Abstract:
The present invention is generally directed to a fixture mounting bracket assembly that is strong, easy to install, self-leveling, adjustable in multiple directions, removable that results in little or no visible damage when removed from the wall. The fixture mounting bracket assembly generally includes a base assembly, an elbow, and a fixture support assembly. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method for mounting a fixture on a wall using the fixture mounting bracket assembly. The method generally includes coupling a fixture mounting bracket assembly of the present invention, adjusting the fixture mounting bracket assembly in more than one direction, fixing the fixture mounting bracket assembly of the present invention in a desired configuration, and configuring a fixture to be supported by the fixture mounting bracket assembly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a nonprovisional of and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/095,391, filed Sep. 9, 2008; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/120,345, filed Feb. 3, 2009; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/103,068, filed Mar. 2, 2009, which documents are incorporated herein by reference to the extent permitted by law. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Brackets are often used to hang fixtures on walls. Hooks connected to a wall or ceiling directly or by a bracket can be used to hang pictures, curtain rods and curtains, towel rods, plants, light fixtures, decorations, and other fixtures. Brackets mounted to a wall or ceiling can be used to hold shelves, mount speakers, lights, soap dispensers, towel rods, curtain rods, decorations. Most existing brackets are mounted to a bare wall. As a result, if more than one bracket is required to mount a fixture, an installer has to precisely locate and install these brackets to ensure the fixture is level upon installation because most existing brackets do not allow an installer to fine tune the position of a fixture. Therefore, an installer must perform multiple measurements to position a bracket in the desired place on the wall making these brackets difficult to install correctly by the typical do-it-yourself user; moreover, it often requires multiple tries before the bracket is mounted in the desired location and often results in unwanted and unsightly extra holes in the wall. Further, most existing brackets used to mount fixtures are not adjustable and once installed, existing brackets do not allow an installer to adjust the height of the bracket or the distance away from the wall once the bracket has been coupled to the wall. 
         [0003]    The connections of most existing fixture mounting brackets to the wall do not provide adequate strength or it is difficult for do-it-yourself installers to install wall anchors properly to support most fixtures. When the connection to the wall is inadequate, either the bracket pulls away from the wall thereby damaging the wall and requiring additional wall repair to remedy the damage and/or the fixture falls to the ground and is damaged. Even if the existing brackets are adequately connected to the wall, they leave visible holes in a wall that require patch work and painting to cover up when they are removed. 
         [0004]    Therefore, a need exists in the art for a strong, easy to install, self-leveling, multi-direction adjustable, and removable fixture mounting bracket assembly that provides little or no visible damage to the wall. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is generally directed to a fixture mounting bracket assembly that is strong, easy to install, self-leveling, adjustable in multiple directions, and removable that results in little or no visible damage to a wall when removed. The fixture mounting bracket assembly generally includes a base assembly, an elbow, and a fixture support assembly. 
         [0006]    In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method for mounting a fixture on a wall using the fixture mounting bracket assembly of the present invention. The method generally includes coupling a fixture mounting bracket assembly to a wall or other structure, adjusting the fixture mounting bracket assembly in more than one direction, fixing the fixture mounting bracket assembly in a desired configuration, and configuring a fixture to be supported by the fixture mounting bracket assembly. 
         [0007]    Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0008]    The accompanying drawing forms a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith, in which like reference numerals are employed to indicate like or similar parts in the various views, and wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a fixture mounting bracket assembly configured in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  is a top perspective view of a base assembly of the fixture mounting bracket assembly in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  is a top perspective view of a base assembly of the fixture mounting bracket assembly in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2C  is a top perspective view of a base assembly of the fixture mounting bracket assembly in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is an exploded side view of a fixture mounting bracket assembly configured in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is an exploded side view of a fixture mounting bracket assembly configured in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side sectional view of a fixture mounting bracket assembly configured in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention as installed on a wall wherein the wall is shown in section; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side sectional view of a fixture mounting bracket assembly configured in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention as installed on a wall wherein the wall is shown in section; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of a fixture mounting bracket assembly configured in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention as installed and in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The following detailed description of the invention references the accompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
         [0019]    Turning now to the drawing figures, and particularly,  FIG. 1 , the present invention is directed to a fixture mounting bracket assembly  10  having a base assembly  12 , an elbow  14 , a fixture support assembly  16 , and at least one adjustment mechanism  18 . Generally, fixture mounting bracket assembly  10  can be adjusted to at least two vertical positions and at least two horizontal positions. Fixture mounting bracket assembly  10  is generally constructed of metal, molded or extruded plastic, plastic composite, wood, ceramic, any other suitable material known in the art, or combination thereof. The material used may be selected based on manufacturer- or user-specific requirements such as manufacturing efficiency, strength, durability, appearance, or environmental considerations. Further, fixture mounting bracket assembly  10  can be manufactured using any suitable manufacturing method known in the art for the material including, but not limited to, casting, machining, forging, deep drawing, punching, molding, press brake forming, die forming, extruding, stamping and/or joining. If required by the manufacturing method, coupling of components of fixture mounting bracket assembly  10  may be accomplished using any coupling means known in the art including, but not limited to, welds, screws, rivets, power actuated fasteners, pneumatic fasteners, bolts, nails, or adhesives. 
         [0020]    Now turning to  FIGS. 2A-C , certain non-limiting embodiments of base assembly  12  are shown. Generally, base assembly  12  includes a base  20  and a support member  22 .  FIG. 2A  shows an embodiment of base assembly  12  wherein base  20  includes a top surface  24 , a bottom surface  26 , a front surface  28 , a back surface  30 . Top and bottom surfaces  24  and  26  define at least one aperture  32  therethrough. Front surface  28  of base assembly  12  of this embodiment may be beveled as shown in  FIG. 2A . In certain embodiments, support member  22  may be an arm that is integral with or coupled to top surface  24  of base  20  and is orientated generally perpendicular to and extends away from top surface  24 . Generally, aperture  32  is configured to receive a fastener for coupling base assembly  12  to a wall. Alternatively, base  20  may include two apertures  32 , one on either side of support member  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . One skilled in the art will appreciate apertures  32  may be positioned anywhere suitable on base  20  providing a sufficient load capacity to support a fixture. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2B  shows an alternate embodiment of base  20  wherein base  20  has a general “L-shape” cross section including a vertical leg  34  and a horizontal leg  36 . At least one aperture  32  may be defined through one of legs  34  or  36  or may be defined through abutting edges of legs  34  and  36  as shown in the figure. Horizontal leg  36  includes a top face  38  and a bottom face  40 . In this embodiment, support member  22  is integral with or coupled to top face  38  of horizontal leg  36  of base  20  and is orientated generally perpendicular to and extends away from top face  38  of horizontal leg  36 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2C  shows another embodiment of base  20  wherein base  20  includes a top face  46 , a bottom face  48 , a back edge  50  and teeth  44  extending generally perpendicular to and downwardly from bottom face  48  of base  20  proximate back edge  50 . Further, in this embodiment, support member  22  is a sleeve that is integral with or coupled to base  20  and extends generally upwardly and perpendicularly to top face  46  of base  20 . 
         [0023]    Generally, base  20  will have dimensions to meet load or aesthetic appearance requirements. In one embodiment, bottom surface  26  of base  20  has a short dimension of about ¾ inches, a long dimension of about 3¼ inches, and a height dimension of about ¾ inches. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that base  20  may be any dimension that allows fixture mounting bracket assembly  10  to support a fixture from a wall. Further, support member  22  is generally positioned centrally within the extents of base  20  as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . One skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that support member  22  may be located in any suitable positions. 
         [0024]    Now turning to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , elbow  14  is shown with a generally cylindrical cross-section; however, it will be appreciated by a person in the art that elbow  14  may be any cross-section known in the art that provides sufficient rigidity for fixture mounting bracket assembly  10  to support a fixture, including but not limited to, rectangular or triangular. Further, elbow  14  may be a generally hollow tube or a generally solid rod or bar. Elbow  14  may also be configured to “break away” upon a predetermined force being applied to elbow  14 . This break away feature protects interior or exterior finishes by allowing elbow  14  to fail at a predetermined force before damage to walls, moldings, or other finishes occurs. 
         [0025]    Elbow  14  has a first end  52  and a second end  54 .  FIG. 3A  shows one embodiment wherein first end  52  is configured to telescopically receives at least a portion of support member  22  wherein first end  52  of elbow  14  is adjustably fixed to support member  22  by adjustment mechanism  18 . Alternatively, first end  52  is telescopically received by support member  22  and is adjustably fixed to support member  22  by adjustment mechanism  18  as shown in  FIG. 3B . Generally, first end  52  and support member  22  can be coupled together in at least two relative positions. 
         [0026]    In addition, elbow  14  may include a short arm and a long arm. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A  and  b,  the short arm includes first end  52  and the long arm includes second end  54 . This embodiment also provides an alternate orientation of elbow  14  wherein second end  54  of the long end receives or is received by support member  22  in place of first end  52  of the short end. These alternate orientations of elbow  14  allow fixture mounting bracket assembly  10  to be adjustable between two basic configurations from which additional adjustability may be achieved. 
