Bracket

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9278238-B2
Application number	US-201113216370-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 24, 2011
Priority date	Aug 24, 2011
Publication date	Mar 8, 2016
Grant date	Mar 8, 2016

Abstract

A bracket positioned on one side of a membrane or surface is adjustable from the other side of the surface to permit the position of an item supported by the bracket to be readily adjusted relatively to the surface. The bracket has a base to which an arm is movably attached. The arm moves between an open and a closed position to permit the item to be received by the bracket. In the closed position the item is clamped between the base and the arm. A finger is mounted on the base and is movable into and out of engagement with a contact surface on the arm. When the finger engages the contact surface it secures the arm in the closed position and effects the clamping action which holds the item in position. The finger and arm are readily accessible to permit adjustment.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bracket for securing an item to a support, said bracket comprising:
a base defining an opening therein for receiving said item;
an arm, mounted on said base, said arm being movable between a closed position overlying said opening for retaining said item to said base, and an open position in spaced relation away from said opening to permit insertion and removal of said item into and from said opening;
a contact surface mounted on said arm;
a finger having a longitudinal axis, said finger mounted directly on said base when said arm is in both said open and closed positions, said finger being movable along said longitudinal axis relatively to said base so as to position at least a portion of said finger into and out of engagement with said contact surface and exert a force against said contact surface along said longitudinal axis, said contact surface being angularly oriented with respect to said longitudinal axis and redirecting a portion of said force in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis to achieve a clamping force between said arm and said base to respectively secure said arm in said closed position and release said arm from said closed position.

2. The bracket according to claim 1 , wherein said arm is pivotally mounted on said base.

3. The bracket according to claim 2 , further comprising a spring mounted between said base and said arm, said spring biasing said arm into said closed position overlying said opening.

4. The bracket according to claim 1 , wherein said opening is defined by first and second side portions positioned in spaced relation to one another, said side portions being attached to one another by a transverse portion, said opening being positioned opposite to said transverse portion.

5. The bracket according to claim 4 , wherein said arm is pivotally mounted on said first side portion, said finger being mounted on said second side portion, said arm being in facing relation with said transverse portion when in said closed position overlying said opening.

6. The bracket according to claim 5 , wherein said finger is threadedly engaged with said second side portion, rotation of said threaded shaft moving said finger transversely to said second side portion and into and out of engagement with said contact surface.

7. The bracket according to claim 4 , wherein a first end of said arm is pivotally mounted on said first side portion, said contact surface comprising a tab extending from a second end of said arm oppositely disposed to said first end.

8. The bracket according to claim 7 , wherein said contact surface comprises a recess positioned within said tab for receiving said finger.

9. The bracket according to claim 7 , wherein said contact surface comprises a beveled edge positioned on said tab for receiving said finger.

10. The bracket according to claim 7 , wherein said tab comprises a curved surface forming a hook for receiving said finger.

11. The bracket according to claim 7 , wherein said contact surface comprises a curved surface having a conical shape positioned on said tab.

12. The bracket according to claim 7 , further comprising a hook mounted on said second end of said arm, said hook being sized to receive said finger.

13. The bracket according to claim 1 , wherein said base comprises:
a first plate;
a second plate facing said first plate and positioned in spaced apart relation thereto;
a third plate positioned opposite to and facing said opening, said third plate attached to said first and second plates to form a channel for receiving said support.

14. The bracket according to claim 1 , wherein said finger comprises a threaded shaft threadedly engaged with said base, rotation of said threaded shaft moving said finger transversely to said base.

15. A bracket for securing an item to a support, said bracket comprising:
a base defining an opening therein for receiving said item;
an arm, mounted on said base, said arm being movable between a closed position overlying said opening for retaining said item to said base, and an open position in spaced relation away from said opening to permit insertion and removal of said item into and from said opening;
a contact surface mounted on said base;
a finger having a longitudinal axis, said finger mounted directly on said arm when said arm is in both said open and closed positions, said finger being movable relatively to said arm into and out of engagement with said contact surface so as to exert a force against said contact surface along said longitudinal axis, said contact surface being angularly oriented with respect to said longitudinal axis and redirecting a portion of said force in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis to achieve a clamping force between said arm and said base to respectively secure said arm in said closed position and release said arm from said closed position.

16. The bracket according to claim 15 , wherein said arm is pivotally mounted on said base.

17. The bracket according to claim 16 , further comprising a spring mounted between said base and said arm, said spring biasing said arm into said closed position overlying said opening.

18. The bracket according to claim 15 , wherein said opening is defined by first and second side portions positioned in spaced relation to one another, said side portions being attached to one another by a transverse portion, said opening being positioned opposite to said transverse portion.

19. The bracket according to claim 18 , wherein said arm is pivotally mounted on said first side portion, said contact surface comprising a tab projecting from said second side portion, said arm being in facing relation with said transverse portion when said arm is in said closed position overlying said opening.

20. The bracket according to claim 19 , wherein said finger comprises a threaded shaft threadedly engaged with said arm, rotation of said threaded shaft moving said finger relatively to said arm and into and out of engagement with said tab.

21. The bracket according to claim 20 , wherein a first end of said arm is pivotally mounted on said first side portion, said finger comprising a threaded shaft threadedly engaged with a second end of said arm oppositely disposed to said first end, rotation of said threaded shaft moving said finger transversely to said arm and into and out of engagement with said tab.

22. The bracket according to claim 19 , wherein said contact surface comprises a recess positioned within said tab for receiving said finger.

23. The bracket according to claim 19 , wherein said contact surface comprises a beveled edge positioned on said tab for receiving said finger.

24. The bracket according to claim 19 , wherein said tab comprises a curved surface forming a hook for receiving said finger.

25. The bracket according to claim 19 , wherein said contact surface comprises a curved surface having a conical shape positioned on said tab.

26. The bracket according to claim 15 , wherein said base comprises:
a first plate;
a second plate facing said first plate and positioned in spaced apart relation thereto;
a third plate positioned opposite to and facing said opening, said third plate being attached to said first and second plates to form a channel for receiving said support.

Assignees

• Thau Jr Lawrence W
• Liu Yi
• Peng Shuo
• Victaulic Co Of America

Inventors

• Thau Jr Lawrence W
• Liu Yi
• Peng Shuo

Classifications

• F16L3/245

  the special member embracing the entire profiled girder · CPC title

• F16L27/047

  held in place by a screwed member having an internal spherical surface · CPC title

• A62C35/68 Primary

  Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems (valves in general F16K) · CPC title

• F16L27/0808

  the joint elements extending coaxially for some distance from their point of separation · CPC title

• A62C33/04

  Supports or clamps for fire hoses · CPC title