Abstract:
A modular bracket assembly includes a first mounting part to be mounted to a surface, this part having a sleeve for fixably receiving a second inserting part. The second inserting part has aperture adapted to receive a complementary attachment part

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/989,143 filed on Apr. 22, 2010, now pending and incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to bracket assemblies for supporting various objects. In particular, the invention relates to a modular bracket for use in forming bracket assemblies for supporting various objects. The invention extends to a bracket assembly formed with the modular bracket. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A number of different types of brackets for supporting various objects are currently available and used. Typically, brackets are purpose made for applications. 
         [0004]    There is an undoing need for alternative brackets that alleviate at least some limitations associated with conventional brackets for supporting objects. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Accordingly, the invention provides a modular bracket, which includes: 
         [0006]    a mounting portion adapted to be mounted to a surface; 
         [0007]    an arm extending from the mounting portion; and 
         [0008]    first coupling means at the free end of the arm for coupling to a further bracket member having complementary second coupling means for forming a bracket assembly. 
         [0009]    The arm may include an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion and a coupling arm portion extending between the upper arm portion and lower arm portion, the coupling arm portion incorporating the first coupling means. 
         [0010]    The upper arm portion may be longer than the lower arm portion and the coupling arm portion may extend between the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion at an acute angle relative to the upper arm portion. The lower arm portion may be angled towards the upper arm portion in the direction of the coupling arm. 
         [0011]    The first coupling means may be configured to permit coupling with the second coupling means in a manner in which the further bracket member extends the arm longitudinally or in a manner in which the further bracket member extends at a right angle from the modular bracket. 
         [0012]    The first coupling means and the second coupling means may be configured to permit coupling from a sideways direction relative to the lengthwise direction of the arm of the modular bracket. 
         [0013]    The first coupling means and second coupling means may form a dovetail joint between the arm and the further bracket member. 
         [0014]    The first coupling means may include the dovetail recess and the second coupling means may include the complementary male dovetail, the dovetail recess being sideways open to permit coupling from a sideways direction relative to the lengthwise direction of the arm of the modular bracket. 
         [0015]    At least the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion may be of a T-shaped cross section. 
         [0016]    The invention also provides a bracket assembly, which includes: 
         [0017]    a modular bracket as defined above; and 
         [0018]    a further bracket member which includes a holding formation for, in use, holding a complementary shaped object. 
         [0019]    The modular bracket assembly may include any one or more of the optional features in accordance with the above aspect of the invention as herein defined, described, and illustrated. 
         [0020]    The further bracket member may include an arm having the second coupling means towards one end and the holding formation towards the other end. The holding formation may include a hook formation. 
         [0021]    Moreover, the further bracket member may include an elongated arm having the second coupling means at one end and the hook formation at the other end, the arm being oriented relative to the second coupling means so that that when coupled with the first coupling means of the bracket to form the bracket assembly, the arm being inclined outwardly and downwardly relative to the modular bracket. 
         [0022]    The further bracket member may include an elongated arm having the second coupling means at one end and a plurality of holding formations provided on an elongated edge of the elongated arm. 
         [0023]    The further bracket member may include an elongated arm having at least one holding formation provided on an elongated edge of the elongated arm, the holding formation being displaceable relative to the arm in a manner that accommodates a complementary shaped body of an object. 
         [0024]    The invention further provides a modular bracket comprising a mounting portion adapted to be mounted to a surface, an arm extending from the mounting portion, and coupling means which includes a first coupling means at the free end of the arm for coupling to a further bracket member having complementary second coupling means for forming a bracket assembly. 
         [0025]    The first coupling means and the second coupling means may form a dovetail joint between the arm and further bracket member. The coupling means may include a dovetail recess and a complementary male dovetail formation. The first coupling means may include a dovetail recess and the second coupling means may include the complementary male dovetail formation. The first coupling means may extend at an acute angle to the mounting portion. The dovetail recess may be formed on the arm or mounting portion and similarly the complementary male dovetail may be formed on the mounting portion or arm. 
         [0026]    The mounting portion may include a mounting flange and the arm may extend in a plane normal to or at right angles from the mounting flange. The dovetail recess may be formed in a surface extending at an acute angle to the mounting flange. The arm may include an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion and a coupling arm portion extending between the upper arm portion and lower arm portion and including the dovetail recess. The terms “upper” and “lower” as used herein in relation to the arm portions define the position of the respective arm portions when the arm of the bracket is in an orientation extending substantially horizontally. 
