Adjustable strut hinge assembly for picture frames

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6557810
  • Patent Number
    6,557,810
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, November 29, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 6, 2003
    21 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Original Assignees
  • Examiners
    • Ramirez; Ramon O.
    • Szumny; Jon
    Agents
    • Barlow, Josephs & Holmes, Ltd.
Abstract
A hinge assembly for adjustably connecting a picture frame strut to a picture frame back includes a mounting plate having length and a width. A first fastener, such as rosettes, are provided on the mounting plate for affixing it to the picture frame back. A hinge member includes a first plate that is slidably connected to the mounting plate. A second plate is rotatably connected to the first plate. A second fastener, such as rosettes, are provided on the second plate to affix a picture frame strut thereto.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates generally to hardware use for picture frames. More specifically, the present invention relates to the hardware used to attach a strut to a picture frame. In addition, the present invention relates to a hinge assembly that is used to adjustably connect a picture frame strut to a picture frame back.




In the industry, a typically picture frame assembly includes a back member, which is typically made of cardboard, which fits into a rear seat in a frame molding which can be made of wood, plastic, metal, or the like. A number of turn buttons are commonly attached to the rear side of the molding and pivot into place over the periphery of the back member to secure it in place. A piece of glass, clear plastic, or the like is positioned between the back member and the molding. A picture, to be displayed, is positioned between the back member and glass.




A picture frame may be mounted for display in several different ways. For example, a hanger or wire may be affixed to the rear side of the frame molding for hanging the frame on a wall for display. Also, a strut is typically employed when the picture frame is to be displayed on a surface, such as a desk or shelf. This strut is hingedly connected to the picture frame back. The strut is commonly shipped in with its strut member in a collapsed condition where it rests flush against the rear side of the picture frame back and frame molding. For the display of a picture frame, the strut member is opened via the hinge and the picture frame is then set on the surface with the bottom of the frame molding and free end of the strut, which is typically flat, in contact with the support surface. Thus, the picture frame is displayed in and easel-like fashion for viewing.




It is well known in the picture frame industry that struts must be positioned correctly on the picture frame back so that they operate as intended. Specifically, the strut must be of a length that enables the proper angle to be created between the picture frame itself and the support surface on which the picture frame sits. The proper length of the strut is determined not from the size of the cardboard picture frame back but the overall size of the picture frame which includes the outer molding of the frame.




Therefore, in the prior art, the strut must be positioned specifically for each overall frame size even if the actual size of the cardboard picture frame back are the same. As a result, customized permanent positioning of the strut is required in prior art picture frame assemblies. The strut must extend to the outer periphery of the molding of the frame so when it is extended it achieves the proper angle with the support surface. A further drawback of the use of a fixed strut member is that when the strut is in a collapsed state, it rests against the back of the molding thus making the overall frame much thicker and particularly cumbersome during packaging and transit. Also, the angle of the picture frame assembly relative to the support surface cannot be customized by the user.




There have been many attempts in the prior art to address the foregoing concerns of a fixed strut member. For example, prior art picture frame assemblies have included struts that are adjustably connected to the picture frame back member. This has been carried out by providing the pivot member that connects the strut to the picture frame back member with flanges that slidably reside within channels in the cardboard picture frame back. However, such a construction is difficult to operate because the metal strut hinge or pivot member and its flanges does not smoothly ride within the channels cut in the picture frame back member. Further, in this prior art construction, there is no provision to securely maintain the location of the strut hinge on the back member. Over time, the friction fit of the strut hinge in the channels of back member loosens thus enabling the hinge to migrate from its desired location which had previously been selected by the user. Numerous adjustments of such a strut hinge over time will accelerate the degradation of the quality of the adjustable strut hinge connection.




In view of the foregoing, there is a demand for an adjustable strut hinge assembly for a picture frame is easy to operate and set but yet is durable and will not degrade with use. There is a further need for an adjustable picture frame strut hinge assembly that can be manufactured in mass quantities using progressive tooling and automated equipment. There is also a demand for an adjustable picture frame strut assembly that can facilitate the compact shipping of picture frames that are equipped with a strut member.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention preserves the advantages of prior art picture frame hinges and related hardware. In addition, it provides new advantages not found in currently available hinges and hardware and overcomes many disadvantages of such currently available devices and assemblies.




