Abstract:
A mounting method and a mounting apparatus to enable the level mounting of a first article to a second article. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for mounting a first article to a second article to permit the level mounting of the first article comprises a bracket for fixed attachment to the second article, the bracket configured to receive the first article. The bracket has a level built into it, such that the bracket is installed such that the first article when mounted to said bracket is level.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is related to devices and methods for mounting a first article to a second article such that the first article when mounted is level. 
   Commonly a bracket is used to mount a first article to a second article. Regardless of using a bracket, traditionally a level is held up against the article or the bracket so that it may be mounted in a level position so as to enable the level mounting of a first article to a second article. The requirement of needing a separate level can be cumbersome in certain applications. Furthermore, certain articles or brackets, either due to their geometric shape or the shape of the article to which they are mounted, do not readily lend themselves to the use of a separate level; for example, when mounting an article to a wall where the article does not possess a flat external surface against which a level may be held. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to providing a mounting apparatus to enable the level mounting of a first article to a second article. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for mounting a first article to a second article to permit the level mounting of the first article comprises a bracket for fixed attachment to the second article, the bracket being configured to receive the first article. The bracket has a level built into it, such that the bracket may be installed such that the first article when mounted to the bracket is level. 
   In certain embodiments, the mounting apparatus includes a mechanical lock and release mechanism to hold the first article securely in place after the article has been mounted to the mounting apparatus. Such a mechanical lock and release mechanism may be a plunger mechanism, such as a ball and spring plunger, or a spring plunger mechanism as well as a slide latch mechanism and a latch and lock mechanism. 
   In certain embodiments having a mechanical lock and release mechanism, the mounting apparatus includes a saw tooth structure configured to engage a matching saw tooth structure in the first article, so as to lock the first article with the bracket once the bracket has received the first article. In certain embodiments, the saw tooth-structured locking mechanism also includes a spring release mechanism having a handle. A pushing force on the handle disengages the saw tooth structure of the bracket&#39;s latching mechanism from the saw tooth structure of the first article. 
   In some embodiments, the bracket portion of the mounting apparatus includes an overlapping interlock mechanism, such as, for example a dovetail structure configured to engage a matching overlapping interlock structure in an article that is mounted to the mounting apparatus. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the bracket of the mounting apparatus is a male member having an overall shape configured to mate with a corresponding female member of an article that is mounted to the mounting apparatus. 
   In certain embodiments, the level that is built into the bracket portion of the mounting bracket includes a ball that moves freely along a track to identify level. The ball moves to a center position when the bracket is level. Some embodiments include a track cover that is configured to engage the track and thus help prevent the ball from falling out of the track. 
   In other embodiments, the level that is built into the bracket portion of the mounting apparatus includes an encased, liquid-filled tube having an air bubble that moves to a center window when the bracket is level. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for mounting a first article to a second article to permit the level mounting of the first article, comprises providing a bracket for fixed attachment to the second article, where the bracket is configured to receive the first article. The bracket has a level built into the bracket, such that the bracket may be installed such that the first article when mounted to the bracket is level. The method further includes attaching the bracket to the second article using a fastener through a mounting aperture in the bracket that is configured to receive a fastener. Thereafter, the method includes leveling the bracket using the level; attaching the bracket to the second article using a second fastener through a mounting aperture in the bracket that is configured to receive the second fastener and attaching the first article with said bracket. 

   
     For a further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is front perspective view of an apparatus for mounting a first article to a second article according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a back perspective view of the mounting apparatus of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG.  3 . is a detail figure showing the overlapping interlock detail of the engagement of the mounting apparatus with a first article. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective disassembled view of first article being attached with the mounting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of an apparatus  100  for mounting a first article to a second article according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mounting apparatus includes a bracket body  102  having a plurality of mounting apertures  104 . The apertures  104  are configured to receive fasteners for mounting the apparatus  100  to a wall or another apparatus. The bracket body  102  also includes a built-in level  106 . The bracket body  102  also includes various markings  108  near the level  106  to aid in the level mounting of the bracket to a wall or another object. In one embodiment, the level is made by having a curved track  110  formed in the bracket body in which a ball  112  freely moves. Optionally, the ball  112  is maintained in the track  110  by placing a track cover  114  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) over the track  110 . The ball  112  is made from a material that is chosen to be suitable for a particular application. In one case, when corrosion resistance is a concern, a stainless steel ball is preferred. Alternately, the level can be an encased, liquid-filled tube containing an air bubble that moves to a center position when the mounting bracket is level. 
   Additionally, the mounting apparatus  100  includes a spring-releasable latch and lock mechanism  116 . The latch and lock mechanism  116  includes a saw tooth structure  118  that engages a corresponding structure  402  in an article  404  that is mounted on the mounting bracket, as is, for example, shown in FIG.  4 . The latch and lock mechanism includes spring members  120  and  122  that enable a spring release of an article that has mated with the mounting apparatus  100 . The pressing down on the handle  120  will push member  124  down and thus pull in the saw tooth structure of the mounting bracket body  102  to disengage the saw tooth structure from that on the article  404  which is mounted on the mounting apparatus. 
