Patent Publication Number: US-2020288879-A1

Title: Pegboard Hanger Assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/806,920 for a “Pegboard Hanger Assembly” filed on Feb. 18, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to the field of storage and hanger devices. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a pegboard hanger assembly for securely supporting and organizing items on a pegboard. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Pegboards are commonly used for organizing, for storage and for hanging items such as tools on a wall or other surface. Pegboards typically include a plurality of uniformly spaced-apart holes formed through a sheet of material. Various hangers exist that may be mounted on a pegboard surface for supporting various items on the pegboard, such as tools and other related items. 
     Existing hangers typically rely on portions of the hangers aligning with and extending through holes in the pegboard. Many existing hangers use metal hooks or other similar mechanisms to fit the hangers to the pegboard. These existing hangers do not create a sturdy support and instead allow for significant movement between the hanger and the pegboard. As a result, when a tool or other item is lifted from the hanger the hanger may become dislodged from the pegboard and require replacement. 
     Other existing hangers may be attached to pegboard such as by securing hangers to the pegboard with zip ties, locking mechanisms, or other fasteners. While providing a more secure attachment to the pegboard, such fasteners increase a difficulty of both installation and removal of the hanger. In addition, there is currently no way to identify items or information easily and directly onto the hook. 
     What is needed, therefore, is an improved pegboard hanger assembly that securely supports items on the pegboard while also allowing the pegboard hanger assembly to be easily installed and removed from the pegboard surface, and readily allows identifiers to be attached directly to the hook. 
     SUMMARY 
     The above and other needs are met by an improved pegboard hanger assembly that securely supports items on the pegboard while also allowing the pegboard hanger assembly to be easily installed and removed from the pegboard surface. In a first aspect, a pegboard hanger assembly is provided for mounting on a pegboard surface including a first hole formed therethrough. The pegboard hanger assembly includes: a hanger including a hanger base and a pin projecting from a rear surface thereof, the pin including flanged end and a grommet locatable on the at least one hole formed through the pegboard surface, the grommet including a passage formed therethrough and an inwardly projecting shoulder formed within the passage of the grommet. The pin projecting from the hanger is insertable through the passage of the grommet and the flanged end of the pin is insertable through the shoulder of the passage of the grommet when the grommet is located on the at least one hole formed through the pegboard surface to secure the hanger on the pegboard surface. 
     In one embodiment, the hanger further includes a hook projecting from the rear surface of the hanger, wherein the hook is insertable through a second hole of the pegboard surface to further secure the hanger on the pegboard surface. In another embodiment, the hook includes an upwardly projecting end insertable through the second hole of the pegboard surface. In one embodiment, the hook projects sideways relative to the hanger base. In yet another embodiment, the upwardly projecting end curves inwards towards the hanger base such that the upwardly projecting end contacts a back of the pegboard surface. In one embodiment, the upwardly projecting end is reliantly flexible relative to the hanger base. 
     In another embodiment, the grommet further includes a bevel formed around an open end of the passage through the grommet. In yet another embodiment, the pin further includes a flared portion located between the flange end of the pin and the hanger base. 
     In one embodiment, the grommet is integrally formed on the first hole of the pegboard surface. 
     In another embodiment, the pegboard hanger assembly further includes an accessory hook extending from a front face of the hanger base for supporting one or more items on the pegboard surface. 
     In yet another embodiment, the grommet further includes a split formed along a length of the grommet such that the grommet is insertable through the first hole of the pegboard surface. 
     In a second aspect, a pegboard hanger assembly for mounting on a pegboard surface including a first hole and a second hole formed therethrough includes: a hanger including a hanger base, a pin projecting from a rear surface thereof and including a flanged end, and a hook projecting from a rear surface of the hanger base and a grommet locatable on the at least one hole formed through the pegboard surface, the grommet including a passage formed therethrough and an inwardly projecting shoulder formed within the passage of the grommet. The pin projecting from the hanger is insertable through the passage of the grommet and the flanged end of the pin is insertable through the shoulder of the passage of the grommet when the grommet is located on the at least one hole formed through the pegboard surface to secure the hanger on the pegboard surface. 
     In a third aspect, a pegboard hanger assembly for mounting on a pegboard surface including a first hole and a second hole formed therethrough includes: a hanger including a hanger base, a pin projecting from a rear surface thereof and including a flanged end, and a hook projecting from a rear surface of the hanger base, wherein the hook is resiliently flexible relative to the hanger base, and a grommet locatable on the at least one hole formed through the pegboard surface, the grommet including a passage formed therethrough and an inwardly projecting shoulder formed within the passage of the grommet. The pin projecting from the hanger is insertable through the passage of the grommet and the flanged end of the pin is insertable through the shoulder of the passage of the grommet when the grommet is located on the at least one hole formed through the pegboard surface to secure the hanger on the pegboard surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional side view of a pegboard hanger assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional side view of a hanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional side view of a grommet according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional side view of a grommet installed on a pegboard according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  shows a step of installing a grommet on a pegboard according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  shows a step of inserting an upper hook of a hanger into a pegboard according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional side view of a step of inserting an upper hook of a hanger into a pegboard according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  shows a step of snapping a lower pin of a hanger onto a grommet according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  shows a grommet of a pegboard assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10  shows a side view of a pegboard hanger assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various terms used herein are intended to have particular meanings. Some of these terms are defined below for the purpose of clarity. The definitions given below are meant to cover all forms of the words being defined (e.g., singular, plural, present tense, past tense). If the definition of any term below diverges from the commonly understood and/or dictionary definition of such term, the definitions below control. 
       FIG. 1  shows a basic embodiment of a pegboard hanger assembly  10  for supporting an item on a pegboard surface  12 . The pegboard hanger assembly  10  is readily secured to the pegboard surface  12  and provides a sturdy support for supporting items, such as tools or other accessories. The pegboard hanger assembly  10  is readily installed on and removed from the pegboard surface  12  without requiring any specialized tools or other devices to aid in installation and removal. Embodiments of the present disclosure are suitable for any surface that has been made, modified, or used to receive pegboard style hooks or any surface or item that is capable of holding pegboard style or similar hooks. For example, while embodiments illustrated in figures herein show the pegboard surface  12  having a plurality of circular holes, it is also understood that embodiments of the pegboard hanger assembly  10  described herein may be suitable for use with various other types of surfaces, such as those having elongated holes or slots or other various similar surfaces. 
     The pegboard hanger assembly  10  includes a hanger  14  and a grommet  16  for securing the hanger  14  to the pegboard surface  12 . The hanger  14  removably engages the grommet  16  to form a tight fit of the hanger  14  to the pegboard surface  12  to prevent the hanger  14  from becoming dislodged from the pegboard surface  12  when hanging and removing items from the hanger  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the hanger  14  includes a hanger base  18 . The hanger base  18  is preferably substantially flat and elongated in shape. A hooked portion  20  is formed on the hanger base  18  for supporting an item, such as a tool, on the hanger  14 . While  FIG. 2  shows a specific embodiment of a hanger  14  having the hooked portion  20 , it is also understood that embodiments of the pegboard hanger assembly  10  may be implemented on a variety of accessories supported on the pegboard surface  12 . For example, instead of the hooked portion  20  it is to be understood that embodiments of the hanger  14  may include double hooks, elongated hooks, baskets, bins, shelves, loops for securing cords thereon, and other accessories that may be secured to the pegboard surface  12 . Alternatively, a face of the hanger base  18  may include a magnet or other similar components formed thereon for releasably securing one or more items on the hanger base  18 . 
