Abstract:
The invention is an electrically conductive wall hook. The invention is a means to provide power to an object that is being stored in a hanging position. The invention is made up of two parts. The first part is a housing attached to an object to be stored that contains an opening. The second part is a hook attached to a wall. Both the housing and the hook contain electrical conductors. When the hook is fitted securely inside the opening of the housing, the object is suspended from the hook, and the electrical conductors within the housing and the hook mate with each other. The electrical conductor inside the hook is attached to electrical power so that electrical power is provided to the object that is suspended from the hook.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES 
     Technical Field 
     This invention relates generally to the field of fasteners, and more specifically to electrically conductive fasteners. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A typical household utilizes numerous appliances for functioning in everyday life, and many of these appliances require electricity to operate. Most electrical appliances come equipped with a power cord that is plugged into an outlet in order to receive the necessary power. Frequently, when an electrical appliance is not in use, the power cord is wrapped up (often in a rather haphazard fashion), and the appliance is put away into some sort of storage area. However, this ordinary process has several disadvantages. 
     First, it is inconvenient to repeatedly remove an item from storage for use, to plug it in to an electrical outlet, and then to unplug and return it again. This is not to mention the difficulty of wrapping up and storing power cords, which are built rather inflexibly and often end up in only a tangled mess. Leaving all appliances out of storage and always available for use might be an option, but besides the lack of adequate counter space, there are often not enough outlets to accommodate powering multiple items simultaneously. Power strips help to solve this problem by providing more outlets to connect with, but plugging multiple power cords into the same location may result in the cords becoming tangled or becoming a tripping hazard. In addition, many power cords coming from multiple appliances can be an eye-sore. 
     Many of these problems could be solved by a system that allows items to be conveniently stored and also electrically powered by means of the structure that stores the items simultaneously. For example, an automated storage and retrieval system that stored all items in a ready-to-use, powered state and then brought needed items to a convenient access point for use would be ideal. The frequent movement of the items would make it necessary to eliminate the need for power cords entirely. Therefore, what is needed is an apparatus that can provide a power connection without a power cord and provide a supporting structure for storage items within the storage system too. Some methods have been developed that provide a quicker means of connecting an object to power than plugging a power cord into an outlet. However, most of these power connection methods are complex designs and do not provide a support structure for the object. Therefore, two separate actions are still required to store an object and connect it to power. What is needed is an apparatus of a simple design that provides both power and a support structure for a stored object. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art and, in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available components and methods. Accordingly, efficient structural components and methods have been developed to allow an apparatus to provide both electrical power and a support structure for an object. 
     Consistent with the foregoing, an electrically conductive wall hook is disclosed. The electrically conductive wall hook is an apparatus comprising a first member mounted to a suspendable object. The first member comprises an insulative housing comprising an opening that comprises a first electrical conductor. The apparatus further comprises a second member mounted to a wall. The second member comprises a hook that is dimensioned to fit securely inside the opening such that the suspendable object is suspended from the wall when the hook is fitted securely inside the opening. The hook comprises a second electrical conductor that is coupled to a source of electrical power, and the first and second electrical conductors are positioned so as to mate when the hook is fitted securely inside the opening. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second electrical conductors comprise pins, preferably spring-loaded pins. In other embodiments, the first and second electrical conductors comprise a pin and a pin receptacle. In some embodiments, the suspendable objects are any of a variety of electrical appliances, and in other embodiments they are storage bins, some of which comprise electrical outlets. In some embodiments, the insulated housing comprises plastic or rubber, is of a rectangular prismatic configuration, or has particular dimensions. In some embodiments, the hooks comprise an insulating material, protrude from the wall at a ninety-degree angle, or support a particular amount of weight. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more particular description of the invention briefly described above is made below by reference to specific embodiments depicted in drawings included with this application, in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of the invented apparatus comprising a first member and a second member; 
         FIG. 2A  depicts an exterior view of one embodiment of the first member; 
         FIG. 2B  depicts an interior view of one embodiment of the first member; 
         FIG. 3A  depicts one embodiment of the first member mounted to the outside of a suspendable object, such that the first member protrudes from the suspendable object; 
         FIG. 3B  depicts one embodiment of the first member mounted inside the suspendable object, such that only the opening is visible from an outside view of the suspendable object; 
         FIG. 4  depicts one embodiment of the second member; 
         FIG. 5  depicts one embodiment of the hook of the first member fitted securely inside the opening of the second member and the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor positioned so as to mate when the hook is fitted securely inside the opening; 
         FIG. 6A  depicts a side view of one embodiment of a first member that is mounted to a suspendable object, and a second member that is mounted to a wall; 
         FIG. 6B  depicts a side view of one embodiment of a suspendable object being suspended from the wall when the hook is fitted securely inside the opening; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a front view of one embodiment of several suspendable objects suspended from a wall; 
         FIG. 8  depicts one embodiment of the invented apparatus utilized in an automated storage and retrieval system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A detailed description of the claimed invention is provided below by example, with reference to embodiments in the appended figures. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the components of the invention as described by example in the figures below could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the detailed description of the embodiments in the figures is merely representative of embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed. 
       FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of the invented apparatus  100  comprising a first member  110  and a second member  120 . Each member is described in more detail below. 
       FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  depict views of one embodiment of the first member  110 .  FIG. 2A  depicts an exterior view.  FIG. 2B  depicts an interior view. The first member  110  comprises an insulative housing  200 . In different embodiments, the insulative housing  200  comprises plastic or rubber. The preferred embodiment comprises plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the insulative housing  200  comprises a rectangular prismatic configuration. Other embodiments comprise other configurations. In a preferred embodiment, the insulative housing  200  measures approximately 1.5 inches (3.81 cm.) high by 0.3 inches (0.76 cm.) wide by 0.5 inches (1.27 cm.) deep. The insulative housing  200  comprises an opening  210 , which comprises a first electrical conductor  220 . In a preferred embodiment, the first electrical conductor  220  comprises a pin. In one embodiment, the pin is a spring-loaded pin. The flexibility of a spring-loaded pin ensures that the pin will establish a secure electrical connection. In another embodiment, the first electrical conductor  220  comprises a receptacle. The first electrical conductor  220  is positioned so as to mate with a second electrical conductor inside the second member  120 . 
     The first member  110  is mounted to a suspendable object  300 .  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  depict views of one embodiment of a first member  110  mounted to a suspendable object  300 . In a preferred embodiment, two first members  110  are mounted to each suspendable object  300 , with one first member  110  connected to hot wires and a second first member  110  connected to neutral wires, allowing for a complete electrical circuit. The first member  110  can be mounted in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the first member  110  is mounted to the outside of the suspendable object  300 , such that the first member  110  protrudes from the suspendable object  300 .  FIG. 3A  depicts this embodiment. In this embodiment, electrical wires  310  extend from the first electrical conductor  220  inside the first member  110  into the suspendable object  300 , seen or unseen, providing the suspendable object  300  with electrical power. Preferably, hot electrical wires extend from the first electrical conductor  220  inside one first member  110 , and neutral electrical wires extend from the first electrical conductor  220  inside a second first member  110  mounted to the suspendable object  300 , such that a complete electrical circuit is created between the two first members  110  that are mounted to the suspendable object  300 . In another embodiment, the first member  110  is mounted to the inside of the suspendable object  300 , such that only the opening  210  is visible from an outside view of the suspendable object  300 . This embodiment is depicted in  FIG. 3B . In this embodiment, electrical wires  310  extend from the first electrical conductor  220  inside the first member  110  into the suspendable object  300 , unseen, providing electrical power to the suspendable object  300 . Again, preferably hot electrical wires extend from the first electrical conductor  220  inside one first member  110 , and neutral electrical wires extend from the first electrical conductor  220  inside a second first member  110  mounted to the suspendable object  300 , such that a complete electrical circuit is created between the two first members  110  that are mounted to the suspendable object  300 . In one embodiment, the suspendable object  300  is an electrical appliance selected from the group consisting of microwaves, refrigerators, ice machines, heaters, toasters, mixers, ovens, juicers, dryers, grinders, dispensers, freezers, gas and electric cook tops, gas and electric ranges, bread machines, humidifiers, and grills.  FIG. 3B  depicts the suspendable object  300  comprising a toaster. In another embodiment, the suspendable object  300  comprises a storage bin.  FIG. 3B  depicts the suspendable object  300  comprising a storage bin holding a toaster. In one embodiment, the storage bin is fitted with an electrical outlet. 
       FIG. 4  depicts one embodiment of a second member  120 . The second member  120  is mounted to a wall  410 . It is mounted to the wall  410  using connectors  430 . In one embodiment, the connectors  430  are screws. The second member  120  also comprises a hook  400 . The hook  400  is dimensioned to fit securely inside the opening  210  of the first member  110  such that the suspendable object  300  is suspended from the wall  410  when the hook  400  is fitted securely inside the opening  210 . In one embodiment, the hook  400  comprises an insulating material, preferably plastic. In one embodiment, the hook  400  protrudes from the wall  410  at a ninety-degree angle. In one embodiment, the hook  400  supports twenty pounds (9.07 kilograms) of weight. Furthermore, the hook  400  comprises a second electrical conductor  420  that is coupled to a source of electrical power. The second electrical conductor  420  is positioned so as to mate with the first electrical conductor  220  when the hook  400  is fitted securely inside the opening  210  of the first member  110 . In a preferred embodiment, the second electrical conductor  420  comprises a pin. In one embodiment, the pin comprises a spring-loaded pin. The flexibility of a spring-loaded pin ensures that the pin will establish a secure electrical connection. In another embodiment, the second electrical conductor  420  comprises a receptacle. In a preferred embodiment, the source of electrical power that is coupled to the second electrical conductor  420  is located inside the wall  410 . In this embodiment, the source of electrical power comprises electrical wires, one hot and one neutral. In a preferred embodiment, each suspendable object  300  is suspended from two second members  120  comprising hooks  400 . In this preferred embodiment, hot electrical wires extend to the second electrical conductor  420  inside one hook  400 , and neutral electrical wires extend to the second electrical conductor  220  inside a second hook  400 . This allows a complete electrical circuit to be created extending from the source of electrical power. In one embodiment, the wall  410  to which each second member  420  is mounted comprises two metal rails, one wired to be hot and the other one wired to be neutral. The second members  420  are mounted on these rails. In one embodiment, the source of electrical power is equipped with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). 
       FIG. 5  depicts one embodiment of the hook  400  of the first member  110  fitted securely inside the opening  210  of the second member  120  and the first electrical conductor  220  and the second electrical conductor  420  positioned so as to mate when the hook  400  is fitted securely inside the opening  210 . The hook  400  is dimensioned to fit securely inside the opening  210 . After the hook  400  is inserted into the opening  210 , because the opening  210  extends upward beyond the top of the hook  400 , the first member  110  shifts downward until the hook  400  catches the first member  110 . At that point, the first electrical conductor  220  and the second electrical conductor  420  mate, creating an electrical current, which provides electrical power from the electrical source to which the second electrical conductor  420  is coupled, preferrably located inside the wall  410 , to the suspendable object  300  that is suspended from the wall  410  when the hook  400  is fitted securely inside the opening  210 . In one embodiment, the first and second electrical conductors  220  and  420  are pins, preferably spring-loaded pins. In another embodiment, the first and second electrical conductors  220  and  420  comprise a pin and a pin receptacle. 
       FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  depict side views of a suspendable object  300  being suspended from the wall  410  when the hook  400  is fitted securely inside the opening  210 .  FIG. 6A  depicts a first member  110  that is mounted to the suspendable object  300 , and a second member  120  that is mounted to the wall  410 . The first member  110  comprises an insulative housing  200  comprising an opening  210 . The second member  120  comprises a hook  400 . The hook  400  is dimensioned to fit securely inside the opening  120 . When the hook  400  is fitted securely inside the opening  210 , the suspendable object  300  is suspended from the wall  410 , as depicted in  FIG. 6B . The first member  110  also comprises a first electrical conductor  220 . The hook  400  of the second member  120  comprises a second electrical conductor  420  that is coupled to a source of electrical power  600 . The first electrical conductor  220  and the second electrical conductor  420  are positioned so as to mate when the hook  400  is fitted securely inside the opening  210 . In this way, the positionable object  300  is provided with electrical power when it is hung on the wall  410 , without the need for other outlets or plugs. In a preferred embodiment, the source of electrical power  600  that is coupled to the second electrical conductor  420  is located inside the wall  410 . In this embodiment, the source of electrical power  600  comprises electrical wires, one hot and one neutral. In a preferred embodiment, each suspendable object  300  is suspended from two second members  120  comprising hooks  400 . In this preferred embodiment, hot electrical wires extend to the second electrical conductor  420  inside one hook  400 , and neutral electrical wires extend to the second electrical conductor  220  inside a second hook  400 . This allows a complete electrical circuit to be created extending from the source of electrical power. In one embodiment, the wall  410  to which each second member  420  is mounted comprises two metal rails, one wired to be hot and the other one wired to be neutral. The second members  420  are mounted on these rails. In one embodiment, the source of electrical power is equipped with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). 
       FIG. 7  depicts a front view of several suspendable objects  300  suspended from a wall  410 . In one embodiment, the suspendable objects  300  are electrical appliances  700  selected from the group consisting of microwaves, refrigerators, ice machines, heaters, toasters, mixers, ovens, juicers, dryers, grinders, dispensers, freezers, gas and electric cook tops, gas and electric ranges, bread machines, humidifiers, and grills. In another embodiment, the suspendable objects  300  comprise storage bins  710 . In one embodiment, each storage bin  710  is fitted with an electrical outlet  720 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts the invented apparatus  100  utilized in an automated storage and retrieval system  800 . One example of an automated storage and retrieval system  800  comprises one or more walls  410  arranged to create a frame. Arranged within the one or more walls  410  are one or more suspendable objects  300 . At least one first member  110  is mounted to each suspendable object  300 . A second member  120  to correspond with each first member  120  is mounted to a wall  410 . Each suspendable object  300  is suspended from a wall  410  when the hook  400  of each second member  120  is fitted securely inside an opening  210  of each first member  110 . A first electrical conductor  220  and a second electrical conductor  420  (not pictured in  FIG. 8 ) also mate when the hook  400  is fitted securely inside the opening  210 , connecting the suspendable objects  300  to electrical power. One or more mechanisms  810  for lifting and moving the suspendable objects  300  are mounted to the one or more walls  410 . Hanging the one or more suspendable objects  300  using the invented apparatus  100  in an automated storage and retrieval system  800  allows each suspendable object  300  to be connected to electrical power during storage, without regard to where each suspendable object is moved by the mechanisms  810 . This is particularly beneficial when storing electrical appliances, which may be done in order to conserve the space that the appliances would otherwise occupy. For example, if one suspendable object  300  were a bread machine, a user could add ingredients to the bread machine and instruct the bread machine to start a bread making cycle. While the cycle is underway, the bread machine requires little or no monitoring by the user, but it does require electrical power. The user can insert the bread machine into an automated storage and retrieval system  800  that utilizes the present invention. As the bread machine is stored, it has a nearly continuous supply of electrical power that enables the bread machine to complete the bread making cycle even while being stored and moved around within the automated storage and retrieval system  800 . This is one preferred application of the present invention, but many other applications also exist.