GB2463458A - Bracket system - Google Patents

Abstract

A bracket system for affixing units to vertical surfaces comprises elongate metal strut elements 120 that have a plurality of slots 100. The strut elements are affixed to a wall by means of bolts 200. The bolts may pass through spacers 300 to separate the bracket from the wall. If affixed to stud walls then blocks may be placed behind the stud wall. A unit 700 may be affixed to the bracket by further bolts 210 whose heads are inserted into the eyes of the brackets and slid to an appropriate position in the slot. Bolts 210 may have a square shoulder to prevent them turning in the slot. Nuts engage bolts 210 to secure a unit to the bracket.

Description

Bracket system.

This invention relates to a bracket system.

When installing a new or replacement heating, domestic appliances or units to a surface such as a wall the following problems are often encounted: 1) The appliance is fixed to a single point at each end placing stress on the fixings and the surface to which they are applied.

2) Where the fixings fall between two studs a piece of wood is inserted into the wall between the studs necessitating a hole be made in the wall.

3) The brackets on the back of different manufacturers appliances do not follow the same dimensions so replacement often means the original fixing points cannot be used 4) The construction of the wall is not strong enough to support the weight of the object to be hung using the supplied brackets.

5) Often a tradesman must waste valuable time making inserts or strengthening to render the wall fit to support the weight of the appliance or units.

To overcome these and other problems the present invention is a bracket system consisting of strut engineered in such a way that it may be attached on the horizontal or vertical plane to the desired position using multiple screws or bolts at any available points, the appliance is then attached to the strut which allows the fixings to be set to match the brackets on the appliance or unit being fitted.

The dimensions of the engineered strut manufactured in such a way as to allow multiple fixing points to be attained and spread the weight of heavy heating appliances, industrial and domestic appliances or units across surfaces of almost any type and condition with a minimum of concentric disturbance -ie no need for plaster or paint to be disturbed and then have to be made good.

The positioning of the fixings attaching the appliance or unit to the strut may be adjusted to

match any manufacturers specifications.

If preferred spacers made of a suitable material may be positioned between the strut and the wall allowing the adjustment of the fixings to be made in-situ.

The invention will be be described solely by way of example and with reference to the "j accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a front view of the strut showing the positioning of the slots and optional eyes.

Figure 2 is a top down view of the strut attached to a stud wall with spacers inserted.

Figure 3 is a top down view of the strut attached directly to a stud wall.

Figure 4 is a view of the strut attached to a concrete wall.

Figure 1 shows a length of bar manufactured into a strut with slots 100 that may have an optional eye at one end of each slot 110 spaced in such a way that allows the bar to be attached to the wall using bolts or screws 200 with spacers 300 figures 2 and 3 to hold the bar out from the wall and the appliance or unit 700 to be attached with the bar in situ by inserting a bolt through the eye and sliding it into the desired position.

The strut 130 may be used as in figures 3 and 4 without the spacers using either flat headed bolts/screws or round headed bolts/screws that indent into the wall allowing a more rigid construction.

The bolts 210 may be of or similar to a coach bolt design with a square shoulder that fits the slot of the strut and stops the bolt turning when the nut is tightened.

Small rubber or plastic washers or 0 rings 600 may be placed on the bolt 210 on the nut side of the strut 130 to hold the bolt in position while the strut Because of the manufacture of the strut it is suitable for mounting onto studs 400 or into concrete walls 900 or directly onto wood or brick, or any other surface into which bolts or screws may sunk.

Claims (4)

1. Claims I A bracket system that fits between a wafl and an appliance or unit comprising of a metal strut of a particular thickness, with slots positioned in such a way as to be attachable to and joining brackets of any width apart and using fixings that allow for adjustment for and tightening to brackets and distributing the weight of the object across a wider area.
2. 2 A bracket system according to claim 1 with eyes in one end of the slots to allow the positioning, repositioning, addition or removal of bracket fixings without removing the strut from the wall.
3. 3 A bracket system according to claim 2 with the fixings held in place with washers to allow for positioning of them prior to attachment to wall.
4. 4 A bracket system according to claim 2 with the fixings held in place using nuts.