The present invention relates generally to the field of modular storage assemblies. In particular, the present invention relates to a cantilever bracket assembly that can be quickly assembled and disassembled.
A clean and well-organized workspace can facilitate a productive work environment and lead to increased efficiency. Storage units that can be adapted to accommodate various types of work allow versatility to a single workspace by maximizing the workspace and creating flexible work environments. Modular storage units are often used in cubicle settings to provide a team environment in which numerous people can be generally located in one area while also providing individual workspaces for each person. By using modular storage units, each workspace can also be adapted to meet the individual needs of each person. For example, various different desks, shelving units, and towers can be connected to the frame of the cubicle to create a personalized workspace.
Because the business world is dynamic, workspaces are constantly changing. Assembling and disassembling the workspaces can be time-consuming and reduce productivity as the work environment is built or modified, resulting in wasted time and money. In addition, some frameworks and storage units may require special tools or expertise to assemble or disassemble. There is therefore a need in the art for an assembly which allows quick installation or modification of existing structures.
In one embodiment, the present invention is a bracket assembly. The cantilever bracket assembly includes a case bracket having an elongated channel, a generally L-shaped mounting bracket and means for locking the case bracket to the mounting bracket. The L-shaped mounting bracket includes a first portion having a protrusion for attaching the mounting bracket to a vertical standard and a second portion slidable within the elongated channel of the case bracket. The case bracket is slidable between an unlocked position and a locked position relative to the mounting bracket.
In another embodiment, the present invention is a locking bracket assembly. The locking bracket assembly includes a case bracket, a cantilever bracket and a locking mechanism. The case bracket includes an elongated panel having a top extension extending substantially perpendicular to the elongated panel, a bottom extension extending substantially perpendicular to the elongated panel and a cut-out. The cantilever bracket is slidable within the case bracket and includes a mount flange having a protrusion for engaging an aperture of a vertical support and an elongated channel having a cut-out. The locking mechanism is positionable in a first position and a second position and locks the case bracket to the cantilever bracket.
In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a method of locking a storage unit onto a vertical support. The method includes attaching a mounting bracket to the vertical support and attaching a case bracket onto the storage unit. Each of the mounting bracket and the case bracket includes a channel having a cut-out. The method further includes sliding the channel of the case bracket over the channel of the mounting bracket, aligning the cut-out in the channel of the case bracket with the cut-out in the channel of the mounting bracket, and engaging a locking mechanism through the cut-outs of the case bracket and the mounting bracket.
Various other aspects are contemplated and should be understood with reference to the text and drawings that follow.
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, some embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. As alluded to above, the intention, however, is not to limit the invention by those examples. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives.
The casing 24 has a trailing end 36 and a leading end 38 and is formed as a channel 40 including a guide flange 42, a top flange 44 and a bottom flange 46. The trailing end 36 of the casing 24 is connected to the second edge 28 of the mount flange 22. The top flange 44 extends substantially perpendicularly from a top edge 48 of the guide flange 42. The bottom flange 46 extends substantially perpendicularly from a bottom edge 50 of the guide flange 42 and includes a lip 52. The lip 52 extends substantially perpendicularly from the bottom flange 46 towards the top flange 44 such that the lip 52 is substantially parallel to the guide flange 42. The space formed between the guide flange 42, the top flange 44 and the bottom flange 46 defines the channel 40.
