U.S. patent application number 11/508810 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-28 for concealed bracket mounting arrangement.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dorman Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Campbell Albritton, John Paul Prego.
Application Number | 20080048079 11/508810 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39112464 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080048079 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Albritton; Campbell ; et
al. |
February 28, 2008 |
Concealed bracket mounting arrangement
Abstract
The present invention is a concealed bracket wall mounting
arrangement. The disadvantage of axial spinning and disengagement
present in prior art concealed bracket mountings is eliminated by
the disclosed mounting arrangement. A mounting bracket having
angled walls for mounting on a generally flat surface is disclosed.
A fixture base is disclosed that engages with the walls of the
mounting bracket at multiple positions to prevent spinning and
disengagement of the mounting base.
Inventors: |
Albritton; Campbell;
(Ottsville, PA) ; Prego; John Paul; (Willow Grove,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VOLPE AND KOENIG, P.C.
UNITED PLAZA, SUITE 1600, 30 SOUTH 17TH STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
Dorman Products, Inc.
Colmar
PA
|
Family ID: |
39112464 |
Appl. No.: |
11/508810 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/222.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 95/00 20130101;
A47K 2201/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/222.14 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/00 20060101
A47B096/00 |
Claims
1. A concealed mounting arrangement comprising: a mounting bracket
having at least three walls, one of which is angled, and an
interior portion that separates the walls and defines at least one
aperture; and a fixture base having a face and a back portion,
wherein the back portion includes a sloped protrusion for engaging
the angled wall in a complimentary fashion, and opposed stabilizing
protrusions that engage the remaining walls and resist rotation of
the fixture base on the bracket.
2. The concealed mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein the
fixture base further comprises a set screw protrusion for engaging
one of the remaining walls via a set screw.
3. The concealed mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein the
mounting bracket is thermoplastic.
4. The concealed mounting arrangement of claim 1, wherein the
bracket is notched to receive the stabilizing protrusions of the
fixture base.
5. A concealed mounting arrangement comprising; a generally
rectangular bracket, wherein the bracket has at least one aperture
through which the bracket is mountable to a generally flat surface,
four walls angled away from the flat surface; and a fixture base
having a inwardly sloped protrusion for engaging a first of said
walls, a set screw protrusion for engaging a second of said walls
opposite said first wall by way of a set screw, and two opposing
stabilizing protrusions for engaging said remaining two walls.
6. The concealed mounting arrangement of claim 5, wherein the
bracket is thermoplastic.
7. The concealed mounting arrangement of claim 5, wherein the
bracket is notched to receive the stabilizing protrusions of the
fixture base.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] It is often desirable to mount fixtures to a surface so that
a mounting bracket physically attached to the surface is concealed
from view for aesthetic reasons. Fixtures such as toilet paper
dispensers, towel bars, hooks for jackets or towels, and the like
may be mounted using this type of concealed mounting
arrangement.
[0002] In a typical prior art concealed mounting arrangement, a
bracket is physically attached to a surface, using screws for
example. A fixture base is placed over the bracket and typically
secured using a set screw. The set screw is preferably hidden from
view.
[0003] A disadvantage of prior art concealed bracket mounting
arrangements is that they are susceptible to axial spinning and
rattling of the fixture base, as well as disengagement of the
fixture base from the mounting bracket. Therefore, a concealed
bracket mounting that resists spinning and disengagement of the
mounting base is desired.
SUMMARY
[0004] A concealed bracket mounting arrangement is disclosed. The
preferred two part arrangement includes a generally rectangular
bracket having at least one hole for mounting to a generally flat
surface, and four angled walls. A fixture base having a sloped
protrusion engages one wall of the bracket. A set screw protrusion
engages a second wall, and the set screw protrusion has a set screw
that secures the fixture base to the bracket when tightened. The
fixture base includes opposed stabilizing protrusions for engaging
opposed bracket walls. The stabilizing protrusions resist spinning
of the fixture base upon the mounting bracket as well as
disengagement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the drawings a presently preferred embodiment. It is
understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to
the precise arrangement and instrumentality shown. In the
drawings:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a mounting bracket in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a fixture base for
mounting on the mounting bracket of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating the mounting bracket
and a fixture base mounted on a generally flat surface;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a cut-away perspective view of the assembled
concealed bracket mounting arrangement;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view along the line A/A of FIG.
