Stabilizer Bracket

Abstract

A bracket for stabilizing a laterally unsupported surface. The bracket includes a compression member and is also provided with means for adjusting the effective length of the compression member so that the bracket can be positioned within a limited space such as between the unsupported surface of an article to be supported and a buttressing surface such as a room wall.

Description

This invention relates to support devices, in particular to a bracket for stabilizing a laterally unsupported surface.

The stabilizer bracket of this invention utilizes a compression member having means for adjusting the effective length of same so that the bracket can be suitably mounted within a confined space.

The invention was developed to satisfy the need for a simple, dependable, economical and easily installed bracket for stabilizing and relatively unsupported surface. A typical example of where such a bracket may be used is in connection with toilet flush tanks wherein the back wall of the tank is spaced from the room wall and is relatively unsupported against deflection in a lateral direction. When subjected to the ordinary and usual forces exerted thereon during normal use of the toilet facilities, the tank wall will be prone to crack or will in turn cause cracking of the toilet bowl or other appurtenances connected therewith.

In order to stabilize such a flush tank wall conventional means used have employed wedge blocks forced between the flush tank wall and the room wall. This method has proved ineffective because the wedges usually work their way loose and become unsecured. Other means for stabilizing a flush tank wall include the use of bracket supports usually comprising a slotted multi-part bracket, one portion of which is fixed to the room wall surface by means of screws, nails or the like and the second part is fastened to the flush tank wall and adjustably attached to the fixed portion of the bracket by means of bolts inserted through aligned slotted openings in the bracket and secured therein by wing nuts or other clamping devices. This method of support is rather cumbersome and unsightly, besides it is difficult to install such brackets within confined areas, especially the limited space found between flush tanks and bathroom walls. Furthermore, the wing nut or clamping device will eventually loosen during normal usage and will therefore require periodic maintenance.

The stabilizer bracket of the instant invention has the distinct advantage of being easily installed, requiring no screws or nailing for fastening same in position and in fact does not require any special tools for installation. This stabilizer bracket can easily be installed by the average housewife requiring little more than a sharp kitchen knife for adjusting the length of the compression member. Other embodiments of the stabilizer bracket can be adjusted without the need for using a knife or other cutting instrument.

Although the stabilizer bracket has proved to be a dependable and rather effective means for stabilizing a toilet flush tank as described above, other areas of application for this bracket encompass its placement in such areas as behind a mirror which is attached to an article of furniture e.g. a vanity, dresser, bureau or the like. These mirrors are usually supported by attachment to the furniture in a cantilever fashion, the unsupported length generally projecting upward parallel to and displaced from the room wall. The bracket device referred to herein could be appropriately placed behind the mirror between same and the room wall to give added lateral support and rigidity to the mirror.

This stabilizer bracket will be equally effective placed between a room wall and the rear surface of any article of furniture including bookcases or file cabinets which, for example, may be placed several inches from a room wall in order to clear floor molding, telephone wires or for decorative reasons.

The prior art devices used for similar purposes usually involved attachment of a bracket or portion of a bracket to the room wall by means of screws or other fastening devices. These brackets are therefore not only more difficult and time-consuming to install, but will mar the wall surface finish and usually require special tools for their installation and removal.

The stabilizing bracket of this invention overcomes the difficulties and inconveniences of these prior art devices and provides a support bracket having a relatively simple construction.

A compression member is positioned within the limited space found between the confronting surfaces of an article to be supported and in most cases the room wall or other buttressing surface; a load distribution plate is provided integrally with the compression member at one end thereof, which will contact the unsupported surface. The opposite end of the compression member is then adjusted in its lengthwise direction so as to insure a snug fit against the buttressing surface.

Alternate embodiments cover various means for adjusting the length of the compression member. Other features of this invention include fastening means for the load distribution plate which will insure proper contact between the unsupported surface and the load distribution plate. It is an object therefore of this invention to provide a stabilizer bracket having a relatively simple construction which will give effective support when placed between a laterally unsupported surface and a buttressing surface.

Another object of this invention is to provide a stabilizer bracket having means for adjustably positioning same within a limited space as between an unsupported surface and a buttressing surface.

