Abstract:
A dispensing assembly wall bracket for mounting an operable dispensing assembly to an essentially vertical surface. The bracket includes a base fixable to the vertical surface, and defining a plane which is substantially parallel to the vertical surface when the base is fixed thereto. A fitting is fixed to the base, and has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet defines an axis substantially parallel to the plane, and the outlet defines an axis which intersects the inlet axis. At least one support arm extends from the base, and has a proximal end fixed to the base and a distal end. A receptacle is supported by the support arm distal end, and aligned with the outlet axis, wherein a dispensing assembly having an inlet received in the receptacle is positioned for connecting the dispensing assembly inlet to the fitting outlet.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to wall brackets, and more particularly to wall brackets for use with a fluid dispensing assembly. 
     Dispensing assemblies which dispense chemical concentrates mixed with water typically include a container containing the concentrate and a valve assembly fixed to the bottle. Pressurized water, for example supplied by a hose, connected to the valve assembly flows through the valve assembly, and draws the concentrate into the valve assembly which mixes the water and concentrate in a predetermined ratio. The stream of water and concentrate exits the valve assembly through a nozzle which can be designed for spraying a mist of the mixture into the atmosphere, directing the mixture into another container, and the like. 
     The dispensing assembly is often used to fill another container with the mixture. Filling another container often requires lifting the dispensing assembly, or attaching tubing, or another hose, to the dispensing assembly spout, such that the mixture exiting the valve assembly is directed into the other container. Therefore, it is desirable to maintain the operable dispensing assembly a distance above the floor for ease of operation. 
     A facility may also have a plurality of dispensing assemblies which are used to fill buckets and other containers with the diluted mixture. If the plurality of dispensing assemblies are each connected to a source of water by a separate hose, the hoses can get tangled and crimped which degrades the operation of the affected dispensing assembly. Therefore, a need exists for a means to supply a plurality of dispensing assemblies in an orderly fashion. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a dispensing assembly wall bracket for mounting an operable dispensing assembly to an essentially vertical surface. The bracket includes a base fixable to the vertical surface, and defining a plane which is substantially parallel to the vertical surface when the base is fixed thereto. A fitting is fixed to the base, and has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet defines an axis substantially parallel to the plane, and the outlet defines an axis which intersects the inlet axis. At least one support arm extends from the base, and has a proximal end fixed to the base and a distal end. A receptacle is supported by the support arm distal end, and aligned with the outlet axis, wherein a dispensing assembly having an inlet received in the receptacle is positioned for connecting the dispensing assembly inlet to the fitting outlet. 
     A general objective of the present invention is to provide a wall bracket which supports a dispensing assembly which is operable while mounted on the bracket. This objective is accomplished by providing a wall bracket which includes at least one support arm which can support the dispensing assembly and supplies a fitting for connecting the dispensing assembly to a fluid source for dispensing assembly operation. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a wall bracket which is easily connectable to a dispensing assembly. This objective is accomplished by providing a wall bracket with a receptacle which guides a portion of the dispensing assembly for connecting the dispensing assembly to a fluid source. 
     Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an assembly which can be connected in series to provide a plurality of operable dispensing assemblies. This objective is accomplished in some embodiments by providing an additional outlet for connecting to another wall bracket. 
     This and still other objectives and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description which follows. In the detailed description below, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. Rather the invention may be employed in other embodiments. Reference should therefore be made to the claims herein for interpreting the breadth of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 Is a perspective view of a dispensing assembly wall bracket incorporating the present invention, and supporting a dispensing assembly; 
     FIG. 1 a  is a perspective view of two wall brackets of FIG. 1 connected in series; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dispensing assembly wall bracket incorporating the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the wall bracket of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the wall bracket of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of the wall bracket of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of a second embodiment of a dispensing assembly wall bracket incorporating the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of a third embodiment of a dispensing assembly wall bracket incorporating the present invention; and 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of a dispensing assembly wall bracket incorporating the present invention; 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a wall bracket  10  mounted to a vertical surface  12 , such as a wall, supports a dispensing assembly  14  above the floor. The wall bracket  10  supplies a first fluid, such as water, to the dispensing assembly  14  for mixing with a second fluid, such as a concentrate, disposed in a container  16  forming a part of the dispenser assembly  14 . The wall bracket  10  easily connects and disconnects from the dispensing assembly  14  for ease of use, and can be connected in series with other wall brackets  10 , such as shown in FIG. 1 a , to supply the water to a plurality of dispensing assemblies  14  supported above the floor. 
     The dispensing assembly  14  includes the container  16  defining a volume for holding the concentrate, which is dispensed through a valve assembly  18 . The valve assembly  18  is detachably fixed to the container  16 , and is connectable by a fluid conduit  20  (shown in FIG.  4 ), such as a rigid tube, a flexible hose, and the like, to a source of the pressurized water. 
     The container  16  can be any container known in the art which defines a volume for holding the concentrate, and has an opening which provides access to the concentrate in the volume. Preferably, a neck extends outwardly from the opening for fixing the valve assembly  18  thereto. Most preferably, the neck has eternal threads which engage internal threads formed in the valve assembly  18  to detachably fix the valve assembly  18  to the container  16  over the container opening. 
     The valve assembly  18  defines a passageway therethrough, and mixes the concentrate and water in the passageway. Preferably, the valve assembly  18  includes an inlet  22  disposed at one end of the passageway and a nozzle  24  disposed at the opposing end of the passageway. The inlet  22  is sealingly connected to the fluid conduit  20  supplying the water to the valve assembly  18 , and the concentrate enters the passageway through a tube extending through the opening in the container  16 . Valve members disposed in the passageway control the flow of the fluids through the passageway and out of the nozzle  24 . A trigger  26  operatively connected to the valve members control the flow of fluids through the passageways by moving the valve members between an open position and a closed position. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2-6, a preferred dispensing assembly wall bracket  10  includes a base  32  having a pair of mounting pads  34  connected by an arcuate body  36 . The two mounting pads  34  engage the wall, and define a plane  38  substantially parallel to the wall when the base  34  is mounted thereto. Ribs  40  extending from the body  36  toward the plane  38  can be provided to increase the rigidity of the body  36  for mounting the dispensing assembly  14  in the bracket  10 . Although a pair of mounting pads  34  are shown in FIGS. 2-6, a wall bracket having a single mounting pad, such as a mounting plate formed as an integral part of the body, such as shown in FIG. 1, or a plurality of mounting plates, is within the scope of the present invention. 
     Apertures  42  formed in the pads  34  receive fasteners, such as bolts, screws, and the like, for fixing the base to the wall. The fasteners are slipped through the apertures  42 , and engage the vertical surface to fix the bracket  10  to the vertical surface. Although fixing the bracket  10  to the wall using bolts or screws is disclosed, other methods known in the art for fixing brackets to walls can be used, such as by using adhesives, and the like, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     A fitting  44  is formed as an integral part of the body  36 , and supplies the water to the dispensing assembly  14 . The fitting  44  includes an inlet  46 , a dispensing assembly supply outlet  48 , and a connecting outlet  50 . The inlet  46  is in fluid communication with the water source, the supply outlet  48  connects to the dispensing assembly  14  in order to operate the dispensing assembly  14  while mounted in the bracket  10 , and the connecting outlet  50  can be connected to another fitting, dispensing assembly, or capped. Although forming the fitting  44  as an integral part of the body  36  is preferred, the fitting  44  can be fixed to the body  36  using methods known in the art, such as welding, adhesives, bolting, and the like, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The inlet  46  is a cylindrical stub having an opening  52 , and defines an axis  54  extending substantially perpendicular to the plane  38 , and thus the wall. The inlet  46  extends along the axis  54 , and includes external threads  56  for connecting to the fluid conduit  20 . Although external threads  56  are preferred, the inlet  46  can be adapted for connecting to the fluid conduit  20  using methods known in art, such as using a quick disconnect coupling, hard piping, and the like. 
     The dispensing assembly supply outlet  48  and the connecting outlet  50  are in fluid communication with the fitting inlet  46 . The supply outlet  48  supplies the water to the dispensing assembly  14 , and is a cylindrical stub with an opening  58 . The supply outlet  48  defines an axis  60  extending substantially perpendicular to the inlet axis  54 . External threads  62  formed on the supply outlet  48  engage a quick disconnect coupling (such as designated by reference number  64  in FIGS. 7-9) for connecting to the dispensing assembly  14 . Preferably, the supply outlet axis  60  defines an angle which is not perpendicular to the plane  38 . Most preferably, the supply outlet axis  60  defines an angle A which is greater than 0° with respect to a perpendicular line  61  extending from the plane  38 . 
     The connecting outlet  50  is a cylindrical stub with an opening  66  (shown in FIG.  3 ), and defines an axis  68  substantially parallel to the plane  38  defined by the mounting pads  34 . As in the inlet  46  and supply outlet  48 , external threads  70  are formed on the connecting outlet  50 . Advantageously, the connecting outlet  50  can also be connected to a fluid source, and act as the fitting inlet  46  if the location of the connecting outlet  50  is more convenient for connection to the fluid source. Although two outlets are disclosed, only one inlet and one outlet are necessary for practicing the present invention. 
     The quick disconnect coupling  64  threadably engages the supply outlet external threads  62  to sealingly connect the coupling  64  to the supply outlet  48 . The coupling  64  can be any commercially available quick disconnect coupling, such as available from Hozelock Ltd, Buckinghamshire, England, Melnor Inc., Winchester, Va., and others. Preferably, the coupling  64  includes a pop-it valve which shuts off the flow of fluid through the coupling  64  when the dispensing assembly  14  is disconnected therefrom. Most preferably, the coupling  64  includes a back flow preventer which prevents the first fluid in the dispensing assembly  14  from flowing from the dispensing assembly  14  through the coupling  64 . 
     A semicylindrical receptacle  72  is supported and spaced from the base  32  by an upper support arm  74 , and intermediate support arm  73 , and a pair of lower support arms  75  extending from the base  32 . The receptacle  72  is coaxial with the supply outlet axis  60 , and receives the dispensing assembly  14 . Preferably, the receptacle  72  is sized to receive a portion of the dispensing assembly  14  and support the dispensing assembly  14  in a cantilevered arrangement while connected to the supply outlet  48  by the coupling  64 . Although a semicylindrical receptacle is disclosed, the receptacle can be an shape which can receive the dispensing assembly, such as cylindrical, square, polygonal, and the like. 
     The support arms  73 ,  74 ,  75  extend from the base  32  to support the receptacle  72  downstream of the coupling  64 . Preferably, the upper and intermediate support arms  73 ,  74  form a frame around the supply outlet  48 , and define a frame opening  76 . The frame opening  76  provides access to the supply outlet  48  and coupling  64  for actuating the disconnect feature of the coupling  64  when disconnecting the dispensing assembly  14  from the wall bracket  10 . Most preferably, at least one of the support arms  75  include an engaging surface  78  which engages the dispensing assembly  14  when cantilevered from the receptacle  72 . Although a plurality of support arms  73 ,  74 ,  75  are disclosed, any number of support arms can be provided to support the receptacle without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     A pair of fingers  77  extending axially from the intermediate support arms  73  engage the dispensing assembly  14  secured to the wall bracket  10 . The fingers  77  stabilize the dispensing assembly  14  to maintain the dispensing assembly inlet  22  in the receptacle  72 . Preferably, the fingers  77  are spaced apart a sufficient distance to cradle a portion of the dispensing assembly  14  and resist twisting, or other movement, of the dispensing assembly at an angle to the supply outlet axis  60  which would inadvertently disengage the dispensing assembly  14  from the wall bracket  10 . 
     In use, the wall bracket  10  is mounted to the wall by abutting the mounting pads  34  against the wall. The bracket  10  is secured to the wall using screws slipped through the apertures  42  formed through the pads  34 . The quick disconnect coupling  64  is threadably and sealingly fixed to the supply outlet  48 , and the fluid conduit  20  is connected to the fitting inlet  46 , such as by threadably and sealingly connecting a flexible hose in fluid communication with the water source to the inlet  46 . The connecting outlet  50  can be capped off, placed in fluid communication with the inlet of a second wall bracket, or connected to a hose for general utility use. 
     Once the wall bracket  10  is securely mounted to the wall and in fluid communication with the water source, the dispensing assembly  14  is mounted on the wall bracket  10 . The dispensing assembly  14  is mounted on the wall bracket  10  by slipping the valve assembly inlet  22  through the wall bracket receptacle  72  until the valve assembly inlet  22  engages the quick disconnect coupling  64 , such that the coupling  64  sealingly locks onto the valve assembly  18  and allows the flow of water into the valve assembly  18 . Advantageously, the dispensing assembly  14  can then be operated by actuating the valve assembly trigger  26  which allows the flow of the water and concentrate through the valve assembly  18  and out of the nozzle  24 . 
     The dispensing assembly  14  is removed from the wall bracket  10  by disengaging the quick disconnect coupling  64  from the valve assembly inlet  22 . Once the coupling  64  is disconnected from the dispensing assembly  14 , the valve assembly  18  is slipped in the supply outlet axial direction out of the receptacle  72 . 
     The wall bracket can also be modified to accommodate different dispensing assemblies without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a wall bracket  10 ′ shown in FIG. 7 is provided without a lower support arm which may interfere with the dispensing assembly  14 ′ or is not required to support a lightweight dispensing assembly. The lower support arm  75 ′ can also be modified to engage various shaped dispensing assembly containers  16 ′, such as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, or to accommodate a dispensing assembly handle  80 , such as shown in FIG.  9 . 
     The wall bracket as described herein provides several advantages to a user. The dispensing assembly is secured to the wall bracket in a convenient position to prevent damage to the dispensing assembly or fatigue to the user during filling. Each wall bracket can be clearly labeled using a label affixed to the wall, or the bracket, to reduce the chance of filling a container with the wrong product. The wall bracket can be mounted to a wall without using valuable storage or work top space, and can be secured any convenient distance above the floor. 
     While there has been shown and described what are at present considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.