Joints and connections – Interfitted members – Assembled by plural manipulations of member
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-11
2001-05-08
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Interfitted members
Assembled by plural manipulations of member
C248S235000, C211S090020, C211S187000, C211S175000, C403S003000, C403S004000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227756
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an assembly for mounting an accessory onto a rail member, and more particularly to a mounting assembly for adjustably mounting an accessory having a substantially planar portion onto a rail member having a longitudinal side channel with opposite longitudinal folds.
BACKGROUND
Shelving systems are used for many purposes and in various environments, at home or at work, in store rooms, in workshops, etc. In the industry sector, work stations are often provided with shelving systems combined with workbenches to support tools, accessories and hardware articles.
An important aspect of shelving systems looked for by the operators resides in its ability to be adapted and adjusted to suit various needs. Versatility, modularity, ease of use, robustness and life span of the shelving parts are key points to success for a particular line of shelving systems.
One kind of shelving system, which is particularly adaptable, has a frame formed of aluminium extruded upright rails having a longitudinal side channel with opposite longitudinal folds. A same rail can be shared by two side-by-side shelves.
The operators often need to mount accessories, tools or the like onto the rails. Presently, they do that with anything on hand, which usually results in more or less adequate mountings that may be potentially dangerous.
Known in the art is U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,839 (Winter et al.), which shows a manner of mounting a display member onto a tubular post member. The display member is releasably coupled to the tubular post member by an attachment system having a clamp member insertable through a slotted opening in the post member, and a plate for exerting a pressure against the outer wall of the post member by the screwing action of a head member. The installation of the attachment system requires difficult manipulations in order to correctly place the clamp member inside the post member before screwing the head member. By its construction, the attachment system must be positioned at an end of the display member to be attached, and the screwing of the head member must be performed with the display member in the way. The height adjustment of the attachment system along the post member is limited to the locations of the slotted openings made therein.
Examples of other attachment systems are given in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,753,354 (Patterson et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,110 (Klein); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,391 (Simpson).
SUMMARY
An object of the invention is to provide a mounting assembly for adjustably mounting an accessory onto a rail member having a longitudinal side channel with opposite longitudinal folds, which is easy to use, fast mounted, and installed without the assistance of tools.
A subsidiary object of the invention is to provide such a mounting assembly which is slidable in the side channel so that the accessory can be set in an infinite number of positions along the rail.
Another subsidiary object of the invention is to provide such a mounting assembly which is unobstructive with mounting areas in front and behind the rail member, so that accessories mounted with the mounting assembly do not hinder the installation of shelves and other components connected to the rail member.
According to the present invention, there is provided a mounting assembly for adjustably mounting an accessory having a substantially planar portion onto a rail member having a longitudinal side channel with opposite longitudinal folds, said mounting assembly comprising:
an elongated latch member shaped for passage between the folds when the latch member is oriented substantially parallel to the channel, and for abutment against the folds when the latch member is turned at least partially transversely inside the channel;
tightening means for tightening the accessory to the latch member; and
locking means operatively associated with the planar portion of the accessory and the latch member to prevent relative rotation and translation thereof when the accessory is tighten to the latch member.
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Bisson Serge
Dube Gilles
Lacombe Michel
Browne Lynne H.
Malcolm Tomlyne A
McDermott & Will & Emery
Rousseau Metal Inc.
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