Adjustable bracket

Abstract: An adjustable bracket incorporates a base member (1,11) to be secured to a secondary member (8,19). The base member has an aperture (2,12) formed in it and a plate member (4,15) is mounted adjacent to the base member so as to be slidable relative thereto, the plate member engaging with the base member so as to be slidable relative thereto, the plate member engaging with the base member in the direction of sliding so as to restrict rotation of the plate member (4,15) relative to the base member (1,11). The plate member has an elongate slot (5,16a) which is inclined relative to the direction of sliding and is co-operable with the aperture (2,12) in the base member so as to define therewith a window (6,17) of variable position. A fastening element (7,18) passes through the window (6,17) for securing the base member to the secondary member.

Description: The present invention relates to an adjustable bracket. DE-B-1,074,328 discloses a method of securing two elements together in which the elements have oppositely inclined elongate slots, so that the slots will align to provide apertures through which fastening means may extend to fasten the elements together, irrespective of their relative positions. The present invention provides a means for securing one element to another where the fastening means engages one element at a fixed position. This is normally achieved by providing an aperture in the other element through which the fastening means may extend to secure the two elements together. Such an operation can be difficult due to tolerance variations in the elements where there are constraints on the relative positioning of the elements, such as being secured to a further element. In such circumstances it is necessary to introduce a tolerance in the relative positioning of the elements, but this in itself can introduce further difficulties. For example, the tolerance may permit relative movement between the two elements or may require special fasteners. The use of an inclined slot in one element will only permit simultaneous adjustment in mutually perpendicular directions. It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable bracket which permits a tolerance in the positioning of the elements to be fastened independently in mutually perpendicular directions, but which does not introduce further difficulties. According to the present invention there is provided an adjustable bracket comprising a base member which is adapted to be secured to a secondary member, an aperture being provided in the base member, a fastening element being adapted to pass through the aperture in the base member to engage the secondary member at a predetermined position to secure the base member to the secondary member; characterised in that the aperture in the base member is dimensioned to permit movement of the base member in mutually perpendicular directions relative to the fastening element, a plate member being mounted adjacent the base member, guide means being provided to restrict movement of the plate member in a linear direction relative to the base member, an elongate slot being provided in the plate member, the elongate slot being dimensioned to permit relative movement of the fastening element longitudinally of the elongate slot, the elongate slot being inclined relative to the linear direction of movement of the plate member relative to the base member. Preferably the slot is inclined to the direction of sliding at an angle of substantially 20°. The base member may be provided with a plurality of apertures and the plate member may be provided with a corresponding number of slots. The plate member may engage with a protrusion formed on the base member. The protrusion may be in the form of a protruding edge provided on the base member. Alternatively or additionally, the plate member may be provided with a protrusion which engages with the base member. The protrusion on the plate member may be in the form of a protruding edge. The protrusion on the plate member may engage with a channel formed in the base member. For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of an adjustable bracket according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an elevational view of the adjustable bracket shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of an adjustable bracket according to the present invention; and Figure 4 is an elevational view of the adjustable bracket shown in Figure 3. Figures 1 and 2 show an adjustable bracket which comprises a fixed base member 1 having an aperture 2 formed therein. The aperture 2 is shown as being square, but this is not necessarily the case and the aperture may be circular or may have any other convenient configuration. The dimensions of the aperture 2 are such that it allows the full required adjustment of the bracket. The base member 1 is also formed with protruding or upstanding edge 3 (as shown in Figures 1 and 2), the purpose of which will be explained in more detail hereinafter. Mounted adjacent to the base member 1 is a slotted plate 4. Slotted plate 4 abuts along one edge thereof against the upstanding edge 3 of the base member 1 and is slidable relative thereto. Slotted plate 4 is provided with an elongate slot 5 inclined relative to the edge of the slotted plate which abuts against the upstanding edge. The angle of inclination may be varied within wide limits. Preferably, the angle of inclination should be as small as possible, and we have found that an angle of about 20° is satisfactory. It will be appreciated that sliding the slotted plate 4 relative to the base member 1 causes the slot 5 to move relative to the aperture 2 resulting in a window 6 of varying position and dimensions depending on the relative position of the plate 4 and the member 1. A fastening element 7 such as a metal screw is passed through the window 6 into a secondary member 8 which is to be secured to the adjustable bracket. The fastening element 7 is then tightened to eliminate relative movement between the base member 1 and the secondary member 8. Due to the dimensions and the inclination of the elongate slot 5 in the plate 4 it is possible to ensure effective securement of the secondary member 8 to the adjustable bracket irrespective of the position of the secondary member 8 and the fastening element 7 relative to the aperture 2. This eliminates problems of alignment which might otherwise arise. Further advantages of the invention are realised in the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4. The adjustable bracket shown in Figures 3 and 4 comprises a fixed base member 11 having two apertures 12 formed therein. The apertures 12 are shown as being square, but this is not essential and the apertures may be circular or may have any other convenient configuration. The dimensions of the apertures 12 are such that they allow the full required adjustment of the bracket. The base member 11 is formed with two channels 13 which give rise to upstanding edges 14 (as shown in Figures 3 and 4). Mounted adjacent to the base member 11 is a slotted plate 15 which is provided with protruding or downturned edges 16 (as shown in Figures 3 and 4) which engage in the channels 13 in the base member 11. This permits sliding movement of the slotted plate 15 relative to the base member 11. Slotted plate 15 is also provided with two elongate slots 16a inclined relative to the edge of the plate. The angle of inclination may be varied within wide limits, but we have found that an angle of about 20° is satisfactory. As with the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, it will be appreciated that sliding the plate 15 relative to the base number 1 causes the slots 16 to move relative to the apertures 12 resulting in winds 17 of varying position and dimensions depending on the relative position of the plate 15 and the member 11. It is essential, of course, to ensure that the relative spacing between the apertures 12 and between the slots 16 is such that the dimensions of the two windows are substantially identical. A fastening element 18 such as a metal screw is passed through each of the windows 17 into a secondary member 19 which is to be secured to the adjustable bracket. The fastening elements are then tightened to eliminate relative movement between the base member 11 and the secondary member 19 during tightening and afterwards. In addition to the advantages of the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, because there are two windows and two fastening elements the tendency of the secondary member 19 to twist relative to the base member 11 is substantially reduced compared with other methods of securing the two elements together with a degree of tolerance in their relative positions. A further advantage can be realised if the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4 is used in an inverted position compared with that shown in the figures and the lengths of at least one of the edges 14,16 are greater than the length of the fastening element 18. This enables the plate 15 to be engaged with the base member 11 prior to inserting the fastening element 18. In one particular application of the adjustable bracket according to the present invention, the bracket is used to support and align a two-piece propeller shaft of an automobile at its centre bearing position. The present adjustable bracket permits this to be accomplished without inducing a twist on the centre bearing which could otherwise result in undesired noise, vibration and harshness in the vehicle transmission. Clearly, the number of slots in the slotted plate is not limited to two and more slots could be used if desired. Moreover, it is not necessary to support the slotted plate along opposite edges and support along a single edge will suffice.

Claims: An adjustable bracket comprises a base member (1; 11) which is adapted to be secured to a secondary member (8; 19), an aperture (2; 12) being provided in the base member (1; 11), a fastening element (7; 18) being adapted to pass through the aperture (2; 12) in the base member (1; 11) to engage the secondary member (8; 19) at a predetermined position to secure the base member (1; 11) to the secondary member (8; 19); characterized in that the aperture (2; 12) in the base member (1; 11) is dimensioned to permit movement of the base member (1; 11) in mutually perpendicular directions relative to the fastening element (7; 18), a plate member (4; 15) being mounted adjacent the base member (1; 11), guide means (3; 14) being provided to restrict movement of the plate member (4; 15) in a linear direction relative to the base member (1; 11), an elongate slot (5; 16a) being provided in the plate member(4; 15), the elongate slot (5; 16a) being dimensioned to permit relative movement of the fastening element (7; 18) longitudinally of the elongate slot (5; 16a), the elongate slot (5; 16a) being inclined relative to the linear direction of movement of the plate member (4; 15) relative to the base member (1; 11). An adjustable bracket as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the slot (5,16a) is inclined to the direction of sliding at an angle of substantially 20°. An adjustable bracket as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base member (1,11) is provided with a plurality of apertures (2,12) and the plate member (4,15) is provided with a corresponding number of slots (5,16a). An adjustable bracket as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the plate member (4,15) engages with a protrusion (3,14) provided on the base member (1,11). An adjustable bracket as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the protrusion is in the form of a protruding edge provided on the base member. An adjustable bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the plate member is provided with a protrusion (16) which engages with the base member. An adjustable bracket as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the protrusion on the plate member is in the form of a protruding edge. An adjustable bracket as claimed in claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the protrusion on the plate member engages with a channel (13) formed in the base member.

Inventors: PAYNE GEOFFREY CLIFFORD, PAYNE, GEOFFREY CLIFFORD
Applicants: JAGUAR CARS, JAGUAR CARS LIMITED
Application year: 1990
Main classification: F16B5
IPC codes: F16B5