WO1998025449A1

WO1998025449A1 - Wall mounting system

Info

Publication number: WO1998025449A1
Application number: PCT/AU1997/000836
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Pearson; John Lister
Original assignee: Hangabout Products Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1996-12-09
Filing date: 1997-12-09
Publication date: 1998-06-18

Abstract

A mounting system for supporting objects from a support structure (9) such as a brick wall or horizontal beam comprises a bracket member (1) having a first jaw member (2) adapted to engage a first transverse surface (8) on the support structure (9). Pivotally connected to the bracket member (1) intermediate its ends is a support member (3) having adjacent one end a second jaw member (7) adapted to engage a spaced second transverse opposing surface (10) on the support structure (9). The mounting system provides a emans for suspending items from a brick wall or beam member.

Description

WALL MOUNTING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is concerned with a suspension bracket and particularly although not exclusively to a suspension bracket for supporting objects on or suspending objects from a brick wall. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Hitherto, the mounting of support or suspension brackets to interior or exterior brick wall surfaces has necessitated a permanent mounting system such as epoxy adhesives, brick, nails or anchoring systems located in holes drilled in the brick for that purpose.

While generally satisfactory for their intended purpose such anchoring systems do not lend themselves to ready relocation of the support or suspension bracket. While fresh anchoring systems may be employed redundant anchoring systems are unsightly and difficult to disguise.

For example, a picture hook or the like may be secured to an exposed unpainted interior brick wall but as the epoxy adhesive penetrates the brick to some degree, a region of resin impregnation will always be visible after the picture hook has been removed.

Brick nails or devices such as picture hooks having a plurality of hardened pins permanently damage a brick wall surface and where the all surface is unpainted, no satisfactory filler is available to invisibly repair nail or pin holes after removal of the fasteners.

The most commonly employed anchoring system comprises an expandable plug or anchor which is located in a pre-drilled hole in the body of the brick. A fastener in the form of a tapered screw or a bolt expands the plug or anchor when a bracket is attached to the wall surface to prevent disengagement under load.

Expandable plug or anchor systems are capable of supporting substantial loads but generally are not able to be removed once inserted. Accordingly if a bracket must be removed an unsightly and permanently damaged brick surface is exposed.

There exists a need for a secure bracket mounting system for supporting objects on a brick wall or the like, which system is inexpensive, simple to instal and capable to relocation if required without damage to the wall surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly it is an aim of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least some of the problems associated with prior art mounting systems and to provide a mounting system suitable for supporting objects on a brick wall or the like without damage thereto.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a mounting system comprising:- a bracket member having a first jaw member adapted to engage a first surface on a support structure; a support member having adjacent one end thereof a second jaw member adapted to engage a spaced second opposing surface on said support structure; and, a pivotal connection between said bracket member and said support member, said pivotal connection being located intermediate a free end of said support member and said second jaw member whereby, in use, a load applied adjacent said free end urges said first and second jaw members into clamping engagement between said first surface and said spaced second opposing surface.

Suitably said bracket member includes a pivotal connection support means spaced from said first jaw member adjacent said second jaw member.

Suitably said pivotal connection support means extends away from said bracket member in a direction opposite to said first jaw member. If required said pivotal connection may comprise a direct coupling between said bracket and said support member.

Preferably said pivotal connection comprises a coupling member extending between said bracket and said support member. The coupling member may include adjustment means to selectively vary the distance between said first and second jaw members.

In use the support member may be cantilevered from said mounting system. If required the mounting system may include auxiliary support means operative between said support member and said support structure.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of supporting an object from a brick wall, said method comprising the steps of:- engaging a first jaw member of a clamp assembly to an upper exposed edge of a brick; and engaging to a lower exposed edge of a brick spaced from said first edge a second jaw member of a support member pivotally connected to said first jaw member whereby said support member is cantilevered outwardly from an upright surface of said brick wall, said first and second jaw members in use being urged into clamping engagement by a load applied to said support member.

If required said first and second jaw members may be adapted to engage with opposed upper and lower edges of the same brick.

Alternatively said first and second jaw members may be adapted to engage with respective upper and lower edges of separate bricks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS !n order that the invention may be more fully understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to preferred embodiments described in the accompanying drawings in which:- FIG 1 illustrates schematically a side elevation of the mounting bracket according to the invention.

FIG 2 shows an alternative embodiment. FIG 3 shows yet another embodiment. FIG 4 shows a further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In FIG 1 the apparatus comprises a bracket member 1 having a jaw 2 which engages over an exposed upper edge 8 of a brick 9 in a brick wall having raked joints (not shown) . At the lower end of bracket member 1 is a support 3 having one end of a threaded bolt 4 extending therethrough.

Bolt 4 also extends through an aperture in a support member 5 to provide at least a partially pivotal connection between bracket member 1 and support member 5. A nut 6 permits adjustment of the distance between members 1 and 5 to accommodate varying brick face heights.

