US3048279A - Wall bracket and shelf combination - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 7, 1962 N. E. MANN 3,048,279

WALL BRACKET AND SHELF COMBINATION Filed April 4, 1960 Neal E. Mann IN VENTOR.

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nited States Patent 3,048,279 Patented Aug. 7., 1962 This invention relates to an improved shelf and bracket combination wherein a novel wall-type bracket or fixture coincides, and cooperates with, and aids in supporting a shelf; for example, a shelf which is expressly, but not necessarily, designed and uniquely adapted to support bric-a-brac, nick-hacks, and what-nots.

As the preceding general statement of the invention im plies, the instant invention has to do with an original idea and approach to the provision of an ornamental, but useful, shelf construction (including the bracket) which should appeal not only to prospective purchasers and users but, from a purely structural standpoint, should strike the fancy of retailers of innovations and conversation-pieces and call for the endorsement of manufacturers. To these ends, it will be noted that the bracket comprises a frame which is referred to broadly as ringlike but will be of varying shapes (circular, rectangular, triangular, and so on). This bracket or frame is sandwiched between the wall and inner lengthwise edge of the shelf with a portion extending above the plane of the shelf and a portion below it, thus projecting a distinctively clever effect. I

Not only is the matter of appearance significant, the bracket (for instance, the ring shown) is a rigidifying brace, particularly for the shelf-supporting studs or metal dowels which extend through holes provided therefor in median portions of the bracket. Then, too, these holes suspend the bracket in firm contact with the wall or other surface and the bracket thus distributes and equalizes stresses and strains, With the result that the components contribute their individual functions to the over-all improved effect and new result.

Using a ring-type or an equivalent bracket is novel in the sense that the holes in the ring serve to permit screwlike studs to be temporarily held in the holes for purposes of starting the screws into the wall and thus boring holes or sockets for plastic or equivalent wall-type expanders or anchors. That is to say, after the sockets have been bored with the supporting and guiding aid of the ring, the ring is slipped off and the studs are backed out, leaving the sockets for the expanders to be plugged into. Thereafter, the studs are screwed into the expanders and the ring or bracket is replaced; which constitutes, obviously, a novel procedural result.

As will be further evident, from a mere glance at the views of the drawing, the featured improvements reside not only in the ring-like bracket and fastening means therefor but, in addition, novelty is predicated on the companion shelf. In practice the shelf will be of varying shapes and materials. Usually it is horizontally elongated and generally rectangular in plan but may, of course, be of some other configuration. T he shelf is readily applicable and removable and is novel in that the bored sockets which receive the supporting studs have clearance and keeper notches which register with the open ends of the sockets. These notches serve to seat limited portions of the ring embraced therein, thus af;

fording adequate support for the shelf with the inner longitudinal edge firmly against the wall and with the embraced portions of the ring serving as keepers, with the result that the shelf is reliably supported.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like 2 numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which: FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing the mounted ready-to-use wall bracket shelf combination constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a section, on a slightly enlarged scale, taken on the plane of the line 22 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary detail section on the plane of the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

tions of the longitudinally spaced clearance and keeper notches 14.

Two sockets and consequently two supporting and retaining studs are employed. Each stud comprises a smooth shank portion 16 having a screw driver kerf '18 therein. The tapering and reduced inner end portion is screw-threaded as at 20 and an abutment shoulder 22 exists between the ends of the stud. Obviously these studs are adapted to pass through the generally diametrically opposite stud holes 24 in the lower half portion 26 of the bracket or fixture 28. The upper half portion is denoted at 80. This may be a plastic, aluminum or metal bracket or fixture. As already mentioned it may have varying geometrical shapes.

herein shown will suflice in the instant disclosure. Needless to say this ring or bracket is adapted to reside firmly briefly as follows.

against the wall surface of the stationary support 32 as shown in FIG. 2.

The wall anchors or expanders are preferably of plastic material and each expander is denoted by the numeral 34 and has a tapered piloting end'36 and a socketed end 38.

As will be evident, FIG. 3 details the feature wherein the shoulder 22 on the stud abuts the coacting surface of the ring or bracket in line with the stud hole 24. This view also clearly shows the manner in which the smooth end portions or shank-s 16 of the studs telescoped into the sockets 12 in the shelf in a manner to removably support the shelf in a position at right angles to the surface 10 and the ornamental and complemental bracing ring 28. This bracket or ring is also referred to, for purposes of coverage as an open type frame. The installation directions for the do-it-yourself user are First, the ring-like wall bracket (or whatever shape bracket is being used) is placed flatwise on the wall in proper position. The attachment studs or screws go through the holes 24 in the bracket and are screwed into the wall to make holes for the plastic expanders 34. The screws and brackets are then removed and the expanders are tapped into the screw-threaded holes with a hammer. The wall bracket is then replaced on the extending studs by passing the studs back through the holes 24. A screwdriver is used to tighten the studs and they are screwed firmly into place in the expanders until the shoulders 22 are brought home against the bracket surfaces. This firmly attaches the wall bracket to the wall and allows an inch and a half or so of the studs to project to receive the shelf. These stud portions aretelescoped into the sockets 12 in the shelf in the manner shown. The shelf is forced firmly into place with the studs sliding into the sockets. The keeper notches seat and partially embrace the coacting portions of the ring or bracket in the manner shown and consequently all of the component parts, when the installation is fin- The ring-like shape ished, contribute to the production of the distinctive and novelly usable shelf.

It may be added that in proportion the shelf 6 is of a length somewhat greater than the diameter of the ringlike bracket 28.

It will be noted that no braces, screw heads or other hardware is exposed to view with the result that the construction appears to have no visible means of support. This feature is therefore stressed as unique and an apparent innovation in this field of endeavor.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suit-able modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A shelf and bracket combination comprising a wall bracket adapted to reside flatwise against a wall or an equivalent support surface, retaining studs having stop means fixed thereto and adapted to be anchored in said wall in a manner to project laterally beyond the surface, said bracket having holes therein, the studs extending through and beyond the holes, the bracket mounted and suspended on the studs in contact with said stop means while at the same time adapted to be firmly urged against the surface by said stop means, and a shelf having an inner lengthwise edge to about the surface, and sockets opening through said edge receiving the studs, said edge also having keeper notches at the open ends of said sockets, said notches receiving and seating coacting portions of said bracket, other portions of said bracket extending below said shelf and having an inner surface coplanar with said edge for engaging the wall whereby the bracket may assist in supporting said shelf on the wall.

2. A shelf and bracket combination comprising a wall bracket adapted to reside flatwise against a wall or an equivalent support surface, retaining studs having shoulders thereon and adapted to be anchored in said wall in a manner to project laterally beyond the surface, said bracket having holes therein, the studs extending through and beyond the holes, the bracket mounted and suspended on the studs while at the same time adapted to be firmly urged against the surface by the shoulders of the studs, and a shelf having an inner lengthwise edge to abut the surface, and sockets opening through said edge receiving the studs, said edge also having keeper notches at the open ends of said sockets, said notches receiving and seating coacting portions of said bracket, said bracket comprising an open ornamental frame a portion of which extends above the plane of the shelf and the remaining portion extends substantially below the plane of the shelf and adapted to engage the wall.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said bracket comprises a circular ring, the outwardly projecting portions of each of the studs being straight, of constant diameter and being larger in diameter than the portions of said studs which extend into the wall, the adjacent ends of said portions forming said shoulders.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 138,845 Lawrence Sept. 19, 1944 D. 160,384 Heacox Oct. 10, 1950 241,645 Gilfillan May 17, 1881 1,555,904 Brunson Oct. 6, 1925 1,935,336 Sluyter Nov. 14, 1933 2,340,274 Sanford Ian. 25, 1944 2,785,453 Wentz Mar. 19, 1957

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