AU2008243186C1

AU2008243186C1 - Suspension device comprising a profile rail that is to be vertically arranged, and comprising a bracket that can be suspended therein

Info

Publication number: AU2008243186C1
Application number: AU2008243186A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Herbert Walter
Original assignee: Visplay International AG
Current assignee: Visplay International AG
Priority date: 2001-11-15
Filing date: 2008-11-07
Publication date: 2011-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2022-11-14
Also published as: AU2008243186A1; AU2008243186A8; AU2008243186B2

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/00/0II IA I I Suspension device comprising a profile rail that is to be vertically arranged, and comprising a bracket that can be suspended therein Field of the invention 5 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 framework, and having a bracket which can be suspended in the profile rail. The profile rail has a grid arrangement in which it is possible to suspend the bracket, which is connected to a carrying arm, a crossbar or a shelf carrier. Structures 10 which are formed by way of sections of the profile rail are used, for example, as information and decoration carriers in reception areas or as a framework for displaying goods or exhibits or for storing articles. Prior art 15 A variety of devices for punctiform suspension are known (e.g. 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 (e.g. WO 99/65368; WO 01/43599). Finally, a large number of variants of suspension devices for the vertically variable arrangement of profile 20 rails and brackets which can be suspended therein are known (e.g. DE 20100 181 U 1). Summary of the invention The devices known from the prior art have proven successful in the past. 25 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 30 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 vertical lines, in differing lengths depending on the local conditions, and as short sections. Overview of the invention 5 The suspension device comprises, in the first instance, a profile which is to be ar ranged vertically and has a front side, two side flanks and a rear side and also en 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 plementary to the engagement contours. The bracket has an encompassing part 10 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 inven tion: The fixing elements are arranged on a clamp portion of the encompassing 15 part of the bracket, e.g. as fixed elements. As an alternative, at least, and prefera bly, 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 20 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 di rected 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 under 25 cuts 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 30 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.

-3- In 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 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 passing part of the bracket, the portions having fork-like openings which are di 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 tance between different pairs of slots of the grid. The fixing elements are formed 10 by claws on the clamp portion. In the suspended state, the top clamp portion en cases 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 verti cally. 15 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 20 suspended in a moveable manner as fixing elements are provided on the encom passing part of the bracket. The securing plates are spring-mounted and/or ec centric 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 25 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 30 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- -4 ing elements on its clamp portion. In the suspended state of the bracket, the en compassing part engages around the profile, and the spring stressing forces the 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 hori 5 zontal 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 forms the front side and covers over the grid of slots toward the front. In a specific configuration, the engagement contours are designed as undercut, 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 en gagement 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 1s spring and one wedge being provided on either side of an aperture accommodat ing the profile. The springs and the wedges, inserted in cutouts, secure one an other. 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. 20 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 25 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 30 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 pro file, and terminates with an upright section.