On the inner end of support member 1 is a second jaw member 7 which engages over an exposed lower edge 1 0 of brick 9.

As can be seen when a load is applied to an outer end of support member 5, its cantilevered suspension from bolt 4 acting as a fulcrum urges jaws 2 and 7 into clamping engagement with exposed upper and lower edges 8 and 1 0 respectively of brick 9.

The mounting system may be readily attached or detached to a brick wall without any damage whatsoever to the surface of the bricks.

Where the joints between the bricks are not raked to exposed the upper and lower edges of a brick, a small amount of mortar may be chiselled out to facilitate engagement of the mounting system.

In the case of masonry blocks, it will be necessary in most cases to remove a small amount of mortar to engage the system however if it is desired to remove the mounting system, small recesses in the mortar between adjacent bricks or blocks are easily repaired whereas damage to the face of the brick or block is difficult to repair.

It will be readily apparent to a skilled addressee that many variations and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

For example FIG 2 shows an alternative configuration wherein the support member 5 is adapted for greater load bearing capacity by twisting through 90° the portion extending beyond the pivotal connection with bolt 4. A hook portion 1 1 is provided to support a hanging basket or other load adjacent the end of support member 5.

Optionally, further support for the assembly may be provided by a brace member 1 2 which is pivotally connected at one end to support member 5 by a nut and bolt 1 3. The free end 14 locates in the raked joint 1 5 below the next lowest brick 1 6.

FIG 3 shows yet another embodiment in the form of a shelf bracket.

As in FIGS 1 and 2, the apparatus comprises a bracket member 20, an upper jaw 21 and a pivotal support 22. The support member 23 is coupled to support 22 by a nut and bolt 24 and a clamping jaw 25 is provided at the inner end thereof.

Support member 23 is configured as a shelf bracket with an upturned lug 26 to retain a shelving member.

By mounting two or more of the assemblies as shown in FIG 3 in spaced relationship, a shelving plank or the like can be supported thereon for pot plants, a planter box or the like.

If required the shelving brackets may be adapted for additional support with a brace member similar to the arrangement of FIG 2.

FIG 4 shows yet another embodiment in the form of a picture hook or the like adapted for a lesser load bearing capacity.

In the form shown the apparatus comprises a spring wire bracket 30 having a hooked jaw 31 engaging on the upper edge 32 of brick 33. The lower end of bracket 30 is formed as a closed loop 34 although it could be open if required.

Support member 35 is also formed from spring wire and includes a jaw 36 and a hooked portion 37 to support a picture or the like.

It will be readily apparent to a skilled addressee that the applications and uses of the apparatus according to the invention are limited only by the imagination of a user. Although the mounting assembly has been described herein with reference to a mounting surface in the form of a brick wall, the apparatus, with suitable modifications may be employed as a mounting assembly to suspend or support objects from verandah rails or any other horizontal rail member such as a rafter or the like.

Claims

1 . A mounting system comprising:- a bracket member having a first jaw member adapted to engage a first surface on a support structure; a support member having adjacent one end thereof a second jaw member adapted to engage a spaced second opposing surface on said support structure; and, a pivotal connection between said bracket member and said support member, said pivotal connection being located intermediate a free end of said support member and said second jaw member whereby, in use, a load applied adjacent said free end urges said first and second jaw members into clamping engagement between said first surface and said spaced second opposing surface.

2. A mounting system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bracket member includes a pivotal connection support means spaced from said first jaw member adjacent said second jaw member.

3. A mounting system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said pivotal connection support means extends away from said bracket member in a direction opposite to said first jaw member.

4. A mounting system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said pivotal connection includes a direct coupling between said bracket and said support member.

5. A mounting system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said pivotal connection includes a coupling member extending between said bracket and said support member.

6. A mounting system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the coupling member includes adjustment means to selectively vary the distance between said first and second jaw members.

7. A mounting system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein in use the support member is cantilevered from said mounting system.

8. A mounting system as claimed in any preceding claim including auxiliary support means operative between said support member and said support structure.

9. A method of supporting an object from a support structure, said method comprising the steps of :- engaging a first jaw member of a clamp assembly to an upper exposed edge of said support structure; and engaging to a lower exposed edge of said support structure spaced from said first edge a second jaw member of a support member pivotally connected to said first jaw member whereby said support member is cantilevered outwardly from an upright surface of said support structure, said first and second jaw members in use being urged into clamping engagement by a load applied to said support member.

1 0. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein said support structure comprises a transverse beam member.

1 1 . A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein said support structure comprises a brick or block wall.

1 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein said first and second jaw members are adapted to engage with opposed upper and lower edges of the same brick.

1 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein said first and second jaw members are adapted to engage with respective upper and lower edges of separate bricks.

1 4. A mounting system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 comprising a picture hook.

1 5. A mounting system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 comprising a suspension support bracket.

1 6. A mounting system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 comprising a shelf bracket.