As can be seen in
The bottom flange 62 extends substantially perpendicularly from a bottom edge 68 of the guide flange 58 and has a first end 70 and a second end 72. The bottom flange 62 includes a lip 74 extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom flange 62 and away from the top flange 60. The first and second ends 70 and 72 of the bottom flange 62 are sloped away from the guide flange 58 to facilitate insertion of the first mounting bracket 16a (
The space formed between the guide flange 58, the top flange 60 and the bottom flange 62 defines the channel 56. The guide flange 58, the top flange 60 and the bottom flange 62 of the first case bracket 18a have slightly greater heights than the guiding flange 42, top flange 44 and bottom flange 46, respectively, of the first mounting bracket 16a. The channel 56 of the first case bracket 18a is thus slightly taller and wider than the channel 40 of the first case bracket 18a so that the channel 40 forming the casing 24 of the first mounting bracket 16a is slidable within the channel 56 of the first case bracket 18a, as shown in
To disconnect the first case bracket 18a from the first mounting bracket 16a, the ball 82 of the ball latch 78 is compressed into the sleeve 80 of the ball latch 78 so that the first case bracket 18a can move relative to the first mounting bracket 16a. When the ball 82 of the ball latch 78 no longer extends through the cut-out 76 of the first case bracket 18a, the first case bracket 18a is free to slide over the first mounting bracket 16a and to be removed from around the first mounting bracket 16a. The ball latch 78 thus allows the first case bracket 18a to be in either a first, unlocked position or a second, locked position relative to the first mounting bracket 16a.
Referring to all of the previous figures, a method of mounting the storage unit 12 onto the vertical support assembly 14 using the bracket assembly 10 is described. To mount the storage unit 12 onto the vertical support assembly 14, the first mounting bracket 16a is first mounted onto the first vertical standard 14a. The first vertical standard 14a includes a plurality of apertures (not shown) running the length of the vertical standard 14a. The apertures are sized to accept the L-shaped protrusions 30 of the first mounting bracket 16a. The hook portions 32b, 32c and 32d of the second, third and fourth protrusions 30b, 30c and 30d, respectively, function to lock the first mounting bracket 16a to the vertical support assembly 14a. To prevent the first mounting bracket 16a from being inadvertently displaced in the upward direction, the hook portion 32a of the first L-shaped protrusion 30a extends upward to provide an anti-disengagement feature.
Each of the apertures of the first vertical standard 14a is defined by a top edge of material and a bottom edge of material. The method of assembling includes inserting the hook portions 32 of the L-shaped protrusions 30 into the apertures. Following insertion of the hook portions 32 of the L-shaped protrusions 30 into the apertures, the first mounting bracket 16a is moved downward. As the first mounting bracket 16a is moved downward, the hook portions 32b, 32c and 32d of the second, third and fourth protrusions 30b, 30c and 30d, respectively, rest against the bottom edges of material of the first vertical standard 14a such that the bottom edges of material are received in the mouths 34b, 34c and 34d of the hook portions 32b, 32c and 32d, respectively. The mouths 34b, 34c and 34d of the hook portions 32b, 32c and 32d, respectively, act to releasably retain the first mounting bracket 16a to the first vertical standard 14a. The hook portion 32a of the first L-shaped protrusion 30a prevents the first mounting bracket 16a from lifting and disengaging from the aperture of the first vertical standard 14a.
The second mounting bracket 16b (
In one embodiment, after the mounting brackets 16 are mounted onto the vertical standards 14, the first and second vertical standards 14a and 14b are spaced apart from one another at a distance substantially equal to a width of the storage unit 12. Before mounting the storage unit 12 onto the mounting brackets 16, the case brackets 18 are attached to the storage unit 12. In one embodiment, the case brackets 18 are attached to opposing interior walls of the storage unit 12 at the lips 66 of the top flanges 60 and the lips 74 of the bottom flanges 62 of the case brackets 18. The case brackets 18 can be attached to the storage unit 12 by any suitable means known in the art. In one embodiment, the case brackets 18 are welded to the storage unit 12.
Once the case brackets 18 are attached to the storage unit 12, the storage unit 12 with the case brackets 18 is moved towards the mounting brackets 16 such that the channels 56 of the case brackets 18 are aligned with the channels 40 of the mounting brackets 16. The case brackets 18 are then slid over the casings 24 of the mounting brackets 16. Because the first and second ends 70, 72 of the bottom flanges 62 of the case brackets 18 are sloped, the ball latches 78 are compressed with the balls 82 positioned within the sleeves 80 as the case brackets 18 are pushed over the mounting brackets 16, allowing the case brackets 18 to slide over the mounting brackets 16.
