Abstract:
An organizer for storing and displaying a plurality of canisters along a vertical surface includes a support structure and a plurality of wall-mounting brackets. The support structure includes a large rectangular body with a plurality of equally-spaced circular apertures on front and back surfaces, allowing for the insertion of desired cylindrical objects for storage and display. Each of the wall-mounting brackets further provides an outwardly extending tabs facing upwards, thereby allowing a user to set the apertures of the shelf on the brackets for secure mounting.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Feb. 22, 2010, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to storage shelves and racks, and in particular, to an organizer to store and display a plurality of generally cylindrically shaped canisters which can be quickly identified. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Spray cans are found in used in almost any industrial and residential environment. They are used to contain and dispense lubricating compounds, cleaning chemicals, paint, and various foodstuffs such as non-stick cooking spray. Such materials can be easily dispensed by simply pressing down on a release button. However, their multitude of uses coupled with their ease of usability also means that there are typically a great number of spray cans present in almost any work or home environment. They are usually stored upon a shelf in a vertical manner in close proximity to one another. This means that when a specific spray can is needed; a large number of other cans may require movement in order to locate and access the desired spray can. This obviously affects productivity and efficiency, which can relate to lost revenue in workplace environments. 
     Various types of storage shelves and racks exist. Some of these structures are designed to accommodate specific types of containers in a particular manner. Such examples include wine racks, tool shelves, and the like. While such structures may offer particular benefits they suffer from at least one (1) disadvantage or deficiency in design or utilization. For example these structures are typically large and obtrusive. While some provide aesthetic features in an attempt to mitigate their obtrusiveness, they still occupy a lot of room. Additionally, these structures are typically placed on the floor or ground surface which can make cleaning or use of precious floor space difficult. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a device and method of use by which a plurality of spray cans can be kept in a neat and organized state allowing for rapid identification and ease of use without the disadvantages as described above. It is an object of the present disclosure to solve these problems. 
     The inventor recognized these problems and has addressed this need by developing a canister organizer which provides a way of holding and displaying a plurality of spray cans in an arrangement that keeps them readily accessible and easily identifiable. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing an organizer for storing and displaying a plurality of canisters having a support structure with a front surface, a rear surface, an opposing pair of side surfaces, a top surface, and a bottom surface, where the structure defines a hollow interior. A plurality of circular front apertures are disposed through the front surface and have a diameter greater than a canister diameter and a corresponding plurality of circular rear apertures are disposed through the rear surface and also have a diameter greater than the canister diameter. The rear apertures are generally aligned with the plurality of front apertures. A first bracket is mounted to a vertical support surface and engages an upper pair of adjacent rear apertures and a second bracket is mounted to the vertical support surface aligned with and below the first bracket for engaging a lower pair of adjacent rear apertures. The support structure is removably mounted to the first bracket and the second bracket in an upright and vertical position, such that when the support structure is in the upright and vertical position canisters can be inserted through the front aperture and into an aligned rear apertures such that each canister is cooperatively supported by the front surface and the rear surface in a generally horizontal position. In such a manner the organizer holds and displays a plurality of spray cans or similar cylindrical containers in an arrangement that keeps them readily accessible and easily identifiable. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a canister organizer  10 , according to a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the canister organizer  10 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view of the canister organizer  10  taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a first bracket  30 , according to a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a second bracket  40 , according to a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of the canister organizer  10  depicting a preferred placement of the first bracket  30  and second bracket  40 , according to the preferred embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 7  is an environmental view of the canister organizer  10  depicting an alternate method of installation  50 . 
       
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                   10 
                   canister organizer 
                 
