Wall organizer system

A wall organizer system for storing items on a wall, includes at least one panel of wire mesh including a plurality of spaced, parallel, vertical rods joined to a plurality of spaced, parallel horizontal rods to define a plurality of quadrilateral mounting points, at least one wall bracket for mounting the at least one panel to the wall, at least one universal mounting plate configured for being secured in one of the mounting points and for accommodating at least one suspending member, and at least one suspending member configured for engagement on at least one of the at least one universal plate and directly to the panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention relates to wall organizer systems of the type used in
 garages, utility rooms, shops, retail establishments and residential
 basements for organizing books, tools, chemicals, toys, sporting goods,
 clothes and other personal possessions, and more specifically to an
 organizer system based on wire mesh panels using various hooks and
 brackets to mount the items to the wall.
 Wall organizer systems are known which employ wire mesh panels made up of a
 plurality of spaced, parallel vertical rods joined to a plurality of
 spaced, parallel horizontal rods to create a grid of mounting points.
 Individual hooks and brackets, including shelf brackets, are provided for
 being fastened to the wire rods.
 However, a major drawback of conventional systems of this type is that each
 type of hook or bracket requires its own mounting procedure and/or
 hardware. Thus, the arrangement and installation of the mounting hardware
 to the wire mesh panel is a tedious and time consuming process. This
 disadvantage is exacerbated when the individual hooks or brackets need to
 be moved to achieve proper and/or level alignment.
 Another disadvantage of conventional wall organizers of this type is that
 the attachment configurations of the hooks and other hardware must be
 secured to the wire mesh by fasteners, and have no inherent gripping power
 on the mesh. This disadvantage makes the conventional attachments more
 easily dislodged from the mesh.
 Still another disadvantage of conventional wall organizer systems of this
 type is that the variety of available mounting hardware is relatively
 limited, and requires specially designed components configured for being
 secured to the mesh panels.
 Thus, there is a need for a wall organizer system of the type using wire
 mesh panels which provides an easy and relatively rapid way to attach
 mounting hardware and brackets to the wire mesh.
 Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide an
 improved wall organizer system featuring a universal mounting plate which
 can accommodate a variety of conventional hooks, brackets and other such
 mounting hardware.
 Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved wall
 organizer system featuring a universal mounting plate which can be
 attached to the mesh panel without the need for supplemental fasteners or
 tools.
 A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved wall
 organizer system in which shelf and/or hook mounting brackets can be
 placed in a wide variety of locations on the wire mesh panels.
 Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved wall
 organizer system which has the ability to mount two vertically oriented
 mesh panels to the wall in abutting relationship to each other.
 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 Accordingly, the above-listed objects are met or exceeded by the present
 wall organizer system for use with wire mesh panels made of a plurality of
 vertical and horizontal rods joined to form a screen-type pattern. The
 organizer system features a universal mounting plate which is secured to
 any mounting point on the mesh panel by a hook and snap-lock arrangement
 without the use of tools. Thus, the mounting plate can be easily installed
 anywhere on the mesh, and can also be readily moved to adjust its position
 as desired. In addition, the mounting plate is configured for
 accommodating a wide variety of conventional shelf brackets, hooks and
 other known organizer hardware. Another feature of the present organizer
 system is that it is provided with wall brackets for holding the mesh
 panels to the wall, which are made to securely hold either a single panel,
 or a pair of vertically arranged panels in abutting relationship to each
 other.
 More specifically, the present invention provides a wall organizer system
 for storing items on a wall, includes at least one panel of wire mesh
 including a plurality of spaced, parallel, vertical rods joined to a
 plurality of spaced, parallel horizontal rods to define a plurality of
 quadrilateral mounting points, at least one wall bracket for mounting the
 at least one panel to the wall, at least one universal mounting plate
 configured for being secured in one of the mounting points and for
 accommodating at least one suspending member, and at least one suspending
 member configured for engagement on at least one of the at least one
 universal plate and directly to the wire mesh panel.
 In a preferred embodiment, the present wall organizer system is provided in
 kit form including at least one wire mesh panel, a plurality of mounting
 brackets, a plurality of universal mounting plates and a plurality of
 suspending members taken from the group including shelf brackets, light
 duty hooks, heavy duty hooks., peg board hooks, s-hooks, tool holders and
 peg board trays. Certain members of the group of suspending members can be
 secured directly to the wire mesh, and others are configured for
 attachment to the universal mounting plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
 Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present wall organizer system for
 storing items on a wall is generally designated 10, and includes at last
 one panel 12 of wire mesh. In the preferred embodiment, the wire mesh is
 made to include a plurality of spaced, parallel, vertical rods or wires 14
 joined, as by welding, adhesive or other known fastening technology to a
 plurality of spaced, parallel horizontal rods or wires 16 to define a
 plurality of quadrilateral mounting points or cells 18.