The invention is generally directed to the novel and unique strut hinge for picture frames that is capable of hingedly connecting a picture frame strut to a picture frame back.




The hinge assembly of the present invention adjustably connects a picture frame strut to a picture frame back and includes a mounting plate having length and a width. A first fastener, such as rosettes, are provided on the mounting plate for affixing it to the picture frame back. A pivot member includes a first plate that is slidably connected to the mounting plate. A second plate is rotatably connected to the first plate. A second fastener, such as rosettes, are provided on the second plate to affix a picture frame strut thereto. As a result, a supporting strut can be custom adjusted relative to the picture frame back to accommodate different sized picture frames and associated moldings.




The adjustable strut hinge assembly of the present invention has many advantages over prior art strut hinges in that it is easily adjustable to a wide range of positions on the picture frame back. The hinge employs a mounting plate that receives the rotating hinge member which enables easy and fast adjustment of the hinge member. An indexing system is also provided to facilitate the adjustment of the hinge assembly and to maintain the assembly in the desired adjusted position.




It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable picture frame strut hinge assembly that can easily be adjusted so that the picture frame strut is optimally positioned relative to the picture frame back.




A further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable picture frame strut hinge assembly that is easy to manufacture and install.




It is an object to the present invention to provide an adjustable picture frame strut hinge assembly that can be manufactured quickly and in large quantities using progressive tooling.




It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable picture frame strut hinge assembly that, over time, the attachment of the hinge assembly to the picture frame back does not degrade.




Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable picture frame strut hinge assembly where the adjusted position of the strut on the picture frame back is maintained over time.




A further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable picture frame strut hinge assembly that is aesthetically pleasing to the eye when installed on a picture frame back.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The novel features which are characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention's preferred embodiments, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:





FIG. 1

is an exploded perspective view of the adjustable picture frame strut hinge assembly of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a perspective view of the adjustable picture frame strut hinge assembly of

FIG. 1

in assembled form;





FIG. 3

is a perspective view of the mounting plate employed in the adjustable picture frame strut hinge assembly of the present invention;





FIG. 4

is a perspective view of the hinge member employed in the adjustable picture frame strut hinge assembly of the present invention;





FIG. 5

is a top view of the hinge member employed in the adjustable picture frame strut hinge assembly of the present invention;





FIG. 6

is a bottom view of the hinge member employed in the adjustable picture frame strut hinge assembly of the present invention;





FIG. 7

is a top view of the adjustable picture frame strut hinge assembly of

FIG. 1

in assembled form and in a first adjusted location;





FIG. 8

is a top view of the adjustable picture frame strut hinge assembly of

FIG. 1

in assembled form and in a second adjusted location;





FIG. 9

is an front elevational view of the of the adjustable picture frame strut hinge assembly of

FIG. 1

in assembled form;





FIG. 10

is a top perspective view of a picture frame, employed the hinge assembly of the present invention, on a support surface;





FIG. 11

is a bottom perspective view of the picture frame of

FIG. 10

;





FIG. 12

is a rear view of a picture frame employing the hinge assembly of the present invention with the strut in a retracted storage position; and





FIG. 13

is a rear view of a picture frame employing the hinge assembly of the present invention with the strut in an extended in-use position.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




Referring to

FIGS. 1-3

, the picture frame strut hinge assembly


10


is shown. The strut hinge assembly


10


includes a mounting plate


12


and a pivot member


14


slidably residing the in the mounting plate


12


. Specifically, the mounting plate


12


includes a number of fastening members


16


which are employed to secure the mounting plate


12


to a picture frame back member


18


, as shown in FIG.


10


. Two fasteners


16


are preferred but one or more than two may be used. The details of such attachment will be discussed in detail below. Preferably, rosette fasteners


16


are used as the method of attaching the mounting plate


12


to a picture frame back member


18


. While rosette fasteners


16


are preferred, other fasteners, such as rivets and staples, may be employed and still be within the scope of the present invention.




The mounting plate


12


includes a pair of channels


20


running along the length of the mounting plate


12


and on opposing side thereof. The channels


20


are each provided by an upstanding wall


22


and inwardly turned flanges


24


. As a result, a sliding channel


20


is formed on opposing sides of the mounting plate


12


defined between the inwardly turned flanges


24


and the top surface


12




a


of mounting plate


12


as well as the inner surface


22




a


of the upstanding walls


22


.




The opposing channels


20


are preferably formed as above to facilitate high speed large scale manufacturing using progressive tooling. Moreover, it is preferred that a there be an array of inwardly turned flanges


24


to enable a sharp corner to be provided to form a channel


20


that is square to facilitate smooth sliding of the pivot member


14


therein, as will be described below. However, a single inwardly turned flange


24


for each channel


20


may be employed instead. The mounting plate


12


further includes an upwardly turned stops


26


, preferably in the form of a tab, to prevent removal of the pivot member


14


from within the channels


20


once it has been slidably installed therein.




Turning now to

FIGS. 4-6

, details of the construction of the pivot member


14


is shown. The pivot member


14


is, essentially, in the form of a hinge with a bottom plate


28


with a top plate


30


that is hingedly connected thereto. For example, the hinge portion


32


is preferably of the pinless type, as shown, but may be of any construction as long as the top plate


30


is hingedly connected to the bottom plate


28


. Preferably, the hinge portion


32


of the pivot member


14


has positive stops


34


to prevent the hinge from opening too far. Such at stop structure


34


may be incorporated directly into the structure of the pivot member


14


or external structures may be employed, such as chain or ribbon (not shown) attached to the back of the picture frame back member


18


to limit and control the movement hinge


32


. A pair of fasteners


44


, such as rosettes, are provided on the top surface of the top plate


30


.




The bottom plate


28


of the pivot member


14


includes a pair of ears


34


extending from opposing sides thereof and, preferably, a pair of protrusions


36


extending downwardly from the lower surface thereof. As a result, the bottom plate


28


is attached to the mounting plate


12


by the ears


34


of the bottom plate


28


being slidably residing within the opposing channels


20


of the mounting plate


12


. The sliding installation of the bottom plate


28


also installs the top plate


30


because it is hingedly connected thereto. As can be seen in

FIG. 5

, the ears


34


of the bottom plate


28


extend beyond the lateral boundary of the top plate


30


to enable the top plate


30


to fit between the free ends of the inwardly turned flanges


24


of the mounting plate


12


for smooth unimpeded operation.




Also, the mounting plate


12


is provided with a stops


26


for preventing the pivot member from sliding out from the channels


20


. The stops


26




a


and


26




b


are preferably in the form of a pair of tabs positioned at opposing ends of the mounting plate


12


.

FIG. 1

illustrates the installation of the pivot member


14


into the channels of the mounting plate


12


. At this point at least the tab


26




a


on the side where the pivot member


14


slidably enters the channels


20


is in a downward flat position to permit clearance of the bottom plate


28


into the channels


20


. The right tab


26




b


may be already upstanding providing a right stop


26




b


. Once the pivot member


14


is installed, the left tab


26




a


is bent upward to a position as shown in FIG.


2


. As a result, the pivot member


14


is secured within the mounting plate


12


via the channels


20


. Alternatively, the tabs


26




a


and


26




b


may be bend upward simultaneously depending on the installation process employed.

FIG. 9

further illustrates an end elevational view of the installation of the pivot member


14


into the mounting plate


12


in accordance with the present invention.




As shown in

FIGS. 6-8

, the strut hinge assembly


10


is also provided with an indexing system to control the sliding movement of the pivot member


14


, namely the bottom plate


28


within the channels


20


of the mounting plate


12


. Specifically, as in

FIG. 6

, the bottom plate


28


preferably includes a pair of spaced apart protrusions


36


that extend downwardly toward the top surface


12




a


of the mounting plate


12


. A pair of protrusions


36


are preferred but less or more that two protrusions


36


may be employed. When the bottom plate


28


is installed between the channels


20


, namely between the inwardly facing flanges


24


and the top surface


12




a


of the mounting plate


12


, there is a close tolerance fit but sliding of the bottom plate


28


and protrusions


36


thereon is permitted.




An array of apertures


38


,


40


are provided through the mounting plate


12


to receive the protrusions


36


on the bottom surface of the bottom plate


28


. Detents may be employed instead of a through-aperture. The array of apertures


38


,


40


are used to index the sliding movement of the bottom plate and entire pivot member


14


through the mounting plate


12


and also to “park” the pivot member


14


during installation of the entire assembly


10


to a picture frame back member


18


.




