AU2008243186A1 - Suspension device comprising a profile rail that is to be vertically arranged, and comprising a bracket that can be suspended therein - Google Patents

Description

Australian Patents Act 1990 Regulation 3.2 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Suspension device comprising a profile rail that is to be vertically arranged, and comprising a bracket that can be suspended therein The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- P/00/011 5951 00 Suspension device comprising a profile rail that is to be vertically arranged, Sand comprising a bracket that can be suspended therein Field of the invention The present invention relates to a suspension device having a profile rail for arranging vertically on a carrying structure, e.g. a rear wall, a panel, a frame or a 00 framework, and having a bracket which can be suspended in the profile rail. The Sprofile rail has a grid arrangement in which it is possible to suspend the bracket, 0 which is connected to a carrying arm, a crossbar or a shelf carrier. Structures (0 S 10 which are formed by way of sections of the profile rail are used, for example, as Sinformation and decoration carriers in reception areas or as a framework for displaying goods or exhibits or for storing articles.

Prior art A variety of devices for punctiform suspension are known EP 0 716 825 131; WO 99/20094; DE 201 09 028 U1). Suspension devices for the horizontally variable arrangement of carrying arms have likewise been proposed in a variety of configurations WO 99/65368; WO 01/43599). Finally, a large number of variants of suspension devices for the vertically variable arrangement of profile rails and brackets which can be suspended therein are known DE 20100 181

UI).

Summary of the invention The devices known from the prior art have proven successful in the past.

However, there is a need for perfection, i.e. increasing the stability, variability, ease of service and expediency, and for novel solutions which give rise to different possible configurations. In view of this, the present invention seeks to provide an improved and original suspension device which has an increased use value for the field of the invention defined above and comprises a profile rail for arranging vertically on a carrying structure and also a bracket which can be suspended in the profile rail. The intention is for it to be possible for a plurality of brackets to be suspended at different heights on a profile rail, for the brackets to be connected to differently configured load carriers, and for the profile rail to be arranged both in -2- 00 Svertical lines, in differing lengths depending on the local conditions, and as short sections.

O

z 0 Overview of the invention The suspension device comprises, in the first instance, a profile which is to be ar- Iranged vertically and has a front side, two side flanks and a rear side and also en- 00 gagement contours provided on the profile. The device also contains a bracket which can be suspended on the profile and has fixing elements which are com- 00 plementary to the engagement contours. The bracket has an encompassing part on which or in which the fixing elements are arranged, and, in the suspended state, encases the front side and the two side flanks of the profile.

The following features relate to specific configurations and variants of the invention: The fixing elements are arranged on a clamp portion of the encompassing part of the bracket, e.g. as fixed elements. As an alternative, at least, and preferably, one removable fixing element is provided. In further alternatives, the fixing elements provided are spring-mounted or inherently elastic. It is possible for the engagement contours in the profile to be located on the rear side or front side of the profile, to be arranged in the side flanks of the profile and to extend to the front side of the profile or to be undercut in relation to the front side.

In one configuration, the profile is T-shaped in cross section with a rearwardly directed profile base, and the transverse leg of the profile forms the front side. This results in two longitudinally running undercuts behind the front side, these undercuts preferably being provided with a grid as engagement contours e.g. in the form of notches, holes or outwardly oriented punched-out portions. A top clamp portion and a bottom supporting portion are provided on the encompassing part of the bracket, the clamp portion, as fixing element, having hooks which are offset in height in relation to one another. The bracket can only be attached in a twisted state to the profile, as a result of which the clamp portion passes over the front side and, once rotated into the straightened position, engages behind the front side and, finally, moves into the engagement contours.

00 0In further configurations, the profile is trapezoidal or T-shaped in cross section, the wider, front side being at the front, and a mutually symmetrical grid of slots, which o is accessible from the front side, being arranged in each case as engagement contours in the side flanks, this producing pairs of slots located at the same height.

s A top clamp portion and a bottom supporting portion are provided on the encom- IN passing part of the bracket, the portions having fork-like openings which are dioo00 rected toward the profile and equal the span between a pair of slots, and being spaced apart from one another by a distance which is not congruent with the dis- 0 tance between different pairs of slots of the grid. The fixing elements are formed 00 by claws on the clamp portion. In the suspended state, the top clamp portion encases the profile outside a pair of slots and thus restains the bracket, while the bottom supporting portion, pushed into a pair of slots, supports the bracket vertically.

