Abstract:
A clamping system for support hardware has at least two spaced apart and opposing hooks. At least one of the hooks is movable on the clamping system relative to the other hook. The hooks can be disposed in a first configuration wherein the hooks are insertable into two spaced-apart slots in a slotted support member, and in a second configuration wherein the hooks positively clamp and secure the support hardware onto the support member. A support assembly includes a support member having a plurality of spaced slots formed therein, a support bracket and a clamping system. The support bracket is mounted on a support member by disposing hooks of the clamping system so that they are insertable into spaced-apart slots, and then moving a hook to positively clamp the bracket onto the support member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of copending, U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/957,002, filed Aug. 21, 2007, the disclosure of this U.S. patent application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to display systems and, more particularly, to an improved clamping system for brackets and other support hardware of display systems. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    One popular type of display system is an adjustable shelving system such as, for example, a gondola type merchandise display system. In a typical gondola type display system a pair of vertical standards or support members stand in a retail and/or commercial environment or are mounted on a wall of the environment. Each support member has a series of slots therein, and the support members are configured so that the slots are offset from the wall. A plurality of brackets and other merchandise display hardware (e.g., hangers, pegs, and the like) are affixed to the support members for displaying merchandise to prospective consumers. Each bracket and hardware is equipped with at least one hook that is configured and positioned on the bracket so that the hook is inserted into slots in a support member and so that the bracket can then be lowered relative to the support member to allow the hook to engage the support member. A shelf is supported by at least two brackets mounted in slots at corresponding heights on the support members. Each bracket may have an upwardly-extending shoulder on the end opposite from the at least on hook, to prevent the shelf from sliding away from the support member. Merchandise may then be displayed on the shelf. Other hardware such as, for example, waterfall brackets, pegs and the like may be similarly affixed to the support members to directly display merchandise thereon. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,563, to Mihailoff, issued Jul. 30, 2002, entitled “Clamp for a Retail Display Apparatus,” discloses a clamp for use on a retail or commercial display device. The clamp has a rod that is slidingly received in a channel and selectively positionable therein by a position locking member. A hook plate that is attached to a display element, such as shelving, hanger rods, etc., has hooks formed thereon for engaging a bolt mounted to the rod. A knob on the bolt is tightened to clamp the hook plate between the rod and the inner face of the knob. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,367, to Olson, issued Aug. 17, 1999, entitled, “Automatic Piston Lock Mechanism,” discloses an automatic lock mechanism for locking adjustable frame system components together. The locking mechanism includes a locking pin having a shaft, a head and a biasing spring cooperates with a stud and slot locking mechanism. A stud is inserted into a slot, for example, a teardrop shaped slot, and then moved to the direction of insertion. The locking pin then extends into slot, preventing inadvertent upward movement of the horizontal member. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,712, to Valiulis, issued Oct. 6, 1987, entitled, “Bracket for a Grid-Type Rack,” discloses a bracket for attaching a grid type rack to a vertical standard having vertically spaced slots therein. The bracket mounts onto the standard in the manner of a typical gondola style bracket. 
         [0009]    United States Patent Application No. 2002/0109056, of Weshler, et al., published Aug. 15, 2002, and entitled “Adjustable Universal Faceout Bracket,” discloses an adjustable bracket assembly that has a single hooked attachment prong or flange that is adjustable at the end of a faceout by way of a threaded screw between the end of the faceout and the bracket flange. The hooked attachment flange is shaped to fit within all slots within the various manufacturers&#39; standards. The faceout is attached to the standard from outside the display by remotely inserting the flange into a slot and turning the faceout bar, thereby screwing the faceout tightly against the standard. 
         [0010]    The inventors have realized a number of deficiencies in the prior art support hardware and the methods for clamping the hardware to support members. For example, when the clamping system includes a passive restraint (e.g., merely slides into a slot and is held in place by gravity) an accidental bump of the clamping system may cause disengagement of the clamping system. Additionally, while clamping systems exist that include active restraints, such system require specialized tooling or significant effort to remove the clamp so that a display system employing the clamp can be reconfigured. 
