Patent Publication Number: US-2023144634-A1

Title: Bracket assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention relates to an assembly for support structures, and more particularly, relates to a bracket assembly for quick and easy coupling of frame and support structures. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology. 
     Support structures generally include permanent support structures and non-permanent support structures. The permanent support structures are used as decks, sheds, lofted beds, and other structures that may need to be efficiently assembled. On the other hand, the non-permanent support structures are used in a wide range of settings, such as wood storage racks, temporary storage crates, stages and runways, and other structures that may need to be efficiently assembled. Further, the support structures are provided for adjustable height supports and bracketing. The support structure includes an upright support member for supporting a platform or a frame, and an assembly for securing the upright support member. It can be noted that the assembly for holding the platform using the upright support member of the support structure is called as a bracket assembly. 
     Further, designing and assembling the bracket assembly is ordinarily complicated since dimensions, load factors, code requirements, and aesthetics converge to present brackets which are labour and component intensive. Often bracket assemblies have many component parts and require several tools for the bracket assembly. Moreover, with current technology, the bracket assembly or positional adjustment of an assembled bracket requires more than one person and is time consuming. Further, some ready to assemble bracket assemblies utilize location dependent upright support members that exponentially increase effort needed to design and assemble the bracket components. Further, the bracket assembly needs to be supported by adequate and aesthetically pleasing attachment components for securing the assembly to one or more fixed support structures. 
     Prior arts, for various aspects contained there within, relevant to this disclosure includes a prior art which discloses a wall mounting system having a fastening member that includes one or more mounting studs and one or more anchor apertures. The fastening member is configured to be anchored to a support structure by one or more fasteners disposed through the one or more anchor apertures. The wall mounting system also includes a bushing assembly having an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion further includes a through hole that is configured to receive a mounting stud. On the other hand, the outer portion is configured to rotate about the inner portion and including at least one set screw aperture. The at least one set screw aperture is configured to align with a set screw aperture of an accessory sleeve and receive a set screw. It can be noted that rotation of the outer portion about the inner portion enables indexing of the set screw aperture about a longitudinal axis of the bushing assembly. However, prior art reference does not disclose the aspect of facilitating rotation of a bracket assembly along a supporting bar. 
     Given the deficiencies of the prior arts, therefore there is a need for an effective and improved design of an assembly for holding multiple frames easily without perforating the frame with easily adjustable height. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to embodiments illustrated herein, a first bracket assembly for supporting a plurality of frames, is disclosed. The first bracket assembly comprises a cylindrical member configured to receive a supporting bar. The cylindrical member holds a first part of the supporting bar. The cylindrical member comprises a first opening and a second opening. It can be noted that, the cylindrical member is a hollow cylinder threaded on an inner surface. In one embodiment, the cylinder member comprises a plurality of axial grooves integrated on an outer surface of the cylindrical member to provide appropriate gripping. In an embodiment, the supporting bar comprises an assembly for adjustable height, and an internal threaded fastener member. Further, the first bracket assembly comprises a cylindrical core housed in the cylindrical member from the second opening of the cylindrical member. In one embodiment, the cylindrical core is threaded for coupling with the inner surface of the cylindrical member. Further, the cylindrical core comprises a stepped section, a threaded section, a locking element, and a plurality of slotted openings. In one embodiment, the stepped section is configured to receive the first part of the supporting bar. In one embodiment, the threaded section is coupled with the inner surface of the cylindrical member. Further, the locking element is configured to lock the second opening of the cylindrical member. 
     In one embodiment, the plurality of slotted openings is integrated along a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical core. Further, the plurality of slotted openings is configured to receive the plurality of threaded fasteners. The first bracket assembly further comprises an annular cap press fitted at the second opening of the cylindrical member for providing support to the cylindrical member. It can be noted that the supporting bar is coupled to the first bracket assembly via the annular cap. Further, the annular cap is configured to close the cylindrical member housing the cylindrical core from the second opening of the cylindrical member. Further, the first bracket assembly comprises a torque cartridge housing transversely fitted into the cylindrical member and the cylindrical core. Further, the torque cartridge housing is a hollow cylindrical section press fitted at one end to the annular cap. Further, the torque cartridge housing comprises a torque cartridge housed with the hollow cylindrical section of the torque cartridge housing. Further, the torque cartridge comprises a first portion, and a second portion. Further, the first portion comprises a first end which is coupled to the cylindrical core. The second portion also comprises a first end which is rotatably coupled at a second end of the first portion. Further, the first bracket assembly comprises a clamping element coupled to a second end of the second portion for holding the plurality of frames. It can be noted that the torque cartridge provides an infinite smooth pivoting movement between the first portion and the second portion of the torque cartridge. Such a bracket assembly provides a solution to adjust height of the supporting bar for holding plurality of frames having infinite pivoting movement around the supporting bar. 
