Abstract:
A system and method for hanging an object on a supporting structure, the system comprising: a rail for affixing to a supporting structure, the rail comprising a vertical bend extending outward from the supporting structure and forming a projection; and a bracket accessory slidably mounted in a z-direction on the rail, wherein the bracket accessory has a hook for slidably engaging the projection on the rail, the bracket accessory moveable in the z-direction along the rail, or a positive y-direction up from the rail only.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/137,376, filed on Jul. 30, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to modular storage systems, wall-mounted rails and more specifically to a wall-mounted Z rail and removably attached bracket accessories for consumer and other applications. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,611 to Wood et al. discloses a wall-unit hanging system for hanging shelves and cabinets on a wall. A vertical panel includes a cut-out portion designed to receive a mounting rail. The cut-out portion of the vertical panel includes dimensions substantially similar to the width and depth of the mounting rail. The mounting rail is defined by a projection designed to extend outward and upward from the wall and is formed by removing a portion of the mounting rail, which leaves a groove between the wall and the projection. A bracket is shaped to secure the vertical panel to the mounting rail and the bracket is affixed to the vertical bracket with screws or bolts. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,117,353 to Edwards discloses a clip system for hanging wood paneling on a wall. A panel element is secured to a base element by a plurality of hooks, the hooks being arranged in pairs so that a hook on the panel element engages with a hook on the base element. Each hook has a wide attaching flange provided with holes to receive screws by means of which the hook is secured either to the panel element or to the base element. A short inclined portion extends away from the wide attaching flange and to a carrying arm on each hook. The carrying arms on each hook allow the hook on the panel element to engage with the hook on the base element. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0007]    A system and method for hanging an object on a supporting structure is presented. This system provides a rail affixed to a supporting structure for mounting accessories having hook brackets (“bracket accessories.”) Bracket accessories may include a shelf, a hook, a bin, a tray, a kitchen accessory, a vase, a toothbrush holder and a soap dish. The bracket accessories are slidably mounted on the rail in a z-direction, wherein the bracket accessories have a hook for slidably engaging a projection on the rail, the bracket accessory moveable in a z-direction along the rail, and a positive y-direction up from the rail while being substantially constrained from movement in an x-direction toward and away from the rail, and in a negative y-direction down from the rail. 
         [0008]    The method for hanging an object on a supporting structure comprises the steps of: 1) attaching a rail to a support structure, the rail comprising a vertical bend extended outward from the supporting structure, forming a projection, and 2) engaging a bracket accessory to the rail by slidably mounting the bracket accessory on the rail in a z-direction, wherein the bracket accessory has a hook for slidably engaging the projection on the rail, the bracket accessory moveable in a z-direction along the rail, and a positive y-direction up from the rail while being substantially constrained from movement in an x-direction toward and away from the rail, and in a negative y-direction down from the rail. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a fragmented side section view of a wall anchor, Z bend rail, screw and bracket accessory according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an assembled view of  FIG. 1  including a x-axis, y-axis, z-axis, rotation moment about the x-axis, rotational moment about the y-axis, and rotational moment about the z-axis. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are side views of the bracket accessory of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are side views of the Z bend rail of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the wall-mounted Z rail with quick attach accessories according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    There is a need for wall-mounted z rails with quick attach accessories, which allow accessories to be removed and re-organized easily and quickly, the accessories to be securely mounted in place while being slidable along a rail and accessories to be re-located to another position on a wall without re-mounting hanging hardware. 
         [0015]    In accordance with some embodiments, a system for quickly hanging accessories on a wall, without installing hardware is provided. 
         [0016]    In accordance with some variations, a system for hanging bracket accessories at any location along a rail is provided. 
         [0017]    In accordance with some variations, bracket accessories are securely attached to a rail. 
         [0018]    In accordance with some variations, a system for allowing bracket accessories to slide along a rail and to be easily adjusted by sliding for re-organization purposes is provided. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , shown is a Z bend rail  10 , a wall anchor  12 , a screw  14  and a bracket accessory  16 . 
         [0020]    The Z bend rail  10  is attached to a supporting structure, or a wall by a wall anchor  12  and a screw  14 . 
         [0021]    In operation, the bracket accessory  16  slide mounts onto the Z bend rail  10 , allowing movement in a Z-direction along the Z bend rail. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , shown is an assembled Z bend rail  10 , a wall anchor  12 , a screw  14  and a bracket accessory  16 , including an x-axis  18 , a y-axis  19 , a z-axis  20 , a rotational moment about the x-axis  21 , a rotational moment about the y-axis  22 , and a rotational moment about the z-axis  23 . 
         [0023]    The width of the Z bend rail  10  includes a mounting section  24 , a vertical bend  25 , and a rail projection  26 . The Z bend rail  10  may vary in length. In preferred embodiments, the length of the Z bend rail  10  is four feet eleven and three-fourths inches to one foot and eleven and three-fourths inches. The Z bend rail  10  has an attaching means allowing the Z bend rail  10  to be affixed to a supporting structure through a plurality of holes  28 , preferably three-sixth inches to one-eighth inch holes; however, a variety of holes of different shapes and dimensions may be used. The bracket accessory  16  has a hook to engage the rail projection  26  of the Z bend rail  10 . The wall anchor  12  and screw  14  may be inserted into the plurality of holes  28  for affixing to the support structure  27 . Various metals, including twelve to twenty-six gauge thickness steel, such as stainless steel, may be used for construction of the Z bend rail  10  and bracket accessory  16 . In preferred embodiments stainless steel, e.g., sixteen to twenty gauge thickness stainless steel is used for construction of the Z bend rail  10  and the bracket accessory  16 . 
         [0024]    In operation, when the bracket accessory  16  is mounted to the Z bend rail  10  at the rail projection  26  by placing the bracket accessory  16  on the Z bend rail, the weight of the bracket accessory  16  will transfer the load from the rail projection  26 , along the vertical bend  25 , to the mounting section  24 , such that gravity substantially constrains movement of the bracket accessory  16  in the negative y-direction. The bracket accessory  16  is slidable along the Z bend rail  10  along the z-axis  20 . The bracket accessory  16  engages the Z bend rail  10  at the rail projection  26  to allow movement in the Z-direction along the Z bend rail, or a positive Y-direction up from the Z bend rail only. Rotational movement of the bracket accessory  16  about the x-axis  18 , y-axis  19  and z-axis  20  of the Z bend rail  10  is prevented by engagement of the bracket accessory  16  at the Z bend rail  10 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , shown is a bracket accessory  16 . The bracket accessory  16  has a hook  30 . 
         [0026]    The hook  30  has a hook width  32 , a hook length  34 , and hook bends  36  and  38 . The hook width  32  is the inner width of the hook, and does not include the thickness of the hook itself. The hook width  32  of the hook  30  is equal to at least the thickness of the metal used for construction of the Z bend rail  10 . The greater the thickness of the metal used for construction of the Z bend rail  10 , the greater the required hook width  32  so that the bracket accessory  16  engages the Z bend rail to allow movement in the Z-direction along the Z bend rail  10 , or a positive Y-direction up from the Z bend rail only. Various metals, including twelve to twenty-six gauge thickness steel, such as stainless steel, may be used for construction of the Z bend rail  10  and bracket accessory  16 . In preferred embodiments stainless steel, e.g., sixteen to twenty gauge thickness stainless steel is used for construction of the Z bend rail  10  and the bracket accessory  16 . A hook width  32  of one quarter inch is preferred for a Z bend rail  10  using sixteen to twenty gauge thickness steel. A hook length  34  may be various lengths and is dependent on the Z bend rail projection  26 . A hook length  34  of five-eighths inches is preferred and corresponds with the length of the rail projection  24 . Various hook lengths  34  may be used. Hook bends  36  and  38  bend at ninety degrees, each creating a radius dependent on the thickness of the metal used for construction of the Z bend rail  10 . Radii at hook bends  36  and  38  are preferably one-sixteenth to one-eighth inches for sixteen to twenty gauge thickness steel. 
         [0027]    In operation, the hook  30  of the bracket accessory  16  slidably engages the Z bend rail projection  24 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , shown is a side view of a Z bend rail  10 . 
         [0029]    The Z bend rail  10  includes a mounting section  20 , a vertical bend  22  and a rail projection  24 . The vertical bend  22  has angles  40  and  42 . 
