阅读说明：本技术 可翻转支架 (Reversible support ) 是由 C·P·罗伯茨 于 2019-12-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：支架限定了通道,通道具有窄通道部分和宽通道部分。窄通道部分的大小适于接纳横向构件并防止支架绕横向构件旋转。宽通道部分的大小适于接纳横向构件并允许支架绕横向构件旋转。(The bracket defines a channel having a narrow channel portion and a wide channel portion. The narrow channel portion is sized to receive the cross member and prevent the bracket from rotating about the cross member. The wide channel portion is sized to receive the cross member and allow the bracket to rotate about the cross member.)

1. A bracket for mounting an article to a cross member, the bracket comprising:

a base defining an opening for receiving the item;

an arm movably mounted on the base, the arm being movable between an open position in which the arm does not cover the opening, thereby allowing access to the opening, and a closed position in which the arm covers the opening to capture the item between the arm and the base; wherein the base includes:

a first sidewall and a second sidewall disposed in spaced apart relation to one another;

a back wall extending between the first and second side walls, the back wall and the first and second side walls forming a channel, a first portion of the channel having a first width measured between the first and second side walls at a point proximal to the back wall, a second portion of the channel having a second width measured between the first and second side walls at a point distal from the back wall, the second width being greater than the first width.

2. The stent of claim 1, wherein the opening is defined by the first and second sidewalls that make up the second portion of the channel.

3. The stent of claim 1, wherein the first channel portion has a rectangular cross-section.

4. The stent of claim a, wherein the first channel portion comprises two sidewalls arranged in a parallel, spaced apart relationship.

5. The stand of claim 1, wherein the first end of the arm is hingedly mounted on the base for pivotal movement between the open and closed positions.

6. The stent of claim 5, further comprising:

a latch mounted on a second end of the arm in spaced relation to the first end;

a shaft mounted on the base, the shaft being movable relative to the base between a first position engaging the latch to hold the arm in the closed position and a second position disengaging the latch to allow the arm to pivot to the open position.

7. The stand of claim 6, wherein the shaft threadably engages the base, the shaft being movable between the first and second positions by rotating the shaft about a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

8. The stand of claim 7, wherein the latch includes a surface engageable by the shaft, the surface being angularly oriented relative to the longitudinal axis such that movement of the shaft into the first position forces the arm into the closed position.

9. In combination, a cross member and a bracket for mounting an article to the cross member, the bracket comprising:

a base defining an opening for receiving the item;

an arm movably mounted on the base, the arm being movable between an open position in which the arm does not cover the opening and thereby allows access to the opening, and a closed position in which the arm covers the opening to capture the item between the arm and the base; wherein the base includes:

a first sidewall and a second sidewall disposed in spaced apart relation to one another;

a back wall extending between the first and second side walls, the back wall and the first and second side walls forming a channel, a first portion of the channel having a first width measured at a point between the first and second side walls proximate the back wall, the first width being sized such that the first portion of the channel receives the cross member in engagement sufficient to prevent rotation of the stent about a longitudinal axis of the cross member, a second portion of the channel having a second width measured between the first and second side walls at a point distal from the back wall, the second width being sized to allow rotation of the stent about the longitudinal axis when the cross member is positioned within the second portion of the channel.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein said opening is defined by said first and second sidewalls forming said second portion of said channel.

11. The combination of claim 9, wherein the first channel portion has a rectangular cross-section and the cross-member has a rectangular cross-section.

12. The combination of claim 9, wherein the cross member has an outer dimension equal to the first width.

13. The combination of claim 9, wherein the first end of the arm is hingedly mounted on the base for pivotal movement between the open and closed positions.

14. The combination of claim 13, further comprising:

a latch mounted on a second end of the arm in spaced relation to the first end;

a shaft mounted on the base, the shaft being movable relative to the base between a first position engaging the latch to hold the arm in the closed position and a second position disengaging the latch to allow the arm to pivot to the open position.

15. The combination of claim 14, wherein the shaft threadably engages the base, the shaft being movable between the first and second positions by rotating the shaft about a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

16. The combination of claim 15, wherein the latch includes a surface engageable by the shaft, the surface being angularly oriented relative to the longitudinal axis such that movement of the shaft into the first position forces the arm into the closed position.

17. A method of reorienting a bracket mounted on a cross-member, the method comprising:

moving the bracket such that the cross member is located in a wide channel portion of the bracket, the wide channel portion having a width sufficient to allow the bracket to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the cross member;

rotating the bracket about the longitudinal axis of the cross member to a desired orientation;

moving the bracket such that the cross member is received within a narrow channel portion of the bracket, the narrow channel portion having a width sufficient to engage the cross member and prevent rotation of the bracket about the longitudinal axis of the cross member.

18. A bracket for mounting an article to a cross member, the bracket comprising:

a first arm having first and second ends disposed opposite one another;

a second arm having oppositely disposed first and second ends;

a hinge pin extending between the first ends of the first and second arms to pivotably attach the arms to each other;

an opening defined between the arms for receiving the item, the arms being movable between an open position in which the second ends of the arms are spaced apart from one another to allow access to the opening and a closed position in which the second ends are adjacent one another to capture the item between the arms;

each of the first and second arms including respective first and second side walls arranged in spaced apart relation to one another;

the first and second side walls of the first and second arms form a channel therebetween, a first portion of the channel having a first width measured between the first and second side walls at a point proximal to the hinge pin, a second portion of the channel having a second width measured between the first and second side walls at a point distal from the hinge pin, the second width being greater than the first width.

19. In combination, a cross member and a bracket for mounting an article to the cross member, the bracket comprising:

a first arm having first and second ends disposed opposite one another;

a second arm having oppositely disposed first and second ends;

a hinge pin extending between the first ends of the first and second arms to pivotably attach the arms to each other;

an opening defined between the arms for receiving the item, the arms being movable between an open position in which the second ends of the arms are spaced apart from one another to allow access to the opening and a closed position in which the second ends are adjacent one another to capture the item between the arms;

each of the first and second arms including respective first and second side walls arranged in spaced apart relation to one another;

the first and second side walls of the first and second arms form a channel therebetween, a first portion of the channel having a first width measured at a point between the first and second side walls proximate the hinge pin, the first width being sized such that the first portion of the channel receives the cross member in an engagement sufficient to prevent rotation of the bracket about a longitudinal axis of the cross member, a second portion of the channel having a second width measured at a point between the first and second side walls distal from the hinge pin, the second width being sized to allow rotation of the bracket about the longitudinal axis when the cross member is positioned within the second portion of the channel.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a bracket for securing an article to a support.

Background

FIG. 1 illustrates an example assembly 10 according to the prior art, in which a bracket 12 is used to secure an item 14 to a support 16. In this example, the assembly 10 is a fire suppression sprinkler system that includes risers 18 and manifolds 20, the manifolds 20 being attached to beams 22 of a structure such as a warehouse, office building, hotel, or other building. Saddle-shaped couplings 24 connect one end of flexible hose 26 to manifold 20 and the other end to item 14, in this example a sprinkler reducing pipe. The sprinkler reducer 14 is connected to a thermally activated sprinkler 28. Most of the weight of the flexible hose 26, the bracket 12, the reducing pipe 14 and the sprinkler 28 is supported on the support 16, which in this example is a cross member extending between the rails 36. The track 36 may be oriented horizontally within the building structure, for example as part of a ceiling, or vertically as part of a wall within the building structure.

Because the rack latch mechanism 30 is asymmetrical, it is advantageous to have the ability to change the orientation of the rack 12 so that the rack 12 can be unlocked, opened, closed, and latched from a position below or above the rack during installation of the item 14. If a stent 12 according to the prior art is installed in the assembly and it is desired to invert the stent, orient the stent horizontally, or change the side of the stent where the reducer and sprinkler are located, the technician must remove the cross member 16 from the track 36, slide the stent off the cross member, turn the stent 90 or 180, slide the stent back onto the cross member, and reattach the cross member to the track. There is clearly a need for a stand in which the orientation can be easily changed without extensive disassembly.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a bracket for mounting an article to a cross member. In one example embodiment, a stand includes a base defining an opening for receiving an item. The arm is movably mounted on the base. The arm is movable between an open position in which the arm does not cover the opening and thereby allows access to the opening, and a closed position in which the arm covers the opening to capture items between the arm and the base. For example, the base includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall being disposed in spaced apart relation to one another. By way of further example, the back wall may extend between the first side wall and the second side wall. The back wall and the first and second side walls form a channel. The first portion of the channel has a first width measured at a point between the first and second sidewalls proximate the back wall, and the second portion of the channel has a second width measured at a point between the first and second sidewalls distal the back wall. The second width is greater than the first width.

In a particular example embodiment of the bracket, the opening is defined by a first sidewall and a second sidewall that form a second portion of the channel. By way of further example, the first channel portion may have a rectangular cross-section. For example, the first channel portion may include two sidewalls arranged in a parallel, spaced apart relationship. In another example, the first end of the arm may be hingedly mounted on the base for pivotal movement between the open and closed positions.

The example bracket embodiment may further include a latch mounted on a second end of the arm in spaced relation to the first end. The shaft is mounted on the base. The shaft is movable relative to the base between a first position engaging the latch to retain the arm in the closed position and a second position disengaging the latch to allow the arm to pivot to the open position. In an example embodiment, the shaft helically engages the base. The shaft may be movable between the first position and the second position by rotating the shaft about a longitudinal axis of the shaft. In an example embodiment, the latch includes a surface engageable by the shaft. The surface may be angularly oriented relative to the longitudinal axis such that movement of the shaft into the first position forces the arm into the closed position.

The invention also includes a combination of a cross member and a bracket for mounting an article to the cross member. In one example embodiment, a stand includes a base defining an opening for receiving an item. The arm is movably mounted on the base. The arm is movable between an open position in which the arm does not cover the opening and thereby allows access to the opening, and a closed position in which the arm covers the opening to capture items between the arm and the base. For example, the base includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall being disposed in spaced apart relation to one another. The rear wall may extend between the first and second side walls. The back wall and the first and second side walls form a channel. The first portion of the channel has a first width measured at a point between the first sidewall and the second sidewall proximate the back wall. The first width is sized such that the first portion of the channel receives the cross member in an engagement sufficient to prevent rotation of the bracket about the longitudinal axis of the cross member. The second portion of the channel has a second width measured at a point between the first sidewall and the second sidewall distal from the back wall. The second width is sized to allow the bracket to rotate about the longitudinal axis when the cross member is positioned within the second portion of the channel.

In an example embodiment, the opening is defined by a first sidewall and a second sidewall that constitute the second portion of the channel. In another example embodiment, the first channel portion has a rectangular cross-section and the cross-member has a rectangular cross-section. In certain example embodiments, the cross member has an outer dimension equal to the first width.

For example, the first end of the arm may be hingedly mounted on the base for pivotal movement between the open and closed positions. One exemplary embodiment further includes a latch mounted on a second end of the arm in spaced relation to the first end. The shaft is mounted on the base. The shaft is movable relative to the base between a first position engaging the latch to retain the arm in the closed position and a second position disengaging the latch to allow the arm to pivot to the open position. For example, the shaft may threadably engage the base. The shaft may then be moved between the first position and the second position by rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis. In an example embodiment, the latch includes a surface engageable by the shaft. The surface may be angularly oriented relative to the longitudinal axis such that movement of the shaft into the first position forces the arm into the closed position.

The invention also includes a bracket for mounting an article to the cross member. In an example embodiment, the bracket includes a first arm having first and second oppositely disposed ends and a second arm having first and second oppositely disposed ends. A hinge pin extends between the first ends of the first and second arms to pivotably attach the arms to each other. An opening is defined between the arms for receiving an item. The arms are movable between an open position in which the second ends of the arms are spaced apart from one another to allow access to the opening, and a closed position in which the second ends are adjacent one another to capture items between the arms. Each of the first and second arms includes respective first and second sidewalls disposed in spaced apart relation to one another. The first and second sidewalls of the first and second arms form a channel therebetween. The first portion of the channel has a first width measured at a point between the first and second sidewalls proximate the hinge pin and the second portion of the channel has a second width measured at a point between the first and second sidewalls distal from the hinge pin. The second width is greater than the first width.

The invention also includes a combination of a cross member and a bracket for mounting an article to the cross member. In an example embodiment, the bracket includes a first arm having first and second oppositely disposed ends and a second arm having first and second oppositely disposed ends. A hinge pin extends between the first ends of the first and second arms to pivotably attach the arms to each other. An opening is defined between the arms for receiving an item. The arms are movable between an open position in which the second ends of the arms are spaced apart from one another to allow access to the opening, and a closed position in which the second ends are adjacent one another to capture items between the arms. Each of the first and second arms includes respective first and second sidewalls disposed in spaced apart relation to one another. The first and second sidewalls of the first and second arms form a channel therebetween. The first portion of the channel has a first width measured between the first and second sidewalls at a point proximate the hinge pin. The first width is sized such that the first portion of the channel receives the cross member in an engagement sufficient to prevent rotation of the bracket about the longitudinal axis of the cross member. The second portion of the channel has a second width measured between the first and second sidewalls at a point distal from the hinge pin. The second width is sized to allow the bracket to rotate about the longitudinal axis when the cross member is positioned within the second portion of the channel.

The present invention also includes a method of reorienting a bracket mounted on a cross member. In one example embodiment, the method comprises:

moving the bracket such that the cross member is located in a wide channel portion of the bracket, the wide channel portion having a width sufficient to allow the bracket to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the cross member;

rotating the bracket about the longitudinal axis of the cross member to a desired orientation; and

the bracket is moved such that the cross member is received within a narrow channel portion of the bracket, the narrow channel portion having a width sufficient to engage the cross member and prevent rotation of the bracket about the longitudinal axis of the cross member.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a bracket used in an assembly for securing an article to a support according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an example combination of a bracket and cross member according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an example stent according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bracket shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the bracket shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the bracket shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6A is an isometric view of another exemplary embodiment of a stent according to the present invention;

FIGS. 6B and 6C are isometric views of another exemplary embodiment of a stent according to the present invention; and

fig. 7-13 and 10A show side views depicting an example of a sequence of steps for flipping the stent on the cross member in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description

FIG. 2 shows an example combination 40 according to the present invention that includes a bracket 42 mounted on a cross member 44. The cross member 44 is mounted on an attachment 46, the attachment 46 allowing the combination to be mounted on a structure, for example constituting a horizontally oriented track for a grid supporting a ceiling, or constituting a vertically oriented track of a wall (not shown).

Fig. 3 and 4 show an example bracket 42 in detail. In this example, the bracket 42 includes a base 48, the base 48 defining an opening 50, the opening 50 receiving an item (not shown) to be secured to the cross member 44. An arm 52 is attached to the base 48, the arm being movable between a closed position (shown) in which the arm covers the opening 50 to capture an item between itself and the base 48, and an open position in which the arm 52 does not cover the opening 50, thereby providing access to the opening 50 to position the item on the shelf 42. In this example, the first end 52a of the arm 52 is mounted to the base 48 on a hinge 54 that includes a hinge pin 56 (see also fig. 5). The hinge 54 allows the arm 52 to pivot about the hinge pin 56 between the open and closed positions. As shown in fig. 3 and 6, the arm 52 is secured in the closed position by a latch 58 mounted on the second end 52b of the arm 52. The shaft 60 is mounted on the base 48 at a location where the shaft 60 can engage the latch 58. The shaft 60 is movable relative to the base between a first position, shown in relation to the base), in which the shaft 60 engages the latch 58 to retain the arm 52 in the closed position, and a second position, in which the shaft 60 disengages the latch 58, allowing the arm 52 to pivot to an open position, in which the rack 42 can receive an item. In this example, the shaft 60 has threads of a helical thread that engage with a cooperating thread on the base 48, allowing the shaft to move between the first and second positions by rotating about its longitudinal axis 62. In this example, the latch 58 includes a surface 64 that is engageable by the shaft 60. As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the surface 64 is angularly oriented relative to the shaft longitudinal axis 62 such that movement of the shaft 60 into the first position engaging the latch 58 forces the arm 52 into the closed position. This arrangement of the shaft 60 and the surface 64 is advantageous because it allows the arm 52 to be pulled toward and against a location on an item to capture the item in the opening 50 between the arm 52 and the cross member 44 to lock the item in place within the combination 40.

As shown in fig. 3 and 6, the base 48 includes a first side wall 66 and a second side wall 68, the first side wall 66 and the second side wall 68 being disposed in spaced relation to one another. A rear wall 70 extends between the first and second side walls 66, 68 and together the side and rear walls form a channel 72. A first portion 72a of the channel 72 located proximate the back wall 70 has a first width 74 measured between the first and second side walls 66, 68. The first width 74 is measured at a point near the rear wall 70. A second portion 72b of the channel 72 distal from the back wall 70 has a second width 76 measured between the first side wall 66 and the second side wall 68. The second width 76 is measured at a point away from the rear wall 70. As shown in fig. 3 and 6, the second width 76 is greater than the first width 74. In this example, as shown in fig. 2, the first width 74 is sized such that the first portion 72a of the channel 72 receives the cross member 44 in an engagement sufficient to prevent rotation of the bracket 42 about the longitudinal axis 78 of the cross member 44.

