
Each of the plurality of second vertical beams has, on the first side thereof, a second slot sized to receive the second horizontal beam and allow the first side of the second horizontal beam and the first sides of the plurality of second vertical beams to contact the back side of the second panel. Each of the second vertical beams has a plurality of vertically spaced second blind holes opening from the first side thereof. The plurality of second blind holes in the second back support correspond to the plurality of vertically spaced second blind holes in the plurality of second vertical beams.
The second back support also includes a third horizontal beam having a first side disposed confronting the back side of the second panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof. Each of the plurality of second vertical beams has a third slot vertically spaced from the second slot and sized to receive the third horizontal beam and allow the first side of the third horizontal beam and the first sides of the plurality of second vertical beams to contact the back side of the second panel.
The panel assembly further includes first and second linking beams that secure together the first and second back supports. The first linking beam secures one of the plurality of first vertical beams and one of the plurality of second vertical beams and the second linking beam secures together another of the plurality of first vertical beams and another of the plurality of second vertical beams. A plurality of fasteners can secure the first linking beam to the one first vertical beam and the one second vertical beam, and the second linking beam to the another first vertical beam and the another second vertical beam.
The vertical length of each of the plurality of first vertical beams can be substantially equal to the vertical length of the first panel. The vertical length of each of the plurality of second vertical beams can be substantially shorter than the vertical length of the second panel.
Each of the first horizontal beam and the plurality of the first vertical beams can be secured to the back side of the first panel with an adhesive. The first horizontal beam and the plurality of the first vertical beams can be secured together with the adhesive. Each of the second and third horizontal beams and the plurality of the second vertical beams can be secured to the back side of the second panel using the adhesive. The second and third horizontal beams and the plurality of the second vertical beams can be secured together with the adhesive.
The locking peg includes a bolt with a threaded shaft, a tubular member having a first end and a second end, and a wedge configured to be engageable with the second end of the tubular member and having a threading configured to receive the thread shaft inserted into the tubular member from the first end. Drawing the wedge against the second end of the tubular member by rotating the bolt in one direction secures the locking peg to the first or blind hole in the first back support or one of the back blind holes.
Another aspect of the present development is a panel system. The panel system includes the hanging horizontal beam that is mountable to a structural support, at least one locking peg, and the panel assembly that is hangable on the hanging horizontal beam. The first back support and the hanging horizontal beam are complementarily configured so that the hanging horizontal beam is engageable with the first back support.
The locking peg securable to the first back support using one of the plurality of first or second or back blind holes. The locking peg has a locking mechanism at one end and is configured to extend through a first or second through hole, among the plurality of first or second through holes, and extend into and secure to a first or second blind hole, among the plurality of first or second blind holes, aligned with the first or second through hole. The locking peg is configured to extend outwardly from the front side of the first or panel when fully seated in the first or second blind hole.
Another aspect of the present development is a method of assembling and hanging the panel assembly. The method includes the steps of providing the first and second linking beams, providing the hanging horizontal beam, mounting the hanging horizontal beam to a structural support, securing together the upper and lower back support using the first and second linking beams, and hanging the assembled panel assembly on the hanging horizontal beam.
The present panel assembly PA, which is designed to be flexible, can provide individuals and families with storage and furniture options that maximize smaller living spaces and provide the opportunity to be creative. Other useful feature is that the present panel assembly also can be used for displaying, organizing, and storing merchandise, such as at exhibits or trade shows. There are many uses for the present panel assembly since it can be disassembled for portability and quickly assembled.
The panel assembly PA is hangable from a hanging horizontal beam HB (hereafter hanging beam) that is held securely to a structural support, such as a wall, stand, frame, etc., using fasteners. The hanging beam HB is horizontally mounted to a wall and can be made of metal.
