U.S. patent application number 10/516383 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-04 for mounting system.
Invention is credited to Daniel Ottorino Armari.
Application Number | 20060091093 10/516383 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 3836219 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060091093 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Armari; Daniel Ottorino |
May 4, 2006 |
Mounting system
Abstract
A mounting system incorporates a supporting panel (1) and a
mount (4). The supporting panel incorporates cavities (2, 3) having
an aperture (10) in a front face of the panel. The cavity widens
from the aperture to a hook receiving portion (11) having upper and
lower surfaces, with at least the upper surface incorporating a
recess (39) and the lower surface incorporating an inclined bearing
surface (38). In use the hook is arranged to be located in the hook
receiving portion (11), with a distal portion (15B) of the hook
being located within the aperture and rotated so that the hook
passes the aperture and locates within the hook receiving portion.
Further, to resist withdrawal of the hook from the cavity, the
distal and proximal portions are arranged to abut respective ones
of the upper and lower surfaces and to become wedged between those
surfaces.
Inventors: |
Armari; Daniel Ottorino;
(Caringbah, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LADAS & PARRY LLP
224 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE
SUITE 1600
CHICAGO
IL
60604
US
|
Family ID: |
3836219 |
Appl. No.: |
10/516383 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
May 30, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU03/00670 |
371 Date: |
August 9, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/94.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/0846 20130101;
A47B 96/067 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/094.01 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/08 20060101
A47F005/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 30, 2002 |
AU |
PS 2655 |
Claims
1-26. (canceled)
27. A mounting system having: a supporting panel having a cavity
therein, the cavity having an aperture in a front face of said
supporting panel, the cavity widening from said aperture to a hook
receiving portion having upper and lower surfaces; and a mount
having a hook, the hook incorporating a distal and proximal portion
and being shaped so that said mount may be fixed to said panel by
locating said distal portion within said aperture and rotating said
mount so that the hook passes said aperture and locates within said
hook receiving portion, wherein to resist withdrawal of the hook
from the cavity under the influence of a turning moment induced on
the hook by a load applied to the mount, the distal and proximal
portions are arranged to abut respective ones of the upper and
lower surfaces and to become wedged between those surfaces as the
hook moves across at least one of those surfaces under the
influence of the turning moment.
28. A mounting system according to claim 27, wherein on insertion
of the hook into the cavity, the distal and proximal portions are
arranged to abut the upper and lower surfaces so as to place the
hook in compression.
29. A mounting system according to claim 27, wherein the hook is
resilient and arranged to flex under a compressive load applied
between the distal and proximal portions.
30. A mounting system according to claim 27, wherein the lower
surface extends upwardly in a direction towards said aperture.
31. A mounting system according to claim 30, wherein the lower
surface is arcuate having a constant radius of curvature.
32. A mounting system according to claim 27, wherein the hook is
arranged to pivot about its distal portion on rotating said mount
to locate the hook within the hook receiving portion.
33. A mounting system according to claim 32, wherein the upper
surface incorporates a recess that is configured to receive the
distal portion of the hook and wherein the recess has a wall
surface that is shaped to complement an outer surface of the distal
portion to facilitate pivoting of the hook about its distal portion
when locating the hook in said hook receiving portion.
34. A mounting system having: a supporting panel having a cavity
therein, the cavity having an aperture in a front face of the
supporting panel, the cavity widening from the aperture to a hook
receiving portion having an upper surface incorporating a recess
disposed inwardly from the aperture, and a lower surface which
extends upwardly in a direction toward the aperture; and a mount
having a hook, the hook incorporating a distal and proximal
portions and being shaped so that the mount may be fixed to the
panel by locating the distal portion within the aperture so that it
locates within the recess and thereafter rotates about its distal
portion to be fully received within the cavity, wherein the recess
has a wall surface that is shaped to complement an outer surface of
the distal portion so that the hook is able to pivot about its
distal portion when locating the hook in the hook receiving
portion.
35. A mounting system according to claim 34, wherein the lower
surface is arcuate having a constant radius of curvature having the
axis of the radius substantially coincident with the axis about
which the distal portion pivots.
36. A mounting system according to claim 34, wherein the hook is
formed by a pair of arcuate portions which are joined together to
define a generally v-shaped hook.
