EP0305487A1 - Agencement de support ameliore. - Google Patents

Agencement de support ameliore.

Info

Publication number
EP0305487A1
EP0305487A1 EP88903018A EP88903018A EP0305487A1 EP 0305487 A1 EP0305487 A1 EP 0305487A1 EP 88903018 A EP88903018 A EP 88903018A EP 88903018 A EP88903018 A EP 88903018A EP 0305487 A1 EP0305487 A1 EP 0305487A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bracket
slot
wall
bar member
back portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP88903018A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0305487B1 (fr
EP0305487A4 (fr
Inventor
Irving W Shell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Friedkin Industries Inc
Original Assignee
Friedkin Industries Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Friedkin Industries Inc filed Critical Friedkin Industries Inc
Publication of EP0305487A1 publication Critical patent/EP0305487A1/fr
Publication of EP0305487A4 publication Critical patent/EP0305487A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0305487B1 publication Critical patent/EP0305487B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F5/00—Show stands, hangers, or shelves characterised by their constructional features
    • A47F5/08—Show stands, hangers, or shelves characterised by their constructional features secured to the wall, ceiling, or the like; Wall-bracket display devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F5/00—Show stands, hangers, or shelves characterised by their constructional features
    • A47F5/08—Show stands, hangers, or shelves characterised by their constructional features secured to the wall, ceiling, or the like; Wall-bracket display devices
    • A47F5/0807—Display panels, grids or rods used for suspending merchandise or cards supporting articles; Movable brackets therefor
    • A47F5/0846—Display panels or rails with elongated channels; Sliders, brackets, shelves, or the like, slidably attached therein

