Abstract:
A system and apparatus for storing an item is provided that includes a pegboard wall-plug having a plate including a central opening. A tube projects outwardly from a rear surface of the plate in surrounding relation to the central opening. A plurality of circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges project outwardly from a surface of the cylindrical tube. A hole is defined by a surface of a wall where the surface defines a diameter of the hole that is less than a diameter of at least one of the circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges. In this way, when the tube is received within the hole, the circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges engage and bite into the surface so as to retain the pegboard wall-plug in the wall.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to storage and organizational systems, and more particularly to structures used to mount storage and organizational systems onto vertical surfaces. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Storage and organizational systems of the type in which a composition board with a plurality of holes is mounted vertically on a surface are well known in the art. These systems, known as pegboards, are often adapted to receive support devices, e.g., hook and peg members, which extend into the holes so that articles may be supported from the forwardly projecting portions of the support device. 
   Mounting a pegboard in a home typically requires securing the pegboard on a wall of the house. Typical walls in a home are often constructed of either plaster or gypsum board supported upon wall studs. The pegboard is mounted on the outer surface of the wall, or on to a framework secured to the wall, by placing fasteners, e.g. screws, through several holes disbursed throughout the pegboard, and then driving each fastener into the frame, or through the frame and into a stud. Frames are often necessary to provide sufficient space between the back surface of the pegboard and the wall of the home so as to accommodate engagement portions of the support devices, e.g., hook and peg members, which extend into the holes so that articles may be supported from forwardly projecting portions of the support device. 
   This arrangement is often aesthetically undesirable, as it requires large surfaces of the supporting wall to be covered by the pegboard. The size of the pegboard, to some extent, also limits the locations that a storage system may be placed. In pegboard systems such as are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,788, a perforated panel is provided in the form of a planer sheet of material, preferably formed of a metal or polymer, and having a plurality of regularly shaped perforations, disposed in a regular pattern throughout the panel. The perforations are each preferably formed so as to be defined by a circumferential edge, often forming a rectangular or square opening in the panel. The perforated panel is typically about one quarter to one half of an inch thick, with the perforations being arranged in a regular pattern through panel. These panels are often provided in three-by-three or four-by-four foot sheets. 
   There is a need for a pegboard-type mounting system that is compact and able to be arranged in a variety of locations on a wall of a structure without covering excessive portions of the wall&#39;s surface or requiring holes to be formed entirely through the wall of the structure. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a pegboard wall-plug including a plate having a central opening and a tube projecting outwardly from a rear surface of the plate in surrounding relation to the central opening. A plurality of circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges project outwardly from a surface of the cylindrical tube. 
   In one embodiment of the invention, a system for storing an item is provided that includes a pegboard wall-plug having a plate including a central opening. A tube projects outwardly from a rear surface of the plate in surrounding relation to the central opening. A plurality of circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges project outwardly from a surface of the cylindrical tube. A hole is defined by a surface of a wall where the surface defines a diameter of the hole that is less than a diameter of at least one of the circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges. In this way, when the tube is received within the hole, the circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges engage and bite into the surface so as to retain the pegboard wall-plug in the wall. 
   In another embodiment of the invention, a system for storing an item is provided that includes a pegboard wall-plug having a plate including a central opening. A tube projects outwardly from a rear surface of the plate in surrounding relation to the central opening. A plurality of circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges project outwardly from a surface of the cylindrical tube. A hole is defined by a surface of a wall where the surface defines a diameter of the hole that is less than a diameter of at least one of the circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges. In this way, when the tube is received within the hole, the circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges engage and bite into the surface so as to retain the pegboard wall-plug in the wall. An item holder, such as a hook with a catch or a bracket for a shelf, is then positioned within the opening in the pegboard wall-plug. The catch may comprise a curved cantilevered strap projecting from the end and having a stop tab located at a strap end positioned above, but spaced away from the end so that when the cantilevered strap is inserted into the central opening defined through the plate, the catch is releasably engaged with the plate with the stop tab positioned on a front surface of the plate. 