As mentioned above, when the cut-outs 76 of the case brackets 18 reach the ball latches 78, the balls 82 deploy from the sleeves 80 and extend through the cut-outs 76 of the case brackets 18. When the balls 82 extend through the cut-outs 76 of the case brackets 18, the case brackets 18, and thus the storage unit 12, are locked to the mounting brackets 16.
By assembling the bracket assembly 10 as described above, the mounting brackets 16 provide a means for releasably securing the storage unit 12 to the vertical support assembly 14. From the preceding description, it should be understood that the weight of the storage unit 12 optionally assists with retaining the mounting brackets 16 in the downward, secure position.
When it is desired to remove the storage unit 12 from the vertical support assembly 14 and the mounting brackets 16, the balls 82 of the ball latches 78 are compressed back into the sleeves 80 until they no longer engage the cut-outs 76 of the case brackets 18. Because the ball latches 78 no longer engage the cut-outs 76, the case brackets 18 are free to slide relative to the mounting brackets 16 as described above. The case brackets 18 and the storage unit 12 can then be removed from the mounting brackets 16.
To remove the mounting brackets 16 from the vertical support assembly 14, the mounting brackets 16 are slid upward and moved outward and away from the vertical support assembly 14. The hook portions 32 of the L-shaped protrusions 30 are then removed from the apertures, removing the mounting brackets 16 from the vertical support assembly 14.
The second embodiment of the casing 110 of the first mounting bracket 102a is also substantially similar to the first embodiment of the casing 24 of the first mounting bracket 16a except that the casing 110 includes a top cut-out 112 at a top flange 114 of the casing 110 and a bottom cut-out 116 at a bottom flange 118 of the casing 110, and the bottom flange 118 of the casing 110 does not include a lip. The cut-outs 112 and 116 at the top and bottom flanges 114 and 118, respectively, are aligned with one another. In one embodiment, the cut-outs 112 and 116 are substantially rectangular with the top cut-out 112 being slightly larger than the bottom cut-out 116. Other than the top and bottom cut-outs 112 and 116 of the casing 110, the second embodiment of the casing 110 includes the same features and functions substantially similarly to the first embodiment of the casing 24.
The second embodiments of the first mounting bracket 102a and the first case bracket 104a interact with each other in a substantially similar manner as the first embodiments of the first mounting bracket 16a and the first mounting bracket 18a. To mount the storage unit 12 onto the vertical support assembly 14 (
Referring also to
To position the spring clip 126 within the first mounting bracket 102a and the first case bracket 104, the spring clip 126 is compressed and positioned between the top flange 114 and the bottom flange 118 of the first mounting bracket 102a. The first protrusion 134 is aligned with the top cut-outs 112 and 120 of the first mounting bracket 102a and the first case bracket 104a, respectively, and the second protrusion 136 is aligned with the bottom cut-outs 116 and 124 of the first mounting bracket 102a and the first case bracket 104a, respectively.
The spring clip 126 is then released to its relaxed state such that the first and second protrusions 134 and 136 of the spring clip 126 engage the top cut-outs 112 and 120 and bottom cut-outs 116, 124 of the first mounting bracket 102a and the first case bracket 104a, respectively. In this position, the first protrusion 134 the spring clip 126 extends through the top cut-outs 112 and 120 of the first mounting bracket 102a and the first case bracket 104a, respectively, and the second protrusion 136 extends through the bottom cut-outs 116 and 124 of the first mounting bracket 102a and the first case bracket 104a, respectively, to lock the first case bracket 104a in position relative to the first mounting bracket 102a.
To remove the first case bracket 104a from the first mounting bracket 102a, the first and second ends 130, 132 of the spring clips 126 are compressed towards each other to disengage the first protrusion 134 of the spring clip 126 from the top cut-outs 112 and 120 and to disengage the second protrusion 136 of the spring clip 126 from the bottom cut-outs 116 and 124. Once the spring clip 126 is disengaged from the first mounting bracket 102a and the first case bracket 104a, the spring clip 126 can be removed from within the first mounting bracket 102a. The first case bracket 104a is then free to slide off of the first mounting bracket 102a.
