GB2069823A

GB2069823A - Improvements in or relating to support devices

Info

Publication number: GB2069823A
Application number: GB8101474A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: TARODENE Ltd
Current assignee: TARODENE Ltd
Priority date: 1980-02-19
Filing date: 1981-01-19
Publication date: 1981-09-03

Abstract

A support device 1 in the form of a peg-board fitting is shown attached to the substantially flat surface 2 of a peg-board 3 perforated by rows of holes 4; the device 1 comprising a base member 5 provided with a pair of hook-like lug portions 6 for attaching the base member 5 to the surface 2, by engagement with the holes 4; and also comprising a resilient support arm 7 pivotally connected to the base member 5 so that it can be rotated about a substantially horizontal axis 8 disposed substantially parallel to the surface 2. An upwardly-extending flange-like projection 9 limits rotation of the arm 7 about the axis 8. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to support devices This invention relates to support devices and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with support devices for use with perforated panels, for example, peg-boards.

Such support devices are often referred to as "peg-board fittings".

According to the invention, a support device com- prises a base member, means for attaching the base member to a substantially flat surface, a support arm pivotally connected to the base member so that it can be rotated about an axis disposed substantially parallel to the surface, and means limiting the rotation of the arm.

The arm is preferably connected to the base member in a readily demountable manner. This allows the arm to be removed from the base member before the latter is attached to the supporting surface, which is particularly advantageous in situations where the arm would otherwise foul an obstruction, for example, a shelf.

The base member is preferably provided with hook portions for engagement with the holes of a perforated panel.

The invention also comprises the base member 5 perse andlorthe arm 7perse.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a fragmentary side view of the support device, Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view thereof, and Figures 3,4 and 5 are front, plan and side views, respectively, of the base member part of the device.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a support device 1 in the form of a peg-board fitting is shown attached to the substantially flat surface 2 of a peg-board 3 perforated by rows of holes 4.

With additional reference to Figures 3,4 and 5, the device 1 comprises a base member 5, provided with means in the form of hook or lug portions 6 for attaching the base member 5 to the surface 2, by engagement with the holes 4.

The device 1 further comprises a support arm 7 of resilient form pivotally connected to the base member 5 so that it can be rotated about a substantially horizontal axis 8 disposed substantially parallel to the surface 2, and means in the form of an upwardly-extending flange-like projection 9 for limiting such rotation of the arm 7.

The base member 5 comprises a substantially flat intermediate portion 15 of "T"-like shape, which, when the device 1 is in use, is pressed against the surface 2 of the peg-board 3 so as to transfer the weight of articles supported by the arm 7 to the peg-board 3. The base member 5 further comprises the lug portions 6 which extend rearwardly and upwardly from the upper edge of the intermediate portion 15, an arm-support portion 16 which extends forwardly from the lower edge of the portion 15 and which includes the projection 9, and a pair of laterally-spaced bracket portions 17 which extend forwardly from side parts of the portion 15. The bracket portions 17 are perforated by aligned holes 18 (Figure 4) disposed on the axis 8.

The arm 7 is of loop or hairpin like form with inturned ends 7a which are located with small clearance by the holes 18 in the bracket portions 17 to form an "axle" for the arm. The closed end 7b of the arm 7 is upturned slightly, as shown in Figure 1. Also as shown in Figure 1 the upwardly-inclined flange portion 9 ensures that the arm 7 extends upwardly at an angle, away from the base member 5.

In operation, the arm 7 rests on the flange portion 9, which also serves to limit rotation, in the direction of arrow 20, (Figure 1), of the arm 7 about axis 8. The arm 7 is free to rotate in a direction opposite to that indicated by arrow 20.

To fit the device 1 to the peg-board 3, the lug portions 6 of the base member 5 are inserted in a pair of adjacent holes 4 and the member 5 rotated downwardly until portion 15 thereof abuts the peg-board surface 2.

Where insufficient room is available to allow fitting of the device 1 in one piece, because of the arm 7 fouling an obstacle such as a shelf, the arm 7 can be removed beforehand.

To do this, the limbs of the resilient arm 7 are parted so as to allow the ends 7a to be removed from the bracket portions 17. The base portion 5 can now be attached to the peg-board 3 before replacing the arm 7.

The above-described feature of the invention is very advantageous as it enables valuable display space to be utilized which would otherwise remain un-used.

Use of the invention is not confined to peg-boards.

With reference to Figure 4, the base portion 5 may be provided with one or more downwardly extending projections 25. This modification allows the device 1 to be secured to a wall or similar surface, by means of screws or pins located by holes provided in the lug portions 6 and projection(s) 25.

The device 1 provides an extremely strong support, particularly for tools etc. attached to display cards. Such cards are provided with slots so that they can be "threaded" on the arm 7.

The arm 7 need not be of hairpin-like form.

Instead, it could comprise a single limb.

The device 1 described above is of steel, base member 5 comprising a pressing bent into the shape illustrated.

The arm 7 may be shaped to accommodate different articles. For example, by enlarging end 7b so that the arm 7, when viewed in plan, is of a "key-hole" like shape.

Articles of, for example, "T"-like shape, may then be supported by the parallel limbs of the arm 7, after insertion into the enlarged end 7b thereof.

The ends 7a may be restrained against unintentional parting of the parallel limbs of the arm 7, for example, by fitting removable "CIRCLIPS" (R.T.M.) or the like to the ends 7a, or by fitting an elastic band over the parallel limbs.

1. A support device comprising a base member, means for attaching the base member to a substan

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to support devices This invention relates to support devices and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with support devices for use with perforated panels, for example, peg-boards. Such support devices are often referred to as "peg-board fittings". According to the invention, a support device com- prises a base member, means for attaching the base member to a substantially flat surface, a support arm pivotally connected to the base member so that it can be rotated about an axis disposed substantially parallel to the surface, and means limiting the rotation of the arm. The arm is preferably connected to the base member in a readily demountable manner. This allows the arm to be removed from the base member before the latter is attached to the supporting surface, which is particularly advantageous in situations where the arm would otherwise foul an obstruction, for example, a shelf. The base member is preferably provided with hook portions for engagement with the holes of a perforated panel. The invention also comprises the base member 5 perse andlorthe arm 7perse. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a fragmentary side view of the support device, Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view thereof, and Figures 3,4 and 5 are front, plan and side views, respectively, of the base member part of the device. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a support device 1 in the form of a peg-board fitting is shown attached to the substantially flat surface 2 of a peg-board 3 perforated by rows of holes 4. With additional reference to Figures 3,4 and 5, the device 1 comprises a base member 5, provided with means in the form of hook or lug portions 6 for attaching the base member 5 to the surface 2, by engagement with the holes 4. The device 1 further comprises a support arm 7 of resilient form pivotally connected to the base member 5 so that it can be rotated about a substantially horizontal axis 8 disposed substantially parallel to the surface 2, and means in the form of an upwardly-extending flange-like projection 9 for limiting such rotation of the arm 7. The base member 5 comprises a substantially flat intermediate portion 15 of "T"-like shape, which, when the device 1 is in use, is pressed against the surface 2 of the peg-board 3 so as to transfer the weight of articles supported by the arm 7 to the peg-board 3. The base member 5 further comprises the lug portions 6 which extend rearwardly and upwardly from the upper edge of the intermediate portion 15, an arm-support portion 16 which extends forwardly from the lower edge of the portion 15 and which includes the projection 9, and a pair of laterally-spaced bracket portions 17 which extend forwardly from side parts of the portion 15. The bracket portions 17 are perforated by aligned holes 18 (Figure 4) disposed on the axis 8. The arm 7 is of loop or hairpin like form with inturned ends 7a which are located with small clearance by the holes 18 in the bracket portions 17 to form an "axle" for the arm. The closed end 7b of the arm 7 is upturned slightly, as shown in Figure 1. Also as shown in Figure 1 the upwardly-inclined flange portion 9 ensures that the arm 7 extends upwardly at an angle, away from the base member 5. In operation, the arm 7 rests on the flange portion 9, which also serves to limit rotation, in the direction of arrow 20, (Figure 1), of the arm 7 about axis 8. The arm 7 is free to rotate in a direction opposite to that indicated by arrow 20. To fit the device 1 to the peg-board 3, the lug portions 6 of the base member 5 are inserted in a pair of adjacent holes 4 and the member 5 rotated downwardly until portion 15 thereof abuts the peg-board surface 2. Where insufficient room is available to allow fitting of the device 1 in one piece, because of the arm 7 fouling an obstacle such as a shelf, the arm 7 can be removed beforehand. To do this, the limbs of the resilient arm 7 are parted so as to allow the ends 7a to be removed from the bracket portions 17. The base portion 5 can now be attached to the peg-board 3 before replacing the arm 7. The above-described feature of the invention is very advantageous as it enables valuable display space to be utilized which would otherwise remain un-used. Use of the invention is not confined to peg-boards. With reference to Figure 4, the base portion 5 may be provided with one or more downwardly extending projections 25. This modification allows the device 1 to be secured to a wall or similar surface, by means of screws or pins located by holes provided in the lug portions 6 and projection(s) 25. The device 1 provides an extremely strong support, particularly for tools etc. attached to display cards. Such cards are provided with slots so that they can be "threaded" on the arm 7. The arm 7 need not be of hairpin-like form. Instead, it could comprise a single limb. The device 1 described above is of steel, base member 5 comprising a pressing bent into the shape illustrated. The arm 7 may be shaped to accommodate different articles. For example, by enlarging end 7b so that the arm 7, when viewed in plan, is of a "key-hole" like shape. Articles of, for example, "T"-like shape, may then be supported by the parallel limbs of the arm 7, after insertion into the enlarged end 7b thereof. The ends 7a may be restrained against unintentional parting of the parallel limbs of the arm 7, for example, by fitting removable "CIRCLIPS" (R.T.M.) or the like to the ends 7a, or by fitting an elastic band over the parallel limbs. CLAIMS

1. A support device comprising a base member, means for attaching the base member to a substan tially flat surface, a support arm pivotally connected to the base member so that it can be rotated about an axis disposed substantially parallel to the surface, and means limiting the rotation of the arm.

2. A support device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the arm is connected to the base member in a demountable manner.

3. A support device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the base member is provided with hook portions for engagement with holes of a perforated panel.

4. A support device as claimed in Claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the base member comprises a substantially flat intermediate portion of"T"-like shape.

5. A support device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the base member comprises a substantially flat intermediate portion of "T"-like shape, hook portions for engagement with the holes of a perforated panel, and which extend rearwardly and upwardly from the upper edge of the intermediate portion, an arm-support portion which extends forwardly from the lower edge of the intermediate portion, and a pair of laterally-spaced bracket portions which extend forwardly from side parts of the intermediate portion.

6. A support device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the laterally-spaced bracket portions are perforated by aligned holes disposed on the aforementioned axis, the arm being ofhairpin-likeform with inturned ends which are located by the aligned holes in the bracket portions.

7. Asupport device as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the closed end of the arm is upturned.

8. A support device as claimed in any one of wherein means are provided so as to ensure that the arm extends upwardly at an angle, away from the base member.

9. A support device as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 8, wherein the base portion is provided with one or more downwardly extending projections so as to allow the device to be secured to a wall or similar surface, by way of the hook portions and the downwardly-extending projection(s).

10. A support device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the end of the arm remote from the base member, when viewed in plan, is of "key-hole" like shape.

11. The base memberperse as any one of Claims 1 to 10.

12. The armperse of any one of Claims 1 to 10.

13. A support device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. The base member of the support device of Claim 13, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. The arm of the support device of Claim 13, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.