Locking Tab Storage Accessory for Secure Tool-Free Repositioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional storage accessories often either easily become dislodged from wall support members or are difficult and time-intensive to assemble and reconfigure, requiring tools.

Innovation Solution

A storage system with a wall support member and a storage accessory featuring a utility member, a hanging tab, and a locking tab that is movable between locked and unlocked positions, allowing for secure attachment and easy removal from the wall support member without the need for tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional storage accessories are made simple to remove from wall support members, then ease of assembly and reconfiguration is improved, but the storage accessories become too easily dislodged from the wall support member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assembly and reconfigurationVSAvoidstability of attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking tab is designed to be movable between a locked position (preventing removal) and an unlocked position (allowing removal). This dynamic component enables the storage accessory to transition between securely attached and easily removable states, resolving the contradiction between stable attachment and ease of reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a hanging tab for insertion into the groove, and a locking tab for securing the attachment. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function - the hanging tab provides easy insertion while the locking tab provides secure retention, eliminating the need to choose between stability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional storage accessories are made less likely to become dislodged from wall support members, then attachment stability is improved, but assembly and reconfiguration become difficult and time-intensive, requiring tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of attachmentVSAvoidease of assembly and reconfiguration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking tab is designed to be actuated manually by the user without requiring any external tools. The user can easily move the locking tab between locked and unlocked positions to secure or remove the storage accessory, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for specialized tools while maintaining attachment stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The movable locking tab provides a dynamic locking mechanism that can be easily transitioned between states. This dynamic design allows the attachment to be securely locked when needed while remaining easily unlockable and removable, resolving the contradiction between stable attachment and ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7694925B2Storage systems having storage accessory with locking tab

Publication Date: 2010.04.13 SCHULTE CORPORATION

AI summary

A storage accessory is configured for selective attachment to a wall support member. The storage accessory includes a hanging tab and a locking tab. The locking tab is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, the locking tab is configured not to penetrate a groove in a wall support member and thus to allow removal of the hanging tab from a wall support member. In the locked position, the locking tab is configured to penetrate a groove in a wall support member and thus to prevent removal of the hanging tab from a wall support member.