BRACKETS

Abstract

A bracket (1) for mounting an object to a profiled beam (10), which includes a clamp (2) and a support (3) for adjustably securing the object relative to the profiled beam (10). The clamp (2) includes a pair of opposed clamp members (20, 21), a sprung hinge (4) connecting the clamp members (20, 21) together on a first of their sides and a fastener (5) for fastening the clamp members (20, 21) together on a second of their sides. Each clamp member (20, 21) describes a beam receiving recess (22) and includes a retaining lip (25) on the first side for engaging a profiled beam (10). The fastener (5) is operable to fasten the clamp members (20, 21) on the second side of the beam (10), while the retaining lips (25) engage the first side of the beam (10).

Claims

1. A bracket for mounting an object to a profiled beam, the bracket comprising a pair of opposed clamp members, a tether joining the clamp members, a fastener for fastening the clamp members and mounting means for adjustably mounting an object to one of the clamp members, wherein the clamp members describe opposed beam receiving recesses, each clamp member has a retaining feature for engaging a first side of a profiled beam, the tether joins the clamp members on the first side of the beam and the fastener is operable to fasten the clamp members on a second side of the beam, opposite the first side, while the retaining features engage the first side of the beam.

2. A bracket according to claim 1, wherein each retaining feature comprises a retaining lip which projects inwardly from the clamp member for engaging a lip or recess of the profiled beam.

3. A bracket according to claim 2, wherein the fastener comprises a latch operable to latch the clamp members together, thereby to cause them to exert a closing force on the beam.

4. A bracket according to claim 3, wherein the latch comprises a twist lock latch which releasably connects the clamp members together.

5. (canceled)

6. A bracket according to claim 1, wherein the tether is configured to support the clamp members in a spaced, beam receiving configuration and is resilient to enable the clamp members to be moved relative to one another.

7. A bracket according to claim 6, wherein the tether comprises a sprung hinge.

8. A bracket according to claim 1, wherein the tether is formed from a metallic plate.

9. A bracket according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprises an extendable support for adjustably mounting the object to the clamp member.

10. A bracket according to claim 9 comprising an extendable support secured to each clamp member for adjustably mounting an object to each clamp member.

11. A bracket according to claim 9, wherein the or each extendable support comprises first and second telescopic members, one of which is secured to the clamp member and the other of which comprises a connector for connecting to an object.

12. A bracket according to claim 11, wherein the or each extendable support comprises a clamp for releasably securing the telescopic members to one another in any one of a plurality of relative positions.

13. A bracket according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the connectors comprises a key for engaging a keyway of an object.

14. A bracket according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the connectors comprises a plate with an array of holes each for connection with an edge or corner of a respective object.

15. A clamp for use in a bracket, the clamp comprising a pair of opposed clamp members, a tether joining the clamp members and a fastener for fastening the clamp members, wherein the clamp members describe opposed beam receiving recesses, each clamp member has a retaining feature for engaging a first side of a profiled beam, the tether joins the clamp members on the first side of the beam and the fastener is operable to fasten the clamp members on a second side of the beam, opposite the first side, while the retaining features engage the first side of the beam.

16. A clamp according to claim 15, wherein each retaining feature comprises a retaining lip which projects inwardly from the clamp member for engaging a lip or recess of the profiled beam.

17. A clamp according to claim 16, wherein the fastener comprises a latch operable to latch the clamp members together.

18. A clamp according to claim 17, wherein the latch comprises a twist lock latch which releasably connects the clamp members together.

19. (canceled)

20. A clamp according to claim 15, wherein the tether is configured to support the clamp members in a spaced, beam receiving configuration and is resilient to enable the clamp members to be moved relative to one another.

21. A clamp according to claim 20, wherein the tether comprises a sprung hinge.

22. A clamp according to claim 15, wherein each clamp member comprises a mounting bracket for connecting an extendable support thereto.

23-25. (canceled)

Description

[0034] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bracket according to an example of the invention, which is clamped to a profiled beam of a display frame or temporary structure;

[0036] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the clamp of the bracket of FIG. 1, illustrating the sprung hinge;

[0037] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view similar to that of FIG. 2, but illustrating the latch mechanism;

[0038] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clamp shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with the beam omitted and with the latch shown in an unlatched configuration;

[0039] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 4;

[0040] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the bracket of FIGS. 1 to 4;

[0041] FIG. 7 is a side view of the inner sleeve of the tubular clamp of the support of the bracket of FIGS. 1 to 5;

[0042] FIG. 8 is a perspective section view of the outer sleeve of the tubular clamp of the support of the bracket of FIGS. 1 to 5;

[0043] FIG. 9 is a side view of the end connector of the support of the bracket of FIGS. 1 to 5;