   Alternatively, instead of the spring-releasable latch and lock mechanism, other mechanical lock and release mechanisms may be used. These other mechanical lock and release mechanisms include a plunger mechanism, such as a ball and spring plunger, or a spring plunger mechanism as well as a slide latch mechanism and a latch and lock mechanism, and so on. When using a plunger or a latch, the plunger or the latch engages a matching detent in the article which is mounted to the mounting apparatus. As the locking and release operations of a plunger or a ball plunger are known, further details are not provided herein. For example, with a plunger, to move the plunger from an engaged detent, the detent or the mounting apparatus is moved with respect to the plunger or the detent to disengage the plunger from the detent and thus allow it to engage a next detent in a track. 
     FIG. 2  shows a back perspective view of the mounting apparatus of FIG.  1 . This figure ( FIG. 2 ) shows various ribbing members integrated with the mounting apparatus to provide an adequate level of structural rigidity for the mounting apparatus. 
   In one embodiment, the mounting apparatus  102  has a generally triangular shape. While the mounting apparatus may have any shape, this shape is preferred as it provides for a structurally sound shape for attachment of the mounting apparatus to another object and for the mounting of an article, such as for example,  404  to the mounting apparatus. A preferred aspect of the shape of the mounting apparatus is to have the mounting apparatus  100  match a recess in the article which is mounted using the apparatus. As is shown in  FIG. 4 , the mounting apparatus  100  and the recess  406  are of generally the same shape to enable the two to mate up against one-another and thus enable a structurally sound mounting arrangement. 
   In certain embodiments, in order to ensure a stable mounting, the mounting apparatus and the recess in the article which is mounted using the mounting apparatus include an overlapping interlock structure, such as for example, an interlocking wedge/dovetail arrangement, as is shown in FIG.  3 . The detail shown in  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting apparatus  302  having a wedge/dovetail shape mounted to a wall  304  (or another object). This figure also shows the article  404  having a recess  406  and a matching wedge/dovetail shape  306 . This overlapping interlock (e.g., wedge/dovetail) arrangement ensures that once an article is mounted to the mounting apparatus it is prevented from being pulled away from the mounting apparatus and thus provide a structurally sound coupling between the mounting apparatus and the article that is mounted using the mounting apparatus. 
   The mounting apparatus may be manufactured using a variety of techniques known to those skilled in the art, however it is preferred to use a material that is suitable for the application. One application of the mounting apparatus is for the mounting of a ware wash chemical dispenser for an industrial laundry to another article, such as, for example, a wall. Due to moist or humid nature of such an environment, corrosion resistance is a factor and so is cost, and as such the mounting apparatus is manufactured using a plastic material. The use of a plastic material also helps keep the cost of the product reasonably low. However, other materials, including stainless steel, other steels, aluminum and other material including composite materials are also equally suitable for the manufacture of the mounting apparatus. 
   In operation, to mount an article  404 , to a wall, for example, first the mounting apparatus  102  is fastened to a wall using a fastener fitted through a top mounting aperture. Next, the mounting apparatus is leveled using the level  106  by for example, swinging the mounting apparatus into a level position. Once the mounting apparatus is leveled, it is then further secured to the wall by using additional fasteners fitted through the additional mounting apertures near the bottom of the mounting apparatus. Next, the article  404  is fitted to the bracket, which in one embodiment is achieved by sliding the article  404  over the mounting apparatus  102 . In this manner the article  404  is mounted in a level manner, since the mounting apparatus  102  was first leveled using the built-in level  106 . Once in place the mounting apparatus&#39;s lock and release mechanism (e.g., saw tooth structures, plunger, latch, etc.) lock against those of the article  404  to lock the article in place. The locking mechanism is advantageous because once the article is mounted, it is securely held in place and will not move in the normal course of the usage of the article. Furthermore, the locking mechanism will securely hold the article in place in case the article is accidentally knocked into, or so on. Then, as is needed, the article may be unlocked from the mounting apparatus, and once unlocked the article  404  may be easily lifted up and removed from the mounting apparatus. In certain embodiments, the mounting apparatus includes markings  124 ,  126 ,  128  to aid an installer in the mounting of the apparatus. The markings are advantageous as they eliminate the need for a separate set of instructions. 
   One advantage of the mounting apparatus of the present invention is that it enables the level mounting of one article to another without requiring a separate level. Furthermore, for certain articles that have shapes that do not have any flat surfaces—to place a level on—the use of a separate level would still not be feasible for the level mounting of the article. 
   The above-described arrangement of apparatus and methods are merely illustrative of the applications of the principles of this invention and many other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, the mounting apparatus may have different shapes. The mounting apparatus may be made of many different materials and may be manufactured using many different processes. The mounting apparatus may include a variety of different mechanical lock and release mechanisms.