Magnetic mounting device for locker wall-protector and contents organizer

Abstract

A magnetic coupling device for releasably attaching a foldable protective panel (made of a durable fabric) to the interior walls of a conventional storage locker (of the type commonly used in schools, gymnasia, clubs and work places) comprises the combination of a magnetic member adapted to magnetically engage the locker wall, a mechanism (e.g., a button) adapted to engage the panel, and various mechanisms for interconnecting the magnetic member and such panel-engaging mechanism.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/701,098, filed on Feb. 1, 2007 in the names of Karl V. Meckert and David T Clowser and entitled “LOCKER WALL-PROTECTOR AND CONTENTS ORGANIZER,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improvements in storage lockers, particularly school lockers and the like, which are widely used to temporarily store a wide variety of personal articles for subsequent retrieval by the locker user. More specifically, this invention relates to a device adapted to mount a protective panel. preferably made of fabric, on a locker wall, such panel serving to protect the interior walls of a storage locker while functioning to organize articles to be stored within the locker interior.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Most schools, as well as many institutions and businesses, offer storage lockers in which students, employees and visitors may temporarily “off-load” their personal possessions while attending classes and/or performing activities that do not require the use of such possessions. Most Americans encounter such lockers for the first time when they reach junior high-school age and are assigned a school locker in which to store books and other school-related paraphernalia, as well as items of clothing, food and other personal items. It is generally understood that such locker facilities are only assigned to individuals for a limited time period (e.g., for the school year) and, thereafter, the lockers are to be surrendered in a condition that reflects only reasonable wear and tear. Unfortunately, many storage lockers, and particularly the interior walls of school lockers, are inordinately scratched, marred, dented or otherwise abused, defaced or “graffitized” by their users, thereby requiring premature refurbishing and repair before being reassigned to another user. It would be desirable, therefore, to provide apparatus that not only provides protection for the interior of such storage lockers from such abuse, but also tends to dissuade any defacing of the locker interior by the user.

A typical school locker measures about 12 inches in width, between 12 and 18 inches in depth, and between 3 and 6 feet in height. The locker walls are commonly made of sheet-metal, most often, steel. Aside from a few clothing hooks attached to the opposing side walls and back wall of the locker, and one or two horizontal shelves located about 12 inches down from the top of the locker, conventional school lockers usually provide nothing else by which the student may organize the items to be stored. To address this problem, various “locker organizers” have been developed over the years that operate to vertically compartmentalize the locker interior. See, for example, the respective disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,537,451; 5,746,331; and 6,814,418 which describe different types of auxiliary shelving apparatus, each comprising a plurality of shelves that are horizontally supported one above the other within the locker interior. The supporting structure for such shelving either hangs vertically downward from either the lowest permanent shelf at the top of the locker, or from the above-noted clothing hooks. Alternatively, the shelves are supported by a collapsible stand that rests on the floor of the locker. While such “auxiliary” shelving does serve to vertically compartmentalize the major storage volume of the locker, and thereby provide a certain degree of organization to the locker, it inherently interferes with the storage of winter garments, book bags, back-packs and other relatively bulky or elongated items that cannot fit within the vertical compartments defined by such additional shelving, or along side such shelving. Thus, there is still a need to provide a locker organizer that preserves most of the interior volume of the locker itself for the storage of relatively large items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing discussion, an object of this invention is to provide apparatus that not only shields interior locker walls from marring and abuse by the locker user, but also provides a plurality of compartments for storing various items of the locker user in an organized fashion.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the above type that readily lends itself to personalization by the locker user and thereby provides an outlet to those who might be inclined to draw on the walls of the locker or otherwise deface the locker walls, e.g. by place hard-to-remove stickers on the locker walls.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a locker organizer of the type described that, optionally, is readily removable from the locker interior and converted to a portable bag that holds within it all of the items previously stored within the organizer.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a magnetic device for coupling the locker-protecting and contents-organizing portion of the invention to magnetically-attractive locker walls.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, apparatus is provided for protecting, from ordinary wear and tear, the interior walls (e.g., the side and back walls) of a conventional storage locker of the type commonly used in schools, gymnasia, clubs and work places for temporarily storing various possessions of the locker user. Such apparatus preferably comprises a foldable protective panel of durable fabric, plastic or other flexible material that is shaped and sized to overlay a major portion of at least one, and more preferably three or more, of the interior walls of such locker. A plurality of attachment elements, such as magnets, serves to releasably attach such panel to the locker wall(s) at spaced locations over the surface of the panel. Preferably, the panel is made of denim, and the panel supports a plurality of organizing pockets or loops of different sizes and shapes that are adapted to temporarily receive and support various possessions of the locker user, e.g., a cell phone, wallet, coins, writing utensils, tools, books, etc.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, a zipper or Velcro sealing mechanism is attached to the perimeter of the panel, whereby the panel, upon being removed from an operable position within a locker and suitably folded so that its opposing edges may be zipped or otherwise releasably sealed together, will convert to a storage bag that contains all of the previously stored items in the organizer.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a button is operatively connected or attached to a magnetic member, whereby the magnetic member is magnetically mountable on a magnetically-attractive support, and the button attached thereto is useful to support a non-magnetic member, such as a panel of fabric or other item that can engage the button, on the magnetically-attractive support.

The invention, its features and its advantages will be better understood from the ensuing detailed description of preferred embodiments, reference being made to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters denote like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective illustration showing a conventional storage locker;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective illustration of a portion of the locker of FIG. 1 showing the FIG. 2 apparatus in combination therewith;

FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of the FIG. 2 apparatus in a travel bag configuration;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional and top illustrations, respectively, of a preferred magnetic member used to releasably connect the apparatus of FIG. 2 to the walls of a metal storage locker;

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B illustrate alternative devices for releasably attaching the apparatus of FIG. 2 to locker walls; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B are top and cross-sectional views of a preferred device for releasably-attaching the apparatus of FIG. 2 to a magnetically-attractive support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional school locker L of the type in which the apparatus of the invention is particularly useful. From the ensuing description, it will be appreciated that the apparatus of the invention is useful in any type of storage locker of the configuration described herein and where both locker integrity and organization of stored articles are goals of interest. As shown, a school locker typically comprises a sheet-metal structure 10 having a parallelepiped configuration defined by a pair of opposing rectangular side walls 12A and 12B, a rectangular back wall 14, and an access door 16 (also rectangular in shape) that is pivotally-mounted along one vertical edge 16A to a frame that supports the locker walls. Completing the locker structure is a floor 18, and a top plate 20. In use, the walls and door are vertically oriented, and the top plate and floor are horizontally oriented. A horizontal shelf 22 is commonly arranged in the upper region of the storage enclosure defined by the locker walls, as shown, and a plurality of clothing hooks 24 are mounted on the opposing side walls. Typically, several lockers are connected together side-by-side so that the side walls of each locker are shared with the adjacent lockers on opposite sides.

For various reasons, the vertical walls of the above-described sheet-metal structure 10 are typically made of a relatively thin-gauge steel panel, each having a thickness of between about 25 and 50 mils (i.e., about 0.025 and 0.005 inch). Being made of steel, the locker walls are apt to oxidize (rust) upon being scratched and exposed to moisture. Being relatively thin, the locker walls can be easily dented and otherwise abused by physical force applied by the locker user. Thus, unless continuously maintained by painting and repair, most school lockers have a lifetime that is sub-optimum.

To enhance the lifetime and appearance of storage lockers of the above type, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an apparatus 30, shown in plan view in FIG. 2. Apparatus 30 comprises a flexible panel 32, generally rectangular in shape, that is sized to overlay a major portion of the interior surfaces of the locker side walls 12A and 12B, and back wall 14. Preferably, the length L of the panel is approximately equal to the spacing between a plane P defined by the lowermost portions of the clothing hooks, and locker floor 18; and the width W of the panel is substantially equal to the combined widths of locker walls 12A, 12B and 14. In FIG. 2, the locker walls are shown in phantom lines, indicating that panel 32 overlies the entire portion of the locker walls between the horizontal plane P and floor 18. Preferably, panel 32 is releasably attached to the steel locker walls by a plurality of magnetic members 34 (shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B) that are releasably attached, as described below, to panel 32 through openings 40 arranged at spaced locations. Preferably, panel 32 is made of a durable textile, cloth or fabric, and most preferably, panel 32 is made of denim or a light-weight canvas; however, panel 32 may be made of other flexible materials, including plastics and blends (e.g., cotton and polyester), and quilted or multilayered fabrics, so long as such material is reasonable durable and can conform to the interior surfaces of the locker.