A further object of this invention is to provide a stabilizer bracket which is easily installed and requires no special tools for mounting.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the stabilizer bracket.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing a compression member having a scored surface formed by grooves or indentations and an integral load distribution plate at one end of the compression member. The plate is shown affixed to the surface of the article being supported by means of a curved extension.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of the stabilizer bracket wherein the load distribution plate is bonded to the wall of an article to be supported by means of an adhesive substance placed between the load distribution plate and the unsupported surface.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and additionally shows a portion of the compression member severed along one of the registered grooves provided in the surface thereof.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment wherein the compression member is provided with saw-tooth ridges around its peripheral surface to enable same to be slidably positioned within a compression member housing; the saw-tooth ridges providing interlocking engagement within the housing aperture.

FIG. 6 shows a compression member and housing similar to that shown in FIG. 5, however a load distribution plate having a curved extension which is affixed to the article to be supported.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment described in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment wherein a compression member is provided with an externally threaded portion and a collar member is provided with an internally threaded portion for engagement with the threaded portion of the compression member.

FIG. 9 shows a stabilizer bracket similar to that described with reference to FIG. 8; however, the load distribution plate is adhesively bonded to the unsupported surface.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the stabilizer bracket shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a modified embodiment of the stabilizer bracket wherein a compression member has an internally threaded portion and is adapted for engagement with an externally threaded plug member.

FIG. 12 is an arrangement similar to that shown in FIG. 11 wherein the load distribution plate is adhesively bonded to the unsupported surface.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the stabilizer bracket arrangement as shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 shows an alternate arrangement wherein a compression member is provided with an externally threaded portion along its peripheral surface and is engaged in an internally threaded collar member, an externally threaded plug member which is threaded into the opposite end of the collar member.

The stabilizer bracket of this invention indicated generally by reference numeral 20 is comprised of a compression member 22 having an integral load distribution plate 24 formed at one end. The stabilizer bracket may be constructed of plastic, rubber or resilient material of similar composition having mechanical properties which will provide the required degree of flexibility and sufficient rigidity to carry the necessary axial compressive load. The compression member 22, as shown, is tubular in shape having a hollow core 26. The approximate length of the compression member can typically be about 2 inches. The diameter of the compression member may be about 1 inch, however the dimensions can be varied according to the load to be supported and will depend, in part, on the properties of the material used in fabricating the stabilizer bracket. The load distribution plate 22, which is formed integrally with the compression member 22 is provided with a curved extension 28 adapted to frictionally engage the edge of a wall 30 of the article to be supported. This curved portion 28 will thus position the load distribution plate 24 against the unsupported surface 32 of the wall 30. The compression member 22 contains a plurality of registered peripheral grooves or indentations 34 which provide a series of structurally weakened sections along which the compression member 22 may be severed as with a knife or hacksaw blade. When the compression member 22 is to be installed between the unsupported surface 32 and confronting buttressing surface 36, the compression member 22 is severed along one of the grooves 34 to adjust its length so that it will conform in size to the space between the two confronting surfaces and will be snugly interposed between said surfaces.

An alternate means for affixing or attaching the load distribution plate 24 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein like numerals have been used to represent like parts in the various embodiments and the suffix letter a is used to designate like parts in this particular embodiment. An adhesive substance 38 such as an epoxy resin, is applied to the surface of the load distribution plate 24a and then covered with a removable protective backing 40 which is to be removed just prior to the actual positioning of the load distribution plate 24a against the unsupported surface 32a. This adhesive substance 38 will thus firmly hold the compression member 22a in position against the unsupported surface 32a. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that other attaching means such as by applying an epoxy adhesive directly to the load distribution plate without using a protective backing, or by utilizing a clamping device, or other similar mechanical device, may be equally as effective to position the load support plate 24a to the unsupported surface 32a.

In order to adjust the length of the compression member 22a so as to insure a proper press fit or snug accommodation of the compression member 22a between the confronting unsupported surface 32a and buttressing surface 36a; a knife, hacksaw or other cutter may be used to sever the compression member along one of the registered grooves 34a. FIG. 4 shows a saw blade 42 removing a portion of the compression member 22a along one of registered grooves 34a. The grooves 34a provide a weakened section in the compression member 22a to facilitate cutting and also a registered guide for accurately determining the amount to be removed. The above described means for adjusting the length of the compression member 22a are equally applicable to compression member 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Although the compression member has been described as being hollow and tubular, it should be evident that other geometric cross-sections would be equally as effective and that the size and shape of the compression member 22 can be varied and will depend, in part, on the load distribution and the particular application and article to be so supported.

FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of the stabilizer bracket wherein like numerals are used to represent like parts in the various embodiments and the suffix letter b has been used to designate like parts in this particular embodiment. A compression member 22b is provided with a load distribution plate 24b, similar to the load distribution plate previously discussed with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. A compression member housing 44 defines, at one end thereof, an aperture 46 for slidably receiving the compression member 22b. The opposite end of the compression member housing 44 is positioned adjacent the buttressing surface 36b. The periphery of the aperture 46 has a radially inwardly directed lip 48 and a longitudinal slot 50 opening in aperture 46, for providing adjustable engagement with compression member 22b and will be further discussed herein. The combined length of the compression member 22b and housing 44 must be adjustable so that they can completely fill the space between the buttressing surface 36b and the unsupported surface 32b to thereby transfer the axially compressive force to the buttressing surface. To permit adjustability between the compression member 22b and housing 44 a plurality of saw-tooth ridges 52 are placed around the peripheral surface of the compression member 22b. These saw-tooth ridges 52 are adapted to be engaged by the lip 48; however the saw-tooth ridges 52 are angled such that the compression member 22b can be withdrawn i.e. pulled out of the aperture 46, to adjust the length of the bracket, but will interlock with the lip 48 when an axial compressive force is exerted on the compression member 22b tending to force the member 22b further into the aperture 46. The slot 50 has been provided in the housing so that one can re-insert same within the housing 44 by squeezing or exerting a radially inward pressure on the housing 44 so that the size of the aperture 46 will be increased due to the slot 50 which opens in the aperture 46 and will thereby expand the aperture 46 and permit the saw-tooth ridges 52 to pass in and over the lip 48. The housing 44 may be provided with a roughened outer surface 54 to facilitate griping the housing 44 as when the compression member 22b is to be re-inserted.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is similar to that described with reference to FIG. 5 wherein like numerals are used to represent like parts in the various embodiments and the suffix letter c has been used to designate like parts in this particular embodiment. A load distribution plate 24c has a curved extension 28c similar to the load distribution plate 24 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The compression member 22c is provided with saw-tooth ridges 52c and is adapted to be slidably received within the compression member housing 44c. The aperture 46c defined in the compression member housing has been provided with a lip 48c for interlocking engagement with the saw-tooth ridges 52c and was more fully described with reference to FIG. 5. The method for adjusting the length of the bracket will be identical to that previously described with reference to FIG. 5. The compression member housing 44c contains a slot 50c for permitting the re-insertion of the compression member 22c into the housing 44c, the operation of which has also been previously described with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the said invention wherein like numerals are used to represent like parts in the various embodiments and the suffix letter d has been used to designate like parts in this particular embodiment. Compression member 22d is provided with an externally threaded portion 56. A collar member 58 has an internally threaded portion 60. The collar member 58 is adapted to be threaded over the compression member 22d. The length of the bracket can be adjusted by manipulation of the collar member 58, i.e. varying the amount of threaded engagement with the compression member 22d until the length is such that it will snugly fit within the limited space between the confronting, unsupported and buttressing surfaces.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a modification of the arrangement described in FIG. 8 wherein like numerals are used to represent like parts in the various embodiments and the suffix letter e has been used to designate like parts in this particular embodiment. The modification utilizes the same means for adjusting the length of the bracket and includes an internally threaded collar 58e which is threaded over a compression member 22e in the manner previously described with reference to FIG. 8. This embodiment differs however from that shown in FIG. 8 because the load distribution plate 24e is covered with an adhesive substance 38e for attaching it to the unsupported surface 32e rather than by attaching same with a curved extension as in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 shows a variation of the bracket described with references to FIGS. 8-10, wherein like numerals are used to represent like parts in the various embodiments and the suffix letter f has been used to designate like parts in this particular embodiment. A hollow compression member 22f is provided with an internally threaded portion 62 and has an integral load distribution plate 24f at one end thereof. The load distribution plate 24f has a cured extension 28f similar to that shown and described in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8. An externally threaded plug member 64 is adapted to be threaded into the compression member 22f. A knurled head 66 formed at one end of the plug member 64 is provided to facilitate the manipulation of the plug member 64 and adjustment of amount of threaded engagement into the compression member 22f. This will permit for the adjustment of the length so that the bracket will snugly fit between the confronting unsupported and buttressing surfaces. A lock unit 68 may also be threaded on the plug member 64 and after the length of the bracket has been adjusted, the lock nut 68 may be firmly tightened against the compression member 22f (in the position shown in FIG. 11) so as to retard the loosening of the threaded coupling between the plug member 64 and compression member 22f.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a modification of the arrangement described in FIG. 11 wherein like numerals are used to represent like parts in the various embodiments and the suffix letter g has been used to designate like parts in this particular embodiment. The modification utilizes the same means for adjusting the length of the bracket and includes a hollow compression member 22g having an internally threaded portion 62g adapted to accommodate an externally threaded plug member 64g. The adjustment of the bracket length is achieved by manipulation of the plug member 64g by means of a knurled head 66g, in the manner previously described with reference to FIG. 11. A lock nut (not shown) may also be provided on the plug member 64g to prevent loosening of the threaded coupling.