         [0011]    Based on the foregoing, it is the general object of this invention to provide a clamping system for brackets and other support hardware that improves upon prior art systems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention resides in one aspect in a positive clamping system for display hardware such as a bracket. The clamping system comprises at least two spaced apart and opposing hooks on the bracket. At least one of the hooks is movable on the bracket relative to the other hook. The hooks can be disposed in a first configuration wherein the hooks are insertable into two spaced-apart slots in a slotted support member, and in a second configuration wherein the hooks cooperate to positively secure the bracket onto the support member. 
         [0013]    The invention resides in another aspect in a support assembly that includes a clamping system as described herein, in combination with a support member having a plurality of spaced slots formed therein. Optionally, the support assembly comprises two support members and a clamping system for each support member. 
         [0014]    Still another aspect of the invention resides in a method of mounting support hardware on a support member using an inventive clamping system. The support member comprises a plurality of spaced slots. The method comprises providing support hardware such as a bracket having the inventive clamping system that includes at least two spaced apart and opposing hooks, wherein at least one hook is movable on the clamping system relative to the other hook. The hooks can be disposed in a first configuration wherein the clamping system is disengaged such that the hooks are insertable into two spaced-apart slots in the support member, and in a second configuration wherein the clamping system is engaged such that the hooks positively secure the bracket onto the support member. The method further comprises disposing the hooks in an insertable configuration relative to slots in the support member, and inserting the hooks into the slots. The hooks are then moved closer together to attain a positive clamping engagement between the bracket and the support member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bracket including an improved clamping system according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a partial schematic elevation view of the bracket and the clamping system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is a partial schematic elevation view of an alternative embodiment of a bracket and the clamping system; and 
           [0018]      FIGS. 3-5  are partial schematic elevation views of the bracket and the clamping system of  FIG. 1 , and a support member therefor. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    In these figures like structures are assigned like reference numerals, but may not be referenced in the description of all figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    A positive clamping system for support hardware such as, for example, a bracket, as described herein provides a significant improvement over prior art clamping systems included within conventional gondola-type brackets and merchandise support hardware. As described herein, the clamping system may be utilized to more securely mount brackets and other hardware on a slotted support member than a prior art gondola-type bracket. Prior art gondola-type brackets are passively mounted in the support member slots and have limited “clamping systems” that may be easily dislodged from their support members by casual and/or accidental contact with the bracket. In contrast, a clamping system as described herein provides a positive clamping engagement between hardware and the support member and is thereby rendered resistant to inadvertent disengagement of the hardware from the support member. It should be appreciated that while described below as a clamping system for merchandise support hardware it is within the scope of the present invention for the clamping system to be employed in other support systems. For example, the positive clamping system as described herein may be employed to secure support hardware in a vibration-rich environment such as, for example, to secure shelving and the like on a transportation vehicle. 
