Patent Application
20140069939
The present invention relates to a mounting bracket used with a container to allow a container to be mounting to a wall.
It has become popular to employ various types of disposable items in containers for various industries and in everyday life. These disposable items can be dry or moist paper towels, towelettes, napkins, or other items used for cleaner or as a treatment. These containers are typically stored under cabinets or on top of a counter. In any event, it is always beneficial to have the containers within reach of the user and more desirable if the container was not on the counter. For example, if the container is resting on the counter and the counter needs to be cleaned, the container must always be moved around; similarly, if a spill occurs on the counter then the container may continuously need to be cleaned. There is therefore a need to have the container within reach of a user but not necessarily under a cabinets or on top of a counter. The present invention solves the current need by providing an easy mounting bracket that can be used with a container to mount the container to a wall or surface.
In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a mounting bracket for use in combination with a container. The combination includes a container having a continuous wall extending from a bottom to an upper edge, and further having a mounting flange extending outwardly from a portion of the continuous wall. The mounting flange includes an outer surface with a terminal edge leading to an upper edge, lower edge and a pair of distal sides. The mounting bracket has a support side positionable towards the continuous wall of the container. The support side includes a notched section with a base extending outwardly from the support side and a pair of lateral faces extending outwardly from the support side and extending away from edges of the base. Each lateral face includes a member positioned along a portion thereof and which extends towards the other member in a tapering edge such that the sides of the mounting flange are captured between the support side and the extending members.
In addition, the mounting bracket may further include a locking wedge positioned on the support side and having a lower edge to secure against the upper side of the mounting flange when the container is positioned within the mounting bracket. The locking wedge may also include a tapered edge extending from the support side to a terminus defined by the lower edge of the locking wedge.
The mounting bracket may also include a slot extending from one side of the mounting bracket towards the other side of the mounting bracket, the slot creating an arm between an upper edge of the mounting bracket and the slot such that the arm is moveable away from the container when a force is applied against the arm thereby moving the locking wedge to a position that the lower edge disengages against the upper side of the mounting flange. In addition, a plate may extending outwardly from an edge of the arm to provide support for a user bending the arm.
Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.
A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention and/or claims of the embodiments illustrated.
Referring now to
The container 100 further includes a mounting flange 105 extending from a portion of the wall 110 of the container 100. The mounting flange 105 includes an outer surface 115 having a pair of edges 120, which terminate to the sides 125 of the mounting flange. The sides taper inwardly towards the wall 110 of the container 100. The mounting flange 105 further includes an upper edge 130 and lower edge 135 that terminate to upper and lower sides 132 and 137, respectively.
The mounting bracket 200 includes a support side 205 and an outside side 210. The support side 205 would be positioned towards the continuous wall 110 of the container 100, while the outside side 210 would face away from the continuous wall 110 of the container 100.
The support side 205 includes a notched section 215 defined to have a base 220 extending outwardly from the support side 205 and a pair of lateral faces 225 extending outwardly from the support side 205 and extending away from distal edges 222 of the base. The lateral faces 225 also taper outwardly away from the base 220 to conform to the pair of edges 120 of the mounting flange 105. Each lateral face 225 further includes a member 230 positioned along a portion thereof and which extends towards the other member 230 in a tapering edge 232 such that the sides 125 of the mounting flange are captured between the support side 205 and the extending members 230. The members 230 and the base 220 include an exterior edge 235 that abuts the continuous wall 110 when the container 100 is secured to the mounting bracket 200. For additional support one or more brace members 240 may extend from the support side 205 and which include exterior edges 237 that would abut the continuous wall 110 when the container is secured to the mounting bracket 200.
To further help secure the container 100 to the mounting bracket 200, the mounting bracket 200 may include a locking wedge 250. The locking wedge 250 includes an lower edge 255 that secures against the upper side 132 of the mounting flange 105. The locking wedge 250 is positioned on the support side 205 above a grooved slot 260 that extends from one side 262 of the mounting bracket 200 towards the other side 264 and more preferably extends through at least half of the support side 205. The grooved slot 260 creates an arm 270 above the grooved slot and below the upper edge 272 of the mounting bracket. The arm is therefore moveable when a user applies a force that bends the arm away from a container mounted to the mounting bracket. When moved a certain distance the locking wedge 250 is pulled away such that the lower edge 255 is not abutting the upper side 132 of the mounting flange 105, which allows the user to slide the container out of engagement with the mounting bracket 200.
The locking wedge 250 may further include a tapered edge 275 extending from the support side 205 to the terminus 257 of the lower edge 255. The tapered edge 275 allows a user to slide the container into place without also having to bend the arm 270. As the container slides down the tapered edge 275, pressure is automatically placed against the tapered edge to move the arm 270 and allow the container to continue to slide into place. In addition, a finger plate 280 may be including and extending outwardly from an edge of the arm 270. The finger plate 280 provides a user an area to grasp when pulling the arm away from the container.
Lastly, fastening openings 290 may be positioned through the mounting bracket 200 to allow a user to secure the mounting bracket 200 to a surface or wall.
From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it is observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the embodiments illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications within the scope of the appended claims.
