Patent ID: 7249755

Claim:
A bracket system for connecting a gate assembly comprising first, second, and third support members to a structural member comprising: a first brace assembly comprising: a first brace member defining a first support surface, a second support surface, and a first spacing portion, and a first hinge assembly rigidly connected to the first brace member, wherein: the first brace member is configured to maintain a substantially perpendicular relationship between the first and second support surfaces, the first brace member is adapted to be connected to the first support member such that the first support surface engages a lower surface of the first support member, the first brace member is adapted to be connected to the second support member such that the second support surface engages an inner surface of the second support member, and the first hinge assembly is adapted to be connected to the structural member; and a second brace assembly comprising: a second brace member defining a third support surface, a fourth support surface, and a second spacing portion, and a second hinge assembly rigidly connected to the second brace member, wherein: the second brace member is configured to maintain a substantially perpendicular relationship between the third and fourth support surfaces, the second brace member is adapted to be connected to the third support member such that the third support surface engages an upper surface of the third support member, the second brace member is adapted to be connected to the second support member such that the fourth surface engages the inner surface of the second support member, and the second hinge assembly is adapted to be connected to the structural member; whereby: the first brace assembly and the second brace assembly are movable relative to each other; a spatial relationship between the first and second brace assembly is fixed only when the gate assembly is formed; the lower surface of the first support member opposes the upper surface of the third support member; the first spacing portion of the first brace member spaces the first hinge assembly from the second support surface a first spacing distance; the second spacing portion of the second brace member spaces the second hinge assembly from the fourth support surface a second spacing distance; and the first and second spacing distances are configured to accommodate a thickness dimension of the second support member.