37. A mounting system according to claim 36, wherein one of the
pair of arcuate portions include the distal portion of the hook,
and the other arcuate portion includes the proximal portion.
38. A mounting system according to claim 36, wherein an outer
surface of one of the arcuate portions has a constant radius of
curvature having the axis of the radius disposed in the other
arcuate portion.
39. A mounting system according to claim 38, wherein the outer
surface of each of the arcuate portions has a constant radius of
curvature having its axis of radius disposed in the other arcuate
portion of the hook.
40. A mounting system according to claim 36, wherein the ends of
the arcuate portions are disposed relative to one another such that
if the ends were joined by straight lines, the lines would define a
substantially equilateral triangle.
41. A mounting system according to claim 37, wherein the hook
receiving portion incorporates a rear surface opposite said
aperture, the rear surface having a complementary shape to the
arcuate portion incorporating the distal portion.
42. A mounting system according to claim 27, wherein the distal
portion is located at the terminal end of the hook.
43. A mounting system according to claim 27, wherein at its
highest, the cavity is between 1.5 and 3 times as high as the
aperture.
44. A mounting system according to claim 27, wherein the cavity is
formed by an elongate slot which defines an extended hook receiving
portion adapted to receive a plurality of hooks of respective ones
of the plurality of mounts.
45. A mounting system according to claim 44, wherein the panel has
a plurality of substantially parallel elongate slots.
46. A mounting system according to claim 44, wherein the mounting
system includes a plurality of cavities spaced horizontally apart
from one another.
47. A mounting system according to claim 27, wherein the hook is
formed from sheet material having a thickness which is more than a
third the height of the aperture.
48. A mounting system according to claim 27, wherein the supporting
panel is formed of custom wood or particle board.
49. A supporting panel for a mounting system, the supporting panel
incorporating a cavity arranged to receive a hook for a mount, the
cavity having an aperture in a front face of the supporting panel
and widening from the aperture to a hook receiving portion, wherein
the upper surface of the cavity includes a recess spaced from the
aperture, and a lower surface of the cavity incorporates an arcuate
surface having a constant radius of curvature having its axis
disposed generally in the recess.
50. A mount for a mounting system, the mount having a hook formed
by a pair of arcuate portions which define a generally v-shaped
hook, wherein one of the pair of arcuate portions includes a distal
portion of the hook, and the other arcuate portion includes a
proximal portion of the hook, the proximal portion having an outer
surface having a constant radius of curvature having its axis
disposed at the distal portion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting system. The
mounting system is particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for
mounting of shelving.
[0002] Throughout the specification, the invention is described and
defined with reference to the orientation for use where the
mounting system has a supporting panel which is disposed in a
vertical orientation. This, however, should not be construed as
limiting the invention to this orientation as the mounting system
may be used in different orientations. Accordingly, reference to a
particular orientation, such as "upper" and "lower" is to be
construed to encompass these other orientations.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0003] One mounting system on the market is known as SLATWALL. This
mounting system has a supporting panel, which is usually 2400 mm
wide by 1200 mm high by 18 mm thick. The supporting panel is formed
of custom wood which has cut out of it seven horizontal slots. Each
slot has a rectangular entrance portion extending the length of the
panel. Each entrance portion is about 10 mm high and 4 mm deep. The
entrance portion then opens out to a larger interior rectangular
cavity which is about 30 mm high and 10 mm deep and arranged
symmetrically relative to the aperture so equal parts of the
interior rectangular cavity extend above and below the aperture.
Seven aluminium extrusions are received within respective ones of
the seven slots in order to reinforce the slots. Brackets are then
mounted within the slot in order to support shelving.
[0004] One problem with this existing system is that when the
brackets are supporting shelving, the weight on them tends to cause
the bracket to bear on the extrusion in the region above the
aperture. In turn, this tends to cause the reinforcing extrusion to
bear on the portion of the supporting panel immediately above the
entrance portion. This portion of the supporting panel is 10 mm
long and only 4 mm thick and is at right angles to the roof of the
interior rectangular cavity. Accordingly, force applied to this
portion of the panel tends to cause the custom wood to break in the
vicinity of where it joins the roof of the interior cavity and
results in the reinforcing member and bracket pulling out of the
supporting panel. A further problem is that the size of the
rectangular cavity is substantial relative to the size of the panel
which can lead to the supporting panel bending or bowing. Further,
the size of the openings are so big that they detract from the
appearance of the mounting system.
[0005] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a mounting
system which addresses at least one of these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly in a first aspect, the present invention
provides a mounting system having:
[0007] a supporting panel having a cavity therein, the cavity
having an aperture in a front face of the supporting panel, the
cavity widening from the aperture to a hook receiving portion
having upper and lower surfaces; and
[0008] a mount having a hook, the hook incorporating a distal and
proximal portion and being shaped so that the mount may be fixed to
the panel by locating the distal portion within the aperture and
rotating the mount so that the hook passes the aperture and locates
within the hook receiving portion, wherein to resist withdrawal of
the hook from the cavity under the influence of a turning moment
induced on the hook by a load applied to the mount, the distal and
proximal portions are arranged to abut respective ones of the upper
and lower surfaces and to become wedged between those surfaces as
the hook moves across at least one of those surfaces under the
influence of the turning moment.
[0009] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a
mounting system having:
[0010] a supporting panel having a cavity therein, the cavity
having an aperture in a front face of said supporting panel, the
cavity widening from the aperture to a hook receiving portion;
and
[0011] a mount having a hook, the hook being shaped so that the
mount may be fixed to the panel by locating a distal portion within
the aperture and rotating the mount so that the hook passes the
aperture and locates within the hook receiving portion with the
distal portion abutting an upper surface of the cavity, wherein to
resist withdrawal of the hook by the cavity on applying a load to
the mount, the distal portion is caused to be forced into
engagement with the upper surface of the cavity.
[0012] In a preferred form of this aspect, the hook includes a
proximal portion which is arranged to abut a lower surface of the
cavity, wherein in resisting withdrawal of the hook from the
cavity, the hook becomes wedged between the roof and the lower
surface.
[0013] A mounting system according to these aspects of the present
invention have substantial practical benefits. By having an
arrangement where the hook becomes wedged between the upper and
lower surfaces to resist its removal from the cavity, the hook is
forced into compression causing the reaction loading to be
distributed across regions of the supporting panel disposed both
above and below the cavity. This substantially reduces the
localised loading effect which was present in the previous
systems.
[0014] The inventor has found that by using the wedging action, it
is possible to produce the supporting panel from custom wood or
even particle board for use in retail shop fittings without
requiring the need for any reinforcing extrusion provided within
the cavity. This not only substantially reduces the costs of
manufacture but also allows much more flexible design of the
mounting system. For example, the panels may be curved. In
addition, depending on any loading requirements, the supporting
material may also be made from different materials such as
corrugated cardboard or the like.
[0015] In one embodiment, on insertion of the hook into the cavity,
the distal and proximal portions are arranged to abut the upper and
lower surfaces so as to place the hook in compression. This
arrangement prestresses the hook and thereby limits the play in the
mount. It also provides a better "feel" as the mount is placed in
register within the hook receiving portion of the supporting
panel.
[0016] In one form, the hook receiving portion of the cavity is
shaped so that the lower surface extends upwardly in a direction
towards the aperture. The orientation of this surface provides at
least part of the wedging action that is induced on the hook as it
resists being withdrawn under the influence of the applied loading
on the mount.
[0017] In one form, the hook is arranged to pivot about its distal
portion on locating the hook within the hook receiving portion. In
a particular embodiment, the upper surface incorporates a recess
that is configured to receive the distal portion of the hook. In
this arrangement, an outer surface of the distal portion engages a
complementary shaped portion of the recess wall so as to facilitate
pivoting of the hook about its distal portion when located in that
recess.
[0018] In a particular embodiment, the hook is formed by a pair of
arcuate portions which are joined together to define a generally
v-shaped hook. One of the pair of arcuate portions includes the
distal portion of the hook, and the other arcuate portion includes
the proximal portion.
[0019] In a particular embodiment, an outer surface of one of the
arcuate portions has a constant radius of curvature having the axis
of radius disposed in the other arcuate portion. In a particular
arrangement, the axis of the constant radius of curvature of the
other arcuate portion (which includes the proximal portion) is
arranged to be the point at which the hook pivots about its distal
portion in installing the hook in the cavity. Furthermore, in a
particular embodiment, the lower surface is also arcuate having a
constant radius of curvature which is complementary to the outer
surface of the arcuate portions.