As the bottom plate


28


of the pivot member


14


is slidably moved, the protrusions


36


ride from adjustment hole


38


to adjustment hole


38


to enable precision adjustment of the length of a strut


42


relative to the picture frame back


18


. Preferably, the adjustment holes


38


are 0.087 inch in diameter. The adjustment holes


38


are preferably arranged in two columns with the adjustment holes


38


in a column being {fraction (3/16)} of an inch apart from one another. The columns are offset from one another so that the vertical travel distance of the pivot member


14


between an adjustment hole


38


in one column is {fraction (3/32)} of an inch to the next adjust hole


38


in the other column. As a result, only one of the pair of protrusions


36


in the bottom plate


28


engage with an adjustment hole


38


at a time. For example, as shown in

FIG. 8

, the left protrusion


36




a


is engaged while the right protrusion


36




b


resides between the holes


38


in the right column. This allows for precision adjustment of the pivot member


14


relative to the mounting plate


12


to {fraction (3/32)} of an inch. Also, since only one protrusion


36


is engaged at a time, the force required to eject a protrusion


36


from its corresponding hole


38


is lessened thus making the strut


42


easier to adjust. Of course, while not preferred, it is possible to position the holes


38


across from one another in a non-offset array where each indexing steps positions both protrusions


36


in a corresponding hole


38


.




Also, at least one pair of resting holes


40


are provided proximal to the ends of the mounting plate


12


and are even with each other across the width of the mounting plate


12


. These resting holes


12


are preferably 0.100 of an inch in diameter and receive the protrusions


36


of the pivot member


14


during installation of the hinge assembly


10


to a strut


42


and corresponding back


18


. For proper fastening, the rosettes


16


,


44


(or other fastener such as a rivet) must receive direct contact of pressure from an anvil or the like to achieve proper force to fully engage the fastener


16


,


44


. Therefore, the rosettes


16


on the mounting plate and the rosettes


44


on the top plate


30


must be directly exposed to an anvil, for example. For installation, the pivot member


14


is “parked” over the rest area


46


where the rosettes fasteners


16


are not present on the mounting plate


12


, as shown in FIG.


7


. The protrusions


36


are positioned in both of the end holes


40


which are not offset. With both protrusions


36


residing in a corresponding hole


40


, the pivot member


40


is better secured during installation. In this condition, the strut hinge assembly


10


is be placed in an appropriate installation apparatus for affixation to a strut


42


and picture frame back


18


.




Turning now to

FIGS. 10 and 11

, the use of the strut hinge assembly


10


on an actual picture frame


48


is shown in use. The strut hinge assembly


10


of the present invention is secured to the picture frame back


18


in the desired location and orientation. Typically, the strut member


42


itself is secured to the rosettes


44


on the top plate


30


simultaneously with securing the back member


18


to the rosettes


16


on the mounting plate


12


for the purposes described above. However, the strut


42


and the back member


18


may be affixed to the strut hinge assembly


10


of the present invention in separate steps. The picture frame back member


18


is then secured to the back of the frame molding


48


by turn buttons


50


, for example. Metals tabs and other structures may be employed for this purpose. As indicated by the arrow in

FIGS. 10 and 11

, the strut


42


is easily slidably adjusted on the rear side of the picture frame back


18


member as desired.





FIGS. 12 and 13

further illustrate the use of the adjustment ability of the present invention to facilitate packaging and transport of a picture frame


48


. In

FIG. 12

, the strut member


42


is adjusted to be positioned as far inward as possible. In this condition, the strut


42


desirably fits within the area of the picture frame back member


18


which is commonly recessed relative to the frame molding


48


. Thus, the strut


42


can be safely nested inside the boundary of the back member


18


to reduce the overall size of the entire picture frame assembly


48


for shrink-wrapping and later shipping in a compact and space efficient manner.




Actual use of the picture frame


48


with the strut member


42


in the position shown in

FIG. 12

is not desired because the optimal angle of the frame


48


relative to the support surface


52


cannot be achieved. Thus, once the picture frame assembly


10


is ready to use, the user re-adjusts the strut member


42


by sliding it in the direction of the arrow in

FIG. 13

so that the lower edge


42




a


of the strut member


42


substantially matches with the lower edge


48




a


of the frame molding


48


. The condition of the strut member


42


in

FIG. 13

renders the picture frame assembly


48


ready for normal use. If desired, for example if the frame


48


needs to be moved, the strut


42


can be slidably adjusted back to the condition in

FIG. 12

for compact transport.




