Abstract:
An overhead slatwall mounting bracket that has an anchoring surface and a biasing surface. The anchoring surface attaches the mounting bracket to a generally horizontal installation surface. The biasing surface may either define or provide one or more elongate slots. The mounting bracket is capable of securely supporting slatwall accessories that include one or more cantilever tabs. Each cantilever tab of the slatwall accessory may be inserted into one of the one or more elongate slots and thereby mount the slatwall accessory to the mounting bracket. The invention provides a means to suspend, mount or temporarily affix the tabbed slatwall accessory from an overhead or horizontal surface by insertion and subsequent rotation of the one or more cantilever tabs extending from the slatwall accessory into the one or more elongate slots.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/460,542 entitled “Overhead Mounting Bracket for Tabbed Accessories,” filed on Jan. 4, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/628,136 entitled “Overhead Mounting Bracket for Tabbed Accessories,” filed on Oct. 25, 2011. The present disclosure is also related to co-pending U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/374,872, filed on Oct. 19, 2011. The contents of each priority application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Slatwall is used in a wide range of applications for storing and displaying products, tools, accessories, etc. A few examples of slatwall applications include use in retail display, closet storage, and office furniture (e.g., shelving). Briefly, a slatwall is a wall panel commonly formed of metal, pressed board, or other rigid materials into which a plurality of equidistantly spaced horizontal grooves are defined. The grooves will typically have a cross-section that is either L-shaped or T-shaped. Specially designed accessories, such as brackets, shelves, baskets, etc., are able to be fitted into the grooves defined in the slatwall so that items can be conveniently hung or otherwise supported thereon. 
         [0003]    The specially designed accessories are typically mounted into the slatwall through the use of a flat base plate and a cantilever element for fitting into one of the grooves on the slatwall. The cantilever element is generally an L-shaped hook or tab that extends perpendicularly from the base plate and then forms a corner that turns upwards. The base plate is typically designed to rest flat against the surface of the slatwall to support the accessories such as hooks, racks, and shelves by attachment to its outer face. The L-shaped tab generally fits into the slatwall groove such that the vertical portion of the tab may bear against the inner surface of the groove, and the horizontal portion may sit on the lower groove ledge. To install the mounting bracket, the L-shaped tab is generally inserted into one of the grooves with the base plate oriented approximately perpendicular to the slatwall. The corner portion of the tab is then rotated downwards versus the slatwall groove ledge until the tab engages the groove, generally bearing against the inner surface of the groove while the base plate typically rests on the horizontal surface of the slatwall as provided by the groove. 
         [0004]    While there are several configurations and variations of vertically-disposed slatwalls and their accompanying accessories, the Inventor is unaware of any slatwall device or apparatus that allows a slatwall accessory to be mounted to an overhead or horizontal surface, such as a ceiling or other horizontal surface. In some applications, however, unrelated to slatwall technology, certain snap clamps and other open-faced mounting devices have been designed to be mounted to an overhead surface and thereby facilitate the support and/or retention of items, such as wire or pipe. However, such open-faced mounting devices fail to provide a mounting device with an orientation or design suitable for the secure support of a slatwall accessory from an overhead or horizontal surface. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one or more aspects of the disclosure, an overhead slatwall assembly is disclosed. The assembly may include an overhead slatwall mounting bracket having an anchoring surface and a biasing surface. The anchoring surface may be configured to be attached to a horizontal installation surface and the biasing surface may provide one or more elongate slots. The assembly may further include a slatwall accessory having one or more cantilever tabs. Each cantilever tab may be configured to be inserted into a corresponding one of the one or more elongate slots of the overhead slatwall mounting bracket, thereby mounting the slatwall accessory to the overhead slatwall mounting bracket. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the disclosure, a mounting bracket is disclosed. The mounting bracket may include an anchoring surface and a biasing surface angularly offset from the anchoring surface. The biasing surface may define one or more elongate slots adapted to receive corresponding cantilever tabs extending from an accessory to be supported by the mounting bracket. 
