LATERAL ADAPTOR

Abstract

An apparatus is provided which can be inserted into a pegboard and then one or more pegboard devices can be inserted into the apparatus. The apparatus effectively extends the usable area of a pegboard. The apparatus may include first, second, and third sides, which together substantially form a U-shape. The first and second sides are substantially parallel to each other and the first side is substantially perpendicular to the third side. First and second prongs project outwards from the first side. A plurality of openings are provided in the second side, such that one or more prongs of a pegboard device can be inserted into the plurality of openings in the second side in order to attach the pegboard device to the apparatus, while the first and second prongs of the apparatus are inserted into a pegboard.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus concerning devices for inserting into pegboards for holding objects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various devices known in the prior art for inserting into peg boards for holding objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in one or more embodiments, provides an apparatus and method which can extend the usable area of a pegboard. In one embodiment, an apparatus can be inserted into a pegboard and then one or more pegboard devices can be inserted into the apparatus.

At least one embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus comprising first, second, and third sides, which together substantially form a U-shape. The first and second sides are substantially parallel to each other and the first side is substantially perpendicular to the third side. First and second prongs project outwards from the first side. A plurality of openings are provided in the second side, such that one or more prongs of a pegboard device can be inserted into the plurality of openings in the second side in order to attach the pegboard device to the apparatus, while the first and second prongs of the apparatus are inserted into a pegboard.

The apparatus may also include a plurality of substantially U-shaped members having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion which form the substantially U-shape. Each of the plurality of U-shaped members may be substantially parallel to the U-shape of the first, second, and third sides. The first, second, and third sides may form a gap. The first, second, and third portions of each of the U-shaped members may form a gap. The gap formed by the first, second, and third sides is typically substantially larger than the gaps formed by each of the first, second, and third portions of the U-shaped members,

The first prong of the apparatus may include first and second portions which are substantially at a right angle with respect to each other. The second prong of the apparatus may include first and second portions which are substantially at a right angle with respect to each other. The first side may includes first, second, and third portions which are spaced apart. The first prong of the apparatus may protrude out from the first portion of the first side, and the second prong of the apparatus may protrude out from the second portion of the first side.

At least one embodiment of the invention includes a method comprising inserting an apparatus into a pegboard, by inserting first and second prongs of the apparatus into first and second holes of the pegboard, and inserting a pegboard device into the apparatus, by inserting a first prong of the pegboard device into a first hole of the apparatus. The apparatus may be as previously described. The method may also include inserting a cord so that it passes through the gaps of each of the plurality of U-shaped members and so that it passes through the gap formed by the first, second, and third sides of the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a rear view of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a left side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a right side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 which includes the front, the right side, and the top of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, which includes the bottom, the rear, and the left side of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 which shows the rear, the top, and the left side of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 inserted into a pegboard;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a cord inserted into the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of pegboard hook device inserted into the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 and an identical apparatus inserted next to each other into a pegboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-6 show rear, front, bottom, top, left, and right side views, respectively, of an apparatus 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10 which includes the front, the right side, and the top of the apparatus 10. FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10, which includes the bottom, the rear, and the left side of the apparatus 10. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10 which shows the rear, the top, and the left side of the apparatus 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, the apparatus 10 includes sides 12, 40 and 24 which substantially form a U-shape. Side 12 is comprised of portions 14, 16, and 18. The side 12 has a back surface 12a shown in FIG. 1 and an interior surface 12b shown in FIG. 7. The apparatus 10 also includes a side 24 shown in FIG. 1. The side 24 has a front surface 24a shown in FIG. 2 and an interior surface 24b shown in FIG. 1. The front surface 24a is separated into portions 32a-32o by dividing members 30a-30p shown in FIG. 2. The apparatus 10 also includes side 40 shown in FIG. 3, which has a bottom exterior surface 40a and an interior surface 40b. The side 40 has openings or slots 36 and 38 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Peg board prongs or protrusions 20 and 22 project out from surface 12a and from portions 16 and 18, respectively, of side 12. Prong 20 has portions 20a and 20b, which may be substantially perpendicular to each other. Similarly, prong 22 has portions 22a and 22b, which may be substantially perpendicular to each other. Each of the portions 20a, 20b, 22a, and 22b may be substantially cylindrically shaped and may have a diameter of about 0.187 inches so that each of the portions 20a, 20b, 22a, and 22b can fit into a typical pegboard hole. The prongs 20 and 22 may be fixed substantially centrally to the portions 16 and 18, or 14 and 16, respectively.

