Abstract:
An anchoring system for extruded columns which is useful in supporting structures in a way that does not require drilling or screwing into the column structure. The anchoring system is comprised of brackets which are mounted against extruded columns by inserting a bracket blade into place between a gasket and a structural medium. The anchoring brackets are preferably composed of two pieces which link together for increased support. The anchoring system can support a variety of mountings which can be either physically attached to the anchoring brackets or rest atop the anchoring brackets.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a non-provisional patent application claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/648,917 filed on May 18, 2012. The applications name the same inventors. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the fields of architecture and building construction. More specifically, the invention is comprised of a bracket system which is mounted against extruded columns. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Large glass windows, walls and doors are common in both industrial and residential buildings. Open concept floor plans and advances in glass safety, efficiency and overall manufacturing technology have led to an increase in the installation of glass walls and windows by residential homeowners and commercial business alike. 
     Although glass walls and windows are desirable, one problem they present is of lack of shelving, storage space and structures for load support. It is simple and straightforward to build a temporary or permanent shelf or structural element attached to a wall consisting of primarily drywall with wooden studs. However, it is difficult to install a sturdy shelving unit or other structural element affixed to glass or similar material. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , glass wall construction  10  typically consist of extruded columns  12  (preferably aluminum) connected together by an inner wall  18 , a structural medium  14  (preferably glass) and a series of gaskets  16 . The structural medium  14  sits between extruded columns  12  and is held tightly in place by gaskets  16  on either side. The design and construction of the wall may vary. For example, structural medium  14  may be double paned and include a spacer  20  as illustrated. 
     Prior art shelving units or anchoring systems for glass wall construction  10  were primarily designed to drill directly into the extruded columns  12 . One such prior art unit is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As shown, extruded columns  12  extend toward the interior of the building include drilled holes  22  which accept shelving unit  24 . The holes  22  in the extruded columns  12  are often difficult to drill and are more permanent than a hole drilled into drywall. Thus, in the event that the shelf is no longer desired, the holes in the extruded columns  12  (typically metal) are permanently visible. Further, commercial businesses may desire temporary shelving which does not compromise the integrity of the extruded columns  12  and are easy to install. There is not presently an anchor system which achieves these objectives. 
     Therefore what is needed is an anchor system which allows a bracket to be easily and non-permanently installed on the constructed wall as described. Additionally, the brackets should be sturdy and strong to support a shelving unit or other structural element. The present invention achieves these objectives and more as described herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises an anchoring system of brackets which utilize thin blades, preferably made from metal but potentially made from a plurality of materials, which are locked into place between a gasket attached to an extruded column and a structural medium, such as a plate glass window. The anchoring system preferably allows for some an additional plurality of structures to be attached, connected, or alternatively placed on top of or below said system. In a preferred embodiment, the anchoring brackets are composed of two pieces which can be linked together after the blade of each side is inserted between the gasket and the structural medium. The anchoring system is preferably split into two sections which can then be linked together. The linking connection can be achieved through a plurality of mechanisms, preferably a male female type overlapping connection between the two sections. This allows for a more secure fit and for the anchoring system to hold more weight. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view, showing the components of a prior art construction of a glass wall. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view, showing the installation of a prior art structural element on a prior art glass wall. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view, showing the present bracket system installed on a wall construction. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view, showing the present bracket system inverted and installed on a wall construction. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view, showing the brackets of the present bracket system installed on an extruded column. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view, showing the brackets of the present bracket system. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view, showing the brackets of the present bracket system fitting together. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view, showing the brackets coupled together to form anchoring bracket. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view, showing the brackets installation in a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan section view, showing brackets placement around extruded column. 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan section view, showing brackets coupled together and installed on extruded column. 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded view, showing the bracket blade between gasket and structural medium. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 wall construction 
                 12 
                 extruded column 
               
               
                 14 
                 structural medium 
                 16 
                 gaskets 
               
               
                 18 
                 inner wall 
                 20 
                 spacer 
               
               
                 22 
                 holes 
                 24 
                 shelving unit 
               
               
                 26 
                 bracket blade 
                 27 
                 bracket blade 
               
               
                 28 
                 bracket side flap 
                 29 
                 bracket side flap 
               
               
                 30 
                 anchoring bracket 
                 32 
                 first bracket 
               
               
                 34 
                 second bracket 
                 36 
                 bracket top flange 
               
               
                 37 
                 bracket top flange 
                 38 
                 bracket side flange 
               
               
                 39 
                 bracket side flange 
                 40 
                 bracket back flange 
               
               
                 41 
                 bracket back flange 
                 42 
                 linking mechanism 
               
               
                 44 
                 bracket section 
                 45 
                 bracket section 
               
               
                 46 
                 bracket blade bend 
                 48 
                 external structure 
               
               
                 50 
                 bracket system 
                 52 
                 void 
               
               
                 54 
                 void 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As described above,  FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art wall construction  10 . Wall construction  10  is constructed in order to provide support for large glass or similar material structural mediums  14 . Extruded columns  12  are connected by an inner wall  18  which support structural medium  14  between extruded columns  12  and gaskets  16 . Glass or structural medium  14  can be double paned with a spacer  20  between the panes for or single paned. The assembly of wall construction  10  is important to the functioning of the present bracket system  50 . 
       FIG. 3  provides a perspective view of bracket system  50  attached to a glass wall construction  10 . At least two anchoring brackets  30  are illustrated which attach around extruded columns  12 . Anchoring brackets  30  are formed by first and second bracket  32 ,  34  described and illustrated herein. External structure  48  such as a shelf sits on top of and can optionally connect to anchoring brackets  30 . Anchoring system  50  provides considerable support and does not require drilling or screwing into the extruded columns  12 . 
     Bracket system  50  can also support an external structure  48  attached to at least two anchoring brackets  30 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Anchoring brackets  30  are inverted but installed in the same manner. An external structure  48  can be affixed by any means to the anchoring brackets  30  to support a load. As an example, a window treatment, such as blinds, can be affixed to anchoring brackets  30  and hung from the window. Thus, the blinds are not drilled into the existing window structure and are easier to install. 
     A view of anchoring bracket  30 , composed of first bracket  32  and second bracket  34  (not visible in  FIG. 5 ) assembled together attached around extruded column  12  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . First bracket blade  26  (and second bracket blade  40 , not visible) slide behind extruded column  12  and are frictionally engaged between structural medium  14  and gaskets  16 . The pressure of gasket  16  against bracket blade  26 ,  40  holds the anchoring bracket  30  in place against the force of gravity. While anchoring bracket  30  is shown in a configuration in which top flange  37  (or  36 ) is providing an upward facing support, anchoring bracket  30  can also be configured such that top flange  37  (or  36 ) provides a downward facing support. In such a configuration, anchoring bracket  30  can support a hanging load. 
       FIG. 6  provides a perspective view of first bracket  32  and second bracket  34  which make up anchoring bracket  30 . As illustrated, first bracket  32  and second bracket  34  are made up of a bracket blade  26 ,  27 , bracket side flap  28 ,  29 , bracket top flange  36 ,  37 , bracket side flange  38 ,  39  and bracket back flange  40 ,  41 . A central void  52 ,  54  is formed by the structural elements of first and second bracket  32 ,  34 . When installed, illustrated in  FIG. 5 , extruded column  12  fills void  52 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the manner in which first and second brackets  32 ,  34  interlock by sliding one bracket on top of the other. While second bracket  34  is illustrated sliding on top of first bracket  32 , the alternative could be true. When brackets  32 ,  34  are in place, as shown in  FIG. 8 , anchoring bracket  30  has the following configuration: bracket top flange  37  fits on top of bracket top flange  36 ; bracket side flange  39  rests on top of bracket side flap  28 ; bracket back flange  41  (not shown) rests on top of bracket back flange  40 ; bracket side flap  29  rests on top of bracket side flange  38 ; and bracket blade  26  lies on the same plane as bracket blade  27 . In a preferred embodiment first bracket  32  and second bracket  34  of the anchoring bracket  30  are held in place by gravity. In an alternative embodiment first bracket  32  and second bracket  34  could be held together by an adhesive or putty. 
     A perspective view of the placement of first bracket blade  26  on first bracket  32  and second bracket blade  27  on second bracket  34  around extruded column  12  on wall construction  10  is shown in  FIG. 9 . Structural medium  14  is separated from extruded column  12  and gaskets  16  for clarity, to show the position of bracket blades  26 ,  27  between gaskets  16  and structural medium  14 . The first bracket  32  is attached to extruded column  12  by sliding first bracket blade  26  between gasket  16  and structural medium  14 . The second bracket  34  fits around extruded column  12  and second bracket blade  27  is inserted between gasket  16  and structural medium  14  on the opposing side of extruded column  12 . Second bracket  34  is inserted either above or below first bracket  32 . The reader will appreciate that when first and second brackets  32 ,  34  are mated together to form anchoring bracket  30  (as illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) the pressure applied by gasket  16  which holds anchoring bracket  30  in place relative to the ground, received additional structural support from the back flange  40 ,  41  which is proximate to extruded column  12 . When pressure is placed on top of anchoring bracket  30 , the back flange will press against extruded column  12  opposing the downward pull. Anchoring bracket  30  is sized in such a way that the space defined by the intersection of bracket blade  26 , bracket side flap  28 , and the inner side of anchoring bracket  30  proximate to extruded column  12  snugly fits extruded column  12 . Bracket blade  26  should be sized to tightly fit gasket  16 , not being so large that it does not fit behind extruded column  12  but not so small that bracket blade  26  will not slide behind gasket  16 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a top sectional plan view of anchoring bracket  30  as it fits against structural medium  14 , which in a preferred embodiment is glass, and gasket  16 . Extruded column  12  is shown proximate to gasket  16 . Bracket blade bend  46  in a preferred embodiment is shaped in such a way that gasket  16  fits inside anchoring bracket  30 . Bracket side flange  38 ,  39  is shown proximate to extruded column  12 . As stated before, bracket blades  26 ,  27  are held in place by the pressure from gasket  16 . Bracket blades  26 ,  27  are also held in place against gravity by frictional forces between bracket blades  26 ,  27 , gasket  16 , and structural medium  14 , said forces may be increased based off the material chosen for bracket blades  26 ,  27 . The preferred linking mechanism is the first and second brackets  32 ,  34  simply locking together. The linking together is seamless as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 11  displays a plan view showing an alternative linking mechanism  42  between the two pieces of the anchoring bracket. Anchoring bracket  30  is broken into two sections, bracket section  44  and bracket section  45 . Bracket section  44  and bracket section  45  are held in place by linking mechanism  42 . A variety of mechanically simple linking mechanisms are viable for linking mechanism  42 , however linking mechanism  42  depicts an interlocking style. As in  FIG. 9 , bracket back flange  40  is shown proximate to extruded column  12 . Bracket back flange  40  provides additional structural support for the anchoring bracket  30  by pressing against extruded column  12  when downward pressure is applied to the anchoring bracket  30 . Gasket  16  is shown proximate to extruded column  12 . Gasket  16  holds bracket blade  26 ,  27  in place against structural medium  14 , which in a preferred embodiment is glass. 
       FIG. 12  provides an exploded section view showing bracket blade  26  as it fits against structural medium  14  and gasket  16 .  FIG. 9  also displays bracket blade bend  46  which in a preferred embodiment is shaped in such a way that gasket  16  fits inside. Bracket side flap  28  is shown proximate to extruded column  12 . As stated before, bracket blade  26  is held in place by the pressure from gasket  16 . Bracket blade  26  is also held in place against gravity by frictional forces between bracket blade  26 , gasket  16 , and structural medium  14 , said forces may be increased based off the material chosen for bracket blade  26 .