SE2350646A1

SE2350646A1 - Implement holder

Info

Publication number: SE2350646A1
Application number: SE2350646A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Lars Rydén; Peter Nilsson
Original assignee: Elfa Int Ab
Priority date: 2023-05-26
Filing date: 2023-05-26
Publication date: 2024-11-27
Also published as: WO2024248698A1

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an implement holder (1) adapted for attachment to a suspension bar (3). The suspension bar (3) comprises a rail (5) configured to be arranged horizontally on a vertical surface, such as a wall or similar, a lower flange (7) and an upper flange (9), both flanges (7, 9) are at least partially directed obliquely upwards out of the plane of the vertical surface. The implement holder (1) comprises a holding element (27) for suspending an implement, such as a tool, a piece of garden or sport equipment or another object and a fastening device (13) which enables the holding element (27) to be releasably attached to the suspension bar (3). The fastening device (13) comprises an interface (15) for retaining engagement with the profile of the suspension bar (3), and a locking device (17) to releasably secure the fastening device (13) to the suspension bar (3).

Description

Field of the invention The present invention relates to an implement holder adapted for attachment to a suspension bar.

Background The invention relates to a system for suspending various objects from the walls of a storge space, for example a garage. One or several suspension bars are attached to the wa||(s) of the storage space in a horizontal orientation and objects such as tools, implements, sports and leisure equipment, garden equipment and power cords are suspended from the walls by means of hooks or other suspension devices to get an overview of the items and to interfere with the floor space as little as possible. Alternatively, the suspension bars may be releasably attached to vertically oriented columns or hang standards.

EP 3 206 840 shows an example of such a suspension system. The system comprises a suspension bar consisting of a web and two arc-shaped flanges that extend away from the web. Holder element(s) comprising a resilient gripping section and two stiff pivoting arms can be attached to the suspension bar by hooking a part of the pivoting arms onto the upper flange and lower flange of the suspension bar. The resilient gripping portion can be moved between different position and an object can be clamped between the stiff pivoting arms. This suspension system is not adapted to clamp and hold large and/or heavy objects.

Summary The object of the invention is to provide an implement holder having holding elements of any optional type for suspending various objects, including heavy and large objects.

A further object is to provide an implement holder which is fixedly attached to a suspension bar in a safe manner.

To this end, there is provided an implement holder adapted for attachment to a suspension bar, wherein the suspension bar comprises a rail configured to be arranged horizontally on a vertical surface, such as a wall or similar, a lower flange and an upper flange, both flanges are at least partially directed obliquely upwards out of the plane of the vertical surface, wherein the implement holder comprises a holding element for suspending an implement, such as a tool, a piece of garden or sport equipment or another object, and a fastening device which enables the holding element to be releasably attached to the suspension bar, and wherein the fastening device comprises an interface for retaining engagement with the profile of the suspension bar, and a locking device to releasably secure the fastening device to the suspension bar.

Since both the upper and the lower flange of the suspension bar are angled least partially directed obliquely upwards out of the plane of the vertical surface and the fastening device comprises an interface for retaining engagement with the profile of the suspension bar, the flanges can both contribute with carrying the load of the holding element and when an object is suspended from the holding element, the weight it will exert on the holding element. The locking element is not necessary but helps keeping the fastening device from displacement in the suspension bar caused by a torque as a result from the weight suspended in the holding element. lnstead of a locking device the fastening device may be releasably secured to the suspension bar in other ways, for example in a form-fitting manner. ln one embodiment, the fastening device may have a front face and a rear face, and the rear face is facing the suspension bar when the implement holder is attached. Thus, the interface and the locking device may be arranged in the rear face of the of the fastening device and the holding element may extend from the front face of the fastening device.

Preferably, the interface may comprise a suspension slot configured to connect with the lower flange of the suspension bar and a mounting slot configured to connect with the upper flange of the suspension bar. The interface comprising the slots may be designed in the rear face of the fastening device during manufacturing of the same. ln one embodiment, the mounting slot may be adapted to fit with an upper flange comprising an inner and an outer portion that are differently angled with respect to the plane of the vertical surface. This serves to lock the fastening device to the suspension bar even more reliably.

Preferably, the locking device may comprise a locking element rotatably attached to a twist actuator and wherein the locking element is arranged at the rear face of the fastening device near the suspension slot. The twist actuator may be arranged on the front face of the fastening device configured to be moved between two predetermined positions, to move the locking element between a locked mode and an opened mode. The twist actuator may be a knob, which may have different shapes, and may be connected to the locking element via a shaft that arranged between the front face and the rear face of the fastening device. The twist actuator and the Iocking element may be connected to each other through a clamping engagement. The parts are thus easy to separate and replace. ln one embodiment, the predetermined positions may be spaced 90° apart. The predetermined positions may be stoppers arranged on the front face of the fastening device. Both the stoppers and the twist actuator may be arranged in a recess of the front face to prevent interfering with an object suspended in the implement holder.

Preferably, the Iocking element, when in the locked mode, may secure the lower flange of the suspension bar in retaining engagement with the interface. This is to reduce the risk that the implement holder is displaced in the suspension bar due to heavy objects that are suspended in the holder element. ln one embodiment, the Iocking element may be in form of a tab, when in locked position, may be arranged perpendicular to the elongated direction of the rail into engagement with the lower flange of the fastening device arranged in the suspension slot. The Iocking element may be moved from an open mode where the tab is arranged parallel to the direction of the rail and a locked mode where the tab is arranged perpendicular to the elongated direction of the rail.

Preferably, the holding element may be provided with at least one leg, which leg may be releasably connected to the fastening device by a clamping engagement. Depending on the size and weight of the object that are suspended in the implement holder, the holding element can be provided with one or two legs. A first end of the leg may extend from the front face of the fastening device and the second end of the leg may be arranged on the rear face of the fastening device. The second end may be attached to the fastening device by clamping engagement by using a spring washer, but other solutions are possible. ln one embodiment, the holding element may have a hook-liked appearance. Whereby a first end of the leg is slightly bent upwards to prevent suspended object from sliding off. The length of each leg depends on the size of the suspended object. Preferably between 5 and 15 cm. Most preferably between 7 and 12 cm. The legs may be made of metal and can partly be lined with a dampening friction material such as rubber to reduce the risk that an object suspended in the implement holder slides along the legs.

Preferably, the fastening device may be made of a plastic material. Thus, the fastening device can be made in one piece, except from the twist actuator and the Iocking element, through injection moulding, is cheap to manufacture and has low weight. Typically PA6 (polyamide) with a 30% glass fiber content may be considered a useful choice.

Preferably, the fastening device may be provided with an uneven material thickness between the front face and the rear face. The fastening device may except from a frame be provided with one or several cavities. This enables shorter time for manufacturing of the fastening device as well as a cheaper manufacturing cost. ln one embodiment, the fastening device may be provided with at least one through holes for fixation of the implement holder at a specific location on the suspension bar. The through hole may be arranged between the front face and the rear face of the fastening device. The fastening device may thus, secured around the suspension bar and prevents the fastening device from being moved sideways along the rail if a screw is inserted in the through hole. The fastening device may also be attached to a wall directly without any suspension bar by using these through holes. The hole should be positioned so that it does not interfere with the interface at the rear face of the fastening device. lt is noted that embodiments of the invention may be embodied by all possible combinations of features recited in the claims.

Brief description of the drawinqs The above, as well as additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non- limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein: Fig. 1A illustrates a front view of the implement holder according to a first embodiment of the invention in locked mode.

Fig. 1B illustrates a side view of the implement holder in Fig.1A.

Fig. 1C illustrates a perspective front view of the implement holder according to Fig. 1A attached to a suspension bar.

Fig. 1D illustrates a perspective side view of the implement holder according to Fig. 1A attached to a suspension bar.

Figs. 2A-2D illustrates the same views as Figs. 1A-1 D with the implement holder in an open mode.

Figs. 3A-3D illustrates a second embodiment of the implement holder in the same views as Figs. 1A-1 D.

Fig. 4A illustrates how the parts of the implement holder in Fig. 1A are attached to each other.

Fig. 4B illustrates how the parts of the implement holder in Fig. 3A are attached to each other.

Fig. 5A illustrates a rear view of the implement holder in Fig.1A.

Fig.5B illustrates a rear view of the implement holder in Fig. 3A.

All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary to elucidate the embodiments, wherein other parts may be omitted.

Detailed description of the exemplarv embodiments Figs. 1A-1 D and Figs. 2A-2D illustrates an implement holder 1 according to a first embodiment of the disclosure in different views.

The implement holder 1 comprises a holding element 11 for suspending an implement, for example a tool, or a piece of garden or sport equipment, and a fastening device 13 for attachment of the implement holder 1 to a suspension bar 3 or on a wall.

As best seen in Figs. 1D and 2D, the suspension bar 3 comprises an elongated rail 5 configured to be arranged horizontally on a vertical surface, such as a wall of a storage space, for example a garage or similar, and lower 7 and upper 9 flanges. The rail 5 may be made from a single strip of sheet metal and may comprises screw holes to allow the rail 5 to be fastened to the vertical surface. The lower flange 7 is bent out of the plane of the rail, more than 90°, such that the lower end of the strip making up the rail 5 is directed obliquely upwards. The rail 5 may also be used in a suspension system and the bending angle may correspond to a slot of a hang standard. The upper edge of the strip making up the rail 5 is also bent out of the plane of the rail forming the upper flange 9. As indicated in Figs. 1C and 2C, the upper flange 9 can have two differently angled portions.

The fastening device 13 may be made of a plastic material that is injected moulded to form an elongated, rectangular part. The fastening device 13 comprises a rear face 19 and a front face 21. When the implement holder 1 is attached to the suspension bar 3, the fastening device 13 is arranged perpendicular to the suspension bar 3 with the rear face 19 facing the suspension bar 3. As indicated in Fig. 5A, 5B the fastening device may have an uneven material thickness between the front face 19 and the rear face 21. The fastening device 13 is made up of a frame to ensure its strength and several cavities has been formed between the frame parts to save both manufacturing time and material.

The fastening device 13 further comprises an interface 15 for retaining engagement with the profile of the suspension bar 3, and a locking device 17 to releasably secure the fastening device 13 to the suspension bar 3.

As indicated in Figs. 1A, 2A, the interface 15 comprises a suspension slot 23 configured to connect with the lower flange 7 of the suspension bar 3, and a mounting slot 25 configured to connect with the upper flange 9 of the suspension bar 3. The configuration of the suspension slot 23 and the mounting slot 25 on the one hand, and the lower flange 7 and the upper flange 9 of the other hand, match in such way that the implement holder 1 can be attached to and slide on the rail 5. At the same time, implement holder 1 becomes locked to the rail 5 in such way that it does not fall off and can reliably carry heavy objects. The bottom ofthe suspension slot 23 may snap over the bottom bend 41 of the lower ﬂange 7.

The combination of slots 23, 25 and flanges 7, 9 also prevent that the implement holder 1 swings in the plane of the vertical surface, especially if the upper flange 9 has a portion 9c that projects more or less horizontally from plane of the rail 5 and the interface 15 has been adapted to support this portion. To further secure the fastening device 13 to the suspension bar 3 and prevent the fastening device 13 from turning around the suspension bar 3 when large and heavy objects are suspended in the holding element 11, which element 11 will be described below, a locking device 17 may be arranged on the fastening device 13.

The locking device 17 comprises a locking element 27 and a twist actuator 29, wherein the locking element 27 is rotatably attached to the twist actuator 29. ln the embodiment shown, the twist actuator 29 has the shape of a knob, which is provided at the front face 19 of the fastening device 13, and the locking element 27 has the shape of a tab arranged on the rear face 21 of the fastening device 13. The parts 27, 29 are connected to each other with a pin that is arranged through the fastening device 13. The twist actuator 29 is adapted to move between two predetermined positions to move the locking element 27 between a locked mode LM and an opened mode OM, shown in Figs. 1A, 2A. To accomplish this movement, the front face 19 of the fastening device 13 is provided with a locking recess 35 and two stoppers 37 arranged 90 degrees apart and the twist actuator 29 is turned in this locking recess 35 between the stoppers 37. When the locking element 27 is the locked mode LM, the twist actuator 29 is arranged almost horizontal, perpendicular to the vertical rail 5. When the locking element 27 is in the opened mode OM, the twist actuator 29 is arranged almost vertical, along the extension direction of the rail 5. As indicated in 6 figs 1b-1c and 2b-2c, the interface 15 may be provided with a mounting recess 39. This mounting recess 39 provides a space that can be used for the Iocking element 11 without interfering with the rail 5 of the suspension bar 3. The Iocking element is arranged in this mounting recess 39, proximate to the suspension slot 23, more particularly just above the suspension slot 23. When the Iocking element 27 is in the opened mode OM, the Iocking element 27 is arranged in an almost vertical position, along the extension direction of the rail 5, indicated in Figs. 2B and 2C. When the Iocking element 27 is in the Iocking mode LM, the Iocking element 27 is arranged in an almost horizontal position, perpendicular to the vertical rail 5, as indicated in Figs. 1B and 1C. Fig. 1C illustrates how the Iocking element 27 secures the fastening device 13 to the suspension bar 3 by cooperation with a bend 41 of the lower flange 7 of the suspension bar 3 that is located in the suspension slot 23 of the interface 15 in the fastening device 13.

The implement holder 1 also provided with a holding element 11. The holding element 11 may have different shapes depending on which object (s) that is suspended in the element 11. ln the first embodiment shown, the holding element 11 has a hook-like appearance and consist of a leg 43, a first end 43a of which is bent slightly upwards and extends from the front face 19 of the fastening device 13 and a second end 43b, opposite to the first end 43a along the extension direction of the leg 42, is attached to the fastening device 13. The second end 43b is inserted through an opening 45 arranged on a lower end 13b of the fastening device 13, through the fastening device 13, and attached on the rear side 21 of the fastening device 13 by a lock washer 47 as shown in Fig. 5A.

The twist actuator 29 and the Iocking element 27 is also attached to each other by a lock washer 47 as indicated in Fig. 4A.

The fastening device 13 may also be provided with one or two through holes 49a, 49b for fixation of the implement holder 1 to a specific location on the suspension bar 3 or directly on a vertical surface, for example a wall. One of the through holes 49a may be arranged above the interface 15 and the other 49b below the interface 15, in a straight line.

The implement holder 1 is attached to the suspension bar 3 by introducing the upper flange 9 of the suspension bar 3 into the mounting slot 25 of the interface 15 in the fastening device 15 and by introducing the lower flange 7 of the suspension bar 3 into the suspension slot 23 of the interface 15 in the fastening device 13 while the Iocking element 11 in in the opened mode OM. ln this position, there is a possibility to 7 move the implement holder 1 slightly sideways along the suspension bar 3. To secure the implement holder 1 to the suspension bar 3, the locking element 27 is moved to the locking mode LM. lf the implement holder 1 is to be moved on the suspension bar 3 or from the suspension bar 3, the process is reversed.

Figs. 3A-3D, 4B and 5B illustrates a second embodiment of an implement holder 100 according to the invention. The differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment are that the holding element 11 is provided with two legs 31. The legs 31 are each arranged in through openings 45 in the bottom face 51 of the fastening device 13 and each leg 31 are attached on the rear face 21 of the fastening device 13 by lock washers 47. The two legs 31 are straight, arranged parallel with a certain distance from each other, and are connected to each other by a cross bar 53. The fastening device 13 has been made wider to be able to house the two legs 31. Othervvise, the aforementioned detailed description shall also be applied to this embodiment.

The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims. ln the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

Claims

1. An implement holder (1) adapted for attachment to a suspension bar (3), wherein the suspension bar (3) comprises a rail (5) configured to be arranged horizontally on a vertical surface, such as a wall or similar, a lower flange (7) and an upper flange (9), both flanges (7, 9) are at least partially directed obliquely upwards out of the plane of the vertical surface, wherein the implement holder (1) comprises a holding element (11)for suspending an implement, such as a tool, a piece of garden or sport equipment or another object, and a fastening device (13) which enables the holding element (11) to be releasably attached to the suspension bar (3), and wherein the fastening device (13) comprises an interface (15) for retaining engagement with the profile of the suspension bar (3), and a locking device (17) to releasably secure the fastening device (13) to the suspension bar (3).

2. lmplement holder (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device (13) comprises a front face (19) and a rear face (21 ), and the rear face (21) is facing the suspension bar (3) when the implement holder (1) is attached.

3. lmplement holder (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the interface (15) comprises a suspension slot (23) configured to connect with the lower flange (7) of the suspension bar (3) and a mounting slot (25) configured to connect with the upper flange (9) of the suspension bar (3).

4. lmplement holder (1) according to claim 3, wherein the mounting slot (19) has been adapted to fit with an upper flange (9) comprising an inner (9a) and an outer (9b) portion that are differently angled with respect to the plane of the vertical surface.

5. lmplement holder (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device (17) comprises a locking element (27) rotatably attached to a twist actuator (29), and wherein the locking element (27) is arranged at the rear face (21) of the fastening device (13) near the suspension slot (23).

6. lmplement holder (1) according to claim 5, wherein the twist actuator (29) is arranged on the front face (19) of the fastening device (13) configured to be moved between two predetermined positions, to move the locking element (27) between a locked mode (LM) and an opened mode (OM).

7. lmplement holder (1) according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined positions are spaced 90° apart.

8. lmplement holder (1) according to any of claims 5-7, wherein the twist actuator can be turned in a range between stoppers (37) arranged on the front face of the fastening device.

9. lmplement holder (1) according to claims 5-8, wherein the locking element (27), when in the locked mode (LM), secures the lower flange (7) of the suspension bar (3) in retaining engagement with the interface (15).

10. lmplement holder (1) according to claims 5-9, wherein the locking element (27) is in form of a tab, when in locked mode (LM) is arranged perpendicular to the elongated direction of the rail (5) into engagement with the lower flange (7) of the suspension bar (3) arranged in the suspension slot (23).

11. lmplement holder (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the holding element (27) is provided with at least one leg (31), which leg (31) is releasably connected to the fastening device (13) by a clamping engagement.

12. lmplement holder (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the holding element (11) has a hook-liked appearance.

13. lmplement holder (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening device (13) is made of a plastic material.

14. lmplement holder (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening device (13) is provided with an uneven material thickness between the front face (19) and the rear face (21).

15. lmplement holder (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening device (13) is provided with a least one through hole (33) for fixation of the implement holder (1) at a specific location on the suspension bar (3).