Wall-mounted, configurable storage system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wall-mounted storage systems face challenges in installation precision and load distribution due to the need for careful alignment and single-point mounting, which can lead to misalignment and instability, especially when multiple standards are mounted.
Innovation Solution
The use of individual cleats with preselected spatial relationships on the back of vertical standards allows for easy alignment and secure attachment to the wall, providing multiple support points and reducing the risk of bending under load, while also being partially hidden from view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple vertical standards are mounted to the wall using individual cleats with screws, then the mounting precision and alignment can be improved, but the installation time and complexity increase due to the need for careful placement and leveling of each standard
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into separate functional components: a horizontal track mounted to the wall and individual cleats that attach to the track and support vertical standards. This segmentation allows the track to be pre-installed as a reference element, enabling subsequent standards to be quickly aligned to it without requiring precise simultaneous positioning of multiple standards
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal track serves as an intermediary element between the wall and the vertical standards. It provides a stable reference plane and mounting surface that simplifies the alignment process, eliminating the need to directly level and position each standard against the wall independently
2Ease of operation
If vertical standards are mounted using a single horizontal track, then the installation process is simplified and alignment is easier, but the load distribution may be insufficient leading to potential bending or instability under heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented from the horizontal track to individual cleats. Each cleat acts as an independent load-bearing element that directly transfers the weight of vertical standards and stored items to the track and wall, distributing loads across multiple discrete attachment points rather than relying on the track's structural rigidity alone
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a two-dimensional track surface to a three-dimensional mounting structure where cleats extend perpendicular to the track, creating multiple support points that engage both the track and the vertical standards. This adds a dimensional element that enhances load distribution while maintaining installation simplicity
3Adaptability or versatility
If cleats are mounted high on the wall to accommodate the longest standard, then all standards can be mounted, but the aesthetic appearance is compromised as the cleats are more visible
Solution Approach 1:
The cleats are positioned to be nested within or behind the vertical standards themselves. The standards act as visual screens that conceal the cleats from front view, allowing the cleats to be mounted at optimal heights for functionality while maintaining aesthetic appearance by hiding the mounting hardware behind the main structural elements
Data Source
AI summary
In a wall-mounted shelving and/or storage system, vertical standards are mounted to a wall using a plurality of individual cleats arranged in vertical columns and horizontal rows. The width of each cleat is smaller than the width of the standard, so that it can be hidden within the standard when mounted. Formed on the back of each vertical standard are a plurality of transverse edges at predefined intervals, in known spatial relationships with bracket connection points, for cooperating with the cleats to properly position and orient the standards at the correct height with respect to each other.