         [0021]    An illustrative embodiment of a clamping system  20  for display hardware  10  such as, for example, a merchandise support bracket as described herein, is shown in  FIG. 1 . The bracket  10  comprises a carrier portion  12  that has a bracket body  14  between two bracket flanges  16 ,  18  extending therefrom. The clamping system  20  includes two hooks  22 ,  24 . The hooks  22 ,  24  are aligned in a common plane so that both hooks  22 ,  24  may be inserted into longitudinally arranged slots in a support member (not shown). As described below, when actuated the hook  24  either moves toward or moves away from the hook  22 . The hook  24  includes a base portion  26  that includes mounting flanges  28 ,  30 . The mounting flanges  28 ,  30  threadably engage a screw  32  that passes therethrough. The screw  32  is mounted on the bracket  10  by passing through the bracket flanges  16  and  18  in generally parallel relation to the bracket body  14  of the bracket  10 . The screw  32  renders the hook  24  movable relative to the hook  22  which, in one embodiment, is formed integrally with the carrier portion  12  of the bracket  10 . The hook  24  is configured so that the base portion  26  is adjacent to the bracket body  14  and so that when the screw  32  is turned, the hook  24  longitudinally traverses the screw  32 . Thus, the hook  24  moves relative to hook  22  from a first position (wherein the clamping system  20  is in a disengaged position), for inserting the hooks  22  and  24  into slots in a support member, to a second position (wherein the clamping system  20  is in an engaged position) in which the hooks  22  and  24  securely engage the support member. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the bracket  10  and clamping system  20  cooperate to provide several stop surfaces  34 ,  36 , and  42  that limit the insertion of the hooks  22  and  24  into slots configured to receive the hooks, as described herein. In one embodiment, the bracket  10  also comprises an optional positioning tooth  44  that is configured to be easily insertable into a slot in a support member. In one embodiment, as is described below, the positioning tooth  44  counters rotational force exerted on the bracket  10  as the screw  32  is turned thus keeping the bracket  10  stable and aligned as the clamping system  20  is actuated. The hooks  22 ,  24  and the positioning tooth  44  all extend past stop surfaces  34 ,  36 , and  42  (relative to the carrier portion  12 ) so that they can be inserted into slots in a support member before the insertion is impeded by the stop surfaces. The stop surfaces preferably define a plane that corresponds to the surface of a support member on which the bracket  10  may be mounted. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, the carrier portion  12  includes a footing flange  48  that has a stop surface  48   a  that is set at a particular angle relative to the central bracket body  14 . The carrier portion  12  is configured so that when the hooks  22 ,  24  are fully inserted into slots in the support member, the stop surface  48   a  of the flange  48  bears against the support member. In such case, the footing flange  48  makes the carrier portion  12  extend from the support member at a specific angle. Preferably, the stop surface  48   a  is coplanar with the stop surfaces  34 ,  36 , and  42 . In one embodiment, the bracket  10  includes optional mounting screws  46   a ,  46   b  by which a load (such as a sales placard) can be attached to the bracket  10 , as discussed below. 
         [0024]    As seen in  FIG. 2 , the clamping system  20  includes the hook  22  and the hook  24 . The hooks  22 ,  24  comprise cam surfaces  22   a ,  24   a  for engaging an edge of a slot in the support member. The cam surfaces  22   a ,  24   a  are each disposed at an oblique angle relative to the direction of relative movement between the hooks, e.g., the movement relative to the longitudinal axis A of the screw  32 . The cam surfaces  22   a ,  24   a  are also each disposed at an oblique angle relative to the stop surfaces  34 ,  36 ,  42  and  48   a.    
         [0025]    In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , the clamping system  20  includes a retention washer  21  between the head of the screw  32  and the bracket flange  16 . The retention washer  21  serves to inhibit the screw  32  from becoming loosened should the clamping system  20  be subject to vibrations. The retention washer  21 , which may be a lock washer, wave spring, or the like, has particular applicability when the clamping system  20  is used in a vibration-rich environment such as, for example, to secure shelving and the like, in a transportation vehicle such as, for example, a train, bus, truck, watercraft, aircraft or spacecraft. 
         [0026]    An illustrative support member  50  for use with bracket  10  and the clamping system  20  is shown in  FIG. 3 . In one embodiment, the support member  50  is a rectangular tubular member with a wall-engaging or mounting side  52  and a bracket engaging side  54  that is offset from the wall-engaging side  52 . The bracket-engaging side  54  has a series of slots  56  therein for receiving the hooks  22 ,  24  and the positioning tooth  44  of the bracket  10 . 
