STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the fields of architecture and building construction. More specifically, the invention is comprised of a bracket system which is mounted against extruded columns.
2. Description of the Related Art
Large glass windows, walls and doors are common in both industrial and residential buildings. Open concept floor plans and advances in glass safety, efficiency and overall manufacturing technology have led to an increase in the installation of glass walls and windows by residential homeowners and commercial business alike.
Although glass walls and windows are desirable, one problem they present is of lack of shelving, storage space and structures for load support. It is simple and straightforward to build a temporary or permanent shelf or structural element attached to a wall consisting of primarily drywall with wooden studs. However, it is difficult to install a sturdy shelving unit or other structural element affixed to glass or similar material. As illustrated in FIG. 1, glass wall construction 10 typically consist of extruded columns 12 (preferably aluminum) connected together by an inner wall 18, a structural medium 14 (preferably glass) and a series of gaskets 16. The structural medium 14 sits between extruded columns 12 and is held tightly in place by gaskets 16 on either side. The design and construction of the wall may vary. For example, structural medium 14 may be double paned and include a spacer 20 as illustrated.
Prior art shelving units or anchoring systems for glass wall construction 10 were primarily designed to drill directly into the extruded columns 12. One such prior art unit is illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown, extruded columns 12 extend toward the interior of the building include drilled holes 22 which accept shelving unit 24. The holes 22 in the extruded columns 12 are often difficult to drill and are more permanent than a hole drilled into drywall. Thus, in the event that the shelf is no longer desired, the holes in the extruded columns 12 (typically metal) are permanently visible. Further, commercial businesses may desire temporary shelving which does not compromise the integrity of the extruded columns 12 and are easy to install. There is not presently an anchor system which achieves these objectives.
Therefore what is needed is an anchor system which allows a bracket to be easily and non-permanently installed on the constructed wall as described. Additionally, the brackets should be sturdy and strong to support a shelving unit or other structural element. The present invention achieves these objectives and more as described herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises an anchoring system of brackets which utilize thin blades, preferably made from metal but potentially made from a plurality of materials, which are locked into place between a gasket attached to an extruded column and a structural medium, such as a plate glass window. The anchoring system preferably allows for some an additional plurality of structures to be attached, connected, or alternatively placed on top of or below said system. In a preferred embodiment, the anchoring brackets are composed of two pieces which can be linked together after the blade of each side is inserted between the gasket and the structural medium. The anchoring system is preferably split into two sections which can then be linked together. The linking connection can be achieved through a plurality of mechanisms, preferably a male female type overlapping connection between the two sections. This allows for a more secure fit and for the anchoring system to hold more weight.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing the components of a prior art construction of a glass wall.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, showing the installation of a prior art structural element on a prior art glass wall.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view, showing the present bracket system installed on a wall construction.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view, showing the present bracket system inverted and installed on a wall construction.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view, showing the brackets of the present bracket system installed on an extruded column.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view, showing the brackets of the present bracket system.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view, showing the brackets of the present bracket system fitting together.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view, showing the brackets coupled together to form anchoring bracket.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view, showing the brackets installation in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 10 is a top plan section view, showing brackets placement around extruded column.
FIG. 11 is a top plan section view, showing brackets coupled together and installed on extruded column.
FIG. 12 is an exploded view, showing the bracket blade between gasket and structural medium.
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REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS
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10
wall construction
12
extruded column
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14
structural medium
16
gaskets
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18
inner wall
20
spacer
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22
holes
24
shelving unit
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26
bracket blade
27
bracket blade
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28
bracket side flap
29
bracket side flap
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30
anchoring bracket
32
first bracket
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34
second bracket
36
bracket top flange
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37
bracket top flange
38
bracket side flange
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39
bracket side flange
40
bracket back flange
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41
bracket back flange
42
linking mechanism
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44
bracket section
45
bracket section
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46
bracket blade bend
48
external structure
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50
bracket system
52
void
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54
void
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As described above, FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art wall construction 10. Wall construction 10 is constructed in order to provide support for large glass or similar material structural mediums 14. Extruded columns 12 are connected by an inner wall 18 which support structural medium 14 between extruded columns 12 and gaskets 16. Glass or structural medium 14 can be double paned with a spacer 20 between the panes for or single paned. The assembly of wall construction 10 is important to the functioning of the present bracket system 50.
FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of bracket system 50 attached to a glass wall construction 10. At least two anchoring brackets 30 are illustrated which attach around extruded columns 12. Anchoring brackets 30 are formed by first and second bracket 32, 34 described and illustrated herein. External structure 48 such as a shelf sits on top of and can optionally connect to anchoring brackets 30. Anchoring system 50 provides considerable support and does not require drilling or screwing into the extruded columns 12.
Bracket system 50 can also support an external structure 48 attached to at least two anchoring brackets 30, as shown in FIG. 4. Anchoring brackets 30 are inverted but installed in the same manner. An external structure 48 can be affixed by any means to the anchoring brackets 30 to support a load. As an example, a window treatment, such as blinds, can be affixed to anchoring brackets 30 and hung from the window. Thus, the blinds are not drilled into the existing window structure and are easier to install.