                 
                   15 
                   support surface 
                 
                 
                   16 
                   canister 
                 
                 
                   20 
                   front surface 
                 
                 
                   21 
                   front aperture 
                 
                 
                   22 
                   side surface 
                 
                 
                   23 
                   rear surface 
                 
                 
                   24 
                   rear aperture 
                 
                 
                   25 
                   top surface 
                 
                 
                   26 
                   bottom surface 
                 
                 
                   27 
                   label slot 
                 
                 
                   30 
                   first bracket 
                 
                 
                   31 
                   first bracket body 
                 
                 
                   32 
                   first bracket aperture 
                 
                 
                   33 
                   arcuate member 
                 
                 
                   34 
                   first bracket tab 
                 
                 
                   40 
                   second bracket 
                 
                 
                   41 
                   second bracket structure 
                 
                 
                   42 
                   second bracket aperture 
                 
                 
                   43 
                   second bracket tab 
                 
                 
                   44 
                   arcuate edge 
                 
                 
                   45 
                   fastener 
                 
                 
                   50 
                   alternate method of installation 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the disclosure is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 6 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present disclosure describes a canister organizer (herein described as a “device”)  10 , which provides for the retention and display of a plurality of canisters  16  such as, but not limited to: spray paint, oil, shaving cream, or similar items. The device  10  includes a rectangular-shape which suspends canisters  16  in an angled manner. The device  10  is preferably suspended to a vertical support surface  15 , yet may also be recessed into the vertical surface (see  FIG. 7 ) or placed upon a desired horizontal surface. The device  10  is fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: wood, plastic, metal, or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of the device  10  is disclosed. The device  10  includes a six (6) sided structure having a front surface  20 , a pair of side surfaces  22 , a rear surface  23 , a top surface  25 , and a bottom surface  26  which provide for a support structure to suspend canisters  16  on a suitable vertical surface  15  such as, but not limited to: a wall, a door, or the like. The surfaces  20 ,  22 ,  23 ,  25 ,  26  are preferably integrally molded or rigidly affixed to form a single structure. The front surface  20  also includes a plurality of front apertures  21  which provide for placement of a plurality of canisters  16  which are inserted therein. The front apertures  21  preferably include a four (4) by eight (8) matrix, yet other combinations may be utilized without limiting the scope of the device  10 . The front apertures  21  measure approximately three-and-three-eighths (3⅜) inches in diameter which accommodates various diameters of canister  16 . 
     Below each front aperture  21  is a label slot  27  which provides for identification of the contents of the canister  16  supported in an adjacent front aperture  21 . The label slot  27  is preferably a transparent plastic top-open member which receives descriptive indicia such as, but not limited to: paint color, brand, or substance within the canister  16  which is illustrated on a slice of paper, card, or the like to enable a user to observe and identify the canisters  16  contents. The label slot  27  is preferably attached to the front surface  20  by adhesive, yet other methods of attachment may be utilized without limiting the scope of the device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a rear perspective view of the device  10  is disclosed. The rear surface  23  provides a structure to secure the canisters  16  and suspend the device  10 . The rear surface  23  is positioned adjacent and parallel to the vertical support surface  15  when in use. The thickness of the structure is approximately five-and-a-half (5½) inches. The rear surface  23  includes a plurality of rear apertures  24  which receive a bottom end portion of the canister  16 . Each rear aperture  24  is slightly downwardly offset from a corresponding front aperture  21  in order to position each canister  16  in a slight downward angle orientation towards the rear surface  23 . Each rear aperture  24  is oriented in a matrix similar to the front apertures  21 , yet are slightly offset, and they also measure approximately three-and-three-eighths (3⅜) inches in diameter which accommodates various diameters of canister  16  similar to the front apertures  21 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a section view of the device  10  take along line A-A of  FIG. 1 ;  FIG. 4 , a front perspective view of the first bracket  30 ;  FIG. 5 , a front perspective view of the second bracket  40 ; and,  FIG. 6 , a rear view of the device  10  depicting placement of the brackets  30 ,  40  are disclosed. The device  10  is suspended and attached to the desired vertical support surface  15  by a first bracket  30  and a second bracket  40 . The brackets  30 ,  40  are preferably mounted to the support surface  15  by a plurality of mechanical fasteners suitable for attachment to the particular material of the support surface  15 . The first bracket  30  receives and supports an upper perimeter edge of a pair of adjacent rear apertures  24  which secure the device  10  to the vertical support surface  15  in a flush manner. The second bracket  40  receives and supports an upper interior edge of a different pair of adjacent rear apertures  24 . Preferably the second bracket  40  is positioned aligned with and below the first bracket  30 . The brackets  30 ,  40  are fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: metal, plastic, or the like and are fastened to the vertical support surface  15  by countersunk fasteners  45  which are preferably include mechanical fasteners such as screws, yet other securing means may be utilized without limiting the scope of the device  10 . Although the device  10  is depicted as utilizing one (1) of each bracket  30 ,  40  it is understood that additional the brackets  30 ,  40  may be utilized dependant upon and corresponding with the overall dimensions of the device  10  and number of front and rear apertures  21 ,  24 . 
     The first bracket  30  includes a rectangular first bracket body  31  which further includes a pair of first bracket apertures  32  which accept the fasteners  45 . A front surface of the first bracket body  31  is positioned against the rear surface  23 . Integrally molded to opposing front lower longitudinal surfaces of the first bracket body  31  is a pair of arcuate members  33  which receive and support the upper interior perimeter surface of the pair of side-by-side rear apertures  24  which are preferably located in a central portion of the rear surface  23 , thereby leveling the device  10 . The arcuate members  33  include a downward curvature equal to the upper half of the curvature of the rear apertures  24  which enables seamless mating of the first bracket  30  to the pair of rear apertures  24 . The arcuate members  33  include a first bracket tab  34  which further secures the rear surface  23  of the structure to the first bracket  30 . Each first bracket tab  34  is integrally molded to a center pinnacle outer perimeter surface of each arcuate member  33  and is positioned against a front portion of the rear surface and prohibits the device  10  from sliding off of the first bracket  30 . 
     The second bracket  40  includes a rectangular second bracket body  41  which further includes a pair of second bracket apertures  42  which accept the fasteners  45  for securing the bracket  40  to the desired vertical support surface  15 . The second bracket  40  is preferably positioned below and vertically aligned with the first bracket  30 . Opposing lateral edges of the second bracket body  41  include arcuate edges  44  which include a curvature equal to the side portions of the curvature of the rear apertures  24  which conceals the second bracket structure  41 . The second bracket  40  also includes a pair of second bracket tabs  43  which engage and support the upper interior perimeter surfaces of the respective rear apertures  24 . The second bracket tabs  43  are integrally molded to the second bracket body  41  and protrude outwardly from opposing upper perimeter ends of the second bracket body  41 . Each second bracket tab  43  has a generally L-shape and protrudes outwardly and upwardly at a slight angle which enables the second bracket  40  to engage the rear apertures  24 , thereby providing additional support for suspending the structure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , another environmental view of the device  10  depicting an alternate method of installation  50  is disclosed.  FIG. 7  illustrates the device  10  being mounted within a recessed cavity in the vertical support surface  15 , thereby positioning the device  10  flush with the surface  15 . In this manner, the brackets  30 ,  40  are attached to the existing wall studs and the device  10  is framed with drywall or other wall materials. The alternate method of installation  50  enables the device  10  to occupy less space upon the vertical surface  15 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1  and alternately within  FIG. 7 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the device  10 ; inserting fasteners  45  into the first bracket apertures  32  and onto the desired vertical surface  15  with the first bracket tabs  34  positioned in an upward orientation and in a level manner; inserting fasteners  45  into the second bracket apertures  42  with the feet  43  oriented upwardly and positioned below the first bracket  30  which is also spaced equally to engage the rear apertures  24 ; engaging the respective rear apertures  24  upon the arcuate members  33  further engaging the first bracket tabs  34  on the first bracket  30  and simultaneously engaging each second bracket tab  43  on the second bracket  40  with rear apertures subjacent to the first bracket  30 ; positioning canisters  16  within the front apertures  21  and engaging with a respective rear aperture  24 ; positioning desired descriptive means within desired label slots  27 ; and, providing a method of holding and displaying canisters  16  in an arrangement that not only keeps them readily accessible, but easily identifiable as well. 
     The method of utilizing the alternate method of installation  50  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the device  10 ; inserting fasteners  45  into the first bracket apertures  32  and onto the desired wall studs with the first bracket tabs  34  positioned in an upward orientation and in a level manner; inserting fasteners  45  into the second bracket apertures  42  with the feet  43  oriented upwardly and positioned below the first bracket  30  which is also spaced equally to engage the rear apertures  24 ; engaging the respective rear apertures  24  upon the arcuate members  33  further engaging the first bracket tabs  34  on the first bracket  30  and simultaneously engaging each second bracket tab  43  on the second bracket  40  with rear apertures subjacent to the first bracket  30 ; framing the device  10  with drywall or the like; positioning canisters  16  within the front apertures  21  and engaging with a respective rear aperture  24 ; positioning desired descriptive means within desired label slots  27 ; and, providing a method of holding and displaying canisters  16  in an arrangement that not only keeps them readily accessible, but easily identifiable as well. 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  upon a horizontal surface may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the device  10 ; positioning the device  10  upon a desired horizontal surface such as a work table, desk, or the like; positioning canisters  16  within the front apertures  21  and engaging with a respective rear aperture  24 ; positioning desired descriptive means within desired label slots  27 ; and, providing a method of holding and displaying canisters  16  in an arrangement that not only keeps them readily accessible, but easily identifiable as well. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.