Definitions

  • the present invention relates in general to the field of bracket arrangements used with slotted wall systems and in particular to the field of bracket arrangements which are vertically oriented relative to a slotted wall system which slots are arranged in a vertical direction, in a horizontal direction, or any angled direction therebetween.
  • I disclosed new and unique upright support members and bracket arrangements which utilizes a cam connector in conjunction with a pair of vertically spaced rods connected to and oriented transverse to the plane of the bracket.
  • One of the rods fit within a vertical T-shaped slot of the upright support member while the other fits against the outside surface of the upright support member.
  • the cam connector is also positioned in a vertically spaced relationship with the two rods and oriented in a similar transverse direction. When the cam connector is rotated it results in the outside rod fitting firmly against the outside surface of the upright support member and the inside rod fitting firmly against the inside surface of the cutout slot of the upright support member such that the bracket is securely connected to the upright support member.
  • a bracket arrangement which provides for mounting a bracket to an upright support member at any angle desired relative to the horizontal.
  • a shelf arrangement results having shelves which are also angled to the horizontal; or, the brackets themselves can be of the so-called “waterfall” type which do not use shelves but provide for hooking attachment of a number of items thereto in a downwardly angled manner.
  • bracket arrangement which provided a simple and secure bracket that may be positioned horizontally or in any downwardly slanted, or inclined position
  • bracket arrangement is generally limited for use with vertical upright support members.
  • Today's decorators and interior designers are utilizing wall panels which incorporate slots in place of upright support members for use with brackets such that the entire wall panel becomes a shelving arrangement.
  • Such wall systems provide a much c leaner and aesthetically pleasing look than a plurality of upright channels or support members fastened to a wall in a side-by-side array.
  • present-day slotted wall systems are not necessarily arranged in a strictly horizontal or strictly vertical direction.
  • the slots are also provided diagonally at various angles relative to the horizontal or vertical.
  • the slots may even be angled along two or more different diagonal angles.
  • the use of my aforementioned innovative bracket arrangement functions very well with either the vertical or horizontal slots of the modern-day slotted wall systems but not necessarily so with the diagonally slotted arrangements.
  • the previous prior art brackets are substantially in appropriate in many ways for use with the modern-day wall systems.
  • bracket arrangement which may be used with a slotted wall system having slots which range from the vertical to the horizontal and at any diagonal angle therebetween, whereby the plane of the bracket is along a vertical plane.
  • the present invention comprises an improved bracket arrangement for use with an angled, vertical or horizontal slotted wall system.
  • the improved bracket arrangement includes a cam connector in conjunction with an adjustable bar vertically spaced from the cam connector.
  • the back of the bracket provides support for the bracket by resting upon the outside surface of the wall system.
  • a transversely positioned rod may be used to provide such bracket support.
  • the adjustable bar is attached to the back edge of the bracket by a fitting interconnected between the two members. The adjustable bar is positionable such that it is transverse to the axis of the slot within which it is to be placed, regardless of the angle of the slot, while the bracket is oriented in a vertical position.
  • the cam connector provides a means to firmly cinch the adjustable bar and either the back of the bracket or the nonadjustable rod between two different but parallel surfaces of the wall system so as to firmly connect the bracket thereto in a vertical direction.
  • the adjustability provided by the adjustable bar allows the use of a single bracket arrangement with an angled slotted wall system having any number of differing or diagonally angled slots regardless of the degree of angularity of the slots.
  • the improved bracket arrangement further provides for the vertical connection of brackets which slope in a downwardly inclined direction of any desired angle.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a number of different slot orientations which may be incorporated within a wall panel attached to a vertical wall, any of which the present improved bracket arrangement may be used;
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of any of the slots of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2 thereof;
  • FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the improved bracket arrangement according to the present invention as applied to an angled slot of an angled slotted wall system;
  • FIG. 4 illustrates, in an exploded view, the details of the bracket of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the improved bracket arrangement according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the adjustable bar of the embodiment of FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the disk of FIG. 5 used to adjust the position of the bar of FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic rendition of the various slot orientations within a modern wall system 17 as used today by many interior designers.
  • the angled slots are, of course, intended to be used with brackets which in turn may be used for shelves or hooks or the like for the purpose of displaying various and sundry goods attached to the wall.
  • the phraseology "angled slots" or any variation thereof is intended to mean the slots within a wall or within a wall panel attached to a wall, with the longitudinal axis of the slots oriented along any horizontal, vertical line or any diagonally angled line therebetween.