Still referring to FIG. 2 which shows a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, panel 32 supports a plurality of pockets 35A-35L by which the various possessions of a student (or other locker user) can be organized. The location and size of some these storage pockets (e.g., pockets 35A, 35B, 35C, 35D, 35E and 35F) resemble that found in a conventional pair of blue jeans; other, significantly larger, pockets (e.g., “cargo” pockets, 35H, 35I and 35J) are provided to hold books, food and other relatively large objects. An elongated but shallow pocket 35G and zippered pockets 35K and 35L serve to provide storage for smaller items. A series of loops 38 (like belt loops) are provided at the top of the panel to support clip-on items such as keys. A zipper Z, or the like, is sewn to the perimeter of the panel 32, one-component of the zipper Z′ being arranged on the right side (as viewed in FIG. 2) of the zipper tab T, with the complementary side Z″ of the zipper being arranged on the left side of the zipper tab. Thus, upon detaching panel 30 from the locker interior, folding the panel along the central vertical axis S so that the panel pockets become located inside the folded panel, engaging the mating ends of the zipper and pulling on the zipper tab T along the panel perimeter, the panel will take the shape of a duffle bag 42 (shown in FIG. 4) which may be used to carry the entire assembly from the locker environment with the stored possessions inside. The top of such duffle bag may be closed by a drawstring 44 passing through an enclosed channel located along the top edge of panel 32 in the vicinity of the loops 38. Various alternatives to the zippered closure of the duffle bag may be used, e.g., mating strips of Velcro®, can be used to releasably connect opposite sides and the bottom edges of the panel, one Velcro strip being sewn to one side of the panel in place of one of the zipper members, and the complementary Velcro, strip being sewn to the other side of the panel in place of the complementary zipper member. Such a Velcro® coupling can be used to close the duffle bag as well. Preferably, an adjustable shoulder strap 60 is suitable affixed to the rear surface of the panel (i.e., the panel surface adjacent the locker walls) to facilitate the transport of the duffle bag.

As indicated above, the preferred approach for releasably attaching panel 32 to the locker walls is to use a plurality of magnetic couplers 34, shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. While a plurality of relatively strong permanent magnets positioned at spaced locations on the outer surface of panel 32 (i.e., the exposed surface of the panel shown in the drawings) may be used to releasably connect the panel to the steel walls of the locker (in which case the magnetic field of the magnets will penetrate the panel and interact with the underlying steel surface of the locker wall to achieve coupling), it is preferred that less powerful magnets be used, as is possible using the magnetic coupling structure illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Using this structure, the magnets couple directly to the steel locker walls (rather than through the panel), and panel 32 is mechanically connected to the magnets, preferably by the “cuff-link” style connector shown in the drawing.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a preferred magnetic coupler 34 comprises a cup-shaped metal housing 50 that is adapted to receive a disc-shaped permanent magnet 52. Such an assembly is commonly known as a “round-base magnet.” Magnet 52 may be permanently secured to the bottom of the concave housing, which may or may not be magnetically-attractive, by a suitable adhesive or the like. Preferably, the circular flange 53 of housing 50 is co-extensive with the thickness of the magnet; thus, the exposed surface 52A of the magnetic disc is substantially co-planar with the plane of the exposed circular edge of the flange. A bifurcated stem 55 extends outwardly from the rear surface of housing 50. A pivot pin 56 extends between the spaced stem portions 55A and 55B, and the pin supports an elongated rocker member 57. Thus, rocker member 57 is pivotally mounted between the stem portions 55A and 55B for movement between a loading position, and a locking position that is perpendicular to the stem portions. Thus, a “cuff-link” style connector is provided on the rear side of housing 50. In use, such a coupling first operates in its loading position to enter and engage a small opening or “eyelet” 40 formed in panel 32; thereafter, the rocker member 57 is pivoted to its locking position, thereby capturing the panel between the base of member 57 and the rear surface 50A of housing 50. The panel is then positioned within the locker interior at a desired location, and the magnet is moved towards the steel wall of the locker until there is a magnetic coupling.

In addition to the above coupling scheme, other coupling schemes for releasably connecting the panel and the magnetic members 52 will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. For example, referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B, conventional push-together snaps can be used, with one portion, e.g., the male portion 65 of the snap (shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B), being attached to the panel 32, and the complementary portion, e.g., the female portion (shown in FIG. 6A), being carried by either the rear side of housing 50A, shown in FIG. 6B, or directly to the wall of the locker itself. While the latter approach does not use any magnets to achieve coupling and, thus, can be used when the locker walls are not magnetically attractive, it does require that one portion of the snap be mechcanically connected to the locker wall. Still another alternative coupling scheme for releasbly connecting panel 32 to the locker walls is shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Here, a disk-shaped “button” B, plastic or metal, is attached to the rear surface 50A of housing 50 using a relatively short flexible fiber 62, preferably made of a plastic monofilament strand, whereby the button is allowed sufficient freedom of manipulative movement to enter and engage a button hole formed in panel 32. Thus, in this case, each opening or eyelet 40 in panel 32 is in the form of a slot-shaped button hole that is adapted (i.e., sized) to receive such button, rather than a circular hole 40, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, as is desirable to receive the aforementioned stem 55. Further, in this latter variation, the magnetic disc 52 is replaced with a magnetic ring 52A (shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B), the open center of which provides space for the T-shaped ends 62A of the plastic fiber used to secure the button B to the housing 50 through a hole 50B therein.

