1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to mechanisms for hanging articles on a wall or other vertical support surfaces.
2. State of the Art
Articles are often supported on a wall or other support structure by shelves or hooks that are mounted to the support structure by screws or similar fasteners that require a screwdriver or a drill to fasten the screws into the support structure. It is difficult for some people to use a drill or a screwdriver. Moreover, in some applications, using a drill or screwdriver is cumbersome, or a drill or screwdriver is not readily available for use.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a system for securing items to a wall or other support structure that is installed without the need for screwdriver or a drill or other tool.
It is another object of the invention to provide such a system that can be adapted to support different articles.
It is a further object of the invention to provide such a system that can be adapted for different applications, such as securing shelving to a wall and/or securing hooks to a wall.
In accord with these objects, which will be discussed in detail below, a system for securing items to a wall or other support structure includes a first part and a second part. The first part includes an elongate hand-holdable plate with a rear portion extending rearward from said plate. The rear portion has a helical threaded interface for screwing into the wall or other support structure by hand manipulation of the plate. The second part includes a support portion and a rear-facing track. The support portion mechanically supporting at least one article during use. The track having a slot for receiving the plate of the first part and a narrow opening extending lengthwise along the slot to allow passage of the rear portion of the first part therethrough during use. Hand manipulation is used to secure the first part to the wall, and the first part is used as an anchor to mechanically support the second part as the track slidably receives the elongate plate of first part.
It will be appreciated that the system allows for installation without the need for screwdriver or a drill or other tool.
According to one embodiment of the invention, a platform for supporting a shelf.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the support portion of the second part includes at least one hook.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the provided figures.
Turning now to
The fixation member 1 functions as a tool-less device whereby the plate 2 in held in the user's hand, and hand manipulation is used to insert the elongated tip 4 of the screw interface 3 into the wall and rotate the plate 2 in order to screw interface 3 into the wall. When in place, the rear-facing surface 5a of the boss 5 is intended to lie flush against the wall and the elongate plate 3 is offset from the wall by the thickness of the boss 5. In this configuration, the elongate plate 3 can be used as an anchor to hold up different devices, such as a shelf support member or hook member as described herein.
During use, fixation member 1 is secured to a wall or other support surface as described above, and the plate 3 of the fixation member 1 is inserted into the track 23 of the shelf support member 11. In this configuration, the walls of the slot 23a surround and engage the plate 3 and the plate 3 anchors the shelf support member 11 to the wall. Advantageously, the shelf support member 11 covers and hides the fixation member 1 from view during use. Two or more shelf support members 11 are secured to the wall in this manner and used to support a shelf (not shown) that lies on the platform 12 of the respective support members 11.
During use, fixation member 1 is secured to a wall or other support surface as described above, and the plate 3 of the fixation member 1 is inserted into the track 23 of the hook member 21. In this configuration, the walls of the slot 23a surround and engage the plate 3 and the plate 3 anchors the hook member 21 to the wall. Advantageously, the hook member 21 covers and hides the fixation member 1 from view during use. Two or more hook members 21 can be secured to the wall in this manner and used to support multiple articles.
The track 23 of hook member 21 can include a magnet 25 that is magnetically coupled to metal of the plate 3 when the plate 3 is positioned inside the track 23. In this configuration, the magnetic attraction between the magnet 25 and the plate 3 aids in maintaining the plate 3 inside the track 23 during use. Other retention means, such as interlocking snap-fit detents or other suitable elements that are part of the track 23 and/or plate 3, can be used for maintaining the plate 3 inside the track 23 during use.
During use, fixation member 1 is secured to a wall or other support surface as described above, and the plate 3 of the fixation member 1 is inserted into the track 23 of the double-hook member 21′. In this configuration, the walls of the slot 23a surround and engage the plate 3 and the plate 3 anchors the double-hook member 21′ to the wall. Advantageously, the hook member 21′ covers and hides the fixation member 1 from view during use. Two or more double-hook members 21′ can be secured to the wall in this manner and used to support multiple articles.
The track 23 of double-hook member 21′ can include a magnet 25 that is magnetically coupled to metal of the plate 3 when the plate 3 is positioned inside the track 23. In this configuration, the magnetic attraction between the magnet 25 and the plate 3 aids in maintaining the plate 3 inside the track 23 during use. Other retention means, such as interlocking snap-fit detents or other suitable elements that are part of the track 23 and/or plate 3, can be used for maintaining the plate 3 inside the track 23 during use.
Advantageously, the system of the present invention provides a system for securing items to a wall or other support structure that is installed without the need for screwdriver or a drill or other tool. Instead, hand manipulation is used to secure the fixation member of the present invention to the wall, and the fixation member is used as an anchor to mechanically support a support member with a track that slidably receives the elongate plate of the fixation member.
In alternate embodiments, a kit can be assembled that includes the following:
one or more fixation members 1 as described herein;
a plurality of shelf support members 11 as described herein; and/or
a plurality of hook members 21 and/or 21′ as described herein; and/or
a plurality of other support members with a track that slides over the elongate plate of the fixation member 1 as described herein.
In an alternative embodiment, the fixation member 1 can be adapted to include a support hook similar to the hook member 21 (or double support hook similar to the double hook member 21′ or some other suitable article support structure) and used as a tool-less device for supporting articles on a wall or other support structure.
There have been described and illustrated herein several embodiments of a system for securing one or more articles to a wall or other support structure and a method of operating same. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Thus, while particular configurations of a fixation member that can be screwed into a wall by hand manipulation have been disclosed, it will be appreciated that other configurations for the fixation member as well. In addition, while particular types of support members have been disclosed, it will be understood that other types of support members that include a slotted rear-facing track can be used in conjunction with the fixation member of the present invention. Also, while preferred materials and manufacturing aspects of the system and apparatus of the present invention have been disclosed, it will be recognized that other materials and manufacturing aspects can be used as well. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to the provided invention without deviating from its spirit and scope as claimed.
This application claims benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/056,646, filed May 28, 2008, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61056646 | May 2008 | US |