GB2026850A - System for detachably fastening articles to a carrying plate - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a perforated carrying plate for detachably mounting article-holders. The article- holders have various forms depending on the articles to be carried by the article-holders, in order that the articles, such as tools, merchandise, etc., may be displayed in a conveniently arranged manner. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION System for detachably fastening articles to a carrying plate This invention relates to a system for detachably securing article-holders to a carrying plate.

It is known to use perforated carrying plates for the display of articles. Such a plate is used in combination with various types of article-holders, in the form of clamps or pegs, the construction of which is such that they can be hooked into any of the countless perforations or round cut-outs of the carrying plate.

The desired articles can then be detachably secured to the article-holders thus mounted on the plate.

These article-holders are very cumbersome of construction, and generally consist of a wire construction, of which the part to be hooked into the perforations of the carrying plate has an intricately curved configuration, and is further of such construction that it will remain in the hooked-in position when the carrying plate is in the vertical position, but can become dislodged from the perforations when the carrying plate comes out of its vertical position or, through some external cause, for example, by being struck, the article-holders are lifted.

In orderto prevent this, the article-holders can be fastened to the carrying plate by means of bolts, or a construction can be used, which employs an expansion element, which element after being inserted through the perforations, comes into engagement with the rear surface of the carrying plate around the perforation. It is true that such a semi-permanent fastening is a guarantee against the article-holder being unintentionally dislodged, but on the other hand it is very cumbersome to effect a quick change in the arrangement of the articles displayed. Especially in case the carrying plate is secured to a wall, a quick change in arrangement is a very awkward operation, because the plate must first be detached from the wall.

In order that a quick change in arrangement may yet be accomplished, and also to ensure that the article-holders do not slide out of their perforations, a construction has been devised in which the article-holders are secured to the carrying plate by means of resiliently expanding jaws, so that these jaws, after being inserted through the perforations, come into engagement with the rear surface of the carrying plate. In order to remove the article-holder again, the jaws are again pressed together. A disadvantage is that this requires a cumbersome construction.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to meet the disadvantages referred to and to provide a highly simple article-fastening construction, in which the article-holders can be both firmly secured in the cut-outs ofthe carrying plate, and quite easily and quickly removed therefrom, and in which it is also possible for the article-holders to be kept clamped against the carrying plate independently of the position of the carrying plate.

To achieve this purpose, according to the invention, each cut-out consists of two identical slots intersecting each other substantially at right angles and substantially in the centre, and there is provided an article-holder fastening-element comprising at least one H-shaped fastenig hook, which fastening hook comprises a pair of substantially parallel legs and an intermediate member interconnecting said legs, the distance between the two legs being equal to, or slightly in excess of, the thickness of the carrying plate, one of said legs being coupled to an article-holder, and the other leg being shaped to enable it to pass substantially through one of the slots, and the cross-section of the intermediate member being such that when this other leg has been inserted through a slot and moved parallel relative to said slot, said intermediate member can slide in the other slot in order to clamp down the two legs of the fastening hook against the carrying plate on opposite sides thereof.

According to the invention, the dimensions of the slots of each of the cut-outs have been selected so that, as viewed on the surface of the carrying plate, the ratio of the length to the width of a slot is 3:1.

Furthermore, the cut-outs are preferably so arranged relatively to each other as to form a regular pattern of rows and columns. A diagonal pattern can be formed by positioning each successive row in off-set relationship relative to its preceding row.

With the pattern thus formed, and with the shape of the cut-outs as described it is possible, by means of one or more H-shaped fastening hooks, to readily and easily secure the most widely varying articleholders to the carrying plate in the desired position, and the article-holders can be removed from the carrying plate in a very simple manner too.

The system according to the invention can be used for many purposes. In addition to the vertical disposiion of the carrying plate for the display of the desired articles, or as a tool carrying peg plate, the carrying plate can serve, for example, as a ceiling plate to mount, for example, a spot light in a suitable article-holder.

