Abstract:
A storage track having channel for holding a pegboard on a wall surface. The storage track has upper and lower channels for receiving the edges of adjacent pegboard panels. Grooves are also provided to receive the ends of brackets such as those used to support shelves.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a storage track adapted to be secured to a wall and support pegboard panels in spaced relation to the wall. The storage track is comprised of upper and lower longitudinal channels to receive edges of pegboard panels, a central horizontally extending “L” shaped groove to receive hooks and brackets, the storage track comprising upper and lower, longitudinal chamfered grooves to receive fastening means for installation of the storage track.  
         BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Retail stores utilize display wall products for display and merchandising. This product (herein referred to as “slotted wall” (see CA 2,097,631) is installed onto the surface of walls in stores. Manufactured from a number of materials the grooves are spaced out vertically from each other typically at distances of 3, 4, 6 inches.  
           [0003]    Many devices are designed and made available for this slotted groove such as cantilevered metal or plastic shelf brackets, display hooks, wire brackets, acrylic shelves, and bins and other like accessories. The accessories are inserted into the grooves of the slotted wall, then articles are placed on a flat wooden shelf being supported by shelf brackets that sit in the groove of the slotted wall panel.  
           [0004]    Display wall panels of the general kind involved in this invention are well known. They are generally ¾ inch thick and are formed with horizontally extending modified “T” shaped slots opened at the front of the panel. These slots are constructed to permit installation of cantilever brackets at substantially any location along the length of the slots. The brackets are shaped to support and display various types of articles. Some examples are: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,434,900; 4,607,753; 4,615,448; 4,944,416 and 5,109,993. In some cases, metal inserts are installed within the slots to increase the strength so that heavier loads can be supported on the brackets. In other instances, the slots are unlined, and the strength of the panel material itself and the shape and size of the brackets determine the load supporting capacity of the bracket.  
           [0005]    Another popular wall product used in retail stores for product display and/or merchandising is the perforated panel. This panel, otherwise known as pegboard, is usually produced from wood or plastic and consists of small holes spaced at regular intervals along its width and length producing a grid effect. The holes accept a standard variety of accessories such as display/storage hooks, bins, trays, etc. specially designed to fit into the holes. Like the slotted wall panel previously mentioned, store products can be hung directly onto the accessories for display, merchandising or storage purposes.  
           [0006]    Load bearing capabilities of the pegboard panels are much lower than that of the slotted wall panel. Pegboard panels are therefore only useful for lightweight items. Because of the pegboard&#39;s rather thin wall composition it requires furring strips or spacers to be installed between the pegboard panel and the finished wall. To ensure that the hooks will engage the pegboard, the furring or spacer devices prevent the pegboard from touching the finished wall and create an essential space between the wall and the pegboard. The space ensures that the display accessories can enter into the holes or slots of the pegboard without hitting the finished wall behind the pegboard. If the pegboard panel is fastened to a wall without spacer or furring devices, the panel will not function.  
           [0007]    Slotted wall panels or pegboard panels are commonly sold in 4 feet wide by 8 feet long sheets. The slotted wall panels are ¾ inch thick and the pegboard panels&#39; range in thickness from ⅛-¼ inch thick. Slotted wall panels are very heavy and the average person has much trouble installing them. The panels are also difficult to transport because of their large size and heavy weight. Installing a slotted wall panel involves driving screws of sufficient length through the center of the horizontal grooves and into structural supports of the wall. Because of the slotted wall&#39;s heavy thickness and dense material composition, relatively heavy items can be displayed or merchandised on the accessories designed for the slotted wall panel.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The invention, hereinafter referred to as “storage track”, is a lightweight plastic part designed for finished or unfinished wall surfaces found in many areas of residential dwellings or retail stores. The purpose of the invention for residential dwellings is for the organizing and storing of typical household items therefore creating more desired floor space for the occupants. The invention utilized in a retail store allows merchants to effectively and efficiently display/merchandise their products for sale to consumers. The invention simulates the ideal functions of slotted walls (i.e. hanging strength), but is much lighter and smaller making it easier to install and transport. The invention requires a secondary component for it to function properly. Pegboard panels of a ¼ inch thickness is the ideal secondary component. Together, the storage track and the ¼ inch thick pegboard achieve the desired effects that typical slotted wall panels produce. Although pegboard can be installed on it&#39;s own with common hardware, by incorporating it with the invention the mounting hardware that is normally required for pegboard is completely eliminated.  
           [0009]    The present invention (referred to as “storage track” is a lightweight device to be used on finished or unfinished wall surfaces. The storage track simulates the ideal functions of slotted walls (i.e. hanging strength), but is much lighter and smaller making it easier to install and transport. Pegboard panels of a ¼ inch thickness is the ideal secondary component. In combination, the storage track and the pegboard achieve the desired effects that typical slotted wall panels produce. Although pegboard can be installed on its own with common hardware, by incorporating it with the storage track the mounting hardware that is normally required for pegboard is completely eliminated.  