C:NRPortbl\DCC\AKW323049_1.DOC-8/1012010 -5 According to one aspect there is provided 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 5 efficient production and assembly costs. Brief description of the attached drawings In the Figures: Figure 1A shows a perspective illustration of a first variant of a suspension 10 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; Figure 1 B shows the hollow profile according to Figure 1A; Figure 1C shows the bracket according to Figure 1A; 15 Figure 1D shows a partial section from Figure 1A in the region where the bracket engages in the profile; Figure 2A shows a perspective illustration of a second variant of the suspension device, having a modified profile and bracket, in the suspended state; 20 Figure 2B shows the profile according to Figure 2A; Figure 2C shows a perspective view from the rear of the arrangement according to Figure 2A; Figure 2D shows a plan view of the bracket according to Figure 2A moving toward the profile according to Figure 2A; 25 Figure 2E shows the operation of suspending the bracket according to Figure 2A in the profile according to Figure 2A; Figure 2F shows a different perspective view of the arrangement according to Figure 2E; Figure 2G shows a side view of the arrangement according to Figure 2A; 30 Figure 2H shows an enlarged horizontal section of the suspended state according to Figure 2A; -6 Figure 3A shows a perspective illustration of a third variant of the suspension device, having a cross-sectionally trapezoidal profile and an associ ated bracket, in the suspended state; Figure 3B shows the profile according to Figure 3A; 5 Figure 3C shows the profile according to Figure 3A in horizontal section; Figure 3D shows the bracket according to Figure 3A; Figure 3E shows a perspective view from the rear of the arrangement accord ing to Figure 3A; Figure 3F shows a side view of the arrangement according to Figure 3A; 10 Figure 3G shows a plan view of the arrangement according to Figure 3A; Figure 4A 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 hav ing an associated bracket, in the suspended state; 15 Figure 4B shows the profile according to Figure 4A; Figure 4C shows the bracket according to Figure 4A; Figure 4D shows an enlarged horizontal section of the arrangement according to Figure 4A; 20 Figure 5A 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 sus pended state; Figure 5B shows the profile according to Figure 5A; 25 Figure 5C shows the profile according to Figure 5A in horizontal section; Figure 5D shows the bracket according to Figure 5A; Figure 5E shows a perspective view from the rear of the arrangement accord ing to Figure 5A; Figure 5F shows a side view of the arrangement according to Figure 5A; 30 Figure 5G shows a plan view of the arrangement according to Figure 5A; Figure 5H shows an enlargement from Figure 5G; -7 Figure 6A 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; Figure 6B shows the profile according to Figure 6A; 5 Figure 6C shows the profile according to Figure 6A in horizontal section; Figure 6D shows the bracket according to Figure 6A; Figure 6E shows a perspective view from the rear of the arrangement accord ing to Figure 6A; Figure 6F shows a rear view of the arrangement according to Figure 6A; 10 Figure 7A shows a perspective illustration of a seventh variant of the suspen sion device, having the profile of the sixth variant and a modified bracket, in the suspended state; Figure 7B shows the bracket according to Figure 7A; 15 Figure 7C shows a perspective view from the rear of the arrangement accord ing to Figure 7A; Figure 7D shows a rear view of the arrangement according to Figure 7A; Figure 7E shows the arrangement according to Figure 7A in horizontal section; Figure 7F shows the arrangement according to Figure 7A with the bracket 20 disengaged from the profile; Figure 8A shows a perspective illustration of an eighth variant of the suspen sion device, having a profile provided with a lateral, undercut grid of slots and having an associated bracket, in the suspended state; 25 Figure 8B shows the profile according to Figure 8A; Figure 8C shows a perspective view from the rear of the arrangement accord ing to Figure 8A; Figure 8D shows a side view of the arrangement according to Figure 8A; Figure 8E shows the arrangement according to Figure 8A in horizontal section; 30 Figure 8F shows the arrangement according to Figure 8A, with the bracket dis engaged from the profile, in horizontal section; -8 Figure 9A 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; Figure 9B shows the profile according to Figure 9A; 5 Figure 9C shows the profile according to Figure 9A in horizontal cross section; Figure 9D shows the bracket according to Figure 9A; Figure 9E shows a perspective view from the rear of the arrangement according to Figure 9A; Figure 9F shows a side view of the arrangement according to Figure 9A; 10 Figure 9G shows the arrangement according to Figure 9A with the bracket disengaged from the profile; Figure 10A 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; 15 Figure 10B shows a front view of the arrangement according to Figure 1OA; Figure 10C shows a side view of the arrangement according to Figure 10A; Figure 10D shows the profile according to Figure 10A; Figure 10E shows the profile according to Figure 10A in vertical section; Figure 1OF shows an enlarged horizontal cross section of the profile according 20 to Figure 10G; Figure 1OG shows the profile according to Figure 10A for a screw connection at the rear; Figure 10H shows an enlarged horizontal cross section of the profile according to Figure 1OG; 25 Figure 101 shows the profile according to Figure 10A for a screw connection at the front, with the covering released; Figure IOJ shows the arrangement according to Figure 101 with the covering latched onto the profile; Figure 10K shows an enlarged horizontal cross section of the profile according 30 to Figure 10J; Figure 10L shows a perspective view of the profile according to Figure 10D at the rear; Figure 1 1A shows a perspective view from the rear of the bracket according to Figure 1OA; -9 Figure 11 B shows an exploded illustration of the bracket according to Figure 11A; Figure 11 C shows the position of the springs and wedges from the bracket ac cording to Figure 1 1A; with the bracket engaged in the profile; 5 Figure 11 D shows the position of the springs and wedges from the