Abstract:
A corner bracket system for hanging objects at the junction of two walls, such as in the corner of a room, and a method for using the same. The system comprises a wall bracket, a mounting bracket, and a slide pin. The wall bracket and mounting bracket each have a plurality of complementary, transverse support members that are readily engageable and are securable using the slide pin.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to bracket systems for wall hangings, and specifically to corner wall bracket systems for securely hanging objects such as conventionally mounted big game trophies at the junction of two walls, and a method for using the same. 
         [0002]    Devices for hanging objects on a wall are well known. Some of these devices are directed toward hanging objects in a corner where two walls join. These devices are complex in their design and have many parts. In addition, these devices are not directed toward hanging big game trophies for the purpose of taking up less space. Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a bracket system that addresses these deficiencies. 
         [0003]    An objective for the present invention is to provide a wall bracket system that has fewer parts. 
         [0004]    Another objective of this invention is to provide a wall bracket that is easy to assemble. 
         [0005]    A still further objective of this invention is to provide a wall bracket that is inexpensive to manufacture. 
         [0006]    An additional objective of this invention is to provide a wall bracket that permits a big game trophy to be hung in the corner of two adjoining walls. 
         [0007]    These and other objectives will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the following drawings, written description, and claims. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A bracket system for wall hangings has a wall bracket, a mounting bracket and a slide pin. The wall bracket and mounting bracket are each provided with complementary support members that are readily engageable and are securable using the slide pin. Objects such as conventionally mounted big game trophies are secured to the mounting bracket without the need for dismounting or remounting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded, perspective view of a bracket system; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective, cutaway view of a bracket system; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an alternative bracket system; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0013]    While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides for inventive concepts capable of being embodied in a variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific manners in which to make and use the invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the instant invention. 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , corner bracket system  10  comprises a wall bracket  12 , a mounting bracket  14 , and a slide pin  16 . Wall bracket  12  further comprises a first wall member  18 , a second wall member  20 , and a plurality of transverse support members  22 . Wall members  18 ,  20  are made of a suitable material such as metal, wood, plywood, particle board, pressboard or the like, and define an angle Θ therebetween that approximates the angle defined by the walls (not shown) the junction of which is the site of the desired installation. It will thus be appreciated that in a typical, 90° corner installation, Θ will be approximately 90°. The invention is not limited to 90° corners, however, and Θ can be any value up to 180°. 
         [0015]    Transverse support members  22  are made of any suitable material such as wood, plastic or metal, and each has an aperture  24 . Apertures  24  are in vertical alignment with one another and are essentially the same size and shape. Wall members  18 ,  20  may be provided with a plurality of holes  26  drilled or formed therethrough. For example, wall members  18 ,  20  could be attached to wall surfaces using screws or other fasteners, and holes  26  could be provided to accommodate a suitable type, number and arrangement of fasteners. 
         [0016]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , mounting bracket  14  further comprises a mounting face  28 , and a plurality of transverse support members  30  opposite of mounting face  28 . Transverse support members  30  are made of any suitable material such as wood, plastic or metal, and each has an aperture  32 . Apertures  32  are in vertical alignment with one another and are essentially the same size and shape as apertures  24  in transverse support members  22  of wall bracket  12 . Mounting face  28  is provided with a plurality of holes  34  drilled or formed therethrough. The object to be hanged (not shown) is attached to mounting bracket  14  at mounting face  28 , and holes  34  could be provided to accommodate a suitable type, number and arrangement of fasteners. 
         [0017]    Transverse support members  22  of wall bracket  12  and transverse support members  30  of mounting bracket  14  are matingly engageable such that apertures  24 ,  32  are vertically aligned. Preferably, transverse support members  30  are provided to fit within wall bracket  12 , between wall members  18 ,  20 , and have an engaging surface that is angular with an angle of approximately Θ. 
         [0018]    Slide pin  16 , comprising a head  38 , a body or shaft  40 , and an end  22 , is slidably disposed within apertures  24 ,  32 . Body  40  of slide pin  16  is generally the same size and shape as apertures  24 ,  32 , and frictionally engages the support members as it is inserted into and through the apertures therein, thereby securing mounting bracket  14  to wall bracket  12 . Head  38  of slide pin  16  is larger than apertures  24 ,  32  and pin body  40 . 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , apertures  24 ,  32  and pin body  40  are generally triangular, however, any shape or size may be used. Other shapes include round or circular as well as other geometric shapes such as square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal or other polygonal forms. It will be appreciated that head  38  of slide pin  16  can be essentially any shape and size so long as head  38  does not fit into any of apertures  24 ,  32 . Slide pin  16  is slidably disengaged from corner bracket system  10 , thereby detaching wall bracket  12  from mounting bracket  14  as the respective support members are disengaged. 
         [0020]    The engagement of transverse support members  22  with transverse support members  30  can be accomplished in a number of ways. The only requirement is that the support members and apertures therein are complementary such that the apertures are capable of vertical alignment, but there is no requirement that the same number of respective support members  22 ,  30  be provided. The support function of wall bracket  12  is preferably enhanced where at least one transverse support member  30  rests on a corresponding transverse support member  22 . See  FIG. 2 . In one embodiment of system  10 , transverse support members  22 ,  30  are present in a 1:1 ratio and the corresponding pairs are substantially equally interspaced. The uppermost transverse support member  30  is further secured by head  38  of slide pin  16 . 
         [0021]    The foregoing invention may be used in the following manner. Wall bracket  12  is mounted to adjoining walls at a desired height by placing fasteners such as screws through holes  26  in wall members  18 ,  20 . The object to be hanged, such as a conventionally mounted big game trophy, is secured to mounting face  28  of mounting bracket  14  in a desired orientation by placing fasteners such as screws through holes  34 . 
         [0022]    Transverse support members  30  on mounting bracket  14  are engaged with transverse support members  22  on wall bracket  12  so that all of the apertures  24 ,  32  are vertically aligned. Body  40  of slide pin  16  is inserted through apertures  22 ,  32  until head  38  of slide pin  16  engages the uppermost transverse support member. Corner bracket system  10  may be disassembled by slidably disengaging slide pin  16  from the system. 
         [0023]    In an alternative embodiment, shown in  FIG. 3 , apertures  24  defined by transverse support members  22  of wall bracket  12  are elongate. Body  40  of slide pin  16  is movable within the length of apertures  24 . Head  38  of slide pin  16  engages the uppermost transverse support member  30  of mounting bracket  14 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the movement of slide pin  16  relative to wall bracket  12  will increase or decrease the relative distance between wall bracket  12  and mounting bracket  14 , e.g. via telescoping, thereby affording adjustability to allow for wall hangings of varying size and shape. 
         [0024]    Still referring to  FIG. 3 , mounting bracket  14  pivots about slide pin  16  relative to wall bracket  12 , further providing adjustability with respect to mounting and viewing angles, for example. Turning to  FIG. 4 , both telescoping and pivot of mounting bracket  14  with respect to wall bracket  12  about slide pin  16  are selectably restricted. End  42  of slide pin  16  is frictionally secured to the lowermost transverse support member  30 . Preferably, end  42  is threaded and threadably engages a fastener  44  such as a wing nut. As fastener  44  is tightened about end  42 , fastener  44  frictionally engages transverse support member  30  and movement of slide pin  16  within apertures  32  is restricted, thereby limiting telescoping and pivot of mounting bracket  14 . 
         [0025]    Thus, a corner bracket system has been disclosed that at the very least meets all the stated objectives.