GB2096887A - Pivotable brackets - Google Patents

Abstract

A bracket comprises a mounting plate adapted for securing to a wall, an arm pivotally mounted at one end of the plate-like member, the arm being disconnectable from the plate- like member and adapted to be mounted on the plate-like member such that the exposed visible portion of plate-like member lies either wholly above or below a support surface on the arm. In practice two such brackets may be used to support an article (e.g. television, loudspeaker) for pivotable adjustment, with the "exposed" portions of the brackets being obscured by the mounted article. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Brackets This invention relates to hinged brackets, and to wall mounted support means including such brackets.

There are numerous instances where there is the need to mount on a wall, support means on which can be placed such items as portable televisions, speaker units for sound reproduction equipment, etc. Particularly when a television is being supported, it is highly desirable that not only is the television adequately supported, but the support means must be such as to allow the support means to be oriented so that the screen of the television is in the most convenient position for viewing. This can be equally important with such items as sound reproduction speakers, to ensure that there is a correct distribution of sound.

Bearing in mind that such items are frequently required to be placed in either a living room or in a kitchen of a domestic dwelling, it is also important that the support means and its brackets are unobtrusive, and hitherto there has been no wall mounted support means available which adequately combines the three requirements of strength, adjustability and unobtrusiveness.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a bracket and a support means including such bracket that avoids the disadvantages of prior constructions.

According to the present invention, a bracket comprises a plate-like member adapted for securing to a wall, an arm pivotally mounted at one end of the plate-like members, the arm being disconnectable from the plate-like member and adapted to be mounted on the plate-like member such that the exposed portion of plate-like member lies above or below a support surface on the arm. Preferably the pivotal connection between the arm and the plate-like member is by a threaded bolt passing through spaced lugs on the plate-like member and an inturned end portion on the arm.

According to a further feature of the invention, support means comprises at least two brackets as above defined and a support surface or board adapted for securing to the support surfaces of the arms.

Thus, if the item to be supported is to be set above eye-level, it is preferred to secure the arms to the plate-like members such that the exposed portions of the plate-like members lie above the arms so that when secured to a wall and with the item to be supported plated on the support means, the plate-like members are masked. If on the other hand the item to be supported is to be at or below eye-level, it is preferred to mount the arm on the plate-like member such that the exposed portion lies below the arm and when again the exposed portions are hidden from view.

A highly advantageous feature of the invention is that when such as a television or a speaker is to be mounted in a corner of a room, two brackets can be provided, one on the wall to one side of the corner and the other on the wall to the other side of the corner, and when the arms can be pivoted to lie below a support board in positions calculated to provide maximum support to the board. Each plate-like member can be secured to its wall at such a distance from the corner as will allow the arm to be positioned appropriately below the support board, which in turn allows such items as a portable television to be set squarely on the support board with the screen at any required angular disposition with respect to the corner.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bracket in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 is a plan view of the bracket of Figure 1.

In the drawings, a bracket 1 has a plate-like member 2 with fixing holes 3 and whereby the plate-like member can be secured to a wall. At one end of the member 2 is formed a lug 4 there being a further lug 5 formed part way along its length, each lug having a centrally disposed hole through which passes a pivot bolt 6. Mounted on the pivot bolt 6 by a cylindrical end piece 7 is an arm 8, formed as an L-section member to provide an upper generally horizontal section 9 and a tapered vertical section 10.

In the drawings the relationship between the arm 8 and the plate 2 is such that when the bracket is secured to a wall above eye-level, the exposed part of the plate 2 will be masked. If however the bracket is to be mounted below eyelevel, the pivot bolt 6 can readily be removed and the plate 2 turned through 1 800, and the arm resecured. In this condition the plate 2 for the most part lies below the support surface 9 and will again be masked.

Thus, when such an item as, e.g., a television, is to be wall mounted two brackets 1 can be provided, with the arms 8 appropriately secured to the plates 2 dependent on the height at which the brackets are to be mounted on the wall, and a support board (not shown) secured across the support surfaces 9 of the arms.

A further advantage of the invention stems from the pivotal mounting of arms 8 to the plates 2. Thus, when as is frequently the case, a, e.g., television is to be wall mounted in the corner of a room, a bracket can be secured to each side of the corner at the appropriate height, the support board set at the required angle in the corner to provide total support for the, e.g., television, and the arms swung below the board to a position calculated to give greatest support to the board, and the arms then secured to the board in that position.

The invention therefore provides simple and inexpensive support means allowing considerably greater variety in the positioning of items to be supported, and with the brackets on all occasions being considerably less obtrusive than has hitherto been the case, whilst at the same time providing maximum and positive support for the item to be supported.

Claims (5)

1. A bracket comprising a plate-like member adapted for securing to a wall, an arm pivotally mounted at one end of the plate-like member, the arm being disconnectable from the plate-like member and adapted to be mounted on the plate like member such that the exposed portion of plate-like member lies above or below a support surface on the arm.

2. A bracket wherein the pivotal connection between the arm and the plate-like member is by a threaded bolt passing through spaced lugs on the plate-like member and an inturned end portion on the arm.

3. Support means comprising at least two brackets as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, and a support surface or board adapted for securing to the support surfaces of the arms.

4. A bracket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. Support means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.