US2353363A - Wall bracket - Google Patents

Description

July 11, 1944. R'. s. SANFORD WALL BRACKET 2 Sheets-Sheet4 I Filed May 19, 1941 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Patented July 11, 1944 WALL BRACKET Roy S. Sanford, Oakville, Conn., assigner to The Incorporated, Oakville, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application May 19, 1941, serial No. 394,086

Autoyre Company,

- 12 Claims;

This invention'relatesto a wall bracket and .has special reference to a bracket for attachment to a wall for detachably supporting a tray or the like.

More particularly, this invention relates to a S bracket for supporting a tray or the like comprising a substantially vertically extending wallengaging plate and a substantially horizontally 'extending tray-supporting portion secured to the plate at the lower end thereof, the plate extend- .ing a substantial distance above the tray and.

tray-supporting portion to act as a guard for the wall.

vinstance the invention is embodied in a bracket used for holding a removable ash tray and the bracket is not only used for supporting the tray but as a guard for the wall to which the tray is attached, theV bracket extending as it does a substantial distance'above the tray acting as a fire guard.

Referring to the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrating a bracket for supporting an ash tray, it has long been the desire of individual users to have an ash tra-y that is absolutely fireproof and it is the wish ofthe manufacturer to furnish one. The present invention may be said to be essentially reproof since unless the cigarette is placed in the tray or in the holder thereof, the user will not be able to lay the cigarette down.

A substantially horizontally extending article- 'holding member is secured to the backing plate for extension therefrom to overlie the tray in a 'manner such that the distance from the holder to the periphery of the tray is atleast a' major portion of` the llength'of the article to be held. The article-holding member-comprises a stem terminating in a dished rest, the rest being so dished as to support a cigarette, when properly placed thereon, against-- accidental displacement. Should a vburning cigarette-be placed on the rest and the smoker depart from the room, the burning cigarette when overbalanced by the portion unburned will drop from the rest into the tray. It is impossible for it to become dislodged,A from the. tray since the periphery thereof is spaced from the rest at least a distance -a major portion of the length of the cigarette. l

A cigarette cannot be placed to be supported between the flange of the tray and the articlesupporting member because of the fact that the article-holding member overlies the tray in a spaced relation and the angle is too great. This same angularity is carried out inthe stem supporting the rest and in the front edge of the rest bounding the dished portion thereof. In other words, if the article may be supported on the article-holding 'member or on the tray in any manner, then the construction of the bracket is such that the burning cigarette when overhalanced by the unburned portion will fall into the tray.

The vertically extending wall-engaging plate of the bracket, as above stated, acts as a guard for that portion of the Wall to which the bracket is attached. The plate extends a substantial distance above the tray and the tray-*supporting portion of the bracket so that when an as-htray is supported the plate acts to guard against the burning of the wall and when a soap dish is supported the plate acts as a splash guard. One of the objects 0f this invention is to provide a wall bracket of the character indicated above for supporting an ashtray in which essentially all re hazard is eliminated.

Another object of this invention is to provide a wall bracket of the character above noted wherein the wall-engaging portion of the bracket acts as a guard for the wall.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out and, for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention, reference may now be had to the following descirption when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which latter:

Figure l is a perspective view of the w'all bracket and detachably supported tray therefor embodying the features' of this invention, the tray being separated from the bracket;

Fig. 2 is a central, longitudinal', sectional View of the assembled wall bracket and tray shown in Fig. 1, the assembly being secured to a Wall;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detailed sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan sectional View of a portion of the bracket taken on the line @-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the article-holding member of the bracket taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a plan elevational` view of a modified form of wall bracket and tray construction embodying the features of this invention;

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of Fig. 6;

Fig. 7a is a fragmentary detail sectional View taken along the line 'la-'la of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another form of wall bracket embodying the features of this invention and which may be employed for supporting the tray of Fig, 1 when the wall to which it is desired to attach the bracket is inthe form of a depending skirt of a fixture for bathrooms and the like, or the dashboard of an automobile.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, thereof, the wall bracket therein shown as embodying they features of this invention` comprises arsubstan-v tially vertically extending wall-engaging plate Ill having a substantially horizontally 'extending-A traysupporting portion II secured to the plate at the lower end thereof. A substantially Chorizontally extending article-holding member I2 is secured to the plate I0 for extension therefrom to overlie a tray I3 supported by the tray-supporting portion Il.