 It is preferred that the rods 14, 16 are cylindrical in cross-section,
 however other shapes are contemplated, such as square or hex-shaped rod.
 It is also preferred that the rods 14, 16 be coated with protective metal,
 paint or plastic to minimize rust, corrosion or injury from sharp edges.
 While metal mesh panels 12 are preferred, it is also envisioned that
 injection molded plastic panels could be provided as long as the panel was
 capable of bearing the loads generated by stored articles such as books,
 tools, packaged liquid chemicals and the like.
 When the rods 14, 16 are assembled to form the mesh panels 12, the
 resulting mounting points 18 are preferably 4 inch squares disposed in
 rows and columns, however other dimension and quadrilateral configurations
 are contemplated depending on the application. Mounting points located at
 the end of each row are preferably reduced in size to provide a known gap
 between panels when two panels are placed side-by-side. This is so that
 the panels can be mounted to wall studs having a standard 16 inch on
 center spacing. Each panel 12 is preferably provided in 1 foot.times.4
 foot or 2 foot.times.4 foot sections, however other sizes are contemplated
 depending on the application.
 Another feature of the present panel 12 is that upper and lower edges 20,
 22 of the panels are provided with an extra horizontal rod 24 secured
 parallel to the existing horizontal rod 16 with the vertical rods 14
 sandwiched therebetween to reinforce the panel by increasing rigidity,
 strength and supported load. Both of these rods at each edge are referred
 to as edge rods 24.
 At least one wall bracket 26 is provided for mounting the at least one
 panel 12 to the wall, which can be an open stud wall, covered with
 wallboard, made of cinder block, concrete, or other known wall
 construction. Also, at least one universal mounting plate 28 is provided,
 and is configured for being secured in one of the mounting points 18 and
 for accommodating at least one suspending member, generally designated 30.
 The suspending members 30 are a wide variety of generally conventionally
 available shelf brackets, hooks, peg board hooks and trays, wire mesh
 trays and tool holders as are known in the art and which will be described
 in further detail below. As is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, an important feature
 of the present wall organizer system is that the suspending members 30 can
 be secured to the panel 12 in a wide variety of positions, and can easily
 be moved without the use of tools. Some of the suspending members are
 mountable only on the mounting plate 28, while others are mountable
 directly to the panel 12.
 Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the wall bracket 26 is generally U-shaped
 when viewed from the side, and includes a back wall 32 having mounting
 holes 34 (preferably countersunk) for securing the bracket to the wall, a
 floor 36 dimensioned for receiving the edge rods 24, and a front lip 38
 for retaining the panel by securing the rods 24 within the space defined
 by the bracket 26. It is preferred that the wall brackets 26 be placed at
 about 32 inch intervals on the panels 12, because of the standard 16 inch
 on center spacing of wall support studs.
 A feature of the present system is that the wall bracket 26 is configured
 to retain either a single panel 12 against the wall (best seen in FIG. 3),
 or a pair of panels 12a , 12b (FIG. 4), in a vertically stacked
 arrangement with adjacent or opposing edges 20, 22 abutting each other.
 This is accomplished by providing the front lip 38 with a first lip
 portion 40 and a second lip portion 42 separated by a slot 44 configured
 for accommodating one of the vertical rods 14.
 It will be seen that the first lip portion 40 is taller than the second lip
 portion 42 for accommodating the opposing edge rods 24 of abutting,
 vertically stacked panels 12a , 12b . A retaining fastener aperture 46 is
 provided in both lip portions 40, 42 and accommodates a locking or
 retaining fastener 48. Whichever lip portion 40, 42 is employed to retain
 a corresponding single or double panel arrangement, the fastener 48 will
 be inserted by the installer in the appropriate retaining fastener
 aperture so that the fastener passes above the retained horizontal edge
 rods 24 to secure them in place and prevent them from becoming dislodged
 from the bracket 26 upon impact to the panel 12.
 In the preferred embodiment, the locking fastener 48 is of the pan head
 screw type, the free end of which should extend into the space defined by
 the bracket 26 a sufficient distance so that the distance between the free
 end of the fastener and the back wall 32 is less than the combined
 thickness of the rods 14, 24. In this manner, the panel 12 is securely
 retained by the brackets 26. It is also contemplated that the locking
 fastener 48 abuts the back wall 32, and/or that the back wall may be
 provided with a threaded or non-threaded aperture for receiving the end of
 the fastener 48, and further that the locking fastener may take the form
 of a threaded fastener or a locking pin.
 Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, the universal mounting plate 28, which is also
 a suspending member support, includes an upper edge 50 configured for
 engaging one of the horizontal rods 16, a lower edge 52 configured for
 engaging another one of the horizontal rods and a mounting panel 54
 disposed between the upper and lower edges. In size, the plate 28 is
 dimensioned to fit within any one of the mounting points 18 (FIGS. 1 and
 2). To this end, the upper edge 50 is bent back to form an inverted
 "J"-hook which is configured to engage a desired horizontal rod 16.
 At the lower edge 52, the plate is bent rearward at an approximate
 90.degree. angle, and at least one biased friction fit locking formation
 56 is provided on an upper surface 58 formed by the bending operation. The
 locking formation 56 may take the form of a raised, bent tag 60 (best seen
 in FIG. 8), a punctured tab 62 or other known formations which, once the
 upper edge 50 is hooked over the upper rod 16, will engage the lower rod
 16 with a snap-type friction fit. The biasing action of the locking
 formation 56 is provided by the inherent springiness created by the
 formation 56 being separated from the adjacent portions of the upper
 surface 58 by slots 63, which preferably extend into the mounting panel
 54. The universal mounting plate 28 will thus be secured to the panel 12
 without the use of tools. However, if desired, the lower edge 52 of the
 plate 28 may be provided with supplemental locking apertures 64 (best seen
 in FIG. 6) through which threaded fasteners, ties, pins or any other type
 of fastener (not shown) may be inserted to further secure the plate to the
 panel 12.
 The mounting panel 54 features a plurality of apertures 66 constructed and
 arranged for receiving the suspending members 30. Since the universal
 mounting plate 28 is intended to accommodate a wide variety of
 conventionally available storage hardware, the apertures 66 are intended
 to duplicate corresponding structures on conventional shelf standards and
 peg board. Accordingly, the apertures 66 include a first plurality of
 vertically extending apertures 68, 69 for receiving either single wall or
 double wall shelf brackets, and are preferably surrounded by a second
 plurality of generally circular apertures 70 of the type found in
 conventional peg-board.
 Most preferably, the apertures 68 are constructed and arranged to be
 generally parallel to receive double wall shelf brackets (FIG. 13) and
 apertures 69 are constructed and arranged to receive single wall shelf
 brackets (FIG. 14). The apertures 70 are disposed to have a 1 inch spacing
 between each other, but other spacings are contemplated depending on the
 application. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, since standard double wall
 shelf brackets require four standard apertures 68 each, and standard
 single wall shelf brackets require two standard apertures 69 each disposed
 in a different standard spacing from the apertures 68, the mounting plate
 28 can accommodate one double wall bracket in the apertures 68, at least
 one single wall bracket in the apertures 69 and a plurality of peg-board
 type hooks or other hardware in the apertures 70. It will be appreciated
 that the number and arrangement of apertures 68, 69 and 70 may vary to
 suit the application.
 It is also contemplated that the plate 28 may be provided in a form for use
 in supporting suspending members 30 without being attached to the mesh
 panel 12. In such an embodiment, the mounting panel 54 would include the
 apertures, 68, 69 and/or 70, and the upper and lower edges 50, 52 would be
 altered to suit the particular attachment application provided that a
 space is created behind the panel to accommodate shelf bracket tabs or peg
 board hook tips.
 Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the present panel 12 is shown wherein the
 universal mounting plate 28 is provided with heavy duty hooks 72 secured
 thereto. In FIG. 9, a single hook 72 is mounted to the apertures 70 with
 fasteners (not shown) such as conventional screws and nuts, rivets or the
 equivalent. In FIG. 10, a pair of hooks 72 are mounted to the same plate
 28 in side-by-side fashion.
 Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, in FIG. 11, a light duty peg board-type
 hook 74 is shown engaged in apertures 70. FIG. 12 depicts a wire mesh-type
 tray 76 suspended from a pair of adjacent universal mounting plates 28 so
 that the tray is engaged in selected apertures 70. A rear end of the tray
 is supported by the panel 54 of the plate 28 so that the tray is
 maintained perpendicular to the wall.
 Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, the universal mounting plate 28 can also
 accommodate conventional shelf brackets. In FIG. 13, it is seen that the
 arrangement of the vertically extending apertures 68 is such that a
 conventional dual walled, double track bracket 78 is accommodatable in the
 same manner as in a conventional shelf bracket standard, with the tabs of
 the bracket (not shown) engaging the apertures 68. In FIG. 14, it is also
 seen that a conventional single wall shelf bracket 80 may also be
 accommodated in the apertures 69.
 Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, the system 10 may also include individual
 light duty hooks or other type of suspending or hanging hardware which do
 not need to be attached to the universal mounting plate 28, but instead
 are mountable directly to the wire mesh panel 12. A clamp-on hook 82 of
 this type attaches to the panel 12 in the same manner 10 as the universal
 mounting plate 28. An upper edge 84 is formed into an inverted "J"-hook
 for engaging a horizontal rod 16, and a lower edge 86 is bent back at an
 approximate 90.degree. angle and is provided with at least one biased
 friction-type snap fit formation 56 bordered by a pair of slots 63 (as
 seen in FIG. 7). Between the upper and lower edges 84, 86, a hook panel or
 mounting panel 88 receives a hook 90 fastened thereto by welding or other
 known attachment technology. The upper edge 84, the lower edge 86 and the
 panel 88 thus define a suspending member support. The hook 90 may be
 either fixed or laterally pivotable relative to the hook panel 88.
 Referring now to FIG. 17, a light duty S-hook 92 of the double-hook type is
 provided and includes first and second hook members 94 retained in spaced
 apart relationship with each other by a spacer bar 95. The hook 92 is
 designed to engage the panel 12 by the hook members 94 being hooked at
 their upper ends 96 upon a horizontal rod 16, with the adjacent vertical
 rod 14 being engaged by the spacer bar 95 to prevent the hook 92 from
 rotating backward toward the wall upon loading. An important feature of
 the hook 92 is that it is snap-fit to the panel 12 through the
 construction of the upper end 96. The radius of the upper end 96 is such
 that an opening is defined which is smaller than the diameter of the rods
 16.
 Also, a tip portion 97 of the upper end 96 is angled rearwardly to assist
 installation and to further constrict the opening defined by the upper end
 96. An angled elbow 98 of the upper end 96 further constricts the opening
 and adds to the snap fit structure. Any of the hooks of the present system
 10 may be provided with protective endcaps 100 for preventing injury and
 protecting the suspended items from sharp edges.
 Referring now to FIG. 18, a tool rack 102 suitable for use with the present
 system 10 includes a main spacer bar 104 with hooks 106 at each end for
 engaging a selected horizontal rod 16. It is preferred that the hooks 106
 have the same snap-fit feature as the upper ends 96 of the hooks 92. A
 plurality of generally "U"-shaped hook pairs 108 are secured to the spacer
 bar 104 in spaced relationship to each other, and are configured for
 retaining tools such as hammers, shovels, axes, rakes, as well as shoes,
 clothing, neckties, etc. A rear bar 105 of the hook pairs 108 performs the
 same function as the spacer bar 95. The hook pairs 108 are each secured to
 the spacer bar 104 by welding or other known fastening technology. If
 desired, tips of the hook pairs 108 may be angled upward to better retain
 suspended articles as is known in the art.
 Referring now to FIG. 19, an individual double hook 110 may also be
 provided for use with the system 10, and is similar to the tool rack 102,
 only being shorter and consisting of a single hook pair 108. Similar
 components are designated with similar reference numbers.
 In operation, the present wall organizer system 10 is preferably provided
 in kit form with at least one panel 12 defining a plurality of mounting
 points 18, a plurality of wall brackets 26 for mounting the panel 12 to
 the wall, a plurality of universal mounting plates 28, each configured for
 being secured in one of the mounting points 18 and for accommodating at
 least one suspending member 30, and a plurality of suspending members
 configured for engagement on at least one of the universal plate 28 and
 directly to the panel 12 These suspending members include, but are not
 limited to, the heavy duty hooks 72, light duty hooks 74, 82, wire mesh
 trays 76, shelf brackets 78, 80, S-hooks 92, tool racks 102, and
 individual double hooks 110. It is contemplated that some of these
 suspending members 30 may be included in a given kit, with the purchaser
 being given the opportunity to supplement the kit with other suspending
 members of like or dissimilar configurations, being sold separately. The
 suspending members 30 may be easily installed and moved as desired upon
 the panel 12, and are securably held thereon. The universal mounting plate
 28 features the ability to place a variety of suspending members upon the
 panel without having to use different types of mounting hardware.
 While a particular embodiment of the wall organizer system of the invention
 has been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in
 the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without
 departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in
 the following claims.