EP4643716A1

EP4643716A1 - A hanger accessory and hanger system

Info

Publication number: EP4643716A1
Application number: EP24173849.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Te-Sheng Liu; Wan-Chiang Wang
Original assignee: Black and Decker Inc
Current assignee: Black and Decker Inc
Priority date: 2024-05-02
Filing date: 2024-05-02
Publication date: 2025-11-05
Also published as: WO2025229067A1

Abstract

The present invention discloses a hanger accessory for use with a rail based hanger system. The hangar accessory includes a bracket mountable on the rail and arranged to slide between a first rail position and a second rail position. The hangar element also includes a hanger element fixed to the bracket and arranged to hold an object when the hanger accessory is mounted on the rail. Also included is a locking mechanism mounted on the bracket and moveable between an unlocked position wherein the bracket is detachable from the rail and a locked position wherein the bracket is not detachable from the rail. The locking mechanism includes a first engagement surface configured to engage a bracket surface, and a second engagement surface configured to engage a rail surface when the locking mechanism is in the locked position such that the bracket is slidable between the first rail position and the second rail position.

Description

Field

The present disclosure relates to hanger accessories and hanger systems.

Background

It is often desirable to organise objects in restricted spaces such as sheds, workshops and utility rooms. One such solution to increase the amount of available storage space is to utilise vertical surfaces such as walls.
One such known system is a hanger system whereby a rail is fixed to a wall and a hanger accessory can be mounted on the rail system. Objects such as tools, bicycles etc. can be stored in a vertical orientation or suspended from a hanger system.
The rail allows for the position of the hanger accessory to be adjusted without moving the rail with respect to the wall. One problem with such an arrangement is that the position of the hanger accessory can accidentally be moved out of position.
Other hanger systems may have a locking mechanism which locks the position of the hanger accessory with respect to the rail. However, the user will often require two hands to adjust the hanger accessory with respect to the rail.
This may be inconvenient because the user may only realise that the hanger accessory needs to be repositioned when holding the object to be suspended on the hanger accessory close to the hanger accessory. The user must then put down the object, reposition the hanger accessory and hope that the position adjustment of the hanger accessory was correct. This may require the user to have several attempts before finding the correct position of the hanger accessory.

Summary

The present invention is a hanger accessory, which is defined according to the appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various other aspects and further examples are also described in the following detailed description and in the attached claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1a and 1b respectively show a perspective view of the hanger accessory and rail from a front side and a rear side according to some examples;
Figure 2 shows a perspective exploded view of a hanger accessory according to some examples;
Figure 3a shows a side cross-sectional view of the hanger accessory and the rail with the hanger accessory in a locked position according to some examples;
Figure 3b shows a close-up cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism in a locked position according to some examples;
Figure 4a shows a side cross-sectional view of the hanger accessory and the rail with the hanger accessory in an unlocked position according to some examples;
Figure 4b shows a close-up cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism in an unlocked position according to some examples;
Figures 5a and 5b respectively show a perspective rear view of the hanger accessory and the rail with the locking mechanism in a locked position and an unlocked position according to some examples;
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a component of a locking mechanism according to some examples; and
Figure 7 shows a side view of a component of a locking mechanism according to some examples.

