GB2079142A - A wardrobe fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

A single piece wardrobe fitting comprises a first solid wall (2) to abut a wall of the wardrobe. A second wall, (4) is longitudinal of and substantially perpendicular to the first wall (2) and supports a shelf when the fitting is in its "in use" position. A rod-receiving recess (12) defined by a curved wall is formed on the first wall (2) below the second wall (4) when the fitting is in its "in use" position. There are apertures (16) in said first wall to permit mounting of the fitting on a wardrobe wall.

Description

SPECIFICATION A closet fitting This invention relates to a single piece closet fitting useful to support a shelf in a closet and also to provide a support for a rod, for example a rod to receive coat hangers.

In a further aspect the invention relates to a novel mounting means for the fitting.

The most popular method of mounting a shelf in a closet is simply to provide wooden strips around the walls of the closet and to rest the shelf on those surfaces. The formation of rod receiving means is usually done by the provision of circular recesses formed either in the faces of the strips or hanging from the shelf.

In order to install the rod into the recesses it is usually necessary either to have an expanding rod or to position the rod within the recesses before the shelf-supporting strips are attached to the wall. In addition the strength of these fittings can be inadequate for heavy loads, particularly loads mounted on the shelf.

However brackets for mounting closet shelves and poles or rods are also known. For example U.S. Patent 3,284,040 to Marontate issued November 8th, 1 976 discloses a shelf and pole bracket having a rib structure that is designed specifically to be reversible. The Marontate device is built of a framework to ensure that the brackets are reversible. The mounting means disclosed in Marontate is such that the bracket cannot be mounted with a substantial proportion of the area of the bracket in contact with the wall. It is particularly important, in the present application, that the mounting means be mounted wholly in shear, that is the load is applied only as a shear load and this is not a feature of Marontate, largely because Marontate is particularly concerned to produce a reversible bracket.

The present invention seeks to provide a single piece closet fitting that, in tests on a prototype, is easily able to support the weight of an average man. The closet fitting is provided with rod receiving recesses of a simple design and from which rods can easily be removed after installation. It follows, of course, that the rods can be inserted in position after the closet fitting has been installed.

According to the invention a single piece closet fitting comprises a first solid wall to abut a wall of the closet; a second wall longitudinal of and substantially perpendicular to the first wall and able to support a shelf when the fitting is in its useful position; a rod-receiving recess defined by a curved wall formed on said first wall, below said second wall when the fitting is in its useful position; and openings formed in said first solid wall, each opening dimensioned to receive an expandable body having an end ring large enough to abut the periphery of the opening whereby an expander member may be driven into said expandable body to expand the body to grip the interior of a hole in the closet wall aligned with an opening in said first wall; said openings being arranged so that, when the fitting is in its useful position with a shelf and a rod extending between an opposed pair of said fittings, there is a plurality of openings in each fitting immedaitely adjacent an end of the shelf and an opening immediately adjacent an end of the pole, the arrangement being such that the expandable bodies mounting said fittings to the closet wall are always loaded only in shear.

It is usually desirable to include bracing means extending from the first wall to beneath the second walls to support and brace the second wall. As indicated above the second wall is the wall upon which the shelf rests.

It is desirable that there be an end wall extending above the first and second walls to act as stop for the shelf, that is to prevent easy removal of the shelf by sliding along the second wall. Of course this end wall does not prevent lifting of the shelf when it is desired to remove it from the fitting.

In further aspects the invention provides the above closet fittings, packaged in pairs, and a closet shelf and rod mounting system including a pair of the above fittings a shelf and a rod.

It is particularly important to note that the mounting means of the closet fittings of the present invention are such that the expandable bodies that mount said fittings to the closet wall are always loaded only in shear. This particular feature means that the fittings of the present invention are able to withstand extremely high loads without being torn from the wall. Furthermore it should be noted that in the aspect of the invention that comprises a closet shelf and rod mounting system including a pair of the above fittings, a shelf and a rod, the shelf and the rod locate in their positions the expandable bodies and the expander members.

