Patent Application
20080257840
Organization and storage of tools and other small articles at home and in the work place can be challenging. This is especially true when the articles must be stored in a manner that provides quick and easy access. Such storage systems should provide neat organization and the flexibility of short or long-term storage. Moreover, such storage systems are often times used in a garage or workshop, which necessitates a heightened level of durability in order to provide a long useful life.
The ubiquitous storage system, commonly found in garages and workshops, includes one or more sheets of perforated board or “pegboard” that is secured to a wall. A plurality of small wire hangers are used to support tools and various articles from the pegboard. Small diameter hooks at the rearward ends of the hangers are shaped so that they may be passed through the openings in the pegboard and then rest against the backside of the pegboard when the forward end portion of the hanger is in place, closely adjacent the front surface of the pegboard. Unfortunately, such systems are not very durable due to the pressed composite board material used to fabricate the pegboards. Over time, the diameter of the pegboard openings begins to expand and create an ill-fitting connection for the hangers. Moreover, the apertures of standard pegboard are round, which permit rotation of the hanger within the openings, creating a fairly unstable platform for the storage of heavy or unbalanced articles.
Another serious disadvantage to the use of pegboard, and similar storage systems, is the fact that the pegboard itself must be secured in a spaced relationship with a mounting surface in order for the hangers to be secured with the pegboard. Most such systems pass the mounting end of the hangers completely through the pegboard and then utilize the rearward surface of the pegboard as a bracing surface for the mounting end of the hanger. Accordingly, this requires that spacers be used when mounting the pegboard to an operating surface, such as a garage wall. The spacers are typically positioned behind the pegboard, along the peripheral edge and sporadically throughout the middle portions of the pegboard, depending upon the size of the pegboard. Unfortunately, wherever a spacer is used, an aperture is filled with a fastener that passes through the spacer on the opposite side of the pegboard. The use of such small spacers creates instability in the pegboard material, causing it to wobble when articles are coupled with or removed from the pegboard. Where spacers are used that are too short, an insufficient space between the backside of the pegboard and the mounting surface is provided to accommodate the mounting end of the hanger. Accordingly, the system must be disassembled and each of the short spacers must be replaced with taller spacers.
Another disadvantage of using prior art storage systems, such as pegboard, is the inflexibility of their use. These prior art systems are designed to hang vertically, in a spaced relationship with a wall or other mounting surface. Due to the mechanical nature in which most hangers are passed through the pegboard apertures and brace themselves against the rearward surface of the pegboard, prior art storage systems cannot be positioned horizontally to support and store a wide range of articles. Accordingly, such storage systems are inappropriate for use in designing portable storage systems. This, combined with the typically flimsy nature of pegboard, further contributes to the fact that the pegboard materials are not used as horizontal shelves that can be, in turn, secured to vertically mounted sections of pegboard.
Accordingly, what is needed is a new storage system for articles that is modular and flexible in design, durable enough to withstand repeated, long-term use, and simple enough to use for a wide range of different applications.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary, and the foregoing Background, is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The storage system of the present invention is generally provided with a support panel having first and second surfaces, a peripheral edge portion, and a plurality of evenly spaced sockets. At least one support member is also provided, having at least one mounting post that extends outwardly from one end of the support member. The mounting post is shaped and sized to be at least partially received within at least one of the plurality of sockets in the support panel. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting post is provided with at least one nodule that extends outwardly from a side portion of the mounting post. The nodule is shaped and sized so that it may be releasably receivable within a recess formed within an interior sidewall of the support panel socket. In this manner, the support member snaps in place, adjacent the first surface of the support panel. The support member may be easily removed by pulling the support member until the mounting post is extracted from the socket. The support member may then be repositioned to any other socket in the support panel. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting post and socket are shaped to have a polygonal cross-section so that rotation of the mounting post within the socket is limited.
In one preferred embodiment, the storage system is provided to be modular in construction, providing at least one side socket that extends into the peripheral edge portion of the support panel. A second support panel is provided in a similar construction to the first support panel and includes at least one mounting post that extends from the peripheral edge portion of the second support panel. The side socket and the side mounting post are shaped and sized to be releasably engagable with one another, permitting the support panels to be securely coupled to one another in an edge-to-edge fashion when secured to an operating surface. Openings may be formed transversely through the side socket and the side mounting post in such a manner that the openings align with one another when the post is disposed within the socket. In this manner, a mounting aperture is provided to receive a fastener that will secure the two panels to the operating surface.
In another embodiment, a second support panel that is constructed in a manner similar to the first support panel may be provided in a narrow but elongated shape. One or more side mounting posts may be provided to extend outwardly from the peripheral edge portion of the second support panel. This arrangement permits the second support panel to be releasably secured to the first support panel in a generally perpendicular orientation. This arrangement provides for a modular shelf to support various articles. In still another embodiment, the support member is provided with an upper mounting post that extends from an upper edge portion of the support member and is sized and shaped to be at least partially received within at least one socket formed in the second support panel, such that the support member extends in a generally perpendicular fashion from the support panel. A mounting post extending from the rearward edge of the support member may be coupled within a socket in the first support panel when the second support panel is secured to the first face of the first support panel, serving as a brace for the shelf that is formed by the second support panel. Sockets may be formed in the support member for receiving the mounting posts of other support members, which will be utilized to individually support various articles.
In another preferred embodiment, a first elongated sleeve is coupled to one end of the support member and is provided with an inner cavity that is in open communication with an open upper end portion of the sleeve. Accordingly, the support member may be coupled with the support panel in a manner that permits the sleeve to hold various articles, including the handle portion of a fishing rod. Additional sleeves may be coupled in a generally parallel fashion with the sides of the first sleeve to receive additional articles for storage. In a different embodiment, the mounting post may extend outwardly from a lower end portion of the first elongated sleeve so that the sleeve may be secured to a horizontally disposed platform, having one or more sockets that are positioned to receive the mounting post. The support panel may also be provided in an elongated, slender shape, having a mounting post that extends outwardly from a first end of the peripheral edge portion of the support panel. The mounting post may be releasably received within a handle socket formed in the platform, permitting the support panel to be used as a handle to move and reposition the platform. A base may also be provided with an upper bearing surface that is rotatably received within a recess formed in the lower surface of the platform. In this arrangement, a “lazy Susan” is provided.
These and other aspects of the present system and method will be apparent after consideration of the Detailed Description and Figures herein. It is to be understood, however, that the scope of the invention shall be determined by the claims as issued and not by whether given subject matter addresses any or all issues noted in the Background or includes any features or aspects recited in this Summary.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention, including the preferred embodiment, are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.
Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
The storage system 10 of the present invention is generally provided with a support panel 12, having a first surface 14, a second surface 16 and a peripheral edge portion 18. A plurality of sockets 20 extend into the support panel 12 from a plurality of openings formed the first surface 14. The sockets 20 are preferably oriented in an evenly spaced relationship with one another. The sockets 20 are each provided with at least one interior sidewall 22 having a recess 24 that extends in a generally transverse direction into the support panel 12. The sockets 20 are each provided with a depth that preferably terminates prior to the socket 20 extending through the second surface 16 of support panel 12. However, as discussed in greater detail herein, certain applications may make it desirable to extend one or more of the sockets 20 completely through the support panel 12.
At least one support member 26 is also provided, having at least one mounting post 28 that extends outwardly from a first end portion 30 of the support member 26. The mounting post 28 is preferably shaped and sized to be at least partially received within at least one of the plurality of sockets 20 in the support panel 12. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting post 28 is provided with at least one nodule 32 that extends outwardly from a side portion of the mounting post 28. The nodule 32 is shaped and sized so that it may be releasably snapped into place within the recess 24 in the interior sidewall 22 of the socket 20. In this manner, the support member 26 is placed in a secure position adjacent the first surface 14 of the support panel 12, as depicted in
It is contemplated that the combined diameters of the mounting post 28 and the nodule 32 will exceed the diameter of the socket 20 (excluding the diameter of the recess 24), so that the nodule 32 extends into the recess 24 to resist the unintentional withdrawal of the mounting post 28 from within the socket 20. A greater or lesser degree of tolerances are contemplated in order to provide a stronger or weaker structural bond between the nodule 32 and the recess 24. In order to accommodate the passage of the nodule 32 through the socket 20, until it reaches the recess 24, it is contemplated that at least the nodule 32 could be formed from a resiliently deformable material, many of which are known and may include various polymers, and other synthetic and natural materials. It is further contemplated that a plurality of nodules 32 and recesses 24 could be provided in order to secure the mounting post 28 within the socket 20. For example, a preferred shape may be a ridge-shaped nodule 32 that extends substantially around the perimeter of the mounting post 28. In another embodiment, a plurality of rounded nodules 32 could be provided opposite one another (or along other select locations) on the mounting post 28.
In an alternate embodiment, depicted in
In a preferred embodiment, at least one end of the support member 26 is provided with a structure, such as one or more hooks, pegs, rings, sleeves, cups, clamps, and the like, to support one or more articles. Some examples of these structures are illustrated in
It will be preferred that the storage system 10 be modular in construction. Accordingly, in one embodiment depicted in
In another embodiment, depicted in
In still another preferred embodiment, depicted in
An elongated finishing cap 114 may be provided to lend a “finished” look to an otherwise exposed edge portion of a support panel 12, having side sockets 34 or side mounting posts 38 along an exposed peripheral edge portion 18. Accordingly, the finishing cap 114 will need to be provided with the appropriate mating sockets 116, or posts, to engage the respective side mounting posts 38, or side sockets 34, as the circumstances necessitate. It is contemplated that the finishing cap 114 could be provided in a wide range of different materials, shapes and colors.
Although the system 10 has been described in language that is specific to certain structures, materials, and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures, materials, and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term “approximately” should at least be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or any and all individual values subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of 1 to 10 should be considered to include and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or individual values that are between and/or inclusive of the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 5.5 to 10, 2.34 to 3.56, and so forth) or any values from 1 to 10 (e.g., 3, 5.8, 9.9994, and so forth).
This is a divisional application of Petitioner's earlier U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/058,832, entitled A STORAGE AND ORGANIZATION SYSTEM FOR ARTICLES, and filed on Feb. 16, 2007.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11058832 | Feb 2005 | US |
| Child | 12127446 | US |
