Abstract:
A mounting assembly is provided for attachment to a structural member to enable suspension of an object from the structural member. The mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket for attachment to the structural member, and a suspension bracket defining a cavity for positioning of at least a portion of the object therein. The suspension bracket is operably coupled to the mounting bracket so as to enable adjustable positioning of the suspension bracket with respect to the mounting bracket.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a mounting assembly for attachment to a structural member to enable suspension of an object from the structural member. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In one aspect, a mounting assembly is provided for attachment to a structural member to enable suspension of an object from the structural member. The mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket for attachment to the structural member, and a suspension bracket defining a cavity for positioning of at least a portion of the object therein. The suspension bracket is operably coupled to the mounting bracket so as to enable adjustable positioning of the suspension bracket with respect to the mounting bracket. 
         [0003]    In another aspect, a mounting bracket is provided for attachment to a structural member to enable suspension of an object from the structural member. The mounting bracket includes a base portion adapted for coupling an object thereto, and a pair of opposed wall members extending from the base portion for attachment to the structural member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    In the drawings illustrating embodiments of the present invention: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a mounting assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention mounted to a mounting structure. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is an embodiment of a suspension bracket in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a portion of the view of  FIG. 1  showing the process of attachment of the mounting assembly to the mounting structure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a mounting assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention mounted to a mounting structure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a mounting assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a mounting assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a mounting bracket assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a mounting assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a suspension bracket coupled to a connecting member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is an embodiment of a suspension bracket in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a mounting assembly  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a mounting bracket  12 . Bracket  12  has a base portion  14  and a pair of opposed resiliently deflectable wall members  16 ,  18  extending from opposite ends of the base portion to form, in conjunction with base portion  14 , a cavity  88 . 
         [0016]    Wall member  16  has a first wall portion  22  and a first projection  24  projecting from first wall portion  22  into the cavity. A second wall portion  26  extends from first projection  24  and is substantially parallel with first wall portion  22 . A second projection  28  extends from an end of second wall portion  26  into the cavity. Second projection  28  is angled so as to form a lead-in surface for a beam  40  or other structural member to which the mounting assembly is to be attached, in a manner described in more detail below. The angle ø 1  between second projection  28  and second wall portion  26  may vary from approximately 0° to approximately 90°. In a particular embodiment, the angle is approximately 45°. 
         [0017]    Wall member  18  also has a first wall portion  30  and a first projection  32  projecting from first wall portion  30  into the cavity. A second wall portion  34  extends from first projection  32  and is substantially parallel with first wall portion  30 . A second projection  36  extends from an end of second wall portion  34  into the cavity. Second projection  36  is angled so as to form a lead-in surface for beam  40  or other structural member to which the mounting assembly is to be attached, in a manner described in more detail below. The angle ø 2  between second projection  36  and second wall portion  34  may vary from approximately 0° to approximately 90°. In a particular embodiment, the angle is approximately 45°. 
         [0018]    The structural member  40  to which the mounting assembly is attached can be a beam, channel section, or any other structure suitable for mounting thereon any of the mounting assembly embodiments described herein. 
         [0019]    In the embodiment show in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , both of wall members  16  and  18  include an angled projection extending from a respective second wall portion. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), only one of wall members  16  and  18  has an angled projection extending from the second wall portion. 
         [0020]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , first projections  24  and  32  are arcuate. However, other shapes of projections are also contemplated, depending on the requirements of a particular application. Also, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , two opposed first projections are employed. In an alternative embodiment, a single first projection extends from one of wall members  16  and  18  to form the hard stop for the structural member. 
         [0021]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , second projection  36  of second wall member  18  and second projection  28  of first wall member  16  are positioned in opposition to each other to form opposed lead-in surfaces for facilitating insertion of the beam  40  or other structural member into the cavity  88 . In addition, first projection  32  of second wall member  18  and first projection  24  of first wall member  16  are positioned in opposition to each other to form a neck area  37 . Neck  37  forms a hard stop for a structural member  40  inserted into the cavity, thereby limiting the depth of insertion of the member into the cavity. 
