US4457436A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
J-Shaped wall rail system
Assignee: MONITOR Inc 3000 SOUTH ALASKA TACOMA 98409 A CORP OF WA
•
Filing: 1981-11-02
•
Granted: 1984-07-03
•
Expires: 2001-11-02
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a wall rail system for removeably supporting modular units in an environment where it is especially useful to be both mobile and aesthetically pleasing. The wall rail retains a color-coordinated protective insert panel which may be replaced from time to time in accordance with decorative requirements. A slot key is provided for attachment to the back of each modular unit, which rests securely on the J-shaped lower extension of the wall rail, and each modular unit also bears a standoff on its back below the slot key and wall rail to maintain a level orientation. This system provides modular unit support which resists typical accidental shocks yet allows easy removal by hand.
Inventors
- 👤 Laurence J. Kelley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:27
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B95/00; A47B95/008; A47B96/00; A47B96/06; A47B96/067
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A wall rail for providing support to a modular unit which is removeably secured thereto, said wall rail comprising a vertical back fixedly fastened to a wall, said vertical back having an upper horizontal extension extending from the upper edge of said vertical back and a lower horizontal extension extending from the lower edge of said vertical back, each said extensions extending outward from said wall; said upper horizontal extension defining an upper channel opening onto said wall and an upper slot opening towards said lower horizontal extension; said lower horizontal extension defining a lower channel opening onto said wall, a lower slot coplanar with and opening toward said upper slot, and a J-shaped key channel, said key channel opening towards said vertical back adjacent said lower slot; the hook and longer leg of said key channel providing contact surfaces for support of said modular unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A wall rail for providing support to a modular unit which is removeably secured thereto, said wall rail comprising a vertical back fixedly fastened to a wall, said vertical back having an upper horizontal extension extending from the upper edge of said vertical back and a lower horizontal extension extending from the lower edge of said vertical back, each said extensions extending outward from said wall; said upper horizontal extension defining an upper channel opening onto said wall and an upper slot opening towards said lower horizontal extension; said lower horizontal extension defining a lower channel opening onto said wall, a lower slot coplanar with and opening toward said upper slot, and a J-shaped key channel, said key channel opening towards said vertical back adjacent said lower slot; the hook and longer leg of said key channel providing contact surfaces for support of said modular unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including an insert panel adapted to be removeably held within said upper and lower slots parallel to and spaced apart from said vertical back, said vertical back and said insert panel thereby defining a compartment therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including an end panel comprising planar means and first and second peg means extending perpendicularly from one side of said planar means, said first and second peg means being spaced apart and adapted to be inserted into said upper and lower channels, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
212 words
A suspension system for providing support to a modular unit which is removeably secured thereto, said suspension system comprising a wall rail and a plurality of slot keys; said wall rail comprising a vertical back fixedly attached to a wall in a horizontal orientation, said vertical back having an upper horizontal extension extending from the upper edge of said vertical back away from said wall, and a lower horizontal extension extending from the lower edge of said vertical back away from said wall; said upper horizontal extension defining an upper slot opening towards said lower horizontal extension and an upper channel opening onto said wall, said lower horizontal extension defining a lower slot coplanar with and opening towards said upper slot, and a J-shaped key channel, said key channel opening towards said vertical back adjacent to said lower slot; said key channel providing contact surfaces for each said slot key; each said slot key comprising a vertical portion and a J-shaped coupler portion, said vertical portion being joined to said coupler portion at right angles; said vertical portion being adapted for attachment of said slot key to said modular unit, said coupler portion being adapted to contact and rest upon said key channel of said wall rail, thereby supporting said modular unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
212 words
A suspension system for providing support to a modular unit which is removeably secured thereto, said suspension system comprising a wall rail and a plurality of slot keys; said wall rail comprising a vertical back fixedly attached to a wall in a horizontal orientation, said vertical back having an upper horizontal extension extending from the upper edge of said vertical back away from said wall, and a lower horizontal extension extending from the lower edge of said vertical back away from said wall; said upper horizontal extension defining an upper slot opening towards said lower horizontal extension and an upper channel opening onto said wall, said lower horizontal extension defining a lower slot coplanar with and opening towards said upper slot, and a J-shaped key channel, said key channel opening towards said vertical back adjacent to said lower slot; said key channel providing contact surfaces for each said slot key; each said slot key comprising a vertical portion and a J-shaped coupler portion, said vertical portion being joined to said coupler portion at right angles; said vertical portion being adapted for attachment of said slot key to said modular unit, said coupler portion being adapted to contact and rest upon said key channel of said wall rail, thereby supporting said modular unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said lower horizontal extension defines a lower channel opening onto said wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 including an insert panel adapted to extend between and be removeably held within said upper and lower slots parallel and spaced apart from said vertical back, said vertical back and said insert panel thereby defining a compartment therebetween, said compartment being adapted to contain and isolate temporary conduits.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said vertical back is fixedly fastened to said wall by a plurality of mounting screws extending through said vertical back into said wall, said mounting screws being hidden from view by said insert panel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 including end panel means comprising planar means and first and second peg means extending perpendicularly from one side of said planar means, said first and second peg means being spaced apart and adapted to be removeably placed in said upper and lower slots, respectively, thereby holding said end panel to the end of said wall rail and covering the cut edges thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said planar means is shaped to conform to the cross section of said wall rail.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3279620A
Cited
US3381636A
Cited
US4008872A
Cited
US4131203A
Cited
US4194636A
Cited
US4209098A
Cited
US4300692A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-07-03 | 1988-01-02 | 1988-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-03 | 1992-01-02 | 1992-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-03 | 1996-01-02 | 1996-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |