Support system, in particular a shelf bracket

Abstract

 A shelf support system comprises a bracket member (20) which is snapped into a vertical channel (50) by means of a head portion (30) which has asymmetrical recesses (32,33) which co-act with asymmetrical jaws (42,43) of the channel. One recess (32) is placed over one of the jaws (42) which then serves as a pivot while the other recess (33) snaps over the other jaw (43). To assist in retaining a shelf on the bracket member, an integral spike 39 may be provided.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a support system and more particularly to a shelf support system, in which individual bracket members are attached to a channel member fixed to a wall.

[0002] In existing systems, a relatively complicated procedure is necessary to insert the bracket members in the channel member. In addition the bracket members are frequently loosely mounted in the panel member so that relative movement between the two can occur. In particular, rotational movements of the bracket member can occur in horizontal and vertical planes.

[0003] One particular disadvantage of many existing systems is that the bracket members can only be fixed to the channel member at certain discrete points. In U.S. patent 3848844, there is disclosed a shelf system which overcomes this disadvantage in that the bracket members can be slid along the channel member to any desired height. However, a relatively complicated and time-­consuming procedure is then necessary to secure the bracket member at said height, i.e. the insertion of a separate friction inducing element. Another disadvantage is that the bracket members can only be inserted into the channel members at the ends thereof; thus to add an extra bracket member to an existing shelf support system may necessitate the dismantling of the existing shelves followed by re-assembly.

[0004] The present invention seeks to overcome or reduce one or more of the above problems.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a support system comprising a support member arranged to be attached to a channel member, said channel member being arranged to be fixed to a wall and being substantially U-shaped with a web portion and two arms with inwardly-facing jaw portions at the free ends of said arms, and said support member comprising attachment means having two recesses at opposite sides thereof and arranged to co-operate with said jaw portions, characterised in that the width of said attachment means measured between said recesses is greater than the separation of said jaw portions of the channel member when unstressed.

[0006] According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method of assembling the above support system wherein one of said recesses is placed over one of said jaw portions, said one jaw portion therafter serving as a pivot while the other is snapped over the other of said jaw portions.

[0007] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawIngs, of which:-

Fig. l is a side view of a bracket member of a shelf support system in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a shelf support system incorporating the bracket member of Fig. l before assembly;

Fig. 3 is a part view similar to Fig. 2, but after assembly;

Figs 4 and 5 are side views of modified bracket members; and

Fig.6 is an enlarged top plan view of the head portion of a modified bracket member.

[0008] A shelf support system comprises a plurality of U-­shaped metal channel members l0 which are arranged to be screwed to a wall in a vertical configuration, and a plurality of metal bracket members 20 which are arranged to be attached to the members l0 at desired positions to support a shelf.

[0009] Each bracket member 20 comprises a generally triangular portion 22 and a generally planar portion 2l arranged, in use, to support the bottom of a shelf. Member 20 has attachment means 30 at one end for attaching it to the channel member l0. The attachment means comprises a head portion 3l, which is arranged to enter the channel member l0, with side recesses 32, 33 and flanges 34, 35. Each recess comprises two edges, a first edge formed by the straight edge of the respective flange and a second edge. The second edge of recess 32 is concave, whereas the second edge of recess 34 is straight.

[0010] Spaced from portion 2l and parallel thereto, a steel pin 39 projects from head portion 3l. At the end remote from the head portion 3l, the planar portion 2l has a through screw hole 37.

[0011] The channel member l0 has inwardly-directed jaw portions 42, 43 at the free ends of U-arms 40, 4l. The rear face 44 of jaw portion 42 is convex with substantially the same radius of curvature as the concave edge of recess 32. The inner face 45 of jaw portion 43 is straight and the angle formed between face 45 and front face 47 is substantially the same as that formed between the straight edges of recess 33.

[0012] The separation of the two jaw portions 42 and 43 when the channel member l0 is unstressed (i.e. as in Fig. 2) is arranged to be slightly less than the separation of the bases of the recesses 32 and 33.

[0013] To mount the bracket member 20 on to channel member l0, recess 32 is first placed over jaw portion 42. Jaw portion 42 is then used as a pivot as the bracket member 20 is rotated (anticlockwise in Figs. 2 and 3) and head portion 3l is squeezed past jaw portion 43 to snap into position in the channel member. During this operation the jaw portions are forced apart and finally move together again as jaw portion 43 enters recess 33. Since the separation of the recesses 32, 33 is slightly greater than the unstressed separation of jaw portions 42, 43, the latter are still stressed and exert a tight frictional grip on the attachement means.

[0014] A wooden shelf (not shown) is then placed on planar portion 2l and its rear edge is pierced by pin 39 to lock the shelf and bracket member together. The front of the shelf is then attached to the planar portion by means of a screw passing through hole 37.

[0015] To remove the bracket member 20 from the channel member it is rotated clockwise around jaw portion 42 as a pivot to snap it out.

[0016] The above-described system permits the bracket member to be quickly,simply and securely attached to the channel member. The secure, frictional, metal-to-­metal grip of the jaw portions on the attachment means ensures that no rotation of the bracket member can occur in the horizontal plane. Furthermore, the front and rear surfaces of recess 32 exert a tight grip on the front and rear of jaw portion 42 so that rotation in a vertical plane is also prevented. It should be noted in this respect that Fig. 3 is purely schematic and that in practice there are no gaps between the jaw portions and their respective recesses.

[0017] The provision of pin or spike 39 consists in the quick assembly of the shelf support system since the need for a plurality of drilling and screwing operations is avoided.

[0018] The bracket member may be attached to the channel member at any desired position therealong. In addition mounting of the bracket member is effected from the front of the channel member. Thus the need to insert each bracket member from an end of the channel member is avoided; indeed the bracket members of the present invention do not slidealong the channel member at all.

[0019] Various modifications may be made to the above-­described system. For example, the shapes of recesses 32, 33 and jaw portions 42, 43 are not restricted to those shown and described and a wide range of cross-­sections may be employed, including symmetrical ones. For many applications pin 39 is capable by itself of holding a shelf in position, so that screw hole 37 can be omitted. Pin 39 may project vertically from section 3l instead of hozitonally and two or more pins 39 may be provided. Alternatively pin 39 can be omitted and further screw holes provided if desired. Although the system described comprises metal members, the components may be alternatively of plastics material.

[0020] Triangular portion 22 may extend along the centre line of portion 2l; in this case any screw holes through portion 2l in this region are staggered to one side of the centre line. Alternatively the triangular portion is shifted towards one longitudinal edge of the portion 2l, thus permitting the screw holes to be arranged centrally thereof, like screw hole 37.

[0021] The triangular portion 22 may have a through hole 23 therein. With a plastics bracket member 20 this has the advantage that, after mounting the bracket member on to channel member l0, a finger may be inserted in the hole 23 to press the bracket member towards the left in the Figures. With a suitably-sized head portion 3l, this spreads the material thereof to provide a better grip.

[0022] Another modification which serves to improve the frictional grip of the head portion 3l is shown in Fig.4. Although head portion 3l still has the same general cross section in a horizontal plane it comprises two vertically-spaced parts 3la and 3lb separated by a centrally-arranged cut-out 6l. More than one cut-out or slot 6l may be provided, as shown in Fig.5, where the head portion has a plurality of vertically-spaced ribs 62. The modifications of Figs 4 and 5 have the further advantages of saving material and making the bracket member lighter.

[0023] Figure 6 shows the head portion 8l of a modified bracket member on an enlarged scale. Preferred dimensions are indicated thereon in millimetres. A preferred material of the bracket member is 30% glass-filled nylon.

[0024] The head portion has side recesses 82, 83 which are arranged to engage with the jaws 42, 43. As shown, recess 82 is generally semi-circular, whereas recess 83 is generally triangular with a curved apex. The assembly of the bracket member 8l to the channel member 50 is similar to that described in connection with Figs l to 3. To prevent unwanted warping of the head portion, a circular hole 86 may be provided extending from the top to the bottom thereof. This has the additional advantages of enabling a better grip to be obtained and saving material.

[0025] The circular hole 86 has a further purpose in that after a shelf has been positioned on the bracket member, a first arm of a right-angled peg may be tapped into the hole. Insertion continues until the second arm of the peg engages the top surface of the rear of the shelf to hold it in position. This avoids the need for a spike 39. A part of the first arm of the peg may be configured like the head portion 3l of bracket member 20 with a projecting pin at the bottom to engage in hole 86. The peg is of relatively soft material so that it can be relatively easily inserted into a channel member l0 from the front and then slid down the channel member to engage the top of a shelf. Most of the peg is hidden from view by the shelf.

Claims

1. A support system comprising a support member (20) arranged to be attached to a channel member (50), said channel member being arranged to be fixed to a wall and being substantially U-shaped with a web portion and two arms (40,4l) with inwardly-facing jaw portions (42,43) at the free ends of said arms, and said support member comprising attachment means (30) having two recesses (32,33) at opposite sides thereof and arranged to co-operate with said jaw portions, characterised in that the width of said attachment means measured between said recesses is greater than the separation of said jaw portions of the channel member when unstressed.

2. A support system according to Claim l, wherein said jaw portions are asymmetric.

3. A support system according to Claim l or 2, wherein said recesses are asymmetric.

4. A support system according to any preceding Claim, wherein a hole (86) is provided along the axis of said attachment means.

5. A support system according to any preceding Claim, wherein said support member comprises a bracket arm (2l) extending from said attachment means and arranged to support a shelf thereon.

6. A support system according to Claim 5, wherein means (39) are provided on or adjacent to said bracket arm for penetrating the material of a shelf supported on said bracket arm.

7. A support system according to Claim 6, wherein said penetrating means is a spike (39) extending parallel to said bracket arm.

8. A support system according to any of Claims 5 to 7, wherein a triangular portion (22) is provided below said bracket arm and located in a vertical plane, said bracket arm and said attachment means forming mutually perpendicular sides of said triangular portion, and said triangular portion extending to one side of the central line of said bracket arm.

9. A method of assembling a support system according to any preceding Claim, wherein one of said recesses (32) is placed over one of said jaw portions (42), said one jaw portion (42) thereafter serving as a pivot while the other recess (33) is snapped over the other of said jaw portions (43).

l0. A bracket member (20) for a shelf support system, said bracket member comprising an arm (2l), said arm being arranged in use to be horizontal and to support a shelf, and means (30) at one end of said arm for attaching said bracket member to a fixed member, characterised in that the bracket member further comprises means (39) on or adjacent to said arm for penetrating the material of a said shelf positioned on said arm.

Drawing