GB2450892A

GB2450892A - Monitor mounting bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2450892A
Application number: GB0713376A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Wills; Jonathan Mills; Kevin Oliver
Original assignee: Colebrook Bosson Saunders Products Ltd
Current assignee: Colebrook Bosson Saunders Products Ltd
Priority date: 2007-07-11
Filing date: 2007-07-11
Publication date: 2009-01-14
Also published as: WO2009007177A1; GB0713376D0

Abstract

A mounting bracket 1 for attaching a monitor support to the surface of a wall or partition panel 2 having at least a pair of spaced parallel channels 10 formed therein. The mounting bracket comprising a main body portion 13 with a panel engaging face. Clamping members 60,61 extend from the panel engaging face and respectively locate in adjacent spaced parallel channels in the wall or partition panel. A clamping mechanism (48, fig 5) is operable to partially retract at least one of said clamping members 60 into the main body to draw the panel engaging face towards said wall or partition panel. The clamping mechanism comprises a bolt co-acting with camming members 74,75 and also a nut 96 that engages with the bolt and also with the other of the clamping members 61. The main body portion has upper and lower support members 5,6 extending forwardly. A mounting post 12 secures a monitor support arm mounting 9 to the support members.

Description

Mounting Bracket

Description

The present invention relates to a mounting bracket for attaching a flat screen monitor support arm to a wall or partition panel having at least a pair of spaced parallel channels formed therein.

Flat screen computer monitors are now in widespread use and have the advantage of being relatively light and slim, winch enables them to be mounted to one end of an elevated and adjustable support arm It is conventional for the other end of the support arm to be attached to a post upstanding from a work surface, such as a desk or table. However, it is also becoming common for one end of the monitor support arm to extend from a mounting bracket which attaches to a desk partition panel or wall plate and in which is formed at least a pair of spaced parallel channels extending in a horizontal direction across the width of the panel. Walls or partitions having this construction are well known in the industry and are often referred to as "slat-wall panels". The channels formed in such slat-wall panels are commonly used to attach a number of other work related items such as shelves, lights and stationary holders, and is convenient because it enables them to be moved or repositioned easily.

A problem with conventional mounting brackets of the type mentioned above is that it is difficult to securely mount a conventional mounting bracket to a slat-wall panel. Conventionally, at least one component of the mounting bracket, such as a hook, locates in at least one of the slat-wall channels and engages with a lip which is generally provided on the inner surface of each channel proximate to the opening of each channel. With such an arrangement the mounting bracket is suspended by means of the hook and so the bracket does not securely locate against the slat-wall panel. Furthermore, the mounting bracket may accidentally disconnect from the channel and it is also difficult to stably locate a monitor attached thereto such that it does not move or wobble during use.

Such a slat-wall panel is generally used to mount basic, mass produced components or items as mentioned above and so it is unnecessary to manufacture such a slat-vall panel to tight tolerances and so there may be substantial variations in the shape and size of the channels.

One type of mounting bracket which attempts to overcome the above problems comprises a pair of clamping hooks wherein one, or both, of the clarnpmg hooks is drawn towards the opposing clamping hook such that they securely clamp in adjacent channels. Such mounting brackets are known from United Kingdom Patent Application no. 0707476.8.

Known mounting brackets, such as the type mentioned above, are not entirely compatible with all the different types of slat wall, each of which has a slightly different channel configuration. For example, different types of slat-wall panels may have varying distances bet\veen adjacent channels formed therein or have different sized lips. Although such brackets may fit, they may damage or otherwise scratch the slat-wall causing its appearance to deteriorate.

As well as securely clamping a pair of hooks in a respective pair of parallel channels it is also desirable to pull a locating surface of the mounting bracket towards the surface of the slat-wall panel such that it is securely held thereagainst. Thc aforementioned mounting bracket with movable clamping hooks attempts to do this by angling each hook such that the hooked portions oppose each other and so, as the hooks are drawn towards each other, they contact respective lips and pull the bracket towards the slat-wall panel. However, the bracket will not be drawn into close contact with the slat-wall panel unless the hook corresponds sufficiently with its respective lip. Furthermore, each hook will have a point contact with the hp which concentrates the load applied at that point which may damage the slat-wall.

Further, it is desirable to locate at least an upper hook of the mounting bracket in a recess formed in a lip of the channel so as to more securely locate said mounting bracket and to easily draw said bracket towards said panel.

The present invention seeks to provide a monitor support bracket that overcomes or substantially alleviates the problems with conventional monitor support brackets referred to above.

According to the present invention, there is provided a mounting bracket for attaching a monitor support to the surface of a wall or partition panel having at least a pair of spaced parallel channels formed therein, the mounting bracket comprising a main body with a panel engaging face, clamping members extending from the panel engaging face that respectively locate in adjacent spaced parallel channels in the wall or partition panel and clamping means operable to partially retract at least one of said clamping members into the main body to draw the panel engaging face tcwards said vaIl or partition panel Preferably, the clamping means is operable to draw at least one clamping member toward the other clamping member to clamp the bracket to said wall or partition panel.

Conveniently, the at least one clamping member is movable towards the other clamping member in a direction along the plane of the engaging face.

In a preferred embodiment, the clamping members comprise a first clamping member and a second clamping member, the clamping means operable to partially retract the second clamping member into the main body also being operable to draw the first clamping member towards said second clamping member.