4; and
[0011] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view along the line B/B of FIG.
4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] The present invention will now be described in greater
detail with reference to the drawings wherein like numerals
indicate like elements throughout.
[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a mounting bracket 10 in accordance
with a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention is
shown. The mounting bracket 10 has at least one aperture 16 through
the generally flat portion 12 of the mounting bracket 10 allowing
the mounting bracket 10 to be secured to the surface 20 with a
fastener such as a screw, bolt, or nail. A plurality of apertures
16 is preferred for providing multiple fastening sites to secure
and level the mounting bracket 10. In some applications, it is
preferable to have slotted apertures 16 as illustrated in FIG. 1.
The apertures 16 are preferable located on centerline with the x
and y axis of the mounting bracket 10.
[0014] The mounting bracket 10 preferably contains several ribs 14
for added strength and rigidity. Perimeter walls 18.sub.1,
18.sub.2, 18.sub.3, and 18.sub.4 extend up from the generally flat
surface 12 and away from the x and y axis. The angle and height of
the walls 18.sub.1, 18.sub.2, 18.sub.3, and 18.sub.4 are
dimensioned to compliment the fixture base, described in detail
below with reference to FIG. 2, thereby securely engaging the
fixture base with the mounting bracket 10.
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 6, the rear side of a
fixture base 30 is exemplified as circular, but it may be of any
shape and may contain any desired ornamental design. The fixture
base 30 includes an interior protrusion 32, which extends inwardly
to define an inwardly sloped shoulder, (see FIGS. 4 and 5.) When
the fixture base 30 is positioned upon the mounting bracket 10, the
sloped surface of protrusion 32 fits snuggly between the host
surface 20 and wall 18.sub.1 of bracket 10. A second protrusion 34,
opposite protrusion 32, houses a set screw 36 for engaging wall
18.sub.2, (see FIG. 4.) To secure the fixture base 30, set screw 36
is tightened against wall 18.sub.2 of bracket 10.
[0016] Fixture base 30 has opposed protrusions 38.sub.1, 38.sub.2,
(see FIGS. 2 and 6) that are generally perpendicular to a plane
through protrusions 32 and 34. Protrusions 38.sub.1, 38.sub.2abut
walls 18.sub.3, 18.sub.4, respectively, to define a stabilizing
contact and resist rotation of the base 30. Although a gap may
exist between protrusions 38.sub.1, 38.sub.2and walls 18.sub.3,
18.sub.4 for ease of installation, any gap must be sufficiently
small so that the base 30 can not slide laterally to allow
disengagement of the protrusion 32 from wall 18.sub.1. Preferably,
the gap between protrusions 38.sub.1, 38.sub.2and walls 18.sub.3,
18.sub.4, respectively, is approximately 1 millimeter.
[0017] The fixture base 30 has a receptacle 40 for receiving
various fixtures (not shown). These fixtures include towel bars,
hooks, shelves, dispensers, soap trays, tooth brush holders, toilet
papers holders, and any other fixture that would benefit from a
concealed mounting arrangement. Receptacle 40 may be threaded, or
other attachment means may be used. Alternatively, the fixture may
be integral to the fixture base 30.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 3, an exploded view of the assembly of
mounting base 30 and mounting bracket 10 onto a generally flat
surface 20 is shown. While two screws are shown for fastening the
mounting bracket 10 to a generally flat surface 20, other fastening
devices may be used. Referring to FIG. 4, the assembled concealed
bracket mounting arrangement is shown. The mounting bracket 10 can
be seen in phantom as it is covered by the mounting base 30. Cross
sectional views AA and BB are shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6,
respectively.
[0019] In an alternative embodiment, opposing walls of the mounting
bracket are notched to receive the stabilizing protrusions of the
fixture base. This may be advantageous where the fixture base is an
unusual shape or dimension.
[0020] While the concealed mounting arrangement described herein
may be constructed from a variety of materials, including a variety
of high temperature thermoplastics, the presently preferred
material of construction is thin gage sheet metal. A variety of
metals may be used, including aluminum, titanium, stainless steel,
and carbon steel.
[0021] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art
will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the scope of the invention.
* * * * *