How a Slatwall Hook Stays Secure and Easy to Move
This patent describes a clever mechanism for attaching accessories to slatwalls, using a special bracket and a spring-loaded latch that keeps things secure but lets you easily move them.
Original patent title: “Releasable mounting mechanism for slatwall”
This patent describes a clever mechanism for attaching accessories to slatwalls, using a special bracket and a spring-loaded latch that keeps things secure but lets you easily move them. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent details a mounting mechanism designed to support accessories on a slatwall. It uses a mounting bracket with two ends that fit into separate grooves on the slatwall, holding the bracket in place. A central opening in the bracket holds a latch, which is like a small lever. This latch is connected to a biasing member, such as a spring, that pushes the latch into a 'retaining position.' In this position, the latch grabs onto a second groove in the slatwall, making sure the accessory stays firmly attached. To remove or reposition the accessory, the latch can be moved to a 'release position' against the spring's force, allowing the bracket to be lifted out. For example, you could use this to hang a heavy tool rack in a garage and easily move it to a different spot later.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Mounting mechanisms that use screws, bolts, or permanent adhesives to attach accessories to a slatwall.
- Systems where the accessory is simply hooked over a single slat without a separate latching mechanism engaging a second groove.
- Mounting solutions that do not include a 'biasing member' like a spring to automatically push a latch into a retaining position.
- Mechanisms where the mounting bracket only engages one groove of the slatwall, rather than two separate grooves.
- Mounting systems for non-slatwall surfaces, such as pegboards or solid walls.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The cleverness lies in combining a mounting bracket that spans two slatwall grooves with a spring-loaded latch. This design ensures the accessory is held firmly in place by engaging a second groove, yet can be easily released and repositioned without tools, offering both stability and user-friendliness.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Retail store display hooks and shelves
Garage organization systems for tools
Workshop storage for craft supplies
Home office wall organizers
Commercial kitchen storage racks
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Slatwalls are popular for organizing spaces like retail stores, garages, and workshops because they allow flexible arrangement of shelves and hooks. This patent improves how accessories attach to slatwalls, making them more secure against accidental bumps while still being easy to adjust. This balance of security and flexibility is crucial for both displaying products effectively and keeping tools organized and accessible.
Filed
April 7, 2023
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies specializing in garage organization and retail fixtures, such as StoreWALL, Gladiator Garageworks (Whirlpool Corporation), and Schulte Storage, are continually developing and refining slatwall accessory mounting systems. These companies focus on creating durable, secure, and easily adjustable solutions for various storage and display needs.
Market impact
Improved mounting mechanisms like this enhance the versatility and user experience of slatwall systems, which are a staple in retail and home organization markets. By offering a more secure yet easily adjustable attachment, such innovations can increase customer satisfaction and potentially expand the range of items that can be reliably displayed or stored on slatwalls, supporting product lines for various storage solutions.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent details a mounting mechanism designed to support accessories on a slatwall. It uses a mounting bracket with two ends that fit into separate grooves on the slatwall, holding the bracket in place. A central opening in the bracket holds a latch, which is like a small lever. This latch is connected to a biasing member, such as a spring, that pushes the latch into a 'retaining position.' In this position, the latch grabs onto a second groove in the slatwall, making sure the accessory stays firmly attached. To remove or reposition the accessory, the latch can be moved to a 'release position' against the spring's force, allowing the bracket to be lifted out. For example, you could use this to hang a heavy tool rack in a garage and easily move it to a different spot later.
The clever bit
The cleverness lies in combining a mounting bracket that spans two slatwall grooves with a spring-loaded latch. This design ensures the accessory is held firmly in place by engaging a second groove, yet can be easily released and repositioned without tools, offering both stability and user-friendliness.
What it does not cover
- Mounting mechanisms that use screws, bolts, or permanent adhesives to attach accessories to a slatwall.
- Systems where the accessory is simply hooked over a single slat without a separate latching mechanism engaging a second groove.
- Mounting solutions that do not include a 'biasing member' like a spring to automatically push a latch into a retaining position.
- Mechanisms where the mounting bracket only engages one groove of the slatwall, rather than two separate grooves.
- Mounting systems for non-slatwall surfaces, such as pegboards or solid walls.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 16.5 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). How a Slatwall Hook Stays Secure and Easy to Move (U.S. Patent No. 12,733,756). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733756/releasable-mounting-mechanism-for-slatwall
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
Embed
Add this patent to your site
Drop this plain-English patent card into any blog post or article — free, no signup. It always links back to the full breakdown here.
<div data-patentlens-widget data-patent-number="US12733756"></div> <script src="https://patentbrief.org/embed.js" async></script>
Stay in the loop
Get a weekly digest of new patents.
One email per week. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Keep exploring
Related patents you should know
US 4683195 · 1987
How to Make Billions of Copies of a DNA Segment
This patent describes the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a method to rapidly create many copies of a specific piece of DNA or RNA, enabling its detection and analysis.
Cetus Corp
US 8697359 · 2014
How to Edit Genes in Human Cells Using an Engineered CRISPR System
This patent describes an engineered CRISPR-Cas9 system for precisely cutting DNA in eukaryotic cells to change how genes work, opening the door for gene editing in complex organisms.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
US 7657849 · 2010
How the iPhone's Slide-to-Unlock Gesture Works
Apple's 2010 patent describes unlocking a device by dragging a specific graphical image across the touchscreen along a predefined path, a gesture that became iconic with the original iPhone.
Apple Inc
US 4733665 · 1988
How Doctors Implant a Permanent Stent Using a Balloon
This patent describes the method for placing a permanent, expandable wire mesh tube inside a blood vessel or other body tube using a balloon-tipped catheter to widen it and keep it open.
Expandable Grafts Partnership
US 4965188 · 1990
How to Make Many Copies of a DNA Piece with Heat
This patent describes the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method, a technique to make millions of copies of a specific DNA segment using a heat-resistant enzyme and repeated temperature changes.
Cetus Corp
US 4235871 · 1980
How to Encapsulate Active Materials in Lipid Bubbles Efficiently
This patent describes a method for trapping biologically active substances inside tiny, multi-layered fat bubbles called liposomes, using a specific water-in-oil emulsion and gel-forming process to improve how much material gets captured.
Individual
More to explore
More in Consumer Electronics
US 7657849 · 2010 · Apple Inc
How the iPhone's Slide-to-Unlock Gesture Works
US 7479949 · 2009 · Apple Inc
How Touchscreens Understand Your Finger Swipes and Scrolls
US 4528643 · 1985 · FPDC Inc
How Stores Make Custom Products On-Demand with Remote Approval
US 7469381 · 2008 · Apple Inc
How Touchscreens Show and Snap Back When You Scroll Past an Edge
New to patents?
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How a Slatwall Hook Stays Secure and Easy to Move cover?
This patent describes a clever mechanism for attaching accessories to slatwalls, using a special bracket and a spring-loaded latch that keeps things secure but lets you easily move them.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Slatwalls are popular for organizing spaces like retail stores, garages, and workshops because they allow flexible arrangement of shelves and hooks. This patent improves how accessories attach to slatwalls, making them more secure against accidental bumps while still being easy to adjust. This balance of security and flexibility is crucial for both displaying products effectively and keeping tools organized and accessible.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Mounting mechanisms that use screws, bolts, or permanent adhesives to attach accessories to a slatwall.
Patent monitoring