         [0007]    In another aspect of the disclosure, another mounting bracket is disclosed. The mounting bracket may include an anchoring surface and a biasing surface. The mounting bracket may further include one or more stabilizing members configured to connect the anchoring surface to the biasing surface. The mounting bracket may also include a snap clamp coupled to the biasing surface and defining one or more elongate slots. The one or more elongate slots may be adapted to receive corresponding cantilever tabs extending from a slatwall accessory to be supported by the mounting bracket. 
         [0008]    The features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the description of the preferred embodiments that follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present invention, and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those skilled in the art and having the benefit of this disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary overhead slatwall assembly, according to one or more embodiments disclosed. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  illustrate isometric and side views, respectively, of an exemplary overhead slatwall mounting bracket, according to one or more embodiments disclosed. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates and exemplary slatwall accessory, according to one or more embodiments disclosed. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  illustrate the installation of the overhead slatwall mounting bracket to support a slatwall accessory, and the mounting of such slatwall accessory, such as is shown in  FIG. 1 , according to one or more embodiments disclosed. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates another exemplary overhead slatwall mounting bracket, according to one or more embodiments disclosed. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates another exemplary overhead slatwall assembly, according to one or more embodiments disclosed. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates another exemplary overhead slatwall assembly, according to one or more embodiments disclosed. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates another exemplary overhead slatwall mounting bracket, according to one or more embodiments disclosed. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  illustrates another exemplary overhead slatwall mounting bracket, according to one or more embodiments disclosed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    It is to be understood that the following disclosure describes several exemplary embodiments for implementing different features, structures, or functions of the invention. Exemplary embodiments of components, arrangements, and configurations are described below to simplify the present disclosure; however, these exemplary embodiments are provided merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various exemplary embodiments and across the Figures provided herein. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various exemplary embodiments and/or configurations discussed in the various Figures. Moreover, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed interposing the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. Finally, the exemplary embodiments presented below may be combined in any combination of ways, i.e., any element from one exemplary embodiment may be used in any other exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0020]    Additionally, certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, various entities may refer to the same component by different names, and as such, the naming convention for the elements described herein is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, unless otherwise specifically defined herein. Further, the naming convention used herein is not intended to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. Additionally, in the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.” All numerical values in this disclosure may be exact or approximate values unless otherwise specifically stated. Accordingly, various embodiments of the disclosure may deviate from the numbers, values, and ranges disclosed herein without departing from the intended scope. Furthermore, as it is used in the claims or specification, the term “or” is intended to encompass both exclusive and inclusive cases, i.e., “A or B” is intended to be synonymous with “at least one of A and B,” unless otherwise expressly specified herein. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is an exemplary overhead slatwall assembly  100 , according to one or more embodiments. The assembly  100  may include an overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102  and a slatwall accessory  104  that may be mounted on or otherwise mounted to the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102 . In at least one embodiment, however, the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102  and the slatwall accessory  104  may be integrally formed or manufactured as a single monolithic structure, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As will be described in greater detail herein, the slatwall mounting bracket  102  may be mounted on a generally horizontal installation surface in order to provide a substantially vertical mount where various configurations of the slatwall accessory  104  may be seated, inserted, affixed, or otherwise retained. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , illustrated are isometric and side views, respectively, of the exemplary overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102  shown in  FIG. 1 , according to one or more embodiments. As illustrated, the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102  may be a generally L-shaped structure having an anchoring surface  202  and a biasing surface  204 . The overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102  may be made from any rigid material including, but not limited to, metals, plastics, woods, ceramics, acrylics, combinations thereof, or any other solid material. 
         [0023]    In one or more embodiments, the anchoring and biasing surfaces  202 ,  204  may be generally orthogonal to each other. In other embodiments, however, the angular disposition  206  ( FIG. 2   b ) between the two surfaces  202 ,  204  may be greater or less than 90°. For example, the angular disposition  206  between the two surfaces  202 ,  204  may range from between about 45° and about 135° without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art, however, will readily recognize that many other variations of the angular disposition  206  may be implemented and still remain within the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0024]    The anchoring surface  202  may define one or more apertures  208  extending entirely therethrough. While three apertures  208  are depicted in  FIG. 2   a , it will be appreciated that more or less than three apertures  208  may be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In one or more embodiments, the apertures  208  may be equidistantly spaced from each other along the anchoring surface  208 . In other embodiments, however, the apertures  208  may be randomly spaced from each other or laterally offset. 
         [0025]    The biasing surface  204  may define one or more elongate slots  210  that extend entirely therethrough. While two elongate slots  210  are depicted in  FIG. 2   a , it will be appreciated that more or less than two elongate slots  210  may be defined. In one or more embodiments, as depicted, the elongate slots  210  may be generally defined in the shape of an elongate oval. In other embodiments, however, the elongate slots  210  may be defined by other shapes including, but not limited to, any polygonal or circular/arcuate shapes. For example, in at least one embodiment, one or more of the elongate slots  210  may be generally defined in the shape of a rectangle. 
         [0026]    Each elongate slot  210  may be dimensioned with a slot length  212  that extends generally horizontal. As will be described in greater detail below, the elongate slots  210  may be adapted to receive a corresponding cantilever tab  312  ( FIG. 3 ). Consequently, the slot length  212  may generally correspond to the length or dimensions of the cantilever tab  312  and may vary accordingly in order to properly accommodate the tab  312  therein. In one or more embodiments, the slot length  212  may range between 1 inch and 2 inches. In other embodiments, however, the slot length  212  may be less than 1 inch or greater than 2 inches, without departing from the scope of the disclosure, and may depend entirely on the size of the bracket  102  and the application for its use. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 2   a , the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102  may have an inner depth  214  and an outer depth  216 . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 2   b , the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102  may have an inner height  218  and an outer height  220 . In one or more embodiments, the inner depth  214  may be about 1 inch and the outer depth  216  may be about 1.25 inches. Moreover, the inner height  218  may be about 1.5 inches and the outer height  220  may be about 1.75 inches. Accordingly, the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102  may be made of a material that is about 0.25 inches thick. As will be appreciated, however, that the foregoing measurements, and any other measurements or angles disclosed or otherwise described herein, are merely for illustrative purposes and should not be construed to be the only suitable measurements contemplated. Instead, the inner and outer depths  214 ,  216 , the inner and outer heights  218 ,  220 , and any other measurements or angles disclosed or otherwise described herein may vary, depending on the application. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , illustrated is an isometric view of the exemplary slatwall accessory  104  shown in  FIG. 1 , according to one or more embodiments. The slatwall accessory  104  may be made from any rigid material including, but not limited to, metals, plastics, woods, ceramics, acrylics, combinations thereof, or any other solid material. As illustrated, the slatwall accessory  104  may include a mounting surface  302 , a retaining surface  304 , and an angled surface  306 . The retaining surface  304  may extend from the mounting surface  302  in a generally orthogonal direction. In other embodiments, however, the angular disposition  308  between the retaining surface  304  and the mounting surface  302  may be greater or less than 90°. In at least one embodiment, the angular disposition  308  may be directly or indirectly dependent on the angular disposition  206  ( FIG. 2   b ) between the anchoring and biasing surfaces  202 ,  204  of the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102  and/or the angular disposition  310  between the angled surface  306  and mounting surface  302  of the slatwall accessory  104 . 
         [0029]    The angled surface  306  may extend from the mounting surface  302  at an angle  310 . The angle  310  may vary depending on the application, for example, depending on the angular disposition desired to mount or otherwise maintain a peripheral device (not shown) on the mounting surface  302 . In one or more embodiments, the angle  310  may range from about 0° to about 45°. In other embodiments, however, the angular disposition  310  between the angled surface  306  and the mounting surface  302  may be greater or less than 45°. In at least one embodiment, the angular disposition  310  may be directly or indirectly dependent on the angular disposition  206  ( FIG. 2   b ) between the anchoring and biasing surfaces  202 ,  204  of the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102 . 