[0020] The geometry of the above arrangement is such that
installation of the hook is controlled.
[0021] Preferably, at its highest, the cavity is between 1.5 and 3
times as high as at the aperture and most preferably about 2.5
times as high.
[0022] Preferably, the cavity is formed by an elongate slot which
defines an extended hook receiving portion adapted to receive a
plurality of hooks of respective ones of a plurality of mounts.
[0023] Preferably, the panel has a plurality of substantially
parallel elongate slots.
[0024] Alternatively, the mounting system includes a plurality of
cavities spaced horizontally apart from one another when the panel
is located in a substantially vertical plane.
[0025] Preferably, the height of the aperture is less than three
times the thickness of the hook.
[0026] Preferably, the supporting panel has a plurality of rows of
spaced apart cavities.
[0027] Preferably, the mount is part of a bracket. Preferably, the
bracket includes a flange which locates flush against the support
surface. In use on loading the bracket, it causes a turning moment
to be induced about the lower edge of the flange. This turning
moment is resisted by the hook in the cavity engaging the cavity
walls.
[0028] In one embodiment described above, the hook is formed by a
pair of arcuate portions which are joined together to define a
generally v-shaped hook. Preferably, the points defining the ends
of the arcuate portions are disposed relative to one another such
that if the points were joined by straight lines, the lines would
define a substantially equilateral triangle.
[0029] Preferably, the hook receiving portion is formed in part by
the cavity having a rear surface opposite the aperture, the rear
surface having a complementary shape to the one of the arcuate
portions which provides the hook end.
[0030] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a
mounting system having:
[0031] a supporting panel having a cavity therein, the cavity
having an aperture in a front face of the supporting panel, the
cavity widening from the aperture to a hook receiving portion
having an upper surface incorporating a recess disposed inwardly
from the aperture, and a lower surface which extends upwardly in a
direction toward the aperture; and
[0032] a mount having a hook, the hook incorporating a distal and
proximal portions and being shaped so that the mount may be fixed
to the panel by locating the distal portion within the aperture so
that it locates within the recess and thereafter rotates about its
distal portion to be fully received within the cavity, wherein the
recess has a wall surface that is shaped to complement an outer
surface of the distal portion so that the hook is able to pivot
about its distal portion when locating the hook in the hook
receiving portion.
[0033] In a preferred form, the lower surface is arcuate having a
constant radius of curvature having an axis substantially
coincident with the axis about which the distal portion pivots.
[0034] In a preferred form, the proximal portion of the hook
incorporates an arcuate outer surface which has a constant radius
of curvature having its axis disposed at the distal portion.
[0035] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a supporting
panel for use in a mounting system as described in any form above.
In yet a further aspect the invention relates to a mount for use in
a mounting system as disclosed in any form above.
[0036] In yet a further aspect the invention relates to a
supporting panel for a mounting system, the supporting panel
incorporating a cavity arranged to receive a hook for a mount, the
cavity having an aperture in a front face of the supporting panel,
and widening from the aperture to a hook receiving portion, wherein
the upper surface of the cavity includes a recess spaced from the
aperture, and a lower surface of the cavity incorporates an arcuate
surface having a constant radius of curvature having its axis
disposed generally in the recess.
