Patent Application
20130032680
The present disclosure relates generally to systems for mounting and suspending objects. In particular, systems that utilize a combination of anchors and tension bearing members to adjustably hang various objects are described.
Known mounting systems are not entirely satisfactory the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, existing mounting systems are difficult to hang. Current systems require many pre-installation adjustments and have burdensome leveling requirements.
In many systems the mounting hardware is fixed to the object that is being mounted. This can make it difficult to hang a custom shaped or sized object. Many objects are also not conducive to fixed attachment points. A flat piece of glass for instance does not have any attachment points and would need to be modified significantly to work with existing mounting hardware.
This lack of adaptability minimizes the number of objects that can be suspended and the types of surfaces to which the objects may be mounted utilizing a single system.
In addition to the difficulties encountered when using existing mounting systems, current designs are too bulky. Often the objects being suspended are planar and very low profile. The intention is typically to minimize the profile by mounting the object as close to the wall or mounting surface as possible. In some cases however, the current mounting systems have a fixed minimum profile that does not allow for low profile surface attachment.
Existing systems with metal frame construction abut the mounting surface and the object causing the object to jut out from the mounting surface.
The metal frame has a minimum required thickness to enable supporting the objects weight. Often this thickness pushes the object out from the mounting surface exceeding the desired profile.
Currently employed mounting systems can also be unnecessarily complex. The mounting hardware for existing systems requires precise mechanical alignment. When the object is hung out-of-level, the only option is tedious removal and readjustment.
Thus, there exists a need for mounting systems that improve upon and advance the design of known systems. Examples of new and useful mounting systems relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.
The present disclosure is directed to a mounting system for hanging an object on a surface, utilizing a number of tension bearing members inserted into mounting receptacles attached to the object to be hung or suspended; each tension bearing member engaging a wall anchor configured to attach to a mounting surface.
The disclosed mounting systems will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.
Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various mounting systems are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.
With reference to
Mounting system 10 functions to hang or otherwise suspend an object where the tension bearing members 20 and 30 engage wall anchor 80 and/or wall anchor 82.
By way of example,
The applications contemplated for mounting system 10 are as limitless as the number of objects that a user might want to hang. The instant embodiment is exemplified utilizing object 90, a clear sheet of glass, to provide the examiner with a clear and simple view of mounting system 10, unhindered by the additional components of other potential objects.
In the instant example, tension bearing member 20 is a cable. In another example the tension bearing member defines a cord. In an alternative example the tension bearing member is a nylon strap. In yet another embodiment the member is a plastic line. In any example, the mounting system uses any tension bearing member capable of supporting the forces exerted on it by the object it is being used to hang.
As can be seen in
In this instance, terminating tension bearing member 20 with a cable ferrule allows tension bearing member 20 to securely engage a mounting receptacle 40.
In various examples, the inserting end defines any termination capable of engaging a complimentarily shaped mounting receptacle. As can be seen in
In another example tension bearing member 20 terminates in a loop structure. In that example a mounting receptacle is configured to engage the loop structure by having a complimentarily shaped hook to interface with a hole in the loop structure. Like the instant example, the complementary engagement between the tension bearing member and the mounting receptacle create a secure hold allowing the tension bearing member to hang from the anchor without coming loose or disengaging when weight is applied.
As shown in
In the instant example, mounting receptacle 40 engages the inserting end 22 of tension bearing member 20 and also interfaces with object 90. Mounting receptacle 40 is configured to securely but removably attach to object 90. By way of example only,
Turning now to
In this embodiment, mounting receptacle 40 is a steel bracket that is removably attached to object 90. In an alternative example, the mounting receptacle is constructed from a heavy-duty plastic. In a different example, the mounting receptacle is cast aluminum. In various examples, materials are contemplated for the construction of mounting receptacles capable of bearing the weight of the object being hung.
As shown in
In the instant embodiment, second tension bearing member 30 is substantially similar to first tension bearing member 20 and will not be redundantly described. Further, second tension bearing member 30 engages mounting receptacle 60 at a first inserting end 32 and engages mounting receptacle 70 at a second inserting end 34, in a fashion similar to that described above for first tension bearing member 20 and mounting receptacle 40.
Both tension bearing members, when engaged with their respective mounting receptacles, work in conjunction to provide suspension strength to mounting system 10. Turning our attention to
Wall anchor 80 defines an anchor point that tension bearing member 20 hangs from. The weight of object 90 is transferred to wall anchor 80 and the object is suspended.
In the instant embodiment, wall anchor 80 is a pulley-like disc. With reference to
The instant example shows anchor body 84 in the shape of a circular disc. An alternative example has an anchor body exhibiting a tear-drop shape. In another example, the anchor body is an elongate oval. In various examples, the anchor body defines any shape conducive to receiving a tension bearing member and supporting the weight exerted on it by the object being suspended.