         [0027]    The upper arm portion may be longer than the lower arm portion and the coupling arm portion may extend at an acute angle, typically 45 degrees, to the upper arm portion. The lower arm portion may be angled upwardly towards the upper arm portion. The dovetail recess may extend longitudinally along the coupling arm portion. The arm portions may be of a T-shaped cross section which includes a web portion lying in a vertical plane and a flange portion extending substantially at right angles to the web portion. The web portion may also extend along the mounting portion. 
         [0028]    The modular bracket may be coupled to the further bracket member which may be in the form of a hook member to form a bracket assembly for supporting bicycles or any other article. The hook member may have an arm, a hook at one end of the arm and the second coupling means at the opposite end of the arm for coupling to the first coupling means on the modular bracket. The hook member may be coupled to the modular bracket to extend outwardly there from and constitute an extension of the arm of the modular bracket for upright surface mounting. Alternatively, the hook member may be coupled to the modular bracket to extend at substantially right angles to the arm of the modular bracket, for ceiling or horizontal surface mounting. 
         [0029]    The present invention thus in another aspect provides a bracket assembly for bicycles or other article comprising a modular bracket and a hook member described above. 
         [0030]    The modular bracket may include any one or more of the optional features of the modular bracket member as herein defined, described, and illustrated. 
         [0031]    The hook member in a further embodiment may include an elongated arm which terminates in a hook at one end with the second coupling means at it opposite end and oriented such that when coupled with the first coupling means of the modular bracket to form a bracket assembly, the hook member is inclined outwardly and downwardly relative to a horizontal plane from the modular bracket oriented for mounting to an upright surface. 
         [0032]    A pair of bracket assemblies of this form may be arranged at a spaced part position and in substantially horizontal alignment for supporting a surfboard or any other elongated member. 
         [0033]    The present invention thus in another aspect provides a bracket assembly for surfboards or other elongated member comprising a modular bracket and a hook member described above. 
         [0034]    In another aspect, the modular bracket may be combined with a holder for forming a bracket assembly for supporting a plurality of fishing rods. The holder may include a first arm having the second coupling means at one end for coupling to the first coupling means of the modular bracket. The holder may also include a second arm having a plurality of hooks or other members for supporting respective fishing rods. The second arm may extend from the first arm at an acute angle to the first arm. The second arm may be attached at its lower end to the wall or upright surface. The second arm may terminate at its free end in a lug for attachment to a wall or other upright surface to form a brace. 
         [0035]    The present invention thus in another aspect provides a fishing rod holder assembly comprising a pair of modular brackets and associated holders as described above adapted to be mounted at spaced part positions and in horizontal alignment with each other. 
         [0036]    The bracket and other components of the bracket assemblies may be moulded from synthetic plastics material in an injection moulding process but may be manufactured using an alternative method. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0037]    In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, in which: 
           [0038]      FIG. 1  shows a modular bracket, in accordance with the invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the bracket of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the bracket of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  shows in exploded view the bracket and an associated further bracket member for forming a bracket assembly, in accordance with the invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  shows the modular bracket and further bracket member of  FIG. 4  in a first configuration for wall mounting; 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  shows the modular bracket and connected further bracket member of  FIG. 4  in a second configuration for ceiling mounting; 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  shows in exploded view the modular bracket and associated further bracket member in a second embodiment; 
           [0045]      FIG. 8  shows the modular bracket and connected further bracket member of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 9  shows the modular bracket of  FIGS. 1 to 3  with a connected holder for fishing rods; 
           [0047]      FIG. 10  shows an alternative manner of mounting the modular bracket one above the other; 
           [0048]      FIG. 11  shows another embodiment of a bracket assembly; 
           [0049]      FIG. 12  shows the bracket assembly in  FIG. 11 , in use, holding hockey sticks; 
           [0050]      FIG. 13  shows another embodiment of a bracket assembly; 
           [0051]      FIG. 14  shows the bracket assembly of  FIG. 13 , in use, holding a rifle; 
           [0052]      FIG. 15  shows another embodiment of a bracket assembly; 
           [0053]      FIG. 16  shows the bracket assembly of  FIG. 15 , in use, holding a kayak and oar; 
           [0054]      FIG. 17  shows a front view of first mounting part of a third embodiment of a modular bracket assembly; 
           [0055]      FIG. 18  shows a side view of the first mounting part shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0056]      FIG. 19  shows a rear view of the first mounting part shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0057]      FIG. 20  shows a front isometric view of the first mounting part shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 21  shows a rear isometric view of the first mounting part shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 22  shows a front view of a second inserting part of the third embodiment of a bracket assembly; 
           [0060]      FIG. 23  shows a rear view of the second inserting part shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0061]      FIG. 24  shows a side view of the second inserting part shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0062]      FIG. 25  shows a front isometric view of the second inserting part shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0063]      FIG. 26  shows a back isometric view of the second inserting part shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0064]      FIG. 27  shows a front view of a first mounting part of a fourth embodiment of a modular bracket assembly; 
           [0065]      FIG. 28  shows a side view of the first mounting part shown in  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0066]      FIG. 29  shows a rear view of the first mounting part shown in  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0067]      FIG. 30  shows a front isometric view of the first mounting part shown in  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0068]      FIG. 31  shows a rear isometric view of the first mounting part shown in  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0069]      FIG. 32  shows a front view of a complimentary attachment part of a modular bracket assembly with two opposing walls; 
           [0070]      FIG. 33  shows a side view of a complimentary attachment part of  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0071]      FIG. 34  shows an isometric view of a complimentary attachment part of  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0072]      FIG. 35  shows a front view of a complimentary attachment part of a modular bracket assembly with elongated protruding members; 
           [0073]      FIG. 36  shows a side view of a complimentary attachment part of  FIG. 35 ; 
           [0074]      FIG. 37  shows a bottom view of a complimentary attachment part of  FIG. 35 ; 
           [0075]      FIG. 38  shows an isometric view of a complimentary attachment part of  FIG. 35 ; 
           [0076]      FIG. 39  shows a side view of a complimentary attachment part of a modular bracket assembly with second coupling means; 
           [0077]      FIG. 40  shows a top view of a complimentary attachment part of  FIG. 39 ; 
           [0078]      FIG. 41  shows an isometric view of a complimentary attachment part of  FIG. 39 ; 
           [0079]      FIG. 42  shows a side view of a second inserting part of a fifth embodiment of a bracket assembly; and 
           [0080]      FIG. 43  shows a front isometric view of the second inserting part of  FIG. 42 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0081]    Referring to the drawings and firstly to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , there is illustrated a modular bracket  10  for use in forming bracket assemblies in accordance with the invention. The modular bracket  10  includes a planar mounting flange  11  which is adapted to be mounted to a vertical surface such as a wall surface or a horizontal surface such as a ceiling and which is provided with slots  12  in opposite side edges for receipt of screws or other fasteners for securing the flange  11  to the surface. 
         [0082]    Extending outwardly from the flange  11  and substantially normal thereto is a bracket arm  13  which includes a first upper arm  14  and a spaced second lower arm  15  which is angled upwardly towards the upper arm  14 . As is apparent, the base flange  11  has a portion  16  which extends downwardly below the lower arm  15  to provide additional support to the modular bracket  10  when secured to a mounting surface, the flange portion  16  being of a triangular tapered configuration. The upper arm  13  is of a T-shaped cross section including an upper flange  17  and a central supporting web or flange  18  extending from the underside thereof and the lower arm  15  is of a similar configuration including a lower flange  19  with a supporting flange or web  20  provided on the upper side thereof. 
         [0083]    A coupling arm  21  extends between the outer ends of the upper arm  14  and lower arm  15  extending at an acute angle to the arm  14  and typically at 45 degrees to the arm  14 . The coupling arm  21  includes a supporting web or flange  22  on its rear side which joins the flanges  18  and  20  to form a continuous stiffening flange for the arm assembly  13 . The continuous stiffening web or flange also continues along the inner side of the base flange  11 . The outer side of the arm  21  is provided with a dovetail shaped re-entrant recess  23  which has a width, the width of which extends longitudinally of the arm. The recess  23  is adapted to receive a complementary dovetail-shaped coupling of a further bracket member to be connected to the bracket  10  to adapt the bracket  10  for a number of different applications. 
         [0084]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view showing the modular bracket  10  and associated further bracket member in the form of a hook member  25  for connection to the modular bracket  10 , the hook member  25  having a hook  26  at one end, an arm  27  extending rearwards from the hook  26  and terminating in a coupling  28  for coupling to the bracket  10 , the coupling  28  having a mail dovetail coupling formation  28 ′ complementary to the dovetail recess  23 . The coupling  28  is angled at the same angle as the coupling arm  21  such that when the coupling formation  28 ′ is received in the recess  23  as in  FIG. 5 , the hook member  25  comprises a linear extension of the modular bracket  10  with the arm  27  comprising a continuous extension of the arm  13  of the modular bracket  10 . 
