Abstract:
A support arm system ( 10 ) includes a socket ( 16 ) for attachment to a surface ( 18 ) and a support arm ( 14 ), for removable insertion in the socket ( 16 ). The support arm ( 14 ) has at least one formation ( 22 ). The socket ( 16 ) includes a housing ( 28 ) having an insertion opening ( 30 ) leading to a passage ( 32 ) for insertion of the support arm ( 14 ). At least one formation ( 34 ) in the passage ( 32 ) complementary to the at least one formation ( 22 ) on the support arm ( 14 ) is provided to engage the support arm ( 14 ) when the support arm ( 14 ) is in the socket ( 16 ). A gate element ( 36 ) in the passage ( 32 ) is biased to a position at or in front of said at least one formation ( 34 ) in the passage. To insert the support arm ( 14 ), the gate element ( 36 ) must be pushed against its bias to expose the formation in the passage for engagement by the support arm ( 14 ) to retain the support arm in the socket, the gate element ( 36 ) providing a positive force between the support arm ( 14 ) and socket ( 16 ) while it is so retained. In another form of the invention, a gate element ( 126 ) is moveable in the housing and has a periphery complementary to the insertion opening. This gate element ( 126 ) is pushed by the support arm against its bias to allow insertion of the support arm into the socket and to allow the respective formations to be brought into engagement to retain the support arm in the socket. When the support arm is not in the socket, the gate element ( 126 ) provides a substantially flush surface with the front surface of the housing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a support arm system including a socket for inserting a support arm. Such support arm systems find particular, though not exclusive, application in hanging goods to be displayed or for supporting shelving assemblies. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Support arm systems for hanging goods to be displayed or for supporting a shelving assembly are known. Support arm systems typically include a socket attached to a wall, column or other vertical surface, and a support arm that is removably inserted into the socket. The support arms are retained in the sockets using a number of different arrangements. 
         [0003]    One arrangement is to provide a projection on the end of the support arm that extends from its upper surface. A corresponding undercut portion is provided inside the socket on the upper surface, such that the support arm is inserted into the socket at an upwardly tilted angle, so that the projection can be inserted in and up under the undercut portion. The support arm is then lowered. The projection is engaged in the undercut portion to prevent the support arm from any further downward movement. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that upward movement is still possible. Indeed, this is how the support arm is removed, by tilting the support arm upwardly to disengage the projection from the undercut. One of the problems with such an arrangement is that the support arm is relatively unstable, as it can be easily disengaged and can be moved up and down. This can present a problem when the arrangement is used as a support arm for garments, where hangers are suspended from the support arm. As customers look through the garments and remove the hangers from the support arm, the support arm is free to move up and down. 
         [0004]    One attempt to overcome the problems associated with the above arrangement is to provide a rigid support arm that is permanently fixed to the vertical surface, by screws or the like. Whilst this arrangement overcomes the above mentioned problem, it reduces or removes the flexibility of the arrangement. 
         [0005]    Another problem with some prior arrangements in some applications is that when the support arm is removed, the socket, including its insertion opening, is visible. This provides an aesthetically unpleasing appearance, particularly where a plurality of sockets on a single surface do not contain support arms. If the socket is not used for a long period of time, the insertion opening may accumulate dust and other particles. This may prevent subsequent use until the insertion opening is cleaned. 
         [0006]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved support arm system that at least in part alleviates one or more of the problems associated with known arrangements. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a support arm system, including:
       a socket for attachment to a surface, and a support arm, for removable insertion in the socket, the support arm having at least one formation, the socket including:
           a housing having an insertion opening leading to a passage for insertion of the support arm;   at least one formation in said passage complementary to said at least one formation on the support arm to engage the support arm when the support arm is in the socket; and   a gate element in the passage biased to a position at or in front of said at least one formation in said passage;   
           wherein, to insert the support arm, the gate element must be pushed against its bias to expose the formation in the passage for engagement by the support arm to retain the support arm in the socket, the gate element providing a positive force between the support arm and socket while it is so retained.       
 
         [0013]    In a second aspect, the invention provides a support arm system, including:
       a socket for attachment to a surface and a support arm, for removable insertion in the socket, the support arm having at least one formation, the socket including:
           a housing having a front surface and an insertion opening in the front surface for receiving the support arm;   at least one formation complementary to said at least one formation on the support arm and engageable therewith when the support arm is inserted into the socket for retaining the support arm in the socket; and   a gate element moveable in said housing and having a periphery complementary to the insertion opening, said element being biased in a direction into said insertion opening from behind;   
           wherein, said gate element is pushed by the support arm against its bias to allow insertion of the support arm into the socket and to allow said respective formations to be brought into engagement to retain the support arm in the socket, and wherein, when the support arm is not in the socket, said gate element provides a substantially flush surface with the front surface of the housing.       
