Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BRACKET
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to brackets, particularly brackets for mounting
support structures to surfaces.
Description of Related Art
Brackets for mounting shelves and other support structures to wall surfaces
and the like are well known in the art. Most such brackets are typically L-
shaped
with two sides meeting at a right angle, and may or may not have a third side
occupying the hypotenuse of the right triangle formed by the sides of the
bracket.
The sides of such brackets may be made of rigid or flexible material.
Typically,
such brackets are affixed to the wall surface through one of the sides.
Examples
of this type of bracket are those disclosed in U.S. Design Patent 234,455,
U.S.
Patent 4,523,526, World Patent Publication WO 82/03539, Japanese Patent
2003079464, U.S. Patent 4,129,080, U.S. Patent 5,257,766, U.S. Patent
2,859,879, U.S. Patent 6,053,465, U.S. Patent 6,722,620, U.S. Patent
5,620,160,
U.S. Patent 624,723, U.S. Patent 5,064,158, U.S. Patent 773,207 and various
other commercially available brackets. Such brackets are adequate for some
purposes but lack versatility, for example, they are difficult to mount in
corners
where two wall surfaces meet and they are generally usable in only a limited
number of configurations or orientations.
For supporting shelves and other support structures in a corner where two
surfaces meet, the prior art discloses several approaches. For example, a
corner
bracket based on the surface of a hyperbolic paraboloid is disclosed in U.S.
Patent
3,194,527. Such a bracket may also be used as a brace between framing
members. However, this bracket lacks versatility as it is designed
specifically for
corners. Its use on a single vertical surface is limited and ungainly. Another
example of a corner bracket is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,692,265. Here the
bracket is constructed of sides which flex to jam the bracket into a corner.
Sharp
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tabs on the bracket help secure the bracket in the corner. Such a bracket
requires
a corner and cannot be used on a single wall surface.
There remains a need in the art for a versatile, aesthetically appealing
bracket for mounting support structures to surfaces.
Summay of the Invention
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a bracket
comprising three rigid sides, at least two of the sides having equal length,
each of
the three sides having interior and exterior surfaces, each of the three sides
having
first and second ends, the first and second ends lying in a plane defined by a
longitudinal axis between the first and second ends and a transverse axis
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the sides being rigidly connected to
each
other at the ends so that an equilateral or isosceles triangle is formed in a
cross-
sectional plane taken through the longitudinal axes of the three sides, the
transverse axes of the three sides each independently forming an angle of from
about 50° to about 60° with the cross-sectional plane, the
transverse axes of the
three sides meeting at a common point not on the cross-sectional plane, one or
more of the three sides having first and second mounting points, the first
mounting
point located on the longitudinal axis at a first distance from the first end,
and the
second mounting point located on the longitudinal axis at a second distance
from
the second end.
Preferably, the three rigid sides are of substantially equal length and a
substantially equilateral triangle is formed in the cross-sectional plane.
Preferably,
the transverse axes of the three sides each independently form an angle of
from
about 51 ° to about 55°, for example about 52°, with the
cross-sectional plane.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a bracket
comprising: a first axis, a second axis and a third axis meeting orthogonally
at an
origin, the first and second axes interiorly defining a first plane, the first
and third
axes interiorly defining a second plane and the second and third axes
interiorly
defining a third plane; a first rigid bracket surface defined on the first
plane in
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contact with the first and second axes, a second rigid bracket surface defined
on
the second plane in contact with the first and third axes, a third rigid
bracket
surface defined on the third plane in contact with the second and third axes,
the
first bracket surface rigidly connected to the second bracket surface along
the first
axis, the first bracket surface rigidly connected to the third bracket surface
along
the second axis, the second bracket surface rigidly connected to the third
bracket
surface along the third axis; and first and second spaced-apart mounting
points on
the first bracket surface, the first mounting point perpendicularly offset
from the
first axis by a first distance, the first mounting point offset from the
origin by a
second distance, the second mounting point perpendicularly offset from the
second axis by a distance equal to the first distance, the second mounting
point
offset from the origin by a distance equal to the second distance.