The panel assembly PA includes an upper (first) panel 1, a lower (second) panel 2, an upper (first) back support (3, 5) secured to the upper panel 1, a lower (second) back support (4, 5) secured to the lower panel 2, and linking vertical beams 7 that connect together the upper and lower back supports using fasteners 9, which can be bolts each provided with a threaded shaft.
Each of the upper and lower panels 1, 2, which can be flat, has a front side (see
Referring to
The horizontal beam 5 has a front (first) side disposed confronting the back side of the upper panel and a back (second) side opposite the front side. The upper vertical beams 3, which are horizontally spaced from each other and parallel to each other, each have a front (first) side disposed confronting the back side of the first panel and a back (second) side opposite the front side thereof. The front and back sides of the upper back support correspond respectively to the front and back sides of the upper vertical beams 3.
Each upper vertical beam 3 has a plurality of vertically spaced front (first) blind holes 3H opening from the one side. The front blind holes 3H in the upper back support correspond to the front blind holes in the upper vertical beams 3.
Each upper vertical beam 3 has, on the front side thereof, a front (first) slot 3Sf sized to receive the horizontal beam 5 and allow the front side of the horizontal beam 5 and the front side of each upper vertical beam 3 to contact the back side of the upper panel 1. The front slots 3Sf confine the horizontal beam 5 from moving in the vertical direction relative to the upper vertical beams 3.
Each upper vertical beam 3 also has, on the back side, a back (second) slot 3Sb vertically spaced above the front slot 3Sa and configured to hook onto an upper portion of the hanging beam HB. The back slot 3Sb can have a French-cleat configuration complementary to the French-cleat configuration of the hanging beam HB to allow the upper vertical beams 3 to be hung from the hanging beam HB. Specifically, as illustrated in
Referring to
The upper horizontal beam 5 and each upper vertical beam 3 can be secured to the back side of the upper panel 1 with an adhesive or glue. The upper horizontal beam 5 and each upper vertical beam 3 also can be secured together with the adhesive or glue. Moreover, the upper horizontal beam 5 and each upper vertical beam 3 can be further secured using screws.
The lower back support is configured similar to the upper back support, except that the lower back support is made shorter and does not include the back slots 3Sb. See
Referring to
Each horizontal beam 5 has a front (first) side disposed confronting the back side of the lower panel 2 and a back (second) side opposite the front side. The lower vertical beams 4, which are horizontally spaced from each other and parallel to each other, each have a front (first) side disposed confronting the back side of the first panel and a back (second) side opposite the front side thereof. The front and back sides of the lower back support correspond respectively to the front and back sides of the lower vertical beams 4.
Each lower vertical beam 4 has a plurality of vertically spaced front (first) blind holes 4H opening from the front side. The front blind holes 4H in the lower back support correspond to the front blind holes in the lower vertical beams 4.
Each lower vertical beam 4 has, on the front side thereof, upper (second) and lower (third) slot 4Sfu, 4Sfl each sized to receive one of two horizontal beams 5 and allow the front side of the horizontal beams 5 and the front side of each lower vertical beam 4 to contact the back side of the second panel 2.
Each horizontal beam 5 and each lower vertical beam 4 can be secured to the back side of the lower panel 2 with an adhesive or glue. Each horizontal beam 5 and each lower vertical beam 4 can be also secured together with the adhesive or glue. Moreover, each horizontal beam 5 and each upper lower beam 3 can be further secured using screws.
In the illustrated embodiment, the upper vertical beams 3 and the lower vertical beams 4 are aligned vertically. Two linking beams 7 each secure together one of the upper vertical beams 3 and one of the lower vertical beams 4 using fasteners 9, which can be bolts having threaded ends. Specifically, these two linking vertical beams 7 are disposed inwardly from the two upper and lower outermost vertical beams to link together the upper and lower panels 1, 2.