The clamping means may comprise a shaft mounted within the body for rotation about its longitudinal axis, wherein the clamping means is configured so that initial rotation of the shaft causes the first clamping member to be drawn towards the second clamping member to clamp the bracket to said wall or partition panel and further rotation of the shaft causes the second clamping member to be partially retracted into the main body to draw the panel engaging face towards said wall or partition panel.

Advantageously, the shaft comprises a threaded portion having a threaded clement in engagement with the threaded i" of the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes one of the shaft or thicaded clement to move relative to the other in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

In one embodiment, the threaded element is received in a recess such that the edge of the threaded element partially protrudes in a lateral direction from said recess, the threaded element and the recess cooperating with each other so that the threaded clement does not rotate.

The mounting bracket may further comprise first and second cooperating elements and the shaft further comprises a shoulder portion at one end, wherein the second cooperating element is disposed against the shoulder portion and has an inclined face that cooperates with an inclined face of the first cooperating element such that the shoulder portion urges the second cooperating clement towards the first cooperating element when the shaft is rotated and moves relative to the threaded element in a direction towards the second cooperating element.

Advantageously, the second cooperating clement has an aperture formed therein and the shaft extends therethrough.

Preferably, the body comprises a support for the first cooperating element and the first cooperating element is movable along the support in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft such that the first cooperating clement is urged away from the shaft when the second cooperating element inclined face acts thereon.

The second cooperating element may be disposed in the body proximate to the panel engaging face and the first cooperating element is urged away from the second cooperating element.

Conveniently, the first clamping member is mounted to the first cooperating element, such that the first clamping member is movable with the first cooperating element.

Preferably, the cooperating elements,are wedge-shaped and the inclined face forms one face of the wedge The mounting bracket may further comprise at least one resilient member, wherein the resilient member acts on the first clamping member to urge the first cooperating element towards the shaft.

Advantageously, the second clamping member has an aperture therein and the edge of the threaded element that extends in a lateral direction from the recess locates in said aperture.

Preferably, rotation of the shaft in one direction causes the threaded element to be drawn in a direction along the longitudinal direction such that the second clamping member is drawn towards the first clamping member until it contacts the channel.

A shaft retaining member may be mounted in a slot in the body and may locate on the shaft to limit movement of the shaft in an axial direction relative to the body.

Preferably, the clamping members comprise plates having hooked end portion extending from the body for engagement with spaced parallel channels in the panels.

A further problem with conventional mounting brackets for attaching a monitor support to a wall or partition panel of the type mentioned above is that it is desirable to rotate a monitor support arm mounted to the bracket so that a monitor mounted to a distal end of said arm can be manoeuvred into any desired position.

However, if such an arm is freely rotatable about the mounting bracket then it is possible to rotate the arm such that the mounting arm and/or the monitor attached thereto impacts the slat-wall panel or a number of work related items attached thereto. Such an impact is undesirable as this may potentially damage either the display or mounting arm, as well as the slat-wall and the items mounted thereto.

Therefore, the present invention also seeks to provide a monitor support bracket that overcomes or substantially alleviates the problems with conventional monitor support brackets referred to above, in particular a means to limit the rotation of the mounting arm relative to the mounting bracket.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a mounting bracket for attaching a monitor support to the surface of a vall or partition panel comprising a support arm mounting post and a collar, wherein a monitor support is fixedly mountable to one of said support arm mounting post or collar and the collar and support post are rotatable relative to each other, the mounting post and collar having cooperating means to limit rotation of the collar and support arm mounting post relative to each other.

The cooperating means may comprise an arcuate recess formed in the collar and at least one end stop formed on the mounting post. Alternatively, the cooperating means may comprise at least one end stop formed on the collar and an arcuate recess formed in the mounting post.

Preferably, the mounting bracket further comprising a main body wherein the support arm mounting post is fixedly mounted to the main body and the collar is rotatable relative to the support arm mounting post such that the monitor support is fixedly mountable to the collar and is rotatable therewith relative to the main body.

Furthermore, there is also provided a method of attaching a mounting bracket to a slat-wall panel comprising a main body with a panel engaging face and clamping members extending from the panel engaging face, the method comprising the step of partially retracting at least one of said clamping member into the main body to draw the panel engaging face towards said wall or partition.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of a mounting bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present Invention which is shown attached to a slat-wall panel; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a body portion of the mounting bracket shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of an enclosure of the mounting bracket shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 4 is another perspective view of the enclosure shown in Figure 3; FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of the mounting bracket shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a shaft of the mounting bracket shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 7 is another perspective view of the mounting bracket of Figure 1 showing clamping plates; FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a first clamping plate shown in Figure 7; FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a second clamping plate shown in Figure 7; FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a first wedge of the mounting bracket shown in Figure 1; FIGURE his another view of the first wedge shown in Figure 1; FIGURE l2is a perspective view of a second wedge of the mounting bracket shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of a shaft retaining element of the mounting bracket shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 14 is a sectioned view of the mounting bracket of Figure 1 showing the second clamping plate of Figure 9 in an extended position; FIGURE 15 is a sectioned view of the mounting bracket of Figure 1 showing the second clamping plate of Figure 9 in retracted position, and; FIGURE 16 is an exploded view of a monitor support arm mounting of the mounting bracket shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 a mounting bracket I according to an embodiment of the present invention, mounted to a panel 2 which may form part of a freestanding partition or, be mounted on a wall or other upright surface (not shown). The mounting bracket I comprises a body 3 and an enclosure 4 fixedly mounted to the body 3. Upper and lower support members 5,6 of the body 3 extend through corresponding elongate apertures 7,8 in the enclosure 4 and a monitor support arm mounting 9, comprising a mounting post 12, is coupled between the upper and lower support members 5,6 distal to the main plate portion 13 to mount a monitor support arm (not shown). Furthermore, the monitor support arm mounting 9 is mounted by means of a cylindrical opening 5a,5b formed through each upper and lower support member 5,6 as will be explained later.

The panel 2 Is conventional and has a plurality of spaced parallel channels 10 extending in a horizontal direction therealong. Although multiple channels 10 are shown formed in both sides of the panel 2, it will be appreciated that channels 8 may be formed only in one side of the panel 2 or, only two spaced parallel channels 8 may be provided on one or both sides of the panel 2. The channels 8 have front walls Ii that extend partially over each channel 8 so as to provide a lip I Ia. Panels 2 of this type are well known in the industry and are commonly referred to as slat-wall panels'. As the panel 2 itself is conventional and does not form part of the present invention, no further detailed description of it will be given here.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, it can be seen that the body 3 comprises a main plate portion 13 with the upper and lower support members 5,6 extending perpendicularly from upper and lower edges 14a,14b of a rear face 14 of the main plate portion 13, parallel to each other. In the exemplary drawings the support members 5,6 are formed by bending end portions of the main plate portion 13 extending therefrom about a axis such that they extend perpendicularly from respective edges of the main plate portion 13. However, the invention is not limited to this support member 7,8 arrangement and the support members 5,6 may be formed to extend from a face of the main plate portion 13.

An aperture 16 is formed in the upper support member 5 proximate to the main plate portion 13 for reasons that will become apparent. Further, a hook aperture 17 is formed in the main body portion 13 and extends through the lower support member 6. The hook aperture 17 comprises a pair of parallel sides 18,19, for reasons that will be explained hereinafter. An elongate hook receiving slot 20 is also formed through the main body portion 13 and extends parallel to the upper edge 14 thereof and proximate thereto. The hook receiving slot 20 has parallel upper and lower surfaces 20a,20b which form the upper and lower extents of the slot 20. A pair of protrusions 21a,21b extend perpendicularly from the rear face 12 of the main plate portion 13 and each comprise a flat side 22 on the same plane as the lower surface 20b of the hook receiving slot 20 and oppose the underside of the upper support member 5 In the present embodiment, the pair of protrusions 21a,21b are each formed by bending a portion of the main plate portion 13 proximate to the hook receiving slot such that they extend perpendicularly therefrom and such that the respective flat side 22 of each protrusion 21a,21b corresponds to the lower surface 20b of the hook receiving slot 20 such that a first clamping plate 59 is disposable thereon as will be explained hereinafter. Further, a pair of bolt receiving holes 24,25 extend through the main body portion 13 to receive a pair of bolts 26,27 (refer to Figure 5).

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, it can be seen that the enclosure 4 comprises an arcuate outer shell 32 together with upper, lower and side outer walls 33,34,35,36 extending from edges thereof substantially perpendicular thereto on an open engaging side 4a of the enclosure and mounting bracket as will become apparent hereinafter. The outer walls 33,34,35,36 together form a continuous outer wall and the enclosure 4 has a recessed region 37, with a rear wall 37a, between a pair of body engaging faces 38a,38b.

A longitudinal and axially extending aperture 39 is formed in the recessed region 37 midway between the body engaging faces 38a,38b and has opposing side faces 40,41 and a rear face 42. A circular hole 43 is formed through the upper outer wall 33 such that an upper end of the longitudinal and axially extending aperture 39 is accessible through the upper outer wall 33 for reasons that will become apparent hereinafter. The distal edges 33a,34a,35a,36a of the outer walls 33,34,35,36 extend -10-beyond the pair of body engaging faces 38a,38b. The enclosure 4 may be formed from a moulded plastic or the like.

The elongate apertures 7,8 of the enclosure 4 are disposed to extend through the enclosure 4 and communicate between an outer surface 45 of the arcuatc outer shell 32 and the body engaging faces 38a,38b, the recessed region 37 and the axially extending aperture 39 such that the upper and lower support members 5,6 of the body 3 extend therethrough and the body 3 is disposed in the recessed region 37. A laterally extending slot 46 is also provided in the enclosure 4 and extends across the recessed region 37, the axially extending aperture 39 and a portion of each body engaging face 38a,38b at right angles thereto. The laterally extending slot 46 communicates with the upper elongate aperture 7 and components of a clamping mechanism 48 are locatable therein. A cut-out 49 (refer to Figure 4) corresponding to the recessed region 37 and a lower support portIon 28 of the hook aperture 17 is formed in the lower outer wall 34 of the enclosure 4 extending from the distal edge 34a thereof. A pair of circular recesses (not shown) are also formed in a rear face (not shown) of the laterally extending slot 46, equidistant from each side, for reasons that will become apparent hereinafter.

Proximate to the lower elongate aperture 8, a small aperture 52 (refer to Figure 3) is formed which extends parallel to said lower elongate aperture 8. The aperture extends through the enclosure 4 to communicate between the outer surface 45 of the arcuate outer shell 32 and the longitudinal and axially extending aperture 39.

Further, a pair of threaded bolt receiving holes 53 are formed in corresponding body engaging faces 38a,38b which correspond to the location of the bolt receiving holes 24,25 formed in the body 3.