   In a further embodiment, a system for supporting an item being is provided that includes a pegboard wall-plug having a plate including a central opening, and a tube projecting outwardly from a rear surface of the plate in surrounding relation to the central opening, a circumferential end edge, and a plurality of circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges projecting outwardly from a surface of the cylindrical tube. A blind hole is defined by an inner circumferential surface and an inner transverse surface of a wall on which items are to be hung or stacked for storage. The inner circumferential surface defines a diameter of the hole that is less than a diameter of at least one of the circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges so that when the tube is received within the hole, the circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart parallel ridges engage and bite into the surface so as to retain the pegboard wall-plug in the wall with the circumferential end edge rests upon the inner transverse surface of the wall. An item holder is provided that includes a catch located at an end. The catch comprises a curved cantilevered strap that projects from the end and has a stop tab located at a strap end positioned above, but spaced away from the end. When the cantilevered strap is inserted into the central opening defined through the plate, the catch is releasably engaged with the plate with the stop tab being positioned on a front surface of the plate and void is defined between the cantilevered strap and the inner transverse surface of the wall. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by, the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which are to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pegboard wall-plug formed in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the pegboard wall-plug shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the pegboard wall-plug shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the pegboard wall-plug shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the pegboard wall-plug shown in  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a side cross-sectional view, as taken along lines  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a rear cross-sectional view, as taken along lines  7 - 7  in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective exploded view, partially broken-away, of a pegboard wall-plug positioned adjacent to a wall of a structure ready for mounting; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective broken-away view of the pegboard wall-plug mounted in the wall shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the pegboard wall-plug mounted in a wall as taken along lines  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective broken-away and exploded view of a pegboard wall-plug mounted within a wall and having an item holder positioned for engagement with the pegboard wall-plug; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective broken-away view of the pegboard wall-plug and wall shown in  FIG. 11 , with the item holder snapped in place within the pegboard wall-plug; 
       FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the pegboard wall-plug and item holder shown in  FIG. 12 , as taken along lines  13 - 13  in  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective broken-away view of a pegboard wall-plug and wall, with the item holder snapped in place within the pegboard wall-plug; and 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the pegboard wall-plug and item holder shown in  FIG. 14 , as taken along lines  15 - 15  in  FIG. 14 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In the description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term “operatively connected” is such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if used, are intended to cover the structures described, suggested, or rendered obvious by the written description or drawings for performing the recited function, including not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , a pegboard wall-plug  2  formed in accordance with the present invention includes a front plate  4  and a tubular insert  6 . Pegboard wall-plug  2  may be made of any suitable engineering material, such as, and without limitation, plastics, thermoplastics (crystalline or non-crystalline, cross-linked or non-cross-linked), thermosetting resins, elastomers, or composites thereof, metal alloys, ceramics, wood, wood-plastic composites, plastic-glass fiber reinforced composites, or other materials so long as they provide sufficient structural rigidity and strength for supporting a weight that is cantilevered from its front surface. 
   Front plate  4  is often circular in shape and has a through-hole  9  defined substantially at its center. Through-hole  9  often comprises a rectangular or square-shaped profile. Front plate  4  may include one or more grooves  11  that are defined in its surface in a cruciform arrangement so as to be at substantially ninety-degrees to one another around the face of front plate  4 . Tubular insert  6  projects outwardly from a back surface  13  of front plate  4  so as to define an annular inner surface  16  that is arranged in surrounding relation to through-hole  9 . The outer surface of tubular insert  6  includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart, parallel ridges  20 . Circumferential ridges  20  often have a triangular cross-sectional profile including an inclined outer surface  22  and a flat shoulder surface  23  so as to form a plurality of parallel serrations on the outer surface of tubular insert  6  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Circumferential ridges each have an edge  25  that is defined by the intersection of inclined outer surface  22  and flat shoulder surface  23 . 
   A pair of pilot fins  27  are arranged one hundred and eighty degrees apart on the outer surface of tubular insert  6  so as to be in confronting, coaxial relation to one another. The outer surface of each pilot fin  27  includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged, spaced-apart, parallel ridges  28  that are coextensive with ridges  20 . Parallel ridges  28  often also have a triangular cross-sectional profile including an inclined outer surface  32  and a flat shoulder surface  33  so as to form a plurality of parallel serrations. Parallel ridges  28  each have an edge  35  that is defined by the intersection of inclined outer surface  32  and flat shoulder surface  33 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8-10 , pegboard wall-plug  2  is adapted for mounting on a wall  50  on the exterior or interior of a building or other structure. A hole  52  is formed in wall  50  that is approximately the diameter of a tubular insert  6  without parallel ridges  20  so that hole  52  has an internal diameter that is less than the outer diameter of each parallel ridge  20 , but greater than the internal diameter of tubular insert  6 . Hole  52  may entirely pierce wall  50 , i.e., be defined through the thickness of a standard wall board, or be a “blind” hole  51 , i.e., an opening defined partially through the thickness of the material forming wall  50  ( FIG. 14 ). When a blind hole  51  is defined in wall  50 , a transverse portion  53  of the interior of wall  50  extends across the rear of blind hole  51  closing it off and blocking further penetration. A pair of pilot slots  54  defined in the inner surface  55  of wall  50  that defines hole  52 , and are arranged one hundred and eighty degrees apart so as to be in confronting, aligned relation to one another. Inner surface  57  of wall  50  that defines each pilot slot  54  extends inwardly, toward a back or rear surface (not shown) of wall  50 . 
