Funnel system for holding implements

Details Funnel system for holding implements Funnel system for holding implements

1999-04-19

2001-10-23

Redman, Jerry (Department: 3634)

Supports: racks

Special article

Article includes elongated portion

C211S094010

Reexamination Certificate

active

06305557

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to devices for holding tools, utensils and other implements, and more particularly to a wall-mounted system for holding such items, and to a funnel holder which can be used as part of the system or independent of the system.
Tools and assorted yard and garden implements are often stored against a wall of a garage or work area where they may be conveniently kept and readily picked up. Unfortunately, the area near such a wall can become cluttered. It is desirable to have a system for holding an assortment of items having a variety of shapes and sizes in a compact side-by-side arrangement along a wall where the items may be supported and easily removed.
Numerous systems have been developed for holding and organizing utensils, tools, instruments, etc. to reduce clutter and save space. These systems include pegboards, holders and organizers of the type shown in the following patents:
Patentee
U.S. Pat. No.
De′Caccia
3,179,255
Ratti
4,155,460
Scholer
4,341,312
Breveglieri
4,852,747
Bryson et al.
4,871,074
Graber
5,447,243
While these devices are useful to varying degrees, there is still a need for an inexpensive system which is easy to use, easy to mount and which is designed so that it holds a variety of differently sized items at adjustable positions in a sturdy fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provision of an improved holder and holder system which are inexpensive to make, affordable for the consumer, pleasing to the eye, easy to use and which can readily be mounted on any wall; the provision of such a holder and holder system which can be used to hold items of a variety of shapes and sizes in a stable position; the provision of such a system wherein the items are held in a convenient side-by-side arrangement and are easily removed; the provision of such a system wherein the position of the holder(s) can be adjusted according to the size of the item being held and the desire of the person using the system; the provision of such a holder and system which are designed to prevent the items being held from falling out with a lock in and lock out method of application; the provision of such a system which has an improved configuration for mounting the system on wall studs; and the provision of such a holder and system which are durable and sturdy.
In general, a funnel-shaped holder of this invention is designed for holding an implement having a relatively larger-diameter part and a relatively smaller-diameter part. The holder comprises a funnel structure having an upper end that flares open upwardly and is relatively wide for receiving an implement, a lower end that opens downwardly and is relatively narrow, and a rear wall with a substantially flat vertical inside surface. Opposite converging side walls define, in conjunction with the rear wall, a funnel-shaped recess extending from the upper end of the structure to its lower end. A front wall spaced forward of the rear wall prevents the implement from falling forward out of the recess, and an opening in the front wall allows the smaller-diameter part of the implement to be inserted through the opening into the funnel-shaped recess. The implement is then moved down so that the larger-diameter part is received in the upper end of the funnel structure in a position in which it bears on the converging side walls and is held captive between the front and rear walls of the funnel structure, thereby securely and removably holding the implement in a stored position.
In another aspect, a wall-mounted system for holding implements comprises a panel support adapted to be mounted on a vertical wall, at least one horizontal track on the panel support, and a plurality of holders mountable on the panel support for holding a plurality of implements. Each holder comprises a funnel structure having a relatively wide open upper end and a narrower open lower end whereby an implement can be placed in the funnel structure in a stored position. The implement is engageable with the funnel structure adjacent its upper end and is suspended in a position in which the implements hang down through the lower end of the funnel structure. At least one track-engaging element on the funnel structure slidably engages with the track on the panel support to permit the funnel structure to be slidably moved along the track to a selected horizontal position relative to the panel support.
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.


REFERENCES:
patent: D. 250076 (1978-10-01), Aust
patent: 3178141 (1965-04-01), Bloom
patent: 3179255 (1965-04-01), De'Caccia
patent: 3592384 (1971-07-01), Tomaro
patent: 4155460 (1979-05-01), Ratti
patent: 4161279 (1979-07-01), Halford
patent: 4179066 (1979-12-01), Teter
patent: 4341312 (1982-07-01), Scholer
patent: 4467925 (1984-08-01), Ratzloff et al.
patent: 4852747 (1989-08-01), Breveglieri
patent: 4871074 (1989-10-01), Bryson et al.
patent: 5447243 (1995-09-01), Graber
patent: 5586687 (1996-12-01), Spamer et al.
patent: 5641091 (1997-06-01), Daneshvar
patent: 5687856 (1997-11-01), Kendrena
patent: 5743927 (1998-04-01), Yemini
patent: 5779145 (1998-07-01), Zelle et al.

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