 
         [0019]    The socket is preferably fixed to a vertical surface, at least when in use. Advantageously, the surface would include an aperture to allow the socket to sit within the surface. In one embodiment of the invention, a socket may be provided on both sides of a vertical panel. 
         [0020]    Advantageously, the gate element is biased by a spring. The spring pushes against an internal rear surface of the socket housing. The insertion opening preferably leads to a passage in the housing along which the gate element travels and into which the support arm is inserted. Projections on the gate element may be complementary to channels in the passage walls, to assist in the alignment of the travel of the element. 
         [0021]    According to one embodiment, the formation is a T-shaped protrusion projecting axially from an end of the support arm. The at least one formation on the socket includes shoulders behind which the protrusions are able to engage. Preferably, the support arm is axially inserted into the socket and rotated, e.g. approximately 90°, to engage the shoulders. 
         [0022]    According to an alternative embodiment, the at least one formation on the support arm is an upwardly extending projection. The at least one formation on the socket, complementary to the formation on the support arm, is preferably an undercut portion behind the insertion opening. The support arm is preferably presented at an upward angle such that the support arm pushes the gate element away from the front surface as the support arm is inserted into the insertion opening. The upwardly extending projection engages in the undercut portion and the support arm is lowered into a near horizontal orientation. The gate element is prevented, by a shoulder, from being pushed past a point, such that the lower part of the support arm end face cannot move further, to create the cantilever lock for the support arm. Advantageously, the bias pushes the gate element against the back of the projection to create a positive engagement between the socket and the support arm. 
         [0023]    A deformable lug may be provided on the lower side of the insertion opening. The element may have a corresponding recess to allow it to move over the lug. The support arm may include a second formation on its underside that the lug engages with to prevent additional upward movement. 
         [0024]    In an embodiment, the aforementioned positive force is provided by the means biasing the gate element to said position at or in front of said at least arm formation, and is overcome by pushing the support arm further into said passage to push the gate element further back. 
         [0025]    Preferably, when the support arm has been inserted into the socket and the formations engaged to retain the support arm therein, the support arm projects cantilever-fashion from the socket. 
         [0026]    There may be means on the support arm to retain items on the support arm. 
         [0027]    There may alternatively or additionally be a connection device on the support arm for connecting other components to the support arm. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a support arm system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the support arm in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the support arm system of  FIG. 1 , with the support arm disengaged; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is an axially-sectioned side view of the support arm system as shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  of the support arm system, with the support arm engaged; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is an enlargement of part of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is an exploded front perspective view of the support arm system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  is an exploded, partially sectioned, side view of the support arm system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  is an exploded rear perspective axially-sectioned view of the support arm system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of two support arm systems according to a second embodiment of the present invention supporting a frame structure; 
           [0039]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the support arm system of  FIG. 10  with a support arm according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of a socket of the support arm system of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of a socket of the support arm system of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 14  is a vertical axial sectional view of the socket of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 15  is a sectional view, similar to  FIG. 14 , of the support arm system of the second embodiment with a support arm being inserted into the socket; 
           [0044]      FIG. 16  is a sectional view, similar to  FIG. 14 , of the support arm system of the second embodiment with a support arm inserted into the socket; 
           [0045]      FIG. 17  is an exploded front perspective view of the socket of  FIGS. 12 and 14  to  16 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 18  is an exploded front perspective view of the support arm system of the second embodiment being installed in a wood panel; 
           [0047]      FIG. 19  is a front perspective view of the support arm system of the second embodiment installed in the wood panel of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 20  is an exploded front perspective view of a support arm system according to a third embodiment being installed in a double-sided manner in a wood panel; 
           [0049]      FIG. 21  is a front perspective view of the support arm system of the third embodiment installed in the wood panel of  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 22  is sectional side view of the support arm system of the third embodiment installed in the wood panel of  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 23  is an exploded perspective view of the support arm system of the second embodiment being installed in a glass panel; 
           [0052]      FIG. 24  is a front perspective view of the support arm system of the second embodiment installed in the glass panel of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0053]      FIG. 25  is an exploded front perspective view of the socket of the embodiment of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0054]      FIG. 26  is an exploded front perspective view of the support arm system of the embodiment of  FIG. 25  being installed in a wood panel; and 
           [0055]      FIG. 27  is an axial cross-sectional view of a modification of the first embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0056]      FIG. 1  shows a support arm system  10  according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with a support arm  14  engaged in a socket  16 . The socket  16  is fixed to a panel  18 , which would typically be a vertical wall. The support arm  14  is of a generally elongate structure and is illustrated as being circular in cross-section. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this regard. The support arm  14  includes a lug  20  at its distal end, which prevents garment hangers and other suspended items from falling off the end of the support arm  14 . It will be appreciated that other forms of the support arm are incorporated within the present invention. The support arm  14  may include a connection device, allowing other components to connect to the support arm. 
         [0057]    As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the support arm  14  includes a T-shaped protrusion  22 , axially projecting from the end of the support arm that is inserted into the socket  16 . The T-shaped protrusion  22  includes two lugs  24  that project laterally from an axial post  26 . 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , socket  16  includes a housing  28  that has an insertion opening  30  which leads to a passage  32  for insertion of the support arm  14 . Formations in the passage  32  complementary to the lugs  24  on the support arm  14  and engage the support arm  14  in the socket  16 . These are illustrated in  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 . The passage formations are formed by shoulders  34 , which the lugs  24  engage behind to hold the support arm  14  in the socket  16 . The shoulders  34  are half moon shaped walls extending across the width of the passage  32 . 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , a gate element  36  in the passage  32 , hereinafter referred to as a gate, is biased to a position at or in front of the shoulders  34 . In the illustrated embodiment, the gate  36  is shown as being behind the insertion opening  30  and the front surface  38  of the gate  36  is aligned with the front surfaces  40  of the shoulders  34 . The gate  36  is biased to this position by spring  42 , which engages in the recess  44  in the rear of the gate  36  and about a post  46  on the rear closure  48  of the housing  28 . 
         [0060]    As can be seen from  FIG. 4 , the support arm  14  is presented to the socket insertion opening  30  with the lugs  24  extending sideways, such that the support arm  14  is inserted into the passage  32  past the shoulders  34 . The support arm  14  must push the gate  36  against its spring bias to expose the shoulders  34  for engagement by the lugs  24 . Once the lugs  24  have been pushed past the shoulders  34 , the support arm  14  is rotated  90 ° and is prevented from further rotation by stops  35 , which can be seen in  FIG. 9 . The lugs  24  are then engaged with the rear surface of the shoulders  34  to prevent axial withdrawal. As the gate  36  is biased towards the insertion opening  30 , the gate  36  pushes the T-shaped protrusion  22  against the shoulders  34 , providing a positive force between the support arm  14  and the socket  16 . 
         [0061]    To remove the support arm  14  from the socket  16 , the spring bias must be overcome before the support arm  14  can be disengaged. The support arm  14  must be pushed against the gate  36  to allow the lugs  24  to disengage from the shoulders  34 , allowing the support arm  14  to be rotated and axially removed. The support arm  14  can only be rotated in one direction, away from the stops  35 . 
         [0062]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the socket housing  28  includes a tubular portion  50  extending from a rear plate  52  that defines the passage  32 . The tubular portion  50  is inserted through an aperture  54  from the rear  58  of a panel  18 . The rear plate  52  is then fixed to the panel  18  with screws. A front cap  60  is inserted from the front  62  of the panel  18  and locks onto the tubular portion  50  by arms  64  that have teeth  66  that engage with corresponding teeth  68  on the outside of the tubular portion  50 . The outside diameter of the front cap  60  is greater than the diameter of aperture  54 , so that the front cap  60  sits in front of the panel  18 . It will be appreciated that in other forms of the invention, the front cap can be inserted from the rear of the panel  18 . 
         [0063]    The gate  36  is inserted from the rear  58  of the panel  18 . As can be seen best in  FIG. 7 , the gate  36  includes two flanges  70 . When the gate  36  is biased towards the insertion opening  30 , the flanges  70  prevent it from being pushed past the shoulders  34 . The spring  42  and rear closure  48  are then fixed in place by screws  72 . 
         [0064]    One advantage of the arrangement illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 9  is that when the support arm  14  is inserted in the socket  16 , it is positively engaged, which minimises any movement of the support arm  14  with respect to the socket  16 . The positive engagement of the gate  36  prevents rotational movement and disengagement of the support arm  14  from the socket  16  without overcoming the bias of the gate  36 . This provides a stable and effective support arm system. 
         [0065]    It will be appreciated that this invention may be used with socket and support arms that engage using an arrangement different from that described above, and is not limited to axial insertion and rotation of the support arm in the socket. Alternative embodiments of the invention are illustrated in  FIGS. 10 to 26  in which the support arm, opening and gate are of rectangular profile, and in which the support arm includes a projection extending upwardly from the upper surface at the insertion end.  FIGS. 10 and 11  show a support arm system  110  according to the second embodiment in use. In  FIG. 10 , two systems  110  are supporting a frame structure  112 . In  FIG. 11 , a system  110  is being used as a display rack. 
         [0066]    The support arm system  110  according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a support arm  114  and a socket  116 . The socket  116  is fixed to a vertical wall surface  118 . The support arm  114  is of a generally elongate structure and is illustrated as having a square cross-section. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this regard. The support arm  114  includes a formation in the form of a projection  120 , which is best shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . The projection  120  is a strip that extends across the width of the support arm  114  and extends upwardly from the top surface at the insertion end of the support arm  114 . At the opposite end of the support arm  114  there may be provided some form of engagement means. As shown in  FIG. 11 , this could include a lug  128 , which prevents garment hangers and other suspended items from falling off the end of the support arm  114 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the support arm  114  may include a connection device  115 , allowing other components to connect to the support arm  114 , such as the frame structure  112 . 
         [0067]    The drawings illustrate two alternative configurations of the socket of the second embodiment. The first configuration, depicted in  FIG. 12 , includes a housing  122  having a front surface  124  and a gate element  126  that provides a flush surface with the front surface  124 . The configuration shown in  FIG. 13  similarly shows a socket  216  including a housing  222  having a front surface  224  and a gate element  226  that provides a flush surface with the front surface  224 . Like elements of the two configurations are indicated by like 2-digit reference numerals respectively preceded by a “1” or a “2”. 
         [0068]    As shown in  FIG. 14 , the housing  122  includes a front cap  130  that provides the front surface  124 . The front cap  130  includes an insertion opening  132  in the front surface  124  that leads to a passage  134  for receiving the support arm  114 . A formation complementary to the projection  120  on the support arm  114  is provided in the housing  122 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 14 ,  15  and  16 , an undercut portion  136  is provided behind the insertion opening  132  and behind the front cap  130 . The undercut portion  136  extends across the full width of the insertion opening  132 . This allows the support arm  114  to engage in the socket  116 . 
         [0069]    The gate element  126  is complementary to the insertion opening  132 , having a perimeter that matches the insertion opening  132 . The gate element  126  is biased by a spring  138  in a direction into the insertion opening  132  from behind, as shown in  FIG. 14 . To insert the support arm  114 , as shown in  FIG. 15 , the support arm  114  is presented at an upwardly inclined angle and pushes back the gate element  126 . The projection  120  engages in the undercut portion  136  and the support arm  114  is lowered into a generally horizontal orientation, as shown in  FIG. 16 . The gate element  126  is spring biased to push against the rear surface  140  of the support arm  114 . This provides a positive engagement, as it pushes the projection  120  against the undercut portion  136 . 
         [0070]    The gate element  126  is prevented, by a shoulder  129 , from being pushed past it, such that the lower part of the support arm rear surface  140  cannot move further. This means that the support arm  114  cannot be inserted any further into the passage  134 . The cantilever effect of the support arm  114  is locked against the shoulder  129 , as it prevents downward movement of the support arm  114 . 
         [0071]    To increase the positive engagement of the support arm  114  in the socket  116 , a deformable lug  142  is provided on the lower side of the insertion opening  132 . The gate element  126  includes a recess  144  that allows it to move over the lug  142  without getting caught. On the underside of the support arm  114  there is provided a second formation in the form of a channel  146  across its width. As the support arm  114  is tilted from the angled position shown in  FIG. 15  to the horizontal position shown in  FIG. 16 , the ridge  148  pushes over the lug  142 , deforming it downwardly, until it snaps into the channel  146  on the underside of the support arm  114 . This prevents the support arm  114  from easily being disengaged by tilting the support arm  114  upwardly. 
         [0072]    To remove the support arm  114 , it is tilted upwardly, which pushes against the gate element  126 . The top half of the gate element  126  tilts backwards to allow the channel  146  to disengage from the deformable lug  142  and the projection  120  to slide out from under the shoulder  136 . 
         [0073]    The construction of the first configuration of the socket  116  is shown in  FIG. 17 . The housing  122  includes brackets  150 ,  152  and rear plate  154  that are used to fix the socket  116  to a panel, to be explained below. The housing  122  includes the front cap  130  having the insertion opening  132 . The housing also includes the passage  134  into which the gate element  126  travels. The passage  134  has ridges  156  on the passage walls  158 . Lateral tabs  160  on the side edges of the gate element  126  slidingly engage the ridges  156  and allow the gate element  126  to travel in alignment along the passage  134 . The spring  138  is connected to the rear surface of the gate element  126  about a post and also about a post  162  on the rear surface  164  of the passage  134 . When a support arm  114  is not in engagement with the socket  116 , the spring  138  biases the gate element  126  into the insertion opening  130 , providing a flush surface with the front surface  124 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0074]    As can be seen in  FIG. 18 , an aperture  166  is cut into the wood panel  168 . The housing  122  is inserted into the aperture and the rear plate  154  is fixed to the housing on the other side of the wood panel  168  with screws  170  through holes  172 . The gate element  126  is inserted into the passage  134  and the front cap  130  is fitted on the front. The front cap  130  may be fitted onto the housing by tolerance fit or another form of fixing may be used, such as adhesive. As shown in  FIG. 19 , when a support arm  114  is not engaged in the socket  116 , a flush surface is presented. This is aesthetically pleasing, which is particularly important in a retail environment. As the passage  134  is not exposed, dust and particles will not build up, which over time could prevent the insertion of a support arm  114 . 
         [0075]    As shown in  FIGS. 20 ,  21  and  22 , a socket  116  according to a third embodiment can be used to create a double-sided display. An aperture  166  is cut into the wood panel  168 , similar to that shown in  FIG. 18 . The thickness of the wood panel  168  is approximately double, thus allowing two housings  122  to be inserted into opposite sides. Double ended screws  174  are used to fix the two housings  122  together, omitting the need for a rear plate  154 . Assembly of the gate element  126  and front cap  130  is the same as described above.  FIG. 20  shows that one way of fixing the front cap  130  to the housing  122  is by snap lock tabs  131 . As shown in  FIG. 22 , a double-sided display provides sockets  116  on both sides of the panel  168  and allows a support arm  114  to extend from both sides. 
         [0076]    The use of the brackets  150 ,  152  shown in  FIG. 17  allows a socket  116  according to the second embodiment to be fixed to a glass panel  176  ( FIGS. 23 and 24 ). The brackets  150 ,  152  are made from a plastic, preferably rubberised, material to absorb vibrations, protecting the glass panel  176  from fracture. Again, as shown in  FIG. 24 , when the support arm  114  is not engaged in the socket  116 , a flush surface provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance and prevents the collection of dust. 
         [0077]    An alternative embodiment of the socket  216  is illustrated in  FIGS. 25 and 26 . The socket includes a housing  222 , which includes all of the features present in the earlier described construction, and like reference numerals are used with the prefix 2 instead of 1. The main difference between the embodiments is that the housing  222  and the rear plate  254  are an integral piece. As shown in  FIG. 26 , an aperture  266  is provided in the wood panel  268  and the housing  222  is inserted from the rear side into the aperture  266 . The rear plate  254  is fixed to the rear side of the element with screws  270 . The gate element  226  is then inserted into the passage  234  and the front cap  230  is snap locked onto the inside of the housing  222  by tabs  231 . 
         [0078]    The second and third embodiments of the invention includes the feature of a biased gate element, such that when a support arm is not inserted into the socket, a flush surface is presented. It will be appreciated that this invention may be used with socket and support arms that engage using a different arrangement to that described above. The socket insertion opening, gate element and support arm may all be circular, as in the first embodiment of the invention. The engagement may include axial insertion and rotation to engage respective formations on the support arm and socket. Other engagement arrangements are also covered by the present invention. 
         [0079]      FIG. 27  is an axial cross-sectional view of a modification of the first embodiment of the invention. The principal change is that the tubular portion  50 ′ of the socket housing is significantly lengthened rearwardly to increase the length of the support arm  14  that is within the housing. This can be useful for enhancing the stability of the cantilvered arm, especially where it is to be rated for higher loads. It will also be noted that the rear of the housing  28 ′, which, because of the extension of tubular portion  50 ′, protrudes significantly behind panel  18 ′, is completed by a cylindrical cap  49  which extends about tubular portion  50 ′ and rear closure  48 ′. The configuration of  FIG. 27  also illustrates an arrangement in which housing  28 ′ is configured to seat in the panel aperture so that support arm  14 ′ projects at a slight upward angle.