Fig. 6A shows another exemplary embodiment of a holder 43 according to the present invention. Bracket 43 also includes first and second side walls 67 and 69 that define a channel 73, channel 73 having portions 73a and 73b, portions 73a and 73b having different respective widths 75 and 77, width 75 of channel portion 73a being sized to allow bracket 43 to rotate about cross member 44 (not shown), and width 77 of channel portion 73b being sized to engage and prevent bracket 43 from rotating about the cross member. The example bracket 43 includes a hinge-mounted arm 53 that closes to cover the bracket opening 51. The arm 53 is secured using a pivot bolt and wing nut 45 attached to the bracket base portion 47.

Fig. 6B and 6C illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a stent 80 according to the present invention. The bracket 80 includes a first arm 82 and a second arm 84. The arm 82 has a first end 82a and a second end 82b, and the arm 84 has a first end 84a and a second end 84 b. A hinge pin 86 extends between the first ends 82a and 84a of the arms 82 and 84 to pivotally attach the arms to each other. Arms 82 and 84 define an opening 88 for receiving an article, such as sprinkler reducer 14 (not shown, see fig. 1). The arms 82 and 84 are also movable between an open position (fig. 6B) in which the second ends 82B and 84B are spaced apart from one another to allow access to the opening 88, and a closed position (fig. 6C) in which the second ends 82B and 84B are adjacent one another to capture items between the arms. Each arm 82 and 84 includes a respective first side wall 90 and second side wall 92 (first arm 82), and a first side wall 94 and second side wall 96 (second arm 84). The sidewalls 90, 92, 94 and 96 form a channel 98 therebetween. A first portion 98a of the channel 98 has a first width 100 measured at a point between the first and second sidewalls proximate the hinge pin 86, and a second portion 98b of the channel 98 has a second width 102 measured at a point distal from the hinge pin 86. The second width 102 is greater than the first width. The first width 100 is sized such that the first portion 98a of the channel 98 receives the cross member 104 in an engagement sufficient to prevent rotation of the bracket 80 about the longitudinal axis 106 of the cross member when the cross member is positioned within the first portion 98a of the channel 98. The second width 102 is sized to allow the bracket 80 to rotate about the longitudinal axis 106 when the cross member is positioned within the second portion 98b of the channel 98.

It may be advantageous to match the cross-sectional shape of the channel portion 72a to the cross-sectional shape of the cross-member 44 on at least two sides of the cross-member. In this example, both the channel portion 72a and the cross member 44 have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. It is also advantageous if, as shown, the first width 74 of the channel portion 72a is equal to the outer dimension of the cross member 44. However, other shapes are possible, matching cross-sectional shapes and sizes as shown allow for locking engagement between the bracket 42 and the cross member 44.

As shown in fig. 3, the second channel portion 72b defines the opening 50 for receiving the article. As further shown in fig. 7-13, the width 76 of the second channel portion 72b is sized to allow the bracket 42 to rotate about a longitudinal axis 78 of the cross member 44 when the cross member is positioned within the second channel portion 72 b. When it is desired to change orientation to allow the axle 60 to be manipulated from above or from either side of the bracket 42, the bracket is moved so that the cross member 44 is located within the wider second channel portion 72b (fig. 7-8). The bracket 42 may then be rotated in 90 increments about the longitudinal axis 78 of the cross member 44 (fig. 9-12) because the second width 76 of the second channel portion 72b is large enough to allow rotation. As shown in fig. 13, the bracket 42 may be secured in its new orientation (rotated 180 °) by inserting the cross-member 44 into a narrow first channel portion 72a having a width 74 sufficient to prevent rotation of the bracket 42 about the longitudinal axis 78 of the cross-member 44 when the cross-member is received in the narrow channel portion. However, if it is desired to rotate the bracket 42 only 90 °, which would be advantageous if the attachment 46 were mounted on a vertically oriented track, then the bracket 42 may be secured in this position again (rotated 90 °) by inserting the cross member 44 into the narrow first channel portion 72a, as shown in fig. 10A. In certain example embodiments of the combination 40, the width 74 may be "equal" to the outer dimension of the cross member 44, wherein "equal" allows for a sliding fit between the bracket and the cross member such that the bracket may easily slide along the cross member. In other example embodiments, a tighter fit between the bracket and the cross member is also possible. The use of a sectional bracket 42 and cross member 40 according to the present invention allows the bracket to be flipped at 90 increments to change the orientation of the bracket by 90, 180 or 270 without removing the bracket from the cross member and thereby allowing the orientation of the bracket to be adjusted without disassembly before or after the sectional bracket 40 is installed on a structure.