In the next configuration, the profile is quadrilateral in cross section, a grid of semicircular notches which is undercut in relation to the front side being provided as engagement contours on the side flanks. The two side flanks are symmetrical to one another, this resulting in pairs of notches located at the same height in each case. A bottom supporting portion and a top clamp portion with securing plates suspended in a moveable manner as fixing elements are provided on the encompassing part of the bracket. The securing plates are spring-mounted and/or eccentric and, in the suspended state of the bracket, in the rest position, thus move toward one another and engage in a selected pair of notches. The securing plates are contoured, in order that they remain in the selected pair of notches even when the suspended bracket is subjected to increasing load.

In another configuration, the profile is basically quadrilateral in cross section, a grid of preferably rectangular or polygonal slots which is undercut in relation to the front side being provided as engagement contours on the side flanks; the two side flanks are symmetrical to one another, and this results in pairs of slots located at the same height in each case. The encompassing part of the bracket is designed as a spring-stressed gripper, which has two jaws and can be opened counter to the spring stressing, and the encompassing part has mutually facing noses as fix- 00 0 ing elements on its clamp portion. In the suspended state of the bracket, the en- N compassing part engages around the profile, and the spring stressing forces the 0 z noses into a selected pair of slots, as a result of which the bracket is secured on the profile. The gripper jaws are mounted in a rotatable manner on vertical or horizontal pins. The profile can advantageously be joined together from a rear strip, which forms the rear side and contains the grid of slots, and a front strip, which 00 forms the front side and covers over the grid of slots toward the front.

00 In a specific configuration, the engagement contours are designed as undercut, 0 10 wedge-shaped slots in the side flanks, have a ledge at the bottom and slope up gradually, preferably in a slanting plane, to the plane of the side flanks. The engagement contours on one side flank are arranged symmetrically in relation to the engagement contours on the other side flank. The fixing elements in the bracket are constituted in each case by a wedge mounted on a spring, in each case one spring and one wedge being provided on either side of an aperture accommodating the profile. The springs and the wedges, inserted in cutouts, secure one another. The profile can be made up of a rear strip, which contains the engagement contours and is preferably made of plastic, and of a front strip. The profile is used as bar material or in short lengths with at least one pair of engagement contours.

In an additional configuration, the profile is rectangular in cross section, a grid of slots with horizontal through-slots being located as engagement contours on the rear side. A bottom supporting portion and a top clamp portion with a transversely insertable securing pin as fixing element are provided on the encompassing part of the bracket. In the suspended state, the securing pin, located in the selected slot, holds the bracket in position.

Finally, a configuration with a hollow profile bar in which the engagement contours are formed as slots in the front side of the profile, and the fixing element is a tongue which fits into the slots, is proposed. The tongue is located on the top edge of the encompassing part, initially extends horizontally in the direction of the profile, and terminates with an upright section.

The invention, then, provides different variants of a novel suspension device having a profile rail which is to be arranged vertically and, depending on the length to which it is cut, a plurality of brackets which can be suspended therein. This gives rise to further-reaching, original possible configurations along with efficient production and assembly costs.

Brief description of the attached drawings In the Figures: Figure 1A Figure 1B Figure 1C Figure ID Figure 2A Figure 2B Figure 2C Figure 2D Figure 2E Figure 2F Figure 2G Figure 2H shows a perspective illustration of a first variant of a suspension device according to the invention having a hollow profile, which has a grid of slots on its front side, and an associated bracket, in the suspended state; shows the hollow profile according to Figure 1A; shows the bracket according to Figure 1A; shows a partial section from Figure 1A in the region where the bracket engages in the profile; shows a perspective illustration of a second variant of the suspension device, having a modified profile and bracket, in the suspended state; shows the profile according to Figure 2A; shows a perspective view from the rear of the arrangement according to Figure 2A; shows a plan view of the bracket according to Figure 2A moving toward the profile according to Figure 2A; shows the operation of suspending the bracket according to Figure 2A in the profile according to Figure 2A; shows a different perspective view of the arrangement according to Figure 2E; shows a side view of the arrangement according to Figure 2A; shows an enlarged horizontal section of the suspended state according to Figure 2A; Figure 3A Figure 3B Figure 3C Figure 3D Figure 3E Figure 3F Figure 3G Figure 4A Figure 4B Figure 4C Figure 4D Figure 5A Figure 5B Figure 5C Figure 5D Figure 5E shows a perspective illustration of a third variant of the suspension device, having a cross-sectionally trapezoidal profile and an associated bracket, in the suspended state; shows the profile according to Figure 3A; shows the profile according to Figure 3A in horizontal section; shows the bracket according to Figure 3A; shows a perspective view from the rear of the arrangement according to Figure 3A; shows a side view of the arrangement according to Figure 3A; shows a plan view of the arrangement according to Figure 3A; shows a perspective illustration of a fourth variant of the suspension device, having a profile with a grid of slots on the rear side and having an associated bracket, in the suspended state; shows the profile according to Figure 4A; shows the bracket according to Figure 4A; shows an enlarged horizontal section of the arrangement according to Figure 4A; shows a perspective illustration of a fifth variant of the suspension device, having a cross-sectionally T-shaped profile provided with a lateral grid of slots and having an associated bracket, in the suspended state; shows the profile according to Figure shows the profile according to Figure 5A in horizontal section; shows the bracket according to Figure shows a perspective view from the rear of the arrangement according to Figure shows a side view of the arrangement according to Figure shows a plan view of the arrangement according to Figure shows an enlargement from Figure Figure Figure Figure -7- Figure 6A Figure 6B Figure 6C Figure 6D Figure 6E Figure 6F Figure 7A Figure 7B Figure 7C Figure 7D Figure 7E Figure 7F shows a perspective illustration of a sixth variant of the suspension device, having a profile provided with a lateral, undercut grid of slots and having an associated bracket, in the suspended state; shows the profile according to Figure 6A; shows the profile according to Figure 6A in horizontal section; shows the bracket according to Figure 6A; shows a perspective view from the rear of the arrangement according to Figure 6A; shows a rear view of the arrangement according to Figure 6A; shows a perspective illustration of a seventh variant of the suspension device, having the profile of the sixth variant and a modified bracket, in the suspended state; shows the bracket according to Figure 7A; shows a perspective view from the rear of the arrangement according to Figure 7A; shows a rear view of the arrangement according to Figure 7A; shows the arrangement according to Figure 7A in horizontal section; shows the arrangement according to Figure 7A with the bracket disengaged from the profile; shows a perspective illustration of an eighth variant of the suspension device, having a profile provided with a lateral, undercut grid of slots and having an associated bracket, in the suspended state; shows the profile according to Figure 8A; shows a perspective view from the rear of the arrangement according to Figure 8A; shows a side view of the arrangement according to Figure 8A; shows the arrangement according to Figure 8A in horizontal section; shows the arrangement according to Figure 8A, with the bracket disengaged from the profile, in horizontal section; Figure 8A Figure 8B Figure 8C Figure Figure Figure Figure 9A Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure 9F Figure 9G Figure 1 OA Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure 10B 10C 10D 10E 10F shows a perspective illustration of a ninth variant of the suspension device, having a profile provided with a lateral, undercut grid of slots and having a modified bracket, in the suspended state; shows the profile according to Figure 9A; shows the profile according to Figure 9A in horizontal cross section; shows the bracket according to Figure 9A; shows a perspective view from the rear of the arrangement according to Figure 9A; shows a side view of the arrangement according to Figure 9A; shows the arrangement according to Figure 9A with the bracket disengaged from the profile; shows a perspective illustration of a tenth variant of the suspension device, having a profile provided with a lateral, undercut grid of slots and having a modified bracket, in the suspended state; shows a front view of the arrangement according to Figure 1 OA; shows a side view of the arrangement according to Figure shows the profile according to Figure shows the profile according to Figure 10A in vertical section; shows an enlarged horizontal cross section of the profile according to Figure shows the profile according to Figure 10A for a screw connection at the rear; shows an enlarged horizontal cross section of the profile according to Figure shows the profile according to Figure 10A for a screw connection at the front, with the covering released; shows the arrangement according to Figure 101 with the covering latched onto the profile; shows an enlarged horizontal cross section of the profile according to Figure shows a perspective view of the profile according to Figure 10D at the rear; shows a perspective view from the rear of the bracket according to Figure 1OA; Figure 1 OG Figure 10H Figure 101 Figure IOJ Figure 10K Figure 10L Figure 1 1A Figure 1 B Figure 1 C Figure 1 D Figure 12A Figure 12B Figure 13A Figure 13B Figure 14A Figure 14B Figure 14C Figure 15A Figure 15B Figure 15C shows an exploded illustration of the bracket according to Figure 1 1A; shows the position of the springs and wedges from the bracket according to Figure 1 1A; with the bracket engaged in the profile; shows the position of the springs and wedges from the bracket according to Figure 11A, with the bracket in the free position on the profile; shows a perspective illustration of the arrangement according to Figure 10A in the latching position; shows an enlarged horizontal section of the arrangement according to Figure 12A; shows an enlarged horizontal section of the arrangement according to Figure 10A in the sliding position; shows the arrangement according to Figure 13A in vertical section; shows a perspective illustration of the arrangement according to Figure 10A in the free position; shows an enlarged horizontal section of the arrangement according to Figure 14A; shows an enlarged vertical section of the arrangement according to Figure 14A; shows a perspective illustration of the arrangement according to Figure 10A with a universal bracket, in the latching position; shows a plan view of the arrangement according to Figure shows an enlarged horizontal section of the arrangement according to Figure shows a panel with the tenth variant of the suspension device, according to Figure 10A, and differently configured load carriers; shows a length of profile of the tenth variant with pair of latching grooves; shows a universal bracket according to Figure 16A Figure 16B Figure 16C 00 Figure 16D shows a bracket with a straight carrying arm; Figure 16E shows a bracket with a stepped carrying arm; Z Figure 16F shows a bracket with a carrying arm for accommodating a crossbar; Figure 16G shows a bracket with a T-shaped carrying arm; Figure 16H shows a bracket with a hook rail; and 00 Figure 161 shows a bracket with shelf mounts.

