IP Library Granted Patent US 12,022,971
Granted Patent B2
US 12,022,971 · App. 18/140,965 · Granted Jul 2, 2024

Hangable apparatus and systems and methods therefor

Inventors: Paige Wexler (Highland Park, IL); Joshua Bobo (Round Lake, IL); John Piazzi (Chicago, IL)
Assignee: Medline Industries LP
A47H1/14A47H1/104A47H1/142A47H1/144A47H1/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,022,971
App. No.
18/140,965
Granted
Jul 2, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A track hanger ( 100 ) includes a hook ( 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 ).

Claims (29)

1. A track hanger, comprising:

a base member comprising a rectangular track insertion head and a head receiver and defining a head-receiving aperture;

a hanger comprising an extension situated between a hook and a head, the head situated within the head-receiving aperture of the head receiver; and

a coupler;

wherein threading the coupler onto an exterior of the head receiver moves the head of the hanger toward the rectangular track insertion head.

2. The track hanger of claim 1 , the rectangular track insertion head configured for insertion into a track.

3. The track hanger of claim 2 , the rectangular track insertion head configured for insertion into the track with a major axis of the rectangular track insertion head oriented parallel to a major axis of the track.

4. The track hanger of claim 1 , further comprising a neck situated between the head receiver and the rectangular track insertion head.

5. The track hanger of claim 4 , wherein the neck has a smaller diameter than that of the head receiver or a minor dimension of the rectangular track insertion head.

6. The track hanger of claim 3 , wherein the rectangular track insertion head defines an upper chamfered corner.

7. The track hanger of claim 6 , wherein the upper chamfered corner is contiguous around a perimeter of the rectangular track insertion head.

8. The track hanger of claim 1 , wherein both the head receiver and the head are cylindrical, and the head-receiving aperture is circular.

9. The track hanger of claim 8 , wherein an exterior surface of the head receiver defines one or more threads.

10. The track hanger of claim 1 , further comprising a key that is detachable from the hook.

11. The track hanger of claim 10 , the key comprising a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface defining one or more barbs.

12. The track hanger of claim 11 , the key comprising a distal end receiver, the hook comprising a distal end inserted into the distal end receiver.

13. The track hanger of claim 12 , the distal end receiver defining at least one engagement recess, the distal end comprising at least one engagement protrusion projecting from the distal end and engaging the at least one engagement recess when the distal end is inserted into the distal end receiver to retain the key to the distal end.

14. The track hanger of claim 10 , further comprising a track coupled to the key and a tool comprising a track grabber situated atop the track, the track grabber defining a half-U shape comprising an arch and a major face.

15. The track hanger of claim 14 , wherein a diameter of the arch is wider at a resistance point of the track grabber than at other portions of the track grabber.

16. A track hanger, comprising:

a hook, a head, and an extension, the extension disposed between the head and the hook;

a base member comprising a head receiver defining a head-receiving aperture;

a key, the key being selectively attachable to the hook; and

a coupler;

wherein the head is insertable into the head receiver and the coupler is operable to engage an exterior surface of the head receiver to move the head through the head-receiving aperture toward an end of the head receiver.

17. The track hanger of claim 16 , wherein the key comprises a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface defining one or more barbs.

18. The track hanger of claim 17 , further comprising a track, the one or more barbs facilitating one-way penetration of the key into the track.

19. The track hanger of claim 18 , further comprising an end cap attached to the track, the end cap comprising a wall abutment and an extension that situates around an exterior end of the track, the track comprising one or more complementary barbs, the end cap further comprising a track insertion key inserted into the one or more complementary barbs.

20. The track hanger of claim 19 , further comprising one or more hangers hanging from the track.

Assignments (4)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 28, 2026
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075643/0462 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 12, 2026
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP F/K/A/ MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 074331/0430 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 20, 2025
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071672/0100 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 2, 2024
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066971/0808 →