Support bracket

A bracket assembly includes a first bracket having a plurality of spaced apart anchor members extending outward therefrom for insertion into a plurality of corresponding apertures in a vertical member of a wall panel, and a second bracket having a plurality of spaced apart anchor members extending outward therefrom for insertion into a plurality of corresponding apertures in the vertical member. The anchor members are adapted to cooperate with the vertical member to restrain the corresponding bracket from horizontal movement. Locking means are adapted to move one of said brackets relative to the other such that the anchor members cooperate with the vertical member to secure the bracket assembly thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to support brackets, and more 
particularly, to a bracket assembly which is securely mounted to a wall 
panel for attaching a pedestal or the like thereto. 
In conventional wall panel systems, support panels and/or pedestals are 
mounted to a desired vertical member of a wall panel system to support the 
wall panels and provide a mounting surface for worksurfaces or the like. 
The support panels and pedestals are generally mounted to the vertical 
members by a support bracket which is secured to the vertical member by 
placing downwardly extending hooks thereof into a plurality of oversized 
slots formed in the vertical member. Since the slots are larger than the 
hooks, the support bracket tends to be loosely attached to the vertical 
member and is moveable in an upward and lateral direction. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A bracket assembly includes a first bracket having a plurality of spaced 
apart anchor members extending outward therefrom and a second bracket 
having a plurality of spaced apart anchor members extending outward 
therefrom. The anchor members of the first and second bracket are inserted 
into a plurality of corresponding spaced apart apertures in a vertical 
member of a wall panel and are adapted to cooperate with the vertical 
member to restrain the corresponding bracket from horizontal movement. 
Locking means are adapted to move one of said brackets relative to the 
other such that the anchor members cooperate with the vertical member to 
secure the bracket assembly thereto. 
In a preferred embodiment, the bracket assembly includes an upper and lower 
bracket which is used with a wall panel vertical member having a plurality 
of vertically aligned, longitudinal slots therein. The upper and lower 
brackets include a vertical plate positioned perpendicularly to the wall 
panel. A plurality of vertically aligned, spaced apart anchor members 
extend horizontally outward from a vertical edge portion of the lower 
bracket vertical plate for insertion into a plurality of lower slots in 
the vertical member of the wall panel. Likewise, a plurality of vertically 
aligned, spaced apart anchor members extend horizontally outward from a 
vertical edge portion of the upper bracket vertical plate for insertion 
into a plurality of upper slots in the vertical member of the wall panel. 
Preferably, the upper bracket anchor members comprise a horizontal neck 
portion and a hook portion extending downwardly therefrom, and the lower 
bracket anchor members comprise a neck portion and a hook portion 
extending upwardly therefrom. The hook portions have an inner edge 
parallel to and spaced apart from the edge portion of the corresponding 
bracket plate, and the distance between the hook portion inner edges and 
the edge portion of the corresponding bracket plate is substantially the 
same as the thickness of the vertical member of the wall panel to form a 
recess which slideably receives said vertical member. 
The locking means is adapted to pull the upper and lower brackets 
vertically toward each other so that the wall panel vertical member is 
slideably received by the anchor member recesses and the hook members 
prevent horizontal movement of the bracket assembly. In addition, bottom 
edges of the upper bracket anchor member necks bear against bottom edges 
of the upper slots, and top edges of the lower bracket anchor member necks 
bear against top edges of the lower slots to prevent vertical movement of 
the bracket assembly. As a result, the bracket assembly is rigidly secured 
to the vertical member of the wall panel. Preferably, the locking means 
comprises a flange extending horizontally outward from a lower edge of the 
upper bracket vertical plate, a tab extending horizontally outward from 
the lower bracket vertical plate, and a threaded fastener coupling the 
flange and tab. To secure the bracket assembly to the wall panel vertical 
member, the upper and lower brackets are pulled toward each other by 
turning the fastener. 
In addition, a substantial portion of the upper bracket plate preferably 
bears against one side of the lower bracket plate to conceal said portion 
from the view of a person on the other side of the lower bracket. A top 
edge of the upper bracket plate is approximately the same height as a top 
edge of the lower bracket after assembly, and a horizontal flange extends 
outward from the top edge for mounting a worksurface thereon. 
The present invention provides significant advantages over other wall panel 
brackets. The bracket assembly is conveniently and securely mounted to the 
vertical member of the wall panel to provide a stable mounting bracket for 
support panels, pedestals, or the like, which in turn provides a better 
support for the wall panel system as a whole. In addition, the bracket 
assembly provides a secure mounting surface for a worksurface and has an 
attractive, uniform appearance. 
The present invention, together with further objects and advantages, will 
be best understood by reference to the following detailed description 
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a plurality of wall panels 10 
interconnected by a plurality of vertical members 12, including end 
members 12A and 12D and middle members 12A and 12B. A bracket assembly 14 
is mounted to vertical member 12B to support a pedestal 16. The bracket 
assembly 14 can be mounted to any one of the vertical members 12, and any 
number of wall panels 10 can be arranged in a desired configuration to 
suit the needs of a particular office environment. For example, the 
bracket assembly 14 can be used with a panel system of a type described in 
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/596,352, filed Oct. 12, 1990, U.S. 
patent application Ser. No. 07/580,300, filed Sep. 10, 1990, or U.S. 
patent application Ser. No. 07/670,240, filed Mar. 15, 1991, the 
disclosures of which are specifically incorporated herein by reference. 
The pedestal 16 can be mounted to a desired bracket assembly 14 at a 
desired location to support the wall panels 10. In addition, a full length 
support wall 18 or a support panel 20 of a type described in U.S. patent 
application Ser. No. 07/588,364, filed Sep. 25, 1990, the disclosure of 
which is specifically incorporated herein by reference, can be mounted to 
a desired bracket assembly 14 to support the wall panels 10. 
As best shown in FIG. 2, the vertical members 12 preferably include a 
middle plate 22 and side plates 24 extending rearwardly at an angle 
relative to the front plate 22. The side plates 24 have a plurality of 
vertically aligned, longitudinal, spaced apart slots 26 therein. The slots 
26 can be formed in the wall panel 10 itself, a vertical member having a 
single exposed plate, or any other suitably configured vertical member. 
Referring to FIGS. 3-6, the bracket assembly 14 includes a lower bracket 28 
and an upper bracket 30. The lower bracket 28 includes a vertical plate 32 
having an outer surface 33, an inner surface 35, and a plurality of 
vertically aligned, spaced apart anchor members 34 extending horizontally 
outward from a vertical edge portion 36 thereof. The anchor members 34 are 
inserted through a plurality of lower slots 26 in one of the vertical 
member side plates 24. To allow the lower bracket plate 32 to extend 
perpendicularly from the wall panel 10, the edge portion 36 and anchor 
members 34 extend at an angle relative to the plate 32 such that the 
anchor members 34 are perpendicular to the vertical member side plate 24. 
In addition, the edge portion 36 is preferably stepped from the vertical 
plate 32 of the lower bracket 28. 
As best shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the lower bracket anchor members 34 
comprise a neck portion 38 extending horizontally outward from an edge 40 
of the lower bracket plate 32 and a head 42 extending outwardly from the 
neck portion 38. The head 42 has an upwardly extending hook portion 44 and 
a downwardly extending hook portion 46. The anchor members 34 can comprise 
only an upwardly extending hook portion 44, although the downwardly 
extending hook portion 46 is desirable to allow the lower bracket to be 
inversely assembled to the opposite side plate 24 of the wall panel 
vertical member 12. The hook portions 44 and 46 have an inner edge 48 
parallel to and spaced apart from the edge 40 of lower bracket plate 32, 
and the distance between the hook portion inner edges 48 and the edge 40 
of the lower bracket plate 32 is approximately the same as the thickness 
of the vertical member side plate 24 to form a recess 50 which slideably 
receives the side plate 24. 
Referring again to FIGS. 3-6, the lower bracket 28 also has a vertical 
flange 52 extending perpendicularly from the plate 32 to provide a 
mounting surface for attaching the pedestal 16, support panel 20, or other 
devices thereto. Fasteners 54 are provided for mounting the pedestal 16 to 
the flange 52. The lower bracket can be configured in any way which allows 
the pedestal 16, support panel 20, or any other device to be attached 
thereto. To provide clearance for a horizontal raceway 56 extending 
outward from a lower portion of the wall panels 10 (FIG. 1), a recess 58 
is formed in a lower portion of the lower bracket plate 32. Preferably, a 
recess 60 is also formed in an upper portion of the lower bracket plate 32 
to allow the lower bracket 28 to be inversely assembled to the opposite 
side plate 24 of the wall panel vertical member 12. 
To fasten the upper bracket 30 to the lower bracket 28 and lock the bracket 
assembly 14 securely to the vertical member 12, a tab 62 extends 
horizontally outward from the inner surface 35 of the lower bracket 
vertical plate 32. The tab 62 has a threaded hole therein (not shown) for 
receiving a threaded fastener 64, such as a cap screw or the like. To 
further secure the upper bracket 30 to the lower bracket 28, a fastener 66 
such as a bolt and nut extends horizontally outward from the inner surface 
35 of the lower bracket vertical plate 32. The tab 62 and fastener 66 are 
preferably welded to the inner surface 35 of the lower bracket plate 32 so 
that the outer surface 33 appears smooth and attractive to a person 
viewing the outer surface 33. 
The upper bracket 30 includes a vertical plate 68 having an outer surface 
(not shown), an inner surface 72, and a plurality of vertically aligned, 
spaced apart anchor members 74 extending horizontally outward from a 
vertical edge portion 76 thereof. The upper bracket is positioned adjacent 
an upper portion of the lower bracket 28, and a substantial portion of the 
upper bracket plate 68 bears against the inner surface 35 of the lower 
bracket plate 32 to conceal said portion from the view of a person on the 
other side of the lower bracket 28. 
The anchor members 74 are inserted through a plurality of upper slots 26 in 
the vertical member side plates 24. To allow the upper bracket plate 68 to 
extend perpendicularly from the wall panel 10 and bear against the lower 
bracket plate 32, the edge portion 76 and anchor members 74 thereof extend 
at an angle relative to the plate 68 such that said edge portion and 
anchor members are aligned with the edge portion 36 and anchor members 34 
of the lower bracket 28 and are perpendicular to the vertical member side 
plate 24. In addition, the edge portion 76 is preferably stepped from the 
vertical plate 68 of the upper bracket 30. 
As best shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the upper bracket anchor members 74 
preferably comprise a neck portion 78 extending horizontally outward from 
an edge 80 of the upper bracket plate 68 and a head 82 extending outwardly 
from the neck portion 78. The head 82 has an upwardly extending hook 
portion 84 and a downwardly extending hook portion 86. The anchor members 
74 can comprise only a downwardly extending hook portion 86, although the 
upwardly extending hook portion 84 is desirable to allow the upper bracket 
30 to be inversely assembled to the lower bracket 28 and the opposite side 
plate 24 of the wall panel vertical member 12. The hook portions 84 and 86 
have an inner edge 88 parallel to and spaced apart from the edge 80 of 
lower bracket plate 68, and the distance between the hook portion inner 
edges 88 and the edge 80 of the upper bracket plate 68 is approximately 
the same as the thickness of the vertical member side plate 24 to form a 
recess 89 which slideably receives the side plate 24. 
Referring again to FIGS. 3-6, the upper bracket plate 68 also has an upper 
flange 90 extending horizontally outward from an upper edge thereof, a 
lower flange 92 extending horizontally outward from a lower edge thereof, 
and an elongated vertical opening 94 therein. The upper flange 90 provides 
a mounting surface for supporting a worksurface 96 or the like thereto 
(FIGS. 1 and 13), the lower flange 92 has an oversized hole therein (not 
shown) which receives the threaded fastener 64 for drawing the upper 
bracket 30 and lower bracket 28 together, and the elongated opening 94 
receives the fastener 66 to secure the upper bracket 30 to the lower 
bracket 28. Preferably, the upper flange 90 also has an oversized hole 
therein for receiving the fastener 64 when the upper and lower brackets 30 
and 28 are inverted and mounted to the opposite side plate 24 of vertical 
member 12. 
The operation of the bracket assembly 14 is illustrated in FIGS. 8-15. 
Prior to assembly, the fastener 66 is loosened to allow the upper bracket 
30 to slide vertically relative to the lower bracket 28, and the fastener 
62 is turned to a desired extended position (FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 9, 
the lower bracket anchor members 34 are inserted into the corresponding 
lower slots 26, and the upper bracket anchor members 74 are inserted the 
corresponding slots 26. In FIGS. 12 and 14, the upper and lower brackets 
28 and 30 are allowed to fall such that the vertical member side plate 24 
is slideably received by the recesses 50 formed by the downwardly 
extending hook portions 46 of the lower bracket anchor members 34 and by 
the recesses 90 formed by the downwardly extending hook portions 86 of the 
upper bracket anchor members 74. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the lower 
bracket 28 is pulled vertically upward toward the upper bracket 30 by 
turning the fastener 62. As a result, the vertical member side plate 24 is 
slideably received by the recess 50 formed by the upwardly extending hook 
portion 44 of the lower bracket anchor members 34. Thus, the upwardly 
extending hook portions 44 of the lower bracket anchor members 34 and the 
downwardly extending hook portions 86 of the upper bracket anchor members 
74 prevent horizontal movement of the bracket assembly 14. Preferably, top 
edge portions 98 of the lower bracket anchor member necks 38 bear against 
top edges 100 of the lower slots 26, and bottom edge portions 102 of the 
upper bracket anchor member necks 78 bear against bottom edges 104 of the 
upper slots 26 to prevent vertical movement of the bracket assembly 14. 
The bracket assembly 14 is therefore securely mounted to the vertical 
member 12 and restrained from movement in any direction. Finally, the 
pedestal 16, support panel 20, or any other desirable support device is 
mounted to the flange 52 of the lower bracket 28 by the fasteners 54 such 
that a lower portion thereof rests on a floor to support the wall panels 
10. Preferably, the upper flange 90 of the upper bracket 30 is 
substantially the same height as a top edge 106 of the lower bracket plate 
32 after assembly. 
The bracket assembly 14 can comprise a first bracket positioned in various 
locations relative to a second bracket as long as locking means are 
adapted to move at least one of the brackets relative to the other so that 
the respective anchor member hook portions bear against a portion of the 
vertical member 12. For example, the upper bracket 30 can be positioned 
adjacent a middle or lower portion of the lower bracket 28, and the 
respective anchor members can be placed in the same slots if enough 
clearance is provided. The locking means can also couple an upper portion 
of the upper bracket 30 to the lower bracket 28 when the upper bracket is 
in any position relative to the lower bracket. Furthermore, the brackets 
can be forced apart rather than drawn together to achieve the same result, 
and the locking means can comprise any suitable means for forcing the 
brackets together or apart, such as a spring, cam mechanism, or the like. 
The brackets can also be any size, the anchor members can be any shape 
which fits inside the corresponding apertures and cooperates with the 
vertical member of the wall panel when moved by the locking means, and the 
apertures and anchor members need not be vertically aligned as long as the 
position of the anchor members correspond with the position of the 
apertures. 
Thus, an attractive bracket assembly is provided which is conveniently and 
securely mounted to a wall panel system so that worksurface can be 
attached thereto and a pedestal, support panel or the like can be securely 
attached thereto to provide a stable support for a wall panel system. 
Although the present invention has been described with reference to 
preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that many 
changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit 
and scope of the invention. As such, it is intended that the foregoing 
detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and 
that it is the appended claims, including all equivalents thereof, which 
are intended to define the scope of the invention.