GB2393382A

GB2393382A - Supporting device

Info

Publication number: GB2393382A
Application number: GB0316411A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Philip Shenton
Original assignee: Window Fabrication and Fixing Supplies Ltd
Current assignee: Window Fabrication and Fixing Supplies Ltd
Priority date: 2002-09-28
Filing date: 2003-07-14
Publication date: 2004-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 2023-07-14
Also published as: GB0316411D0; GB2393382B; GB0222571D0

Abstract

A supporting device 10 for a shelf which attaches to a substrate (20) comprises a socket (14) and a supporting element (12). The socket has a back plate (22), which is adapted to rest against the rear of the substrate and a spigot (24) extending from the back plate which is adapted to fit into a circular bore (18) though the substrate. An aperture 29 is provided through the spigot and backplate, and a catch member 30 depends into the aperture. One end of the supporting element (12) is adapted to fit into the aperture though the end of the spigot and has a recess (58, see Fig 6) positioned proximate its distal end, in use, the end of the supporting element (12) being pushed into the aperture 29 in the spigot and lifted at its free end to allow the catch member 30 to seat in the recess (58, see Fig 6) of the supporting element, thereby removably engaging the supporting element in the socket. A faceplate 16 may be attached to the spigot 24.

Description

P01930GB 20030710 SpificationasFiled.wpd I Title: Supporting Device The

present invention relates to a supporting device and more particularly but not exclusively to a supporting device for supporting, for example, a shelf in a shop display area.

It is already known to provide supporting devices including a supporting element, which engages 5 with a socket let into a wall, panel or other substrate. Typically, such devices are made from plastics and incorporate resilient plastics tongues or clips which serve to hold the supporting element and socket together, or serve to hold a decorative face plate to the front of the socket. The strength ofthe plastics often deteriorates with age, and the tongues and clips tend to break when the supporting device is taken apart. It is desirable to be able to move the supporting device in use, 10 for example, to re-position a shelf, and failure ofthe supporting device can ruin a shop display resulting in loss of sales.

The performance of some known supporting devices is also limited by the weight that they are able to support. Consequently, large numbers of supporting devices are used simply to provide extra support, for example, for a display shelf. This adds to the burden of rearranging a display, since 15 there are more supporting devices to move, and the likelihood of breakage is increased.

Furthermore, some supporting devices require the machining of a slot or substantiallyrectangular aperture in a substrate, which is time consuming and may require the skills of a carpenter or shop fitter. It is an object of the invention to provide a supporting device which substantially reduces or 20 overcomes the above mentioned problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a supporting device for attachment to a substrate comprising a socket and a supporting element, the socket having a back plate which is adapted to rest against the rear of the substrate and a spigot extending from the back plate which

POI')30GB 20030710 SpificationasFiled.wpd 2 is adapted to fit into a circular bore through the substrate, the spigot having an aperture therein and a catch member which depends into the aperture, one end ofthe supporting element being adapted to fit into the aperture through the end ofthe spigot and having a recess positioned proximate its distal end, in use, the end ofthe supporting element being pushed into the aperture in the spigot and S li fled at its free end to allow the catch member to seat in the recess of the supporting element, thereby removably engaging the supporting element in the socket.

It is an advantage of the invention that the supporting element is removably engaged in the supporting element under its own weight, without the need of resilient means, for example, springs or spring clips, or moving parts, which are liable to fatigue and eventually fail with repeated use.

10 It is a further advantage of the invention that the greater the weight applied to the supporting element, the more firmly engaged the supporting element becomes in the socket.

Preferably a face plate is provided for attachment to the end of the spigot, which conceals the aperture through the substrate.

The face plate may be attached to the end of the spigot by a bayonet fastening.

15 Preferably the bayonet fastening includes a pair of pins having enlarged heads which extend from the rear ofthe face plate end a pair ofapertures provided in the end ofthe spigot, which open into respective slots, recessed at their rear to accommodate the enlarged heads of the pins.

A resilient catch ispreferablyprovided et the end ofthe spigot,which engages inarecess in the 20 rear of the face plate, when the face plate is attached to the spigot.

Preferablythe resilient catch is a ball bearing, biassed to protrude, in part, through an aperture in the end of the spigot.

P01930GB 20030710 SptcificationasFiled.wpd 3 The aperture through the spigot preferably increases in depth as it passes from the end of the spigot towards the back plate.

The end of the supporting element to be engaged in the spigot may be of a reduced diameter.

A cushioning element is preferablyprovided around the end ofthe supporting element, against a 5 shoulder formed at a junction where the portion of reduced diameter terminates.

It is an advantage of the cushioning element that the supporting element does not damage or mark the face plate.

Preferably the recess is V-shaped and the catch member is correspondingly wedge shaped, in 10 order to seat securely in the recess.

Alternatively, the recess may be a circular aperture, and the catch member a substantially circular peg. Preferably the supporting device is made from metal or metal alloy.

15 The back plate may be attached to the substrate by means of screw fasteners or other suitable fastening means.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Fig I shows a schematic partsectional side view of a first embodiment of a supporting device 20 including a supporting element, socket and face plate in accordance with the invention; Fig 2 shows a schematic part-sectional side view ofthe socket ofthe supporting device shown in Fig 1;

P01930GB 20030710 SpccificationasFiled.wpd Fig 3 shows a schematic partsectional front view of the socket of Fig 2; Fig 4 shows a schematic partsectional side view of the face plate of the supporting device shown in Fig 1; Fig 5 shows a side view of part of the supporting element shown in Fig 1; Fig 6 shows the assembled supporting element shown in Fig 1; Fig 7 shows a schematic part-sectional side view of a second embodiment of a supporting device including a supporting element, socket and face plate in accordance with the invention; 10 Fig 8 shows a schematic part- sectional side view ofthe socket ofthe supporting device shown in Fig 7; Fig 9 shows a schematic part-sectional front view of the socket of Fig 2; Fig 10 shows the supporting element, also shown in Fig 7; Fig 11 shows a schematic front view ofthe faceplate ofthe supporting device shown in Fig 7; and 15 Fig 12 shows a side view, partly in section, of the face plate shown in Fig 1 1.

Referring firstly to Fig 1, a supporting device is indicated generally at 10 and comprises a supporting element 12, a socket 14 and face plate 16. The socket 14 is shown located in a circular aperture 1 8 in a substrate 20. The socket 14, see also Figs 2 and 3, includes a back plate 22 and a spigot 24, which extends perpendicularly from the back plate 22. Holes 26 are provided in the 20 back plate 22 and enable fixing ofthe socket 14 to the substrate 20 by screw fasteners 28. In use, only one screw fastener28 is necessary to prevent rotation ofthe socket 14, because the socket

POi930GB 20030710 SptcificationasFiled.wp] 5 is also held bythe face plate 16 and weight supported by the socket through the supporting element 12 is supported primarily by the circular aperture 18 in the substrate.

An aperture 29, indicated in dotted outline in Fig 2, is provided through the spigot 24 and back plate 22, and increases in depth as it passes from the end of the spigot to the back plate. A 5 substantiallywedge shaped catch member30 depends into therearofthe aperture 29, that is, close to the back plate 22. The socket 14 is designed to be fitted as shown in Fig 1, with the catch member 30 depending from a planar upper inside wall 32 ofthe aperture 28. The lower inside wall 34 ofthe aperture 29 is substantiallypart circular. In an alternative arrangement, not shown, the catch member is a downwardly depending peg, which may be circular.

10 Referring in particular to Fig 3, a pair of apertures 36 are provided in the end of the spigot 24, which open into respective curved slots 38 having a width less than that ofthe apertures 36. The slots 38 are recessed at their rear, as indicated by the dotted lines 40, to the width of the apertures 36. Hence the sides ofthe slots 38 are formed of flanges 39. The flanges 39 lie flush with the end of the spigot 24, but increase in thickness from one end of the slots 38 adj acent the apertures 36 15 to the other end of the slots.

The face plate 16, indicated generally in Fig 4 on a larger scale, is circular and has a central through aperture42, which aligns with the aperture28 ofthe socket 14, when the faceplate is attached to the socket. The periphery of the face plate is chamfered 44 to enhance its appearance.

