IP Library Granted Patent US 11,684,193
Granted Patent B2
US 11,684,193 · App. 17/943,862 · Granted Jun 27, 2023

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 11,684,193
App. No.
17/943,862
Granted
Jun 27, 2023
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 (28)

1. A track hanger, comprising:

a first base member portion comprising a first half rail clamp and defining a first half head-receiving aperture;

a second base member portion coupled to the first base member portion, the second base member portion comprising a second half rail clamp and defining a second half head-receiving aperture;

wherein the first base member portion is separable from the second base member portion; and

a hanger comprising an extension situated between a hook and a head situatable within a head-receiving aperture formed by the first half head-receiving aperture and the second half head-receiving aperture with an upper surface of the head exposed to the first half rail clamp and the second half rail clamp.

2. The track hanger of claim 1 , wherein the head is cylindrical.

3. The track hanger of claim 1 , further comprising a coupler, wherein attachment of the coupler to the first base member portion and the second base member portion translates the head toward the first half rail clamp and the second half rail clamp.

4. The track hanger of claim 1 , further comprising a coupler, the coupler causing the head of the hanger to clamp onto a rail when situated between the first half rail clamp and the second half rail clamp.

5. The track hanger of claim 1 , further comprising a head receiver extending distally from the head-receiving aperture.

6. The track hanger of claim 5 , further comprising a coupler, wherein both the head receiver and the coupler are threaded.

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

8. The track hanger of claim 7 , the key defining one or more barbs extending across a major surface of the key.

9. The track hanger of claim 8 , the key defining another major surface that is substantially planar.

10. The track hanger of claim 7 , the key comprising a distal end receiver defining at least one engagement recess.

11. The track hanger of claim 10 , wherein a distal end of the hook defines at least one engagement protrusion.

12. The track hanger of claim 11 , the at least one engagement protrusion retaining the key on the distal end of the hook when the distal end of the hook is inserted into the distal end receiver.

13. The track hanger of claim 7 , further comprising a track that is selectively attachable to the key.

14. The track hanger of claim 13 , further comprising a tool comprising a track grabber selectively situatable atop the track.

15. A track hanger, comprising:

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

a base member comprising a first half rail clamp and a second half rail clamp, the base member comprising a head receiver defining a head-receiving aperture exposing the head to the first half rail clamp and the second half rail clamp when the head is inserted into the head-receiving aperture; 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 the first half rail clamp and the second half rail clamp.

16. The track hanger of claim 15 , further comprising a key that is selectively attachable to the hook.

17. The track hanger of claim 16 , the key comprising a major surface defining one or more barbs.

18. The track hanger of claim 16 , further comprising a track that is selectively attachable to the key.

19. The track hanger of claim 18 , further comprising an end cap that is selectively attachable to the track.

20. The track hanger of claim 15 , wherein the hook defines a planar surface at a distal end.

Assignments (1)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 28, 2026
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075643/0462 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17195464 · Mar 8, 2021
Continuation 16588771 · Sep 30, 2019
Continuation In Part 16045391 · Jul 25, 2018
Related Publication 20230000275A1 · Jan 5, 2023