U.S. patent application number 11/909116 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-21 for standard.
Invention is credited to Steven C. Thompson.
Application Number | 20080197253 11/909116 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37024674 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080197253 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thompson; Steven C. |
August 21, 2008 |
Standard
Abstract
A standard having a base plate that in some embodiments includes
a first upturned edge, a second upturned edge, and at least one
aperture. A first support can be positioned between the first
upturned edge and the aperture, and can extend past a top surface
of the first upturned edge. A second support can be positioned
between the second upturned edge and the aperture, and can extends
past a top surface of the second upturned edge. The upturned
portions and supports can be dimensioned such that fasteners used
to secure the standard to a surface do not interfere with elements
(e.g., drywall, pegboard, display panels, and the like) covering
the base plate, and/or such that the supports are at least
partially recessed in a surface defined by such covering
elements.
Inventors: |
Thompson; Steven C.;
(Elkhart, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH LLP
Two Prudential Plaza, 180 North Stetson Avenue, Suite 2000
CHICAGO
IL
60601
US
|
Family ID: |
37024674 |
Appl. No.: |
11/909116 |
Filed: |
March 24, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
March 24, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US06/10773 |
371 Date: |
October 19, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60665039 |
Mar 24, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/220.22 ;
248/243; 52/36.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 57/42 20130101;
A47B 96/1416 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/220.22 ;
248/243; 52/36.5 |
International
Class: |
A47B 57/56 20060101
A47B057/56; E04G 5/06 20060101 E04G005/06; E04B 2/74 20060101
E04B002/74 |
Claims
1. A standard, comprising: an elongated base lying substantially in
a plane, the base comprising first and second protrusions extending
away from the plane and defining a recess of the base located
between the first and second protrusions; an aperture defined in
the base and located between the first and second protrusions; and
first and second supports coupled to the base and extending
outwardly from the recess, the first and second supports spaced
apart from one another to form a gap for receiving an element for
connection to the standard via the aperture.
2. The standard of claim 1, wherein the first protrusion is an edge
of the base extending away from the plane in which a substantially
flat portion of the base lies.
3. The standard of claim 2, wherein the first protrusion is a
turned edge of the base.
4. The standard of claim 1, wherein the first and second supports
are part of the same integral and unitary piece of material.
5. The standard of claim 4, wherein the aperture is a first
aperture, the standard further comprising a second aperture defined
in the integral and unitary piece of material, the first and second
apertures positioned with respect to one another to receive a
fastener therethrough.
6. The standard of claim 1, further comprising apertures extending
through the base and located between the first support and the
first protrusion, the apertures dimensioned to receive fasteners
for mounting the standard to a surface.
7. The standard of claim 1, wherein the aperture is shaped and
dimensioned to removably receive a bracket.
8. The standard of claim 1, wherein the first and second
protrusions are adapted to abut panels placed against the shelving
standard.
9. The standard of claim 1, wherein the first and second supports
are substantially elongated members extending along a length of the
base.
10. A standard, comprising: an elongated base comprising a first
edge portion; a second edge portion; a center portion recessed with
respect to the first edge portion and the second edge portion; a
first aperture defined in the base between the first edge portion
and the second edge portion; an elongated channel coupled to the
base between the first and second edge portions; a second aperture
defined in the elongated channel, wherein the first and second
apertures are positioned to receive an element for connection to
the standard via the aperture.
11. The standard of claim 10, wherein the first and second
apertures and the elongated channel are shaped and dimensioned to
receive at least one of a shelving bracket and a fixture.
12. The standard of claim 10, further comprising: a third aperture
located in the elongated base beside the channel; and a fastener
received within the third aperture and recessed with respect to the
first and second edge portions of the base.
13. The standard of claim 10, wherein the first and second edge
portions are turned edges of the base.