bracket ac cording to Figure 1 1A, with the bracket in the free position on the profile; Figure 12A shows a perspective illustration of the arrangement according to 10 Figure 10A in the latching position; Figure 12B shows an enlarged horizontal section of the arrangement according to Figure 12A; Figure 13A shows an enlarged horizontal section of the arrangement according 15 to Figure 10A in the sliding position; Figure 13B shows the arrangement according to Figure 13A in vertical section; Figure 14A shows a perspective illustration of the arrangement according to Figure 10A in the free position; 20 Figure 14B shows an enlarged horizontal section of the arrangement according to Figure 14A; Figure 14C shows an enlarged vertical section of the arrangement according to Figure 14A; 25 Figure 15A shows a perspective illustration of the arrangement according to Figure 10A with a universal bracket, in the latching position; Figure 15B shows a plan view of the arrangement according to Figure 15A; Figure 15C shows an enlarged horizontal section of the arrangement according to Figure 15A; 30 Figure 16A shows a panel with the tenth variant of the suspension device, according to Figure 10A, and differently configured load carriers; Figure 16B shows a length of profile of the tenth variant with pair of latching grooves; 35 Figure 16C shows a universal bracket according to 15A; -10 Figure 16D shows a bracket with a straight carrying arm; Figure 16E shows a bracket with a stepped carrying arm; Figure 16F shows a bracket with a carrying arm for accommodating a crossbar; Figure 16G shows a bracket with a T-shaped carrying arm; 5 Figure 16H shows a bracket with a hook rail; and Figure 161 shows a bracket with shelf mounts. Exemplary embodiments With reference to the attached drawings, the detailed description of exemplary 10 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 di 15 rectly 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. 20 Figures 1A to 1D In the first variant of the suspension device, use is made of a rectangular, hollow profile rail 1 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 up 25 ward 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 10 on the inside. For suspending and releasing the bracket 2, the latter has to be an gled in order for it to be possible for the tongue 21 to be introduced and removed. 30 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 side flanks 11,12, ensures laterally stable positioning of the suspended bracket 2 with the arm-like load carrier 4 extending therefrom. Figures 2A to 2H 5 In a second variant of the suspension device, use is made of a T-shaped profile bar 1, of which the base is directed rearward and the transverse leg forms the front side 10. This results in two longitudinally running undercuts behind the front side 10, these undercuts preferably being provided with a grid 3, which may be formed by notches, holes or outwardly oriented punched-out portions. The asso 10 ciated bracket 2, once again, has an encompassing part 20 with a top clamp por tion 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, 15 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 20 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 sup porting portion 23 of the encompassing part 20 strikes against the profile bar I outside a pair of slots of the grid 3 and thus cannot yet be pushed onto the profile 25 bar 1. When the bracket 2 is moved downward, the encompassing part 20 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 30 support, while the clamp portion 22, which now encases the profile bar 1 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 -12 apart from one another by a distance which is not congruent with the distance between different pairs of slots for the grid 3. Figures 4A to 4D 5 In the fourth variant of the suspension device, use is made of a cross-sectionally rectangular profile bar 1, on the rear side 13 of which is located a grid of slots 3 with horizontal through-slots and which is likewise intended for fastening on a car rying structure. The bracket 2 has the encompassing part 20 with the securing pin 24 which can be inserted transversely at the top. In the attached state, the en 10 compassing part 20 engages around the front side 10 and the two side flanks 11,12 of the profile 1, and the securing pin 24 can be pushed in at a selected slot 3 of the grid 3. The bracket 2 rests on the front side 10 by way of the bottom sup porting portion 23. In order to displace or release the bracket 2, the securing pin 24 has to be drawn out at least to the extent where the previously occupied slot 3 15 is completely freed. Figures 5A to 5H In the fifth variant, use is made of a T-shaped profile bar I which has its wider front side 10 oriented toward the front and has a grid of slots 3 on the two side 20 flanks 11,12. A top clamp portion 22 with hooks 220 and a bottom supporting plate 23 are provided on the encompassing part 20 of the bracket 2, the clamp portion and supporting plate having fork-like openings which are directed toward the profile bar I and equal the span between a pair of slots, and are spaced apart from one another by a distance which is not congruent with the distance between 25 different pairs of slots of the grid 3. The hooks 220 can be pushed over the profile bar I only on the level of the first pair of slots 3. Once the bracket 2 has been lowered or raised in a defined manner, the fork of the supporting portion 23 can be pushed into a second pair of slots 3, which is located beneath the first pair of slots 3. 30 Figures 6A to 6F In the sixth variant, use is made of a cross-sectionally rectangular profile 1 which has a grid 3 of semicircular notches which is undercut in relation to the front side -13 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 cated at the same height in each case. The bracket 2 has the encompassing part 20 with a clamp portion 22, on which are located securing plates 24 which are 5 suspended in a moveable manner, have an eccentric center of gravity and thus position themselves of their own accord. When the bracket 2 is pushed onto the profile 1, the securing plates 24 rotate outward and, by virtue of the opening, thus allow the bracket 2 to be suspended on the profile I to the full extent. When the securing plates 24 pass into a selected pair of notches 3, the securing plates 24, 10 utilizing the clearance, move downward into the undercut notches 3 and thus se cure the bracket 2 on the profile 1. A reliable arresting action is achieved by par ticular 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 dis placed vertically, with the result that the securng plates 24 move out of the previ 15 ously 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. 