Hanging Mechanism and Component-based Storage System

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

PROVISIONAL PATENT FILED Jul. 24, 2014

APPLICATION No. 61/858,072

EFS ID—16409123

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

NA

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LIST, A TABLE ETC

NA

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I needed storage in the bathtub. The walls of the tub were fiberglass/plastic. The molded plastic corners were not adequate, and the moisture trapped when used for plastic containers discolored the surface.

Existing alternatives did not work because:

• • Racks that hang on showerheads did not work with my hand-held showerhead
  • Tension poles with attached bins were not tall enough for my 12′ ceiling
  • Bins with suction cups did not adhere to shower walls even when empty, let alone when they contained something.

While trying to solve that problem I came up with a storage system that works in areas where things can't be completely mounted to a wall, such as molded plastic bathtubs, large mirrors or tiled backsplashes. It works by being suspended over those things.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Millions of people need more storage and there are already a lot of options. However, none of those options provide storage that is suspended over surfaces or objects that cannot be penetrated without causing damage, such as plastic, glass, metal, tile, wallpaper, etc. This leaves valuable wall space unused—unless my invention is approved.

The key components are:

• • 1) The hanging mechanism, from which a “backer board” is hung.
  • 2) The “backer board”, which could be pegboard, wire grid or something similar.
  • 3) Another mechanism is used to connect the hanging mechanism to the “backer board”. Also, if the “backer boards” are not big enough to cover the desired area, the connecting mechanism can connect the smaller boards together.
  • 4) A variety of storage components can then be attached to the “backer boards”, such as bins, shelves, hooks, plant rings and pockets.

Many of the component parts to my invention (referenced in #2 & #4, above) already exist, including wire baskets, peg boards and grid panels. Those components are not included in this patent application.

What this patent would cover is:

• • 1) A hanging mechanism, from which a “backer board” is hung; and
  • 2) A mechanism to connect the hanging mechanism to “backer board” panels and also to connect those panels together (when needed)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The ultimate design for the mechanisms to be patented are not yet finalized and subject to change based on manufacturing considerations.

• • 1) Hanging mechanism—
    • a. Drawings indicate a 90 degree angle between sides but the angle could change in production
    • b. FIG. 1(a-d) shows a version that would most likely be made from coated wire. Black lines indicate coated wire. The white area between the black lines is open space.
    • c. FIG. 2(a-d) shows a version with curved prongs, which would add security when used on a ceiling, to suspend the storage components without any penetration of the wall.
  • 2) Mechanism to connect panels together or to hanging mechanism.
    • a. This would most likely be a latching ring or something like an “S” hook, as shown in FIG. 3(a-b).
  • 3) FIG. 4 is an illustration of how the component parts might look when assembled:
    • 1 shows where hanging mechanism would be if hung on wall
    • 2 indicates 2 connected “backer boards” in use
    • 3 shows where connecting mechanism would be if two “backer boards” are suspended from the hanging mechanism
    • 4 indicates some examples of incidental components

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ultimate design for the mechanisms to be patented are not yet finalized and subject to change based on manufacturing considerations. An example of what assembled components may look like in use is shown in FIG. 4.

• • 1) Hanging mechanism—this would be attached to the wall or ceiling above the object or surface where storage components will be hung. It must accommodate various thicknesses of what it is hanging over.
    • a. This mechanism would most likely have 2 sides. The top side would attach to the wall or ceiling. The bottom side would be used to hang the “backer board” from.
    • b. Potential designs are shown in FIG. 1(a-d) and FIG. 2(a-d).
  • 2) Mechanism to connect panels to the hanging mechanism or to each other.
    • a. This could be in the form of an extended “S” hook (extended for added stability) as shown in FIGS. 3(a&b)
    • b. Another alternative for connecting these components would be a latching hook (not shown)