     The hanger  14  includes an upper hook  22  projecting from the hanger base  18  towards an upper end of the hanger base  18 . The upper hook  22  is shaped to be inserted into one of the plurality of holes formed through the pegboard surface  12  and includes an upwardly projecting end  24  that is shaped to secure the upper end of the hanger base  18  to the pegboard surface  12 . The upwardly projecting end  24  may be spaced apart from a back side of the hanger base  18  a distance that is proximate to a thickness of the pegboard surface  12  such that the upper hook  22  tightly secures the hanger base  18  to the pegboard surface  12  when the hanger  14  is attached to the pegboard surface  12  as discussed in greater detail below. The upper hook  22  has a diameter that is less than a diameter of holes formed through the pegboard surface  12  such that the upper hook  22  is insertable through holes of the pegboard surface  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , in one embodiment the upwardly projecting end  24  of the upper hook  22  is shaped such that the upper hook  22  is adaptable to the pegboard surface  12  having varying degrees of thickness. In the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , the upwardly projecting end  24  of the upper hook  22  is resiliently flexible with respect to the hanger base  18  such that the upper hook  22  secures the hanger base  18  to the pegboard surface  12  when a thickness of the pegboard surface  12  varies. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the upper hook  22  initially projects from the hanger base  18  such that the upper hook  22  substantially extends through the pegboard surface  12 . The upper hook  22  is preferably inwardly curved such that the upper hook  22  curves back towards the pegboard surface  12 . The upwardly projecting end  24  of the upper hook  22  preferably contacts a back of the pegboard surface  12 , thereby securing at least an upper portion of the hanger base  18  to the pegboard surface  12 . While reference is made herein to the upwardly projecting end  24  of the upper hook  22 , it is also understood that embodiments may include locating the upper hook  22  such that the upwardly projecting end  24  extends in other suitable directions, such as laterally or downwardly with respect to the hanger  14 . 
     Embodiments of the hanger  14  may include a hole, slot, or other similar feature formed on the hanger  14  for securing an identifier to the hanger  14  to identify an item to be stored on or hung from the hanger  14 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1  a hole  25  may be formed through the hanger  14  for receiving a tag or other visual indicator to be hung from the hanger  14 . The hanger  14  may include a slot  27  located on the hanger  14  for supporting the visual indicator (such as a card or other indicator). In one example, the hanger  14  may further include a small secondary hook  29  formed on the hanger base  18  for receiving a tag or other visual indicator. Similarly, a snap  31  or other similar attachment means may be formed on the hanger base  18  for receiving a tag or other visual indicator on the hanger  14 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 2 , the hanger  14  further includes a lower pin  26  projecting from and formed on the hanger base  18 . The lower pin  26  is shaped to include a flanged end  28  and a flared portion  30  formed along a length of the lower pin  26  between the flanged end  28  and the hanger base  18 . The lower pin  26  is preferably formed at a bottom end of the hanger base  18  and extends substantially parallel to at least a portion of the upper hook  22  towards the pegboard surface  12 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the pegboard hanger assembly  10  further includes the grommet  16  shaped to form a snap fit engagement with the lower pin  26  on the pegboard surface  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , an inner portion of the grommet  16  is shaped to fit with the flanged end  28  and the flared portion  30  of the lower pin  26 . The grommet  16  includes a body  32  that has a diameter such that the body  32  is insertable through holes of the pegboard surface  12  during installation of the pegboard hanger assembly  10 . A split  34  is formed along a length of the body  32  such that sides of the body  32  are resiliently flexible, such as by flexing outwardly when the lower pin  26  is inserted into the grommet  16 . While the grommet  16  is described as being secured on the pegboard surface  12  by flexing outwardly, it is also understood that the grommet  16  may otherwise be secured to the pegboard surface  12 , such as by a twisting expansion of the grommet  16  or a peg having a compressible material applied over a smaller stiffer peg or cover. Embodiments may also include use of more flexible or tackier materials that would allow the grommet to engage the pegboard surface  12  without the use of the split  34 . 
     An inner portion of the grommet  16  further includes a shoulder  36  formed around the inner portion of the grommet  16  proximate to an open end  38  of the grommet  16 . The shoulder  36  is shaped to engage the flared portion  16  of the lower pin  26  to substantially secure the lower pin  26  within the grommet  16 . The open end  38  further preferably includes a bevel  40  formed around the open end  38  to aid in inserting the lower pin  26  into the grommet  16  as discussed in greater detail below. Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a grommet  16  formed of a flexible material that can receive the lower pin  26  such that the grommet  16  expands without the split  34 . In one embodiment, the grommet  16  may include a groove or gap formed thereon to aid in removal of the grommet from the pegboard surface  12 , such as by inserting a tool or other device into the groove or gap between the grommet  16  and the pegboard surface  12 . In one embodiment, the grommet  16  is substantially integrated with a pegboard such that the hanger  14  may be installed thereon. 
     The hanger  14  and grommet  16  are preferably molded of a polymer material such that elements of the hanger  14  and grommet  16  are readily manufactured and further such that portion of the hanger  14  and/or grommet  16  are resiliently flexible during installation and use of the hanger assembly  10 . The hanger  14  and grommet  16  may each be formed as a single piece, such as by injection molding. 