20 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 addi tionally 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. 25 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 30 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 Figures 8A to 8F In the eighth variant, use is made, once again, of a profile 1 with an undercut grid of slots 3 on the two side flanks 11,12. This profile 1 is joined together from a rear strip, which forms the rear side 13 and contains the grid of slots 3, and a front 5 strip, which forms the front side 10 and covers over the grid of slots 3 toward the front. The encompassing part 20 of the bracket 2 is designed as a spring-stressed 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 on its clamp portion 22. In the suspended state, the encompassing part 20 en 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 15 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. 20 Here too, the encompassing part 20 of the bracket 2 is designed as a spring stressed 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 25 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 20, a corresponding amount of clearance is provided for the encompassing part 20 to move toward the profile I when the encompassing part is opened. 30 Figures 1OA to 1OL In the tenth variant, use is made, once again, of a profile I 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 -15 respective two slots are located at the same height. The slots 3, which are ar ranged 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 5 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 yond the grid of slots 3, whereby the latter obtains its undercut contour. The two strips 18,19 are joined together in a form-fitting manner. An arrow marking on the rear strip 18, for example, could indicate the correct assembly direction. One con 10 figuration of the profile I is provided for screw connection at the rear - through the rear strip 18 - (see Figures 1OF 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 15 again, has an encompassing part 20 with the top clamp portion 22 and the sup porting portion 23 extending downward therebeneath. Figures 11A to 14C The bracket 2 has a U-shaped, vertically extending aperture, which is comple 20 mentary to the cross section of the profile 1, in order to receive the profile I 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, be ing moveable to a limited extent to the side and being provided for elastic en 25 gagement in a selected pair of slots 3. As a result of the springs 5, the wedges 50, the tips of which project into the aperture in the rest position, are prestressed to ward one another. The wedges 50 and springs 5 are separate components which - inserted in cutouts in the clamp portion 22 - secure one another. 30 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 -16 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 component is absorbed by the supporting portion 23 and the sides of the wedges 50. The wedges 50 have been moved largely toward one another and a down 5 ward movement of the bracket 2 is blocked (see Figures 11C, 12A and 12B). 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 latter. If the bracket 2 hanging on the profile 1 is raised upwardly, the wedges 50 10 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 15 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 20 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 dis 25 tance (see Figure 11A). Bevels on the wedges 50 allow the bracket 2 to be sus pended at any height position in the profile 1. Figures 15A to 161 The profile I which is made up of the rear strip 18, with the grid of slots 3, and the 30 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 For specific configurations and applications, short lengths of the profile 1 can be fastened on a carrying structure. Such lengths have at least one pair of slots 3 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 5 dispensed with here (see Figures 16B and 16C). The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia. 10 Throughout 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 15 group of integers or steps.

Claims

1. A suspension device comprising: a) a profile which is to be arranged vertically and has a front side, two side 5 flanks and a rear side and also engagement contours provided on the profile; 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 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 15 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 20 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; 25 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. 30

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.

5. A suspension device comprising: - 19 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 b) a bracket which can be suspended on the profile and has fixing elements 5 which are complementary to the engagement contours; whereas c) the bracket has an encompassing part in which the fixing elements are 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 10 bracket are arranged as inherently elastic elements; 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.

6. The suspension device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the i5 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 20 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 25 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. 30

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. - 20

10. The suspension device as claimed in Claims 4 or 9 wherein the rear strip is made of plastic.

11. The suspension device as claimed in one of Claims 1 or 5, wherein 5 the profile is used as bar material.

12. The suspension device as claimed in one of Claims 1 or 5, wherein the profile is used in short lengths with at least one pair of engagement contours. 10

13. A suspension device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the figures 1 0A to 161. DATED this 29th day of June, 2005 VISPLAY INTERNATIONAL AG 15 By its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE