U.S. patent application number 11/717301 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-18 for shelf mounting system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hangman Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to James M. Gallien.
Application Number | 20080224004 11/717301 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39761682 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080224004 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gallien; James M. |
September 18, 2008 |
Shelf mounting system
Abstract
A shelf mounting system for mounting a shelf to a corner wall
surface comprising an elongate member having a first arm and a
second arm, each of the first arm and the second arm having a wall
attachment portion and a body portion perpendicular to the wall
attachment portion, the elongate member including a cut groove that
extends along a width of the body portion to define an interruption
between the first arm and the second arm, the body portion
including a threaded region that extends at least partially along
the length of the first arm and the second arm and a shelf member
having a first abutment surface configured to abut the first wall
surface and a second abutment surface configured to abut the second
wall surface, the first and second abutment surfaces having a cut
out portion for receiving the threaded region of the body
portion.
Inventors: |
Gallien; James M.; (Hidden
Hills, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STETINA BRUNDA GARRED & BRUCKER
75 ENTERPRISE, SUITE 250
ALISO VIEJO
CA
92656
US
|
Assignee: |
Hangman Products, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
39761682 |
Appl. No.: |
11/717301 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/220.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/066 20130101;
A47B 96/022 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/220.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/06 20060101
A47B096/06 |
Claims
1. A shelf mounting system for mounting a shelf to a corner wall
surface defined by the intersection of a first and second wall
surface, the system comprising: an elongate member having a first
arm and a second arm, each of the first arm and the second arm
having a wall attachment portion and a body portion perpendicular
to the wall attachment portion, the elongate member including a cut
groove that extends along a width of the body portion to define an
interruption between the first arm and the second arm, the body
portion including a threaded region that extends at least partially
along the length of the first arm and the second arm and a shelf
member having a first abutment surface configured to abut the first
wall surface and a second abutment surface configured to abut the
second wall surface, the first and second abutment surfaces each
having a cut out portion for receiving the threaded region of the
body portion.
2. The shelf mounting system of claim 1, further comprising a
radius extending along at least partially along the length of the
body portion configured to receive a level device.
3. The shelf mounting system of claim 1, wherein the elongate
member is steel.
4. The shelf mounting system of claim 1, wherein the shelf member
is one of wood, glass, plastic and particle board.
5. The shelf mounting system of claim 1, further comprising an
adhesive material having a first adhesive surface and a second
adhesive surface, the first adhesive surface placed adjacent to and
in contact with at least one of the first abutment surface and the
second abutment surface and the second adhesive surface placed
adjacent to and in contact with the wall surface.
6. The shelf mounting system of claim 5, wherein the adhesive
material is double-sided tape.
7. The shelf mounting system of claim 5, wherein the adhesive
material is a rubber-based adhesive.
8. A shelf mounting system for mounting a shelf to a wall surface,
the system comprising: an elongate member having a wall attachment
portion and a body portion perpendicular to the wall attachment
portion, the body portion including a threaded region that extends
at least partially along its length and a shelf member having an
abutment surface configured to abut the wall surface, the abutment
surface each having a cut out portion for receiving the threaded
region of the body portion.
9. The shelf mounting system of claim 8, further comprising a
radius extending along at least a portion of the length of the body
portion configured to receive a level device.
10. The shelf mounting system of claim 8, wherein the elongate
member is steel.
11. The shelf mounting system of claim 8, wherein the shelf is one
of wood, glass, plastic and particle board.
12. The shelf mounting system of claim 8, further comprising an
adhesive material having a first adhesive surface and a second
adhesive surface, the first adhesive surface placed adjacent to and
in contact with the abutment surface and the second adhesive
surface placed adjacent to and in contact with the wall
surface.
13. The shelf mounting system of claim 12, wherein the adhesive
material is double sided tape.
14. The shelf mounting system of claim 12, wherein the adhesive
material is a rubber-based adhesive.
15. The method of mounting a shelf to a corner wall surface defined
by the intersection of a first wall surface and a second wall
surface, the method comprising the steps of: adjusting an elongate
member on the corner wall surface until it is in a desired
orientation, the elongate member having a first arm and a second
arm, each of the first arm and second arm having a wall attachment
portion and a body portion perpendicular to the wall attachment
portion, the elongate member including a cut groove that extends
along a width of the body portion to define an interruption between
the first arm and the second arm, the body portion including a
threaded region that extends at least partially along the length of
the first arm and the second arm; mounting the elongate member to
the corner wall surface; sliding a shelf member over the first arm
and the second arm, the shelf member having a first abutment
surface configured to abut the first wall surface and a second
abutment surface configured to abut the second wall surface, the
first and second abutment surfaces each having a cut out portion
for receiving the threaded region of the body portion and applying
pressure to the shelf member to cause the first abutment surface to
abut the first wall surface and the second abutment surface to abut
the second wall surface.
16. The method of mounting a shelf of claim 15, the method further
comprising a step of placing a level device on a radius of the body
portion to determine the orientation of the elongate member.
17. The method of mounting a shelf of claim 15, the method further
comprising the step of placing an adhesive material in contact with
at least one of the first and second abutment surfaces, the
adhesive material having a first adhesive surface and a second
adhesive surface, the first adhesive surface placed adjacent to and
in contact with at least one of the first abutment surface and the
second abutment surface and the second adhesive surface placed
adjacent to and in contact with the wall surface.
18. The method of mounting a shelf to a wall surface comprising the
steps of: adjusting an elongate member on the wall surface until it
is in a desired orientation, the elongate member having a wall
attachment portion and a body portion perpendicular to the wall
attachment portion, the body portion including a threaded region
that extends at least partially along its length; mounting the
elongate member to the wall surface; sliding a shelf member over
the body portion, the shelf member a shelf member having an
abutment surface configured to abut the wall surface, the abutment
surface including a cut-out portion for receiving the threaded
region of the body portion; applying pressure to the shelf member
to cause the abutment surface to abut the wall surface.
19. The method of mounting a shelf of claim 18 the method further
comprising a step of placing a level device on a radius of the body
portion to determine the orientation of the elongate member.
20. The method of mounting a shelf of claim 18, the method further
comprising the step of placing an adhesive material in contact with
the abutment surface, the adhesive material having a first adhesive
surface and a second adhesive surface, the first adhesive surface
placed adjacent to and in contact with the abutment surface and the
second adhesive surface placed adjacent to and in contact with the
wall surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
[0002] STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0004] The present system relates generally to a shelf-mounting
system for affixing a shelf to a support structure. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a shelf mounting
system for affixing a shelf to a wall surface, such as a corner
defined by the intersection of two walls or a flat wall
surface.
[0005] Shelves are common and versatile objects that can be affixed
to the wall of any room or area. Shelves serve the purpose of both
function and design and may be affixed to a wall surface for the
placement of objects thereon. The extra surface area afforded by
the shelf provides an area where infrequently used objects may be
stored either temporarily until use or more permanently. One such
example is a shelf that can be used to store reference books that
are merely used from time to time but not on a daily basis. A shelf
may also have a more decorative purpose and can be utilized to hold
objects such as figurines or plants. The shelf itself may be
decorative in nature, such as a shelf constructed from a particular
wood or a shelf having a particular design or carving.
[0006] A flat wall provides the most simple installation for a
shelf. However, depending on the layout of the room in terms of
available wall space, it may also be desirous to affix a shelf to a
corner wall surface, such as the area defined by the intersection
of two walls. It is well-known that a corner wall surface does not
facilitate the installation of any type of a shelf. Specifically,
the right angle construction of a corner wall surface makes it
difficult to securely and accurately install a shelf. Particular to
such construction, standard sized tools such as a screw driver or
drill cannot fit within this area. More particularly, the angle of
the intersecting walls makes it difficult to position the shelf in
a level orientation and maintain such orientation until the shelf
is properly installed. Moreover, adjustment or removal is equally
as difficult, and a misaligned shelf is usually left in place in an
unlevel fashion because of the frustration that may be caused by
repeated attempts to realign the shelf.
[0007] Further, a shelf that is not properly installed cannot
provide adequate support for objects that are placed thereon. Thus,
if the shelf is not level, the objects that are on the shelf may
not be stable and may slide from the surface of the shelf. Further,
the weight of the objects placed on the shelf may cause the shelf
to become loose and disassociated from the wall surface. The shelf
may fall to the floor and possibly injure someone, resulting in
either slight damage or more extensive breakage to any objects that
the shelf was supporting.
[0008] Even if great care is taken to properly position and orient
the shelf during its installation, the intersection of the walls
defining the corner area may not be perfectly perpendicular to
properly receive the shelf. Frequently, the construction of a
building may result in corners defined by intersecting walls that
are not exactly positioned at a ninety degree angle with respect to
each other. Further, the natural settling of a building may cause
the shifting of the walls. In such a situation, one side of the
shelf may not properly attach, if at all, to the wall surface. As a
result, unsightly screws, or other attachment hardware used to
secure the shelf, may be visible between the shelf and the surface
of the wall, and the shelf is generally not very stable. Even
attempts to affix a generally square or rectangular shelf to a wall
surface may not result in the shelf being substantially in abutment
with the wall surface if the wall surface is not even.
[0009] What is lacking in the art is a shelf mounting system that
provides a stable shelf surface that is mountable in such a manner
that the shelf is easily secured to a wall surface despite any
irregularities in the walls.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0010] A shelf mounting system for mounting a shelf to a corner
wall surface defined by the intersection of a first and second wall
surface, the system comprising: an elongate member having a first
arm and a second arm, each of the first arm and the second arm
having a wall attachment portion and a body portion perpendicular
to the wall attachment portion, the elongate member including a cut
groove that extends along a width of the body portion to define an
interruption between the first arm and the second arm, the body
portion including a threaded region that extends at least partially
along the length of the first arm and the second arm and a shelf
member having a first abutment surface configured to abut the first
wall surface and a second abutment surface configured to abut the
second wall surface, the first and second abutment surfaces each
having a cut out portion for receiving the threaded region of the
body portion. The shelf mounting system may further comprise a
radius extending along at least partially along the length of the
body portion configured to receive a level device.
[0011] The cut groove allows the movement of the first bracket arm
with respect to the second bracket arm for any necessary adjustment
of the bracket when engaging the shelf therewith. Thus, if the
intersecting wall surfaces are not exactly oriented at a right
angle with respect to each other, the bracket may be adjusted to
fit the angle of the intersecting walls.
[0012] The elongate member may be constructed from a metal such as
steel or aluminum. The shelf member may be constructed from a
variety of materials including without limitation wood, glass,
plastic and particle board. The shelf mounting system may further
comprise an adhesive material having a first adhesive surface and a
second adhesive surface, the first adhesive surface placed adjacent
to and in contact with at least one of the first abutment surface
and the second abutment surface and the second adhesive surface
placed adjacent to and in contact with the wall surface. The
adhesive material may include double-sided tape.
[0013] In another embodiment, the shelf mounting system may
comprise an elongate member having a wall attachment portion and a
body portion perpendicular to the wall attachment portion, the body
portion including a threaded region that extends at least partially
along its length and a shelf member having an abutment surface
configured to abut the wall surface, the abutment surface each
having a cut out portion for receiving the threaded region of the
body portion. The shelf mounting system may further comprise a
radius extending along at least a portion of the length of the body
portion configured to receive a level device.
