US20100219144A1

US20100219144A1 - Wall mountable device

Info

Publication number: US20100219144A1
Application number: US12/380,449
Authority: US
Inventors: Scott Salmon; Mario A. Turchi
Original assignee: Helen of Troy Ltd
Current assignee: Helen of Troy Ltd
Priority date: 2009-02-27
Filing date: 2009-02-27
Publication date: 2010-09-02

Abstract

A support mountable device is provided. The support mountable device includes a rail and a bracket configured to be releasably secured to the rail. The rail includes an upper portion, a lower portion and a body extending between the upper and lower portions. The body includes a support side and a bracket side. The upper portion includes a ledge spaced a distance from the support when the support side is placed against the support. The lower portion includes a base wall and a front wall defining a channel. The front wall includes with a retaining portion and a guiding portion.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to wall mounts, and in more particular applications to wall mounts for receiving one or more removable organizer components.

BACKGROUND

Storage and organization problems exist for many homes and businesses. For example, work rooms, utility rooms, workshops, garages and the like are often cluttered with various tools, toys and other items. In this manner, peg boards and slotted walls have been developed to organize the items by utilizing various forms of brackets and hangers.
However, oftentimes these peg boards and slotted walls are unattractive and include extra slots and holes that are unused. Furthermore, the brackets and hangers are not always secured to the supporting surface such that the brackets and hangers can become easily dislodged when bumped or used.
Brackets and hangers have been developed to hold a variety of items such as tools and cleaning equipment. In this manner, the brackets include different forms of arms or attachments to hold longer stick-like handles that have large end portions that can rest against the arms. However, handles that do not have large end portions, such as those found on typical brooms, are generally not supported well by such hangers. Therefore, rotating attachments have been developed to utilize gravity to help grasp the handle. However, these rotating attachments generally require the user to insert the handle with an upward force to open the rotating attachment.

SUMMARY

In one form, a support mountable device for holding one or more objects is provided. The support mountable device includes a rail and a bracket configured to be releasably secured to the rail. The rail includes an upper portion, a lower portion and a body extending between the upper and lower portions. The body includes a support side and a bracket side. The upper portion includes a ledge spaced a distance from the support when the support side is placed against the support. The lower portion includes a base wall and a front wall defining a channel. The front wall includes with a retaining portion and a guiding portion. The bracket includes a body, an arm and a holder. The body has an upper end and a lower end. The upper end includes an upper wall and a rear wall defining an overhang cavity for cooperating with the ledge. The arm extends along the body towards lower end and includes a hook portion and an actuator. The actuator is configured to manipulate the arm between a retaining position for cooperating with retaining portion to retain the bracket on the rail and a releasing position permitting the bracket to be removed from the rail. The holder is coupled to and extending outwardly away from the body.
According to one form, a support mountable device is provided. The support mountable device includes a rail. The rail includes an upper portion, a lower portion and a body extending between the upper and lower portions. The body includes a support side and a bracket side. The upper portion includes a ledge spaced a distance from the support when the support side is placed against the support. The lower portion includes a base wall and a front wall defining a channel. The front wall includes with a retaining portion and a guiding portion.
In accordance with one form, a bracket for releasable attachment to a support mountable rail is provided. The bracket includes a body, an arm and a holder. The body has an upper end and a lower end. The upper end includes an upper wall and a rear wall defining an overhang cavity. The arm extends along the body towards lower end and includes a hook portion and an actuator. The actuator is configured to manipulate the arm between a retaining position and a releasing position. The holder is coupled to and extends outwardly away from the body.
In one form, the support mountable device further includes multiple brackets releasably secured to the rail.
According to one form, the rail includes a length such that the ledge and the channel extend along substantially the entire length.
In accordance with one form, the bracket is releasably slidable along the length.
In one form, the hook portion frictionally engages the retaining portion when in the retaining position to frictionally resist sliding along the length.
According to one form, the support mountable device further includes at least one alignment groove located on the bracket side for aligning a fastener for securing the rail to the support.
In accordance with one form, the support mountable device further includes at least one mounting standoff.
In one form, the hook portion is generally J-shaped.
According to one form, the hook portion includes a generally flat retaining surface.
In accordance with one form, the support mountable device further includes a deflection stop positioned to prevent the arm from moving beyond the retaining position.
In one form, the holder includes an extended arm and that at least a portion of the extended arm includes a scratch preventing outer surface.
According to one form, the holder is a rotatable holder having a cam shaped surface.
In accordance with one form, the rotatable holder rotates along a plane in response to a object being forced in a direction perpendicular to the plane.
Other forms are also contemplated as understood by those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its constructions and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support mountable device including a rail and a bracket;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the support mountable device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the support mountable device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the support mountable device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a rail;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of a portion of the rail illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a front view of one form of a bracket adjacent a rail;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6A-6A of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7A,B-7A,B of FIG. 2 of a bracket being inserted onto a rail;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of a bracket after being inserted onto a rail;

FIG. 8 is a top view of another form of a bracket;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the bracket of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9A-9A of FIG. 9 of a bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One form of a support mountable device 20 is shown affixed to a support 22, such as a wall, door or the like. The support mountable device 20 includes a rail 24 and one or more brackets 26 configured to be releasably secured to the rail 24. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the support mountable device 20 includes three brackets 26. However, it should be understood that the support mountable device 20 may include any number of brackets 26.
The support mountable device 20 can be mounted to a variety of supports 22, as understood by those skilled in the art. For example, the support mountable device may be affixed to walls, doors and other suitable structures. Additionally, the support mountable device 20 can be mounted at angles along the support 22.
The rail 24 includes an upper portion 30, a lower portion 32 and a body 34 extending between the upper portion 30 and lower portion 32. The rail 24 has a height H and a length L as shown in FIG. 5. The body 34 includes a support side 36 and a bracket side 38. The body 34 can take a variety of forms and generally the support side 36 will face the support 22 while the bracket side 38 will generally face the bracket 26 when the bracket 26 is installed.
The upper portion 30 includes a ledge 40 spaced a distance D from the support 22 when the support side 36 is placed against the support 22, as shown in FIG. 7A. The ledge 40 can take a variety of forms as understood by those skilled in the art. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the ledge 40 is generally flat and can be oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the support 22. However, the ledge 40 can also be curved, hook-shaped and the like. Furthermore, the ledge 40 may be oriented at a variety of angles relative to the rail 24 as well as the support 22. Additionally, the ledge 40 may define an optional ledge cavity 42. The function of the distance D will be described in more detail below with reference to the placement of the bracket 26 on the rail 24.
The lower portion 32 includes a base wall 44 and a front wall 46. The lower portion 32, or more particularly, the base wall 44 and the front wall 46, define a channel 48. In one form, as shown in FIG. 5, the base wall 44 is generally perpendicular to the body 34 while the front wall 46 is generally perpendicular to the base wall 44. Therefore, in one form, the body 34, base wall 44 and front wall 46 form a generally U shape for the cavity 48. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the body 34, base wall 44 and front wall 46 can have a variety of other shapes and configurations.
As described above, the front wall 46 can take a variety of shapes and orientations. The front wall 46 may also include a retaining portion 50 and a guiding portion 52. One form of these structures is shown in detail in FIG. 5. The shapes and orientation of the retaining portion 50 and the guiding portion 52 may similarly be modified as understood by those skilled in the art. For example, the retaining portion 50 and the guiding portion may combine to form a generally hook shaped structure. In one form, as shown in FIG. 5, the retaining portion 50 is substantially flat and extends generally perpendicular to the front wall 46. However, it should be understood that the retaining portion 50 may also be curved or take another shape and may be oriented at an angle or otherwise oriented with respect to the front wall 46. Similarly, the guiding portion 52 is substantially flat with a curved section 54. Again, the orientation, shape and configuration of these structures can be modified as understood by those skilled in the art.
The rail 24 may also include a number of other features and structures. For example, the rail 24 may include one or more alignment grooves 56. The alignment grooves 56 can be used to align fasteners, such as screws (not shown) so that the user may drive the fastener through the rail 24 and into the support 22. Similarly, the rail 24 may include mounting holes (not shown) that permit a user to insert a fastener therethrough. Additionally, the rail 24 may include one or more stand-offs (not shown). The stand-offs can be a part of and/or affixed to the body 34 and provide a positive connection to the support 22. For example, the support 22 may not be perfectly flat and the stand-offs can be utilized to provide a positive connection whereas a completely flat rail 24 might wobble against an imperfect support 22.
