Patent Publication Number: US-7591385-B2

Title: System for holding implements

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is based on and claims the benefit of International (PCT) Application Serial No. PCT/US 2005/015955 filed on May 6, 2005. The PCT application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application No. 60/568,742, filed May 6, 2004. The entire contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to devices for holding tools, utensils, household products and other consumer items, such items hereinafter being referred to generally as “implements”. In particular, this invention is an improvement on the invention disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,557 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Among the several objects of exemplary embodiments of this invention may be noted the provision of a unique system for holding and organizing various implements, including but not limited to those noted above; the provision of an exemplary system which is relatively inexpensive and easy to assemble and use; and the provision of an exemplary system which can be expanded as needed to accommodate greater numbers and/or different types of implements. 
   In one aspect, a system of this invention for holding one or more implements comprises a rail adapted to be mounted on a generally vertical mounting surface. An implement holder is configured to hold the one or more implements. The holder has at least one snap-lock fastener for snap-fastening engagement with the rail to releasably fasten the holder at a fastened position on the rail. 
   In another aspect, a funnel-shaped holder of the invention is for holding an implement and which is configured for snap-fastening attachment to a wall mount having at least one edge for engagement by the holder. The holder comprises a funnel structure having an upper end that flares open upwardly and is relatively wide for receiving the implement, a lower end that is relatively narrow, a rear wall with an inside surface and an outside surface, and opposite converging side walls which define, in conjunction with the rear wall, a funnel-shaped recess for holding the implement in a stored position. A first fastening formation projects rearward of the rear wall for engagement with the wall mount. A second fastening formation projects rearward of the rear wall and is positioned in spaced relation from the first fastening formation for engagement with the wall mount. At least one of the first and second fastening formations comprises a snap-lock fastening formation configured for releasable snap-fastening interconnection with the wall mount. 
   Further, a support of the invention is for releasably supporting an implement holder on a rail mounted on a wall. The support comprises a rail fastening section having a snap-fastening formation configured for releasable snap-fastening engagement with the rail. A holder mounting section is for releasably mounting the holder on the support. The holder mounting section has a vertical platform connected adjacent its upper end to the rail fastening section. 
   In another aspect, a system of the invention is for holding one or more implements. The system comprises a wall mount adapted to be mounted on a generally vertical mounting surface. An implement holder is configured to hold the one or more implements. The holder has at least one snap-lock fastener for snap-fastening engagement with the wall mount to releasably fasten the holder at a fastened position on the wall mount. 
   In still a further aspect, a rail of the invention is adapted to be mounted in a generally horizontal position on a generally vertical mounting surface. The rail has a channel-track extending lengthwise of the rail. An implement holder having a track-engaging element is receivable in the channel-track and is slidable along the channel-track to a selected position on the rail. Each channel-track comprises a bottom wall adapted to be positioned generally adjacent the mounting surface, a pair of spaced-apart side walls extending forward from the bottom wall, and a slot at a front side of the channel-track whereby when the track-engaging element of the implement holder is received in the channel-track between the side walls thereof, the track-engaging element is adapted to project forward through the slot and to be slidably moved along the slot to move the implement holder to its desired position. Fastener holes are spaced at intervals along the bottom wall of the channel-track for receiving one or more rail fasteners to mount the rail on said mounting surface. The channel-track has a depth sufficient to provide clearance between the track-engaging element and the one or more rail fasteners when the rail is mounted on said surface whereby the track-engaging element may be slidably moved along the channel-track without interference with the one or more rail fasteners. 
   In another aspect, the invention is directed to a jar assembly comprising a jar having a bottom, one or more sides, and a mouth. The assembly also includes a bracket comprising a back wall, a pair of generally opposing, spaced-apart sides extending forward from the back wall, and opposing jar supports on the sides of the bracket for supporting the jar in an upright position for storage of items in the jar. Optionally, the bracket has a track-engaging element thereon for engaging a track on a rail to permit sliding movement of the bracket along the rail. 
   Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective of a system of the present invention comprising a rail with a jar assembly and a funnel-shaped holder mounted on the rail; 
       FIG. 2  is a vertical section of the rail and jar assembly along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2   a  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 2  showing coupling of the jar assembly and the rail; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective of a connection between two rails; 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective of the connected rails of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 3B  is a vertical section of the rail and associated connection along line  3 B- 3 B of  FIG. 3A ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective of a bracket of the jar assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is front elevation of the bracket of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view various components of the system; 
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the jar assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7A  is an enlarged portion of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a vertical section of the funnel-shaped older and rail along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a vertical section of the larger funnel-shaped holder along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 6   
       FIG. 10  is an exploded front perspective of two rails of a second embodiment which are joined end-to-end; 
       FIG. 11  is a rear perspective of one of the rails of  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a front perspective of several implement holders fastened to one of the rails of  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a front perspective of an implement holder comprising a tool rack which is fastened to the rail; 
       FIG. 14  is a front perspective of an implement holder comprising a magnet fastened to the rail; 
       FIG. 15  is a front perspective of a funnel-shaped implement holder; 
       FIG. 16  is a rear perspective of the funnel-shaped implement holder of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 17A  is a side elevation of the funnel-shaped implement holder of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 17B  is a side elevation of the holder of  FIG. 15  during installation onto the rail; 
       FIG. 17C  is a view similar to  FIG. 17B  with the holder fully installed at a fastened position; 
       FIG. 18  is a front perspective of implement holders attached at several heights relative to the rail; 
       FIG. 19  is a front perspective of hanger supports fastened to the rail; 
       FIG. 20A  is a side elevation of a single support fastened to the rail; 
       FIG. 20B  is a side elevation of two supports mounted in series arrangement and fastened to the rail; 
       FIG. 21  is a side elevation of the funnel-shaped holder of  FIG. 15  mounted on a hanger support; 
       FIG. 22A  is a front perspective of a wall mount; 
       FIG. 22B  is a rear perspective of the wall mount of  FIG. 22A ; 
       FIG. 22C  is an exploded rear perspective of a holder and the wall mount; 
       FIG. 23A  is a front perspective of a support of another embodiment fastened to the rail; 
       FIG. 23B  is a side elevation of the support and rail; and 
       FIG. 23C  is a rear perspective of the holder of  FIG. 23A . 
   

   Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding numbers throughout the drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show one embodiment of a system of this invention, designated in its entirety by the reference numeral  1 . As shown, the system comprises one or more rails, each generally designated  3 , adapted to be mounted in a generally horizontal position on a generally vertical mounting surface  5  ( FIG. 2 ). The mounting surface can be a pegboard, wall studs, a wall or any other type of surface suitable for mounting the one or more rails. In the illustrated embodiment, each rail (only one is shown in  FIG. 1 ) comprises an elongate rail panel  9  and one or more channel-tracks on the rail panel, two such channel-tracks being shown in  FIG. 1 , the upper channel-track being designated  11  and the lower channel-track being designated  13 . The system also includes one or more implement holders, two exemplary holders being illustrated in  FIG. 1 . One of the implement holders, generally designated  17 , is a jar assembly comprising a bracket, generally designated  19 , and a jar, generally designated  21 , removably mounted on the bracket for holding items for storage. The bracket  19  has a track-engaging element  25  which may be slidably engaged with the upper channel-track  11  so that it can be moved to a selected position on the rail  3 , as will be described in detail hereinafter. The second implement holder, generally designated  31 , is funnel-shaped, as described in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,557, and is attached to the rail  3  in a manner also to be described. 