[0014] A method of mounting a shelf to a corner wall surface
defined by the intersection of a first wall surface and a second
wall surface, the method comprising the steps of: adjusting an
elongate member on the corner wall surface until it is in a desired
orientation, the elongate member having a first arm and a second
arm, each of the first arm and second arm having a wall attachment
portion and a body portion perpendicular to the wall attachment
portion, the elongate member including a cut groove that extends
along a width of the body portion to define an interruption between
the first arm and the second arm, the body portion including a
threaded region that extends at least partially along the length of
the first arm and the second arm; mounting the elongate member to
the corner wall surface; sliding a shelf member over the first arm
and the second arm, the shelf member having a first abutment
surface configured to abut the first wall surface and a second
abutment surface configured to abut the second wall surface, the
first and second abutment surfaces each having a cut out portion
for receiving the threaded region of the body portion and applying
pressure to the shelf member to cause the first abutment surface to
abut the first wall surface and the second abutment surface to abut
the second wall surface.
[0015] The method may further comprise the step of placing a level
device on a radius of the body portion to determine the orientation
of the elongate member. The method may further comprise the step of
placing an adhesive material in contact with at least one of the
first and second abutment surfaces, the adhesive material having a
first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface, the first
adhesive surface placed adjacent to and in contact with at least
one of the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface
and the second adhesive surface placed adjacent to and in contact
with the wall surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] These and other features and advantages of the various
embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect
to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers
refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a bracket shown
mounting a shelf in a corner according to an aspect of the shelf
mounting system.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line 2-2 of
FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the components of the present
invention according to an embodiment of the shelf mounting
system
[0020] FIG. 4 shows the step of engaging a shelf with a bracket
that has been mounted to a corner wall surface.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows the step of causing the rear walls of the shelf
to abut the walls that define the corner wall surface.
[0022] FIG. 6 shows the step of placing the shelf in adhesive
engagement with the intersecting walls that define the corner wall
surface.
[0023] FIG. 7 another embodiment of the present invention
illustrating a bracket mounting a shelf on a flat wall surface.
[0024] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for
purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present
invention and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1
represents an embodiment of a shelf mounting system 5 of the
present invention. The shelf mounting system 5 includes a bracket
25 that is affixed to a corner 10 of an abutting first wall 35 and
a second wall 40 using conventional fasteners 100 and also a shelf
55. The bracket 25 is configured to receive and frictionally engage
the shelf 55. The shelf 55 is generally shaped so that it can fit
into the corner 10 of almost any room, closet or other storage
area.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the shelf mounting system 5 may
be utilized to mount a shelf 55 onto a wall surface, such as a
corner 10 that is defined by the intersection of a first wall 35
and a second wall 40. For example, the shelf 55 may be utilized to
store books, figurine, plants, tools, dishes or any other objects
that a user is desirous of storing in a location where such objects
are accessible yet not in the way of ordinary daily life activity.
The shelf 55 may be constructed from any material that is suitable
for use as a shelf 55. More specifically, the shelf 55 should be
constructed from a material such that the shelf 55 is durable and
capable of supporting a significant amount of weight without
buckling. The material from which the shelf 55 is constructed may
dictate the amount of weight that may be supported or the objects
that can be placed thereon. Some exemplary types of materials from
which a shelf 55 may be constructed include various types of wood,
such as oak, plywood and pine. Further, the shelf 25 may be
constructed from other materials, including but not limited to
steel, glass, hard plastic, particle board or any combination
thereof. The shelf 55 preferably has a generally flat top surface
55a and a generally flat bottom surface 55b in addition to a first
rear wall 60a and a second rear wall 60b that extend between a rear
edge 52a of the top surface 55a and a rear edge 52b of the bottom
surface 55b and meet at a corner 65. Thus, the first rear wall 60a
and second rear wall 60b may be at substantially a ninety degree
angle with respect to each other. The shelf 55 further has a front
wall 70 that may either be curved or flat. Although the shelf 55
may be of any general shape, the shelf 55 is preferably triangular
in the present embodiment such that the shelf 55 may be received by
the corner 10.
