NZ194397A - Adjustable shelving support and bracket - Google Patents

Description

0 1 701 J '"if J / i NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION AFTER PROVISIONAL NO; 194397 DATED; 21 July -19-&3r A SUPPORT We, SCHALKS MANUFACTURING LIMITED a New Zealand company of 182 McLeod Road, Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: Hi. PAT&rmxM I 15 JUL 1981 1 Q ,11. 2 "r This invention relates to a support and more particularly to a support for shelving and the like.

In the past, supports for shelving arid the like have been provided incorporating an upstand and a series of 5. brackets engaged therewith in variable positions upon the upstand to provide demountable shelving and demountable mountings for other apparatus to be supported from a building wall however, in the past, it has been found that such shelving supports are relatively complicated in manufacture 10. or heavy in material utilization and are therefore expensive or alternatively have been lacking somewhat aesthetically. Furthermore, such shelving-assemblies have been relatively difficult to assemble and demount when required.

. It is an object of this invention to come some way in overcoming the abovementioned problems or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a support including an upstand and at least one 20. removable mounting member engageable with said upstand to extend an arm outwardly therefrom, characterised in that a butt end portion of said mounting means is shaped to fit along at least one side of said upstand, stud members engaged in aligned apertures in said upstand 25. and said butt end to facilitate engagement of the mounting means with the upstand.

Other aspects of this invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description. Modifications are envisaged within the scope or spirit of the invention.

The preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: is a side elevation of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2; is a substantially diagrammatic cross sectional plan view of the engaging apparatus of this invention substantially along line A-A of Figure 1.

Figure 3: is a perspective view of a portion of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 4: is a semi-exploded perspective view of a butt end of a mounting member and upstand of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5: is a substantially diagrammatic cross sectional plan view of the embodiment of the invention of Figure 1 showing the mounting member engaged with the upstand.

Figure 6! is an exploded cross sectional plan view of a still futher embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7: is a cross sectional plan view of a still further embodiment of the invention showing a detachable butt end of the arm member.

With reference to the drawings, the support is generally indicated by arrow 1 is preferably formed in any suitable material incorporating the necessary inherent properties of 194397 strength and durability, for example tubular steel, aluminium and the like however, in alternative embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that other materials could be utilised, for example certain plastics 5. and the like and timber.

With particular reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the support includes an upstand 2 which in this form of the invention is provided of a substantially square section tube, opposing sides 3 of the upstand 2 are provided with 10. spaced apart aligning apertures 4 therethrough at predetermined intervals and preferably at a desired spacing of shelves or other integers required to be supported by the apparatus.

A front face 5 and back face 6 of the upstand 2 are 15. also preferably provided with aligning apertures 7 therein so as to facilitate engagement of fixing means 8 for example screws with the upstand 2 to enable the upstand 2 to be engaged with a wall and the like to support the upstand 2 thereon. An end portion 9 (See Figure 1) of 20. the upstand 2 is preferably provided with a plug 10 therein for aesthetic purposes and futhermore, aperture caps 11 are preferably provided to plug the aperture 7 in the front face 5 of the upstand 2 after the fixing means 8 has been engaged therewith.

. The mounting means as generally indicated by arrow 20 in this preferred form of the invention is preferably provided as a substantially bracket-like member having a substantially tubular arm 21 adapted to extend outwardly from the upstand 2 and be engageable therewith at predetermined intervals commensurate with the spacing of the apertures 4 in the upstand 2. The tubular arm 21 is adapted to extend substantially orthogonally outwardly thereof and a distal end 22 thereof is provided with fin 5. end plug 2 3 to create an aesthetic bracket-like member.

The arm 21 is capable of retaining a shelf 25 thereon in a substantially horizontal position when a pair of spaced apart upstands 2 are engaged for example with a wall and a pair of mounting means 20 are arranged in a substantially 10. transverse horizontal plane and the shelf 25 is engaged thereon supported thereby.

A butt end 26 of the mounting means 20 is preferably provided as a siabstantially U shaped cross-section elongate butt end member 27 thereon which is provided of internal 15. dimensions (see Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6) a sliding fit over a periphery of said upstand 2 so that side plates 28 thereof lie substantially parallely alongside opposing side portions 3 of said upstand 2.