     In one embodiment, the first portion of the torque cartridge comprises a cylindrical housing and the second portion comprises a shaft. Further, the torque cartridge housing corresponds a hollow guide for receiving the shaft of the first portion and the second portion by performing a rotation. In one embodiment, the first bracket assembly further comprises a plate coupled between the first portion and the second portion of the torque cartridge to provide smooth rotary movement. In another embodiment, the first bracket assembly further comprises a plurality of threaded fasteners to couple the cylindrical member, the cylindrical core, and the annular cap. 
     In another one embodiment, a second bracket assembly is connected to a second part of the supporting bar in opposite direction to the first bracket assembly which is connected to the first part of the supporting bar. It can be noted that the first part of the supporting bar is an upper part and the second part of the supporting bar is a lower part. In one embodiment, a cylindrical member of the second bracket assembly receiving the second part of the supporting bar is configured to have movement along the length of the supporting bar. In another embodiment, the cylindrical member receiving the second part of the supporting bar is configured to have a movement towards or away from the cylindrical member receiving a first part of the supporting bar. In one embodiment, the supporting bar may facilitate a movement of the second bracket assembly towards or away from the first bracket assembly. 
     Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of systems, methods, and embodiments of various other aspects of the disclosure. Any person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g. boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. It may be that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another, and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles. 
         FIG.  1 A  illustrates a first perspective view of a bracket assembly, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates a second perspective view of the bracket assembly, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates an exploded view of the bracket assembly, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an exploded view of the bracket assembly coupled with a torque cartridge, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a perspective view of the torque cartridge, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  5 A  illustrates an exploded view of a torque cartridge housing press fitted into an annular cap of the bracket assembly, according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG.  5 B  illustrates another view of the torque cartridge housing press fitted into the annular cap of the bracket assembly, according to an embodiment; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. 
     It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the preferred, systems and methods are now described. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples. 
       FIG.  1 A  illustrates a perspective view of a bracket assembly for holding frames in multiple position with adjustable height, according to an embodiment.  FIG.  1 A  is described in conjunction with  FIGS.  1 B- 5   . 
     A first bracket assembly  100  may be provided for holding frames in multiple positions without penetrating corners of the frames. The first bracket assembly  100  may comprise a cylindrical member  102 , a supporting bar  104 , an annular cap  106 , a torque cartridge housing  108 , a clamping element  110 , a plurality of axial grooves  112 , a plurality of frames  114 . Further, the cylindrical member  102  may comprise a first opening  116  and a second opening  118 . In one embodiment, the cylindrical member  102  may be configured to receive a first part  120  of the supporting bar  104 , via the first opening  116 . In one embodiment, the first part  120  of the supporting bar  104  may be referred to as an upper side. It can be noted that the supporting bar  104  may be a hollow cylindrical column or a hollow cylindrical pipe. Further, the cylindrical member  102  may be provided with the plurality of axial grooves  112  integrated over an outer surface of the cylindrical member  102 , along a length of the cylindrical member  102 . Further, the second opening  118  of the cylindrical member  102  may be covered with the annular cap  106 . In one embodiment, an inner surface of the cylindrical member  102  may be threaded. In another embodiment, the annular cap  106  may be press fitted with the cylindrical member  102 . 
     Further, the torque cartridge housing  108  may be configured to be press fitted with the annular cap  106 . In one embodiment, the torque cartridge housing  108  may be transversely press fitted at the annular cap  106 , at one end. In one embodiment, the clamping element  110  may be configured to grip a plurality of frames  114 . Further, the torque cartridge housing  108  may be a hollow section for housing a torque cartridge  300 , as shown in  FIG.  3   . Further, the torque cartridge  300  may be housed inside the torque cartridge housing  108 . It can be noted that the clamping element  110  may be configured to have rotational movement provided by the torque cartridge  300 . In one embodiment, the plurality of frames  114  within the clamping element  110  may be adjusted at different angles by rotating the torque cartridge  300 , without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 A , and  FIG.  1 B , a second bracket assembly  122  may be provided which may be similar to the first bracket assembly  100 . Further, the second bracket assembly  122  may be configured to receive a second part  124  of the supporting bar  104 . It can be noted that the second bracket assembly  122  may comprise a cylindrical member, a cylindrical core, an annular cap, a torque cartridge housing, a torque cartridge, arranged in a similar fashion as mentioned in the first bracket assembly. In one embodiment, a plurality of cylindrical members may be coupled with the supporting bar  104  in different arrangements. In one embodiment, a first arrangement may be shown in  FIG.  1 A , with the first bracket assembly  100  receiving the first part  120  of the supporting bar  104 , and the second bracket assembly  122  receiving the second part  124  of the supporting bar  104 . Further, as shown in  FIG.  1 A , the cylindrical member  102  of the first bracket assembly  100  may be holding a frame with the clamping element  110  adjusted towards the first opening  116  of the cylindrical member  102  by the torque cartridge  300 , and the second bracket assembly  122  may be holding a frame towards the second opening  118  of the cylindrical member  102  using an another torque cartridge, at some distance from the cylindrical member  102 , and along the length of the supporting bar  104 . A second arrangement of the cylindrical members  102 , and  122 , holding the plurality of frames  114 , is shown in  FIG.  1 B . 
     The first bracket assembly  100  may be receiving the first part  120  and the second bracket assembly  122  may be receiving the second part  124  of the supporting bar  104 . Further, the torque cartridge  300  of the cylindrical member  102  may be rotated to hold a frame of the plurality of frames  114  towards the first opening  116  of the cylindrical member  102 , and the another torque cartridge of the second bracket assembly  122  may be rotated to hold a frame of the plurality of frames  114  towards the first opening  116  of the cylindrical member  102 . In one embodiment, the torque cartridge may be provided to have a smooth pivoting movement to rotate the clamping element  110  between the first opening  116  and the second opening  118  of the cylindrical member  102 . In one exemplary embodiment, the first bracket assembly  100  and the second bracket assembly  122  may be simply referred as a bracketing assembly. In one embodiment, a cylindrical member of the second bracket assembly  122  receiving the second part  124  of the supporting bar  104  may have a movement along the length of the supporting bar  104 . In another embodiment, the cylindrical member of the second bracket assembly  122  receiving the second part  124  of the supporting bar  104  may have a movement towards the cylindrical member  102  receiving the first part  120  of the supporting bar  104 . In another embodiment, the cylindrical member of the second bracket assembly  122  receiving the second part  124  of the supporting bar  104  may have a movement away from the cylindrical member  102  receiving the first part  120  of the supporting bar  104 . Therefore, the supporting bar  104  may facilitate a movement of the second bracket assembly  122  along its length towards or away from the first bracket assembly  100 . In one embodiment, the first bracket assembly  100  and the second bracket assembly  122  may be arranged along the supporting bar  104  as shown in  FIG.  1 A  and  FIG.  1 B . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , which illustrates an exploded view of the bracket assembly, according to an embodiment.  FIG.  2    is described in conjunction with  FIG.  1 A ,  FIG.  1 B ,  FIG.  3   ,  FIG.  4   , and  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B . The first bracket assembly  100  may further comprise a cylindrical core  202  configured to be housed in the cylindrical member  102 . In one embodiment, the cylindrical core  202  may be coupled from the second opening  118  of the cylindrical member  102 , using a plurality of threaded fasteners  204 . Further, the cylindrical core  202  may comprise a stepped section  206 , a threaded section  208 , and a locking element  210 . In one embodiment, the stepped section  206  of the cylindrical core  202  may be configured to receive the first part  120  of the supporting bar  104 . In another embodiment, the threaded section  208  of the cylindrical core  202  may be coupled with the inner surface  212  of the cylindrical member  102 . In one embodiment, the locking element  210  may be configured to lock the second opening  118  of the cylindrical member  102 . In another embodiment, the locking element  210  may be a ring of small elements integrated around a circumference of the cylindrical core  202 . 
     Further, the cylindrical core  202  may comprise a plurality of slotted openings  214  integrated along a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical core  202 . In one embodiment, the plurality of slotted openings  214  of the cylindrical core  202  may be configured to receive the plurality of threaded fasteners  204 , when the threaded section  208  may be coupled with the inner surface  212  of the cylindrical member  102 . In one embodiment, the plurality of threaded fasteners  204  may be coupled to the plurality of open slotted elements  214  via a plurality of threaded holes  216 . In one embodiment, the plurality of threaded holes  216  may be integrated over the cylindrical member  102  near the second opening  118  of the cylindrical member  102 . 
     In one embodiment, the plurality of threaded fasteners  204  may comprise a spiraling ramp (not shown). In one embodiment, the spiraling ramp may be a simple mechanism for converting rotational motion into linear motion. In one exemplary embodiment, the spiraling ramp may convert a torque (rotational force) into a linear force. In one embodiment, the spiraling ramp may be referred as threads. In one embodiment, the threads on an inner side the cylindrical member  102  may be referred as an internal or female threads, and the threads on an outer side of the cylindrical core  202  are referred to as external or male threads. In one embodiment, an interaction of the internal threads with the external threads may convert the rotational movement to linear movement. 
     Further, the annular cap  106  may be press fitted into the second opening  118  of the cylindrical member  102  for providing support to the cylindrical member  102 . In one exemplary embodiment, the annular cap  106  may be coupled to the cylindrical core  202  using the plurality of screws (not shown). Further, the annular cap  106  may comprise a plurality of holes  218  integrated at a bottom of the annular cap  106 . In one embodiment, the plurality of holes  218  may be configured to receive the plurality of screws to couple the annular cap  106  with the cylindrical core  202  and therefore to the cylindrical member  102 . Further, the annular cap  106  may be provided with a grooved section  220  integrated on a circumference of the annular cap  106 . In one embodiment, the grooved section  220  may be configured to receive an extruded section  222  integrated on the locking element  210  of the cylindrical core  202 . In one embodiment, the extruded section  222  of the cylindrical core  202  may be configured to couple with the grooved section  220 . In one exemplary embodiment, the cylindrical member  102 , the cylindrical core  202 , and the annular cap  106  are separate, unitary pieces comprising materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, high strength carbon materials, carbon fiber, and carbon fiber-reinforced polymers. It can be noted that the supporting bar  104  may be coupled to the first bracket assembly  100  via the annular cap  106 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , which illustrates another perspective view of the bracket assembly coupled with the torque cartridge  300 .  FIG.  3    is described in conjunction with  FIG.  1 A ,  FIG.  1 B ,  FIG.  2   ,  FIG.  4   , and  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B . Further, the torque cartridge housing  108  may be configured to be press fit with the annular cap  106 . In an embodiment, the torque cartridge  300  housed within the torque cartridge housing  108  may be transversely fitted into the cylindrical member  102  and the cylindrical core  202 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a perspective view of the torque cartridge  300 , according to an embodiment.  FIG.  4    is described in conjunction with  FIG.  1 A ,  FIG.  1 B ,  FIG.  2   , and  FIG.  3   . Further, the torque cartridge  300  may provide an infinite smooth pivoting movement between the first portion  402  and the second portion  404  of the torque cartridge  300 . In another embodiment, the infinite smooth pivoting movement of the torque cartridge  300  may be configured to provide a smooth rotary movement. Further, the torque cartridge  300  may comprise, a first portion  402  and a second portion  404  which are coupled to each other. In one embodiment, the first portion may be referred to as a cylindrical housing, and the second portion  404  may be referred to as a shaft. Further, the first portion  402  may comprise a first end  406  and a second end  408 . In one embodiment, the first end  406  of the first portion  402  may be coupled with the cylindrical core  202  of the bracket assembly  102 . Further, the second portion  404  may comprise a first end  410 , and a second end  412 . 
       FIG.  5 A  and  FIG.  5 B  illustrate exploded views of the torque cartridge housing  108  coupled with the clamping element  110 , according to an embodiment.  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  are described in conjunction with  FIGS.  1 - 4   . The torque cartridge housing  108  may be coupled transversely with the annular cap  106 , the cylindrical core  202 , and the cylindrical member  102 . In one embodiment, the torque cartridge housing  108  may be referred as an orbit arm or simply an arm for holding the plurality of frames  114 . In one embodiment, the torque cartridge housing  108  may be configured to receive the first end  406  of the first portion  402  of the torque cartridge  300 , as shown by arrow  502 . Further, the second end  412  of the second portion  404  of the torque cartridge  300  may be coupled with the clamping element  110 , as shown by arrow  504 . Further, the clamping element  110  may be provided with a provision  504  to receive the second end  412  of the second portion  404  of the torque cartridge  300 . 
     In one embodiment, the torque cartridge housing  108  may be a hollow cylindrical section  506  transversely press fit at one end with the annular cap  106  and open at another end to receive the torque cartridge  300 . In another embodiment, the torque cartridge housing  108  may be coupled to the annular cap  106  using a press fit technique. Further, the torque cartridge  300  may provide a smooth pivoting or rotating movement due to the plate coupled between the second end  408  of the first portion  402  and the first end  410  of the second portion  404  of the torque cartridge  300 . In one embodiment, the clamping element  110  may be detachably attached to the torque cartridge  300 . It can be noted that the clamping element  110  may be configured to hold the plurality of frames  114  which can be detached from the bracket assembly  100 , by loosening the clamping element  110 . Such a bracket assembly facilitates a smooth pivoting movement of frames using the torque cartridge  300 . 
     The features of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and attached drawings. In the description and drawings, particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail as being indicative of some of the ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed, but it is understood that the invention is not limited correspondingly in scope. Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, aspects of the present invention may be adopted on alternative operating systems. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.