U.S. patent application number 10/209691 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-05 for self leveling mount.
This patent application is currently assigned to JohnsonDiversey, Inc.. Invention is credited to Hutchison, Jay W..
Application Number | 20040021046 10/209691 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31187116 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040021046 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hutchison, Jay W. |
February 5, 2004 |
Self leveling mount
Abstract
A mounting member which affords an apparatus to be leveled on a
vertical support surface regardless of levelness of the fastening
means. The mounting member also allows for a versatile means of
attachment and fastening the apparatus to a vertical support
surface. The mounting member is particularly suited for dispensing
equipment and other apparatus' that contain liquid compositions or
which function best when at a level position on a vertical support
surface.
Inventors: |
Hutchison, Jay W.; (Racine,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
S.C. JOHNSON COMMERCIAL MARKETS INC
8310 16TH STREET, M/S 510
PO BOX 902
STURTEVANT
WI
53177-0902
US
|
Assignee: |
JohnsonDiversey, Inc.
Sturtevant
WI
|
Family ID: |
31187116 |
Appl. No.: |
10/209691 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 5/0225
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/300 |
International
Class: |
A47H 001/10 |
Claims
1. A mounting member for attachment to an essentially vertical
support surface comprising: a plate member for mounting on the
surface in a vertical manner; at least two openings in the plate
member, the openings spaced from each other in a parallel manner
along a vertical axis and the openings intersected by a horizontal
axis, the openings defined by two adjacent angular edge surfaces,
the edge surfaces meeting at an angle; and a fastening member
secured to the support surface and positioned in the openings and
against a surface of the plate member, the opening constructed and
arranged with the plate member to provide automatic leveling of the
mounting member.
2. The mounting member of claim 1, wherein the openings are defined
by a pentagonal shape.
3. The mounting member of claim 1, wherein the plate member
comprises a portion of a liquid dispensing apparatus.
4. The mounting member of claim 1, wherein the upward angle is in a
range from 70 degrees to 170 degrees.
5. The mounting member of claim 1, where in the upward angle is
about 90 degrees.
6. The mounting member of claim 1, wherein the fastening member has
a head.
7. A mounting member for attachment to an essentially vertical
support surface comprising: a plate member for mounting on the
surface in a vertical manner; at least two openings in the plate
member, the openings spaced from each other in a parallel manner
along vertical axes and the openings are intersected by a
horizontal axis, the openings defined by two adjacent angular edge
surfaces, the edge surfaces meeting at an angle.
8. A method of attaching an apparatus to a support surface using a
mounting member wherein, at least two fastening members are
partially engaged with the support surface and engaged with the
mounting member with having at least two openings, the openings and
mounting member are adjusted around the fastening member until the
apparatus is essentially level and then the fastening member is
fully engaged with the mounting member and the support surface
securing the apparatus in said level position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] None
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] None
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] This invention relates to a mounting member. More
particularly, it relates to a self leveling mounting member having
a shape which allows for the level installation of an apparatus
when the fastening members may not be level.
[0004] A mounting member that allows an apparatus to be leveled
after the fastening members have already been secured to a support
surface can lower installation time and increase the accuracy of
the leveling process. Also the mounting member itself as placed on
the apparatus may not be exactly level so even if the fastening
members are perfectly level the flaw may be in the mounting member
itself thus increasing the difficulty in leveling the apparatus.
The mounting members in use currently may allow for some adjustment
prior to the fastening member being completely engaged, but once
the fastening member is completely engaged the mounting member
shifts back to its original position or the apparatus is not
secured to a surface adequately.
[0005] When installing a dispensing apparatus, the system must be
level to prevent the leaking of chemicals, inaccurate dilution or
the incomplete usage of the chemicals. In order to align the
fastening members so that the dispensing apparatus can be level may
be time consuming and difficult for the aforementioned reasons.
This innovation allows for the correction of inaccuracies without
the need to move the fastening members.
[0006] Thus, it can be seen that there is a need for an improved
mounting member which affords easy installation of an apparatus as
well as accurate leveling.
[0007] The objects of the invention therefore are:
[0008] Providing an improved of apparatus' mounting member.
[0009] Providing a mounting member, which affords quicker leveling
of an apparatus being mounted to a vertical surface.
[0010] Providing a mounting member, which affords the ability to
correct inconsistencies in an apparatus allowing for a level
installation.
