Abstract:
An assembly for hanging items from a wall is provided having a plurality of parallel and equidistantly spaced rails, each having a first and a second opposing edge and one or more of which define a lip. One or more mounting brackets are provided for attaching to the rails. Each mounting bracket includes a base plate, and a mounting flange and a locking flange extending from the base plate. The mounting flange engages and is retained on the first edge of a rail and extends behind a lip of an adjacent rail. The locking flange is wedged over the lip of the mounting rail and held tightly in place by the snap-fit engagement of the locking flange over the lip.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part patent application pursuant to 37 C.F.R. 1.53(b) claiming priority to U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/135,942 filed May 24, 2005, now, abandoned. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to mounting fixtures and more particularly to a slotwall mounting assembly having a number of vertically spaced, elongated, horizontally extending rails that define slots or channels between the rails adapted to receive one or more mounting brackets. Walls made from such rails are generally known or referred to as “slotwalls.” 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Slotwalls are used in a wide variety of applications for storing and displaying products, tools, and accessories. Examples of the industries in which slotwalls are used include retail display, closet storage, garage storage, and office furniture. As is well known, a slotwall is a wall panel formed from metal, pressed board, plastic or other suitable material having a plurality of regularly spaced, horizontally extending rails. Each rail includes an upper surface and a lower surface, and a lip extending from one or both of the surfaces to form channels of L- shaped or T-shaped cross section between the rails. Various different accessories such as brackets, shelves, baskets, and the like are available which are specially designed for fitting into the grooves of the slotwall so that items can be conveniently hung or otherwise supported thereon. 
         [0006]    A typical mounting bracket for a slotwall includes a flat body and some type of cantilever element for fitting into one of the grooves. The body generally lies flat against the slotwall, so that accessories such as hooks, racks, and shelves can be attached to its outer face. The cantilever element is generally an L-shaped mounting flange that extends perpendicularly from an upper portion of the body and then forms a corner that turns upwards. The L-shaped mounting flange fits into a slotwall channel such that a horizontal portion sits on the upper edge of a first horizontal rail, and a vertical portion is positioned behind a downwardly extending lip of the horizontal rail immediately above. 
         [0007]    The major disadvantage of conventional slotwall mounting brackets is how easy they can be dislodged from the slotwall after installation. While the mounting brackets remain in position well under load, they are easily moved and can be dislodged from the slot when subjected to upward forces. The same rotation action that easily allows the mounting brackets to be easily installed in the slotwall also allows the mounting brackets to rotate away from the wall when an upward force is applied to the end of the mounting bracket. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,228,977 owned by the Whirlpool Corporation discloses a complicated form of a slotwall mounting bracket for solving the accidental dislodging of the mounting brackets. A hanger bracket is described which can be mounted on the panel and is shown with a hook device attached to the hanger bracket. The hanger bracket includes a central support portion, a generally “J” shaped hook extending from an upper edge of support portion, and a generally “J” shaped hook extending from a lower and opposite edge of the support portion. The generally “J” shaped hooks each include a first leg extending generally perpendicular from the edge of support portion and a second leg extending downwardly from the distal end of the first leg yet generally parallel to support portion. Thus, the hanger bracket has two downward opening “J” shaped hooks on opposite edges of the support portion. The hanger bracket also includes a spring arm extending from the upper edge of the support portion and splits the upper generally “J” shaped hook into two portions. The spring arm extends upwardly in direction opposite that of the legs. 
         [0009]    The generally “J” shaped hooks are of a height to be received within the slots of the slotwall so that the downwardly extending legs are positioned into and deep behind the lips of the T-shaped slot formed in the wall. The hanger bracket is then translated downwardly so that the downwardly extending legs are positioned behind the lips of the T-slot and the first leg contacts the upper edge of a generally “T” shaped slat. The legs bear against the underside of the lower adjacent half slats in the undercuts and are biased against the slat by the spring arm. The spring arm is positioned behind the upper adjacent slat in the undercut and engages the back of the slat to leverage the lower “J” shaped hook toward the front of the slotwall. Thus, the hanger bracket transfers a load on a hanging device through the hanger bracket to the slotwall panel by the contact of legs on the edge of the slats, the contact of legs against the inside edge of the slats and the force of spring arm pushing the legs against the edges of the slats. 