         [0085]    For connection, the coupling formation  28 ′ of the hook member  25  is slid sideways into the recess  23  so as to be retained therein. The connection suitably comprises a push or frictional fit such that the hook member  25  and modular bracket  10  are firmly interconnected. The arm  27  of the hook member  25  includes acutely angled upper and lower arm portions which connect to the hook  26  at one end and which are angled at the same angle as the arms  13  and  14  and effectively comprise extensions of the arms  13  and  14 . At the coupling  28 , the upper and lower arm portions are spaced apart substantially the same distance as the arms  13  and  14  at the coupling  23 . The acutely angled arm  21  of the modular bracket  10  provides an enlarged surface to carry loads applied to the hook  26  and further distributes the load along both arms  14  and  15  to the wall surface to which the modular bracket  10  is mounted. 
         [0086]    The modular bracket  10  with assembled hook member  25  forms a bracket assembly as shown in  FIG. 5  which can be mounted to a vertical wall surface by suitably fasteners such as screws passed through the slots  12  into the wall. Where the wall is timber or where the modular bracket  10  is to be secured to a stud or other timber member, screws can be driven through the flange  11  and extension portion  16  thereof into the stud or other member. The bracket assembly is typically suited for storage of bicycles on a wall with the top rail of the bicycle being hooked over and being supported by the hook  26 . Alternatively a pair of bracket assemblies as described may be mounted to a wall at spaced apart positions to support the top rail of the bicycle. 
         [0087]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the hook member  25  is reversed from its attitude of  FIGS. 4 and 5  such that when connected to the modular bracket  10 , it extends substantially at right angles to the modular bracket  10 . In this embodiment, the flange  11  of the modular bracket  10  may be secured to a ceiling or other horizontal surface by fasteners passed through the slots  12  and/or fasteners driven through the flange  11  and a bicycle may be hung from the hook  26  for example by its wheel. 
         [0088]      FIG. 7  illustrates the modular bracket  10  associated with a further embodiment of hook member  29  which includes an elongated arm  30  or similar configuration to the arm  27  terminating at one end in a hook  31  and at its opposite end in a coupling  32  of dovetail configuration adapted to be coupled to the modular bracket  10  via the dovetail recess  23 . The coupling  32  however is angled in this case at approximately 90 degrees to the top surface  33  of the arm  30  such that when the coupling  32  is engaged in the recess  23  as shown in  FIG. 8  to form the bracket assembly  34 , the arm  30  is angled downwardly relative to a horizontal plane at an acute angle. 
         [0089]    The bracket assembly  34  is particularly suited to mounting to a vertical surface such as a wall surface for supporting surfboards or other elongated members. Thus the respective modular brackets  10  of a pair of bracket assemblies  34  may be secured at spaced apart positions and in substantially horizontal alignment to a vertical wall surface such that the hook members  29  of the respective bracket assemblies  34  are inclined downwardly. A surfboard  35  shown in dotted outline in  FIG. 8  may then be positioned on the respective top surfaces  33  of the arms  30  to be supported thereby and by the hook  31  at the end of the arms  30 . 
         [0090]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is illustrated a further embodiment of the invention comprising a bracket assembly  36  for fishing rods or other elongated member and including a bracket  10  and a rod holder  36 . The holder  36  includes an upper arm  37  which is similar to the arm  27  of the hook member  25  of  FIG. 1  and which has a dovetail male coupling  38  for receipt in the dovetail recess  23  of the bracket  10  and which is angled such that the arm  37  extends substantially horizontally outwardly of the bracket  10 . An upwardly extending hook  39  is proved at the outer end of the arm  37 . A further return arm  40  extends from the outer end of the arm  37  and at an acute angle thereto, the arm  40  being formed integrally with the arm  37 . A series of hooks  41  (in these case four hooks) are provided at spaced positions along the arm  40  and the arm  40  terminates at its lower end in a mounting lug  42 . The hooks  41  are of arcuate form and open upwardly to form a support for an elongated member such as a fishing rod. 
         [0091]    The modular bracket  10  may be secured to a vertical surface  43  as described above and the lug  42  may also be secured to the surface  43  such as by a screw or other fastener  44  passed through the lug  42  to support the arm  40  and form a bracing for the bracket assembly  35 . It will be noted that the hooks  41  are offset horizontally from each another. 