Brackets of the present invention are mounted on a surface (e.g. a vertical
surface, for example a wall) by fastening means at the mounting points.
Preferably, each mounting point comprises an aperture through which the
fastening means is inserted. More preferably, each mounting point comprises an
aperture having a boss for receiving the fastening means. The boss may be made
of the same or different material as the bracket. The boss may be integrally
formed with the bracket, separate from but immovably secured in the bracket,
or
separate from and removably secured in the bracket. Removable securement of a
boss in the bracket permits interchanging a boss for a different kind of boss.
In
this manner, a boss can be interchanged with another boss for use with a
different
fastening means. Different fastening means may be different in size, in type
or
both. Fastening means include, for example, screws, bolts, nails, rivets, etc.
It is
even possible to glue the bracket to the vertical surface. Preferably,
brackets are
mounted by means of screws inserted through the apertures (or bosses) of the
bracket.
A boss in its aperture may be flush with the bracket surface on both faces of
a bracket side, or may be raised from the surface on one or both faces.
Preferably, the boss is flush with the interior or front surface and raised
from the
exterior or rear surface. Such an arrangement permits mounting of the bracket
on
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an uneven wall or the like since the exterior or rear surface faces the wall
when the
bracket is mounted. A smooth surface and streamlined appearance is presented
on the visible (interior or front) faces of the bracket. The boss may be
beveled at
one end adjacent the interior or front surface of the bracket side in order to
countersink the fastening means to maintain the smooth surface and streamlined
appearance on the visible faces.
Mounting points may be located on one, two or all three of the sides or
bracket surfaces. Where mounting points are located on more than one side or
bracket surface, the bracket may be mounted through any of the sides with
mounting points. Having mounting points on all three sides or bracket
surfaces,
provides greater versatility to the bracket and provides a more symmetrical
appearance. For mounting the bracket in a corner where two surfaces meet (for
example where two walls meet), having mounting points on more than one side is
particularly advantageous. The mounting points on one side, or bracket
surface,
are preferably close to the ends of the bracket, preferably equidistant from
their
respective ends.
Brackets of the present invention may be made of any suitable material, for
example plastic, wood, metal, glass or composites. The type of material used
depends on the desired application. Where strength is required, such as in
shelving for a workshop, metal may be more appropriate. Where strength and
elegance is required, such as in shelving for a library or study, a fine wood
may be
more appropriate. For reason of safety and/or aesthetics, edges and corners
may
be rounded or contoured.
Brackets of the present invention may be formed as a single, integrally
formed piece, or may be constructed from several pieces and the pieces rigidly
attached. In respect of glass, plastics and plastic composites, for example,
it is
possible to make a mold and make an integrally formed piece by molding. With
wood and metal, for example, it is generally easier to form individual sides
and
then rigidly attach the sides to each other, for example with glue or by
welding. In
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one embodiment, two brackets may be "fused" together on one side so that both
brackets share a common side.
A side, or bracket surface, of the bracket has inside and outside edges that
may be of any desired shape and/or cross-sectional profile. The inside edge
may
5 have the same or different shape as the outside edge. For example, the edges
may be straight or curved. Curves may be simple or complex. The side, or
bracket surface, also has a width, which can be of any magnitude provided the
bracket retains a fully open corner and the sides do not interfere with each
other.
The ends of the sides may be a single edge spanning the width of the side, or
may
be some other shape having multiple edges, for example an arrowhead. Whatever
the shape of the ends, the ends of the sides should conveniently meet so that
the
sides may be rigidly attached together.
The sides, or bracket surfaces, may comprise other functional or
ornamental features. For example, holes may be present for accepting rods or
bars when the bracket is used to support rods or bars, or for purely
ornamental
purposes. Where all three sides, or bracket surfaces, have the same shape,
cross-sectional profile, width and other functional or ornamental details, the
bracket has three-fold rotational symmetry and the bracket can be used to
equal
effect in any of the three orientations.
A bracket of the present invention advantageously has a fully open corner
allowing easy access to mounting points and accommodating the corner of a
support structure resting on the bracket. The mounting points are fully
exposed for
ease of inserting fastening means. Additionally, integral diagonal bracing
provides
strength and stability for supporting heavy loads, thereby preventing racking
after a
support structure has been installed. Also, a built-in end stop helps prevent
the
support structure from sliding off the bracket and acts as a "bookend" for
objects
resting on the support structure when the bracket is used as an end bracket.
Brackets of the present invention advantageously provide great versatility.
They may be easily mounted on any surface at any location on the surface. The
locations of the mounting points on the bracket are such that all the mounting
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points are easily accessible whether or not the bracket is mounted in, close
to or
far from a corner. The brackets are particularly useful for supporting such
support
structures as shelves, poles (e.g. hanger bars, rail rods, etc.), bins and the
like.
While the brackets may be used to support the support structures in any
orientation on any surface, a preferred arrangement is one in which the
support
structures are supported in a horizontal orientation on a vertical surface.
Vertical
surfaces include, for example, walls, posts, studs, beams, sides of furniture,
trees,
etc. The brackets may even be used to construct free-standing shelving and
display units when used in conjunction with top, bottom and/or back panels.
Accessories, for example suction cups, edge clip glides, etc. may be used in
conjunction with support structures such as glass shelving and the like.
The brackets may be used in a variety of orientations (e.g. "upside down" or
"right side up") to present the most aesthetically appealing configuration and
to
accommodate different kinds of support structures. They can be mounted in
spaced-apart configuration, for example at each end of a support structure, or
they
can be conveniently mounted next to each other (e.g. a side-by-side
arrangement)
in order to mount a variety of kinds and shapes of support structures. In a
side-by-
side arrangement, two brackets may be "fused" together on one side so that
both
brackets share a common side.
Brackets can be used in a nested arrangement, for example a smaller one
inside a larger one, or facing in the opposite or same direction. Nested
arrangements are particularly useful where one type of support structure is
mounted in conjunction with a second type of support structure. For example, a
storage bin may be mounted between two spaced-apart brackets, the two-spaced-
apart brackets being nested within two larger spaced-apart brackets, the
larger
spaced-apart brackets being used to mount a shelf above the storage bin.
Brackets may be mounted in corners where two surfaces meet, or indeed
where three surfaces meet (e.g. two vertical surfaces and a horizontal
surface), or
they can be mounted in the middle of a surface (e.g. in the middle of a
vertical
surface). When used in an end mount, above-shelf configuration, the bracket
sets
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a shelf out to provide an opening for the passage of wires, cables and the
like
between the shelf and, for example a wall surface.
When properly mounted on a vertical surface such as a wall, the bracket of
the instant invention presents diagonally on the vertical surface. Such an
appearance arises from the angle that the transverse axis makes with the cross-
sectional plane through the longitudinal axes or from the manner in which the
bracket surfaces are defined on the first, second and third planes. The
diagonal
presentation is independent of the shape of the sides or bracket surfaces. In
contrast, conventional brackets present vertically or horizontally.
The brackets may be used in any market segment. The brackets are
simple enough to be installed by even the least mechanically inclined of
individuals, yet are so versatile, robust and aesthetically appealing that
commercial
and industrial contractors can use them extensively in all manner of
applications.
Further features of the invention will be described or will become apparent
in the course of the following detailed description.
Brief Description of the Drawings
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, a preferred
embodiment thereof will now be described in detail by way of example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a bracket of the present
invention;
Figs. 2A-2C is a pictorial representation of the manner in which the bracket
of Fig. 1 is constructed;
Fig. 2D is a front perspective view of the bracket of Fig. 1 showing the
relationship between transverse axes on the sides of the bracket and a cross-
sectional plane through longitudinal axes on the sides of the bracket;
Fig. 3A is a side view of the bracket of Fig. 1;
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Fig. 3B is an end cross-sectional view of one side of the bracket of Fig. 3A;
Fig. 3C is a side cross-sectional view of a mounting boss shown in Fig. 3A;
Fig. 3D is a perspective view of the mounting boss of Fig. 3C;
Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of two brackets of Fig. 1 in an arrangement
supporting an L-shaped shelf on a wall, one of the brackets in a corner where
two
walls meet;
Fig. 5A is a front view of two brackets arranged to support a semi-circular
shelf;
Fig. 5B is a top view of Fig. 5A;
Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a bracket of the
present invention having brackets sides with slimmer profile than in the
bracket of
Fig. 1;
Fig. 6B is a side view of the bracket of Fig. 6A;
Fig. 6C is an end cross-sectional view of one side of the bracket of Fig. 6B;
Fig. 6D is a front perspective view of two brackets of Fig. 6A supporting a
rectangular shelf;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a bracket of the
present invention in which each corner of the bracket is formed differently
from the
bracket of Fig. 1;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a bracket of the
present invention, which is suitable for supporting a hanger bar;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a bracket of the present
invention, which is suitable for supporting a hanger bar;
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Fig. 10A is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a bracket of the
present invention;
Fig. 10B is a perspective view of two brackets of Fig. 10A fused together in
a side-by-side arrangement in which the two brackets share a common side;
Fig. 10C is a perspective view of two brackets of Fig. 10A supporting a
storage bin; and,
Fig. 11 is a plan view of a template for assisting in mounting a bracket of
the
present invention to a surface.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
Referring to Fig. 1, a first embodiment of a shelf bracket generally shown at
10 comprises three rigid sides 20,30,40 of equal length having front
(interior) faces
25,35,45 and rear (exterior) faces (not shown). The sides are rigidly joined
at their
ends such that one end of side 20 is joined to one end of side 30, the other
end of
side 30 is joined to one end of side 40, and the other end of side 40 is
joined to the
other end of side 20. In this manner, the sides are joined to form an
equilateral
triangle.
Side 20 has two apertures 21,22 having respective mounting bosses 23,24
for receiving screws to permit mounting of the bracket to a wall. Likewise,
side 30
has two apertures 31,32 having respective mounting bosses 33,34 and side 40
has two apertures 41,42 having respective mounting bosses 43,44. The bosses
are beveled at the front faces so that the heads of the screws may be
countersunk
below the front faces of the sides. The bracket may be mounted to the wall
through any of the sides. If the bracket is mounted in a corner where two
walls
meet, the bracket may be mounted to both walls.
The three sides 20,30,40 have identical arcuate shapes and have apertures
in the same locations on each side. The bracket is fully open; an object may
pass
entirely through the middle of the bracket from the front to the rear. The
bracket
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has complete 3-fold symmetry. The angular relationship of the sides is
discussed
in more detail below with reference to Fig. 2D.
Figs. 2A-2C illustrate a method by which the bracket of Fig. 1 may be
constructed. As shown in Fig. 2A, a first generally planar piece of square
rigid
5 stock material 29 is provided having two edges 27,28 meeting at a right
angle at
an origin 50. The side 20 is defined on the first stock material wherein one
end of
the side 20 is defined by a segment of the edge 27 and the other end of the
side
is defined by a segment of the edge 28. Apertures 21,22 are defined such that
the center of aperture 21 is perpendicularly offset from edge 27 by a distance
A1
10 and the center of aperture 22 is perpendicularly offset from edge 28 by a
distance
A2, where A1 = AZ. Apertures 21,22 are also defined such that the centers of
aperture 21 and 22 are each a distance A3 from the origin 50.
For side 30, a second generally planar piece of square rigid stock material
39 is provided having edges 37,38. The second stock material 39 is set up
15 orthogonal to the first stock material 29 such that edge 37 abuts edge 28
and
edges 37,38 also meet at the origin 50. Side 20 is then reflected onto the
second
stock material 39 to define side 30 in precisely the correct position
including
apertures 31,32.