In certain examples, a particular shape may be conducive to interfacing with a particular type of tension bearing member. Wall anchors are selectable in material construction and shape based upon a given application or use. In one iteration, for example, metal wall anchors are superior for attachment to a metal mounting surface. In another example a plastic wall anchor is used.
Referring to
In a different example, the engaging surface is not a channel, rather it is a raised extension around the periphery of the wall anchor that keeps the tension bearing member in place on the wall anchor. In another example, the engaging surface is ribbed and engages corresponding ribs in a certain tension bearing member. In each example, the engaging surface helps the tension bearing member maintain contact with the anchor body of the wall anchor.
Turning again to
In some examples a user will mount the wall anchors on a mounting surface at a desired height. Before the object is hung, the tension bearing members are slack, hanging between their respective receptacles. Upon hanging the object, each tension bearing member will come into contact with a corresponding wall anchor. As the object is lowered into place, the tension beating members become taut. When the tension bearing members are completely taut, the object will be hanging in place.
As illustrated in
In the instant embodiment, wall anchor 82 is substantially similar to wall anchor 80 and will not be redundantly described. Further, second tension bearing member 30 engages wall anchor 82 in a manner similar to that described above for wall anchor 80 and tension bearing member 20.
Turning attention to
As can be seen in
Mounting system 110 functions to hang or otherwise suspend an object where tension bearing member 120 engages wall anchor 180 and tension hearing member 130 engages wall anchor 182 and where both wall anchors are fastened to a mounting surface.
By way of example, mounting system 110 is shown in conjunction with an object 190. Object 190 is a flat panel television.
With reference to
In this example, the ends of tension bearing member 120 terminate with cable ferrule 125. As described above, in alternative embodiments, mounting receptacle 140 is contoured to receive cable ferrule 125 in a complimentary fashion.
Often, the objects being hung with mounting system 110 are conducive to embedded mounting receptacles. A flat panel television for example typically has a rear housing that is made of metal or plastic, into which a mounting receptacle may be stamped or molded.
Turning back to
Mounting system 110 employs similar hanging techniques to those described above in the context of mounting system 10.
Turning attention now to
As can be seen in
Mounting system 210 functions to hang or otherwise suspend an object where tension bearing member 220 engages wall anchor 280 and where wall anchor 280 is fastened to a mounting surface.
Although the embodiments described above include vastly similar components, mounting system 210 includes additional features including a configuration allowing the relative length of tension bearing member 220 to be adjusted. Referring again to
Cable crimps 227 are crimped tightly around tension bearing member 220 and are configured to engage a complimentarily shaped portion of mounting receptacle 240. In the instant example, cable crimps 227 engage mounting receptacle in a way similar to that described tsar the cable ferrules of various other embodiments.
In this embodiment, cable crimps 227 are standard metal crimps as known in the art. In another example, the crimps define a simple enlargement of the diameter of the otherwise elongate tension bearing member. The elongate portion of the tension bearing member passes through the mounting receptacle until an enlarged portion engages the mounting receptacle. The shape, size, and material construction of the cable, crimps in alternative examples are user-selectable according to a given application. In one instance a metal crimp is superior based upon a given object, mounting surface, or tension beating member type. In another example a plastic crimp is superior. In yet another configuration a rubber crimp is advantageous.
When utilizing mounting system 210, a user follows procedures detailed for mounting system 10 and mounting system 110. In previous embodiments, tension bearing members are described having a fixed length. In such instances the spacing of the wall anchors provides adjustment to the tension bearing member's relative length. When the wall anchors are secured to a mounting surface closer to the mounting receptacles, the tension bearing members have an increased relative hanging length. This means the object can be more loosely hung from the mounting surface.
When the wall anchors are secured to a mounting surface further from the mounting receptacles, the relative hanging length of the tension bearing members is reduced and the object is more firmly suspended.
In certain applications a user will want to hang objects of various sizes or frequently change, the objects that are being hung. Rather than dismounting and resecuring the wall anchors to fit varying object sizes, weights, and positions, users of mounting system 210 may adjust the relative length of tension bearing member 220.
Referring again to
In the instant embodiment, mounting receptacle 240 includes a friction surface 241. Friction surface 241 maintains tension bearing member 220 in a fixed, user-selected position within mounting receptacle 240.
Other embodiments do not include a friction surface but employ the complimentarily shaped receptacles described in conjunction with mounting systems 10 and 110. In yet other examples only a friction surface is used to secure the tension bearing member in place and cable crimps are unnecessary.
Various examples include means for securing the tension bearing member that are commonly known in the art. In each example an adjustment means is contemplated that is sufficient to secure the tension bearing member at a user-selected length and to bear the weight and forces exerted on it by the object.
The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Applicants reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.
