Patent ID: 12256852

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the Figures, like reference numerals are used to designate like elements.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, one embodiment of a bracket (10) of the present invention is shown in perspective and side views, respectively. In one embodiment, the body of the bracket (10) is a one-piece integral unit. The bracket (10) may be made of plastic, metal, or other suitable material. In one embodiment the bracket mat be made of, or include, an elastic material, such as, e.g., poly(acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) (ABS) or poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Polymers such as polycarbonate (PC) also may be used. In one embodiment, the bracket (10) includes an upper leg portion (12) and a lower leg portion (14) that are joined by a rear beam portion (16). The bracket (10) may include a rear connecting member (11) that extends from the rear beam portion (16). In one embodiment, the rear beam portion (16) is elastically deformable such that the lower leg portion (14) can be moved, e.g., relative to the upper leg portion (12), and then can return to or towards a resting position.

In one embodiment, the bracket (10) can include two pieces. For example, there may be a first piece or main body member including the upper leg portion (12), lower leg portion (14), rear beam portion (16), rear connecting member (11), and support member as described further below. There may be a second piece such as a secured magnet (17) that may be held, e.g., in the upper leg portion (12) as shown inFIGS.1and3and3A. Other examples of magnet pieces (17) are shown in5A. In particular, the bracket (10) may include a panel (41). The panel (41) may include the magnet (17) attached to its outer surface in this embodiment. In addition, as discussed further below and shown inFIGS.6and6A, in another example of a “two-piece” bracket, there may be a metal wire or rod hook member (59) embedded in, and extending from, the plastic main body member of the bracket (10). Because the metal rod member (59) is stiffer than plastic, it may support articles without significant deflection.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS.1and2, the upper leg portion (12) further includes an outwardly extending upper arm (40). The lower leg portion (14) also may contain an outwardly extending lower arm (42). As discussed further below, different support members may be integrated or combined with the upper and/or lower arms (40,42) for supporting and holding different tools and other objects. Thus, the bracket (10) may include an integrated support member (not shown inFIGS.1and2). There are various support members that may be an integrated component of the bracket (10) as described and illustrated further below.

The rear beam portion (16) may be an intermediate segment extending between the upper and lower leg portions (12,14). In one embodiment, the rear beam portion (16) is joined to the upper leg portion (12) by a rear connecting member (11). As shown inFIGS.3and3A, the upper leg portion (12) includes an upper shoulder abutment (18) which may be shaped to contact the interior surface (19) of the mounting panel (20) when the bracket is fixed thereto. The upper leg portion (12) may include an upwardly extending finger portion (22), and the upper shoulder abutment (18) and finger portion (22) may define an upper notch (25) adapted for inserting into a slot (27) of the mounting panel (20). The upper shoulder abutment (18) may be shaped to press against the interior surface (19) of the mounting panel (20) when the bracket is locked into the slot (27) of the panel (20). This bracket locking step is described further below.

As further shown inFIGS.3and3A, the lower leg portion (14) may include a lower shoulder abutment (26) and a lower intermediate body portion (28) that define a lower notch (30). In one embodiment, the lower intermediate body portion (28) is in the form of a finger portion analogous to the upper finger portion (22). The lower intermediate body portion (28) may be joined to a lower foot portion (31). In one embodiment, similar to the upper notch (25), the lower notch (30) is also adapted for inserting into the slot (27) of the mounting panel (20) as described further below.

In practice, to insert the bracket (10) into the slot (27) of the mounting panel (20), a person may grasp the bracket (10) with their thumb and index finger and squeezes the lower foot portion (31) to deform the rear beam portion (16) so that the bracket (10) can be easily fitted into the slot (27). Then, the person may press against the bracket (10) to push the bracket (10) into the slot (27) until it snaps in place in the slot (27). The bracket (10) may be made of, or include, an elastic material. Various polymers such as poly(acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) (ABS) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) may be used to form the bracket. Polymers such as polycarbonate (PC) may also be used. Plastics or metals having different tensile strength, flex modulus, impact durability, and other properties may be used depending on the desired support strength of the bracket. In one embodiment, the rear beam portion (16) is formed of, or includes, and elastic material that allows the bracket (10), e.g., the rear beam portion (16) to elastically or reversibly bend as it is being inserted into the slot (27). When the rearward part of the bracket (10) is inserted into the slot (27) the rear beam portion (16) can be partially deflected, e.g., towards the upper arm (40). As shown inFIGS.3and3A, the upper notch (25) of the bracket (10) makes contact with the upper edge (21) of the slot (27) so that the bracket (10) can rotate around this upper edge (21). The bracket (10) rotates in a first direction, e.g., clockwise in the side view presented inFIG.3, as the bracket is inserted into the slot (27) and snaps into place.

As the bracket (10) snaps into the slot (27), the deflected rear beam portion (16) snaps back to (or towards) its original (or undeflected) position, e.g., so as to move away from the upper arm (40), to bring the lower notch (30) into contact with a lower edge (33) of the slot (27). In addition, the upper edge (21) of the slot (27) comes to rest against the seating surface of the upper notch (25). Furthermore, the upper shoulder abutment (18) is pressed flush against the interior surface (19) of the mounting panel (20) as shown inFIG.3A. In this manner, the bracket (10) can lock into the mounting panel (20). The bracket (10) is securely fastened to the panel (20) and will not be easily dislodged. For example, the bracket (10) may remain securely fastened to the mounting panel (20) without the aid of gravity such the bracket could remain securely fastened to the mounting panel (20) even if the mounting panel (20) were to be inverted.

Likewise, as the bracket (10) is inserted into the slot (27), the lower notch (30) of the lower leg portion (14) makes contact with the lower edge (33) of the slot (27). The lower shoulder abutment (26) slides against the lower edge (33) of the slot (27). The bracket (10) snaps into place as the rear beam member (16) snaps back to (or towards) its original position and the seating surface of the lower notch (30) comes to rest against the lower edge (33) of the slot (27). That is, in locking the bracket (10) to the mounting panel (20), the lower leg portion (14) is rotated in the same first direction, e.g., clockwise inFIG.3, as the upper leg portion (12). In this way, the intermediate body portion (28) of the lower leg portion (14) may also be pressed flush against the exterior surface (35) of the mounting panel (20) as also shown inFIG.3A. Also, the panel-facing face of the upper leg (12) may be formed with a width that sits flush against the exterior surface (35) of the mounting panel (20), which may help form a more robust engagement of the bracket (10) with the exterior surface (35) of the mounting panel (20), thus, e.g., reducing or eliminating a tendency for side-to-side rocking of the bracket (10) while one hangs a tool thereon or removes a tool therefrom. The bracket may be formed with mounting panel (20)-facing surfaces (e.g., at the upper leg portion (12) and the lower leg portion (14)) that rest firmly against the mounting panel (20) when the upper notch (25) and the lower notch (30) are engaged with the corresponding ends of the slot (27). For example, the mounting panel (20)-facing surfaces (e.g., at the upper leg portion (12) and lower leg portion (14)) may be substantially coplanar when the rear beam portion (16) snaps back to (or towards) its original position, so as to rest firmly against the plane of the exterior surface (35) of the mounting panel (20).

Rotating the upper and lower leg portions (12,14) of the bracket (10) in the same direction over the edges of the slot (27) as the bracket (10) is being inserted into the slot (27) is advantageous. It may allow for the bracket (10) to be snap-fitted into the slots (27). Furthermore, as described above, the elastic properties of the bracket (10) allow it to bend, e.g., elastically deform, while it is being inserted into the slot (27). The bracket (10) then snaps back, e.g., elastically restores, to its resting position, thus locking the bracket (10) in place. As shown inFIGS.3A and4, the bracket (10) is tightly and securely fitted in the slot (27) of the mounting panel (20).

As described above, the brackets (10) of the present invention can be inserted into the slot (27) of the mounting panel (20) and locked in place. Another advantage of the present invention is the brackets (10) may be easily removed from the mounting panel. In practice, the person may press their thumb upwardly against the bottom portion (37) of the lower leg portion (14). The bottom portion (37) may have small nubs (39) to provide a good gripping surface. This pressing action causes the rear beam portion (16) to deflect. The rear beam portion (16) is partially deformed as the lower leg (14) is pressed upwardly. The bracket (10) moves upwardly so the seating surface of the lower notch (30) disengages from, e.g., is no longer in contact with the lower edge (33) of the slot (27). That is, the bracket (10) is raised and cleared from the lower notch (30). The bracket (10) thus may move freely—it is no longer tightly secured to the mounting panel (20). The bracket (10) may be removed easily from the mounting panel (20).

As the bracket (10) is removed from the slot (27), the lower notch (30) is raised slightly so that it clears the lower edge (33) of the slot (27). Thus, the bracket is free to rotate, e.g., counter-clockwise inFIG.3, around the upper edge (21) of the slot (27). Also, the upper notch (25) of the bracket (10) may be lowered slightly so that it clears the upper edge (21) of the slot (27). Removing the bracket requires a similar radial/rotational movement as installing the bracket, but removal happens in an opposing second direction versus the first direction used for installing the bracket.

As described above, the small nubs (39) may provide gripping surface to more easily allow the bracket (10) to be released by pressing the thumb or other finger on the grip and raising the bracket (10) past the lower notch (30). The angle of the bottom portion (37) may be such that it wedges the person's thumb/finger between the bracket (10) and mounting panel (20). This action may help disengage the bracket (10) from the slot (27).

The mounting panel (20), which may also be referred to as a board or mounting board, of the present invention may include a series of vertical slots (27). The panel (20) may also contain holes (23) to accept traditional aperture/peg board brackets. The panel (20) may contain any number of slots (27) or holes (23) and the slots/holes may be arranged in any suitable pattern, e.g., a geometric pattern. The mounting panel (20) is normally made of metal, and the slots (27) may have different dimensions for receiving different sizes of brackets (10) as discussed further below. The mounting board (20) may be mounted on a wall or other appropriate structure. The slots (27) may be adapted for receiving the brackets (10) of the present invention as described above.

As discussed above, the upper leg portion (12) of the bracket (10) includes the upper arm (40). The lower leg portion (14) may also contain the outwardly extending lower arm (42). Referring toFIGS.5-5C,6-6B and7-7C, different support members are integrated with the upper arm (40) in order to support and hold different items. For example, referring toFIG.5, this example shows an elongated hook support member (44) extending outwardly from the upper arm (40) of the bracket. The elongated hook support member (44) can be used for hanging articles such as, e.g., combination wrenches, paint brushes, and serving spoons.

In another example, as shown inFIG.5A, the bracket (10) has a support member including an integrated U-shaped portion (46) having two projecting hook members (47,49) (arms) containing notches (53). The notches (53) may be used to hold accessories (not shown). For example, an accessory protruding piece could be joined to the notched portion (53). The projecting hook members (47,49) are joined by the outwardly extending upper arm (40) to define the U-shaped structure. The hook members (47,49) may be used for supporting various items such as screwdrivers or other axial-handled articles. The handle of the article is supported by the two hooks (47,49), while the magnet (17) attracts the shank of the article, thus holding it in place. This bracket (10) may also be used to hold locking plyers in an upside-down position.

Referring toFIG.5B, the bracket (10) has a support member (48) including an upper panel (43) and lower panel (45), wherein an intermediate panel (38) joins the upper and lower panels. InFIG.5B, the intermediate panel (38) of the support member (48) has an “I-shaped” structure. The upper panel (43) has a circular aperture, and the lower panel (45) has a circular aperture. The apertures are aligned. This bracket (10) may be used for holding a variety of articles. For example, the bracket (10) can be used for supporting a two-handled articulated article such as plyers, channel locks, or cutters. One handle of the article slides through both holes. The bracket (10) may also support a scissor where the closed blades go through both holes and the handles of the scissor make contact with the top circle to prevent them from falling through.

InFIG.5C, a “caliper” bracket (10) having a caliper support member (50) including U-shaped cut-out portions that define channeled or grooved segments (57) is shown. The caliper support member (50) is designed for holding digital or dial calipers.

Turning toFIGS.6and6A, different views of a bracket (10) having a channeled portion (52) in the upper leg portion (12) for receiving an elongated hook member (59). The hook member (59), which is preferably a metal wire or rod, extends outwardly from the channeled portion (52). The hook member (59) can be made of any suitable material. For example, the hook member (59) can be a metal wire or rod. One end of the hook member (59) is inserted into the channel and the opposing and exposed end of the hook member is angled upwardly. The bracket (10) having the hook member (59), as shown inFIGS.6and6A, is an example of a two-piece bracket. The hook member (59) can be used for supporting a wide variety of items including, but not limited to, advertising displays and retail items such as bagged merchandise with a punched hole, or tools such as a series of brushes with holes in their handles.

InFIGS.7-7C, different support members are shown extending outwardly from the upper arm (40) of the bracket (10). InFIG.7, a “one-quarter (¼) inch drive socket” bracket (10) having a support member (54) including an angled panel (61) with a projecting knob (55) that can be used for supporting a socket is shown. A vertical flat panel (64) is shown extending downwardly from the angled panel (61), onto which a size-indicating decal can be affixed. The one-quarter (¼) inch drive socket bracket (10) shown inFIG.7is ideal for holding various sizes of ¼-inch drive sockets, extensions, and adapters.

InFIG.7A, a “three-eighth (⅜) inch drive socket” bracket (10) having a support member (56) including an angled panel (61) with a projecting knob (55) that can be used for supporting a socket, and a vertical flat panel (64), onto which a size-indicating decal can be affixed is shown. The three-eighth (⅜) inch drive socket bracket (10) shown inFIG.7Ais ideal for holding various sized ⅜-inch drive sockets, extensions, and adapters. Each side of the support member (56) has at least one open side pocket (63). The side pocket (63) can accept the complementary end of a horizontally-extending segment (rail) (not shown) for retaining sockets. In this way, two brackets (10) having support members (56) can be mounted side-by-side on the mounting panel (20), and a socket rail can extend horizontally between the respective brackets. The socket rail can be held in place by the side pockets (63) of the respective support members (56). More particularly, the socket rail can have a first end that is press-fitted into a recess of the side pocket (63) of a first support member (56); and an opposing second end that is press-fitted into a recess of the pocket (63) of a second support member (56).

Turning toFIG.7B, the support member (58) is shown extending outwardly from the upper arm of the bracket (10). The support member (58) has upper (70) and lower (76) panels, wherein an intermediate panel (78) joins the upper and lower panels, and the upper and lower panels have upper (72) and lower (74) V-shaped notches that are aligned with each other. The bracket (10) having integrated support member (58) can be used for supporting a single combination wrench and various other tools and articles. The two sets of arms including the upper (72) and lower (74) notches deflect and grip the wrench as it is inserted. The upper and lower notches (72,74) can have serrated teeth to better grip the tool or other item.

InFIG.7C, a “one-half (½) inch drive socket” bracket (10) having a support member (60) including an angled panel with a projecting knob (55) that can be used for supporting a socket, and a vertical flat panel (64), onto which a size-indicating decal can be affixed is shown. The one-half (½) inch drive socket bracket (10) shown inFIG.7Cis ideal for holding various sizes of ½-inch drive sockets, extensions, and adapters. Each side of the support members (60) has one or more open side pockets (63). The side pocket (63) can accept the complementary end of a horizontally-extending segment (rail) (not shown) for retaining sockets. In this way, two brackets (10) having support members (60) can be mounted side-by-side on the mounting wall (20), and a socket rail can extend horizontally between the respective brackets.

The support member of the present invention can be used for supporting and holding various objects such as, e.g., hand tools such as socket rails and rachets, calipers, wrenches, screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, cutters, power tools, lawn and garden supplies, sports equipment, utensils, kitchen tools and gadgets, arts and crafts supplies, office supplies, retail displays and advertising, and the like.

The reference (call-out) numbers and corresponding elements as described above are summarized in below Table 1.

TABLE 1ReferenceNumberElement10Bracket11Rear connecting member12Upper leg portion14Lower leg portion16Rear beam portion17Secured magnet18Upper rear shoulder abutment19Interior surface of panel20Panel21Upper edge22Upwardly extending finger portion23Hole25Upper notch26Lower shoulder abutment27Slot28Lower intermediate portion30Lower notch31Lower foot portion33Lower edge35Exterior surface of the panel37Bottom portion38Intermediate panel39Small nubs40Outwardly extending upper arm41Panel extending downwardly42Outwardly extending lower arm43Upper panel44Elongated hook support member45Lower panel46Support member (Screwdriver bracket)47Hook member48Support member (Plier's bracket)49Hook member50Support member (Caliper bracket)52Channeled portion53Notches54Support member (¼ drive socket bracket)55Projecting nob56Support member (⅜ drive socket bracket)57Grooved segments58Support member (wrench)59Metal rod60Support member (½ drive socket bracket)61Angled panel63Pocket64Vertical flat panel70Upper panel72Upper V-notch74Lower V-notch76Lower panel78Intermediate panel

It should be understood the terms, “first”, “second”, “top”, “bottom”, “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, “intermediate”, “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “right”, “left”, “anterior”, “posterior”, and the like are arbitrary terms used to refer to one position of an element based on one perspective and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

It also should be understood that the mounting panels, brackets, systems, assemblies, constructions, materials, and the like described and illustrated herein represent only some embodiments of the present invention. It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and additions can be made to the mounting boards, brackets, systems, assemblies, constructions, materials, and the like herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all such embodiments be covered by the appended claims.