For side 40, a third generally planar piece of square rigid stock material 49
20 is provided having edges 47,48. The third stock material 49 is set up
orthogonal to
both the first stock material 29 and the second stock material 39 such that
edge 47
abuts edge 38 and edge 48 abuts edge 27, and edges 47,48 also meet at the
origin 50. Side 20 is then reflected onto the third stock material 49 to
define side
40 in precisely the correct position including apertures 41,42. Alternatively,
side
30 could be reflected onto the third stock material 49 to define side 40, and
still
result in side 40 being correctly positioned on the third stock material 49.
It can be seen from Figs. 2A-2C that constructing the bracket in this manner
automatically results in the ends of the sides meeting in the desired
arrangement.
Each side may then be cut out of its respective stock material and the ends
rigidly
connected, for example by welding or by an adhesive, to form the finished
bracket.
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In embodiments of the bracket where the sides are of different shape, the
method above may be modified by defining the positions of the apertures on the
first stock material, reflecting these positions on to the second and third
stock
materials, and then defining the shapes of the different sides on the three
pieces of
stock material such that the ends of the sides properly meet along the edges
of the
stock material. The sides may then be cut from the stock material and rigidly
connected.
It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the foregoing methods
may be obviated by using automated cutting equipment. Cutting parameters
based on the desired final design of the bracket may be programmed into an
automated cutting machine, which then cuts the sides from stock material.
Automated cutting equipment is especially useful for high volume output. For
brackets having sides of different shape, automated cutting equipment may be
programmed to cut differently shaped sides while ensuring that the ends of the
sides still meet in the desired arrangement.
It will also be appreciated by one skilled in the art that moulds may be used
for casting or molding individual sides or entire one-piece brackets. Moulds
are
especially useful for creating brackets in which the sides are integrally
formed with
one another. Injection molding and die-casting are preferred methods of
molding.
Referring to Fig. 2D, the side 20 of bracket 10 is defined by first and second
ends 26a,26b lying in a plane defined by longitudinal axis F passing through
the
center of apertures 21,22 and transverse axis K perpendicular to longitudinal
axis
F. Similarly, the side 30 is defined by first and second ends 36a,36b lying in
a
plane defined by longitudinal axis G passing through the center of apertures
31,32
and transverse axis L perpendicular to longitudinal axis G. Similarly, the
side 40 is
defined by first and second ends 46a,46b lying in a plane defined by
longitudinal
axis H passing through the center of apertures 41,42 and transverse axis M
perpendicular to longitudinal axis H. A cross-sectional plane W,X,Y,Z taken
through longitudinal axes F,G,H is shown showing that the bracket forms an
equilateral triangle in the cross-sectional plane. The transverse axes K,L,M
meet
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at a common point P behind the bracket not on the cross-sectional plane. Each
of
the transverse axes forms an angle of about 52° with the cross-
sectional plane.
The precise angle will vary within manufacturing tolerances.
Referring to Figs. 3A-3D, the bracket 10 and parts of the bracket 10 are
depicted. In a side view of the bracket looking straight at the exterior
(rear) face of
side 20 (Fig. 3A) it is evident that adjacent sides 30,40 are perpendicular to
each
other with side 20 forming the hypoteneuse of a right angle triangle. Similar
relationships would be evident in side views looking straight at the exterior
(rear)
faces of each of the other two sides. It should be noted that when the bracket
is
viewed from the front or rear, rather than the side, the three sides form an
equilateral triangle as described previously. Mounting bosses 23,24 are also
shown. It can be seen from Fig. 3C that the mounting bosses are flush with the
interior (front) faces of the sides and are raised from the exterior (rear)
faces.
An end cross-sectional view (Fig. 3B) of side 20 of bracket 10 illustrates an
elliptical shape of the side 20 in cross-section. Sides 30,40 have the same
cross
sectional shape.
A side view of one of the mounting boss 23 (Fig. 3C) more clearly shows
the bevel 51 of the mounting boss 23 located at the front face of the side.
The
mounting boss 23 also has a bevel 52 located at the rear face of the side so
that
screws may be inserted from either face and still be countersunk. All of the
mounting bosses are constructed in this manner. Fig. 3D is a perspective view
of
the mounting boss 23 depicted in Fig. 3C showing the bevel 51.
Fig. 4 shows an arrangement in which brackets 10a,10b are used to
support a rectangular shelf 60 on a first wall 61 in a corner where first wall
61
meets a second wall 62. The brackets are oriented in an "right side up"
orientation
in a spaced-apart configuration whereby the shelf 60 rests on the front faces
of
lower sides 20a,20b. Bracket 10a in the corner is fastened to the first wall
61 by
screws through mounting bosses of side 40a and is fastened to the second wall
62
by screws through mounting bosses of side 30a. Bracket 10b is fastened to the
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first wall 61 by screws through mounting bosses of side 30b. The back comers
of
the shelf 60 are conveniently accommodated in the open bracket.
Figs. 5A and 5B show an arrangement in which brackets 10a,10b are used
to support a semicircular shelf 70 on a wall. The brackets are configured next
to
each other and oriented in an "upside down" orientation whereby the
semicircular
shelf 70 rests on the rear faces of upper sides 40a,40b. Bracket 10a is
fastened to
the wall by screws through mounting bosses of side 20a and bracket 10b is
fastened to the wall by screws through mounting bosses of side 20b. Brackets
10a and 10b may be fastened to each other by screws or bolts through mounting
bosses of sides 30a and 30b, since the mounting bosses of side 30a are aligned
with the mounting bosses of side 30b.
Referring to Figs. fiA-6C, a second embodiment of a shelf bracket generally
shown at 200 comprises three rigid sides 220,230,240 of equal length having
front
(interior) faces 225,235,245 and rear (exterior) faces (not labeled). The
bracket
200 is similar in construction to the bracket 10 of Fig. 1, however, the sides
220,230,240 of bracket 200 have a slimmer profile than the sides 20,30,40 of
bracket 10. Because the sides 220,230,240 have a slimmer profile, respective
mounting bosses 223,224,233,234,243,244 have a diameter larger than the width
of the sides. As best seen in Fig. 6C, the cross-sectional shape of a side 220
of
bracket 200 is elliptical, but the ratio of the major to minor axes is smaller
than for
the sides of bracket 10.
Referring to Fig. 6D, two brackets 200a,200b are shown supporting a
rectangular shelf 260 on a wall. A comparison of Fig. 6D to Fig. 4 shows that
the
brackets 200a,200b are functionally very similar to the brackets 10a,10b. The
slimmer profiles of brackets 200a,200b provide a more unobtrusive appearance.
Referring to Fig. 7, a third embodiment of a shelf bracket generally shown at
300 comprises three rigid sides 320,330,340 of equal length having front
(interior)
faces 325,335,345 and rear (exterior) faces (not shown). The bracket 300 is
similar
in construction and function to the bracket 10 of Fig. 1, however, the sides
320,330,340 of bracket 300 are joined together differently. In bracket 300 the
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comer regions 329,339,349 are integrally joined where the sides 320,330,340
are
joined, and are wider and thicker than the sides. Mounting bosses
323,324,333,334,343,344 are located in the comer regions.
Referring to Fig. 8, a fourth embodiment of a bracket of the present
invention generally shown at 400 is suitable for supporting a shelf and a
hanger
bar, for example in a closet. The bracket 400 has three sides 420,430,440,
each
side comprising a series of hanger bar holes 490 (only one labeled) and shelf
railing holes 495 (only one labeled). A hanger bar hole may be used to support
a
hanger bar 491 and a shelf railing hole may be used to support a shelf railing
496.
Preferably, at least two brackets are used so that the hanger bar and/or shelf
railing may be supported at either end.
When two brackets of the nature shown in Fig. 8 are mounted on a wall, the
hanger bar holes of one side of one of the brackets are aligned with the
hanger bar
holes of one side of the other bracket by virtue of the symmetrical
construction of
the brackets. Thus, a hanger bar can be conveniently supported between two
brackets. The shelf railing holes are aligned similarly. Any number of
brackets
may be used to support one hanger bar and/or one shelf railing since the
respective holes will all be aligned. Thus, for particularly long hanger bars
or shelf
railings, a number of brackets may be used at various positions along the bar
and/or railing to provide support in the middle. If the brackets are mounted
in the
"upside down" position, a shelf may be supported on the exterior (rear)
surface of
side 420.
Referring to Fig. 9, a fifth embodiment of a bracket of the present invention
generally shown at 500 is suitable for supporting a hanger bar. This
embodiment
is similar to the one depicted in Fig. 8, however, the sides 520,530,540 are
of a
different shape and there are only two hanger bar holes 590 per side.
Referring to Fig. 10A, a sixth embodiment of a bracket of the present
invention generally shown at 600 comprises three rigid sides 620,630,640 of
equal
length, each side having two mounting bosses located in corner regions where
the
sides are rigidly joined together. The sides 620,630,640 have ends shaped like
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arrowheads in which two edges of each end of one of the sides meet at points
on
a longitudinal axis through the middle of the mounting bosses of that side.
For
example, ends 661 and 662 of side 620 have edges 663,864 and 665,666,
respectively. The edges 663,664 meet at a point on a longitudinal axis through
5 mounting bosses 623,624, and edges 665,666 meet at a point on the
longitudinal
axis through mounting bosses 623,624. The sides of the bracket are joined
together at their respective ends along one of the two edges at each end of
each
side. Such an arrangement provides a somewhat different appearance and is
particularly useful for supporting a storage bin (see Fig. 10C).
10 Fig. 10B illustrates an embodiment in which two brackets 600a,600b of the
type shown in Fig. 10A are fused together in a side-by-side arrangement to
share
a common side 670. Such an arrangement is similar to that shown in Figs. 5A
and
5B, except that in the embodiment of Fig. 10B, the two brackets are physically
inseperable without damaging the brackets.
15 Fig. 10C shows brackets 600c,600d in spaced-apart configuration
supporting a storage bin 680. Bracket 600c is of the type shown in Fig. 10A
and
bracket 600d is a fused double bracket of the type shown in Fig. 1 OB. The
brackets are mounted in an "upside down" orientation on a vertical surface and
back corners of the storage bin fit within the open brackets. If desired, the
bracket
600d is able to support a corner of another storage bin next to storage bin
680 on
the far side. Storage bin 680 is secured to brackets 600c,600d by bolts
through
mounting bosses on appropriate sides of the brackets, for example through
mounting bosses 623c,624c on side 620c.
Referring to Fig. 11, a template 700 is shown for assisting in mounting a
bracket of the present invention to a surface. The template comprises a flat
piece
of material having a first guide edge 701 perpendicular to a second guide edge
702. A third edge 703, together with edges 701,702 roughly form a triangle.
First
hole 711 and second hole 712 are positioned on the template so that the holes
711,712 are concentric with the mounting bosses and apertures on a side of the
CA 02502098 2005-03-22
16
bracket. The second edge 702 is aligned with an axis 722 through the center of
the second hole 712. Tab 713 is provided on the third edge.
In use, the template is placed on an exterior side of the bracket with the
first
and second holes 711,712 of the template over the mounting bosses. The
template is held in place by virtue of the raised bosses in the two holes of
the
template. The template may be placed on the side of the bracket such that the
tab
713 points interiorly into the bracket or exteriorly away from the bracket.
When the
tab 713 points interiorly, the template is ideally used to mount the bracket
an
"upside down" orientation on a vertical surface since vertical alignment of
the first
edge 701 or horizontal alignment of the second edge 702 will automatically
result
in the bracket being correctly oriented. When the tab 713 points exteriorly,
the
template is ideally used to mount the bracket an "right side up" orientation
on a
vertical surface since horizontal alignment of the second edge 702 will
automatically result in the bracket being correctly oriented. The line of the
second
edge 702 through the center of the second hole 712 permits determining the
proper placement of a fastening means on the vertical surface.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to
attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other
advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.
It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of
utility
and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations.
This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without
departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter
herein set
forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as
illustrative and
not in a limiting sense.