Referring to
Through holes in the two outermost vertical beams 3, 4 can be predrilled to permit passage of fasteners 9. Each linking vertical beam 7 can have threaded nuts 8 in the form of inserts or anchors preinstalled therein from the side opposite the side confronting the outermost vertical beams 3, 4 to receive the threaded end of the bolts to enable the end user to easily assemble and disassemble the panel assembly for portability (transporting) and storage. Although the illustrations only uses two linking vertical beams 7, the number thereof can depend on the size of the panels.
The height of the lower panel 2 can be the same as the upper panel 1, but can have less row of holes 2H than the upper panel 1 (seven rows of holes being provided for the lower panel 2, as opposed to nine rows of holes provided for the upper panel 1 in the illustration).
The second embodiment, as illustrated in
A locking peg LP is securable to any of the front and rear blind holes 3H, 3Hb, 4H, 4Hb in the upper and lower back supports. The through holes 1H, 2H in the upper and lower panel 1, 2 are configured or sized to permit the locking peg to be inserted therethrough to allow the locking peg LP to be secured thereto. Non-locking pegs PP (see
Referring to
The stem 20 has a proximal end 20P at which the bolt enters and a distal end 20D that is angled relative to stem body. The wedge 10 also has a beveled or angled end 10D that is complementarily angled that engages and slides relative to the angled proximal end 20P. The fastener 30, 40, the wedge 10, and the angled proximal end 20P of the stem 20 form a locking mechanism, which is similar in design to a bicycle handlebar stem. The wedge 10 is sized to be inserted into any of the blind holes 3H, 3Hb, 4H, 4Hb and through any of the through holes 1H, 2H or directly thereinto. The fastener is rotated in one (tightening) direction to draw the angled end 10P of the wedge 10 against the angled proximal end 20P of the stem 20. This causes the wedge to slide in relation to the stem 20 in both the radial and axial direction, causing these components to be jammed in the blind hole to secure the locking peg LP therein. The locking peg, when inserted to the blind hole extends outwardly from the front side or the back side. Rotating the fastener 30, 40 in the opposite (loosening) direction moves the wedge 10 and stem 20 away from each other, releasing the locking peg LP from the blind hole.
The rear blind holes 3Hb, 4Hb, in conjunction with multiple locking pegs LP or non-locking pegs PP (having a similar shape as the locking pegs), provide extra rear storage, which can be used as a hidden storage, for exhibit or office installations. See
The vertical beams 3, 4 hold the upper and lower panels 1, 2 spaced from a wall (when the hanging horizontal beam is secured to a wall) and provide the load strength for holding or storing items. Holding the upper and lower panels 1, 2 spaced from the wall also provides a space for running power chords behind the upper and lower panels 1, 2 or inserting sound muting panels between the upper and lower vertical beams. Specifically, the upper and lower vertical beams can have a depth large enough (e.g., 60 mm) to accommodate power strips behind the upper and lower panels 1, 2. As illustrated, the lower vertical beams 4 do not extend the entire height of the lower panel 2 in contrast to the upper vertical beams 3, which extend substantially the entire length of the upper panel 1. This provides a relatively large open area behind the lower panel 2 to allow for stowing one or more power strips and accessing power outlets. See
Moreover, the panel assembly can be separated into upper and lower panels sized to fit in a vehicle for flat packing or stowing.
Although the panel assembly (less the fasteners) can be made from any suitable material, including plastic and metal, for aesthetic reasons, at least the upper and lower panels are preferably made of wood. Moreover, although the illustrated embodiments show two panels, namely upper and lower panels, additional panel(s) can be stacked. For instance, one or more upper panel with the upper back support can be disposed between the two illustrated upper and lower panels 1, 2, with back supports configured like the upper back support, but without the back slots 3Sb. Moreover, multiple panel assemblies can be hung side-by-side from one or more hanging beams HB.
Given the disclosure of the present invention, one versed in the art would appreciate that there may be other embodiments and modifications within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, all modifications attainable by one versed in the art from the present disclosure within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention accordingly is to be defined as set forth in the appended claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20180020849 A1 | Jan 2018 | US |