         [0027]    As seen in  FIG. 3 , the clamping system  20  includes the hooks  22 ,  24  spaced along a length of the screw  32 . In a first or disengaged position, the hooks  22 ,  24  are insertable into slots  56  in the support member  50 . In the disengaged position, the closest points of ends  22   b ,  24   b  of the hooks  22  and  24  are separated by a distance D 1  and a gap G 1  is formed between one or more of the stop surfaces  34 ,  36 ,  42  and  48   a  and the bracket-engaging side  54  of the support member  50 . Once the hooks  22 ,  24  of the clamping system  20  are in respective slots, the screw  32  is turned in a clockwise direction (e.g., the direction indicated by rotation arrow  32   a ) to bring the hooks  22  and  24  closer together. For example, the hook  24  traverses the screw  32  toward the hook  22 . The optional positioning tooth  44  may also be inserted into a slot in the support member  50  to help inhibit the bracket  10  from twisting off the support member as the screw  32  is being tightened. 
         [0028]    It will be appreciated that positioning tooth  44 , being optional, may be omitted in alternative embodiments of the invention. 
         [0029]    As should be appreciated, bringing the hooks  22 ,  24  closer together brings one or both of the cam surfaces  22   a  and  24   a  into contact with the edges of respective slots. As seen in  FIGS. 3-5 , the hooks  22 ,  24  contact the portions of the support member  50  that define the slots, as the screw  32  is turned in the clockwise direction, the distance D 1  between the ends  22   b ,  24   b  of the hooks is decreased to a lesser distance D 2 , and the gap G 1  between the stop surfaces  34 ,  36 ,  42  and  48   a  and the bracket-engaging side  54  is reduced to a lesser gap G 2 . When the hooks  22 ,  24  are close enough to prevent their withdrawal from their respective slots, the clamping system  20  and the bracket  10  cooperate to prevent the bracket  10  from being dislodged from the support member  50  by casual contact. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , as the rotation of the screw  32  brings the hooks  22  and  24  even closer to each other towards a fully closed or engaged position, the cam surfaces  22   a ,  24   a  cause the hooks  22 ,  24  to slide on the support member, drawing the bracket  10  closer to the support member  50 , narrowing the gap G 2  between the stop surfaces  34 ,  36 ,  42  and  48   a  and the bracket-engaging side  54  to substantially zero and, ultimately, securely engaging the support member  50 , as seen in  FIG. 5 . It should be appreciated that a distance D 3  (e.g., the clamping system in the engaged position) represents a minimum distance between the ends  22   b  and  24   b  and, as described above, the gap G 3  is substantially zero. When the hooks  22 ,  24  are fully closed around the portion of the support member  50  between the slots, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the bracket  10  is securely mounted on the support member  50  and resists rattling and other types of unwanted movement. 
         [0031]    As should be appreciated, rotating the screw  32  in a counterclockwise direction moves the hook  24  away from the hook  22  to increase both the gaps G 3  toward G 1  and the distance D 3  to D 1  between the ends  22   b ,  24   b  of the hooks  22 ,  24  so that the bracket  10  can be removed from the support member  50 . 
         [0032]    Once the bracket  10  is mounted on the support member  50  and the clamping system  20  is engaged, the bracket  10  can be used to bear a weight of a load thereon. For example, the bracket  10  may be used on its own to support a load such as merchandise for display to prospective consumers. When used in a retail environment, the bracket  10  may be used to support a placard with product information pertaining to a product on a nearby display. Alternatively, the bracket  10  may be one of a pair of similarly mounted brackets that are used to support a shelf for displaying merchandise. For this purpose, the carrier portion  12  may optionally include an upwardly-extending shoulder on the end opposite from the clamping system  20 , to prevent the shelf from sliding away from the support member. It should be appreciated that the bracket  10  may individually support items such as, for example, a chair or other item of furniture, cables or wiring, and the like. 
         [0033]    The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. In addition, the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. 
         [0034]    Although the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, upon a reading and understanding of the foregoing disclosure that numerous variations and alterations to the disclosed embodiments will fall within the spirit and scope of this invention and of the appended claims.