         [0030]    The angled surface  306  may also define or otherwise include one or more cantilever tabs  312 . While two cantilever tabs  312  are depicted in  FIG. 3 , it will be appreciated that more or less than two tabs  312  may be used, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Each cantilever tab  312  may be a generally Z-shaped element attached or otherwise coupled to the angled surface  306  using, for example, mechanical fasteners, adhesives, welding or melding techniques, combinations thereof, or the like. In at least one embodiment, however, the cantilever tabs  312  may be formed integrally with the angled surface  306  such as through an injection molding process or the like. Each cantilever tab  312  may include a seating member  314 , a horizontal member  316 , and a vertical member  318 . The seating member  314  may be configured to bias against or form an integral part of the front face of the angled surface  306  and the horizontal member  316  may be arranged generally normal to the angled surface  306 . The vertical member  318  may be disposed generally normal to the horizontal member  316 , thereby forming about a 90° angle therebetween. 
         [0031]    As briefly noted above, in one or more embodiments, the slatwall accessory  104  may be adapted to receive or otherwise mount a peripheral device (not shown). The peripheral device may include, for example, a tablet computer, such as an IPAD®, a KINDLE®, or other tablet-style computing device, a personal computer, a netbook, or the like. The peripheral device may also include books, other reading materials, decorations, photographs, or any other articles to be displayed. Accordingly, the various dimensions of each feature of the slatwall accessory  104 , such as the length  320  and the width  322  of the mounting surface  302 , may vary depending on its intended use, and may be particularly designed to accommodate the corresponding sizing of the particular peripheral device. For instance, the retaining surface  304  may have a depth  324  sufficient to hold the peripheral device on the mounting surface  302  such that it does not shift downward and off the mounting surface  302 . 
         [0032]    In other embodiments, however, the slatwall accessory  104  may not necessarily be configured to mount a peripheral device. Instead, the slatwall accessory  104  may be a sign, or some other device or article of manufacture configured to simply be mounted to the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102  and extend therefrom. In such embodiments, the retaining surface  304  may or may not be omitted from the slatwall accessory  104  and the design itself of the slatwall accessory  104  may be varied to accommodate its specific purpose. For example, a slatwall accessory  104  configured to display a hat may include a hook-shaped design or element in place of the retaining surface  304 , but still including the cantilever tabs  312  necessary for mounting into the elongate slots  210  of the mounting bracket  102 . 
         [0033]    In one or more embodiments, the length  320  of the mounting surface may range from about 5 inches to about 18 inches, and the width  322  may range from about 5 inches to about 18 inches. Moreover, the depth  324  of the retaining surface  304  may range from about 0.5 inches to about 3 inches. As can be appreciated, however the dimensions of the height  320 , the width  322 , and the depth  324  may be altered or otherwise varied, depending on the sizing of the peripheral device required to be mounted, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , illustrated is an exemplary method of installing or assembling the slatwall assembly  100 , according to one or more embodiments. As illustrated, the assembly  100  may be mounted to a generally horizontal installation surface  402 . The horizontal installation surface  402  may include, but is not limited to, a ceiling, the underside to kitchen cabinets, the underside to shelving, and the like. 
         [0035]    The overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102  may be secured to the horizontal installation surface  402  using various means of attachment. As illustrated, for example, a mechanical fastener  404 , such as a screw or a bolt, may be extended through one or more of the apertures  208  defined in the anchoring surface  202  of the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102  and into the horizontal installation surface  402 . In other embodiments, the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102  may be secured to the horizontal installation surface  402  using adhesives, a VELCRO® interface, snap fasteners, combinations of various installation means, or the like. In yet other embodiments, the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102  may be secured to the horizontal installation surface  402  using a tongue-and-groove or slot-based installation where the mounting bracket  102  itself fits into a rail or track (not shown) that is mounted to the horizontal installation surface  402 . It should be noted that, as used herein, the VELCRO® interface is to be considered a type of adhesive attachment, and not just a hook-and-loop fastener. 