Detailed Description

Figure 1a and 1b respectively show a perspective view of a hanger accessory 124 and a rail 100 from a front side and a rear side.
The rail 100 extends along a longitudinal rail axis 122 as shown in Fig 1b. The rail 100 comprises a profile 102 and has raised portions and recessed portions. In particular, the rail 100 has an upper rail portion 118 and a lower rail portion 120. A first raised portion 104 is along the upper rail portion 118. A second raised portion 108 is arranged along a lower rail portion 120. The first raised portion 104 has a first raised portion lip 106. Similarly, the second raised portion 108 has a second raised portion lip 110.
The profile 102 having a first raised portion 104 and a second raised portion 108 provides rigidity to the rail 100. The first raised portion 104 and the second raised portion 108 also provide features for the hanger accessory 124 to positively engage with to provide secure engagement between the rail 100 and the hanger accessory 124.
A central recess 112 is located between the first raised portion 104 and the second raised portion 108 as shown in Figure 1a. The central recess 112 comprises a plurality of fastener holes 114. The fastener holes 114 are configured to receive one or more fasteners for attaching the rail 100 to a surface. In some examples, the rail 100 is arranged to be fastened to a vertical surface such as a wall. In other examples, the rail 100 can be attached to other vertical surfaces such as doors, screens, or any other vertical surface. In other examples, the rail 100 can be attached to any suitable surface.
The fasteners (not shown) are inserted into the fastener holes 114 (only one fastener hole is labelled in Figure 1b for the purposes of clarity). The fasteners can be screws, bolts or any other suitable fastener arranged to securely fasten to another object or body. Since the central recess 112 provides an accommodating space for the fasteners, the fasteners do not protrude from the central recess 112 when inserted and engaged with the rail 100. In some less preferred examples, the fastener holes 114 are optional, and the rail 100 is mounted using another fastening solution e.g. adhesive.
A hanger accessory 124 as shown in Figures 1a and 1b is mounted onto the rail 100. Turning to Figure 2 the hanger accessory 124 will be described in more detail. Figure 2 shows a perspective exploded view of the hanger accessory 124.
The hanger accessory 124 as shown in Figure 2 is exemplary and comprises a hanger element. In some examples, the hanger element is first hook 126 and a second hook 128. The first hook 126 and the second hook 128 are configured to hold an object when the hanger accessory 124 is mounted on the rail 100. The first and second hooks 126, 128 are formed from a single piece of metal or plastic. Alternatively, the first and second hooks 126, 128 are separate elements and separately mounted to the bracket 130. In other examples, the hanger accessor 124 can have any other number of hooks e.g. one, three, or four hooks. This can be dependent on the object to be suspended.
The first and second hooks 126, 128 optionally comprise a hook flat profile portion 176. The hook flat profile portion 176 is configured to engage a reciprocal flat surface on an object to be suspended by the hanger accessory 124. Alternatively, the first and second hooks 126, 128 can comprise any suitable profile to engage an object to be suspended by the hanger accessory 124. In other examples the hanger accessory 124 can be any suitable form for receiving and holding an object when the hanger accessory 124 is mounted to the rail 100.
For example, the hanger accessory 124 can optionally be a single hook (not shown) aligned in a vertical plane perpendicular to the longitudinal rail axis 122. The hook can be, for example, for holding a wheel of a bicycle. The first hook 126 and the second hook 128 can optionally comprise a rubber sleeve threaded thereon. The rubber sleeve can be used to protect the object hanging from the hanger accessory 124. The rubber sleeve can be optionally used for any of the examples shown in the Figures.
The first hook 126 and the second hook 128 are mounted to a bracket 130. The first hook 126 and the second hook 128 may be welded to the bracket 130. In other examples the first and second hook 126,128 can be integral with the bracket 130. For example, the bracket 130 and the first and second hooks 126,128 are a single unitary element.
The bracket 130 comprises an overhang portion 132. The overhang portion 132 is configured to engage with the upper rail portion 118 of the rail 100. In this way, the overhang portion 132 hooks over the upper rail portion 118 and the bracket 130 hangs therefrom. The engagement between the bracket 130, the overhang portion 132 and the upper rail portion 118 can be seen in the cross-sectional views in Figures 3a and 4a discussed below.
The bracket 130 allows the hanger accessory 124 to be removably mounted to the rail 100. The hanger accessory 124 comprises a locking mechanism 138 which is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position.
When the locking mechanism 138 is in the locked position the bracket 130 is not detachable from the rail 100. Conversely when the locking mechanism 138 is in the unlocked position the bracket 130 is detachable from the rail 100. The locking mechanism 138 as discussed herein is rotatable about a rotation axis 150. When the locking mechanism 138 rotates about the rotation axis 150 the locking mechanism 138 moves between the locked position and the unlocked position. However, in other examples not shown in the Figures, the locking mechanism 138 can alternatively move between the locked position and the unlocked position with a sliding movement or a combination of a sliding and rotational movement rather than a rotational movement.
The locking mechanism 138 comprises a knob 140 for actuating the locking mechanism 138. In some examples, the knob 140 is mounted to the bracket 130 and projects through the bracket 130 via a shaped hole 136. The knob 140 is configured to be moved and rotated by the user's fingers. In this way, actuation of the locking mechanism 138 does not need a tool. However, in other examples, the knob 140 can be replaced with a socket (not shown) for receiving a removable knob 140 or a tool.
The shaped hole 136 comprises a first half having a larger diameter and a second half having a smaller diameter defining a hole shoulder portion 168. The hole shoulder portion 168 is configured to engage a surface of the knob 140 and limit the rotational movement of the knob 140 and the locking mechanism 138 about the rotation axis 150.
In some examples the locking mechanism 138 and the knob 140 are rotatable through 90 degrees. In this way the knob 140 requires a quarter turn to move the locking mechanism 138 from the unlocked position to the locked position and vice versa.
The locking mechanism 138 as shown in Figure 2 comprises a plurality of components. The knob 140 engages with a locking cam 144 and a pivot pin 148. The pivot pin 148 screws into engagement with the knob 140 when the pivot pin 148 is inserted through the locking cam central hole 170 and engages with the locking knob 140 when the locking mechanism 138 is assembled. The components of the locking mechanism 138 are assembled around the bracket 130 and not removable therefrom without disassembly first. This means that when the locking mechanism 138 is assembled, the locking mechanism 138 is rotatably mounted to the bracket 130.
The hanger accessory 124 will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b. Figures 3a and 4a respectively show a side cross-sectional view of the hanger accessory 124 and the rail 100 when hanger accessory 124 is in a locked position and an unlocked position. Figures 3b and 4b respectively show a close-up cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism 138 in the locked position and the unlocked position.
Figures 3a and 4a respectively show the area of the close-up view in Figures 3b and 4b outlined with a dotted box.
The locking cam 144 will also be described in more detail with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the locking cam 144, and Figure 7 shows a side view of the locking cam 144.
The locking cam 144 comprises a locking cam central hole 170 for receiving the pivot pin 148. As mentioned above, the knob 140 engages with the locking cam 144, so that the locking cam 144 moves together with the knob 140 when the knob 140 is rotated. The pivot pin 148 may comprise a threaded shaft (not shown) that screws into engagement with a reciprocal threaded bore (not shown) in the locking cam central hole 170.
The knob 140 comprises a knob projecting portion 142 that projects into a reciprocal central recess 146. The reciprocal central recess 146 is an annular recess that surrounds the locking cam central hole 170. In some examples, the reciprocal central recess 146 comprises locking cam ribs 172. The locking cam ribs 172 are configured to engage with the knob projecting portion 142, so that there is no relative movement between the knob 140 and the locking cam 144.
Figure 3b shows that the projecting portion can have different length portions that extend into different parts of the reciprocal central recess 146 with different depths. This means that the locking knob 140 is directional when assembled with the locking cam 144. This can make assembly during manufacture easier.
When the locking mechanism 138 is in the locked position, the locking cam 144 engages both the bracket 130 and the rail 100. The engagement between the locking cam 144 and the rail 100 and the bracket 130 will now be discussed in more detail.
The locking cam 144 comprises a first engagement surface 154 and a second engagement surface 156. The first engagement surface 154 is configured to engage the bracket 130 at a bracket surface 134. In some examples, the bracket surface 134 is a planar surface of the bracket 130 that extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal rail axis 122 when the bracket 130 is mounted to the rail 100.
The second engagement surface 156 is configured to engage a rail surface 116. The rail surface 116 is a longitudinal surface on a lower rail portion 120 that extends again in a direction parallel with the longitudinal rail axis 122.
As shown in Figure 3b, the first engagement surface 154 engages the bracket surface 134 and the second engagement surface 156 engages the rail surface 116 when the locking mechanism 138 is in the locked position. The first engagement surface 154 is arranged in a plane that is perpendicular to the second engagement surface 156.
When the locking mechanism 138 is in the locked position, a first force is exerted between the first engagement surface 154 and the bracket surface 134. At the same time, a second force is exerted between the second engagement surface 156 and the rail surface 116.
In some examples, the first force is greater than the second force. This means that the force required to move the locking cam 144 against the bracket surface 134 is greater than the force required to move the second engagement surface 156 along the rail surface 116. Accordingly, when the locking mechanism 138 is in the locked position, when the hanger accessory 124 experiences a force in the direction parallel to the longitudinal rail axis 122, the locking cam 144 will slide with respect to the rail 100 rather than the locking mechanism 138 moving between the locked and unlocked positions.
This means that the user can push the hanger accessory 124 and move the hanger accessory 124 with respect to the rail 100 even when the locking mechanism 138 is in the locked position. However, the locking mechanism 138 prevents the bracket 130 from being detached from the rail 100. Accordingly, the user can slide the hanger accessory 124 between a first rail position and a second rail position easily. In some examples, the user can slide the hanger accessory 124 with one hand whilst they hold the object to be held by the hanger accessory 124 in the other hand.
The locking mechanism 138 comprises a projecting arm 152 that projects upwardly when the locking mechanism 138 is in the locked position as shown in Figure 3b. The projecting arm 152 is adjacent to the lower rail portion 120 and prevents relative movement of the bracket 130 with respect to the rail 100 in a direction perpendicular to the rail 100. That is, the projecting arm 152 prevents the bracket 130 from being unhooked and detached from the rail 100 when the locking mechanism 138 is in the locked position.
The locking mechanism 138 as shown in Figures 4a and 4b is in the unlocked position. Here, the first engagement surface 154 is still in engagement with the bracket surface 134. However, the knob 140 has been rotated by 90 degrees and the second engagement surface 156 no longer is in engagement with the rail surface 116. Accordingly, when the locking mechanism 138 is in the unlocked position, the projecting arm 152 has also rotated by a quarter turn and the projecting arm 152 no longer prevents movement of the bracket 130 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal rail axis 122.
In some examples, the locking cam 144 comprises a plurality of second engagement surfaces 156. For example, Figure 6 shows a first lobe 158 and a second lobe 160, which project upwardly in a similar direction to the projecting arm 152.
The topmost portion of the first lobe 158 and the second lobe 160 comprise the second engagement surfaces 156. In this way, when the locking cam 144 is in the locked position, both the first lobe 158 and the second lobe 160 engage the rail surface 116.
By virtue of having a first lobe 158 and a second lobe 160, the user will feel a positive locking sensation when both the first lobe 158 and the second lobe 160 engage the rail surface 116. Furthermore, the presence of the first lobe 158 and the second lobe 160 can further resist rotational movement of the locking mechanism 138 from the locked position to the unlocked position. Accordingly, accidental unlocking of the locking mechanism 138 is even harder.
In some examples, the locking cam 144 comprises a spring arrangement 162 to bias the second engagement surface 156 towards the rail surface 116. As shown in Figure 6, the spring arrangement 162 comprises a spring recess 174 below the first lobe 158 and the second lobe 160, which allows the portion of the locking cam 144 that comprises the first lobe 158 and the second lobe 160 to deform towards the locking cam central hole 170. The material of the locking cam 144 urges the second engagement surface 156 towards the rail surface 116 when the first lobe 158 and the second lobe 160 are deformed.
The first engagement surface 154 protrudes from the locking cam 144 by a step distance 166 as shown in Figure 7. This ensures that the first engagement surface 154 is the only part of the locking cam 144 that engages the bracket surface 134. Whilst Figure 6 shows a first lobe 158 and a second lobe 160 providing two separate second engagement surfaces 156, there can be any number of second engagement surfaces 156. Indeed, in another example, there is a single second engagement surface 156. For example, the single second engagement surface 156 can be a flat surface.
As shown in Figure 6 the first lobe 158 and the second lobe 160 comprise curved surfaces.
Likewise, the first engagement surface 154 as shown in Figure 6 is a singular surface. However, in other examples, there can be any number of first engagement surfaces 154. For example, there can be two discrete first engagement surfaces 154.
Figure 5a and 5b show a perspective view of a hanger system 164 comprising the rail 100 and the hanger accessory 124. Figure 5a shows a perspective view of the hanger system 164 where the locking mechanism 138 is in the locked position. Figure 5b shows the locking mechanism 138 in the unlocked position.
In some examples, the first engagement surface 154 and the second engagement surface 156 are a soft resilient material. In this way, the friction forces created between the first engagement surface 154 and the bracket surface 134 and the second engagement surface 156 and the rail surface 116 are increased.
The surface area of the first engagement surface 154, in some examples, is greater than the surface area of the second engagement surface 156. In some examples, the ratio of the surface area of the first engagement surface 154 to the second engagement surface 156 is 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1 or any other suitable ratio.
For example, as shown in Figure 6, the first lobe 158 and the second lobe 160 are curved surfaces, and only a top most portion of the curved surface of the first lobe 158 and the second lobe 160 will engage the rail surface 116 when the locking cam 144 is in the locked position. In some examples, the first engagement surface 154 and the second engagement surface 156 are formed from an overmolded material. However, in other examples, the entire locking cam 144 can be made entirely from a soft resilient material such as silicone rubber.
Indeed, the first engagement surface 154 and/or the second engagement surface 156 are formed from one or more of polypropylene, low-density polyethylene, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurethane thermoplastic elastomers, rubber, silicone rubber, or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.
In another example, two or more examples are combined. Features of one example can be combined with features of other examples.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and/or "including" when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, actions, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, actions, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Relative terms such as "below" or "above" or "upper" or "lower" or "horizontal" or "vertical" may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the aspects described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure and appended claims. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed aspects for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the disclosure being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

