GB2305850A

GB2305850A - Bracket cover

Info

Publication number: GB2305850A
Application number: GB9520334A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Iain James Crawford Mckenzie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-10-05
Filing date: 1995-10-05
Publication date: 1997-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 2015-10-05
Also published as: GB2305850B; GB9520334D0

Abstract

A cover arrangement for an L-shaped bracket 36 comprises a plurality of cover members (e.g. two such members, one shown) arranged to be fitted over the two limbs of the bracket and to meet so as to form a generally L-shaped cover which conceals the two limbs of the bracket. Preferably the two cover members are formed in their rear faces with channels to receive the respective limbs of the bracket, each channel being of re-entrant cross-section so that the cover member can be slid into position over a fixing e.g. 32 for the bracket.

Description

SHELF BRACKETS This invention relates to brackets for supporting shelves or the like and, more particularly, to a cover or shroud arrangement for such brackets.

Many different types of brackets are known for mounting shelves or the like to a wall. One such bracket comprises a substantially L-shaped member which is pressed out of sheet steel: the vertical limb of the bracket is secured to the wall and the horizontal limb then supports the shelf and is usually secured to the lower surface of the shelf; usually the securement is effected by screws which are passed through apertures formed in the horizontal and vertical limbs of the bracket.

While these pressed steel brackets provide a secure and inexpensive means for mounting shelves or the like, there are a number of disadvantages which make such brackets unsuitable for use in certain applications. In particular, the brackets are relatively unattractive to the eye and are therefore generally considered unsuitable for use in the home: such brackets are thus considered to be more suitable for use in garages, sheds or workshops where they are used simply for their strength and inexpensiveness.

Covers or shrouds for such support brackets have been proposed before: such covers provide protection and can provide the bracket with a more attractive outward appearance. One such cover comprises a generally L-shaped member which is arranged to fit over the limbs of the bracket and engage with the bracket in snap-fit manner. However, such covers are sometimes difficult to fit onto the bracket due to the force required.

I have now devised an arrangement which overcomes the problems outlined above and enables advantage to be taken of using strong and economical metal brackets yet providing a cover which is easy to apply, to give an attractive finish to the bracket.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bracket cover arrangement comprising a plurality of cover members arranged to be fitted over the limbs of a generally L-shaped bracket such that said cover members meet to form a generally L-shaped cover which conceals the two limbs of the bracket.

Because this bracket cover arrangement is of multi-part construction, it is easy to manufacture and also easy to assemble.

In a first embodiment, the two cover members meet along a plane in which the two limbs of the L-shaped bracket lie.

Preferably each cover member comprises a pair of perpendicular side edges, each edge being stepped so as to form a channel for receiving perspective limbs of the L-shaped bracket when the two cover members are assembled.

In a second embodiment, respective inner ends of two cover members meet adjacent the junction between the two limbs of the bracket.

In a third embodiment, a cover member is fitted at the junction between the two limbs of the bracket, and the limbs of the bracket are then covered by respective cover members which abut against the cover member.

Preferably each cover member comprises an elongate member, the rear surface of which is recessed to accommodate the limb of the bracket to be covered. Preferably a channel is provided in the rear surface of the cover member, the channel being arranged to engage with a fixing used in mounting the bracket: preferably the channel has a re-entrant crosssection such that the cover may be assembled on the bracket as a sliding push fit over this fixing. This sliding-fit provides a quick and easy but secure assembly procedure. Alternatively, the cover member may be attached onto the bracket by means of magnets, screws or other fixings.

The inner ends of the two cover members may be shaped to form a mitre joint or a butt joint with each other. These inner ends may be permanently joined by means of glue, or by means of pins on one member engaging in complementary sockets on the other member.

A separate fillet member may be provided, which is arranged to engage as a sliding push fit with one of the cover members. Alternatively, the fillet member may be fixed to the cover members by means of glue, dowels, magnets screws or other fixings. In an alternative embodiment, the fillet may be integrally formed with one or both of the cover members. In yet a further embodiment the fillet may compose a resiliently flexible member, such as a steel strip, which wedges between respective outer ends of said limbs.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bracket cover arrangement comprising a generally L-shaped cover, the outer surfaces of which are recessed to receive respective limbs of the bracket, and at least one of said outer surfaces of the cover being formed such that it may engage with a bracket fixing as a push fit.

Preferably one outer surface of this L-shaped cover is formed with a channel arranged to engage with a fixing used to secure one limb of the bracket to be covered. The channel may be provided on the upper surface of the cover, in which case the cover is fitted by sliding it along the horizontal limb of the bracket untie the vertical, rear surface of the cover abuts the wall or other surface to which the bracket is mounted. A protrusion, for example a pin, may be provided on a fixing for the vertical limb of the bracket, to engage with a corresponding socket formed in the vertical, rear surface of the cover. Alternatively, the channel may be provided on the vertical, rear surface of the cover and the protrusion is then provided on a fixing for the horizontal limb of the bracket.

A separate fillet member may be provided and arranged to engage as a sliding push fit with one of the limbs of the cover. Alternatively, the fillet may be fixed to the cover by means of glue, dowels, magnets or screws. In an alternative embodiment, the fillet may be integrally formed with the cover.

The cover or shroud in accordance with this invention may be made of any desired material, including wood: however, medium density fibreboard (MDF) is a particularly suitable material because it is strong, easy to machine to the required shape, and inexpensive.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one member which forms part of a bracket cover arrangement which forms a first embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a fixing for use in assembling the cover member of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a side view of the cover member of Figure 1 when in use; FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional end view of the cover member of Figure 1 when in use; FIGURE 5 is a vertical section through a cover member similar to Figure 1 when in use, but showing an alternative fixing; FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the bracket cover of Figure 1, when in use; FIGURE 7 is a perspective view showing the cover members of a modification to the arrangement of Figures 1 to 5;; FIGURE 8 is a perspective view showing the use of a triangular fillet member in the bracket cover arrangement of Figures 1 to 5; FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a shelf using the bracket covers of Figures 1 to 5 and the fillet of Figure 8; FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of an alternative form of triangular fillet; FIGURE 12 is a side view showing a second embodiment of bracket cover rrangement in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 12 shows different types of fixings for use with the bracket cover arrangements in accordance with the present invention; Figure 13 shows a further type of fixing for use with a modified bracket cover arrangement in accordance with the present invention; Figure 14 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of bracket cover arrangement in accordance with the present invention; ; Figure 15 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of bracket cove arrangement in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 16 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment of bracket cover in accordance with this invention.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown one member 10 of a two-part bracket cover arrangement in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

The cover member 10 comprises an elongate, generally rectangular-section member having a generally central, longitudinal recess 12 formed in its rear surface 14. The member 10 is preferably formed of wood, or of medium density fibreboard (MDF), but may alternatively be made of, for example, plastics or metal. A relatively narrow, generally central longitudinal channel 16 is also formed in the rear surface 14 of the member 10, and in the example shown the channel 16 is re-entrant or 'dovetailed' in cross-section. The recess 14 and the channel 16 run from the inner end 18 of the member 10 to a point just short of its outer end 20, such that the outer end 20 of the cover member 10 is closed.

In the example shown, the edges 22 between the upper surface 24 and the sides 26 of cover member 10, and the edge 28 between the upper surface 24 and the outer end 20, are chamfered in order to improve the aesthetic appearance of the member 10. However, the cover member may be shaped and decorated in alternative manners to suit the preferences of the users.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, a fixing 30 is shown, comprising a cylindrical collar 32 having a flange 34 formed around its upper edge. The edge of the flange 34 may be tapered to correspond with the tapering of the opposite inner faces of the dovetailed channel 16 of the cover member 10. The fixing 30 may be made of, for example, wood, plastics, or metal and its bore is countersunk at the flange end, to receive the head of a screw as shown.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, in use, the fixing 30 is placed over a screw hole provided through the end of the vertical limb of a bracket 36, and fastened by means of a screw which is passed through the centre of the collar 32, through the screw hole in the bracket and into the wall or other surface to which the bracket 36 is to be mounted. The rear surface 12 of the cover member 10 is placed against the wall such that its open end 18 is adjacent the lower end of the vertical limb of the bracket 36 and the member 10 is in line with that limb: the cover member 10 is then slid upwards on the wall towards the bracket 36 such that the fixing 30 becomes engaged within the dovetailed channel 16 of the cover member 10.The member 10 is slid over the vertical limb of the bracket 36 until the fixing 30 reaches the end of the channel 16 and the open inner end 18 of the member 10 is adjacent the junction between the two limbs of the bracket 36. The above procedure is repeated for the horizontal limb of the bracket 36, with a second cover member 10 being slid along that limb of the bracket until its open inner end meets that of the first cover member. The ends of the cover members may be shaped to meet as a mitre joint, as shown in Figure 6, or may alternatively be arranged to meet as a butt joint, according to individual preferences. The cover members may be permanently joined by means of glue, for example, or by means of pins projecting from one member to engage in socket in the other, as shown in Figure 7 (which shows a butt joint arrangement).

It will be appreciated that the individual cover members may be fixed in place over the bracket by other means, for example, by screws passed through holes in the cover members and through the fixing holes in the bracket as shown in Figure 5, or by means of magnets.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the front surfaces 12 of the cover members 10 may be formed with sockets 38 such that a generally triangular fillet 40 may be fixed thereto by means of pins 41 projecting from the edges of the fillet 40. The fillet 40 may instead be fixed to the bracket cover members 10 by means of glue. In another arrangement, the fillet 40 may be recessed along its upper edge, as shown in Figure 10: a fixing such as that shown in Figure 2 may be provided on the front surface 12 of the horizontal cover member 10 and the fillet 40 is then simply slid into position in a similar manner to that described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

Referring to Figure 11 of the drawings, a bracket cover arrangement in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention comprises a generally L-shaped member 42, the upper limb 44 of which is recessedoand provided with a channel as described above. The rear surface 48 of the vertical limb 50 of the cover 42 is also recessed in order to accommodate the vertical limb of the bracket 52. A fixing 54 is fitted at the outer end of the horizontal limb of the bracket 52, as before, and a dowel 46 or similar pin is provided on the head of a fixing screw at the lower end of the vertical limb of the bracket 52.In use, the cover member 42 is slid along the horizontal limb of the bracket 52, such that the fixing 54 engages with the channel in the upper edge of the member 42, until the vertical limb 50 of the cover 42 covers the vertical limb of the bracket and abuts the wall 56. A socket 58 is provided in the rear of the cover 42 adjacent its lower end, such that when the bracket cover arrangement is assembled, the pin 54 engages within the socket 58 and helps to secure the cover over the bracket 52. Alternatively, the dovetailed channel may be provided in the rear surface of the vertical limb of the cover, such that the cover engages in a sliding manner over the vertical limb of the bracket instead of the horizontal limb. It will be appreciated that the channel may be dovetailed in both surfaces such that the user is given the choice as to the manner of assembly.The cover 42 may optionally be provided with a fillet 60 extending between the limbs 44 and 50 of the cover 42.

Referring to Figure 14 of the drawings, in a further embodiment the bracket cover arrangement comprises two L-shaped cover members 80 each of which cover one side of the bracket.

The two cover members 80 are engaged face-to-face, so that they meet in a vertical plane in which the two limbs of the bracket 36 lie. The upper and rear edges of each cover member 80 are stepped at 82, so as to form horizontal and vertical channels which receive respective limbs of the bracket 36. The cover members 80 preferably interengage over T-shaped fixings 81 which are used to fix the bracket 36 to the wall and shelf.

Referring to Figure 15 of the drawings, there is shown a bracket cover arrangement which is similar to the arrangement of Figure 1 and like parts are given like reference numerals.

Each cover member 10 comprises an aperture 83 adjacent its outer end for receiving a screw 84 or other fixing. In use, the cover members 10 are joined, and then the assembly is fitted over the bracket 36. The bracket 36 is then fixed in place by passing conventional screws 84 through respective apertures 83 in the cover members and through the corresponding aligned apertures in the bracket 36.

A fillet 85 is used which comprises a flexible metal strip having slots 86 in its opposite ends. The fillet 85 is fitted to the bracket cover members 10 by bending the fillet and subsequently engaging its slots 86 over the shanks of the respective screws 84. The screws 84 are then tightened to hold the bracket and cover securely in place.

Referring to Figure 16 of the drawings, there is shown a bracket cover arrangement comprising two cover members 90, which are similar to the cover members of Figure 1, except that they have inner end faces 91 which lie substantially perpendicular to their longitudinal axes. The arrangement further comprises a cover member 92, in the form of a substantially square block having an L-shaped groove extending around its upper end rear faces 93,94.

In use, the cover member 92 is fitted over the junction between the two limbs of a shelf bracket. The cover members 90 are then slid onto the bracket fixings as before, until their end faces 91 abut respective faces of the cover member 92. Locating pins 95 on the end faces of the cover members 90 engaged with corresponding apertures 96 in the cover member 92 to securely fasten the three members together.

It will be appreciated that a number of modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, referring to Figure 12 of the drawings, the fixing may comprise a tapered tubular member 62 instead of a cylindrical collar having a flange as described above: alternatively, the tapered fixing member 64 may be formed as the head of the mounting screw 66. In another modification, the fixing may comprise a barbed cylindrical collar of plastics material, as shown in Figure 13 of the drawings: in this case, the channel 68 in the rear surface of the cover member is of generally rectangular cross-section instead of dovetailed.

Claims

1) A bracket cover arrangement, comprising a plurality of cover members arranged to be fitted over the limbs of a generally L-shaped bracket such that said cover members meet to form a generally L-shaped cover which conceals the two limbs of the bracket.

2) A bracket cover arrangement as claimed in claim 1, comprising first and second cover members which are formed with respective channels for receiving respective said limbs of the bracket.

3) A bracket cover arrangement as claimed in claim 2, in which the channels of the first and second cover members are arranged to engage with respective fixings used in mounting the bracket.

4) A bracket cover arrangement as claimed in claim 3, in which each said channel has a re-entrance cross-section such that the cover member may be assembled on the bracket as a sliding push-fit over the respective said fixing.

5) A bracket cover arrangement as claimed in claim 2, in which the cover members are arranged to attach to the bracket by means of magnets, screws or other fixings.

6) A bracket cover arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, in which respective ends of the first and second cover members are arranged to meet adjacent the junction between said two limbs of the bracket.

7) A bracket cover arrangement as claimed in claim 6, in which said ends of the first and second cover members are shaped to meet as a mitre joint.

8) A bracket cover arrangement as claimed in claim 6, in which said ends of the first and second cover members are shaped to meet as a butt joint.

9) A bracket cover arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a third cover member for fitting at the junction between said limbs of the bracket, the first and second cover members being arranged to abut said third cover member.

10) A bracket cover arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a fillet member which fits between the first and second cover members.

11) A bracket cover arrangement as claimed in claim 10, in which the fillet member is formed with one of the first and second cover members.

12) A bracket cover arrangement as claimed in claim 1, comprising two said cover members arranged to meet in a plane in which the two limbs of the bracket lie.

13) A bracket cover arrangement, comprising a generally Lshaped cover member the outer surface of which are recessed to receive respective limbs of the bracket, and at least one of said outer surfaces being formed to engage with a bracket fixing as a push-fit.

14) A bracket cover arrangement as claimed in claim 13, in which an outer surface of said L-shaped cover member is formed with a channel arranged to engage with a fixing used to secure one limb of the bracket.

15) A bracket cover arrangement as claimed in claim 13 or 14, further comprising a fillet member which fits between the two limbs of the L-shaped cover member.

16) A bracket cover arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 or any one of Figures 7 to 11, 14, 15 or 16 of the accompanying drawings.