AU687009B2

AU687009B2 - Support bracket assembly

Info

Publication number: AU687009B2
Application number: AU47425/93A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Noel Brown
Original assignee: KINGTRACK Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Kingtrack Group Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1992-09-18
Filing date: 1993-09-20
Publication date: 1998-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 2013-09-20
Also published as: AU4742593A

Description

i P/:00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION r FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

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TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: IL+yacL :RN /-imi ed

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Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: JOHN R.G. GARDNER PO BOX 443 MUDGEERABA QLD 4213 Invention title: SUPPORT BRACKET ASSEMBLY Details of Associated Provisional Applications: Nos: PL 4802 PL 9028 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it know to me:- 2 THIS INVENTION relates to support bracket assemblies for use particularly in supporting curtain or similar tracks.

A number of different support bracket assemblies are currently known for supporting curtain tracks. Often such support assemblies engage the curtain track from the top so that the latter is suspended from the support assembly and for this purpose, the curtain track normally includes an upper channel section with which the bracket assembly engages. Some 3upport bracket assemblies, however, also are adapted to engage the track or ar end a block or cap therefore at the sides. Other support bracket S" assemblies include locking systems which positively lock 0000 the track to the support assembly. At least some of the 15 presently known support bracket assemblies have design disadvantages and do not provide a reliable support for a set: curtain track. Additionally, the number of components in such systems makes the cost of the conventional systems relatively high.

20 The present invention aims to overcome or alleviate the above disadvantages or at least provide an alternative to the above assemblies by providing a bracket assembly particularly but not exclusively suited to the support of curtain or blind tracks which may be readily adapted for use with tracks of a number of different styles 0.0 or types. The present invention further aims to provide a 00 bracket assembly which permits ready engagement and support of a curtain track. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

With the above and other objects in view the present invention provides in a preferred aspect a bracket assembly for supporting a track, such as a curtain track of the type having a longitudinally extending channel, said bracket assembly including at least one pair of opposing engagement members adapted to extend into said channel for engagement therewith whereby said track may be supported by said bracket a L~Tbly.

Preferably also the opposing engagement members are of hook or barb-like form to engage beneath the upper inwardly directed flanges of the channel so as to engage and support the channel. Preferably also, one of the barblike members is more resilient than the other member or members. The engagement members in one preferred form comprise a pair of spaced apart outer barb-like members and an intermediate opposing barb-like member. The outer barblike members are preferably substantially rigid and the intermediate barb-like menmber is less rigid so as to be resiliently deflectable inwardly to reduce the combined owidth of the engagement members to facilitate insertion 6# into the channel of the track. This arrangement also roO permits easy detachment from the track by deflection of the 15 intermediate barb-like member.

The bracket assembly suitably includes a mounting bracket for mounti j to a wall. The engagement members may be integrally formed with the bracket or supported on an insert member mountable to the bracket. Preferably the 20 member is slidably mounted relative to the bracket. The bracket may also include more than one such member so that adjacent substantially parallel tracks may be supported by the bracket members.

The bracket suitably includes a base portion adapted to be mounted to a wall or upright member and an arm portion extending outwardly therefrom, the arm portion 0u@O suitably being braced to the base portion by one or more bracing flanges. The arm portion is arranged at an angle to the base portion such that when the bracket is mounted to a wall or the like, the arm portion is suitably .nclined upwardly to counteract the weight of the curtains.

In a further form, the opposing engaqement members may be provided on or in an insert adapted to be releasably engaged with the bracket, said insert being shaped for engagement with a said track whereby the latter may be supported by the bracket.

Preferably the bracket includes an aperture with which the insert may be engaged. Preferably the I -I insert is snapped into position within the aperture in the bracket so as to be supported thereby.

In one form the insert includes a pair of opposite resilient fingers which can engage with a channel of the curtain track. In a further form the insert is shaped to at least partially surround the track to support same.

The bracket may be provided with an extensible arm provided with en aperture for engagement by the insert, the arm being movable telescopically relative to the bracket.

t. Suitably the components of the bracket assembly S.are formed of a plastics material, however, they may also see: be formed of a metal material such as aluminium.