A hanger accessory (124) for a rail (100) comprising:
a bracket (130) mountable on the rail (100) and arranged to slide between a first rail position and a second rail position;

a hanger element (126, 128) fixed to the bracket (130) and arranged to hold an object when the hanger accessory (124) is mounted on the rail (100);

a locking mechanism (138) mounted on the bracket (130) and moveable between an unlocked position wherein the bracket (130) is detachable from the rail (100) and a locked position wherein the bracket (130) is not detachable from the rail (100);

wherein the locking mechanism (138) comprises a first engagement surface (154) configured to engage a bracket surface (134) and a second engagement surface (156) configured to engage a rail surface (116) when the locking mechanism (138) is in the locked position such that the bracket (130) is slidable between the first rail position and the second rail position.
The hanger accessory (124) according to claim 1 wherein the when the locking mechanism (138) is in the locked position, a first force between the first engagement surface (154) and the bracket surface (134) is greater than a second force between the second engagement surface (156) and the rail surface (116) such that the locking mechanism (138) remains in the locked position when the bracket (130) slides between the first rail position and the second rail position.
The hanger accessory (124) according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the locking mechanism (138) comprises a locking cam (144) having the first engagement surface (154) and the second engagement surface (156).
The hanger accessory (124) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first engagement surface (154) and the second engagement surface (156) are arranged in perpendicular planes.
The hanger accessory (124) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the locking mechanism (138) comprise a handle for actuating the locking mechanism (138) wherein the handle is only rotatable through 90 degrees when moving the locking mechanism (138) between the locked position and the unlocked position.
The hanger accessory (124) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the bracket (130) comprises an overhang portion (132) configured to engage an upper rail portion (118).
The hanger accessory (124) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the second engagement surface (156) is configured to engage the rail surface (116) on a lower rail portion (120).
The hanger accessory (124) according to claim 7 wherein the locking mechanism (138) comprises a projecting arm (152) which is configured to be adjacent to the lower rail portion (120) when the locking mechanism (138) is in the locked position.
The hanger accessory (124) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the surface area of the first engagement surface (154) is greater than the surface area of the second engagement surface (156).
The hanger accessory (124) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the second engagement surface (156) comprises a first lobe (158) and a second lobe (160) wherein both the first lobe (158) and the second lobe (160) engage the rail surface (116) in the locked position.
The hanger accessory (124) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first engagement surface (154) and the second engagement surface (156) are formed from an overmolded material.
The hanger accessory (124) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first engagement surface (154) and / or the second engagement surface (156) are formed from one or more of polypropylene, low-density polyethylene, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurethane thermoplastic elastomers, rubber, silicone rubber, or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.
The hanger accessory (124) according to any of the preceding claims wherein when the locking mechanism (138) is in the unlocked position, the first engagement surface (154) is configured to engage the bracket surface (134) and the second engagement surface (156) does not engage the rail surface (116).
The hanger accessory (124) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the locking mechanism (138) comprises a spring arrangement (162) configured to urge the second engagement surface (156) towards the rail surface (116).
A hanger system (164) comprising:
a hanger accessory (124) according to any of the claims 1 to 14; and

a rail (100).