         [0092]    A pair of bracket assemblies  35  may be mounted to the wall surface  43  at spaced apart positions and in substantially horizontal alignment and respective fishing rods may be located in and supported by spaced hooks  41  as shown at dotted outline at  45 . As the hooks  41  along the arm are offset from each other, the reel carried by one fishing rod will not interfere with the reel carried by an adjacent fishing rod. 
         [0093]    While it is preferred that the arm  40  is attached by the lug  42  to a wall surface, this may not be necessary in all circumstances. The holder  35  in the preferred embodiment is moulded of plastics in an injection moulding process with the components integrally formed but it may be moulded or fabricated using other manufacturing processes. The holder  35  may also include any number of rood holding hooks  41  as is practical. A further rod or rods may also be supported on the arm  37  of the holder  35  to be retained by the hook  39  at the end of the arm  37 . The hooks  41  may be replaced by other holding devices such as clips, clamps, or shelving members for holding or supporting other elongated articles. 
         [0094]      FIG. 10  illustrates an alternative manner of supporting a plurality of the modular brackets  10  one above the other. As shown a mounting bracket  46  having an elongated rectangular planar base flange  47  is proved along opposite edges with inwardly directed opposing L-shaped lugs  48  which define with the base flange channels into which the base flange  11  of a modular bracket  10  may be slid in the direction of the arrow in  FIG. 10  to be captured between the lugs  48 , the lugs  48  having stops  49  at their lower ends to provide support to the base flanges  11 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket  46  has three sets of opposing lugs  48  and thus can carry three modular brackets  10  but may include any number of lugs  48 . The bracket  46  may be secured in any suitable manner to a vertical surface such as by adhesives or fasteners driven through apertures in the flange  47 . The bracket  46  may support spaced bracket assemblies of the type shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ,  7  and  8  and  9 . 
         [0095]      FIG. 11  shows another embodiment of a bracket assembly  50 . The bracket assembly  50  includes the modular bracket  10  coupled to a further bracket  52 . The further bracket  52  includes a coupling arm  54  that incorporates the male dovetail formation, and three holder formations  56  in form of three generally L-shaped hook formations that are arranged in a vertically staggered arrangement. An upper most hook formation is affixed to the coupling arm  54  in a relative orientation in which the three hood formations  56  depends downwards when the further bracket member  52  is coupled to the modular bracket  10 . The further bracket member  52  also includes webs or gussets  58  for structural support.  FIG. 12  shows the bracket assembly  50  in use holding hockey sticks  60 . 
         [0096]      FIG. 13  shows another embodiment of a bracket assembly  62 . The bracket assembly  62  includes the modular bracket  10  and a further bracket member  78 . The further bracket member  78  includes a coupling arm  64  that incorporates the mail dovetail formation for coupling to the modular bracket  10 . An elongated arm  66  extends from an end of the coupling arm  64  and is orientated so that it depends operatively downwards when the further bracket member  78  is coupled to the modular bracket  10 . Three holding formations  68  are provided along the arm  66  in a staggered relationship. The further bracket member  78  also includes a further coupling arm  72  at its lower end for coupling, for example, with a further bracket member (not shown), so as to increase the number of available hook formations. Another arm  47  projects from a lower end of the arm  74 , and terminates in a mounting bracket  76  for mounting to the support wall. The hook formations are shaped and sized complementary to a transverse shape of a portion of a rifle  88 , so as to hold rifles in use as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0097]      FIG. 15  shows another embodiment of a bracket assembly  80 . The bracket assembly  80  includes the modular bracket  10  coupled to a further bracket member  82 . The further bracket member  82  includes a coupling arm  83  which incorporates the male dovetail formation. The further bracket member also includes an elongated arm  86  which projects away from the coupling arm  84  in an orientation in which the arm  84  forms a generally horizontal extension of the modular bracket  10 . 
         [0098]    The further bracket member  82  also includes two displaceable members  90 , each being in the form of a slightly curved flat rocker arm that is pivotally mounted about a pivot pin  92  which extends between two opposing lugs  94  at either side of an upper long edge of arm  86 . The two rocker arms  90  are spaced apart on the long side edge of the arm  86  and orientate so that their major working faces more-or-less face each other. 