The substantially vertically extending Wallengaging plate I0 may preferably comprise an `embossed sheet metal plate, the embossing, aside 'from structurallyV strengthening 'the' plate, en-

hancing theappearance. The contour and design of the plates may, of course, be of any desired form in keeping with the usage to which it is ,the article-holding member and the plate be concealed from View. The article-holding member l2 comprises a stem portion I6 formed preferably of sheet metal bent intov substantially inverted channel form with the intermediate portion thereof being of substantially' V-shape for a purpose which will hereinafter be more fully pointed ,out. One of the ends ofeach of the side wall l'members of the stem portion I6 is bent inwardly I.to form recess-engaging portions l1 for soldering,

spot welding, as indicated by the' reference numeral Ila in Fig. 5, or otherwise securing the rarticle-holding memberl I2 in a vfixed relation -with the plate I0.

ll'he free end of the article-holdingmember I2 terminates in a laterally extending dished rest I8 in which opposed edge portions I9 and 2E) of the dished rest are upwardly inclined as shown more particularly in Fig. 1. The dished portion 'i8 preferably joins the rearedge portion 20 in a substantially straight edge a, but the dished portion I8 and the front edge portion I9 merge into a. smooth curve as shown (Figs. 1 and 2) 4with the slightly upwardly extending edge portion I9 terminating short of the ends of the dished portion I 8 so as to form at each end thereof unobstructed rounded edge portions I9a the purpose of which will be morefully described hereinafter.

The substantially horizontally extending tray` supporting portion II is formed of laterally spreadable spaced resilient sheet metal :arms which are welded at a medial portion thereof,

Preferably at the` points 2|, to the plate lll atV the lower end thereof, as shownmore particularly in Fig. 4, the medialportion ofthe tray support II theV article supported on the rest.

being apertured as shown to permit one of the screws I4 to pass therethrough. The laterally spreadable resilient sheet metal arms are provided with channel portions 22 and 23, as shown more particularly in Fig. 3, to receive respectively perlpherally beaded portions 24 and 25 of the tray I3. While two channel portions are formed in the resilient arms of the tray-supporting portion II of th'e bracket for receiving two peripheral beads of a tray, it is, of course, to be understood that but a single complementary bead and channel portion may be employed and that the channel may be formed in the tray for receiving a bead ofthe supporting member therefor as desired. VHerein and in the claims it may be considered that the bead and. the channel portions may be formedr in either of the members so long as one complements the other. By virtue of the fact that the resilient arms engage more than one-half the periphery of the tray I3 (as can best be seen in Figs. 2, 6 and 7), the arms-r I I will be forcibly bent outwardly when inserting the tray I3 until they are spread to an extent equal to the outside diameter of the tray. As one pushes the tray in further the arms II will contract, 'exerting a pushing action upon the tray so that it will quickly and readily snap into position. Not only is the tray thus quickly placed into position, but it is also held securely against accidental displacement. This, in part, is the result of the engagement of the upper rim of the tray by the uppermost flange of the channel portion 23 of the arms` I I, which partly surround the bead 25 of the tray I3 (see Figs. 2, 3, 6 and '7) The dished rest I8 of the article-holding member overlies a central portion of the tray and the distance from the rest to the periphery ofthe tray is at least a major portion of the length of For example, if a cigarette is to be supported on the dished rest, then the distance from the periphery of the dished rest to the closest portion of the periphery of the tray is more than half the length of the cgarette. If a lighted cigarette is disposed on the dished rest I8 so that it may remain on the rest against displacement therefrom at the time it is disposed thereon, then the lighted cigarette will fall into the dish below after the unburned portion overbalances the burned portion. Because of the provision of the unobstructed rounded edge portions I9a any tendency of a cigarette to tilt and fall off of either end of the dished rest I8 due to overbalance, will cause the cigarette to roll forward over the adjacent unobstructed edge portion ISa into the tray I3, thus further insuring that a lighted cigarette upon falling from the dished rest I8 will always be caught in the tray I3.

Because of the angularity between the raised dished rest I8 and the periphery of the tray, it would be impossible to rest a cigarette therebetween. Similarly, it would be impossible to rest a cigarette so that it would remain seated on top of the dished rest and extend in the direction of the stem thereof because of the inverted V-shape of the stem I6. Also, because of the smooth rounded nature of the edge I9, it would be impossible to permanently rest a cigarette between it and the rim of the tray. Therefore, the cigarette must be disposed on the rest I8 or in the tray/'so that in any position of rest it would be the opposite ends of the dished rest 3|.

5 size. lcigarette on the edge of the tray, it is `preferable the drawings.

side edges of the tray in ,fthe elongated direction1 is at least a major portion of the length of the "article supported bythe article-holding member 7 of the drawings, the only difference between :the embodiment therein shown and the previously described embodiment isY the shape of the tray,

and of course the shape of that portion of the bracketrwith which theA tray is directly associated. The present form embodying the features of this invention comprises a substantially vertically extendingwall-'engaging plate 26 havof embossed sheet metal and extending a sub- -st`antial distance above the tray-supporting portion 21. "-ingarticle-holding member 28 is secured to the The substantially horizontally extendlplate 25 to overlie a tray 29 supported by the tray-supporting portion 21 of the bracket.

The article-holding member 28 comprises a stem 30 preferably of sheet metal formed into Vsubstantiallyy channel cross section with an inverted V-shaped intermediate portion. The stem .terminates in a laterally extending dish-shaped 'frest 3| in which latter opposed edges 32 and 33 are rounded and upwardly inclined, respectively, `the front edge 32 being similar to the frontedge 4I'El in the previously described embodiment to provide unobstructedrounded edge portions at The tray is of an elongated shape and is provided with peripheral beads 34 and 35 received in channel portions 36 and 31, respectively, of laterally spreadable resilient sheet metal arms forming the :tray-supporting portion 2l. Vrhe tray 29 of the present embodiment is particularly adaptable for use in association with -the so-called king size cigarette or that cigarette which is substantially longer than the average In order to prevent the resting of the 'that the side edges of the tray decrease in height `from a medial point in the direction of its elongation as shown more particularly in Fig. 7 of The distance from the rest to the so that the article supported on the rest 28 will "drop into the tray when the unburned portion rette in the tray itself that may be obtained in this construction because particularly of the de- 'j crease in height outwardly of a medial point in *a direction of the elongation of the tray.

` In some cases it is desirable detachably to sup- ,port wall brackets embodying this invention on jwalls which are in the form of a depending skirt, Ifor example the dashboard' of an automobile or lthe depending skirt of a bathroom or kitchen -fixture, and accordingly Vthe invention may be [embodied as shown in Fig. 8 in a construction 'suitable for such use. In Figure 8 the vertically extending wall engaging .plate 38 is provided at its lower edge with a pair of substantially U- A shaped clips formed of spring metal and having "front plates 39 adapted to extend along the depending skirt or wall to which the bracket is to `be` secured. Each U-shaped clip also includes a "rear plate 40 adapted to extend along the rear .direction toward each other for frictionally engaging the skirt or wall upon which the bracket is to be mounted.

As shown, the rear plates 40 are connected by a bridging portion 42 and are provided with inturned projections 43 at the upper ends thereof for providing'a line contact with the wall to which the bracket is applied. Preferably, and as shown in the drawings, the U-siiaped members or clips are formed integrally with the wall-engaging plate 38 which is usually formed from spring material.

' The wall-engaging plate 38 is otherwise similar to the plate I0 of Fig. l and carries an articleholding member 44 similar to the member I2 -of Fig. 1 for overlying a tray (not shown) 'supported by atray-supporting portion 45 similar to the tray-supporting portion Il of Fig. l, the member 44 and a medial portion of the tray-supporting portion 45 being secured to the plate 38 as heretofore described in connection with the embodiment of Fig. 1. l

While several embodiments of this invention are here'm shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same is only to be limited by the scope of the prior art and th appended claims.

I claim:

l.- A bracket for supporting a tray having a peripheral bead thereon comprising a substantially vertically extending wall-engaging plate, and two substantially horizontally therefrom-extending laterally spreadable resilient grooved arms for frictionally engaging the bead of said tray within the grooves thereof for the greater portion of the periphery of the tray.

2. A bracket for supporting a peripherally beaded tray'comprising a substantially vertically extending wall-engaging plate, and spaced substantially horizontally extending laterally spreadable resilient arms including channelshaped portions extending forwardly from said plate for frictionally receiving the bead of" said tray over a substantial portion of the peripheral length thereof, said resilient arms being secured to said plate at the lower end thereof, said plate extending a substantial distance above said tray and arms to act as a guard for the Wall.

3. A bracket for supporting a peripherally beaded tray comprising a substantially vertically extending wall-engaging plate, and spaced substantially horizontally extending integrally formed laterally spreadable resilient arms including channel-shaped portions extending forwardly from said plate for frictionally receiving the bead of said tray over a substantial portion of the peripheral length thereof, said resilient arms being secured at a medial portion thereof to said. plate at the lower end thereof, said plate extending a substantial distance above said tray and arms to act as a guard for the wall.