With particular reference to Figures 1 and 3, the butt 20. end portion 2 7 is positioned with its longitudinal axis substantially transversely of a longitudinal axis of said arm 21 and fits over the upstand 2 and has therein, aligning apertures 29 spaced in a spacing commensurate with the aligning aperture 4 of the upstand 2 relative to the front 25. fact 6 thereof, and a base 30 of the butt end 27. A fulcrum as generally indicated by arrow F is provided adjacent a lower portion of the butt end member 27 and when engaged with the upstand impinges against the front face 5 of the mm upstand 2 with the base 30 aligning substantially parallely therewith. It will be appreciated that in such a position the apertures 29 align with the aligning apertures 4 of the upstand at a series of positions up and down the upstand 2. 5. The base 30 of the butt end portion in the preferred form of the invention is preferably provided with a securing means 32 integrally formed with the base portion and extending outwardly therefrom substantially parallely with an upper face 33 of the arm 21 to provide a pointed end 10. 34 over which a rear edge 35 of the shelf 25 can be impaled (see Figures 1). It will thus be appreciated that in this form of the invention, the shelf 25 can be readily secured with the mounting means in a substantially "invisible" manner.

With particular reference to Figure 1, it will be 15. appreciated that the aligning apertures 29 provided in the side plates 28 of the butt end 27 are substantially spaced away from the fulcrum F, and in a use position, substantially above the fulcrum F so that upon a weight being applied to the shelf 25, or other portions of the mounting means 20, 20. the apertures 29 tend to be pulled out of register pivoting upon the fulcrum F.

In this form of the invention, captive studs 40 (see particularly with reference to Figures 2 and 3) are provided to be biased into an engaging position. In this form of 25. the invention, the studs 40 are provided to be captive and are mounted within the aligning apertures 4 and to provide distal ends 41 extending outwardly therefrom biased by the biasing assembly 42 positioned within the upstand 2. 1943 In this form of the invention, the studs 40 are provided to have the distal end portions 41 of such a length that it may extend outwardly therefrom the apertures 4 and engage within the apertures 29 of the butt ends 27. An abuttment, in this form an annular ring 44 is provided about the mid portion of each stud 40 and beneath the annular ring 44 provided on a stub end 45 of each stud is provided a compression spring which is compressed between two opposingly directed studs 40 so as to bias the studs 40 outwardly of each other through the aligning apertures 4.

In this form of the invention, an aligning tube 47 or housing is provided about the compression spring 46 and the stub ends 45 of the studs 40 so as to maintain alignment of the biasing assembly 42 and the studs 40 relative to the apertures 4.

It will be appreciated that in this form of the invention, the mounting means 20 is mounted with the upstand 2 by forcing the studs 40 inwardly sufficiently so that the butt end 27 may be engaged over the upstand 2 with distal ens 41 of the studs 40 sliding upon inner faces of the side plates 28 until such time as the mounting means 20 is positioned upon the upstand 2 with the apertures 29 aligning with the apertures 4 whereupon the studs 40 snap outwardly into engagement to hold the mounting means 20 in position.

Upon a weight being applied to the mounting means 20, the mounting means 20 will tend to bear upon the fulcrum F which will place the studs 40 in shear to support the weight. < 0 1 1 O "7 . . 8 - In this form of the invention, the studs 40 are preferably formed in a substantially hard material capable of withstanding shear stresses, for example aluminium and the like however, in alternative embodiments of the 5. invention, it is envisaged that the studs 40 could be provided in other suitable materials such as some plastics and the other materials of sufficient hardness and strength. It will be appreciated that the mounting means is also substantially movable and demountable to a series of 10. positions upon the upstand 2 and is thus readily able to support shelving and other fixtures for example lighting fixtures and the like thereon in predetermined and desired positions.

In this form, the studs 40 are provided within each 15. pair of aligning apertures 4 in the upstand 2 so as to provide for a variety of positions on the upstand 2 for the mounting means 20.

Now with reference to Figures 4 and 5, in this form of the invention, preferably the upstand 2 is provided as 20. a substantially channel member and has a rear face 6 provided by a base of the channel with flanges 50 of said channel extending outwardly when mounted on for example a wall. The flanges 50 of the channel preferably space the plurality of aligning apertures 4 thereon at 25. predetermined intervals and the butt end 27 is preferably provided in substantially similar manner to that described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 however, in this form, preferably the studs 40 are provided captively engaged in the aligning apertures 29 and the biasing assembly 42 is mounted within the butt end 27.