         [0027]    Fixture support assembly  16  includes arm  56  and a fixture support member  58 . Arm  56  includes a first end  60  and a second end  62 . Arm  56  is shown with a generally cylindrical cross section; however, it will be appreciated by a person in the art that arm  56  may be any cross section known in the art that provides sufficient rigidity for fixture mounting bracket assembly  10  to support a fixture, including but not limited to, rectangular or triangular. Further, arm  56  may be a generally hollow tube or a generally solid rod or bar. Arm  56  may be generally straight as shown in  FIG. 3  or may be skewed as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A , second end  54  of elbow  14  telescopically receives first end  60  of arm  56  wherein first end  60  of arm  56  is adjustably fixed in relation to second end  54  of elbow  14  by adjustment mechanism  18 . In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 3B , second end  54  of elbow  14  is telescopically received by first end  60  of arm  56  wherein first end  60  of arm  56  is adjustably fixed to second end  54  of elbow  14  by adjustment mechanism  18 . Generally, first end  60  of arm  56  and second end  54  of elbow  14  may be coupled in at least two relative positions. 
         [0028]    Fixture support member  58  generally is configured to support the fixture intended to be supported by fixture mounting bracket assembly  10 . Fixture support member  58  is rotationally adjustably fixed to second end  62  of arm  56 . One embodiment of the present invention includes fixture support member  58  being screwed to second end  62  wherein second end  62  is configured to receive the screw. One skilled in the art will appreciate that any suitable coupling means providing rotational adjustment of fixture support member  58  in relation to second end  62  is within the scope of the present invention. In another embodiment, fixture support member  58  may be a hook as shown in  FIGS. 3A  and  b  that supports fixtures such as curtain rods, towel rods, plants, signs, banners, artwork, light fixtures, decorations and any other fixture suitable to be supported by a hook. The hook shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  may be of a size to hold curtain rods varying in diameter from about ½ inch to 3 inches; however, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the size of the fixture does not limit the dimensions of fixture support member  58 . Alternatively, fixture support member  58  may be any shape, size or material necessary to support fixtures including, but not limited to: curtains, curtain rods, window blinds, window shades, speakers, shelves, tapestries, soap dispensers, towel rods, shower curtain rods, lights, decorations, or any other fixture known in the art that is suitable to be supported by the present invention. In a certain embodiment, fixture support member  58  may include a securing mechanism, such as a set screw (not shown), that prevents a fixture from being undesirably removed from fixture support member  58 . 
         [0029]    Adjustment mechanism  18  generally fixes elbow  14  relative to support member  22  of base assembly  12  and arm  56  of fixture support assembly  16  to elbow  14 . Adjustment mechanism  18  allows elbow  14  and support member  22  of base assembly  12  to be telescopically adjusted to at least two different fixed relative positions. Further, adjustment mechanism  18  provides elbow  14  and arm  56  of fixture support assembly  16  to be telescopically adjusted to at least two different fixed relative positions. In addition to telescopic adjustment, adjustment mechanism  18  may allow for rotational movement between elbow  14  and support member  22  as well as elbow  14  and arm  56 .  FIG. 3A  shows an embodiment of adjustment mechanism  18  wherein ends  52  and  54  of elbow  14  are slotted and a set screw  80  is threaded through support member  22  and arm  56  of fixture support assembly  16  proximate first end  60  of arm  56 . Support member  22  and arm  56  may be telescopically adjusted relative to elbow  14  and the relative position of elbow  14  to support member  22  and arm  56  is fixed by tightening the set screw  80 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3B  shows an embodiment of adjustment mechanism  18  wherein at least two holes  82  are present in ends  52  and  54  of elbow  14  and support member  22  and arm  56  have at least one hole  82 . Both support member  22  and arm  56  receive elbow  14 . Elbow  14  is telescopically adjusted relative to both support member  22  and arm  56  such that one hole  82  proximate first end  52  of elbow  14  lines up with hole  82  of support member  22  and one hole  82  proximate second end  54  of elbow  14  lines up with thru-hole  82  of arm  56  wherein the configuration of holes  82  provides at least two fixed relative positions of elbow  14  and support member  22  and at least two fixed relative positions of elbow  14  and arm  56  as shown in  FIG. 3B . A pin, bolt, screw or other suitable fastener known in the art is then inserted through thru-holes  82  and engages both members  12  and  14  or  14  and  56  to fix elbow  14  relative to support member  22  and fix elbow  14  relative to arm  56 . One skilled in the art would appreciate that adjustment mechanism  18  is not limited to the described embodiments and can be any suitable securing mechanism known in the art such as a clamp, a collar, or a compression fitting. 