         [0022]    Bracket  12  may be fabricated from any suitable material, for example, a metal, metal alloy, or polymer. Bracket  12  may be fabricated using any suitable method, such a forming or molding. The method(s) and materials used to fabricate the bracket may depend on such factors as the magnitude of the load to be supported by the bracket and other end use conditions. 
         [0023]    A connecting member  42  such as a shaft, rod, bolt, or other suitable member extends from the mounting bracket  12 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the connecting member is a shaft having a plurality of threads formed therealong to provide a plurality of engagement surfaces for a detent (described in greater detail below). Alternatively, engagement surfaces for the detent may be positioned at discrete points along the connecting member by forming notches spaced apart at predetermined points along the connecting member. Connecting member  42  can be any desired length. 
         [0024]    A clearance hole (not shown) is formed in mounting bracket base portion  14  for receiving shaft  42  therethrough, and shaft  42  is inserted through the base portion hole and secured to bracket  12  by a nut  44  applied to the shaft end. A washer  46  may be placed over the shaft to rest against bracket base portion  14 , thereby providing a bearing surface for the nut  44 . A second washer  48  and a second nut  50  may be applied to the shaft proximate bracket base portion  14  and outside the cavity formed by the bracket. Alternatively, a connecting member  42  as previously described may be welded to base portion  14 , rather than attached by a washer, nut, or other hardware. 
         [0025]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , by rotating a first one of nuts  44  and  50  with respect to shaft  42 , the length of the portion of the shaft  42  extending from the mounting bracket may be controlled. When the desired extension length has been achieved, the first nut is positioned so as to bear against base portion  14 . The second one of nuts  44  and  50  may then be rotated with respect to shaft  42  until the second nut and washer bear against base portion  14 , thereby securing the shaft in position with respect to the mounting bracket to maintain the shaft extension at the desired length. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , in an alternative embodiment, a nut or other threaded member  44 ′ is welded or otherwise suitably secured to mounting bracket  12  over the through hole formed in bracket base portion  14  to produce a mounting bracket assembly  12 ′. A shaft (not shown) is fed through the base portion hole to threadedly engage threaded member  44 ′, as previously described. The length of the portion of the shaft  42  extending from the mounting bracket may be controlled simply by rotating the shaft relative to threaded member  44 ′. If desired, a second nut or threaded member (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) similar to nut  50  of  FIG. 1  may be positioned along the shaft below the bracket base portion (i.e., outside of cavity  88  shown in  FIG. 1 ) to positively secure the shaft in position with respect to the mounting bracket, once a desired position has been attained. 
         [0027]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , a suspension bracket  52  is slidably coupled to shaft  42 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , suspension bracket  52  forms a continuous enclosure or cavity  52   a  with open end portions for receiving a portion of a beam  101  (for example, a wood 2″×4″) or other member therethrough, to enable hanging or suspension of beam  101  from structural member  40  via the mounting assembly. 
         [0028]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , suspension bracket  52  includes a pair of ears  56 ,  58 . Ear  56  has a hole  56   a  formed therethrough, and ear  58  has a hole  58   a  formed therethrough. Ears  56 ,  58  are arranged such that holes  56   a  and  58   a  are in alignment with each other, to facilitate extension of shaft  42  therethrough. Holes  56   a  and  58   a  are dimensioned so as to provide clearance with shaft  42 , thereby permitting shaft  42  to pass easily through both aligned holes. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , ears  56 ,  58  are affixed to suspension bracket  52  using any suitable method, for example, welding. In one embodiment, ears  56  and  58  are formed by bending portions of a metallic strip  90  as shown in  FIG. 1  and welding or otherwise suitably attaching the portion of the strip located between the ears  56 ,  58  to suspension bracket  52 . Slidable engagement of ears  56 ,  58  with shaft  42  enables travel of the ears and the attached suspension bracket  52  along the shaft, in a manner described in greater detail below. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in another embodiment, ears  56 ′ and  58 ′ similar to those previously described are formed into the suspension bracket  152 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , in an alternative embodiment, a suspension bracket  52 ′ is open along one side thereof to define a cavity  52   a ′ and to permit insertion of the beam  101  into the cavity via the open side of the suspension bracket. Other cross-sectional configurations of the suspension bracket  52  are also contemplated, depending on the requirements of a particular application.  FIG. 2  shows ears  56  and  58  as previously described welded or otherwise suitably attached to bracket  52 ′. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a suspension bracket  252  forms a continuous enclosure with open end portions similar to bracket  52  shown in  FIG. 1 . Suspension bracket  252  is slidably coupled to a connecting member  42  (in this case, a threaded shaft) via a through hole (not shown) in the suspension bracket through which the bracket is inserted. Suspension bracket  252  is secured in a desired position along the shaft by a nut  112  or other suitable hardware, and the connecting member is attached to mounting bracket  12  using a nut  111  or other suitable hardware. Alternatively, connecting member  42  can be attached to either (or both) of mounting bracket  12  and suspension bracket  252  by welding or other suitable means. 
         [0032]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , a suspension bracket  252  as shown in  FIG. 8  is suspended from the mounting bracket by the head of a bolt  113  inserted through a hole formed in the suspension bracket. The threaded end of bolt  113  is threadedly engaged with a threaded member as previously described to attach the connecting member to the mounting bracket. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , in another alternative embodiment, a suspension bracket  152  similar to that shown in  FIG. 2  is incorporated into a threaded shaft as previously described for insertion through a hole formed in an embodiment of the mounting bracket  12 , and threaded engagement with a threaded member positioned over the hole as seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 , and  7 . Bracket  152  may be formed by simply bending a portion of a threaded shaft to provide a “hook” or other shape suitable for retaining therein an object to be suspended or mounted using an embodiment of the mounting assembly. 
         [0034]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , a detent  60  is positioned along shaft  42  between ears  56  and  58 . Detent  60  has a first leg  62  and a second leg  64  extending from first leg  62 . Shaft  42  extends through a clearance hole  68  formed in second leg  64 . First leg  62  resides in a corner or bearing structure  70  defined by first ear  56  and the portion of the suspension bracket from which the first ear projects. 
         [0035]    A spring member  66  is compressed between detent second leg  64  and second ear  58 , so as to bear against and exert opposing forces on the detent second leg  64  and ear  58 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , spring member  66  urges detent second leg  64  in the direction indicated by arrow “A”. This causes the detent to pivot about corner  70 . This, in turn, skews the detent clearance hole  68  such that opposing edges of the hole engage the threads formed along shaft  42 , effectively removing or negating the clearance between the shaft and the edge of the hole. In this configuration, the detent is gripping the shaft and acting to retard sliding movement of the suspension bracket, ears, and detent along the shaft. However, in the case of a threaded shaft, it is possible in this condition to move the suspension bracket, ears, and detent along the shaft by rotating the suspension bracket/ears/detent combination about the shaft (i.e., “screwing” the suspension bracket/ears/detent combination along the shaft). In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , spring member  66  is a coil spring. However, other types of spring members suitable for the purposes described herein may also be used. 
         [0036]    In an embodiment (not shown) where a shaft having one or more spaced apart notches formed therein is used rather than a threaded shaft, the edges of detent hole  68  would engage one of the notches as described above. 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  shows an alternative embodiment in which ears  56 ′ and  58 ′ are formed into the suspension bracket  352  and a wall  354  extends between ears  56 ′ and  58 ′. An intersection between wall  354  and ear  56 ′ forms a corner  70 ′ about which the detent  60  pivots as previously described. Wall  354  may extend across the entire span between ears  56 ′ and  58 ′ as shown in  FIG. 6 , or the wall may extend only a portion of the distance between the ears, sufficient to define a corner  70 ′ permitting nesting of a portion of the detent therein for pivoting as described. 
         [0038]    In order to slide the suspension bracket/detent combination along the shaft in the direction indicated by arrow “E”, detent second leg  64  is rotated by a user in the direction indicated by arrow “B”, pivoting the detent about corner  70  until the detent second leg is substantially perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis X. In this configuration, the edges of detent hole  68  are disengaged from the shaft and the clearance between detent hole  68  and the shaft is reestablished. This permits the shaft to move freely through ear holes  56   a  and  58   a  and also through detent hole  68 , thereby allowing the suspension bracket/ears/detent combination to slide freely along the shaft. 
         [0039]    When a desired position of the suspension bracket/ears/detent combination on the shaft is reached, the detent is released by the user, allowing spring member  66  to urge detent second leg  64  in the direction of arrow “A” and causing the detent hole edges to engage the shaft as previously described. This secures the suspension bracket/ears/detent combination in the desired position along the shaft. 
         [0040]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , in order to slide the suspension bracket/detent combination along the shaft in the direction indicated by arrow “A”, a force is applied to the suspension bracket/detent combination in the direction of arrow “A”. This applied force tends to push detent second leg  64  in the direction of arrow “E”, forcing the detent to pivot about corner  70  and disengaging the edges of detent hole  68  from the threads formed on shaft  42 . This enables the suspension bracket/detent combination to slide along the shaft in direction “A”. Re-engagement between the shaft threads and the edges of detent hole  68  is reestablished by applying a force to the suspension bracket/detent combination in the direction of arrow “E”, which causes the detent to rotate in a direction opposite direction “B”. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , mounting assembly  10  is mounted to beam  40  by moving the assembly toward the beam so that angled second projections  28  and  36  engage the beam. As the assembly is urged in the direction indicated by arrow “C”, wall members  16  and  18  (or portions thereof) resiliently deflect in the directions indicated by arrows “D”, permitting insertion of beam  40  into the cavity formed by bracket  12 . When beam  40  has passed the angled second projections  28  and  36  into the cavity, wall members  16  and  18  (or the deflected portions thereof) snap back into undeflected or substantially undeflected positions. Angled second projections  28  and  36  then act to prevent withdrawal of beam  40  from the bracket cavity, thus securing the mounting assembly to the beam. 
         [0042]    Opposed second wall portions  26  and  34  or wall members  16  and  18 ) may be of any lengths suitable for enabling a given structural member to be completely inserted into the cavity past opposed second projections  28  and  34 , such that wall members  16  and  18  snap back toward each other after insertion of the structural member. This forces second projections  28  and  34  to close over the structural member, thereby securing the member within the cavity. For example, the lengths of second wall portions  26  and  34  (or wall members  16  and  18 ) may be adjusted to receive therein a 2″×4″ wood beam, a 2″×2″ wood beam, or any of a variety of structural members having other dimensions or configurations. 
         [0043]    Multiple mounting assemblies as shown herein may be mounted along a single beam or structural member to enable hanging of an elongated beam  101  therefrom. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , in another embodiment, projections  28  and  36  are omitted from wall members  16  and  30 , and opposed holes are formed in wall members  16  and  18  for receiving therethrough one or more bolts  99  which extend through beam  40  to secure the mounting assembly to the beam. This embodiment may be employed in instances where an upper surface of beam  40  is unavailable for engagement by projections  28  and  36 , where there is insufficient space in the surrounding structure to accommodate projections  28  and  36 , or in other instances where the projections are impractical. In addition, bolt  99  may also be employed in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  to provide added strength to the connection between the mounting structure and the beam  40 . Alternatively, to aid in securing the mounting assembly to the beam  40 , one or more separate screws or lag bolts may be inserted into either or both sides of beam  40 . These screws or lag bolts would extend into the beam but not through the beam as in bolt  99  of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , in another embodiment, the detent previously described is eliminated, and the suspension bracket  152  is positioned along shaft  42  and secured in position using nuts or other threaded members  98 . 
         [0046]    It will be understood that the foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and that the various structural and operational features herein disclosed are susceptible to a number of modifications, none of which departs from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.