The apparatus 10 also includes members 42, 44, and 46, shown in FIG. 9. The members 42, 44, and 46 may be substantially V-shaped and may be identical to each other. The members 42, 44, and 46 may be located substantially centrally with respect to the portions 18, 16, and 14, respectively, of side 12. The member 42 has a portion 42a fixed substantially centrally to the interior surface 12a of the portion 18 of the side 12, a groove, through, or indentation 42b, and a portion 42c fixed substantially centrally to the interior surface 24a of the side 24. The member 42 is also fixed at its bottom to the interior surface 40b of the side 40. Similarly, member 44 has a portion 44a fixed substantially centrally to the interior surface 12a of the portion 16 of the side 12, a groove, trough, or indentation 44b, and a portion 44c fixed substantially centrally to the interior surface 24a of the side 24. The member 44 is also fixed at its bottom to the interior surface 40b of the side 40.

Similarly, member 46 has a portion 46a fixed substantially centrally to the interior surface 12a of the portion 14 of the side 12, a groove, trough, or indentation 46b, and a portion 46c fixed substantially centrally to the interior surface 24a of the side 24. The member 46 is also fixed at its bottom to the interior surface 40b of the side 40.

The side 24 has openings 34a-34o shown in FIG. 2. Each of the openings 34a-o is typically large enough so that a prong from a pegboard insertion device (such as prong 20 from apparatus 10) can be inserted into any one of the openings 34a-o. For example, a second apparatus 200, identical to apparatus 10 can have its prongs 220 and 222 inserted into openings 32b and 32h or 32n and 32h shown in FIG. 12. This allows pegboard devices to be attached to each other rather than directly to the pegboard, increasing the available devices which can be hung off of a pegboard. The apparatus 10 includes members 26 and 28 which border the openings 34a-34o.

In operation a cord 100 can be inserted into the indentations or through 46b, 44b, and 42b as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 9 and as shown in FIG. 11. The V-shape of the members 46, 44, and 42 helps the members 46-42 to hold the cord tightly inside of the apparatus 10.

The apparatus 10 may be made of plastic and may be a one part construction. The apparatus 10 extends the usable peg wall area by having a first pegboard device which allows second pegboard device to be inserted into the first pegboard device. The apparatus 10 can be molded into different sizes to accommodate other types of wall systems. The apparatus 10 can be molded into different styles for prongs or hooks 20 and 22. Many types of pegboard hooks can be inserted into openings 34a-34o to increase the effective pegboard space.

The apparatus 10 allows for finer incremental hook applications than one inch on center hole matrix; typical of peg wall. The apparatus 10 can be molded to be used over left or right store fixture slotted standards which frame out the four foot peg wall sections and usually support the metal shelving. Although the prong portions, such as portions 20a and 20b, are shown perpendicular to each other, the apparatus 10 can be molded to accommodate any desired hook angle, such as from ninety to forty-five degrees allowing for usages on the upper most peg wall holes. The apparatus 10 can be placed continuous left to right with no omissions of the ¼ inch hook spacing. The apparatus 10 can be used as an electric wire management track.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10 inserted into a pegboard 200. The pegboard includes a plurality, usually one inch on center, of pegboard holes, such as holes 202a-202b. Portion 22b of the prong 22 has been inserted through an opening 202a of the pegboard 200, so that the portion 22b now lies behind the pegboard 200 and is shown by dashed lines. Similarly, prong 20b has been inserted through an opening 202b of the pegboard 200, so that the portion 20b or prong 20 now lies behind pegboard 200 and is shown by dashed lines.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of pegboard hook device 300 inserted into the apparatus 10. The pegboard hook device 300 includes a prong or pegboard hook 302, a base 301, and a hook or hanger device 304. The hook can be molded with a hanger device 304 at different heights in relation to 302 allowing for vertical variation along with horizontal variation. The pegboard hook 302 can be inserted into one of the openings 34a-34o shown in FIG. 3 into order to attach the pegboard hook device 300 to the apparatus 10. A plurality of hook devices similar to device 300 or having a plurality of prongs or hooks can be inserted into one or more of the openings 34a-34o in order to increase the effective area of the pegboard 200 so that more objects can be temporarily attached to pegboard 200.