[0044] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a bracket according to another example, which includes two extendable supports;

[0045] FIG. 11 is a view similar to that of FIG. 10, but with one of the supports omitted and showing the twist lock latch in an unlatched configuration;

[0046] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the clamp of the bracket of FIGS. 10 and 11; and

[0047] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of one of the supports of the bracket of FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0048] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a bracket 1 for mounting an object, such as a computer monitor (not shown), to a profiled beam 10. The bracket 1 includes a clamp 2 and a support 3, which is adjustable in this example to provide a mounting means for adjustably securing the object (not shown) relative to the profiled beam 10. The profiled beam 10 in this example has a substantially square cross-section with a slot 11 along each of its longitudinal faces. The slots 11 are described between flanges 12 extending along each corner of the beam 10. In use, the profiled beam 10 is incorporated in a display frame or temporary structure of the kind that is formed of a plurality of such beams 10, joined together to form a three dimensional structure to which display panels and other objects (such as computer monitors and the like) are secured.

[0049] As illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 2 to 5, the clamp 2 includes a pair of opposed clamp members 20, 21, a sprung hinge 4 connecting the clamp members 20, 21 together on a first of their sides and a fastener 5 for fastening the clamp members 20, 21 together on a second of their sides, opposite the first side. Each clamp member 20, 21 is in the form of a channel section, which is square in plan with a beam receiving recess 22 on an inner side. The recess 22 of each clamp members 20, 21 is described by a pair of flanges 23, 24 extending along opposite sides thereof. One flange 24 includes a retaining lip 25, which projects inwardly of the clamp member 20, 21. In this example, the lip 25 extends into the recess 22, but this need not be the case, for example if the other flange 23 is shallower than the flange 24 with the lip 25. Each clamp member 20, 21 also includes threaded holes 26 on its outer side, adjacent each corner.

[0050] The support 3 includes a mounting bracket 30, a pair of telescopic tubes 31, 32, a tube clamp 33 and a key connector 34. The mounting bracket 30 includes a mounting plate 30a and an internally threaded tubular receptacle 30b. The mounting plate 30a includes four holes 30c through its thickness, which correspond to the threaded holes 26 of one of the clamp members 21. As illustrated more clearly in FIG. 6, the first telescopic tube 31 includes a first, externally threaded end 31a and a second, internally threaded end 31b. The first end 31a is received within the receptacle 30b of the mounting bracket 30 and threadedly engaged therewith. The second telescopic tube 32 includes a first end 32a, which receives a plug 35, and a second, internally threaded end 32b.

[0051] The tube clamp 33 includes an inner sleeve 36 and an outer sleeve 37. The inner sleeve 36 includes a first, externally threaded end 36a, four spaced, axial tabs 36b extending from a radial flange 36c and forming a second end, opposite the first end 36a, and an intermediate thread 36d between threaded first end 36a and the radial flange 36c. The outer sleeve 37 includes a first, internally threaded end 37a, a second, tapered end 37b and a series of spaced, tapered projections 37c.

[0052] The first end 36a of the inner sleeve 36 is received within, and threadedly engages, the second end 31b of the first telescopic tube 31 and slidingly receives the first end 32a of the second telescopic tube 32. The outer sleeve 37 surrounds the inner sleeve 36, with the first end 37a engaging the intermediate thread 36d of the inner sleeve 36 and the tapered projections 37c cooperating with the radial flange 36c to retain the outer sleeve 37 on the inner sleeve 36.

[0053] The key connector 34 includes a first, externally threaded end 34a and a second, keyed end 34b. The keyed end 34b in this embodiment includes a pair of opposed tapered projections 34c. The keyed end 34b is configured to be received within a keyway (not shown) in the object (not shown) in a first orientation, and rotated within the keyway (not shown) to a second orientation in which the projections 34c engage the keyway (not shown) to secure the object (not shown) to the support 3.

[0054] The sprung hinge 4, shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 5, is formed of a metallic plate, such as stainless steel, shaped into a U with a pair of parallel plate portions 40, 41 interconnected by a curved portion 42 and opposed flanges 43, 44 at the free ends of the plate portions 40, 41 which project toward one another. Each plate portion 40, 41 includes four holes 45 through its thickness, which correspond to the threaded holes 26 of the clamp members 20, 21. Each flange 43, 44 includes a respective bracket 46, 47 extending outwardly therefrom. A first bracket 46 includes a hole 46a extending parallel to the beam 10 and a second bracket 47 provides a pair of spaced hooks 47a opening outwardly with respect to the other bracket 46.

[0055] In this example, the fastener 5 is in the form of a toggle latch 5 that releasably connects the clamp members 20, 21 together. The latch 5 includes a lever 50 hingedly connected to the first bracket 46 by a pin 51 and a connection loop 52 pivotally mounted to the lever 50. The lever 50 is substantially L-shaped with a pin receptacle 53 at the free end of a short leg 54 thereof and a loop receptacle 55 at the junction between the short leg 54 and a long leg 56 of the lever 50. The pin 51 includes a bolt 51a, which threadedly engages a hexagonal nut 51b. The connection loop 52 is formed of a length of metal wire, bent to form a substantially C-shaped loop with opposed free ends 57 projecting toward one another.

[0056] In the assembled condition, shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 to 4, the sprung hinge 4 is secured to the clamp member 20, 21 by screws 48. The screws 48 extend through the holes 45 through the plate portion 40, 41 and engage the threaded holes 26 of the clamp members 20, 21. However, the screws 48 that extend through the holes 45 of the plate portion 41 from which the second bracket 47 projects also extend through the mounting plate holes 30c, thereby securing the mounting plate 30a to the adjacent clamp member 21.

[0057] The pin 51 is received within the pin receptacle 53 and through the hole 46a in the first bracket 46 to pivotally mount the lever 50 to the adjacent clamp member 20. The free ends 57 of the connection loop 52 are received within opposite sides of the loop receptacle 54 to pivotally mount the connection loop 52 to the lever 50. In this condition, the lever 50 may be pivoted toward the other clamp member 21 to enable the connection loop 52 to be inserted into the hooks 47a. With the connection loop 52 engaged within the hooks 47a, the lever 50 may be pivoted back, way from the other clamp member 21 to toggle the latch 5 to a latched condition, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0058] In order to mount the clamp 2 onto the profiled beam 10, the latch 5 is in the unlatched condition, as shown in FIG. 4, the clamp members 20, 21 are urged apart and placed over one side of the profiled beam 10. The retaining lips 25 of the clamp 2 are urged into the adjacent slot 11 of the beam 10 until the opposite flanges 23 pass over the adjacent corner flanges 12 of the beam 10. In this example, the clamp members 20, 21 are shaped and configured such that they snap into engagement over the beam 10 at this point, by virtue of the sprung hinge 4. The latch 5 is then latched by engaging the connection loop 52 into the hooks 47a and pivoting the lever 50 to the latched condition, as described above. In this, latched condition, the clamp members 20, 21 exert a closing and clamping force on the beam 10 to retain the bracket 1 in position.

[0059] In use, the second telescopic tube 32 is rotated in order to rotate the key connector 34 for engaging the keyway (not shown). The outer sleeve 37 is then rotated relative to the inner sleeve 36, which draws it toward the first telescopic tube 31 such that the second, tapered end 37b engages the tabs 36b of the inner sleeve 36. Continued rotation of the outer sleeve 37 relative to the inner sleeve 36 and urges them against the second telescopic tube 32. As a result, the tabs 36b clamp the second telescopic tube 32 in place relative to the first telescopic tube 31. The second, tapered end 37b therefore acts as a cam surface which engages the tabs 36b to clamp the second telescopic tube 32.

[0060] Referring now to FIGS. 10 to 13, there is shown a bracket 101 according to another example, which is similar to the bracket 1 described above, wherein like features are labelled with like references incremented by 100. The bracket 101 according to this example differs from that described above in that the toggle latch fastener 5 is replaced with a twist lock latching fastener 105, the bracket 101 includes a second telescopic support 103′ and one of the supports 103, 103′ includes a plate connector 138 in place of the key connector 134.

[0061] The twist lock latching fastener 105 includes a knob 150, which is rotatably mounted to a hub 151 projecting from the flange 123a on one side of the first clamp member 120, and a catch 152 projecting from the flange 123b on the adjacent side of the second clamp member 121. The hub 151 is surrounded by a part-circular ratchet wall 153 having a stop 153a at each of its ends and a plurality of splines 153b projecting radially from the ratchet wall 153, between the stops 153a. The knob 150 includes corresponding splines (not shown) which cooperate with the splines 153b of the ratchet wall 153 to provide a step-wise adjustment mechanism. The stops 153a limit the extent of movement of the knob 150 relative to the hub 151.

[0062] The knob 150 has a substantially cylindrical body with a central ridge 154 projecting from its free end with a gradual, curved transition to the cylindrical body. The knob 150 also includes a central, axial hole 155, which divides the central ridge 154 into a pair of gripping tabs 154a, 154b for applying a torque to the knob 150. The hub 151 receives a threaded insert 151a and the knob 150 is secured thereto by a threaded fastener F. The threaded fastener F extends through a washer W, through the hole 155 of the knob 150 and into the threaded insert 151a in the hub 151.