14. A construction system, comprising: a standard comprising an
elongated base having first and second edge surfaces; a third
surface between the first and second edge surface and recessed with
respect to the first and second edge surfaces; an aperture defined
in the third surface of the elongated base; first and second
elongated supports coupled to the elongated base and extending
outwardly from a recess defined by the first, second, and third
surfaces; a gap defined between the first and second elongated
supports, the gap cooperating with the aperture to receive an
element coupled to the standard via the aperture; a panel covering
a portion of the elongated base and separated from the third
surface by at least one of the first and second edge surfaces; and
a fastener coupling the elongated base to a surface and recessed
with respect to the first and second edge surfaces, at least a
portion of the fastener located between the third surface and the
panel.
15. The construction system of claim 14, wherein the first and
second elongated supports are substantially parallel.
16. The construction system of claim 14, wherein the first and
second elongated supports are part of the same integral and unitary
piece of material.
17. The construction system of claim 14, further comprising a mount
within which at least part of the standard is received.
18. The construction system of claim 17, wherein the mount is
adapted to be mounted between and to two adjacent supports of a
structure.
19. The construction system of claim 16, wherein the aperture is a
first aperture, the construction system further comprising a second
aperture defined in the integral and unitary piece of material
between the first and second elongated supports and through which
the element is also received.
20. The construction system of claim 14, wherein the panel is a
first panel and the gap is a first gap, the construction system
further comprising a second panel covering another portion of the
elongated base and separated from the third surface by another of
the first and second edge surfaces, the first and second elongated
supports being at least partially recessed within a second gap
between the first and second panels.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/665,039 filed Mar. 24, 2005, the entire contents
of which are incorporated by reference herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many different types of construction systems exist for
supporting and/or displaying a variety of different elements. For
example, such construction systems include shelving and rack
systems, merchandise systems, equipment storage systems, structural
support systems, and the like. These construction systems often
employ one or more standards that function to support items (e.g.,
merchandise, equipment, and the like) and/or other construction
system components (e.g., shelves, stretchers, wall and modular room
components, brackets, fixtures, and the like). Such standards are
often substantially vertically oriented, although other
orientations are possible. Also, such standards are often adapted
to support items and/or other construction system components at one
or more locations along the standards to best serve their intended
functions.
[0003] Some construction systems utilize one or more standards that
can be secured to a wall or other structure. The standards can have
a series of slots in a front face of the standard. Shelf mounting
brackets, other shelf parts or store fixtures, or other
construction systems components can be mounted to the standard at
one or more locations (e.g., at different heights along the
standard). For example, each standard can receive a rear portion of
a shelf mounting bracket used to support one or more shelves or
store fixtures. Standards are often available in a variety of
sizes, and can often accept a variety of mounting fixtures.
[0004] In many systems, standards are used to keep shelving units
vertically aligned and separated from one another. Existing
standards can be made of components having complicated shapes that
require expensive manufacturing processes. Furthermore, many
existing standards and related shelving components are not adapted
for multiple configurations using the same basic components.
SUMMARY
[0005] In some embodiments, a standard is provided, and comprises
an elongated base lying substantially in a plane, the base
comprising a side; a first protrusion on the side of the base and
extending away from the plane; a second protrusion on the first
side of the base and extending away from the plane; and an aperture
defined in the base and located substantially between the first and
second protrusions; a first support coupled to the base, located on
the side of the base, and extending away from the plane; and a
second support coupled to the base, located on the side of the
base, and extending away from the plane, wherein the aperture is
located between the first and second supports, and wherein the
first and second supports are separated a distance sufficient to
receive an element for connection to the standard via the
aperture.
[0006] Some embodiments of the present invention provide a standard
comprising an elongated base having a length and a width
substantially smaller than the length, the elongated base
comprising a first edge portion; a second edge portion; a center
portion recessed with respect to the first edge portion and the
second edge portion; a first aperture defined in the base between
the first edge portion and the second edge portion; an elongated
channel coupled to the base between the first and second edge
portions and extending along at least a portion of the length of
the base; a second aperture defined in the elongated channel,
wherein the first and second apertures are positioned to receive an
element for connection to the standard via the aperture.
[0007] In some embodiments, a construction system is provided, and
comprises a standard comprising an elongated base having first and
second edge surfaces; a third surface between the first and second
edge surface and recessed with respect to the first and second edge
surfaces; an aperture defined in the third surface of the elongated
base; first and second elongated supports running along the
elongated base, coupled to the elongated base, and extending from
the third surface; a gap defined between the first and second
elongated supports, the gap positioned with respect to the aperture
in the elongated base to receive an element coupled to the standard
via the aperture; a panel covering a portion of the elongated base
and separated from the third surface by at least one of the first
and second edge surfaces; and a fastener coupling the elongated
base to a surface and recessed with respect to the first and second
edge surfaces, at least a portion of the fastener located between
the third surface and the panel.
[0008] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an end view of a standard according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 includes front and side views of the standard
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the standard illustrated in
FIG. 1, shown secured to a stud and having a shelf bracket mounted
thereto;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the standard,
stud, and bracket illustrated in FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a top view of the standard, stud, and bracket
illustrated in FIG. 3;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the standard illustrated in
FIG. 1, shown secured to a different type of stud and having a
shelf bracket mounted thereto;
[0015] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the standard,
stud, and bracket illustrated in FIG. 6; and
[0016] FIG. 8 is a top view of the standard, stud, and bracket
illustrated in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to
encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as
well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms
"connected," "coupled," and "mounted" and variations thereof herein
are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections,
couplings, and mountings, and the terms "connected" and "coupled"
and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical
connections or couplings. Also, it is to be understood that
phraseology and terminology used herein with reference to device or
element orientation (such as, for example, terms like "front",
"back", "up", "down", "top", "bottom", and the like) are only used
to simplify description of the present invention, and do not alone
indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have
a particular orientation. In addition, terms such as "first",
"second", and "third" are used herein and in the appended claims
for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or
imply relative importance or significance.
[0018] Additionally, it is to be understood that the following
applications of the invention as described and illustrated are only
example applications of the invention. The present invention is
capable of being utilized in a variety of applications, all of
which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
For example, the application described below includes a standard
used in a shelving system and to which one or more brackets or
supports can be coupled. In other applications, however, the
standard could be used in a variety of other ways. For instance,
the standard could be secured to a ceiling and used to support a
plurality of lighting fixtures or ceiling tiles suspended from the
standard. As another example, the standard could be secured to a
floor and used as a base plate configured to receive a plurality of
vertically-extending components (e.g., cubicle walls, uprights, and
the like). In another application, the standard could be coupled to
an appliance (e.g., oven, refrigerator, and the like) for receiving
one or more adjustable racks. In still other applications, the
standard could be coupled to a wall (e.g., garage wall) in a
vertical, horizontal, or other orientation for receiving a
plurality of hanging elements from which tools or other items can
be hung. Additional applications of the invention will also be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0019] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a standard (indicated generally at
10) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The
illustrated standard 10 has a base portion 22 and two support
portions 14, 18 coupled to the base portion 22. In some
embodiments, the base portion 22 can be defined by a separate part
coupled to the support portions 14, 18 in any suitable manner as
described in greater detail below. Also, in some embodiments the
support portions 14, 18 can be defined by separate parts (e.g.,
plates or other elements) or by a single part coupled to the base
portion 22 in any suitable manner as described in greater detail
below. By way of example only, the base portion 22 in the
illustrated embodiment is defined by a plate, and the support
portions 14, 18 are defined by walls of a generally U-shaped
channel 15 coupled to the base portion 22.