[0011] Providing a mounting member of the foregoing type, which
allows for secure installation while allowing the adjustment of the
apparatus after the fastening member has already been engaged with
a support surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The foregoing objects are accomplished and the shortcomings
of the prior art are overcome by the self-leveling mounting member
of this invention which includes in one embodiment a mounting
member for attachment to an essentially vertical support surface.
The mounting member includes a plate member for mounting on the
support surface in a vertical manner. The plate member incorporates
at least two openings spaced from each other in a parallel manner
along a vertical axis and the openings intersected by a horizontal
axis, the openings defined by two adjacent angular edge surfaces,
the edge surfaces meeting at an angle. A fastening member is
secured to the support surface and positioned in the openings and
against a surface of the plate member, the opening constructed and
arranged with the plate member to provide automatic leveling of the
mounting member.
[0013] In another embodiment the openings and the mounting member
are defined by a pentagonal shape and the plate member comprises a
portion of a liquid dispensing apparatus. The angle of the edge
surface may be between 70 and 170 degrees but preferable would be
approximately 90 degrees and the fastening member has a head.
[0014] A method of attaching an apparatus to an essentially
vertical support surface is also presented wherein, at least two
fastening members are partially engaged with the vertical support
surface and placed in at least two openings in a mounting member,
the mounting member is and openings are adjusted around the
fastening member until the apparatus is essentially level and then
the fastening member is fully engaged with the apparatus securing
the apparatus in said level position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dispensing apparatus
showing the mounting member of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front view of the mounting member with
completely engaged fastening members;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a front view of the dispensing apparatus showing
the mounting member of this invention; and
[0018] FIG. 4 is a front partial view of the mounting member with a
completely engaged fastening member;
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, there is a dispensing apparatus
13 in connection with the mounting member generally 10 which
includes a plate member 12 and openings 11. The openings 11 have
the pentagonal shape which allows for the self-leveling feature of
the invention. The plate member 12 is attached to the back portion
16 of the apparatus 13 with the upper portion 17 positioned on top
for installation of the apparatus 13 to a vertical support surface
such as a wall 15.
[0020] As seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the mounting member 10 includes a
plate member 12, fastening members 14 and openings 11. The
pentagonal shape of the openings 11 are arranged so the top angle
is pointing in the direction of the upper portion 17. The
pentagonal shape of the openings 11 allow for the mounting member
10 to be leveled after the fastening member 14 is initially engaged
with the vertical surface. Then once the fastening member 14 is
fully engaged with the vertical surface the mounting member 10 is
level even though the fastening member 14 or the openings 11 may
not be level.
[0021] In FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrated a partial view of the mounting
member 10 with one opening 11 fully engaged with the fastening
member 14 and one opening 11 is without the fastening member 14.
FIG. 5 shows the openings 11 parallel to each other along the y or
vertical axes 19 and that the openings 11 are intersected by the x
or horizontal axis 18. The edge surface 20 of the openings is
between 70 and 170 degrees allowing for the full mobility of the
openings 11 and fastening members 14 to level the dispensing
apparatus 13. The edged surface 20 preferred embodiment would have
the angle at 90 degrees allowing for optimum mobility and leveling
aspects of the invention.
[0022] The FIGS further show a method of attaching a dispensing
apparatus 13 to a support surface 15 using a mounting member 10. At
least two fastening members 14 are partially engaged with the
support surface and engaged with the mounting member 10 having at
least two openings 11. The openings 11 and mounting members 10 are
adjusted around the fastening members 14 until the apparatus 13 is
essentially level and then the fastening member 14 is fully engaged
with the mounting member 10 and the support surface in the level
position.
[0023] The foregoing description was primarily directed to a
preferred embodiment of the invention. Although some attention was
given to one particular dispensing apparatus within the scope of
the invention, it is anticipated that one skilled in the art will
likely realize additional alternatives that are now apparent from
disclosure of embodiments of the invention. For example, although
the present invention has been described in the context of a
dispensing apparatus 13, which allows for the leveling of the
dispensing apparatus 13, which in turn allows for the even and
complete dispensing of products. The invention can be applied to
all objects that need to be attached to any surface. Accordingly,
the scope of the invention should be determined from the following
claims and not limited by the above disclosure.
* * * * *