Supports – Brackets – Specially mounted or attached
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-25
2001-02-20
King, Anita M. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Brackets
Specially mounted or attached
C248S220410
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189847
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of support brackets, and more particularly to an apparatus for attaching a wide range of items including article supporting fixtures to a variety of support surfaces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus for attaching a wide range of items including article supporting fixtures to a variety of support surfaces such as a wire shelf, pegboard, conventional wall, grid wall, slatwall, etc, has an anterior appendage and at least two posterior appendages, all three of which are connected by a joining area or joining member. The anterior appendage is of a width at least as great as about the diameter of one of a plurality of wire shelf body wires which make up the surface of the shelf, and preferably as wide as the space occupied by at least two body wires. The at least two posterior appendages are each of such a width as to enable them to fit into the space between two adjacent body wires, and are likewise spaced apart from each other on centerlines the distance between which is some multiple of the distance between the body wire center to center distance. In this manner, the bracket may be positioned at any point and still fit between the body wires of the wire shelf. The posterior appendages are preferably spaced outboard of the anterior appendage, but may be otherwise arranged, and indeed may be spaced apart a considerable distance. Said posterior appendages each have at least an orifice therethrough to facilitate attachment to a support surface, and said anterior appendage has affixed thereto an attachment. Alternatively, said anterior appendage makes use of a keyhole slot for securing an attachment thereto. Again, an alternative use reverses the apparatus to further enhance versatility as will be described.
The primary object of the invention is to provide a better bracket that can be attached to a wider variety of surfaces.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device that mounts attachments to wire shelving, as well as other surfaces.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that can accommodate a wider variety of attachments.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a device can hold a larger variety of articles.
A further object of the invention is to provide a support bracket, which can equally well support a hook, strap, basket, or shelf, etc.
Yet still another object of the invention is to provide an attachment support bracket, which can be inverted and used as a wire shelf support.
Another object of the invention is to provide an attachment support bracket, which can be inverted and used as a pegboard support.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device that is easily attached.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is not easily dislodged, but can be made easily removable.
Another object is to provide an apparatus, which may be attached securely.
Still another object is to provide an apparatus, which has shock absorbing capabilities.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device that is easily manufactured.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
Many ways have been devised to hang up articles, whether it be from walls, pegs, or racks, and whether the articles are loose items, articles of clothing, round, regular, or irregular in shape. Of particular interest are the domestic closet, the garage, basement or pantry wall, and the store display. In each of these areas it is desirable to make maximum use of the allotted space, while maximizing visibility, exposure, and access for each individual item or class of item. It is also desirable to maximize flexibility in the layout, so that the area may be easily rearranged.
Past attempts to satisfy this need have involved various solutions such as shelving, baskets, movable shelf supports, pegboard and the like, and each has in turn improved the art. The use of baskets of various types added flexibility to the basic shelf. Movable brackets allowed differing sizes of articles to be placed within the same storage system. Wire shelving provided a number of benefits including ease of cleaning, light weight, and the ability to support a substantial load. Pegboard introduced a new level in versatility and layout. Slotted panels combined some of the versatility of pegboard with an enhanced marketing appearance, and so on.
Throughout this time there have always been challenges which seemed to defy all efforts to produce the ideal solution. Such challenges are often daunting as much from their apparent simplicity, as from their technical requirements, and often a solution has taken more the form of recognizing a problem existed to be solved, than actually creating a solution. A good example of such might be a broom holder, which will work with all sizes of broom handles and can be operated with only one hand.
Wire shelving has achieved the status of a commodity item in new residential construction and remodeling, as well as in many commercial applications. Typically employed as closet shelving and for utility areas, it has numerous advantages including high strength, light weight, is relatively self-cleaning, easily adaptable, etc. Such shelving is commonly available from home goods suppliers such as Home Quarters, Lowes, and most hardware stores. With increasing popularity a number of accessory items have become available as well, such as corner pieces, and various hanging attachments. In the typical wire shelf, a number of support rods run the length of the shelf and are overlaid by a plurality of relatively smaller diameter body wires which form the shelf surface. Often the shelf has an additional support rod placed directly below the forwardmost support rod, and the body wires form a 90° bend around the top support rod, in this way forming a front surface for the shelf and stiffening the shelf as well. In the typical installation of wire shelving and accessories, small plastic hooks or brackets are attached to a wall, usually with screws or nails, along a line where the shelf is to be mounted. Then the shelf or accessory is placed in the hooks, and snapped into place. This results in a small unobjectionable gap between the rear support wire and the wall, usually on the order of ⅛ to {fraction (3/16)} inch or so. The inventor's device can take advantage of this gap, as will be shown.
A number of so called “clip-on” accessories have been designed to attach to the front support rod, but it was the intent of the inventor that the device have greater adaptability than was seen with these devices, and provision was also made for the use of the bracket with pegboard. Support structures other than pegboard and wire shelving also exist, and so the inventor made provision for universal attachment to a wide variety of surfaces using common attachment methods such as adhesive, screws, expanding anchors, nails, two sided tape, and the like.
A need likewise existed for a versatile and strong bracket for attaching wire shelving and pegboard to support structures, and the inventor's device fills that need admirably. Also there was a need for a strong and durable bracket with a degree of flexibility to provide a shock absorbing function which was adaptable to a multiplicity of uses, and the instant device provides a ready answer.
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DeLuca Jerome
King Anita M.
O'Connell Law Firm
LandOfFree
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