Modular storage rack system

• US 6,129,221 A
• Filed: 07/29/1998
• Issued: 10/10/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kevin B. Shaha
• Inventors: Shaha, Kevin B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, KHOA H
• Application Number:
  US09/124,564
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 211/87.01, 211/89.01, 211/4, 248/221.11, 248/222.11, 248/313, 248/312, 248/312.1, 248/311.2, 220/476, 40/648, 47/39, D 8/373, D 6/407
• US Class Current: 211/87.01
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 81/00 Cabinets or racks specially adapted for other particular purposes, e.g. for storing guns or skis
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/061 Cantilever brackets
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/366 with stored package of material loosely hanging on a support, e.g. a hose hanger

Abstract

A wall mounted equipment storage rack system having a wall mounted anchor, and a number of different rack modules with a common interface for mounting to the anchor. The anchor includes a fastener for securing it to a wall. The anchor may have a flat oblong profile with rounded ends for mating with a similar oblong hole in each rack module. The anchor may include a spring latch for securing the rack to the anchor, and for releasing the rack to enable removal and replacement of the rack.

Claims

1. A wall mounted equipment storage rack system comprising:

an elongated anchor defining an axis and having opposed ends;

the anchor having a fixed portion and a movable latch portion movable along the axis between a retracted position and an extended position;

the latch portion extending beyond the fixed portion when the latch is in the extended position;

a fastener for securing the anchor to a vertical wall to support a load;

a rack having an interface element defining an aperture sized to encompass at least a portion of the anchor, and detachably connectable to the anchor; and

the rack having an equipment support portion extending from the interface element.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the latch is spring biased to the extended position.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the anchor includes a metal sheet defining the aperture.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the aperture has an elongated profile with opposed parallel sides.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the aperture has an elongated profile with radiused ends.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the latch element is spring biased.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the anchor defines a wall contact plane, and includes an elongated body extending parallel to the plane and having a fixed first end and wherein the latch portion comprises a movable second end opposite the first end.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein substantially all the anchor is encompassed by the aperture.

9. A wall mounted anchor for supporting an equipment storage rack having a plate defining an attachment aperture, the anchor comprising:

an elongated fixed base portion having a first end and a second end and defining a mounting plane;

the base portion defining a fastener hole having an axis intersecting the mounting plane;

fastener means extending through the hole for securing the base portion in a fixed position to a surface;

a latch portion movably connected to the base portion;

the latch portion having a latch element movable between a first released position and a second latched position;

the latch portion having a latch end portion extending beyond the second end of the base portion when in the latched position, and the latch end portion being retracted toward the first end when in the released position.

10. The anchor of claim 9 wherein the anchor has an oblong profile.

11. The anchor of claim 10 wherein the anchor has radiused ends.

12. The anchor of claim 9 wherein the anchor is an elongated planar body.

13. The anchor of claim 9 wherein the latch is spring biased to the latched position.