Patent ID: 12245707

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The technology described herein relates to a three-dimensional wall mounting system. The system comprises multiple perforated storage panels mounted in a three-dimensional configuration, which increases the panel storage area for a corresponding two-dimensional mounting surface area.

A conventional 16″×32″ perforated wall storage panel provides a panel storage area of 512 square inches when mounted flat on a surface. The two-dimensional wall surface (or other surface on which the flat panel is mounted) also has a corresponding area of 512 square inches. According to one example of the three-dimensional wall mounting system described herein, the single 16″×32″ flat-mounted panel is replaced by two 16″×32″ panels that occupy the same footprint on the wall. In this example, the panels are mounted in a three-dimensional, triangular configuration, where each panel forms one side of the triangle, and the mounting surface acts as a third side of the triangle. In this manner, the storage area is doubled compared to conventional mounting configurations (two panels are mounted in the same surface area space for one conventional panel configuration).

FIGS.1-4illustrate a perforated-panel three-dimensional wall mounting system100according to certain examples.FIG.1is a top perspective view of a perforated-panel three-dimensional wall mounting system100.FIG.2is a bottom perspective view of the perforated-panel three-dimensional wall mounting system100.FIG.3is a side perspective view of the perforated-panel three-dimensional wall mounting system100.FIG.4is a rear perspective view of the perforated-panel three-dimensional wall mounting system100.

As shown inFIGS.1-4, the perforated-panel three-dimensional wall mounting system100includes first and second perforated wall mounting panels102a,102bconnected to top and bottom mounting brackets104a,104b. Then, the system100can be attached to a wall, work bench, cabinet, or other surface by attaching the top and/or bottom mounting brackets104a,104bto the surface. As shown inFIGS.1-4, the panels102a,102binclude various slots, holes, or other apertures therein to receive storage brackets, such as brackets, hooks, trays, shelves, or other storage components.

The panels102a,102bcan be attached to the mounting brackets104a,104bvia any suitable fastener. For examples, the panels102a,102bcan be bolted, screwed, glued, mated, or otherwise attached to the mounting brackets104a,104b. To mate the panels102a,102bto the mounting brackets104a,104b, the panels102a,102band the mounting brackets104a,104bcan comprise corresponding slots and tabs, or other suitable retaining features, that mate together.

The mounting brackets104a,104bcan be attached to the wall, work bench, or other surface via any suitable method, such as using bolts, screws, or any other suitable wall attachment (for example, molly bolts). The mounting brackets104a,104band the mounting surface also can comprise corresponding slots and tabs, or other suitable retaining features, that mate together.

The panels102a,102bcan be any suitable perforated wall mounting panel. For example, the panels102a,102bcan be conventional or custom panels of any desired size, configuration, shape, or manufacturer. While panels102a,102bare conventionally mounted flat against a surface, attaching the panels102a,102bto the mounting brackets104a,104bconfigures the panels102a,102bto extend outwardly from the surface to which the system100is mounted. In this manner, the three-dimensional wall mounting system100provides additional panel surface area utilizing a smaller mounting surface area (for example, the wall surface area). The panels102a,102bcan include L-shaped flanges or other extension around at least one side of the perimeter of the panel, which facilitates mounting the panel surface in a spaced position from a mounting surface (such as a wall) to which the panel is attached in a conventional system. Such panels102a,102balso can be used in the three-dimensional wall mounting system100described herein. Additionally, the configuration of the three-dimensional wall mounting system100positions the panels102a,102baway from the mounting surface. Accordingly, panels102a,102bhaving a planar surface without the extensions around a portion of the perimeter also are suitable for use in the three-dimensional wall mounting system100.

If desired, a spacer106may be attached between the front edge of the panels102a,102bto fill any gap existing between the panels102a,102b. The spacer106can be attached to edges of the panels102a,102band/or to the mounting brackets104a,104busing any suitable fastener, such as screws, bolts, glue, mating surfaces, or other suitable fastener.

FIG.5is a perspective view of a mounting bracket104suitable for the top and/or the bottom mounting brackets104a,104bof the three-dimensional wall mounting system100, according to certain examples. The exemplary mounting bracket104is shaped in the form of a triangle with a first panel side A, a second panel side B, and a surface mounting side C.

The surface mounting side C of the mounting bracket104comprises a surface mounting flange502is oriented to mate flush with the desired mounting surface. The surface mounting flange502includes holes502atherethrough to facilitate mounting the bracket104(and the system100) to a surface, such as a wall, cabinet, workbench, or other surface. Bolts, screws, or other fasteners are inserted through the holes502aof the surface mounting flange502and attached to the surface to anchor the mounting bracket104(and the system100) to the surface. Alternatively, the surface mounting flange502and the surface can comprise corresponding slots and tabs, or other suitable retaining features, that mate together to secure the mounting bracket104to the surface.

Each panel side A, B of the mounting bracket104includes panel mounting flanges504a,504bto which the panels102a,102bare attached. The panel mounting flanges504a,504bare oriented to mate with a backside of each panel102a,102b(FIGS.1-4). The panel mounting flanges504a,504binclude holes506therethrough to facilitate mounting the panels102a,102bto the mounting bracket104. Bolts, screws, or other fasteners are inserted through the holes506of the panel mounting flanges504a,504band attached to the panels102a,102b(FIGS.1-4) to anchor the panels102a,102bto the mounting bracket104.

The mounting bracket104also includes a shelf508corresponding to the surface connecting the surface mounting flange502to each panel side A, B. Edges510of the shelf508may be turned in the same direction as the panel mounting flanges504a,504bto provide an edge that helps keep items on the shelf508. The shelf508also may include holes508aor other apertures therein to facilitate item storage (such as tool storage).

The top and bottom brackets104a,104bdepicted inFIGS.1-4may be the same type of bracket104. For example, the bracket104depicted inFIG.5is oriented as a top bracket104aas illustrated inFIGS.1-4. The bracket104ofFIG.5may be turned over to be used as a bottom bracket104bas illustrated inFIGS.1-4. If desired, one of the top or bottom brackets104a,104bmay be omitted. For example, only the top bracket may be utilized, or only the bottom bracket may be utilized.

The exemplary mounting bracket104illustrated inFIGS.1-5has a triangular shape. The lengths of the panel sides A, B determines how much panel storage area can be provided utilizing the surface area covered by the surface mounting side C of the system100. Longer panel sides A, B allows attachment of wider panels102a,102b, thereby increasing the panel storage area for a given surface mounting side C length. Alternatively, shorter panel sides A, B allows attachment of narrower panels102a,102b, thereby decreasing the panel storage area for a given surface mounting side C length. Lengths of the panel sides A, B may be chosen to match the width of standard size panels102a,102bor may be customized for any desired panel width.

Any suitable configuration of the sides A, B, C of the mounting bracket104can be accommodated. For example, the panel sides A, B and the surface mounting side C may be equal in length. Alternatively, the panel sides A, B may be equal in length while the surface mounting side C is longer or shorter than the length of the panel sides A, B. The panel sides A, B may be equal in length to accommodate panels102a,102bof equal width. Alternatively, the panel sides A, B may have different lengths to accommodate panels102a,102bhaving different widths. This configuration reduces an amount that the system100extends away from the mounting surface while still providing additional storage surface area compared to the area of the mounting surface covered by the system100.

When the length of the surface mounting side C is equal to the length of the panel sides A, B, the system100provides twice as much panel storage area compared to a single conventional panel mounted flat to a wall. When the length of the surface mounting side C is less than the length of the panel sides A, B, the system100provides more than twice as much panel storage area compared to a single conventional panel mounted flat to a wall. When the length of the surface mounting side C is more than the length of the panel sides A, B, the system100provides less than twice as much, but still more, panel storage area compared to a single conventional panel mounted flat to a wall. Any suitable configuration of the lengths of the sides A, B, C of the mounting bracket104can be chosen to provide a desired additional panel storage area and distance away from the surface to which the system100is mounted.

Although shown as a triangular shape inFIG.5, any suitable shape of the mounting bracket104may be utilized. For example, the mounting bracket104may have a square, pentagonal, hexagonal, or any suitable multi-sided shape. In these cases, additional panels102a,102bare utilized for the additional panel sides.

The mounting bracket104is depicted inFIG.5as a substantially solid bracket, having various mounting and storage holes508a. However, any suitable configuration for the mounting bracket104may be utilized. For example, the mounting bracket104may have a “framework” design, including the surface mounting flange502and the edges510connected to each other to form a triangular frame. In this case, the shelf508is not provided. The shelf508can be provided to accommodate additional storage or to provide additional structural strength, as desired. Additionally, although shown inFIG.5as being formed from a continuous piece of material, the mounting bracket104may be formed of independent parts that are bolted, welded, screwed, or otherwise suitably attached together.

The mounting bracket104may be formed of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, composites, combinations thereof, or other suitable materials.

FIG.6is a front perspective view of an aggregated perforated-panel wall mounting system600, according to certain examples. As shown inFIG.6, the aggregated wall mounting system600includes two three-dimensional wall mounting systems100a,100bseparated by a flat perforated panel602. The aggregated system600can be assembled by attaching the panel602to each of the three-dimensional wall mounting systems100a,100b. Then, the aggregated system600can be attached to a wall or other surface by attaching the mounting brackets of the three-dimensional wall mounting systems100a,100bto the surface. Any desired configuration can be created for an aggregated system600. For example, additional panels602may be added between or outside the three-dimensional wall mounting systems100a,100b. Additional three-dimensional wall mounting systems100also may be utilized, either directly next to each other and/or separated by panels602. The aggregated system600also can be assembled by mounting the panel602to the wall or other surface and by attaching the three-dimensional wall mounting systems100a,100bto the wall or other surface on opposite sides of the panel602.

The example systems and components described in the embodiments presented herein are illustrative, and, in alternative embodiments, certain components can be combined in a different order, omitted entirely, and/or combined between different example embodiments, and/or certain additional components can be added, without departing from the scope and spirit of various embodiments. Accordingly, such alternative embodiments are included in the scope of the following claims, which are to be accorded the broadest interpretation to encompass such alternate embodiments.

Although specific embodiments have been described above in detail, the description is merely for purposes of illustration. It should be appreciated, therefore, that many aspects described herein are not intended as required or essential elements unless explicitly stated otherwise. Modifications of, and equivalent components corresponding to, the disclosed aspects of the example embodiments, in addition to those described above, can be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined in the following claims, the scope of which is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass such modifications and equivalent structures.