  • angled slots refer to slots 23 within a wall or a wall panel 18 similar to those partially shown in FIG. 1 at locations A, B, C, D, and E or any variation or combination thereof.
  • any one slot 23 may be similar to a "T” slot as depicted in FIG. 2, an "L” slot as depicted in FIG. 2A or any other such slot having a narrow opening.
  • FIGS. 2 and 2A where a wall panel 18 is shown attached to a wall 19, surface 20 comprises the front of the wall panel 18 while surface 21 comprises the back surface of the wall panel 18.
  • the thickness 22 of wall panel 18 may be of the order of five-eighths to seven-eights of an inch thick or even thicker if desired.
  • the entrance or opening 24 to slot 23 is narrower in width than the back portion 25 of slot 23. Opening 24 is located relative to the back open portion 25 such that one or more overhanging flanges 26 are provided. Since a relatively narrow opening portion 24 is all that is generally visible when viewing the wall panel 18 from the outside thereof, the arrangement of slots 23 within the wall panel 18 form a geometric pattern which tends to be aesthetically pleasing. Some examples of these patterns are shown in FIG. 1.
  • slots 23 are extremely functional in enabling the a ttac hment thereto of a bracket arrangement such as that disclosed by the present invention.
  • Wall panel 18 is, as noted above, intended to be placed against any vertical wall 19 within a structure which may thereafter be used for display purposes by attaching a bracket arrangement thereto and placing goods on the bracket arrangement.
  • Bracket 30 may be used to support a horizontal shelf 31 or a plurality of hooks 32, with the former being shown in phantom in FIG. 4 bracket 30. Accordingly, brackets 30 may comprise waterfall type of brackets or "standard" shelf type brackets or any other type of well known bracket. Brackets 30 may be attached to a wall panel 18 with the upper edge 33 positioned horizontally or inclined downwardly at any desired vertical angle along wall panel 18. The main plane of bracket 30 is, however, always positioned along a vertical plane perpendicular to wall panel 18.
  • bracket 30 Since back edge 34 rests against surface 20 of wall panel 18, one way to angle b rack e t 30 downward is to make the included angle 29, between back edge 34 and top edge 33, an acute angle. Hence, the value of the included angle 29 between top edge 33 and back edge 34 determines the downward (or even upward) slope of bracket 30.
  • the phantom line 34' in FIG. 3 illustrates the back edge of a bracket which is more downwardly sloping than that provided by back edge 34 of bracket 30.
  • An adjustably positionable bar 38 in combination with screw 39 and connector post 40 comprise the means by which bracket 30 may be oriented In a vertical plane regardless of the actual angle of slot 23 relative to wall panel 18.
  • Connector post 40 comprises a member which may be cylindrical or rectangular having a slot 41 extending partially therethrough for receiving therein the back portion of bracket 30. Apertures 42 and 43 in post connector 40 and bracket 30, respectively, allow for attachment of post connector 40 to bracket 30 by means of a pin 44 which simultaneously fits within apertures 42 and 43.
  • the point of connection of connector 40 to bracket 30 may be extended from the back edge 34 as shown in FIG. 3 by means of an extension 28 extending from back edge 34.
  • the extended method of connecting connector post 40 to brackets 30 is preferred because it places connector post 40 within slot 23 and therefore generally out of view, which is more esthetically pleasing than if it were exposed.
  • the length of connector post 40 is adjustable so that adjustable bar 38 is correctly positioned within slot 23 when back edge 34 is positioned up against surface 20 of wall panel 18.
  • a tapped blind hole 45 is provided longitudinally through connector post 40 at the non-slotted end thereof.
  • Adjustable bar 38 is attached to connector post 40 by means of screw 39 which fits through aperture 46 and into threaded hole 45.
  • Aperture 46 is a clearance hole and, accordingly, bar 38 may be rotated and fixed in place in any position relative to the vertical plane of bracket 30.
  • the angle or fixed location of adjustable bar relative to the vertical plane of bracket 30 comprises the angle of slot 23 relative to a horizontal plane. In this manner, adjustable bar 38 is positioned perpendicularly transverse to the longitudinal axis of slot 23 while bracket 30 is positioned in a vertical plane. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 4 where angled slot 23 is a typical diagonally oriented slot.
  • a cam means 50 is provided in bracket 30 to secure bracket 30 to wall panel 18.
  • Cam means 50 and adjustable bar 38 are spaced from each other along the back edge 34 of bracket 30.
  • Cam means 50 is receivingly engaged within a circular cutout 51 in back edge 34.
  • Cam means 50 comprises a cylindrical member having a flat surface 53 extending along the length thereof.
  • a centrally located recessed groove 52 extends around the circumference of cam means 50 and is sized such that cam means
  • a transverse slot 54 in cam means 50 provides a convenient means for insertion of a tip of a screw driver to cause cam means 50 to be rotated within cutout 51 and thereby lock bracket 30 in slot 23. Such attachment also prevents the bracket from being removed by unauthorized persons.
  • Cam means 50 and cutout 51 are similar to the same features shown in my United States Patent No. 4,065,088.
  • Cam means 50 as used in the present invention serves to lock bracket 30 within slot 23 by a combination of adjustable bar 38 and back edge 34, which bear, respectively, against the inner surface or surfaces 27 o f slot 23 and the outer surface 20 of wall panel 18.
  • An elastic "U" shaped member 55 may be attached to back edge 34 to prevent the bracket from marring the surface of wall panel 18.
  • bracket 30 is shown in place in an angled slot 23 which is substantially horizontally oriented.