It will be appreciated that in this form of the invention, the studs 40 are forced inwardly relative to the butt end 27 and thereafter, the butt end 27 is forced into the upstand 2 so that distal end portions 41 of the studs 40 slide on internal faces of the flanges 50 until such time as the apertures 4 and 29 align with one another whereupon the biasing assembly 42 extends the studs 40 outwardly into engagement.

In this form, it will be appreciated that the fulcrum F is provided by virtue of a lower portion of outer faces 52 of the butt end 27 impinging against adjacent base faces 53 of the upstand 2. It will be appreciated that whilst the appearance is possibly not quite as aesthetically pleasing as the effect of the invention of Figures 1, 2 and 3, a certain material usage advantage is achieved in that the number of studs and biasing assemblies required is only commensurate with the number of mounting means 20 required for use. In this form, it is envisaged that a trim or cover portion may be provided (not shown) which may infill the upstand 2 in areas where it is visible and where mounting means are not engaged.

With particular reference to Figures 4 and 5, an alternative fixing means is disclosed in the means of a counter-sunk aperture 54 and a fixing means 55 engaged therein. It is envisaged that the fixing means could be engaged therewith prior to engagement of the mounting means 20 with 194397 - 10 -the upstand 2.

Now with reference to Figures 6 and 7, in this form of the invention, the studs are provided by virtue of substantially separable members in the form of rivets, 5. studs or like members having a shank portion and an enlarged head in this form of the invention, the studs are substantially engageable after the mounting means 20 are engaged on the upstands 2 in the desired position. In this form, the studs may be in the form of aluminium 10. rivets, plastic studs and the like of the necessary strength.

With particular reference to Figure 7, in this form of the invention, a stub 60 is provided extending outwardly from the butt end portion 27 and the tubular body portion 21 15. is provided on the stub to be separable to thus enable varying sizes, lengths and styles of tubular body portions to be engaged with the butt end portions.

Thus by this invention there is provided a support assembly which is particularly suitable for use in providing 20. variable heights and variable position shelving and supports for articles relative to an upstand. .

Claims (15)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A support including an upright and at least one removable mounting member with an arm extended outwardly therefrom engaged with said upright characterised in that a butt end portion of said mounting member is shaped to fit along at least one side of said upright, retractable stud membersJengaged arck in apertures in said upright and said butt end portionA & biased to an outwardly extending position, said butt end portion and said upright having apertures alignable with said stud members to cause said stud members to engage the mounting member with the upright via an inter-engagement of said extended stud members in the apertures of said mounting member, the butt end portion bears against an adjacent portion of the upright and wherein said apertures in said butt end portion are above the outwardly extending arm whereby said studs are placed in shear upon a weight impinging upon said mounting member.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the butt end portion includes a pair of parallel extending side plates which extend on each side of the upright. 5SfM,r^y 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the butt 1^2NOV 1984 }> enc^ Por"tion is provided as a substantially U-shaped

'Jrjj member in cross section oriented with its longitudinal axis substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the outwardly extending arm of the mounting member, and the apertures provided substantially adjacent one end of the butt end portion and in said side plates. 1S4397 -12-

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the upright is provided of U or box shaped cross section and is engaged with a support to provide a front face and two adjacent substantially opposite side faces about which the butt end portion engages.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the upright is provided as a substantially U shaped member in cross section and is engaged with a support to define a forwardly facing recess within which the butt end portion engages.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the butt end portion is provided with retaining means for engaging shelving thereon.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the retaining means is an integrally formed spike portion extending outwardly of said butt end portion substantially parallel with and spaced above said arm and in such a position that a rear edge of said shelf can be impaled thereon.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the retaining means is a headed fastener secured in an aperture in the butt end portion.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the arm of the mounting member is disengageable from a stub mounted on the butt end portion.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the studs are captive in said upright or said butt end portion apertures and are biased by a biasing assembly into the engaging position. 19439? 13-

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the biasing assembly includes a compression spring mounted between axially aligned opposingly directed studs, a tubular housing provided about said compression spring and portions of said studs, the compression spring biasing said studs away from one another and into engagement with said apertures.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the studs are provided with an abutment about a mid portion thereof and with butt ends for engagement within said compression spring, ends of said compression spring abutting said abutment.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 12 wherein the studs are provided in the form of separately engagable members engaged in said apertures.

14. Apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

15. Apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings. SCHALKS MANUFACTURING LIMITED By Their Attorneys, A-CARBfr.