[0020] In other embodiments, the standard 10 can include a
different number of parts. For example, a one-part standard can
incorporate the base portion 22 with both of the two support
portions 14, 18. As another example, the support portions 14, 18
can be defined by separate plates, in which case the standard 10
can have a three-part construction in which the support portions
14, 18 are attached to the base portion 22. In still other
embodiments, the standard 10 can be constructed from any number of
different elements coupled in any manner in order to achieve the
same and different configurations described herein. Furthermore,
the lengths and thicknesses of the support portions 14, 18 and the
base portion 22 can be different from that shown in the illustrated
embodiment. For example, the base portion 22 can have a thickness
that is the same or smaller than that of the support portions 14,
18 (rather than having a larger thickness as shown in FIG. 1). As
another example, the support portions 14, 18 can be longer or
shorter than shown in FIG. 1.
[0021] As described above, the support portions 14, 18 illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 2 are opposite walls of a U-shaped channel 15. In
such embodiments, the channel 15 can have a bottom wall 17 joined
to the support portions 14, 18 by curved portions 26, 30 of the
U-shaped channel 15. The bottom wall 17 can have a thickness that
is the same, larger, or smaller than the thickness of the support
portions 14, 18. Also, the bottom wall 17 can be joined to the
support portions 14, 18, in a number of different manners, such as
through a relatively sharp angle (e.g., a 90-degree angle), through
a more gentle curve defining a curved bottom wall 17 of the
U-shaped channel 15, or in any other manner desired. In this
regard, the U-shaped channel 15 can be stamped, pressed, bent, or
formed in any other manner from a substantially flat piece of
material.
[0022] In other embodiments, such as in cases in which the support
portions 14, 18 are separate elements coupled to the base portion
22, the support portions 14, 18 need not necessarily be coupled to
or joined by a bottom wall 17. In such embodiments, each support
portion 14, 18 can meet the base portion 22 at a right angle, at
any other angle, along a flange of the support portion 14, 18, at a
curved end of the support portion 14, 18, or in any other manner.
Also, in some embodiments, each support portion 14, 18 can have a
flange that, together with the remainder of the support portion 14,
18, defines an inverted T-shaped cross-section of the support
portion 14, 18.
[0023] With continued reference to the illustrated embodiment, the
base portion 22 lies in a plane, and has generally curved portions
("upturned edges") 34, 38 on either side of the support portions
14, 18 extending in a common direction away from the plane. The
upturned edges 34, 38 define protrusions extending away from the
plane in which the base portion 22 lies. The upturned edges 34, 38
can instead be at sharp angles with respect to the rest of the base
portion 22, such as at 90-degree angles or at an acute or obtuse
angle with respect to the base portion 22. In this regard, base
portion 22 can be stamped, pressed, bent, or formed in any other
manner from a substantially flat piece of material and the
protrusions extending therefrom.
[0024] The two support portions 14, 18 of the illustrated standard
10 can be oriented at substantially right angles with respect to
the base portion 22, and can be separated by a gap 42. In other
embodiments, the support portions 14, 18 can be oriented at any
other angle with respect to one another and to the base portion 22
while still defining a gap 42 between the support portions 14, 18.
The gap 42 can have any width desired.
[0025] The support portions 14, 18 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2
extend from a substantially central location of the base portion
22. In other embodiments, however, the support portions 14, 18,
need not necessarily extend from such a location, and can instead
extend from an edge of the base portion 22 or from any other
off-center position of the base portion 22.
[0026] With reference to FIG. 1, the U-shaped channel 15 of the
illustrated embodiment has at least one aperture 46 within which a
shelf bracket or other display or structural component (not shown
in FIG. 1) can be received for mounting to the standard 10. As
discussed earlier, in other applications, other items or elements
can be received and mounted to the standard 10 (via the U-shaped
channel 15). For example, in some embodiments, the aperture(s) 46
can receive any other storage or display elements, such as a
basket, a hanger, a stretcher, or any other element adapted to
support merchandise and having a portion shaped to be received
within aperture(s) 46 of the U-shaped channel 15. Any number of
apertures 46 can be located in the U-shaped channel 15 for
receiving any number of storage or display elements in any number
of different positions along the standard 10. For example, the
standard 10 in the illustrated embodiment has a series of apertures
46 in and running along the length of the bottom wall 17 of the
U-shaped channel 15.