The casing 210 includes a guide flange 216 having a trailing end 218, a leading end 220, a top flange 222 and a bottom flange 224. The casing 210 is connected to the second edge 214 of the mount flange 208 at the trailing end 218 of the guide flange 216. The top flange 222 extends along a top edge 226 of the guide flange 216 from the trailing end 218 past the leading end 220 of the guide flange 216 and ends in a tip portion 228. The tip portion 228 of the top flange 222 is rounded and slightly bent downward to provide a lead-in into the casing 210. The top flange 222 includes a top cut-out 230 that extends from the tip portion 228 of the top flange 222 towards the trailing end 218 of the guide flange 216. The top cut-out 230 allows a spring clip 232 (
The bottom flange 224 begins between the trailing end 218 and the leading end 220 of the guide flange 216 and extends past the leading end 220 of the guide flange 216 and ends in a rounded tip portion 234. The bottom flange 224 is slightly wider than the top flange 222 and the tip portion 234 of the bottom flange 224 extends slightly farther past the leading end 220 of the guide flange 216 than the tip portion 228 of the top flange 222. The bottom flange 224 includes a bottom cut-out 236 located proximate the leading end 220 of the guide flange 216 and provides connection with the spring clip 232. At least a portion of the bottom cut-out 236 is aligned with the top cut-out 230. In one embodiment, the cut-outs 230 and 236 are substantially rectangular with the top cut-out 230 being longer than the bottom cut-out 236.
The guide flange 216 includes an engagement feature 238 proximate the trailing end 218 that extends from the guide flange 216 between the top and bottom flanges 222 and 224. The engagement feature 238 provides strength and resistance to the bracket assembly 100 to prevent the case bracket 204 (
The third embodiments of the first mounting bracket 202a and the first case bracket 204a interact with each other in a substantially similar manner as the first embodiments of the first mounting bracket 16a and the first mounting bracket 18a. To mount the storage unit 12 (
The spring arm 254 of the spring clip 232 includes a first end 264, a second end 266 and a middle portion 268. The second end 266 of the spring arm 254 is attached to the first end 256 of the lever arm 252 at an angle such that the lever arm 252 and the spring arm 254 form a shape substantially similar to a V-shape. The middle portion 268 of the spring arm 254 is curved and allows the first end 264 of the spring arm 254 to be compressed without overbending the spring clip 232. The spring clip 232 includes a rivet hole 270 between the lever arm 252 and the spring arm 254 and allows the spring clip 232 to be rotatably attached to a rivet hole 272 in the guide flange 244 of the first case bracket 204a by a rivet 274 (
To release the spring clip 232, the spring clip 232 is moved to the compressed state. The spring clip 232 is disengaged by pressing up on the lever arm 252 of the spring clip 232. The shape of the lever arm 252 and its relationship to the casing 210 and the first case bracket 204a prevents the spring clip 232 from overbending and breaking. As the lever arm 252 is pushed up, the first end 264 of the spring arm 254 slides along the top flange 246 of the first case bracket 204a until it extends through the cut-out 250 of the top flange 246 of the first case bracket 204a. Once the spring arm 254 extends through the cut-out 250, the hook portion 260 can be removed from the bottom flanges 224 and 248 of the first mounting bracket 202a and the first case bracket 204a, respectively. After the hook portion 260 of the lever arm 252 is disengaged from bottom flanges 224 and 248, the spring arm 254 is removed from the top cut-outs 230, 250 of the casing 210 and the first case bracket 204a, respectively. The first case bracket 204a is then free to slide off the first mounting bracket 202a.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/059,980, filed on Jun. 9, 2008, entitled “Quick Disconnect Bracket Assembly,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61059980 | Jun 2008 | US |