Hangable apparatus and systems and methods therefor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12396586-B2
Application number	US-202418597687-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 6, 2024
Priority date	Jul 25, 2018
Publication date	Aug 26, 2025
Grant date	Aug 26, 2025

Abstract

A track hanger ( 100 ) includes a book ( 103 ) and an extension ( 104 ), a base member ( 102 ), and a key ( 403 ). The key is detachable from the hook, and the base member is detachable from the extension. The key can include a first major surface ( 401 ) and a second major surface ( 402 ). The first major surface can define one or more barbs ( 404 ) that facilitate one-way insertion of the key into a track ( 106 ).

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A track hanger, comprising:
a hook, a head, and an extension, the extension disposed between the head and the hook;
a key that is selectively attachable to the hook and comprises a plurality of barbs;
a track that is selectively attachable to the key and comprises a plurality of complementary barbs;
wherein:
the plurality of barbs facilitates one-way penetration of the key into the track when the plurality of complementary barbs pass over the plurality of barbs with the plurality of barbs thereafter engaging the plurality of complementary barbs to frictionally retain the track to the key.

2. The track hanger of claim 1 , wherein a first major surface of the key defines the plurality of barbs.

3. The track hanger of claim 2 , wherein:
the track defines a first flat side and a second flat side; and
the plurality of complementary barbs are configured to pass over the plurality of barbs when the key inserts between the first flat side and the second flat side of the track.

4. The track hanger of claim 3 , wherein the track further defines an arch spanning between the first flat side and the second flat side.

5. The track hanger of claim 4 , wherein the key is configured to insert between the first flat side and the second flat side of the track until it abuts an interior surface of the arch.

6. The track hanger of claim 5 , wherein the key further comprises a first plurality of ledges and a second plurality of ledges situated within a partially cylindrical protuberance extending from a first major face of the key.

7. The track hanger of claim 1 , wherein the track is continuous.

8. The track hanger of claim 1 , wherein the track comprises a plurality of segments aligned end-to-end.

9. The track hanger of claim 8 , further comprising one or more track connectors coupling together the plurality of segments.

10. The track hanger of claim 1 , wherein the track is malleable.

11. The track hanger of claim 1 , wherein the track defines a hemi-cylindrical latching protrusion configured to wrap around a bottom edge of a major surface of the key when the track is frictionally retained to the key.

12. The track hanger of claim 11 , wherein the bottom edge of the key is concave, thereby defining a complementary indention into which the hemi-cylindrical latching protrusion seats when the key is fully inserted into the track.

13. The track hanger of claim 1 , wherein the hook, the head, and the extension are manufactured as a singular, unitary component.

14. A track hanger, comprising:
a hook;
a key that is selectively attachable to the hook; and
a track that is selectively attachable to the key;
wherein:
the key defines a major surface having a plurality of barbs extending therefrom; and
the track defines a peninsular indentation into which the key may insert defining a plurality of complementary barbs that engage the plurality of barbs to frictionally retain the track to the key with the key is fully inserted into the peninsular indentation.

15. The track hanger of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of barbs and plurality of complementary barbs facilitate one-way penetration of the key into the track.

16. The track hanger of claim 14 , wherein each barb of the plurality of complementary barbs comprises an inverted hemi-triangular protrusion with a base of each inverted hemi-triangular protrusion being disposed above a side of the inverted hemi-triangular protrusion.

17. The track hanger of claim 14 , wherein the key further comprises a first plurality of ledges and a second plurality of ledges situated within a partially cylindrical protuberance extending from a first major face of the key.

18. The track hanger of claim 14 , wherein the track further defines a hemi-cylindrical latching protrusion configured to wrap around a bottom edge of the major surface of the key.

19. A track hanger, comprising:
a hook;
a key that is selectively attachable to the hook; and
a malleable track that is selectively attachable to the key;
wherein:
the key defines a major surface having a plurality of barbs extending therefrom;
the malleable track defines a peninsular indentation into which the key may insert defining a plurality of complementary barbs; and
the malleable track further defines a hemi-cylindrical latching protrusion configured to wrap around a bottom edge of a surface of the key.

20. The track hanger of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of barbs are configured to engage the plurality of complementary barbs to frictionally retain engagement of the track to the key.

Assignees

• Medline Industries Lp

Inventors

• Wexler Paige
• Bobo Joshua
• Piazzi John

Classifications

• A47H1/104

  for mounting curtain rails (A47H1/12, A47H1/14 take precedence) · CPC title

• A47H1/142

  for supporting rods · CPC title

• A47H1/144

  for supporting rails · CPC title

• A47H1/04

  Curtain rails · CPC title

• A47H13/01

  by clamps; by clamps attached to hooks or rings · CPC title