[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures 46 are
generally rectangular in shape, and are spaced evenly along the
length of the U-shaped channel 15. In other embodiments, however,
the shape of the apertures 46 can be different (e.g., round, oval,
keyhole-shaped, irregular, and the like), and need not necessarily
be evenly spaced. Additionally, the apertures 46 need not
necessarily be included in the entire length of the U-shaped
channel 15.
[0028] With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, some embodiments of the
standard 10 can include one or more of apertures 50 in the base
portion 22 for receiving an element or item of a storage or display
structure, shelving or rack system, merchandise system, equipment
storage system, or structural support system (as discussed above).
The apertures 50 in the base portion 22 can take any of the forms
and can be located in any of the manners described above with
reference to the apertures 46 in the U-shaped channel 15 of the
illustrated embodiment. The apertures 50 in the base portion 22 of
the illustrated embodiment are substantially aligned with the
apertures 46 in the U-shaped channel 15, thereby enabling storage
or display elements to be received within corresponding apertures
46, 50 in the U-shaped channel 15 and the base portion 22 in order
to mount the storage or display elements to the standard 10. In
those embodiments in which no bottom wall 17 exists, the storage or
display element(s) can be received and supported solely within
apertures 50.
[0029] Although all of the apertures 46 in the U-shaped channel 15
of the illustrated embodiment are substantially aligned with all of
the apertures 50 in the base portion 22, in some embodiments fewer
than all of the apertures 46, 50 in either of these standard
components are substantially aligned as just described.
[0030] In those embodiments in which the standard comprises two or
more separate elements coupled together (e.g., a U-shaped channel
and a base portion, one or more plates and a base portion, or any
other structure in which the apertures 46, 50 described above are
defined and/or in which a storage or display element is received),
the separate elements can be coupled in any suitable manner. By way
of example, the U-shaped channel 15 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2
can be coupled to the base portion 22 by welding (e.g., rollerseam
welding, friction welding, ultrasonic welding, and the like), one
or more pin and aperture connections, one or more bolts, rivets,
screws, nails, or other fasteners, clamps, clips, adhesive or
cohesive bonding material, snap-fits or other inter-engaging
elements, and the like. Alternatively, the U-shaped channel 15 and
base portion 22 can be defined by a single, one-piece unit.
[0031] In those embodiments in which two or more of the components
of the standard 10 described herein are defined by a single
integral element, such an element can be manufactured in any
suitable manner. By way of example only, a one-piece standard 10
having the components described herein can be manufactured by
extrusion, stamping, bending, pressing, casting, molding,
machining, and/or in any other manner.
[0032] The standard 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a number of
attachment apertures 54 by which the standard 10 can be secured to
a stud (two examples of which are illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 and 6-8,
respectively) or any other element or structure. Any number of
attachment apertures 54 can be located anywhere on the standard 10
and can be shaped in any manner to receive fasteners suitable for
performing this function. In the embodiment shown, the attachment
apertures 54 are generally circular in shape, and are spaced evenly
along the length of the base portion 22 between the support
portions 14, 18 and the upturned edges 34, 38 of the base portion
22. In other embodiments, however, the attachment apertures 54 can
have any other shape, including those described above with
reference to the apertures 46, 50 receiving the storage or display
elements, and are not necessarily evenly spaced. Additionally, the
attachment apertures 54 need not necessarily be located along the
entire length of the base portion 22 as shown in the illustrated
embodiment.