   In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the elongate rail panel  9  of the rail  3  is relatively thin (e.g., 0.1 in. thick), flat and generally rectangular. The rail panel  9  has a front face facing away from the mounting surface and a back face facing toward the mounting surface. The rail panel  9  also has an upper edge margin terminating in an upper edge  37  extending lengthwise of the rail panel, a lower edge margin terminating in a lower edge  39  extending lengthwise of the rail panel, and opposite (left and right) end edges  41 ,  43 . Other panel shapes are possible. The rail panel  9  has a plurality of fastener holes  45  in it for receiving fasteners  47  to fasten the holders  17 ,  31  in selected positions. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 2A , the upper channel-track  11  of the exemplary embodiment is disposed on the back face of the rail panel  9 . The channel-track  11  comprises a bottom wall  51  adapted to be positioned generally adjacent the mounting surface  5 , and a pair of spaced-apart side walls, one hereinafter being referred to as an upper side wall  53  and the other as a lower side wall  55 . In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the lower side wall  55  is connected to the upper edge margin of the rail panel  9  at a location below the upper edge  37  of the rail panel, and the upper side wall  53  is spaced above the upper edge  37  of the rail panel. The upper side wall  53  has an inturned lip  61  generally opposing the upper edge  37  of the rail panel to define an upper slot  63  at the front side of the upper channel-track  11  extending the full length of the channel-track. The bottom wall  55  of the channel-track  11  has a plurality of fastener holes  67  ( FIG. 2A ) spaced at intervals (preferably but not necessarily regular intervals such as every ½ in.) along the channel-track for receiving one or more rail fasteners  71  to secure the rail to the mounting surface. These fasteners  71  may be common screws, for example, each having a head and a threaded shank extending from the head. Advantageously, a depth D ( FIG. 2A ) of the channel from the plane of the slot  63  to the bottom wall  51  of the channel-track  11  is such that when the rail fasteners  71  are in place securing the rail to the mounting surface  5 , there is sufficient clearance C ( FIG. 2A ) to permit implement holders (e.g.,  17 ) having track-engaging elements (e.g.,  25 ) to be slidably moved to their desired positions without interference with the heads of the fasteners. This clearance is preferably at least ⅛ in., but this dimension may vary. The back surface of the bottom wall  51  of the channel-track  11  has a pair of parallel ribs  77  thereon which contact the mounting surface  5  when the rail is secured thereto (see  FIG. 2 ). The fastener holes  67  are located between these ribs  77  in the embodiment shown in the drawings. 
   The lower channel-track  13  is similar to the upper-channel track  11 , also being disposed on the back face of the rail panel  9 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The lower channel-track  13  has a bottom wall  81  with parallel ribs  82  ( FIG. 2 ) which contact the mounting surface  5  and parallel upper and lower side walls  83 ,  85 . The lower side wall  85  has an inturned lip  89  which opposes the lower edge  39  of the rail panel to define a lower slot  91  which runs the length of the lower channel-track  13 . Similar to the upper channel-track  11 , the bottom wall  81  of the lower channel-track has fastener openings  95  spaced at intervals along the wall, and sufficient clearance is provided to enable passage of a track-engaging element of a holder past a fastener  71  in one of the openings  95  as the holder is moved along the lower channel-track  13 . 
   As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the upper and lower slots  63 ,  91  in respective channel-tracks  9 ,  11  are enlarged to form one or more pairs of vertically aligned notches  101  at certain locations between the ends of the rail. (Only one such pair of notches  101  is shown in  FIG. 3 , but others may be provided.) Each notch  101  permits entry of a track-engaging element (e.g.,  25 ) of an implement holder (e.g.,  17 ) through a respective slot  63 ,  91  and into a respective channel-track  11 ,  13 , thereby permitting the holder to be slidably moved to a selected position on the rail  3 . Alternatively, the track-engaging element may be inserted into the channel-track from an end of the rail, assuming the end is accessible and not blocked by a connection to another rail or in some other way. 
