WO2008012368A1

WO2008012368A1 - Mounting bracket

Info

Publication number: WO2008012368A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/057785
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Wills; Jonathan Mills
Original assignee: Colebrook Bosson Saunders Products Ltd
Current assignee: Colebrook Bosson Saunders Products Ltd
Priority date: 2006-07-28
Filing date: 2007-07-27
Publication date: 2008-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2009-01-28

Abstract

A mounting bracket (1) for attaching a monitor support to the surface of a wall or partition panel having at least a pair of spaced parallel channels (8) formed therein is disclosed. The mounting bracket comprises a pair of clamping members (21a, 22a) that respectively locate in adjacent spaced parallel channels in the wall or partition panel and clamping means operable to draw at least one of said clamping members toward or away from the other clamping member to clamp the bracket to said wall or partition panel.

Description

Mounting Bracket

Description

The present invention relates to a mounting bracket for attaching a flat screen monitor support arm to a wall or partition panel having at least a pair of spaced parallel channels formed therein. In particular, the invention relates to a mounting bracket having means for securely attaching it to the surface of a wall or partition panel.

Flat screen computer monitors are now in widespread use and have the advantage of being relatively light and slim, which enables them to be mounted on one end of an elevated and adjustable support arm. It is conventional for the other end of the support arm to be attached to a post upstanding from a work surface, such as a desk or table. However, it is also becoming common for one end of the monitor support arm to extend from a mounting bracket which attaches to a desk partition panel or wall plate and in which is formed at least a pair of spaced parallel channels extending in an horizontal direction across the width of the panel. Walls or partitions having this construction are well known in the industry and are often referred to as "slat-wall". The channels formed in the slat-wall are commonly used to attach a number of other work related items such as shelves, lights and stationary holders, and is convenient because it enables them to be removed or repositioned easily.

A problem with the conventional mounting brackets for attaching a monitor support to a wall or partition panel of the type mentioned above is that they are difficult to attach and release easily and quickly. Furthermore, this means that it is difficult to adjust the position of the monitor relative to the wall or partition panel. Additionally, the connection between the bracket and the wall or partition may not be particularly firm and may work loose over time which means that it has to be tightened on a periodic basis, especially if the position of the monitor needs to be adjusted regularly. Occasionally, it is desirable to slide the slat-wall bracket in a horizontal direction along the slat-wall into a new position without physically detaching it altogether from the slat-wall or, removing the monitor support post and monitor mounted to it. However, with a conventional slat-wall mounting bracket, it is difficult to re- position the bracket without removing all the components attached to it. It is also difficult to release the locking members, that locate in the channels and clamp the bracket in position, sufficiently so that they slide along the channels without the locking members falling out of those channels during horizontal movement.

It is also desirable to be able to rapidly release and remove a slatwall bracket altogether from a slatwall but reattach it quickly without having to adjust the clamping members.

The present invention seeks to provide a monitor support bracket that overcomes or substantially alleviates the problems with conventional monitor support brackets referred to above.

According to the present invention, there is provided a mounting bracket for attaching a monitor support to the surface of a wall or partition panel having at least a pair of spaced parallel channels formed therein, the mounting bracket comprising a pair of clamping members that respectively locate in adjacent spaced parallel channels in the wall or partition panel and clamping means operable to draw at least one of said clamping members toward or away from the other clamping member to clamp the bracket to said wall or partition panel.

In one embodiment the mounting bracket comprises a body, wherein one of said clamping members is fixedly mounted to the body and the clamping means is operable to draw the other movable clamping member toward or away from said fixedly mounted clamping member.

The clamping means may comprise a primary clamping means and a secondary clamping means. Preferably, the primary clamping means comprises a shaft having a thread formed at one end and a threaded element on one end of the shaft in engagement with a corresponding thread.

Advantageously, the shaft is mounted within the body for rotation about its longitudinal axis

In one embodiment, a recess extends through the body to receive the shaft such that the edge of the threaded element partially protrudes in a lateral direction from said recess, the threaded element and the recess cooperating which each other so that the threaded element does not rotate but is free to slide in an axial direction along said recess, during rotation of said shaft to move the movable clamping member, into and out of, a clamped position.

Conveniently, the movable clamping member has an aperture therein and the edge of the threaded element that extends in a lateral direction from the recess locates in the aperture in the movable clamping member.

Preferably, the body has a recessed portion defining spaced, opposing slots to slideably receive the movable clamping member therein.

Advantageously, the secondary clamping means comprises a quick release mechanism operable to move the primary clamping means in an axial direction without rotating the primary clamping means to draw the movable clamping member toward or away from said fixedly mounted clamping member and into, or out of, a clamped position.

The quick release mechanism may comprise a rotatable cam operable to move said primary clamping means in an axial direction.

Conveniently, the rotatable cam comprises at least two faces and rotation of the cam between the at least two faces draws the movable clamping member toward or away from said fixedly mounted clamping member by a predetermined distance. - A -

The rotatable cam may comprise two faces wherein the predetermined distance is a distance which is sufficient to allow the clamping members to slide within the channels without being removed therefrom.

The rotatable cam may comprise three faces wherein rotation of the cam between a first face and a second face draws the movable clamping member toward or away from said fixedly mounted clamping member by a predetermined distance to clamp or un-clamp the bracket to said wall or partition panel, and rotation of the cam between the first and a third face draws the movable clamping member toward or away from said fixedly mounted clamping member by a smaller predetermined distance than rotation of the cam between the first face and the second face.

Preferably, the predetermined distance is a distance which is sufficient to allow the clamping members to clear the spaced parallel channels so that the mounting bracket is removable from the wall, the smaller predetermined distance being a distance which is sufficient to allow the clamping members to slide within the channels without being removed therefrom.

Conveniently, the rotatable cam comprises a cylindrical portion and a cam portion, the cylindrical portion being mounted within the body for rotation about its longitudinal axis

In a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical portion extends through the body laterally to the axis of movement of the movable clamping member.

Conveniently, the quick release mechanism further comprises at least one resilient member disposed to draw the movable clamping member away from the fixedly mounted clamping member.

Preferably, the at least one resilient member is disposed between the pair of clamping members. A recess may extend through the body to receive the primary clamping means and the cam portion extends in a lateral direction into said recess.

Advantageously, the at least one resilient member urges the primary clamping means towards the quick release mechanism.

Preferably, the rotatable cam further comprises a circumferential recess between the cylindrical portion and the cam portion, wherein a locating member extends into the circumferential recess and is mounted in a slot in the body to prevent movement of the rotatable cam in an axial direction relative to the body.

A portion of the locating member is preferably disposed between the primary clamping means and the cam portion.

Preferably, a tool engaging face is formed at at least one end of the rotatable cam for engagement by a tool to enable rotation of the rotatable cam. In a further embodiment, the clamping means may be operable to draw both clamping members toward or away from each other.

The clamping means preferably comprises a shaft having threads formed at each end and threaded elements on each end of the shaft in engagement with a corresponding thread on the shaft.

The bracket preferably comprises a body and the shaft is mounted within the body for rotation about its longitudinal axis but constrained from moving in an axial direction relative to the body.

Preferably, a shaft retaining member is mounted on the shaft and locates in a slot in the body to prevent movement of the shaft in an axial direction relative to the body during rotation of the shaft.

In one embodiment, a recess may extend through the body to receive the shaft such that the edge of each threaded element partially protrudes in a lateral direction from said recess, the threaded elements and the recess cooperating which each other so that the threaded elements do not rotate but are free to slide in an axial direction along said recess, during rotation of said shaft.

Preferably, the threads formed on the shaft extend in opposite directions.

Each clamping member preferably has an aperture therein and the edge of each threaded element that extends in a lateral direction from the recess locates in an aperture in a corresponding clamping member.

The body may have a recessed portion defining spaced, opposing slots to slideably receive the clamping members therein.

In a preferred embodiment, the threaded element is a hexagonal nut. Advantageously, the surface of the axially extending recess is multi-faceted so that the faces of the hexagonal nut lie against corresponding facets of the recess to prevent rotation of the nut during rotation of the shaft.

Conveniently, a tool engaging face is formed at at least one end of the shaft for engagement by a tool to enable rotation of the shaft.

Preferably, the clamping members comprise plates having hooked edge portions extending from the body for engagement with spaced parallel channels in the panels.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of a mounting bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention which is shown attached to a s.lat-wall panel; FIGURE 2 is perspective view of a body portion of the mounting bracket shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a top-plan view of the body portion of the mounting bracket shown in

Figure 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a clamping mechanism for attaching the body portion of the mounting bracket of Figure 1 to the slat-wall; FIGURE 5 is a side view of the clamping mechanism shown in Figure 4;

FIGURE 6 is rear view of the clamping mechanism shown in Figures 4 and 5;

FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting bracket of Figure 1;

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket attached to the slat- wall, as shown in Figure 1. FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a mounting bracket in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 10 is perspective view of a body portion of the mounting bracket shown in Figure 9;

FIGURE 11 is a top plan view of the body portion of the mounting bracket shown in Figure 10;

FIGURE 12 is a partial cross-section perspective view of the mounting bracket of

Figure 9;

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of a mounting bracket of Figure 9.

