Universal hook systems

Abstract

Universal mounting products and systems are provided that may be advantageously mounted with respect to an item and, once mounted to such item, may be used to position the item in a desirable manner for subsequent use and / or access. The present systems advantageously include complementary mounting structures that are configured and dimensioned to interact therewith in positioning the item for subsequent use and / or access. In exemplary embodiments, the mounting system includes a hook member that is generally designed to interact with a mounting track that may be adhered to a desired structure, e.g., a wall, cabinet, door or the like. An auxiliary attachment hook may be provided which cooperates with the hook member. The hook member may define a substantially planar region to which may be adhered an adhesive member. The adhesive member may be secured to a container, vessel, box or other structure, which may then be mounted with respect to a mounting track.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application claims the benefit of a co-pending, commonly assigned provisional patent application entitled “Universal Hook Systems,” which was filed on Dec. 14, 2004 and assigned Ser. No. 60 / 636,075. The present application also claims the benefit of, and is a continuation-in-part application based upon, a co-pending, commonly assigned non-provisional patent application entitled “Universal Mounting System,” which was filed on Nov. 5, 2004 and assigned Ser. No. 10 / 983,211. The foregoing non-provisional patent application claimed the benefit of a commonly assigned, provisional patent application entitled “Universal Mounting System,” which was filed on Jan. 15, 2004 and assigned Ser. No. 60 / 536,659. The contents of each of the foregoing provisional and non-provisional patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE [0002] 1. Technical Field [0003] The present disclosure is directed to univers...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, universal mounting devices / systems are provided that permit convenient and reliable storage of items for subsequent use and / or access. The disclosed mounting devices / systems are readily attachable and detachable from any item, permit variable positioning around the periphery and / or circumference of an item, accommodate items of differing size, geometry, and / or material composite (e.g., low surface energy and high surface energy), and facilitate storing / mounting to surfaces / structures of various sizes and shapes, and material composition, e.g., the same device can be secured / mounted to a wire rack, an oven handle and / or a towel rack. In exemplary embodiments of the disclosed system, a complementary mounting structure may be provided for interaction with a male / female structure to facilitate mounting and / or storage of items according to the present disclosure.

[0030] In further exemplary embodiments, the hook member defines a substantially planar surface that is oriented away from the hook extension. The planar surface is adapted to receive / support an adhesive surface. For example, a two-sided adhesive pad may be mounted to the planar surface, with the opposed adhesive surface being outwardly directed. The opposed adhesive surface may then be adhered to an item or structure that is to be mounted with respect to the mounting track, e.g., a household item such as a jar, tube, container, tool or the like. Thus, the hook member is adhered to the item, thereby permitting efficient, reliable and convenient storage through detachable mounting with respect to the mounting track.

[0033] In still further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, accessory structures / elements may be provided for use with the disclosed hook members. For example, an attachment hook may be configured and dimensioned for detachable mounting with respect to the disclosed hook member. The attachment hook may define a central opening that is sized and configured to receive the extension arm of the hook member, thereby providing an effective “extension” from the disclosed hook member, e.g., to permit an alternative storage arrangement. Indeed, in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the attachment hook defines an arcuate extension that is adapted to cooperate with a conventional closet rod, thereby permitting broader utility of the disclosed mounting system.

[0035] As will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, the disclosed devices and systems are susceptible to many advantageous implementations, several of which are disclosed in applicants' commonly assigned patent application entitled “Universal Mounting System” (Ser. No. 10 / 983,211), the contents of which were previously incorporated herein by reference. For example, the hook adjustment features of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 in the referenced application may be advantageously incorporated into the presently disclosed devices / systems. Indeed, as will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, all disclosed features and functionalities that support flexibility, versatility and universal applicability in the referenced, commonly assigned non-provisional patent application may be incorporated into the presently disclosed devices / systems. In sum, the versatility, convenience and reliability of the disclosed mounting devices and systems offer significant advantages in a variety of storage contexts.

Problems solved by technology

This existing male / female combination of features makes organization generally ineffective and inefficient by limiting use of space, e.g., to a predetermined fixed design and location, and negatively impacts upon the quality and ease-of-use of that space.

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