     To install the hanger assembly  10  on a pegboard surface  12 , the grommet  16  is pressed into a first hole  42  formed through the pegboard surface  12 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the hanger  14  is next installed on the pegboard surface  12 . In a first step, the upper hook  22  is inserted into a second hole  44  of the pegboard surface  12 . The orientation of the upper hook  22  is such that the hanger  14  may be tilted to properly insert the upper hook  22  into the second hole  44  of the pegboard surface  12 . After inserting the upper hook  22  into the second hole  44 , the hanger  14  is then tilted towards a position wherein the hanger base  18  is flat against the pegboard surface  12 . The lower pin  26  is aligned with the open end  38  of the grommet  16  and the bevel  40  formed around the open end  38  of the grommet aids in aligning the lower pin  26  with the open end  38  of the grommet  16 . As the lower pin  26  is inserted into the open end  38  of the grommet  16 , the hanger  14  is pressed against the pegboard surface  12  until the lower pin  26  snaps into the grommet  16 . 
     When the lower pin  26  of the hanger  14  is installed on the grommet  16  on the pegboard surface  12 , the hanger  14  is secured by the lower pin  26  being secured to the grommet  16  and the grommet  16  thereby also being secured to the pegboard surface  12 . When the grommet  16  is removably installed on the pegboard surface  12 , insertion of the lower pin  26  into the grommet  16  prevents the grommet  16  from being removed from the pegboard surface  12 . For example, when the lower pin  26  is inserted into the grommet  16 , an outer edge of the grommet  16  contacts edges of at least one aperture formed through the pegboard surface  12  to substantially prevent removal of the grommet  16  from the pegboard surface  12  until the lower pin  26  is removed from the grommet  16 . 
     The hanger  14  is thereafter tightly secured to the pegboard surface  12  with the grommet  16  and the upper hook  22 . As shown in the figures, the upper hook  22  tightens the hanger base  18  against the pegboard surface  12  when the lower pin  26  is snapped into the grommet  16 . Further, as the lower pin  26  is inserted into the grommet  16 , the body  32  of the grommet  16  expands about the split  34  formed in the body  32  to tightly secure the grommet  16  within the first hole  42  of the pegboard surface  12 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 10  wherein the upper hook  22  is inwardly hooked and contacts a back side of the pegboard surface  12 , when the lower pin  26  is secured to the grommet  16 , the resiliently flexible upper hook  22  is flexed such that a preload is created on the hanger  14  to prevent any play or movement of the hanger  14  relative to the pegboard surface  12 . As the lower pin  26  is urged towards the grommet  16 , the resiliently flexible upper hook  22  resists pivoting of the hanger  14 . When the lower pin  26  is inserted into the grommet  16 , the connection between the lower pin  26  and the grommet  16  is such that the resiliently flexible upper hook  22  remains in tension without causing the lower pin  26  to release from the grommet  16 . 
     Embodiments of the pegboard hanger assembly  10  include a kit of parts that may be provided for securing the hanger  14  to pegboard surfaces having a variety of shapes and dimensions. For example, and as shown in  FIG. 9 , a plurality of grommets may be molded and provided with the grommets having different sizes to fit within various pegboard surfaces having holes with varying dimensions. A user may select a grommet that is best sized to fit within a particular pegboard for use with the hanger  14 . In one embodiment, a variety of grommets are provided that are shaped to fit with a pegboard surface having holes with varying diameters and with pegboard surfaces having varying thicknesses. In another embodiment, all or portions of the grommet  16  may be integrally formed as part of the pegboard surface  12 . 
     The pegboard hanger assembly  10  of the present disclosure advantageously allows installation of a pegboard hanger on a pegboard such that the hanger is securely mounted on the pegboard. Any play or movement of the hanger is substantially reduced as the hanger is tightly secured against the pegboard. Further, no tools may be required to install the hanger, nor is access to a backside of the pegboard required to secure the hanger to the pegboard. The pegboard hanger assembly  10  of the present disclosure may allow for ready installation and removal of the hanger to securely support tools and other items on the pegboard. 
     The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The described preferred embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure to the precise form(s) disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the concepts revealed in the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.