         [0099]    A support arm  96  is provided having a mounting bracket  98  at its one end for mounting to the support wall and a rotatable hinge formation  93  at the other end for cooperating with a complementary hinge formation  91  provided on a lower long edge of the arm  86 . A holding formation  95  in the form of a hook formation is provided on the support arm  96 .  FIG. 16  shows the bracket assembly  80 , in use, holding a kayak  81  on the rocker arms  90  and an oar  83  on the hook formations  95 . It will be appreciated, that the rocker arms  90  adjust themselves in or out along sliding formations on the arm  86  of the further bracket member  82  so as to accommodate a shape of the hull of the kayak  81 . 
         [0100]      FIGS. 17 to 21  illustrates a mounting bracket  100  which provides an alternative manner of supporting at least one of the modular bracket  10  or alternatively one of the base flanges  124  in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. Obviously any number of mounting brackets  100  may be located in a line one under each other and spaced apart from each other. Alternatively the mounting brackets  100  may be randomly placed to suit the particular mounting arrangement required. 
         [0101]    As shown a mounting bracket  100  having a rectangular planar base flange  106  is proved along opposite edges  114  with inwardly directed opposing L-shaped lugs  110  which define channels within which the base flange  11  of a modular bracket  10  or the sides of the base flange  124  may be slid into and captured between the lugs  110 , the lugs  110  having stops  120  at their lower ends to provide support to the base flanges  11 ,  124 . At the top of the L-shaped lugs  110  a support or guide  108  is used for guiding the base flange  11 ,  124  into the mounting bracket  100 . Also located within the base flange  106  are longitudinally extending slots  116  which extend for substantially the length of the base flange  106 . 
         [0102]    The bracket  100  may be secured in any suitable manner to any vertical or horizontal surface such as by adhesives or by fasteners driven through apertures  102  in the base flange  106 . The apertures  102  may be countersunk to form a recess  118  to allow for the flush mount of a fastener within the flange  106 . The bracket  100  at the bottom side of the base flange  106  is sloped downward to form a rounded point  112  at its lowest extremity. This ensures that the fastener used at the bottom side can be easily accessed without the need for removing the modular bracket  10  or the base flange  124  from the bracket  100  when in use. 
         [0103]    The bracket  100  may support spaced bracket assemblies of the type shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  42  and  43 . 
         [0104]      FIGS. 22 to 26  illustrate a base flange  124  which can be inserted into the mounting bracket  100 . The base flange  124  includes a planar base  126 , opposing sides  135 , a top edge  136  and a bottom tongue  132 . The bottom tongue  132  is joined to the opposing sides  135  by shoulders  140  located at one end of the sides  135  and at the other end of the sides  135  the top edge  136  joins to form the planar base  126 . The opposing sides  135  are formed to insert into the L-shaped lugs  110  on the bracket  100 . The tongue  132  is used to assist with sliding of the base flange  124  into and out of the bracket  100 . 
         [0105]    Located on a central portion of the planar base  126  is a raised box section  130  having opposing sides  138  and a top and bottom  142  which form a raised box section  130  with reinforcing members  134  located on the top and bottom of the box section  130 . The raised box section is hollow and open at both the front and rear of the base flange  124 . The front opening  128  passes through the raised box section  130 . The opening  128  formed is the same size as the inside walls of the box section  130  and continues through the box section to a point located inside the planar base  126 . At the rear of the planar base  126  a rectangular recess  139  is formed in the planar base  126  which has dimensions which are slightly greater than the size of the opening  128  of the raised box section  130 . Therefore a shoulder  137  is formed on either side at the point where the opening  128  formed from the side of the box section  130  meets the recess  139  inside the planar base  126 . 
         [0106]    Illustrated in  FIGS. 32 to 41  a complementary attachment part  160 ,  172 ,  192  can be used in combination with the base flange  124  and the mounting bracket  100 . When used in this formation the mounting formation  166 ,  178 ,  198  of the complementary attachment part  160 ,  172 ,  192  is inserted into the opening  128  of the base flange  124  with the legs  167 , 181 ,  212  passing through the opening  128  and into the recess  139 . When inserted in this formation the legs  167 ,  181 ,  212  are slightly compressed together so that when the legs  167 ,  181 ,  212  pass into the recess  139  the legs  167 ,  181 ,  212  are forced apart so as to form an interference fit between the legs  167 ,  181 ,  212  and the recess  139 . Lugs  168 ,  180 ,  200  located at the free end of the legs  167 ,  181 ,  212  are used to secure the complementary attachment part  160 ,  172 ,  192  in position against the shoulders  137  inside the recess  139  of the base flange  124 . 