  • the relative locations of back edge 34 and adjustable bar 38 as cinched in place by cam means 50 is shown.
  • bracket 30 is maintained at a perfectly vertical position.
  • an exact degree of perpendicularly of adjustable bar 38 relative to slot 23 is not necessarily required. Because of the difference in length between adjustable bar 38 and the width of slot 23 at back portion 25 such difference in perpendicularity is permissible.
  • bar 38 is fixed in position relative to the angle of slot 23.
  • Bar 38 is then aligned with slot 23 and is inserted therein.
  • bracket 30 is rotated to a vertical position which orients bar 38 transverse to slot 23.
  • cam means 50 is rotated thereby locking bracket 30 in a vertical position.
  • adjustable bar 38' shown in FIG. 3A is to be used.
  • Adjustable bar 38' comprises approximately one-half of bar 38 and extends only to one side of bracket 30.
  • Adjustable bar 38' is attached to connector post 40 in the same manner as adjustable bar 38. It is to be noted that the length of connector post 40 and the thickness of adjustable bars 38 and 38' are to be consistent with the size of slot portions 25 and 25' and the depth thereof within wall panel 18 so that a snug fit is effectuated between the back edge 34 of bracket 30 and the front face 20 of wall panel 18.
  • bracket 30 is to be connected to a vertically oriented slot 23
  • a fixed rod 36 shown in phantom in FIG.
  • Fixed rod 36 may be fitted within an aperture 37 at the lower portion of the base of bracket 30 at back edge 34. Fixed rod 36 extends perpendicularly from aperture 37 on either side of bracket 30 by approximately the same length. The overall length of fixed rod 36 may be approximately three times the width of opening 24 of slot 23. Fixed rod 36 may include a knurled portion 35 which allows a light press fit of rod 36 in aperture 37 and, therefore, easy installation and removal by hand. On the other hand, the non-use of a fixed rod 36 in a vertically oriented slot 23 allows an inclined position of bracket 30 which is advantageous when the bracket is being used as a waterfall bracket.
  • Bracket 30 may comprise a back portion 56 to which is attached a front portion 57.
  • Back portion 56 may thus comprise a bracket adapter which allows any appropriate front portion 57 to be attached thereto consistent with the end use of the bracket.
  • This allows the inventive bracket arrangement to be used to hang virtually any object to wall panel 18.
  • the front portion 57 may comprise a waterfall type of bracket, a slant type, display arms, etc.
  • FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show another embodiment of the improved bracket arrangement as provided by the present invention.
  • an adjustably positionable bar 59 includes a bar portion 60 and a shaft portion, the latter comprising a threaded end 61 and an intermediate portion 63. Intermediate portion 63 has at least two oppositely disposed flat surfaces 64 thereon.
  • a post connector 65 is fitted to bracket 66 within a cutout 67 provided in the upper back edge 68 thereof.
  • Post connector 65 includes a slot which fits over the thickness of bracket 66 and is attached to bracket 66 by a pin 80 as in the previous embodiment. In this embodiment, however, post connector 65 does not fit within slot 23 and is, therefore, exposed to view.
  • a cam means 50 is used to firmly secure bracket 66 to wall panel 18.
  • Cam means 50 again operates to hold bracket 66 in place by a combination of the wedging provided by cam means 50, bar 59 and lower back edge 70 of bracket 66.
  • the adjustability provided by the threaded shaft of bar 59 eliminates the need to pre-match the location and size of the bar with the location and size of the slot 23.
  • Bar 59 may simply be rotated in or out of threaded hole 69 so as to position bar 59 up against surfaces 27 of slot 23 when lower back edge 70 is up against the outer surface 20 of of wall panel 18. Then, cam means 50 may be rotated to firmly wedge bracket 66 in a fixed vertical position.
  • a circular plate member 74 is fitted to the intermediate portion 62 of bar 59 for purposes of orienting bar portion 60 transverse to the axis of slot 23 when bracket 66 is being finally installed.
  • Plate member 74 comprises a circular disc having an elongated cutout 75 extending radially from the circumferential periphery thereof toward and slightly past he center thereof. The width of cutout 75 is slightly greater than the across-the-flats dimension between faces 64 of bar 59 so that plate 74 may fit over the intermediate portion 63 of bar
  • Additional but smaller radial cutouts 76 are provided around the circumferential of plate 74 as shown in FIG. 8 which serve to allow plate 74 to be rotated by an appropriate tool such as the tip of a screwdriver.
  • bracket 66 is moved toward wall panel 18 and bar portion 60 is inserted into slot 23. Bracket 66 is then oriented in a vertical position. Plate 74 is then rotated so as to rotate bar 59 until back edge 70 is up against surface 20 of wall panel 18 and face 77 of bar portion 60 is up tight against surfaces 27 of slot 23. Then while still holding bracket 66 in a vertical position, plate 74 is rotated backward until bar portion 60 is substantially transverse to the axis of slot 23. Cam means 50 is then rotated to the position shown in FIG. 6, which action firms up the installed position of bracket 66 vertically against wall panel 18.
  • plate 74 is convenient but not essential to the embodiment of FIG. 6. Instead of using plate 74 to rotate bar member 59, a suitably sized wrench may be used. On the other hand, should plate 74 be utilized, it may also be held captive over the intermediate shaft portion 63 by using a square hole 78 (FIG. 8A) in place of cutout 75. In the event that slot 23 comprises a vertical slot and it Is not desirous to use a slanted bracket, a rod 36 may be used at the bottom back edge 70 as in the previous embodiment. Also, as in the previous embodiment, bracket 66 may comprise any of the well known brackets used to display and hang various goods to a wall arrangement.

