Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
The invention relates to apparatus a~apted for attach-
ment to a base structure, to provide support for objects.
More particularly, the apparatus accordiny to the
present invention relates to a bracket, having fastening means,
which permit the bracket to be located, and fixedly maintained
at any desired location on a supporting structure. The novel
bracket assembly is particularly suitable for providing support
~or shelfs used to store or display objects.
Conventionally, shelfs are supported by angle brackets,
the brackets being attached to ths shelf and supporting walls or
posts by means of screws, bolts, etc. Other known shelf attach-
ment arrangements include clips or fasteners, which are located
within slots provided in housings that are themselves mounted to
walls or posts.
With conventional systems as briefly discussed above,
the manner in which the shelf is mounted renders it inconvenient
to effect any adjustment in shelf position. As a practical mat-
ter therefore, there is a need for a support system for shelves
or the like that can be readily adjusted upon a support structure
without the necessity of using tools, or effecting any damage
to the supporting structure.
Accordingly, the invention provides fastening apparatus
attachable to a base for supporting at least an object, the
apparatus, comprises a clip, slideably mounted upon the base
in such a manner thak portions of the clip extend at least
partially about the base. The second component is an arm pro-
vided at its end adjacent the clip with a cam profile, which,
upon pivoted movement of the arm from a first substantially
vertical~ inoperative position, to a second substantially hor-
izontal and operative position, engages with and clamps the
apparatus to the base in between the clip and the cam, whereby
weigh-t as from an object being supported by the apparatus
serves to maintain the apparatus in operative engagement with
the base.
In one simple embodiment of the present invention,
the clip is substantially U-shaped in plan view, having parallel
and vertical front and rear base enveloping sides, the front
side having a horizontal length at least one third that of the
rear side. The aforementioned first side being provided with
a flanged portion extending substantially normal and outwardly
thereof, the arm being pivotally attached to the flange portion
to operably extend outwardly and parallel therewith.
In a further embodiment of the present invention,
the rear side of the clip component is also formed to have a
flanged portion extending normally thereto such that the two
flanged portions extend in the same direction and lie sub-
stantially parallel one with the other.
In a final embodiment of the invention the body
; portion of the clip is substantially circular in plan, the
ends of the clip are provided with outwardly extendable, par-
allel flanges and the arm is pivotal.ly located between each
flange portion to extend radily outwardly therefrom.
The invention will now be described by way of
example only, reference being had to the accompanying drawing,
in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first, right
handed version of the apparatus according to the invention,
with the locking arm in its operative position;
Figure 2 illustrates schematically, the apparatus
according to Figure 1, in its operative mode, attached to a
verticle right angle support;
Figure 3 illwstrates schematically, a left handed
version of the apparatus according to Figure l, attached ~o a
square section support, the arm shown in its inoperative posi-
tion;
Figure 4 shows, in plan view, an alternative structure
according to the invention adapted for attachment to support
of this section;
Figure 5 illustrates schematically, a further embod-
iment of the pxesent invention, in a form suitable for attachment
to a support of circular cross-section and;
Figure 6 is a prospective view of a preferred locking
arm.
Referring more specifically to the drawings, where
for ease of understanding, like numbers have been utilized
to identify like component parts, it can be seen that the
apparàtus according to -the present invention comprises two,
co-operating components, namely a clip, or body portion 10,
and a locking arm 12.
While three separate embodiments of the invention
are shown in the drawings, Figure 4 shown in plan view, the
apparatus in its simplest configuration. In -this embodiment,
the body of the clip 10 is shaped to loosely encompass a rela-
tively thin section 13, such as for example, a fibreboard sheet.
The main body of the clip 10 is substantially U-shaped in plan
view having substantially parallel, spaced apart front and rear
sides lO(a), lO(b). As can be seen from Figure 4, the horizontal
length of the front side lO(a) is approximately one third the
length of the rear side lO(b). The front side lO(a) is provided
with a flanged portion lO(c) which extends normal to side lO(a)
and serves to provided ~or the pivoted support of a locking arm
12, the latter bei.ng depicted by Figure 6. As also can be seen
from Figure 4, arm 12 is located such that its forward end lO(d)
--3--
projects into the space lO(b).
~ he embodiment according to Fiyure 4 shows the
apparatus in its "locked" configuration. As mentioned above,
the body portion lO loosely embraces the support structure 13
such that when the locking arm 12 is in its horizontal opera-
tive position, end 12(a) contacts the structure 13 and draws
the rear side lO(b) of clip 10 into tight engagement with the
structure 13. It will therefore be appreciated that in this,
and each subsequently to be described embodiment, the thickness
of structure 13 will determine the distance shown by arrow A of
Figure 4, of the pivot point 14 from end lO(d) thus ensuring
that the apparatus will effectively lock in this operative position.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, as
shown in Figures 1-3 the main body portion of clip lO has an
additional flanged portion lO(f) which extends at right angles
from rear side lO(b), substantially parallel with flanged portion
lO(c~. This design, as seen from Figure 2 and 3 serves to
facilitate attachment of the apparatus to either a right angle
support 13 (Figure 2) or to a square section support 13 (Figure
3).
Under normal circumstances, where the apparatus
according to the invention is utilized to support a shelf, right
and left handed versions are required. In this regard Figures
1, 2 & 4 show a right handed configuration, where Figure 3 shows
a left handed configuration.
With arm 12 raised as shown in Figure 3, it will be
appreciated that the apparatus can be readily positioned at any
location on the supporting structure 13. When attachment is
required to a square sectioned support as shown in Figure 3,
the apparatus ma~ be placed in contact with suppork 13, from the
side and locked into place. However, in the embodiment accord-
~p~
ing to Figure 2, the apparatus must be attached via the top,
or conversely, the hottom of the support 13, and slid to its
preferred location.
In the embodiment according to Figure 5, the bod~
of the clip 10 is of circular configuration to enable the
apparatus to be fastened to, for example, a pipe 13. In this
form, adjacent ends of the clip 10 are each provided with out-
wardly extending flanges and the arm 12 is pivotally located
between the flanges to extend in its locked condition, hori-
zontally and outwardly thereof.
Looking now to Figure 6, this figure shows a preferred
form of locking arm 12. End 12(a) of arm 12 is formed with two
angled surfaces 12(b) and 12(c) which co-operate to form a
locking profile or camming surface. The excess of material at
12(d~ allows arm 12 to lock the apparatus to the support structure
13 with no subsequent weight being applied to the arm. As will
be appreciated, when the apparatus is used to support an object,
such as a shelf, the weight of the object applied to the arm 12
serves to enhance the locking action of end 12(a) with the
supporting structure 13. Arm 12 can be pivotally attached to
- 20 the main body portion of clip 10 by any preferred means, for
example a bolt and nut.(not shown).
Further modifications and alternative embodiments of
the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in
view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this descrip-
tion is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the
purpose of teaching those skilled in the art, the manner of
carrying out the invention. It is further understood that the
form of the presently preferred embodiment. Various changes
may be made in the shape, size and general arragement of
components, for example equivalent elements may be substituted
-5-
~3
6~D~
for those illustrated and described herein, parts may be used
independently of the use of other features, all as will be
apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefits
of the description of the invention.
--6--
' ~