4. A bracket for supporting a tray comprising a substantiallyV vertically extending wall-engaging plate, substantially horizontally `extending laterally spreadable resilient tray-supporting arms secured to said plate at the lower end thereof, said plate extending a substantial distance above said tray and tray-supporting arms t0 act as a guard for'the wall1 and a substantially horizontally extending article-holding member secured to said plate and overlying said tray, said `supporting portion to act as a guard for the wall,

and a substantially horizontally extending -ar- ,ticle-holding member secured to said plate and overlying said tray, said member including a stem lportion Yof inverted substantially V-shaped cross section terminating in an integral laterally extending dished rest. 6. An ash tray comprising an elongated tray having side edges decreasing in height .from a -medial point in the direction of its elongation,

supported by a bracket comprising a substantially `vertically extending wall-engaging plate, a substantially horizontally extending tray-supporting portion secured to said plate at the .lower end thereof, said plate extending a substantial distance above said tray and tray-supporting portion to act as a guard for the wall, and a sub- `stantially horizontally extending article-holding member secured to said plate, said member in- .cluding a stem portion terminating in a laterally extending dished rest overlying a central portion of said tray, the distance from said rest to said ,7. A bracket for supporting a tray comprising `a substantially vertically extending wall-engaging plate, a substantially horizontally extending tray-supporting portion secured to said plate at the lower end thereof, said plate extending a substantial distance above said tray and traysupporting portionV to act as a guard for the '.wall, and a substantially horizontally extending article-holding member secured to said plate, said member including a stem portion terminating in a laterally extending dished rest overlying a central portion of said tray, the opposed edge end portions.

' 8. A bracket for supporting a tray comprising asubstantially vertically extending wall-engag-, ing plate, a substantially horizontally extending tray supporting portion secured to s-aid plate at the lower end thereof, and attaching means ex- 3.0 side edges of said tray in the elongated direction being at least a major portion of the length of the article. Y

portions of said dished rest being l upwardly inclined, and at least one edge having rounded tending substantially vertically downwardly from vsaid lower end of said plate comprising laterally s i spaced arms and rearwardly spaced arms .respectively associated with said laterally spaced arms and connected thereto at the lower ends of said arms to form substantially U-shaped clamps for engaging an edge of a supporting wall, `a bridging portion connecting said rearwardly spaced arms, said w-all-engaging plate extending a substantial distance above said tray and tray- 'supporting portion to act as a guard for said wall.

9. A bracket for supporting a peripherally':

beaded tray comprising a substantiallyvertically extending embossed sheet metal wall eng-aging plate, spaced substantially horizontally extending resilient sheet metal arms having a channel portion formed therein for frictionally receiving the peripheral bead of said tray, said arms being secured at a medial portion thereof to said plate at the lower .end thereof, and resilient substantially U-shaped sheet metal arms extending downwardly and rearwardly of said plate for engaging an edge of a supporting wall detachably lto clamp said wall-engaging plate thereto, said plate extending a substantial distance above said tray and said horizontally extending arms to act as a gu-ardfor-.said wall.

1,0. A bracket forY supporting a peripherally Ybeaded tray comprising a substantially vertically extending embossedsheet metal wall-engaging plate, spaced substantially horizontally extending resilient sheet metal arms having a channel portion formed therein for frictionally receiving the peripheral bead of said tray, said arms being secured at armedial portion thereof to said plate ,at the lower end thereof, said plate extending a substantial distancefabove said tray and arms to act as a guard for the wall, resilient substantially U-shaped sheet4 metal arms extending downwardly and rearwardly of said plate for engaging an,y edge ,of a supporting wall detachably to clamp said wall-engaging plate thereto,

"the rearwardly disposed portions of said last .at the lower end thereof, said plate extending a substantial distance. above said tray and traysupporting portion to act as a guard for the wall,

andv a substantially horizontally extending article-holding member secured to said plate, said member including a stem portion terminating in a laterally extending dished rest overlying a central portion of said tray, the forward edge portion of said dished rest being upwardly inclined and rounded at its ends which terminate short of the lateral ends of vsaid dished rest to provide unobstructed front edge portions, whereby lateral tilting of an article placed in said rest due to lateral overbalance of the article is accompanied by a forward rolling motion over the adjacent unobstructedlfront edge portion.

12. A bracket for supporting a tray comprising a substantially vertically extending wall-engaging plate, a substantially*horizontally extending tray-supporting portion secured to said plate at the lower end thereof, said plate extending a substantial distance above said tray and traysupporting portion to act as a guard for the wall, and a substantially horizontally extending Aarticle-holding member secured to said plate, said member'including a stem portion terminating in a laterally extending dished rest overlying a central portion of said tray, one edge portion of said dished rest vbeing upwardly inclined and rounded at its ends which terminate short of the lateral ends of said dished rest to provide a raised medial edge portion for restraining an article balanced in said rest from rolling over said one edge, and to provide unobstructed portions at the lateral ends of said edge to permit said article to roll thereover when tilted over a lateral end of said dished rest due to overbalance of the article.

' ROY S. SANFORD.

Images