Coupling Systems and Platforms

Abstract

One or more coupling mechanisms for a modular system are provided. The coupling mechanisms work with modular units in a system, such as modular tool storage units. The coupling systems are configured to couple with and integrate various objects into the modular system, such as bags and tools. The coupling systems include various configurations of male and female couplers to facilitate coupling with utility modules including corresponding male and female couplers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mounting system comprising:
 a first plate configured to be coupled to a wall; and   a support element slidably coupled to the first plate comprising:
 a base slidably coupled to the first plate; and 
 a first rib extending from the base in a first direction, the first rib offset from the first plate, the first rib configured to detachably couple with a utility module such that a first portion of the utility module is disposed between the first rib and the first plate. 
   
     
     
         2 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , the support element comprising a second rib extending from the base in a second direction opposite the first direction, the second rib offset from the first plate, the second rib configured to detachably couple with a utility module such that a second portion of the utility module is disposed between the second rib and the first plate. 
     
     
         3 . The mounting system of  claim 2 , the support element comprising a first projection and a second projection, each of which comprise an interfacing surface that interfaces with the first plate, wherein the first projection is closer to the first rib than the second rib and the second projection is closer to the second rib than the first rib, the support element further comprising a third projection extending from the base, the third projection extending past the interfacing surface of the first projection and the interfacing surface of the second projection. 
     
     
         4 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , the first plate comprising an upper segment and a lower segment, the mounting system comprising:
 a second plate configured to be coupled to the wall above the first plate, the second plate comprising an upper segment and a lower segment, wherein the lower segment of the second plate is positioned between the wall and the upper segment of the first plate; and   a third plate configured to be coupled to the wall below the first plate, the third plate comprising an upper segment and a lower segment, wherein the lower segment of the first plate is positioned between the wall and the upper segment of the third plate.   
     
     
         5 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , the first plate comprising a recessed channel that extends laterally along the first plate, the support element comprising a projection extending from the base into the recessed channel, the projection interfacing with the first plate as the support element slides with respect to the first plate. 
     
     
         6 . The mounting system of  claim 5 , the base comprising an upper portion above the first rib and a lower portion from which the first rib extends, the projection defining a supporting surface that faces downward and towards the first plate. 
     
     
         7 . A support element comprising:
 a base extending along a primary longitudinal axis that extends vertically;   a first aperture defined by and extending through the base, the first aperture configured to receive a fastener extending through the first aperture, the fastener slidably coupling the base to a plate;   a first rib extending from the base in a first direction, the first rib offset from the plate; and   a second rib extending from the base in a second direction opposite the first direction, the second rib offset from the plate, the first rib and the second rib configured to detachably couple with a utility module such that a first portion of the utility module is disposed between the first rib and the plate and a second portion of the utility module is disposed between the second rib and the plate.   
     
     
         8 . The support element of  claim 7 , the base comprising an upper portion above each of the first rib and the second rib, and a lower portion from which each of the first rib and second rib extend, the first aperture extending through the upper portion of the base, the base comprising a second aperture extending through the lower portion of the base, the second aperture configured to receive a second fastener extending through the second aperture, the second fastener slidably coupling the base to the plate. 
     
     
         9 . The support element of  claim 7 , the first aperture comprising a hexagonal portion that receives the fastener. 
     
     
         10 . The support element of  claim 7 , comprising a first projection and a second projection, each of which comprise an interfacing surface that interfaces with the plate, wherein the first projection is closer to the first rib than the second rib and the second projection is closer to the second rib than the first rib. 
     
     
         11 . The support element of  claim 10 , comprising a third projection extending from the base, the third projection extending past the interfacing surface of the first projection and the interfacing surface of the second projection. 
     
     
         12 . The support element of  claim 11 , the third projection extending above the interfacing surface of the first projection and the interfacing surface of the second projection. 
     
     
         13 . The support element of  claim 12 , the base comprising an upper portion above each of the first rib and the second rib, and a lower portion from which each of the first rib and second rib extend, the third projection defining a supporting surface that faces downward and towards the plate, the supporting surface defining an angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the primary longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . The support element of  claim 7 , the first rib defining a first angled surface that faces upward and away from the second rib, the first angled surface defining a first angle with respect to the primary longitudinal axis between 30 degrees and 60 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The support element of  claim 7 , the first rib extending in the first direction a first width from the base, and the first rib extending along the primary longitudinal axis a first length, wherein the first length is longer than the first width. 
     
     
         16 . The support element of  claim 15 , wherein the first length is at least twice as long as the first width. 
     
     
         17 . The support element of  claim 7 , comprising a first channel defined at least in part by the first rib, the base, and the plate, the first channel extending vertically downward from a closed back end to an open front end. 
     
     
         18 . The support element of  claim 17 , comprising a first ledge extending outward from the base and facing downward towards the first channel, the first ledge defining the closed back end of the first channel. 
     
     
         19 . A coupling platform comprising:
 a base;   a first wall extending from the base;   a second wall extending from the base;   a first tongue extending from the first wall towards the second wall, the first tongue offset from the base;   a second tongue extending from the second wall towards the first wall, the second tongue offset from the base;   a first locking element coupled to the first wall, the first locking element configured to actuate between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein the first locking element is closer to the second wall when in the locked position than in the unlocked position; and   a second locking element coupled to the second wall, the second locking element configured to actuate between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein the second locking element is closer to the first wall when in the locked position than in the unlocked position.   
     
     
         20 . The coupling platform of  claim 19 , the first wall comprising a first upper portion and a first lower portion, the first tongue extending from the first lower portion towards the second wall, wherein the first upper portion is closer to the second wall than the first lower portion. 
     
     
         21 . The coupling platform of  claim 20 , the second wall comprising a second upper portion and a second lower portion, the second tongue extending from the second lower portion towards the first wall, wherein the first upper portion of the second wall is closer to the first wall than the first lower portion of the second wall. 
     
     
         22 . The coupling platform of  claim 21 , the first locking element extending from the first upper portion of the first wall, and the second locking element extending from the second upper portion of the second wall. 
     
     
         23 . A support platform comprising:
 an inner plate defining an internal surface and an opposing external surface;   a base extending from the external surface;   a first rib extending from the base in a first direction, the first rib offset from the inner plate;   a second rib extending from the base in a second direction opposite the first direction, the second rib offset from the inner plate, the first rib and the second rib configured to detachably couple with a utility module such that a first portion of the utility module is disposed between the first rib and the inner plate and a second portion of the utility module is disposed between the second rib and the inner plate; and   an outer plate pivotally coupled to the inner plate and actuating between an open configuration and a closed configuration with respect to the inner plate, the internal surface of the inner plate facing towards the outer plate when the outer plate is in the closed configuration with respect to the inner plate.   
     
     
         24 . The support platform of  claim 23 , comprising a latch that couples the outer plate to the inner plate in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         25 . The support platform of  claim 23 , comprising a first channel defined at least in part by the first rib, the base, and the inner plate, the first channel extending vertically downward from a closed back end to an open front end. 
     
     
         26 . The support platform of  claim 25 , comprising a first ledge extending outward from the base and facing downward towards the first channel, the first ledge defining the closed back end of the first channel.