[0063] The catch 152 is a part-annular projection with a head portion 152a and a necked portion 152b, thereby providing an L-shaped radial cross-section. The knob 150 also includes a part-annular portion 150a depending from the cylindrical body, which is also L-shaped to engage with the catch 152. The part-annular portion 150a of the knob 150 and the necked portion 152b of the catch include engaging circumferential camming surfaces having a radial dimension that vary to increase the interference therebetween along a clockwise direction. Thus, rotation of the knob 150 in the clockwise direction draws the catch 152, and therefore the second clamp member 121, toward the first clamp member 120. As explained above, the cooperating splines 153b of the ratchet wall 153 and knob 150 provide a step-wise adjustment mechanism.

[0064] Each of the clamp members 120, 121 includes a pair of square sockets 126a which receive square dowel projections 130d on the facing surface of the mounting bracket 130, 130′ of one of the supports 103, 103′. Similarly, each of the plate portions 140, 141 of the sprung hinge 104 includes a corresponding pair of square holes 145a through its thickness, which are aligned with the square sockets 126a of the clamp member 120, 121 to which it is mounted. As the hub 151 and catch 152 are both formed as part of the clamp members 120, 121, the flanges 43, 44 of the previous example are omitted from the sprung hinge 104 in this example. When the mounting brackets 130, 130′ of the supports 103, 103′ are mounted to the clamp members 120, 121 with the plate portions 140, 141 of the sprung hinge 104 captivated therebetween, the square dowel projections 130d extend through the square holes 145a and into the square sockets 126a. This arrangement improves the overall rigidity of the bracket 101.

[0065] The key connector 134 in this example is substantially the same as the key connector 34 in the example described above, except that much of the solid material thereof has been replaced by reinforcing ribs. The plate connector 138 includes a threaded tubular fitting 138a with a closed end, a plate 138b and a fastening assembly 139 securing the plate 138b to the closed end of the tubular fitting 138a. The key connector 134 and the plate connector 138 are each removably securable to one of the telescopic supports 103, 103′.

[0066] The plate 138b is substantially rectangular in plan with four holes 138c, one adjacent each of its corners 138d, and a central mounting hole 138e. The corner holes 138c are elongated along the longer dimension of the rectangular plate 138b and the corners 138d are scalloped to follow the profile of the holes 138c. The fastening assembly 139 includes a threaded fastener F, a bushing B and a nut N. In the assembled condition, the fastener F extends through the central mounting hole 138e of the plate 138b, through a hole (not shown) in the closed end of the tubular fitting 138a, through the bushing B and threadedly engaging the nut N. The fastening assembly 139 is configured to rotatably connect the plate 138b to the telescopic support 103, thereby to enable its orientation to be adjusted.

[0067] The bracket 101 according to this example enables objects, such as large computer monitors (not shown), to be mounted on opposed sides of the profiled beam 10. This can be particularly useful in situations where a temporary structure (not shown) incorporates a wall having computer monitors (not shown) mounted on each of its sides.

[0068] Typically, such temporary structures (not shown) are configured to support the computer monitors (not shown) vertically along the plane of the monitors. The brackets 1, 101 of the invention provide a convenient means of securing laterally the computer monitors (not shown) relative to the temporary structure (not shown), thereby to prevent them from falling from the structure.

[0069] The use of a plate connector 138 as described above also enables the corners of such computer monitors (not shown) to be aligned with one another, thereby improving the aesthetics of the wall of computer monitors (not shown). In addition, the telescopic adjustability of the brackets 1, 101 also facilitates small changes to the relative orientation of adjacent computer monitors (not shown), for example to create a slightly concave or convex wall. The connectors 34, 134, 138 are all removable from the telescopic support 3, 103, thereby providing a versatile, adaptable bracket 1, 101.

[0070] Moreover, the bracket 101 according to the second example need not be used with two telescopic supports 103. It could be used, for example, in the form shown in FIG. 11, with the mounting bracket 130′ of the second telescopic support 103′ mounted to the second clamp member 121, but without the other components thereof.

[0071] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations to the aforementioned embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the shape of the opposed beam receiving recesses 22 of the clamp members 20, 21 may vary to accommodate beams 10 having a different cross-sectional shape, such as round, elliptical or any other shape. The support 3 may have a different configuration and need not be adjustable. The clamp 2 may be used with any suitable mounting means or may form part of the object (not shown) to be clamped.

[0072] Moreover, one or both clamp members 20, 21 may include a resilient or adjustable grip means for maintaining or adjusting the closing force to compensate for minor variations in beam dimensions. The grip means may be provided by resilient pads mounted to the clamp members 20, 21 or the latch 5 may be made adjustable or be replaced by a threaded fastener.

[0073] It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.