There is a self-tapping curtain rod bracket with spaced prongs terminating with tips. The tips and prongs are used to penetrate and create holes in a wall. They extend through the holes and engage the backside of the wall. A wall support extends from the spaced prongs along the frontside of the wall to provide support. An arm extends away from the wall and has a cradle to support a curtain rod. The wall support also has an arm support, and the spaced prongs also includes a mount support. The mount support being located between the arm support and the arm.

FIELD

The subject matter relates to brackets and, more particularly, to curtain rod brackets that can be mounted without the use of tools.

BACKGROUND

Curtain rod brackets can be difficult to install, often requiring the assistance of professional installers. Most curtain rod brackets are installed with screws and in some cases nails and, therefore, installation requires the use of tools. There is a desire to make installation of curtain rod brackets easier so that a do-it-yourselfer can perform the installation without the need for tools.

Others have developed curtain rods that are installed without hardware, but these have much more limited use. For example, tension rods do not require tools for installation, but their use is limited to situations where there are opposing surfaces or walls, such as window frames, closets or bathroom tub and shower enclosures. Magnetic systems do not require tools for installation, but their use is limited to situations where there is a metal surface, such as a steel frame, and are further limited by the amount of weight that can be supported. Suction cup systems do not require tools for installation, but suction cups are limited by the amount of weight they can support.

Thus, there is a need for curtain rod systems that do not require tools and that are not limited by the weight that they can support so that heavy drapery material can be used in the interior design.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS.1A-1C, there is a single piece curtain rod bracket100that is installed on to a wall102, such as drywall covered wall, without the use of any tools. The bracket100includes a prong portion104that is used to form a hole106through the wall102, and then, the bracket100is inserted part way through the hole106to engage a backside108of the wall102, while a leg portion110of the bracket100engages a frontside112of the wall102.

The prong portion104includes a straight portion114and a curved portion116. The curved portion116connects to a short straight portion118. A first elbow portion120connects the straight portion118to the leg portion110, and a second elbow122connects the leg portion110to a support arm portion124. The support arm portion124may be curved such that it curves upward when the bracket100is installed on the wall102. A third elbow portion126connects the arm portion124to a cradle128. The cradle128can be any shape that holds the curtain rod. For example, it may be a closed loop or an open loop structure. One example is the open loop structure having a generally U-shaped cross-section that opens upward when the bracket100is installed on the wall102. The cross-section may have other configurations other than the U-shaped cross-section. The cradle128includes a threaded screw130mounted in a complementary threaded hole132to secure a curtain rod in the cradle128from unintentional removal of the curtain rod from the cradle128and/or unintentional lateral movement in the cradle128. The screw130engages a curtain rod and pins it against the front of the cradle128.

The prong portion104is generally U-shaped with two prongs134. Each prong134includes a pointed tip136. Each pointed tip136includes an apex138and two lateral edges140on opposite sides of the apex138that angle downwardly from the apex138. Each pointed tip136also includes a backside142that angles downwardly from the apex138. The pointed tips136of the prongs134are used to puncture the wall102to form the hole106. When the bracket100is installed, the pointed tips136may contact the backside108of the wall102and limit the bracket100from pivoting in the hole106. The width of the prong portion104may also be greater than the height of the hole106, which also limits the bracket100from pivoting in the hole106.

By way of example only, the length of the prong portion104may be 0.70 inches, and the width of the prong portion104(as well as the entire bracket100) may be 0.75 inches. Each prong134may have a width of 0.12 inches and a length of 0.11 inches. The radius of curvature of the curved portion116of the prong portion104may be 0.400 inches and the length of the straight portion114of the prong portion104may be 0.16 inches. The first and third elbow portions120,126may be bent at about 90 degrees. The radius of curvature of the second elbow portion122may be 0.060 inches. The radius of curvature of the support arm portion124may be 1.769 inches. The radius of curvature of the cradle128may be 0.323 inches. The cradle128may angle backward toward the wall102at 20 degrees. The horizontal height of the center of the cradle128relative to the second elbow122portion may be 1.10 inches, and the horizontal height of a terminal edge144of the cradle128relative to the second elbow portion122may be 1.45 inches. The terminal edge144of the cradle128may be arcuate and may have a radius of curvature of 0.409 inches. The bracket100may be made from 0.08 inch thick steel.

When the bracket100installed on the wall102, the straight portion114and the curved portion116of the prong portion104extend through the hole106. The short straight portion118and the first elbow120may rest on the bottom of the hole106near and/or at the frontside112of the wall102. The first elbow120may provide a pivot for the leg110to engage the frontside112of the wall102to provide support balanced against the prong section104engaging the backside108of the wall102. The curved portion116of the prong portion104may engage the top of the hole106near/or at the backside108of the wall102. The pointed tips136of the prongs134are able to scratch and/or slightly penetrate the backside108of the wall102and, along with the width of the bracket100relative to the size of the hole106, limit the bracket100from swinging as a pendulum.

With reference toFIGS.2A-2D, there is illustrated a two-piece curtain rod bracket200that is installed onto a wall202, such as drywall covered wall, without the use of any tools. The bracket200includes a prong mount204that is used to form a hole206through the wall202, and then, the prong mount204is inserted part way through the hole206to engage a backside208of the wall202, while a rod support210engages a frontside212of the wall202.

The prong mount204has a generally U-shaped portion with two prongs214. Each prong214includes a pointed tip216. Each pointed tip216includes an apex218and two lateral edges220on opposite sides of the apex218that angle downwardly from the apex218. Each pointed tip216also includes a backside222that angles downwardly from the apex218. The pointed tips216of the prongs214are used to puncture the wall202to form the hole206. When the bracket200is installed, the pointed tips216may contact the backside208of the wall202and limit the bracket200from pivoting in the hole206. The width of the prong mount204may also be greater than the height of the hole206, which also limits the bracket200from pivoting in the hole206. The prongs214may be used to penetrate the wall202to form the hole206without the use of tools.

Each prong214includes a straight section224and a curved section226. The straight section224engages the backside208of the wall202when the bracket200is installed on the wall202. The curved section226may engage the top of the hole206near/at the backside of208of the wall202. The curved section226extends from a base plate228. The base plate228includes two legs229that define an elongated slot230used to connect the prong mount204with the rod support210.

The rod support210includes a wall leg232and a support leg234that may be perpendicular to one another. The legs232,234are straight. The wall leg232includes a smooth surface236for engaging the frontside212of the wall202. The support leg234includes a rail238on a topside240that engages the elongated slot230for mounting the prong mount204. More specifically, the rail238includes a first elongated wall242projecting from the topside240and a second elongated wall244extending across the first elongated wall242to from a T-shape cross-section for the rail238. The walls242,244form a channel246on each side of the rail238with the topside240of the support leg234. The channels246receive an inner portion of the legs229of the base plate228with the first elongated wall242in the elongated slot230. The engagement between the base plate228and the rail238can be a friction fit. For example, the width of the elongated slot230may only be slightly larger than that thickness of the first elongated wall242, and the height of the channels246may only be slightly greater than the thickness of the base plate228.

A cam lock248projects from the topside240of the support leg234. The cam lock248includes a ramp surface250and a lock surface252extending perpendicular to the topside240of the support leg234. When attaching the prong mount204to the rod support210, the base plate228slides over the ramp surface250while the elongated slot230is being slid along the rail238. When the elongated slot230is fully inserted on to the rail238, the lock surface252of the cam lock248engages a bottom edge254of the prong mount204between the prongs214.

A web256extends between the wall leg232and the support let234to provide support to increase the support load of the bracket200. The web256may define a window258and include an arcuate edge260.

The wall leg232of the rod support210may include laterally spaced tabs268which each define a hole270. The holes268can be used with the prong mount204or without the prong mount204as an alternative mounting method for the rod support210. The holes270can receive fasteners, such as screws or nails, to mount the rod support210to a wall.

A cradle262is at the end of the support leg234. The cradle262opens upward but could also be angled backward or forward. The cradle262defines a threaded hole264for a screw to be threaded through to engage a rod in the cradle262to secure the rod from unintentional removal from the cradle262.

By way of example only, the prong mount204could have a length of 1.766 inches and a width of 0.652 inches. The elongated slot230could have a width of 0.140 inches. The legs229defining the elongated slot230could have rounded corners266to help mounting of the prong mount204on the rail238. The rounded corners266may have a radius of curvature of 0.100 inches. The legs229could have a length of 0.803 inches, and the distance from the bottom edge254to the end of the legs229could be 1.043 inches. The width of the prongs214could be 0.120 inches, the internal spacing between the prongs214may be 0.412 inches, and the length of the pointed tips216could be 0.063 inches. The radius of curvature of the curved section226could be 0.400 inches. The height of the prong mount204could be 0.700 inches measured from the base plate228to an imaginary line parallel to the base plate228and intersecting a pointed tip216. The prong mount204may be made of steel having a thickness of 0.063 inches. The rod support210may be made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

RegardingFIGS.3A-3D, there is illustrated a three-piece curtain rod bracket300that is installed on to a wall302, such as drywall covered wall, without the use of any tools. The bracket300includes a prong mount304that is used to form a hole306through the wall302, and then, the prong mount304is inserted part way through the hole306to engage a backside308of the wall302. The bracket300includes an angle bracket310and a rod support arm312. The prong mount304attaches to the angle bracket310and the support arm312. The angle bracket310engages a frontside344of the wall302and a bottom side314of the prong mount304to support the support arm312. The support arm312includes a cradle316to hold a curtain rod.

The prong mount304has a generally U-shaped portion with two prongs318. Each prong318includes a pointed tip320. Each pointed tip320includes an apex322and two lateral edges324on opposite sides of the apex322that angle downwardly from the apex322. Each pointed tip320also includes a backside326that angles downwardly from the apex322. The pointed tips320of the prongs318are used to puncture the wall302to form the hole306. When the bracket300is installed, the pointed tips320may contact the backside308of the wall302and limit the bracket300from pivoting in the hole306. The width of the prong mount304may also be greater than the height of the hole306, which also limits the bracket300from pivoting in the hole306. The prongs318may be used to penetrate the wall302to form the hole306without the use of tools.

Each prong318includes a straight section328and a curved section330. The straight section328engages the backside308of the wall302when the bracket300is installed on the wall302. The curved section330may engage the top of the hole306near/at the backside308of the wall302. The curved section330extends from a base plate332. The base plate332defines a hole334used to connect the prong mount304to the angle bracket310and the rod support arm312.

The angle bracket310includes a first leg336and a second leg338. The legs336,338meet at elbow340at about a 90 degree angle. The first leg336includes a back surface342that engages a frontside344of the wall302to support the bracket300from pivoting in the hole306and damaging the wall302at the hole306. The elbow340and the prong mount304meet at a front, bottom portion346of the hole306. The second leg338extends under the rod support arm312and the base plate332of the prong mount304to support the rod support arm312. The base plate332of the prong mount304is sandwiched between the rod support arm312and the second leg338. The second leg338includes a threaded hole348that aligns with hole334in the base plate332and a hole or slot350in the rod support arm312. A screw352extends through the holes334,348,350to secure the prong mount304, the angle bracket310and the rod support arm312together. The slot350allows the rod support arm312to be adjusted relative to the angle bracket310.

The rod support arm312includes a top plate354and side plates356depending downwardly from the top plate354on each side of the top plate354. The side plates356enhance the strength of the rod support arm312so that it resists downward bending under increased loads held by the cradle316. A portion of the base plate332fits into a channel358formed between the top plate354and the side plates356. The side plates356prevent lateral movement of the base plate332of the prong mount304. The side plates356include arcuate rearward edges360.

The rod support arm312also may include holes362along a back edge364so that the rod support arm312can be mounted without the prong mount304and the angle bracket310. The holes362may be used with fasteners, such as screws and/or nails, to attach the rod support arm312directly to trim of a window frame.

The cradle316includes a U-shaped configuration. A back segment366includes a threaded hole368that cooperates with a screw370that engages a curtain rod to hold the curtain rod in the cradle316. The U-shaped configuration may be angled backward toward the wall302.

The components of the bracket300may be made from 0.063 inches thick steel.

RegardingFIGS.4A-4C, there is illustrated a two-piece curtain rod bracket400that is installed on to a wall402, such as drywall covered wall, without the use of any tools. The bracket400includes a prong mount404that is used to form a hole406through the wall402, and then, the prong mount404is inserted part way through the hole406to engage a backside408of the wall402. The bracket400includes a rod support arm410. The prong mount404attaches to the rod support arm410. The rod support arm410engages a frontside412of the wall402and a bottom side414of the prong mount404to support the rod support arm410. The rod support arm410includes a cradle416to hold a curtain rod.

The prong mount404has a generally U-shaped portion with two prongs418. Each prong418includes a pointed tip420. Each pointed tip420includes an apex422and two lateral edges424on opposite sides of the apex422that angle downwardly from the apex422. Each pointed tip420also includes a backside426that angles downwardly from the apex422. The pointed tips420of the prongs418are used to puncture the wall402to form the hole406without the use of tools. When the bracket400is installed, the pointed tips420may contact the backside408of the wall402and limit the bracket400from pivoting in the hole406. The width of the prong mount404may also be greater than the height of the hole406, which also limits the bracket400from pivoting in the hole406.

Each prong418includes a straight section428and a curved section430. The straight section428engages the backside408of the wall402when the bracket400is installed on the wall402. The curved section430may engage the top of the hole406near/at the backside408of the wall402. The curved section430extends from a base plate432. The base plate432defines a hole434used to connect the prong mount404to the angle bracket the rod support arm410.

The rod support arm410includes a first leg436and a second leg438. The legs436,438meet at elbow440at about a 90 degree angle. The first leg436includes a back surface442that engages a frontside412of the wall402to support the bracket400against pivoting in the hole406and damaging the wall402at the hole406. The elbow440and the prong mount404meet at a front, bottom portion446of the hole406. The second leg438extends under the base plate432of the prong mount404to support the rod support arm410. The second leg438includes a threaded hole448that aligns with the hole434in the base plate432. A screw452extends through the holes434,448to secure the prong mount404and the rod support arm410together.

The legs436,438of the rod support arm410include a top portion454and side portion456projecting perpendicularly from the top portion454. The side portions456enhance the strength of the rod support arm410so that it resists downward bending under increased loads held by the cradle416. The base plate432incudes a center portion444and side portions450projecting perpendicularly away from center portion444. A portion of the second leg438fits into a channel458formed between the center portion444and side portions450. The side portions450prevent lateral movement of the base plate432of the prong mount404relative to the rod support arm410. The side portions450include angled rearward edges460.

The first leg436of the rod support arm410also may include holes or slots462,464so that the rod support arm410can be mounted without the prong mount404. The holes462,464may be used with fasteners, such as screws and/or nails, to attach the rod support arm410directly to a wall. This may be the case for any embodiment having a first leg of a rod support arm with vertically aligned holes.

The cradle416includes a U-shaped configuration. A back segment466includes a threaded hole468that cooperates with a screw470that engages a curtain rod to hold the curtain rod in the cradle416. The U-shaped configuration may be angled backward toward the wall402. The U-shaped configuration of the cradle416may also be angled upward or forward.

By way of example only, the maximum width the of the prong mount404may be 1.004 inches, and the maximum width of the rod support arm410may be 0.750 inches. The length of the rod support arm410to the center of the cradle416may be 2.430 inches. The components of the bracket400may be made from 0.063 inches thick steel.

RegardingFIGS.5A-5C, there is illustrated a two-piece curtain rod bracket500that is installed on to a wall502, such as drywall covered wall, without the use of any tools. The bracket500includes a prong mount504that is used to form a hole506through the wall502, and then, the prong mount504is inserted part way through the hole506to engage a backside508of the wall502. The bracket500includes a rod support arm510. The prong mount504attaches to the rod support arm510. The rod support arm510engages a frontside512of the wall502and a bottom side514of the prong mount504to support the rod support arm510. The rod support arm510includes a cradle516to hold a curtain rod.

The prong mount504is identical to the prong mount404discussed above and will not be described again in connection with the bracket500. The rod support arm510includes a first leg518and a second leg520. The legs518,520meet at elbow522at about a 90-degree angle. A web523extends between the legs518,520at the elbow522to provide strength to resist the legs518,520from collapsing towards one another. The first leg518includes a back surface524that engages a frontside512of the wall502to support the bracket500against pivoting in the hole506and damaging the wall502at the hole506. The elbow522and the prong mount504meet at a front, bottom portion526of the hole506. The second leg520extends under a base plate528of the prong mount504to support the rod support arm510. The second leg520includes a threaded hole530that aligns with a hole532in the base plate528. A screw534extends through the holes530,532to secure the prong mount504and the rod support arm510together.

The base plate528incudes a center portion536and side portions538projecting perpendicularly away from center portion536. A portion of the second leg520fits into a channel540formed between the center portion536and side portions538. The side portions538prevent lateral movement of the base plate528of the prong mount504relative to the rod support arm510. The side portions538include angled rearward edges542.

The first leg518of the rod support arm510also may include holes or slots544,546so that the rod support arm510can be mounted without the prong mount504. The holes544,546may be used with fasteners, such as screws and nails, to attach the rod support arm510directly to a wall.

The cradle516may include a straight back548, a straight bottom550and a hooked front552with a V-shaped notch554. The straight back548may include a threaded hole556that receives a screw558. The screw558engages a rod and pushes the rod into a locking arrangement at the hooked front552so that the rod cannot unintentionally be removed from the cradle516. More specifically, the V-shaped notch554enables the hooked front552to accommodate a wide range of rod sizes including, for example, ⅜″ to 1″ outer diameter. For rods at the lower end of this range, the screw558might pass above the rod if the rod rests on the straight bottom550of the cradle516, which is not desired. It is therefore desired that the screw558be centered on the rod560to push the rod560into the V-shaped notch554regardless of the diameter of the rod560. With the notch554, the rod560can be placed in the notch554, and the screw558can engage the rod560to hold the rod560in the notch554. As shown inFIG.5A, the rod560could be suspended above the straight bottom550of the cradle516. In some cases, a rod may be large enough in diameter to rest on the straight bottom550of the cradle516with the screw558holding the rod in the notch554. Overall, the V-shaped notch554increases the range of rod diameters that can be used with the cradle516.

The bracket500may be made from 0.63 inches thick steel.

RegardingFIGS.6A-6C, there is illustrated a two-piece curtain rod bracket600that is installed on to a wall602, such as drywall covered wall, without the use of any tools. The bracket600is identical to bracket500except that it includes a second cradle662that enables the rod bracket600to support two rods. The elements of the bracket common with the bracket500will not be described again but will be referred to onFIGS.6A-6Cwith the same numbers as for the bracket500except that the numbers will be in the600series.

The rod support arm610includes a straight portion664extending to the second cradle662. Like the first cradle616, the second cradle may include a straight back666, a straight bottom668and a hooked front670with a V-shaped notch672. The straight back668may include a threaded hole674that receives a screw676. The screw676engages a rod and pushes the rod into a locking arrangement at the hooked front670so that the rod cannot unintentionally release upward from the second cradle662. More specifically, the V-shaped notch672enables the hooked front670to accommodate a wide range of rod sizes including, for example, ⅜″ to 1″ outer diameter. For rods at the lower end of this range, the screw676might pass above the rod if the rod rests on the straight bottom668of the second cradle662, which is not desired. It is therefore desired that the screw676be centered on the rod678to push the rod678into the V-shaped notch672regardless of the diameter of the rod678. With the notch672, the rod678can be placed in the notch672, and the screw676can engage the rod678to hold the rod678in the notch672. In this case, the rod678could be suspended above the straight bottom668of the second cradle662. In some cases, a rod may be large enough in diameter to rest on the straight bottom668of the second cradle662with the screw676holding the rod in the notch672. Overall, the V-shaped notch672increases the range of rod diameters that can be used with the second cradle662.

The bracket600may be made from 0.63 inches thick steel.

RegardingFIGS.7A-7F, there is illustrated a two-piece curtain rod bracket700that is installed to a wall702, such as drywall covered wall, without the use of any tools. The bracket700includes a prong mount704that is used to form a hole706through the wall702, and then, the prong mount704is inserted part way through the hole706to engage a backside708of the wall702. The bracket700includes a rod support arm710. The prong mount704attaches to the rod support arm710. The rod support arm710engages a frontside712of the wall702and a bottom side714of the prong mount704to support the support arm710. The support arm712includes a cradle716to hold a curtain rod.

The prong mount704has a generally U-shaped portion with two prongs718. Each prong718includes a pointed tip720. Each pointed tip720includes an apex722and two lateral edges724on opposite sides of the apex722that angle downwardly from the apex722. Each pointed tip720also includes a backside726that angles downwardly from to the apex722. The pointed tips720of the prongs718are used to puncture the wall702to form the hole706without the use of tools. When the bracket700is installed, the pointed tips720may contact the backside708of the wall702and limit the bracket700from pivoting in the hole706. The width of the prong mount704may also be greater than the height of the hole706, which also limits the bracket700from pivoting in the hole706.

Each prong718includes a straight section728and a curved section730. The straight section728engages the backside708of the wall702when the bracket700is installed on the wall702. The curved section730may engage the top of the hole706near/at the backside708of the wall702. The curved section730extends from a base plate732. The base plate732defines a hole734, and a terminal end733of the base plate includes a tab735, both used to connect the prong mount704to the rod support arm710.

The rod support arm710includes a first leg736and a second leg738. The legs736,738meet at elbow740at about a 90-degree angle. The first leg736includes a back surface742that engages a frontside712of the wall702to support the bracket700against pivoting in the hole706and damaging the wall702at the hole706. The elbow740and the prong mount704meet at a front, bottom portion746of the hole706. The second leg738extends under the base plate732of the prong mount704to support the rod support arm710. The second leg738includes a threaded hole748that aligns with the hole734in the base plate732. A screw752extends through the holes734,748to secure the prong mount704and the rod support arm710together. The second leg738includes a second hole744that receives the tab735of the prong mount704to prevent rotation of the prong mount704relative to the rod support arm710.

The first leg736of the rod support arm710also may include holes or slots762,764so that the rod support arm710can be mounted without the prong mount704. The holes762,764may be used with fasteners, such as screws and/or nails, to attach the rod support arm710directly to a wall.

The cradle716includes a U-shaped configuration. A back segment766includes a threaded hole768that cooperates with a screw770that engages a curtain rod to hold the curtain rod in the cradle716. The U-shaped configuration may be angled backward toward the wall702, or may alternatively be angled upward or forward.

By way of example only, the prong mount704may have a width of 0.652 inches, a height of 0.700 inches and length of 1.626 inches. The curved portion730of the prong mount704may have a radius of curvature of 0.40 inches. The prongs718may have a length of 0.501 inches and a width of 0.120 inches. The distance from the terminal end733to the center of the hole734may be 0.738 inches. The rod support arm710may have a height of 1.60 inches taken along the first leg736, a length of 2.251 inches measured from the first leg736to a center of the cradle716and a width of 0.652 inches. The cradle716may have a radius of curvature of 0.323 inches.

The prong mount704and the rod support arm710may be made from 0.063 inches thick steel.

With reference toFIGS.8A-B, there is illustrated the installation steps using the single piece bracket10as an example. First, the bracket10is oriented so that the straight portions114of the prongs134of the prong portion104are perpendicular with the frontside112of the wall102. The pointed tips136of the straight portions112are pushed straight into the wall102. When the curved portion116of the prongs134proceeds into the wall102, the bracket100will turn toward the wall102as the prong portion104is continued to be pushed into the wall102. Finally, when the leg portion110engages the frontside112of the wall102, the straight portion114of the prongs134engage the backside108of the wall102. This is when the bracket100is fully installed. This installation operation is the same for all the brackets (brackets200,300,400,500,600, and700) discussed above.

With reference toFIGS.9A-9C, there is illustrated a mount portion904that includes a single prong908with a single tip910. The mount portion904includes a mount base912defining a hole914for attaching to one of the above-described rod support arms. The tip910includes a point916and two angled sides918. The prong908includes a curved segment920and a straight section922. The single tip prong may be used with any of the above-described embodiments. The single tip is installed the same as that described above.

RegardingFIGS.10A-10C, there is illustrated an alternative prong mount1004. The prong mount1004has a generally U-shaped portion with two prongs1018. Each prong1018includes a pointed tip1020. Each pointed tip1020includes an apex1022and two lateral edges1024A and1024B on opposite sides of the apex1024that extend downwardly from the apex322. The lateral edge1024A is an extension of an outer edge1019of the prong1018and the lateral edge1024B angles towards to the lateral edge1024A. The lateral edges1024A,1024B are not symmetrical in that they form an asymmetrical pointed tip1020.

When the bracket prong mount1004is used to install a bracket, the pointed tips1020may contact the backside of a wall and limit the bracket from pivoting in the hole of the wall. The width of the prong mount1004may also be greater than the height of the hole in the wall, which also limits the bracket from pivoting in the hole in the wall. The prongs1018may be used to penetrate the wall to form the hole in the wall without the use of tools.

Each prong1018includes a straight section1028and a curved section1030. The straight section1028engages the backside of the wall when the bracket is installed on the wall. The curved section1030may engage the top of the hole in the wall near/at the backside of the wall. The curved section1030extends from a base plate1032. The base plate1032defines a hole1034used to connect the prong mount1004to a bracket and/or the rod support arm.

The prong mount1004is like the prong mount304described above except for the asymmetrical pointed tip1020. Further, the asymmetrical pointed tip1020may be used with any of the prong mounts and brackets described above.

The prong portion and mounts described above may be made using different process, most common are molding and stamping.