These expandable bodies and expander members are driven home before the shelf and rod are installed but once the rod and shelf are installed they act to maintain the mounting means in position. Because of the particular positioning of the mounting means immediately adjacent either an end of the shelf or immediately adjacent and end of the pole the necessary total shear loading is ensured.

The invention is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2 and 3 illustrate features of the fitting according to the present invention, and Figure 4 illustrates a closet shelf and rod mounting system according to the invention.

The drawings illustrate a single piece closet fitting comprising a first wall 2 to abut a wall (shown in broken lines in Figure 4) of the closet.

There is a second wall 4 longitudinal of and substantially perpendicular to the first wall 2. The second wall 4 is able to support a shelf 5 (see Figure 4) when the fitting is in its useful position in a closet.

A third wall 6 is positioned at a first end 8 of the first wall 2 and the second wall 4. The third wall 6 extends substantially perpendicular to both the first wall 2 and the second wall 4. In the illustrated embodiment the third wall 6 projects above the first wall 2 at 10 to act as a stop for the shelf, that is to prevent a shelf supported by the second wall 4 from sliding outwardly.

There is a rod receiving recess 12 defined at a first end 14 4 of the third wall 6 to receive a rod 1 5 (see Figure 4).

The first wall 2 is provided with means to permit mounting of the fitting on a closet wall. In the illustrated embodiment these means comprise openings 1 6 which receive wall engaging members 18 shown exploded in Figure 1 and in position in Figure 4. The wall engaging members 18 each comprise an expandable body able to fit through the opening 16. The expandable body is provided with an end ring 20 large enough to abut the periphery of an opening 1 6. That is the end ring 20 is sufficiently large in diameter that it cannot pass through an opening 1 6. There is a central core 22 in each wall engaging member 1 18.

Gripping means in the form of teeth 24 are formed on the exterior of the wall engaging members 1 8.

An expander member in the form of a rod 26 is dimensioned so that it can be driven into the central core 22 of the expandable body of the wall engaging member 1 8. The effect is to expand the body outwardly to grip the interior of an aligned hole in the closet wall. This locates the closet fitting on the closet wall. Rod 26 has a head 27 to facilitate driving of rod 26 into position.

In the preferred illustrated embodiment the illustrated fitting is provided with bracing means in the form of triangular walls 28 extending from the first wall 2 to beneath the second wall 4 to support and brace the second wall 4. The preferred embodiment also has a bracing end wall 32.

Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating a closet shelf and rod mounting system comprising two fittings, each adapted to be mounted on a wall of a closet, opposed to the other fitting a shelf 5 extending between the fitting and a pole 1 5 extending between the fittings. The drawing is included to illustrate the fact that the mounting means in the form of the wall engaging members 1 8 and an expander member are located behind a shelf 5 when the shelf and rod are installed and, indeed, cannot normally be seen. Furthermore rod 1 5 obscures the lower mounting means.This arrangement is to ensure first that the mounting means cannot be removed from the wall while the shelf 5 and the rod 1 5 are in position and also that the mounting means are loaded only in shear as the only load applied to these members is load positioned on the shelf 5 or on the rod 1 5. Any possible moment or twisting force which could result in a pulling or horizontal force such as to cause the pin to come out is rebutted by the locking effect on the shelf and rod. Any force on the pin at one end would be transmitted through the shelf or rod and reduced to nil by the equal and opposite reaction force from the opposite wall. A nail or screw put in gyproc (and cheaper wall boards) would simply push the brittle gyproc out of the way, leaving a hole with no gripping power.

