Supports – Brackets – Shelf or scaffold type
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-15
2001-03-20
King, Anita M. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Brackets
Shelf or scaffold type
C248S247000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202966
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to office furniture, and in particular to a multi-position bracket for hang-on furniture units and the like, that can support adjacent side edges of side-by-side hang-on furniture units, or a side edge of a hang-on furniture unit disposed on either side of the bracket.
In partition panel systems and the like, worksurfaces, shelves, and other hang-on furniture units are often supported by brackets that releasably attach to slots in upright structural members of the partition panels. Worksurfaces and the like are commonly supported along opposite side edges, requiring a left-hand bracket for one side edge, and a right-hand bracket for the other side edge. Furthermore, if a pair of hang-on furniture units or worksurfaces are arranged end-to-end, a center bracket is required to support the adjacent side edges of the hang-on furniture units. Accordingly, at least three bracket configurations are used to support hang-on furniture units in the configurations discussed above, leading to excessive cost of tooling and manufacture, as well as inventory related expenses.
Thus, a multi-position bracket for supporting hang-on furniture units is desired solving the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is a multi-position bracket for supporting hang-on furniture units on a slotted upright. The multi-position bracket includes a cantilever body defining first and second sides, and including rear and upper orthogonal edges. The rear edge includes at least one hook shaped to removably engage slots of an upright. The multi-position bracket further includes a mounting plate interconnected with the cantilever body in a selected one of first and second offset positions and a center position relative to the cantilever body. The mounting plate defines a center portion and first and second opposite side portions. The center portion of the mounting plate includes a center connector interconnecting the mounting plate to the cantilever body with the mounting plate in the center position for supporting adjacent side edges of a pair of side-by-side hang-on furniture units. The first side portion of the mounting plate includes a connector interconnecting the mounting plate and the cantilever body with the mounting plate offset to the first side of the cantilever body for supporting a side edge of a hang-on furniture unit disposed on the first side of the cantilever body. The second side portion of the mounting plate includes a connector interconnecting the mounting plate and the cantilever body with the mounting plate offset to the second side of the cantilever body for supporting a side edge of a hang-on furniture unit disposed on the second side of the cantilever body.
Another aspect of the present invention is a kit for hang-on partition worksurfaces including at least one worksurface and a multi-position bracket. The multi-position bracket includes a cantilever body defining opposite sides and including rear and upper orthogonal edges. The multi-position bracket also includes a mounting plate configured to be secured to the worksurface and including at least two connectors adapted to interconnect the mounting plate with the cantilever body. A first one of the connectors is adapted to connect the mounting plate to the cantilever body with the mounting plate in a center position for supporting adjacent side edges of a pair of side-by-side ones of the worksurfaces. A second one of the connectors is adapted to interconnect the mounting plate with the cantilever body, wherein the mounting plate is offset to a selected opposite side of the cantilever body for supporting a side edge of the worksurface.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a mounting plate for hang-on furniture units including a plate having at least three side-by-side apertures adjacent a front portion of the plate. Each aperture is engagable with a tab of a cantilever body to permit support of the front portion of the plate in a selected one of three positions corresponding to the apertures. The plate also has at least three hooks adjacent a rear portion of the plate. Each hook is engagable with an opening of the cantilever body to permit support of the rear portion of the plate in a selected one of three positions corresponding to the hooks.
The principle objects of the present invention are to provide a multi-position bracket that can be used to support either side edge of a hang-on furniture unit, or adjacent side edges of a pair of side-by-side hang-on furniture units. The multi-position bracket is easily fabricated, and facilitates installation of the hang-on furniture units.
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.
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Hoeft Robert J.
MacDonald Douglas B.
DeLuca Jerome
King Anita M.
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
Steelcase Development Inc.
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