Abstract:
An adjust support bracket for communication with a wall or wall supports is provided. The support provides a mounting surface for plumbing and other fixtures to be mounted within or on a wall or panel. The support comprises first and second sheet metal support panels that connectively sleeve together to form a single fixture support assembly for spanning between, and fastening to, wall framing members, and allows for various fixtures to be securely attached and thereby retained in a secure fixed position.

Description:
This U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/973,379, filed Apr. 1, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of brackets and support plates. Moreover, embodiments of the disclosure relate to a unique adjustable inner wall support for plumbing, handrails, electrical features such as boxes and outlets, ornamental features, shelving units, appurtenances and fixtures. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various systems and devices exist for mounting or anchoring devices into drywall or wall panel features. Such features include, for example, drywall anchors that generally serve to increase the load a sheet of wall material is capable of supporting. Known systems and devices, however, fail to provide a support system that is adjustable and that extends between at least two preexisting studs in a wall panel to allow a user numerous options for mounting devices to or within a wall and where is not possible or desirable to connect or anchor directly into a wall stud. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the limitations now present in the prior art devices for plumbing handrails, electrical features, ornamental features, shelving units, appurtenances and fixture supports, generally referred to herein as supports, the present disclosure provides a new and useful adjustable support which is simpler in fabrication, more universally functional and more versatile in application and operation than known prior art methods or devices. Embodiments provided herein are suitable for receiving and mounting a number of devices and features, and no limitation with respect thereto is provided. For example, although preferred embodiments contemplate providing a mounting bracket for plumbing and fixture supports, embodiments of the present disclosure are also adapted to receive and support electrical features such as boxes and outlets, ornamental features, shelving units, and similar objects and features mounted on or in a wall unit. 
     In various embodiments, a new adjustable inner wall support is provided that may be used to securely attach and mount plumbing and bathroom related features in fixed positions. Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide adjustable supports comprising novel features not taught by the prior art. For example, assemblies of certain embodiments comprise a support that is adapted to fit between and/or securely mount to wall studs having varying distances therebetween, resulting in a new and novel inner wall support which is not apparent, obvious, or suggested, either directly or indirectly by any of the prior art devices, apparatus, or methods. 
     The assemblies described herein are preferably intended to be manufactured from sheet metal. It is to be understood that alternative embodiments may be manufactured from materials such as polymers or composites that allow devices provided herein to perform the same purpose and function. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to be used between framing members of a building structure, such as a prefabricated bathroom structure. In such a structure, fastening, attaching, or mounting various components within the prefabricated bathroom environment to either the exterior or the interior of the wall structures in a safe and secure manner can be difficult because the structural framing members, or studs, are positioned within the walls at specific intervals based on the structural needs of the building and not on the location of specific components such as bath fixtures, mirrors, cabinets, plumbing. This may result in large spans between the studs or supports where there is either partial or no structural support for these components if they are intended to be installed or located between the studs. 
     In one embodiment, an adjustable bracket assembly for spanning a predetermined distance between support members of a wall structure is provided, the assembly comprising a first support member, the first support member comprising a first substantially planar portion having a first end, a second end, and a predetermined length therebetween. The first end comprises a first flange member extending substantially perpendicular to the first substantially planar portion, and the first flange member comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners. A first channel and a second channel extend along at least a portion of the length of the first substantially planar portion. A second support member is provided, the second support member comprising a second substantially planar portion and a second flange member, the second flange member extending substantially perpendicular to the second substantially planar portion and substantially parallel to the first flange portion. The second flange member is devoid of channels extending along a portion of the length of the second substantially planar portion. The second flange member comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners, and opposing edges of the second substantially planar portion are slidably received within the first channel and the second channel of the first support member such that a distance between the first flange member and the second flange member is selectively adjustable. 
     In another embodiment, an adjustable bracket assembly is provided for spanning a predetermined distance between support members of a wall structure, the assembly comprising a first support member and a second support member, the first support member and the second support member each comprising a substantially planar portion having a first end, a second end, and a predetermined length therebetween. The first end comprises a flange member extending substantially perpendicular to the substantially planar portion, the flange member comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners. A first channel and a second channel extend along at least a portion of the length of the substantially planar portion. A planar support member is also provided, the planar support member being devoid of flanges and channels and adapted to be received within said first channels and said second channels, and wherein opposing edges of the planar support member are slidably received within the channels such that an overall length of the adjustable bracket assembly may be adjusted. 
     In yet another embodiment, an adjustable bracket assembly for spanning a predetermined distance between support members of a wall structure is provided, the assembly comprising a first support member, the first support member comprising a first substantially planar portion having a first end, a second end, and a predetermined length therebetween. The first end comprises a first flange member extending substantially perpendicular to the first substantially planar portion, the first flange member comprising a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners. A first channel extends along at least a portion of the length of the first substantially planar portion. A second support member is provided, the second support member comprising a second substantially planar portion having a first end, a second end, and a predetermined length therebetween. The first end of the second support member comprises a second flange member extending substantially perpendicular to the second substantially planar portion, the second flange member comprising a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners. A second channel extends along at least a portion of the length of the second substantially planar portion, and the second support member is received by the first channel of the first support member, and the first support member is received by the second channel of the second support member. 
     The present disclosure provides a support device for provision within a wall, the device adapted to span between wall studs and will allow for fastening, attaching, and/or mounting various components within the prefabricated bathroom environment to either the exterior or the interior of the wall structures, in a safe and secure manner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Those of skill in the art will recognize that the following description is merely illustrative of the principles of the disclosure, which may be applied in various ways to provide many different alternative embodiments. This description is made for illustrating the general principles of the teachings of this disclosure and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts disclosed herein. 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosures. 
       It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fixture support according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a fixture support according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portion of a fixture support according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a portion of a fixture support according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of a fixture support according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of a portion of a fixture support according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portion of a fixture support according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of a portion of a fixture support according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a fixture support according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a fixture support according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a wall panel provided with a fixtures support according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     To further assist with the understanding of the disclosure, the following is a listing of elements provided in the drawings: 
       1  Support Assembly 
       2  First Support Panel 
       4  Substantially Planar Portion 
       6  First Notch 
       8  Second Notch 
       10  Channel 
       11  Lateral Portion 
       12  Channel 
       13  Lateral Portion 
       14  Flange Member 
       16  Aperture 
       17  Peripheral Edge 
       20  Second Support Panel 
       22  Flange Member 
       24  Substantially Planar Portion 
       26  First Peripheral Edge 
       28  Second Peripheral Edge 
       30  Central Support Panel 
       40  Support Assembly 
       42  First Support Member 
       43  First Substantially Planar Portion 
       44  Second Support Member 
       45  Second Substantially Planar Portion 
       46  First Channel 
       48  Second Channel 
       50  Opposing Edge 
       52  Edge 
       60  Wall Panel 
       62  Cut Out 
       64  Stud 
       66  Stud 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In various embodiments, an inner wall support for supporting various features is provided. In a preferred embodiment, first and second support panels are provided. Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2 , a first support panel  2  comprises a generally rectangular shaped flat body with a planar portion  4 . The first support panel  2  comprises first  6  and second  8  notches provided in opposing corners of the panel  2 . The first support panel  2  further comprises first  10  and second  12  channels extending along at least a portion of the panel  2 . The channels of  FIG. 1  comprise generally C-shaped inward-facing channels  10 ,  12 . The first support panel body  2  further comprises a flange member  14 . The flange member  14  of  FIG. 1  is preferably formed from the same sheet of material as the remainder of the panel  2  and comprises a bend or extension oriented substantially perpendicular to planar portion  4  of the panel  2 . In various embodiments, the flange portion  14  comprises a length that is approximately one-sixth of the length of the planar portion. In various embodiments, the flange portion  14  comprises a plurality of holes or apertures  16 . Although the flange  14  of  FIG. 1  is shown as extending in one direction away from the panel  2 , embodiments of the present disclosure comprise flanges that extend in two or more directions away from the panel  2 . 
     As further shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , a second support panel  20  is provided. The second support panel  20  comprises a generally rectangular shaped flat body. As shown, the second support panel  20  comprises a flange portion  22  and a planar portion  24 . The flange portion  22  is disposed substantially perpendicular to the planar portion  24  and extends along the width of the second planar portion  24 . A height of the second flange portion  22  is approximately one-sixth of the length of the planar portion  24  of the second support panel  20 . The second support panel  20  comprises a width W that is adapted to be received within the channels  10 ,  12  of the first support panel  2 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second support panel  20  in isolation. As shown, the second support panel  20  comprises a substantially planar portion  24  with a flange member  22 , the flange member  22  provided substantially perpendicular to the planar portion  24 . The flange member  22  comprises a plurality of apertures  16  for receiving fasteners and securing the support  20  to a wall stud, support, or similar member, for example. Fasteners contemplated for use with certain embodiments include, but are not limited to screws, anchors, nails, etc. A first peripheral edge  26  is provided at a terminus of the flange member  22 . A second peripheral edge  28  is provided at a terminus of the substantially planar portion  24 . 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a second support panel  20  according to one embodiment and prior to forming or bending of the flange portion. As shown, the support panel  20  comprises a substantially planar object with apertures  16  formed therein. The planar portion of  FIG. 4  is ready for deformation or bending of the first end  26  to form the flange member  22 . 
       FIGS. 5-6  depict a similar support element or panel as that shown in  FIGS. 3-4  comprising different dimensions and proportions as that shown in  FIGS. 3-4 . One of skill in the art will recognize that support panels and assemblies of the present disclosure are not limited to specific dimensions or proportions, and various sized assemblies as may be desirable to fit certain applications are contemplated. 
       FIG. 7  depicts one embodiment of a first panel  2  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the panel  2  comprises a substantially planar portion  4 , a flange member  14 , and channel members  10 ,  12 . The flange member  14  comprises a plurality of apertures  16  for securing the support to a stud or support, for example.  FIG. 8  is a plan view of a planar portion of material, prior to being formed into the panel portion of  FIG. 7 . As shown, lateral portions  11 ,  13  are provided, which are subsequently rolled or folded into the C-shaped channels  10 ,  12  of  FIG. 7 . The panel  2  comprises a first peripheral edge  15  at a terminus of the flange member ( 14  in  FIG. 7 ) and a second peripheral edge  17  at the terminus of the substantially planar portion  4 . 
     In various embodiments, an adjustable support member is provided wherein a first support member  2  and a second support member  20  are slidable relative to each other. Specifically, a second support member  20  is slidable within channel members  10 ,  12  of the first member  2 . Flange members  14 ,  22  are provided as a contact surface for a wall stud or support member to which the support members are to be attached. Supports of the present disclosure may be positioned towards the front or rear of the wall interior to accommodate piping such as conduit or plumbing within the walls. In other words, supports of the present disclosure may be provided at various depths along a stud or support and need not necessarily be provided flush against an interior surface of a wall or panel structure. In various embodiments, supports of the present disclosure accommodate piping and wiring by comprising the ability to be positioned at various locations in order to allow space for such features and/or secure piping, wiring, and other structures to the support(s). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an alternative embodiment of the disclosure is provided wherein a support assembly  1  comprises two support panels  2   a ,  2   b , with central support panel  30  provided therebetween. The support panels  2   a ,  2   b  comprise the same or similar structure of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 . The central support panel  30  is provided in the channels  10 ,  12  of each of the support panels  2   a ,  2   b , wherein the central support panel  30  comprises a substantially flat rectangular sheet of material. 
     In various embodiments, the central support panel  30  in the form of a sheet is selectively securable to at least one of the two support panels  2   a ,  2   b . In certain embodiments, the central support panel  30  comprises one or more apertures through which a fastener may be provided to secure the central support panel  30  to either or both of the support panels  2   a ,  2   b . In certain embodiments, the central support panel  30  is provided such that it is not fixedly secured to either of the support panels  2   a ,  2   b . Rather, the central support panel  30  is slidably inserted into the channels  10 ,  12  of the support panels  2   a ,  2   b  prior to installation of the support  1 . In certain embodiments, the dimensions of the features and the channels  10 ,  12  are sufficient to prevent displacement of the central support panel  30  at least when the support  1  is installed by securing the flange members  14  to a support or stud. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a support bracket assembly  40  according to one embodiment of the disclosure. As shown, an adjustable support bracket assembly  40  is provided for spanning a predetermined distance between support members of a wall structure. The assembly  40  comprises a first support member  42 , the first support member  42  comprising a first substantially planar portion  43  having a first end, a second end, and a predetermined length therebetween. The first end comprises a first flange member  14   a  extending substantially perpendicular to the first substantially planar portion  43 , the first flange member comprising a plurality of apertures  16  for receiving fasteners. A first channel  46  extends along at least a portion of the length of the first substantially planar portion  43 . A second support member  44  is provided, the second support member  44  comprising a second substantially planar portion  45  having a first end, a second end, and a predetermined length therebetween. The first end of the second support member  44  comprises a second flange member  14   b  extending substantially perpendicular to the second substantially planar portion  45 , the second flange member comprising a plurality of apertures  16  for receiving fasteners, and a second channel  48  extending along at least a portion of the length of the second substantially planar portion  45 . An edge  52  of the second support member  44  is received by the first channel  46  of the first support member  42 , and an opposing edge  50  of the first support member  42  is received by the second channel  48  of the second support member  44 . 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a wall panel  60  comprising first  64  and second  66  studs between which a support assembly  1  according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided. As shown, the wall panel  60  of  FIG. 11  comprises at least two studs  64 ,  66  which are rendered visible by a cut-out  62  provided for illustrative purposes only. As shown, a first flange  14  of a first support panel  2  is secured to a stud  66 , and a second flange  22  of a second support member  20  is secured to an adjacent stud  64 . The second support member  20  is slidably received within the first support member  2  by channels  10 ,  12 , and the combined length of the members  2 ,  20  form a span or bridge between adjacent wall studs  64 ,  66 . The support  1  of  FIG. 11  thus provides a support surface or feature for mounting elements and devices at a location between the illustrated studs  64 ,  66 , but with enhanced structural support at least as compared to mounting fixtures or devices to dry wall or other elements between studs. Elements, devices and fixtures to be mounted between studs include, but are not limited to, lighting elements, television and entertainment supports, bathroom fixtures, mirrors, vanities, artwork, shelving, cabinetry, and other devices that will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The foregoing has outlined, in general, the intended use and function as well as the physical aspects of certain embodiments and is to serve as an aid to better understanding the inventions disclosed herein. In reference to such, there is to be a clear understanding that the present disclosure is not limited to the method or detail of construction, fabrication, material, or application of use described and illustrated herein. Any other variation of fabrication, use, or application should be considered apparent as an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.