A further scheme for releasably attaching panel 32 to the locker wall is shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B where a threaded bolt 68, extending outwardly through a hole formed in housing 50, passes through a preformed eyelet formed in panel 32. A wing-nut 70, or the like then releasably secures panel 32 to the magnetic structure.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, another preferred device for attaching panel 32 to a magnetically-attractive locker wall is shown to comprise a variation of the coupling apparatus shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Here, the button B′ is in the form of a so-called “no-sew” button 80 comprised of a disk-shaped button portion 80A and an elongated stem portion 80B extending perpendicularly outward from the central region of one surface of the button portion. The stem portion is provided with a central bore hole 82 extending along the longitudinal axis of the stem. Preferably, the button and stem portions are integrally formed from a metal, metal alloy or plastic, and the stem portion has a length of between 5 and 15 mm. The button portion is sized to be received by button holes (slots) formed in panel 32. The bore hole 82 formed in stem 80B is sized to receive and engage, via an interference fit, the central shaft 84A of a stud 84 having a flange 84B. The no-sew button, of which the stud is an integral part, is rigidly attached to housing 50 by inserting the shaft 84A of stud 84 through the central circular opening 52B formed in the permanent magnetic member 52, then through the hole 50B formed in housing 50, and finally into the bore hole 82 formed in stem portion 80B of the no-sew button. A mechanical press is used to exert sufficient force between the flange 84B of stud 84 and the top surface of the button portion 80A in order to advance shaft 84A a sufficient distance into bore hole 82 to seat the free end of the stem portion 84B atop the upper surface 50A housing 50 with the bottom of flange 84B pressing against the concave bottom surface of housing 50. As an alternative to providing an interference fit between the stud shaft 84A and bore hole 82, the respective mating surfaces of these components may be threaded to engage each other. Another variation is to use a self-threading stud 84A that is adapted to form a thread in the interior of bore hole 82 as the stud is rotatably driven. Another alternative construction is to either (a) weld stem 80B (and its integral button portion) to housing 50, in which case the housing 50 and stem are made of suitable metal materials, or (b) form the housing 50, button 80A and stem 80B as a single-piece member. In the latter constructions, the stud 84 is unnecessary, as is the central hole 52A in the magnetic member 52.

It will be appreciated that the magnetic coupling device illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B has a variety of uses other than securing a flexible panel to a magnetically-attractive surface. It may be used, for example, to support clothes hangers (and other hanging items) having hooks that can be received by the stem portion 80B of the button, while the button portion 80A prevents the hooks from slipping off the end of the stem.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that a new, useful and non-obvious apparatus has been provided for protecting the interior vertical surfaces of a conventional storage locker of the type used in schools gyms, sports clubs and work environments. Such apparatus affords storage opportunities in the form of various pockets formed in the protective panel itself, rather than in the form of flimsy horizontal shelving that often interferes with the storage of bulky items that are often hung from hooks within the locker. Being readily removable from the locker, protective/storage panel 32 can be easily cleaned and/or laundered. Further, if the panel is made of fabric or textile, it can be easily mended, decorated and/or personalized (e.g., with pins and iron-on images) to suit the desires and personality of the locker user. In such case, any tendency to abuse or otherwise deface the locker interior will be lessened, much to the satisfaction of the locker owner. By being convertible to a duffle bag, the user (e.g., a student) can easily remove the contents of the locker, as may be required by a school over lengthy holiday intervals.

While the invention has been described with reference to particularly preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that variations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and such variations are also intended to fall within the scope of the following claims. For example, panel 32 may be sized to overlie only one vertical surface of the locker interior, e.g., the inside surface of the access door. Alternatively, panel 32 may be sized to overlie a major portion of all four vertical surfaces within the locker's major storage area.

Claims

1. A device for releasably supporting a non-magnetic element on a magnetically-attractive surface, said device comprising the combination of:

(a) a permanent magnet having a planar surface adapted to magnetically couple to said magnetically-attractive surface;

(b) a button comprising a disk-shaped member; and

(c) a coupling mechanism for operatively coupling said button to said permanent magnet.

2. The device as defined by claim 1, wherein said coupling mechanism comprises a flexible fiber.

3. The device as defined by claim 1 wherein said coupling mechanism comprises an elongated rigid member that is rigidly connected at one end to said magnet, and rigidly connected at its opposite end to said button.

4. The device as defined by claim 3 wherein said elongated member and said button are integral.

5. The device as defined by claim 4 wherein said elongated member defines an axial bore hole that is shaped and sized to receive a stud extending outwardly from said magnet.

6. The device as defined by claim 5 wherein said stud is threaded.

7. The device as defined by claim 5 wherein said stud and bore hole are engaged by an interference fit.

8. The device as defined by claim 4 wherein said magnetic member is rigidly mounted within a concave housing that exposes only said planar surface of said magnetic member, said housing and said magnetic members having concentric holes formed therein for receiving a stud that is shaped and sized to be engaged by bore hole formed in said elongated member.