         [0107]    The shoulders  137  are formed around all four sides of the recess  139  and as is illustrated in the present embodiments the legs can be secured to the base flange  124  in one of two orientations. The orientation utilised is determined by the size and shape of the mounting formation  166 ,  178 ,  198 . For example, a vertical orientation is utilised by mounting formations  166 ,  178  and a horizontal orientation is utilised by mounting formation  198 . 
         [0108]      FIGS. 27 to 31  illustrate a further embodiment of the present invention in which a mounting bracket  142  is utilised to provide a further alternative manner of supporting at least one of the modular bracket  10  or alternatively one of the base flanges  124 . In this embodiment the mounting bracket  142  has a rectangular planar base flange  146  is proved along opposite edges  156  with inwardly directed opposing L-shaped lugs  148  which define channels within which the base flange  11  of a modular bracket  10  or the sides of the base flange  124  may be slid into and captured between the lugs  148 , the lugs  148  having stops  145  at their lower ends to provide support to the base flanges  11 ,  124 . At the top of the L-shaped lugs  148  a support or guide  150  is used for guiding the base flange  11 ,  124  into the mounting bracket  142 . Also located within the base flange  146  are longitudinally extending slots  158  which extend for substantially the length of the base flange  146 . 
         [0109]    In this embodiment the bracket  142  has been designed so that it can be utilised in a display wall panel or slat wall panel which provides flexible merchandising of a wide range of products and are used extensively in showrooms, retail exhibitions and displays. The panels (not shown) are grooved at intervals of approximately 100 mm or any other suitable interval. Typically the panels have aluminium inserts in each groove for the bracket  142  to hook into. In this case an L-shaped tongue  144 ,  154  extends from the top of the bracket  142  and the portion  144  is inserted inside the groove of the slat wall panel to secure the bracket  142  in place. 
         [0110]    The bracket  142  at the bottom side of the base flange  146  is sloped downward to form a rounded point  152  at its lowest extremity. This tongue formation is utilised when mounting the bracket  142  into the groove of the display wall panel to facilitate the easy insertion into the groove and removal from the groove in the display panel. 
         [0111]    As described above  FIGS. 32 to 41  a complementary attachment part  160 ,  172 ,  192  can be used in combination with the base flange  124  and the mounting bracket  100 . The different complementary attachment parts  160 ,  172 ,  192  are examples of some of the possible attachment parts which can be utilised for holding or supporting different components. It should be obvious to a person skilled in the art that any number of attachment parts can be designed to suit any number of different components. 
         [0112]    In  FIGS. 32 to 34  a complementary attachment part  160  is used to support a skateboard (not shown) on the holding formation  162 ,  164 . The attachment part  160  is formed from a holding formation formed by two symmetrical arms  162 ,  164  joined at a central point to a T-shaped cross sectional web  165  which joins the holding formation  162 ,  164  to the mounting formation  166 . As shown in  FIG. 33  the arms consist of a straight section  162  extending from the web  165  which is joined to a raised section  164  which extends in an upright direction away from the straight section  162 . In use a skateboard is placed on the straight section  162  and due to the raised section  164  the skateboard is biased towards the mounting portion  166  and suitably retained on the holding formation  162 ,  164 . 
         [0113]    The complementary attachment part  160  is used in combination with the base flange  124  and the mounting bracket  100 . When used in this formation the mounting formation  166  of the complementary attachment part  160  is inserted into the opening  128  of the base flange  124  with the legs  167  passing through the opening  128  and into the recess  139 . When inserted in this formation the legs  167  are slightly compressed together so that when the legs  167  pass into the recess  139  the legs  167  are forced apart so as to form an interference fit between the legs  167  and the recess  139 . To facilitate the compression of the legs  167  a void  170  is formed between both legs  167 . Lugs  168  located at the free end of the legs  167  are used to secure the complementary attachment part  160  in position against the shoulders  137  inside the recess  139  of the base flange  124 . 
         [0114]    In  FIGS. 35 to 38  a complementary attachment part  172  is used to support a skateboard without the truck (not shown) on the holding formation  174 ,  176 . The posts  176  are designed to pass through the holes in the board which are formed as the attachment holes for attaching the trucks to the board. As shown in  FIG. 35  the posts  176  extend from a base  174 . The base  174  is joined to the web  184 ,  190 . The complementary attachment part  172  is used in combination with the base flange  124  and the mounting bracket  100 . When used in this formation the mounting formation  178  of the complementary attachment part  172  is inserted into the opening  128  of the base flange  124  with the legs  181  passing through the opening  128  and into the recess  139 . When inserted in this formation the legs  181  are slightly compressed together so that when the legs  181  pass into the recess  139  the legs  181  are forced apart so as to form an interference fit between the legs  181  and the recess  139 . To facilitate the compression of the legs  181  a void  182  is formed between both legs  181 . Lugs  180  located at the free end of the legs  181  are used to secure the complementary attachment part  172  in position against the shoulders  137  inside the recess  139  of the base flange  124 . 
         [0115]    Located at the end of each post  176  is a further lug  186  which is utilised to locate and secure the board through the truck mounting holes. Alternatively a further securing device may be secured over the end of the lug  186  to further secure the board to the attachment part  172 . 
         [0116]    In  FIGS. 39 to 41  a complementary attachment part  192  is used which is substantially similar to the modular bracket  10 . Extending outwardly from the mounting portion  198  and substantially normal thereto is a first upper arm  194  and a spaced second lower arm  211  which is angled upwardly towards the upper arm  194 . The top surface  210  of the upper arm  194  is sized so the arms  194 ,  211  are formed to be of a width which is larger than the dimensions of the mounting formation  198 . 
         [0117]    The lower arm  211  is provided with a dovetail shaped re-entrant recess  196  which has a width, the width of which extends longitudinally of the arm  211 . The recess  196  is adapted to receive a complementary dovetail-shaped coupling of a further bracket assembly to be connected to the complementary attachment part  192  to adapt the complementary attachment part  192  for a number of different applications. 
         [0118]    Like both complementary attachment parts  160 ,  172  the complementary attachment part  192  is used in combination with the base flange  124  and the mounting bracket  100 . When used in this formation the mounting formation  198  of the complementary attachment part  192  is inserted into the opening  128  of the base flange  124  with the legs  212  passing through the opening  128  and into the recess  139 . When inserted in this formation the legs  212  are slightly compressed together so that when the legs  212  pass into the recess  139  the legs  212  are forced apart so as to form an interference fit between the legs  212  and the recess  139 . To facilitate the compression of the legs  212  a void  202  is formed between both legs  212 . Lugs  200  located at the free end of the legs  212  are used to secure the complementary attachment part  192  in position against the shoulders  137  inside the recess  139  of the base flange  124 . The only difference in the mounting formation  198  and the mounting formations  166 ,  178  is a horizontal orientation is utilised by mounting formation  198 . 
         [0119]    Illustrated in  FIGS. 42 and 43  is a further embodiment of the present invention in which a bracket assembly  220  has been designed so that the assembly may be directly mounted into the mounting bracket  100 ,  142 . A base flange  221  which can be inserted into the mounting bracket  100 ,  142 . The base flange  221  includes a planar base  223 , opposing sides  224 , a top edge  225  and a bottom portion  222 . As is apparent, the base flange  221  has a bottom portion  222  which extends downwardly below the lower arm  230  to provide additional support to the modular bracket  220  and provides ease of installation of the modular bracket  220  with the bottom portion  222  being of a triangular tapered configuration. 
         [0120]    The bottom portion  222  is joined to the opposing sides  224  by shoulders  226  located at one end of the sides  224  and at the other end of the sides  224  the top edge  225  joins to form the planar base  223 . The opposing sides  224  are formed to insert into the L-shaped lugs  110 ,  148  on the bracket  100 , 142 . At the free end where the upper arm  231  joins the lower arm  230  a hook formation  240  extends from the bracket assembly  220 . 
         [0121]    While the bracket assembly  220  is illustrated other complete bracket assemblies of the types shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15  and  16  may also be implemented in the same way as has been designed and illustrated in  FIGS. 42 and 43 . 
         [0122]    While the coupling means between the bracket parts are preferably of a dovetail configuration defined by a re-entrant recess and a complementary shaped projection, other forms of coupling means may be used. 
         [0123]    The modular bracket and the various further bracket members, advantageously provides a modular bracket which may be combined with any one of the further bracket members to form bracket assemblies for use in a number of different applications. 
         [0124]    The terms “comprising” or “comprise” or derivatives thereof as used throughout the specification and claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group thereof. 
         [0125]    The above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention however all variations and modifications as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope of the invention as defined in the claims.