[0037] In yet a further aspect the invention relates to a mount for
a mounting system, the mount having a hook formed by a pair of
arcuate portions which define a generally v-shaped hook, wherein
one of the pair of arcuate portions includes a distal portion of
the hook, and the other arcuate portion includes a proximal portion
of the hook, the proximal portion having an outer surface having a
constant radius of curvature having its axis disposed at the distal
portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] It is convenient to hereinafter describe the embodiments of
the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
It is to be appreciated that the particularity of the drawings and
the related description is to be understood as not superseding the
generality of the preceding broad description:
[0039] In the drawings:
[0040] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a prior art
mounting system;
[0041] FIG. 2 shows a supporting panel of the present invention
having a plurality of slots;
[0042] FIG. 3 shows a supporting panel of the present invention
having a plurality of holes;
[0043] FIG. 4 shows a mount for use in the first preferred
embodiment;
[0044] FIG. 5 shows a bracket including a mount of the first
preferred embodiment;
[0045] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the slot or holes of the
first preferred embodiment;
[0046] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the hook of the
mount;
[0047] FIG. 8 shows the mount being inserted into the hook
receiving portion;
[0048] FIG. 9 shows the mount partially inserted into the hook
receiving portion;
[0049] FIG. 10 shows the hook received within the hook receiving
portion;
[0050] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative
arrangement of the hook receiving portion; and
[0051] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a mounting system of a
second preferred embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0052] A prior art mounting system which is known as SLATWALL and
is available from AUSTRALIAN SLATWALL INDUSTRIES PTY LTD. The prior
art mounting system has a supporting panel which has seven
horizontal slots therein. Each slot extends the length of the
panel. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one of these slots. Each
slot consists of an opening aperture 101 which opens out to a
larger interior rectangular hole 102. Typically, the supporting
panel is formed of 18 mm thick custom wood, in which case the
aperture 101 is about 10 mm high and extends 4 mm deep into the
custom wood before opening to the wider rectangular hole which is
about 10 mm deep and 30 mm high. A reinforcing extrusion 103 is
fitted into the slot and as shown in FIG. 1 tends to fit slightly
loosely within the slot.
[0053] In use, a mount 104 of a bracket is placed within the slot.
In use the mount will generally support a bracket which in turn
will support shelving. When force is applied to the mount 104 by
weight on the bracket it tends to cause the end 106 of the mount to
bear on the portion 107 of the reinforcing extrusion 103 located
above the aperture 101. This in turn causes the reinforcing portion
to bear on the flange 105 located above the aperture 101. This, in
turn tends to cause the flange to break and the reinforcing
extrusion 103 and bracket to pull out of the supporting panel.
[0054] Further, the relative size of each of the slots consisting
of aperture 101 and rectangular hole 102 is such that it tends to
weaken the supporting panel and causing it to bend or bow.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a supporting panel
1A having a plurality of cavities in the form of elongate slots 2.
An alternative supporting panel 1B is shown in FIG. 3 which has a
plurality of cavities in the form of rows of horizontally spaced
apart holes 3. FIGS. 2 and 3 are used for illustrative purposes to
show the general layout of the slots or holes and any dimensions
indicated in these drawings are purely indicative. Supporting
panels 1A, 1B represent alternative choices to a user of the
mounting system who may prefer the aesthetics of one design over
the other. Irrespective of whether the panel incorporates slots 2
or holes 3, the same mounts can be used.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a mount 4 of a first
embodiment. The mount 4 consists of a generally v-shaped hook 5 and
a flange 6 which in the first preferred embodiment is designed to
rest flat against the front face 16 of the supporting panel 1. In
other embodiments, the width of the connecting portion 7 which
connects the hook to the flange may be increased in order to
accommodate, for example, a piece of glass between the front face
16 of the panel 1 and the flange 6.
[0057] The mount 4 forms part of a bracket as shown in FIG. 5.
Several of these brackets 8 can be located either at spaced apart
locations within slots 2 of panel 1A or within horizontally spaced
apart holes 3 of panel 1B in order to support a shelf.
[0058] FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of the slots/holes
and hook respectively. With respect to FIG. 7 and following FIGS. 8
and 10 it is noted that the entirety of flange 6 of the mount is
not shown for convenience of illustration.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 7, it will be apparent that the hook 5 is
generally v-shaped and has a first arcuate portion 9A and a second
arcuate portion 9B. With this arrangement, an outer end 15B of the
arcuate portion 9A forms a distal portion of the hook, whereas the
second arcuate portion 9B forms a proximal portion of the hook. The
hook 5 is made from sheet metal, such as mild steel or stainless
steel. The arcuate portions are designed to flex and have a
thickness of about 1.5 mm if made from mild steel or about 1.2 mm
if made from stainless steel.
[0060] The ends of the arcuate portions 15 are disposed relative to
one another such that if they were joined by lines they would form
a substantially equilateral triangle. In addition, the outer
surface 34 of the arcuate portion 9A and the outer surface 35 of
the second arcuate portion 9B, have a constant radius of curvature.
Furthermore, the axis of the radius of curvature of the surface 35
lies at the distal portion 15B whereas the axis of curvature of the
outer surface 34 of the arcuate portion 9A is in the vicinity of
the juncture 15C between the second arcuate portion 9B and the
flange 6.
[0061] FIGS. 6, and 8 to 10 illustrates a cross-section of the
panel incorporating an elongate slot 2 in cross-section. The panel
is made from 18 mm custom board and the slot cavity extends
inwardly approximately 10 mm. The cavity 2 widens from the aperture
10 to a hook receiving portion 11 which has upper and lower
surfaces (36, 37 respectively). In the illustrated form, the cavity
is symmetrical so that the supporting panel does not have a
specific "up" orientation. However it will be appreciated that the
cross-section does not need to be formed in a symmetrical manner in
order to receive the hook of the mount, as will be discussed in
more detail below.
[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the surfaces 36, 37
include arcuate portions 38 which are inclined inwardly towards the
aperture 10. Each of the upper and lower surfaces 36, 37 also
includes a recessed portion 39. These recessed portions include a
shoulder portion 40 which faces away from the aperture 10 and a
curved bridging portion 41 which extends from the respective
shoulder portions to the rear surface 13 of the cavity.
[0063] The cavity 2 is shaped to receive and allow the hook 5 to
pass the aperture 10 of the cavity and locate within the hook
receiving portion 11 of the cavity while also allowing the aperture
10 to be relatively narrow. For example, where the hook arcuate
portions 9 are approximately 1.5 mm thick it is possible to pass
the hook through an aperture which is about 4 mm high. Thus, the
height of the aperture can be less than three times the thickness
of the hook.
[0064] The process of locating the hook 5 within the cavity 2 is
best illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10.
[0065] Turning firstly to FIG. 8, the end 15B of the hook 5 is
first located within the aperture 10 and into the hook receiving
portion 11. At that time, the mount 4 is rotated downwardly such
that the distal portion of the hook 5 locates within the recessed
portion 39 with the hook end 15B bearing against the bridging
portion 41. When located in this position, the outer surface 35 of
the proximal portion of the hook 5 is caused to engage the arcuate
portion 38 of the lower bearing surface 37. The surface 38 is
shaped to complement the shape of the bearing surface 35 and has a
constant radius of curvature which has its axis disposed on the
surface 41 of the recess 39 in the upper surface 36. With this
arrangement, the hook is able to pivot about its upper end 15B
which allows the hook to be guided into a fully engaged position as
illustrated in FIG. 10 where the arcuate portion 9A bears against
the rear surface 13.
[0066] A particular feature of the above arrangement is that this
guided action of location of the hook within the cavity 11 is such
that it inhibits the hook damaging the outer edges 42 of the
aperture 10. In addition, the arcuate portions 9A are designed to
be slightly oversized so that when the hook 5 is located within the
hook receiving portion 11, it is caused to be compressed between
the bearing surface 38 and the bridging surface 41. This
arrangement prestresses the hook and thereby limits the play in the
mount. It also provides a better feel as the mount is placed in
register with the cavity receiving portion of the supporting
panel.
[0067] In use, when weight is applied to the bracket 8, it tends to
induce a turning moment as the bracket tries to pivot about the
bottom 43 of the flange 46 (see FIG. 4). This induced turning
moment biases the hook 5 to be forced out of the hook receiving
portion 11 in a direction illustrated by the arrow P in FIG.
10.
[0068] This induced turning moment is resisted by the engagement of
the hook 5 within the hook receiving portion 11. Specifically, this
turning moment is resisted by the engagement of the hook end 15B
with the bridging portion 41 and by engagement of the outer surface
35 with the bearing surface 38. Because of the geometry of both the
cavity and the hook 5, the induced turning moment 9 causes the
arcuate portion 9B to try to ride over the surface 38. This causes
the end 15B of the hook to be driven into tighter engagement with
the roof portion 41 thereby placing the hook 5 in compression and
distributing the reactive force on both a portion 1C of the panel
disposed above the slot and a lower portion 1B of the supporting
panel 1 disposed below the slot. As a result, these reactive forces
are distributed more evenly across the supporting panel thereby
minimising concentration of stresses in the panel 1.