The clamping mechanism 48 for clamping the body 3 and enclosure 4 against the slat-wall panel 2 is shown in Figures 5 to 13 and comprises a shaft 54 having a threaded section 56 formed thereon and a tool engaging face 57, such as an Allen key slot, is provided at a distal end of the shaft 54 to facilitate rotation thereof. The tool engaging face 57 is formed in an extended portion 55 of the shaft 54 which forms a shoulder 55b. A circumferentially extending recessed portion 58 with upper -11 and lower ends 56a,56b extends around the shaft 54 proximate to an end of the shaft 54 and distal to the tool engaging face 57. The clamping mechanism 48 also comprises first and second clamping plates 59,60 having hooked edge portions 61,62. The first clamping plate 59 has a planar portion 63 having an opening 63a formed therein and the hooked edge portion Cl extends along one end 64 of the planar portion 63. Extended lateral edges 65 are formed along each side of the planar portion 63 distally to the hooked edge portion 61 The second clamping plate 60 comprises a planar portion 66 and the hooked edge portion 62 extends along one end 68 of the planar portion 66 substantially perpendicular to the plane of the planar portIon 66. A rectangular shaped aperture 69 is formed through the planar portion 66 between upper and lower faces 66a,66b thereof and a slit 70 extends from an edge 74 of the rectangular shaped aperture 69 to an arcuately shaped end 71 of the planar portion 66 distal to the hooked edge portion 62 for reasons that will become apparent hereinafter. A pair of indentations 72,73 are also formed in the arcuately shaped end 71 of the planar portion 66 either side of the slit 70 Referring to Figures 10 to 12, the clamping mechanism 48 also comprises opposing first and second wedges 75,76. Each wedge 75,76 has a substantially triangular cross-section with opposing cooperating surfaces 77,78 which are slidable relative to each other as will become apparent later. The first wedge 75 comprises a rear surface 79 and a lower surface 80 and the cooperating surface 77 extends therebetween. The cooperating surface 77 is slightly recessed such that a pair of parallel protruding guides 81 extend along each side thereof. The parallel guides 81 also extend horizontally along side faces 82,83 of the first wedge 75 to form shoulder portions 84 thereon. A hollow 85 extends through the first wedge 75 between the cooperating surface 77 and the lower surface 80 and extends to the intersecting edge of the cooperating surface 77 and lower surface 80.

A horizontal incision 87 is formed along the rear surface 79 of the first wedge 75 to form a slot 88 proximate to a lower end 90 of the wedge 75. The first wedge 75 is received in the rectangular shaped aperture 69 of the second clamping plate 60 such -12 -that the shoulder portions 84 are disposed on the upper surface 66a thereof and hence the lower end 89 of the first wedge 75 extends through the rectangular shaped aperture 69. The slit edge 74 of the rectangular shaped aperture 69 locates in the slot 88 of the first wedge 75 such that the second clamping plate 60 mounted to the first wedge 75. The hollow 85 is aligns with the slit 70 and the rectangular shaped aperture 69 such that the shaft 54 can extend therethrough, as will become apparent later.

The second wedge 76 comprises an upper surface 92 and a rcar surface 93 between which the cooperating surface 78 extends in an inclined plane. A depression 94 is formed in the upper surface 92 of the second wedge 76 and a cylindrical hole 95 extends through the second wedge 76 communicating between the depression 94 and the cooperating surface 74. The second wedge 76 communicates with the first wedge 75 by the cooperating surface 78 of the second wedge 76 locating against the cooperating surface 77 of the first wedge 75 between the parallel protruding guides 81 such that the first wedge 75 is slidable relative to the second wedge 76.

The wedges 75,76 are formed from machined aluminium in this embodiment, however is will be understood that they may be formed from other applicable materials and manufacturing methods. Further, it will be understood that, although wedges are shown in the exemplary embodiment, the invention is not limited thereto, for example, an inclined plate portion (not shown) may extend from the second clamping plate 60 to form a cooperating surface.

The clamping mechanism 48 further comprises a nut 96 (refer to Figure 5) threadingly engaged with the threaded section 56 of the shaft 54. The nut 96 is rectangularly shaped, although the invention is not limited thereto, and the nut may alternatively be hexagonal or the like. The clamping mechanism 48 also comprises a spring 97 (refer to Figure 5) locatable in each indentation 72,73 and a shaft retaining element 99 comprising a flat plate 100.

The shaft retaining element 99 further includes a sprung section 101 formed by a portion partially cut from the plate 100 which extends at an angle therefrom, -13 -proximate to one end 104a, with a raised edge 102 opposing said end 104a and a hollow 103 formed in the distal end 104h with an internal edge 105 corresponding to the shape of the circumferentially extending recessed portion 58 of the shaft 54 for reasons that will become apparent later.

The clamping plates 59,60 are spaced apart from each other along the shaft 54 and the first clamping plate 59 lies against the shaft 54 so that the hooked edge portion 61 faces upwardly arid the axis of the shaft 54 extends at right angles from the hooked edge portion 61. An edge of the nut 96 laterally extends into the opening tO 63a formed in the planar portion 63, as most clearly shown in Figure 8, for reasons which will become apparent hereinafter.

The shaft 54 extends through the cylindrical hole 95 in the second wedge 76, the hollow 85 in the first wedge 75 and the rectangularly shaped aperture 69 of the second clamping plate 60 such that the hooked edge portion of the second clamping plate 60 faces downwardly and the second clamping plate 60 lies in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 54. The shoulder 55a of the shaft 54 is disposed in the depression 90 such that the extended portion 55, the second wedge 76, the first wedge 75 and the second clamping plate 60 lie thereagamsi each other respectively.

The clamping mechanism 48 is received within the enclosure 4 together with the body 3 so that, when the body 3 is located in the enclosure 4 and the upper and lower support members 5,6 of the body 3 extend through the elongate apertures 7,8 of the enclosure 4, then the clamping mechanism 48 is located and held in an operating position. The aperture 16 formed in the upper support member 5 of the body 3 is aligned to correspond with the circular hole 43 formed through the upper outer wall 33 of the enclosure 4 so that the longitudinal and axially extending aperture 39 is accessible therethrough when the body 3 is received in the enclosure 4. It will be appreciated that, with the shaft 54 in position, the tool engaging face 57 is accessible through the circular hole 43 (see Figure 1). The body 3 is mounted by means of the bolts 26,27 extending through the respective bolt receiving holes 24,25 -14 -and engaging in the corresponding threaded bolt receiving holes 53, such that the body 3 is mounted against the body engaging faces 38a,38b of the enclosure 4.

The shaft 54 extends in a longitudinal direction along the axially extending aperture 39 in the rccesscd region 37 of the body 3 and extends through the first and second wedges 75,76 and the second clamping plate 60 as explained above. The first and second wedges 75,76 are therefore disposed in the enclosure 4 and the second wedge 76 is located such that Its rear surface 93 is disposed against the rear face 14 of the main plate portion 13 relative to the upper edge 14a thereof such that the upper surface 92 is disposed against a lower face 108 (refer to Figure 2) of the upper support member 5 proximate to the aperture 16 and the extended portion 55 of the shaft 54 extends therethrough.

As described above, the planar portion 66 of the second clamping plate 60 is mounted together with the first wedge 75 and the second clamping plate 60 is disposed in the enclosure 4 such that the lower face 66b of the planar portion 66 is disposed on the lower surface 20b of the hookreceiving slot 20 and the flat sides 22 of each protrusion 21a,22b extending from the rear face 12 of the main plate portion. Consequently, the upper face 66a of the planar portion 66 is disposed to lie proximate to the upper surface 20a of the hook receiving slot 20 and is locatable thereagainst for reasons that will be explained later. The arcuately shaped end 71 of the planar portion 66 extends into the enclosure 4. Respective springs 97 are locatable in each indentation 72,73 and extend into the respective circular recesses (not shown) of the enclosure and are each mounted therein such that the second clamping plate 66 is urged out of the enclosure 4.

The second wedge 76, mounted to the second clamping plate 66 is located against the first wedge 75 to form a wedge mechanism 110 (refer to Figure 5). The wedge mechanism 110 is mounted in the enclosure 4 such that it is held in position by a combination of the shaft 54 extending therethrough, the lower face 108 of the upper support member 5 and the rear face 14 of the main plate portion 13 acting against the upper and rear surfaces 92,93 of the second wedge 76 respectively and -15-the upper arid lower extents of the hook receiving slot 20 acting on the planar portion 66 of the second clamping plate 60.

The first clamping plate 59 is seated within the recessed region 37 of the enclosure 4 with the respective hooked edge portion 61 extending outwardly, away from the enclosure 4, through the hook aperture 17 formed in the main plate portion 13 and the lower support member 6. The hooked edge portion 61 locates between the parallel sides 18,19 of the hook aperture 17 such that the hooked edge portion 61 is guided by the parallel sides 18,19 of the hook aperture 17. The extended lateral edges 65 formed along each side of the planar portion 63 locate in the recessed region 37, between the rear wall 37a of the recessed region and the rear face 14 of the main plate portion 13, so that the planar portion 63 of the first clamping plate 59 is constrained to a sliding movement along the recessed region 37 in a longitudinal direction of the axis of the shaft 54.

The nut 96, threadingly engaged on the shaft 54, is partially received within the axially extending aperture 39 and faces 96a,96b,96c of the nut 96 locate against the opposing side faces 40,41 and the rear face 42 of the axially extending aperture 39 respectively to prevent rotation of the nut 96 relative to the enclosure 4 when the shaft 54 is rotated, as will be explained below.

The shaft retaining element 99 is received through the small aperture 52 which extends parallel to the lower elongate aperture 8, proximate thereto. When the shaft 54 is located in the longitudinally and axially extending aperture 39, the circumferentially extending recessed portion 58 of the shaft 54 is disposed relative to the small aperture 52 such that the hollow 103 intersects the recessed portion 58.

The end 104a of the shaft retaining element 99 is prevented from returning back through the small aperture 52 by means of the raised edge 102 of the sprung section 101 impinging on an inner edge (not shown) of the enclosure 4.

The mounting bracket I further comprises a cover 111 (refer to Figure 5) which is a plate correspondingly shaped to the upper, lower and side outer walls 33,34,35,36 of the enclosure 4 such that the cover 111 is received therein to enclose the open -16 -engaging side 4a of the enclosure. Clamping plate openings 112,113 are formed through the cover 111 which substantially correspond to the hook receiving slot 20 and the hook aperture 17 of the main plate portion 13, when the cover 111 is mounted to the enclosure 4, such that the hooked edge portions 61,62 extend thcrethrough.

Operation of the mounting bracket will now be described with reference primarily to Figures 14 and 15. When the shaft 54 is rotated by, for example, an Allen key inserted through the circular hole 43 in the enclosure 4 and the aperture 16 in the body 3 and engaged with the tool receiving end face 57 of the shaft, movement of the shaft 54 in an axial direction is limited by the shaft retaining element 99 which is seated in the small aperture 52 and locates against the upper and lower edges 58a,58b of the recessed portion 58.