FIGURE 14 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the mounting bracket of Figure 9;

FIGURE 15 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket of Figure 9;

FIGURE 16 is an end view of an operating shaft showing a cam portion of Figure 9; and

FIGURE 17 is a perspective view of a guide bracket of the mounting bracket of Figure 9;

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a mounting bracket 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, mounted to a panel 2 which may form part of a freestanding partition or, be mounted on a wall or other upright surface (not shown). The mounting bracket 1 comprises a body 3 and two end caps 4, 5 fixed to either end of the body 3 using fastening rods 4a 4b (see Figure 7). The body 3 and end caps 4,5 have a cylindrical aperture 6 extending therethrough to receive a correspondingly shaped support post 7 to which may be attached a monitor support arm (not shown) coupled to a computer monitor (not shown). The support post 7 may be slid through the cylindrical aperture 6 and locked in position at a convenient height using conventional means. It will be appreciated that one or more monitor support arms may be attached to the same post either above or below the mounting bracket.

The panel 2 is conventional and has a plurality of spaced parallel channels 8 extending in a horizontal direction therealong. Although multiple channels 8 are shown formed in both sides of the panel 2, it will be appreciated that channels 8 may be formed only in one side of the panel 2 or, only two spaced parallel channels 8 may be provided on one or both sides of the panel 2. The channels 8 have front walls 9 that extend partially over each channel so as to provide a lip 10. Panels 2 of this type are well known in the industry and are commonly referred to as "slat-wall" panels. As the panel 2 itself is conventional and does not form part of the present invention, no further detailed description of it will be given here.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, it can be seen that the body 3 has a recessed region 11 between a pair of panel engaging faces 12a,12b. A portion 13 of each panel engaging face 12a,12b overhangs the recessed region 11 to define opposing slots 14. A longitudinal and axially extending aperture 15 is formed in the recessed region 11 midway between the panel engaging faces 12a,12b and has a multi-faceted surface 15a,15b,15c etc. An opening 3a is formed in the body 3 and cap 4, 5 at either end of the axially extending aperture 15. A central and laterally extending slot 17 is also provided in the recessed region 11 and extends across the axially extending aperture 15 at right angles thereto. The body 3 may be formed from extruded metal or plastic material.

A clamping mechanism 20 for clamping the body 3 against the slat-wall panel 2 is shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 and comprises a pair of clamping plates 21, 22 having hooked edge portions 21a, 22a and apertures 23 formed therein. The clamping plates 21, 22 are spaced from each other by a shaft 24 having opposed threaded sections 25 formed towards each end and a tool engaging face 26, such as an Allen key slot is provided at one, or even both ends of the shaft 24 to facilitate rotation of the shaft 24, as will be explained later. A nut 27 is threadingly engaged with each threaded section 25. Each plate 21,22 lies against the shaft 24 so that the hooked edge portions 21a,22a face each other and the axis of the shaft 24 extends at right angles between said hooked edge portions 21a, 22a and so that an edge of each nut 27 extends laterally into an opening 23, as most clearly shown in Figures 4, 5 and 8, for reasons which will become apparent.

The clamping mechanism 20 further comprises a shaft retaining element 28 that is attached to the shaft 24 midway along its length and extends radially therefrom. The shaft retaining element 28 may be attached to the shaft 24 using a circlip 29 which locates in a groove (not shown) formed in the shaft 24.

The clamping mechanism 20 is received within the body 3 with the shaft 24 extending in a longitudinal direction along the axially extending aperture 15 in the recessed region 11 of the body 3 and with the shaft retaining element 28 seated in the laterally extending slot 17. The clamping plates 21,22 are seated within the recessed region 11, with their hooked edge portions 21a,22a extending outwardly, away from the body 3 and their lateral edges 30 locate in the opposed slots 14 so that the clamping plates 21,22 are constrained to sliding movement toward, or away, from each other in a direction defined by the slots 14. It will be appreciated that, with the shaft 24 in position, the tool engaging end faces 26 at opposite ends of the shaft 24 are accessible through openings 3a in the body 3 (see Figure 1). The nuts 27 on the shaft 24 are also partially received within the axially extending aperture 15 and each face 27a, 27b, 27c, etc locates against the multi-faceted surface 15a, 15b 15c of the axially extending aperture 15 in the body 3, to prevent rotation of the nuts 27 relative to the body 3 when the shaft 24 is rotated, as will be explained below.

Operation of the mounting bracket 1 will now be described. When the shaft 24 is rotated by, for example, an Allen key inserted through the opening 3a in the body 3 and engaged with the tool receiving end face 26 of the shaft 24, movement of the shaft 24 in an axial direction is prevented by the shaft retaining element 28 which is seated in the lateral slot 17. Furthermore, as the nuts 27 are threadingly engaged on the threaded sections 25 of the shaft 24 and are prevented from rotating together with the shaft 24 because they are constrained by the multi-faceted walls 15a, 15b, 15c, etc of the axially extending aperture 15 in the body 3, the nuts 27 move in an axial direction along the shaft 24 within the axially extending aperture 15. As mentioned above, the threaded sections 25 at each end of the shaft 24 are formed in opposite directions so that each nut 27 moves in opposite axial directions as the shaft 24 is rotated. Furthermore, because the edge of each nut 27 extends into the openings 23 in the clamping plates 21, 22, the clamping plates 22,23 move together with the nuts 27, thereby drawing the hooked edge portions 21a,22a towards or away from each other depending on which direction the shaft 24 is rotated.

If the body 3 is located against a panel 2 so that the hooked edge portions 21a, 22a are each received within a spaced parallel channel 8 in the panel 2, the clamping plates 21,22 can be moved toward each other by rotating the shaft 24 so as to cause the hooked edge portions 21a,22a to engage against the walls of the channels 8, thereby attaching the mounting bracket 1 to the panel 2. Removal of the mounting bracket 1 from the panel 2 is achieved by rotating the shaft 24 in the opposite direction to cause the clamping plates 21,22 to move away from each other, thereby disengaging the hooked edge portions 21a, 22a from the channels 8.

Although, in the illustrated embodiment, the hooked edge portions 21a, 22a face inwardly toward each other to clamp the mounting bracket 1 to the panel 2 as the clamping members 21, 22 are drawn towards each other, it will be appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment, the hooked edge portions 21a, 22a may face outwardly so that the clamping members 21,22 move away from each other so as to clamp the bracket 1 to a panel 2.

An alternative embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 9 to 17. A body 31 of the mounting bracket 1 according to this embodiment of the invention is generally the same as the body 3 described above, however in this embodiment the body 31 has been formed to receive a quick-release mechanism 32 operable by means of a tool, such as an Allen key, as will be described below. Referring now to Figures 10 and 11, it can be seen that the body 31 has a recessed region 33 between a pair of panel engaging faces 34a,34b. A portion 35 of each panel engaging face 34a,34b overhangs the recessed region 33 to define opposing slots 36. A longitudinal and axially extending circular aperture 37 is formed in each opposing slot 36 such that an arced section of the side of each circular aperture 37 communicates with a respective slot 36. Threaded sections 38 are formed on the inner surface of each circular aperture 37 at each end thereof such that end caps 39 (see Figure 9) may be fixed to each end of the body 31 by respective screws 40, or the like, as will become apparent hereinafter.

A longitudinal and axially extending aperture 41 is formed in the recessed region 33 midway between the panel engaging faces 34a,34b and has a multi-faceted surface 41a,41b,41c etc. A pair of opposing axially extending guide slots 42 are formed in faces 41b, 41d of the multi faceted surface 41a, 41b, 41c etc. relative to the rear face 41c of the multi-faceted surface 41a, 41b, 41c etc. such that a rear sidewall 42a (see Figure 11) of each guide slot 42 extends from the rear face 41c of the axially extending aperture 41. The body 31 also has a cylindrical aperture 43 extending therethrough to receive a correspondingly shaped support post 7 therein, as described in the previous embodiment. A first opening 44 (see Figure 12) extends between the rear face 41c of the multi-faceted surface 41a, 41b, 41c etc. and the cylindrical aperture 43 and a second opening 45 is formed diametrically opposite said first opening 44 between the cylindrical aperture 43 and an outer surface 46 of the body 31. Said openings 44,45 define a passage 47 extending laterally to the longitudinal axis of the aperture 41 to receive an operating shaft 48, as will be described below. The operating shaft passage 47 is formed relative to a lower end 31b of the body 31.

Proximate to an upper end 31a of the body 31, a pair of laterally extending threaded holes 49 are provided in the recessed region 33, one on either side of the longitudinal aperture 41, to receive respective fixing screws 50. The body 31 further comprises a longitudinal recess 51 formed along each panel engaging face 34a, 34b. Each longitudinal recess 51 is formed to receive an engaging rod 53, which may be formed from a resilient material, such that each rod 53 is fixedly mounted in a respective longitudinal recess 51 when the end plates 39,40 are mounted to the body 31, wherein a portion of each engaging rod 53 extends from the engaging face 34a,34b.

A clamping mechanism for clamping the body 31 against the slat wall panel 2 is shown in Figures 12 to 14 and is generally the same as the clamping mechanism 20 described in the first embodiment comprising a pair of clamping plates 56, 57. However, in this embodiment one of the clamping plates 56 is immovably fixed to the body 31 so that only the second clamping plate 57 is movable, and so the second clamping plate 57 is movable towards, or away from, the fixed clamping plate 56 when a shaft 58 is rotated, as will be described later. In this embodiment, the shaft 58 has a threaded section 60 formed towards one end thereof and a tool engaging face 59, such as an Allen key slot is provided at a distal end thereto to facilitate rotation of the shaft.

A nut 62 is threadingly engaged with the threaded section 60 and the movable clamping plate 57 lies against the shaft 58 such that an edge of the nut 62 is located in an opening 63 formed in the movable clamping plate 57, for reasons which will become apparent. Further, this embodiment does not utilise a shaft retaining element 28. It will be appreciated that, although in this embodiment the tool engaging face 59 is disposed at a distal end of the shaft to the threaded section 60, the tool engaging face 59 may be disposed at an end proximate to the threaded section 60 such that the location of the fixed and movable clamping plates 56,57 are reversed.

The fixed clamping plate 56 has a hooked edge portion 56a formed along one edge and a pair of tapered apertures 64 formed therethrough which correspond to the location of the threaded holes 49 formed in the panel engaging faces 34a, 34b. A cut out 65a is formed in the lateral edges 65 of the clamping plate 56 on the opposing side to the hooked edge portion 56a.

The clamping mechanism 55 is received within the body with the fixed clamping plate 56 being seated in the recessed region 33 of the body 31 such that its lateral edges 65 locate in the opposing slots 36. The fixed clamping plate 56 is fixed to the body by fixing screws 50 extending through the pair of tapered apertures 64 and received in the corresponding threaded holes 38 of the recessed portion 33. The heads 50a of the fixing screws 50 are received in the tapered apertures 64 to fix the fixed clamping plate 56 such that they are flush with the surface of said clamping plate 56.

The shaft 58 extends in a longitudinal direction along the axially extending aperture 41 in the recessed region 33 of the body 31 and the movable clamping plate 57 is seated in the recessed region 33 with its lateral edges 66 locating in the opposing slots 36 such that said clamping plate 57 is constrained to a sliding movement toward, or away from, the fixed clamping plate in a direction defined by the opposing slots 36. The clamping plates 56, 57 are seated with their hooked edge portions 56a, 57a extending outwardly away from the body 31 and so the hooked edge portions 56a, 57a face each other and the axis of the shaft 58 extends at right angles between said hooked edge portions 56a,57a. It will be appreciated that, as with the previous embodiment, the nut 62 is partially received within the axially extending aperture 41 and locates against the multifaceted surface 41a,41b,41c, etc. to prevent rotation of the nut 62 relative to the body 33 when the shaft 58 is rotated. Furthermore, the tool engaging end face 59 at an upper end of the shaft 58 is accessible through opening 67 in the body 31 (see Figure 12) when the shaft 58 is in position.

The quick release mechanism 32 for securely fixing the body 31 against the slat wall is shown in Figures 12, 14, and 15 and includes the operating shaft 48 and a locating bracket 69. The operating shaft 48 comprises a cylindrical portion 70 with a tool engaging face 71, such as an Allen key slot provided at one end thereof, and a cam portion 72 disposed at an end distal to the tool engaging face 71.

The shape of the cam portion 72 is clearly shown in Figure 16 and is formed to have first and second planar faces 73, 74 and an arcuate face 75. The arcuate face 75 has a radius substantially conforming to the radius of the cylindrical portion 70 and the first and second planar faces 73,74 form chords with the circumference of the arcuate face 75, the first planar face 73 having a longer distance between its bisector and the longitudinal axis of the shaft operating shaft 48 relative to the second planar face 74, for reasons that will become apparent hereinafter. Where the arcuate 75 and first and second planar faces 73, 74 communicate with each other the edges are rounded. A circumferential recess 76 is also formed between the cylindrical portion 70 and the cam portion 72.

Referring to Figure 17, the locating bracket 69 comprises a planer rear portion 77 with a planar perpendicular portion 78 extending at right angles to the rear portion 11 ^' , along one edge thereof, to form an L-shape. The rear portion 77 has an aperture 79 therethrough comprising a first section 80 to allow the cam portion 72 of the operating shaft 48 to extend laterally therethrough and a second section 81 communicating with the first section 80 formed proximate to the perpendicular portion 78 such that edges 81a of the aperture second section 81 locate in the circumferential recess 76 when the cam portion 72 extends therethrough, as will be explained hereinafter.

The quick release mechanism 32 is received within the body 31 with the locating bracket 69 seated in the axially extending aperture 41 in the recessed region 33 of the body 31. Lateral edges 82 of the rear portion 77 locate in the guide slots 42 so that the locating bracket 69 is constrained to a sliding movement along the rear face 41c of the axially extending aperture 41 in a direction defined by the guide slots 42.

The operating shaft 48 extends through the operating shaft passage 47 and the cylindrical portion 70 of the operating shaft 48 is supported by the first and second openings 44,45 such that the operating shaft 48 is rotatable about it's longitudinal axis. The cam portion 72 of the operating shaft 48 extends from the first opening 44 such that it is disposed in the axially extending aperture 41 and extends through the rear portion of the locating bracket 69. The cam portion 72 is received through the first section 80 of the aperture formed in the locating bracket 69 and the edges 81a of the aperture second section 81 subsequently locate in the circumferential recess 76. Therefore, movement of the operating shaft 48 along its axis is prevented as the lateral edges 82 of the locating bracket 69 are disposed in the guide slots 42. A spring 83 is disposed in each circular aperture 37 between the fixed and movable clamping plates 56,57 such that one end of each spring 83 is seated in the respective cut outs 65a of the fixed clamping plate 56 and the distal end thereof against an opposing edge 84 of the movable clamping plate 57 to urge the movable clamping plate 57 away from the fixed clamping plate 56.

It will be appreciated that, with the shaft 58 in position, the operating shaft 48 extends laterally thereto such that the perpendicular portion 78 of the locating bracket 69 is disposed between the faces 73,74,75 of the cam portion 72 and the end of the shaft 58 distal to the tool engaging end face 59. Furthermore, this limits the movement of the movable clamping plate 57 as will be explained hereinafter, the tool engaging face 71 of the operating shaft 48 is accessible through the second opening 45.

The end plates 39 are affixed to the body 31 by screws 40 which extend through the end plates 39 and engage with the threaded sections 38 of respective circular apertures 37.

Operation of the present embodiment of the mounting bracket 30 will now be described with reference to Figures 9 to 17. Initially the operating shaft 48 is rotated such that it is in a 'locked' position. This is indicated by a marking on the tool engaging face 71 and respective markings on the body 31 proximate thereto (not shown). In this position the perpendicular portion 78 of the locating bracket 69 is disposed in contact with the arcuate face 75 of the cam portion 72. It will be appreciated that the pair of springs 83 mounted in respective circular apertures 37 urge the movable clamping plate 57 away from said fixed clamping plate 36 because the fixed clamping plate 56 is immovably mounted. Hence, as the nut 62 partially extends into the opening 63 in the movable clamping plate 37 and is threadedly engaged on the threaded portion 60 of the shaft 58, then the shaft 58 is urged towards the cam portion 72 extending into the axially extending aperture 41. Therefore, the end of the shaft 58 is pushed against the locating bracket 69, which is subsequently pushed against the cam portion 72. This prevents movement of the shaft 58 along its longitudinal axis unless the cam portion 72 is rotated.

Although a pair of springs 83 are shown to urge the movable clamping plates 57 away from the fixed clamping plate 56 and therefore urge the shaft 58 and hence the locating bracket 69 against the cam portion 72 of the operating shaft 48, it will be understood that other resilient means may be utilised, for example, a resilient member may act directly on the shaft.

As explained above, when the shaft 58 is rotated by, for example, an alien key engaged with the tool engaging face 59 of the shaft 58, movement of the shaft 58 in an axial direction is prevented. Furthermore, the nut 62 is prevented from rotating together with the shaft 58 because it is constrained by the multi-faceted walls 41a,41b,41c,etc. of the axially extending aperture 41, the nut 62 moves in an axial direction along the shaft 58 as the shaft 58 is rotated. Hence, movement of the nut 62 in an axial direction along the shaft 58 causes the movable clamping plate 57 to draw the hooked edge portion 57a thereof towards, or away from, the hooked edge portion 56a of the fixed clamping plate 56 depending on the direction the shaft 58 is rotated.

If the body 31 is located against the panel 2 so that the hooked edge portions 56a,57a are each received within a spaced parallel channel 8 in the panel 2, the movable clamping plate 57 can be moved towards the fixed clamping plate 56 by rotating the shaft 58 so as to cause the hooked edge portions 56a, 57a to engage against the walls of the channels 8, thereby attaching the mounting bracket 30 to the panel 2. A portion of each engaging rod 53 extends from the panel engaging faces 34a,34b such that, when the body 31 is located against the panel 2, the body may be securely fastened thereagainst due to the resilience of the engaging rods 53.

The mounting bracket 1 is thereby fixedly attached to the panel 31. To adjust the position of the mounting bracket 1 in this embodiment by sliding it along the slatwall and without removing it altogether from the slatwall, the operating shaft 48 is rotated by, for example, an alien key engaged with the tool engaging face of the operating shaft 48 into a "repositioning" position indicated by the relevant markings (not shown). As the operating shaft 48 is rotated from a locked' position to a 'repositioning' position, the cam portion 72 is rotated such that the first planar face 73 of the cam portion 72 is moved into contact with the perpendicular portion 78 of the locating bracket 69.

Therefore, rotation of the operating shaft 48 causes linear motion of the shaft 58 and hence the movable clamping plate 56 such that said movable clamping plate 56 is moved away from the fixed clamping plate 56 by a predetermined distance so that the position of the mounting bracket 1 on the panel 2 may be adjusted without removing the mounting bracket 1 from the panel 2. The predetermined distance is a distance which is sufficient to release the grip of the clamping plates against the slat wall so as to enable the bracket to be slid along the channel in which the clamping plates are located. However, the predetermined distance is insufficient to allow the clamping plates to exit from the channels in which they are located. As the distance between the fixed and movable clamping plates 56,57 is adjusted by a predetermined amount then the hooked edge portions 56a,57a do not disengage from the channels 8. To return the mounting bracket 31 to the 'locked' position the operating shaft 48 is rotated in the opposite direction.

Removal of the mounting bracket 1 from the panel 2 is achieved by either rotating the shaft 58 in the opposite direction thereby disengaging the hooked edge portions 56a,57a from the channels 8 as disclosed in the first embodiment. However, a quick release function is provided by rotating the operating shaft 48 into a 'removal' position, as indicated by the respective markings (not shown). Herein, the operating shaft 48 is rotated such that the second planar face 74 of the cam portion 72 is in contact with the perpendicular portion 78 of the locating bracket 69, the second planar face 74 having a shorter distance between its bisector and the longitudinal axis of the operating shaft 48 than the first planar face 73. Therefore, the shaft 58 and movable clamping plate 57 move in a direction away from the fixed clamping plate 56 such that the distance between the hooked edge portions 56a,57a increases and they are disengaged from the channels 8 in the panel 2. It will be appreciated that the bracket may also be reattached to the slatwall by inserting the clamping plates 56,57 into the channels and rotating the shaft 48 back into its locked position. The shaft 48 need only be turned through a short angle, approximately 35 degrees to quickly release the clamping members from the channels and enable the bracket to be removed from the slatwall. This method of removal is therefore quicker than rotating the shaft 58 to release the clamping members.

Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be made to the above exemplary embodiments that lie within the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A mounting bracket for attaching a monitor support to the surface of a wall or partition panel having at least a pair of spaced parallel channels formed therein, the mounting bracket comprising a pair of clamping members that respectively locate in adjacent spaced parallel channels in the wall or partition panel and clamping means operable to draw at least one of said clamping members toward or away from the other clamping member to clamp the bracket to said wall or partition panel.

2. A mounting bracket according to claim 1, comprising a body, wherein one of said clamping members is fixedly mounted to the body and the clamping means is operable to draw the other movable clamping member toward or away from said fixedly mounted clamping member.

3. A mounting bracket according to claim 2, wherein the clamping means comprises a primary clamping means and a secondary clamping means.

4. A mounting bracket according to claim 3, wherein the primary clamping means comprises a shaft having a thread formed at one end and a threaded element on one end of the shaft in engagement with the corresponding thread.

5. A mounting bracket according to claim 4, wherein the shaft is mounted within the body for rotation about its longitudinal axis

6. A mounting bracket according to claim 5, wherein a recess extends through the body to receive the shaft such that the edge of the threaded element partially protrudes in a lateral direction from said recess, the threaded element and the recess cooperating which each other so that the threaded element does not rotate but is free to slide in an axial direction along said recess, during rotation of said shaft to move the movable clamping member, into and out of, a clamped position.

7. A mounting bracket according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the movable clamping member has an aperture therein and the edge of the threaded element that extends in a lateral direction from the recess locates in the aperture in the movable clamping member.

8. A mounting bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the body has a recessed portion defining spaced, opposing slots to slideably receive the movable clamping member therein.

9. A mounting bracket according to any of claims 3 to 8, wherein the secondary clamping means comprises a quick release mechanism operable to move the primary clamping means in an axial direction without rotating the primary clamping means to draw the movable clamping member toward or away from said fixedly mounted clamping member and into, or out of, a clamped position.

10. A mounting bracket according to claim 9 wherein the quick release mechanism comprises a rotatable cam operable to move said primary clamping means in an axial direction.

11. A mounting bracket according to claim 10, wherein the rotatable cam comprises at least two faces, and rotation of the cam between the at least two faces draws the movable clamping member toward or away from said fixedly mounted clamping member by a predetermined distance.

12. A mounting bracket according to claim 11, wherein the rotatable cam comprises two faces and the predetermined distance is a distance which is sufficient to allow the clamping members to slide within the channels without being removed therefrom.

13. A mounting bracket according to claim 11, wherein the rotatable cam comprises three faces, and rotation of the cam between a first face and a second face draws the movable clamping member toward or away from said fixedly mounted clamping member by a predetermined distance to clamp or un-clamp the bracket to said wall or partition panel, and rotation of the cam between the first and a third face draws the movable clamping member toward or away from said fixedly mounted clamping member by a smaller predetermined distance than rotation of the cam between the first face and the second face.

14. A mounting bracket according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined distance is a distance which is sufficient to allow the clamping members to clear the spaced parallel channels so that the mounting bracket is removable from the wall, the smaller predetermined distance being a distance which is sufficient to allow the clamping members to slide within the channels without being removed therefrom.

15. A mounting bracket according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the rotatable cam comprises a cylindrical portion and a cam portion, the cylindrical portion being mounted within the body for rotation about its longitudinal axis

16. A mounting bracket according to claim 13, wherein the cylindrical portion extends through the body laterally to the axis of movement of the movable clamping member.

17. A mounting bracket according to claim 16, wherein the quick release mechanism further comprises at least one resilient member disposed to draw the movable clamping member away from the fixedly mounted clamping member.

18. A mounting bracket according to claim 17, wherein the at least one resilient member is disposed between the pair of clamping members.

19. A mounting bracket according to claim 18, wherein a recess extends through the body to receive the primary clamping means and the cam portion extends in a lateral direction into said recess.

20. A mounting bracket according to claim 19, wherein the at least one resilient member urges the primary clamping means towards the quick release mechanism.

21. A mounting bracket according to any of claims 15 to 20, wherein the rotatable cam further comprises a circumferential recess between the cylindrical portion and the cam portion, wherein a locating member extends into the circumferential recess and is mounted in a slot in the body to prevent movement of the rotatable cam in an axial direction relative to the body.

22. A mounting bracket according to claim 21, wherein a portion of the locating member is disposed between the primary clamping means and the cam portion.

23. A mounting bracket according to any of claims 11 to 22, wherein a tool engaging face is formed at at least one end of the rotatable cam for engagement by a tool to enable rotation of the rotatable cam.

24. A mounting bracket according to claim 1, wherein the clamping means is operable to draw both clamping members toward or away from each other.

25. A mounting bracket according to claim 1 or claim 24, wherein the clamping means comprises a shaft having threads formed at each end and a threaded elements on each end of the shaft in engagement with a corresponding thread.

26. A mounting bracket according to claim 25, comprising a body, the shaft being mounted within the body for rotation about its longitudinal axis but constrained from moving in an axial direction relative to the body.

21 ^'. A mounting bracket according to claim 26, wherein a shaft retaining member is mounted on the shaft and locates in a slot in the body to prevent movement of the shaft in an axial direction relative to the body during rotation of the shaft.

28. A mounting bracket according to claim 26 or 27, wherein a recess extends through the body to receive the shaft such that the edge of each threaded element partially protrudes in a lateral direction from said recess, the threaded elements and the recess cooperating which each other so that the threaded elements do not rotate but are free to slide in an axial direction along said recess, during rotation of said shaft.

29. A mounting bracket according to any of claims 25 to 28, wherein the threads formed on the shaft extend in opposite directions.

30. A mounting bracket according to any of claims 25 to 29, wherein each clamping member has an aperture therein and the edge of each threaded element that extends in a lateral direction from the recess locates in an aperture in a corresponding clamping member.

31. A mounting bracket according to any of claims 25 to 30, wherein the body has a recessed portion defining spaced, opposing slots to slideably receive the clamping members therein.

32. A mounting bracket according to any of claims 25 to 31, wherein the threaded element is a hexagonal nut.

33. A mounting bracket according to claim 32, wherein the surface of the axially extending recess is multi-faceted so that the faces of the hexagonal nut lie against corresponding facets of the recess to prevent rotation of the nut during rotation of the shaft.

34. A mounting bracket according to any of claims 25 to 33, wherein a tool engaging face is formed at at least one end of the shaft for engagement by a tool to enable rotation of the shaft.

35. A mounting bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the clamping members comprise plates having hooked edge portions extending from the body for engagement with spaced parallel channels in the panels.

36. A mounting bracket substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.