Tool rack

A tool rack assembly selectively mountable either directly to a wall or on a vertical peg-board, includes a rack, integrally formed from molded polymer material, and a plurality of peg-board brackets. The rack is formed with an upper sheet-like element arranged substantially horizontally and having a plurality of apertures for receiving tools, and a lower sheet-like element spaced below the upper sheet-like element, and having a plurality of apertures corresponding to said apertures of said upper sheet-like element. Side portions connect between the upper and lower sheet-like elements and maintain them in vertically spaced relation. The tool rack has a strip extending along its rear edge forming a vertical flange with a number of attachment holes. The peg-board brackets, each of which has at least one curve-ended peg for locking within a hole of the peg-board, are engagable within the attachment holes for attaching the tool rack to the peg-board. The tool rack assembly preferably employs apertures with thickened reinforced rims, and includes a composite aperture for receiving a saw-like tool. The tool rack may also feature a support rail for receiving various tool rack accessories.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to tool racks and, in particular, it concerns 
a reinforced molded plastic tool rack which is mountable on a peg-board. 
It is known to provide storage for tools in the form of a shelf or rack 
mounted on a wall. Typically, tool racks are made from metal or wood with 
a variety of different size circular apertures cut therein. The tool rack 
is used by inserting an elongated part of a tool, such as the shaft of a 
screw-driver, into the aperture until a wider part of the tool, such as 
the handle, rests on the periphery of the aperture. 
Tool-rack-type storage is typically limited to certain types of tools, such 
as screw-drivers, chisels and other generally straight tools of similar 
designs. By addition of round-ended slots, tool racks can also be employed 
to store certain sorts of pliers and the like which have diverging 
handles. More complex shaped tools, however, such as saws, cannot 
generally be accommodated by a tool rack. Furthermore, accessories such as 
electrical extension cords and small items such as screws and nails 
require separate storage. 
Tool racks are generally designed for permanent attachment to a wall by use 
of screws, bolts, or the like. As a result, careful planning is required 
as to the positioning of tool racks. Relocation or expansion of the tool 
rack storage space cannot be easily achieved. 
Attempts have been made to produce tool racks from molded-plastic. However, 
because of the heavy wear associated with the repeated insertion and 
removal of metal tools, the plastic edges of the apertures quickly 
deteriorate. The fact that many tool are also sharp or abrasive further 
aggravates this problem. 
There is therefore a need for plastic tool racks which are sufficiently 
strong to withstand the wear of normal use, which may be removably mounted 
for convenient relocation, and which provide storage for a wider range of 
tools and accessories than conventional designs. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is a reinforced molded plastic tool rack assembly 
which is mountable on a peg-board. 
According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided, a 
tool rack assembly selectively mountable either directly to a wall or on a 
vertical peg-board, the tool rack assembly comprising: (a) a rack 
integrally formed from molded polymer material, the rack having: (i) an 
upper sheet-like element arranged substantially horizontally and having a 
plurality of apertures for receiving tools, the upper sheet-like element 
having a rear edge, (ii) a lower sheet-like element spaced below the upper 
sheet-like element, the lower sheet-like element having a plurality of 
apertures corresponding to the apertures of the upper sheet-like element, 
(iii) side portions connecting between the upper and lower sheet-like 
elements for maintaining them in vertically spaced relation, and (iv) a 
strip extending along the rear edge to form a vertical flange, the strip 
having a number of attachment holes; and (b) a plurality of peg-board 
brackets engagable within the attachment holes for attaching the tool rack 
to the peg-board, each of the peg-board brackets including at least one 
curve-ended peg for locking within a hole of the peg-board. 
According to a further feature of the present invention, each of the 
peg-board brackets further includes a straight lower peg for engaging one 
of the attachment holes of the flange, and wherein the at least one 
curve-ended peg is positioned above the straight lower peg. 
According to a further feature of the present invention, each of the 
pegboard brackets has a lower edge positioned relative to the straight 
lower peg so as to abut the upper sheet-like member when the lower peg is 
engaged within the attachment hole, and wherein the upper sheet-like 
member features a ridge associated with each of the attachment holes for 
retaining the peg-board brackets with the lower peg engaged within the 
attachment hole. 
According to a further feature of the present invention, the at least one 
curve-ended peg is implemented as two curve-ended pegs horizontally spaced 
from each other. 
According to a further feature of the present invention, each of the 
apertures in the upper sheet-like element is formed with a thickened rim. 
According to a further feature of the present invention, at least one of 
the apertures in the upper sheet-like element is formed as a combination 
of at least one substantially circular aperture intersecting with an 
elongated slot for receiving a saw-like tool. 
According to a further feature of the present invention, at least one of 
the side portions has a support rail, the tool rack assembly further 
comprising at least one tool rack accessory slidably engagable on the 
support rail. 
There is also provided, according to the teachings of the present 
invention, a tool rack assembly for mounting on a wall, the tool rack 
assembly comprising a rack integrally formed from molded polymer material, 
the rack having: (a) an upper sheet-like element arranged substantially 
horizontally and having a plurality of apertures for receiving tools, the 
upper sheet-like element having a rear edge; (b) a lower sheet-like 
element spaced below the upper sheet-like element, the lower sheet-like 
element having a plurality of apertures corresponding to the apertures of 
the upper sheet-like element; and (c) side portions connecting between the 
upper and lower sheet-like elements for maintaining them in vertically 
spaced relation, wherein each of the apertures in the upper sheet-like 
element is formed with a thickened rim. 
According to a further feature of the present invention, the thickened rim 
has a rounded cross-section. 
According to a further feature of the present invention, at least one of 
the apertures in the upper sheet-like element is formed as a combination 
of at least one substantially circular aperture intersecting with an 
elongated slot for receiving a saw-like tool. 
There is also provided, according to the teachings of the present 
invention, a tool rack assembly for mounting on a wall, the tool rack 
assembly comprising a rack integrally formed from molded polymer material, 
the rack having: (a) an upper sheet-like element arranged substantially 
horizontally and having a plurality of apertures for receiving tools, the 
upper sheet-like element having a rear edge; (b) a lower sheet-like 
element spaced below the upper sheet-like element, the lower sheet-like 
element having a plurality of apertures corresponding to the apertures of 
the upper sheet-like element; and (c) side portions connecting between the 
upper and lower sheet-like elements for maintaining them in vertically 
spaced relation, wherein at least one of the apertures in the upper 
sheet-like element is a combination aperture formed as a combination of at 
least one substantially circular aperture intersecting with an elongated 
slot for receiving a saw-like tool. 
According to a further feature of the present invention, the width of the 
elongated slot is less than about half of the diameter of the 
substantially circular aperture. 
According to a further feature of the present invention, the combination 
aperture is formed from a plurality of substantially circular apertures, 
and wherein both ends of the elongated slot are enclosed by the plurality 
of substantially circular apertures. 
According to a further feature of the present invention, the slot is 
aligned with the centers of the substantially circular apertures. 
There is also provided according to the teachings of the present invention, 
a tool rack assembly for mounting on a wall, the tool rack assembly 
comprising: (a) a rack integrally formed from molded polymer material, the 
rack having: (i) art upper sheet-like element arranged substantially 
horizontally and having a plurality of apertures for receiving tools, the 
upper sheet-like element having a rear edge, (ii) a lower sheet-like 
element spaced below the upper sheet-like element, the lower sheet-like 
element having a plurality of apertures corresponding to the apertures of 
the upper sheet-like element, and (iii) side portions connecting between 
the upper and lower sheet-like elements for maintaining them in vertically 
spaced relation, at least one of the side portions having a support rail; 
and (b) at least one tool rack accessory slidably engagable on the support 
rail. 
According to a further feature of the present invention, the at least one 
tool rack accessory includes a tray. 
According to a further feature of the present invention, the at least one 
tool rack accessory includes at least one hook. 