Alternatively the peripherymaybe rounded or otherwise decorated. A recess 45 is provided in 20 the front ofthe face plate 16 around the apertures 42, which although shown, is optional. A pair of pins 46 having enlarged heads at their ends, extend perpendicularly from the rear ofthe face plate l 6 in spacedrelationship. The pins46 engage with respective apertures 36 and curved slots 38 in the end of the spigot 24 in the manner of a bayonet fastening, as described further below.

Referring now to Figs 5 and 6, the supporting element 12 is made from a solid bar 48 and a hollow 25 tube 50, which fits onto the end of the bar. The other end of the solid bar 48 is adapted to be received in the socket 24. This construction enables the supporting element 12 to be supplied in

P01930GB 20030710 SpccificationasFiled.wp] 6 any desired length, simplyby changing the length ofthe tube 50. The solid bar 42 has a straight cylindrical portion 52 forengagementwiththetube 50, and a pert cylindrical portion 54 set at an angle to the portion 52. The angle maybe determined by the use ofthe supporting device 10, and for some applications the portions 52,54 may be in axial alignment. The portion 54 is part circular 5 in section, being formed with a flat 56 along its upper edge. A V-shaped recess 58 is provided in the flat 56 proximate to the distal end ofthe portion 54, and is proportioned to receive the wedge shaped catch member 30 of the socket 14. Alternatively, a bore (not shown) may be provided to receive a peg of the socket 14.

In use, firstly the circular aperture 18 is drilled through the substrate 20 at the desired position for 10 mounting the supporting device 10. Typicallythehole is 26mm diameter, which is a standard size, a drill bit ofthis size being carried bymost carpenters and shop fitters. The spigot 24 ofthe socket 14 is inserted into the aperture 18 fromtherearofthe substrate 20, end the backplate22 ofthe socket rests against the rear surface ofthe substrate. The socket 14 is then fastened in position using screw fasteners 28. If desired, the back plate 22 can be set into the substrate, although this 15 is not intended.

The face plate 16 is attached to the end ofthe socket from the front ofthe substrate 20, in order to conceal the aperture 18. The pins 46 ofthe face plate 16 are pushed into respective recesses 36 in the end of the spigot 24, and the face plate rotated relative to the socket 14. This causes the pins 36 to move along the curved slots 38, with the enlarged heads being retained in the respective 20 recesses 40 behind the flanges 39 in the manner of a bayonet fastening. As the face plate 16 is rotated, the enlarged heads of the pins 36 cam against the back of the flanges 39, which are increasing in thickness, and hence the face plate is drawn towards and tightened against the end of the socket 14 or the face ofthe substrate 20, if it is standing proud ofthe socket. The end ofthe supporting element 12 can be used as a tool to lever the face plate 16 into its final position as it is 25 tightened. The supporting element 12 is more effective as a levering tool if there is no recess 45 in the face plate 16.

Finally the supporting element 12 is pushed into the aperture 42 through the face plate and into the

P01930GB 20030710 SptcificationasFiled.wpd 7 aperture 29 through the socket 14. When the end ofthe supporting element 12 hits the catch member 30, the free end of the supporting element is lifted to allow the end of the supporting element to move beyond the catch member. When the free end ofthe supporting element 12 is allowedto drop underits own weighs, thecatchmember30 seats in the recess 58 ofthe supporting 5 element and removably engages the supporting element in the socket 14. The face plate 16 is thereby locked in position, since the aperture 42 in the face plate is a clearance fit around the portion 54 of the supporting element 12, and rotation of the face plate is prevented.

The supporting device l O is intended to be made from metal or metal alloy, which has high strength for supporting shelves, clothes hangers or other shop fittings. The metal or metal alloy can readily l O be coated with coloured metallic finishes, plastics coated orpainted. Furthermore, since there are no moving orresilientparts in the supporting device 10, it has increaseddurabilityand can easily be repositioned without accidental breakage.

It is envisaged that some display substrates 20 will be fitted with a plurality of sockets 14 and face plates 16, to which supporting elements 12 can be engaged as desired.

15 A further embodiment of a supporting device, indicated at l l O. is shown in Figs 7. Parts in common with parts in the first embodiment are referenced with the same reference numerals, with 100 added.

The second embodiment of supporting device 110 has several differences from the first embodiment, which will now be described with reference to Figs 7 to 12. A resilient catch 160 is 20 provided at the end of the spigot 124 of the socket 114, which engages in a recess 162 (see particularly figs 11 and 12) in the rear ofthe face plate 116, when the face pate is attached to the spigot as shown in Fig 7. The resilient catch 160 is a ball catch, including a ball bearing 164, biassed by a spring 166, to protrude, in part, through a circular aperture 168 (see Fig 8) in the end of the spigot 124. A bore 170, passes from the back plate 122, into the spigot 124, and 25 accommodates the spring 166 and ball bearing 164. The spring 166 is retained in the bore 170 by a grub screw 172.

P014)30C,B 20030710 SpcificationasFilel.wpi 8 When the face plate 116 is attached to the end ofthe spigot 124, the ball bearing 164 is pressed into the bore 170 against the bias of the spring 166, until the recess 162 and ball bearing are aligned. In this position, the pins 146 of the bayonet fastening are in the locked position, and the aperture 142 in the face plate is in alignment with the aperture 128 in the spigot 124. The resilient 5 catch 160 takes up any tolerances in manufacture ofthe pins 146 and recessed slots 138 (see Fig 9) The face plate 116, shown in Figs 11 and 12, does not have the optional recess 45, but a cushioning element 174 is provided around the end ofthe supporting element 112, shown in Fig 7. The supporting element 112 is manufactured from a solid metal bar, giving added strength, and l O is machined at its end. The cushioning element 174 is most suitably a rubber washer, and rests against a shoulder 176 formed at the junction where the machined portion of reduced diameter terminates. In use, the rubber washer prevents damage, for example scratching, to the face plate 116. This is particularly important when the supporting element 112 is moved from one assembled socket and face plate to another.

Claims

P01930GB 20030710 SpificationasFiled.wpd 9 CLAIMS

1. A supporting device for attachment to a substrate comprising a socket and a supporting element, the socket having a back plate which is adapted to rest against the rear of the substrate and a spigot extending from the back plate which is adapted to fit into a circular 5 bore through the substrate, the spigot having an aperture therein and a catch member which depends into the aperture, one end ofthe supporting element being adapted to fit into the aperture through the end of the spigot and having a recess positioned proximate its distal end, in use, the end ofthe supporting element being pushed into the aperture in the spigot and lifted at its free end to allow the catch member to seat in the recess ofthe supporting 10 element, thereby removably engaging the supporting element in the socket.

2. A supporting device as claimed in claim 1 in which a face plate is provided for attachment to the end of the spigot, which conceals the aperture through the substrate.

3. A supporting device as claimed in claim 2 in which the face plate is attached to the end of the spigot by a bayonet fastening.

1 5

4. A supporting device as claimed in claim 3 in which the bayonet fastening includes a pair of pins having enlarged heads which extend from the rear of the face plate and a pair of apertures provided in the end ofthe spigot, which open into respective slots, recessed at their rear to accommodate the enlarged heads of the pins.

20

5. A supporting device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 in which a resilient catch is provided at the end of the spigot, which engages in a recess in the rear of the face plate, when the face plate is attached to the spigot.

6. A supporting device as claimed in claim 5 in which the resilient catch is a ball bearing, biassed to protrude, in part, through an aperture in the end of the spigot.

P01 930GB 20030710 SpecificationasFiled.wpd 1 0

7. A supporting device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the aperture through the spigot increases in depth as it passes from the end ofthe spigot towards the back plate.

8. A supporting device as claimed in anypreceding claim in which the end ofthe supporting element to be engaged in the spigot is of a reduced diameter.

5

9. A supporting device as claimed in claim 8 in which a cushioning element is provided around the end ofthe supporting element, against a shoulder formed at al unction where the portion of reduced diameter terminates.

10. A supporting device as claimed in anypreceding claim in which the recess is V-shaped and 10 the catch member i s correspondingly wedge shaped, in order to seat securely in the recess.

A supporting device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 in which the recess is a circular aperture, and the catch member a substantially circular peg.

12 A supporting device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the supporting device is 15 made from metal or metal alloy.

13. A supporting device substantially as described herein, with reference to, and as illustrated in Figs 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.