Abstract:
A novel approach for storage organizers is shown whereby a storage organizer is optimized to be installed in between exposed studs, or alternatively, onto a flat wall surface, or a pegboard surface. The embodiment of the present invention is compatible with all three modes of installation. Additionally, another embodiment of a storage organizer invention is shown whereby two components are used to form a pronged storage organizer that is mountable onto a wall or exposed stud. The alternate embodiment discloses the usage of a specially formed set of pronged arms and connecting body that compatibly fold up when not in use, and which are conveniently deployed to an open position when desired.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of provisional application Serial No. 60/311,611, filed Aug. 10, 2001, entitled STORAGE ORGANIZERS. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The field of the present invention is storage organizers. More particularly, the field of the present invention relates to wall-mounted devices for the storage of loose articles.  
           [0003]    Storage organizers come in many types and styles. Their utility has increased over time as a result of the tendency to accumulate numerous gadgets, devices, and other items associated with the contemporary lifestyle. Given the fact that many homeowners have confronted the ever-decreasing amount of storage space, the advent of devices and methods for maximizing the amount of storage that can be obtained has developed into its own industry.  
           [0004]    Very basic to the foregoing premise is the development of wall-mounted shelving. Many times in garage and basement space, the homeowner is able to purchase brackets and support systems that allow shelving to be installed by directly mounting the hardware onto the surface of a wall or onto a stud that is used as part of the framing of the garage or basement space. These wall-mounted systems are well known in the art and have served great utility over time. They obviously will continue to do so since they do provide a substantial support. However, they are typically directed towards applications where many feet of shelving space are involved.  
           [0005]    Other storage devices have developed over time and are well known, such as wall-mounted hooks or brackets. These are static devices that merely provide a support point along the surface of a wall or a stud, whereby the homeowner is free to hang or drape objects onto the support. Devices of this type probably go back more than 150 years in time, when they may have held a bow or a quiver of arrows, or a musket and a powder horn.  
           [0006]    More contemporary devices are known whereby the traditional wall-mounted shelving may be replaced by wire structures. Again, these wire structures are similar to the shelving in providing linear footage along the support system and are extremely useful in those circumstances when large amounts of goods need to be stored in this fashion.  
           [0007]    Other devices and advances on the described prior art, above, are know as well. In short though, all of these approaches have the same objective in mind, that being the enhancement of a storage space in a fixed area such as a garage or basement.  
           [0008]    Difficulties with the prior art do exist, and these relate to the mounting and fastening techniques that are required. Many times, the system approach for wall-mounted shelving, for instance, is not compatible with the particular stud spacing that is provided within the given storage environment. In these instances, maximization of the supporting ability of the product is limited owing to installation directly into wallboard rather than into a stud itself. Additionally, the utilization of such prior art storage devices is not readily amenable to the potential applications. As a result, attachment to surfaces such as wallboard, peg board, or direct mounting within conventional stud spacing requires a different approach and many times, different hardware for each. Thus, the homeowner is left to contemplate the particular architecture that he is confronting as well as the need to acquire additional tools and/or fasteners in order to overcome the incompatibilities that he is presented with.  
           [0009]    Accordingly, a storage system is desired that solves the aforementioned problems and has the aforementioned advantages.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention relates to a storage organizer that is simultaneously mountable onto the surface of a conventional flat wall system, such as a drywall composition. The storage organizer is also mountable onto a perforated panel, such as a pegboard, or in a manner consistent with conventional stud spacing.  
           [0011]    In accordance with the present invention, a organizer shelf with integrally formed sidewalls and with a front portion and a rear portion, is formed in a width that is compatible with insertion between the area that may be exposed between supporting studs in a garage or basement area. Further, the present invention includes engagement areas whereby it may be directly mountable onto fasteners that have been attached to the sides of the exposed studs.  
           [0012]    The present invention also contemplates the usage of a formed-wire organizer that similarly has the capabilities for mounting onto a flat wall surface, a perforated panel or pegboard surface, or for insertion in between exposed studs in a garage or basement area. The formed-wire organizer embodiment of the present invention also contains an engagement area compatible with the installation of the invention onto the fasteners that had been mounted into the sides of the studs.  
           [0013]    The present invention further includes a storage organizer, comprising a pivotable pronged assembly, that is mated to a base plate and captured against a flat wall surface or directly onto a stud. The storage organizer uniquely provides for supportable storage of goods that can be hung or laid across the pronged assembly. Further, when not in use, this embodiment allows for the movement of the prongs to a “stored” position such that they do not project out from the surface to which they are mounted. Therefore, the prongs are unobtrusive and prevent accidental contact by the homeowner when traversing through the garage or basement area.  
           [0014]    In one aspect of the present invention, a storage organizer is provided that is adapted for attachment to a building wall, a two-by-four stud, or other structure having a flat surface for creating storage thereon. The storage organizer includes a base plate with at least one support pocket defining a horizontal axis of rotation, and a U-shaped storage member having a pronged body and pronged arms extending from the pronged body. The pronged body has at least one straight section positioned within the support pocket for rotation about the axis of rotation, with the pronged arms being movable between an upright storage position and a downwardly-pivoted extended use position. The pronged body further has an offset bent section integral with and extending from the straight section. The offset bent section is bent at a predetermined angle to the pronged arms so that, when the pronged arms are in the extended use position, the offset bent section engages the base plate to hold the pronged arms in the extended use position.  
           [0015]    In another aspect of the present invention, a storage organizer is adapted for positioning between and attachment to studs of a building wall for creating storage in and along the building wall, where the studs have a known horizontal space therebetween and where the building wall includes a panel attached to a rear side of the studs to close one side of the horizontal space and where fasteners are located in the sides of the studs at a predetermined dimension forward of the panel and between the studs. The storage organizer includes a storage unit having opposing sides and a bottom structure. The sides each include downwardly-open notches proximate but spaced forwardly from a rear of the sides and spaced above the bottom structure. The storage unit has a width dimension chosen and adapted to fit into the space between the studs, with the notches being shaped and adapted to securely receive but releasably engage the fasteners to create a torque force in combination with the rear portion of the bottom structure for holding the storage unit in a use position. By this arrangement, the storage unit is constructed and adapted to slip between the studs and downwardly onto the fasteners with the notches engaging the fasteners and with a bottom portion of the rear engaging the panel to hold the storage unit in a use position.  
           [0016]    In another aspect of the present invention, a kit is provided for constructing a storage organizer, where the organizer is attachable to different support structures. The kit includes a storage unit having opposing sides and a bottom structure defining a width that is adapted to fit between vertically opposing surfaces and against a panel attached to an outside surface of the vertically opposing surfaces. The sides have side-facing connectors adapted to engage headed fasteners on the vertically opposing surfaces. The side-facing connectors are spaced above the bottom structure, so that the storage unit can be hung on the fasteners with a portion of the bottom structure engaging the panel, with the storage unit being held in cantilever between the vertically opposing surfaces and against the panel. A rear portion of the storage unit includes a plurality of rear-facing connectors adapted to receive fasteners to retain the storage unit in cantilever from a flat wall surface.  
           [0017]    In one form, the rear-facing connectors include apertures for receiving screws, and further include anchors that are extendable into holes in a perforated panel for receiving the screw. In a narrower form, a combination includes a perforated panel with regularly spaced holes, and the anchors of the kit are shaped to frictionally engage selected ones of the holes for supporting the storage unit on the perforated panel.  
           [0018]    In another aspect of the present invention, a storage organizer includes a storage unit having a bottom and sides. The storage unit is made from formed-wire, with each side having wire sections defining a downwardly open V-shaped notch that is shaped and adapted to receive and engage a screw extending laterally into the side. The open V-shaped notch terminates in a narrowed area that wedges and clamps against the screw, with the narrowed area being above the bottom. By this arrangement, the storage unit can be lowered onto a pair of opposing screws that extend inwardly from opposing directions, with the screws wedging into the notches on the sides to support a weight of the storage unit and items stored thereon.  
           [0019]    In another aspect of the present invention, a storage organizer comprises a storage unit having a bottom, sides, and a rear. The rear includes a rear bar of material. A clip has a pair of legs and a resilient section that wraps around the rear bar with the pair of legs positioned proximate each other. The legs each include an aperture for receiving a fastener. The resilient section is sufficient in strength to engage the rear bar and hold the storage unit when only one of the legs is attached to a support surface, but flexible to permit the second leg to be flexed adjacent the first leg so that both the first and second legs can be engaged by a single fastener.  
           [0020]    It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a series of storage organizers that have a high degree of compatibility for the various installation environments.  
           [0021]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide storage organizers that are self-contained in that no additional accumulation of components other than the unit itself (and the fasteners) is required for installation.  
           [0022]    These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pronged organizer of the present invention as mounted onto a stud, the pronged organizer being shown in an upright “stored” position.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pronged organizer of FIG. 1, with the prongs being in an extended outward position where the prongs projecting outward from the base, and with exemplary products being stored thereon.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pronged organizer of FIG. 1 showing the installation components for installing the organizer on a stud.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pronged organizer of FIG. 1 but mounted on a flat wall surface.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an organizer shelf of the present invention as it would be mounted onto a flat-walled surface and showing installation screws exploded away.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the organizer shelf of FIG. 5 and mounted on the flat-walled surface.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the organizer shelf of FIG. 5 but mounted between a pair of studs forming an unfinished wall.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an organizer shelf of FIG. 5, but mounted onto a perforated panel, such as a pegboard, and showing containers of products stored thereon.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of the organizer shelf of FIG. 5, the views being similar to FIGS. 7 and 8 but without any product stored thereon.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a formed-wire organizer of the present invention as mounted in between two exposed studs.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the organizer of FIG. 11 mounted on a flat-walled surface and including containers of products stored thereon.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the organizer of FIG. 11 and mounted in between two exposed studs.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the organizer of FIG. 11 and mounted onto a perforated panel, such as a pegboard.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of an anchor extended into a hole in a perforated panel, such as a sheet metal panel, for mounting any of the organizers of the present invention onto the perforated panel.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of the organizer of FIG. 11, showing installation of the formed-wire organizer onto a perforated panel, such as a pegboard.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view showing an anchor installed in a flat-walled surface, such as gypsum panel, for mounting any of the organizers of the present invention onto a flat-walled surface.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 17A is an end view of the anchor shown in FIG. 17.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view of a formed-wire organizer of the present invention as installed onto a flat-walled surface, such as to a gypsum wallboard, using a wrap-around clip in a fully closed non-releasing installation position.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 18A is a partial perspective view similar to FIG. 18, but with the wrap-around clip in a partially-open, snap-attach, releasable installation position.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0042]    Storage organizers, in accordance with the present invention, are oriented towards maximizing the utilization of a given space. References within this specification to the subject space as being a garage or basement area are meant for purposes of illustration. The storage organizers of the present invention may be installed in any compatible space or environment, typically those that have flat-walled surfaces, exposed stud walls, vertically opposing surfaces, or have perforated panels, such as pegboard surfaces, such that the advantages of the present invention can be obtained.  
         [0043]    Additionally, the storage organizers of the present invention are being shown as complete units. It is understood that they may be formed from multiple separate components and brought together for installation in the intended application. However, commercially, it is believed that the formation and the packaging and marketing of these products as complete individual units are highly preferred over the alternatives.  
         [0044]    Turning now to FIG. 1, a pronged storage organizer of the present invention is shown in perspective view as being installed onto an exposed stud  11 . The pronged storage organizer  10  includes a base  12  formed from a flat plate, and a U-shaped bent-wire storage member  14  positioned under the base  12  against a supporting surface of the stud  11 . The storage member  14  is formed from a section of heavy wire or steel rod, and includes a pronged body  16  and a pair of pronged arms  18  that project from ends of the pronged body  16 . More specifically, the pronged body  16  comprises a pair of spaced-apart aligned straight sections connected together by an offset bent section  24  (sometimes called a “prong support”). The base  12  includes a pair of spaced prong support brackets or bands  22   a  and  22   b  under which the straight sections of the pronged body  16  are positioned for rotation. Rubber bands or strips of elastic material  17  are placed on the straight sections under the pronged brackets  22   a  and  22   b  to form a stable frictional arrangement where the storage member  14  is selectively rotatable to a storage position (FIGS. 1 and 4) or a use position (FIG. 2). The storage member  14  stays in the selected position due to the friction generated by the bands of material  17  under the brackets  22   a  and  22   b . In the stored position, the arms  18  are oriented in the upward position (as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3) which keeps the prongs from projecting outwards from the base  12 . This reduces the chance of interference between the homeowner/user of the present invention and the pronged arms themselves.  
         [0045]    Turning now to FIG. 3, the pronged organizer  10  is shown as being installed onto an exposed stud. In addition to the other components discussed previously, FIG. 3 also shows the slot or window  20  with the pronged brackets  22   a  and  22   b  on opposite sides of the slot  20 . The brackets  22   a  and  22   b  are bands of material that extend arcuately between the top and bottom plate sections of the base  12 . The bands  22   a  and  22   b  form a support surface defining an axis of rotation for rotationally receiving and supporting the prong support  24  (i.e. the offset bent section) of the pronged body  16 . The bands  22   a  and  22   b  trap the pronged body  16  against the stud  11  to which the base  12  is attached, and with the frictional rubber bands or sleeves  17  that encircle the straight sections of the pronged body  16 , form a tight but operable assembly permitting rotation of the storage member  14  between the upright storage position (FIG. 1) and the downwardly rotated use position (FIG. 2).  
         [0046]    Located on the base  12  are the mounting holes  26 , which are associated with the screws  28  for securing the base  12  to a stud. Other fasteners can of course be used instead of screws.  
         [0047]    The pronged arms  18  terminate in the pronged arm ends  37  and the pronged tips  30 . The pronged arm ends  37  in the preferred embodiments are angled somewhat upwardly as the pronged arms would be viewed in the operating position. This angle is to assist in the retention of stored goods on the pronged arms  18  and also to prevent their accidental disengagement from the device. The pronged tips  30  are plastic caps that fit onto the ends of the pronged arms  18 . The tips  30  protect the homeowner/user from coming into accidental injurious contact with the end of a pronged arm and thereby accidentally causing abrasion or cuts.  
         [0048]    As may now be appreciated from the foregoing, the storage organizer  10  of the present invention is selectively mountable onto an exposed stud (FIG. 3), or onto a flat-walled surface (FIG. 4) using screw mount attachments. In most cases of a flat-walled surface, such as in a gypsum wall or paneling, an appropriate anchor (see FIG. 17) and/or a screw (not shown) can be used. One of the benefits of the present invention lies in the interaction between the pronged support  24  and the slot  20 . As the user moves the pronged arms  18  from a stored position to an operating position, the pronged support  24  will contact a bottom of the slot  20  and prevent any further advancement of the arms below that point. This contact and any downward force on the pronged arms  18  pulls the pronged body  16  into the pronged brackets  22   a  and  22   b , thus engaging them more securely. Therefore, the position of the pronged arms  18  can be fixed by forming the pronged support  24  in the appropriate manner along the center portion of the pronged body  16 . The selection of the angle of the projection of the pronged support  24  relative to the pronged arms  18  will cause the pronged arms  18  to rest substantially horizontal (but with the outer ends slightly inclined upwardly) when lowered to the operating position. In the preferred embodiment, it is desirable to have the pronged arms  18  land in an operating position where they are slightly angled above the horizontal plane, such as 5° to 15°, and most preferably about 13°. This allows for some deflection as a load is placed on the pronged arms  18 , and also helps in retention of any goods stored onto the pronged arms  18  themselves. The angle of the pronged arms  18  in the use position is affected by the thickness and forming of the base plate  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the section of material of base  12  located under the window aperture between the bands  22   a  and  22   b  is flat, except for the marginal material forming a bottom of the window. This marginal material is bent forwardly slightly to define a stop that abuts the offset bent section  24  (i.e. prong support  24 ) when the pronged arms  18  are in their lowered/extended use position (FIG. 2). The forwardly bent marginal material forms a beam-like flange or lip that aligns with the direction of abutting engagement by the offset bent section  24 , thus adding strength to the stop.  
         [0049]    It is pointed out specifically that the components of the present invention really reduce down to two structural elements, that being the storage member  14  and the base  12 . In the present arrangement, the base  12  captures the prongs against the stud to which it is attached, thus saving components, material, and assembly time, thus simplifying the assembly. In the present arrangement, the storage member  14  is made from a single bent wire or rod, thus saving manufacturing secondary operations such as welding and/or riveting, and reducing related fixturing and quality control problems. This is unlike many other prior art devices having a rotatable arm, which require a complex base structure to house the prong and movably support the prong to allow it to traverse between a stored position and an operating position. These prior art arrangements typically include some additional features such as detents and stops to position the arms correctly, and also a backing plate behind the base plate in order to capture the pronged body itself.  
         [0050]    Thus, it can be appreciated that the present invention greatly simplifies the amount of material and componentry needed to achieve the desired result.  
         [0051]    In addition to the foregoing, another enhancement on the present embodiment is the inclusion of elastomeric strip or rubber sleeve  17  (FIG. 4) that encircles the bearing area of the pronged body  16  under the brackets  22   a  and  22   b . The friction from rotating the pronged arms  18  is generated at this point, (i.e. the point between the pronged supports and where they contact the pronged body). It is desirable to have a storage organizer of the present invention that remains in the stored position when the homeowner/user articulates the prongs to that point. Thus, the elastomeric strips or sleeves that circle the pronged body  16  serve to retain the pronged arms  18  in the stored position and to resist the accidental dislodgment, which could cause them to fall.  
         [0052]    Turning now to another embodiment of the present invention (FIGS.  5 - 10 ), an organizer shelf includes a shelf  40  stamped from sheet metal (or molded from plastic) having a front  42  and a back  44 . Also included are the sidewalls or side  46 , the front lip  48 , the rear lip or rear wall structure  50  and rear mounting holes  52 . A bottom panel structure forms a bottom of the shelf  40 .  
         [0053]    The sidewalls  46  include the side mounting holes  54  (FIG. 9) and the engagement mount  56 . The engagement mount  56  includes an upwardly facing notch  57  comprising a rearwardly-facing access opening  56 ′ that opens through the rear wall structure  44  into a vertically elongated retainer portion of the notch in the sidewall  46 . Two screws  54 ′ (FIG. 7) are threadably extended into an inside surface of a pair of spaced-apart studs at a location about 1 inch forward of a rear surface of the studs. The screws are only partially installed such that their heads are positioned about one-eighth to one-quarter of an inch outward from the surface of their respective studs. The notch  57  is shaped to receive the head of the screws  54 ′ as the shelf is moved horizontally into the space between the studs, and then interlockingly engage the screws  54 ′ as the shelf  40  is lowered so that the screws engage the vertical elongated retainer portion of the notch  57 . The sides of the organizer shelf  40  define a dimension slightly less that 14-12″, such as about 14-¼″, so that they fit between studs of an unfinished building wall, even if the studs are not perfectly spaced and/or are slightly warped.  
         [0054]    FIGS.  5 - 10  represent various types of installations that the organizer shelf may be arranged in. These installations range from a flat wall application (FIGS.  5 - 6 ) to an application in the area in between exposed studs (FIGS. 7 and 9), and to an application where the shelf  40  is mounted onto a perforated panel (FIGS. 8 and 10), such as a pegboard. Each of these arrangements are believed to be novel and very useful, and a single kit capable of being selectively installed in any one of these arrangements is believed to be inventive.  
         [0055]    In particular, the organizer shelf of the present invention takes advantage of the fact that in normal stud walls, the studs are organized on 16″ centers. (It is also known that in other applications where bearing walls are concerned, the on-center dimension may be increased to 24 inches.) For the purposes of the preferred embodiment, the 16″ on-center spacing of the studs results in approximately an open space between the sidewall of each stud equal to 14-½ inches. It is believed that this spacing has never really been taken advantage of in the prior art in terms of being used as part of the mounting system for storage organizers. The present invention leverages the physical properties involved in mounting devices to the sidewall of the studs, which provides an inherently sound structure capable of supporting a great deal of weight, and which, incidentally, adds to the ease of installation for the homeowner/user.  
         [0056]    As may be better appreciated, in FIG. 9, the installation of an organizer shelf of the present invention is shown with particularity. In this instance, two screws  54 ′ have been attached in the appropriate locations on the opposing sidewalls of two exposed studs. The screw heads are left exposed to an extent consistent with the engagement of the engagement mount  56  of the organizer shelf. The homeowner/user is able to orient the organizer shelf appropriately in between the studs, and to slide it into position where the screws are firmly engaged in the slot or notch  57  formed by the engagement mount  56 . Once in place, the homeowner/user may thereafter more firmly attach the products by using a second mounting hole  52  or  54 . This would be left at the option of the homeowner/user, since additional engagement would prevent the arbitrary removal of the shelf which in itself may be an advantage depending on the needs and objectives for storage.  
         [0057]    As shown in FIG. 10, an organizer shelf of the present invention may also be installed onto a perforated panel, such as a pegboard. The hole pattern in this instance has been selected to be compatible such that the rear mounting holes  52  align with the spacing of the holes found in a typical pegboard surface, or in the space in between exposed studs, or as may be apparent, for direct mounting onto a flat-walled surface. It is not the intention of the Applicant in any way to minimize the applications in this regard, and the means by which the mounting or the attachment of the shelf to the various surfaces would be well known to persons skilled in the art.  
         [0058]    One of the advantages of the present invention lies in the fact that the organizer  60  is formed primarily as a single piece, exclusive of the mounting screws and such, and does not require separate brackets, standards, or shelving components, in order to function as the storage device.  
         [0059]    Turning now to FIG. 11, another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. In this version, a formed-wire organizer  60  is formed substantially of wire. The formed-wire organizer  60  is upwardly open and forms a body  62  of bent-wire segments connected together in an array such as by welding or a coating material. The body  62  includes a front  64 , a rear structure  66 , a bottom structure, and sides  68 . The body  62  includes an upper lip or loop forming a rim  70 . Notably, the bottom structure and rear structure are relatively flat and perpendicular to each other, facilitating their use for holding and storing liquid-containing items in an upright position, such as containers of chemicals, and the like. The rim  70  includes linear front and side sections  69  that lie in a same horizontal plane, and further includes a rear section  69 ′ that is horizontal and linear but that is spaced below a height of the front and side sections  69  of the rim  70 . An angled rear section  71  extends from each of the side sections  69  and is angled downwardly and connects the rear section  69 ′ to the side sections  69 . The angled rear section  71  forms a downwardly open notch (also called an attachment area or engagement area  72 ) with a wire segment  71 ′ of the sides  68 . The notch is V-shaped and is inverted, such that it captures a screw head when the organizer  60  is lowered.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIGS. 12, 13, and  14  all show applications in which the organizer  60  of the present invention may be deployed. These range from a flat wall installation as in FIG. 12, to an installation between exposed studs as shown in FIG. 13, and lastly, as installed on a perforated panel (e.g. a pegboard) as shown in FIG. 14.  
         [0061]    Turning now to FIG. 16, a portion of the formed-wire organizer  60  is shown near the intersection of the rear and side portions. In particular, there is identified the engagement area or notch  72 , which, in this case, is located in close proximity to the mounting bracket  74 , which is also shown with the top of the screw  76 . First, the engagement area  72  itself serves a similar function as the notch  57  of the engagement mount  56  of the organizer shelf  40 , since it is useful in conjunction with installation upon the inwardly-facing surfaces of two exposed studs. Referencing back to FIG. 11, it can be appreciated that the screw heads are exposed by partial installation into the sidewalls of the two exposed studs as shown in the drawing. As a result, the exposed screw heads and screw shanks fit within the engagement area  72  in a manner that supports the formed-wire organizer  60  by allowing the rim  70  to rest on top of the shank of the slightly exposed screws. Much like as was described for the organizer shelf  40 , the formed-wire organizer  60  is easily installed in this position and makes a new and unique use of the area in between the exposed studs. As shown in FIG. 11, a panel or board attached to a rear of the studs  11  engages a rear of the sides  68  and bottom, causing with the screws a torque on the organizer  60  that supports the organizer  60 , even though the front  64  of the organizer  60  extends forward of the studs  11 .  
         [0062]    The mounting bracket  74  is configured to assist in the installation of the present invention onto the flat-walled surface or, in the alternative, onto the perforated panel, such as a pegboard. The mounting bracket  74  (FIG. 18) comprises a strip with a center section  74 ′ wrapped around the rear section  69 ′ of the rim  70 , and having first and second legs  75  and  75 ′ lying substantially adjacent and parallel each other. As shown in FIG. 18, if the screw  76  is extended through both of the legs  75  and  75 ′, then the organizer  60  is permanently secured to the supporting structure or studs to which it is attached. As shown in FIG. 18A, if the screw  76  is extended through only one of the legs (such as only through leg  75 ), then the bracket  74  forms an upwardly open latch permitting the rear section  69 ′ of the rim  70  to be snapped downwardly into (or upwardly out of) engagement with the bracket  74  (i.e. between legs  75  and  75 ′). The bracket  74  is resilient but stiff, such that leg  75 ′ can be resiliently flexed inwardly and/or outwardly. Thus, this novel arrangement allows the formed-wire organizer  60  to be releasably and snappingly held by the bracket  74  for quick removal (without the need to remove screw(s)  76 ). At the same time, the bracket  74  is both simple and flexible in its attachment to various supporting structures, such as to a perforated panel (by using anchors), to a gypsum panel, to a flat surface, and/or to studs.  
         [0063]    Referencing now FIG. 15, a cross-sectional view of a perforated panel is shown where a unique plastic anchor  80  is inserted into a selected one of the holes  81 . The anchor  80  includes barbs  82  positioned relatively close to anchor head  83  for engaging a thin perforated panel  84 , such as a sheet metal panel, and also includes second barbs  85  positioned to engage a thicker panel, such as a pegboard panel made of a wood product. The anchor  80  also includes additional barbs  86  positioned to engage a still thicker panel, such as a ½″, ¾″, or 1″ drywall or gypsum board panel. The anchor  80  includes slots  88  that divide a tip of the anchor into halves and further includes a center hole  89 , such that upon insertion of an appropriate screw into the hole  89 , the halves spread apart and frictionally engage the hole (e.g. hole  81 ) into which the anchor  80  is placed. A unique feature of the anchor  80  is the location of the barbs  82  and  85  relative to the anchor head  83  and to an end of the slots  88 . The barbs  82  and  85  are located to engage and grab the back surface of specific thicknesses of perforated panels, including thin perforated panels, thus preventing the anchors  80  from being pulled out of the panels upon insertion of a screw.  
         [0064]    Similarly, with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the usage of a plastic anchor for a drywall panel is shown. Once installed, the usage of an appropriate screw through the same mounting bracket  74  results in an affirmative installation of the formed-wire organizer  60  to a drywall surface. It should be noted that the anchor  80  (FIG. 17) could similarly be used to install the organizer shelf  40  (FIGS.  5 - 6 ) to a drywall surface. It should also be noted that the anchor  80  could be used to install organizers on other types of solid walls.  
         [0065]    An objective in the case of the formed-wire organizer  60  as is shown for the organizer shelf  40  is the extremely compatible installation modes that are obtained using the present design. As mentioned previously, the fact that a complete unit is essentially obtained in one article without additional brackets, supports, or shelving surfaces, is both economical and convenient for the homeowner/user.  
         [0066]    It may be understood and appreciated that the embodiments of the present invention are typically and preferably constructed from metal, plastic (reinforced or non-reinforced) or composite. Each may be finished in accordance with the desires and objectives of one who is manufacturing such articles. It is noted that, where steel is used, it is often painted, dipped, or otherwise coated so as to minimize corrosion and to enhance cosmetic quality.  
         [0067]    The fastening methods as shown above are merely illustrative of the potential fastening methods that may be conceived. For instance, it is possible that if the application is extended to a surface that is a metal or plastic sheet, rivets, nuts, bolts, and alternative fasteners could be used. Additionally, variations in the width and/or depth of the embodiments can be made in accordance with the applications. As discussed above, in the case of some load-bearing walls, the centers for stud installation are varied to lower construction cost, such as by increasing the spacing of centers to 24 inches. Thus, embodiments of the present invention could be optimized for this type of installation as well as by providing a narrower width or wider width, which would be compatible for installation between exposed studs in those circumstances.  
         [0068]    These and other attributes of the disclosed embodiments may be appreciated both from the drawings and the descriptions above. The Applicant does not intend in any way to limit the applications of his concepts by restricting them precisely to the models given above.