The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In said drawings, Figure 1 shows a carrying plate having slotshaped cut-outs therein, and also shows diagrammatically how two article-holders can be secured to the carrying plate in a specific position; Figure 2 shows an H-shaped fastening hook; Figure 3 shows the fastening hook of Figure 2 co-operating with the carrying plate; Figures 4 and 5 show two different manners in which the H-shaped fastening hook is connected to an article-holder; Figures 6-10 show a number of embodiments of article-holders provided with the H-shaped fastening hooks; Figure 11 shows an article-holder fastening element provided with two H-shaped fastening hooks; Figures 12 and 13 show two embodiments of article-holders that co-operate with the article-holder fastening-element of Figure 11.

Figure 1 shows a carrying plate 1 provided with a given pattern of cut-outs 2 extending through the plate. Each cut-out consists of two identical rectangular slots 3 and 4, which intersect each other in the middle and at right angles. The cut-outs thus formed are preferably arranged in a regular pattern of rows and columns, with the slots of each of the cut-outs, viewed in the direction of both the rows and columns, being in alignment with each other. Furthermore the pattern may be arranged so that each subsequent row of cut-outs is off-set relatively to its preceding row so as to form a diagonal pattern, as clearly indicated in Figure 1.

The rectangular slots 3 and 4 of each cut-out 2 each have a length (a) and a width (b), with the width (b) being substantially equal to one-third (1/3) of the length (a).

The relative distance between the cut-outs is indicated in more detail in the top right-hand corner of Figure 1, in which part a grid pattern is indicated in dotted lines, each of the squares being a square having a side (a).

As shown, the cut-outs are placed in the various squares so that the small ends (b) of the slots bound the grid lines, without the slots of the various cut-outs touching each other.

Figure 2 shows an article-holderfastening- element in the form of an H-shaped fastening hook 5 consisting of two parallel legs 6 and 7 and an intermediate member 8. Leg 6 is of such shape that it can pass through a slot in substantially fitting relationship. Theintermediate member, as viewed in cross-section, is a square having a side (b) corresponding to the width (b) of a slot, and has a length (c) corresponding to the thickness of the carrying plate 2. The shape of leg 7 may be equal to that of leg 6, but will mostly be such that it cannot pass through a slot.

If now the leg 6 of the H-shaped fastening hook 5 is inserted, for example through a vertical slot 3 of one of the cut-outs 2, and displaced parallel to said slot to the left or right, this H-shaped fastening hook will be clamped fast to carrying plate 1, as shown in greater detail in Figure 3.

Figures 4 and 5 give two examples of the way in which leg 7 of the H-shaped fastening hook 2 is connected to an article-holder 9, 10, respectively.

Figure 4 shows that the leg 7 is secured to the outside against article-holder 9 with the help of fastening means not shown. The fastening and clamping of article-holder 9 to the carrying plate 1 is in this case brought about by the two legs of the H-shaped fastening hook.

In order that article-holder 9 may be readily fastened, the shape of the leg (see the dotted line) has been selected so that it cannot pass through a slot.

In Figure 5, the leg 7 of the H-shaped fastening hook 2 is taken up in the body of article-holder 10, either through a recess formed in said article-holder 10, either through a recess formed in said articleholder, or as an integral part thereof. The articleholder 10 is in this case secured to, and clamped on, carrying plate 1 by the leg 6 of the H-shaped fastening hook 2 and the surface of the body of the article-holder 10.

Figures 6-10 show a number of embodiments of article-holders provided with H-shaped fastening hooks, which embodiments are preferably made of a resilient material.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show article-holders in which the H-shaped fastening hooks are in a vertical or horizontal position, and which H-shaped fastening hooks are secured to the carrying plate via the vertical or horizontal slots, respectively.

Figure 9 shows an article-holder in which the H-shaped fastening hooks are disposed so that this article-holder can be secured to the carrying plate in a pre-determined position, e.g. in a position as shown at A and B in Figure 1. At A it is also indicated how such an article-holder is secured to the carrying plate.

Although the H-shaped fastening hooks provide for the article-holders being properly secured to, and sufficiently clamped on, the carrying plate, the clamping fastening of the article-holders can be improved still further. For this purpose the articleholder shown in Figure 6 with the H-shaped fastening hooks is constructed so that the distance between the two H-shaped fastening hooks is e.g.

equal to (a + 4b). It follows from Figure 1 thatthe distance between two successive vertical slots is equal to (a + 2b). It follows from Figure 1 thatthe distance between two successive vertical slots is equal to (a + 2b). Now, by providing this articleholder with a slot 11 equal to (2b), and pressing the article-holder in the direction perpendicular to this slot aperture, the two H-shaped fastening hooks can be inserted through the two next vertical slots. When the legs 6 of the H-shaped fastening hooks have been inserted through the slots, and the press-in force has been released from the article-holder, the H-shaped fastening hooks will be deflected outwardly relatively to each other.

Figure 7 shows an article-holder in which the distance between the H-shaped fastening hooks is, for example, equal to a. It is clear that for fastening this article-holder the H-shaped fastening hooks must first be deflected outwardly relatively to each other. This can be realized in a simple manner by providing the article-holder with a slot 12. The manner in which this article-holder is secured to the carrying plate is similar to the manner as indicated with reference to Figure 6.

Figure 10 shows still another example of how an article-holder can be secured very firmly to the carrying plate. The figure indicates a U-shaped article-holder 13 in its relaxed and tensioned condition. This U-shaped article-holder has an H-shaped fastening hook 5 on each of its U-shaped legs. With this U-shaped article-holder it is possible to effect a connection with the carrying plate via one and the same slot. For this purpose first leg 6 of one H-shaped fastening hook is inserted through a slot and moved parallel to this slot. Next the still free leg of the U-shaped article-holder is forced to the slot in order to press the leg 6 of the second H-shaped fastening hook through this slot. When subsequently the U-legs are relaxed, the second fastening hook will also be moved parallel to this slot.

It is clear, therefore that the article-holders illustrated in Figures 6,7 and 10 can be secured very firmly to the carrying plate, and that it is also very easy for them to be removed from it.

Figure 11 shows an article-holder fasteningelement in the form of a U-shaped element 14 comprising a generally rectangular support plate 15.

Provided adjacent to the small ends of plate 15, at right angles to this plate and parallel to each other, are H-shaped fastening hooks 16 similar to the H-shaped fastening hooks 5 of Figure 2.

The U-shaped element 14 thus formed co-operates with a suitable article-holder, an example of which is given in both Figure 12 and Figure 13. The articleholders 17 and 18, respectively shown in Figures 12 and 13 each comprise a generally rectangular bottom sheet 19 with an upstanding wall 20, 21 on each of the longer sides thereof, which walls are, at a distance equal to the thickness of support plate 15, bent slightly towards one another and then again outwardly away from one another. In the case of Figure 12 the outwardly-bent walls are again bent towards one another and interconnected to form an article-holder having a cylindrical shape. In the case of Figure 13, the outwardly-bent walls are bent elliptically towards one another to terminate in spaced relationship from one another. The two article-holders 17 and 18 are made of a resilient material.

Figure 13 indicates in more detail how the articleholder fastening-element 14 of Figure 11 cooperates with article-holder 18.

Since the article-holders 17 and 18 are resilient, element 14 can easily be placed between bottom sheet 19 and upstanding walls 20 and 21. When element 14 has been placed in position, the inwardly bent wall portions act as a clamp to prevent element 14 from dropping out. It is clear that for further good clamping action the dimensions of bottom sheet 19 correspond to the dimensions of support plate 15 located between hooks 16. The combination thus formed can be secured to plate 1.

It is clear that, in addition to the forms of article-holders described hereinbefore countless other article-holders can be secured to elements 5 and 14.

Furthermore, instead of a plane carrying plate, a curved plate, e.g. in the form of a cylinder, may be used. The cylindrical carrying plate may be installed, for example, on a rotary stand. If necessary, the article-holders and the fastening elements can be adapted in case the curvature of the curved surface becomes too great.

Claims (12)

1. A system for detachably securing articleholders to a carrying plate, said carrying plate having cut-outs therein extending through the plate, by means of which the article-holders can be detachably secured to the carrying plate, characterized in that each cut-out (2) comprises two identical slots (3, 4) intersecting each other substantially at right angles and substantially in the centre; and by an article-holder fastening-element (5, 14) comprising at least one H-shaped fastening hook (5, 16), which fastening hook comprises a pair of substantially parallel legs (6, 7) and an intermediate member (8) interconnecting said legs, the distance (c) between the two legs being equal to, or slightly in excess of, the thickness of the carrying plate, one of the legs (7) being coupled to an article-holder (e.g. 9, 10), and the other leg (6) being shaped to enable itto pass substantially through one of the slots (3; 4), and the cross-section of the intermediate member (8) being such that when this other leg (6) has been inserted through a slot (e.g. 3) and moved parallel relative to said slot, said intermediate member can slide in the other slot (4) in order to clamp down the two legs (6, 7) of the fastening hook against the carrying plate on opposite sides thereof.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cut-outs (2) in the carrying plate (1) form a regular pattern of rows and columns, with the slots of each of the cut-outs, as viewed in the direction of both the rows and the columns, being in alignment with each other.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein each subsequent row of cut-outs (2) is disposed in off-set relationship relative to its preceding row, so that a diagonal pattern is formed.

4. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each slot has a length (a) and a width (b), the width (b) being substantially equal to one-third (1/3) of the length (a), and wherein the distance between two adjacent, aligned slots of the cut-outs arranged in rows and columns is equal to the length (a) of a slot, and the ends of the small sides (b) of the slots of the cut-outs arranged in off-set relationship to the adjacent cut-outs of the preceding row or column are in alignment with the ends of the small sides (b) of the slots of the cut-outs of this preceding row or column.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein one leg (7) of the H-shaped fastening hook (5) is formed integrally with an article-holder (e.g. 10), with the surface of this leg which comes to bear on the carrying plate forming part of the surface of said article-holder.

6. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the intermediate member (8) is substantially equal to the cross-section of a slot in order that the H-shaped fastening hook may be a clamping fit in the slot.

7. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1-6, wherein an article-holder is provided with two or more H-shaped fastening hooks (5), arranged parallel to each other and coupled to the article-holder in such a manner that these fastening hooks (5) can be secured between two vertical slots (3) of a row, or between two horizontal slots (4) of a column, or between slots (3, 4) arranged in horizontally or vertically off-set relationship, in order that the article-holder may be given a horizontal or vertical position relative to the carrying plate (1) or a diagonal position relative to the rows and columns of cut-outs.

(8) A system as claimed in claims 1 and 6, wherein the article-holder fastening-element (14) comprises two H-shaped fastening hooks (16) placed in parallel relationship to each other, and being kept in spaced relationship by means of a support plate (15), said H-shaped fastening hooks being connected to said support plate in such a manner as to form a U-shaped element (14), which U-shaped element can co-operate with a suitable article-holder (17, 18).

9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said suitable article-holder (17, 18) comprises a bottom sheet (19) with a pair of upstanding walls (20,21) on two opposite sides thereof, said upstanding walls being bent towards one another but before touching each other are again bent outwardly away from each other to form a support for an article, the bottom sheet (19) and the upstanding walls (20,21) being so formed that when these co-operate with the Ushaped element (14) the bottom sheet (19) bears against the support plate (15) and lies as a clamping fit between the two H-shaped fastening hooks (16) and the two upstanding walls to engage at least a portion of the support plate in order that the combination of article-holder (17,18) and U-shaped element (14) may be clampingly secured to the carrying plate (1), and that for the U-shaped element (14) to be coupled to the article-holder (17, 18) said article-holder is made of a resilient material.

10. Asystem as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 5-8, wherein the article-holders (1) and the article-holder fastening-elements (5, 14) are of a resilient material.

11. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1-4, wherein the carrying plate is of plane configuration.

12. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1-11, wherein said carrying plate (1) has a curved shape, for example, a cylindrical shape, and the article-holder and the associated article-holder fastening-elements are correspondingly shaped.