         [0031]    In use, fixture mounting bracket assembly  10  is installed on a ledge member  64  adjacent a wall  70  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Ledge member  64  may be any area in which two generally flat surfaces meet including, but not limited to, the exterior or interior of a door or window, door or window trim molding, walls and corners thereof, crown molding, the area in which a wall meets a ceiling, chair rail, picture rail, shelving, wainscoting, a sink or counter back splash, or any other suitable ledge in a commercial or residential setting.  FIGS. 4 and 5  show fixture mounting bracket assembly  10  installed on the top of a horizontally-orientated window trim molding  64 . Fixture mounting bracket assembly  10  may alternatively be installed on a vertically-orientated ledge member  64 .  FIG. 4  shows fixture mounting bracket assembly  10  being positioned such that the entire bottom surface  26  or bottom face  40  of base  20  bear on ledge member  64  and back surface  30  or vertical leg  34  of base  20  rest against wall  70 . Fixture mounting bracket assembly  10  is generally self-leveling upon the entire bottom surface  26  or bottom face  40  bearing on ledge member  64 . Base assembly  12  as shown in  FIGS. 2A  or  2 B is secured to wall  68  using a fastener  66  driven into wall studs  70  at about a forty-five (45) degree angle. 
         [0032]    Driving fastener  66  into wall studs  70  at about a forty-five (45) degree angle allows the holes in the wall  68  created by mounting fixture mounting bracket assembly  10  to be substantially unseen when ledge member  64  is above eye-level. Further, driving fastener  66  into wall studs  70  at about a forty-five (45) degree angle creates holes in wall  70  and ledge member  64  that are at the joint of ledge member  64  and wall  70  and are easily concealed and repaired.  FIG. 4  shows fastener  66  as a screw; however, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that fastener  66  may be any suitable fastener including, but not limited to nails, lag bolts, masonry screw anchors, concrete screw anchors, adhesives, or drywall anchors. In certain embodiments, fastener  66  may also be a magnet or the like for mounting fixture bracket assembly  10  to a steel stud or the like in wall  70  such that no holes need be created in wall  70  whatsoever. 
         [0033]    Alternatively,  FIG. 5  shows base assembly  12  shown in  FIG. 2C  wherein no fastener  66  is required. Teeth  44  of base assembly  12  are driven between wall  68  and ledge member  64  using a hammer or the like. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the driver is not limited to a hammer, but any other driver known in the art may also be utilized. Teeth  44  and spaces between teeth  44  allow the base assembly  12  to be secured regardless of the pattern of finishing fasteners (usually nails) used to couple ledge member  64  to wall  68 . Again, base assembly  12  is generally self-leveling when teeth  44  are fully driven between ledge member  64  and wall  68  and the entire bottom face  48  of base  20  bears on ledge member  64 . 
         [0034]    Once base assembly  12  is secured to wall  68 , first end  52  of elbow  14  either receives or is received by support member  22 . Adjustment mechanism  18  allows elbow  14  and support member  22  to be telescopically adjusted and fixed at a desired relative position.  FIG. 4  shows adjustment mechanism  18  being set screw  80 .  FIG. 5  shows adjustment mechanism  18  being multiple holes  82  and a pin or other suitable fastener.  FIGS. 4 and 5  show embodiments of fixture mounting bracket assembly  10  being installed on a horizontal ledge member  64 . Installed in this orientation, elbow  14  will be telescopically adjusted in a vertical direction in relation to base assembly  12  such that elbow  14  is fixed by adjustment mechanism  18  at a desired vertical position. 
         [0035]    Next, second end  54  of elbow  14  either receives or is received by arm  56  of fixture support assembly  16 . Adjustment mechanism  18  allows elbow  14  and arm  56  to be telescopically adjusted and fixed at a certain relative position.  FIG. 4  shows adjustment mechanism  18  being a set screw  80 .  FIG. 5  shows adjustment mechanism  18  being multiple thru-holes  82  and a pin or other suitable known fastener in the art.  FIGS. 4 and 5  show embodiments of fixture mounting bracket assembly  10  being installed on a horizontal ledge member  64 . Installed in this orientation, arm  56  may be telescopically adjusted in a horizontal direction generally away from wall  68  relative to elbow  14  such that fixture support assembly  16  is fixed by adjustment mechanism  18  at a desired distance away from wall  68 . 
         [0036]    Finally, turning to  FIG. 6 , fixture support member  58  is configured to support fixture  72 . In this embodiment, fixture support member  58  is a hook and fixture  72  is a curtain rod that bears upon the hook  58 . Multiple fixture mounting bracket assemblies  10  may be installed by repeating this process to mount additional fixture mounting bracket assemblies  10  on wall  66  and ledge member  64  as required to adequately support fixture  72 . For example, fixtures  72  such as shelves and curtain rods will generally require more than one fixture mounting bracket assembly  10 .