Additionally, it should be understood that the structures described above may be located at various positions along the rail 24 and/or may extend the entire length L of the rail. For example, in one form, the ledge 40 and the channel 48 extend substantially the entire length L. Similarly, the grooves 56 and stand-offs may extend the entire length L. Moreover, the rail 24 may include further structure such as end caps 60, 62 or other structure. The end caps 60,62 may be permanently affixed to or removable from the rail 24. The end caps 60, 62 can be used to prevent brackets 26 from sliding off the ends and to prevent the ends from snagging items. Further, the rail 24 may be shaped such that the end caps 60, 62 can be flipped such that an end cap on the left hand side can be flipped and used on the right hand side, as understood by those skilled in the art.
The bracket 26 will now be discussed in more detail. The bracket 26 includes a body 70 having an upper end 72 and a lower end 74. The upper end 72 includes an upper wall 76 and a rear wall 78. The upper end 72, or more particularly, the upper wall 76 and rear wall 78 define an overhang cavity 80. The upper wall 76 and rear wall 78 may take a variety of shapes and orientations to provide the overhang cavity 80 having a variety of shapes and configurations. As shown in FIG. 7A, in one form, the body 70, upper wall 76 and rear wall 78 form a generally U shape. However, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that other shapes are also contemplated. Furthermore, it should be understood that the upper wall 76 and rear wall 78 are configured to fit over the ledge 40. Additionally, the rear wall 78 and/or the ledge 40 may include additional structure, such as a hook or related structure to help retain the rear wall 78 relative to the ledge 40.
The lower portion 74 may similarly take a variety of shapes and orientations. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower portion 74 is generally flat and includes flanges 79 which may be used to provide rigidity. The bracket 26 may also include an arm 82 extending along the body 70 toward the lower portion 74. The arm 82 may interrupt and/or form a part of the lower portion 74, as shown in FIG. 6. The arm 82 includes a hook portion 84 and an actuator 86.
The hook portion 84 may take a variety of shapes and orientations. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the hook portion 84 is generally J-shaped. However, the hook portion 84 may also be U-shaped or take other forms. In yet another form, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 9A, the hook portion 84 takes a shape similar to the front wall 46 having a guiding portion and a retaining portion. Other forms are also contemplated.
The actuator 86 may take a variety of forms, such as a button. The actuator 86 may be utilized to manipulate the arm 82 between a retaining position and a releasing position. In one form, the actuator 86 includes a protrusion 87 which extends through an opening 88 in the arm 82 as the actuator is slid onto the arm 82 in the direction of arrow 89, though other configurations are also contemplated. For example, instead of sliding onto the arm 82, the actuator 86 may instead be snap fit onto the arm 82.
The arm 82 may be affixed to and/or form a part of the body 70. In one form, as shown in FIG. 6, the arm 82 includes gaps 90 located adjacent to and separating a portion of the body 70 from the arm 82. The arm 82 is thus connected to the body 70 at an arm base 92. The length and width of the gaps 90 may be modified as desired. Therefore, in one form, the arm 82 adjacent the lower portion 74 will be capable of movement relative to the lower portion 74, such as for insertion and removal from the rail 24. Further, the flanges 79 may be used to prevent the lower portion 74 from moving as the arm 82 is moved.
The bracket 26 may also include a holder 94. The holder 94 may take a variety of forms including, but not limited to, the forms illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the holder may take the form of multiple arms 96 to retain an object. Similarly, a single arm 98 may be utilized. In yet another form, a rotating holder 100 may be utilized, such as to retain a stick-type handle or object.
The rotating holder 100 is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 8, 9 and 9A. Generally, the rotating holder 100 operates by grasping an object between the rotating holder 100 and a retaining arm 102. Generally, the rotating holder 100 is biased towards a closed position by a spring 104 about a pivot 105 wherein a small gap 106 exists between the retaining arm 102 and the rotating holder 100. The rotating holder 100 includes an arc-shape or cam surface 108 extending at least partially along the rotating holder 100. As an object is brought into contact with the cam surface 108, the shape of the cam surface 108 in combination with the shape of the rotating member 100 will cause the rotating member 100 to rotate. Specifically, as a stick 110 is manipulated in a direction indicated by arrow 112, the rotating member 100 will rotate in a direction indicated by arrows 114 and 116. Therefore, little and/or no upward force is necessary to cause the rotating member 100 to rotate.
After the stick 110 is inserted, the spring 104 will bias the rotating member back towards a closed position. Additionally, gravity will pull the stick 110 downwardly, thereby further causing the rotating member 100 to rotate towards the closed position. The stick 100 will be grasped between the rotating member 100 and the retaining arm 102.
Furthermore, the rotating member 100 may include a grasping material 118 on the rotating member 100 and/or on the retaining arm 102. The grasping material 118 may take a variety of forms, such as a rubber or other polymer material or coating whereby the material 118 will enhance contact with the stick 110. Similarly, the other forms of holders 94, such as arms 96,98 may also include grasping materials 118 and/or scratch preventing materials. In one form, the materials are coated onto the holders 84.
The bracket 26 may also include a deflection stop 120 positioned to prevent the arm 82 from moving beyond the retaining position. Referring to FIG. 6, the deflection stop 120 may take a variety of forms, such as by forming a part of the holder 94. Alternatively, the deflection stop 120 may be an independent component.
As indicated above, the bracket 26 is insertable and removable from the rail 24. This operation is best understood with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B. As shown in FIG. 7A, the bracket 26 is being inserted into the rail 24. The bracket 26 is being manipulated downwardly, as shown by arrow 130 and the rear wall 78 will enter the space between the ledge 40 and the support 22. As the hook portion 84 contacts the lower portion 32, or more particularly, the guiding portion 52, the arm 82 will deflect, as shown by the direction of arrow 132. Once the bracket 26 has been manipulated downwardly far enough, the hook portion 84 will deflect back, as shown by the direction of arrow 134, to the retaining position. In this position, the hook portion 84 engages and/or is sufficiently close to the retaining portion 50 to prevent the bracket 26 from being bumped or accidentally removed from the rail 24.
It should be noted that the hook portion 84 can frictionally engage the retaining portion 50 to prevent the bracket 26 from sliding along the length L of the rail 24. In this manner, a user will push the actuator 86 to disengage the hook portion 84 and slide the bracket 26. Alternatively, the hook portion 84 does not frictionally engage the retaining portion 50 such that the bracket 26 is free to slide along the rail 24 without pushing the actuator.
To remove the bracket 26 from the rail 24, a user can push the actuator 86 in a direction as indicated by arrow 136 to the releasing position to disengage the hook portion 84 from the retaining portion 50. Once disengaged, the bracket 26 may be removed by lifting the bracket upwards in a direction indicated by arrow 138.
It should be readily understood that the rail 24 and bracket 26 may be manufactured from a variety of materials. For example, in one form, the rail 26 is manufactured from extruded metal while the bracket is manufactured from plastic. However, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that any combination and type of suitable materials may be chosen for the rail 24 and bracket 26.
The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.

Claims

1. A support mountable device for holding one or more objects, the device comprising:

a rail,

the rail having an upper portion, a lower portion and a body extending between the upper and lower portions, the body including a support side and a bracket side, the upper portion including a ledge spaced a distance from the support when the support side is placed against the support, the lower portion including a base wall and a front wall defining a channel, and the front wall including with a retaining portion and a guiding portion; and

a bracket configured to be releasably secured to the rail,

the bracket including a body, an arm and a holder, the body having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end including an upper wall and a rear wall defining an overhang cavity for cooperating with the ledge, the arm extending along the body towards lower end and including a hook portion and an actuator, the actuator being configured to manipulate the arm between a retaining position for cooperating with retaining portion to retain the bracket on the rail and a releasing position permitting the bracket to be removed from the rail, the holder coupled to and extending outwardly away from the body.

2. The support mountable device of claim 1 further comprising multiple brackets releasably secured to the rail.

3. The support mountable device of claim 1 wherein the rail includes a length such that the ledge and the channel extend along substantially the entire length.

4. The support mountable device of claim 3 wherein the bracket is releasably slidable along the length.

5. The support mountable device of claim 4 wherein the hook portion frictionally engages the retaining portion when in the retaining position to frictionally resist sliding along the length.

6. The support mountable device of claim 1 further comprising at least one alignment groove located on the bracket side for aligning a fastener for securing the rail to the support.

7. The support mountable device of claim 1 further comprising at least one mounting standoff.

8. The support mountable device of claim 1 wherein the hook portion is generally J-shaped.

9. The support mountable device of claim 1 wherein the hook portion includes a generally flat retaining surface.

10. The support mountable device of claim 1 further comprising a deflection stop positioned to prevent the arm from moving beyond the retaining position.

11. The support mountable device of claim 1 wherein the holder includes an extended arm and that at least a portion of the extended arm includes a scratch preventing outer surface.

12. The support mountable device of claim 1 wherein the holder is a rotatable holder having a cam shaped surface.

13. The support mountable device of claim 12 wherein the rotatable holder rotates along a plane in response to a object being forced in a direction perpendicular to the plane.

14. A support mountable device for receiving one or more brackets, the support mountable device comprising:

a rail,

the rail having an upper portion, a lower portion and a body extending between

the upper and lower portions,

the body including a support side and a bracket side,

the upper portion including a ledge spaced a distance from the support when the support side is placed against the support,

the lower portion including a base wall and a front wall defining a channel, and

the front wall including with a retaining portion and a guiding portion.

15. The support mountable device of claim 14 further comprising at least one alignment groove located on the bracket side for aligning a fastener for securing the rail to the support.

16. The support mountable device of claim 14 further comprising at least one mounting standoff.

17. The support mountable device of claim 14 wherein the rail includes a length such that the ledge and the channel extend along substantially the entire length.

18. A bracket for releasable attachment to a support mountable rail, the bracket comprising:

a body having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end including an upper wall and a rear wall defining an overhang cavity;

an arm extending along the body towards lower end, the arm including a hook portion and an actuator, the actuator being configured to manipulate the arm between a retaining position and a releasing position; and

a holder coupled to and extending outwardly away from the body.

19. The bracket of claim 18 wherein the hook portion is generally J-shaped.

20. The bracket of claim 18 wherein the hook portion includes a generally flat retaining surface.

21. The bracket of claim 18 further comprising a deflection stop positioned to prevent the arm from moving beyond the retaining position.

22. The bracket of claim 18 wherein the holder includes an extended arm and that at least a portion of the extended arm includes a scratch preventing outer surface.

23. The bracket of claim 18 wherein the holder is a rotatable holder having a cam shaped surface.

24. The bracket of claim 23 wherein the rotatable holder rotates along a plane in response to a object being forced in a direction perpendicular to the plane.