Abstract:
The present invention is a concealed bracket wall mounting arrangement. The disadvantage of axial spinning and disengagement present in prior art concealed bracket mountings is eliminated by the disclosed mounting arrangement. A mounting bracket having angled walls for mounting on a generally flat surface is disclosed. A fixture base is disclosed that engages with the walls of the mounting bracket at multiple positions to prevent spinning and disengagement of the mounting base.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    It is often desirable to mount fixtures to a surface so that a mounting bracket physically attached to the surface is concealed from view for aesthetic reasons. Fixtures such as toilet paper dispensers, towel bars, hooks for jackets or towels, and the like may be mounted using this type of concealed mounting arrangement. 
         [0002]    In a typical prior art concealed mounting arrangement, a bracket is physically attached to a surface, using screws for example. A fixture base is placed over the bracket and typically secured using a set screw. The set screw is preferably hidden from view. 
         [0003]    A disadvantage of prior art concealed bracket mounting arrangements is that they are susceptible to axial spinning and rattling of the fixture base, as well as disengagement of the fixture base from the mounting bracket. Therefore, a concealed bracket mounting that resists spinning and disengagement of the mounting base is desired. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A concealed bracket mounting arrangement is disclosed. The preferred two part arrangement includes a generally rectangular bracket having at least one hole for mounting to a generally flat surface, and four angled walls. A fixture base having a sloped protrusion engages one wall of the bracket. A set screw protrusion engages a second wall, and the set screw protrusion has a set screw that secures the fixture base to the bracket when tightened. The fixture base includes opposed stabilizing protrusions for engaging opposed bracket walls. The stabilizing protrusions resist spinning of the fixture base upon the mounting bracket as well as disengagement. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a presently preferred embodiment. It is understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and instrumentality shown. In the drawings: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a mounting bracket in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of a fixture base for mounting on the mounting bracket of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view illustrating the mounting bracket and a fixture base mounted on a generally flat surface; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a cut-away perspective view of the assembled concealed bracket mounting arrangement; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view along the line A/A of  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view along the line B/B of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0012]    The present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout. 
         [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a mounting bracket  10  in accordance with a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The mounting bracket  10  has at least one aperture  16  through the generally flat portion  12  of the mounting bracket  10  allowing the mounting bracket  10  to be secured to the surface  20  with a fastener such as a screw, bolt, or nail. A plurality of apertures  16  is preferred for providing multiple fastening sites to secure and level the mounting bracket  10 . In some applications, it is preferable to have slotted apertures  16  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The apertures  16  are preferable located on centerline with the x and y axis of the mounting bracket  10 . 
         [0014]    The mounting bracket  10  preferably contains several ribs  14  for added strength and rigidity. Perimeter walls  18   1 ,  18   2 ,  18   3 , and  18   4  extend up from the generally flat surface  12  and away from the x and y axis. The angle and height of the walls  18   1 ,  18   2 ,  18   3 , and  18   4  are dimensioned to compliment the fixture base, described in detail below with reference to  FIG. 2 , thereby securely engaging the fixture base with the mounting bracket  10 . 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6 , the rear side of a fixture base  30  is exemplified as circular, but it may be of any shape and may contain any desired ornamental design. The fixture base  30  includes an interior protrusion  32 , which extends inwardly to define an inwardly sloped shoulder, (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 .) When the fixture base  30  is positioned upon the mounting bracket  10 , the sloped surface of protrusion  32  fits snuggly between the host surface  20  and wall  18   1  of bracket  10 . A second protrusion  34 , opposite protrusion  32 , houses a set screw  36  for engaging wall  18   2 , (see  FIG. 4 .) To secure the fixture base  30 , set screw  36  is tightened against wall  18   2  of bracket  10 . 
         [0016]    Fixture base  30  has opposed protrusions  38   1 ,  38   2 , (see  FIGS. 2 and 6 ) that are generally perpendicular to a plane through protrusions  32  and  34 . Protrusions  38   1 ,  38   2 abut walls  18   3 ,  18   4 , respectively, to define a stabilizing contact and resist rotation of the base  30 . Although a gap may exist between protrusions  38   1 ,  38   2 and walls  18   3 ,  18   4  for ease of installation, any gap must be sufficiently small so that the base  30  can not slide laterally to allow disengagement of the protrusion  32  from wall  18   1 . Preferably, the gap between protrusions  38   1 ,  38   2 and walls  18   3 ,  18   4 , respectively, is approximately 1 millimeter. 
         [0017]    The fixture base  30  has a receptacle  40  for receiving various fixtures (not shown). These fixtures include towel bars, hooks, shelves, dispensers, soap trays, tooth brush holders, toilet papers holders, and any other fixture that would benefit from a concealed mounting arrangement. Receptacle  40  may be threaded, or other attachment means may be used. Alternatively, the fixture may be integral to the fixture base  30 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of the assembly of mounting base  30  and mounting bracket  10  onto a generally flat surface  20  is shown. While two screws are shown for fastening the mounting bracket  10  to a generally flat surface  20 , other fastening devices may be used. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the assembled concealed bracket mounting arrangement is shown. The mounting bracket  10  can be seen in phantom as it is covered by the mounting base  30 . Cross sectional views AA and BB are shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , respectively. 
         [0019]    In an alternative embodiment, opposing walls of the mounting bracket are notched to receive the stabilizing protrusions of the fixture base. This may be advantageous where the fixture base is an unusual shape or dimension. 
         [0020]    While the concealed mounting arrangement described herein may be constructed from a variety of materials, including a variety of high temperature thermoplastics, the presently preferred material of construction is thin gage sheet metal. A variety of metals may be used, including aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, and carbon steel. 
         [0021]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the invention.