Therefore, as the nut 96 is threadingly engaged on the threaded section 56 of the shaft 54 and is prevented from rotating together with the shaft 54, because the nut 96 is constrained by the opposing side faces 40,41 and the rear face 42 of the axially extending aperture 39 formed in the enclosure 4, the nut 96 moves in an axial direction along the shaft 54 within the axially extending aperture 39. As mentioned above, the edge of the nut 96 extends into the opening 63a formed in the planar portion 63 of the first clamping plate 59 and so the first clamping plate 59 moves together with the nut 96, thereby initially drawing the hooked edge portion 61 of the first clamping plate 59 toward, or away from, the hooked edge portion 62 of the second clamping plate 59 dependent on the direction in which the shaft 54 is rotated.

If the mounting bracket I is located against a panel 2 so that the hooked edge portions 61,62 of the first and second clamping plates 59,60 respectively are each received within a spaced parallel channel 10 in the panel, the first clamping plate 59 can be moved toward the second clamping plate 60 along the longitudinal axis of the shaft 54 by rotating the shaft 54 so as to cause the hooked edge portions 6 1,62 to engage against the wall of the channel 10.

-17 -As the shaft 54 is rotated, the hooked edge portions 61,62 engage with their respective channels ii and this causes the axial force applied on the depression 94 by the shoulder 55a of the extended portion 55 of the shaft 54 to be increased.

Subsequently, an increased force is applied in an axial direction by the second wedge 76 on the first wedge 75. However, the first wedge 75 is prevented from moving in an axial direction along the longitudinal axis of the shaft 54 because the lower surface 80 of the first wedge 75 is located on the lower surface 20b of the hook receiving slot 20 and the flat sides 22 of the protrusions 21a,21b. Therefore, as the cooperating surfaces 77,78 of the first and second wedges 75,76 respectively are inclined with respect to the axial direction of the shaft 54, and then a horizontal component of force is applied to the first wedge 75 by the second wedge 76 and the cooperating surfaces 77,78 slide relative to each other. The second wedge 76 is restricted from moving in a horizontal direction as it is disposed against the rear face 14 of the main plate portion 13 and so the second wedge is urged in a horizontal direction, guided by the parallel protruding guides 81, as the shaft 54 is rotated As the second clamping plate 60 is mounted to the first wedge 75, then the second clamping plate 60 moves together with the first wedge 75 and the hooked edge portion 61 is drawn towards the body 3 of the mounting bracket I and the mounting bracket 1 is pulled towards the panel 2 such that the open engaging side 4a of the mounting bracket I is drawn into engaging contact with the panel 2, thereby securely attaching the mounting bracket I to the panel 2.

The hooked edge portion 61 of the second mounting plate 60 is prevented from rotating upwardly due to the planar portion 66 thereof acting on the upper surface 20a of the hook receiving slot 20. Further, rotation of the wedges 75,76 with respect to each other and the body 3 is prevented due to the second wedge 76 being disposed against the rear face 14 of the main plate portion 13 and the parallel protruding guides 81 locating the second wedge 76 relative to the first wedge 75.

Removal of the mounting bracket I from the panel 2 is achieved by rotating the shaft 54 in the opposite direction to cause the shaft 54 to draw the nut in a -18-direction away from the shoulder 55a of the shaft 54, thereby releasing the wedge mechanism 110 such that the hooked edge portion 62 of the second clamping plate is movable in a direction away from the body 3 of the mounting bracket I and disengaged from the channel 10.

The monitor support arm mounting 9 is shown in Figures 14 to 16. The monitor support arm mounting 9 comprises the monitor support arm post 12, a cylindrical mounting body 120 and a collar 121. The cylindrical mounting body 120 has a main cyhndrical portion 120a which substantially corresponds to an aperture formed at one end of a monitor support arm (not shown) such that the mounting body 120 is receivable therein. A run 122 is formed at an upper end 123 of the mounting body and a post receiving aperture 124 is formed therethough along a longitudinal axis of the mounting body 120. A key portion 125 is formed on an upper surface 126 of the rim 122 and corresponds to a notch 127 formed in the upper support member 5, as will be explained later. A shoulder 130 is formed proximate to a lower end 128 of the mounting body 120 which extends circumferentially therearound and a lower circumferential surface 129 extends therefrom.

An arcuate recess 131 is formed in the shoulder 130 of the mounting body 120 and extends arcuately therearound by a predetermined extent such that end walls 131a,131b are formed.

The collar 121 is shown in the Figures and comprises a frustum portion 134 having planar upper and lower ends 135,136 and a side surface 134a, a rim portion 137 extending outwardly from a lower end of the frustum portion 136 and a cylindrical passage 138 formed therethrough. The diameter of the cylindrical passage 138 substantially corresponds to the diameter of the lower circumferential surface 129 of the mounting body 120. An end stop 139 extends arcuately about a portion of the upper end 135 of the frustum portion 134 and has first and second ends 139a,139b. Further, a key 140 is formed on an upper surface 141 of the rim portion 137 and the outer side 134a of the frustum portion 134 to communicate with a corresponding notch (not shown) formed in the mounting arm (not shown).

-19 -The cylindrical mounting body 120 is inclined to have a smaller diameter at the lower end 128 thereof than at the upper end 123. This means that the weight of the arm (not shown) does not act vertically on the cylindrical mounting body 120, when the monitor support arm (not shown) is mounted to the monitor support arm mounting 9, and so the cylindrical mounting body does not become fixedly engaged therewith and prevent rotation of the arm (not shown) relative to the mounting bracket 1.

The monitor support arm post 12 comprises an enlarged section 144 at one end with a tool engaging face 144a formed therein to receive, for example, an Allen key, and a threaded section 145 formed at a distal end thereto.

Operation of the monitor support arm mounting 9 will now be described with reference to Figures 14 to 16. When a monitor support arm (not shown) is to be mounted to a mounting bracket I for mounting to a slat wall panel 2, the cylindrical mounting body 120 is received in the aperture formed at one end of a monitor support arm (not shown) and inserted through an upper end thereof such that the rim 122 locates against an upper end of the arm (not shown). The frustum portion 134 of the collar 121 is then inserted into a lower end of the monitor support arm aperture (not shown) such that the lower end 128 of the mounting body 120 is received in the cylindrical passage 138 and is rotatable thereabout.

As a portion of the collar 121 is a frustum, the monitor support arm aperture (not shown) has a correspondingly shaped portion such that the collar 121 is stably received therein. Further, the upper surface 141 locates against a lower end of the monitor support arm and the key 140 locates in the corresponding notch such that the collar 121 cannot rotate relative to the monitor support arm (not shown).

However, the collar 121 and hence the monitor support arm are able to rotate relative to the cylindrical support body 120. The collar 121, the monitor support arm (not shown) and the cylindrical support body 120 are then positioned between the upper and lower support members 5,6 of the body 3.

-20 -The collar 121 extends between the support members 5,6 and the monitor support post 12a is inserted through the opening 5a formed in the upper support member 5a, and received through the post receiving aperture 124 to extend through the opening 6a formed in the lower support member 6a. A nut 146 is threadingly engaged on the threaded section 145 so that when the post 12a is inserted through the openings 5a,6a and the nut 146 threadedly engaged then the post 12, and hence the cylindrical support body 120 is fixedly mounted therebetween by the nut 146 and the enlarged section 144.

When the cylindrical support body 120 is located between the support members 5,6 then the key 125 formed on the upper surface 126 of the rim 122 is received in the notch 127 in the upper support member 5 so that the cylindrical support body 120 is prevented from rotating relative to the body 3. Therefore, as the monitor support arm (not shown) is rotated, the key 140 formed on the collar 121 is acted upon by the corresponding notch (not shown) such that the collar 121 rotates relative to the cylindrical support body 120 which is prevented from rotation.

As the collar 121 is rotated, the end stop 139 extending about the upper end 135 of the frustum portion 134 rotates therewith. As the end stop 139 extends into the arcuate recess 131 it rotates along the same circumferential arc thereof. Therefore, as the collar 121 rotates, the end stop 139 rotates relative to the arcuate recess 131, such that, at a certain point, the first end 139a of the end stop 139 contacts an end of the arcuate recess 131 such that rotation of the collar 121 and hence the monitor support arm is prevented. Correspondingly, if the collar 121 is rotated in an opposing direction the second end 139b contacts another end of the arcuate recess 131 and rotation of the collar 121 and hence the monitor support arm in the other direction is prevented.

In one alternative, an arcuate recess (not shown) is formed in the collar 121 and an end stop (not shown) is formed on the mounting body 120 such that rotation of the collar 121 causes the arcuate recess (not shown) to rotate relative to the end stop (not shown). Rotation of the collar (not shown) is then restricted by an end of the arcuate recess (not shown) contacting the end stop (not shown). In a further -21 -alternative, the collar 121 is fixedly mounted to a support member 5,6 by means of a key (not shown) locating in a notch, and the cylindrical support body 120 is rotatable relative thereto. The monitor support arm is then fixedly mounted to the cylindrical support body 120.

The available angle of rotation of the collar 121 is determined by the arcuate length of both the end stop 139 and the arcuate recess 131. Although, in the illustrated embodiment, the end stop 139 and the arcuate recess 131 extend such that the angle of rotation of the collar 121, and hence the monitor support arm is limited to 180 degrees, it will be understood that, in an alternative embodiment, the angle of rotation is not limited thereto.

Once the monitor support arm (not shown) is mounted to the monitor support arm mounting 9 as described above, the mounting bracket I may be mounted to a slat-wall panel as described in detail earlier. Although the clamping mechanism 48 and the monitor support arm mounting 9 have been described substantially individually in the above description, it will be understood that they may be used together.

In an alternative embodiment, a second arcuate recess (not shown) is formed in the shoulder 130, substantially diametrically opposite the arcuate recess 131. The arc of this second arcuate recess (not shown) corresponds to the width of the end stop 139 extending about the upper end 135 of the frustum portion 134 such that the ends of the second recess contact the end stop 139 when it is dispoed therein to prevent rotation of the collar 121 relative to the mounting body 120.

Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciate by those skilled in the art that variations may be made to the above exemplary embodiments that lie within the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

Claims

-22 -Claims 1. A mounting bracket for attaching a monitor support to

the surface of a wall or partition panel having at least a pair of spaced parallel channels formed therein, the mounting bracket comprising a main body with a panel engaging face, clamping members extending from the panel engaging face that respectively locate in adjacent spaced parallel channels in the wall or partition panel and clamping means operable to partially retract at least one of said clamping members into the main body to draw the panel engaging face towards said wall or partition panel.
2. A mounting bracket according to claim I, wherein the clamping means is operable to draw at least one clamping member toward the other clamping member to clamp the bracket to said wall or partition panel.
3. A mounting bracket according to claim 2, wherein the at least one clamping member is movable towards the other clamping member in a direction along the plane of the engaging face.
4. A mounting bracket according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the clamping members comprise a first clamping member and a second clamping member, the clamping means operable to partially retract the second clamping member into the main body also being operable to draw the first clamping member towards said second clamping member.
5. A mounting bracket according to claim 4, wherein the clamping means comprises a shaft mounted within the body for rotation about its longitudinal axis, wherein the clamping means is configured so that initial rotation of the shaft causes the first clamping member to be drawn towards the second clamping member to clamp the bracket to said wall or partition panel and further rotation of the shaft causes the second clamping member to be partially retracted into the main body to draw the panel engaging face towards said wall or partition panel.

-23 -
6. A mounting bracket according to claim 5, wherein the shaft comprises a threaded portion and having a threaded element in engagement with the threaded portion of the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes one of the shaft or threaded element to move relative to the other in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
7. A mounting bracket according to claim 6, wherein the threaded element is received in a recess such that the edge of the threaded element partially protrudes in a lateral direction from said recess, the threaded element and the recess cooperating with each other so that the threaded element does not rotate.
8. A mounting bracket according to claim 7, further comprising first and second cooperating elements and the shaft further comprises a shoulder portion at one end, wherein the second cooperating element is disposed against the shoulder portion and has an inchned face that cooperates with an inclined face of the first cooperating element such that the shoulder portion urges the second cooperating element towards the first cooperating element when the shaft is rotated and moves relative to the threaded element in a direction towards the second cooperating element.
9. A mounting bracket according to claim 8, wherein the second cooperating element has an aperture formed therein and the shaft extends therethrough.
10. A mounting bracket according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the body comprises a support for the first cooperating element and the first cooperating element is movable along the support in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft such that the first cooperating element is urged away from the shaft when the second cooperating element inclined face acts thereon.
11. A mounting bracket according to claim 9, wherein the second cooperating element is disposed in the body proximate to the panel engaging face and the first cooperating element is urged away from the second cooperating element.

-24 -
12. A mounting bracket according to claim 11, wherein the first clamping member is mounted to the first cooperating element, such that the first clamping member is movable with the first cooperating element.
13. A mounting bracket according to claim 12, wherein the cooperating elements are wedge-shaped and the inclined face forms one face of the wedge.
14. A mounting bracket according to any of claims 8 to 13, further comprising at least one resilient member, wherein the resilient member acts on the first clamping member to urge the first cooperating element towards the shaft.
15. A mounting bracket according to claim 8, wherein the second clamping member has an aperture therein and the edge of the threaded element that extends in a lateral direction from the recess locates in said aperture.
16. A mounting bracket according to claim 15, wherein rotation of the shaft in one direction causes the threaded element to be drawn in a direction along the longitudinal direction such that the second clamping member is drawn towards the first clamping member until it contacts the channel.
17. A mounting bracket according to any of claims 5 to 16 wherein a shaft retaining member is mounted in a slot in the body and locates on the shaft to limit movement of the shaft in an axial direction relative to the body.
18. A mounting bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the clamping members comprise plates having hooked end portion extending from the body for engagement with spaced parallel channels in the panels.
19. A mounting bracket for attaching a monitor support to the surface of a wall or partition panel comprising a support arm mounting post and a collar, wherein a monitor support is fixedly mountable to one of said support arm mounting post or collar and the collar and support post are rotatable relative to each other, the -25 -mounting post and collar having cooperating means to limit rotation of the collar and support arm mounting post relative to each other.
20. A mounting bracket according to claim 19, wherein the cooperating means comprises an arcuate recess formed in the collar and at least one end stop formed on the mounting post disposable in said arcuate recess.
21. A mounting bracket according to claim 19, wherein the cooperating means comprises at least one end stop formed on the collar and an arcuate recess formed in the mounting post disposable in said arcuate recess.
22. A mounting bracket according to claim 20, further comprising a main body wherein the support arm mounting post is fixedly mounted to the main body and the collar is rotatable relative to the support arm mounting post such that the monitor support is fixedly mountable to the collar and is rotatable therewith relative to the main body.
23. A mounting bracket according to claim 22, wherein the body comprises a pair of support members and the support arm mounting post is fixedly mounted therebetween.
24. A mounting bracket according to claim 23, wherein at least one of the support members has a notch formed therein and the support arm mounting post further comprises a key locatable in the notch of the at least one support member to prevent rotation of the support arm mounting post relative to the body.
25. A mounting bracket according to any of claims 22 to 24, wherein the collar comprises a key portion and the key portion is receivable in a notch in the monitor support to prevent rotation relative thereto.
26. A mounting bracket according to any of claims 22 to 25, wherein the collar comprises a frustum portion and the monitor support is receivable thereon.

-26 -
27. A mounting bracket according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the cooperating mcans comprises another arcuate recess and the at least one end stop is disposable therein to prevent rotation of one of the collar and support arm mounting post relative to the other.
28. A mounting bracket according to any of claims 21 to 27, wherein the collar comprises a pair of end stops and the arcuate recess has a pair of ends such that one end stop abuts one end of the arcuate recess when the collar is rotated in one direction and the other end stop abuts the other end when the collar is rotated in the opposite direction.
29. A method of attaching a mounting bracket to a slat-wall panel comprising a main body with a panel engaging face and clamping members extending from the panel engaging face, the method comprising the step of partially retracting at least one of said clamping member into the main body to draw the panel engaging face towards said wall or partition.
30. A method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of drawing at least one of said clamping members towards another of said clamping member to clamp the bracket to said wall or partition panel before partially retracting one of said clamping members into the main body.
31. A mounting bracket substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings