GB2378214A

GB2378214A - System for securing a load arm to a wall panel

Info

Publication number: GB2378214A
Application number: GB0217368A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Len Snell
Original assignee: SPERLING RETAIL DEVELOPMENTS L
Current assignee: SPERLING RETAIL DEVELOPMENTS L
Priority date: 2001-07-28
Filing date: 2002-07-26
Publication date: 2003-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 2022-07-26
Also published as: GB0118429D0; GB2378214B; GB0217368D0

Abstract

A socket system for securing a load arm 4 to a wall panel comprises: a sleeve 2 having an internal bore 3 for receiving the load arm 4; locking means 5 provided on the sleeve 2 for releasably locking the load arm 4 in the sleeve 2; and an elongate substantially rigid support member 6. In use the sleeve 2 is secured to the support member 6, and the support member 6 is suitable for and adapted to be fixed to the surface of the wall panel. Preferably the locking means comprises a locking bar 11 which is urged by a spring 12 across part of the bore 3 of the sleeve 2. Preferably the end of the load arm 4 is adapted to engage the locking bar 11. The load arm 4 may carry a shop display or shelving.

Description

DISPLAY SUPPORT SYSTEM Displays in shops and offices frequently require securing systems to secure them to walls or panels. Conventionally for a substantial period of time, one type of such securing system has been a socket inserted into the panel with some form of securing mechanism in the socket for securing in the socket the complementary component which is intended to be secured.

In practice it has been found that these securing sockets are unsatisfactory in that they are often required to hold loads which apply significant torque in the plane of the panel or wall, and this levers the sockets loose. Surprisingly, up to now cheap socket systems which are not integral with the panel or wall have not been available.

The invention provides a socket system which is intended to overcome the problem of handling larger loads on conventional socket systems, and in particular a socket securing system (1) for use in conjunction with building or shop fitting wall panels comprising a sleeve (2) with an internal bore (3), suitable for accepting a load arm (4), the sleeve having locking means (5) for releasably locking the load arm (4) into the sleeve (2), the sleeve being secured to an elongate substantially rigid support (6), the elongate support being suitable for and adapted to be fixed to the surface of the wall panel. (The reference numerals refer to the figures, and have been included for convenience. They are not intended to limit the features described to the form in which they are illustrated in the figures).

Previously such wall sockets have been simply in the form of a sleeve or sleeve with a small additional support. In the invention the elongate support provides sufficient strength against significant rotation about an axis parallel to the plane of the wall panel so as to prevent damage to the wall panel and loosening of the socket. Preferably it extends vertically for substantially the full height of the wall panel. Preferably the support is in the form of channel section. Preferably is has securing holes (7) provided in it, in particular in the face (8) which is intended to be offered to the wall panel to secure the support onto the surface of the wall panel.

Preferably the sleeve into which the loading arm fits is in the form of a collar with a cylindrical bore (3). The collar is preferably mounted into the support, for example by a- mounting hole (9) and additional support means (10) to prevent rotation of the sleeve about one of its transverse axes, in the support. For example the channel section may have a plate (10) bridging it at the point where the sleeve is fitted and one end of the sleeve fits into the plane of the channel section and the second end into the plate. It will be understood that, although the sleeve has been described as having an internal bore, this internal bore need not necessarily extend around the whole circumference or periphery of the sleeve. In other words a slotted sleeve, or sleeve in the form of an upper and lower load arm engaging section may suffice, provided that the sleeve is adapted to prevent or substantially prevent rotation of the load arm about a least one of the axes parallel to the surface of the wall panel. An example of such an arrangement might be a cylindrical sleeve with the two opposite sides absent, so that

it forms two segments of the cylindrical sleeve facing each other, and between which the load arm is intended to sit. Further the sleeve need not be contiguous along its length. For example in the channel section support, sufficient support may be provided by a hole in the plane of the support, and a corresponding co-axial hole in a plate mounted across the channel section, both holes having an internal diameter to match the diameter of the relevant section of the load arm. The bore can conveniently have an effective internal diameter of 8 to 20 mm, preferably 10 to 15 mm.

The sleeve has securing means (5) for releasable securing the load arm (4) into the sleeve (2). Preferably this is in the form of a bar (11) which is urged by spring means (12) across part of the bore of the sleeve. The bar then engages in a complementary slot (13) in the load arm to lock the load arm in place. A suitable form of release mechanism is to provide the load arm

with a flat (14), into which the slot runs, so that on rotation of the load arm, the bar moves from engagement of the slot onto the flat, and the load arm can be removed, with the bar sliding over the flat. The slot may directly run into the flat or may have a raised region which has to be passed. The latter can prevent rotation of the load arm to the release position without exerting an additional force.

A suitable spring and bar means is an integral spring and bar. For example a spring in the form of a wire coil, one free end of which forms the bar, or a spring comprising two wire

coils, with the bridge between the two coils forming the bar (as illustrated in the Figures) may be used.

The load arm is any arm the relevant part of which fits into and engages within the sleeve.

Preferably the end section of such arm is a cylindrical bar which just slides into the sleeve, with a bevel (15) provided at the free end so that the end can easily be inserted into the socket, and a flat (14) provided on one side of the free end, so that that side can pass inside the bar, and a circumferential slot (13) running from the end of the flat away from the free end of the load arm, around part of the circumference of the bar, so that on rotation, the bar engages the slot and the load arm is secured in the slot. Typically a load arm in the form of a cylindrical bar with an external diameter of 8 to 20 mm, preferably 10 to 15 mm.

Preferably the socket system (1) comprises a support which has more than one such socket installed on it as illustrated in figures. This may be achieved by preinstalling such sockets at appropriate distances, or by providing a support means which is adapted to have the socket support assembly installed at a number of different locations along its length. In one embodiment, the socket support has predrilled holes suitable for accepting the sleeve and other socket support assembly components. In an alternative embodiment the support is adapted to accept the socket support assembly at variable positions along its length and the hole for the sleeve is drilled in the support when the location has been determined.

The invention further provides sets of socket supports with sockets installed thereon, the sockets being spaced at the same relative positions on each member of the set of socket supports.

The invention further provides socket systems installed onto wall panels.

The invention is illustrated by the following drawings, on which the numbering has been referred to above. This is illustrative of an embodiment. The person skilled in the art will be able to make variations of this.

Figure 1: Perspective view of the sleeve and locking assembly; Figure 2: Perspective view of the sleeve and locking assembly with load arm inserted;

Figure 3: Perspective view of the sleeve and locking assembly with load arm inserted and in a locked position; Figure 4: Part cross sectional view of the sleeve and locking assembly; Figure 5: Perspective view of the support and socket system; Figure 6: Perspective view of section of socket system from user's view.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A socket system for use in conjunction with building or shop fitting wall panels

comprising a sleeve with an internal bore, suitable for accepting a load arm, the sleeve having locking means for releasably locking the load arm into the sleeve, the sleeve being secured to an elongate substantially rigid support, the elongate support being suitable for and adapted to be fixed to the surface of the wall panel.
2. A socket system according to claim 1, in which the locking means comprises a bar which is urged by spring means across part of the bore of the sleeve.
3. A socket system according to claim 1 or 2, including a load arm having an end section adapted to fit into the bore of the sleeve, and to engage in a releasable locking relationship with the locking means.
4. A socket system according to claim 3, in which the end section of the load arm is substantially cylindrical, and has a flat extending across part of the circumference of the end section, the flat being adapted to match the bar of the spring means.
5. A socket system according to claim 4, in which the end section of the load arm further has groove extending around at least part of the circumference of the end section, the groove being adapted to engage the bar of the spring means.
6. A socket system according to any of the preceding claims secured to a wall panel.
7. A socket system according to claim 6, in which the elongate support has a length at least 50%, preferably substantially the full height of the wall panel.
8. A socket system according to any of claims 3 to 7 in which the load arm carries a shop display.
9. A socket system according to claim 8 in which the shop display is shelving.

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10. A socket system according to claim 1, comprising a set of two or more elongate substantially rigid supports each support having two or more sleeves, the sleeves on- each such support being spaced at the same relative positions on each support.