Exemplary embodiments 0With reference to the attached drawings, the detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the suspension device according to the invention, in various modifications, will be given hereinbelow.

The following applies to the rest of the description. If, in order to avoid ambiguity in the drawings, a Figure contains designations which are not explained in the directly associated text of the description, then you are referred to the point at which they are mentioned in previous descriptions of the Figures. For reasons of clarity, components are not usually designated again in subsequent Figures, provided that it is clear from the drawings that they are "recurring" components.

Figures 1A to 1D In the first variant of the suspension device, use is made of a rectangular, hollow profile rail I which has a grid of slots 3 on its front side 10. The associated bracket 2 comprises a cross-sectionally U-shaped encompassing part 20, from which a tongue 21, which is initially angled in the direction of the profile rail 1, projects upward at the top. In the suspended state, the encompassing part 20 engages around the front side 10 and the two side flanks 11,12 of the profile rail 1, the tongue 21 projecting into the selected slot 3 and engaging behind the front side on the inside. For suspending and releasing the bracket 2, the latter has to be angled in order for it to be possible for the tongue 21 to be introduced and removed.

In this case, a straight carrying bar is attached, as load carrier 4, to the bracket 2.

The encompassing part 20, which is U-shaped in horizontal cross section and is seated, as far as possible, in a play-free manner, on the front side 10 and the two -11- 00 C-i side flanks 11,12, ensures laterally stable positioning of the suspended bracket 2 ;>with the arm-like load carrier 4 extending therefrom.

z Figures 2A to 2H In a second variant of the suspension device, use is made of a T-shaped profile 00 bar 1, of which the base is directed rearward and the transverse leg forms the t front side 10. This results in two longitudinally running undercuts behind the front c- side 10, these undercuts preferably being provided with a grid 3, which may be 00 0formed by notches, holes or outwardly oriented punched-out portions. The assoc 10 ciated bracket 2, once again, has an encompassing part 20 with a top clamp portion 22, with hooks 220 which are offset in height in relation to one another, and with a bottom supporting plate 23. In order to attach the bracket 2, the latter is twisted, with the result that its clamp portion 22 passes over the front side 10 and, once rotated into the straightened position, engages behind the front side 10 and, finally, moves into the grid 3 which is preferably provided.