         [0036]    After the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102  has been securely fastened or otherwise coupled to the horizontal installation surface  402 , the slatwall accessory  104  may be coupled to, inserted into, and/or affixed to the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102 . To install the slatwall accessory  104 , the cantilever tab  312  is angled at an angle of insertion  406  such that the vertical member  318  of the cantilever tab  312  is able to be inserted into a corresponding elongate slot  210  defined in the biasing surface  204  of the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102 . The angle of insertion  406  may range from about 0° to about 90°, depending on the girth of the cantilever tab  312  and/or the height of the elongate opening  210 . In any event, the angle of insertion  406  may be configured to be sufficient such that the cantilever tab  312  is able to be inserted generally unobstructed into the elongate slot  210 . Following insertion of the cantilever tab(s)  312 , the slatwall accessory  104  is rotated downward, as indicated by arrow A. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 4   b , the slatwall accessory  104  is rotated downward until a back side  408  of the angled surface  306  bears against the biasing surface  204  of the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102 , and/or the vertical member  318  bears against the inside surface of the biasing surface  204 . Further rotational movement in direction A ( FIG. 4   a ) is thereby prohibited, and the cantilever tab(s)  312  is effectively coupled to the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102 . In this position, the horizontal member  316  may bear against the inside surface of the elongate slot  210 , and the angled surface  306  is disposed generally vertical and may bear against the outside surface of biasing surface  204 , but the mounting surface  302  may be angled corresponding to the angle  310  referenced above in  FIG. 3 . As a result, the user may retain any peripheral device retained on the mounting surface  302  at this angular configuration for ease of viewing or use. Removal of the slatwall accessory  104  is accomplished by reversing this process. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , illustrated is another exemplary overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502 , according to one or more embodiments. The overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502  is similar to the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a , and  2   b . Accordingly, the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502  may be best understood with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a , and  2   b , where like numerals indicate like components that will not be described again in detail. As with the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  102 , the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502  may be attached or otherwise coupled to a generally horizontal installation surface  402 . One or more mechanical fasteners  404 , such as a screw or a bolt, may be extended through corresponding apertures  208  defined in the anchoring surface  202  of the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502  and into the horizontal installation surface  402 . In other embodiments, the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502  may be secured to the horizontal installation surface  402  using adhesives, a VELCRO® interface, snap fasteners, combinations of various known installation means, or the like. 
         [0039]    The overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502  may further include a stabilizing member  504  and a snap clamp  506 . The stabilizing member  504  may be coupled to both the anchoring surface  202  and the biasing surface  204 . In one or more embodiments, the stabilizing member  504  may be configured to stabilize or otherwise support the biasing surface  204  against lateral movement during use. The stabilizing member  504  may define one or more apertures  508  (only one aperture  508  shown) therein. The apertures  508  may be configured to receive corresponding mechanical fasteners (e.g., mechanical fasteners  404 ) in order to secure the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502  to a generally vertical installation surface (not shown). 
         [0040]    In one embodiment, the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502  may be secured solely with the stabilizing member  504  against a generally vertical installation surface. In other embodiments, the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502  may be secured solely with the anchoring surface  202  against the horizontal installation surface  402 . In yet other embodiments, the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502  may be secured using a combination of both the stabilizing member  504  and the anchoring surface  202 . 