[0033] The standard 10 can be secured to a stud or other element or
structure in a number of different manners. In some applications,
the base portion 22 is positioned to be flush with an exterior
surface of the stud or other element or structure, such that the
support portions 14, 18 extend substantially away from the stud or
other element or structure (see, for example, FIGS. 3-5). In other
applications, the standard 10 can be mounted in a pre-configured
recess within the stud other element or structure (see, for
example, FIGS. 6-8). One or more covering elements can be
positioned to cover at least part of the standard, such as the base
portion 22 on either or both sides of the support portions 14, 16.
Such covering elements can include, for example, panels of drywall,
wood, pegboard, or other material, can be coupled to the stud or
other element or structure to which the standard 10 is mounted,
and/or can be coupled to other elements or structure as desired. In
other embodiments, the standard 10 is mounted without being covered
by any covering elements.
[0034] An example installation of the standard 10 illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown in FIGS. 3-5. In this example, the standard
10 is mounted to a stud 100 via fasteners 102 received through the
attachment apertures 54 described above. Also in this example, the
standard 10 is positioned so that the base portion 22 is
substantially flush against the exterior surface of the stud 100,
and the apertures 46, 50 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) are aligned with a
slot 105 in the stud 100. The alignment of the slot 105 with the
apertures 46, 50 can allow a bracket 110 to be received by the
apertures 46, 50 as described below in greater detail. In other
embodiments, the slot 105 can be wider or narrower, and deeper or
shallower than the slot 105 illustrated in FIG. 3. Also, the stud
100 can have other types of apertures (other than a slot 105)
located at any suitable horizontal and vertical position of the
stud 100 to enable insertion of the bracket 110 as just
described.
[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the standard 10, stud
100, and bracket 110 shown in FIG. 3. The bracket 110 includes an
attachment portion 15, (shown as a hook) which can be received by
any pair of the apertures 46, 50 along the standard 10. Although a
single attachment portion 15 is illustrated in FIG. 4, it will be
appreciated that the bracket 110 can have any number of attachment
portions for being received within any number of corresponding
apertures 46, 50. Also, in some embodiments, the apertures 46, 50
can be adapted to receive different types of storage or display
elements (i.e., other than shelf brackets as described above). For
example, the turned ends of a U-shaped hanger constructed from a
semi-flexible rod can be can be received and retained within
respective aperture pairs. In this application, the legs of the
U-shaped hanger can be "pinched" together in order to be received
by the pairs of apertures 46, 50, and can then be released so that
the stiffness provided by the rod spreads the turned ends within
the apertures 46, 50, thereby holding the hanger in place.
[0036] A top view of the standard 10, stud 100, and bracket 110 is
shown in FIG. 5. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the
apertures 54 receive the fasteners 102, which are secured to the
stud 100. The fasteners 102 illustrated in FIG. 5 are screws, but
can instead be bolts, nails, rivets, and the like. FIG. 5 also
shows the relationship between the attachment portion 15 of the
bracket 110 and the slot 105.
[0037] In another embodiment of the present invention, the standard
10 can be mounted between two studs 150, as shown in the example of
FIGS. 6-8. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 6-8, the standard
10 is adapted to be received by a mounting element 155. The
mounting element 155 is configured such that the standard 10 is
releasably coupled to and located at least partially within the
mounting element 155. The mounting element 155 and standard 10 can
be positioned in an area 160 between adjacent studs 150 (see FIGS.
6-8) or within an aperture of a single stud (not shown). The
mounting element 155 illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 is only one type of
mounting element 155 that can be used to secure the standard 10
with respect to one or more studs 150. In other embodiments, other
types of mounting elements 155 having different shapes and
configurations can be employed, depending at least in part upon the
shape and configuration of the stud(s) 150 to which the standard 10
is mounted. Additionally, the standard 10 can be coupled to the
stud(s) 150 directly, and without the use of a mounting element
155.