[0069] By being able to distribute the load across both the regions
1C and 1D, the prospects of the panel breaking is greatly reduced.
As such, the inventor has found that when the supporting panels are
made from custom wood using the dimensions of the preferred
embodiment they have sufficient strength for most retail
applications without requiring the need for any separate
reinforcing extrusion as in the prior art.
[0070] The following are the results of tests conducted by the
applicant. In the test conditions two brackets were placed at 600
mm centres and inserted in the cavity on 18 mm MDF (custom wood). A
shelf was located over the brackets and a weight W was applied to
the shelf and evenly distributed over that shelf.
[0071] Different brackets were tested with A being the length of
bracket, B being the length of back-plate, C the width of the
back-plate and W being the vertical load of near breaking point.
TABLE-US-00001 metres W kg A B C 2.times. Brackets 0.35 0.11 0.06
180 0.3 0.11 0.06 210 0.25 0.11 0.06 252 0.2 0.11 0.06 315 0.15
0.11 0.06 420 0.35 0.078 0.06 128 0.30 0.078 0.06 149 0.25 0.078
0.06 179 0.20 0.078 0.06 223 0.15 0.078 0.06 298 0.35 0.078 0.05
106 0.30 0.078 0.05 124 0.25 0.078 0.05 149 0.20 0.078 0.05 186
0.15 0.078 0.05 248 0.35 0.05 0.04 55 0.30 0.05 0.04 64 0.25 0.05
0.04 76 0.20 0.05 0.04 95 0.15 0.05 0.04 127
[0072] The test results show that the mounting system is able to
accommodate loading, which is clearly beyond that usually
experienced in retail applications.
[0073] A variation on the configuration of the cavity is
illustrated in FIG. 11. The cavity 3 used in FIG. 11 is typically
incorporated where the cavity is formed as a plurality of rows of
horizontally spaced apart holes 3 as best illustrated in FIG. 3. In
this arrangement, the cavity 3 is designed to extend to the rear
face 45 of the supporting panel 1. As a result, a major portion of
the rear surface 13 is removed to provide an enlarged aperture 46
which allows access to a routing tool to form the holes. The
formation of the aperture 46 does not substantially affect the
performance of the mounting system to resist the induced turning
moment as the bearing surfaces on which the hook 5 engages remain
intact.
[0074] The advantage of providing the arrangement in FIG. 11 is
that by enabling the routing tool to be inserted from the rear face
45, the aperture 10 of the slots 3 can be uniform. In an
arrangement where the slots are discontinuous, if the tool was
inserted from the front face 16 then the aperture slots would have
dumbbell appearance with the enlarged edge being formed to allow
withdrawal of the tool. A further advantage is that the shank of
the routing tool is not limited to the size of the front aperture
10 as is the case when the tool is inserted from that front
face.
[0075] It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that
various modifications may be made to the present invention without
departing from the scope of the invention. One such alternate
embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 12. The hook 25 is part of a
mount 26 which supports bracket 28. Aperture 20 widens gradually to
a wider hook receiving portion 21 which is about 2.5 times as high
as the aperture. The hook 25 is of more conventional shape than the
hook of the first preferred embodiment but still bears on an upper
portion 32 of the hook receiving portion 21.
[0076] It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that the
upper portion 32 in this case is angled and hence that, the bearing
surface on which the hook end bears does not need to be
perpendicular to the front face 16 of the board. As the hook
receiving portion widens gradually from the aperture 20, it means
that the force required to cause failure of the panel must be much
more substantial than in the prior art even if some of the force
applied by the end of hook 25 is applied in a direction towards the
front face 16 of the board 1.
[0077] Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the
art, for example, the hook of each mount does not need to be
continuous and could be formed by a plurality of spaced hook
portions. Further, while it is preferred that the aperture be kept
as narrow, in some applications a narrow aperture will not be
essential and the ratio of the height of the aperture to the
highest portion of the cavity can be in the range of approximately
1.4-4:1 but more preferably in the range of 1.5-3:1.
[0078] It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that they
may make various variations to the mounting systems of the first
and second embodiments without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Such variations are considered to be within the
scope of the invention described herein.
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