15 In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:- Fig. I is a side elevational view of a ~20 bracket assembly according to the present invention supporting a curtain track; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the bracket assembly of Fig. 1; S9 e Fig. 3 is an underside view showing details of the hooks or barbs of the bracket assembly of Figs. 1 a and 2; Fig. 4 is a front view of the bracket assembly of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a bracket assembly incorporating a sliding hook assembly; Fig. 6 is a view of an alternative bracket assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 7 illustrates a bracket according to a further form of the invention with associated extension arm; Figs. 8a and 8b illustrate alternative forms of insert for the bracket of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 illustrates the manner in which the insert of Fig. 8a supports a track; Fig. 10 illustrates the manner in which the insert of Fig. 8b supports a track; Figs. lla, b, and c illustrates typical tracks which may be supported by the bracket assembly of the invention; Figs. 12a and 12b illustrate typical end units for the tracks for engagement by the bracket assemblies of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 to 4 there is illustrated a bracket assembly 10 according to the present invention for supporting curtain tracks or the like, including a base 11 adapted to be mounted to a wall or other surface, and an arm 12 extending outwardly from the 15 base 11 and carrying a depending hook assembly 13 comprising opposed hooked or barbed members 14 and 0010 The arm 12 is preferably inclined slightly upwardly and outwardly from the base 11 and supported thereto by a pair of spaced apart opposite flanges 16.

20 As shown more clearly in Fig. 3 and 4, a pair of members 15 are provided at spaced apart positions on opposite sides of the bracket arm 12 with the member 14 •being located intermediate the members 15 but opposed thereto. The members 14 and 15 both having enlarged heads of barb-like configuration so that they may engage under r the flanges 17 of a channel 18 associated with a track 19.

*000 The members 15 are relatively rigidly secured or formed with the remainder of the bracket assembly 10 by being supported on opposite sides whilst the member 14 is longer than the members 15 and comprises a depending leg 20 joined at one end to the arm 11 but being free on its opposite sides thus providing a degree of resilience in the member 14.

In use the hook assembly 13 may be forced downwardly into the channel 18 which will cause the leg to resiliently deflect inwardly to reduce the width of the hook assembly 13 and permit the hook assembly 13 to pass into the channel 18 and thereafter resiliently move I I outwardly so that the barbed ends of the members 14 and locate under the flanges 17 to support the track 19 in the manner indicated. To detach the hook assembly 13, the leg is urged inwardly to reduce the width of the hook assembly 13 and permit removal of the hook assembly 13 from the channel 18.

In the embodiments illustrated in Fi~s. 5 and 6 the hook assembly 13 is provided in an insert 21 which may be secured to a bracket 22 (Fig. 11) or two such inserts 21 may be secured to a larger bracket 23 (Fig. 12). The inserts 21 are located in channels defined between the S.•outwardly extending arm 24 and side supporting flanges which support the arm 24 to the base 26. The arm 26 is provided with one or two apertures 27 for receiving 2" 15 fasteners for securing the inserts 21 in position. To enable adjustment of the position of the insert 21, slots o or 28 are provided in the body thereof, such that when held by a screw fastener 29 or the like to the bracket 23 or 24 they may slide inwardly and outwardly along the bracket 23 20 or 24 and fixed in position by tightening the fasteners 29.

The position of a curtain track relative to a wall may thus be adjusted.

Referring now to Figs. 7 there is illustrated a bracket assembly 30 according to the present invention including a main mounting bracket 31 which is adapted to be secured to a wall in any suitable fashion, such as by

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screws or other fasteners. For this purpose the main e bracket 31 includes a first leg 32 which may be provided with apertures for the passage of screw fasteners or the like into a wall, and a supporting leg 33 which extends substantially at right angles to the leg 32 and is braced thereto by means of the webs 34. The leg 33 includes a base flange 35 and a pair of upstanding side flanges 36 which include opposite inwardly directed lugs 37 for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.

The base flange 35 is provided with a rectangular cut-out or opening 38 adapted to receive an insert 39 or (see Fig. The insert 39 as shown more clearly in Fig.

8a includes a top rectangular flange or head 41 which is larger than the aperture 38 and which is provided with three depending legs 42, 43 and 44. The legs 42 and 44 are provided with opposite barbs 45 whilst the legs 43 and 44 are provided with opposing barbs 46 spaced from the barbs The leg 43 is aiso constructed to have a more deformable o- resilient characteristic by being of thinner form than the legs 42 and 44 to facilitate engagement and disengagement as described below. The insert 19 is adapted to engage and support a track 47, 48 or 49 of the type shown in Figs. 1la, llb and lld, each of which includes an •upper channel 50 including opposite inwardly directed flanges 51.

In use and as shown in Fig. 9 the insert 39 is 15 pressed into the aperture 38 so that the barbs 45 locate on the underside of the flange 35 by virtue of the leg 43 deforming laterally to permit the barbs 45 to pass through the opening 38 and then resiliently move outwardly. The insert 39 is thus held firmly in position to the bracket 20 31. The channel 50 of one of the tracks 47, 48 and 49 may be engaged with the insert 39 in a similar manner with the barbs 46 locating on the underside of the flanges 51, the leg 43 and/or leg 44 being resiliently deflected to permit e0 a the barbs 46 to move into the channel 50 and thereafter spring outwardly. The track 47, 48 or 49 is thereby supported by the bracket assembly 30 with the brackets 31 being located at any desired position where support is required. The track 47, 48 or 49 may be detached from the bracket assembly by urging the legs 42 and 42 inwardly relative to each other, to permit the barbs 46 to move out of the channel 50, this action being facilitated by the reduced thickness leg 43 which will deform more easily.

Alternatively the track may be simply twisted to resiliently deflect the leg 42 laterally.

The insert 40 is adapted for use with tracks 52 of the type shown in Fig. 10 which do not include channels For this purpose the insert 40 includes a head 53 larger than the aperture 38 and a C-sectioned integral portion 54 complimentary to the track 52, the portion 54 defining w.Lth the head 53 flange portions 55 and 56 which can locate on the underside of the flange 35. The insert is forced into the aperture 38 and held positively therein by a snap-in action or alternatively twisted into the aperture 38 and the track 52 is simply supported by being inserted into the C-section member 54 in the manner shown in For situations where a track is required to be supported at an increased spacing from the wall an Sadditional channel member 57 (see Fig. 1) may be telescopically received by the bracket 41 to seat on the "flange 35 and be held beneath the lugs 37. The member 57 includes an aperture 58 corresponding to the aperture 38 15 for support of the inserts 39 or 40. The member 57 may be held in a desired spacing relative to the bracket 31 by any suitably fasteners passed through the member 57 into the bracket 31.

The bracket assemblies of Figs. 1-6 and 7 are 0 20 also adapted to support a curtain track at its ends in say a pulley housing 59 or 60 or the like (see Fig. 12) engaged Swith the end of the track. In such a situation the housing *59 or 60 is provided with an aperture 61 in its end wall *0 S and the bracket assembly 10, 22, 23 or 37 carrying the hook assembly 43 or insert 39 may be disposed on its side so fe* that the hook assembly 43 or insert 39 may be engaged with the aperture 61 in the end housing 59 or 60. The housings 59 and 60 may also be provided with top openings for engagement by the insert 39 in a similar manner to that described with reference to Fig. 9. As shown the end housing 59 and 60 are provided with spigots for location within the channels 50 of the respective tracks 47, 48 and 49.

It will be apparent that the configuration of the insert 39 may be substantially varied from that shown and described. For example the insert 39 may simply sit within the aperture 38 and include a T-shaped leg for engagement with the channel 50. Alternatively the insert 39 may

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include only two legs which engage both with the base flange 35 and channel All forms of bracket assembly described may be used with tracks of the type shown in Fig. 11 or with other tracks having an upper channel with which the respective barbed engagement members may engage.

The components of the bracket assemblies are preferably formed in an injection moulding process from plastics.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein defined in 15 the appended claims.

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Claims

2. A bracket as defined in claim 1 wherein said hook assembly is at or near one end of said body.
3. A bracket as defined in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said hook assembly comprises a pair of spaced apart outer barb- like members and an opposing barb-like member intermediate of said outer members, each of said outer members engaging one of said inwardly facing flanges and said intermediate member engaging other of said inwardly facing flanges.
4. A bracket as defined in claim 3 wherein said outer members are substantially rigid and said initermediate member is less rigid so as to be resiliently deflectable to facilitate engagement of said hook assembly to said channel. A bracket as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said hook assembly is formed integrally with said body.
6. A bracket as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said body includes a leg depending substantially orthogonally from said base and adapted to enable said bracket to be secured to said wall surface.
7. A bracket as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said body is adapted to be slidably maintained in a second bracket, said second bracket adapted to be ciounted to a S.c v l -ceLling or to a wall surface as required, and wher-in said 11 body can slide between a first position and a second position to enable said track or similar to be placed a required distance from said wall surface. b. A bracket as defined in claim 1 substantially as hereindescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS 18th DAY OF SEPTEMBER 1997 KINGTRACK PTY LIMITED by its patent attorneys PIZZEYS *4 *0* *0* o* ABSTRACT A bracket assembly (10) for supporting curtain S* tracks (19) of the type having an upper channel (18) provided with a pair of opposite flanges the bracket assembly (10) having opposed barb-like members (14) and 0 Jel o (15) which locate beneath the flanges One of the 0 members (14) is resiliently deflectable to allow for location of the members (14) and (15) within the channel (17). 9 I a t s