[0038] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the standard 10, mounting
element 155, and studs 150 illustrated in FIG. 6, while FIG. 8 is a
top view of these components. The mounting element 155 (see FIG. 8)
in the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8 is generally configured to include
an opening 165 through which the support portions 14, 18 of the
standard 10 extend, an interior area 170 within which at least part
of the standard 10 is received, and two extensions 175 that can be
used to secure the mounting element 155 to the stud 150. However,
mounting elements 155 having any other configuration suitable for
receiving the standard 10 can instead be used, and can be coupled
to the stud(s) 150. The mounting element 155 in the illustrated
embodiment of FIGS. 6-8 can be attached to the studs 150 in any of
the manners described above with regard to the connection between
the U-shaped channel 15 and the base 22.
[0039] Also in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 6-8, the
mounting element 155 is arranged snugly between two studs 150. The
two support portions 14, 18 of the standard 10 extend out of the
opening 165, and the attachment portion 115 of the bracket 110
extends into the interior area 170 of the mounting element 155. The
extensions 175 of the mounting element 155 can be coupled to the
two studs 150 in any suitable manner (as described above).
[0040] In other embodiments, the standard 10 can be mounted in a
variety of other manners to any desired element or structure. For
example, the standard 10 can be permanently mounted (e.g., by
welding, adhesive or cohesive bonding material, riveting, and the
like) to a variety of elements or structures, such as a ceiling or
a floor. Alternatively, the standard 10 can be releasably coupled
to an element or structure by one or more bolts, screws, or other
fasteners, one or more pin and aperture connections, clamps, clips,
snap-fits or other inter-engaging elements, and the like.
[0041] As described above, in some embodiments, the standard 10 can
be at least partially covered by one or more elements, such as to
provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance to the structure
in which the standard 10 is incorporated. In such embodiments, the
covering elements can be placed over the base portion 22 and/or the
fasteners or other elements used to mount the standard 10 as
described above. In such embodiments, the covering elements (e.g.,
drywall, wood, pegboard, or other panels, and the like) can be
substantially flush with the top of the upturned edges 34, 38 of
the base portion 22 and/or can abut the support portions 14, 18 of
the standard 10 (see FIGS. 2 and 6 of the illustrated embodiments).
In those cases in which the covering elements are substantially
flush with the tops of the upturned edges 34, 3 8, the upturned
edges 34, 38 can provide an area beneath the covering elements for
the fasteners 102 or other elements used to mount the standard 10.
With reference to FIG. 5, for example, covering elements (not
shown) abutting the upturned edges 34, 38 would not interfere with
the heads of the fasteners 102. In this manner, the covering
elements can lie in a position that is flush with the standard 10
rather than interfering with the fasteners or other elements used
to mount the standard 10.
[0042] With reference again to the illustrated embodiment shown in
FIG. 3, the heads of the fasteners 102 used to secure the standard
10 to the stud 100 are received in an area between the covering
elements 200 and the body of the base portion 22. Although this
relationship between the covering elements 200 and the base portion
22 can eliminate the need for countersunk attachment apertures 54
(thereby reducing manufacturing costs of the standard 10),
countersunk apertures 54 can still be employed as desired.
Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, support portions 14, 18
can have a length selected so that the front edges of the support
portions 14, 18 are substantially flush with the outer surfaces of
the covering elements 200. In this manner, a majority of the
standard 10 can be recessed with respect to the covering elements
200, thereby providing a more aesthetically pleasing structure.
[0043] Referring again to FIG. 1, coupling the U-shaped channel 15
to the base portion 22 can provide for a streamlined manufacturing
process that minimizes the need for tight tolerances. In the
illustrated embodiment, there is no part of the standard 10 that is
required to fit within another part of the standard 10 under any
significant manufacturing tolerance. The two support portions 14,
18 are generally located at a mid-point of the base portion 22, but
could instead be located at virtually any point on the base portion
22 while still providing the same functionality described
above.
[0044] The embodiments described above and illustrated in the
figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended
as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present
invention. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary
skill in the art that various changes in the elements and their
configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0045] Various embodiments of the invention are set forth in the
following claims.
* * * * *