         [0010]    A substantial difference exists between the hanger bracket disclosed in the &#39;977 patent and that of the invention described below. Most notably is the fact that the &#39;977 patent utilizes two downwardly depending “J” shaped hooks that are received over the upper edges of the T-shaped slats substantially simultaneously, and sliding over the slat edges, to hold the bracket in position. The spring arm positioned behind the lower lip of the upper slat also requires the user to exert force and keep the lower “J” shaped hook within the T-shaped slot during installation. The bias applied by the spring then urges the lower “J” shaped hook into compression with the lower slotwall slat to stay in position. 
         [0011]    Another solution to the inadvertent dislodgement of slotwall mounting brackets is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,753 assigned to Ready Metal Manufacturing. Described therein with reference to  FIGS. 10 ,  14  and  15 , a hanger is attached by welding to a pair of opposed grooves in the panel. The upper extremity of the plate is bent to provide an angular seating member engageable in an upper groove between adjacent slats  20 . To the lower part of the plate is slideably attached a locking plate having an offset rectangular end portion that is received in a lower groove. The slideable plate has side flanges embracing side edges of plate and is slotted. The plate may be slotted to permit passage of a rivet or set screw to engage the sliding plate. To attach this hanger to the slotwall, a flange is disposed in an upper groove and the angular portion is slid down into position in the lower groove to secure the hanger in a selected position on the wall. 
         [0012]    A slight variation of the &#39;753 invention is described with reference to FIGS.  10  and  16 - 18 . There the hanger is engageable in the upper and lower grooves adjacent a slat. The slideable plate which is slotted has no embracing side flanges as in the above described embodiment. The plate at its lower extremity has rearwardly bent flanges for seating in the lower groove. The hanger can be dislodged by simply sliding the lower extremity upward so that the rearwardly bent flanges are lifted up from the behind the slat flange. 
         [0013]    A major disadvantage associated with both embodiments disclosed in the 753 patent is that multiple parts and assembly are required. Moreover, the operation of installing and removing the slotwall mounting brackets is necessarily a two-handed operation. The increase number of parts, the manual assembly of the components, and the two handed operation for installing and removing the brackets makes them more expensive to manufacture, more difficult to handle. 
         [0014]    There has been a long felt vet unresolved need to a slotwall mounting bracket that can be easily attached to a slotwall rail using a single hand yet once attached is not easily dislodged by a casually applied upward force commonly associated with passers-by. In addition, the invention described below is easily removed from the slotwall rail with the application of a specific force to quickly and easily move the slotwall mounting bracket to a new location. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The aforementioned problems are overcome by the present invention, wherein a slotwall mounting bracket assembly is provided with a locking flange that snap-fits onto an edge of a slotwall rail to prevent the mounting bracket from rotating away from the slotwall and hold the mounting bracket in place on the slotwall. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the slotwall mounting bracket includes a generally planar body, an upper L-shaped mounting flange, and a lower locking flange. The mounting flange extends from the body and hooks into a first slotwall groove, supporting the mounting bracket on the upper surface of a horizontal rail on the slotwall. The locking flange extends from the body and snap-fits over the lip extending downwardly at the bottom surface of the horizontal rail, preventing the mounting bracket from inadvertently rotating upward and off from the slotwall. 
         [0017]    In a more specific embodiment, the locking flange includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion extends generally perpendicularly from the body. The second portion extends at an angle upwardly from the first portion such that the second portion fits around the downwardly extending lip to hold the mounting bracket on the slotwall. The third portion extends from the second portion to provide a ramp at the leading edge of the locking flange to lever the locking flange over the lip and lock over the lip in snap-fit engagement. One or more of the portions may define one or more voids to increase the flexibility of the locking flange relative to the body and reduce the effort required to snap fit the locking flange about the lip. The cutout also provides a pry point to aid in removal of the mounting bracket from the slotwall. 
         [0018]    In a further embodiment, the body of the mounting bracket includes a rear surface facing the slotwall and a front surface opposite the rear surface. The front surface includes one or more protrusions that provide a surface for welding an accessory mount to the mounting bracket. The accessory mount enables a variety of conventional accessories to be attached to and supported by the mounting bracket, avoiding the purchase or remanufacturing of modified slotwall accessories, making the present invention easily adaptable to existing slotwall accessories. 
         [0019]    These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be readily understood and appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the current embodiment and the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the mounting bracket of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the mounting bracket; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the mounting bracket; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is cross sectional view taken along line  4  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a close up cross sectional view of the portion of the mounting bracket within line  5  in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a close up cross sectional view of the portion of the mounting bracket within line  6  in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a rear view of the mounting bracket; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the mounting bracket; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the mounting bracket; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the mounting bracket including mounting forks; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the mounting bracket including an accessory mount installed on the slotwall with a partially installed mounting bracket is shown in phantom lines; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the mounting bracket installed on the slotwall; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0032]    For purposes of the following description, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal” and derivatives of such terms shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 12 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and configuration, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the inventive concepts of this invention. Specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting unless expressly stated otherwise. 
         [0033]    I. Overview 
         [0034]    A slotwall mounting bracket in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  generally designated  10 . The mounting bracket includes a generally planar body  12 , a mounting flange  14 , and a locking flange  16 . In operation, the mounting flange  14  is inserted into a first slotwall groove  18  (shown in  FIG. 11 ), and rotated in position so it hangs on the upper surface  22  of a horizontal rail  24  in the slotwall  20 . The locking flange  16  is received over the lower edge  26  of the rail  24  in snap-fit engagement. The force exerted by the snap-fit engagement of the locking flange  16  over the lower edge  26  of the rail  24  is sufficient to prevent inadvertent dislodgment of the slotwall mounting bracket  10  from the slotwall groove  18 . 
         [0035]    II. Structure 
         [0036]    As noted above, the slotwall mounting bracket  10  is mounted on the slotwall  20 . Slotwall  20  is widely known and therefore will not be discussed in detail here. But in brief, the slotwall  20  is generally made from pressed board such as medium density fiberboard (MDF), or from plastic or extruded metal such as steel or aluminum.  FIGS. 11 and 12  show the slotwall  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the slotwall  20  includes a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal rails  24 . Each slotwall rail  24  generally includes an upper surface  22 , a lower surface  28 , and a lip  26  extending downwardly from the lower surface  28 . The rails  24  each define a height  13  from the upper surface  22  to the lower surface  28 . A plurality of slotwall grooves  18  having an L-shaped cross-section are formed between the horizontal rails  24 . In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the rails  24  may include a lip extending from both the upper and lower surface, such that the grooves each have a T-shaped cross section. As illustrated, the downwardly extending lip  26  includes a rounded tip  30 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIGS. 3-7 , the mounting bracket includes a body  12 , a mounting flange  14 , and a locking flange  16 . The body  12  is generally planar and includes a front surface  34 , rear surface  36 , top edge  38 , and bottom edge  40 . The body  12  includes a height  15  between the top  38  and bottom  40  edges that is approximately equal to the height  13  of a horizontal rail  24  on the slotwall  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the front surface  34  includes a plurality of protrusions in the form of ribs  44  that extend transversely across the body  12 . The ribs  44  add strength to the body  12  and also provide a welding surface for attaching an accessory mount, such as mounting forks  50  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) a hook, a bracket, or a variety of alternatives. An additional rib  45  may extend around the periphery of the front surface  34  for added strength. The mounting flange  14  extends from the top edge of the body  12  in a generally perpendicular direction. Mounting flanges are widely known, and are typically L-shaped for extending into a slotwall groove  18 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the mounting flange  14  includes a first member  52  that extends from the body  12 . A second member  54  extends upwardly from the first member  52  approximately perpendicular to the first member  52 . The second member  54  may include a curved end  56  that angles back toward the body  12 . 
         [0038]    As shown, the locking flange  16  extends in a generally perpendicular direction from the bottom edge  40  of the body  12 ; however, the flange may extend at a variety of different directions. The distance between the mounting flange  14  and the locking flange  16  is approximately the same as the height  13  of each of the horizontal rails  24  of the slotwall  20 . As a result, in the case where the height  15  of the body is greater than the height of the rail  24 , the locking flange  16  may extend from the body  12  at a location inward of the bottom edge  40 . The locking flange  16  is generally shaped to correspond to the rounded tip  30  on the downwardly extending lip  26  of a horizontal rail  24 , such that the locking flange  16  can snap fit about the rounded tip  30  when the mounting bracket  10  is rotated into place. As illustrated, the locking flange  16  includes a first portion  60  extending from the body  12 , and a second portion  62  that angles upwardly from the first portion  60 . A third portion  64  may extend from the second portion  62  and curve downwardly from the second portion  62  to form a ramp for the leading edge of the locking flange  16 . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the locking flange  16  may define a cutout  66  to increase the flexibility of the locking flange  16  relative to the body  12 . As illustrated, the cutout  66  is located in the first portion  60 ; however it may be located anywhere in the locking flange  16 . 
         [0039]    III. Operation 
         [0040]    In operation, the present invention is mountable onto conventional slotwall  20  in a few simple steps, while accommodating a variety of accessories and preventing unwanted rotation and movement. Installation of the present invention requires first hanging the mounting flange  14  on the slotwall  20 , and then snap-fitting the locking flange  16  to the slotwall. 
         [0041]    The first step of installing a slotwall mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention is hanging the mounting flange  14  on the slotwall  20 . To begin, a desired height and location on the slotwall  20  are chosen. The mounting bracket  10  is then held manually such that the body  12  is perpendicular to the slotwall  20 , with the second member  54  of the mounting flange  14  aligned with the chosen horizontal slotwall groove  18 . The mounting flange  14  is then inserted in to the groove  18  and is rotated until the second member  54  extends upwardly behind the downwardly extending lip  26  of a first slotwall rail  24  and the first member  52  is supported on the upper surface  22  of a second horizontal slotwall rail  24 .  FIG. 11  shows the mounting bracket  10  in a partially installed position in phantom lines. In the final position, shown in solid lines in  FIG. 11  and in  FIG. 12 , the rear surface  36  of the body bears against the slotwall  20 . 
         [0042]    As the mounting bracket  10  is manually rotated into the final position, the locking flange  16  approaches the rounded tip  30  of the downwardly extending lip  26  of the second horizontal rail  24 . The ramped leading edge  64  of the locking flange  16  engages the rounded tip  30  and slides along the rounded tip  30  to lever the second portion  62  of the locking flange on to a portion of the rounded tip  30  and lock the mounting bracket  10  in place on the slotwall  20 . As the locking flange  16  engages the downwardly extending lip  26  and is slid over the rounded tip  30 , the locking flange  16  is levered over the edge and flexes slightly outward, and then returns or “snaps” back into place securely around the rounded tip  30 . With the mounting bracket  10  in place and the locking flange  16  in snap-fit engagement with the downwardly extending lip  26 , the mounting bracket  10  is securely attached to the slotwall  20  and is not likely to be inadvertently dislodged by an inadvertent upward force. The locked position of the mounting bracket  20  also now permits an item to be suspended or hung from the mounting accessory or hanger extending from the front surface  34  of the mounting bracket body  12 . 
         [0043]    Removal of the slotwall mounting bracket  10  is essentially the opposite of installation. First, the front surface  34  is pulled away from rail  24  such that the downwardly extending lip  26  of the locking flange  16  is wedged over the lip  30  and become disengaged. To assist, the cutout  66  may receive a tool to assist in levering the locking flange off from the lip. With the locking flange  16  disengaged, the mounting bracket  10  may be rotated upwardly about the mounting flange  14  so that the mounting flange  14  may be removed from the slotwall  20 . When removing the mounting bracket  10 , the bottom  40  of the body  12  is pulled away from the slotwall  20  so that the mounting flange  14  rotates about the downwardly extending lip  26  of the first or upper horizontal rail  24 . Rotation is complete when the body  12  is again perpendicular to the slotwall  20 , and the mounting bracket  10  can then be removed from the groove  18 . 
         [0044]    In summary, once a desired height and location for placement of the mounting bracket  10  is determined, the mounting bracket  10  can be attached to the slotwall  20  to hang the mounting bracket  10  and any accessory such that they will not be knocked off of the slotwall  20 . 
         [0045]    The above description is that of a current embodiment of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.