GB2187084A - Improvements in or relating to adjustable bracket systems - Google Patents

Abstract

An adjustable self-locking bracket system for a shop display or similar includes a channel- shaped member 10 and a shelf bracket member. The channel shaped member comprises an elongate channel having a C-shaped cross section and having on an internal rear face of the channel a series of holes 14, 16 at predetermined spaced intervals. The shelf bracket member comprises a plate 200 having at a first end, a spigot 208 for cooperation with one of the holes 14, 16 in the first member 10 and first locking means 210 for preventing the plate from being removed from the C-shaped channel and a second locking means 204 engageable with the C-shaped channel for preventing rotation 216, 218 of the plate. The shelf support may be provided by a screw inserted in hole 220 of the plate 200 or by bending the second end of the plate 200 to the position 224. The shelf bracket member can be inserted in a rotational manner into the C-shaped channel and locked in a first direction against movement in a vertical direction and also locked against rotational movement 216, 218 without any tools or keys being required and leaving a substantially flush finish with no jagged protrusions. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or Relating to Adjustable Bracket Systems The present invention relates to adjustable bracket systems and more particularly to systems for use in displaying goods in shops and to a self locking bracket for use in such systems.

A known system for displaying and or storing articles comprises a plurality of elongate metal members, normally of angle section which are provided with elongate slots at specified intervals.

Rectangular metal shelves in the form of inverted trays with holes in the sides are bolted at each corner to the elongate members to form a rigid shelving structure. The disadvantage of such a structure is that whilst it is able to support securely heavy weights of articles the assembly is difficult and the bolts make the system unattractive for shop use.

An alternative known system for holding shelves comprises a plurality of identical elongate metal members disposed vertically each with slots at required intervals. Shelf brackets with co-operating hook members are slotted into the elongate metal members at desired heights and the shelves are placed on the brackets. The disadvantage of such a system is that if the shelves are not heavily loaded then the brackets may become dislodged by an upward force. Thus in crowded shops, particularly clothes shops, with light articles for sale this system is not well liked. An additional disadvantage is that if exposed the hook members catch on customers clothing etc.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable self locking bracket system which is readily assembled and which is relatively secure against accidental dismantling and which is attractive when assembled with no protruding edges.

The present invention therefore provides an adjustable self locking bracket system for a shop display including a first channel like shaped member, a second shelf bracket member in which the first channel shaped member comprises an elongate C-shaped channel section having on an internal rear face a series of holes at predetermined spaced apart intervals and in which the second shelf bracket member comprises a plate having at a first end spigot means for co-operation with one of the holes in the first member and first locking means for preventing the plate from being removed from the C-shaped channel and including further locking means engageable in the C-shaped channel for preventing rotation of the plate.

Preferably the plate is generally rectangular and the locking means and further locking means are positioned close to opposite sites of the rectangle.

Preferably the further locking means comprises an outstanding lug sized to fit into the open end of the C section channel.

Preferably the first locking means comprises a toggle shaped portion which locates within the C section channel by rotation of the plate after insertion of the spigot within one of the holes in the channel member.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a self locking bracket according to the present invention in front elevation in position in a C-shaped channel section; Figure 2 shows the bracket and channel of Figure 1 in side elevation and partial dotted cross-section; and Figure 3 shows the bracket and channel of Figure 1 in plan view.

The self locking bracket as shown in Figures 1,2 and 3 is designed for operation with elongate channel-shaped member 10 or other similar members formed for example in solid wood or metal.

The bracket comprises a large plate 200 and further smaller plate 202 preferably formed integrally with plate 200 by a bending operation.

Plate 200 has a log 204 attached thereto which may preferably be formed integrally with plate 200 by a punching and bending operation leaving a through hole 206 in plate 200. A spigot 208 and toggle 210 are formed integrally in plate 202 by a suitable punching operation and function in cooperation with the elongate channel member 10 as shown in the assembled position.

in operation the end 212 of spigot 208 is inserted in a hole 12 of elongate member 10 with toggle 210 (and hence plate 200) turned sideways to allow toggle 210 to pass into the "C" shaped channel.

Other holes 14, 16 spaced at predetermined intervals along channel 10 may be selected if a different height or position of bracket is required.

Plate 200 is then rotated until lug 204 engages with the outer edge of the channel and then plate 200 is rotated outwardly in the direction shown by arrow 214 until lug 204 clears the front face of channel 10.

Plate 200 may then be further rotated until lug 204 is able to slot into the open centre section of channel 14 and then the plate 200 is prevented from rotation in either direction shown by arrows 216 or 218 (Figure 1).

If the channel 10 is cut into a solid face such as a wooden wall board then the plate 200 will require rotation in direction 214 initially until the lug 204 is opposite the centre of the channel whence it can then be slotted into the channel.

The plate 200 may be provided with a plurality of fixings for shelves, rails etc as required. In its simplest form, plate 200 is provided with a through hole 220 through which a screw may be passed to fix a shelf etc. In a further simple form the lower portion of plate 200 may be bent about dotted line 222 to form a ledge 224 (see also Figure 2) shown in dotted lines.

The bracket will be locked into position by the weight of the shelves or, if a clothes rail is supported, by the weight of the clothes. In an alcove situation where two elongate channels are on opposite sides the brackets will be locked once the rail or shelf is in position since lug 204will not be able to clear the channel.

The positive location of spigot 208 in the holes in the rear face of the elongate channel member provide a very strong support which will not move in use but may be readily positioned if required.

The bracket shown in Figures 1,2 and 3 is readily formed from a sheet or strip of metal by a simple punching and bending operation. If a mild steel plate or strip is used the bracket may be plastics or epoxy resin coated or chrome plated to suit the type of use.

In a practical embodiment the plate was 3.2 mm thick and 20 mm wide. Plate 200 was 50 mm long and plate 202 was 10 mm long and lug 204 was 2.5 mm long.

Claims (7)

1.An adjustable self locking bracket system for a shop display including a first channel like shaped member, a second self bracket member in which the first channel shaped member comprises an elongate C-shaped channel section having on an internal rear face a series of holes at predetermined spaced intervals and in which the second shelf bracket member comprises a plate having at a first end spigot means for co-operation with one of the holes in the first member and first locking means for preventing the plate from being removed from the C-shaped channel and including further locking means engageable with the C-shaped channel for preventing rotation of the plate.

2. An adjustable self locking bracket system as claimed in Claim 1 in which the plate is generally rectangular and the locking means and further locking means are positioned close to opposite sides of the rectangle.

3. An adjustable self locking bracket system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the further locking means comprises an outstanding lug sized to fit into the open end of the C section channel.

4. An adjustable self locking bracket system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 in which the front locking means comprises a toggle shaped portion which locates within the C section channel by rotation of the plate after insertion of the spigot within one of the holes in the channel member.

5. An adjustable self locking bracket system substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. A shelf bracket member for an adjustable self locking bracket system as claimed in Claim 1.

7. A shelf bracket member substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.