Space-saving display hook back for pegboard

Abstract

A mounting bracket generally comprises a plate and a pair of laterally spaced prongs connected to the plate. Each prong has a first portion extending rearwardly and a second portion extending downwardly. The second portion of each prong has a vertical height less than or equal to a diameter of the mounting apertures, whereby the bracket may be attached to the vertical support without rotating the bracket, thereby saving retail space. An interior chamber is defined by the rear surface of the plate and the inner surfaces of the prongs. The interior chamber has a horizontal width less than or equal to the thickness of the vertical support such that the rear and inner surfaces firmly engage the vertical support and attach the mounting bracket thereto. Preferably, the bracket further includes a second pair of laterally spaced prongs structured similarly to the first pair of prongs but vertically spaced therefrom.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A mounting bracket for mounting a display hook to a vertical support having regularly spaced apertures, the mounting bracket comprising: 
 a plate having a front surface constructed to attach the display hook thereto;    a pair of laterally spaced prongs connected to the plate for attaching the plate to the vertical support via the apertures, each of the prongs having a first portion extending rearwardly from the plate and a second portion extending downwardly from the first portion, the second portion having a vertical height less than or equal to a diameter of the apertures;    an interior chamber defined by the rear surface of the plate and the inner surfaces of the first and second portions of the prongs, the interior chamber having a horizontal width less than or substantially equal to the thickness of the vertical support such that the rear and inner surfaces firmly engage the vertical support and attach the mounting bracket thereto; and    wherein the mounting bracket is made of and comprises a single unitary component part.    
     
     
         2 . The mounting bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal width of the chamber is between about 0.230 to about 0.235 inches.  
     
     
         3 . The mounting bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal width is less than the thickness of the vertical support.  
     
     
         4 . The mounting bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the prongs compress the vertical support when attached thereto.  
     
     
         5 . The mounting bracket of  claim 1 , wherein an upper portion of the plate extends above the inner surface of the first portion of the prongs to provide rotational stability.  
     
     
         6 . The mounting bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the prongs are integrally formed with the plate.  
     
     
         7 . The mounting bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket is stamp formed from sheet metal, wherein a generally uniform cross sectional thickness is provided throughout the mounting bracket.  
     
     
         8 . The mounting bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the prongs are positioned adjacent a top edge of the plate.  
     
     
         9 . The mounting bracket of  claim 1 , further comprising a second pair of laterally spaced prongs structured similarly to the first pair of prongs but vertically spaced therefrom, the inner surfaces of the first and second portions of the second pair of prongs defining a second chamber for receiving the vertical support therein.  
     
     
         10 . The mounting bracket of  claim 9 , wherein a lower portion of the plate extends below the inner surfaces of the first portions of the second pair of prongs to provide rotational stability.  
     
     
         11 . The mounting bracket of  claim 10 , wherein the lower portion of the plate extends below the second portions of the second pair of prongs.  
     
     
         12 . A mounting bracket for mounting a display hook to a vertical support having regularly spaced apertures, the mounting bracket comprising: 
 a plate having a front surface constructed to attach the display hook thereto;    a first and second pair of laterally spaced prongs connected to the plate for attaching the plate to the vertical support via the apertures, the first pair of prongs being vertically spaced above the second pair of prongs, each prong having a first portion extending rearwardly from the plate and a second portion extending downwardly from the first portion;    the first portion of each prong extending rearwardly a distance less than or substantially equal to the thickness of the vertical support, the second portion of each prong having a vertical height less than or equal to a diameter of the apertures; and    wherein the mounting back is stamped from shet metal such that the plate and prongs have opposed generally flat sides with a generally uniform cross sectional thickness therebetween.    
     
     
         13 . The mounting bracket of  claim 12 , wherein a rear surface of plate lies generally flush with vertical support.  
     
     
         14 . The mounting bracket of  claim 12 , wherein each prong includes an inner surface that firmly engages the vertical support.  
     
     
         15 . The mounting bracket of  claim 12 , wherein the first portion of each prong extends a horizontal distance less than the thickness of the vertical support.  
     
     
         16 . The mounting bracket of  claim 12 , wherein the prongs compress the vertical support when attached thereto.  
     
     
         17 . The mounting bracket of  claim 12 , wherein an upper portion of the plate extends upwardly to a point equal to or above the first portion of the first pair of prongs to provide rotational stability.  
     
     
         18 . The mounting bracket of  claim 12 , wherein a lower portion of the plate extends below the inner surfaces of the first portions of the second pair of prongs to provide rotational stability.  
     
     
         19 . A hanger assembly for attachment to a vertical support having regularly spaced apertures, the hanger assembly comprising: 
 a display hook having at least one horizontally extending arm;    a mounting bracket for mounting the display hook to the vertical support via the apertures, the mounting bracket including a plate having a front surface constructed to attach the display hook thereto and a first and second pair of laterally spaced prongs connected to the plate, the first pair of prongs being vertically spaced above the second pair of prongs, each prong having a first portion extending rearwardly from the plate and a second portion extending downwardly from the first portion;    the first portion of each prong extending rearwardly a distance less than or substantially equal to the thickness of the vertical support for secure attachment of the hanger assembly;    the second portion of each prong having a vertical height less than or equal to a diameter of the apertures for attaching the hanger assembly to the vertical support without rotating the hanger assembly and disturbing the area above the hanger assembly; and    wherein the mounting back is stamped from shet metal such that the plate and prongs have opposed generally flat sides with a generally uniform cross sectional thickness therebetween.    
     
     
         20 . The hanger assembly of  claim 19 , wherein an upper portion of the plate extends upwardly to a point equal to or above the first portion of the first pair of prongs to provide rotational stability.  
     
     
         21 . The hanger assembly of  claim 19 , wherein a lower portion of the plate extends below the inner surfaces of the first portions of the second pair of prongs to provide rotational stability.