Figures 3A to 3G In the third variant of the suspension device, use is made of a trapezoidal profile bar 1, of which the broader front side 10 is located at the front. A grid of slots 3 is provided on the side flanks 11,12. The associated bracket 2, once again, has an encompassing part 20 with a top clamp portion 22, which can be plugged onto the profile bar 1 only on the level of a first pair of slots of the grid 3. The bottom supporting portion 23 of the encompassing part 20 strikes against the profile bar 1 outside a pair of slots of the grid 3 and thus cannot yet be pushed onto the profile bar 1. When the bracket 2 is moved downward, the encompassing part passes, as it were, behind the widening front side 10 and is thus restrained. Once the bottom supporting portion 23 of the encompassing part 20 reaches a second pair of slots of the grid 3, the supporting portion 23 can be pushed in here, as a result of which the bracket 2 hanging on the profile bar 1 is provided with vertical support, while the clamp portion 22, which now encases the profile bar I outside a pair of slots, blocks the removal of the bracket 2 from the profile bar 1. The clamp portion 22 and the supporting portion 23 of the encompassing part 20 are spaced -13- 00 10, on both sides, on the side flanks 11,12. The notches on the two side flanks 11,12 are symmetrical to one another and thus each form a pair of notches 3 lo- Z cated at the same height in each case. The bracket 2 has the encompassing part with a clamp portion 22, on which are located securing plates 24 which are suspended in a moveable manner, have an eccentric center of gravity and thus 00D position themselves of their own accord. When the bracket 2 is pushed onto the 00 CC profile 1, the securing plates 24 rotate outward and, by virtue of the opening, thus c, allow the bracket 2 to be suspended on the profile I to the full extent. When the 00 0securing plates 24 pass into a selected pair of notches 3, the securing plates 24, C 10 utilizing the clearance, move downward into the undercut notches 3 and thus secure the bracket 2 on the profile 1. A reliable arresting action is achieved by particular shaping of the securing plates 24 and of the notches 3. If it is desired to detach the suspended bracket 2 from the profile 1, the bracket 2 has to be displaced vertically, with the result that the securing plates 24 move out of the previously occupied notches 3, open again as a result and now, for the first time, allow the bracket 2 to be removed from the profile 1.

Figures 7A to 7F In the seventh variant, use is made of the same profile I as in the sixth variant.

The bracket 2 is also very similar. Fixed in an eccentrically hanging state on the clamp portion 22 are approximately semicircular securing plates 24, there additionally being guided in slots and possibly being subjected to stressing by internal spring elements. The two securing plates 24 have inwardly facing noses which are intended for engaging in the undercut unit-spacing notch arrangement 3.

When the bracket 2 is suspended on the profile 1, the securing plates 24 are forced outward and thus, in opened state, allow the bracket to be suspended on the profile 1. When the securing plates 24 come to a selected pair of notches 3, the securing plates 24 move downward, and their noses slide into the notches 3.

By virtue of contouring on the noses, the bracket 2, even under loading, remains hanging on the profile 1. The disengagement of the bracket 2 is performed, in a manner analogous to the sixth variant, by the bracket 2 being moved upwardly and the opening of the securing plates 24 resulting therefrom.

-14- 00 oO O Figures 8A to 8F In the eighth variant, use is made, once again, of a profile I with an undercut grid 0 Z of slots 3 on the two side flanks 11,12. This profile 1 is joined together from a rear 0 strip, which forms the rear side 13 and contains the grid of slots 3, and a front strip, which forms the front side 10 and covers over the grid of slots 3 toward the IND front. The encompassing part 20 of the bracket 2 is designed as a spring-stressed 00oo gripper, which has two jaws and can be opened counter to the spring stressing, and the encompassing part 20 has mutually facing noses 24 as fixing elements 24 0 on its clamp portion 22. In the suspended state, the encompassing part 20 en- S 10 gages around the profile I and the spring stressing forces the noses 24 into a selected pair of slots 3, with the result that the bracket 2 is secured on the profile 1. In order to release the bracket 2 from the profile 1, or to displace it vertically thereon, the encompassing part 20 has to be opened counter to the prestressing of the spring, as a result of which the noses 24 move laterally out of the pair of slots 3. The gripper jaws are mounted in a rotatable manner on vertical pins.

Figures 9A to 9G In the ninth variant of the device, use is made of basically the same profile 1, with a grid of slots 3 provided on the two side flanks 11,12, as in the eight variant.

Here too, the encompassing part 20 of the bracket 2 is designed as a springstressed gripper which has two jaws and can be opened counter to the spring stressing. The fixing elements 24, once again, are mutually facing noses 24 which are provided on the clamp portion 22. In this case, however, the gripper jaws on the encompassing part 20 of the bracket 2 are mounted in a rotatable manner on horizontal pins, with the result that the top clamp portion 22 can be opened counter to the spring stressing. At the bottom region of the encompassing part a corresponding amount of clearance is provided for the encompassing part 20 to move toward the profile 1 when the encompassing part is opened.

Figures 10A to IOL In the tenth variant, use is made, once again, of a profile 1 with a grid of slots 3 which is undercut in relation to the front side 10. The grid of slots 3 is provided symmetrically on the two side flanks 11,12, this resulting in pairs of slots, which o00 O respective two slots are located at the same height. The slots 3, which are ar- Sranged systematically in pairs, have a ledge 30 at the bottom and, at the top, a slope 31 up to the plane of the side flanks 11,12. It is particularly advantageous to design the profile 1 in two parts, namely with a rear strip 18 made of plastic, in which the slots 3 can be made in an advantageous manner, and a front strip 19, which is made, for example, of aluminum and covers over the rear strip 18 to be- 00oo yond the grid of slots 3, whereby the latter obtains its undercut contour. The two Cc strips 18,19 are joined together in a form-fitting manner. An arrow marking on the 0 rear strip 18, for example, could indicate the correct assembly direction. One con- 0o figuration of the profile I is provided for screw connection at the rear through the rear strip 18 (see Figures 10F to 10H). Another configuration of the profile 1 serves for screw connection at the front through the front strip 19 in which case a covering strip 19' is provided for covering the screw holes and heads (see Figures 101 to 10K). The bracket 2 with the load carrier 4 attached thereto, once again, has an encompassing part 20 with the top clamp portion 22 and the supporting portion 23 extending downward therebeneath.

Fiqures 11A to 14C The bracket 2 has a U-shaped, vertically extending aperture, which is complementary to the cross section of the profile 1, in order to receive the profile 1 with its front side 10 and its two side flanks 11,12, when the bracket 2 is suspended in the profile 1. In the top clamp portion 22 of the bracket 2, wedges 50 are inserted on either side of the aperture, these wedges 50 being mounted on springs 5, being moveable to a limited extent to the side and being provided for elastic engagement in a selected pair of slots 3. As a result of the springs 5, the wedges the tips of which project into the aperture in the rest position, are prestressed toward one another. The wedges 50 and springs 5 are separate components which inserted in cutouts in the clamp portion 22 secure one another.

If the bracket 2 has been suspended correctly and in a load-bearing manner at a selected height in the profile 1 this state is defined as the latching position the wedges 50 advanced by the springs 5 project into the pair of slots 3 and are seated on the ledges 30 of the two slots 3. The vertical load component which is -16o00 8 acting from the suspended bracket 2 on the carrying profile I is absorbed by the wedges 50 engaging in the pair of slots 3. The downwardly oriented oblique load 0 z component is absorbed by the supporting portion 23 and the sides of the wedges The wedges 50 have been moved largely toward one another and a downward movement of the bracket 2 is blocked (see Figures 11C, 12A and 12B).

0O 0 The sliding position (see Figures 13A and 13B) give the position assumed by the bracket 2 before it is moved into the latching position or as it is moved out of the 00 latter. If the bracket 2 hanging on the profile 1 is raised upwardly, the wedges begin to move up along the slopes 31 of the occupied pair of slots 3 and thereby, forced outward counter to the stressing of the springs 5, are quasi gradually opened when moving up and leaving the pair of slots 3.

As the bracket 2 suspended in the profile I moves up further, and thus leaves the originally occupied pair of slots 3 to an increasing extent, the free position of the bracket 2 is finally reached (see Figures 11D, 14A to 14C). The wedges 50 have moved completely out of the pair of slots 3, have reached the maximum opening between them and are now seated on the side flanks 11,12 of the profile 1. Here, the bracket 2 can be removed from the profile 1, and pushed further upward or downward again until it latches anew in the originally occupied pair of slots 3.

In the separated position, the bracket 2 has been removed from the profile 1; the wedges 50 have been moved all the way into the limit position in the aperture by the springs 5 and are now spaced apart from one another by the smallest distance (see Figure 11A). Bevels on the wedges 50 allow the bracket 2 to be suspended at any height position in the profile 1.

Figures 15A to 161 The profile 1 which is made up of the rear strip 18, with the grid of slots 3, and the front strip 19 is regarded as being particularly advantageous. The bracket 2 which is shown hanging on the profile 1 in Figures 15A to 15C can be combined with differently configured load carriers 4, as illustrated in Figures 16A and 16D to 161.

-17- 00 O For specific configurations and applications, short lengths of the profile 1 can be Sfastened on a carrying structure. Such lengths have at least one pair of slots 3 O located opposite one another. It is also possible for the brackets 2 to be suspended on such lengths of profile 1, a vertical height displacement being dispensed with here (see Figures 16B and 16C).

00 The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken Sas, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of 00the common general knowledge in Australia. 00 SThroughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims (5)

1. A suspension device comprising: O Z a) a profile which is to be arranged vertically and has a front side, two side flanks and a rear side and also engagement contours provided on the profile; and 00 b) a bracket which can be suspended on the profile and has fixing elements 00 which are complementary to the engagement contours; whereas c) the bracket has an encompassing part in which the fixing elements are 00 10 arranged; and d) the bracket encases the front side and the two side flanks of the profile; and e) the fixing elements at a clamp portion of the encompassing part of the bracket are elements mounted on a spring; and f) the engagement contours in the profile are arranged in the side flanks of the profile and are undercut in relation to the front side.

2. The suspension device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the engagement contours are designed as undercut, wedge-shaped slots in the side flanks, have a ledge at the bottom and slope up gradually to the plane of the side flanks.

3. The suspension device as claimed in one of Claims 1 or 2, wherein: a) the engagement contours on one side flank are arranged symmetrically in relation to the engagement contours on the other side flank; b) the fixing elements in the bracket are constituted in each case by a wedge mounted on a spring, in each case one spring and one wedge being provided on either side of an aperture receiving the profile; and c) the springs and the wedges, inserted in cutouts, secure one another.

4. The suspension device as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the profile comprises a rear strip, which contains the engagement contours, and a front strip. A suspension device comprising:

19- oo00 a) a profile which is to be arranged vertically and has a front side, two side flanks and a rear side and also engagement contours provided on the profile; O and b) a bracket which can be suspended on the profile and has fixing elements which are complementary to the engagement contours; whereas c) the bracket has an encompassing part in which the fixing elements are 00oo arranged; and d) the bracket encases the front side and the two side flanks of the profile; and e) the fixing elements at a clamp portion of the encompassing part of the oo00 10 bracket are arranged as inherently elastic elements; and O f) the engagement contours in the profile are arranged in the side flanks of the profile and are undercut in relation to the front side. 6. The suspension device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the engagement contours are designed as undercut, wedge-shaped slots in the side flanks, have a ledge at the bottom and slope up gradually to the plane of the side flanks. 7. The suspension device as claimed in one of Claims 2 or 6, wherein the wedge-shaped slots in the side flanks slope up gradually in a slanting plane to the plane of the side flanks. 8. The suspension device as claimed in one of Claims 5 or 6, wherein: a) the engagement contours on one side flank are arranged symmetrically in relation to the engagement contours on the other side flank; b) the fixing elements in the bracket are constituted in each case by a wedge mounted on a spring, in each case one spring and one wedge being provided on either side of an aperture receiving the profile; and c) the springs and the wedges, inserted in cutouts, secure one another. 9. The suspension device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the profile comprises a rear strip, which contains the engagement contours, and a front strip. 00 O 10. The suspension device as claimed in Claims 4 or 9 wherein the rear Sstrip is made of plastic. 11. The suspension device as claimed in one of Claims 1 or 5, wherein the profile is used as bar material. NO 00 12. The suspension device as claimed in one of Claims 1 or 5, wherein Sthe profile is used in short lengths with at least one pair of engagement contours. 00 13. A suspension device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the figures 10A to 161. DATED this 29 th day of June, 2005 VISPLAY INTERNATIONAL AG By its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE