Patent ID: 12193570

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this disclosure is illustrative of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, example embodiments of the disclosure with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as illustrative of the principles of the disclosure, but is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the disclosure to the embodiments illustrated. In the following description of various example structures according to the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. For example, the use of a singular term, such as, “a” is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Also the use of relational terms, such as but not limited to, “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “down,” “up,” “side,” are used in the description for clarity and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Further, it should be understood that any one of the features can be used separately or in combination with other features. Other systems, methods, aspects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, aspects, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

Various embodiments described herein provide an improved shelf and bracket system in which the system includes: (1) a bracket assembly; and (2) a shelf. Referring toFIGS.1A and1B, an example of a bracket assembly10is provided in which the components of the bracket assembly10comprise: (1) a main bracket bar11with an integrated level12; (2) two support arms13; (3) suitable hardware such as, for example, a bolt14, nut15, and washer16, for attaching each of the support arms13to the main bracket bar11; (4) suitable hardware17for attaching a shelf to each of the support arms13; and (5) suitable hardware18for attaching the main bracket bar11to a vertical support surface, such as a wall. Accordingly, the different components of the bracket assembly can be made of various types of materials such as metals, polymers, composites, woods, and/or the like, and/or any combination thereof. Likewise, the shelf can be made of various types of materials such as metals, polymers, composites, woods, and/or the like, and/or any combination thereof. In still other embodiments, the bracket assembly10may utilize any other suitable fasteners (e.g., hardware) for at least temporarily coupling one or more components of the bracket assembly10to one another (e.g., for attaching each of the support arms13to the main bracket bar11, for attaching the main bracket bar11to a vertical support surface, etc.).

As may be understood fromFIGS.1A and1B, each support arm13is attached in various embodiments via the suitable hardware (e.g., one or more fasteners) to the main bracket bar11, for example, by positioning the bolt14so that it extends through a horizontal elongated cutout19in the main bracket bar11that is disposed adjacent a respective end of the main bracket bar11, placing the washer16and nut15on the distal end of the bolt14as shown, and tightening the nut15. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the support arms13are designed to put weight onto the main bracket bar11while minimizing shear force on the hardware. Additionally, in particular embodiments, the shape of the support arms13is designed to direct at least a portion of the weight from the shelf back into the support surface. Further, in particular embodiments, the support arms13can be designed to be interchangeable. For example, the support arms13can be fully removed from the main bracket bar11and replaced with different shapes, designs, etc. Furthermore, in particular embodiments, the support arms13can be designed to be decorative.

As may be understood fromFIGS.1A,1B,2, and3, each of the support arms13in particular embodiments includes a substantially U-shaped portion20. In some embodiments, the U-shaped portion20is shaped to substantially conform to the shape of an indented length of the main bracket bar11. Although the support arms13are shown to include substantially U-shaped portions20, the support arms13can be designed to include other shapes. For example, the support arms13can be designed to include substantially straight portions, substantially V-shaped portions, substantially curved portions, and/or the like.

As shown inFIG.2, each support arm13can be configured so that when its respective hardware is disengaged (e.g., the nut15is loosened), the support arm13can be rotated 21 between a shelf support position22and a folded storage position23, as shown inFIG.3. As may be understood fromFIG.2andFIG.3, a thickness of each U-shaped portion20and support arm13is substantially the same as the thickness of the main bracket bar11. In this way, when the support arms13are each in the folded storage position23, the bracket assembly10in various embodiments is substantially flat, which can allow the bracket assembly10, shelf, and hardware to be packaged within a relatively thin, long container (e.g., box) such as, for example, a container substantially in the shape of a rectangular prism. Such packaging can be advantageous for shipping and storage purposes.

As can be understood fromFIGS.1A and1B, the main bracket bar11can include elongated cutouts19in various embodiments to allow a user to easily adjust the spacing between the two support arms13by disengaging the respective hardware such as, for example, loosening one or more of the respective nuts15, and sliding one or more of the respective support arms13laterally closer to or farther away from the other support arm13. In addition, as shown inFIGS.4A and4B, each respective support arm13can have a U-shaped recess24at one end of the respective support arm13to maintain the support arm13in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the main bracket bar11when the respective hardware is engaging (e.g., when the nut15is tightened) one or more outside surfaces (e.g., opposing surfaces) of the main bracket bar11. In addition, as shown inFIG.1A, the level12can be positioned on an upper surface (or other surface) of the main bracket bar11to allow the user to easily install the main bracket bar11in a substantially level orientation. As shown inFIG.3, in particular embodiments, the level12can be positioned so that it is behind the shelf25, and therefore hidden from view, when the shelf25is installed on the support arms13and the bracket assembly10is attached to a support surface such as a wall.

As may be understood fromFIGS.5A,5B,5C,6A and6B, the main bracket bar11and shelf25in various embodiments can be configured to allow the shelf25to be attached to the main bracket bar11without the use of hardware (e.g., screws). As shown inFIGS.5A,5B, and5C, the main bracket bar11can include one or more recesses26along the length of the main bracket bar11that are configured for receiving slides-ins. Accordingly, as shown inFIGS.6A and6B, the shelf25can include the one or more slide-ins27that are made, for example, of metal, plastic, composite, or any other rigid material, that can slide into the recesses26of the main bracket bar11to attach the shelf25to the main bracket bar11without hardware. In some embodiments, the shelf25may be further attached to the main bracket bar11using some type of hardware such as one or more screws, nails, bolts, and/or the like. In addition, as shown inFIG.1B, suitable hardware17can be used for attaching the shelf25to each of the support arms13.

In various embodiments, the shelf25can vary in size and shape. For example, the shelf25can be in the shape of a square, a rectangle, a circle, an oval, and/or the like. Accordingly, the bracket assembly10may comprise various number of support arms13as may be required to accommodate different sizes and/or shapes of the shelf25. In addition, the bracket assembly10may comprise support arms13having varying lengths to accommodate different sizes and/or shapes of the shelf25. Likewise, the main bracket bar11can vary in length to accommodate different sizes and/or shapes of the shelf25. Furthermore, the interchangeability of the support arms13can allow the support arms to be changed to accommodate different sizes and/or shapes of the shelf25.

According to various embodiments, the shelf and bracket system is designed to provide maximum support to a shelf hanging on a support surface. In some embodiments, the support arms13can come attached to the main bracket bar11, but not fully engaged (e.g., tightened) to the main bracket bar11to make assembly easier. For example, the bracket assembly10for the shelf and bracket system can be provided with the support arms initially in a folded storage position23, as demonstrated inFIG.3. Therefore, the process for assembling the shelf and bracket system can involve a user initially rotating the support arms13from the folded storage position23, as demonstrated inFIG.2, to a shelf support position22, as demonstrated inFIG.3. Once the support arms13have been rotated into the shelf support position22, the process for assembling the shelf and bracket system can continue with the user engaging the support arms13to the main bracket bar using suitable hardware such as, for example, a bolt14, nut15, and washer16. In addition, the process can involve the user laterally sliding one or both of the support arms closer to or farther apart within the elongated cutouts19provided in the main bracket bar11to adjust the spacing between the two support arms13. Once the support arms13have been put into the correct position to support the shelf25, the process can continue with the user engaging the hardware (e.g., tightening the nut15) for each of the support arms13so that the support arm13does not move.

The process for assembling the shelf and bracket system can continue with the user using the integrated level12to find a level position on the support surface (e.g., the wall). In some instances, the user may find a level position on the support surface where the bracket holes for the bracket assembly10line up with at least one support associated with the support surface such as, for example, at least one wall stud found within a wall. In some instances, the user may in addition, or instead, use some type of anchor such as, for example, a dry wall anchor for mounting the bracket assembly10to the support surface. For example, the user may mark the locations of the bracket holes (e.g., with a pencil) on the support surface and if one or more of the hole locations does not line up with a support associated with the support surface, then the user may use an anchor for the one or more hole locations.

The user can then continue the process by securing the bracket assembly10to the support surface by engaging hardware through the bracket holes and into the support surface and corresponding supports and/or anchors. For example, the user can drill screws through the bracket holes into the support surface and corresponding supports and/or anchors. Once the bracket assembly10has been secured to the support surface, the process can involve the user aligning the slide-ins27provided on the shelf25with the corresponding recesses26in the main bracket bar11and gently pressing down on the shelf25to lock the shelf25into place on the bracket assembly10. The user can then complete the process for assembling the shelf and bracket system by engaging some type of hardware from underneath the support arms13into the shelf25. For example, the user can install set screws from underneath the support arms13into the shelf25.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the described examples are not limited to any particular size. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that shelf25and bracket assembly10are not limited to any type of material. One of ordinary skilled in the art will recognize that a number of designs, types, and/or thicknesses of materials can be utilized when taking into consideration aesthetic, safety, and stability consideration. A number of manufacturing techniques can be used in manufacturing the shelf and bracket system.

It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skilled in the art that changes can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that the disclosure provided herein is not limited to the particular embodiments described, and is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. One of ordinary skill in the art can further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein.