Storage system

• US 7,900,781 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2008
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Starr, David, Rake, Lance, Gregory, Michael, Yankello, Joseph J., Baine, Tim, Warner, Robert J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAN, KO HUNG
• Application Number:
  US12/178,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20090166307A1
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 211/183, 211/94.01, 211/106.01, 211/57.1, 211/87.01, 211/162, 211/59.1, 248/303, 248/304, 248/307
• US Class Current: 211/59.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0838 Rails or bars; Article supports therefor, e.g. brackets being slidably attached on the outside thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A storage system comprises a rail having a protrusion including a first flange and a second flange. An accessory mount for mounting to the rail includes a top hook for engaging the first flange and a resilient bottom hook for engaging the second flange. The rail comprises a back rail portion comprising a substantially planar member and a front rail portion substantially coextensive with the back rail portion and secured to the back rail portion. The protrusion may be symmetrical about the longitudinal axis. The first flange and the second flange define first and second recesses. A method of assembling a support is also provided where a first hook is inserted the first flange and a second hook deforms to engage the second flange.

Claims

1. A storage system comprising:

a rail having a back that is adapted to be secured against a vertical surface and a front;

said rail having a protrusion comprising a first flange and a second flange;

an accessory mount for mounting to the rail including a rigid steel hook support comprising a top hook having an inner shape that closely corresponds to the first flange for engaging the first flange and a body portion that extends over the front of the rail;

a resilient plastic bottom hook mounted on the hook support and including a protrusion for engaging the second flange.

2. The storage system of claim 1 wherein said protrusion that extends for substantially the length of the rail.

3. The storage system of claim 1 wherein said first flange defines a recess between the first flange and the back such that said top hook extends into said recess.

4. The storage system of claim 1 further including a resilient sleeve in said top hook.

5. The storage system of claim 1 wherein said bottom hook includes a portion that extends to a front of said hook support opposite to said rail.

6. The storage system of claim 5 wherein said portion is a decorative fascia.

7. The storage system of claim 6 wherein indicia is formed on said portion.

8. The storage system of claim 1 wherein a third flange extends from said hook support that fits under the second flange.

9. A method of assembling a support comprising:

providing a rail having a protrusion comprising a first flange and a second flange, said protrusion extending for substantially the length of the rail and wherein said first flange defines a first recess and said second flange defines a second recess;

mounting the rail to a surface;

providing an accessory mount having a rigid steel hook support comprising a first hook having an inner shape that closely corresponds to the first flange for engaging the first flange and a body portion that extends over the front of the rail, and a resilient plastic second hook mounted on the hook support and including a protrusion for engaging the second flange;

inserting said first hook on said first flange such that said first hook extends into the first recess;

pushing the bottom of the accessory mount towards the rail forcing the second hook into engagement with the second flange to deform the second hook and passing the second hook transversely under the second flange such that said protrusion engages said second recess;

and

allowing the second hook to snap back toward its original shape to engage the second flange.