GB2384419A

GB2384419A - Support for a shelf or the like

Info

Publication number: GB2384419A
Application number: GB0201429A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Edward Boyne Aitken
Original assignee: Technical Res & Dev Ltd
Current assignee: Technical Res & Dev Ltd
Priority date: 2002-01-23
Filing date: 2002-01-23
Publication date: 2003-07-30
Also published as: GB0201429D0

Abstract

The support includes an inner part 1 and an outer part 11 with a recess 18 which receives the inner part. The two parts may be plastics mouldings connected by a living hinge. The inner part has aligned apertures 7,8 defining a screw axis 10; a rear wall 2 with an adhesive pad 3 to enable wall mounting; and a cylindrical side wall 4 and front wall 12 which define a cavity 6 for collecting drilling debris. The outer part has a shelf supporting flange 14 with a screw hole 16. In use the inner part is adhered to the wall, a mounting hole is drilled and securing screw 25 inserted, the outer part is then mounted over the inner part and a shelf 27 mounted using screw 26.

Description

FIXTURE The present invention relates to a fixture particularly though not exclusively for fixing a shelf or cupboard to a wall.

I Accurate drilling of wall plug holes in brick or block walls is difficult. Thus fixing of wall brackets in a position to levelly support a shelf is difficult.

The object of the present invention is to provide a fixture able to be temporarily fixed prior to final drilling and having the added advantage of retaining drilling debris.

According to the invention there is provided a fixture for screw fixing of a storage device or the like (the"fixed device") to a wall or the like support structure (the"support structure"), the fixture comprising * a first part having: * a male body including a drilling debris receptacle, * an aperture defining a screw axis for á screw for securing the fixture to the support structure and a an adhesive pad for temporary securement of the male body prior to screw fixing; and * a second part having: * a female body complementary to the male body for support thereby, * a seat for the fixture-securement screw, enabling the screw to retain the female body on the male body and * a support for the fixed device.

Preferably the female body has a circular recess and the male body has a circular projection sized to fit in the recess at any angle, whereby the parts can rotated with respect to each other for alignment of the support with the fixed device.

Conveniently, the screw axis is provided at the central axis of the circular recess and projection.

Normally, the adhesive pad will provide an adhesive plane at right angles to the screw axis; and the support will define a support plane at right angles to the adhesive plane when the parts are fitted to each other, whereby the fixed device can be set at right angles to the support structure. For further assuring this, the second part conveniently defines an abutment. plane for abutting the support structure so that the abutment plane is substantially co-planar with the adhesive plane.

In the preferred embodiment, the first part has: a rear web to which the adhesive pad is attached, a front web spaced from the rear web and a side flange extending around the webs to define the debris receptacle, the webs being apertured to define the aperture and screw axis.

The front web can be a separate cover fitted to the receptacle. However, they are preferably formed integrally.

The first and second parts can be hingedly connected to together, particularly where the first and second parts are a single injection moulding of plastics material with the parts connected by a living hinge.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a fixture of the invention ; Figure 2 is a front view of the fixture; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 of an inner part of the fixture temporarily secured as a drilling guide; Figure 4 is a similar view showing a wall plug fitted in the drilling and Figure 5 is a similar view of the fixture an outer part secured with a screw.

Referring to the drawings, the inner part 1 of the fixture has a rear web 2 with a recess for a double-sided adhesive pad 3 stamped from a length thereof A circular cylindrical wall 4 extends forwards from the rear web and is closed by a front web 5.

The webs and wall define a drilling debris void or receptacle 6. The webs are apertured 7,8, with a hollow spigot 9 extending from the front web into the receptacle.

Thus a central screw axis 10 is defined, the axis being coaxial with the curvature of the wall 4. The exposed rear plane of the adhesive is at right angles to the screw axis.

Prior to use this adhesive plane is covered with a release paper.

An outer part 11 has a front web 12 and a supporting flange 14. Each have respective screw apertures 15,16. A rearwardly extending wall 17 extends from the front web and defines a circular recess, defining a complementary female/male recess 18 with the inner part.

In use, the inner part 1 is temporarily secured to the wall or other structure 21 at the desired height with the adhesive pad 3, the adhesive plane then being coplanar with the surface of the wall. With a drill bit 22, a bore is made in the wall, the drill bit being guided by the apertures 15,16. The drilling debris 20 is retained in the receptacle 6, the front web 5 in effect forming a cover for this purpose. A wall plug 23 is inserted through the apertures 15,16 into the bore in the wall. The outer part is engaged over the inner part and turned about the'axis 10 until the supporting flange is horizontal, vertical etc. as desired. A screw 24 is inserted through the aperture 15 in the front web of the outer part and the apertures 7,8 in the inner part. It is engaged in the wall plug 23 and tightened to engage its head 25 with countersunk set 19 in the front web of the outer part. The rear edge of the wall 17 of the outer part 11 comes into abutment with the wall 21, whereby the plane of the rear edge is coplanar with the rear surface of the adhesive pad. The top of the support flange 14 then extends at right angles to the wall. A second screw 26 is then screwed into the underside of the shelf or other structure 27.

Where a number of fixtures are to be made to one shelf, one can be permanently secured so as to give temporary support to the shelf The next can be offered up and adjusted into position where, for its drilling, it is then held temporarily by means of its adhesive pad.

One advantage of this fixture is the containment of the drilling debris. This is assisted by the length of the hollow spigot 9. Another advantage is that it is readily

adjustable to the angle of the shelf. Thirdly additional fixtures can be added to the shelf by first holding the fixture against the shelf and the wall and then removing the outer part and drilling with the inner part secured by its adhesive. Fourthly for redecoration of the wall, the screws 24 can be removed, with the inner parts left in place with the adhesive pads. After the redecoration, shelf can be replaced in its original position.

The fixture can of course be used to fixedly support a variety of items such as cupboards cabinets loudspeakers and the like.

The invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above described embodiment. For instance, it is conceivable that the outer part should be formed integrally with the device to be fixed to the wall. To enable the fixture to resist compressive forces on it from the screw 24, internal webs 29 can be provided.

The adhesive pad can be provided as drops of pieces of adhesive material.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A fixture for screw fixing of a storage device or the like (the"fixed device") to a wall or the like support structure (the"support structure"), the fixture comprising * a first part having: * a male body including a drilling debris receptacle, * an aperture defining a screw axis for a screw for securing the fixture to the support structure and * an adhesive pad for temporary securement of the male body prior to screw fixing; and * a second part having: a a female body complementary to the male body for support thereby, * a seat for the fixture-securement screw, enabling the screw to retain the female body on the male body and * a support for the fixed device.
2. A fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the female body has a circular recess and the male body has a circular projection sized to fit in the recess at any angle, whereby the parts can rotated with respect to each other for alignment of the support.
3. A fixture as claimed in claim 2, wherein the screw axis is provided at the central axis of the circular recess and projection.
4. A fixture as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the adhesive pad provides an adhesive plane at right angles to the screw axis.
5. A fixture as claimed in claim 4, wherein the support defines a support plane at right angles to the adhesive plane when the parts are fitted to each other, whereby the fixed device can be set at right angle to the support structure.
6. A fixture as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the second part defines an abutment plane for abutting the support structure to be substantially co-planar with the adhesive plane.
7. A fixture as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first part has:

* a rear web to which the adhesive pad is attached, * a front web spaced from the rear web and * a side flange extending around the webs to define the debris receptacle, the webs being apertured to define the aperture and screw axis.

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8. A fixture as claimed in claim 7, including a spigot extending back from the front web towards the rear web.
9. A fixture as claimed in claim any preceding claim, wherein the first and second parts are hingedly connected to together.
10. A fixture as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first and second parts are a single injection moulding of plastics material connected by a living hinge.
11. A fixture as claimed in claim any preceding claim, wherein the first part includes internal webs parallel with the screw axis for strengthening the debris receptacle against collapse.
12. A fixture substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.