         [0041]    The snap clamp  506  may be coupled to the biasing surface  204  and define an elongate slot  510 . In one or more embodiments, the snap clamp  506  may be a length of pipe or tubular with strategically-excised portions that provide access into the interior of the pipe and thereby define the elongate slot  510  or corresponding numbers of elongate slots  510 . In one or more embodiments, the snap clamp  506  is integrally formed with the biasing surface  204 , such as through an injection molding process or the like. Similar to the elongate slot  210  described above with reference to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , the elongate slot  510  shown in  FIG. 5  may be dimensioned with a slot length  512  that extends generally horizontal. The snap clamp  506  may further define an upper cavity wall  514  and a bottom cavity wall  516 . The elongate slot  510  may be adapted to receive a corresponding cantilever tab  312  ( FIG. 3 ) in order to properly mount the slatwall accessory  104  to the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502 . Consequently, the slot length  512  may generally correspond to the length or dimensions of the cantilever tab  312  and may vary accordingly in order to properly accommodate the tab  312 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , illustrated is a side view of an exemplary overhead slatwall assembly  600 , according to one or more embodiments. The assembly  600  may include the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502  and the slatwall accessory  104 , as generally described above. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the slatwall accessory  104  is mounted in the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502  for use. In order to properly mount the slatwall accessory  104 , the cantilever tab  312  is angled such that its vertical member  318  is able to be inserted into the elongate slot  510  defined in the snap clamp  506  of the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502 . The proper angle of insertion may be substantially similar to the angle of insertion  406  described above with reference to  FIG. 4   a , and therefore will not be described again. 
         [0043]    Following insertion of the cantilever tab(s)  312 , the slatwall accessory  104  is rotated downward, as indicated by arrow A, until the back side of the slatwall accessory  104  (or the angled surface  306 ) bears against the snap clamp  506  and the vertical member  318  bears against the upper cavity wall  514 . As the vertical member  318  bears against the upper cavity wall  514 , the horizontal member  316  may bear against the bottom cavity wall  516 , and the back side of accessory  104  may bear against the bottom entrance to the snap clamp  506 , thereby wedging the cantilever tab  312  in place. Further rotational movement in direction A is thereby prohibited, and the cantilever tab  312  is effectively coupled to the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502 . Removal of the slatwall accessory  104  is accomplished by reversing this process. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , illustrated is a side view of another exemplary overhead slatwall assembly  700 , according to one or more embodiments. The assembly  700  may include the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502  and one or more rounded cantilever tabs  702  that can be mounted in the corresponding elongate slots  510 . The slatwall accessory  704  may include a generally planar mounting surface  706  that extends from the one or more rounded cantilever tabs  702 . Each rounded cantilever tab  702  may be attached or otherwise coupled to the planar mounting surface  706  using, for example, mechanical fasteners, adhesives, welding or melding techniques, combinations thereof, or the like. In at least one embodiment, however, the rounded cantilever tabs  702  may be formed integrally with the planar mounting surface  706  such as through an injection molding process or the like. Except for the rounded cantilever tabs  702  replacing the cantilever tabs  312 , the slatwall accessory  704  may be similar to the slatwall accessory  104  described above with reference to  FIG. 3 . For example, the slatwall accessory  704  may also include the mounting surface  302  and the retaining surface  304 . In addition, the design of the slatwall accessory  704  may vary to accommodate various purposes as previously discussed for the slatwall accessory  104  of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0045]    In order to mount the slatwall accessory  704  into the snap clamp  506 , the rounded cantilever tabs  702  may be inserted into the elongate slot  510  by sliding the tabs  702  longitudinally into the slot  510  from one of its lateral ends. In other embodiments, however, the rounded cantilever tabs  702  may be snapped into the snap clamp  506  by forcing the rounded cantilever tabs  702  through the open mouth at the front of the elongate slot  510 . Once the rounded head  702  is seated within the elongate slot  510 , the slatwall accessory  704  may be rotated downward, as indicated by arrow A, until the back side of the mounting surface  706  bears against the snap clamp  506  and thereby prevents further rotational movement. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , illustrated is another exemplary overhead slatwall mounting bracket  802 , according to one or more embodiments. The overhead slatwall mounting bracket  802  is similar to the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502  described above with reference to  FIGS. 5-7 . Accordingly, the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  802  may be best understood with reference to  FIGS. 5-7 , where like numerals indicate like components that will not be described again. For example, the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  802  may include the snap clamp  506  that defines one or more elongate slots  510  and has the upper and lower cavity walls  514 ,  516 . As with prior embodiments, the snap clamp  506  may be a length of pipe or tubular and the elongate slots  510  may be strategically-excised portions that provide access into the interior of the snap clamp  506 . 
         [0047]    Also similar to the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  502 , the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  802  may further include a biasing surface  804 , an anchoring surface  806 , and a stabilizing member  808 . The snap clamp  506  may be an arcuate member coupled to the arcuate biasing surface  804  using various attachment means including, but not limited to, mechanical fasteners, adhesives, welding, brazing, combinations thereof, or the like. In other embodiments, the snap clamp  506  is integrally formed with the arcuate biasing surface  804 , such as through an injection molding process or the like. 
         [0048]    The anchoring surface  806  may be coupled to the biasing surface  804  at one end and extend substantially horizontal therefrom. As with prior embodiments, the anchoring surface  806  may define one or more apertures  208  therein for the receipt of corresponding mechanical fasteners (not shown) in order to secure the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  802  to the horizontal installation surface  402 . In other embodiments, the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  802  may be secured to the horizontal installation surface  402  using adhesives, a VELCRO® interface, snap fasteners, combinations of various installation means, or the like. In yet other embodiments, the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  802  may be secured to the horizontal installation surface  402  using a tongue-and-groove or slot-based installation where the mounting bracket  102  itself fits into a rail or track (not shown) that is mounted to the horizontal installation surface  402 . 
         [0049]    The stabilizing member  808  may be coupled to both the biasing and anchoring surfaces  804 ,  806  using various attachment means including, but not limited to, mechanical fasteners, adhesives, welding, brazing, combinations thereof, or the like. In other embodiments, the stabilizing member  808  is integrally formed with both the biasing and anchoring surfaces  804 ,  806 , such as through an injection molding process or the like, and thereby generating a monolithic structure. In use, the stabilizing member  808  may be configured to stabilize or otherwise support the biasing surface  804  against lateral movement during use. Although not shown, the stabilizing member  504  may define one or more apertures configured to receive corresponding mechanical fasteners in order to secure the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  802  to a generally vertical installation surface (not shown). While only one is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , it will be appreciated that more than one stabilizing member  808  may be used in the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  802 . For example, the multiple stabilizing members  808  may be spaced from each other along an axial length of the snap clamp  506  in order to further stabilize the overhead slatwall mounting bracket  802  along is length. 
         [0050]    The overhead slatwall mounting bracket  802  may be configured to receive and mount any of the slatwall accessories  104 ,  704  described herein, and/or variations thereof. For example, the elongate slot  510  in  FIGS. 8 and 9  may be adapted to receive the cantilever tab  312  as shown in  FIG. 3 , and the elongate slot  510  in  FIG. 8  may be adapted to receive the rounded cantilever tab  702  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0051]    As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, there is no limitation to the shape, size or dimension of the overhead slatwall mounting brackets  102 ,  502 ,  802  described herein for the support of any objects with available mounting tabs or analogous mounting devices (i.e., the rounded cantilever tabs  702 ), such as may be found on various slatwall accessories. Indeed, the brackets  102 ,  502 ,  802  may be constructed of any material or combination of materials and in any shape, size and dimension as appropriate to accommodate the particular tabbed slatwall accessory (e.g., slatwall accessory  104 ) that it will support. Moreover, the disclosure is not limited to the mounting of a single slatwall accessory to an overhead or horizontal surface as described herein, but is also envisioned to support multiple slatwall accessories by the insertion of one or more mounting tabs or analogous mounting devices extending from any number of slatwall accessories into one or more slots or cavities. Further, the invention is specifically not limited to the mounting of slatwall accessories, but can also be used for the mounting of other tabbed objects from an overhead or horizontal surface. 
         [0052]    The foregoing has outlined features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.