[0027] A bracket 25 configured to affix the shelf 55 to a corner 10
is shown in phantom in FIG. 1 and also in FIG. 3. The bracket 25 is
preferably constructed from a semi-flexible yet durable material
that is capable of providing support to the shelf 55 and any
objects placed thereon. The bracket 25 may be constructed from a
metal such as steel or aluminum, or the bracket 25 may also be
constructed from other materials, including without limitation,
wood and plastic. A person having ordinary skill in the art will
recognize the advantages and disadvantages of the available
materials in a given environment and purpose. Thus, such a person
will be able to identify and select the appropriate material for a
particular application and appreciate that the present invention is
not limited to any particular material.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 3, the bracket 25 is an elongate
member that is formed from extrusion. The bracket 25 is bent at
substantially a ninety degree angle approximately midway between a
first end 45 and a second end 50 of the bracket 25 to define a
first bracket arm 80 and a second bracket arm 85. As can be seen in
FIG. 3, the bracket 25 has a wall attachment portion 20 and a body
portion 30. The wall attachment portion 20 is substantially
perpendicular to the body portion 30. The wall attachment portion
20 is held against the first wall 35 and the second wall 40 in an
abutting manner so that the wall attachment portion 20 is adjacent
to and in contact with the first wall 35 and the second wall 40.
The wall attachment portion 20 and the body portion 30 of the
bracket 25 may be integrally formed and of unitary construction.
Alternatively, the wall attachment portion 20 and the body portion
30 may comprise two separate pieces that may be connectably joined
together, such as by welding. The bracket 25 may be cut to fit and
size of the shelf 55 using tools common to the installation of such
brackets 25.
[0029] The bracket 25 may further comprise a cut groove 75 that
extends along the width of the body portion 30 and defines an
interruption between the first bracket arm 80 and the second
bracket arm 85. The cut groove 75 may terminate at the point at
which the body portion 30 adjoins the wall attachment portion 20.
The cut groove 75 allows movement of the first bracket arm 80 with
respect to the second bracket arm 85 for any necessary adjustment
of the bracket 25 when engaging the shelf therewith. Specifically,
during the construction of a building, the first wall 35 and second
wall 40 may not be exactly oriented at a right angle with respect
to each other. Similarly, the natural settling of a foundation may
cause the walls associated with a building sitting thereon to move
or shift resulting in the intersection of the first wall 35 and the
second wall 40 defining an angle that may be less than or greater
than ninety degrees. The cut groove 75 of the bracket permits
movement and adjustment of the first bracket arm 80 and the second
bracket arm 85 during the installation of the shelf 55, as further
described herein, to fit in a corner 10 that does not have a first
wall 35 and a second wall 40 at exactly a right angle.
[0030] In one embodiment, the bracket 25 may be formed as a
substantially straight elongated member from which a V-shaped area
is cut, or otherwise extracted, from the body portion 30
approximately midway between a first end 45 and a second end 50 of
the bracket 25. The bracket 25 is further bent at substantially a
ninety degree angle at approximately the location of the V-shaped
area such that the first bracket arm 80 and the second bracket arm
85 are generally perpendicular to each other and further
interrupted by the cut groove 75.
[0031] Each of the first bracket arm 80 and the second bracket arm
85 of the body portion 30 of the bracket 25 has a radius 90
extending along its length. The radius 90 is configured for the
placement of a level device 105 so that the proper orientation of
the bracket 25 may be determined when the bracket 25 is mounted to
the corner 10, as further herein described with respect to FIGS. 3
through 6. The level device 105 may be any type of device that
indicates a level orientation, such as a bubble device when it is
placed in the radius 90. Specifically, the level device 105 may be
a transparent plastic tube-like device that may further include a
housing to prevent the tube from shifting or rotating while
performing a leveling step. The level device 105 may hold two
different types of fluids, such as an oil and water mix or a mix of
air and at least one other liquid. In the case of water and oil,
the two liquids are generally immiscible which allow the level
device 105 to be used as a level to indicate to the user if the
wall fixture is in a desired orientation. The level device 105
operates to indicate a level orientation of the bracket 25 when the
line between the fluids aligns with an etched or otherwise marked
line upon the surface of the level device 105. Each of the first
bracket arm 85 and the second bracket arm 90 may further include a
threaded region 57 comprising elongated threads that extend at
least along a portion of the length of the first bracket arm 80 and
the second bracket arm 85. The elongated threads may be formed to
have a diameter and a pitch necessary to provide the necessary
friction to both engage and prevent the disengagement of the
bracket 25 and the shelf 55, as further described herein.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, the shelf mounting system 5 is shown in
cross-section with the bracket 25 frictionally engaged with the
shelf 55. The wall attachment portion 20 of the bracket 25 includes
a series of apertures 15 in a spaced relationship along each of the
first bracket arm 80 and the second bracket arm 85, as shown in
FIG. 1. The apertures 15 are adapted to receive a fastener 100, a
shaft portion 105 thereof being driven into the wall 35, and a head
portion 110 being in abutment with the wall attachment portion 20,
thereby retaining the bracket 25 against the wall 35. As will be
appreciated by one skilled in the art, the diameter of the
apertures 15 is intended to be less than that of the head portion
110 of the fastener 100.
[0033] As shown in the cross-section of the shelf mounting system 5
of FIG. 2, the shelf 55 has a cut-out section 62 located along each
of the first rear wall 60a and the second rear wall 60b for
receiving the bracket 25. Specifically, the cut-out section 62
generally has a depth that is at least equal to the thickness of
the wall attachment portion 20 so that the wall attachment portion
20 is not visible subsequent to the installation of the shelf
mounting system 5. An elongated channel 64 extends from the cut-out
section 62 into a distance of the interior of the shelf 55, the
elongated channel 64 further being sized to receive the body
portion 30 of the bracket 25. The shelf 55 is held in position by
the engagement of the body portion 30 of the bracket 25 and the
elongated channel 64 of the shelf 55. In one embodiment, the
cut-out section 62 extends along the length of both the first rear
wall 60a and the second rear wall 60b of the shelf to comprise one
continuous cut-out section 62. In yet another embodiment, the rear
walls 60a, 60b of the shelf 55 each comprise a separate and
distinct cut-out section 62 for receiving each of the first bracket
arm 80 and the second bracket arm 85.
[0034] Although it is contemplated that the shelf mounting system 5
may require no further braces or supports, the shelf mounting
system 5 may further be provided with an adhesive material 125, as
shown in FIG. 3. The adhesive material 125 is preferably a pressure
sensitive adhesive having generally strong and durable bonding
qualities suitable to provide additional support for a shelf that
may hold an unlimited variety of objects having an unlimited
variety of shapes, sizes and weights. The adhesive material 125 is
preferably a noncurable double-sided adhesive tape. Alternatively,
the adhesive may be in the form of a putty or a rubber-based
adhesive. In yet another embodiment, the adhesive material 125 may
be provided with a removable protective covering on one surface and
a release liner that is adjacent to and in contact with the
opposite surface of the double-sided adhesive material. The user
would remove the protective covering to expose the adhesive
material and place the same in contact with the shelf. Subsequent
to engaging the shelf 55 and the bracket 25, the user may pull
downwardly on the release liner and remove the same to place the
adhesive in contact with the first wall 35 and the second wall 40.
Still yet alternatively, both sides of the double sided adhesive
material may be provided with only a removable protective cover
that is removed from each side prior to engaging the shelf 55 with
the bracket 25.