   The rail panel  9  of the rail  3  and the upper and lower channel-tracks  11 ,  13  may be integrally formed (e.g., molded) as a single piece or formed as separate pieces and then connected in suitable fashion. The various components may be of plastic or other suitable material. 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 3-3B , multiple rails  3  may be connected together end to end to increase the capacity of the system (e.g., the number of holders used). To facilitate such connection, each rail  3  includes a connection section  113  at one end (the left end as viewed in  FIG. 3 ) configured for an overlapping fit with the opposite (right) end of an adjacent rail. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection section  113  of the rail comprises a connection panel  115  offset in a rearward direction relative to the rail panel  9 , and upper and lower connection channel-tracks  117 ,  119  which are enlarged in transverse cross section relative to the rail channel-tracks  11 ,  13 . The arrangement is such that the right end of each rail  3  is configured for an overlapping (e.g., telescoping) fit with the connection section  113  at the left end of an adjacent rail. When the rails of this embodiment are thus connected, the rail panels  9  of the two rails  3  are generally co-planar and closely adjacent or butted up against one another, and the upper and lower rail channel-tracks  9 ,  13  of the two rails are closed adjacent or butted up against one another to provide a substantially uninterrupted or seamless continuation of the rail panels, rail channel-tracks and slots from one rail to the next (see  FIG. 3 ). The rails are held in fixed position relative to one another after they are connected by fastening each rail to the mounting surface  5  using the aforementioned rail fasteners  71 . The overlapping telescoping connection between the rails  3  may also be accompanied by a friction-fit between the parts. The connection panel  115  of the connection section  113  has fastener holes  131  in it for securing an implement holder at this location, if desired. The bottom walls of the connection channel-tracks  117 ,  119  also have fastener holes  121  for receiving fasteners (e.g.,  71 ) to secure the rail  3  to the mounting surface  5 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the jar  21  of the jar assembly  17  has a bottom  151 , a cylindric side wall  153  defining an open mouth  155  at the upper end of the jar, and a circular peripheral flange structure  161  projecting out from the side wall of the jar at its mouth. The jar may have other shapes (e.g., rectangular) without departing from the scope of this invention. Further, the flange structure  161  may be formed as one continuous flange or one or more flange segments. In one embodiment, the jar  21  is made of a resilient material (e.g., resilient molded plastic), but it may also be rigid. The jar may have any suitable capacity. 
   The bracket  19  of the jar assembly  17  shown in FIGS.  2  and  4 - 6  includes a pair of spaced-apart, generally parallel side walls  171 , a top wall  173  spanning the side walls, and a back wall  175 . The track-engaging element  25  comprises a J-shaped member or hook extending up from the top wall  173  adjacent its back edge. In other embodiments, the track-engaging element  25  may have other shapes and may be at other locations on the bracket  19 . The entire bracket  19 , including the track-engaging element  25 , may be a one-piece molded unit of a suitable plastic material, for example. To mount the bracket  19  on the rail, the track-engaging element  25  may be inserted into and through the enlarged notch  101  in the upper slot  63  and then slidably moved along the channel-track  11  to a selected position. The bracket  19  may be secured in that position by one or more fasteners (e.g., screws  181  in  FIG. 6 ) extending through selected one or more mounting openings  183  in the back wall  175  of the bracket into the rail panel. The screws  181  preferably have a length such that they do not screw into the mounting surface  5 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the mounting openings  183  in the back wall  175  of the bracket  19  are in the form of slots extending up from the lower edge of the back wall. This configuration allows for some range of adjustment of the elevation of the bracket relative to the rail  3 , as needed or desired. 
   As shown best in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the side walls  171  of the bracket  19  are formed with opposing jar supports  191 , and the back wall  175  of the bracket is formed with a jar support  193 . All of these supports  191 ,  193  are spaced below the top wall  173  of the bracket and define a slideway  195  for slidably receiving the jar  21 . In the illustrated embodiment ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ), the jar supports  191  comprise ledges projecting from respective back and side walls  171 ,  175  for supporting portions of the flange structure  161  on the jar. The flange structure  161  is adapted to rest on the jar supports when the jar is slidably moved into the slideway  195  to a storage position below the top wall of the bracket, which serves as a cover for the jar ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The front portion of each side wall support  191  is sloped to provide a lead-in ramp  199  to facilitate movement of the jar into the slideway  195 . 
   The bracket  19  also includes a detent mechanism for releasably holding the jar  21  in its storage position below the top wall  173  of the bracket. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-7A , this detent mechanism comprises a pair of detents  201  in the form of opposing bosses or projections on the side walls  171  of the bracket  19  above the jar supports  191 . These detents define a distance D 2  ( FIG. 7A ) across the slideway  195  less than an outside diameter of the jar  21  (e.g., less than the diameter of the peripheral flange structure  161 ). The jar  21  and/or the detents  201  are resiliently deformable to permit the jar to be slidably pushed (preferably but not necessarily with a twist) into the slideway  195  past the detent mechanism (i.e., in a direction toward the back wall  175  of the bracket  19 ) to an over-center position ( FIG. 7 ) in which the maximum diameter of the jar, in this case the flange structure  161  of the jar, is located to the rear of the detents  201 , thereby allowing the detents to snap back toward their original position for releasably holding the jar against withdrawal from the slideway. To remove the jar, it is simply pulled in a forward direction (preferably but not necessarily with a twist) with sufficient force to resiliently deform the detents  201  and/or the jar  21  to allow the jar to move forward past the detents and out of the slideway  195 , either partially or entirely. 
   In other embodiments (not shown), multiple jars of different capacities may be used in conjunction with the same bracket  19 , or multiple brackets  19  may be provided each having its own dedicated jar of appropriate size. Any number of jar assemblies (from one to two or more) can be mounted on the rail(s)  3 . 
   In still other embodiments, the bracket  19  may be made without a track-engaging element  25 . In this case, the bracket is simply secured to the rail  3  by one or more fasteners  181  extending through suitable openings (e.g.,  183 ) in the back wall of the bracket into selected holes  45  in the rail panel  9 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 8 , the funnel-shaped holder  31  is of relatively small size but otherwise has the shape and functional characteristics described in my aforementioned patent. The holder is formed with a standoff  213  on the back wall  215  of the holder which is adapted to lie flat against the rail panel  9  for stability. One or more fasteners (e.g., screws  47 ) may be used to secure the holder  31  to the rail panel  9  in any desired position along the rail, with each fastener extending through holes  217  in the back wall  215  and standoff  213  of the holder into a selected fastener hole  45  in the rail panel  9 . The holder fasteners  47  are preferably dimensioned such that when threaded in place, they do not extend rearward beyond the bottom wall  51  of the upper channel-track  11  or the bottom wall  81  of the lower channel-track  13 , so that they do not penetrate the rail mounting surface  5 . The holder  31  may be a one-piece molded part. 
   The rail  3  is also suited for mounting a larger funnel-shaped holder, generally designated  225  in  FIGS. 6 and 9 . This holder  225  has a pair of upper track-engaging elements  227  slidable in the upper channel-track  11  and a lower track-engaging element  231  ( FIG. 9 ) slidable in the lower channel-track  13 . In one embodiment, the track-engaging elements  227 ,  231  are J-shaped members or hooks integrally formed with the back wall  235  of the holder, but the track-engaging elements may have other shapes and locations. Reference may be made to my aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,557 for further details regarding the design and operation of this type of holder. When the holder  225  is mounted on the rail  3 , the track-engaging elements  227 ,  231  extend forward through respective slots  63 ,  91 . The holder  225  may be slidably moved into a desired position along the rail  3 , there being sufficient clearance in the channel-tracks  11 ,  13  between the rail fasteners  71  and the track-engaging elements  227 ,  231  as discussed above. Once in place, the holder  225  may be secured to the rail panel  3  by inserting fasteners (not shown) through one or more fastener holes  241  in the back wall  235  of the holder and then threading them into one or more selected aligned fastener holes  45  in the rail panel  9 . The holder fasteners are preferably dimensioned such that when threaded in place, they do not extend rearward beyond the bottom wall  51  of the upper channel-track  11  or the bottom wall  81  of the lower channel-track  13 , so that they do not penetrate the rail mounting surface  5 . 
   A second embodiment  300  of a system of the present invention for holding one or more implements is shown in  FIGS. 10-21 . This system is similar in many respects to the system described above but with the additional advantage of being more compact, requiring less material, and providing greater flexibility of use. The system includes a rail  302  adapted to be mounted on a generally vertical mounting surface  304 , and an implement holder  306  having a snap-lock fastener  308  for snap-fastening engagement with the rail to releasably fasten the holder at a fastened position on the rail. This snap-fastening feature provides an advantage in that the holder may be readily mounted at any desired position along the rail. Further, the inter-connection provides a generally tight, friction fit so that the holder will not inadvertently slide along the rail. When the holder is at its fastened position, the holder  306  and rail  302  exert relative frictional forces sufficient to prevent unintentional relative movement of the holder along the rail. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the rail  302  of this embodiment comprises a front panel  310 , an upper channel-track  312  which includes a back wall  314 , an upper side wall  316 , an inturned lip  318 , and a lower mounting structure having a back wall  320  with no side wall or lip. One or more window openings  322  may be placed in the front panel  310 , as shown in the illustrated embodiment, to reduce the mass of the rail. Preferably, the aggregate window openings represent a reduction of at least 20% of the rail mass. 
   The rail  302  is configured to have a telescoping end-to-end fit with a second rail. In one embodiment ( FIGS. 10 and 11 ), each rail  302  has a connecting region  324  at one end with surfaces which are recessed relative to the other portions of the rail, such that the connecting region telescopes into the opposite end of an adjacent rail. Upper and lower tabs  326  comprise extensions of the back walls  314 ,  320  of the upper channel-track and lower mounting structure, respectively. The resulting joint is stable, with smoothly adjacent (i.e., flush) surfaces on front and back sides of the rail. 
   The front panel  310  of each rail comprises a mount for mounting implement holders on the rail. A front face  330  of the panel faces away from the vertical mounting surface  304 , and a back face  332  of the panel faces toward the mounting surface. When two rails  302  are interconnected, the front faces  330  of the front panels of adjacent rails are substantially coplanar. The mount (e.g., panel  310 ) has first and second vertically spaced edges  334 ,  336 . In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the edges are generally parallel upper and lower edges spaced apart to define a height of the front face of the mount. 
   In one embodiment, a level  340  is mounted on the rail  302  for accurately positioning the rail at a level orientation on the mounting surface. The level  340  is mounted on the back face  332  of the mount by suitable means (e.g., a clip), and it is visible from the front of the rail through a viewing window  342  in the front panel  310 . 
   The system is versatile and can mount a variety of types of holders for supporting objects of various configurations. In addition to a jar, the implement holder may comprise an upturned hook  344  ( FIG. 12 ), a smaller funnel  346 , a larger funnel  348  ( FIG. 12 ), a tool rack  350  ( FIG. 13 ), or a magnet  352  ( FIG. 14 ). Other types, shapes, and sizes of accessories do not depart from the scope of this invention. Each of the holders may be configured for snap-fastening attachment to the rail  302  at any desired lateral location, or could be slid onto the rail from an end of the rail to the desired location. In the illustrated embodiment, the larger funnel  348  ( FIG. 12 ) has upper tab extensions  354  which extend into the generally enclosed region of the upper channel-track  312  adjacent the inturned lip  318 . That can improve the stability and strength, especially when supporting heavier implements. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 15-17 , an embodiment of the smaller funnel-shaped holder  346  is shown. The holder is configured for snap-fastening attachment to a wall mount (e.g., the rail  302 ). The holder  346  has a funnel structure with an upper end that flares open upwardly and is relatively wide for receiving an implement, a lower end that is relatively narrow, a rear wall  360  with an inside surface and an outside surface, and opposite converging side walls  362  which define, in conjunction with said rear wall, a funnel-shaped recess for holding the implement in a stored position. 
   In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the funnel  346  has first and second fastening formations  364 ,  366  which each project rearward of the rear wall  360 , as shown in  FIG. 17A , for engagement with the mount. The second fastening formation  366  is positioned in spaced relation from the first fastening formation  364 . The second fastening formation comprises a snap-lock fastening formation configured for releasable snap-fastening interconnection with the mount  310 . It is understood that there may be a different number, shape, or arrangement of fastener means, in particular a different number or configuration of snap-lock fastening formation(s), without departing from the scope of this invention. In one embodiment, the funnel and fastening formations have a one-piece, molded body. 
   Further, although the formations herein are discussed with respect to the funnel  346 , they may be similarly configured for other types of holders. 
   The first fastening formation  364  comprises a hook-shaped fastening formation positioned near the upper end of the funnel. It extends horizontally along at least a portion of the holder. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 , there are two spaced segments of the formation  364 . The hook-shaped formation has a first portion ( FIG. 17A ) projecting rearward from the holder and a second portion projecting generally vertically down from the first portion, and is sized for engaging the upper edge  334  of the front panel  310 . 
   The second fastening formation  366  (i.e., the snap-lock fastening formation) comprises a tab projecting from the holder near the lower end of the funnel for resilient snap-fastening engagement with the mount  310 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tab  366  is positioned for engaging the lower edge  336  of the front panel  310 . It is understood that it could engage another portion of the rail without departing from the scope of this invention. The tab is configured to be resiliently deflectable. A locking member  370  is positioned on the tab. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking member  370  comprises a protuberance. 
   To fasten the holder  346  to the mount, a person first places the hook-shaped fastening formation  364  in engagement with the upper edge  334 . Next, the lower portion of the holder is moved toward the fastened position (as shown in  FIG. 17B ). As it moves, the tab  366  deflects such that the locking member  370  is free to move from an initial position engaging the front face  330  of the mount, past the lower edge  336 , and to a position engaging the back face  332  of the mount whereupon the tab snaps back toward an undeflected position, thereby releasably fastening the holder at the fastened position. A spacing between the hook-shaped fastening formation  364  and the tab  366  is such that when the holder is placed at the fastened position, the fastening formation  364  and tab  366  exert a clamping force against the upper and lower edges  334 ,  336  to hold the holder in the fastened position. 
   The tab  366  also functions as a release for unfastening the holder from the mount. A person pulls on the end of the tab to release the locking member from its position and remove the holder. 
   A support  380  of the invention may be used to place a holder at a different position relative to the rail  302  (e.g., at a different vertical position). The support  380  is mountable on the rail and adapted for releasably supporting an implement holder thereon. The support  380  has a snap-fastening formation adapted to engage the rail at a fastening location. The support extends downward from its fastening location and is adapted for releasably supporting the holder at an elevation wherein at least a portion of the holder is mounted below the fastening location. Alternatively, the support can extend upward (not shown) from its fastening location and is adapted for releasably supporting the holder at an elevation wherein at least a portion of the holder is mounted above the fastening location. 
   In one embodiment, the support  380  includes a rail fastening section  382  having a snap-fastening formation  383  ( FIG. 21 ) configured for releasable mounting on the rail, and a holder mounting section  384  for releasably mounting a holder. The formation  383  comprises a protuberance. The holder mounting section has a vertical platform  388  connected at its upper end to the rail fastening section by a C-shaped connecting strip  390 . Significantly, the holder mounting section is configured to have the same height as the front panel  310  such that a holder can be mounted to either the front panel or the support. The rail fastening section has a front surface generally coplanar with the platform  388  of the holder mounting section. An upper tab extension  394  reaches into the enclosed portion of the channel-track  312 , for greater stability. A stabilizer leg  396  is for engagement with a vertical wall  304 . Alternatively, the support can be suspended from the rail, without engaging a wall. In one embodiment, the support comprises a one-piece molded body. 
   Multiple supports  380  may be cascaded in a series arrangement, as shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , to increase the spacing from the rail. A second support is mounted on the first support for supporting the holder by both first and second supports. 
   An alternate embodiment  400  of the support is shown in  FIGS. 23A-23C . Vertical ribs  402  are positioned on front and back sides. A positioning system is on the support and holder for preventing lateral shifting of the holder relative to the support. The spacing between the two segments of the hook-shaped fastening formation are spaced to match the spacing around the ribs  402 . Other types of positioning systems do not depart from the scope of this invention (e.g., detents). 
   Referring to  FIG. 22A-22C , a wall mount  410  of the invention is adapted to be mounted on a generally vertical mounting surface. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the wall mount  410  comprises a generally flat bracket, although other configurations are possible. The wall mount bracket includes one or more bosses  412  on its back side with an opening for receiving a fastener to fasten the wall mount bracket to a wall. The wall mount is used instead of the rail, and it has the same height dimension as the front panel  310 . 
   Implement holders with a snap-lock formation may be releasably snap-fastened to the wall mount. The wall mount and holder also have the positioning system, as shown in  FIG. 22C , for preventing lateral shifting of the holder relative to the wall mount bracket. The wall mount may include a level at its center window  414 . 
   When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
   In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. 
   As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawing[s] shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.