Panel anchor assembly

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide an anchor assembly configured to be secured to a panel. The anchor assembly includes a main body, a double-sided adhesive, and a fastening member. The main body includes a base, wherein a through-hole is formed through the base. The double-sided adhesive is attached to one side of the base. The fastening member is retained within the through-hole. The fastening member may be manufactured with the main body and the double-sided adhesive as a single piece.

1 . An anchor assembly configured to be secured to a panel, the anchor assembly comprising:
 a main body comprising a base, wherein a through-hole is formed through said base;   a double-sided adhesive attached to one side of said base; and   a fastening member retained within said through-hole, wherein said fastening member is manufactured with said main body and said double-sided adhesive as a single piece.   
   
   
       2 . The anchor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said fastening member is one of a screw and bolt. 
   
   
       3 . The anchor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said fastening member comprises a barrel integrally formed with a head, said barrel defining a fastener passage. 
   
   
       4 . The anchor assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said barrel is configured to receive and retain a fastener within said fastener passage. 
   
   
       5 . The anchor assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said barrel comprises at least one outwardly extending ramped tab that snapably secures said barrel to said main body. 
   
   
       6 . The anchor assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said barrel further comprises a distal lip configured to secure around an opening of a shelf rail. 
   
   
       7 . The anchor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said fastening member is configured to outwardly protrude from the panel, and wherein a support structure is configured to be securely fastened to the panel through said fastening member. 
   
   
       8 . The anchor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is a liner of a refrigerator. 
   
   
       9 . The anchor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said main body comprises at least one collar that secures said fastening member within said through-hole. 
   
   
       10 . A system for securing a shelf to a panel, the system comprising:
 a plurality of anchor assemblies, each of said plurality of anchor assemblies comprising:
 a main body comprising a base, wherein a through-hole is formed through said base; 
 a double-sided adhesive attached to one side of said base, said double-sided adhesive adhesively securing said main body to an outer surface of the panel; and 
 a fastening member retained within said through-hole, said fastening member passing through the panel; and 
   a shelf rail supported on an inner surface of the panel by said fastening members, said shelf rail comprising a plurality of fastener openings, wherein each of said fastening members passes through one of said plurality of fastener openings.   
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein each of said plurality of fastener openings comprises fastener through hole integrally connected to a keyhole slot. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein each of said fastening members is one of a screw and bolt. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein each of said fastening members comprises a barrel integrally formed with a head, said barrel defining a fastener passage. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said barrel is configured to receive and retain a fastener within said fastener passage. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said barrel comprises at least one outwardly extending ramped tab that snapably secures said barrel to said main body. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said barrel further comprises a distal lip configured to secure around one of said fastener openings of said shelf rail. 
   
   
       17 . An anchor assembly configured to be secured to a panel, the anchor assembly comprising:
 a main body comprising a base, wherein a through-hole is formed through said base;   a double-sided adhesive attached to one side of said base, said double-sided adhesive configured to adhesively secure said main body to the panel; and   a fastening member retained within said through-hole, wherein said fastening member is configured to extend through an opening in the panel, and wherein said fastening member is configured to be secured to said main body before said main body is secured to the panel through said double-sided adhesive.   
   
   
       18 . The anchor assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said fastening member is one of a screw and bolt. 
   
   
       19 . The anchor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said fastening member comprises a barrel integrally formed with a head, said barrel defining a fastener passage, wherein said barrel is configured to receive and retain a fastener within said fastener passage, said barrel comprising at least one outwardly extending ramped tab that snapably secures said barrel to said main body, and a distal lip configured to secure around an opening of a shelf rail. 
   
   
       20 . The anchor assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said main body comprises at least one collar that secures said fastening member within said through-hole.