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  Attachment method and apparatus using removable panelsUSPTO Application #: 20080029666Title: Attachment method and apparatus using removable panels Abstract: An attachment apparatus may have a fixed engaging surface, and a movable unit that can be attached to any of a series of holes in the fixed engaging surface. The movable unit has a mating surface and a locking mechanism. The user selects a series of holes, inserts a series of properly spaced tabs on the mating surface into the selected holes, rotates and/or translates the movable unit with respect to the fixed engaging surface so that the tabs on the mating surface engage the fixed engaging surface and prevent the movable unit from being pulled away from the fixed engaging surface, and engages a locking mechanism that secures the movable unit in its rotated and/or translated state so that it may not be counter-rotated/translated and detached from the fixed engaging surface. The locking mechanism may be one or more pins that extend through both the mating surface and the fixed engaging surface. The pattern of holes that matches the tabs from the movable unit is repeated on the fixed engaging surface so that the movable unit may be positioned in various locations as desired by the user. In particular, the fixed engaging surface may be disposed on a replaceable panel or insert, which may fit into or onto a frame. In this manner, one frame may accommodate any of a variety of replaceable panels. For instance, the panels may be available in different colors, different printed patterns, different hole patterns, or any suitable variety. (end of abstract)
Agent: Altera Law Group, LLC - Minneapolis, MN, US Inventor: Daniel P. Hurt USPTO Applicaton #: 20080029666 - Class: 248220410 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Supports, Brackets, Specially Mounted Or Attached, Interlocked Bracket And Support, Apertured Mount (i.e., Pegboard), Plural Apertures Engaged By Single Bracket The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080029666. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/798,405, filed on May 5, 2006. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] The present invention is directed to an attachment apparatus and method using removable panels. [0005] 2. Description of the Related Art [0006] In many applications, it is desirable to attach an object to a fixed surface. For instance, in a garage, it may be desirable to attach a bicycle rack to a wall or other vertical surface. [0007] Attaching the bicycle rack directly to the wall has some disadvantages. For instance, the attachment may require tools, such as a drill or screwdriver, and special hardware, such as drywall screws. The bicycle rack may have to support quite a bit of weight, and if attached directly to a wall, may require that the attachment occur only on a stud, thereby limiting the locations available for the bike rack. If the garage is rearranged at some point, requiring changing the location of the bicycle rack, then the bike rack has to be unattached, leaving holes and possibly anchors in the wall, and then reattached, which has all the disadvantages stated above. [0008] Existing attachment systems have disadvantages as well. For instance, a common pegboard system has a fixed surface with an array of holes, where each hole can accommodate a hook or peg. Using pegboard may be an improvement over attaching an object directly to a wall, but it still has disadvantages. For example, the fixed surface of a pegboard system is often made from a particulate substance, which is not especially strong. Many pegboard systems cannot accommodate the weight of a bicycle rack with a bike on it. Furthermore, the pegs in common pegboard systems lack a locking mechanism, and may be easily knocked loose. This may be an issue with a bicycle rack, especially when loading or unloading the bicycle. It would be quite unpleasant if a bump or jar were to knock loose the whole bicycle rack from the pegboard. [0009] Accordingly, there exists a need for an attachment apparatus and method, in which a sturdy fixed surface can support one or more repositionable objects, where the objects may be locked to the surface to prevent accidental detachment from the surface. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] An embodiment is an attachment system, comprising: a frame; a first panel removably attached to the frame; a fixed engaging surface disposed on the first panel; and a movable unit for attaching to the fixed engaging surface. The fixed engaging surface and the movable unit each contain a plurality of mutually engageable features. A greater number of the features are distributed across the fixed engaging surface than across the movable unit. The features distributed across the fixed engaging surface are distributed in a repeating pattern for receiving the movable unit at any one of a plurality of different positions. The features are engageable in an action that is generally parallel to the fixed engaging surface for preventing separation of the fixed engaging surface and the movable unit. [0011] Another embodiment is a method of attachment, comprising: providing a movable unit having a mating surface with a plurality of tabs; providing a fixed engaging surface on a removable panel, the fixed engaging surface having a plurality of holes; selecting a series of holes in the fixed engaging surface; inserting the tabs on the mating surface into the selected holes; translating the movable unit with respect to the fixed engaging surface so that the tabs on the mating surface engage the fixed engaging surface and prevent the movable unit from being pulled away from the fixed engaging surface; and engaging a locking mechanism that secures the movable unit in its translated state so that it may not be counter-translated and detached from the fixed engaging surface. [0012] Another embodiment is an attachment system, comprising: a frame; a panel removably attached to the frame; a fixed engaging surface disposed on the panel and containing a plurality of slots; a movable unit containing a plurality of tabs for attaching to the fixed engaging surface, the tabs being engageable with the slots in a translational action that is generally parallel to the fixed engaging surface for preventing separation of the fixed engaging surface and the movable unit; and a locking mechanism for inhibiting the translational action. There are more slots than tabs. The slots are distributed in a repeating pattern for receiving the movable unit at any one of a plurality of different positions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a front-view plan drawing of an exemplary cabinet system. [0014] FIG. 2 is an isometric drawing of the cabinet system of FIG. 1. [0015] FIG. 3 is an isometric drawing of the stand-alone assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2. [0016] FIG. 4 is a close-up drawing of the stand-alone assembly of FIG. 3. [0017] FIG. 5 is a front-view plan drawing of a door from the workbench of FIGS. 1 and 2. [0018] FIG. 6 is a front-view plan drawing of just the frame from the door of FIG. 5. [0019] FIG. 7 is a front-view plan drawing of just the insert from the door of FIG. 5. Continue reading... Full patent description for Attachment method and apparatus using removable panels Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Attachment method and apparatus using removable panels patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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