Members 18 are useable in any building material because they grip the hole in compression and have met tests indicating that it would not even be necessary to have the locking effect of the shelf and rod to ensure proper and secure mounting in gyproc alone. Openings 1 6 in the bracket should be size for size with the members 18 which also helps eliminate any tendency for members 1 8 to bend from the horizontal. This, in conjunction with the vertical shear loading, results in pure verticaP compression on the gyproc. The diameter and number of pins thus create a condition of compression loading on the gyproc which will withstand any loading without the aid of a supporting stud for mounting. That is conventional wall studs are not required with the bracket of the invention.This stud would be a requirement for other screw or nail mounted brackets. If the wooden strip method is used, then without this intermediate stud, a board long enough to span at least two studs would be required. Even if a stud is in approximately the correct position (and many will not be), the bracket of the invention eliminates the necessity of having to find it and use it for support.

The fitting of the present invention is a cheap and durable closet fitting able to stand considerable weights. In one embodiment the fitting may be molded from polyethylene. Such an embodiment has proved easily able to stand the weight of an average man. The fitting may also be moulded from polypropylene or any other plastic having sufficient strength. However, ABS is preferred.

In order to install the fitting it is simply necessary to hold the fitting in a desired, usually level, position against the closet wall without necessarily locating the studs. Marks are made on the wall corresponding to the openings 1 6. The fitting is then removed and holes are drilled in the closet wall to receive the wall engaging members 1 8. The fitting is then placed against the wall with the openings 1 6 aligned with the holes in the closet wall. Wall engaging members 1 8 are pushed through each opening 1 6 to engage in the aligned holes in the wall with the ring 20 against the exterior surface of the first wall 2. Rods 26 are then hammered into the central core 22 of the wall engaging members 1 8 to expand the bodies of the wall engaging members. The teeth 24 on the exterior of the bodies grip the interior of the '' aligned hole and the device is firmly secured in position. Removal is also easy. It is simply necessary to remove the rods 26. After than the wall engaging members 1 8 can be removed fairly easily and the fitting taken from the wall.

It should be emphasized that the members 1 8 greatly facilitate the mounting of this or any article to be mounted in a similar fashion. This arises because (a) ring 20 abuts the exterior of the article to be mounted and does not rest against the wall and (b) the rods 26 are hammered into place, not screwed.

It can be desirable to countersink the inner periphery of ring 20 and to put a corresponding countersink on the underside of the head 27 of rod 26.

The fittings can be packaged in pairs. One fitting having integrally molded to it sufficient members 1 8 to mount both fittings and the other having molded to it sufficient rods 26. The member 18 and rods 26 can be removed from the fitting by hand prior to use. However, this, of course is only possible when the member 18, rods 26 and the fittings are of the same material.

However, a preferred material for the members 1 8 and rods 26 is polyethylene and the preferred material for the fitting is ABS normally the components are formed separately then packaged together.

Claims (12)

1. A single piece closet fitting comprising a first solid wall to abut a wall of the closet; a second wall longitudinal of and substantially perpendicular to the first wall and able to support a shelf when the fitting is in its useful position; a rod-receiving recess defined by a curved wall formed on said first wall, below said second wall when the fitting is in its useful position; and openings formed in said first solid wall, each opening dimensioned to receive an expandable body having an end ring large enough to abut the periphery of the opening whereby an expander member may be driven into said expandable body to expand the body to grip the interior of a hole in the closet wall aligned with an opening in said first wall; said openings being arranged so that, when the fitting is in its useful position with a shelf and a rod extending between an opposed pair of said fittings, there is a plurality of openings in-each fitting immediately adjacent an end of the shelf and an opening immediately adjacent an end of the pole, the arrangement being such that the expandable bodies mounting said fittings to the closet wall are always loaded only in shear.

2. A fitting as claimed in claim 1 including bracing means extending from said first wall to beneath said second wall to support and brace said second wall.

3. A fitting as claimed in claim 1 including an end wall extending above the second wall to act as a stop for the shelf.

4. A fitting as claimed in claim 1 molded from ABS.

5. A fitting as claimed in claim 1 molded from a polymer selected from polypropylene and polyethylene.

6. A single piece closet fitting comprising a first solid wall to abut a wall of the closet; a second wall longitudinal of and substantially perpendicular to the first wall and able to support a shelf when the fitting is in its useful position; a third wall at a first end of the first and second walls extending substantially perpendicular to both said first and second walls; a rod-receiving recess defined at a first end of said third wall; a plurality of openings formed in said first wall immediately above said second wall and an opening in said first wall within said rod-receiving recess; wall engaging members each comprising an expandable body able to fit through said openings and an end ring large enough to abut the periphery of an opening in the first wall, a central core formed in the expandable body and gripping means formed on the exterior of the body;; an expander member able to be driven into the central core of the expandable body to expand the body outwardly to grip the interior of an aligned hole in the closet wall and thus locate the closet fitting on the closet wall, whereby said wall engaging members act to mount said fitting on said closet wall and are always loaded only in shear.

7. A fitting as claimed in claim 6 in which the wall engaging members are molded integrally with the closet fitting but are easily removable when it is desired to instal the fitting.

8. A fitting as claimed in claim 6 in which the expander members are formed integrally with the closet fitting but are easily removable from the fitting when it is desired to install the fitting.

9. A fitting as claimed in claim 7 in which the closet fittings are packaged in pairs, one having molded to it the requisite number of wall engaging members to locate both closet fittings and the other having molded to it sufficient expander members to mount both closet fittings, the wall engaging members and the expander members being easily removed from their respective fittings when it is desired to locate the closet fittings.

10. A shelf mounting system for a closet comprising a pair of fittings, each fitting molded in a single piece, a first fitting adapted to be mounted on a first closet wall and a second fitting adapted to be mounted on second closet wall, opposed to the first closet wall, each fitting comprising a first solid wall to abut and to be mounted on the respective wall of the closet; a second wall longitudinal of and substantially perpendicular to the first wall and able to support a shelf when the fitting is in its useful position in the closet; a rod-receiving recess defined by a curved wall formed on said first wall, below said second wall when the fitting is in its useful position; bracing means extending from said first wall to beneath said second wall to support and brace said second wall; an end wall extending above the second wall to act as a stop for a shelf;; a plurality of openings formed in the first wall, immediately above said second wall to be behind a shelf end when a shelf is in position; an opening in said first wall within said rodreceiving recess to be behind a rod when a rod is in position in said recess; closet wall engaging members each comprising two spaced, expandable members able to fit through an opening in a hole in said first wall, an end ring maintaining the relative position of the spaced, expandable members, said ring being enough to abut the periphery of said hole, and gripping means formed on the exterior of each expandable member; an expander member able to be driven through said end ring and between the spaced members to force said members outwardly to grip the interior of an aligned hole in the closet wall and thus locate the closet fitting on the closet wall;; whereby said closet wall engaging members are loaded only in shear when a load is applied to a shelf or rod carried by said fittings.

11. A closet shelf and rod mounting system comprising two fittings, each fitting adapted to be mounted on a wall of a closet opposed to the other fitting; a shelf extending between and supported by said two fittings; a rod extending between and supported by said two fittings, each fitting comprising:: a first solid wall to abut a wall of the closet; a second wall longitudinal of and substantially perpendicular to the first wall and contacting an underside of the shelf; a rod-receiving recess defined by a curved wall formed on said first wall, below said second wall, and receiving said rod; openings formed in said first solid wall, each dimensioned to receive an expandable body having an end ring large enough to abut the periphery of the opening whereby an expander member may be driven into said expandable body to expand the body to grip the interior of a hole ih the closet wall aligned with an opening in said first wall; ; said openings being arranged in said first waA immediately above said second wall and adjacent an end of said shelf and immediately adjacent an end of the pole, formed in said rod-receiving recess; the arrangement being such that the expandable bodies mounting said fittings to their respective closet walls are always loaded only in shear and are prevented from leaving said fittings by the presence of either the shelf or the rod.

12. A single piece closet fitting substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.