AU2005312329B2 - Adjustable bracket - Google Patents

Abstract

Adjustable bracket (10) for securing a vessel to a surface includes slidable portions (12) and receiving track (14) mounted on the surface. Each slidable portion (12) includes a track engaging portion (16) positioned within track (14), an outwardly extending portion (18) and a flexible member (34) attached to engaging portion (32). In use, slidable portions (12) are positioned adjacent opposing sides of the vessel and flexible members (34) are fastened around the vessel such that tension in flexible members (34) causes slidable portions (12) to be held in place upon track (14) by friction. The vessel may be a portable fire extinguisher or oxygen tank and the surface might be a wall.

Description

WO 2006/058366 PCT/AU2005/001797 "ADJUSTABLE BRACKET" FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to an adjustable bracket. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION It is known to attach and secure vessels, such as oxygen tanks and fire extinguishers, to a surface such as a wall. One known means of attaching vessels includes a hook member extending outwardly from the surface, onto which the vessel may be hung. 10 These types of attachment means do not, however, secure the vessel onto the surface. Consequently, the vessel may be permitted to swing from the hook and potentially become detached. Other types of attachment means that are able to secure the vessel, are generally suited for securing vessels that are of a fixed size, particularly of a fixed diameter. 15 Such attachment means are unable to be adjusted to accommodate the securing of different vessels having differing dimensions. The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part the aforementioned disadvantages of previous vessel attachment means. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 20 In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable bracket for securing a vessel to a surface, the adjustable bracket comprising at least two slidable portions and a receiving track, the receiving track arranged to be mounted on the surface, each slidable portion including a track engaging portion and an outwardly extending portion, the track engaging portion being arranged to engage 25 slidably with the receiving track and each outwardly extending portion being arranged 1 WO 2006/058366 PCT/AU2005/001797 to engage a flexible member, wherein, in use, the slidable portions are positioned adjacent opposing sides of a vessel and the flexible members are fastened around the vessel, whereby tension in the flexible members causes the slidable portions to be held in place upon the receiving track by friction. 5 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable bracket in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 10 Figure 2 is a lower perspective view of a slidable portion of the adjustable bracket of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross section view of the adjustable bracket of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 15 DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring initially to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown an adjustable bracket 10 for securing vessels of differing dimensions, the adjustable bracket 10 comprising a pair of slidable portions 12 slidably engaged upon a receiving track 14. The slidable portions 12 are movable relative to each other along the receiving track 14 so as to 20 accommodate different vessels having differing dimensions, particularly of differing diameter. The receiving track 14 comprises an elongate, substantially C-shaped member having a base 22 and a pair of opposing side walls 21 arranged to define a longitudinal channel 24. The longitudinal channel 24 has a pair of inwardly extending flanges 26 2 WO 2006/058366 PCT/AU2005/001797 extending from an upper edge of each of the opposing side walls 21, as shown in Figure 1. The flanges 26 each extend inwardly towards each other such that there is a gap between inner ends of the flanges 26. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 3, a substantially V-shaped support 28 extends upwardly from the base 22 and 5 generally towards the flanges 26. The receiving track 14 may be suitably mounted upon any surface, such as a vertical wall, to which it is desired to secure the vessel. Any number of receiving tracks 14 may be mounted upon the surface and aligned in parallel to better accommodate the securing of long vessels. 10 Each slidable portion 12 includes a track engaging portion 16 arranged to slidably engage with the receiving track 14. Each slidable portion 12 also includes an outwardly extending portion 18. Optionally, a bore 38 extends from an upper surface of the outwardly extending portion 18 and through the track engaging portion 16. The bore 38 is arranged to receive a fastening means 40, such as a screw. The fastening 15 means 40 is provided to engage with the receiving track 14, so that each slidable portion 12 may be fixed in a desired position upon the receiving track 14. The track engaging portion 16 comprises a pair of laterally extending lugs 30 disposed below the outwardly extending portion 18. The lugs 30 are arranged to be received by the channel 24 of the receiving track 14 and be held therein by the 20 inwardly extending flanges 26. The outwardly extending portion 18 of each slidable portion 12 projects generally upwardly from the laterally extending lugs 30 and away from the channel 24. The outwardly extending portion 18 is disposed, in use, externally of the channel 24 and adjacent a top surface of each of the flanges 26. A lower surface of the outwardly 3 WO 2006/058366 PCT/AU2005/001797 extending portion 18 is arranged, in use, to contact the top surface of each of the flanges 26, shown in Figure 1. In the first embodiment, shown in Figures 1 and 2, the outwardly extending portion 18 comprises a generally curved member, curving upwardly and away from the track 5 engaging portion 16. Each curved member extends outwardly in general alignment with the receiving track 14. The curved configuration of the outwardly extending portion 18 of this embodiment is particularly suited for the securing of vessels that are cylindrical in shape. In this embodiment, the curved member has a bracing portion 17. The bracing 10 portion 17 is arranged to extend upwardly along a lower surface of the curved member from the track engaging portion 16. The bracing portion 17 is provided to add extra strength and support to the outwardly extending portion 18. It should be understood, however, that the outwardly extending portion 18 may be provided in any shape or configuration as desired or necessary. For example, it may 15 be desired to secure a vessel that is substantially rectangular in configuration. In such an instance, it is preferred that the outwardly extending portion 18 be provided as a substantially square or rectangular member. The outwardly extending portion 18 is provided with an engaging portion 32 at an end remote from the channel 24. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the engaging 20 portion 32 comprises an inwardly curved portion. However, the engaging portion 32 may alternatively comprise an aperture. The engaging portion 32 is has a flexible member 34 in the form of a strap attached thereto. Preferably, each outwardly extending portion 18 of each slidable portion 12 has a flexible member 34 attached thereto. However, a single flexible member 34, 4 WO 2006/058366 PCT/AU2005/001797 fastenable to both engaging portions 32 of the slidable portions 12 may be used instead. The or each flexible member 34 may be attached to a respective engaging portion 32 by a coupling portion 33. Preferably, the coupling portion 33 comprises a metal ring 5 which engages around the engaging portion 32 and to which an end of a respective flexible member 34 is attached, as shown in Figure 1. The flexible members 34 of each slidable portion 12 are arranged, in use, to be placed about the vessel. The flexible members 34 are fastenable to each other. The flexible members 34 may be fastened by any suitable means that permits tensioning of the 10 flexible members 34 about the vessel, such as a buckle or the like. Tensioning of the flexible members 34 causes the track engaging portions 16 to exert a force against a lower surface of the flanges 26 of the receiving track. Tensioning of the flexible members 34 also causes the vessel to exert a force upon an upper surface of the outwardly extending portions 18. This in turn causes a lower surface of the 15 outwardly extending portion 18 to exert a force upon the upper surface of each flange 26. In this manner, the slidable portions 12 are held in place upon the receiving track 14 by friction, thereby also retaining the vessel in position. A second embodiment of the slidable portion 12 of the present invention is shown in Figure 4. This embodiment is particularly suited for securing vessels that have a 20 considerable weight and cannot be adequately supported by the curved configuration of the outwardly extending portions 18 of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the outwardly extending portions 18 of the slidable portions 12 each comprise a lug 36 having an aperture 38 therein. The lug 36 is disposed outwardly from the channel 5 WO 2006/058366 PCT/AU2005/001797 24 and is generally perpendicular to the laterally extending lugs 30 of the track engaging portion 16. The aperture 38 is arranged to receive a flexible member 34, such as a chain, which is placed about the vessel. The flexible member 34 is arranged, in use, to be placed 5 about the vessel, tensioned and fastened. In use, the vessel that is to be secured by the adjustable bracket 10 is placed adjacent the receiving track 14, between the two slidable portions 12. The slidable portions 12 are slidably moved relative to each other upon the receiving track 14 to a position adjacent opposing sides of the vessel. Optionally, each slidable portion 12 may be 10 fixed in this position upon the receiving track 14 by insertion of the fastening means 40 through the bore 40. The flexible member 34 is then engaged with the engaging portion 32 of at least one of the outwardly extending portions 18, and placed about the vessel. The flexible member 34 is then tensioned to secure the vessel, and appropriately fastened. 15 Fastening may be achieved by fastening to the second flexible member 34, attached to the opposing outwardly extending portion 18, or by engagement with the engaging portion 32 of the opposing outwardly extending portion 18. In the second embodiment, the flexible member 34 is engaged with the aperture 38 of at least one of the lugs 36. The flexible member 34 is placed about the vessel and 20 tensioned. The flexible member 34 is then appropriately fastened, substantially as described with respect to the first embodiment. Tensioning and fastening of the or each flexible member 34 causes the appropriate force to be applied upon upper and lower surfaces of the flanges 26 by the outwardly extending portions 18 and track engaging portions 14 respectively. In this manner, 6 WO 2006/058366 PCT/AU2005/001797 the vessel is secured to the surface upon which the or each receiving track 14 is mounted. Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. 7

Claims (12)

1. An adjustable bracket (10) for securing a vessel to a surface, the adjustable bracket (10) comprising at least two slidable portions (12) and a receiving track (14), the receiving track (14) being arranged to be mounted on the surface, each slidable portion (12) having a respective track engaging portion (16) and a respective outwardly extending portion (18), the track engaging portions (16) of the slidable portions (12) being arranged to engage slidably with the receiving track (14) and the outwardly extending portions (18) of the slidable portions (12) being arranged to engage at least one flexible member (34), wherein the receiving track (14) has a pair of opposing side walls (21) each having an inwardly extending flange (26), characterised in that the slidable portions (12) are arranged to be slidably mounted relative to each other upon the receiving track (14) to positions adjacent the opposing sides of the vessel to be secured, whereby tension in the or each flexible member (34) causes the vessel to exert a force upon the outwardly extending portions (18) causing the slidable portions (12) to be held in place upon the receiving track (14) by friction, tension in the or each flexible member (34) causing engagement with the inner surfaces of the flanges (26), and causes the outwardly extending portion (18) to exert a force against the outer surfaces of the flanges (26).

2. An adjustable bracket (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the receiving track (14) has a base (22) between the opposing walls (21), arranged to define a longitudinal channel (24), and the track engaging portion (16) of each slidable portion (12) includes a pair of laterally extending lugs (36), 8 wherein the lugs (36) are arranged to be received by the channel (24) and be held therein by the inwardly extending flanges (26).

3. An adjustable bracket (10) according to claim 2, characterised in that the outwardly extending portion (18) of each slidable portion (12) projects generally away from the channel (24), each outwardly extending portion (18) having a surface arranged, in use, to contact the flanges (26) of the receiving track (14) and exert a force against the flanges (26).

4. An adjustable bracket (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outwardly extending portion (18) had an engaging portion (32) at an end thereof remote from the channel, the engaging portion (32) being arranged to engage a flexible member (34).

5. An adjustable bracket (10) according to claim 4, characterised in that the engaging portion (32) comprises and inwardly curved portion arranged to engage a flexible member (34).

6. An adjustable bracket (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the outwardly extending portion (18) includes a generally curved portion member, the curved member curving away from the track engaging portion (16) and extending outwardly in general alignment with the receiving track (14).

7. An adjustable bracket (10) according to claim 6, characterised in that the generally curved member of the outwardly extending portion (18) has a lower surface, the lower surface having a bracing portion (17) extending upwardly along the lower surface to provide additional strength and support to the outwardly extending portion (18). 9

8. An adjustable bracket (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that each slidable portion (12) has a bore (38) extending from an upper surface of the outwardly extending portion (18) and through the track engaging portion (16), the bore (38) being arranged to receive a fastening means to enable each slidable portion (12) to be fixed in a position upon the receiving track (14) by engagement of the fastening means with the receiving track (14).

9. An adjustable bracket (10) according to any one of claims I to 4, characterised in that the outwardly extending portion (18) of each slidable portion (12) comprises a lug (36), the lug (36) being disposed outwardly from the channel (24) and generally perpendicular to the lugs (36) of the track engaging portion (16).

10. An adjustable bracket (10) according to claim 9, characterised in that the lug (30) of the outwardly extending portion (18) is provided with an aperture (38), the aperture (38) being arranged to receive the flexible member (34).

11. An adjustable bracket (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that two or more substantially parallel receiving tracks (14) are provided upon a surface.

12. An adjustable bracket as substantially described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. 10