[0035] FIGS. 3 through 6 represent the methodology of the steps
that may be undertaken for the installation of a shelf 55 using the
shelf mounting system 5. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bracket 25
is affixed in a corner 10 as defined by the intersection of a first
wall 35 and a second wall 40, which are positioned generally
perpendicular to each other. The bracket 25 is held tightly within
the corner 10, and the level device 105 is placed within the radius
90 of the first bracket arm 80. The bracket 25 is adjusted until
the level device 105 indicates that the bracket 25 is in the
desired orientation. Fasteners 100 are placed into the apertures 15
of the wall attachment portion 20 to secure the first bracket arm
80 to the first wall 35. Exemplary fasteners 100 include screws,
such as bear claw screws or self tapping screws, nails and the
like. The level device 105 is relocated to the radius 90 of the
second bracket arm 85, and the bracket 25 is similarly adjusted
until the bracket 25 is in the desired orientation. Fasteners 100
are placed into the apertures 15 of the wall attachment portion 20
of the second bracket arm 85 to secure the same to the first wall
35 and the second wall 40. Next, the user may apply the adhesive
material 125, if desired, at any location along the length of the
first rear wall 60a and the second rear wall 60a of the shelf 55 or
any location of a surface of the shelf 55 that may be placed in
contact with and adjacent to at least one of the first wall 35 and
the second wall 40.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, the user installs the shelf 55 into the
corner 10. FIG. 4 illustrates how the shelf 55 may be slid into
position over the first bracket arm 80 and the second bracket arm
85 of the bracket 25. The user applies light pressure in the
direction of the arrow to cause the shelf 55 to become engaged with
the bracket 25. More specifically, the shelf becomes frictionally
engaged with the body portion 20 of the bracket 25 when the
threaded region 57 of the body portion 30 is received by the
elongated channel 64 of the shelf 55. As shown in FIG. 5, the user
may push forward lightly on the shelf 55 to cause the first rear
wall 60a and the second rear wall 60b of the shelf 55 to abut the
first wall 35 and the second wall 40, respectively.
[0037] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, if the user is satisfied with the
placement of the shelf 55, the user may lightly pull downward on
the release liner, if provided on the adhesive material 125, to
cause the adhesive material 125 to be placed in adhering engagement
with at least one of the first wall 35 and the second wall 40.
[0038] An alternative embodiment of the shelf mounting system is
shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this embodiment, an elongated bracket
225 is affixed to a generally flat wall surface 235. The bracket
225 is configured to receive a shelf 255 having a generally
rectangular shape. The bracket 225 is a straight elongate member
having a wall attachment portion 220 and a body portion 230, which
may be of unitary construction, or the wall attachment portion 220
and the body portion 230 may comprise two separate pieces that are
connectably joined together. The wall attachment portion 220 may
comprise a series of apertures 15 in a spaced relationship that are
adapted to receive a fastener 100 to retain the bracket 225 against
the wall 235. The body portion 230 of the bracket 225 may comprise
a radius 90 for the placement of a level device 105 to determine
the desired orientation of the bracket 225 either prior to or
contemporaneous with the affixation of the bracket 225 to the wall
235. The body portion 230 of the bracket 225 may further comprise a
threaded region 57 of elongated threads that extends at least along
a portion of the length of the bracket 225. The elongated threads
may be formed to have a diameter and a pitch necessary to provide
the necessary friction to both engage and prevent the disengagement
of the bracket 225 and the shelf 255. Specifically in FIG. 8, the
shelf 255 may have a cut-out section and an elongated channel
similar to that described above with respect to the corner shelf.
After the bracket 225 is affixed to the wall surface 235, the shelf
255 is placed in frictional engagement with the body portion 230 of
the bracket 225.
[0039] The shelf 255 shown in FIG. 7 or 8 is generally rectangular
in shape but it may be appreciated by one skilled in the art that
the shelf 255 may comprise any shape that can be placed adjacent to
and in contact with a wall surface.
[0040] The above description is given by way of example, and not
limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art
could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the
invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the
embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying
combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to
the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the
claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.
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