         [0030]    Angles  40  and  42  are obtuse angles. Preferably, angles  40  and  42  are equal and are one-hundred fifty three to one-hundred and sixty-three degrees for a bracket accessory hook  30  made of sixteen to twenty gauge thickness steel; however angles  40  and  42  may measure various degrees depending on the type and thickness of metal used. Angles may be increased to mount a bracket accessory  16  farther away from a support structure  27 . The mounting section  24 , vertical bend  25  and rail projection  26  may be various lengths. The mounting section  24  preferably measures seven-eighths an inch to thirty-six inches in length. The mounting section  24  may be extended in length in some embodiments to support an additional load. The vertical bend  25  preferably measures one quarter inch in length. The rail projection  26  preferably measures one-half inch to one and one-half inches in length. 
         [0031]    In operation, the vertical bend  25  creates a distance between the mounting section  24  of the Z bend rail  10  such that the hook  30  of the bracket accessory may engage the Z bend rail  10  at the rail projection  26 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , shown is a plurality of bracket accessories  16  mounted on a Z bend rail  10 . Bracket accessories  16  include a soap dish  50 , a hook attachment  52 , and a tray  54 . The Z bend rail  10  may vary in length. In preferred embodiments, the length of the Z bend rail  10  is four feet eleven and three-fourths inches to one foot and eleven and three-fourths inches. In preferred embodiments, the length of the bracket accessories  16  is two to forty-eight inches; however, various lengths may be used. 
         [0033]    In operation, the bracket accessories  16  are interchangeable and easily removed. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , shown is a soap dish  50 . The soap dish  50  has a hook  56  and a tray  58 . 
         [0035]    The tray  58  has a diameter of five and one-half inches; however, various diameters may be used. The tray may be curved, or uncurved, and may have various radii of curvature. The hook  56  has a length of five-eights inches; however, various lengths may be used. The soap dish  50  may be formed from one piece of metal. Dimensions of the hook  56  correspond to dimensions, for a given metal, of the Z bend rail  10  such that the soap dish  50  is securely held into place on the Z bend rail  10 , and is slidable. 
         [0036]    In operation, the soap dish  50  slidably engages the Z bend rail  10 . The soap dish  50  engages the Z bend rail  10  to allow movement in the z-direction along the Z bend rail  10 , or a positive y-direction up from the Z bend rail  10  only. Rotational movement of the soap dish  50  about the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis of the Z bend rail  10  is prevented by engagement of the hook  56  at the Z bend rail  10 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , shown is a hook attachment  52 . The hook attachment  52  has a hook  60  and a holding member  62 . 
         [0038]    The holding member  62  has a vertical length of two and one-half inches; however various lengths may be used. The holding member  62  has a diameter of two and one-fourth inches; however, various diameters may be used. The holding member  62  may have various radii of curvature. The hook attachment  52  may be formed from one piece of metal. Dimensions of the hook  60  correspond to dimensions, for a given metal, of the Z bend rail  10  such that the hook attachment  52  is securely held into place on the Z bend rail  10 , and is slidable. 
         [0039]    In operation, the hook attachment  52  slidably engages the Z bend rail  10 . The hook attachment  52  engages the Z bend rail  10  to allow movement in the z-direction along the Z bend rail  10 , or a positive y-direction up from the Z bend rail  10  only. Rotational movement of the hook attachment  52  along the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis of the Z bend rail  10  is prevented by engagement of the hook  60  at the Z bend rail  10 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , shown is a tray  54 . The tray  54  has a hook  64  and a shelf  66 . 
         [0041]    The shelf  66  has a height of two and one-eights inches and a width of three and one-eights inches; however, various heights and widths may be used. The tray  54  may be formed from one piece of metal. Dimensions of the hook  64  correspond to dimensions, for a given metal, of the Z bend rail  10  such that the tray  54  is securely held into place on the Z bend rail  10 , and is slidable. 
         [0042]    In operation, the tray  54  slidably engages the Z bend rail  10 . The tray  54  engages the Z bend rail  10  to allow movement in the z-direction along the Z bend rail  10 , or a positive y-direction up from the Z bend rail  10  only. Rotational movement of the tray  54  along the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis of the Z bend rail  10  is prevented by engagement of the hook  64  at the Z bend rail  10 . 
         [0043]    It should be understood that shelves, hooks, bins, trays, vases, toothbrush holders and soap dishes do not limit the present invention, but only illustrate some of the various bracket accessories attached to a z bend rail covered by this invention. While the invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, it is understood that variations and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.