Patent Publication Number: US-2016227943-A1

Title: Rotating Pegboard Storage/Display Unit, Using Right Angle Joinery

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefits of PPA, Application No. 61/944,758, Date Filed Feb. 26, 2014 by the present inventor. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Pegboards and attaching hardware are generally used to mount and store a plurality of tools and other items either for storage or display. Pegboard sheeting material is generally available in two sizes: four feet by eight feet and two feet by four feet. These pegboards are typically mounted to vertical spaces that can accommodate those sizes. However, if space is limited, then the pegboard is either cut to the size of available space or not used at all, thus creating a dependency on available resources and skill levels. 
     Pegboards can also be cut and assembled into four sided structures. However, joinery can be a problem. Various methods are used for joining panels at 90 degrees (four-sided structure). Depending on skill levels and resources, this can be time consuming and challenging for those with lessor skills and/or resources. 
     The present invention features right-angle joinery ensuring that panels are joined at 90 degrees to each other, thereby making assembly and disassembly quick and easy. 
     This present invention can be permanently assembled or disassembled and transported to the site where it is to be used and then reassembled, making it suitable for trade shows, arts and craft fairs or other venues where portability is required. 
     A rotating base makes items accessible from all sides. The entire structure can be scaled up or down to meet the needs of the user. Since one embodiment of this present invention can be disassembled, it makes it suitable for packaging and shipment as well. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant followed by a brief description of the prior art. 
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Patents 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Patent Number 
                 Kind Code 
                 Issue Date 
                 Patentee 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 4,480,755 
                 None 
                 Nov. 6, 1984 
                 Cartwright 
               
               
                   
                 8,640,889 
                 B2 
                 Feb. 4, 2014 
                 Gasper 
               
               
                   
                 8,172,095 
                 B1 
                 May 8, 2012 
                 Herlihy 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Patent Applications Publications 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Publication Number 
                 Kind Code 
                 Issue Date 
                 Applicant 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 2007/0210023 
                 A1 
                 Sep. 13, 2007 
                 Mower 
               
               
                 2008/0169252 
                 A1 
                 Jul. 17, 2008 
                 O Risky 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Cartwright&#39;s device while being rotatable is designed with a complex cam apparatus to lock pegboard hardware in place. This level of complexity prohibits assembly and disassembly for the purpose of transport. Gasper discloses a trapezoidal frame that is affixed to a wall without any means of rotation. Herlhy discloses a permanently wall mounted device without any portability. Mower presents a fixed array of pegboard apertures that are designed to be affixed to a planar surface. 
     O&#39;Risky shows a rotatable device, but without any means of disassembly. The aforementioned prior art all have one important aspect in common: they are not designed to be assembled and disassembled for transport. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one embodiment, a rotating pegboard box that can be used for storage or display of plurality of items. A rotating feature and removable top cover allows easy access to all items attached to both the side panels and the inside of the boxlike structure. Accordingly, several advantages of one or more aspects are as follows: to provide four side panels, that can be easily assembled using joinery, that ensures panels are aligned at right angles to each other, that can be disassembled for transport and packaging, that can be reassembled easily and repeatedly, that can be used for storage and display. Other advantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing descriptions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The appended drawings contain figures of embodiments to further illustrate and clarify the above and other aspects, advantages, and features of the present invention. The embodiments of the invention are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1 —Shows a perspective view of the first embodiment completely assembled. 
         FIG. 2 —Shows a perspective exploded view of how the panels and joinery are assembled. 
         FIG. 3 —Shows a top view of the interconnection of panels to right angle joinery. 
         FIG. 4 —Shows a perspective exploded view of an alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 5 —Shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment with all parts disassembled. 
         FIG. 6 —Shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment as a storage box or semi-preassembled kit 
       
         
           
             
                 
              
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   Drawing Reference Numerals 
                 
              
             
             
                 
                 
              
                 
                   Item Number 
                   Item Name 
                 
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   10 
                   Pegboard Panel 
                 
                 
                   12 
                   Cover 
                 
                 
                   14 
                   Turntable 
                 
                 
                   16 
                   Right Angle Joinery 
                 
                 
                   18 
                   Mounting Screws 
                 
                 
                   20 
                   Industrial Strength Hook and Loop Fasteners 
                 
                 
                   22 
                   Subassembly Face 
                 
                 
                     
                 
              
             
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  the present invention comprises four right angle joints  16  which join four pegboard panels  10 . Two covers  12  enclose the top and bottom of the assembly. 
     A rotating device  14 , such as a turn table, attaches to a bottom cover  12 , providing a means of rotation and access to all four panels  10  of the assembly. Attaching pegboard hardware or hardware used for displaying a plurality of items are not shown as they are commonly known and commonly available. 
       FIG. 2  shows panels  10  attaching to the right angle joinery  16  thus forming one face of the assembly. The grooves must be of the same thickness as the panels  10  and of an appropriate depth to allow sliding the panels  10  into the grooves of right angle connectors  16 . For the preferred embodiment, the grooves are left unglued to allow the panels  10  to be disassembled from right angle joints  16 . The grooves of right angle joints  16  must be fabricated in such a manner and of such material, so that repeating assembly and disassembly of panels  10  and right angle connectors  16  do not deteriorate the integrity of the joint. I contemplate that right angle joints  16  be made of materials including wood, plastic, aluminum, but not limited to any other suitable materials. For an alternate embodiment, high quality adhesive is applied to secure the panels  10  to the grooves of the right angle joinery  16 , thus forming permanent assemblies. The adhesive is not shown as it is commonly known and commonly available. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded top view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . The two covers  12  are removed for clarity, allowing a view of turntable  14 . The panels  10  and the right angle joinery  16  are not connected to show how panels  10  and right angle joinery  16  are assembled to form a box like structure. Turntable  14  can be of any type of apparatus that can support the structure shown in  FIG. 1  and be able to rotate freely and support the weight and access to a plurality of items that are either displayed or stored on the planar surfaces of panels  10 . 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view, showing cover  12  removed from the top of the assembly. The second cover  12  is secured to the bottom as the base of the assembly. Turn table  14  is shown with attaching hardware  18 . An alternate embodiment is formed by not securing cover  12  to the top of the assembly, thus making cover  12  removable. The inside space formed by the four panels  10 , right angle connectors  16 , and base cover  12  can then be used as storage for a plurality of items as well. Panels  12  are shown as pegboard panels but may be made of any material such as plastic, aluminum, corkboard, or any material that will form planar surfaces. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment showing all attaching parts of the assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . In addition, industrial strength hook and loop fasteners (hook and loop fasteners)  20  are shown sandwiched between and attaching to the ends of right angle connectors  16  and the bottom of cover  12  enclosing the top of the assembly. Hook and loop fasteners  20  are also shown sandwiched between and attaching to right angle connectors  16  and the top of cover  12  enclosing the bottom of the assembly. Sandwiching hook and loop fasteners  20  between the ends of right angle connectors  16  provides the means for assembly and disassembly of the entire structure shown in  FIG. 1 . Hook and loop fasteners  20  also provide structural integrity of the assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of an alternate embodiment. Subassembly face  22  is formed by attaching one panel  10  between two right angle connectors  16 . By repeating the procedure, another subassembly face is formed. The remaining two panels  10  are inserted in the grooves of the right angle connectors  16  to form a hollow box. The box is enclosed on one end by the third cover  10 . The panels  10  may be made of any suitable material including but not limited to pegboard, corkboard, or other type of planar material suitable for storage of display. 
     OPERATION—FIGS.  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , AND  6   
       FIG. 2  shows a panel  10  inserted between the slots in two right angle connectors  16 .  FIG. 3  shows how four right angle connectors  16  and four panels  10  are used to form a rectangular box like structure.  FIG. 3  shows enclosing the structure with covers  12  on both the bottom and top ends giving structural strength to the embodiment. Attaching turntable  14  with screws  18  provides the rotational means for the structure, thus giving access to all four panels  10 . In an alternate embodiment additional storage space is provided inside the structure by not permanently attaching top cover  12 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an alternate embodiment. Portability is provided by sandwiching hook and loop fasteners  20  to each end of all four right angle connectors  16 . For example the hook part is attached to the right angle connectors  16  and the loop part is attached to the underside corners of the top cover  12  and the top side corners of bottom cover  12 . A semi-permanent structure is formed by using the hook and loop fasteners to hold all attaching parts. The hook and loop fasteners provide the means for the structure to be assembled and disassembled, thus providing portability. 
       FIG. 6  is another embodiment showing how two subassemblies faces  22  can be formed. Each subassembly  22  is formed by gluing one panel  10  between two right angle connectors  16 . A second subassembly  22  is formed by repeating the process just stated. A box like structure is then formed by inserting two panels  10  between the two subassemblies  22 . These panels are not glued. Employing the hook and loop fasteners and the procedure described for  FIG. 6  provides the means of assembling and disassemble, and portability. The structure is enclosed on one end by another panel  10 . This method of assembly can be applied to  FIGS. 4 and 5  as well. A further embodiment is contemplated by supplying the subassemblies  22  as well as the remaining parts as semi-fabricated kits. 
     CONCLUSIONS RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE 
     Accordingly, the reader will see that the rotating pegboard with right angle joiner, of various embodiments has the additional advantages in that:
         It can be assembled and disassembled for transport and still maintain its structural integrity.   It can be offered as a kit in its partially assembled state. Successfully assembling kits can be very rewarding, especially when right angle joinery is used.   It can be fabricated not only with pegboard sides but also with any planar surface such as cork board.   It is versatile and can have a mix and match of sides.   It can not only be used for storage and display, but with cork board sides and push pins, it can be used to display office items such as notes and stationary items.       

     Although the descriptions above contain many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of several embodiments. For example, the right angle joinery and planar surfaces can be made into boxes, which serve as modular storage units. Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.