   Pegboard wall-plug  2  is positioned within wall  50  by first orienting pegboard wall-plug  2  so that tubular insert  6  is arranged in spaced, confronting coaxial relation to hole  52 . Care must be taken to ensure that each pilot fin  27  is arranged so as to be in aligned relation with a respective one of pilot slots  54 . In this way, the proper orientation of pegboard wall-plug  2  may be maintained on wall  50 . Once in this position, pegboard wall-plug  2  is moved toward wall  50  such that tubular insert  6  enters hole  52  (hole  51 ) with pilot fins  27  simultaneously entering each of their respective pilot slots  54 . As this occurs, parallel ridges  20  engage surface  55  of wall  50  that defines hole  52  such that each edge  25  bites into wall  50 , i.e., cuts into and through surface  55  to hold pegboard wall-plug  2  tightly in place. At the same time, parallel ridges  28  of each pilot fin  27  engage surface  57  of wall  50  that defines each pilot slot  54  such that each edge  35  bites into wall  50 , i.e., cuts into and through surface  57  to hold pegboard wall-plug  2  tightly in place. In this way, pegboard wall-plug  2  is fixedly positioned in wall  50 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 11-13 , an item holder, such as a hook or a shelf bracket, may be mounted to pegboard wall-plug  2  so as to support a wide variety of things. For example, a hook  80  may be directly supported by pegboard wall-plug  2  so as to advantageously store additional items. More particularly, hook  80  comprises a shank  82 , a support arm  84 , and a catch  86 . Shank  82  and support arm  84  form a conventional hook of the type known for hanging tools and other items. Hook  80  may be formed from any of the well known polymer or metal materials that are known to exhibit good spring characteristics. 
   Catch  86  comprises a stop tab  88  and a cantilevered strap  92  that are located adjacent to a top portion  87  of shank  82 . Stop  88  includes a nose, a pair of inclined surfaces forming a ramp  94 , and a shoulder surface  95  so as to form a wedge-shaped tab. A first end  96  of cantilevered strap  92  projects outwardly from shoulder surface  95  and a second end  97  of cantilevered strap  92  projects outwardly from top portion  87  of shank  82 , so that cantilevered strap  92  comprises a curved profile. Cantilevered strap  92  may have a variety of cross-sectional shapes, e.g., rectangular, circular, elliptical, etc., so long as a fully elastic spring is created by the structure of the strap. A transverse slot  98  is defined through the underside of cantilevered strap  92  between top portion  87  of shank  82  and second end  97  of cantilevered strap  92 . Slot  98  is sized and shaped to accept an edge portion of front plate  4  that defines through-hole  9  of pegboard wall-plug  2 . 
   Hook  80  may be assembled to any pegboard wall-plug  2 , as shown in  FIGS. 11-12 . More particularly, hook  80  is arranged adjacent to pegboard wall-plug  2  such that support arm  84  is directed away from front plate  4 , and cantilevered strap  92  is arranged in coaxially aligned, confronting relation to hole  52  in wall  50  ( FIG. 11 ). Ramp  94  of stop  88  is then depressed, deflecting cantilevered strap  92  such that the underside of stop  88  moves toward top portion  87  of shank  82 . Once in this position, hook  80  is moved toward hole  52  (or hole  51 ) until shoulder surface  95  engages the front surface of front plate  4  that surrounds hole  52 , and the edge of front plate  4  that defines through-hole  9  engages slot  98  of catch  86 . Pressure is then released from ramp  94  so as to allow cantilevered strap  92  to spring back towards its original, undeflected position, and thereby engage the internal edges of front plate  4  that define through-hole  9 . When hook  80  is assembled to pegboard wall-plug  2  located within a blind hole  51 , cantilevered strap  92  does not extend beyond the edge of tubular insert  6  so as to not engage transverse portion  53  of wall  50  thereby defining a void space  89  between it and transverse portion  53 . In order to remove catch  86  from pegboard wall-plug  2 , it is only necessary to grip shank  82  and move it toward stop  88 , once again deflecting cantilevered strap  92 , and thereby disengaging the edge of perforated front plate  4  that defines through-hole  9  from slot  98  of catch  86 . Once cantilevered strap  92  is deflected, hook  80  may be withdrawn from pegboard wall-plug  2 . 
   It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited only to the particular constructions herein disclosed and shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalents within the scope of the claims.