The adjustable strut hinge assembly


10


of the present invention is preferably made of stamped metal using progressive tooling for ease and speed of assembly. However, other materials, such as plastic, may be employed and still be within the scope of the present invention.




In view of the foregoing, a sturdy and easy to install and use adjustable strut hinge assembly


10


is provided for picture frames


48


to greatly facilitate the shipping and customization of a picture frame


48


.




It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. An assembly for adjustably connecting a member to a substrate, comprising:a mounting plate having length and a width, and a top surface; first fastening means connected to the mounting plate for affixing the mounting plate to a substrate; a first plate having a length; a width; means for slidably connecting the first plate to the mounting plate along the length of the mounting plate; a protrusion extending from the first plate and capable of communication with the mounting plate; the protrusion having a rounded seat engaging surface; a first seat provided in the mounting plate; a second seat provided in the mounting plate; said second seat being in spaced apart relation to the first seat and aligned longitudinally therewith along the length of the mounting plate; the protrusion being removably engageable with the first seat and the second seat with the rounded seat engaging surface being capable of riding along and in communication with the top surface of the mounting plate and riding in and out of the first seat and second seat; whereby slidable connection of the first plate to the mounting plate along the length thereof is controlled by releasable engagement of the protrusion with the first seat and the second seat; a second plate rotatably connected to the first plate; and second fastening means connected to the second plate for affixing a member thereto.
  • 2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:means for preventing disconnection of the first plate to the mounting plate.
  • 3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the means for preventing is stops emanating upwardly from the mounting plate at opposing sides of the mounting plate with no flanges connected thereto.
  • 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first fastening means is at least one rosette fastener.
  • 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the second fastening means is at least one rosette fastener.
  • 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the means for slidably connecting the first plate to the mounting plate comprises:a pair of opposing flanges, each with inwardly turned lips, defining a sliding channel therebetween; the pair of opposing flanges being connected to the mounting plate; a pair of opposing tabs connected to opposing sides of the first plate and being respectively slidable within the channel.
  • 7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate, first plate and second plate are made of metal.
  • 8. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:a third seat provided in the mounting plate located adjacent to the first seat across the width of the mounting plate; and a fourth seat provided in the mounting plate located adjacent to the second seat across the width of the mounting plate.
  • 9. The assembly of claim 8, further comprising:a second protrusion extending from the first plate located adjacent to the first protrusion across the width of the first plate; the first protrusion and the second protrusion being releasably engageable with the first seat and the third seat at a first position and releasably engageable with the second seat and the fourth seat at a second position.
  • 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein two adjacent columns of seats are positioned along a substantial portion of the length of the mounting plate.
  • 11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein a portion of the mounting plate includes seats which are not aligned with seats of an adjacent column across the width of the mounting plate.
  • 12. The assembly of claim 10, wherein a portion of the mounting plate includes seats which are aligned with seats of an adjacent column across the width of the mounting plate.
  • 13. An assembly for adjustably connecting a member to a substrate, comprising:a mounting plate having length, a width, opposing side edges and opposing end edges; first fastening means connected to the mounting plate for affixing the mounting plate to a substrate; a pair of side walls, having free ends, respectively extending upwardly from the opposing side edges of the mounting plate; a pair of inwardly turned flanges respectively connected to the free ends of the pair of side walls; the pair of side walls and pair of inwardly turned flanges defining a pair of facing grooves running along the length of the mounting plate: a first plate having a length, a width and opposing side edges; a pair of tabs respectively connected to the opposing side edges of the first plate; the pair of tabs being respectively slidable within the pair of facing grooves; a second plate rotatably connected to the first plate; second fastening means connected to the second plate for affixing a member thereto; and at least one protrusion extending from the first plate and capable of communication with the mounting plate; a plurality of seats, corresponding with the at least one protrusion, provided in the mounting plate; the at least one protrusion being respectively removably engageable with each of the plurality of seats when the first plate is positioned at different locations along the length of the mounting plate; the plurality of seats are two adjacent columns of seats running along a substantial portion of the length of the mounting plate; a portion of the mounting plate including seats which are not aligned with seats of an adjacent column across the width of the mounting plate; whereby slidable connection of the first plate to the mounting plate is controlled by releasable engagement of the at least one protrusion with the at least one seat.