A view of anchoring bracket 30, composed of first bracket 32 and second bracket 34 (not visible in FIG. 5) assembled together attached around extruded column 12 is illustrated in FIG. 5. First bracket blade 26 (and second bracket blade 40, not visible) slide behind extruded column 12 and are frictionally engaged between structural medium 14 and gaskets 16. The pressure of gasket 16 against bracket blade 26, 40 holds the anchoring bracket 30 in place against the force of gravity. While anchoring bracket 30 is shown in a configuration in which top flange 37 (or 36) is providing an upward facing support, anchoring bracket 30 can also be configured such that top flange 37 (or 36) provides a downward facing support. In such a configuration, anchoring bracket 30 can support a hanging load.
FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of first bracket 32 and second bracket 34 which make up anchoring bracket 30. As illustrated, first bracket 32 and second bracket 34 are made up of a bracket blade 26, 27, bracket side flap 28, 29, bracket top flange 36, 37, bracket side flange 38, 39 and bracket back flange 40, 41. A central void 52, 54 is formed by the structural elements of first and second bracket 32, 34. When installed, illustrated in FIG. 5, extruded column 12 fills void 52.
FIG. 7 shows the manner in which first and second brackets 32, 34 interlock by sliding one bracket on top of the other. While second bracket 34 is illustrated sliding on top of first bracket 32, the alternative could be true. When brackets 32, 34 are in place, as shown in FIG. 8, anchoring bracket 30 has the following configuration: bracket top flange 37 fits on top of bracket top flange 36; bracket side flange 39 rests on top of bracket side flap 28; bracket back flange 41 (not shown) rests on top of bracket back flange 40; bracket side flap 29 rests on top of bracket side flange 38; and bracket blade 26 lies on the same plane as bracket blade 27. In a preferred embodiment first bracket 32 and second bracket 34 of the anchoring bracket 30 are held in place by gravity. In an alternative embodiment first bracket 32 and second bracket 34 could be held together by an adhesive or putty.
A perspective view of the placement of first bracket blade 26 on first bracket 32 and second bracket blade 27 on second bracket 34 around extruded column 12 on wall construction 10 is shown in FIG. 9. Structural medium 14 is separated from extruded column 12 and gaskets 16 for clarity, to show the position of bracket blades 26, 27 between gaskets 16 and structural medium 14. The first bracket 32 is attached to extruded column 12 by sliding first bracket blade 26 between gasket 16 and structural medium 14. The second bracket 34 fits around extruded column 12 and second bracket blade 27 is inserted between gasket 16 and structural medium 14 on the opposing side of extruded column 12. Second bracket 34 is inserted either above or below first bracket 32. The reader will appreciate that when first and second brackets 32, 34 are mated together to form anchoring bracket 30 (as illustrated in FIG. 5) the pressure applied by gasket 16 which holds anchoring bracket 30 in place relative to the ground, received additional structural support from the back flange 40, 41 which is proximate to extruded column 12. When pressure is placed on top of anchoring bracket 30, the back flange will press against extruded column 12 opposing the downward pull. Anchoring bracket 30 is sized in such a way that the space defined by the intersection of bracket blade 26, bracket side flap 28, and the inner side of anchoring bracket 30 proximate to extruded column 12 snugly fits extruded column 12. Bracket blade 26 should be sized to tightly fit gasket 16, not being so large that it does not fit behind extruded column 12 but not so small that bracket blade 26 will not slide behind gasket 16.
FIG. 10 shows a top sectional plan view of anchoring bracket 30 as it fits against structural medium 14, which in a preferred embodiment is glass, and gasket 16. Extruded column 12 is shown proximate to gasket 16. Bracket blade bend 46 in a preferred embodiment is shaped in such a way that gasket 16 fits inside anchoring bracket 30. Bracket side flange 38, 39 is shown proximate to extruded column 12. As stated before, bracket blades 26, 27 are held in place by the pressure from gasket 16. Bracket blades 26, 27 are also held in place against gravity by frictional forces between bracket blades 26, 27, gasket 16, and structural medium 14, said forces may be increased based off the material chosen for bracket blades 26, 27. The preferred linking mechanism is the first and second brackets 32, 34 simply locking together. The linking together is seamless as illustrated in FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 displays a plan view showing an alternative linking mechanism 42 between the two pieces of the anchoring bracket. Anchoring bracket 30 is broken into two sections, bracket section 44 and bracket section 45. Bracket section 44 and bracket section 45 are held in place by linking mechanism 42. A variety of mechanically simple linking mechanisms are viable for linking mechanism 42, however linking mechanism 42 depicts an interlocking style. As in FIG. 9, bracket back flange 40 is shown proximate to extruded column 12. Bracket back flange 40 provides additional structural support for the anchoring bracket 30 by pressing against extruded column 12 when downward pressure is applied to the anchoring bracket 30. Gasket 16 is shown proximate to extruded column 12. Gasket 16 holds bracket blade 26, 27 in place against structural medium 14, which in a preferred embodiment is glass.
FIG. 12 provides an exploded section view showing bracket blade 26 as it fits against structural medium 14 and gasket 16. FIG. 9 also displays bracket blade bend 46 which in a preferred embodiment is shaped in such a way that gasket 16 fits inside. Bracket side flap 28 is shown proximate to extruded column 12. As stated before, bracket blade 26 is held in place by the pressure from gasket 16. Bracket blade 26 is also held in place against gravity by frictional forces between bracket blade 26, gasket 16, and structural medium 14, said forces may be increased based off the material chosen for bracket blade 26.
Patent Grant
9775437