The apparatus 10 may be a one part construction. No assembly or articulation may be needed to form the apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 may extend usable peg wall area (both around perimeter as shown in FIG. 10 and within the peg wall matrix field. For example, FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10 and an identical apparatus 410 inserted next to each other into a pegboard 500. The identical apparatus 410 includes prongs 422 and 420 having portions 422a-b and 420a-b, respectively.

The pegboard 500 includes a plurality, usually one inch on center, of pegboard holes, such as holes 502a-502d. Portion 22b of the prong 22 has been inserted through an opening 502b of the pegboard 500, so that the portion 22b now lies behind the pegboard 500 and is shown by dashed lines. Similarly, portion 20b of the prong 20 has been inserted through an opening 502a of the pegboard 500, so that the portion 20b of the prong 20 now lies behind pegboard 500 and is shown by dashed lines. In the same manner, portion 422b of the prong 422 of the apparatus 410 has been inserted through an opening 502d of the pegboard 500, so that the portion 422b now lies behind the pegboard 500 and is shown by dashed lines. Similarly, portion 420b of the prong 420 has been inserted through an opening 502c of the pegboard 500, so that the portion 420b of the prong 420 now lies behind pegboard 500 and is shown by dashed lines.

As shown in FIG. 13, the inserted apparatuses 10 and 410 increase the effective number of peg holes into which pegs can be inserted. For example, between or aligned with prongs 20 and 22 there are about seven openings 34b-34h, shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 13, there are only three peg openings (502b, 502a, and one opening between 502b and 502a) in the pegboard 500 between or aligned with prongs 20 and 22. Thus, the apparatus 10 increases the number of usable peg openings, between or aligned with prongs 20 and 22, by a ratio of seven to three in the embodiment of FIG. 13.

The apparatus 10 can be molded to accommodate many different types of wall systems. A mold insert for prongs 20 and 22 can allow for “slat wall” and “uniweb” wall systems merging the use of common inexpensive peg hooks on those wall systems usually requiring their own more expensive hooks.)

The apparatus 10 can be molded to accommodate all hook styles (for the prongs or hooks 20 and 22) such as plastic, metal, round, and squared off. The apparatus 10 works with all pegboard hooks such as single, double, short and long pegboard hooks, which may be substituted for or included with the pegboard hook device 300.

The apparatus 10 allows for finer incremental hook applications than one inch on center (left and right) ¼ inch steps horizontally. The apparatus 10 can be molded to be used over left or right standards not occupied by fixture shelving. For example, portions or planes 14, 16, and 18 can all have mold inserted prongs (in FIG. 1, portion 14 does not have a prong making this version to extend over a right side standard). The apparatus 10 can be molded to accommodate any desired hook angle, such as an angle of ninety to forty-five degrees (for the hooks to be inserted into any one of openings 34a-34p of FIG. 2, such as prong 302 inserted into one of openings 34a-p in FIG. 12.

The apparatus 10, and identical apparatus such as apparatus 410 in FIG. 13, can be placed continuous left to right with no omissions of the one quarter inch hook spacing (one after the other on the same row horizontally). The apparatus 10 can be used as an electric wire management track such as shown by FIGS. 9 and 11. The slots 36 and 38, and/or the members 42, 44, and 46, shown in FIG. 9 of the apparatus 10 can be used to hold graphics cards and aisle violators.

The apparatus 10 allows for two prong hooks, (inserted into adjacent openings of 34a-p, because 4 openings equal one 1″ on center two prong hook to be placed closer together than ever before since only a ½ inch on center has ever been made prior to our ¼ inch on center.

The apparatus 10 allows for the creation of thinner carded product and tighter piano grams (what are piano grams) or layout of product by retailer on peg wall. The apparatus 10 can be molded with side pulled holes 34a-34p each version at one of three levels 0.375 inches apart on center to allow for vertical fine adjustment of hooks if common hooks are only available. Instead of one hole 34a in section 32a, there can be three holes in a column in second 32a. Likewise there can be effectively, three rows of holes similar to holes 34a-o in sections 32a-32o.

Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

first, second, and third sides, which together substantially form a U-shape;

wherein the first and second sides are substantially parallel to each other and the first side is substantially perpendicular to the third side;

first and second prongs, which project outwards from the first side;

and wherein there are a plurality of openings in the second side, such that one or more prongs of a pegboard device can be inserted into the plurality of openings in the second side in order to attach the pegboard device to the apparatus, while the first and second prongs of the apparatus are inserted into a pegboard.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

a plurality of substantially U-shaped members having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion which form the substantially U-shape;

wherein each of the plurality of U-shaped members are substantially parallel to the U-shape of the first, second, and third sides; and

wherein the first, second, and third sides form a gap;

wherein the first, second, and third portions of each of the U-shaped members form a gap; and

wherein the gap formed by the first, second, and third sides is substantially larger than the gaps formed by each of the first, second, and third portions of the U-shaped members,

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the first prong of the apparatus includes first and second portions which are substantially at a right angle with respect to each other; and

the second prong of the apparatus includes first and second portions which are substantially at a right angle with respect to each other.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the first side includes first, second, and third portion which are spaced apart;

and wherein the first prong of the apparatus protrudes out from the first portion of the first side, and the second prong of the apparatus protrudes out from the second portion of the first side.

5. A method comprising:

inserting an apparatus into a pegboard, by inserting first and second prongs of the apparatus into first and second holes of the pegboard; and

inserting a pegboard device into the apparatus, by inserting a first prong of the pegboard device into a first hole of the apparatus.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein

the apparatus is comprised of first, second, and third sides, which together substantially form a U-shape;

wherein the first and second sides are substantially parallel to each other and the first side is substantially perpendicular to the third side;

wherein the first and second prongs of the apparatus project outwards from the first side;

and wherein there are a plurality of openings in the second side, such that the first prong of the pegboard device can be inserted into any one of the plurality of openings in the second side in order to attach the pegboard device to the apparatus, while the first and second prongs of the apparatus are inserted into the pegboard.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein

the apparatus is comprised of a plurality of substantially U-shaped members having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion which form the substantially U-shape;

wherein each of the plurality of U-shaped members are substantially parallel to the U-shape of the first, second, and third sides; and

wherein the first, second, and third sides form a gap;

wherein the first, second, and third portions of each of the U-shaped members form a gap; and

wherein the gap formed by the first, second, and third sides is substantially larger than the gaps formed by each of the first, second, and third portions of the U-shaped members,

8. The method of claim 5 wherein

the first prong of the apparatus includes first and second portions which are substantially at a right angle with respect to each other; and

the second prong of the apparatus includes first and second portions which are substantially at a right angle with respect to each other.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein

the first side includes first, second, and third portions which are spaced apart;

and wherein the first prong of the apparatus protrudes out from the first portion of the first side, and the second prong of the apparatus protrudes out from the second portion of the first side.

10. The method of claim 5 further comprising

inserting a cord so that it passes through the gaps of each of the plurality of U-shaped members and so that it passes through the gap formed by the first, second, and third sides of the apparatus.