  • 14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the first fastening means is a rosette fastener.
  • 15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the second fastening means is a rosette fastener.
  • 16. An assembly for adjustably connecting a member to a substrate, comprising:a mounting plate having length, a width, opposing side edges, opposing end edges, and a top surface; first fastening means connected to the mounting plate for affixing the mounting plate to a substrate; a pair of side walls, having free ends, respectively extending upwardly from the opposing side edges of the mounting plate; a pair of inwardly turned flanges respectively connected to the free ends of the pair of side walls; the pair of side walls and pair of inwardly turned flanges defining a pair of facing grooves running along the length of the mounting plate; a first plate having a length, a width and opposing side edges; a pair of tabs respectively connected to the opposing side edges of the first plate; the pair of tabs being respectively slidable within the pair of facing grooves; a second plate rotatably connected to the first plate; second fastening means connected to the second plate for affixing a member thereto; and rounded protrusion means for removably securing the first plate to the mounting plate at different positions along the length of the mounting plate; said rounded protrusion means having a seat engaging surface and being capable of riding along and in communication with the top surface of the mounting plate and riding in and out of a plurality of seats at different locations along the length of the mounting plate; whereby slidable connection of the first plate to the mounting plate is controlled by releasable engagement of the rounded protrusion with the plurality of seats.
  • 17. The assembly of claim 16, further comprising:means for preventing disconnection of the first plate to the mounting plate.
  • 18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the means for preventing is a pair of stops respectively emanating upwardly from the end edges of the mounting plate.
  • 19. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the first fastening means is at least one rosette fastener.
  • 20. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the second fastening means is at least one rosette fastener.
  • 21. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the mounting plate, first plate and second plate are made of metal.
  • 22. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said plurality of seats are positioned along a substantial portion of the length of the mounting plate.
  • 23. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said rounded protrusion means is a pair of rounded protrusions positioned across the width of the first plate.
  • 24. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said plurality of seats are two adjacent columns of seats running along a substantial portion of the length of the mounting plate.
  • 25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein a portion of the mounting plate includes seats which are not aligned with seats of an adjacent column across the width of the mounting plate.
  • 26. The assembly of claim 24, wherein a portion of the mounting plate includes seats which are aligned with seats of an adjacent column across the width of the mounting plate.
  • 27. An assembly for adjustably connecting a member to a substrate, comprising:a mounting plate having length and a width; first fastening means connected to the mounting plate for affixing the mounting plate to a substrate; a first plate having a length and a width; means for slidably connecting the first plate to the mounting plate; a second plate rotatably connected to the first plate; second fastening means connected to the second plate for affixing a member thereto; at least one protrusion extending from the first plate and capable of communication with the mounting plate; said at least one protrusion is a pair of protrusions positioned across the width of the first plate; at least one seat, corresponding with the at least one protrusion, provided in the mounting plate; the at least one protrusion being respectively removably engageable with the at least one seat; said at least one seat is two adjacent columns of seats running along a substantial portion of the length of the mounting plate; a portion of the mounting plate including seats which are not aligned with seats of an adjacent column across the width of the mounting plate; and whereby slidable connection of the first plate to the mounting plate is controlled by releasable engagement of the at least one protrusion with the at least one seat.
  • 28. The assembly of claim 27, wherein the first fastening means is a rosette fastener.
  • 29. The assembly of claim 27, wherein the second fastening means is a rosette fastener.
Parent Case Info

This application claims benefit of Ser. No. 60/307,988 filed Jul. 26, 2001.

US Referenced Citations (12)
Number Name Date Kind
972090 Ault Oct 1910 A
1009500 Glathart Nov 1911 A
1047148 Barcus Dec 1912 A
1286694 McDonald Dec 1918 A
1863323 Berne Jun 1932 A
2211581 Ross Aug 1940 A
2825917 Scinta Mar 1958 A
3131659 Idomoto May 1964 A
4199126 Komendowski Apr 1980 A
4407044 Iseki Oct 1983 A
4979266 Roy Dec 1990 A
5361455 Kiefer Nov 1994 A
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/307988 Jul 2001 US