Another embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 14 wherein like numerals are used to represent like parts in the various embodiments and the suffix letter h has been used to designate like parts in this particular embodiment. A compression member 22h is provided with an externally threaded portion 56h. Collar member 58h has an internally threaded portion 60h which is adapted to be threaded with and engage the compression member 22h at one end thereof. An externally threaded plug member 64h is adapted to be threaded into and engage the opposite end of the collar member 58h. The threaded portion 56h of the compression member is threaded in an opposite direction to the threads on the plug member 64, i.e. if the compression member 22h has right-hand threads, the plug member 64 will have a left-hand threads. The manipulation of the collar member 58 to rotate same, will cause the plug member 64 and compression member 22h to move in axially opposite directions, much like a "turn buckle arrangement". The length of the bracket can thereby be adjusted such that same will be snugly accommodated between the confronting unsupported and buttressing surfaces. The embodiment shown in FIG. 14 utilizes an adhesive substance 38h for holding the load distribution plate 24h against the unsupported surface 32h. However, a curved extension such as that previously described in regard to the other embodiments could be used with equal effectiveness.

In order to effectively utilize this stabilizer bracket one must first ascertain the appropriate method of attaching the load distribution plate, that is whether the curved extension or the adhesively backed load distribution is to be used. It will of course be evident to those skilled in the art that there are various other means for attaching the load distribution plate which may be suitable for a particular situation, and will depend greatly upon the type of article that is to be supported. After the load distribution plate has been attached to the unsupported surface the length of the bracket should then be properly adjusted to conform to the space between the confronting, unsupported surface and buttressing surface so that the stabilizer bracket will be snugly seated within this space. This adjustment may be accomplished, according to the particular embodiment used, by either cutting off the unnecessary length of the compression member along a registered groove there provided or by extending the compression member housing by pulling same axially away from the compression member until the housing abuts against the buttressing surface, and a saw-tooth ridge is interlocked with the aperture lip. The other embodiments shown require the rotation of the respective collar member a plug member until the length is adjusted to fully position between the confronting surfaces.

The above cited embodiments are intended as exemplary, and while they have described the invention with a specific implementation thereof, other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A stabilizer bracket for supporting a laterally unsupported surface, said bracket being disposable within a limited space between a surface to be supported and a confronting buttressing surface, the bracket comprises a cylindrical compression member of resilient material, a load distribution plate formed integrally at one end of the compression member, fastening means for affixing the load distribution plate to the surface to be supported, a hollow cylindrical compression member of resilient material defining an aperture, said first mentioned compression member having a plurality of ridges in its outer periphery, said second compression member having a radially inwardly directed lip along the periphery of the aperture for engagement and interlocking with the ridges of said second compression member whereby the second compression member can be adjustably retained within the first compression member at varying positions therewithin so that the bracket will be suitably accommodated within the limited space and means for affixing the second compression member to the confronting buttressing surface, said second compression member being longitudinally slotted and grooved on is exterior surface to permit ready expansion of the walls of the compression member when adjusting the first compression thereinto, and said means for affixing the load distribution plate to the surface to be supported including a curved portion extending from said plate and adapted to be frictionally engaged with the edge of the wall forming said unsupported surface.

2. A stabilizer bracket for supporting a laterally unsupported surface as defined in claim 1 and said means for fastening the first compression member to the surface to be supported including an adhesive substance for the bonding of the plate to the unsupported surface.

3. A stabilizer bracket for supporting a laterally unsupported surface as defined in claim 1 and means for adjusting the length of the first compression member including the ridges and grooves therebetween serving to provide weakened sections and registered guides along which the compression member may be severed.

4. A stabilizer bracket for supporting a laterally unsupported surface as defined in claim 3 and said second compression member having ridges and alternate grooves providing registered guides along with the compression member may be severed to adjust the length of said second compression member.