Multidirectional Slot Panel Design for Universal Bracket Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional peg boards with vertical slots are limited in orientation and bracket type, leading to increased manufacturing and inventory costs due to the need for multiple stock keeping units (SKUs) to accommodate different orientations and bracket sizes.
Innovation Solution
A modular storage panel with a planar mounting surface featuring an array of longitudinal and latitudinal mounting slots, allowing for secure attachment of brackets in either orientation, and enabling the use of a variety of bracket types and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vertical slots are used in the peg board, then brackets can be retained in the proper orientation, but the peg board can only be used in one orientation (slots must extend vertically)
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting slots are designed to extend in multiple directions (vertically, horizontally, and diagonally) across the panel surface, allowing the same panel design to function in multiple orientations. This enables a single SKU to serve both vertical and horizontal mounting configurations, resolving the contradiction between reliable bracket retention and panel orientation versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from one-dimensional vertical slots to a two-dimensional grid pattern of slots that accommodate brackets in multiple orientations. By adding horizontal and diagonal slot directions to the traditional vertical configuration, the panel can be mounted in any orientation while maintaining proper bracket alignment and retention.
2Ease of manufacture
If only vertical slots are provided, then bracket attachment is simplified, but the type of brackets that can be utilized is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-directional slot system allows a single panel design to accommodate various bracket types (vertical, horizontal, diagonal orientations) without requiring different slot configurations. This universal compatibility reduces manufacturing complexity while expanding bracket type options.
3Ease of manufacture
If each peg board has only one usable orientation, then manufacturing is simplified, but the number of stock keeping units (SKUs) required doubles to meet consumer demand
Solution Approach 1:
By designing panels with slots that function in multiple orientations, the invention allows a single panel design to replace what would traditionally require two different SKUs (one for vertical mounting, one for horizontal mounting). This reduces inventory complexity and manufacturing variety while maintaining full functional capability across different installation scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functionality of multiple orientation-specific panel designs into a single multi-directional slot configuration. Instead of producing separate vertical-only and horizontal-only panels, the combined design accommodates both orientations and intermediate angles, reducing the total number of SKUs required.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage panel for mounting items using a plurality of brackets includes a planar mounting surface having a longitudinal axis and a latitudinal axis. The storage panel includes a means for securing the storage panel to a wall or another substantially vertical surface. An array of spaced apart mounting slots extends through the mounting surface. The array of mounting slots includes longitudinal mounting slots and latitudinal mounting slots. The longitudinal mounting slots are arranged to be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mounting surface. The latitudinal mounting slots are arranged to be parallel to the latitudinal axis of the mounting surface.