Landscapes

  • Display Racks (AREA)
  • Finishing Walls (AREA)
  • Supports Or Holders For Household Use (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
  • Connection Of Plates (AREA)

Abstract

Agencement de support amélioré pour un système à paroi à fente. L'agencement permet le positionnement vertical du support (30, 66) indépendamment de l'angle que font les fentes (23) le long de la paroi. Une barre de positionnement rotative (38, 59, 60) est fixée au dos du support pour que la barre (38, 59, 60) puisse être positionnée transversalement par rapport à l'axe longitudinal de la fente (23), le support (30, 66) étant maintenu suivant une orientation verticale. Des moyens de cames (50) sont utilisés pour caler la barre (38, 59, 60) du support et le dos du support entre la fente (23) et la face de la paroi (20).
EP88903018A 1987-02-27 1988-02-23 Agencement de support ameliore Expired - Lifetime EP0305487B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US1964687A 1987-02-27 1987-02-27
US19646 1987-02-27

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0305487A1 true EP0305487A1 (fr) 1989-03-08
EP0305487A4 EP0305487A4 (fr) 1989-06-26
EP0305487B1 EP0305487B1 (fr) 1992-07-29

Family

ID=21794292

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88903018A Expired - Lifetime EP0305487B1 (fr) 1987-02-27 1988-02-23 Agencement de support ameliore

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0305487B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH01502241A (fr)
KR (1) KR890700328A (fr)
BR (1) BR8805644A (fr)
CA (1) CA1308070C (fr)
DE (1) DE3873216T2 (fr)
MX (1) MX167132B (fr)
WO (1) WO1988006420A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5116007A (en) * 1990-09-13 1992-05-26 E.Z. Shelf Company Eccentric disc lock bracket
US20090279941A1 (en) * 2008-05-07 2009-11-12 Michael Goldin Adjustable joint for customizable furniture

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3132609A (en) * 1961-12-11 1964-05-12 Chesley Ind Inc Shelf structure

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US982279A (en) * 1910-03-21 1911-01-24 John Knape Adjustable bracket.
GB224092A (en) * 1923-11-12 1924-11-06 Thomas James Saveker Improvements in supporting brackets
US2788902A (en) * 1955-11-16 1957-04-16 L A Darling Company Attachment mechanism
US3250584A (en) * 1963-04-25 1966-05-10 Tassell Ind Inc Demountable wall panel, shelf and desk structure and connecting means therefor
US4065088A (en) * 1974-08-26 1977-12-27 Shell Irving W Upright and bracket arrangement
DE2752580C3 (de) * 1977-11-25 1981-09-24 Gebr. Thome Kg, 7512 Rheinstetten Befestigungsvorrichtung für Tablars und Hängeschränke
IT1132852B (it) * 1980-09-17 1986-07-09 Movi Snc Dispositivo e relativi elementi complementari per la sospensione di articoli di arredamento a rivestimenti in legno a pennelli affiancati
US4677794A (en) * 1982-08-25 1987-07-07 Ivan Parron Support assembly for a shelf or like structure
US4708311A (en) * 1986-01-07 1987-11-24 Allsop, Inc. Slot board hanging apparatus and method

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3132609A (en) * 1961-12-11 1964-05-12 Chesley Ind Inc Shelf structure

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO8806420A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1988006420A1 (fr) 1988-09-07
DE3873216T2 (de) 1993-03-11
JPH01502241A (ja) 1989-08-10
DE3873216D1 (de) 1992-09-03
EP0305487B1 (fr) 1992-07-29
BR8805644A (pt) 1989-10-17
CA1308070C (fr) 1992-09-29
KR890700328A (ko) 1989-04-24
EP0305487A4 (fr) 1989-06-26
MX167132B (es) 1993-03-05

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