           [0010]    Accordingly, it is the intention of the present invention to provide a storage track adapted to be secured to a wall and support pegboard panels in spaced relation to the wall, the storage track comprising upper and lower longitudinal channels to receive edges of pegboard panels, a central horizontally extending “L” shaped groove to receive hooks and brackets, the storage track comprising upper and lower, longitudinal chamfered grooves to receive fastening means for installation of the storage track. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the storage track;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage track and supporting peg board panels; and  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage track and peg board panels including brackets and hooks. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]    The invention, storage track  1 , is an extruded profile shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is manufactured of Poly Vinyl Chloride but it can also be extruded in other plastic materials as well as made of aluminum and fiberglass. A ¼ inch thick panel  7  is required to work in conjunction with the storage track. The ideal panel is a ¼ inch thick pegboard panel  7 , but can also be any other ¼ inch thick material. The track profile is extruded with a horizontal “L” groove  2  along its length similar to the groove found in slotted wall panels. The shape of the groove accepts most industry standard display accessories  10  that are made for both the slotted panels and the pegboard panels. Examples of some of the many accessories are display hooks, shelf brackets  10 , wire bins  15 , acrylic shelves  12 , etc. Considerable load bearing strength is achieved when the panel and the track  1  are combined. This is because the forces from the accessories  18  are transferred down to the combined thickness of the pegboard panel and the storage track. The storage track has two channels  3 ,  4 , that run horizontally along its length to receive ¼ inch thick panels  7 ,  13 . The upper channel  3  mates with a bottom edge  16  of a ¼ inch panel. The lower channel  4  mates with a top edge  17  of a ¼ inch panel. The main advantage of combining the storage track  1  with the pegboard panel is that the groove  2  in the track  1  can hold heavier items such as wooden shelves  12  while the versatile pegboard  7  can effectively hold the lighter items  11 ,  15 . Another benefit of using the pegboard panel  7  with the storage track is that no spacers or furring devices are required because the storage track performs the function of these spacing devices by keeping the pegboard the correct distance away from a finished wall. The track  1  includes hollow tubular elements  30 ,  32 ,  34  to provide the necessary spacing between the finished wall and the peg board panel  7 . The pegboard panels  7  and  13  float between the two horizontal channels  3  and  4  of the track  1 , eliminating the need for any mounting hardware associated with pegboard installation.  
         [0016]    Installing the storage track  1  requires driving self-tapping flat headed countersunk screws  21  of sufficient length to extend through the storage track  1  and into the structural wall supports. Two chamfered grooves  5  run along the horizontal length of the storage track profile. These grooves  5  have a small visible score line  6  located in the center, also run along the horizontal length and act as a handy screw guide and center locator for the person installing. The chamfered grooves  5  allow the proper seating of a typical flat-headed countersunk screw  21 , therefore eliminating the need for countersinking the storage track  1 . This is an important feature of the track  1  because if the heads of the screws are not seated flush, entry of a ¼ inch thick panel may be difficult or not possible.  
         [0017]    Storage track  1  can be installed in two methods. The first and the easiest method is to fasten the storage track to either a finished or bare studded wall starting at a desired location. The installation must be performed from the bottom and working upwards. The next step involves inserting the bottom edge of a ¼ inch panel  16  into the upper channel  3  of the storage track  1 . The lower channel  4  of another storage track is then placed over top of the upper edge  17  of the same ¼ inch panel. The second storage track is then fastened in place. If desired, more ¼ inch panels  7  and storage tracks  1  can be added in the same manner. The second method involves more planning and is accomplished by fastening all of the storage tracks  1  onto the wall first, leaving a vertical space between the storage tracks that is slightly larger than the overall width of the ¼ inch panel being used. The ¼ inch panel  7  can then be fitted between the storage tracks. The advantage of installing the product this way is that the ¼ inch boards can be easily removed or replaced if desired at a later time.  
         [0018]    A typical example of the proposed invention in use is shown in FIG. 3, where the storage track is installed on a finished wall in a home. Common weighty items are placed on wooden shelves  12  that are being supported by metal brackets  10 . The metal brackets  10  are inserted into the “L” groove of the storage track. Lighter articles are hung from metal hooks  11  which are held in place by the pegboard panels  7  and  13 . The invention offers a more efficient and improved storage, organizing and merchandising solution by building on the practical and proven fundamentals of slotted and perforated panels.  
         [0019]    A person understanding the above-described invention may now conceive of alternative designs, using the principles described herein. All such designs which fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto are considered to be part of the present invention.