According to a further feature of the present invention, the rail is of 
substantially T-like cross-section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The present invention is a reinforced molded plastic tool rack assembly 
which is mountable on a peg-board. 
The principles and operation of a tool rack assembly according to the 
present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings 
and the accompanying description. 
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a tool rack assembly, generally 
designated 10, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the 
present invention, mounted on a vertical peg board 12. Tool rack assembly 
10 includes a tool rack 14, integrally formed from molded polymer 
material, and a number of peg-board brackets 16 for attaching tool rack 14 
to peg board 12. 
Tool rack 14 has an upper sheet-like element 18 having a plurality of 
apertures 20 for receiving tools 22. A lower sheet-like element 24, 
featuring a plurality of apertures 26 corresponding to apertures 20, is 
spaced below upper sheet-like element 18. Two side portions 28 connect 
between upper sheet-like element 18 and lower sheet-like element 24, 
maintaining them in vertically spaced relation. 
It should be appreciated that upper sheet-like element 18 and lower 
sheet-like element 24 are not necessarily, or even preferably, planar. 
Thus, in the example illustrated, upper sheet-like element 18 is formed as 
a two-tier structure. Furthermore, upper sheet-like element 18 and lower 
sheet-like element 24 are described as "substantially horizontal" to 
convey their shelf-like deployment. However, their angle to the horizontal 
may vary considerably for reasons of comfort of use, structural rigidity 
or esthetics. 
Tool rack 14 features a strip 30 extending along the rear edge of upper 
sheet-like element 18 so as to form a vertical flange. Strip 30 is formed 
with a number of attachment holes 32 (see FIG. 3). 
It is a particular feature of a preferred embodiment of the present 
invention that tool rack 14 is selectively mountable both directly to a 
wall in a conventional manner and on a standard peg board. The former 
option is implemented by simply employing screws, nails or the like 
directly within attachment holes 32 to fix tool rack 14 to a wall. The 
latter option is implemented by engaging peg-board brackets 16 within 
attachment holes 32. Tool rack assembly 10 may then be readily positioned 
Details of the a preferred design of peg-board brackets 16 and the 
corresponding features of tool rack 14 will now be described with 
reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 shows a peg-board bracket 16 having a 
rectangular back 34. Two curve-ended pegs 36 extend from back 34 adjacent 
to its upper corners, and a straight lower peg 38 extends from near its 
center. 
FIG. 3 shows the parts of upper sheet-like element 18 and strip 30 adjacent 
to one of attachment holes 32. Strip 30 has features, such as projecting 
shoulders 40, for cooperating with the inner surface of back 34 so as to 
align peg-board bracket 16 with attachment hole 32. Upper sheet-like 
element 18 features a retaining ridge 42 with a wedge-shaped front edge 
44. 
The dimensions of peg-board bracket 16 are matched to those of the 
attachment region of tool rack 14. Specifically, the distance from 
straight lower peg 38 to the lower edge of peg-board bracket 16 is made to 
match the height of the attachment hole 32 above upper sheet-like element 
18 such that, when straight lower peg 38 is engaged within attachment hole 
32, the bottom edge of peg-board bracket 16 abuts upper sheet-like element 
18. Similarly, a ridge 46 across peg-board bracket 16 just below upper 
pegs 36 is positioned so as to engage against the upper edge of strip 30 
when peg-board bracket 16 is engaged. These features serve to maintain 
alignment between peg-board bracket 16 and tool rack 14. 
In addition, ridge 42 serves to enable self-locking attachment of peg-board 
brackets 16 to tool rack 14. Specifically, peg-board bracket 16 is 
positioned with the end of straight lower peg 38 within attachment hole 32 
and is gently forced towards strip 30. Wedge shaped front edge 44 together 
with the inherent flexibility of the molded plastic material of tool rack 
14 allows the bottom of peg-board bracket 16 to slide over ridge 42 until 
it clips into a fully engaged position with its bottom edge caught behind 
ridge 42. 
Once peg-board brackets 16 are attached to tool rack 14, tool rack assembly 
10 may be fixed at any desired position on peg board 12 by inserting the 
curved ends of pegs 36 while tool rack 14 is held inclined at an 
appropriate angle and then lowering tool rack 14 until it is substantially 
horizontal such that lower pegs 38 also engage holes of peg board 12. 
Thus, it will be readily appreciated that the combination of attachment 
holes 32 and peg-board brackets 16 provide a flexible modular system with 
options of conventional wall mounting techniques and of easily relocatable 
peg-board type mounting. 
Turning now to FIG. 4, it is a further feature of a preferred embodiment of 
the present invention that apertures 20, and preferably also apertures 26, 
are formed with a thickened rim 50. Thickened rim 50 serves to reinforce 
the edges of the apertures sufficiently to withstand repeated knocks and 
abrasion from insertion of metal tools. Preferably, thickened rim 50 has 
an at least partially rounded cross-section. Thus, in the cross-section 
illustrated, the upper surface of thickened rim approximates to a 
semicircular shape. This rounded shape serves to spread applied stresses, 
thereby minimizing the risk of cracking of the plastic. 
Turning now to FIG. 5, tool rack 14 preferably also includes a composite 
aperture 52 for receiving a saw 54 (FIG. 1), or other similar tool. As 
mentioned earlier, conventional tool racks are limited in the type of 
tools they are able to accommodate. Particularly problematic are saws 
which have an elongated blade holder. The width of the blade holder often 
dictates that any slot wide enough to accommodate the blade does not 
safely retain the handle of the saw. Composite aperture 52 overcomes this 
problem. 
Specifically, composite aperture 52 is formed as a combination of at least 
one substantially circular aperture 56 intersecting with an elongated slot 
58. The width of slot 58 is less than the diameter of aperture 56, and is 
preferably less than about half its diameter. Slot 58 is typically aligned 
with the center of aperture 56. 
This structure allows a wide portion of the elongated part of a tool, such 
as a saw-blade holder, to be inserted easily through the larger circular 
part 56 of aperture 52. Once the tool is fully inserted, however, the 
handle portion becomes firmly lodged against the edges of narrower slot 
58. 
Typically, composite aperture 52 is formed from a plurality of 
substantially circular apertures 56, centered along the line of slot 58. 
In this case, each end of elongated slot 58 is preferably enclosed by one 
of the substantially circular apertures. This ensures that composite 
aperture 52 terminates in curves of relatively large radius so as to 
distribute local stresses, thereby minimizing the possibility of tearing 
of the plastic material. 
Finally, turning to FIGS. 6-9, one, or both, of side portions 28 may 
feature a support rail 60 for receiving a tool rack accessory. Support 
rail 60 is preferably of substantially T-shaped section so as to provide 
strong interlocking with accessories mounted thereon. 
The term "T-shaped" is used herein in the description and claims to refer 
to a rail structure which has some degree of overhang on both sides. 
However, it does not necessarily imply symmetry between the two overhangs, 
Nor is it intended that the shape should be rectangular. Thus, support 
rail 60 is shown here in a round-topped form. 
Tool rack assembly 10 may include a wide range of tool rack accessories 
slidably engagable, on support rail 60. By way of example only, these may 
include a tray 62 and one or more hook 64, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 
8, respectively. 
Tray 62 has a series of alternating upper and lower track elements, 
designated 66 and 68, respectively, for engaging opposite sides of support 
rail 60. If the design of support rail 60 is such that it is not exactly 
horizontal, tray 62 may be slightly wedge-shaped as shown so as to provide 
a horizontal base. This facilitates convenient storage of small items such 
as screws and the like. 
Hook 64 is formed with a T-shaped slot, corresponding to the shape of 
support rail 60. Hook 64 has a multitude of possible uses such as, for 
example, for hanging an electrical extension cord. 
It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to 
serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the 
spirit and the scope of the present invention.